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Votes at a glance: Kalona City Council approves bills, reports, contracts and staffing on Oct. 20
Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting the Kalona City Council approved a slate of routine bills and reports, authorized a Vista Park change order, adopted a fee resolution for Shelter C rentals, hired a full‑time laborer, authorized compensatory payouts, and approved purchase agreements for two properties to study an emergency management center.
The Kalona City Council on Oct. 20 approved a series of motions covering bills and finance reports, contract change orders, personnel actions and property negotiations.
The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of the Oct. 6, 2025 meeting. On a motion by Beisheim and seconded by Spitzer, the council allowed the list of bills and claims included in the meeting packet. Notable disbursements recorded in the packet include Washington County Auditor (quarterly law enforcement contribution) $84,112.75; UMB Bank (Rec Bond/Vista Park Bond) $74,656.25; Absolute Construction, Student House $31,135.00; and S&N Insulation, Student House $17,500.00. The packet also lists transfers, withdrawals, and deposits across General, Water, Sewer, Local Option Sales Tax and other funds as part of the financial report.
The council approved Change Order No. 2 for CJ Moyna on the Vista Park project for $31,349.72 (motion by Spitzer; second by Bender). The 2024–2025 Annual Finance Report (AFR) and the 2024–2025 Annual Urban Renewal (TIF) report were each reviewed and approved (AFR motion by J. Schmidt; TIF motion by Spitzer). Each motion carried with all voting yes among members present; G. Schmidt was recorded as absent for the meeting.
The council adopted Resolution No. 2025‑R to revise city fees for Shelter C rental and nuisance rates (motion by Beisheim, seconded by Bender). The resolution sets regular Shelter C rental at $150 per mealtime (9 a.m.–4 p.m. and 5 p.m.–10 p.m.) and $275 for all‑day rentals; nonprofit rates are set at $75 per mealtime and $150 for all‑day rentals. The minutes reference nuisance‑rate updates but do not provide the specific nuisance amounts.
On personnel matters, the council hired Kyle Martin as a full‑time general laborer with an effective start date of Oct. 20, 2025, at an annual salary of $40,000, a $40 monthly cellphone stipend and full‑time benefits (motion by Bender; second by J. Schmidt). The council also authorized a one‑time compensatory time payout for employees Michael Martens and Keaton Redlinger; the motion notes the payout is a single occurrence but does not specify dollar amounts.
Finally, the council authorized staff to enter into purchase agreements for 503 10th Street and 502 9th Street to continue negotiations for a potential emergency management center. The city will complete an environmental review, a demolition budget and a Department of Transportation review of highway access; the results will be presented to the council at a future meeting.
The meeting adjourned following these actions. The minutes are signed by City Clerk Sarah Chmelar and Mayor Mark Robe.
