Volga City Council Minutes from June 8th Meeting

The Volga City Council held a meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026 in the Volga City Hall. Mayor Elaine Follon called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Council members Rhonda Fry, Parker Klingman, Tyler Phillips, Tom Whittle (via speakerphone), and Crystal Nicholson answered Roll Call. Mike Howard, Mike Wagner, Dave Palas, and William Hallock were also in attendance.

Motion by Whittle to approve the Display Fireworks Permit submitted by William Hallock. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mike Wagner- Alliant Energy Community Development Manager discussed updated options for the Franchise Agreement with an option at 10 years and then renew for an additional 15 years to make up the 25 year agreement. This is to assist Alliant in planning and purchases and gives communities an option at 10 years for review. Franchise Fees were discussed, and revenue purpose statements were reviewed. The 1% Franchise Fee would replace the Local Option Sales Tax and result in no change to customers, however 100% of the Franchise Fee is paid to the City where only approximately 1.01% of the Local Option Sales Tax is returned to the City. Motion by Klingman to have city attorney review the Franchise Agreement and discuss the franchise fee process at the next meeting. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Darren Nading entered the meeting.

Rhonda Fry updated council on the current re-seeding effort in the subdivision. They have sprayed based on recommendation from the ecologist with Pheasants Forever. Half of the area has been reseeded. Additional seed has been ordered and should be in at the end of the week. Palas discussed original concerns of bugs and mosquitos that were in the area prior to it being mowed regularly.

Public Comments: none

Updates on Focus Areas:

Transportation Infrastructure

Monthly street maintenance plan: Council discussed coldpatch supply on hand. Public Works will work with Frys to see if roller provides enough compaction prior to requesting another load in July.

Mayor Follon updated Council on the Oak Street Bridge discussion with Brian Keierleber/Endeavor Engineering for options to find funding for the engineering portion of constructing a new Oak Street bridge. Dave Palas discussed concerns for closing the bridge, benefits to county and city, and preliminary inspection recommendations from licensed inspectors and contractors. Mayor Follon notified Council that the City has received notice of an anonymous donor willing to donate up to $100,000 toward unfunded costs . Motion by Fry to ask the clerk and mayor to meet with the County Board of Supervisors regarding County options to cover engineering and administration for the bridge project under the City Bridge Grant funding. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Fry to table the additional inspection (inspection report and load rating capacity report) pending results of the request to the Board of Supervisors. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Phillips to request quotes for sidewalk repairs for city-owned properties in front of the old shop and along the city park sidewalk in the 700 block of Washington Street for the July meeting. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Mayor Follon updated Council that an initial report on private sidewalks has been completed. A second determination of conditions of private property sidewalks will be conducted in the next month prior to starting the notification process.

Motion by Fry to contact the County Engineer about options to resurface the culvert crossing on Washington Street and to review options at the July meeting. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Community Beautification:

Iowa’s Living Roadways Committee:The next meeting is June 9 at 5pm to plan for the June 22 Open House and Design Workshop at the Volga Opera House. The public is encouraged to stop in on the 22nd and visit with the Landscape Architects and ISU interns for preliminary project ideas and input from 4-7pm.

Follow-up on letters for property cleanup plans: Mayor Follon provided updates on verbal communications with property owners. No action was taken on the Application for License to Keep Junk Car(s) as proof of registration was provided and a followup letter will be sent.

Review of Request for Action forms submitted to determine next steps: Mayor Follon discussed verbal complaints received for junk vehicles, burning of items after dark, and inoperable vehicles parked on city streets. Multiple verbal complaints have been taken in regards to dogs coming at people in the street when passing by. Motion by Klingman to send property cleanup letters, vehicles parked on city streets letters, and a reminder letter for registration of dogs and the ordinance that loose dogs are not allowed. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Department Updates:

Public Works:

Motion by Phillips to select Mercy One from Waterloo as the DOT random selections pool for drug and alcohol testing. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Update on Hail Damage Process: Tasha from ARC has completed the re-inspections and is waiting on the final paperwork. She has submitted samples of the fire station and well house. The Fire Station will have all four sides resided and the small shed will have one side completed as part of the claim. The Fire Department is working with her on color and options. The small shed will be finished with fire department funds to have all 4 sides match. The Cedar Street Wellhouse will be covered by the claim, and will match the new pump house on White Street. Moss Roofing will complete the Library Roof in June.

Dike Maintenance and Sediment Removal: The clerk has started the IDNR permit process and it is in the system. The Army Corps permit system needs to be completed for the riprap portion as it exceeds 500’, but not necessary for the sediment removal.

Motion by Fry to approve repairs for the backhoe with the following funding sources: Garbage Fund-$3750, Equipment Maintenance Fund -$3750, Sewer Fund-$918, Sale of Bleachers (reserved)- $582. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments:

Mayor Follon presented the First Reading of ORDINANCE NO. 181- An Ordinance Amending TITLE VI-Physical Environment: Chapter 1 Utilities-Sanitary System. Motion by Phillips to approve the First Reading. Second by Klingman. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Whittle, Klingman, Fry, Phillips. Nays: none. First Reading was approved. Motion by Nicholson to waive Three Readings of Ordinance No. 181. Second by Phillips. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Whittle, Klingman, Fry, Phillips. Nays: none. Three Readings were waived and Ordinance 181 was approved..

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-16: A Resolution authorizing transfer of Water Debt Repayment Fee/Water Improvement Fee balance to the Water Fund. Motion by Phillips to approve resolution 2026-16. Second by Klingman. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Whittle, Klingman, Fry, Phillips. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Council reviewed sealed bids received on parcel #4203378002, 100 Buchanan Street to accept or reject any and all bids received to set public hearing for disposal. Motion by Nicholson to accept Darren Nading’s bid of $1000. Second by Phillips. Motion by Fry to amend the original motion to clarify the bid was for $1000 plus all closing, surveying, and attorney costs as stated in the notice. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Motion by Klingman to set the Public Hearing for July 13, 2026 at 6:57pm. Second Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Phillips to approve the 30-day notice to terminate the contract with Municipal Pipe Tool. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Administration:

Motion by Fry to approve Alpine Communications as city hall/library phone and internet service provider. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Park Board: Mayor Follon thanked members for the efforts of the workdays by board members and volunteers. Fry updated Council on Park Board items and requests for approval: Motion by Fry to approve set up of Stripe Account for “Park With Us” online campground registration system, to approve use of Campground Maintenance Fund for additional electrical repair ($150), to allow the Park Board to make repairs from the Campground Maintenance Fund up to $200 without council approval as long as total expenditure for the year do not exceed 20% of the total fund, and to approve a full application to UMGC for the trees, shrubs, and associated watering system to provide shade and improve the campground. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Emergency Services:

Motion by Fry to authorize the clerk and mayor to sign the grant agreement for Length of Service Award funds. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Fry to authorize the clerk to sign documents for Hero-Plus Program Service Agreement

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

Library Board: Motion by Klingman to approve the appointment of Jacqueline Fettkether to the Library Board (6 year term). Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried. The Library is currently hosting the “Plant a Seed-Read!” Summer Reading Program and the Museum Crawl during normal business hours in June

Clayton County Development Group: Darla Kelchen is retiring and they are looking for her replacement. Website Development Project is underway -focusing on businesses. CCDG will be hosting the Annual Awards Program at Guttenberg Golf Course.

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-May 2026, 4) Bank Reconciliation-May 2026, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 6) Application for Building Permit: Luke Lott, 418 Butler Street, 7) Renewal for Retail Tobacco Permit: Sunflower Hill, 804 Washington Street, 8) Application for Building Permit: Rhonda & Craig Fry -500 Washington Street, and 9) Application for License to Keep Junk Car(s)-Mike Howard, 102 Washington Street. Motion by Nicholson to remove Luke Lott application and approve the remaining items. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council reviewed delinquent utilities to approve shut offs and lien notices.

Motion by Phillips to table Zach Bennington request for utility abatement at 408 Washington Street.

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

Motion by Phillips to adjourn. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:41pm.