City Council – September 21, 2026 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: September 18, 2026 | Updated: October 5, 2026

  NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

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, WOLFE, 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.

  1. Approval of the Agenda
  2. Approval of the Claims
  3. Minutes from September 9, 2026
  4. Minutes from September 15, 2026 Special Meeting
  5. Approval of Flag Request for 2026:
    1. Crestwood Homecoming — September 25
    2. Holiday Open House — November 19 – 23
    3. Santa Parade — November 25 – 30
  1. Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) with Outdoor Service to Pub No 7 LLC d/b/a Pub No 7
  2. Approval of Class E Retail Alcohol License to Caseys Marketing Company d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511 (change of ownership)
  3. Approval of Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permits for Caseys Marketing Company d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511 (change of ownership)
  1. Approval of Parade Permit for Portions of Schroder Dr, 3rd Ave East, and North Elm St for the Homecoming Parade on September 25, 2026
  1. Approval of Street Closing for a Harvest Festival and Concert Event on October 24, 2026 for Portions of North Elm Street, 3rd Avenue East including the intersection of North Elm Street and 3rd Avenue East (Change of time from 12 pm to 8 am)

 

 

STAFF REPORTS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

  1. Public Works
  2. Police
  3. Administration
  4. 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.

  1. Resolution Approving Loan Agreement for Loan of Funds by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Stephanie & Gage Garrett d/b/a Dough & Joe Bakery
  2. Resolution Accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Directing the City Clerk to File the Report with the State of Iowa Department of Management
  3. Resolution Approving Wage Agreement for City Clerk Upon Receiving Certified Municipal Clerk Certification
  4. Review Sewer Equipment Bids and Possible Motion to Sell Equipment
  5. Discuss Beadle Park Train Painting Project Repairs
  6. Discuss Storm Sewer on Stock Avenue

 

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 SEPTEMBER 18, 2026.

 

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on September 21, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Wolfe, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.

Fosaaen made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the September 9, 2026 meeting; minutes from the September 15, 2026 special meeting; request to display flags for the following dates in 2026; Crestwood Homecoming on September 25, Holiday Open House from November 19–23, Santa Parade from November 25–30; Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) with Outdoor Service to Pub No 7 LLC d/b/a Pub No 7; Class E Retail Alcohol License to Casey’s Marketing Company dba Casey’s General Store #2511 (change of ownership); Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permit for Casey’s Marketing Company dba Casey’s General Store #2511 (change of ownership); Parade Permit for portions of Schroder Drive, 3rd Avenue East, and North Elm Street for the Homecoming Parade on September 25, 2026; Parade Permit for portions of Schroder Drive, 3rd Avenue East, and North Elm Street for the Homecoming Parade on September 25, 2026; and a Street Closing Permit for portions of North Elm Street and 3rd Avenue East, including the intersection of North Elm Street and 3rd Avenue, on October 24, 2026 for a Harvest Festival and Concert Event (change of times from 12 pm to 8 am). Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Mayor Fortune reported that the Public Works Director and Superintendents met with the contractor responsible for the fiber installation to discuss the issues currently being experienced. The parties established expectations for the contractor to follow, with the work expected to be completed by the end of October. The Iowa Department of Transportation will also be installing the speed feedback signs soon.

Police Chief Ruroden reported that Patrol Officer Harry Kitchen is doing well at the Law Enforcement Academy. The two patrol vehicles will arrive on September 22nd.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) August financials were included in the packet; (b) still waiting on the audit guidelines to be released to complete our audit; (c) the cameras that we were going to order are not FCC approved for government buildings, so requoting ones that are allowed for governmental buildings; (d) we were awarded a grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation for a new hangar and approach. They also had a separate grant to have the runway repainted and that will be paid for by the Department of Transportation; (e) will be attending the Northeast Iowa Regional League meeting on September 29th on budget strategies; (f) the water department will be flushing hydrants October 7-9; (g) the Street Department will have staff available on Saturday, September 26th from 8 am – 12 pm for any one who is interested in wood chips or compost.

Fosaaen reported the Theatre Commission is busy planning live events and the SmashBash was well attended.

Wolfe reported that the Airport Commission is still discussing the purchase of a mower and is obtaining updated quotes for its grant application. A contractor will be inspecting the airport roof due to several leaks.

Wolfe also reported on the Library Board meeting. Director Moore is preparing for maternity leave, and Amanda Jackson will serve as interim director during her absence.

McConnell reported that the Park Board discussed funding options and other ideas for the proposed new building. The Board will be putting together a team to lead the project moving forward.

Mayor Fortune reported on the Emergency Management meeting he attended. EMA Coordinator Malone is resigning and Howard and Winneshiek will develop a 28E agreement to share the services with the Winneshiek County EMA and will explore the potential to be a permanent agreement due to the funding cuts at the state level.

Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.

Stephanie & Garrett are purchasing Dough & Joe Bakery and explained their plans and goals for the business. McConnell made a motion to approve the Loan Agreement for a loan of $50,000 by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Stephanie & Gage Garrett dba Dough & Joe Bakery. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hill explained the Urban Renewal report. She also reported that we currently have 43 active tax abatements with 11 expiring soon. Kriener made the motion to approve the resolution accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and directing the City Clerk to file the report with the State of Iowa Department of Management. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed City Clerk Hill receiving her Certified Municipal Clerk certification, which was obtained on July 13. Comparables were shared for consideration. Fosaaen made a motion to increase the City Clerk’s wage by $2.20 per hour ($4,576 annually). Following discussion, Fosaaen withdrew the motion, and the matter was tabled until the end of the meeting for further discussion.

Council discussed the possible sale of the Sewer Department’s tractor, snowblower, and Calumet. Bids were due on September 21, but no bids were received. Council discussed holding the equipment until budget discussions to determine whether any other City departments have a need for the equipment. If no department can utilize it, Council will reevaluate the sale of the equipment in the spring.

Council reviewed several photos of repairs on the train in Beadle Park. The estimate cost is between $3,000 – $5,000 but staff feel that their may be additional repairs needed when they start the locomotive. Fortune, McConnell, and Kriener would like more information on how the repairs will be done and will speak with the contractor on September 22nd. Carman made the motion to authorize up to $5,000 of repairs to the Beadle Park Train. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council discussed options for the storm sewer request on Stock Avenue. After consulting with City staff and Mehmert Tiling, it was determined that there is not enough fall to extend the storm sewer to the end of Stock Avenue. The options discussed were to have the City not install the storm sewer, allowing the property owner to complete the work; have a contractor complete the work at an estimated cost of $10,000, which would require a budget amendment; or have City staff complete the work at an estimated cost of $4,000. City staff may not be able to complete the project during the current fiscal year. McConnell made a motion to have City staff install the storm sewer. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council resumed discussion on the clerk certification wages. McConnell made a motion to approve a wage agreement increasing the City Clerk’s wage by $1.25 per hour ($2,600 annually), with a review to be conducted in September 2027 when the City Clerk obtains her Municipal Finance Certification. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:15 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be October 5, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

 

 

Documents

2026 City Council Agendas, Minutes