Posted: September 2, 2025 | Updated: September 15, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA
DATE OF MEETING: SEPTEMBER 3, 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.
1. Approval of the Agenda
2. Approval of the Claims
3. Minutes from August 18, 2025
4. Minutes from August 18, 2025 Work Session
5. Minutes from August 12, 2025 Goal Setting Session (CORRECTION)
6. Approval of Pay Request #6 for Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant
Age-Related Equipment Replacement Project for $ 157, 153.38
7. Approval of Pay Request #4 for $67,582.05 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project
8. Approval of Flag Request for Crestwood Homecoming on September 19, 2025
9. Approval of Parade Permit for Portions of Schroder Dr, 3 1d Ave East, and North Elm St for the Homecoming Parade on September 19, 2025
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 ofthe agenda is for comments that are not related to one ofthe 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 speakfrom the podium.)
BUSINESS: There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.
1. Scene Shop Fundraising Update
2. Possible Motion to Commit Funds to the Scene Shop
3. Brenda Lentz to Discuss Changes to Canterbury Street Speed Zones and Street Parking
4. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 526 Pertaining to Speed Regulations
5. Possible Motion to Waive the Second and Third Readings of Ordinance Proposed No 526
6. Possible Approval of Ordinance No. 526 Pertaining to Speed Regulations
7. Set Public Hearing for Budget Amendment #1 for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026
8. Resolution Establishing Septic Hauling Terms & Conditions and Setting Fees
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9. Resolution Accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and Directing the City Clerk to File the Report with the State of Iowa Department of Management
10. Discuss the Cresco Urban Revitalization Plan
11. Discuss Handicap Parking Spaces in the Downtown District
12. Third Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 518 to Amend Chapter 69.09 Sections 01, 02,
03, and adding Section 05, 06, and 07 in the City of Cresco Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Parking Regulations
13. Approval of Ordinance No. 518 Pertaining to Parking Regulations
14. Discuss Ordinance Changes to Weeds
15. Discuss Ordinance Changes to Tree Trimming in Boulevards and Alley’s 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 SEPTEMBER 2, 2025.
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MINUTES
Mayor Pro-Tem Bouska called the Cresco City Council meeting to order on September 3, 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 August 18, 2025 meeting and work session; corrected minutes from August 12, 2025 goal setting session; Pay Request #6 for $157,153.38 to Blazek Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Age Related Equipment Replacement Project; Pay Request #4 for $67,582.05 to Dave’s Complete Construction for the Scene Shop Project; request to display flags for Crestwood Homecoming on September 19, 2025; Parade Permit for portions of Schroder Drive, 3rd Avenue East, and North Elm Street for the Homecoming Parade on September 19, 2025. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno reported: (a) CIT televised some storm sewer lines that will be repaired. Street department will finish the storm sewer repair on 3rd Ave E; (b)Aging Equipment Project could be completed earlier than projected. They are working on the third clarifier and will have some indoor items to complete; (c) will be reshaping 12th Avenue after a water service line is relocated; (d) Howard County Conservation will be planting 30 trees along the bike trail along with the StoryWalk project for the library.
Police Chief Ruroden submitted the August Police report.
City Clerk Hill reported: (a) busy finishing the annual reports, 7th Street Project, and software conversion. Utility Billing and Payroll training will start September 24th; (b) CIP packets will be handed out to the department heads this week; (c) last day to file nomination papers for the city election is September 18th by 5 pm at the Howard County Auditor’s Office; (d) Our insurance informed us there will be no coverage under the policy for the water backups from the excess rain on August 18th.
McConnell reported that the Airport Commission is reviewing quotes for electrical rewiring and evaluating options for lawnmower equipment needs for the airport.
Bouska reported on the Regional Housing Authority. It is still in an underfunded situation, and they are not taking people off the waitlist or issuing vouchers for housing. We are getting port-ins, which means someone from out of area is moving here until housing becomes available in their home area.
Mayor Pro-Tem Bouska recognized Lonny Lenehan with the Street Department on his service anniversary in September and thanked him for his 7 years of dedication and service to the City and residents.
Mayor Pro-Tem Bouska asked for comments from the audience. Warren Steffen requested Council review the yard waste rules and allow residents from outside of city limits to utilize the yard waste site.
City Clerk Hill updated Council on the current Scene Shop Project fundraising efforts.
Fosaaen made a motion to commit $2,000 to the Scene Shop Project which was the amount of the rental fee paid by Cresco Community Theatre. Carman seconded and it passed all ayes.
Brenda Lentz from the Howard-Winneshiek School District requested to have Canterbury Street designated as a school zone which would reduce the speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph. Due to safety concerns the school is also requesting “No Parking” signs be placed between their gate and both the west condo and Kessel Kids driveways. Council would like to have Ordinance 526 updated to only be Canterbury Street and the “No Parking” designation at the September 15th meeting.
McConnell made a motion to set a Public Hearing for September 15, 2025 for budget amendment #1 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes.
Fosaaen made a motion to approve the resolution establishing septic hauling terms & conditions and setting fees. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes.
Bouska made the motion to approve the resolution accepting the Annual Urban Renewal Report of the City of Cresco, Iowa for the fiscal year 2024-2025 and directing the City Clerk to file the report with the State of Iowa Department of Management. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
City Clerk Hill explained that the current Urban Revitalization Plan is set to expire in 2026; however, recent changes due to HF718 have prompted some updates. A draft of the revised plan was reviewed. The Council would like to hold off on adopting the new plan until the Comprehensive Plan is completed and more information is available regarding the potential maximum limits.
Public Works Director Brenno reported that he attended the Chamber Business meeting to discuss the handicap parking spots in the downtown business district. The committee reviewed the request to remove the handicap accessible spot at 102 3rd Ave E and had no objections to its removal. Kriener made a motion to remove the handicap parking spot located on the south side of 102 3rd Ave East. Fosaaen seconded and it passed all ayes.
Mayor Pro-Tem Bouska performed the third reading proposed Ordinance No. 518 which amends chapter 69.09 sections 01, 02, 03 and adding section 05, 06, and 07 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cresco, Iowa, pertaining to parking regulations. Carman made the motion to approve the third reading. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Carman made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 518 pertaining to parking regulations. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.
Public Works Director Brenno noted that several other cities publish an annual notice in the newspaper reminding residents of their responsibility to mow lawns and trim weeds. The current ordinance requires grass and weeds to be no taller than six inches. So far in 2025, 25 notices have been mailed to residents, with four receiving multiple notices. If the resident does not comply, then the City hires a contractor to mow the lawn with the cost being billed to the resident with a minimum charge of $100. Brenno recommended that the Council consider eliminating the requirement to mail individual notices and suggested that the published newspaper notice should serve as sufficient notification.
Public Works Director suggested that Council update the ordinance for tree trimming and have the property owners be responsible for trimming up to 16 feet for alley trees. This will prevent the trees from scraping on city vehicles. Council would like more information on how much time is devoted to trimming the alleys before making any decision.
Carman thanked City staff for all of the hard work that was done with the last rain event on August 18th.
Carman moved to adjourn the Council Meeting at 6:51 pm. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be September 15, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.
Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Bouska
City Clerk Nicole Hill