Posted: July 2, 2025 | Updated: July 16, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JULY 7, 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.
- Approval of the Agenda
- Approval of the Claims
- Minutes from June 16, 2025
- Approval of Retail Tobacco License to DOLGENCORP, LLC d/b/a Dollar General #31641 (change of store number)
- Approval of Application for Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Brent & Sarah Holten
- Approval of Pay Request #4 for Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age-Related Equipment Replacement Project for $192,652.84
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 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.
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a Gift Agreement with Thomson Charitable Foundation for the Cresco Theatre and Opera House Scene Shop Project
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter into a Gift Agreement with CUSB Bank for the Cresco Theatre and Opera House Scene Shop Project
- Scott Thomson to Present a Donation to the Cresco Theatre and Opera House for the Scene Shop Project
- Motion to Untable the Resolution from Brady Norman to Connect to City Water and Sewer
- Resolution Approving Water and Sewer Connection for Property Outside City of Cresco Corporate Limits that is Owned by Cornstalk Iowa 1, LLC
- Request to Waive Late Fees for Dale Snow
- Mike Magler to Discuss the County Store Building
- Resolution Approving Change Order No. 1 for the Age-Related Equipment Replacement Project for the City of Cresco
- Resolution Eliminating Paid Time Off for Permanent Part-Time Positions
- Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds for FY 2026
- Discuss Appointment of David Terbeest to the Airport Commission for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2028
- Motion to Approve the Outstanding Obligation Report and Review Long Term Debt Balances and Amortization Schedules
- Review Applications and Cresco Tourism Advisory Committee Recommendations and Award of Hotel/Motel Tax Grants
- Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $3,888 Payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
- Motion to Declare a Public Purpose for the $1,250 Payment to Helping Services in Accordance with the 28E Agreement
- First Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 518 to Amend Chapter 69.09 Sections 01, 02, 03, and adding Section 05 and 06 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Parking Regulations
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, 2025.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on July 7, 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 June 16, 2025 meeting; Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permit for DOLGENCORP, LLC dba Dollar General #31641 (change in store number); Tax Abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan for Brent and Sarah Holten; Pay Request #4 for $192,652.84 to Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) there was a sewer main blocked due to “flushable” wipes. Even though they are being marketed as flushable, they lead to sewer main blockages and causing backups. The only thing that is flushable is toilet paper; (b) there was some street flooding on June 23rd. The streets emptied quickly once the rain stopped and the retention basin worked well. Water was also coming into the basement at City Hall over the breaker panel. Bob’s Electric has repaired the holes; (c) will be doing storm sewer repair on Highway 9 and South Elm; (d) siren on the north water tower is not working. Racom is working on repairing it. The new storm siren in the Webster addition will be installed in September. MiEnergy is assisting with installation and will provide electricity; (e) Wicks will be in town to repair the sidewalk in front of Leutholds.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the June Police report.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) financial statements were included in the Council packet along with an annual report for the CUSB Historic Downtown Revolving Loan Fund. In FY25, there were two loans totaling $85,000; (b) we finished the FY25 budget with a profit of $1,784,000. We received $572,000 in interest, along with a large donation to create the profit. There are several projects that were not completed in FY25; (c) attended the Northeast Iowa Clerks meeting which had presentations from the State Auditor’s office; (d) there will be a goal setting open house on August 12th from 4 – 7 pm at Kessel Lodge for the comp plan update.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Mayor Fortune recognized three 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 2 years; Drew Zahasky – Water Dept 19 years; Doug Eagan – Police Dept 1 year.
McConnell made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a gift agreement with Thomson Charitable Foundation for the Cresco Theatre and Opera House Scene Shop Project. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fosaaen made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a gift agreement with CUSB Bank for the Cresco Theatre and Opera House Scene Shop Project. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Scott Thomson with CUSB Bank and the Thomson Foundation expressed his commitment to supporting local projects and helping the communities they serve. They are pleased to provide a donation to the Scene Shop project.
Carman made the motion to untable the resolution for Brady Norman to connect to city water and sewer. Bouska seconded. Kriener, Bouska Carman, and Fosaaen voted aye. McConnell voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.
Carman made the motion approving the proposed water and sewer connection for the property outside of City of Cresco Corporate Limits that is owned by Cornstalk Iowa 1, LLC. The resolution spells out that the City Council will give final consideration for the connection after certain conditions have been satisfied. Bouska seconded. Kriener, Bouska, and Carman voted aye. McConnell and Fosaaen voted nay. The motion passed by majority vote.
A letter was received from Dale Snow requesting the Council waive late fees of $8.81. He stated he did not receive his utility bill, only received the delinquent notice. Hill explained that all bills are mailed at the end of the month for residents to receive by the first. We offer email and paper billing along with ACH payments, website payments, FrontDesk portal, and in-person payments to make it easy for residents to make payments. Kriener made the motion to approve the request to waive the late fee. Bouska seconded. Bouska and Kriener voted aye. McConnell, Fosaaen, and Carman voted nay. The motion failed.
Mike Magler was unable to attend and will be on a future agenda.
Bouska made the motion to approve a resolution approving Change Order No. 1 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age-Related Equipment Replacement Project for a negative cost of $31,868.64. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made the motion to approve a resolution eliminating PTO for permanent part-time positions. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing transfer of funds for FY 2026. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed the appointment of David Terbeest to the Airport Commission. The current ordinance requires three of the five members be city residents. If Terbeest was appointed, there would only be two members who live in city limits. Council appreciated his desire to serve on the board, but are unable to appoint him at this time. The ad for the position will be reposted to social media to see if any other applicants would apply. The ordinance will be reviewed at a future meeting to see if any changes need to be made.
Council reviewed and discussed loan balances and amortization schedules. McConnell made the motion to approve the Outstanding Obligation Report. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Hotel/Motel Tax of $4,233.11 was received this quarter with two applications received for $8,500. Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Tourism Committee and award Hotel/Motel Tax Grants to: Cresco Theatre for $500 for Scriptless in Seattle live performance and Cresco Area Chamber $3,500 for Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest. McConnell 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. Bouska 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. Carman 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. Carman 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. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed proposed camper, RV, and semi ordinance. The proposed ordinance would restrict parking on residential streets for semis, campers, trailers, and RV’s. Wording will be changed on the noise portion along with contractors trailers and a new version will be presented at a future meeting.
Bouska moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:41 pm. Carmen seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be July 21, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill