Posted: January 16, 2026 | Updated: January 29, 2026
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JANUARY 19, 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 January 5, 2026
- Approval of Street Closing for Portions of 2nd Ave East for the Notre Dame School Lasagna Supper on January 23, 2026
- Approval of Pay Request #8 for $50,782.25 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project
- Approval of Excavator License for Skyline Construction Inc
- Approval of Tree Surgeon License for Uprooted Tree Service LLC
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 ofthe 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 speakfrom the podium.)
BUSINESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
- Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 530 Pertaining to Water Meters
- Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $20,000 Payment to Howard County
Business & Tourism in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
- Motion to Write Off $5,679.97 Revolving Loan Fund Interest Only Balance
- Motion to Approve Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for MDJM Holdings LLC
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a Minimum
Assessment Agreement with MDJM Holdings LLC
- Motion to Approve Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Peddler Real Estate LLC
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a Minimum
Assessment Agreement with Peddler Real Estate LLC
- Discuss and Possible Motion to Sell the Large Picnic Tables
Page I of2
- Discussion on CIP (Capital Improvement Plan)
- Resolution Adopting the Annual Project List Update to the Capital Improvements Plan (“CIP”) 2022 to 2027
- Discuss Amendment to Land Lease Agreement or possible purchase with Alltel Corporation dba Verizon Wireless and Possible Motion to Set a Public Hearing
- Discuss the Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan
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 JANUARY 16, 2026.
Page 2 of2
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on January 19, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. Council Member Wolfe was absent.
McConnell made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the January 5, 2026 meeting; street closing for portions of 2nd Ave East for the Notre Dame School Lasagna Supper on January 23, 2026; Pay Request #8 for $50,782.25 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project; Excavator License for Skyline Construction Inc; Tree Surgeon License for Uprooted Tree Service LLC. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) Street department has been busy trimming trees, sanding streets, and hauling snow; (b) discovered one sump pump that was connected to the sanitary sewer system. This has been corrected by the homeowner; (c) water temperature is currently at 44.6 degrees. Staff will continue to monitor due to the cold weather predicted. In 2025, there were 13 water main breaks compared to seven in 2024, ten in 2023, and eight in 2022.
Police Chief Ruroden had nothing to report for the police department.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) December financials were included in the packet. Revenue is at 45% and expenses are 40% of the budgeted amounts; (b) W-2’s have been distributed to employees. Donation receipts and 1099’s will be mailed this week; (c) Water department has installed 1,614 meters so far with 277 installed since January 2nd. They are currently working on the east side of town; (d) Code of Conduct was distributed to council members to review; (e) second budget meeting is January 20th.
McConnell reported that Park Board met and they are in discussions with Emplify Health (Gunderson) about relocating their office if the building project goes through.
Fosaaen reported the Theatre Commission met and they are just wrapping up the Scene Shop Project. They are still accepting donations to help pay for the project.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Mayor Fortune performed the second reading of Ordinance No. 530 pertaining to water meters, right of entry and implementing a water surcharge for non-compliant water meters. Carman made a motion to approve the second reading. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Jason Passmore with Howard County Business & Tourism explained all of the services they offer to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Cresco and Howard County. The 28E Agreement with Howard County Business & Tourism states that funding will be used for advancing economic and community development and improving tourism in Howard County and the City of Cresco. Carman made a motion to authorize the $20,000 payment to Howard County Business & Tourism and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made a motion to write off $5,679.97 Revolving Loan Fund Interest. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve a Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for MDJM Holdings LLC. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a minimum assessment agreement with MDJM Holdings LLC. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion to approve a Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Peddler Real Estate LLC. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fosaaen made the motion authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a minimum assessment agreement with Peddler Real Estate LLC. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell reported that, due to multiple issues with the large picnic tables, the park board would prefer to discontinue renting them to the public for a donation. Council believes the tables are a valuable community asset and would like them to remain available for public use.
Carman made a motion to approve a resolution adopting the annual project list update to the Capital Improvement Plan (“CIP”) 2022 to 2027. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed a proposed 30-year lease extension with Verizon. After reviewing the terms and considering the potential impacts, Council decided not to proceed with extending the lease at this time.
City Clerk Hill informed Council that the Comprehensive Plan draft is in progress and that earlier discussions had recommended waiting until its completion to update the Urban Revitalization Plan. However, after consulting with the city attorney, it was determined that there is no legal reason to delay the update, as the Comprehensive Plan will not impact it. Council agreed to move forward with updating the Urban Revitalization Plan at this time.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:09 pm. Kriener seconded, and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be February 2, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill