Elkader City Council approves wage increases for City Employees

The Elkader City Council approved a wage increase for City Employees. The increase averages around three-percent.

The Council set July 13th as the date for a public hearing to amend the Zoning Code to prohibit data centers in all zoning classifications.

The Council also approved using Local Option Sales Tax funds of 58-thousand for the Keystone Park Wall Project and 15-thousand for housing.

Melissa Buckman was re-appointed to the Pool Board and Kay Moser was re-appointed to the Planing and Zoning Commission.

The Elkader City Council met on Monday, June 22, 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, Roger Buchholz, Tony Hauber and Randy Henning. (Curtis Ruhser was unable to attend.)

The Mayor removed item i. – the special event permit for Sweet Corn Days – from the consent agenda. Henning moved to approve the consent agenda with item i. removed. Garms seconded the motion.

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

Nays: none

Consent agenda

8. Minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting

9. Bills (June 5-18, 2026)

10. Financial report (Treasurer’s report)

11. Approval of Resolution 2026-40-Establishing rates of compensation

12. Approval of Resolution 2026-41-Approving interfund transfers

13. Approval of Resolution 2026-43-A resolution to remove bad debt accounts that are over ten years old in the utility billing system

14. Approval of appointments or re-appointments:

15. Pool Board – re-appoint Melissa Buckman (term to expire June 30, 2030)

16. Planning and Zoning – re-appoint Kay Moser (term to expire June 30, 2032)

17. Approval of liquor licenses: (renewal) Johnson’s Restaurant, Inc. (Class C Liquor License); Johnson’s Reception Hall (Class C Liquor License)

18. Approval of special event application and authorizing use of City property for Sweet Corn Days sponsored by the Sweet Corn Days Committee on July 23-26, 2026 (see below for all of the items)

19. Approval of amendments to job descriptions for: Chief of Police, Peace Officer, City Administrator/Clerk, Public Works Director and Public Works employee

20. Approval of home purchase incentive for 607 E. Bridge Street

Public comments

• John Moyna and Ryan Young, both from CJ Moyna and Sons, were in attendance to update the Council on several projects. Councilmember Garms expressed appreciation for everything that John and Doris and John’s company has done for the community.

• Superintendent Micah Gearhart was in attendance to explain the upcoming election on continuing the Physical Plant & Equipment Levy (PPEL).

• Representatives from Kluesner Sanitation were in attendance to introduce themselves to the Council.

Item i. from the Consent agenda: Approval of special event application and authorizing use of City property for Sweet Corn Days sponsored by the Sweet Corn Days Committee on July 23-26, 2026

• Special event alcohol permit

• Noise permits: Thursday, July 23, 2026 until 10:00 p.m. for band on S. Main Street; Friday, July 24, 2026 until 1 a.m. and Saturday, July 25, 2026 until 1 a.m. for live music in Founders’ Park

• No Parking Signage: stop incoming traffic at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday from Mulberry Street (leaving intersection open) to Boardman Street; Main Street from Hill St NW to Founders’ Park on Friday night/Saturday until after the parade

• Street closures:

• Thursday night: close S. Main Street from the Mulberry Street intersection (intersection to remain open) to Boardman Street from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Friday starting at 10 a.m. until Sunday afternoon – close S. Main Street from Boardman south; close Boardman Street from Main to First;

• Saturday: from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. traffic control on the Keystone Bridge for the 5K/10K; close South High Street from East Bridge to Hwy 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. for the 5K/10K (allow access to campgrounds); close Main Street from Cedar Street to Boardman Street all day (but Cedar to Mulberry will re-open after the parade); close Boardman Street from Main to First Street;

• Other: Use and control of Founders’ Park; Use and control of the field south of the levee at the end of South Main Street to use to launch fireworks within the City limits

The Mayor said he was contacted about a concern about blocking the street Thursday afternoon and Friday. The person who reached out would like to see the street closure begin south of Wilke’s on S. Main Street.

Garms moved to approve the request from Sweet Corn Days. Henning seconded the motion.

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

Nays: none

New business:

Discuss items from Planning and Zoning Commission

8. Amending the zoning code; possible approval of Resolution 2026-42-Setting a public hearing for Monday, July 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. to amend the Zoning Code by adding Section 165.08(16) (prohibiting data centers in all zoning classifications) and amending Section 165.07 (2) (R-1 Residential) and Section 165.07 (6) (C1 Highway Commercial) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Elkader, Iowa

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the above changes to the Zoning Code. Henning moved to approve Resolution 2026-42. Garms seconded the motion.

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

Nays: none

8. Amending the zoning map – The Planning and Zoning Commission also approved the idea of rezoning a lot in the Stahr Addition to allow for a dwelling unit. A resolution will be brought back to the Council at the next meeting to set a date for a public hearing for that matter. Additional information is being gathered.

8. Adding areas to the Urban Renewal Plan – Council provided guidance to staff on additional areas.

Approval to use reserve funds from the Local Option Sales Tax fund ($58,000 towards the Keystone Park wall project; carry-over $15,000 for housing) Buchholz moved to approve. Garms seconded the motion.

Roll call: Ayes: Garms, Hauber, Buchholz

Nays: Henning

Administrative staff update Staff updated the Council on several topics.

Closed session-performance evaluation of City Administrator/Clerk; closed session for purposes of evaluating employee performance as allowed under Section 21.5(i) of the Iowa Code At 7:12 p.m. Garms moved to enter closed session for the purpose of evaluating the City Administrator/Clerk. Hauber seconded the motion.

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

Nays: none

The Mayor declared the session closed.

At 7:20 p.m. Garms moved to reconvene open session. Henning seconded the motion.

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

Nays: none

Adjournment Henning moved to adjourn. Garms seconded the motion.

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

Nays: none

Mayor Pope declared the meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.