Volga City Council Minutes from September 14th Meeting

The Volga City Council met on Monday, September 14, 2026 in the Volga City Hall. Mayor Elaine Follon opened the Public Hearing for consideration of proposed adoption of an Ordinance granting to Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy) a 25-year non-exclusive Electric Franchise at 6:56pm. Council Members Parker Klingman, Rhonda Fry, Tom Whittle, Crystal Nicholson, and Tyler Phillips answered Roll Call. Mike Howard, Vic Haynes, Aaron Meyer, Mark Follon, and Pam Follon were also in attendance. Mayor Follon discussed the terms that include:10-year option to review, with a 1% franchise fee to replace the current Local Option Sales Tax. The Franchise Fee will allow the City to collect the full 1% instead of a portion according to Local Option percentages. Motion by Whittle to close the Public Hearing. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:59pm.

Mayor Elaine Follon opened the Public Hearing for consideration of the Special Building Permit at 7pm. Council Members Parker Klingman, Rhonda Fry, Tom Whittle, Crystal Nicholson, and Tyler Phillips answered Roll Call. Mike Howard, Vic Haynes, Aaron Meyer, Mark Follon, and Pam Follon were also in attendance. Comments for the proposed lot width not meeting code requirements included: valuations, irregular lot sizes, future owners limited on building options, importance of buildable lots, visitor routes, property cleanup, lawn mowing and current efforts of property owners around the community. Motion by Fry to close the Public Hearing. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:22pm.

Mayor Follon called the regular Council Meeting to order at 7:23pm. Council Members Parker Klingman, Rhonda Fry, Tom Whittle, Crystal Nicholson, and Tyler Phillips answered Roll Call. Mike Howard, Vic Haynes, Aaron Meyer, Mark Follon, and Pam Follon were also in attendance.

Motion by Phillips to deny the Application for Special Building Permit: Dylan Smith, 202 Pine Street due to proposed lot width not meeting Code. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Klingman to approve the Utility Abatement for Aaron & Dori Meyer at 509 Washington Street for up to 2 years or until the business is open, whichever comes first. Progress reports will be provided to council every 6 months for abatement to continue. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Comments: Pam Follon appreciated the new council chambers room.

Transportation Infrastructure:

Monthly street maintenance plan: Public Works will finish up using the partial load of cold patch on hand depending on weather focusing on the 300 Block of Washington and 400-500 Block of Butler. Discussions will take place with budget items in January. Vic Haynes suggested locating shut offs in gravelled portions of Cedar Street and any new gravelled sections.

The inspection has been completed on the Oak Street Bridge and filed with the DOT system for reference with the Oak Street Bridge application to the City Bridge Funds Program. Motion by Phillips to submit the application items. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council reviewed bids received for sidewalk replacement on public properties to accept or reject any and all bids received. Motion by Phillips to accept the bid of $8700 for Project 2 from Terry Groth pending approval of funding source later in the meeting. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council reviewed the sidewalk maintenance reports for private properties. Notifications will be sent out as required.

Motion by Phillips to not submit an application to Volkswagon Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust

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

Community Beautification:

Iowa’s Living Roadways Committee: Motion by Fry to approve application to the Visioning Communities Special Grant Program for Track 1: plantings at the waterfall and Track 2: limestone benches for along the sidewalks/streets. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Council was reminded of the concept board viewing that will be a part of the event on September 26 at the Opera House to see the plans as a result of community input sessions over the past year.

Council discussed follow-up on letters for property cleanup plans Motion by Fry to work with the attorney on the livestock abatement notice letter. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon updated Council on the Request for Action letters submitted for rodent nuisance issues.

Department Updates-Public Works:

Klingman discussed a contact for backhoe engine and will forward order information to Howard to finalize compatibility. Motion by Phillips to proceed with the repairs based on funds set aside for the project. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council reviewed bids received for sediment removal project to accept or reject any and all bids received. Motion by Fry to approve CIC-Chad Donlon bid of $24,500 pending funding source to be determined later in the meeting. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Update on Solar Projects-Howard reported projects are installed.

No action was necessary on the Allen Roofing Company work order for hail damage repairs (small shed) as it was determined it was included in Work Order 1.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments:

Council discussed the balance of the internal loan balance with the General Fund and Sewer account.

Fry provided an update from the Park Board on the following topics: installation of the Scenic Byways Signage, painting of picnic tables and gazebo, and UMGC grant application. Phillips reported a water spigot needs to be repaired at the campground.

Emergency Services: The First Responder Breakfast is scheduled for November 8. The Fire Department Supper is scheduled for October 31. The Length of Service Award Funds have been submitted for 2025 and the 2026 application is due September 30.

Library Board: Motion by Whittle to have the Library Board review tuckpointing bids to determine a contractor to complete the project out of the Library Building Fund. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Clayton County Development Group: Mayor Follon discussed the Farm to Fork Supper at the Opera House showcasing food producers in Clayton County. The event was well attended with good representation from throughout the County. CCDG will begin strategic planning with ISU on Tuesday September 22.

Administration:

Motion by Klingman to schedule the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Klingman to set Fall Cleanup Days for October 6 & 7 to be posted and on facebook. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon presented the First Reading of Ordinance #182: An Ordinance Repealing Ord. #96 and granting to Interstate Power and Light Company, its successors and assigns, a non-exclusive 25- year franchise to acquire, construct, erect, maintain and operate an electric system in the city of Volga, Iowa and to furnish and sell electric energy to the City and its inhabitants and requiring said company to pay a franchise fee to the City.

Motion by Fry to approve the First Reading. Second by Klingman. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Whittle, Phillips, Nicholson, Fry. Nays: none. Motion carried. Motion by Nicholson to waive Three Readings of Ordinance #182. Second by Phillips. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Whittle, Phillips, Nicholson, Fry. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Council discussed items for a policy and application to request abatement of utilities for commercial properties under renovation to be reviewed by the City Attorney.

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-27: A Resolution authorizing temporary closure of public ways or grounds for events at the Volga City Opera House, 609 Washington Street. Motion by Nicholson to

Approve Resolution 2026-27. Second by Klingman. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Whittle, Phillips, Nicholson, Fry. Motion carried.

Council reviewed Final FYE26 balances. Motion by Fry to assign $3325.21 to Grant Administration payable to the City Clerk for grants received in FY 26, and $8700 to the sidewalk (Project 2). Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Whittle, Phillips. Nays: none. Abstain: Klingman, Motion carried.

Motion by Fry to schedule a Public Hearing to amend the current FY27 Budget on Tuesday October 27 at 6:55pm. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Phillips to approve the following projects from reserved funds:

Sediment removal project ($24,500-reserved funds), Sidewalk Project 2 ($8,700- end of FY 26 funds), HMGP Grant match for generator project ($7,039-sewer funds), and Internal Sewer Loan Re-payment ($10,000 -end of FY26 funds). Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Discussion of city finances and ways to economize: The Clerk reminded council that reserved funds are not regularly funded and once projects are approved those sources will not be re-funded regularly.

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-August 2026, 4) Bank Reconciliation-August 2026, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 6) Sidewalk Permit Application: Christine Pope, 504 Washington Street, 7) Resolution 2026-28: A Resolution Setting the Wages for the Library Employees for the City of Volga, Iowa, 8)Application for Floodplain Development Permit: John Goodin, 411 Washington Street, 9) Application for Building Permit: Tom Crandall, 200 Oak Street. Motion by Whittle remove #6 and approve the remaining Consent Agenda items. Second by Phillips. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Klingman, Whittle, Phillips, Nicholson, Fry. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Council reviewed Delinquent Utilities to approve shut offs.

Motion by Phillips to adjourn. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 10:05 pm.