Volga City Council Minutes from Monday, August 10th

The Volga City Council held a regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 10, 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, and Tom Whittle answered Roll Call. Mike Howard and Kelsi Davis were also in attendance.

Kelsi Davis, Clayton County Energy District, explained the Energy Audit program they received grant funding for and that they will be offering in Clayton County. They will be contacting Volga residents for interest in having a free survey completed to identify things to implement in homes.

Zach Bennington requested utility abatement at 412 Washington Street as he works to open a rec center in the building. He is hoping to be open by summer of 2027. Motion by Klingman to offer up to one year of utility abatement (through July service), or until open for business if sooner than one year. Second by Phillips. Ayes: Phillips, Klingman, Fry. Nays: Whittle. Motion carried.

Public Comments: none

Updates on Focus Areas:

Transportation Infrastructure: Monthly street maintenance plan- Howard has purchased a load of cold patch and worked on Pine Street. The remaining supply will be used to finish pot holes for this season. Discussion followed on roller options.

Parking line discussion: Whittle discussed concerns for head in parking at White and Washington Street intersection during Volga Days, and expressed need for parallel handicap spots at that corner for visibility. The initial plans have been turned over to the Living Roadways landscape architects to provide options for consideration.

Oak Street Bridge-Waiting for inspection to be completed.

Public Works has completed the public sidewalk surveys. Bid notices were posted for the September meeting. Fry will work to complete the private sidewalk sections.

Another vendor looked at the culvert surfacing near the intersection of Washington and Iowa Streets, but indicated he does not have a product to cover it. Phillips motion to take no action. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Community Beautification: Iowa’s Living Roadways Committee will be holding the next meeting on Tuesday, August 11 at 5pm. The team has been appreciative of the amount of community involvement from Volga residents to provide input used to prepare the plans.

Mayor Follon discussed vandalism within the community. Most recently the waterfall pump was destroyed and will cost around $800 to replace. Clayton County Sheriff’s Department is aware of the issues. The Park Board has reviewed camera coverage. The topic will be included in the newsletter going out community wide.

Council reviewed progress on property cleanup letters.The City Attorney will be contacted for guidance.

Department Updates:

Public Works: Howard is waiting for the backhoe motor to be taken out to see what the situation is.

Tasha Tamling provided an update on the hail damage claims and presented updated work orders for repairs to the Fire Station, Well House and Pressure Building. Motion by Fry to approve the work orders. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments: Volga has been awarded $39891.99 in HMGP Funding for the Generator Project. The grant will require a local match of $7039.71.

Motion by Phillips to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign documents and grant agreement for the HMGP funds. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Park Board: Fry reviewed project funds and camera specifications and locations.

Karla Duff entered the meeting

Emergency Services: The Clerk will be completing the LOSAP program payments and submitting to Lincoln Life. The new round of funding will be available for the current year and rosters will be updated..

Library Board: Duff reported that the back wall area in the SE corner of the library continues to leak after the new roof, eaves, and downspouts were installed. A contractor has looked at the issue and indicated that the ground needs to be landscaped prior to tuckpointing at that location. Duff has reached out to the neighboring property owner and is awaiting a response to coordinate efforts. The Library Board will discuss funding and bid notice at their meeting. Duff discussed the event on September 26 that everyone is invited to attend- includes Iowa’s Living Roadways, All-School Reunion, Library Board hosted lunch, Turkey Day 1948, and music.

Mayor Follon reported on the Clayton County Development Group Awards Night and congratulated - Choose You/Karla Duff who was awarded the New Health and Wellness Business Award. The Board has hired a new director-Kelsey Bergan to replace Darla Kelchen upon her retirement.

Administration: Motion by Klingman to schedule Trick or Treating date and time for October 31st, 5-7pm. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Whittle to approve LP contract for winter 2026-2027 from NEXUS for the fire station and City Hall/library. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council discussed the utility abatement process and requirements going forward. Council requested a permit application to be formalized for consideration at the September meeting.

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-23: A Resolution Approving and Adopting a Revenue Purpose Statement for the Use or Expenditure of Revenues from an Electric Service Franchise Fee. Motion by Fry to remove item H and item I and to approve Resolution 2026-23. Second by Phillips . A Roll Call vote was taken. Aye: Phillips, Whittle, Fry, Klingman. Nay: none. Abstain: none. Resolution 2026-23 was approved.

Motion by Phillips to set the Public Hearing date for consideration of Ordinance 182: Alliant Energy Franchise Agreement for September 14, 2026 at 6:55pm. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-24: A Resolution Designating Posting Locations for Governing Bodies of Volga City, Iowa. Motion by Fry to approve Resolution 2026-24. Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Aye: Phillips, Whittle, Fry, Klingman. Nay: none. Abstain: none. Resolution 2026-24 was approved.

Pasture Rentals were reviewed to determine renewals for 2027. Motion by Phillips to renew with no changes. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

The Clerk discussed updates to the Building Permit Application to match the City Code requirements for

Special Permits. Motion by Whittle to approve the changes. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Phillips to table the review of Final FYE 26 balances to assign to FY27 budget. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council reviewed expenses that were presented for funding. Motion by Whittle to approve the following expenses and sources: Outdoor water hookup ($200 for Library Board consideration out of Library Project Funds), Waterfall Pump ($800 from reserved Visioning Projects funds), and Hail Damage Repairs ($34,899.44 from Insurance Claim funds). Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council discussed city finances, changes to budget laws, investments of unassigned funds, and water/sewer balances.

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-July 2026, 4) Bank Reconciliation-July 2026, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 6) Sidewalk Permit: Zach Bennington, 412 Washington Street, 7) Floodplain Development Permit: Justin Dillon, 512 Washington Street, 8) Sidewalk Permit: Christine Pope, 504 Washington Street, 9) Floodplain Development Permit: Calvary Bible Church, 106 White Street, 10) Application for Building Permit: Calvary Bible Church, 106 White Street, 11) Application for Building Permit: Dan Stevens, 303 Washington Street, 12) FY26 Debt Obligation Report. Motion by Fry to remove item (8), (9), and (10) until documents are submitted and to approve the remaining items of the Consent Agenda. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Delinquent Utilities were approved for shut offs and lien notices.

Motion by Phillips to adjourn. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:47pm.