Aurelia council approves community center electrical upgrade, liquor license and sets March tax-levy hearing

AURELIA, Iowa — The Aurelia City Council on Feb. 17, 2025 approved several routine and capital items, including a quoted purchase for a community center transfer switch, a community center liquor license, and an intergovernmental 28E agreement with the City of Moville for inspector/code-enforcement services.

Council Member Redig moved to approve the consent agenda, which included prior meeting minutes, clerk and treasurer reports and bills payable; Council Member Nelson seconded, and a roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval (Redig, Nelson, Fassler, Johnson and Bruce voting “aye”). The minutes list multiple vendor payments and fund totals that were included in that consent action.

Why it matters: the transfer-switch work and liquor-license approval allow the community center to operate and host events, the 28E agreement extends code-enforcement capacity by sharing inspector services with neighboring Moville, and the council set a March hearing for the proposed property tax levy—an early procedural step that begins a formal public review of tax changes.

Key votes and motions

• Consent agenda: Motion by Council Member Redig, second by Council Member Nelson. Vote: 5–0 in favor.

• Transfer switch for Community Center: Motion by Council Member Redig, second by Council Member Fassler. The council approved a quote from Mike’s Electronics in the amount of $20,218.00 (plus). Vote: 5–0 in favor.

• Community Center liquor license: Motion by Council Member Redig, second by Council Member Nelson. Vote: 5–0 in favor.

• 28E agreement with City of Moville for inspector/code-enforcement personnel: Motion by Council Member Nelson, second by Council Member Redig. Vote: 5–0 in favor.

• Resolution 25-01 — Fire Station project (notice and bid authorization): Motion by Council Member Redig, second by Council Member Bruce. The council approved Resolution No. 25-01 to provide notice of hearing on proposed plans, specifications, contract form and estimate of cost and to solicit bids for the Aurelia Fire Station Project. Vote: 5–0 in favor.

• Set public hearing on proposed property tax levy: Motion by Council Member Fassler, second by Council Member Bruce. The council set the public hearing for March 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Vote: 5–0 in favor.

• Ammunition purchase for Alta-Aurelia Shooting Sports Team: Motion by Council Member Bruce, second by Council Member Johnson, to purchase ammunition not to exceed $2,000. All voting members approved the purchase, with Council Member Redig recorded as abstaining (yes: Bruce, Johnson, Fassler, Nelson; abstain: Redig). Motion carried.

Other business and reports

• Resident inquiry: Rafael Cardenas spoke to the council about property he would like to purchase from the City of Aurelia; the minutes note the comment but record no council motion or action on a sale at this meeting.

• Public Works and parks: The council received the Public Works report and discussed planting new trees at City Park; Aurelia Municipal Utilities agreed to purchase the trees while the city will plant and maintain them.

• Routine reports: Police, landfill and clerk’s reports were given; no separate council actions were recorded on those reports.

What’s next: The council will hold the public hearing on the proposed property tax levy on March 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., as scheduled. The Fire Station project now moves to a public-notice/bid phase under Resolution 25-01.

Sources: Aurelia City Council regular meeting minutes, Feb. 17, 2025 (meeting called by Mayor Dennis Weathers; minutes prepared by City Clerk Stephanie McSparran).