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West Branch council approves consent agenda, land-vacation, salary change and several resolutions
Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting the West Branch City Council approved the consent agenda with $390,569.56 in expenditures, moved Ordinance 821 to second reading, approved the vacation of Auditor’s Parcel N and adopted multiple resolutions including a library salary adjustment; all recorded votes were unanimous.
The West Branch City Council on Dec. 16 approved its consent agenda, heard a public hearing with no public comment on a parcel vacation and adopted several ordinances and resolutions during a 7:00 p.m. regular meeting.
Consent agenda and expenditures: The council approved minutes from Dec. 2 and claims totaling $390,569.56. Notable line items in the claims list include a $103,995 payment to UMB Bank for GO bond interest and a $59,475 skidloader purchase from Sinclair Tractor. The consent-agenda motion was moved by Tom Dean and seconded by Jerry Sexton and carried on a voice vote.
Land action: Mayor Roger Laughlin opened and closed a public hearing on a proposal to vacate Auditor’s Parcel N (Book L, Page 55, Cedar County records) after receiving no public comments. The council then approved Resolution 2024-134 to vacate the parcel (motion by Jerry Sexton, second by Tom Dean), with a unanimous vote.
Housing-related funding: The council approved Resolution 2024-133 revising how funds will be collected for low-to-moderate income (LMI) housing assistance; City Attorney Kevin Olson clarified that the LMI will be collected on the Meadows Part 3 assisted living center because it is considered residential. The motion was moved by Jerry Sexton and seconded by Colton Miller and passed unanimously.
Ordinance 821: Olson noted a clarifying edit to Ordinance 821 that specifies when the ordinance will expire; the council approved the second reading (motion by Tom Dean, second by Jerry Sexton).
Personnel: The council approved Resolution 2024-135 to adjust the salary of Library Director Jessie Schafer (motion by Tom Dean, second by Mike Horihan), with councilmembers voting aye.
Other business and reports: City Administrator Adam Kofoed scheduled the first FY26 budget work session for Jan. 6, 2025. City Attorney Kevin Olson said he is awaiting a response from Alliant Energy on a draft ordinance regarding gas and electric franchise fees. City Engineer Dave Schechinger summarized comments from the Cedar-Johnson Road reconstruction open house. Library Director Jessie Schafer reported that library security cameras were updated and that classroom visits and after-school activities have resumed and are well attended.
The council adjourned at 7:45 p.m. after a motion by Colton Miller and a second by Tom Dean; the voice-vote motions recorded in the minutes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.
