Posted: October 15, 2025 | Updated: October 31, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: OCTOBER 20, 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 October 6, 2025
- Approval of Parade Permit for Portions of 3rd Avenue and North Elm Street for the Santa’s Holiday Parade on November 28, 2025
- Approval of Designated Snowmobile Trail in City Limits for November 15, 2025 through April 1, 2026
- Approval of Special Class C Retail Alcohol License to Dan’s Restaurants d/b/a Dan’s Road House
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.
- Trent Orth to Discuss Plans for 225 North Elm Street
- Resolution Approving Loan Agreement for Loan of Funds by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Tony & Jessica d/b/a Rick’s Repair
- Resolution Accepting the Annual Financial Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and Directing the City Clerk to File the Report with the Iowa Auditor of State
- Discuss Property Deductibles and Possible Motion to Change Deductible on Insurance Renewal
- Discuss Health and Dental Policy Renewal
- Possible Approval of Resolution Authorizing the City Clerk to Sign the Health and Dental Insurance Contract with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
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 OCTOBER 17, 2025.
MINUTES
Mayor Fortune called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on October 20, 2025 at 5:30 pm. Council Members Carman, Bouska, 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 October 3, 2025 meeting; Parade Permit for portions of 3rd Ave E and North Elm St for the Santa’s Holiday Parade on November 28, 2025; designated snowmobile trail in city limits for November 15, 2025 through April 1, 2026; Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) to Dan’s Restaurant’s d/b/a Dan’s Road House. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) Howard County has started reshaping 12th Ave; (b) Water department flushed hydrants and had a water main break on the same day; (c) Aging Equipment Project should be complete by the end of November. The third clarifier is being installed along with some interior work to complete; (d) fall yard waste has started as well as fall street sweeping.
Police Chief Ruroden had nothing to report for the police department.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) the November 4th election will have the following on the ballot – Mayor, Alex Fortune; At-Large Rich McConnell; Ward 2 Jim Wolfe; (b) we are in the process of setting up all of the auto pay utility customers into the new accounting software. Had some difficulty reading meters, but we think it is working now; (c) audit report was given to each Council Member; (d) will be sending a notice to all of the residents that had unknown or galvanized service line by November 15th; (e) waiting on dates for union negotiations; (f) CIP ranking is due by November 3rd; (g) budget papers will be handed out to department heads this week; (h) Iowa League of Cities is hosting the Open Meetings webinar in November.
Fosaaen reported that the Theatre Commission is continuing their fundraising efforts for the Scene Shop Project.
McConnell reported that the Park Board discussed and approved replacing the railroad ties under the train. They also formed a committee to start fundraising on the new Fitness Center building project.
Mayor Fortune asked for comments from the audience and there were none.
Trent Orth was unable to attend and will be on a future agenda.
Tony and Jessica Wall are purchasing Rick’s Repair explained their plans for the current repair and auto detailing business. McConnell made a motion to approve the Loan Agreement for a loan of $40,000 by the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Cresco to Tony & Jessica Wall dba Rick’s Repair. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made the motion to approve a resolution accepting the Annual Financial Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the fiscal year 2024-2025 and directing the City Clerk to file the report with the Iowa Auditor of State. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Council reviewed past property claims and potential premium savings associated with higher deductibles. Increasing the deductible to $10,000 would result in savings of $9,042; a $25,000 deductible would save $25,752; and a $50,000 deductible would save $41,424. Bouska made a motion to increase the deductible to $10,000. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the City Clerk to sign the health and dental insurance contract with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield with the side fund remaining at the current levels. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 5:54 pm. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be November 3, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Alexander Fortune
City Clerk Nicole Hill