August 2026 Meeting Minutes

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

August 3, 2026

The City Council of the City of Woden met in regular session on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 6:00pm, Council Chambers.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Paul Buns at 6:03 pm.

Council Members Present: Bill Rout, Jeff Stucki, Andrew Plessel, Tip Piper and later Dylan Brandt

Absent: None

Plessel made the motion to approve the agenda, minutes written for July 6, 2026, payment of bills totaling $15,497.59 and financial reports, Brandt seconded

 Ayes- 5           Nays- 0            Motion Carried

We started with Susan Brandt, Molly Schimmelphennig and Deb Schimmelphennig with the town trees

Town Trees- Molly presented the City Council with a grant opportunity for the town trees.  The IRA Urban Forestry Program Development Grant is from $10,000-$50,000 dollars.  The grant must be submitted by 4pm on August 17.  The DNR told Susan that there are another 22 trees that should come down in town, however, the grant requires 2 trees planted per tree cut down.  The city will have 17 or 18 trees taken down for the grant and replant 34-36 trees.  The city will pay for the cost up front but be reimbursed the money with the grant.  There is a 2-year completion period between Oct 2026-Oct 2028.  Bids for cutting down the trees are welcome!

Motioned by Brandt.               Seconded by Rout

            Aye 5                           Nay 0              Motion Carried

Second, we talked about the fire station bathroom vandalism with Susan Brandt

Fire Station Vandalism- The fire station bathrooms have been being vandalized by paper towels put into the toilets, hand sanitizers and soaps being smeared on the mirrors and walls and other objects put into the toilets to plug them.  Kids have been caught hanging out there at 8:30/9pm and locking the outside doors.  We will be having cameras installed on the outside and in the hallway of the building and any footage will be turned into the police.

OLD BUSINESS

Junk Vehicles: The City will be sending out letters to citizens who have junk vehicles.  Kaci will also be looking into options for helping them scrap the vehicles if they choose to go that route.

A.E.D.: The A.E.D. that the city ordered is on backorder but the City Council has decided to wait before looking into other options.

NEW BUSINESS

Street Finance Report: Kaci submitted the street finance report for the City Council to review.

Then they discussed what streets will be first priorities once our roads account will allow for construction.  We will not go the route of resurfacing the roads as that work did not hold up through the first winter.

5% Garbage Rate Increase: The council discussed how we are liking the new garbage company.  They are very pleased with the services that we have been receiving.  With looking over the financials they decided to keep that garbage rate the same and will revisit the increase again next year.

Motioned by Stucki                 Seconded by Piper

Aye 5                                       Nay 0              Motion Carried

Library Cameras: The library has cameras to be put up. They will be put on the fire station to watch main street, the park, the fire station and the Library/City Hall building.

Animal Nuisance: There was an issue with a dog pooping in front of City Hall again.  The incident was caught on video.  Kaci and the Sheriff watched the video together and he went and talked to the family about the issue not being resolved.  The city will be looking for more incidents if they occur and there will be further consequences pursued using Hancock County ordinances.  Also, if there are dogs running loose in town, please do not hesitate to contact the sheriff’s department.

Ordinances: They City Council discussed if with the animal issues that we have been having if we want to update our ordinances.  The City Council decided that since we can use the ones from Hancock County that we do not need to update ours.

Open for discussion: Rout brought it to attention that citizens have been acquiring about the speed sign.  We will get it back up as soon as it is fixed.

Adjournment: Piper made motion to adjourn at 7:08 PM, Rout seconded

Ayes- 5                              Nays- 0                             Motion Carried

City Clerk                                                                                           Mayor

Income for June

General $9,439.98                  Benefits   $31.85                     Water   $1,699.67

Library            $11.50                         Road Use$1,726.10                    Sewer $6,691.04

Claims Paid

Name Memo Amount Fund

 USDA Loan Ioan Payment USDA -4,308.00 Sewer

Hancock County Law Enforcement Contract -968.20 General

Woden City Sewer Sewer, Parks -135.00 General

Paul Buns Water Operator -200.00 Water

Mike Troe Sewer Operator 0.00 Sewer

Iowa Dept. of Rev Sales Tax -50.40 Sewer

Iowa Dept. of Rev WET Tax -311.06 Water

IPERS Ipers -638.39 Employ Benefits

Alliant Energy - Ball Field Electric -81.83 General

Alliant Energy - Pump Electric -335.62 Water

Alliant Energy - Street Lights Electric -726.53 General

Alliant Energy - City Shed Electric -134.56 Road Use

Prairie Energy Coop Electric -46.20 Sewer

WCTA Phone/Internet -90.62 General

Clerkbooks Monthly Tech Fees -111.00 General

AgSource Water Samples -70.75 Water

Ben Patten Wages -1,344.52 Gen/Water/Sewer

David Ewald Reimburse -350.00 General

Niacog Membership -197.40 General

Gold Eagle Chemicals for Parks -468.31 Sewer

Hawkins Water Supplies -830.52 Water

USA Blue Book Water Supplies -198.98 Water

Iowa One Call One Calls -9.00 Water

Clinton Schutjer Mowing -2,000.00 General

Kaci Farrow Reimburse -140.00 General

Ben Patten Reimburse -953.44 Sewer

Kaci Farrow Wages -1,097.26 General

-15,497.59