Volga City Council held Public Budget Hearing on April 13th

The Volga City Council held a Public Hearing for the consideration of FY 27 certification of taxes and budget on Monday, April 13, 2026 in the Volga City Hall. Mayor Elaine Follon opened the Public Hearing at 6:55pm. Council members Parker Klingman, Tom Whittle, Crystal Nicholson, and Rhonda Fry answered Roll Call.  Tom Klingman, Dave Palas, Jerry O’Brien, Mike Howard, and Megan McDonald were also in attendance.  

The Clerk reviewed the items that affect the overall tax rate. No other questions or comments were taken. Motion by Fry to close the Public Hearing. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:57pm.

Mayor Elaine Follon called the regular Council Meeting to order at 7:00pm. Council members Parker Klingman, Tom Whittle,  Crystal Nicholson, and Rhonda Fry answered Roll Call.  Tom Klingman, Dave Palas, Jerry O’Brien, Mike Howard, and Megan McDonald were also in attendance.  

Public Comments: none

Updates on Focus Areas:

Transportation Infrastructure: 

Monthly street maintenance plan:

Motion by Whittle to approve a single application of dust control on Buchanan and Butler Streets for the 2026 season through Dust Busters in West Union. Second by Fry.

All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Works will reach out to Iverson for a load of pothole materials when they have it available. A roller will not be needed. Motion by Nicholson to approve the purchase out of the Environmental line item. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Dave Palas and Jerry O’Brien discussed options for Oak Street Bridge. It was requested to contact a local contractor to look into other solutions and use non-grant funding, and to discuss at a meeting. Additional topics included engineering costs, required signage, safety of going around on Canoe Road, insurance, and  liability issues. Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-11: A Resolution to close the Oak Street Bridge.  Motion by Fry to approve Resolution 2026-11.  Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Whittle, Nicholson, Fry, Klingman. Nays: none Absent: Phillips. Resolution 2026-11 was approved.

Motion by Whittle to move the Park Board items on the agenda. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Tom Klingman discussed a project the Park Board would like to submit to UMGC for grant funding. The funds would be used to purchase trees and native plantings to improve shade and provide a natural buffer from the highway at the campground and other greenspace areas. Motion by Whittle to approve the application process for the project. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Fry reported that Kornhill Redemption will be picking up the cans going forward. 

Tom Klingman reported that the Park Board has recommended Sandy Lockard to continue as an independent contractor for the restroom attendant for the upcoming season, to be paid out of Park Board Project Funds. Motion by Klingman to approve. Second by Fry.  All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Washington Street Project: The Clerk provided loan terms and interest  provided from local banks for the Washington Street Improvement Project. Motion by Klingman to accept the 5-year line of credit option at 6.75% from Freedom Bank-Elkader for the Public Hearing to enter into a loan agreement at the May 11 meeting. At the end of the 5 year line of credit, the final amount will be amortized for the remaining 15 years. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon reminded council of the next steps to complete once the gutter project is completed: line painting, coordination with ILR Landscape Architect and  sidewalks.

Community Beautification:

Iowa’s Living Roadways Committee: Next meeting is April 27.

Follow-up on letters for property cleanup plans: Court date for current judgement is April 27.

Review of Request for Action forms submitted to determine next steps: Council discussed reminders that need to be sent for loose garbage, bags in the street, and unregistered truck.

Department Updates:

Public Works:

Update on Hail Damage Process– Adjuster will be scheduling a reinspection with the contractor.. 

Motion by Whittle to continue the summer maintenance position for Kabrien McDonald as an Independent Contractor at 17 hours/week for minimum wage from June 1- September, to be paid out of the Environmental Expense line item. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments:

Update on parcel #4203378002, 100 Buchanan Street: none 

Howard updated Council on grinder pump supply and repairs. Council reviewed Code section on property owner responsibilities.

Administration: 

Fry reported that the Park Board denied the request to take over responsibility for the sign or electricity to light the truck at highway 13  at night.  

Motion by Whittle to approve paperwork for Shaping Volga -Volga Day event: Hold Harmless,

Property Use Agreement and Parade Permit. Insurance will be provided closer to the event. 

Second by Klingman.  All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-12: A Resolution authorizing temporary closure of public ways or grounds for Parade Event on July 18, 2026. Motion by Whittle to approve Resolution 2026-12. Second by Klingman. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Fry, Whittle, Nicholson.  Nays: none. Absent: Phillips. Motion carried.

Motion by Fry to approve the First Reading of Ordinance #180: An Ordinance to Amend TITLE III: COMMUNITY PROTECTION, CHAPTER 3: TRAFFIC CODE, ARTICLES 3-3-40: Truck Parking Limited of the Volga Municipal Code. Second by Klingman. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Fry, Whittle, Nicholson.  Nays: none. Absent: Phillips. Motion carried.

Motion by Whittle to waive Three Readings of Ordinance #180.  Second by Fry. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Fry, Whittle, Nicholson.  Nays: none. Absent: Phillips. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon discussed the need for a Municipal Parking Lot location for event parking. Topics included: location, lighting, level surfaces, and Living Roadways input.

FY 27 Budget Process: 

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-13: FY 26-27 Adoption of Budget and Certification of Taxes.  Motion by Fry to approve Resolution 2026-13.  Second by Klingman. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Fry, Whittle, Nicholson.  Nays: none. Absent: Phillips. Motion carried.

The Clerk provided a list of amendments on the current FY 26 Budget Amendment. Motion by Klingman to set a Public Hearing date for May 11, 6:57pm. Motion by Klingman. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Emergency Services: Mayor Follon discussed the System User Agreements-Insurance & Risk Allocation for the new radios for the Fire Department and First Responders.

Library Board: Murder Mystery event will take place on April 18th.

Clayton County Development Group: Fry discussed website development project for businesses or organizations in Clayton County. The next meeting will take place April 15 for Volga. The project provides free website development and hosting for 3 years at vistvolgacity.com.

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items:  1)  Minutes,  2) Claims,   3) Treasurer’s Report-Mar 2026,  4)  Bank Reconciliation-Mar 2026, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 6) Floodplain Development Permit: Dave Derhammer, 203 S Main Street, 7)  Floodplain Development Permit: City of Volga, 601 Washington Street, 8) Application for Building Permit: Jackie Wille, 200 Pine Street, 9) Application for Building Permit: City of Volga, 404 Cedar West, and 10) Floodplain Development Permit: City of Volga, 601 Washington Street. Motion by Whittle to approve the Consent Agenda. Second by Fry. All voted in favor.

Motion carried.

Council reviewed Delinquent Utilities.

Whittle updated council on discussion on the street repair on Pine Street for the May agenda.

Motion by Whittle to adjourn. Second by Klingman.  All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:27pm.