City of Martensdale public meetings in 2023
15 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The City Council approved the transfer of funds from fire and rescue accounts to pay for a new fire-rescue truck once it is ready for pickup. Council members also approved the consent agenda, which included previous meeting minutes and financial reports. Additionally, the council discussed potential land acquisition for a new sewer lagoon and reviewed zoning updates for school property.
- Approved consent agenda including minutes and financials (4-0)
- Authorized transfer of funds for new fire-rescue truck (4-0)
- Requested contact with Martens estate regarding potential land purchase
City Council
The City Council voted to decrease sheriff patrol hours from 23 to 18 per week. The council also approved the consent agenda and authorized payment for a DNR fee.
- Reduced Warren County Sheriff patrol hours from 23 to 18 per week (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda including Oct. 9 minutes and Oct./Nov. payables (unanimous)
- Approved payment of DNR fee estimated between $200.00 and $300.00
- Agreed to pursue a CDBG grant for the sewer lagoon project
- Scheduled special meeting for Nov. 27, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
City Council
The City Council approved the consent agenda, including September and October payables and a $7,000 payment to SEH for the sewer lagoon project. The council tabled the 28E agreement with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office until the November meeting. Discussions were held regarding school parking lot maintenance and city clerk office hours.
- Approved consent agenda including Sept/Oct payables and $7,000 SEH sewer lagoon payment (3-0)
- Tabled 28E agreement with Warren County Sheriff’s Office (3-0)
- Approved changing city clerk hours to Thursday days from 12:30 to 4:30
City Council
The Martensdale City Council met with three members present (Mayor Prichard and Travis Berger absent) and approved the agenda and consent agenda unanimously. No substantive policy decisions were made; the meeting covered reports, including a $6,500 hydrant repair estimate, and set dates for Halloween (Oct. 30) and a comprehensive plan meeting (Sept. 20). The minutes are a draft and not yet approved.
- Approved meeting agenda (3-0)
- Accepted consent agenda including Aug. 14/28 minutes, August payables/receipts, July financials (3-0)
- Adjourned meeting (4-0)
City Council
The council unanimously approved Ordinance 08.01.2023 to vacate the 40th Avenue public right-of-way, waived its third reading, and set a $257.19 fee for the vacation. It also approved an Iowa State University agreement for a comprehensive plan and land use map update, with a project fee not to exceed $2,000. Additional August payables were approved.
- Approved Ordinance 08.01.2023 to vacate 40th Avenue right-of-way (unanimous)
- Waived third reading of Ordinance 08.01.2023 (unanimous)
- Set vacation fee at $257.19 including publication fees (unanimous)
- Approved Iowa State Studio Outreach Sponsored Project Agreement, fee not to exceed $2,000 (unanimous)
- Approved additional August payables totaling $7,717.29 (unanimous)
City Council
The Martensdale City Council approved the consent agenda, including the June 5 minutes, June and July payables, May financials, and additional payables for the water tower maintenance agreement ($23,503.00), fire department bond transfer ($25,701.25), and curbing ($46,768.50). The council also discussed a request for a right-of-way for an office installation, with public notice and ordinance preparation to take 45-60 days. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting was largely procedural.
- Approved agenda (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda with additional payables (unanimous)
- Discussed right-of-way request for office at 108 Iowa Ave.; no action taken pending public notice
- Discussed municipal infraction fines for unmowed yards; no formal action recorded
City Council
The council unanimously approved Resolution 06.02.2023 authorizing a $71,000 Sewer Reserve Capital Loan Notes Anticipation Project Note, Series 2023, and the Bond Counsel Engagement Agreement with Ahlers Law Firm. They also approved Resolution 06.01.2023 for a loan and disbursement agreement, and a tobacco permit for DanLee. A request to add office space at 108 Iowa Ave. was discussed but not approved; the applicants were directed to the Board of Adjustments.
- Approved Resolution 06.01.2023 (loan and disbursement agreement) unanimously
- Approved Resolution 06.02.2023 ($71,000 sewer reserve capital loan notes) unanimously
- Approved Bond Counsel Engagement Agreement with Ahlers Law Firm unanimously
- Approved DanLee tobacco permit unanimously
- Approved consent agenda with additional payable to Quick Med Claims ($66.93) unanimously
- Office space request at 108 Iowa Ave. not approved; referred to Board of Adjustments
City Council
The Martensdale City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 03.01.2023 amending water service rates and waived the third hearing. The council also set a public hearing for June 5, 2023, on the proposed issuance of up to $71,000 in sewer revenue capital loan notes. Two 2-mile radius requests, from Jon Wiegert for Wiegert Disposal and from HUB LLC, were approved unanimously. The council discussed fees owed to V&K for the building at Hwy. 28 and directed the clerk to seek the city attorney's recommendation.
- Approved Ordinance 03.01.2023 amending water service rates (unanimous)
- Waived third hearing on Ordinance 03.01.2023 (unanimous)
- Set June 5, 2023 public hearing for up to $71,000 sewer revenue capital loan notes (unanimous)
- Approved Jon Wiegert 2-mile radius request for Wiegert Disposal (unanimous)
- Approved HUB LLC 2-mile radius request (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda including April minutes, payables, receipts, and March financials (unanimous, Henson abstained)
City Council
The City Council approved a change in providers for automatic water bill payments to reduce fees. The council also approved the consent agenda, including March and April financial records. A proposed city logo was rejected.
- Approved switching automatic water bill payments to City State Bank (3-0)
- Approved consent agenda including March 6 and 27 minutes and Feb/March/April financials (3-0)
- Rejected proposed city logo created at the school
City Council
The City Council held a public hearing and unanimously approved Resolution 03.27.2023 to adopt the 2023-2024 budget. Council members also discussed automatic water payment options and the status of a building at 325 Hwy. 28.
- Approved 2023-2024 Budget via Resolution 03.27.2023 (5-0)
City Council
The City Council approved the property tax levy for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and scheduled a public hearing for the budget on March 27, 2023. Council members also passed the first reading of an ordinance amending water service rates and approved the final reading of an ordinance updating the city building code. Additionally, the council authorized the opening of a new account at Theisen's for maintenance supplies.
- Approved 2023-2024 property tax levy (5-0)
- Approved first reading of water rate ordinance (5-0)
- Approved building code ordinance and waived third reading (5-0)
- Approved opening a new account at Theisen's (5-0)
- Scheduled 2023-2024 budget public hearing for March 27 (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda including minutes and payables (5-0)
City Council
The council unanimously approved the agenda, set the public hearing for the 2023-2024 tax levy for March 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m., and approved Resolution 02.02.2023 regarding the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act. All votes were unanimous. The minutes are a draft and have not yet been approved by the council.
- Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
- Set public hearing for 2023-2024 tax levy for March 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. (5-0)
- Approved Resolution 02.02.2023 on Federal Disaster Mitigation Act (5-0)
City Council
The Martensdale City Council approved an agreement with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. for professional services related to the sewer lagoon project. The council also approved an ordinance amending building code provisions and authorized a $3,800 fund transfer from the fire department back to the general fund to correct a mistaken deposit. Additionally, the council discussed the upcoming 2023-2024 city budget and website updates for water bill payments.
- Approved agenda and consent agenda (5-0)
- Approved transferring $3,800 from fire department to general fund (5-0)
- Approved Resolution 02.01.2023 with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. for sewer lagoon professional services (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 02.01.2023 amending building code provisions (5-0)
- Approved motion to enter closed session (5-0)
- Approved motion to come out of closed session (5-0)
- Approved adjournment (5-0)
City Council
The Martensdale City Council unanimously approved the 2023-2024 property tax levy rate of 12.52188, with the public hearing date set for February 6, 2023. The council also approved a 5% salary increase for the city clerk and 3% for the maintenance director. Discussions included the new city website and fire station door replacement, with the $9,600 cost to be paid in February 2023. These minutes are a draft and have not yet been approved by the council.
- Approved 2023-2024 property tax levy rate of 12.52188 (unanimous)
- Approved 5% salary increase for city clerk and 3% for maintenance director (unanimous)
- Set public hearing date for tax levy at February 6, 2023 city council meeting
- Discussed new city website; clerk to prepare content
- Discussed fire station door replacement; $9,600 to be placed on February 2023 payables
- Discussed fire department grant paperwork; fire chief and clerk to work on it
City Council
The council approved several 2023 city appointments and hired Ahlers Law Firm and DA Davis for the sewer lagoon project. Other actions included approving a contract for the Maintenance Director and authorizing automatic water payment software.
- Approved City State Bank and Regions Bank as financial institutions (4-0)
- Approved Indianola RHT Advocate as city newspaper (4-0)
- Appointed Deb Hutchison as Mayor Pro Tem (4-0)
- Appointed Stuyvesant, Patin, Strong and Krapfl, PLLC as city attorney (4-0)
- Appointed Scott Henson as Fire Chief (3-0, 1 abstention)
- Appointed Donna Bahun as city clerk (4-0)
- Approved hiring Ahlers Law Firm and DA Davis for sewer lagoon project (4-0)
- Approved employment contract for Zachary Wood as Maintenance Director (4-0)