Posted: June 12, 2026 | Updated: July 14, 2026
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: JUNE 15, 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 June 1, 2026
- Minutes from June 4, 2026 Worksession
- Approval of Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permits for Howard County Jail
- Approval of Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permits for Kwik Star #428 (New Store Effective August 6, 2026)
- Approval of Excavator License for Loewen Excavating and Septic
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.
- Neal Stapelkamp to Update on Fire Department
- Motion to Approve Recommendation of the Cresco Community Fire Department to Approve New Fire Chief and Chief Officers
- Oath of Office for Fire Chief & Assistants
- Fire Chief
- First Assistant Fire Chief
- Second Assistant Fire Chief
- Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Comprehensive Plan
- Resolution Adopting the Cresco Comprehensive Plan
- Derek Dittmer to Discuss Willow Courtyard and Shady Oaks
- Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Engagement Agreement with Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. Regarding the Beadle Park Train Project
- Resolution Ordering Construction of the 2026 Beadle Park Train Painting and Fixing a Date for Hearing Thereon and Taking of Bids Therefor
- Motion to Authorize Using LOST Funds to the Beadle Park Train Project
- Resolution Authorizing the Sale of K-9 Emmy Lou to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office
- Resolution Approving the Revised Employee Handbook Effective July 1, 2026
- Resolution Committing Fund Balance Resources for General Funds and Special Revenue Funds (GASB 54)
- Third Reading of the Summary of Proposed Ordinance No. 534 Which Amends Chapter 92 Sections 02 and 03 and Chapter 99 Section 02 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, Pertaining to Water Rates and Sewer Service Charges
- Approval of Ordinance No. 534 Pertaining to Water Rates and Sewer Service Charges
- Motion to Write Off Uncollectible Customer Accounts for FYE June 30, 2026
- Approval of Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permits for Ox and Wren, LLC dba The Ox & Wren Spirits and Gifts (Pending State Approval)
- Recommendation of the Library Board to Appoint Kirstin Widell for a Term Expiring 6/30/2027 (to Replace Pam Kranzler)
- Recommendation of Boards and Commissions to Appoint Members for a Term of Three Years Expiring 6/30/2029:
- Library Board to Reappoint Janann Meyer
- Theatre Commission to Appoint Rachel Riley
- Theatre Commission to Appoint Alyssa Burke
- Theatre Commission to Appoint Becky Creger
- Park Board to Reappoint Dave Herold
- Planning and Zoning to Appoint Brad Burke
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 JUNE 12, 2026.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The final draft Cresco Comprehensive Plan will be presented to the Cresco City Council for consideration of adoption at the June 15, 2026 council meeting. A public hearing will be held at Cresco City Hall, 130 N Park Pl, Cresco, Iowa at 5:30 pm to allow for any final comment on the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan may be found online at
https://uerpc.org/cresco-comprehensive-plan/
or may be obtained by contacting the City Clerk. Please direct any comments or questions on the Comprehensive Plan to Michelle Barness by email at mbarness@uerpc.org or by phone at 563-382-6171.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on June 15, 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 1, 2026 meeting; minutes from the June 4, 2026 worksession; Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permit for Howard County Jail; Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permit for Kwik Star #428 (new store effective August 6, 2026); Excavator License for Loewen Excavating and Septic. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) there is a portion of the new sidewalk on North Elm that is lifting. Will be working with WHKS to get a price to repair it as it is no longer covered by warranty; (b) there have been several storm sewers that have needed to be repaired. The one on South Park Place was found to have been bored through which caused the damage; (c) Northway is in the process of inspecting and repairing the Evans well; (d) attended airport meeting with Secretary of Ag discussing cover crops.
Police Chief Ruroden reported that they have completed candidate testing for all applicants for the patrol officer position.
City Clerk Hill reported staff is busy with month end and fiscal year end.
McConnell reported the Park Board met and held interviews with board member applicants. Emergent Architecture will be at the July 6th meeting to present the building project. Evans Park playground equipment is being installed. Funding for the new equipment was provided through Local Option Sales Tax revenues and fundraising efforts led by Olivia Hollenbeck.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Fire Chief Neal Stapelkamp provided the Council with updates on the radio upgrade project, turnout gear purchases, and the new tanker truck. He noted that the Firefighters have made significant financial contributions through various fundraising efforts, helping to reduce the City’s expenses. The department currently consists of 29 active firefighters and one administrator and recently they have been approved for the Length of Service Award Program. Chief Stapelkamp stated that he will step down from his position as Fire Chief as of July 1, 2026. McConnell made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Cresco Community Fire Department to Approve Charles Reicks as Fire Chief, Annette Trachta as First Assistant Fire Chief, and Alexander Holmstrom as Second Assistant Fire Chief. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. Mayor Fortune thanked Fire Chief Stapelkamp for his 39 years of dedication to the Cresco Community Fire Department.
Mayor Fortune administered the Oath of Office to Fire Chief Charles Reicks, First Assistant Fire Chief Annette Trachta, and Second Assistant Fire Chief Alex Holmstrom.
Mayor Fortune opened the Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan. Michelle Barness explained the process and where the data was obtained from. Cresco resident Amy Bouska submitted several corrections that will be updated prior to the final plan being printed. There were no other written or oral comments and the public hearing was closed.
Fosaaen made the motion to approve the resolution adopting the Cresco Comprehensive Plan. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.
Derek Dittmer and Steve Heintz provided an update on the Shady Oaks Trailer Park. They asked the Council to forgive some of the fines that have been assessed against the property due to nuisance complaints. They are exploring the possibility of redeveloping the site into a four-story apartment complex. The Council indicated it may be willing to forgive some of the fines once the project begins but was hesitant to make a commitment at this time. Before construction can proceed, the property would need to be rezoned and a variance may need to be granted. Mr. Dittmer and Mr. Heintz will work with Public Works Director Brenno to begin the rezoning and variance process.
McConnell made the motion to approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Engagement Agreement with Ahlers and Cooney, PC to perform services for the Beadle Park Train Project. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made the motion to approve a resolution ordering construction of the 2026 Beadle Park Train Painting and fixing a date for hearing thereon, and the taking of bids for said improvements. Bids will be due at 2:00 pm on July 16, 2026. The public hearing will be July 20, 2026. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council discussed the funding for the Beadle Park Train Project. Kriener made a motion to authorize up to $130,000 to cover the difference in donations and the total cost of the project. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fosaaen made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the sale of K-9 Emmy Lou to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion to approve the resolution approving the revised Employee Handbook effective July 2026. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve the resolution committing fund balance resources for General Funds and Special Revenue Funds (GASB 54). Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Fortune performed the third reading of the summary of proposed Ordinance No. 534 amending Chapter 92 Sections 02 and 03 and Chapter 99 Section 02 the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances pertaining to water rates and sewer service charges. Carman made the motion to approve the third reading. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 534 pertaining to water rates and sewer service charges. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
McConnell made the motion to write off eight uncollectible customer accounts for FYE June 30, 2026 for a total of $2,020.68. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made a motion to approve a Retail Cigarette and Tobacco Permit for the Ox & Wren, LLC dba The Ox & Wren Spirits and Gifts pending state review. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made the motion to approve the recommendation of the Library Board of Trustees to appoint Kirstin Widell for a term expiring June 30, 2027. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Kriener made a motion to approve the recommendation of the respective Boards and Commissions and appoint members for terms of three years expiring June 30, 2028 as follows: Library Board to reappoint Janann Meyer; Theatre Commission to appoint Rachel Riley, Alyssa Burke, and Becky Creger; Park Board to reappoint Dave Herold; Planning and Zoning to Appoint Brad Burke. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 7:04 pm. Wolfe seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be July 6, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill