KALONA, IOWA
CITY HALL
April 21, 2025 7:00 PM
Regular meeting of the Kalona City Council with Mayor Robe presiding. Motion was made by Spitzer, and seconded Bender, approving the agenda.
Council members present: Bender, J Schmidt, G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim.
Motion was made by J Schmidt and seconded by Spitzer to approve the minutes for the Public Hearing and the Regular Meeting on April 7, 2025. With all voting yes, the minutes were approved and published.
On a motion by Beisheim and seconded by J Schmidt, the following bills were allowed with all voting yes. (See list of bills below.)
A Tech/Freeman Alarm, Library Board 156.00
Access Systems, Monthly 79.10
Acme Tools, WCR-Student House Grant 312.00
Amazon Capital Services, Library Board 19.96
Amazon, Supplies 554.95
Blake Hershberger Enterprises, Rock Hauling 1,387.50
Cardinal Sign and Graphics, Dog Park Signage 588.00
Center Point Large Print, Library Board 50.34
City of Kalona, Library Board 37.95
City of Kalona, General transfer to Water (ACH) 15,172.74
Delta Dental of Iowa, Dental Insurance 59.88
Delta Dental of Iowa, Vision Insurance 570.80
DNS, Snow Removal 31.61
Dorsey & Whitney, Vista Park Bond 133.84
Eastern Iowa Light & Power, Street Light 32.25
EBSCO, Library Board 667.27
Environmental Systems Research, Cemetery GIS 700.00
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Payroll Taxes) 574.99
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Budget) 1,532.64
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Payroll) 1,038.70
Ideal Ready Mix, Park Concrete 686.00
Ingram Library Services, Library Board 957.96
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Splash Pad Permit 85.00
Jackie Etheredge, Library Board 840.00
Kalona Auto Parts, Water Supplies 46.00
Kalona Historical Society, WCR Matching Funds 1,518.27
Kalona Machine & Fab, Repair 385.50
Kay Park, Park Trash Cans 3,217.80
Kleopfer Lawn Care, Spring Fertilizer 550.00
Konica Minolta, Library Board 32.58
Kuenster Heating & Air, DeWinterization/Repairs/Annual Maintenance 4,718.64
Liberty Doors, Rec Door Repairs 1,435.00
Lynch Dallas, Attorney Fees 27.50
Martin Equipment, Monthly Maintenance 187.00
Office Express, Library Board 194.04
Principal Life Insurance, Life Insurance 297.95
River Products, Rock 1,464.91
Schumacher Elevator Maintenance 2,121.27
Standard Pest Control, Monthly 85.00
State Hygienic Laboratory, Water Testing 142.00
Steven’s Erosion Control, Straw Matting/Seed 586.00
TASC, Monthly 27.48
Tyler Technologies, Water/Sewer Notices 19.90
UMB Bank, Vista Park Bond 47,348.75
UMB Bank, Rec Project Bond 235,382.50
Washington County Auditor, April-June Law Enforcement Contract 74,142.00
Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Sheild, Health Insurance 7,633.22
Yotty’s, Supplies 695.00
Yotty’s, Library Board 9.59
WITHDRAWALS:
Transfer funds $ 3,146.33
General Fund 101,620.77
Washington Co. Riverboat Fd 6,418.99
Library Memorial Fund 1,884.20
Library Board Fund 1,678.46
Local Option Sales Tax Fund 133.84
Road Use Fund 3,212.37
Trust & Agency Fund 6,178.53
Debt Service Fund 282,731.25
Water Fund 1,532.64
DEPOSITS:
Transfer Funds $ 48,447.24 General Fund 393,528.91
Library Memorial Fund 100.00
Library Board Fund 277.71
Garbage Fund 16,586.14
Storm Sewer Fund 3,742.19
Road Use Fund 30,772.58
Trust & Agency Fund 51,123.25
Tax Increment Finance Fund 119,009.04
Debt Service Fund 26,600.32
Water Fund 14,170.17
Sewer Fund 24,274.26
The 7:00 PM Public Hearing for Approval of the 2025-2026 Budget was opened. With there being no oral or written comments, the hearing was closed.
Resolution 2025-G, a resolution approving the 2025-2026 Budget and Budget transfers. The 2025-2026 Budget tax levy rate will be $10.36 per $1,000.00, which is the equivalent of the previous year. A motion was made by Spitzer, and seconded by G Schmidt, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the same. The council was then polled with Bender, J Schmidt,
G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim each voted yes. The motion carried.
Discussion of hiring 2 full-time general labors was held by the council.
Patrick Woodburn, start date would be April 21, 2025, at $43,000.00 per year, a $40.00 per month cellphone stipend, and full-time benefits.
Ethan Garrett, the start date would be May 5, 2025, at $43,000.00 per year, a $40.00 per month cellphone stipend, and full-time benefits.
A motion was made by Spitzer, and seconded by Beisheim, to approve the hiring of both individuals. With all voting yes, the motion carried.
Consideration of approving amended job duties and wage adjustments was reviewed by the council. Michael Martens - Public Works Superintendent at $67,897.00 per year plus a $60.00 per month cellphone stipend. Keaton Redlinger – Water/Wastewater Coordinator at $65,000.00 per year plus a $40.00 per month cellphone stipend. Heather Trimpe – Deputy Clerk at $50,817.00 per year plus a $40.00 per month cellphone stipend. Sarah Chmelar – City Clerk at $70,000.00 per year, plus a $60.00 per month cellphone, plus a $60.00 per council meeting. The changes will take effect for the first payroll in May 2025. Each employee’s job description was amended to reflect the added responsibilities of each job. These changes will remove these employees from the budgeted 2025-2026 5% payroll matrix, and they will remain at the listed rate. A motion was made by G Schmidt, and seconded by J Schmidt, to approve the changes. With all voting yes, the motion was carried.
Consideration was held by the council to approve the budgeted 2025-2026 pay matrix for employees. The following adjustments to wages are to be effective July 1, 2025: The following 5% wage adjustments to wages are to be: Ryan Schlabaugh - $107,991.00 per year, plus a cellphone stipend of $80.00 per month, plus an automobile stipend of $200.00 per month; Consideration of staff wages for Kalona Public Library: Olivia Kahler - $55,612.00; Samantha McGuire - $21.55 per hour. Library Part-Time Staff- Angelina Kazakov $11.30 per hour; Ruth Sir-Louis $10.87 per hour; Wende Fugate $14.00 per hour. A motion was made by G Schmidt and seconded by Bender, with all voting yes. The motion carried.
Resolution No. 2025- H, a resolution approving budgeted payments for non-profits for public benefit in the 2025-2026 Budget. Motion was made by Bender, and seconded by J Schmidt, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the same. The council was then polled with Bender, J Schmidt, G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim each voting yes. The motion carried.
Ordinance No. 2025-360, an ordinance to amend Chapter 17.06 of the Code of Ordinances regarding council compensation. The salary of each council member would go from $50.00 to $60.00 per meeting the council attends, payable in quarterly installments. The change would start January 1, 2026. A motion was made by council member Spitzer, and seconded by council member Beisheim, approving the first reading of the ordinance. The Mayor put the question to the motion, and the roll being called, the following named council members voted: Bender, J Schmidt, G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim, each voted yes.
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the motion was duly carried and passed its first reading.
Ordinance No. 2025-361, an ordinance to amend Chapter 15.04 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Mayor’s compensation. The salary of the mayor would go from $3,000.00 to $3,250.00 per year, payable in quarterly installments. The change would start January 1, 2026.
A motion was made by council member J Schmidt, and seconded by council member Beisheim, approving the first reading of the ordinance. The Mayor put the question to the motion and the roll being called the following named council members voted: Bender,
J Schmidt, G Schmidt, Spitzer, and Beisheim, each voted yes.
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the motion was duly carried and passed its first reading.
Setting of Public Hearing for May 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM to be held in the City of Kalona Council Chambers regarding a Conditional Use Rezoning Request for 5.7 acres at 2254 133rd Street from A-1 (Agriculture) to C-2 (Highway Commercial). A motion was made by Spitzer and seconded by Bender. With all voting yes, the motion carried.
Discussion of suspending acceptance of any building permit with a request for cargo containers for any use in the corporate city limits was held by the council. City staff was directed by the council to work with Planning and Zoning to craft an Ordinance regarding cargo containers, and to not accept any permit requesting cargo containers as a shed or any other use. A motion was made by Bender, and seconded by Beisheim, with all voting yes. The motion carried.
Consideration of Approving the renewal request for the following, pending completion of all State of Iowa requirements:
Tuscan Moon – Class C Retail Alcohol License with Special Class A Beer Permit.
A motion was made by Beisheim, and seconded by G. Schmidt, with a 4-1 vote, The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned.
SARAH CHMELAR, City Clerk
MARK ROBE, Mayor
Published in The News, Thursday, May 1, 2025 L-260
