KALONA, IOWA
CITY HALL
June 2, 2025 7:00 PM
Regular meeting of the Kalona City Council with Mayor Robe presiding. A motion was made by Spitzer and seconded by Bender to approve the agenda.
Council members present: Bender, Spitzer, J Schmidt, G Schmidt, and Beisheim.
Motion was made by J Schmidt and seconded by G Schmidt to approve the minutes for the regular Meeting on May 19, 2025. With all voting yes, the minutes were approved and published.
On a motion by Beisheim and seconded by Spitzer, the following bills were allowed with all voting yes. (See list of bills below.)
Acco, Chemicals 2,069.40
Alliant Energy, Monthly 14,779.35
Amazon, Campground 15.19
Auditor of State, Annual Audit Filing Fee 425.00
Beason Athletics, Ballfield Supplies 1,045.00
Bethany Kramer, Refund Water Rent Deposit Balance 52.74
Cardinal Sign and Graphics, Splash Pad Sign 120.00
CCSA, Winter Wear-Uniform 275.50
Erin Horesowsky, Refund Water Rent Deposit Balance 34.15
Garden & Associates, Engineering 4,772.85
Goerdt Inspections and Consultations, Building Inspections 1,620.00
Grinnell Mutual, Annual Insurance-First Responders 2,710.00
Hawkins, Water Chemicals 1,671.54
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Budget) 11,870.14
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Sewer (Budget) 2,360.65
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Payroll Taxes) 655.32
Hills Bank Kalona, Payback General - Water (Payroll) 1,177.09
Iowa Department of Revenue, State Withholdings 1,127.32
Iowa Department of Revenue, Sewer Sales Tax/Water Excise Tax 2,393.64
Iowa One Call, Water/Sewer Locates 54.80
Iowa Public Employee Retirement System, IPERS - May 2025
6,614.85
Jackie Etheredge, Office Cleaning 200.00
Johnson County Refuse, Yard Waste Bin/Garbage & Recycling Contract 17,110.65
Kleopfer Lawn Care, Broadleaf Control/Fertilization 800.00
Konica Minolta, Monthly 49.57
Kuenster Heating & Air, Service 641.48
Maple Avenue Nursery, Flower Baskets/Landscape Flowers/Park Tree Grant 12,414.30
Riggs Sandblasting, Low Income Housing 2,200.00
TASC, Monthly 27.49
The News, Publications 2,054.81
Thrapp Electric, Rec Hand Dryer Repairs 621.56
Vessco, Water Testing Supplies/Water Chemicals 413.25
YMCA of Washington County, Monthly Agreement-June 4,500.00
WITHDRAWALS:
Transfer funds $ 16,063.20
General Fund 36,966.74
Library Board Fund 2,022.60
Garbage Fund 16,778.05
Local Option Sales Tax Fund 3,182.60
Road Use Fund 1,718.59
Trust & Agency Fund 3,521.43
Water Fund 11,870.14
Sewer Fund 2,360.65
DEPOSITS:
Transfer Funds $ 16,051.39
General Fund 21,787.94
Library Memorial Fund 220.90
Library Board Fund 144.00
Garbage Fund 530.00
Local Option Sales Tax Fund 36,743.65 Water Fund 20,211.21
Sewer Fund 6,928.94
Public Form: Larry TeBockhorst and Kevin Reece were present to request a “No Parking” area in front of the memorial on the corner of 6th Street and C Avenue. They also requested a sign on 22 indicating the Memorial. Council directed staff to investigate options. Tonia Poole, the director of the Kalona Chamber, was present and thanked the council and city staff for their assistance with installing the Veterans banners around town.
Discussion of adding regulations on agricultural equipment downtown was held by the council. Staff asked the council for guidance on their thoughts regarding the designated areas. Council decided that the best areas would be the downtown area of 4th Street – 6th Street and C Avenue to A Place, with some areas being able to drive but not park, and some areas being no driving or parking. Alleys in the proposed areas would also be unavailable for use. Staff was directed by the council to create an ordinance amending the code of ordinances by adding regulations for agricultural equipment in the downtown area.
Consideration of Cigarette Permits Renewals for the Following:
Casey’s General Store
Westside Petro
Dollar General
A motion was made by Spitzer and seconded by G Schmidt. With a 3-2 vote, the motion carried.
The council reviewed the 2023-2024 audit report. A motion was made by Spitzer, and seconded by Bender, to accept the audit report. With all voting yes, the motion carried.
Discussion was held by the council on accepting the proposed engineering service agreement and cost with Garden and Associates regarding the Water Treatment Plant Improvements, Water System Transmission Line, and Wells #7 & #8 Project. The cost of the engineering for these projects is $420,000.00. A motion was made by Spitzer, and seconded by J Schmidt, approving the agreement. With all voting yes, the motion carried.
Discussion of the proposed engineering placement of Wells #7 and #8 in the Kalona City Park was held by the Council. Staff presented the map created by the city engineer and the Iowa DNR, outlining the proposed locations. The top two proposed locations were by field A and the pool, and then by shelter C and the pool.
Ordinance 2025-365, first reading of ordinance amending the code of ordinances regarding Sewer Charges Required and Private Water Systems. Chapter 99.01, Sewer Charges Required: Each customer shall pay sewer service charges for the use of and for the services supplied by the municipal sanitary sewer system based upon the amount of water consumed. Chapter 99.03, Private Water Systems: Residential Property customers whose premises are served by a private water system shall pay a sewer flat rate of $60.00. If Commercial Property customers’ premises are serviced by a private water system, they shall pay for sewer at the flat rate of $60.00, plus a usage rate that would be determined either by an estimate agreed to by city staff and the customer or by metering the water system at the customer’s expense. Any negotiated or agreed-upon charges shall be subject to approval by the council. A motion was made by Beisheim, and seconded by J Schmidt, approving the first reading of the ordinance. The Mayor put the question on the vote and the following council members voted: Bender, J Schmidt, G Schmidt and Beisheim. Spiter Abstained.
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the motion duly carried.
Ordinance 2025-366, first reading of ordinance amending the code of ordinances regarding Fireworks. Whereas, Chapter 42.3 will now allow fireworks on certain dates due to new State of Iowa regulations. Fireworks are allowed on the following dates: July 3, 4 and December 31. Whereas if any person or business would want to sell fireworks inside of Corporate City limits they would be required to follow the new rules outlined in Chapter 42.2 Sales. A motion was made by Spitzer and seconded by G Schmidt, approving the first reading of the ordinance. The Mayor put the question on the motion and the roll being called the following named council members voted: Bender, J Schmidt, G Schmidt, Spitzer and Beisheim.
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the motion duly carried.
The meeting was adjourned.
SARAH CHMELAR, City Clerk
MARK ROBE, Mayor
Published in The News, Thursday, June 12, 2025 L-198
