Algona council approves $1.44 million in street work, adopts wages and backs small-business loans

ALGONA — The Algona City Council on Monday approved multiple routine items affecting infrastructure, city payroll and local small-business lending.

The council authorized task orders to a professional services agreement with Golden, Inc. to manage construction administration for the city’s 2026 street-reconstruction and railroad-crossing surface projects. City staff described the combined work as “about $1.44 million” of construction this summer, with the mill-and-overlay sequence starting on South Thorington and progressing to Woodworth, North Thorington and Water Tower Street. The administrator said crack-seal work is nearly complete and the contractor put down more material than estimated, improving street sealing.

“The contractor has a one-year warranty on every plant out there,” the City Administrator said, explaining that plantings and sod have warranty periods (one year for plantings; 60 days for sod) and that the contractor is responsible for replacement if plantings fail during the warranty period.

Council members discussed scheduling to avoid major closures during Founders Day and Band Day; staff said they will hold a preconstruction meeting and aim to complete most paving before key community events. The council unanimously approved the resolution to move forward with the task orders.

On personnel matters, the council adopted a resolution setting wages and benefits for appointed officials and city employees for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, effective July 1, with no changes to benefit offerings reported by staff.

Economic-development actions included approval of a $20,000 revolving-loan-fund (RLF) loan for the Meat Wagon on State Street, recommended by the RLF committee to cover equipment and startup costs at 2.5% interest over five years; city staff said the loan will be secured by newly installed coolers and a general security agreement on equipment. The council also acknowledged full repayment of an RLF loan for the Axe House and authorized release of the mortgage securing that loan, and accepted satisfaction of a housing RLF mortgage for Elizabeth Rosenall.

The council approved pay application No. 8 for the airport runway displacement and extension project in the amount of $16,180.88 for seeding, fertilizing and mulching. Staff reported about $127,000 remains on the contract, roughly $86,000 of which is retainage; funding for the project was described as 80% FAA and 10% local for the items discussed.

Other approved items included a fireworks-sales permit for Wild Lily’s Fireworks to operate June 19–July 5 and the routine consent agenda (minutes, bills and a cigarette permit).

Votes at a glance - Resolution approving task orders for 2026 street and railroad-crossing projects — approved (roll-call: Jessica, Brad, Kathy, Don, Carl and others voting yes). - Resolution setting FY2026–27 wages and benefits — approved (unanimous). - RLF loan, Meat Wagon ($20,000 at 2.5% over 5 years) — approved (unanimous). - Acknowledgment and release of mortgage, Axe House — approved (unanimous). - Housing RLF mortgage satisfaction, Elizabeth Rosenall — approved (unanimous). - Pay application No. 8, airport project ($16,180.88) — approved (unanimous). - Fireworks-sales permit for Wild Lily’s Fireworks — approved (unanimous).

What’s next: Staff said they will proceed with the planned preconstruction meeting for street work, continue coordination to limit impacts during Founders Day and other events, and return with contract paperwork and scheduling updates as projects proceed.