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Toledo council approves Romero settlement, hires paramedic and OKs stop signs
Summary
At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Toledo City Council authorized a tentative settlement in Romero v. City of Toledo, approved hiring a full-time paramedic, authorized stop signs at Ross and Ann Streets, approved a one-year 28E compliance agreement with the state, and set a budget hearing for Oct. 27.
The Toledo City Council on Oct. 14, 2025 approved a series of administrative and public-safety measures, including authorization of a tentative settlement in Romero v. City of Toledo, the hire of a full-time paramedic and installation of new stop signs at Ross and Ann Streets.
Mayor Sokol opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the Reining Center. After approving the consent agenda and reviewing the claims report and payroll, the council moved into and returned from a closed session held under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) to discuss legal strategy. After the closed session, the council voted to approve a tentative settlement negotiated by EMC Insurance in Romero v. City of Toledo and authorized the mayor to sign the agreement; the motion was made by Councilmember Vesely and seconded by Councilmember Cook and passed on a recorded roll-call vote.
The council later convened a separate closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j) to discuss a real estate transaction; the minutes record that no action was taken following that session.
On personnel, the council approved hiring Heather Skinner as a full-time paramedic at an annual salary of $58,000 with a tentative start date of Nov. 17, 2025. The motion to hire was made by Councilmember Boll and seconded by Councilmember Goodhart and carried on a voice vote with all present voicing ayes.
Chief Quigley asked the council to authorize a one-year 28E agreement with the State of Iowa for tobacco and alcohol compliance checks to be performed by Toledo police; the city will retain the fees collected for checks ($75 per tobacco compliance check and $100 per alcohol compliance check). Councilmember Vesely moved to approve the 28E agreement, and Councilmember Cook seconded; the motion carried.
The council addressed a public safety concern about traffic at Ross Street where it meets a county road. Councilmember Vesely moved and Councilmember Cook seconded Resolution 2025-21 to place stop signs at Ross and Ann Streets going east and west. The roll-call vote was Cook—yes, Vesely—yes, Boll—no, Pansegrau—yes and Goodhart—no; the resolution passed 3–2.
The council also set the public hearing date for the FY26 budget amendment No. 1 for Oct. 27, 2025 (motion by Cook, second by Pansegrau) and approved a $5,000 appropriation to the Toledo bandstand renovation fund after debate about ongoing maintenance responsibilities (Pansegrau moved; Boll seconded; four ayes, one nay).
City Clerk Kim McAdoo presented the claims report showing $262,078.99 in accounts payable and $77,877.20 in payroll checks for a meeting total of $339,956.19 covering General, Police SRO, Road Use Tax, Bandstand project, Water, Sewer and other funds.
Marquess briefed the council on nuisance abatements for 300 N East Street and 405 N Center; notices will be served and cases filed. With no further public comments, the council adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
The next scheduled step noted in the meeting is the public hearing on the FY26 budget amendment on Oct. 27, 2025.
