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Sigourney council approves routine measures, hears neighbor dispute over downtown building
Summary
At its April 2 meeting the Sigourney City Council approved routine consent items, park and street work and set committee meetings, and heard a public complaint about living conditions and painted windows at 101 South Jefferson. An owner of the property denied long-term residency and said the space was approved for storage.
The Sigourney City Council met April 2, 2025, at City Hall and approved routine agenda items including accounts payable, park policies and a downtown restriping contract, and heard competing public comments about the condition and use of 101 South Jefferson.
Cindy Deitrich, who said she owns the Garden Gate at 105 South Jefferson, told the council she believes 101 South Jefferson (owned by BC Investments) is not approved for ground-floor residences and described visible garbage, painted windows and odors that she said discourage prospective tenants. “I just don't understand why that's being done and why it's being allowed,” Deitrich said, adding that she had filed a prior complaint about the stairway and was told the issue was a civil matter.
Billy Claywell, who identified himself as owner of BC Investments and the 101 South Jefferson property, told the council he did not have anyone living in that apartment and that he had checked with city staff about using the unit for storage, which he said fit the code. Claywell said the adjoining building at 103 caused water intrusion and offered to coordinate repairs: “If I've done anything in violation, I'm more than willing to get it fixed,” he said, and explained that the windows were painted from the inside to make stored items opaque.
The council approved several motions recorded in the meeting minutes. A motion to approve the tentative agenda carried unanimously. The consent agenda — including minutes from March meetings, authorization for two employees to attend the IAWEA Region 6 Conference in Iowa City on May 7 at $60 each, and the credit card report — was approved. Council then approved accounts payable claims totaling $84,642.47; the roll call recorded Ayes from McLaughlin, Iosbaker, Schultz, Clark and Conrad, and an abstention by Council member Lentz, who noted a familial conflict (her brother owns Atwood Electric).
Other council actions included unanimous approval of the Swimming Pool Policies and Procedures Handbook and authorization to place a display ad for a Flag Football Director in the News Review on April 9 and 16. Park and Recreation requested and received an additional $300 from LOSST to cover shipping charges for previously approved trash receptacles. The council also approved L.L. Pelling to restripe parking stalls, no-parking markings, handicap spaces, curbs and crosswalks on the City Square (and one block in each direction) and to restripe the library parking lot.
The meeting included several committee schedule announcements: the Water Committee will meet April 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.; the Sewer Committee will meet April 8, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.; and the Public Safety Committee will meet April 24, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Council member Lentz said the Fourth of July event schedule is complete and will be submitted at the next meeting.
The council recorded a motion to allow Duro-Last employees to perform community service projects in town; the minutes record that Council member Conrad moved and Council member Iosbaker seconded that motion. The minutes do not include a separate roll-call outcome line for that motion.
Votes at a glance: - Approve tentative agenda — Ayes: McLaughlin, Iosbaker, Lentz, Schultz, Clark, Conrad; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (minutes, conference attendance, credit card report, meeting date) — outcome: approved. - Approve accounts payable ($84,642.47) — Ayes: McLaughlin, Iosbaker, Schultz, Clark, Conrad; Abstain: Lentz (conflict); outcome: approved. - Approve Swimming Pool Policies and Procedures Handbook — outcome: approved. - Approve Flag Football Director ad (News Review, Apr 9 & 16) — outcome: approved. - Additional $300 LOSST for trash receptacles (shipping) — outcome: approved. - Approve L.L. Pelling restriping contract (City Square and library lot) — outcome: approved. - Approve Duro-Last employees for community service projects — motion recorded (mover/second recorded); roll-call outcome not separately recorded in minutes. - Motion to adjourn — outcome: approved; meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
What happens next: The council will reconvene at 6:00 p.m. on April 19, 2025; committee meetings on water, sewer and public safety are scheduled as noted above. The minutes do not show any formal code-enforcement action taken against 101 South Jefferson during this meeting; the dispute was presented in public comment and met with a response from the property owner.
