Swisher council approves infrastructure payments, ordinance changes and appointments; names Wernimont mayor

The Swisher City Council on Dec. 9 approved a series of payments, ordinances and appointments as part of a routine meeting that also set upcoming budget workshops and scheduled a Dec. 23 follow-up meeting.

The council approved Resolution 76-2024 authorizing final payment of $225,283.47 to the Johnson County Secondary Roads Department for the city’s share of the Division Street Improvement Project. The council also approved Resolution 77-2024 to reimburse $121,056.54 to Johnson County for 120th Street improvements related to the Degen and Sheely properties proposed for annexation; that motion passed with Councilmember Daryl Hynek recorded as the lone dissenting vote.

Councilmembers also approved Resolution 78-2024 to contract HR Green for engineering services on the Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Project and Resolution 79-2024 appointing Dean Sturtz and Ron Riggle to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with terms through Dec. 31, 2029.

In a separate financial action, the council approved Resolution 80-2024 transferring $2,976.25 from the TIF Fund, $2,972.50 from the LOST Fund and $49,229.07 from the Sewer Fund into Debt Service Funds to cover bond and loan interest payments.

The council adopted two city code changes on expedited readings. Ordinance 10-2024 amends Chapter 122 (Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants) and Ordinance 11-2024 amends Chapter 124 (Dance Halls); each ordinance was given a first reading, the council waived the requirement of three separate readings, and the second and third readings were approved in the same meeting.

The council also approved Resolution 81-2024 establishing permit, zoning and other city fees, and by unanimous motion tabled review of backup emergency snow-plowing estimates until the Dec. 23 meeting. Councilmembers set budget workshops to begin at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays starting in January.

In a personnel action, Councilmember Kody Pudil moved, and Councilmember Daryl Hynek seconded, a motion appointing Brian Wernimont of 74 Division St. NE to fill the mayor vacancy, effective when the oath of office can be administered; the motion passed unanimously.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. recorded by City Clerk Shelley Annis.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 76-2024 (Division Street final payment): approved; payment $225,283.47; recorded votes: Pudil, Roeder, Stagg, Cline, Hynek — yes. - Resolution 77-2024 (120th Street reimbursement relating to Degen & Sheely properties): approved; payment $121,056.54; recorded votes: Roeder, Stagg, Cline, Pudil — yes; Hynek — no. - Resolution 78-2024 (HR Green engineering contract for sewer maintenance): approved; unanimous. - Resolution 79-2024 (Appointments to Zoning Board of Adjustment — Sturtz, Riggle): approved; unanimous. - Resolution 80-2024 (Transfers to debt service funds): approved; unanimous; amounts: $2,976.25 (TIF), $2,972.50 (LOST), $49,229.07 (Sewer). - Ordinance 10-2024 (Chapter 122 — Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants): 1st reading, waiver of readings, 2nd & 3rd readings approved; unanimous. - Ordinance 11-2024 (Chapter 124 — Dance Halls): 1st reading, waiver of readings, 2nd & 3rd readings approved; unanimous. - Resolution 81-2024 (Permit, zoning and other fees): approved; unanimous.

Next steps and context

The council did not provide detailed minutes of HR Green’s verbal report in the record. The council scheduled reconsideration of additional Wednesday-night law-enforcement coverage for Feb. 10, 2025, and will review backup snow-plowing estimates at the Dec. 23 meeting.

(Reporting based on the City of Swisher council minutes dated Dec. 9, 2024.)