City Council – April 6, 2026 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: April 3, 2026 | Updated: April 13, 2026

               NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   APRIL 6, 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 March 16, 2026
  4. Approval of Cigarette/Tobacco Permit Applications for:
  • Fareway Stores, Inc dba Fareway #815
  • Kwik Trip, Inc. dba Kwik Star #428;
  • DOLGENCORP LLC dba Dollar General Store #2400
  1. Approval of Special Class B Retail Native Wine License (WB) to Plantpeddler, Inc d/b/a Plantpeddler
  2. Approval of Excavator License for Busch Concrete & Construction LLC

 

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. Public Hearing on the Matter of the Adoption of a Proposed 2026 Amended and Restated Urban Revitalization Plan
  2. Resolution Adopting the Proposed 2026 Amended and Restated Urban Revitalization Plan for the Cresco Urban Revitalization Area
  3. Resolution Approving Loan Agreement for Loan of Funds by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Joel Thomas d/b/a Bethany Housewares
  4. Resolution Approving Loan Agreement for Loan of Funds by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Kayla & Blake Lawston d/b/a The Hair Company Salon & Spa
  5. Ed Fontes to Discuss Celebrating July 4th and the 250th Anniversary
  6. Library Director Jordyn Moore to Present the Annual Update on the Library
  7. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance 531 Library Board of Trustees
  8. Possible Motion to Waive the Second and Third Reading of Ordinance Proposed No. 531 Library Board of Trustees
  9. Approval of Ordinance No. 531 Library Board of Trustees
  10. Review Applications and Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee Recommendations and Award of Hotel/Motel Tax Grants
  11. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Wastewater Treatment Agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  12. Discuss Potential Police Car Purchase Alternatives
  13. Request for Sewer Adjustment for Water not Entering the Sanitary Sewer System from Cresco Park LLC
  14. Review Stump Grinding Quotes and Possible Award of Contract
  15. Set Public Hearing for Budget for FY26/27 Budget Adoption

 

 

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 2, 2026.

 

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCO, IOWA, ON THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF A PROPOSED 2026 AMENDED AND RESTATED URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN

Public notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Cresco, Iowa, will hold a public hearing on April 6, 2026, at 5:30 P.M., in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 130 North Park Place, Cresco, Iowa, at which meeting the Council proposes to take action on the adoption of a 2026 Amended and Restated Urban Revitalization Plan (“2026 Amended and Restated Plan”, “Amended and Restated Plan” or “Plan”) for the Cresco Urban Revitalization Area (“Urban Revitalization Area” or “Area”) described therein, under the authority of Iowa Code Chapter 404.

The purpose of the Amended and Restated Plan is to consolidate the Original Plan and the previously adopted amendments into a single document and to amend the Plan’s provisions to reflect recent legislative changes to Iowa Code Chapter 404 that took effect on July 1, 2024.

Any persons interested may appear at said meeting of the Council and present evidence for or against the adoption of the Amended and Restated Plan.  The proposed Amended and Restated Plan is on file in the office of the City Clerk and available for public inspection or copying during ordinary business hours.

This notice is given by order of the City Council of the City of Cresco, Iowa, pursuant to Section 404.2, Code of Iowa.

Dated this 16th day of March, 2026.

 

 

 

 Nicole Hill                                                     

City Clerk, City of Cresco, State of Iowa

 

(End of Notice)

 

4927-0266-2547-1\10349-113

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on April 6, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Wolfe, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.

Carman made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the March 16, 2026 meeting; Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permits for: Fareway Stores, Inc dba Fareway #815, Kwik Trip, Inc dba Kwik Star #428, DOLGENCORP, LLC dba Dollar General #2400; Class B Retail Native Wine License to Plantpeddler, Inc, d/b/a Plantpeddler; Excavators License for Busch Concrete & Construction LLC. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) attended a Iowa DOT meeting on upcoming projects in the area and highway conditions. They did discuss possibly adding a stop light by

A & W and in order to do it, the City would need to do a traffic study; (b) will discuss parking on 7th Street West at the April 20th meeting; (c) Street department has been busy with storm sewer intake repairs and street sweeping; (d) CIT has been in town performing some critical sewer repairs; (e) Water department will be flushing fire hydrants April 8-10; (f) Planning and Zoning meeting to discuss the comprehensive plan is April 22; (g) first yard waste pickup is April 20th.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the March Police report.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) will be attending IMFOA next week; (b) all full-time employees are now using the new time clock system. It has cut processing down by 50%. Started to pay vendors via ACH to eliminate lost checks and mail delays. We can now email utility bills without signing up for the portal. Will be encouraging residents to sign up and will send forms with next utility bill; (c) all boards and commissions have openings for 3-year terms beginning July 1, 2026; (d) Park staff will be cleaning up the property on Kings Road to be used for summer programming.

Carman reported that she attended a Chamber meeting and there are several upcoming events. The Wrestling Hall of Fame Banquet is April 13th, Scene Shop Ribbon Cutting on May 12th, and the first Family Fun Night on May 19th. They are also partnering with NICC to host a career fair for local companies on April 17th.

Mayor Fortune recognized Niki Hill on her service anniversary in April and thanked her for her 14 years of dedication and service to the City and residents.

Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience. Wayne Mashek and Gary Gooder questioned the possibility of adding a turn lane on 7th Avenue West due to the increase of traffic with the new Kwik Star. They are concerned about the possibility of accidents and additional semi traffic needing larger turn lanes. Brenno will speak with Kwik Start to see what options are available. Chance Hayes had some ideas for educating kids. Mayor Fortune suggested he reach out to the Howard-Winneshiek School.

Fortune opened the Public Hearing on the matter of the adoption of a proposed 2026 Amended and Restated Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan. There were no written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed. McConnell made a motion to approve the resolution adopting the proposed 2026 Amended and Restated Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan for the Cresco Urban Revitalization Area. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

Joel Thomas is purchasing Bethany Housewares and explained his plans and goals for the business. Kriener 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 Joel Thomas dba Bethany Housewares. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Blake and Kayla Lawston are in the process of purchasing the Hair Company Salon and Spa and he outlined their future business plans. Fosaaen made a motion to approve the Loan Agreement for a loan of $25,500 by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Kayla and Blake Lawston dba The Hair Company Salon and Spa. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Ed Fontes and Dodd Franklin explained that they are planning a celebration in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States. The celebration will include distributing USA-made flags to residents, as well as hosting several events and a parade. They have applied for some grants but are requesting $600 in city support to help cover advertising costs. Hill will look into options to assist with the celebration.

Library Director Jordyn Moore presented an annual update on the Library statistics. They have added additional annual programs to include additional age groups. There has been an increase in overall usage as well as a 29% increase in interlibrary services. They have many programs planned each month, everyone is encouraged to check their website for upcoming events. She welcomed ideas from Council and public for future projects and programming.

Mayor Fortune performed the first reading of Ordinance No. 531 pertaining to the Library Board of Adjustments. Carman made a motion to approve the first reading. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made a motion waive the third reading of Ordinance No. 531. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 531 pertaining to Library Board of Trustees. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hotel/Motel Tax of $4,741.12 was received this quarter with three applications received for $11,000. Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Tourism Committee and award Hotel/Motel Tax Grants to: Cresco Chamber $2,000 for Family Fun Nights; $2,000 to the Mighty Howard County Fair; and Texaco Restoration Fund $741.12 for building and map restoration. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a Wastewater Treatment Agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hill explained that the police department has been exploring options for upgrading the police vehicle that is in the FY27 budget. Due to other agencies updating their vehicles on a more frequent basis than we do, there are opportunities to purchase their low-mileage vehicles that would replace some of our older ones. The department would like to purchase two used vehicles versus one brand new one. All Council members are open to purchasing low-mileage used vehicles.

Kriener made the motion to approve a sewer adjustment of $496.64 for water not entering the sanitary sewer system for Cresco Park LLC for Willow Courtyard Trailer Park due to a broken outside water line. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Brenno reported two quotes for stump grinding were received: Wilson Custom Tree Service $0.84 per inch and Total Tree Care $1.55 per inch. Fosaaen made a motion to award the contract to Wilson Custom Tree Service. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to set the Public Hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 for April 20th. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

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 April 20, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2026 City Council Agendas, Minutes