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Sioux Rapids council approves insurance upgrades, CDBG sewer televising resolution and personnel changes
Summary
At its March 25 special meeting the Sioux Rapids City Council unanimously approved several insurance policy upgrades including raising cyber coverage to $1 million, adopted Resolution No. 925 to pursue a CDBG grant for televising a sewer line, amended the city nepotism policy via Resolution No. 926, set a budget hearing, and approved personnel pay/status changes.
Sioux Rapids Mayor Mike Katschman opened a special city council meeting March 25, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, and the council moved through a series of unanimous votes on insurance changes, grant authorization and personnel matters.
Tanya of Lehr Insurance presented the city’s insurance renewal options and recommended several changes. Councilmember Lacy Garberding moved — and Christy Wernimont seconded — to move certain shop equipment to an Inland Marine policy; the motion passed unanimously. Wernimont then moved, with a second from Councilmember Kevin Thompson, to increase the city’s cyber insurance limit from $50,000 to $1,000,000; that motion also carried unanimously.
Councilmember Thompson moved, seconded by Mike Gunderson, to add a "violent response" provision to the city’s policy; the council approved the addition. Garberding moved, seconded by Gunderson, to increase the policy’s liability coverage (the transcript reads "linebacker," which appears to be a transcription error); that motion carried unanimously.
On infrastructure, Thompson moved and Wernimont seconded approval of Resolution No. 925 authorizing pursuit of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to televise a segment of sewer line. A roll call vote recorded Ayes: Garberding, Gunderson, Pierce, Thompson and Wernimont; the resolution passed.
The council also approved Resolution No. 926, amending the City of Sioux Rapids personnel policy on nepotism, on the same roll call (Ayes: Garberding, Gunderson, Pierce, Thompson and Wernimont). During discussion about community grant priorities, the council charged City Clerk Amanda Caraway with contacting "Simmering and Cory" to help prepare the Community Catalyst Grant materials reflecting the council’s direction.
The council set a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026–2027 budget for April 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall (100 Front Street).
Councilmembers reviewed personnel matters and Brad White’s evaluation. Thompson moved, seconded by Gunderson, to give Brad White a $2.00 raise; the motion passed (the transcript does not specify whether the $2.00 is hourly or a flat amount). The council also voted to change Cynthia Garthoff, identified in the transcript as the Library Director, from hourly to salaried status with the same total wage; Thompson moved and Garberding seconded, and the motion carried.
The next regular meeting was set for April 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The council adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Attest: Mike Katschman, Mayor; Amanda Caraway, City Clerk.
