Winterset council approves claims, pay applications and conditional fireworks authorization; considers in‑home daycare code change

The Winterset City Council on June 15, 2026 approved routine business including the consent agenda, claims totaling $945,557.58, pay applications for the wastewater treatment facility and the 2025 Street Project, and a conditional resolution to support a community fireworks event. The meeting also included reports from the Madison County Development Group and the Winterset Airport Board and an update on the wastewater treatment facility construction.

Consent and claims: The consent agenda (minutes, utility board minutes, utility activity report and several license renewals) was approved on a motion by Council Member Mike Fletcher, seconded by Council Member Michael Eller. Council then approved claims in the amount of $945,557.58 on a motion by Council Member Mary Ann Orr, seconded by Council Member Mike Fletcher; all Council Members present voted Aye. The claims detail included a substantial contractor pay application (Woodruff Construction, LLC, pay app 10) for $667,311.44 listed under sewer utility claims.

Pay applications: Council approved Pay Application #11 for the wastewater treatment facility (motion by Mike Fletcher, seconded by Mary Ann Orr) and Pay Application #5 for the 2025 Street Project (motion by Mary Ann Orr, seconded by Michael Eller); all present voted Aye. The meeting transcript does not specify dollar amounts for Pay App #11 or Pay App #5 in the recorded motions.

Community event and fireworks: The council approved Resolution No. 2026‑30 supporting a Winterset Little League community event on June 26, 2026 that includes an open fireworks display donated and to be detonated by Tony Wenck, contingent on conditions recorded in the resolution: property owner written consent for Hilsabeck Properties (Parcel #820006600060100, 614 E Madison), consultation with the Fire Chief, and proof of insurance. The resolution suspends a portion of the fireworks ordinance only between 6:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on June 26; other noise and ordinance provisions remain in effect. Motion by Mike Fletcher, second by Michael Eller; unanimous Aye vote among members present.

Ordinance consideration — in‑home daycare: Megan Tucker presented a request to amend the municipal code to align the in‑home childcare special use permit language with Iowa Code §237A and 441 IAC 110.8(237A), proposing insertion of the word “owner” when considering approval. Attorney Rosien advised the council that it has the authority to amend the code with a majority vote and due process; Administrator Andrew Barden summarized administrative steps for amending the code. The transcript records the presentation and legal references; no final ordinance vote was taken during this meeting.

Reports and operations: Ryan Marquardt of the Madison County Development Group reported assistance to a landowner on a proposed 22‑townhome development, two businesses in discussion to relocate to Winterset, a $72,000 available revolving loan fund (six active loans), and community foundation disbursements totaling $135,000 to 26 projects. Winterset Airport Chair Dave LaGrange (report presented via Administrator Barden) noted a Fly‑In Breakfast with 347 attendees and ongoing preparations for the Fly Iowa Festival on Sept. 19. Wastewater Superintendent Nic Smith and Taylor Hopper of STRAND reported on WWTF progress: internal repairs, lift station maintenance, battery backup replacement and upcoming basin testing as concrete work progresses.

The meeting closed with council remarks thanking volunteers and noting community engagement. There were no public comments signed up for this meeting. Council Member Mary Ann Orr moved to adjourn; Council Member Michael Eller seconded and the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Note on the record: the meeting transcript contains no verbatim direct quotations attributed to council members or presenters; the story relies on the council’s recorded motions and the meeting minutes language.