Volga City Council Minutes from the February 9th meeting

The Volga City Council held a Public Hearing for the consideration of a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement on Monday, February 9, 2026. Mayor Elaine Follon opened the Public Hearing at 6:55pm in the Volga City Hall, 601 Washington Street. Council members Crystal Nicholson, Tom Whittle, Tyler Phillips, and Rhonda Fry answered Roll Call. Karla Duff, Darren Nading, Spencer Hogan, Kent Kraus, Erik Sauerbry, and Mike Howard were also in attendance. The Clerk reviewed the purpose of the loan for the Washington Street Improvement Project and use of the Debt Service Levy for the upcoming FY 27 Budget. No additional comments were received. Motion by Whittle to close the Public Hearing. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:59pm

Mayor Follon called the regular council meeting to order at 7:00pm. Council members Crystal Nicholson, Tom Whittle, Tyler Phillips, and Rhonda Fry answered Roll Call. Karla Duff, Darren Nading, Spencer Hogan, Kent Kraus, Erik Sauerbry, and Mike Howard were also in attendance.

Darren Nading offered to meet with the Dike Committee to get permits prepared for the dike maintenance and sediment removal project.

Erik Sauerbry discussed the role of the well at 100 Buchanan Street, providing a recommendation that the City take action to remove the well from the IDNR water permit. Motion by Whittle to table any action for full or partial disposal of the parcel until information is obtained from the IDNR for capping or transferring the well.

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

Library Board:

Mayor Follon reported that the Library Board hired Karla Duff as the new Library Director. Motion by Nicholson to approve the new director. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Karla Duff presented the Library’s Annual Report for 2025 as part of the Accreditation Process. She provided updates on the Summer Reading Program (Plant a Seed, Read!), library usage, patrons, and programming that is on-going at the library.

Kent Kraus, Eagle Point Solar discussed questions regarding the solar opportunities on city hall/library (roof array), fire station (roof array), and Cedar Street wellhouse (ground array). Topics included: net-metering, contract items, maintenance, array relocation, purchase options with financing, PPA and PPAbuyout options, and project timelines. Motion by Whittle to table until the attorneys can communicate to answer questions on contract items. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Comments: Spencer Hogan discussed purchasing property in Volga and requested permits and code sections for construction of a residence.

Updates on Focus Areas:

Transportation Infrastructure-Washington Street Project: Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-07 taking additional action on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement and providing for the levy of taxes to pay General Obligation Street Improvement Bonds or Notes, Series 2026.

Motion by Fry to approve Resolution 2026-07. Second by Phillips. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Phillips, Whittle. Nays: none. Absent: Klingman. Resolution 2026-07 was approved.

Community Beautification:

Iowa’s Living Roadways Committee will be meeting on Feb 10 to prepare for the Focus Group Community Meeting on February 21.

Mayor Follon discussed enforcement of the snow removal code section focusing on the business district to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

Review of Request for Action forms submitted to determine next steps: none

Department Updates:

Public Works: Hail Damage Process: Damage estimates have been provided to the insurance adjuster and negotiations will follow. Motion by Phillips to approve re-inspection request by Tasha Tamling to include the adjuster, Public Works, and Allen Roofing & Construction representatives. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Howard discussed issues on the town maintenance truck. Motion by Phililps to allow up to $1500 for maintenance so it will continue to operate and to work with the Equipment Committee to determine options for replacement. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments: Mayor Follon presented the First Reading of Ordinance #179: An Ordinance to Amend TITLE VI: PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, CHAPTER 4: UTILITIES-BILLING CHARGES, ARTICLES 6-4-8(7), 6-4-9, and 6-4-10 of the Volga Municipal Code. Motion by Fry to approve the First Reading of Ordinance #179. Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Phillips, Whittle. Nays: none. Absent: Klingman. The First Reading of Ordinance #179 was approved.

Motion by Fry to waive Three Readings of Ordinance #179. Second by Phillips. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Phillips, Whittle. Nays: none. Absent: Klingman. Three Readings of Ordinance #179 were waived and Ordinance #179 was approved.

Administration:

Mayor Follon provided a review of the Periodic Exam and Recommendations that was completed through the State Auditor’s Office in January 2026.

The next Clayton Community Hazard Mitigation Planning Meeting will be a local meeting focusing on Volga and community members, public works, emergency services and enterprise operations are encouraged to attend to provide input. The meeting will take place at City Hall on Monday, March 9, at 6pm.

Federal Holidays were discussed to establish a policy for city hall and public works. Motion by Fry to add Presidents Day and Columbus Day as two additional paid holidays. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

FY 27 Budget Process:

The Clerk provided a review of Enterprise Budgets and General Revenues and Expenses. All component budgets have been approved and will be incorporated into the final budget. Requests for Support and the Auditor of State Advisory on Public Funds were reviewed. Motion Nicholson to include the Requests for Support for Northeast Iowa Community Action, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa, Clayton County Development Group/Tourism Campaign and Turkey River Watershed Management Authority provided invoicing for benefits and services provided to Volga or 28E Agreements are in place as required. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council reviewed wages for FY 27. Motion by Fry to include the following hourly wages as of July 1, 2026: Public Works ($22.02), and City Clerk ($22.00). Second by Philips. Motion by Fry to amend the motion to include Public Works ($22.02), City Clerk ($22.00), and Weekend Water Operator ($20.80). Second by Philips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Fry to Set Proposed Tax Rate Levy to include the updated amounts for consolidated general fund levy, FICA/IPERS match, insurance, and Debt Service Levy for consideration at the Public Hearing. The proposed rate for these levies will be $20.22521. Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Whittle to set the Public Hearing for Property Tax Rate for March 23, 2026 at 6pm.

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

Park Board: Fry presented a request for use of $650 from the Campground Maintenance Funds for electrical repairs at the campground. Motion by Whittle to approve use of the funds. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Grants have been submitted to the Iowa Foundation for Parks and Recreation and Paint Iowa Beautiful to complete maintenance on existing park structures.

Emergency Services: The clerk has prepared the LOSAP application to be submitted to the State and Knox Financial for all fire and first responder department members.

Clayton County Development Group: Mayor Follon has agreed to serve on the Board of Directors. The Mayor and Clerk attended the Housing Conference at NICC on January 29th.

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-Jan 2026, 4) Bank Reconciliation-Jan 2026, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 6) Resolution 2026-08: A Resolution Setting Wages for Library Employees, and 7) Application for Liquor License:Volga Ventures, LLC-609 Washington Street. Motion by Fry to approve the Consent Agenda. Second by Nicholson. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Phillips, Whittle. Nays: none. Absent: Klingman. The Consent Agenda and Resolution 2026-07 was approved.

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

Motion by Whittle to Adjourn. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 10:34pm.