Volga City Council Minutes from May 11th Meeting

The Volga City Council held a Public Hearing for the consideration of amendments to the FY 26 Budget. Mayor Elaine Follon opened the public hearing on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 6:57pm in the Volga City Hall. Council members Tyler Phillips, Rhonda Fry, Tom Whittle, Parker Klingman, and Crystal Nicholson answered Roll Call. Mike Howard and Megan McDonald were also in attendance. The clerk reviewed funding sources for the amendments. Motion by Whittle. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:58pm. 

Mayor Elaine Follon called the regular monthly Council Meeting to order at 7pm. Council members Tyler Phillips, Rhonda Fry, Tom Whittle, Parker Klingman, and Crystal Nicholson answered Roll Call. Mike Howard and Megan McDonald were also in attendance. 

Rhonda Fry excused herself from the council table to update Council on the purchase and plans for 500 Washington Street to include upper story apartments and retail on the main floor. All pipes and plumbing on the interior was removed by the previous owner. She requested abatement of utilities that has been offered to others rehabbing a building to open as a business, for a maximum of 2 years or up to the time the business is open if  renovations are completed sooner. Motion by Phillips to offer the abatement up to June 2028. Second by Klingman. Ayes: Phillips, Nicholson, Whittle, Klingman. Abstain: Fry. Motion carried. 

Mayor Follon informed council that Mike Wagner would have to reschedule his visit to discuss the Alliant Energy Franchise Agreement and Franchise Fees as he was unable to come at the last minute. Follon discussed the proposed agreement offering a 10-year option to change and then renew for 15 years to complete the 25 year franchise agreement. In addition, the 1% local option sales tax can be adopted as a Franchise Fee, returning additional funds back to the City without charging more to customers at the 1% rate. Motion by Nicholson to table any action until Mike can attend the June meeting. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Public Comments: Fry thanked Public Works for completing the gravel pad to relocate the can redemption bin. Follon thanked the Park Board for the relocation effort and making it accessible. Megan McDonald requested trimming of park area prior to May 16. 

Updates on Focus Areas 

Transportation Infrastructure: 

Monthly street maintenance plan: Public Works has picked up a load of cold patch for potholes. 

Follon reported that Caine Wille has offered to purchase $400 cold patch material for Pine Street if Public Works would pack it on the street. He will let us know when he has the material on hand. 

Dennis Whittle entered the meeting. 

Dave Palas has requested a copy of the Oak Street Bridge inspection received from Nate Miller and is looking into options for consideration. 

Pat Dillon entered the meeting. 

Follon updated Council on the legislation regarding sidewalks. At this time, the City needs to complete the sidewalk maintenance notification process on existing sidewalks.

Washington Street Project 

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-15: A Resolution authorizing and approving a Loan Agreement, providing for the issuance of a General Obligation Street Improvement Note, Series 2026 and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same. Motion by Fry to approve Resolution 2026-15. Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Phillips, Fry, Klingman, Whittle. Nays: none. Motion carried. 

Community Beautification: 

Iowa’s Living Roadways: Committee next meeting Tuesday, May 12, 2026. 

Follow-up on letters for property cleanup plans 

Motion by Phillips to table the Application for License to Keep Junk Car(s): Nick Knipper, 407 Butler Street until the application is received. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Mayor Follon provided an update on phone communication, notification letter, and manner of handling the debris piles at 401/403 Washington Street. Council expressed concerns over the choice to not follow through on the fire department notification prior to lighting the fire as it was stated in the letter and call. 

Mayor Follon provided an update on 509 Washington Street. Follon has been in touch with the owner to complete the judgement requirements that were ordered by April 27. At this time, the Mayor has been notified that everything is out of the fenced area, and that the sale of the building is scheduled for May 15. Dillon stated that the judgement requirements and cleanup process follows the legal description as the judgement items have not been released. 

Council discussed the Community Catalyst Program and how to determine the process for picking one community project to submit for the City. In addition, City support and in-kind options were discussed. Motion by Klingman to work with private building owners who bring a project and application to Council for consideration and to select using the rubric provided if more than one is interested. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Motion by Phillips to enter into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c). Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Phillips, Fry, Klingman, Whittle. Nays: none.  

Action following closed session: Motion by Fry to accept the Settlement Agreement for White Street issue. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Department Updates: 

Public Works: 

Update on Hail Damage Process: The contractor and adjuster will be conducting a re-inspection of damages. The Clerk will contact Moss Roofing for a plan to complete the library roof repairs. 

Darren Nading entered the meeting. 

Dike Maintenance and Sediment Removal: The Clerk will submit a Joint Permit Application to the IDNR for the project. Council will need to determine funding sources. 

Mike Howard entered the meeting.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments: 

Mayor Follon updated Council on parcel #4203378002, 100 Buchanan Street. Erik Sauerbry has confirmed the well is listed on the Water Permit and the building needs to be owned by the City. He verified that a 25’ area extending from all sides of the building would be sufficient for repairs to be made. Darren Nading discussed interest in purchasing the parcel without the building and 30’. Motion by Whittle to put the parcel out to bid to accept or reject any and all bids received. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Motion by Fry to amend the original motion to include the purchaser would cover all fees for the lawyer, including the  survey and closing costs. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

The Clerk discussed the Consumer Confidence Report for 2025 Samples. The report has been mailed to all residents, posted on Facebook, and posted at the City Hall, Post Office and The Corner Stop. Motion by Phillips to approve the Consumer Confidence Report for 2025. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Public Works presented an estimate for tree removal for several large trees that need to be removed for the solar installation at 404 Cedar West. Motion by Fry to approve $650 for tree removal from Thompson Tree Service. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Mayor Follon provided an update on the development of a grinder pump policy. 

Administration: 

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-14:A Resolution approving Amendments to the FY 26 Budget Motion by Phillips to approve Resolution 2026-14. Second by Fry. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Phillips, Fry, Klingman, Whittle. Nays: none. Motion carried. 

Park Board: Fry updated Council on two recent workday efforts by the Park Board; relocating the can redemption, pulling weeds, painting the DX Station, and repairing picnic tables. Additional items will be staining all shelters and picnic tables. She will work with the Park Board to clarify City and Park Board duties for trimming, maintenance and camera monitoring going forward.. 

Library Board: Karla Duff entered the meeting to update Council on the Summer Reading Program that is “Plant a Seed, READ!”. Programs will be held Mondays and Wednesdays in June at 3pm. She is looking for old flower pots. The Murder Mystery Fundraiser event was a success and will help to fund programming. Fitness Program will be Tuesday nights at 6pm with sticks. The Museum Crawl is in June this year during regular library hours. 

Clayton County Development Group: Darla Kelchen will be retiring in a few months. Follon is now on the Board as Treasurer. They will be hosting their annual Awards Night July 21 at Guttenberg Golf Course. Karla Duff discussed a new website for the community businesses that is being developed and maintained at no cost to participating entities. Volga has also received $200 for printing expenses to promote Volga. 

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-April 2026, 4) Bank Reconciliation-April 2026, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 5) Building & Floodplain Development Permit: Volga Park Board, Iowa Street (can redemption relocation), 6) Building & Floodplain Development Permit: Parker Klingman, 800 Washington Street, 7) Application for Building Permit: Luke Lott, 418 Butler Street. Motion by Nicholson to remove Item 7 and approve the remaining items as presented.

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

Delinquent Utilities were discussed and shut offs and lien notices were approved. 

Motion by Nicholson to adjourn. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02pm.