Red Oak council approves consent items, rejects Facebook content-administrator resolution

RED OAK — The Red Oak City Council on Monday approved routine consent items including a $411,136.25 pay request related to the Woodland Hills II subdivision and authorized purchase of a new patrol vehicle for $42,887, and voted to disapprove a proposed resolution that would have named specific content administrators for the city’s official Facebook page.

The meeting, called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Shawnna L. Silvius in the Red Oak Fire Station meeting room, opened with an invocation by Pastor Gary Walters and a roll call that showed all five councilmembers present: Sharon Bradley, Brian Bills, Tim Fridolph, John Haidsiak and Adam Hietbrink.

The council approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Aug. 5 and Aug. 17 meetings, warrants for July 2024, a change order (No. 1) reducing a Barcon, Inc. contract by $39,095.00, and a pay request to Barcon, Inc. for $411,136.25 for work on Woodland Hills II Subdivision. The body also approved city claims totaling $105,047.50.

Councilperson Brian Bills moved (seconded by John Haidsiak) to approve the consent agenda; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all five councilmembers voting aye. A separate motion to approve city claims of $105,047.50 (moved by Sharon Bradley, seconded by Tim Fridolph) also passed 5-0.

The council approved a five-day Special Class C retail alcohol license for the Montgomery County Agricultural Society to operate at 1809 N. 4th Street for Aug. 22–26. That motion was moved by Brian Bills, seconded by Adam Hietbrink, and passed unanimously.

On a separate item, the council voted 5-0 to disapprove a proposed resolution that would have authorized a list of content administrators for the official City of Red Oak government Facebook page (the resolution listed the City Administrator, the City Clerk and Deputy Clerk, the Code Enforcement Officer, the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem as administrators). The motion to disapprove was moved by Brian Bills and seconded by John Haidsiak.

The council also approved the purchase of a new patrol vehicle, following a recommendation from Police Chief Justin Rhamy; the vehicle will be purchased from Red Oak Chrysler for $42,887. That motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Administratively, the city administrator reported on a staffing search conducted Aug. 16–17; deadlines for hotel-motel funding applications (due to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 30); a final RAGBRAI planning meeting set for Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m.; and noted that Sheriff Tony Thompson will visit the library on Aug. 21 at noon. Mayor Silvius gave updates on a recent levee inspection (Aug. 15), a meeting with New Cooperative, ongoing developer negotiations related to Fountain Square/Dorsey & Whitney, and items from the League of Cities board meeting. Several councilmembers summarized recent community and committee activity, and all noted participation in the City Administrator interview process.

The council listed upcoming agenda items including a resolution to set rental inspection fees, a presentation of the Red Oak Flood Mitigation & Mapping Study by JEO, and an update on water-distribution rate studies. Council adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval: Moved by Councilperson Tim Fridolph; seconded by Councilperson Sharon Bradley. Vote: Bills — yes; Fridolph — yes; Haidsiak — yes; Hietbrink — yes; Bradley — yes. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Consent agenda (minutes, warrants, Barcon change order/pay request): Moved by Councilperson Brian Bills; seconded by Councilperson John Haidsiak. Vote: Fridolph — yes; Haidsiak — yes; Hietbrink — yes; Bradley — yes; Bills — yes. Outcome: approved (5-0). - City claims ($105,047.50): Moved by Councilperson Sharon Bradley; seconded by Councilperson Tim Fridolph. Vote: Haidsiak — yes; Hietbrink — yes; Bradley — yes; Bills — yes; Fridolph — yes. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Special Class C license (Aug. 22–26, Montgomery County Agricultural Society): Moved by Councilperson Brian Bills; seconded by Councilperson Adam Hietbrink. Vote: Hietbrink — yes; Bradley — yes; Bills — yes; Fridolph — yes; Haidsiak — yes. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Resolution to authorize Facebook content administrators (proposed list): Moved by Councilperson Brian Bills to disapprove; seconded by Councilperson John Haidsiak. Vote: Bradley — yes; Bills — yes; Fridolph — yes; Haidsiak — yes; Hietbrink — yes. Outcome: disapproved (5-0). - Purchase of patrol vehicle ($42,887, Red Oak Chrysler): Moved by Councilperson Brian Bills; seconded by Councilperson John Haidsiak. Vote: Bills — yes; Fridolph — yes; Haidsiak — yes; Hietbrink — yes; Bradley — yes. Outcome: approved (5-0).

Meeting location: Red Oak Fire Station, 1904 Broadway. Minutes attested by Mayor Shawnna L. Silvius and City Clerk Christie Vanderholm.