Spirit Lake council approves $1.97 million in bills, adopts pay application and change order for lime pit project

Mayor Kevin Bice convened the Spirit Lake City Council on Jan. 13, 2026, and the council unanimously approved the monthly bills and a series of agenda items, including construction pay applications and an incentive for downtown redevelopment.

The council approved the bill list for January 2026, which totaled $1,973,345.29. The register included large construction and infrastructure payments: Woodruff Construction WTP Phase 2 pay application #6 for $474,143.42; Vander Pol Excavating pay application #1, Lime Pit, $249,435.50; Wynn Company POP 3rd Addition pay app #3 $185,226.25; Beck Excavating 23rd Street pay application #6 $81,377.30; and an IA Communities Assurance Pool insurance charge of $252,754.00. The council voted to accept the bill list on a motion by Councilmember Kofoot, seconded by Councilmember Mensing; the motion carried unanimously.

In separate financial actions, the council approved the Treasurer’s Report for November and December 2025 and ratified the fourth-quarter 2025 manual journal entries and transfers. Transfers recorded in the motion included $225,000 from Local Option Sales Tax to the General Fund and $34,164.99 from Water to the Water Revenue Sinking Fund to satisfy bond requirements. The transfers, payroll tax payments and SRF remittance were approved on a motion that carried unanimously.

The council also approved a slate of liquor licenses: a Class E Retail Alcohol license for Hy‑Vee Wine and Spirits; a Class B license for Brew Oil #30; ownership changes for Walmart Inc.; and Special Class C licenses for Top of Iowa Lucky Wife for Feb. 5–9 and March 11–15. That motion was approved unanimously.

On projects and agreements, the council adopted Resolution No. 2026‑01 approving Pay Application #1 and Change Order #1 for the 2025 City of Spirit Lake Lime Pit Discharge Improvements Project. Councilmember Dave Mensing introduced the resolution and moved for adoption; Councilmember Kofoot seconded. The recorded ayes were Councilmembers Johnson, Kofoot, Chappas and Mensing; the resolution was adopted as read. (The resolution language and recorded ayes appear in the meeting record; the mayor’s vote was not recorded in the resolution line.)

Terry Meyer of Hope Haven presented an Olde Town Betterment Incentive Program application for 900 Lake Street. Councilmember Johnson moved and Councilmember Kofoot seconded approval of the application; the motion carried unanimously.

Curt Petersen of Bank Midwest Insurance gave a brief presentation recommending renewal of the city’s ICAP insurance policy. Councilmember Chappas moved and Councilmember Johnson seconded approval of the renewal; the motion carried unanimously.

The council approved a Drug Task Force Agreement (motion by Councilmember Mensing, seconded by Councilmember Johnson) and appointed Councilmember Dave Mensing as Mayor Pro‑Tem (motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Chappas); both motions carried unanimously. The meeting was then adjourned by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows unanimous approval for routine items including minutes, bills, treasurer reports, transfers, liquor licenses, the ICAP insurance renewal, the Drug Task Force Agreement and the Olde Town Betterment incentive application. Resolution No. 2026‑01 (pay application and change order for the Lime Pit Discharge Improvements Project) was adopted with recorded ayes from Councilmembers Johnson, Kofoot, Chappas and Mensing.

What happens next: The meeting record documents payment approvals, project pay applications and an incentive award; the council did not set additional public hearings or contested votes for these items in the Jan. 13 record. The city clerk’s signed minutes and resolutions provide the official account of the actions taken.