Newell City Council approves new meeting time and several routine measures, hears pool fundraising update

The Newell City Council met Feb. 2, 2026, at City Hall and adopted Ordinance No. 290, changing its regular meeting time to 6:00 p.m., and approved several resolutions and routine motions across administration, public works and recreation.

Clerk Heather Copp presented Ordinance No. 290 for a third reading; Bill Henrich moved and Larry Nielsen seconded the motion, and the ordinance passed on a roll‑call vote with all ayes. The council also adopted Resolution No. 3‑26 (establishing 2026 regular meeting dates at 6:00 p.m.), Resolution No. 4‑26 (authorizing the mayor as Code Enforcement Officer), and Resolution No. 5‑26 (transferring $1,200 from Library savings to checking and renewing a library CD at 3.4%). Each resolution passed by roll call with all ayes.

Beyond the ordinance and resolutions, the council approved a series of routine motions. Steve Taylor made the initial motion to approve the meeting agenda; the consent agenda — which included minutes (Jan. 5 regular; Jan. 7 and 21 special), the claims report for Jan. 15–Feb. 15 and the January treasurer’s report (month‑to‑date revenues $61,114.12; expenses $82,451.91) — passed on a motion by Bill Henrich, seconded by Larry Nielsen.

On operational items, the council accepted a bid from Rolling Signs for a new full‑color community sign; the project requires an electrical upgrade to a 20‑amp breaker. The council approved cemetery and golf course 2026 rates, authorized purchase of a new point‑of‑sale system for the golf course, and allowed up to seven 'Couples Escape' gift certificates for community requests. Council members also authorized transporting police department guns and ammunition to Rembrandt for auction.

The meeting included routine department reports: Deputy Nieland reported 130 patrol hours and increased traffic enforcement; Chief Bruce Erie said there were no changes at the fire department. The ambulance director reported an upcoming state inspection and raised concerns about incomplete electronic call reports delaying or jeopardizing billing revenue. In personnel actions, the council approved Tim Ried as an EMS driver.

The council deferred discussion of the insurance renewal to a Feb. 25 budget/insurance meeting and took no action on a possible surcharge for manual water meter reads pending additional information. Public forum opened and closed at 9:17 p.m. with no comments. The meeting adjourned following a motion by Steve Taylor and a second by Bill Henrich.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve agenda: moved Steve Taylor, second Bill Henrich — all ayes. - Consent agenda (minutes, claims, treasurer report): moved Bill Henrich, second Larry Nielsen — all ayes. - Approve Tim Ried as EMS driver: moved Larry Nielsen, second Quinten Robinson — all ayes. - Accept Rolling Signs bid for community sign: moved Larry Nielsen, second Steve Taylor — all ayes. - Cemetery rates (2026): moved Larry Nielsen, second Bill Henrich — all ayes. - Golf course rates and new first‑time membership: moved Larry Nielsen, second Steve Taylor — all ayes. - Approve new POS system for golf course: moved Quinten Robinson, second Larry Nielsen — all ayes. - Ordinance #290 (change meeting time): moved Bill Henrich, second Larry Nielsen — roll call, all ayes; ordinance approved. - Resolution #3‑26, #4‑26, #5‑26: each approved on roll call, all ayes. - Authorize police equipment transport to auction: moved Larry Nielsen, second Steve Taylor — all ayes. - Adjournment: moved Steve Taylor, second Bill Henrich — all ayes.

The council set a Feb. 25 public hearing (5:00 p.m. at 402 S. Nelson) and a special budget meeting (5:15–6:30 p.m.), and scheduled its next regular meeting for March 2 at 6:00 p.m.