Webster City Council re-elects John Hawkins as mayor, approves appointments, speed‑zone ordinances and $86,400 tree‑clearing contract

Webster City Council members re‑organized and approved routine business Tuesday, re‑electing John Hawkins as mayor and naming Megan McFarland mayor pro tem, adopting two traffic ordinances and awarding a contract for line‑clearance work.

At the start of the January 5 meeting the council moved and approved the agenda, then voted to elect John Hawkins as mayor for a two‑year term and Megan McFarland as mayor pro tem. Both officers subsequently took the oath of office administered at the meeting.

The council approved a slate of 2026 appointments and administrative resolutions. Among the named officials and representatives were Zach Chisak as city attorney, Adam Dickinson as the city representative to the North Iowa Municipal Electrical Cooperative, Beth Chelvic as right‑to‑know coordinator, and John Harrenstein as a designated representative to local boards. The council also designated the Freeman Journal as the official newspaper and set regular meeting dates and financial delegation resolutions for 2026.

The council held the second reading on two ordinances amending chapter 46 of the Webster City Code to establish special 35‑mph and 45‑mph speed zones, including adjustments on the McKinley approach. Brandon Benefit, streets supervisor, summarized the proposal and said the change is intended to slow traffic approaching town and improve safety for area employees and the public. Council members voted to waive the third reading and to pass and adopt both ordinances.

Council approved a resolution awarding the 2026 electrical line clearance and tree removal services. Staff recommended, and the council approved, contracts totaling $86,400: Rob’s Tree Service for section one ($35,000) and eight full removals ($5,000), and Fry Tree Service for section two ($46,400). City staff said the Iowa Utilities Board requires the city to trim its service area at least once every five years; staff solicited seven RFPs and received three proposals.

In updates to the council, Zach Chisak reported additional notices had been sent for abandoned properties and said wastewater treatment plant RFPs had been returned; interviews of proposing firms were scheduled for Friday and a recommendation is expected at the Jan. 19 council meeting. Staff also described ongoing work to integrate city code into the ticketing system so certain violations can be cited under city code, with fine revenues retained locally; a fee resolution reflecting those fines will be brought forward.

The meeting also included routine consent items — minutes, bills and reports — approved collectively, and a brief petitions and communications period during which no substantive public comment was offered. The council adjourned after completing the organizational items and routine business.