REGULAR MEETING MINUTES | April 8, 2026
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REGULAR MEETING
                                                                 April 8, 2026
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ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session April 8, 2026 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Pro Tem Michael Abbas presiding. Following the pledge of allegiance and the mayor statement, the meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm. Council members present:  Mike Wessels, Dan Scallon Steven Ackerman, Maliah Roelfs, and Mike Abbas. Quorum present.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve the April 8, 2026 agenda. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) March 11, 2026 Regular Minutes, March 23, March 25 I/II, 2026 Special Minutes as written.  b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file:  March 2026 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; March 2026 Clerk Budget; March 2026 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; March 2026 Fire; March 2026 Ackley EMS, March 2026 PeopleService; March 2026 Ackley Development Commission; 4th Quarter 2025 Ackley Public Library Investment; 1st Quarter 2026 Investment Report; 1st Quarter 2026 Prairie Bridges/Park Fest; and 1st Quarter 2026 Airport Board of Trustees. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
No update on Prairie Bridges 28E Agreement or 2020A GO Bond Projects.
J. Crawford updated council on the progress of the ambulance shed upgrades.
No discussion on McDowell & Son’s garbage services.
Roelfs suggested a $.25 to $.50 raise for the lifeguards to be competitive with areas pools.
Roelfs inquired on the need of a stop sign located on Douglas Ave at the intersection with the railroad tracks. Dennis suggested looking though chapter 65 stop or yield required ordinance to determine if any other changes need to happen and if so, do them all at once. Further discussion next month.
Rex Crosser, Hardin County Solid Waste/Recycling Commission, introduced himself to the council and spoke on the services HCSWC provides to the city.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve the color taupe for the shelter house siding for the Ackley Helping Hand’s project. Ayes-all. Motion carried. The street sign poles and street name signs were discussed as options for another project for their group. More to follow next month.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve beer/liquor license for Friends of Prairie Bridges and Lucky Wife Wine Slushes. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Discussion on what funds are used for the clerk and deputy clerk wages. Wessels was not opposed to a raise but inquired as to the possibility of having a part time deputy clerk, Ackerman addressed the question, speaking from experience of working in the clerk’s office, knowing what the clerks do and how busy city hall is, Ackerman and Roelfs did not believe that was a possibility. Roelfs further explained that with the raise, the city was still below the average wage for the clerk wage review. Scallon agreed with the need to pay our employees to retain them. Roelfs moved, Ackerman seconded to pass Resolution 26-12 Setting Wages for Employees. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Abbas. Nays-Wessels. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 26-14 Temporarily Close Certain Streets and No Parking on Certain Streets for the 2026 Car Show. Roll call vote: Ayes-Ackerman, Roelfs, Abbas, Wessels, Scallon. Motion carried.
R. Neely, F. Teske and M. Abbas turned letters of interest in for the mayor appointment. Neely introduced himself to the council. Upon explanation from the clerk on the process of appointments on mayor and council, in the event Abbas was chosen, Roelfs moved, Ackerman seconded to pass Resolution 26-15 Appoint Mayor Vacancy naming Mike Abbas. Roll call vote: Ayes-Roelfs, Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman. Recuse-Abbas. Motion carried. Upon passage, Abbas turned his council seat resignation letter into the City Clerk. Dennis administrated the oath of mayor office to Abbas.
Wessels inquired as to how many applications were turned in for the deputy clerk position. Ackerman moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 26-16 Hiring Carrie Stahl as Deputy City Clerk. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs. Motion carried.
Dennis informed council that B. Kuper has successfully passed the CPO certification class. Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 26-17 Hiring Brent Kuper as Public Works Supervisor. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 26-18 Hiring Jeff Gronewold as Public Works Seasonal Assistant. Â Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Wessels. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Ackerman seconded to adopt the Proclamation of Arbor Day 2026. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve payment to Williams Underground Services in the amount of $4,125 for 5th Ave watermain repair. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to approve payment to Electric Pump in the amount of $4,271.67 for WWTP Lift Station Pump 2 Check Valve. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
M. White, PeopleService, reported on the lift station needs, UV building issues, the leak in the Sagr system with a call to Boomerang to come take a look, the need to purchase a hose for re-routing overflows, eq basin level with the rains, and waiting on J. Kurth for the water plant aerator tank.
L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants, has no update from the railroad on the Franklin St N of the RR track street project. Easement is being recorded for the storm sewer project, Scallon moved, Ackerman seconded to approve Change order No 1 for time extension and $1,500 increase for the recommendation of CMP in the place of pipe at the outlet. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Contract has been sent to Heartland Asphalt for signatures for the Bonded Street Project. Gallentine, Wessels, and former mayor M. Nuss met regarding the water plant. No update on sanitary sewer improvement plan. Inquired about the 5th Ave water main on construction plans for that replacement.
Abbas reported the loader is currently not operating. A service company has been called.
Dennis asked about concrete being allowed at the city dump, to which it is not, the Horseshoe Club is looking for a building to rent in the winter, reminder of the council meeting next Tuesday, Michael Siems, CNS Internet, stopped into city hall last week and offered free internet to the ambulance shed if the city would pay for the installation of equipment. Siems was informed that currently there is no internet, phone, or tv services there but the clerk would address with council, Siems was not interested in addressing council unless the council had any questions for Siems, and Pleva will put the splash pad gutter replacement on their schedule and is working on a quote for next week’s meeting for replacement of the plaster surface of the splash pad.
Roelfs thanked Abbas for his commitment. No mayor comments.
P. Heinz, resident, informed council about the life guard scholarships and a stag/stagette fundraiser for the pool to purchase pool furniture and shade structures. Heinz also shared concern on the timing of the pool manager hiring. M. Meyer, citizen, shared concerns on council, department heads, and employees. D. Brass, resident, questioned rumors of selling the airport and concerns of closing the airport.
Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to adjourn at 7:27 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
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_______________________________________
Michael Abbas, Mayor
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ATTEST:
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Malena Dennis, City Clerk
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ACCESS SYSTEMS | TECHNICAL SUPPORT/BACKUP/COPIER | 836.80 |
ACKLEY PUBLISHING CO INC | BLACK INK/REPLACEMENT PAD | 9.30 |
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL | UTILITIES-GAS | 2362.68 |
CARDMEMBER SERVICE | DVDS | 39.92 |
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT | LARGE PRINT BOOKS | 123.18 |
CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING | PAPER TOWELS/TOILETPAPER/GARBAGE BAGSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 387.00 |
CENTURYLINK | PHONES/FAX | 469.83 |
CGA | STREET PRESERVATIN/SUR/DES/BID/STORM SWRÂ Â | 7653.00 |
CLEMONS, MARJEAN | HARDIN CO LIBRARIANS MTG | 35.24 |
DEMCO | JACKET COVERS | 51.74 |
DUMONT TELEPHONE CO | INTERNET | 80.00 |
EBSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | HEALTH INSURANCÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 2977.33 |
ELECTRIC PUMP | WWTP PUMP 2 REPLACE CHECK VALV | 4991.67 |
FEDERAL W/H | FED/FICA TAX | 3313.61 |
FOOD & CONSUMER SAFETY BU | CONCESSION STAND FOOD LICENSE | 150.00 |
FORGY ELECTRIC | GEVERATOR SERVICE PLAN | 269.99 |
GLOBE LIFE LIBERTY NATION | GLOBE PRETAX | 88.79 |
GRIT | MAGAZINE | 24.95 |
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF | CONTRACT LAW ENFOREMENT | 3144.90 |
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE | MARCH LANDFILL FEES | 1733.60 |
HEART OF IOWA | 847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS | 68.50 |
HGTV MAGAZINE | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 29.97 |
HH CONSTRUCTION | REMOVE CONCRETE BLOCKS | 525.00 |
HOUSE BEAUTIFUL | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 32.07 |
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES | BOOKS | 617.71 |
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO | DIESEL | 339.22 |
IOWA PARK & RECREATION AS | CPO COURSE FEE & MANUAL-KUPER | 400.00 |
IPERS | IPERS - REGULAR | 2468.67 |
LYNCH DALLAS LEGAL | 634 MAIN ST WALL | 42.50 |
MAIN STREET DESIGNS | CANDLE WREATH/SHIPPING | 637.68 |
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC | DEF | 89.95 |
PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 12885.23 |
PEOPLESERVICE INC. | WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE | 17899.00 |
PITNEY BOWES INC. | INK CARTRIDGE | 152.70 |
POSTMASTER | UTILITY BILL POSTAGE | 423.34 |
REGION 6 PLANNING COMMISS | MEMBERSHIP DUES FY25/26 | 799.50 |
ROSS CLEANING | 3/25/26 CLEANING | 175.00 |
SALES TAX/LOST | SALES TAX PAYMENT | 974.82 |
SAM'S CLUB | MEMBERSHIP | 60.00 |
SCHIPPER HOME CONSTRUCTIO | CITY HALL BASEMENT WINDOWS (8) | 4999.00 |
SHIELD PEST CONTROL | MONTHLY SERVICES | 32.00 |
STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAXES | 434.72 |
THE PIONEER WOMAN | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 10.00 |
TIMES-CITIZEN CO. | MARCH MINUTES/PROPERTY TAX LEVY/ORD 543Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 519.62 |
USDA RF | MONTHLY PAYMENT | 1151.00 |
VERIZON | PHONES/MODEMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 131.93 |
WATER EXCISE TAX | WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT | 2520.50 |
WILLIAMS UNDERGROUND SERV | 5TH AVE (PLAYGROUND) WA MAIN B | 4125.00 |
CLAIMS TOTAL | 81288.16 | |
 | EXPENSES BY FUND | |
 | GENERAL FUND | 26102.71 |
 | LIBRARY RESERVE FUND | 362.05 |
 | ROAD USE TAX FUND | 5326.49 |
 | CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2020A FUND | 4999.00 |
 | CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025A FUND | 6903.00 |
 | CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025B FUND | 42.50 |
 | WATER FUND | 12438.47 |
 | SEWER FUND | 19357.91 |
 | GARBAGE FUND | 4549.71 |
 | STORM WATER FUND | 1206.32 |
TOTAL | 81288.16 | |
REVENUE | ||
GENERAL | 54808.17 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP | 0.04 | |
ROAD USE TAX | 15177.15 | |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL | 3963.47 | |
LOST | 18997.07 | |
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 4749.27 | |
CAPITAL PROJECT - LOST TOTAL | 4749.26 | |
WATER | 48989.73 | |
WATER DEPOSITS TOTAL | 750 | |
SEWER TOTAL | 68122.92 | |
SEWER - SINKING | 30179.62 | |
GARBAGE | 13327.9 | |
STORM SEWER | 17251.83 | |
TOTAL | 281066.43 |
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