City Council – July 6, 2026 Agenda & Minutes

Posted: July 2, 2026 | Updated: July 16, 2026

               NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   JULY 6, 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 June 15, 2026
  1. Approval of Class E Retail Alcohol License to Kwik Trip, Inc. d/b/a Kwik Star #428 (new store location effective July 20, 2026)
  2. Approval of Pay Request #9 for Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project for $11,495.00
  3. Approval of Street Closing Permit for a Portion of South Elm Street for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest August 21-August 23, 2026 and the Southside Parking Lot August 19-August 23, 2026
  4. Approval of Street Closing Permit for a Portion of North Elm Street, 2nd Avenue West, North Park Place, and South Park Place for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest August 22, 2026
  5. Approval of Parade Permit for Portions of 6th Avenue West, 3rd Street W, and North Elm Street for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Parade on August 22, 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. Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds for FY 2027
  2. Resolution Approving Change Order No. 1 for the Evan’s Park Playground Project for the City of Cresco
  3. Motion to Approve the Outstanding Obligation Report and Review Long Term Debt Balances and Amortization Schedules
  4. Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $3,888 Payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
  5. Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $1,250 Payment to Helping Services in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
  6. Review Applications and Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee Recommendations and Award of Hotel/Motel Tax Grants
  7. Review Board of Adjustment Applications
  8. Motion to Appoint a Board Member to the Board of Adjustment for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2029
  9. Recommendation of Boards and Commissions to Appoint Members for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2029:
    1. Airport Commission to Reappoint Bryan Schmitt
    2. Airport Commission to Reappoint Rick Sovereign
  10. Discuss Goodwill Donation Trailer

 

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 2, 2026.

 

MINUTES

Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on July 6, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Wolfe, Fosaaen, McConnell, and Kriener were present. No council members were absent.

Fosaaen made the motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the: agenda; claims; minutes from the June 15, 2026 meeting; Class E Retail Alcohol License to Kwik Trip Inc d/b/a Kwik Star #428 (new store location effective July 20, 2026); Pay Request #9 for $11,495.00 to Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project; Street Closing Permit for a portion of South Elm Street and the Southside Parking Lot for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest August 19- August 23, 2026; Street Closing Permit for a Portion of North Elm Street, 2nd Avenue West, and North and South Park Place for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest August 22, 2026; Parade Permit for portions of 6th Avenue West, 3rd Street West, and North Elm Street for the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Parade on August 22, 2026. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) attended Airport Commission meeting. They tabled the discussion on the lawnmower. Their next meeting is July 24th. They have a renter who will be installing electric and they will need an easement that will be on a future meeting; (b) Street Dept is busy with storm sewer repairs and will start chip sealing soon; (c) the Evans Well pump has been pulled and the temporary pump is working well; (d) the third clarifier at the sewer plant is being drained for Blazek to do some warranty work.

Police Chief Ruroden submitted the June Police report. There were no issues at the fair. Animal calls, domestic, assault and noise complaints were all up. He is also working on purchasing new handguns and squad car replacements.

City Clerk Hill reported: (a) busy with month end and fiscal year end; (b) conducted four interviews for the custodian position. Hope to make an offer this week; (c) met with Travis Squires from Piper Sandler regarding property tax reform; (d) bids for painting the train are due July 16th and the public hearing will be July 20th; (e) the meal program at Kessel lodge has been discontinued due to low numbers. They will continue to support home delivered meal services; (f) the Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference is September 23-25th in Bettendorf; (g) auditors will be here July 20th.

Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.

Carman made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing transfer of funds for FY 2027. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

McConnell made the motion to approve a resolution approving Change Order No. 1 for the Evans Park Playground Project for an increased cost of $6,492.05. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.

Council reviewed and discussed loan balances and amortization schedules. Fosaaen made the motion to approve the Outstanding Obligation Report. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.

The 28E Agreement with Northeast Iowa Community Action states that funding will be used to serve low-income individuals and families through programs and services including Early Childhood Programs, Family Support Services, Food Pantry Distribution, Stable and Affordable Housing, Budget Counseling, Public Transportation, Pregnancy Prevention and Health Education, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization and Crisis/Financial Assistance. Carman made a motion to authorize the $3,888 payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

The 28E Agreement with Helping Services states that funding will be used for providing substance abuse and domestic abuse services to individuals and families. McConnell made a motion to authorize the $1,250 payment to Helping Services and declared it meets a public purpose in accordance with the 28E Agreement. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

Hotel/Motel Tax of $4,323.20 was received this quarter with six applications received for $16,600. McConnell made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Tourism Committee and award Hotel/Motel Tax Grants to: All School Reunion for $1,000, Cresco Area Chamber $2,723.20 for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest, American Legion Post 135 $600 for the 250th Celebration, Steve McCarville Memorial Softball Tournament for $2,000. Due to insufficient available funding, grant requests submitted by Midwest Artisans Group for the concrete repairs project and by Cresco Theatre for the Lee Hardin Comedy Show were not awarded. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.

One application was received for the Board of Adjustments. Council reviewed the application and Carman made the motion to reappoint Dale Ernst to the Board of Adjustments for a term expiring 6/30/29. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Kriener made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Airport Commission and reappoint Bryan Schmitt and Rick Sovereign for a term of three years expiring June 30, 2029. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Goodwill Industries placed a donation trailer in a city parking lot after the city-wide garage sales for residents to donate their unwanted items in June. It was very well received, and Council discussed the option to have them return if they would like. They were concerned about the liability with the steps that allow residents to enter the trailer. Hill will verify the liability with insurance before contacting Goodwill Industries to see if they wish to return.

Mayor Fortune recognized two employees with service anniversaries in July and thanked them for their dedication and years of service to the City and residents: Leyton Bohr – Fitness Center 3 years; Drew Zahasky – Water Dept 20 years.

Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 5:51 pm. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be July 20, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill

Documents

2026 City Council Agendas, Minutes