Posted: December 12, 2025 | Updated: December 22, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: DECEMBER 15, 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 December 1, 2025
4. Approval of Minutes from December 3, 2025 Budget Worksession
5. Approval of Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) to Big Daddy Hideaway Corp d/b/a Sweeney’s Lounge
6. Approval of Class E Retail Alcohol License to Caseys Marketing Company d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511 (change of ownership)
7. Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Zach Steinmetz
8. Approval of Excavator License for:
a. Mracek Plumbing, Heating & Electric, LLC
b. Beer Farms, LLC
c. Mehmert Tiling, Inc
d. Mudslingers, Inc
9. Approval of Tree Surgeon License for:
a. Tarzan Tree Service, LLC
b. Total Tree Care, LLC
c. Tim Walton Tree Service
d. Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers, 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. Oath of Office for Mayor and Council Positions Effective January 1, 2026
2. Resolution Approving Loan Agreement for Loan of Funds by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Dan Malanaphy d/b/a Dan’s Roadhouse
3. Scene Shop Fundraising Update
4. Discuss Vision Insurance Company Changes to the Employee Benefit Package Funded by Employee Payroll Deductions and Possible Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Sign the Vision Insurance Contract with Delta Vision Insurance
5. Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) with Outdoor Service to Howard County Agricultural Society d/b/a Mighty Howard County Fair – Howard County Expo Center (Pending Dram Shop Insurance)
6. Discuss Water Meter Installation Non-Compliance
7. Discuss Possible Purchase of Automatic Chains for Street Equipment
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 DECEMBER 12, 2025
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on December 15, 2025 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, 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 December 1, 2025 meeting; December 3, 2025 budget worksession; Class C Retail Alcohol License to Big Daddy Hideaway Corp d/b/a Sweeney’s Lounge; Class E Retail Alcohol License to Caseys Marketing Company d/b/a Casey’s General Store #2511; Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Zach Steinmetz; Excavator Licenses for: Mracek Plumbing Heating & Electric LLC, Beer Farms LLC, Mehmert Tiling Inc, Mudslingers Inc; Tree Surgeon Licenses for: Tarzan Tree Service LLC, Total Tree Care LLC, Tim Walton Tree Service, Wilson Custom Tree Trimmers LLC. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) Water department has been busy with meter replacement. They have also had two water main breaks since December 1st; (b) interviewing Wednesday for the street laborer position.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the November Police Report.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) busy with month end, calendar year end, budget, and setting up new cellular meters; (b) Water department has installed 997 meters so far with 418 done in December. They are currently working on the south side of town. A letter was sent to the remaining few in the sections that they have completed; (c) Airport Commission had some questions on some claims and they were answered. One expense was an expense for the storm drainage ditch and that expense has been reclassified to the Street Department; (d) Michelle Barness will have the Comp Plan draft to us in January to review; (e) open house on December 18th to thank Council Member Bouska for her years of service to the residents. Cake and coffee will be available for the public to come and enjoy.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Mayor Pro Tem Bouska administered the Oath of Office to Alex Fortune, who was elected as Mayor. Mayor Fortune administered the Oaths of Office to Rich McConnell and James Wolfe elected as Council Members. All positions are effective January 1, 2026.
Dan Malanaphy is purchasing the building that is Dan’s Roadhouse. He explained some planned building upgrades that will be completed in in 2026. McConnell made a motion to approve the Loan Agreement for a loan of $40,000 by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Dan Malanaphy dba Dan’s Roadhouse. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kelly Bartling updated Council on fundraising efforts for the Scene Shop Project.They will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house when the project is completed. Upcoming events are the Root River Jam on March 21st, Faith and Four Letter Words on April 1st, the Lee Hardin Comedy Show on April 8th, and Joseph Hall: Elvis Tribute Christmas show on November 21st. We are on the wait list for Lorie Line Christmas for 2026.
City Clerk Hill explained that employees had the option to enroll in vision insurance through Iowa Rural Water Association with Avesis. They are not renewing the contract for 2026. Employees were still interested in a vision policy, so quotes were obtained. Employees reviewed the plans and determined that the preferred plan for employees was the plan with the $200 frame allowance. Bouska made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the City Clerk to sign the vision insurance contract with Delta Dental. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made a motion to approve Class C Liquor License (LC) with outdoor services to Howard County Agricultural Society d/b/a Mighty Howard County Fair – Howard County Expo Center pending proof of Dramshop Insurance. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Hill reported that Water Department staff have had difficulty contacting some customers, as well as resistance to installing the new cellular meter heads. She noted that the current code allows the Water Superintendent access at any time to read, remove, or replace a meter; however, a warrant would be required to enter a property. Another option would be to shut off the water after proper notice has been posted. There is concern that some shutoffs may not function properly or could break during the process, which would result in repair costs of approximately $700 for the customer. Hill recommended implementing a $100 surcharge for non-compliant customers, similar to the approach used for the sump pump inspection program. This surcharge would require an ordinance change and would be reversed if the meter is changed within the same billing cycle. If it is after that billing cycle, Council approval would be needed to remove the charge. Council expressed support for the surcharge and requested that the ordinance amendment be drafted.
Council discussed the Street Department’s FY27 budget request for automatic chains on select snow equipment, totaling approximately $10,000. The chains would improve efficiency and enhance employee safety. McConnell moved to approve the request and include it as a FY26 budget amendment. Carman seconded the motion and it passed all ayes.
Bouska moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:00 pm. Carman seconded, and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be January 5, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill