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West Branch council approves multiple ordinance readings, project pay estimate and personnel pay change
Summary
At its April 6 meeting the West Branch City Council approved a second reading of a stop-sign ordinance, multiple first readings (with requests to waive second readings), passed several resolutions including a $14,512.13 pay estimate for the Cedar–Johnson Road project and a salary adjustment for the finance officer.
The West Branch City Council on April 6 approved a slate of ordinance readings and resolutions, including a second reading to add a stop sign intersection and a pay estimate for roadwork.
Mayor Roger Laughlin called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and the council moved immediately to approve the agenda and consent agenda, which included claims and payroll that totaled $154,120.52.
In business on the agenda, the council approved the second reading of Ordinance 836, amending Section 65.02 of the city code to add a stop-sign intersection. The motion to approve the second reading passed with Councilmembers Colton Miller, Mike Horihan, Tom Dean and Jerry Sexton voting aye; Chantry Noel was absent.
Councilmembers also approved first readings of several ordinances — including Ordinances 834 and 835 addressing historic preservation commission changes and district boundaries — and the body requested waiving the second readings with the intent to consider third readings and adoption at the next meeting. Motions to approve first readings for Ordinances 838, 839 and 837 likewise passed, with council members voting unanimously among those present.
The council approved Resolution 2026-30, authorizing Pay Estimate No. 9 in the amount of $14,512.13 to Boomerang Corp for the 2025 Cedar–Johnson Road Reconstruction Project. City Engineer Dave Schechinger told the council the project is about 99% complete and the contractor is waiting for appropriate weather to finish curb work, grading and additional flood-prevention work before final handover to the city.
Council also passed Resolution 2026-29, which amends procedural rules for the council, and Resolution 2026-33, approving a salary adjustment for Finance Officer Heidi Van Auken. Motions for those resolutions carried with all present voting aye; Noel was recorded as absent.
Other items approved included Resolution 2026-28 (entering a Certification Agreement with the Iowa State Historic Preservation Officer), Resolution 2026-32 (setting a public hearing date and bid date for the West Main Street Overlay Project) and Resolution 2026-31 supporting Parkside Partners’ application for Workforce Housing Tax Credit funding and pledging city funds to the project.
The meeting concluded after project and staff reports and brief council comments. A motion to adjourn carried and the meeting ended at 7:53 p.m.
