REGULAR MEETING MINUTES | March 11, 2026
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REGULAR MEETING
March 11, 2026
ACKLEY CITY COUNCIL met in regular session March 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: Steven Ackerman, Maliah Roelfs, Mike Abbas, Mike Wessels, and Dan Scallon. Quorum present.
Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to approve the March 11, 2026 agenda. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Clerk Dennis reported an error in February’s consent agenda pertaining to the date of the January minutes, with the correction notated, Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to approve the Consent Agenda by one motion: a) February 11, 2026 Regular Minutes, as written. b) Bills approval, as listed. c) Place Reports on file: February 2026 Clerk Bank Reconciliation/Cash Report/Treasurer; February 2026 Clerk Budget; February 2026 Deputy Clerk Utility Billing Reconciliation; February 2026 Fire; February 2026 Ackley EMS, February 2026 PeopleService; January/February 2026 Ackley Development Commission; February 2026 Deputy Clerk Nuisance. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Ackerman seconded to open the public hearing for the third 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.
Abbas moved, Roelfs seconded to close the public hearing for the third reading of proposed Ordinance No. 543 Amending Chapter 50 Nuisance Abatement and Chapter 51 Junk/Junk Vehicles at 6:03 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve the third reading of proposed Ordinance No. 543 Amending Chapter 50 Nuisance Abatement and Chapter 51 Junk/Junk Vehicles. Roll call vote: Ayes: Roelfs, Abbas, Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman. Motion carried.
Wessels moved, Roelfs seconded to adopt the proposed Ordinance No. 543 Amending Chapter 50 Nuisance Abatement and Chapter 51 Junk/Junk Vehicles. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs. Motion carried.
Roelfs moved, Wessels seconded to open the public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of costs for the 2026 street resurfacing/preservation at 6:05 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
No comments received at City Hall.
Scallon moved, Roelfs seconded to close the public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of costs for the 2026 street resurfacing/preservation at 6:06 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
L. Gallentine, CGA Consultants, reported there was 3 bids for the 2026 street resurfacing/preservation. One of the bids, from Mathy Construction, came in after the bid deadline. Gallentine reported the bid was opened and was later informed that according to State code should not had been opened but rather returned to the contractor. There was an irregularity with the Heartland Asphalt bid, who was the lowest bid. There was a correction of a bid item and initialed by another person who was not the bid signer. Gallentine suggested to rebid the project for next month. F. Kelley and T. Hoodjer, Heartland Asphalt, addressed council that one was the bidder and one was the initialer of the correction but both signed the bid, however, one was simply attesting to the signature of the other. Heartland requested council to be willing to overlook the abnormality and accept the bid. B. Schipper, McDowell & Sons, addressed council and informed them that Schipper was the reason the bid item was crossed off as McDowells is the subcontractor on that piece of the bid. After discussion of the divisions and the monies available, Roelfs moved, Ackerman seconded to waive the abnormalities and approve the bid to Heartland Asphalt for divisions II, III, and IV base bid in the amount of $616,484.38. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
S. Schroeder, city attorney, has sent a letter to Prairie Bridges Park Board attorney on March 9, 2026 with the requested 30 day response time.
No update on 2020A GO Bond project.
Meyer reported the Pizza Ranch wall has been repaired. Dennis contacted the attorney with that update. Permission granted to remove from agenda.
Discussion regarding the City Hall entrance sidewalk. Meyer believes that once the frost leaves the ground, the sidewalk will return to normal leveling. No further discussion.
Oak Tree Properties sent a letter to the city offering the first right to purchase 922 Sherman Ave. Council is not interested. Dennis to inform owner.
K. Meyer, Public Works Supervisor, addressed the council on the public works department. Meyer handed in his resignation with his last day of March 27, 2026. Council discussion on staffing options with an additional possibility of taking on water and sewer. Dennis informed council on the difference of a permanent part time person versus a seasonal temporary person. The council was presented with an ad that was approved by the council committee and Meyer. Dennis will need to re-work the ad to add the public works supervisor. Dennis inquired to the council on what direction they would like to go in order to get the job postings done and posted. Scallon moved, Ackerman seconded to accept Meyers resignation. Ayes-all. Motion carried. Abbas moved, Wessels seconded to approve placing an ad for a public works supervisor, a full-time public works assistant, and a seasonal employee. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Buildings Council Committee approved the ad for the pool staffing. Abbas moved, Ackerman seconded to approve ad to be placed in the City’s normal posting spots and Iowa Works. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Dennis asked if there were any questions or concerns on the FY27 budget. None presented. The budget will be presented at the special meeting March 25, 2026.
Ackerman moved, Wessels seconded to pass Resolution 26-10 Authorizing City Clerk/Mayor entering into ACI Application Services Master Agreement. Roll call vote: Ayes-Abbas, Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Roelfs seconded to pass Resolution 26-11 Authorizing Mayor entering into a 5 year agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Roll call vote: Ayes- Wessels, Scallon, Ackerman, Roelfs, Abbas. Motion carried.
Discussion regarding Resolution 26-12 Setting Wages for Employees. Nuss shared concerns with the council committee recommending wages when last month there was discussion on whether the city could afford 3 full time staff. Roelfs shared that the reasoning of the wage adjustments was to do what the city could to keep the current city employees and consider them an investment after losing staff due to wages and insurance. J. Ibeling shared concerns with the increase in wages. Ackerman shared information from the wage study that Ackley was below on wages of similar size. Scallon moved, Abbas seconded to table the Resolution until the next meeting. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Abbas moved, Scallon seconded to approve payment to the Office of Auditor of State in the amount of $8,538 for FY25 annual exam. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Scallon moved, Ackerman seconded to approve payment to Williams Underground Services in the amount of $4,250 for 1200 block of Park Ave Water Main Break. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
Gallentine discussed the replacement of the 5th Ave water main and the possibility of re-doing the street paving at that time. Williams supplied a quote to remove 100’ of curb and gutter, replace water main, and backfill for $26,750. Nuss gave update on water plant aerator.
Gallentine received a call from the Railroad and continues to work on an agreement per the requirement from the IDOT for the Franklin St N of the RR track street project. Easement will be notarized and recorded for the storm sewer project to begin – during public comment, Schipper, McDowell & Sons, requested that the contract completion date be extended, due to waiting on the easement. Gallentine requested a change order to present to council. No update on water plant or sanitary sewer improvement plan.
No public works comments.
Dennis informed council that Ackley Helping Hands is looking for new projects and are needing to know what color of steel to get for the shelter house, the final close out report for the American Rescue Plan Act funds is submitted, the property tax levy notice is out to citizens, and there is a new policy requirement for the NACHA for banking. Dennis is working on that policy.
Roelfs thanked Meyer for his service to Ackley. Ackerman apologized for the confusion on the wage review. Nuss announced that T. Groninga had resigned earlier today as she was taking another job and Nuss’ last day as Mayor would be March 27, 2026.
P. Williams, encouraged council to pay employees more money if they are wanting the employees to stay with the city. M. Clemons shared concerns about wages and health insurance. S. Buhman voiced concerns about the pool and certification classes and shared appreciation on the explanation of the part time and seasonal temporary employee classifications.
Wessels moved, Ackerman seconded to adjourn at 8:25 pm. Ayes-all. Motion carried.
_______________________________________
Michael Nuss, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Malena Dennis, City Clerk
ACCESS SYSTEMS | TECNICAL SUPPORT/BACKUP | 1324.70 |
ACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY | REIMBURSE PETTY CASH/POSTAGE | 4.25 |
BLACK HILLS/IOWA GAS UTIL | UTILITIES-GAS | 3485.45 |
BOUND TREE MEDICAL LLC | PED AIRWAY/ELECTRODES/COVERS | 223.84 |
CARDMEMBER SERVICE | DEPUTY CLERK TONER/POSTAGE/ANTENNA | 102.48 |
CENTER POINT LARGE PRINT | LARGE PRINT BOOKS | 195.96 |
CENTURYLINK | PHONES/FAX | 469.83 |
CGA | STREET PRESERVTION-SUR/DES/BID/SS PROJECT | 12454.50 |
CONSUMER REPORTS | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 32.10 |
COOKS COUNTRY | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 24.95 |
DENNIS, MALENA | HEALTH INS DEDUCTIBLE REIMBURS | 650.00 |
DOLLAR GENERAL | BATTERIES FOR RECORDER | 11.95 |
DUMONT TELEPHONE CO | INTERNET | 80.00 |
EBS | HEALTH INSURANC | 2977.33 |
FEDERAL W/H | FED/FICA TAX | 4134.06 |
GLOBE LIFE LIBERTY NATION | GLOBE PRETAX | 88.79 |
HARDIN COUNTY SHERIFF | CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3144.90 |
HARDIN COUNTY SOLID WASTE | FEBRUARY LANDFILL FEES | 1037.85 |
HARDIN COUNTY TREASURER | LIEN CE DOLLINS/SORENSON/JENSON/AREVADO | 45.00 |
HEART OF IOWA | 847-2222 COMMUNICATIONS | 68.50 |
HH CONSTRUCTION | SNOW REMOVAL/HAUL SNO 5.25 HRS | 656.25 |
IA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH | POOL/SPLASH PAD REGISTRATION | 70.00 |
IAMU | 2026-27 WATER MEMBERSHIP | 871.00 |
IMFOA | 2026-2027 DUES/DENNIS | 50.00 |
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES | BOOKS | 495.76 |
INNOVATIVE AG SERVICES CO | DIESEL/GAS | 697.41 |
IPERS | IPERS - REGULAR | 3118.51 |
LYNCH DALLAS LEGAL | 634 MAIN ST WALL | 220.00 |
MID IOWA AUTO PARTS, LLC | OIL/FILTERS/WINDSHIELD FLUID | 15.30 |
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPAN | ELECTRIC | 7313.90 |
MOTHER EARTH LIVING | 1 YR MAGAZINE | 39.95 |
OFF FIRE LLC | ANNUAL INSPECTION/TAG/MAINTENA | 598.00 |
OFFICE OF AUDITOR OF STAT | ANNUAL EXAM/FILING FEE FY25 | 8538.00 |
PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 16050.53 |
PEOPLESERVICE INC. | WATER/WASTEWATER SERVICE | 17899.00 |
POSTMASTER | UTILITY BILL POSTAGE | 417.24 |
R COMM | REPROGRAM B IBELING RADIO | 27.50 |
ROSS CLEANING | 2/25/26 CLEANING | 175.00 |
SALES TAX/LOST | SALES TAX PAYMENT | 974.87 |
SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR COMPA | ANNUAL SAFETY TEST | 596.00 |
SHIELD PEST CONTROL | MONTHLY SERVICES | 32.00 |
STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAXES | 451.03 |
TIMES-CITIZEN CO. | PUBLIC WORKS ASST AD (3) | 493.02 |
USDA RF | MONTHLY PAYMENT | 1151.00 |
VERIZON | MODEM/PHONE | 131.93 |
WATER EXCISE TAX | WATER EXCISE TAX PAYMENT | 2663.53 |
WILLIAMS UNDERGROUND SERV | 1200 BLK PARK AVE WATERMAIN BR | 4625.00 |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 98928.17 |
EXPENSES BY FUND | ||
| GENERAL FUND | 34005.10 |
| LIBRARY RESERVE FUND | 292.96 |
| ROAD USE TAX FUND | 13181.39 |
| EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND | 650.00 |
| CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025A FUND | 11137.50 |
| CAP PROJ-GO BOND 2025B FUND | 220.00 |
| WATER FUND | 19706.51 |
| SEWER FUND | 12963.26 |
| GARBAGE FUND | 4916.04 |
| STORM WATER FUND | 1855.41 |
TOTAL | 98928.17 | |
REVENUE | ||
GENERAL | 42714.28 | |
LIBRARY RESERVE TOTAL | 1941.69 | |
FIRE TRUCK/EQUIP | 1000.04 | |
ROAD USE TAX | 14523.03 | |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TOTAL | 1626.78 | |
LOST | 18021.77 | |
LOST - DEBT SERVICE TOTAL | 4505.44 | |
CAPITAL PROJECT - LOST TOTAL | 4505.44 | |
WATER | 49029.46 | |
WATER DEPOSITS TOTAL | 750 | |
SEWER TOTAL | 57774.05 | |
SEWER - SINKING | 30179.62 | |
GARBAGE | 11706.81 | |
STORM SEWER | 14501.61 | |
TOTAL | 252780.02 |
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