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West Branch City Council approves series of resolutions including urban renewal hearing date and water-main payment
Summary
At its Sept. 16 meeting the West Branch City Council unanimously approved multiple resolutions — setting consultation and a hearing for an urban renewal amendment, authorizing salary adjustments, approving an insurance plan and issuing Pay Estimate #5 for the Eastside Water Main Replacement Project.
The West Branch City Council on Sept. 16 unanimously approved a package of resolutions that set a public hearing on an urban renewal amendment, authorized several salary adjustments and advanced construction payments for a major water-main project.
Mayor Roger Laughlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the council acted on a series of non-consent items after routine business. Councilmembers voted 4–0, with Councilmember Colton Miller absent, on each resolution recorded in the minutes.
The council moved forward Resolution 2024-97, which sets consultation and a public hearing date for Amendment No. 7 to the Amended and Restated West Branch Urban Renewal Plan. The measure passed by voice vote with roll-call confirmation: Tom Dean, Jerry Sexton, Mike Horihan and Jodee Stoolman voting aye.
Personnel actions approved included salary adjustments for Police Chief Greg Hall (Resolution 2024-98), Andrew “Drew” Finnegan (Resolution 2024-99) and Parks & Recreation Director Erin Laughlin (Resolution 2024-100). City Administrator Adam Kofoed told the council that Finnegan has obtained five of six required water-treatment certifications and noted the city increased certification pay from $0.50 to $0.75 per certificate. Kofoed also said federal Department of Labor guidance changing salaried-employee thresholds informed the timing of the Parks & Recreation director’s adjustment.
The council approved Resolution 2024-101 to issue Pay Estimate Number 5 to Midwest Underground Contractors Inc. in the amount of $114,796.72 for the Phase 2 Eastside Water Main Replacement Project. Finance Officer Heidi Van Auken briefed the council on insurance for the fire department and recommended seeking a single insurer for city departments where feasible; the council approved Resolution 2024-102 to accept the Fire Pak insurance coverage for FY25.
All motions on the record passed unanimously among attending members. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Resolutions 2024-97, 2024-98, 2024-99, 2024-100, 2024-101, 2024-102 and 2024-103 all recorded AYES: Dean, Sexton, Horihan, Stoolman; NAYS: none; Absent: Miller.
