Elkader City Council approves rate increase with Hawkeye Sanitation through the end of the year

The Elkader City Council approved an Amendment to the contract with Hawkeye Sanitation which allows for a fuel surcharge and increasing the rates by $2.59 a month through the end of the year. Rates are scheduled to go up four-percent in 2027.

The Council set May 26th as the date to amend the current city budget.

The Council also officially approved the contract with Hart Family Hotels as a consultant for a hotel feasibility study at a cost of 10-thousand dollars.

Elkader City Council Proceedings  

The Elkader City Council met on Monday, May 11, 2026 in regular session at 6:30 p.m. at the  Elkader City Hall with Mayor Josh R. Pope presiding. Roll call: Present: Bob Garms, Curtis  Ruhser, Roger Buchholz, Tony Hauber and Randy Henning.  

Henning moved to approve the consent agenda. Garms seconded the motion.  

a. Minutes from the April 27, 2026 meeting  

b. Financial report (Treasurer’s report, revenue report, receipts by fund, function budget report)  c. Bills (April 24-May 7, 2026)  

d. Approval of change of ownership for liquor license held by Dolgencorp LLC at 811 High Street NE  e. Approval of Resolution 2026-31 – Setting Public Hearing for amendment to the FY 26 budget  f. Approval of Resolution 2026-32 – Approving proposal to engage Hart Family Hotels Inc. as a  consultant for the hotel feasibility study  

g. Approval of Resolution 2026-33 – Disposition of city property  

Roll call: Ayes: Garms, Ruhser, Buchholz, Hauber, Henning  

Nays: none 

Public comments No public comments were received.  

Public hearing regarding the conveyance of an encroachment easement at 106 Reimer Street SW;  Approval of Resolution 2026–30 – Authorizing conveyance of easement to Gene Bries and Jill Bries of  106 Reimer Street SW Mayor Pope opened the public hearing about an encroachment easement for 106  Reimer Street SW. No questions or comments were received during or before the public hearing. Mayor  Pope closed the public hearing. Garms moved to approve Resolution 2026-30. Hauber seconded the  motion. 

Roll call: Ayes: Garms, Ruhser, Buchholz, Hauber, Henning  

Nays: none 

Discussion of Amendment #2 to the contract with Hawkeye Sanitation Representatives from Hawkeye  Sanitation were in attendance to discuss the fuel surcharge. A fuel surcharge will go into effect when the  national average price for diesel is above $4.50/gallon for two months in a row. Council discussed  whether to increase and then decrease the rates but without knowing how long the fuel prices will be  increased they decided to approve the increase until the end of the year. The rates will be re-evaluated in  December prior to the scheduled 4% increase January 1^st. Garms moved to approve Approval of  Resolution 2026-34 – Approve fuel surcharge and increasing refuse rates. Ruhser seconded the motion.  Roll call: Ayes: Garms, Ruhser, Buchholz, Hauber  

Nays: Henning 

Garms moved to approve the First reading of Ordinance 2026-02 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter  106, Collection of Solid Waste, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Elkader, Iowa to reflect this  increase. Buchholz seconded the motion. 

Roll call: Ayes: Garms, Ruhser, Buchholz, Hauber  

Nays: Henning 

Garms moved to approve waiving the second and third reading of Ordinance 2026-02 and finally  approved Ordinance 2026-02. Ruhser seconded the motion. 

Roll call: Ayes: Garms, Ruhser, Buchholz, Hauber  

Nays: Henning  

The rate increase will go into effect with the June 1, 2026 billing for residential and light commercial  customers. 

Administrative staff update The City Administrator/Clerk updated the Council on various topics. This  included an update on the airport and its status as public vs. private airport. Council indicated to wait  until the Airport Manager had more information. The Administrator also asked for guidance on the 

City’s body art policy for employees and discussed permanent full-time employees vs. seasonal  employees. Council would like to see everyone covered by the same policy and indicated an interest in  revising the Personnel Manual to include language regarding vulgar or obscene art.  Chief of Police Sietz also provided an update to the Council.  

Questions and Concerns from the City Council A question was asked about the City’s contract with  PeopleService and locating private service lines. The resident is responsible for the service line from the  house to the main so PeopleService does not have information to locate these lines.  

Adjournment Garms moved to adjourn. Henning seconded the motion.  

Roll call: Ayes: Garms, Hauber, Ruhser, Buchholz, Henning  

Nays: none  

Mayor Pope declared the meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.