Elkader City Council receives a presenation on a vacant building registry ordinance

Main Street Elkader made a presentation to the Elkader City Council on a proposed vacant building ordinance. The ordinance includes building owners to register their vacant building and be inspected. If issues are reported then a plan must be put in place to correct concerns. The Council will hold a first reading of the ordinance at the November 24th meeting.

The Elkader City Council met on Monday, November 10, 2025 in regular session at 6:30 p.m. at the Elkader City Hall with Mayor Josh R. Pope presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll call was taken.

Roll call: Present: Bob Garms, Tony Hauber, Daryl Bruxvoort, Deb Schmidt and Randy Henning.

Henning moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Garms seconded the motion.

Roll call: Ayes: Hauber, Bruxvoort, Garms, Schmidt, Henning

Nays: none

• Minutes from the October 27, 2025 meeting

• Non-reconciled financial reports (Treasurer’s Report, receipts by fund)

• Bills (October 24-November 6, 2025)

• Resolution 2025-52 - To fix a date of meeting at which it is proposed to approve an Agreement with Shea Properties, LLC

Public comments No public comments were offered.

Old business

Presentation on vacant building registry ordinance by representatives from Main Street Elkader Maggie Sommers (Director) and Ashley Danielson-Augustyn (President) from Main Street Elkader were in attendance to share information on the a vacant building registry ordinance. The goal is to eliminate buildings that are being used as a storage facility and open spaces for businesses wanting to come to Elkader. Main Street will work with building owners to create a plan and identify if funding is available to assist with the plan to eliminate the vacant structure.

Council discussed the definition of public hours. Henning moved to use this definition for public hours: “Public hours means the periods of time during which a building or portion thereof is actively used for public facing commercial, professional or service activities, evidence by regular business hours, posted signage, customer access or appointments. Use limited to storage, warehousing, or private use shall not constitute public hours.” Schmidt seconded the motion.

Roll call: Ayes: Hauber, Bruxvoort, Garms, Schmidt, Henning

Nays: none

Administrative staff update Staff updated the Council on a few topics.

Question and concerns from Council members A question was asked about the proposal for someone to purchase a lot in Breezy Summit; a question was asked about the completion of Humphrey Street; questions were asked about the alley between 1^st and 2^nd Street and between Spruce and Pine Streets;

Adjournment Henning moved to adjourn. Garms seconded the motion. With no opposition to the motion Mayor Pope declared the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.