Spencer meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Spencer City Council approves flood buy-out program, $1.02 million in bills and claims

The Spencer City Council on Oct. 5 approved a voluntary FEMA Section 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Buy-Out Program for residential properties damaged in the June 2024 flood. The vote was 6-0, according to the meeting minutes. In the same session, the council approved bills and claims totaling $1,021,474.46, also 6-0.

Flood buy-out program approved

The buy-out program is voluntary and applies to residential properties damaged in the June 2024 flood. The minutes record the 6-0 approval but do not list which properties are included or how the program will be administered.

Bills and claims

The council approved $1,021,474.46 in bills and claims on a 6-0 vote. Separate equipment purchases were also approved: a $4,443.06 licensing agreement with Samsara for plow truck dash cams, and $14,885.56 for police patrol rifle replacements and accessories. The minutes do not record vote tallies for those two items.

Personnel and retirement policies

Two resolutions passed 6-0. Resolution No. 6792 amends employee handbook vacation and sick leave policies. Resolution No. 6793 expands the Mission Square Retirement Health Savings Program to all employees.

Public hearings scheduled

The council approved, 6-0, public hearing resolutions for storm and sanitary sewer separation Projects 1, 2 and 3. It also approved, 6-0, public hearing resolutions for day care resiliency, rental housing and single family housing. Scheduling a hearing sets a date for public comment; it does not by itself approve a project.

Zoning Board approves deck variance

The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance for an unpermitted front deck measuring 6'-9" W x 8'-6" L at 218 E 9th St, on a 4-0 vote. The board also approved its June 1, 2026 and July 6, 2026 meeting minutes, 4-0.

Board agendas: outcomes not yet published

Three boards met on items listed on their agendas, but minutes have not been published, so what action, if any, was taken is not established in the records available.

The Golf Course Board met Oct. 5 with a scheduled vote on the Director of Golf Operations Position Prospectus and a recommendation for recruitment. The agenda also listed discussion of tree donations, approval of Sept. 14, 2026 minutes, approval of claims from 09/15/2026 to 10/05/2026, and a Golf Superintendent Report with no action to be taken.

The Joint Park Board and Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee met Oct. 12 to discuss a proposed fee schedule and a possible recommendation, the Dennis Price Courts addition, a Riverview Park pickleball courts update, pour-in-place material for parks, and Spencer Tiger logos on Pedersen Park dugouts.

The Airport Board met Oct. 12 to consider Payment Estimate No. 8 for the 2025 8-Plex Nested T-Hangar Project to Graves Construction Co., Inc. for $9,378.00, and to discuss and make a recommendation on the Lift Station Access Road.

Coming up

Oct. 19 — Committee of the Whole. Old and new business, including a scheduled discussion of e-bikes.

Oct. 19 — City Council. Agenda items include payment of $1,097,953.00 to Reliant Fire Apparatus, Inc. for a new pumper truck; demolition of Group 1 and 2 High Density Apartments with Muddy Creek Contracting for $363,250; demolition of Group 3 Low Density Small Footprint with Vaughn DeLoss Construction for $32,800; and payment of $335,374.98 to Woodruff Construction for the 2026 Splash Pad at Riverview Park. Public hearings are scheduled on CDBG-DR requirements for rental housing, single family housing and sewer separation.

Oct. 20 — Hoeppner Trustees. Approval of October 31, 2025 minutes and discussion and recommendation on distribution of funds.

Spencer City Council approves FEMA flood buy-out program, $1.02 million in claims

The Spencer City Council on Oct. 5 approved a voluntary FEMA hazard mitigation buy-out program for residential properties damaged in the June 2024 flood, voting 6-0. In the same meeting the council approved bills and claims totaling $1,021,474.46, also 6-0, and set public hearings on sewer separation and housing projects.

The minutes list the program as the voluntary FEMA Section 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Buy-Out Program. The minutes do not state a dollar amount for the program or how many properties could be involved.

City Council, Oct. 5 (decided)

All of the following were approved by 6-0 votes unless noted:

• Voluntary FEMA Section 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Buy-Out Program
• Resolution No. 6792 amending employee handbook vacation and sick leave policies
• Resolution No. 6793 expanding the Mission Square Retirement Health Savings Program to all employees
• Public hearing resolutions for storm and sanitary sewer separation Projects 1, 2 and 3
• Public hearing resolutions for day care resiliency, rental housing and single family housing
• Bills and claims totaling $1,021,474.46

The council also approved a $4,443.06 licensing agreement with Samsara for plow truck dash cams, and $14,885.56 for police patrol rifle replacements and accessories. The minutes summary does not give vote tallies for those two items.

Zoning Board of Adjustment, Oct. 5 (decided)

The board approved a variance for a 6'-9" W x 8'-6" L front deck at 218 E 9th St, voting 4-0. It also approved its June 1, 2026 and July 6, 2026 meeting minutes, 4-0.

Airport Board, Oct. 12 (agenda only)

The board is scheduled to consider Payment Estimate No. 8 for the 2025 8-Plex Nested T-Hangar Project to Graves Construction Co., Inc. for $9,378.00. The agenda also lists discussion and a recommendation on the Lift Station Access Road. Minutes have not been published, so no action is confirmed.

At its Sept. 30 meeting, the board's only substantive agenda item was authorizing an Airport Improvement Program application and ratifying existing documents related to that application. That agenda stated no dollar amount or project details, and minutes have not been published.

Golf Course Board, Oct. 5 (agenda only)

The board was set to vote on approving the Director of Golf Operations Position Prospectus and making a recommendation for recruitment. The agenda also listed discussion of tree donations, approval of the board's Sept. 14, 2026 minutes, approval of claims from 09/15/2026 to 10/05/2026, and a Golf Superintendent Report with no action to be taken. Minutes have not been published.

Personnel Committee, Sept. 30 (agenda only)

The committee's agenda listed two new-business items: Mission Square Health Savings Account revisions and accrued benefit revisions. The agenda stated no dollar amounts, specific revisions or decisions. It noted some members may participate by telephone under Section 21.8 of the Code of Iowa. Minutes have not been published.

Park Board, Oct. 12 (agenda only)

The Joint Park Board and Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee was scheduled to discuss a proposed fee schedule and a possible recommendation, the Dennis Price Courts addition, an update on Riverview Park pickleball courts, pour in place material for parks, and Spencer Tiger logos on Pedersen Park dugouts. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed in the data provided for the next 14 days. Several items above come from agendas whose minutes have not yet been published, so those items are proposals or scheduled votes, not confirmed outcomes.