Volga City Council Minutes from the July 13th Meeting

The Volga City Council held a Public Hearing for consideration of disposal of a portion of Buchanan Street Lot on Monday, July 13, 2026 in the Volga City Hall. Mayor Elaine Follon opened the public hearing at 6:57 pm. Council members Rhonda Fry, Crystal Nicholson, Tyler Phillips, Parker Klingman, and Tom Whittle answered Roll Call. Dori Meyer and Aaron Meyer were also in attendance. No additional comments were received on the topic. Motion by Klingman to close the public hearing. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:59pm.

Mayor Elaine Follon called the regular council meeting to order at 7pm. Council members Rhonda Fry, Crystal Nicholson, Tyler Phillips, Parker Klingman, and Tom Whittle answered Roll Call. Dori Meyer and Aaron Meyer were also in attendance.

Motion by Fry to table request for utility abatement at 408 Washington Street-Zach Bennington until later in the meeting. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mike Howard entered the meeting.

Public Comments: Meyer discussed plans for improvements and interest in utility abatement at 509 Washington Street. Council discussed the program and concerns and benefits of offering utility abatements. The request will be placed on the August agenda. Mayor

Follon expressed thanks to Tom Whittle for extra mowing of public areas in prep for Volga Day and for suggestions of adding discussion areas for project funding and expenditures on the agenda. Thanks were also expressed to Park Board members and volunteers for the scheduled workdays throughout the parks for maintenance and cleanup efforts.

Updates on Focus Areas:

Transportation Infrastructure- Monthly street maintenance plan: Public Works will pick up cold patch to complete road edges and potholes by the end of July.

Oak Street Bridge:

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-18: A Resolution to keep the Oak Street Bridge open. Motion by Nicholson to approve Resolution 2026-18. Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Phillips, Klingman, and Whittle. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon presented the costs for an additional inspection and load rating report from Endeavor for $3500. Funding has been secured through a donation. Motion by Fry to approve the Mayor to sign the contract for services with Endeavor. Second by Phillips. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Phillips to approve application to City Bridge Funds (due October 1). Second by Nicholson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Fry to table discussion of sidewalk repairs for city-owned properties and notification of private properties. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

.

Motion by Nicholson to table discussion of culvert surfacing near the intersection of Washington and Iowa Streets. Second by Klingman.

All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Community Beautification:

Iowa’s Living Roadways Committee will be having the next meeting on July 14 to view preliminary designs from the landscape architect after gathering input from a variety of well- attended community meetings.

Council reviewed the Livestock Ordinance. Motion by Phillips to send out a copy of the ordinance and request removal within 30 days. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Follow-up on letters for property cleanup plans:

Motion by Fry to follow up with a thank you for verification that the vehicle is driveable and registered and request vegetation maintenance according to the City Code. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Review of Request for Action forms submitted to determine next steps: Mayor Follon updated council on communications regarding loose and unregistered dogs. Motion by Whittle for cleanup letters to be sent. Second by Fry. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Department Updates:

Public Works: Howard provided an update on backhoe repairs.

Update on Hail Damage Process: ARC is waiting on the insurance process. The library roof is done.

Motion by Phillips to separate the dike maintenance and sediment removal projects to request bids to get costs for the work. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Karla Duff entered the meeting.

Motion by Whittle to contact plumber for options and cost to install outdoor water hookups at the front and back of the cityhall/library. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments:

Howard updated council that they are working to get an estimate for straightening a sewer line on the east side of the river to help with maintenance.

Administration:

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2026-19: Sale of parcel #4203378002, 100 Buchanan Street. Motion by Whittle to approve Resolution 2026-19. Second by Phillips. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Phillips, Klingman, and Whittle. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Fry to approve additional streets on the parade permit to help with pedestrian safety during the events on July 18. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Follon reviewed Franchise Agreement information on the 17 communities in Clayton County. Council discussed the role of a franchise fee that would replace the local option sales tax and return 100% of the franchise fee to the City. At this time the local option sales tax provides only $1.01 out of $100 collected back to the City. The Franchise Fee would provide 100% back to the City with no change in cost to customers. Motion by Fry to proceed with the process on the Alliant Energy Franchise Agreement with an option at 10 years for review, and to proceed with the process to establish a 1% Franchise Fee to replace the 1% Local Option Sales Tax on residents’ electrical bill. Second by Phillips

All voted in favor. Motion carried.

The Clerk discussed the final FYE 26 balances and fund assignments. Additional information will be provided at the August meeting.

Council discussed expenses and projects presented above for funding. Motion by Whittle to proceed as follows:

   Rip rap project -set aside;

   Sediment removal project- request bids;

   Outdoor water hookup-contact plumber for options to install at front and back of the building, with an indoor shut off;

   Sidewalk repairs on public property- public works will complete evaluation and city attorney will be contacted for private sidewalk notification;

   Culvert surfacing- waiting on second opinion and cost estimate.

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

Discussion of city finances and ways to economize- no action.

Park Board: Fry updated council from the Park Board meeting: Approved portion of 5K route to be mowed in prairie area; drinking fountain is on the list to be repaired; taking bids for unused tin; looking for location for the unused bricks at River Bluffs Reflection Park; timing for worknights this week to prep for Volga Day. Fry extended appreciation for those who have helped and for the continued City Support.

Emergency Services: Nicholson reported on the EMS activities planned for Volga Day and that Mary Jo Fettkether is the grand marshall for the parade.

Library Board: Karla Duff discussed the Volga Day Chalk the Walk effort in the business district. The Clayton County Library Association theme is “You are always near a library”; Summer Reading Program was a success with presenters and participants of all ages; updated calendar of library programs.

Clayton County Development Group: Mayor Follon discussed the director’s retirement and the Board will be announcing a new director;

Annual awards dinner is on July 21st at 530 at the Guttenberg Golf Course; County website project.

Motion by Phillips to table Zach Bennington request. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-June 2026, 4) Bank Reconciliation-June 2026, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 6) Sidewalk Permit: Zach Bennington, 412 Washington Street, 7) Sidewalk Permit: F&M Rentals, 414 Washington Street, 8) Sidewalk Permit: Christine Pope, 504 Washington Street, 8) Resolution 2026-20 : Pilot Payment Resolution, 9) Resolution 2026-21: A Resolution authorizing Transfer of Local Option Sales Tax Funds, 13) Resolution 2026-22: A Resolution Authorizing Annual Library Support. Motion by Phillips to approve the Consent Agenda without items 6 or 8. Second by Whittle. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Fry, Nicholson, Phillips, Klingman, and Whittle. Nays: None. Motion carried.

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

Motion by Nicholson to adjourn.Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 9:25pm.