Posted: November 25, 2025 | Updated: December 22, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: DECEMBER 1, 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.
1. Approval of the Agenda
2. Approval of the Claims
3. Minutes from November 17, 2025
4. Approval of Displaying Winter Theme Flags for the Driftrunners’ Snow Fest from January 21st through January 27, 2026
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. Brandon Plaht with Driftrunners to Discuss Snow Fest Torchlight Parade
2. Motion to Approve Parade and Street Closure Permit for Portions of the Alley Between 3rd Avenue West and 4th Avenue West, and Portions of North Elm Street and 1st Avenue West for the Snow Fest Torchlight Parade on January 24, 2026
3. Resolution Approving Change Order No. 5 for the Scene Shop Project for the City of Cresco
4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Sign a Right-of-Entry for Construction for the Scene Shop Project with MB Inc (Extending Previous Right-of-Entry that was Approved by Resolution #032503)
5. Approval of Pay Request #7 for $96,283.49 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project
6. Approval of Special Class C Retail Alcohol License (BW) to Fat T’s Café LLC (Pending Dram Shop Insurance)
7. Third Reading of Proposed Ordinance No.527 Vacating a Portion of the Alley Behind the 200 Block of North Elm Street
8. Approval of Ordinance No. 527
9. Resolution Providing for the Vacation of a Portion of the Alley Behind the 200 Block of North Elm Street
10. Third Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 528 Vacating an Undeveloped Portion of 9th Avenue East
11. Approval of Ordinance No. 528
12. Resolution Providing for the Vacation of an Undeveloped Portion of 9th Avenue East
13. Third Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 529 Vacating an Undeveloped Portion of 11th Avenue East
14. Approval of Ordinance No. 529
15. Resolution Providing for the Vacation of an Undeveloped Portion of 11th Avenue East
16. Motion to Hire Three Employees for the Temporary Water Meter Installation Position
17. Motion to Increase Wage for Kade Munkel for the Temporary Water Meter Installation Position
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 26, 2025.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on December 1, 2025 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Fosaaen, Bouska, 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 November 17, 2025 meeting, displaying Winter Theme Flags for the Driftrunner’s Snow Fest from 1/21 – 1/27/26. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) Street Department has been busy with snow removal. Water and Sewer employees helped with plowing over the weekend. He reminded the public of the snow emergency procedures and to sign up for text alerts for snow emergency notifications; (b) Water main break was repaired on Gardner Ave. Water meter installations started today; (c) the request from Howard-Winneshiek School is currently on hold. Will have a joint work session to next steps.
Patrol Officer Eagan had nothing to report for the Police Department.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) Fire Commission met. Budget was discussed as well as an update to their aging equipment and replacement schedule. A copy was provided to Council to review; (b) Budget Worksession will be December 3rd; (c) Union negotiations are January 8th.
McConnell reported on the Airport Commission meeting. They discussed budget, adding an additional hangar, and additional truck parking.
Mayor Fortune recognized two employees with service anniversaries in December and thanked them for their dedication and years of service to the City and its residents: Tim Ruroden – Police Dept 14 years; Jason Miller – Water Dept 15 years.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Brandon Plaht on behalf of Driftrunners addressed Council regarding the 55th Anniversary of Snowfest on January 22-25, 2026. They had a tremendous turnout for the torchlight parade down Elm Street for their 50th celebration and are hoping the City would be willing to haul snow in (assuming we have snow) to put on Elm Street. They would also like to close the east side of North Elm Street to allow better visibility for spectators. Carman made a motion to approve a Parade Permit for portions of the alley between 4th Ave W and 3rd Ave W, N Elm St, and 1st Ave for Driftrunner’s Snowmobile Torchlight Parade on January 24, 2026. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council reviewed Change Order No. 5, which requests an extension of the substantial completion date for the Scene Shop Project due to supply delays. Because of the catalyst grant deadlines, Council chose to postpone approval of both the extension and the right-of-entry resolution until it can be confirmed that the changes will not affect the grants.
Fosaaen made a motion to approve the Pay Request #7 for $96,283.49 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made a motion to approve a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License (BW) to Fat T’s Café LLC pending dram shop insurance. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune performed the third 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 third reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 527. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made a motion to approve the resolution providing for the vacation of the alley behind the 200 block of North Elm Street. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune performed the third reading of Ordinance No. 528 vacating an undeveloped portion of 9th Avenue East. Bouska made a motion to approve the third reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 528. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made a motion to approve the resolution providing for vacating an undeveloped portion of 9th Avenue East. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune performed the third reading of Ordinance No. 529 vacating an undeveloped portion of 11th Avenue East. Bouska made a motion to approve the third reading. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 529. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made a motion to approve the resolution providing for vacating an undeveloped portion of 11th Avenue East. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made the motion to hire Kasey Folz, Kevin Reicks, and Wayne Kerian for the temporary water installation positions for $20.00/hour. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made a motion to increase Kade Munkel’s rate of pay while installing water meters to $20.00/hour. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:06 pm. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be December 15, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill