Posted: November 14, 2025 | Updated: December 1, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: NOVEMBER 17, 2025
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING: 5:30 P.M. CITY HALL, 130 N PARK PLACE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED
GOVERNMENTAL BODY WILL MEET AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SET OUT ABOVE. THE TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR SAID MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:
ROLL CALL: CARMAN, BOUSKA, FOSAAEN, McCONNELL, KRIENER
ACT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed under the consent agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time council votes on the motion.
- Approval of the Agenda
- Approval of the Claims
- Minutes from November 3, 2025
STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Public Works
- Police
- Administration
- Committee Updates
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: (This portion of the agenda is for comments that are not related to one of the items listed on the agenda. Comments can only be received. No formal action by the Council can be taken. Those making public comments will be asked to state their name and address, and to speak from the podium.)
BUSINESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Elizabeth Thyer from Gardner & Company to Present the FY25 Auditor’s Report
- Brandon Kerian and Dave Herold to Discuss the Fitness Center Project
- Public Hearing for Vacating a Portion of the Alley Behind the 200 Block of North Elm Street
- Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance 527 Vacating a Portion of the Alley Behind the 200 Block of North Elm Street
- Public Hearing for an Undeveloped Portion of 9th Avenue East
- Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 528 Vacating an Undeveloped Portion of 9th Avenue East
- Public Hearing for Vacating an Undeveloped Portion of 11th Avenue East
- Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 529 Undeveloped Portion of 11th Avenue East
- Mike Magler to Discuss the County Store Building
- Request from Cedrick Schlecht to Connect to City Water and Sewer
- Resolution Approving Water and Sewer Connection for Property Outside City of Cresco Corporate Limits that is Owned by Cedrick & Kari Schlecht
- Abstract of Votes as Certified by the Board of Supervisors of Howard County, in the State of Iowa
ADJOURN:
THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN AT THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 21, CODE OF IOWA AND THE LOCAL RULES OF SAID GOVERNMENTAL BODY. POSTED NOVEMBER 14, 2025.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
You are hereby notified that the City Council of the City of Cresco, Iowa, will hold a Public Hearing on the 17th day of November 2025, in Council Chambers at City Hall. At this meeting the Council will conduct a public hearing, discussion and action on a request to vacate the public alley described as the West (W) 10 Feet of Lot Seven (7), Block Twelve (12), Original Plat of Cresco, Howard County, Iowa.
This hearing will be conducted during a regular Cresco City Council Meeting starting at 5:30 pm.
Any resident of Cresco wishing to be heard concerning the reasons for or objections to the amendment, must appear at said hearing and voice your opinions.
BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
_________________________
City Clerk Nicole Hill
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
You are hereby notified that the City Council of the City of Cresco, Iowa, will hold a Public Hearing on the 17th day of November 2025, in Council Chambers at City Hall. At this meeting the Council will conduct a public hearing, discussion and action on a request to vacate a portion of 9th Avenue East located between Lot one (1), Block Three (3) and Lot Four (4), Block Two (2), Malek and Neubauer Oak Creek Additional to Cresco, Howard County, Iowa.
This hearing will be conducted during a regular Cresco City Council Meeting starting at 5:30 pm.
Any resident of Cresco wishing to be heard concerning the reasons for or objections to the amendment, must appear at said hearing and voice your opinions.
BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
_________________________
City Clerk Nicole Hill
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
You are hereby notified that the City Council of the City of Cresco, Iowa, will hold a Public Hearing on the 17th day of November 2025, in Council Chambers at City Hall. At this meeting the Council will conduct a public hearing, discussion and action on a request to vacate a portion of 11th Avenue East located between Lot One (1), Block Four (4) and Lot 3, Block 3, Malek and Neubauer Oak Creek Additional to Cresco, Howard County, Iowa.
This hearing will be conducted during a regular Cresco City Council Meeting starting at 5:30 pm.
Any resident of Cresco wishing to be heard concerning the reasons for or objections to the amendment, must appear at said hearing and voice your opinions.
BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
_________________________
City Clerk Nicole Hill
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on November 17, 2025 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, McConnell, and Kriener were present. Council Member Fosaaen was absent.
Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the November 3, 2025 meeting. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) Aging Equipment Project is almost complete. All of the equipment is installed and working; (b) Street Department completed the fall yardwaste pickup. May schedule a floating date in fall of 2026 pending weather. Preparing trucks for winter; (c) dirt pile at the airport has been leveled. The renter cleaned up the extra rocks and worked up the soil. He will attempt to plant the area in the spring. Will be expanding the parking area for trucks at the airport; (d) ashes were disposed of at the yard waste site again. Trying to track down who did it; (e) will start installing cellular meters on the west side of town beginning December 1st. Will be scheduling appointments with residents and some door-to-door to catch residents home.
Police Chief Ruroden had nothing to report.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) attended budget workshop on November 5th; (b) budget work session with department heads will be December 3rd; (c) busy with conversion.
Bouska reported on a presentation by Upper Explorerland on the new open meetings requirement and Iowa Economic Development on their programs that are available.
Carman reported that the Library welcomed over 700 children to its Halloween trunk-or-treat event at the Fitness Center and had 35 attendees at the tween party. They also partnered with the Humane Society to host a pet wellness clinic, where more than 50 animals received care due to no longer having a vet in Cresco.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Elizabeth Thyer from Gardiner & Company presented the Auditor’s Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. They issued an unmodified opinion which means they believe the financial statements are fairly presented based on tests and samples.
Cresco Fitness Center and Parks Director Brandon Kerian presented the proposed Fitness Center building project. The back portion of the current facility requires significant repairs, including a new HVAC system and other major updates. The presentation covered fundraising efforts and potential cost-saving options for the project, which is estimated at $6–8 million. While several major donors have already pledged support, there may still be a funding gap that could require the City to borrow funds.
Mayor Fortune opened the public hearing to vacate a portion of the alley behind the 200 block of North Elm Street. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed.
Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of Ordinance No. 527 vacating a portion of the alley behind the 200 block of North Elm Street. Bouska made a motion to approve the second reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune opened the public hearing to vacate an undeveloped portion of 9th Avenue East. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed.
Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of Ordinance No. 528 vacating an undeveloped portion of 9th Avenue East. Carman made a motion to approve the second reading. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune opened the public hearing to vacate an undeveloped portion of 11th Avenue East. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed.
Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of Ordinance No. 529 vacating an undeveloped portion of 9th Avenue East. McConnell made a motion to approve the second reading. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mike Magler has purchased the former County Store building and is currently updating and restoring both the structure and its historic map. He is interested in applying for a Vacant Building CDBG grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority, which would require the City to serve as the fiscal sponsor. The Council expressed support for his business concept but requested a more detailed business plan before moving forward with the application.
Cedrick Schlecht explained to Council that he has purchased a parcel of property that is adjacent to the City and would like to connect a service line for water and sewer to service his building. Kriener made a motion to approve the resolution approving a water and sewer connection for property outside City of Cresco corporate limits. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Abstract of Votes as certified by the Howard County Supervisors for the recent election were read: Mayor Alexander S Fortune 205, 6 scattering; City Council At-Large Richard McConnell 202, 7 scattering; City Council Ward 2 James Wolfe 67, 1 scattering. The Board of Supervisors of Howard County duly nominated for the office of the City of Cresco: Alexander S Fortune Mayor; Richard McConnell City Council At-Large; James Wolfe City Council Ward 2.
Kriener moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 7:05 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be December 1, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill