Posted: July 31, 2026 | Updated: September 8, 2026
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: AUGUST 3, 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.
- Approval of the Agenda
- Approval of the Claims
- Minutes from July 20, 2026
- Approval of Street Closing Permit for a Portion of North Elm Street for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest August 21, 2026
- Approval of Special Class C Retail Alcohol to Cresco Chamber of Commerce d/b/a Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest
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.
- Resolution Accepting the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project
- Approval of Pay Request #10 (final) to Blazek Corporation for $13,775.00 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project
- Gary Gooder to Discuss Private Drain Issue on Stock Ave
- Hearing on Disconnection of Water Service for Jessica Myles
- Possible Motion on Disconnection of Water Services
- Set Public Hearing for Budget Amendment #1 for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2027
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Sign an Electric Line Easement
- Discuss 7th Street West Deficiencies
- Resolution Adopting and Levying REVISED Final Schedule of Assessments for the Purpose of Assessing Deficiency Assessments
- Motion to Hire Sandra Bestor for the Custodian Position
- Recommendation of the Airport Commission to Appoint Mike Conlan for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2029
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 JULY 31, 2026.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on August 3, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. Council Member Wolfe was absent.
Carman made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which included approval of the agenda with Items 8, 9, and 11 moved to follow Item 2; claims; minutes from the July 20, 2026 meeting; Street Closing Permit for a Portion of North Elm Street for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest on August 21, 2026; Special Class C Retail Alcohol License to Cresco Chamber of Commerce d/b/a Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) street department is finishing up painting crosswalks. New cameras at the yardwaste site have been installed; (b) the State of Iowa had a meeting on cybersecurity with water systems; (c) the bids for the Beadle Park Train Painting Project are due August 5 and a special meeting is scheduled for August 10th at 4:30 pm to consider approving the contract.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the July Police report. He also reported that Harry Kitchen has accepted the police officer position and will start on August 10, 2026.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) auditors finished up last week; (b) busy working on the Annual Finance Report.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Scott Huneke from WHKS explained that the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Project has been completed. The total project came in at $45,000 under budget. They recommend the Council accept the project and authorize final payment to the contractor. Kriener made the motion to approve the resolution accepting work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Project. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fosaaen made a motion to approve the Pay Request #10 (final) for $13,775.00 to Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Project. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Scott Huneke of WHKS explained the deficiency status associated with assessment projects. When the 7th Street West Project began, the property owned by A & J Construction consisted of a single parcel. During the project, the parcel was divided into three lots. Two of the lots were subsequently sold, and buildings have since been constructed on them. Because the property had a deficiency status when the project began, the City was unable to collect assessments based on the value of the new buildings. Following the assessor’s update, the City now has the option to review the deficiency and determine whether to collect the assessment. The assessment would be spread over the original 10-year collection period; however, because one year has already elapsed since the project was accepted, only the remaining nine years of assessments could be collected. A letter will be sent to the owners of lots 5A and 5B allowing them 30 days to pay the assessment prior to it being assessed to the taxes. Carman made the motion approving the resolution adopting and levying revised final schedule of assessments for the purpose of assessing deficiency assessments. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Airport Commission to appoint Mike Conlan for a term expiring June 30, 2029. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Gary Gooder discussed a storm water issue on his property along Stock Avenue. He is requesting that the City add a storm water main along Stock Ave so he can hook a drain line in from his property. Currently, there is not a storm sewer main along Stock. He provided an estimate from Mehmert’s showing that the City’s portion would be approximately $10,000. A decision may be made at a future meeting.
Jessica Myles requested a hearing regarding the disconnection of her water service but did not attend the meeting. City Clerk Hill reported that the landlord had called and stated that Ms. Myles was scheduled to move out on August 4, 2026. Carman made a motion to disconnect the water service on August 4, 2026, if Ms. Myles does not vacate the property on that date. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made a motion to set a Public Hearing for August 17, 2026 for budget amendment #1 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno explained that Alliant is installing an electric line on Airport Road to serve the area that is currently rented by Midwest Custom Ag. An easement is required to allow the lines to cross City property. Carman made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an electric line easement. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion to hire Sandra Bestor for the custodian position for $15.00/hour. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:07 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be August 17, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill