[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6081011,"mediaKeyId","2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf","parentId",2944379,"title","Votes at a glance: key actions from the April 7, 2025 Decorah City Council meeting","audioSeconds",5670,"startMs",1364000,"endMs",7034000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf&start=1364&end=7034","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf/thumbnail_1364000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081011/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-from-the-April-7-2025-Decorah-City-Council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081011-e5f0c237ad70c5784d95c6a246cc28a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770732645&Signature=eeFGk-oqvVsfZ8aT-ZpsLT3pV0wuD2eJoOBk~Z0tWTTbIj4olYaFqAkTnz5Hot7KL6p628l3pAkI86qxtjwhI~OoLgTd9BnQoVlPoazmS9CxKFhRbhYvWwdOEpZ-IYlMKOrN27~dv~5A2UQseAGz2jF1y2FcM7x-Y~NM8kzcmj5sg0RBZsQJ2WjKp-R7hitZOvSmAbnstGxLmrIqlqJeTwo7iw3n736HyUgm4f8~U~wsAajGPiVNNktFasMqxXW45FB9lGydZlkkf~XdXxMJ9G77KwMM-qykPngZSsfOwOdS-naWYFzpgHwSPLvF29fPxRTCcpmma7c93K~QKDHeCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decorah, IA","date","2025-04-08T19:06:37Z","article","This summary lists formal actions the Decorah City Council took at the April 7, 2025 meeting and the outcomes recorded on the record. Use this as a quick reference; for full context see separate council minutes or staff reports.

- Consent agenda (minutes 03/17/2025; claims; alcohol licenses and special event approvals including Impact Coffee Trivia Night, Nordic Fest, Pulpit to Pulpit 5K, and others; professional services for Hively Street redesign): Approved (motion made by Olsen; second by Whittle). Roll call: Olsen Aye; Whittle Aye; Parker Aye; Missalinich Aye; Zitter Gruen Aye; Chisel Aye; Neil Aye. Motion carried.

- Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area — public hearing and resolution declaring necessity (Iowa Code §403.4): Adopted (motion by Chisel; second by Olsen). Roll call recorded all ayes; motion carried.

- Ordinance (first reading) — division of tax levy for April 2025 addition to 2022 Business Park Urban Renewal Area (Iowa Code §403.19): First reading approved (motion by Chissell; second by Olsen). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Chip‑seal project (Plans/specs/contract award — Decorah 2025 chip seal): Motion to approve award to Farner Asphalt Sealers adopted (motion by Olsen; second by Parker). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Ordinance (first reading) — amend section 9.58.020 (throwing and shooting / archery rules): First reading approved (motion by Olsen; second by Neil). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Resolution — depository balances (update maximum allowed deposits by bank): Adopted (motion by Chisel; seconded by Neil). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Police academy reimbursement contract — amend repayment terms and repayment schedule (align with Iowa Administrative Code approach; increase minimum monthly payment to $250; shorten maximum repayment from 5 to 4 years; allow accrued leave value to apply to balance): Motion to approve new reimbursement contract adopted (motion by Olsen; second by Veil). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Farmers Market lease agreement (2025 season; $16/day; Wednesdays and Saturdays; city continues prior practice of waiving rental): Approved (motion by Veil; second by Whittle). Roll call: Veil Aye; Whittle Aye; Parker Aye; Missalinich Aye; Olson Aye; Zittergruen Aye; Chisel No. Motion carried (1 no, 1 abstention noted in discussion transcript as \"1 abstention\").

- Memorandum of Understanding with AFSCME — create Public Works Technician position and updated pay matrix (convert two vacant positions; not new headcount): Adopted (motion by Neil; second by Parker). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Accessible parking assignment on Winnebago Street (adjacent to library, southeast quadrant): Adopted (motion by Olsen; second by Neil). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Professional services agreement (construction staking for Hively Street phase): Adopted (motion by Olsen; second by Whittle). Roll call: all ayes; motion carried.

- Hively Street/River Street intersection discussion / RFQ for full corridor design: Motion to issue RFQ with the addition of \"encouraging multimodal transportation\" approved (motion by Zitter Gruen; second by Olsen); separate motion noting council’s current preference for a roundabout at the intersection passed (motion by Zitter Gruen; second by Neil) on a 6–1 vote (Chisel opposed).

- Miscellaneous: Roll calls recorded for each motion; staff directed to return with requested information, cost comparisons, and timelines as noted in staff presentations.

If more detail is needed — mover/second, full vote records, or staff reports for any item — those are available in the official meeting packet and minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Decorah Council Meeting 04-07-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A compact list of motions and outcomes from the council meeting including consent items, contract awards, resolutions, ordinance readings, and personnel/service agreements.","taxTitle","Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa","taxId",55664,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081016,"Council awards 2025 chip‑seal project after one bid; city to test Minnesota spec materials",418,2079000,2497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf&start=2079&end=2497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf/thumbnail_2079000.jpg","/articles/6081016/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Council-awards-2025-chipseal-project-after-one-bid-city-to-test-Minnesota-spec-materials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081016-c0154938c1c3c2645f6157ed5450fefe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770732645&Signature=fR2GFzFwcYZq4i9DE189s3qw8OuAPXdqYzWVM4720Z9Qe5CSBt11ccIZC~JleXbkHjN4iBAaTTnHE~rAXoxAXpqTnt~pdze0wlJTJtTfAqaKTJkCdprFypqJX895Ucd3I7~nN8arbgvdXyZauVvP3tQX1NjEALUP9Jc2BYiq--SR9T4Egeazi~dqHN5VhuimNQT~ay13r9IWqKMR-kOWilWmGfZaZa5KB5do5YNveM6DAIWv1NiSQR0Ae9aprMl~5~7FRXmWX89OWXlAHdBs36p28Rlg3geuH0WMQaxVvuGDcQeIk6jZNXmbXKbsGteYdC7q6GpHt1jRIeak3xWbpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved award of the 2025 chip‑seal project to the sole bidder, Farner Asphalt Sealers (Wisconsin), after a public hearing and staff presentation. The bid — roughly $189,700 — exceeded the city engineer’s estimate by about $32,000 (roughly 21 percent), and staff explained the difference is largely attributable to mobilization, traffic control and greater than anticipated partial‑depth patching rather than higher per‑unit prices for emulsion and aggregate.

Staff explained the city will test a Minnesota‑spec chip seal (sealed aggregate on top of emulsion with a final sealant, using granite aggregate), rather than the Iowa DOT‑style application that briefly leaves exposed limestone aggregate. The Minnesota method staff identified instead reduces dusty fine particulate and does not require the later broom‑off step common in Iowa DOT practice. City staff said a chip seal costs about one‑eighth the surface‑area cost of a 2‑inch mill and overlay and can extend pavement life by multiple years if applied before deterioration reaches the level requiring a mill and overlay.

Council also noted the project includes a short section on Locust Road in cooperation with Winneshiek County; the county will reimburse the city approximately $7,850 for that portion (about 330 feet). The motion to approve the contract award carried on roll call (all ayes recorded). Staff said the project will allow the city to evaluate the Minnesota specification on local streets and consider future use in the pavement maintenance program.

Councilmembers emphasized chip seal is a preventive treatment that can buy several years of pavement life at a fraction of mill/overlay costs if applied before advanced deterioration.

No amendments to the award were adopted at the meeting; staff will oversee construction and return to council with a summary of field performance when available.","The council approved the award of the Decorah 2025 chip‑seal contract to Farner Asphalt Sealers (sole bidder) and will test a Minnesota‑spec chip‑seal method using granite aggregate and sealant; one portion will be cost‑shared with Winneshiek County.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081021,"Council declares necessity for Decorah Business Park TIF expansion; first reading approves tax‑levy division",266,1516000,1782000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf&start=1516&end=1782","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf/thumbnail_1516000.jpg","/articles/6081021/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Council-declares-necessity-for-Decorah-Business-Park-TIF-expansion-first-reading-approves-taxlevy-division","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081021-951a24b6341d20ebff2c01e7a9e888fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770732645&Signature=EJ8KFgQzi0mqQf2t3yaLQhSXre~MeL29u8FLjy51WCrQca6qDKuLjG-KvUWt5~b0k42FVlKJ1BmzHc3OQs2G~AELz2S~DLZBTJjTQqXdrDc~6zBZbhxUpjLGIZ4jom1k4ouFPtEYbaWWACPd~skBUhuQz--yXoi3RmbWQuXIrrqxFbrDMunC24WU5zhGDE~A8h56A1i8bvNEzuqfgnp7fZCTTJ4Q7laz59caauRNaMca-8H4LsSj87HkoFfi2QSbLE~kgTZATC8xr-m0LloyiqIY9U9w7kZehoDzqRcIOTqHGVv9BvggJ8~Su0g5J2l2Md3txPWZI-Z9A~f1T~A1qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decorah City Council held a public hearing and approved a resolution to declare necessity and establish an amendment to the Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area (the 2022 Business Park). The amendment would add right‑of‑way and streets inside the Business Park, include the Highway 9 right‑of‑way from Eastridge Road to Oilwell Road, and the site for the new Truck Country development.

Staff told the council the amendment aims to establish a TIF base before the Truck Country development triggers additional increment; the urban renewal plan identifies likely projects such as transportation improvements (for example, signalization at Millennium and Highway 9 if required by the Iowa DOT) and possible economic development services agreements, including a potential agreement with Decorah Jobs to use incremental revenues for services in lieu of hotel‑motel tax receipts.

No written objections were received before the hearing and no one from affected taxing entities attended the required consultation. Following the public hearing, council voted to approve the resolution declaring necessity under section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa (motion carried on roll call).

Council also conducted the first reading of an ordinance providing for division of tax levy on taxable property in the additional area pursuant to Iowa Code section 403.19. Staff warned the council that pending state property tax proposals could alter TIF revenues and the effective levy rates for taxing jurisdictions; staff encouraged council to monitor state legislation and noted that development agreements typically include clauses limiting long‑term obligations to annual appropriations.

The ordinance passed its first reading on a roll call vote; final readings and formal adoption will follow the city’s ordinance process. Councilmembers asked staff to continue discussions with state legislators and with parties to existing development agreements to assess potential fiscal impacts if state tax legislation changes.","The council held a public hearing and approved a resolution declaring necessity for an amendment to the 2022 Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area; members also approved a first reading to divide tax levies for the added area and discussed how pending state tax bills could change TIF revenues for existing development agreements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081025,"Council presses staff to clarify park rules after public comments on trails; votes to move archery ordinance forward",2491,194000,2685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf&start=194&end=2685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf/thumbnail_194000.jpg","/articles/6081025/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Council-presses-staff-to-clarify-park-rules-after-public-comments-on-trails-votes-to-move-archery-ordinance-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081025-c4ab420e8c355d27c14b454c8a99f53c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770732645&Signature=C892-kCGNLzN75qI-ELiLBmPjF6GrtdKuKBz3KACC1bqs5gq39mAZb-4Bxm0P16S9Jp99Q-iCDudCRtrcBjmx07OUZMKButujpqjQupPJyoUbkHPjp0i8wQxpQyzUYHxXAzvRnbQ9NACjYgE0Q3hZRUb3hTPZcQRW16vryEVzv0X5ABhmqFKWiuB5T01lAOKbhlX0jCmsqyubUzMSBhKmzfEEqzJruqlbW4mpIpupFciaiJqMhgPDYdCyg5W9Age6sG3k9~~JZoAvkjX0Lwyz1-bPzH8mJksnvo~ERT0EYg~D19IjnXpTKxDTs8PjzPmMHCO7Y6MMTc9NCi6~J87kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After public comment criticizing Parks and Recreation Board deliberations over trail use, the Decorah City Council directed staff to propose tighter, short‑term clarifications to park rules and a longer‑term review of how the City and the elected Park Board share responsibilities.

Public commenter Thomas C. Johnson told the council that the Parks and Recreation Board has “lost sight of why the vitality of our trails is so important” and urged the council to protect the city’s reputation as a mountain biking and trail‑running destination by limiting equestrian use he said was being promoted by an organized group of non‑city residents.

Council discussion focused on operational confusion: staff work across multiple priorities, Park Board recommendations sometimes diverge from council priorities, and staff can be placed between conflicting directives. Several councilmembers said short‑term fixes could reduce staff burden: direct staff to produce clear park rules (trail closures, permitted uses, sanitary/cleanup rules for equestrian groups), set an interim spending/approval threshold for park‑related expenditures, and return later with code changes to clarify the Park Board’s role in policy vs. advisory recommendations. Council members emphasized they were not seeking immediate structural changes to the Park Board’s existence (elected vs. appointed) but said that larger code rewrites should be scheduled later when staff capacity allows.

On archery and range rules, council considered an ordinance amendment (first reading) to clarify “throwing and shooting” provisions. Staff explained the draft is meant to distinguish city‑sponsored archery programs (for example, school or city events) from private shooting across open park space. Council reviewed safety and insurance concerns and noted the archery range site had been inspected by the city’s insurance provider. The first reading of the ordinance passed on a roll call vote (all ayes recorded).

Council also directed staff to consult the Park Board and report back with: (1) draft park rules that staff proposes for short‑term adoption to manage trail uses this spring and summer; (2) a recommended approach for how an elected Park Board should submit rules and how council will review or adopt them; and (3) a plan for a longer‑term code review (possible 2026 work item) to clarify roles and limits.

Councilmembers framed the action as an effort to reduce staff overload and to provide clearer avenues for public input and predictable administration of park facilities.","Councilmembers asked staff to draft clearer park rules and priorities to resolve overlapping direction between an elected Park Board and the City Council. The council also advanced an ordinance to separate city‑sponsored archery programs from informal shooting on park property (first reading approved).",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081030,"Decorah council directs RFQ for full Hively Street redesign, signals preference for roundabout at River intersection",2618,3868000,6486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf&start=3868&end=6486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944379-ce6ca8e9bd8d9dd19a42054eeee2f7bf/thumbnail_3868000.jpg","/articles/6081030/Decorah/Winneshiek-County/Iowa/Decorah-council-directs-RFQ-for-full-Hively-Street-redesign-signals-preference-for-roundabout-at-River-intersection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081030-1db075fed1d876815c0269848b7d27cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770732645&Signature=j12bU4Klg0cTt2NEinO060AwsNttiAatqTMLXWDyI1s1cV2VerPCygntOyV7gzy2163AgkN2aVRX-o2PrqIUwweasjfCkL5uCgG3tyalmCcjOucQ2~nmL4~8g6JY88Ca51TF3AcGQES6Rt75acrrlyocbdDN8Pqiq7Bgj2ZvQvq2ls9eSZdx-HC5BzkbkQ8uWj5fxyQHp14Wjb25~8hBA6LuZVKDPySmQQAxl1a-8eNhk2AZylU5kq959kYtQndRjJkY40cdYFS2lUg1iPEOMGgGibYmhj4xNjghoVf4WT27z-iI1v-flGzAeqCY3N1AWI~fUDJbI3SUPTsXk32tLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decorah City Council voted to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for outside engineering services to design the remainder of the Hively Street project to State Street and asked respondents to address multimodal transportation in project goals. Council members also instructed staff that the council’s current preference is for a roundabout at the Hively Street/River Street intersection, while allowing consultants to recommend otherwise.

Council members said hiring outside consultants would free in-house staff to manage other projects and allow the city to coordinate Hively Street construction with the planned new middle school construction. City staff told the council the full stretch would be difficult for internal staff to design in the calendar window needed to hit a desired bid schedule; an outside firm could deliver a 30% design early enough for meaningful review.

During discussion, staff said an out‑of‑house design contract for the full corridor could cost in the neighborhood of several hundred thousand dollars (planning‑level estimate: roughly $300,000 for design tied to a $1.5 million construction estimate), but that the RFQ process lets the city rank and negotiate with firms before committing. Council members said consolidating construction into a single multi‑year project could yield modest construction efficiencies (fewer mobilizations, combined traffic control) and would keep work coordinated with the school’s access points.

Council also added an explicit language change to the RFQ: respondents must address “encouraging multimodal transportation” as a project goal. The amended RFQ passed on a unanimous roll call vote (ayes: Zitter Gruen; Olsen; Chisel; Whittle; Parker; Missalinich; Neil; others recorded as present).

On the intersection form, council members debated pros and cons of a 100‑foot inscribed traffic circle (roundabout) versus a reconfigured four‑way intersection. Supporters of a roundabout cited smoother traffic flow and potential pedestrian benefits; opponents cited maintenance and winter plowing concerns and recommended the traditional 4‑way design shown in staff sketches. The council ultimately voted to proceed with RFQ language that identifies the majority council preference for a roundabout but directs consultants to evaluate both options and provide recommendation(s). The motion to indicate a roundabout preference carried on a 6–1 vote (Chisel recorded as opposed; others aye).

Staff said the RFQ will ask firms to show prior relevant work (school‑area intersections, multimodal facilities) and to provide staged deliverables (30% and 60/90% reviews) so the council can adjust the selected concept if the school’s final site plan changes. Councilmembers emphasized that a consultant recommendation could change the council’s position if engineering analysis or coordination with the school indicates the other option is safer or more viable.

The council directed staff to return with the RFQ package and to include the stated multimodal goal and the intersection preference language. Staff also said issuance of the RFQ buys additional time to finalize detailed construction and financing decisions.

Councilmember Christopher (speaking as a councilmember) summarized the approach as a compromise: advance comprehensive design work now while keeping the final intersection decision open to engineers’ technical review.

The council will review RFQ responses, open negotiations with top‑ranked firms, and return to council with price proposals before executing a final design contract.","The council voted to issue a request for qualifications to design an expanded Hively Street project to State Street and asked firms to address multimodal transportation; a majority signaled a preference for a roundabout at the Hively/River intersection while leaving final choice open to engineering review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key actions from the April 7, 2025 Decorah City Council meeting

Council awards 2025 chip‑seal project after one bid; city to test Minnesota spec materials

Council declares necessity for Decorah Business Park TIF expansion; first reading approves tax‑levy division

Council presses staff to clarify park rules after public comments on trails; votes to move archery ordinance forward

Decorah council directs RFQ for full Hively Street redesign, signals preference for roundabout at River intersection