Anamosa council approves routine measures, sets May 27 hearings for sanitary project and $3.181M sewer loan; clerk resigns

The Anamosa City Council on May 12 approved a slate of routine items and scheduled two public hearings for May 27, 2025, including one on the Ford and Huber Sanitary Replacement Project and another on a proposed Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement to borrow up to $3,181,000.

Council actions at the regular meeting, held at the Anamosa Library and Learning Center and called to order by Mayor Rod Smith, included approval of the consent agenda, the purchase of four stone blocks for the roundabout to prevent motor vehicles from driving through the center, and replacement of the sidewalk at 306 N. Davis Street. The council also voted to postpone action on the broader Anamosa Sidewalk Program until related contracts can be reviewed.

Resolutions adopted on May 12 set the public hearings for the sanitary replacement project (Resolution 2025-16) and the sewer loan (Resolution 2025-19). The loan resolution identifies a principal-amount cap of $3,181,000; the council set May 27 as the hearing date for public comment and consideration.

Other business carried by the council included approving Resolution 2025-20 (a public hearing for proposed vacation and conveyance of a city right-of-way adjacent to the west of 105 W. 5th Street), Resolution 2025-21 authorizing interfund transfers for FY2025, and Resolution 2025-22 setting a May 27 hearing to amend the fiscal year 2025 budget. The council also set seasonal wages for Parks & Recreation employees under Resolution 2025-23.

Council members approved a number of pay requests and procurement items: a $400,227.89 payment for the city’s annual insurance renewal to Schneiter Insurance; a $5,300 payment to 8 Finger HVAC to replace a furnace at the Anamosa Fire Department (this motion passed with Councilmember Rich Crump voting no); a digital marquee purchase at the Lawrence Community Center not to exceed $20,597; a $5,200 payment to Musco Sports Lighting to repair lights at the old softball field; $5,805.21 for pool treatment chemicals at Aqua Court; and $11,202 for two replacement treadmills at Lawrence Community Center. The consent agenda pay requests totaled $1,047,973.52.

The council approved a Site Plan Review for a Jones County public storage facility and a 28E intergovernmental agreement with Jones County to complete the County Road X31 project. It also authorized recruitment of a temporary full-time Public Utilities employee and approved the Anamosa Police Department’s Standard Operating Procedures relating to the School Resource Officer Program.

In personnel business, the council accepted the resignation of City Clerk Jeana LessDavid. The council recorded the resignation by motion; the minutes do not specify an effective date or next steps for recruitment or transition beyond approval of interfund transfers and routine authorizations.

City Administrator Jeremiah Hoyt briefly reported on the recent Comprehensive Plan meeting and thanked attendees for strong turnout. During the public-comment period Tom Durgin, a downtown property owner, asked Jones County Economic to fix a sign for the Downtown Façade Improvement Project. Public Utilities Director Steve Agnitsch invited residents to view construction of the Flow EQ Basin at the wastewater plant.

The meeting, which opened at 6:00 p.m. with a quorum present (Councilmembers Rich Crump, Kay Smith, Todd Weimer and Dan Smith), adjourned at 7:51 p.m.