City of Kalona

KALONA, IOWA
CITY HALL
October 5, 2026 6:00 PM

Regular meeting of the Kalona City Council with Mayor Robe presiding. Motion was made by Bender, and seconded by Yeggy-Berg, approving the agenda.
Council members present: Bender, G Schmidt, J Schmidt, Yeggy-Berg, and Beran.
Motion was made by J Schmidt and seconded by Beran approving the meeting’s minutes on September 21, 2026. With all voting yes, the minutes were approved and published.
On a motion by G Schmidt and seconded by Bender, the following bills were allowed with all voting yes. (See below list of bills)
Access Systems, Monthly 86.51
ACCO, Pool Winterization 1,644.70
Alliant Energy, Monthly 23,683.46
Amazon, Student House/Supplies 1,170.86
Central Iowa Distributing, Library Board 453.00
CIT Sewer Solutions, Insurance Claim 8,385.31
Electric Pump, Water Plant Repairs 3,511.28
Garden & Associates, Engineering 11,718.00
Goerdt Inspections, Building Permits 1,850.00
Hawkins, Water Chemicals 1,151.11
Hershberger Oil, Generators 1,538.25
Hills Bank Kalona, Water - Payroll 2,201.14
Hills Bank Kalona, Sewer - Payroll 3,328.59
Iowa Department of Revenue, State Withholding/SW Sales Tax/WA Excise Tax 5,424.83
Iowa One Call, Locates 20.70
Iowa Public Employee Retirement Systems, IPERS 6,446.75
Jackie Etheredge, Office Cleaning 315.00
JW’s Food, Meeting Supplies 66.64
Kalona Builders, Supplies 1,060.79
Kalona Coop Technologies, Monthly 2,424.75
Ken-Way Trucking, Clean Sanitary Sewer-J Place/14th Street 2,675.00
Kleopfer Lawn Care, Broadleaf and Fertilization 250.00
Konica Minolta, Monthly 123.02
LRS, Stickers/Garbage and Recycling 17,274.46
Lynch Dallas, Attorney Fee 715.00
Menards, Student House 234.90
Reserve Account, Postage 1,600.00
Unity Point Health, 2026 Annual Fee 79.00
YMCA of Washington County, YMCA Agreement 4,500.00

WITHDRAWALS:
General Fund $ 14,610.63
Trail Project Fund 51,062.90
Library Board Fund 2,978.18
Garbage Fund 299.25
Local Option Sales Tax Fund 6,250.00
Strom Sewer Utility Fund 242.06
Trust & Agency Fund 4,134.26
Water Fund 10,955.55
Sewer Fund 29,007.78
Payroll & Payroll Taxes 20,692.05
DEPOSITS:
Transfer Funds $ 94,486.23
General Fund 185,507.68
Garbage Fund 17,279.23
Strom Sewer Utility Fund 3,795.27
Road Use Fund 30,830.91
Trust & Agency Fund 21,683.66
TIF Fund 38,603.50
Debt Service Fund 12,635.63
Water Fund 15,361.14
Sewer Fund 38,635.55

Public Forum:
1. Katie Ford from 410 A Avenue was present to share the storm water and sewer backup that happened in her basement during the recent flooding and the property she lost.
2. Roy Willson from 506 7th Street was present to share with the council his concerns regarding the resent flooding in town and the items lost during the event. Mr. Wilson also shared that he is of the belief that this is an ongoing issue that the City needs to be taking more action on.
3. Zach Hardman from 306 B Avenue was present to share the multiple sewer backups that happened at his sister’s and parent’s home. He also shared his concerns regarding storm sewer infrastructure and the maintenance of it.
4. Natalie Hardman from 402 5th Street was present to share the multiple sewer and storm sewer backups in her basement and the frustration she has with city management. She has multiple damage from each flooding not just from the recent flood of town.
5. Sandy Marner from 701 H Avenue was present to share concerns about the flooding issues throughout town and would like answers to questions she has when the city has them regarding the contractors in town and what will be done going forward.
6. Stacy Speas from 511 6th Street was present to share how flooding in certain areas is an ongoing issue and the council needs to take more action.
7. Janet Goss from 202 F Circle was present to share the storm water and sewer backup that happened in her basement during the recent flooding and the items she lost. She asked that something be done regarding the sewer backup.
8. Mitchell Blackburn from 605 6th Street was present to share the storm water and sewer backup that happened in his basement during the recent flooding and the property lost.
9. Melissa Kaufman from 714 3rd Street was present to share that she has had multiple backups in her basement and would like answers to why it keeps happening every 5 years.
10. Wendy Mayer from 514 A Avenue was present to share flooding happening all the time in their area due to the storm sewer and advised the council to review grant options for assistance and confirm that with all the growth that the City’s infrastructure can handle the additions.

Acknowledgement of the Governors Emergency Disaster Proclamation on September 28, 2026. Staff shared that Washington County Management and the City worked together to have county residents and city residents with damage from the flooding submit information to the governor of the natural disaster event that took place in Kalona. The Governor recognized the flooding and issued the proclamation for residents to file with the state for assistance within 45-days. A motion was made by Yeggy-Berg, and seconded by G Schmidt, recognizing the proclamation.
Resolution No. 2026-AA, a resolution approving grant applications for the Great Outdoors funding for the amount of $750,000.00 for Yoder Property Wetland Project.
A motion was made by J Schmidt, and seconded by Beran, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the same. The council was then polled with Bender, J Schmidt, G Schmidt, Yeggy-Berg, and Beran, all voting yes. The motion carried.
Discussion of EOCENE Contract for preliminary lagoon cell#1 flood mitigation options. This contract will cover two exploratory engineering options with one being for the lagoon cell#1 that will be coming offline with the SAGAR Sewer System Project starting at the lagoons due to state requirements. The second being the area north of J Avenue near Full Gospel Revival Center. With the resent natural disaster of flooding in Iowa, there are options for FEMA funds that could be available that ECOCNE’s exploratory could assist with. The contract would be not to exceed $18,700.00. A motion was made by G Schmidt and seconded by J Schmidt, to approve the contract. With all voting yes. The motion carried.
Consideration of Kalona corporate limits community mailer. Staff shared the mailer and said that staff would make changes as requested and share again with the council, with hopes of mailing the following week.
Discussion of amending the Urban Renewal Area for the Yoder Property. This will re-classify the property under the current Iowa laws before the change in 2027, which was advised by Dorsey & Whitney LLP. A motion was made by G Schmidt, and seconded by Yeggy-Berg, to start the amendment process. With all voting yes, the motion carried.
Consideration of the Following Iowa Alcohol Beverage Division License:
Kwik Star – Class E Retail Alcohol License.
A motion was made by G Schmidt, and seconded by Beran, to approve the license. With a 4-1 vote, the motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned.

SARAH CHMELAR, City Clerk
MARK ROBE, Mayor

Published in The News, Thursday, October 15, 2026 L-210