Posted: April 17, 2025 | Updated: July 2, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: APRIL 21, 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 April 7, 2025
- Minutes from April 7, 2025 Special Meeting
- Minutes from April 14, 2025 Special Meeting
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 ofthe agenda isfor 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 oft he items listed below.
1. Oath of Office for Second Assistant Fire Chief
2. Public Hearing for the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026
3. Resolution Adopting the Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July ‘l , 2025 – June 30, 2026
4. Public Hearing on Budget Amendment #2 for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
5. Resolution Amending the Current Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
6. Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds for FY 2025 (April Transfers)
7. Request from Brady Norman to Hookup to City Water and Sewer Lines
8. Theatre Commission to Provide Scene Shop Update
9. Motion Approving Cost Saving Options for the Cresco Theatre and Opera House Scene Shop Project
10. Motion to Waive the $550 Building Permit Fee for the City of Cresco Scene Shop Project
11. Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 523 Pertaining to Water Service Lines
12. Possible Motion to Waive the Third Reading of Ordinance Proposed No. 523 Pertaining to Water Service Lines
13. Approval of Ordinance No. 523 Pertaining to Water Service Lines
14. Approval of Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) to McAllister Catering, LLC with Catering Privileges (pending dramshop insurance)
15. Appoint Council Members to Committees
16. Review Applications and Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee Recommendations and Award of Hotel/Mote1 Tax Grants
17. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into Rental Agreement with Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation-Transit
18. Discuss Water, Sewer and Yard Waste Rates
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 APRIL 17, 2025.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on April 21, 2025 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.
Bouska made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the April 7, 2025 regular and special meeting; minutes from the April 14, 2025 special meeting. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) Dirt Worx will begin griding tomorrow. Had three incidents of illegal dumping since April 7th; (b) the Age-Related Equipment Project is underway. One of the clarifiers has been dismantled and CBS is demolishing the digester building; (c) on April 25th, there will be a tree planted at the Fitness Center in memory of Dale Holstrom.
Police Chief Ruroden had nothing to report.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) the preconstruction meeting for the Scene Shop Project was April 9th. Hoping to start by the end of April; (b) will be attending the Northeast Iowa Regional League meeting on April 29th. They will be discussing legislative changes; (c) Governor Reynolds is expected to sign SF588, which aligns public notice requirements to have consistent publication requirements, and SF592, which addresses accessory dwelling requirements. HSB328/SSB1227, which proposes a major overhaul of the property tax system, is still in discussion, along with SF303, which would modify firework regulations.
McConnell reported the park board met. Fitness Center memberships have remained steady, but 24/7 memberships are increasing. They have started to fundraise and collect pledges for the new building. The final proposal will be presented at a future meeting.
McConnell reported that the Chamber is hosting several Family Fun Nights this summer; the Circus will be at the fairgrounds in August; 130 people attended the wrestling banquet; races will be May 4th; Farmers Market starts May 15th.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Mayor Fortune administered the Oath of Office to Second Assistant Fire Chief Annette Trachta.
Mayor Fortune opened the Public Hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. Bouska made the motion to approve the Resolution for Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes for Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune opened the Public Hearing for Budget Amendment #2 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. McConnell made the motion to approve the resolution amending the current budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing transfer of funds for FY 2025 (Budget Amendment #2 transfers). Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Brady Norman outlined his plans to construct sixteen small homes, ranging from 700 to 1200 square feet, on York Street just outside city limits. The development will be completed in three phases, with phase one starting in August 2025. He is requesting approval to connect to city water and sewer services for the units. Although the current city code requires council approval for utility connections, the zoning code does not permit the proposed size or number of units within in city limits. The Council expressed concern about approving a development so near the city limits that does not comply with current city code. The Council has requested that Brady meet with the public works departments to ensure that any connections will meet the requirements for those services. Passmore encouraged Council to think outside of the box and review current zoning regulations to accommodate smaller “tiny” homes.
Gayle Kelm provided the Council with an update on the Scene Shop Project. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 21st, and construction is expected to begin around April 28th. The project is anticipated to be completed by September 2025. Fundraising efforts are ongoing, with proceeds from the summer musical going toward the project. Additional fundraising ideas include a “kiss the pig” event, a dunk tank, live performances, and a silent auction.
Carman made a motion to approve the cost saving options for the Cresco Theatre and Opera House Scene Shop Project. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fosaaen made the motion to waive the $550 Building Permit Fee for the Cresco Theatre and Opera House Scene Shop. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of Ordinance No. 523 pertaining to water service lines. Bouska made a motion to approve the second reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman moved to waive the third reading of Ordinance No. 523; however, the motion failed due to the lack of a second.
Kriener made a motion to approve Class C Liquor License (LC) with catering privileges to McAllister Catering, LLC (pending Dram Insurance). McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Ruroden explained the purpose of a Public Safety Oversight Committee. Carman and Bouska were appointed to the Public Safety Oversight Committee. All other committees will be reviewed in January 2026.
Hotel/Motel Tax of $6,753.31 was received this quarter with four applications received for $12,250. Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Tourism Committee and award Hotel/Motel Tax Grants to: Cresco Area Chamber $2,500 for family fun nights, Steve McCarville Memorial Softball Tournament $2,500; and Howard County Agricultural Society $3,000 for 2025 advertising for the Howard County Fair. The application for Philip Daniels performance at the Cresco Theatre received a favorable evaluation. However, due to limited funding, the committee recommends seeking Avenue 2 funds from CRICCET. Bouska also requested that the Council consider discussing the appropriate reserve level for the Hotel/Motel Fund at an upcoming meeting. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a rental agreement with Northeast Iowa Community Action – Transit. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
The Council held a discussion on proposed increases to water, sewer, and yard waste rates. Due to decreased demand projected for FY25, staff recommended a 9% increase in water rates, a 2% increase in sewer rates. Yard waste fees should increase by $1.75 due to higher operational costs and updated DNR requirements. Hill explained that department heads have reviewed their budgets in an effort to make budget cuts and avoid rate increases. While the Council expressed reluctance to raise rates, they acknowledged the need to maintain a balanced budget. They requested additional information on how the changes would affect customer bills and plan to revisit the discussion at the May 5th meeting.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:40 pm. Kriener seconded, and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be May 5, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill