Clayton City Council Minutes from May 20th Meeting

Council Meeting City of Clayton, Iowa May 20th, 2026 Minutes 

 Minutes Council Chambers 6:30 P.M. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Call to Order: Mayor Kuehl-Berns called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM with roll call and pledge of  allegiance. 

Council Attendance: Brandel, Hart, Michels, Staake & Drexler present. 

Also present, City Clerk Lisa Baych, Mark & Jane Oberbroeckling and Steve Johnson. 

Consent Agenda: Consent agenda which includes the agenda, April 15th, 2026 minutes, Claims from  4/16/26 – 5/19/26, April Treasures’ report, Clerk report and Budget report, Mayor Kuehl-Berns  questioned the budget report which showed a possible need for a budget amendment in the general  government fund of $1761. Clerk Baych will verify the other general government expenditure for  $3450.00. Motion by Hart with a second by Drexler was made to approve the consent agenda, Roll Call,  All ayes, motion approved. 

Claims Paid 4/20/2026 

Allamakee Clayton April Electric $691.84 Alpine Communication Phone & Internet $92.14 Eastern Iowa Asphalt Main. Inc Main St. ($5220) & 1^st St. Crack & Seal (2790) $8010.00 Hawkins Water Chemicals $177.99 IPERS Ipers $106.54 Kluesner Sanitation May Service $1503.84 Peoples Service June Water Service $2737.14 Treasurer State of Iowa Iowa Exsise Tax $677.04 Visa Flags, Geotextiles & Zoom $650.15 Lisa Baych 27.5 rs @ $20.76 per hr $570.90 Robert Creery 5 Weeks @ $50/Wk $250.00 

Public Comment: No public comments were given. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Consider Resolution 2026-05/Approve temporary placement of one (1) shipping container for the marina operational  storage on the city-owned lot leased by TNT Marina through February 29^th, 2029. – A motion by Drexler, second by  Staake was made to approve the temporary placement of a shipping container (because it is in the flood plain) to expire at  the same time as the current lease agreement with the following conditions: 

• Container must be new/one-trip condition (clean appearance, structurally sound, free of visible rust or significant  damage. 

• Neutral color (black, white, gray, tan ect.). 

• Placement should make the best reasonable effort to minimize obstruction of river views. 

• Placement must meet the same setback requirements currently applied to accessory structures in residential areas. • Approval applies only to the single container authorized in this resolution. 

• Container is permitted only for marina operational storage. 

• Approval expires upon termination or expiration of the current lease unless otherwise extended by council.  Roll Call, Drexler yes, Staake yes, Hart yes, Michels yes, Brandel abstained. Motion approved.

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Review updated draft of Chapter 155, Building & Land Use Regulations – Council reviewed the updated draft of Chapter  155. Mayor Kuehl-Berns explained revisions made to reflect previous discussions relating to commercial property use and  structure height requirements. Kuehl-Berns also recommended changing the Building Permit Amendment Fee to $100,  Variance Request Application Fee to $150, and Special Use Permit Application Fee to $250, to more accurately reflect the  administrative costs associated with reviewing and processing these types of applications. Additional discussion highlighted  the need for further clarification regarding building classifications and setback requirements prior to adoption of the  ordinance. Needed typographical corrections were also identified. The ordinance will be returned to Iowa Codification for  final updates, after which it will be reviewed by the city attorney prior to the public hearing. 

Set Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2026-01 Amending Chapter 155, Building and Land Use Regulations – A  motion by Drexler with a second by Staake was made to set a Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2026-01 for  June 3rd, at 6:30 PM, pending completion of final revisions and review by the city attorney. Roll call vote: all ayes. Motion carried. 

Review/Approve bids for window repair – Council reviewed project proposals from House to Home, Restyling Specialist,  and Wilker Custom Homes. House to Home provided options for repairing the single damaged window or boarding it up.  Restyling Specialist and Wilker Custom Homes provided proposals to replace either the single damaged window or all six  City Hall windows. Wilker Custom Homes submitted the lowest proposal. Drexler made a motion, seconded by Hart, to  

approve Wilker Custom Homes' proposal to replace all six City Hall windows at a cost of $4,077.06. Roll call vote: all ayes.  Motion carried. 

Discussion/Action on building permit review, approval and verification procedures – Mayor Kuehl-Berns presented  council information on options to help maintain consistency in procedures relating to building permits application approval  & verification. Discussion included possible options for verifying property lines to accurately measure setbacks, clarification  on whether setback requirements should be measured from the structure wall or roof overhang, and the possibility of  entering into a formal agreement with a separate individual or entity to complete related tasks in the future. A motion by  Drexler, seconded by Brandel, authorized Chad Schroyer who works for the Garnavillo Public Works department to verify  property line pins for current applications and directed Mayor Kuehl-Berns to explore development of a formal agreement  for future permit review and verification needs. Motion carried unanimously. 

Consider Building Permit Application and Variance request, 504 1^st Street – Steve Johnson – Mayor Kuehl-Berns noted  portions of the building permit application that appeared to conflict with current code, including side setback and garage  height requirements. Questions regarding the application were discussed and clarified with the applicant during the  meeting. Kuehl-Berns recommended verification of property lines to accurately measure setbacks prior to council  consideration. Discussion noted that a variance request may be appropriate, as some aspects of the proposed project may  be permitted under proposed Chapter 155 updates currently under review. A motion by Staake, seconded by Michels, to  table consideration of the building permit application and variance request until the June 3, 2026, special council meeting.  Roll call vote: all ayes. Motion carried. 

Consider Building Permit Application and Variance request, 525 Main Street – Mark Oberbroeckling – Mayor Kuehl-Berns  noted portions of the building permit application that appeared to conflict with current code, including front yard setback  requirements, placement within the front yard, structure dimensions, and height requirements. Questions regarding  incomplete or inaccurate portions of the application were discussed and clarified with the applicant during the meeting.  Kuehl-Berns recommended verification of property lines to accurately measure setbacks prior to council consideration.  Discussion noted that a variance request may be appropriate, as some aspects of the proposed project may be permitted  under proposed Chapter 155 updates currently under review. A motion by Staake, seconded by Hart, to table consideration  of the building permit application and variance request until the June 3, 2026, special council meeting. Roll call vote: all  ayes. Motion carried. 

Discuss/Action on Smith Street hillside property concerns and options – Mayor Kuehl-Berns shared updates regarding the  Smith Street hillside property and information received from the city attorney. Kuehl-Berns reported that information from  the city's insurance agent was still pending. Work is continuing on previously identified options for possible disposal and  transfer of the property to adjacent property owners. The city attorney is preparing the letters and forms necessary to  initiate the process.

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Review, discussion and direction regarding infrastructure project planning and engineering proposals. Mayor Kuehl-Berns provided an overview of four infrastructure concerns including: 

1. Drainage ditch erosion adjacent to Davis St  

2. Drainage ditch wall deterioration along Main St 

3. Main St box culvert debris build up, erosion, and shifting outlet walls 

4. Parking area drainage issue on Front St 

Council reviewed proposals and project estimates from by Endeavor Civil Engineering as well as Mohn Survey &  Engineering. Mayor Kuehl-Berns will also meet with representatives from WHKS Engineering who will provide an additional  proposal for review.  

Initial conversation included discussion on project priority, future budgeting, and consideration regarding partnership or  involvement or other parties (county secondary road department, railroad, DNR and private property owners). Mayor  Kuehl-Berns will continue to connected with needed parties and report back to council with updates as needed. 

Review, discussion and direction regarding nuisance complaints and enforcement procedures Mayor Kuehl-Berns provided an update on nuisance abatement and municipal infraction procedure following a meeting  with the city attorney. The city attorney is working a preparing a number of documents to be used for these purposes.  

Review/discussion and direction regarding development of a community event committee: Mayor Kuehl-Berns discussed  increased interest from residents in seeing a city event held and proposed forming a volunteer committee to assist with  planning a possible community event. Kuehl-Berns emphasized that the committee would be community-driven, inclusive,  and open to anyone interested in participating. The committee would operate independently while coordinating with the  city as needed. A motion by Drexler, seconded by Staake, to support development of the committee carried unanimously.  Council recommended a tentative date for the community event in early August. Community members interested in  participating are encouraged to contact Mayor Kuehl-Berns, as event planning and development would be guided by  volunteer input. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Mayor Report:  

Mayor Kuehl-Berns thanked Tyler Chadima and Hawkeye Safety for donating an AED device to the city. Kuehl-Berns also  shared that the Iowa DNR has scheduled a public meeting for June 9 at the Garnavillo Community Center to present  findings from its study regarding the potential impacts of Pattison Sand Company's water use request. Kuehl-Berns also  expressed condolences to the family of Don Barrigar. 

Next meeting: Special Council Meeting June 3rd, 2026 at 6:30 PM – Public Hearing Approve Ordinance 2026-01 & consider  building permits.  

Adjourn: The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.