Maquoketa City Council approves slate of ordinance second readings, backs medium-density housing application

MAQUOKETA, Iowa — At its June 1 meeting, the Maquoketa City Council approved a package of ordinance second readings and resolutions and authorized a letter supporting the Iowa Finance Authority Thriving Communities Program as the city moves to allow medium-density residential development.

City Manager Joshua Boldt told the council the city is seeing demand for medium-density housing and recommended creating a Residential Medium Density zoning class that would allow up to six attached single-family dwellings per structure. Boldt cited successful examples in Urbandale, Dyersville and Ames and identified the Western Ave/Forrest Drive subdivision as a target neighborhood for potential tax-credit–driven development under the Thriving Communities initiative.

Boldt also said plans for a splashpad at a city park are nearly finalized and that a special council meeting may be needed to approve final plans and put the project out for bids.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval — Motion by Council member Collister, seconded by Ehlinger; approved 6-0. - Consent agenda — Motion by Collister, seconded by Hayward; approved 6-0. Consent items listed in the minutes included the May 18 council minutes, bills payable of $1,768,416.66, a new Class B retail alcohol license filed by Moore Local, and tobacco-permit renewals for Casey’s #2578 and Casey’s #2846. - Ordinance No. 1261 (amend boards and commissions operating procedures) — second reading approved (mover: Kuhlman; seconder: Bennett); recorded as carried 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1262 (Airport Commission membership) — second reading approved (mover: Collister; seconder: Lyon); carried 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1263 (solid waste control subsection) — second reading approved (mover: Hayward; seconder: Rickerl); carried 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1264 (repeal contractor-registration subsections) — second reading approved (mover: Collister; seconder: Rickerl); carried 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1265 (nuisance abatement procedure) — second reading approved (mover: Collister; seconder: Hayward); carried 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1266 (wireless communications facilities regulation) — second reading approved; carried 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1267 (sign regulations) — second reading approved; carried 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1268 (building/residential/fire safety code subsection) — second reading approved; carried 6-0. - Resolution No. 2026-79 (purchase Fuelmaster system from OEC, Inc., $22,684.83) — approved 6-0. - Resolution No. 2026-80 (collection of city costs to abate nuisances/enforce ordinances) — approved 6-0. - Resolution No. 2026-81 (accept bids for 2026 individual sidewalk repair) — approved 6-0. - Letter of support to Iowa Finance Authority for Thriving Communities Program — authorized for Mayor Tom Messerli to sign; approved 6-0.

The council’s consent approvals included a bills-payable total of $1,768,416.66 and the Fuelmaster purchase contract amount of $22,684.83 identified in Resolution 2026-79. The minutes record motions, seconders and a 6-0 vote for each listed item.

Council member Ehlinger noted a strong turnout at the recent Glovik Park ribbon-cutting. The meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m.

(Attendance recorded in the minutes: Mayor Tom Messerli; council members Hayward, Rickerl, Lyon, Collister, Ehlinger and Bennett; Kuhlman listed as absent.)