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Pocahontas council tables several resolutions, hears firehouse and library requests
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Pocahontas City Council approved routine items, tabled multiple resolutions for wording revisions, heard Fire Chief Z. Vader outline options for a new firehouse and a Sept. 2026 truck delivery, and received a library budget request seeking staff raises and higher materials funding.
The Pocahontas City Council met Jan. 20, 2026, in Chamber Hall. Mayor Kristi Seiler opened the meeting and the council approved the agenda with a motion from Duane Flaherty and a second from Nicole Harrison.
The council approved the consent agenda, including payment of prior bills and alcohol licenses for Casey's General Store and Brew Convenience Store; the minutes were noted as being amended. Multiple items under old business were tabled for further revision: RES 01-2026 (conduct policy wording) and RES 02-2026 (a resolution concerning the City Clerk paying bills) were both tabled to the Feb. 2, 2026 meeting for additional edits.
Under new business, Fire Chief Z. Vader outlined two options to address the department's space constraints: build a new firehouse or add an attachment to the existing facility. Chief Z. Vader also said the new fire truck is expected to arrive around September 2026. Following a council visit to the firehouse, members noted space limitations and discussed the west shelter house but made no final decisions.
Lola DeWall presented the library's annual budget request, urging increased support for staff pay and a larger materials budget; she noted that large-print books can cost more than $30 each. Adam Schoon proposed roughly 6.5 acres west of his property for business expansion; the council tabled the proposal to pursue pricing options and additional information.
The council also voted to table RES 06-2026 (recording council meetings) and RES 07-2026 (the council calendar). In personnel and committee business, the council approved adding Kyle Smith to the Planning and Zoning Board and designated Nicole Harrison and Duane Flaherty as alternate/needed council members for the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Two council appointments for City Administrator and City Treasurer were tabled pending revised wording; the transcript lists the mover of that motion as "Harrison Harrison" and seconded by Cody DeWall (see audit note).
The meeting closed with reports and direction to update the city website and create a citizen complaint form; the next meeting was scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026. No public comments were recorded during citizens' opportunity.
Votes at a glance: approve agenda (motion passed; mover Duane Flaherty, seconder Nicole Harrison); consent agenda including alcohol licenses (motion passed; mover Cody DeWall, seconder Brian Stover); RES 01-2026, RES 02-2026, RES 06-2026, RES 07-2026 (each tabled to Feb. 2, 2026); appointment of Kyle Smith to Planning and Zoning (approved); assignment of Nicole Harrison and Duane Flaherty to the Revolving Loan Fund Committee (approved); several council appointments tabled for wording changes.
