REGULAR MEETING MINUTES | February 11, 2026
- Admin
- Feb 13
- 8 min read
REGULAR MEETING
February 11, 2026
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session February 11, 2026 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Nuss presiding. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Council members present: Mike Abbas, Mike Wessels, Dan Scallon, Steven Ackerman, Maliah Roelfs. Quorum present.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to approve the February 11, 2026 agenda. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Roelfs seconded to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) January 14, 2026 Regular Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: January 2026 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; January 2026 Clerk Budget; January 2026 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; January 2026 Fire; January 2026 PeopleService; January 2026 Deputy Clerk Nuisance. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to open the public hearing for the second reading of proposed Ordinance No. 543 Amending Chapter 50 Nuisance Abatement and Chapter 51 Junk/Junk Vehicles at 6:02 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
No comments received at City Hall.
Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to close the public hearing for the second reading of proposed Ordinance No. 543 Amending Chapter 50 Nuisance Abatement and Chapter 51 Junk/Junk Vehicles at 6:02 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Ackerman seconded to approve the second reading of proposed Ordinance No. 543 Amending Chapter 50 Nuisance Abatement and Chapter 51 Junk/Junk Vehicles. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Abbas. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to set the public hearing for the third reading of the proposed Ordinance No. 543 Amending Chapter 50 Nuisance Abatement and Chapter 51 Junk/Junk Vehicles to March 11, 2026 at 6 pm in the Ackley Council Chambers. Roll call vote: Ayes-Roelfs, Abbas, Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman. Motion carried.
K. Meyer, Public Works Supervisor, addressed council regarding the need of 3 full time staff in the public works department. Meyer shared frustration in regards to Meyer’s opinion not being considered. Meyer doesn’t believe a part time person will be committed or take care of the equipment like a full time staff member. Nuss explained that years ago, public works did not perform any job duties north of Sherman Ave. Around 2000, the city took on the cemetery and also has the industrial area to mow, even though Prairie bridges is cared for by the board, there are times the public works dept do things in the park, the department also has pool and parks to take care of in addition to mowing the fire station and memorial wall. Roelfs voiced concerns about the down time in the winter and a lot of what was mentioned were things that need to be done in the spring and summer and that a seasonal person would be a good fit for that. Roelfs suggested hiring 1 fulltime person and a seasonal person for those busier months with mowing and the pool. Ackerman shared concerns with excessive street sweeping and questioned if this was due to the lack of job duties in the fall when the mowing and pool season is over. Wessels questioned Meyer on the possibility of hiring 2 fulltime personnel and taking on water and sewer. Roelfs proposed 1 fulltime and a seasonal. Roelfs shared concern about sustainability and the possibility of cutting services in the future. J. Crawford addressed council regarding if the council was thinking about cutting employees that the city cut garbage and sell some real estate. C. Flores informed council on the need of increasing wages to retain our good employees. Scallon and Abbas were in agreeance with Meyer for the need to backfill the 2 full time employees in addition to raising the pay. B. Holmgaard informed council that yes, 2 people can do garbage but that while he and Meyer did that for 8 months after V. Willms retired, they disliked their jobs and Holmgaard felt they ran behind in their job duties. M. Meyer showed support and mentioned that her family already gives up enough as K. Meyer devotes time to the fire department, time on the weekends to the pool, and now the ambulance. Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to place an ad for 2 fulltime staff. Ayes-Abbas, Scallon, Ackerman. Nays-Roelfs, Wessels. Motion carried. Wage was discussed on starting what the current employee wage is.
Dennis reported on the Prairie Bridges 28E Agreement/lease. Dennis has sent the proposed changes to S. Schroeder, city attorney, and has not received a response yet.
No update on 2020A GO Bond projects.
Council approved the drafted letter to the owners of the Pizza Ranch building. Dennis to inform Lynch Dallas Legal.
Discussion on FY27 budget. Dennis educated on the proprietary funds and the ability to transfer from certain funds to other funds. Garbage is a revenue stream for the city and can be used to offset expenses in the general fund. There is a requirement to leave 6 months of operation in the fund. Wessels asked about the new truck cost. Dennis reported on the profit/loss report and overall budget numbers. The city shows a $1.2 million deficit. This is due to capital projects being budgeted to complete in FY27 with funds received in FY26. Dennis reported the budget is complete as property taxes sit today. There are still unknowns on what will happen to the revenues with the property tax reform. Dennis may end having to do budget amendment depending on those changes. Roelfs questioned the amount budgeted for fire dept electric. No other questions were presented. Abbas moved, Roelfs seconded to set public hearing for proposed property tax levy for FYE June 30, 2027 to March 25, 2026 at 6 pm in the council chambers. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Dennis reminded council there will be 2 short meetings that evening as the property tax levy needs to be a standalone meeting and 15 minutes later another meeting to set the public hearing date for the budget adoption. The budget adoption date was discussed to be sure all council members will be in attendance.
Dennis presented the ACI Application Services Master Agreement for the council to review and enter into next month. The agreement is for the 3rd party processing of credit cards and ACH payments once the city transitions to Frey Municipal Software.
Franklin REC reached out to the city inquiring if REC was able to restock the community book houses. Abbas moved, Ackerman seconded to approve Franklin REC permission to stock community book houses. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Dennis presented the FY25 Auditor’s annual exam. There was one finding for segregation of duties. No questions for concerns from Council.
Abbas moved, Wessels seconded to approve beer/liquor license for Scallon’s Inc DBA Grumpy’s Bar. Ayes-4. Recuse-Scallon. Motion carried.
Ackerman moved, Roelfs seconded to approve beer/liquor license for Elliott-Keninger Post #252 DBA American Legion Post and Casey’s Marketing Company DBA Casey’s General Store #1921. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to pass Resolution 26-07 Authorizing Mayor entering into Iowa DOT VI Non-Discrimination Agreement and Assurances. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs. Motion carried. Dennis will need to take classes for the requirement of being named the Title VI coordinator.
Dennis reminded council on the library boards’ ability to set wages for the librarians and the council sets the overall expense budget amount. Scallon moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 26-08 Setting wages for Stephanie Buhman. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Abbas. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 26-09 Hiring Emergency as Needed Employees for Public Works Department with entered wages of $20 for snow and $17 for garbage. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Wessels. Recuse-Abbas. Motion carried.
M. White, PeopleService, J. Kurth will install a bonding agent to the water plant aerator tank once weather allows, still awaiting the 5th Ave lift station pump valves and check points to come in, and ammonia levels are up at the waste water treatment plant. With wet weather coming, White suspects the UV lights will be under water.
L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants., no update on Sanitary Sewer Continuing Improvement Plan. Gallentine is waiting on the Railroad to get back to Gallentine on an agreement per the requirement from the IDOT for the Franklin St N of the RR track street project. Preconstruction meeting was held with a possible mid-February /early March start date on the storm sewer projects. Tanner Heikens’, Traditional Meats, attorney does have the easement paperwork. Plans and specifications were presented to council for review with 2 bid options for the bonded street project. Scallon moved, Ackerman seconded to set public hearing for March 11, 2026 at 6 pm in the Ackley council chambers for plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of costs for the bonded street project. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Meeting with Wessels, Nuss, Gallentine, White, and H. Draeger, PeopleService, for Monday at 1 pm for the water treatment plant. Abbas will be out of town and will join the meeting if he returns in time.
No public works comments.
Dennis has 3 webinars coming up, received the insurance money from the well #2 claim, and will be working on the closeout reporting for the American Rescue Plan project.
Scallon thanked council on the public works department thoughts.
R. Phillips, on behalf of the Ackley Heritage Center, thanked the council for getting the roof replaced on the depot. M. Clemons, Library Director, thanked council on approving the wage increase for Buhman.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to adjourn at 7:45 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS | COPIER MAINTENANCE/IT | 128.85 |
ACKLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERC | MEMBERSHIP DUES | 100.00 |
ACKLEY PUBLISHING CO INC | WATER SHUT OFF NOTICES-250/GOLF CART TAGS | 184.79 |
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL | UTILITIES-GAS | 2750.34 |
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT | LARGE PRINTN BOOKS (3) | 76.11 |
CENTURYLINK | PHONES/FAX | 469.83 |
CGA | STREET PRESERVATION/FRANKLIN ST N OF RR/SS | 12628.00 |
CLEMONS, MARJEAN | FRANKLIN CO LIB/SUPERVISOR MTG | 30.60 |
DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP | SNOW PLOW BOLTS | 54.02 |
DEMCO | TAKE YOUR CHILD TO LIB BAGS | 52.42 |
STACIE BASS | DEPOSIT REFUND | 150.00 |
DUMONT TELEPHONE CO | INTERNET | 80.00 |
EBS | HEALTH INSURANC | 3899.24 |
FEDERAL W/H | FED/FICA TAX | 4901.87 |
GLOBE LIFE LIBERTY NATION | GLOBE PRETAX | 217.82 |
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF | CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3144.90 |
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE | JANUARY 2026 LANDFILL FEES | 1668.70 |
HEART OF IOWA | 847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS | 68.50 |
HH CONSTRUCTION | RED DUMPTRUCK BOX REPAIR | 750.00 |
IBELING INSURANCE SERVICE | FY25 AUDIT WORKCOMP | 993.35 |
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES | BOOKS/SHIPPING | 618.21 |
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO | DIESEL/GAS | 618.54 |
IOWA CODIFICATION INC | CONNFLICT/ALCHOL/CIG/TOB/PUBLI | 791.00 |
IOWA DIVISION OF LABOR SE | BOILER INSPECTION | 40.00 |
IOWA VALLEY COMMUNITY COL | EMR CLASS-J HARMS/K MEYER/HUNT | 4047.00 |
IPERS | IPERS - REGULAR | 3271.48 |
LYNCH DALLAS LEGAL | 634 MAIN ST WALL | 220.00 |
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC | SANDR PIPE SWIVEL/BITS/DEF | 174.34 |
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMP | ELECTRIC | 8058.93 |
PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 17710.14 |
PEOPLESERVICE INC. | WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE | 17899.00 |
PITNEY BOWES INC. | POSTAGE MACHINE | 539.00 |
POSTMASTER | UTILITY BILL POSTAGE | 417.85 |
ROSS CLEANING | 1/28/26 CLEANING | 175.00 |
SALES TAX/LOST | SALES TAX PAYMENT | 899.88 |
SHIELD PEST CONTROL | MONTHLY SERVICES | 32.00 |
STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAX | 373.57 |
TIMES-CITIZEN CO. | 1/14/26 MINUTES/WAGES/PUBLIC HEARING | 222.61 |
USDA RF | MONTHLY PAYMENT | 1151.00 |
VERIZON | PHONE/INTERNET | 131.99 |
WATER EXCISE TAX | WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT | 2437.00 |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 92177.88 |
EXPENSES BY FUND | ||
| GENERAL FUND | 28925.73 |
| LIBRARY RESERVE FUND | 126.11 |
| ROAD USE TAX FUND | 14587.39 |
| EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND | 390.22 |
| CAP PROJ-FRANKLIN ST N RR FUND | 750.00 |
| CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025A FUND | 10500.00 |
| CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025B FUND | 220.00 |
| WATER FUND | 14321.99 |
| WATER DEPOSITS FUND | 150.00 |
| SEWER FUND | 13962.55 |
| GARBAGE FUND | 6273.52 |
| STORM WATER FUND | 1970.37 |
TOTAL | 92177.88 | |
REVENUE | ||
GENERAL | 77993.12 | |
LIBRARY RESERVE TOTAL | 250 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP | 0.04 | |
ROAD USE TAX | 18411.82 | |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL | 3292.71 | |
LOST | 24277.13 | |
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 6069.28 | |
CAPITAL PROJECT - LOST TOTAL | 6069.28 | |
WATER | 78174.34 | |
WATER DEPOSITS TOTAL | 450 | |
SEWER TOTAL | 69725.13 | |
SEWER - SINKING | 35036 | |
GARBAGE | 13947.78 | |
STORM SEWER | 17777.85 | |
TOTAL | 351474.48 |
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