REGULAR MEETING MINUTES | August 12, 2026
- Admin
- 11 minutes ago
- 8 min read
REGULAR MEETING
August 12, 2026
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session August 12, 2026 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Abbas presiding. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Council members present: Dan Scallon, Steven Ackerman, Maliah Roelfs, Mike Wessels, and Rod Neely. Quorum present.
Neely moved, Scallon seconded to approve the August 12, 2026 agenda. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) July 8, 2026 Regular Minutes & July 15, 2026 Special Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: July 2026 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; July 2026 Clerk Budget; July 2026 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; July 2026 Deputy Clerk Nuisance Violation; July 2026 Fire; July 2026 PeopleService; July 2026 Ackley Development Commission; and FY 2026 Outstanding Debt Obligation Report. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Neely seconded to open the public hearing for Richard Fitzgerald/Ashley King Nuisance Violation 51.02(2g). Ayes-all. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 6:03 pm. No comments, concerns, or discussion. Wessels moved, Neely seconded to close the public hearing. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Public hearing closed at 6:03 pm. Clerk Dennis updated council that King had informed Dennis that King misunderstood the hearing part of the nuisance and believed the hearing would be in front of a judge. King also reported all violations were complete. B. Kuper, Public Works Supervisor, reports that there are quite a few violations still active and does have photos with time stamp on them. Neely moved, Wessels seconded to move forward with the cleanup of the violations and to have a deputy on site during the process. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Neely inquired as to the fine of this violation. Dennis informed council that would need to go to the nuisance attorney for a citation.
Dennis reported, S. Schroeder, city attorney, has not received an agreement back from T. Nederhoff, Friends of Prairie Bridges attorney for the Prairie Bridges agreement/lease. M. Fistler and Abbas have been in contact about the lease. Abbas had requested that Dennis make the agreed upon negotiations to the lease and get that to Fistler. That has been done. Abbas had reported the lease agreement should be able to be signed and passed next month.
2020A GO Bond projects for the street will be completed with the 2025A GO Bond Street Preservation project.
Dennis sent information about the request to vacate Hardin St between 809/901 10th Ave to the city attorney.
M. White, PeopleService, addressed council on the retention tank. Until the IDNR permit is approved, the purchase of the detention tank is on hold. Neely moved, Scallon seconded to rescind previously approved purchase to Blazik for the retention tank. Ayes-all. Motion carried. 5th Ave generator is installed. Propane has been delivered for the LP tanks. White believes that IAS may need to come back and redo service line to the generator. Sagrs are good for now. City may need to look into an affluent meter. The elevations of the sagrs are causing the issues with the sagrs getting plugged and the inlets are under water – that could cause icing up in the winter.
Kuper reported E. Harrison’s last week will be next week due to school starting, pool will be open until the following Sunday, there are a few chips that the department will need to fix, the splash pad may need a different chlorinator due the demand being high for chemicals, Kuper is working with D. Peterson, Carrico, on that. Ackerman shared concerns regarding mowing the cemetery.
P. Scallon, Ackley Heritage Center (AHC), addressed council on the Carillonic Bell Chimes Machine located in the sound room at City Hall. Ackley Heritage Center would like to put that on a future project list to get them going again and would like an agreement drawn up with the city due to the city owning them. Abbas didn’t see any concern and requested item be back on the agenda next month if the AHC has the agreement drawn up.
Discussion regarding the disposal of city impound lot to the Ackley Development Commission. Dennis informed council of the directive from the Iowa League stating there was no exception for gifting real estate and didn’t believe there was an allowance under the urban renewal laws. Dennis inquired about the ownership of the property to the county as well as Fidelity Abstract. L. Gallentine, on behalf of the ADC, believes that “impound lot” is platted Blue Earth St.
Abbas informed council that the welcome sign and tornado siren located at 104 14th St will need to be relocated due to development at that property. Abbas has contacted M.Burton, Hardin County EMA director, to find out about the process of moving the tornado sign. Currently owner of 104 14th St informed Abbas that the siren could be relocated to SW corner of the lot. Abbas contacted original contractor who did the welcome sign and contractor did not believe the welcome sign could be moved. It is unclear who originally paid for the welcome sign. Council to think of a new spot for a welcome sign.
Scallon moved, Ackerman seconded to approve Cemetery Perpetual CD renewal to GNB Bank for a term of 48 months with a rate of 3.75% APY. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Discussion regarding the sidewalk removal and maintenance of sidewalks. Council has taken the stance that sidewalks need to be maintained. Neely moved, Wessels seconded to send 30-day violation letter to 501 9th Ave and 1001 Park Ave to get a building permit to replace sidewalks that were removed. Ayes-all. Motion carried. The building permit process allows the violators 180 days to get the sidewalks put back in.
Dennis updated Council on drafting the ordinance change to remove #19 and #20 from Chapter 65 Stop or Yield Required under the stop sign section.
Scallon moved, Neely seconded to approve beer/liquor license amendment for Casey’s General Store. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to approve appointment of Rod Neely to the Hardin/Franklin/Grundy County Emergency Management Commission and the Hardin/Franklin County 911 Service Board. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to adopt the Proclamation of National See Tracks? Think Train Week. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 26-35 Setting Wages for Stephanie Buhman and Marjean Clemons. Roll call vote: Ayes- Ackerman, Roelfs Wessels, Neely, Scallon. Motion carried. Dennis informed Council that this wage increase now puts Buhman at the 10% increase that the Finance/Administration Council committee presented for employees earlier this year.
Roelfs moved, Neely seconded to pass Resolution 26-36 Establishing Fees for a 5-Day Swimming Lesson and a Parent/Tot Swimming Lesson. Roll call vote: Ayes- Roelfs, Wessels, Neely, Scallon, Ackerman. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Ackerman seconded to approve payment to Dorsey + Whitney, LLP in the amount of $4,500 for 2022/2025 SRF Loan Forgiveness legal fees. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to approve payment to Williams Underground Services in the amount of $2,910 for Hardin St/2nd Ave water main repair. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to approve payment to Frey Municipal Software in the amount of $10,912.86 for annual license fee for accounting software. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Ackerman seconded to approve payment to AGWSR School in the amount of $9,937.72 for reimbursement for Cougar’s Den kitchen water heater replacement to be paid from the Cougar’s Den Reserve account. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to approve purchase to Waterloo Tent & Tarp Company in the amount of $7,560. for a splash pad shade structure to be paid from the 050 pool reserve fund. Ayes-all. Motion carried. These funds were raised by a few local residents during fundraiser events.
There were 4 bid letters sent for Zone III Ash tree removal. 2 bids were received, one from Affordable Tree Service and the other from Finished Tree Removal. Scallon moved, Neely seconded to approve bid in the amount of $13,450 to Affordable Tree Removal for Zone III Ash Tree removal. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
There were 3 bid letters sent for Zone III Storm Sewer jetting/cleaning. The lowest bid was Hydro Clean in the amount of $11,888 but due to additional charges of disposal of waste, Neely moved, Wessels seconded to approve bid to Williams Underground in the amount of $12,470 for jetting/cleaning zone III. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants, Cerro Gordo St storm sewer piping is placed. Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to approve pay estimate no. 2 in the amount of $23,147.11 to McDowell & Sons for Cerro Gordo St storm sewer. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Road prep for the street preservation is beginning. Change order no 1 was presented for an increase contract quantity for paving further back into side street intersections. Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve change order 1 in the amount of $43,431.98. Ayes-all. Motion carried. CGA submitted updated plans to IDOT for the Franklin St north of the Railroad tracks project, working on the IDNR permit for the New Water Plant, and no update on Sanitary Sewer Continuing Improvement Plan.
Dennis gave updates on Frey conversion. There are 2 potential issues they are working on, one with penalty calculation and one with deposits/refunds. Ackerman inquired about penalties.
Neely would like to see council be proactive in city ordinances rather than reactive. Mayor and Council discussion on elected officials writing a column for ordinance reminders and what is happening in the community, to our citizens. Roelfs and Ackerman shared idea about putting a blog for the elected officials on the City’s official webpage for the residents to see what is happening around the community. Council thanked the city clerks on the software conversion and the work being done along with their normal daily tasks.
J. Schmoll, citizen, informed Council that the street name posts are all painted and thanked them for going back on the Hardin St intersection.
Wessels moved, Neely seconded to adjourn at 7:46 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Abbas, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS | COPIER MAINTENANCE | 143.83 |
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY | REIMBURSE PETTY CASH/POSTAGE | 4.25 |
AFFORDABLE TREE SERVICE | 8TH AVE/FRANKLIN ST STORM | 300.00 |
AGSOURCE COOPERATIVE SERV | POOL TESTING | 44.50 |
AGWSR CSD | KITCHEN WATER HEATER REPLACEME | 9937.72 |
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL | UTILITIES-GAS | 1735.59 |
CAMPBELL SUPPLY COMPANY | BOLTS | 8.65 |
CARDMEMBER SERVICE | CONCESSIONS/PAPER/DVD/SWIFFER | 956.26 |
CARSTENS PLUMBING & HEATI | FREON AC | 420.81 |
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT | LARGE PRINT BOOKS | 345.18 |
CENTURYLINK | PHONES/FAX | 469.88 |
CGA | STORM SEWER CERRO GORDO/RETENTION | 6976.10 |
DEPOSIT REFUNDS | REFUND DATE 07/27/2026 | 100.05 |
DOLLAR GENERAL | PROPANE CYLINDER/WASP SPRAY | 36.50 |
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP | SRF LOAN FORGIVENESS FEES | 4500.00 |
DUMONT TELEPHONE CO | INTERNET | 80.00 |
EBS | HEALTH INSURANC | 6120.05 |
FEDERAL W/H | FED/FICA TAX | 8779.89 |
FRANK DUNN CO. | COLD PATCH - 2 PALLETS | 1996.00 |
FRANKLIN COUNTY AUDITOR | FRANKLIN COUNTY DISPATCH LEVY | 1066.28 |
FREY MUNICIPAL SOFTWARE | 2027 FREY MUNICIPAL SOFTWARE | 10912.86 |
GLOBE LIFE LIBERTY NATION | GLOBE PRETAX | 88.79 |
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF | CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3144.90 |
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE | JULY LANDFILL FEES | 1721.50 |
HAWKEYE COMMUNICATION | CAMERA REPLACEMENT | 921.59 |
HEART OF IOWA | 847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS | 69.49 |
HERONIMUS, SCHMIDT, ALLEN | PRAIRIE BRIDGES AGREEMENT | 822.50 |
HH CONSTRUCTION | DIG BROKEN LINE | 255.00 |
HY VEE FOOD STORES | GLUCOSE/EPI PENS | 622.04 |
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES | BOOKS/SHIPPING | 567.19 |
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO | DIESEL/GAS | 2197.77 |
IOWA DEPT OF NATURAL RESO | ANNUAL NPDES WASTEWATER PERMIT | 210.00 |
IOWA PRISON INDUSTRIES | DELINQUENT NOTICES 500 | 176.00 |
IPERS | IPERS - REGULAR | 3023.32 |
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL | CHLORINATOR-PIPE/TUBING | 225.48 |
KEN'S REPAIR | WEEDEATER LINE/ECHO BLEND | 113.94 |
LORI'S BOOKS, INC | BOOKS | 24.71 |
LYNCH DALLAS LEGAL | 812 MAIN/322 LINCOLN/1118 4TH | 110.00 |
MCDOWELL & SONS INC. | CERRO GORDO ST STORM SWR | 23147.11 |
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC | DEF/BAR OIL/CONNECTOR | 69.47 |
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COM | ELECTRIC | 17079.05 |
MORT'S WATER COMPANY | WTR SVC LINE/ST REPAIR-902 2ND | 2275.83 |
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVI | BUNKER GEAR - 2 SETS/AIRPACKS | 7304.00 |
NORTHLAND SECURITIES | DISSEMINATION AGENT SERVICES | 550.00 |
OVERDRIVE | FY27 BRIDGES E BOOK SUB FEE | 763.71 |
PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 36450.79 |
PEOPLESERVICE INC. | WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE | 18561.00 |
PITNEY BOWES INC. | POSTAGE MACHINE | 551.75 |
POSTMASTER | UTILITY BILL POSTAGE | 432.90 |
ROSS CLEANING | 7/22/26 CLEANING | 175.00 |
ROTGERS FARM SHOP | DOT INSPECTION | 50.00 |
SALES TAX/LOST | SALES TAX PAYMENT | 1510.22 |
SCALLON'S LAWN CARE | 5TH AVE LIFT STAT ACCESS ROAD | 1546.00 |
SHIELD PEST CONTROL | MONTHLY SERVICES | 34.00 |
STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAX | 538.63 |
TIMES-CITIZEN CO. | 7/8/26 & 7/15/26 MINUTES | 212.98 |
TITAN PRO SCI | ROUNDUP/PROTEINS ARVUM | 845.00 |
TREVIPAY | DVDS/GLUE | 39.92 |
UMB BANK | 2025A/B BOND FEES | 1200.00 |
VERIZON | MODEM/PHONES | 131.94 |
WATER EXCISE TAX | WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT | 2586.95 |
WILLIAMS UNDERGROUND SER | HARDIN ST/2ND AVE MAIN REPAIR/CURBSTOP | 31685.00 |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 216969.87 |
EXPENSES BY FUND | ||
| GENERAL FUND | 78482.42 |
| LIBRARY RESERVE FUND | 349.56 |
| ROAD USE TAX FUND | 19109.23 |
| DEBT SERVICE FUND | 1200.00 |
| CAP PROJ - SPLASH PAD FUND | 8.65 |
| CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025A FUND | 453.50 |
| CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025B FUND | 110.00 |
| WATER FUND | 49778.80 |
| WATER DEPOSITS FUND | 100.05 |
| CAP WATER PROJ-WATER PLAN FUND | 375.00 |
| SEWER FUND | 23402.97 |
| CAP SEWER IMPROVEMENTS FUND | 4500.00 |
| GARBAGE FUND | 7937.77 |
| STORM WATER FUND | 31161.92 |
TOTAL | 216969.87 | |
REVENUE | ||
GENERAL | 55066.38 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP | 0.04 | |
SWIMMING POOL RESERVE | 8600.00 | |
ROAD USE TAX | 18848.65 | |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL | 805.71 | |
LOST | 24356.77 | |
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 6089.19 | |
CAPITAL PROJECT - LOST TOTAL | 6089.19 | |
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE | 60.00 | |
WATER | 59381.41 | |
WATER DEPOSITS TOTAL | 1050.00 | |
SEWER TOTAL | 65266.61 | |
SEWER - SINKING | 29480.00 | |
GARBAGE | 13820.69 | |
STORM SEWER | 17452.40 | |
TOTAL | 306367.04 |
Comments