Regular Council Meeting
October 19, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
Community Media Center
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Brighton called the meeting to order. Council present were: Candy Langerman, Mary Phelan, Ben Duehr, Josh Brenneman and Dave Goedken Also present City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, Public Works Director Nick Kahler, Police Chief Britt Smith, Library Director Faith Brehm, Ambulance Director Lori Lynch, City Engineer Colton Ingels and City Attorney Doug Herman. City Administrator Russ Farnum joined electronically. The public was invited to attend the meeting in person, or to participate in the meeting electronically via “Zoom Meetings” or “Facebook” and were encouraged to communicate from the chat or message.
Brenneman moved to approve the agenda, Phelan seconded, roll call was unanimous.
Scott Chally, 608 N Chestnut, requested the retaining wall be extended along his entire property width instead of the eighty feet proposed in the plans to replace the existing wall. Chally felt he was misled, when he signed the easements to the City. He would like the 6th Street Ditch Project stopped until the plans are redesigned and approved to include his requested change. When asked by Chally, Brighton said he felt the project should be completed the way it is engineered and designed and Council has a work session at the end of the meeting to discuss the matter.
Mary Melchert, 1 Spring Farm Lane reported the Jones County Migrant Inclusion Group hosted “The Pathway to U.S. Citizenship” with attorney Ry Meyer from Catholic Charities of Dubuque in August, which was very well attended. Ry Mayer will be here on October 20th to present “Is our Immigration System Broken”, which is open to the public.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2026-149 Approving Appointment of Shannon Poe to fill vacant Mayor Seat, vacated by former Mayor Jake Ellwood who resigned. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
City Clerk Hinrichsen administered the oath of office to Shannon Poe prior to her taking her seat as Mayor and presiding over the remainder of the meeting.
Brighton moved to approve the consent agenda, Duehr seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2026-150 Designating the Official Public Posting Location for Meeting Notices Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.4. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2026-151 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mike Beck and Ken McDermott, known as Royal Flush Truck Wash, Inc per Development Agreement, dated March 17, 2014, and as amended, dated June 3, 2019, seconded by Phelan. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved approve Resolution #2026-152 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Cobblestone Inn & Suites (formerly known as Boulders Inn Monticello) under the Development Agreement dated October 5, 2015; as amended November 20, 2017, seconded by Brenneman. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2026-153 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Orbis Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Menasha Corporation per Development Agreement dated April 3, 2017, as amended by Resolution #19-27, dated April 15, 2019, Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2026-154 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Lauren Welter, successor owner of 218 West First Street, Suite “A” per Development Agreement, Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2026-155 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Paige Jacobs, LLC, successor owner of 218 West First Street, Suite “B” per Development Agreement. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2026-156 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Jacob Thompson, successor owner of 218 West First Street, Suite “C” per Development Agreement. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2026-157 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Mercy Care Management, Inc per Development Agreement, dated July 7, 2019. Goedken seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2026-158 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to McMATT Properties per Development Agreement, dated June 21, 2021. Phelan seconded. Roll was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2026-159 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation toBR3 Development LLC per Development Agreement, dated March 1, 2021. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2026-160 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Frontier Warehousing and Oak Street Commercial Cabinets, Inc dba Oak Street Manufacturing per Development Agreement, dated January 3, 2022, as amended November 7, 2022. Phelan seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Langerman moved to approve Resolution #2026-161 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Manternach Custom Creations per Development Agreement, dated September 6, 2022. Brenneman seconded. Roll was unanimous.
Goedken moved to approve Resolution #2026-162 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation toTheisen Inc per Development Agreement, dated September 15, 2023. Duehr seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Phelan moved to approve Resolution #2026-163 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation toKwik Trip Inc per Development Agreement, dated June 16, 2025. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brighton moved to approve Resolution #2026-164 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Charlie Pingelmeyer LLC per Development Agreement, dated November 3, 2025. Brenneman seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Brenneman moved to approve Resolution #2026-165 Appropriating funds necessary to meet the City’s Obligation to Robert Johnson per Development Agreement, dated February 17, 2026. Duehr seconded. Roll was unanimous.
Goedken moved to table resolution related to purchase of plate compactor for mini excavator from Gentec Equipment to the November 2nd meeting and to hold a work session on the process to fix streets. Brighton seconded. Roll call was unanimous.
Council, City Engineer, Department heads gave updates on projects and activities happening in their departments.
Council held a work session on the appeal of the determination of a vicious dog. Smith reported a dog trainer interacted with the dog today. She had no problem with the dog’s temperament or behavior. The dog trainer felt he was responding well to the electric fence. Smith cautioned the Council to use the facts of the vicious dog case and not to base their decision on the quality of life of the dog. Smith stated the Council has given other dogs a second chance, in a similar situation. Smith stated the dog trainer did not recommend any additional training; however, the Council can require the additional training. Hinrichsen stated that she emailed and placed copies of the two letters received regarding the conditions of the dog. Council determined they had nothing to do with the case of the vicious dog. Consensus of Council was they would require that the dog be kept on a chain, even with the electric fence; be trained not to show aggression, length of that training would be up to the trainer and that they provide proof of insurance for the dog. Smith was directed to discuss this with the dog owner.
Council held work session giving an update of the Sixth Street Ditch Project. Goedken stated the first phase of the 6th Street Ditch Project looks great. Engineer Ingles stated the contractor is behind schedule, due to all the rain. Council discussed the fact that Challys signed the easements granting access to their property. Possible options for the Council to consider include: 1. Extend the wall and driveway to address Chally’s concerns and return with revised plans; 2. Terminate the project; or 3. Proceed with the project, as designed. Attorney Herman gave a brief update on the history of the ditch and in the past Council wanted the property owners to pay for the project. This time Council agreed to do the project, as long as the property owners signed the easements, which Challys did sign the easements, both temporary and permanent, which were granted willingly, properly recorded, and legally valid. The easements are written contracts that the Council required before hiring the engineer firm to design the project and hiring the contractor to complete the work. Farnum advised if Council would decide not to proceed, they could be looking at costs the contractor has incurred and liquidated damages. To redesign the wall, Council would need DNR and Corp of Engineers to approve the project and would be required to purchase stream restoration credits. Both of these options would add substantial cost to the project. Farnum stated he held several open houses to review and discuss the plans with neighboring property owners. He sat down with Challys and reviewed the plans as designed. No one has been deceived or misled in regard to this project, and no one was coerced into granting the easements. Council discussed the request Chally made regarding the fence and placing it on the wall instead of on his property. After a lengthy discussion, consensus of the Council was to proceed as the plans are designed. They asked the engineer to reach out to the contractor. Scott Chally addressed the Council and stated “You can do what you want.”
Brenneman moved to adjourn at 6:51 P.M.
Shannon Poe, Mayor
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer