Story City council approves fund transfers, salary schedule, construction change order and abatements

STORY CITY, Iowa — The Story City Council on June 16 unanimously approved a package of routine fiscal and administrative actions, including fund transfers for the 2025–26 budget, adoption of the 2026–27 salary schedule, construction payments and a substantial change order to an ongoing wastewater upgrade.

The council voted to adopt Resolution No. 26-47, authorizing certain fund transfers for fiscal year 2025–26, and Resolution No. 26-48, adopting the city’s FY2026–27 salary schedule. Council Member Phillips moved to approve Resolution 26-47, seconded by Council Member Abrams; Council Member O’Connor moved to approve Resolution 26-48, seconded by Council Member Abrams. Both resolutions passed on unanimous voice votes.

Council members also approved Pay Application No. 5 for the North Park restroom building project, releasing $5,898.18 to Woodruff Construction, and approved Change Order No. 4 for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade, which increases Gridor Construction’s contract by $82,089.06. Council Member Ostrem moved to approve the pay application and change order; Council Member Phillips seconded, and the motions passed unanimously.

The council granted a request from Kenneth and Janis Olson of 837 Maple Court to reduce their sewer bill by $787.45. Council Member Solberg moved for the reduction and Council Member Phillips seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Council Member Abrams moved, and Council Member O’Connor seconded, to approve tobacco retail permits for Yesway at 527 Park Ave. and Perk Energy at 1554 Broad St.; those permits were approved. The council also approved a residential tax abatement for Hillary Eckert at 909 Henryson after a motion by Council Member Phillips and a second from Council Member O’Connor.

Council Member Ostrem moved, and Council Member Abrams seconded, to approve bills and claims; the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Mike Jensen called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.; City Clerk Heather Slifka attested the minutes. Aaron Kooiker, City Manager from Carroll, Iowa, was listed as also present but did not speak during the meeting.

The council heard brief non-agenda comments from Council Member Phillips, who said Scandinavian Days events went well and invited members to the June 23 Summertime Soiree. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Resolution No. 26-47 (fund transfers): motion by Council Member Phillips; second Abrams; vote: 5–0, approved. • Resolution No. 26-48 (FY2026–27 salary schedule): motion by Council Member O’Connor; second Abrams; vote: 5–0, approved. • North Park Restroom Pay Application No. 5 (Woodruff Construction): $5,898.18; motion by Council Member Ostrem; second Phillips; vote: 5–0, approved. • Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade Change Order No. 4 (Gridor Construction): +$82,089.06; motion by Council Member Ostrem; second Phillips; vote: 5–0, approved. • Tobacco permits: Yesway (527 Park Ave.) and Perk Energy (1554 Broad St.); motion by Council Member Abrams; second O’Connor; vote: 5–0, approved. • Sewer-bill reduction for Kenneth & Janis Olson (837 Maple Court): $787.45 reduction; motion by Council Member Solberg; second Phillips; vote: 5–0, approved. • Residential tax abatement for Hillary Eckert (909 Henryson): motion by Council Member Phillips; second O’Connor; vote: 5–0, approved. • Approval of bills and claims: motion by Council Member Ostrem; second Abrams; vote: 5–0, approved.

No formal public hearings or contested items were recorded in the minutes. The council’s next scheduled business was not stated in these minutes.