Posted: January 2, 2026 | Updated: January 15, 2026
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JANUARY 5, 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 December 15, 2025
4. Approval of Excavator License for MB, Inc
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. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 530 Pertaining to Water Meters Right of Entry and Implementing a Water Surcharge for Non-Compliant Water Meters
2. Review Applications and Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee Recommendations and Award of Hotel/Motel Tax Grants
3. Motion to Waive January 13, 2026 Late Fees Due to Conversion
4. Motion to Hire for the Street Laborer Position
5. Discuss Possible Early Release of Retainage for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project for the City of Cresco
6. Possible Approval of Pay Request #9 for Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project
7. Resolution Authorizing Solutions, Inc to Create a VPN Connection to Allow Network Access for the City Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Administrative Assistant/Theatre Manager, Part Time Assistant, and Public Works Director
8. Mayor to Appoint Mayor Pro-Tem
9. Appoint Council Members to Committees
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 2, 2026.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on January 5, 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 December 15, 2025 meeting; Excavator License for MB, Inc. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) there was a service line that was damaged when a company was boring by 12th St E that was repaired. The company will be billed for the repairs; (b) Street department has been busy with hauling snow and maintenance; (c) EV charger has been down since the summer. The part has been on backorder; (d) the speed feedback signs from the Iowa DOT are also on backorder. They hope to install them soon.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) busy with month end, calendar year end, budget, and setting up new cellular meters; (b) Water department has installed 1,337 meters so far with 314 installed since December 15th. They are currently working on the east side of town. A second reminder letter will be sent to the remaining few in the sections that they have completed; (c) Union negotiations are January 8th at 10:30 am; (d) will be scheduling the second budget work session.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the December Police report showing 3,208 calls for the year. Two of the new Dodge Durango’s are in the shop for some warranty repairs.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Mayor Fortune recognized four employees with service anniversaries in January and thanked them for their dedication and years of service to the City and residents: Blake Welper – Police Dept 4 years; Dalton Rush – Police Dept 2 years; Cody Courtney – Street Dept 15 years; Dave Brenno – Public Works Director 2 years.
Mayor Fortune performed the first 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 first reading. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Hotel/Motel Tax of $6,344.07 was received this quarter. Fosaaen made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee and award grants to: HC Business & Tourism for 2025 Non-Profit Marketing Support $3,000; Driftrunners Snowmobile Club $3,000 for Snowfest. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion to waive the January 13, 2026 late fees due to the utility bills being delayed with conversion. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to hire Kade Munkel for the street laborer position effective January 6, 2026. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed possible early release of retainage for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project. WHKS has issued a certificate of Substantial Completion and the Iowa Administrative Code allows the contractor to request early release once Substantial Completion has been issued. The total retainage currently held is $75,832.34. The remaining amount that will be held is $12,620.
McConnell made a motion to approve Pay Request #9 for $63,212.34 to Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing Solutions, Inc to create a VPN connection to continue to allow network access for the City Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Administrative Assistant/Theatre Manager, part time assistant, and Public Works Director. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune appointed Jan Carman as the Mayor Pro-Tem.
Council Members were appointed to committees and board liaisons as follows: Public Works – Kriener, Fosaaen, Brenno, Hill, Fortune; Fire – McConnell, Kriener, Fortune; Tourism –Wolfe, Carman; CIDC – McConnell, Fortune; Chamber – Carman; HCED –Kriener; Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority Board – Jason Passmore; Housing – Carman; Revolving Loan – Hill; IRP – Kriener, Fortune; Park & Rec – McConnell; Library – Wolfe; Theatre – Fosaaen; Airport – Wolfe, Brenno; Board of Adjustments – Brenno; Planning & Zoning – Brenno; Public Safety Oversight –Carman, Wolfe, Fortune.
Kriener moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 5:53 pm. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be January 19, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill