REGULAR MEETING MINUTES | July 8, 2026
- Admin
- Jul 15
- 7 min read
 REGULAR MEETING
                                                                  July 8, 2026
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ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session July 8, 2026 in the Ackley Council Chambers with Mayor Michael Abbas presiding. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Council members present: Maliah Roelfs, Mike Wessels, Dan Scallon, and Steven Ackerman. Absent: Rod Neely. Quorum present.
Roelfs moved, Scallon seconded to approve the July 8, 2026 agenda. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) June 10, 2026 Regular Minutes, as written.  b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: June 2026 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; June 2026 Clerk Budget; June 2026 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; June 2026 Deputy Clerk Nuisance Violation; June 2026 Fire; June 2026 PeopleService; June 2026 Ackley Development Commission; 1st Quarter 2026 Ackley Public Library Investment; 2nd Quarter 2026 Investment Report; 2nd Quarter 2026 Prairie Bridges/Park Fest; and 2nd Quarter 2026 Airport Board of Trustees. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
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.
2020A GO Bond project update will be addressed later in meeting.
R. Neely, councilman, arrives at 6:03 pm.
M. White, PeopleService, addressed council on the retention tank. There will need to be 2 additional changes to the scope of work for the retention tank making the quote from Blazik less than the actual work to be done – appears to be roughly $45,000 total. A permit will need to be submitted to the Iowa Dept of Natural Resources for the new water retention tank due to the coating on the new tank. The permit is a length process. Two fire hydrants were on the schedule to be replaced. The hydrant in the 1200 block of 3rd Ave is complete and the one on 5th Ave and Butler St will be done Thursday morning. 5th Ave lift station pump was started up and should be good to go. WWTP pump #2 is up and running again and was under warranty. The 5th Ave generator could be here in 2 weeks. White will need to have the propone tanks looked at and ready for the start up of the generator.
M. Dennis, City Clerk, gave Public Works Department update. Â L. Schumacher will be at CDL training July 21st and 23rd. No update on Splash Pad.
Council guidance given to Dennis to draft an ordinance change to remove #19 and #20 from Chapter 65 Stop or Yield Required under the stop sign section. Dennis to work draft and bring back to council for review. Â
Discussion regarding the disposal of city impound lot to the Ackley Development Commission. Dennis informed Council on State Code 364.7 stating a city cannot dispose of real property by gift except to a government body. M. Roelfs, ADC member, inquired as to whether that was still applicable if the property was located within an urban renewal area. The council was ok moving forward as long as the code allowed this to happen. Dennis to inquire with the city attorney or League of Cities for clarification and bring back for further discussion.
The shut off notice verbiage was presented. Neely moved, Wessels seconded to approve the change, as presented. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
J. Willems addressed council regarding the removal of sidewalk at 501 9th Ave. Per the ordinance, a permit to remove the sidewalk was not complete and a violation currently exists. Dennis informed current council of previous council enforcing the ordinance by ordering sidewalks to be replaced if a sidewalk was removed. Prior to 2016, there were sidewalks taken out and not required to be put back in. In 2017, the council acted upon that ordinance and made the decision that the ordinance would be followed going forth but would not force those prior to 2016 to replace. Willems provided pictures of what the sidewalk looked like prior to removal. The responsibility of the maintenance of sidewalks was discussed. Willems reported that around 2019, a sidewalk at the intersection of Park Ave and Grundy St was removed and not required to replace it, after the enaction in 2017. Willems was requesting the same consideration. D. Willems questioned the council about exceptions to the rules. Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to send violation letter for the removal of the sidewalk. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Future discussion regarding the requirement to replace the removed sidewalk.
Discussion regarding vacating Hardin St between 809 and 901 10th Ave. Roelfs shared concerns about the adjoining neighbor. B. Swasand informed council that a conversation was had between Swasand and Days. Dennis enlightened council regarding Chapter 137 vacation and disposal of streets. If the city was thinking about doing this, Dennis would prefer that the city attorney perform this legal paperwork. Guidance given to Dennis to contact city attorney to determine the best way to handle this transaction by vacation or conveyance.
Discussion on nuisance property abatement. Five properties were identified by council. Neely moved, Wessels seconded to send violations to 322 Lincoln Ave., 812 Main St., and 1118 4th Ave. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Dennis to get the information to nuisance attorney for action.
Abbas spoke to the Hardin County Sherriff about disposing of Ackley Police Department items. Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to approve disposing of APD’s fingerprinting apparatus and riot shotguns to a Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer and to accept the best offer. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Selling to an FFL will take the liability off the city.
Ackerman moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 26-29 Authorizing Mayor Entering into a Wastewater Treatment Agreement with Tri-Rinse. Roll call vote: Ayes-Wessels, Neely, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Scallon seconded to pass Resolution 26-30 Hiring Emergency as Needed Employees for Public Works Department. Roll call vote: Ayes-Neely, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Wessels. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 26-31 Temporarily Close Certain Streets and No Parking on Certain Streets for the 2026 Ackley Car Show. Roll call vote: Ayes-Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Wessels, Neely. Motion carried
Ackerman moved, Neely seconded to pass Resolution 26-32 Authorizing FY26 Year End Transfers. Roll call vote: Ayes-Ackerman, Roelfs, Wessels, Neely, Scallon. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 26-33 Setting Wages for Carrie Stahl and Brent Kuper. Roll call vote: Ayes-Roelfs, Wessels, Neely, Scallon, Ackerman. Motion carried.
No action on Resolution 26-03 Establishing a Sanitary Sewer Rate and Authorizing Entering into a Lease Agreement with Friends of Prairie Bridges Park.
Roelfs moved, Neely seconded to approve payment to Ackley Development Commission in the amount of $14,000 for Economic Development. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to approve payment to USDA Rural Development in the amount of $110,473.97 for Cougar’s Den Loan to be paid from LOST-Debt Service Fund. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Two bid letters were sent out for street repairs for the 600-block alley between Main St and 1st Ave and the Park Ave/Hardin St intersection. One bid was received. There were 2 options for both repairs. Neely moved, Roelfs seconded to approve option 2 to Heartland Asphalt in the amount of $17,962.20 for the 3-inch mill/fill for the 600-block alley to be paid with 2020A GO Bond funds. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Roelfs moved, Neely seconded to approve option 2 to Heartland Asphalt in the amount of $13,759.40 for the Park Ave/Hardin St intersection repair to be paid with 2020A GO Bond funds. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants, N. 12 St storm sewer project is complete other than the grading. Neely moved, Ackerman seconded to approve pay estimate no. 1 in the amount of $154,569.50 to McDowell & Sons for N. 12th St storm sewer. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Cerro Gordo St storm sewer project will begin next week with the street preservation project following the Cerro Gordo St project. CGA is working on IDOT required updates for the Franklin St north of the Railroad tracks project. No update for New Water Plant, Bonded Street Project, or Sanitary Sewer Continuing Improvement Plan.
Dennis will be out of the office July 20-24. The accounting software conversion has begun. Dennis has a class next Wednesday on Legislature Urban Renewal updates.
No council or mayor comments.
J. Schmoll, citizen, addressed council regarding street repair project plan and sidewalks throughout the city.
D. Arends, citizen, shared concern with broken glass at the city dump along with whether concrete could be disposed of at the city dump.
Neely moved, Wessels seconded to adjourn at 8:06 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Abbas, Mayor
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ATTEST:
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 ____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
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ACCESS SYSTEMS | TECHNICAL SUPPORT/IT/MICROSOFT | 1096.00 |
ACKLEY DEVELOPMENT COMMIS | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT | 14000.00 |
ACKLEY PUBLISHING CO INC | PEDDLER/LICENSE BOOK | 28.66 |
AGSOURCE COOPERATIVE SERV | POOL TESTING | 30.50 |
ALLRECIPES | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 27.00 |
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UT | UTILITIES-GAS | 874.45 |
CARDMEMBER SERVICE | CONCESSION/GLUE STICK/CLEANING SUPPLIE/CPTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 1146.02 |
CARRICO AQUATIC RESOURCES | STRAINER/SHIPPINGCHEMICALSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 1208.25 |
CARSTENS PLUMBING & HEATI | AC REPAIR-POLE CONTRACTOR/TRAN | 236.76 |
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT | LARGE PRINT BOOK | 25.77 |
CENTURYLINK | PHONES/FAX | 469.81 |
CGA | STORM SEWER CONSTRUCT N 12TH S/WATER PLANTÂ Â | 17304.10 |
DENNIS, MALENA | MILEAGE CLERK ACADEMY | 246.94 |
DOLLAR GENERAL | FANS/NOZZLES/HOSESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 131.40 |
DUMONT TELEPHONE CO | INTERNET | 80.00 |
EBS | HEALTH INSURANC | 4185.81 |
FEDERAL W/H | FED/FICA TAX | 4829.01 |
GLECK TECH | FUEL LINE REPLACE-GRN DUMPTRUC | 384.50 |
GLOBE LIFE LIBERTY NATION | GLOBE PRETAX | 88.79 |
GREEN BELT INSURANCE SERV | EMC RENEWAL 26/27 | 104190.00 |
HARDIN COUNTY ENVIROMENTL | POOL INSPECTION | 270.00 |
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF | CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3144.90 |
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE | JUNE FEES/1ST QTR FY26/27Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 14433.53 |
HEART OF IOWA | 847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS | 69.49 |
HERONIMUS, SCHMIDT, ALLEN | PRAIRIE BRIDGES/S SIEMS | 1447.50 |
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES | BOOKS | 109.03 |
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO | DIESEL/GAS | 1180.11 |
IOWA DEPT OF NATURAL RESO | ANNUAL WATER SUPPLY FEE FY27 | 172.12 |
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES | MEMBERSHIP DUES FY 26/27 | 1333.00 |
IPERS | IPERS - REGULAR | 2624.35 |
JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL | SUMP PUMP/COUPLINGS/ADAPTER | 556.40 |
KEN'S REPAIR | MOWER BLADES | 89.97 |
MARTIN'S FLAG COMPANY | LIBRARY FLAG/SHIPPING/CLIPS | 72.30 |
MCDOWELL & SONS INC. | N 12TH ST STORM SWR EXTENSION | 156736.85 |
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC | GLOVES, FILTER,LIGHTS | 134.68 |
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPA | SAUERKRAUT DAYS | 79.65 |
MIDWEST LIVING | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 22.00 |
ON THE GO MEDIA | 1 YR SUBSCRIPTION | 65.00 |
OTTER CREEK FARMS INC. | AIRPORT LEASE | 750.00 |
PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 20269.19 |
PENN CARE, INC | LIFT ASSIST DEVICE | 809.11 |
PEOPLESERVICE INC. | WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE | 18561.00 |
POSTMASTER | UTILITY BILL POSTAGE | 416.63 |
ROSS CLEANING | 6/24/26 CLEANING | 175.00 |
SALES TAX/LOST | SALES TAX PAYMENT | 769.80 |
SHIELD PEST CONTROL | MONTHLY SERVICES | 34.00 |
STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAX | 542.46 |
TIMES-CITIZEN CO. | PUBLIC WORKS HELP WANTED ADS/MINUTESÂ Â | 518.13 |
UMB BANK | 2016A GO BOND | 250.00 |
USDA RF | LOAN PAYOFF | 111624.97 |
VERIZON | CELL PHONES/MODEMSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | 131.82 |
WATER EXCISE TAX | WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT | 2318.43 |
CLAIMS TOTAL | 490295.19 | |
 | EXPENSES BY FUND | |
 | GENERAL FUND | 226704.77 |
 | LIBRARY RESERVE FUND | 326.14 |
 | ROAD USE TAX FUND | 15223.45 |
 | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND | 15741.41 |
 | DEBT SERVICE FUND | 250.00 |
 | WATER FUND | 27399.84 |
 | CAP WATER PROJ-WATER PLAN FUND | 3187.55 |
 | SEWER FUND | 17498.61 |
 | GARBAGE FUND | 14729.21 |
 | STORM WATER FUND | 169234.21 |
TOTAL | 490295.19 | |
REVENUE | ||
GENERAL | 70259.84 | |
LIBRARY RESERVE | 785.00 | |
EMERGENCY MGMT RESERVE | 500.00 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP | 15008.04 | |
SWIMMING POOL RESERVE | 6428.11 | |
ROAD USE TAX | 22320.41 | |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL | 4281.34 | |
LOST | 19640.07 | |
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 4910.02 | |
DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 41478.30 | |
CAP PROJ-SEMO/REP OF BLDG | 6103.94 | |
CAPITAL PROJECT - LOST TOTAL | 4910.02 | |
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE | 120.00 | |
WATER | 147551.90 | |
WATER - RESERVES | 200000.00 | |
WATER DEPOSITS TOTAL | 1050.00 | |
SEWER TOTAL | 61179.50 | |
SEWER - SINKING | 210646.84 | |
GARBAGE | 12644.83 | |
STORM SEWER | 15836.26 | |
TOTAL | 845654.42 |
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