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Sioux Rapids council approves insurance renewal, launches water‑leak ordinance and OKs flood‑recovery payments
Summary
At its March 12 meeting the Sioux Rapids City Council accepted an insurance renewal option, directed staff to draft a water‑leak ordinance with a $5 monthly fee and forgiveness provision, held first readings on a special speed zone and a water‑rate increase, set an April 9 budget‑amendment hearing, and approved multiple flood‑recovery payments and equipment purchases.
Mayor Jim Wise called the Sioux Rapids City Council to order on March 12, 2025, and the council approved the agenda and consent items without objection, including February financial reports and the county sheriff’s report.
Dave with Rice & Lehr Insurance presented the annual insurance renewal and said police coverage costs are expected to rise "7 to 8 percent" for the year; the council voted unanimously to accept the insurer’s option one. Council members then reviewed the city’s February claims and receipts (claims total reported as $75,746.36 across funds, with key vendor and fund line items presented by the clerk).
The council directed staff to have Simmering‑Cory draft a water‑leak ordinance that would cover repairs to customer-owned pipes, trigger billing adjustments when use exceeds three times normal consumption and add a $5.00 monthly mandatory fee; the ordinance would allow residents to request forgiveness or seek council‑authorized repairs. The council moved forward with drafting the ordinance on Joel McCoy’s motion.
Council members gave updates on ongoing projects, including the FEMA buyout project, demolition of Main Street buildings and a USDA grant for a new well, then set a public hearing for an FY2024–25 budget amendment on April 9, 2025.
On first readings the council approved Ordinance No. 475 (Sioux Rapids Special Speed Zone) and Ordinance No. 476 (a water‑rate amendment described at the meeting as a 3 percent increase); both first readings passed on recorded roll calls. The council also voted to move forward with selling two Main Street corner lots by sealed bid.
The council accepted multiple vendor quotes and approved flood‑related payments and equipment purchases, including a 2‑horsepower lagoon pump from Winpump, gravel and trucking to restock the city’s gravel pile, a water meter pit quote for a new bank site, hazardous‑materials remediation payment to J & J Contracting ($10,733.72), flooring for City Hall to Snook’s Carpet & Furniture LLC ($2,924.36), garage door and appliance repairs to Medard’s ($4,967.84), and epoxy floor work ($12,135.50 to Elite Epoxy & Floor Coating LLC). All motions carried.
The council set the next regular meeting for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Front Street, and adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance No. 475 first reading — passed (ayes: Garberding, Gunderson, Katschman, McCoy, Reiling). Ordinance No. 476 first reading — passed (ayes: Garberding, Gunderson, Katschman, McCoy, Reiling). Insurance renewal option one — approved unanimously. Budget‑amendment public hearing set for April 9, 2025 — approved unanimously. Multiple payments and quotes for flood recovery and equipment — approved unanimously.
