February 9, 2026

Summary

The Council met for its regular meeting, debuting new audio/visual presentation equipment. The meeting covered routine department reports, the ongoing water and lagoon projects, a fee schedule update, a decision to return to two meetings per month, personnel changes for the codes and building inspection roles, and a new month-to-month water operator contract. The Council also heard informational presentations on accessory structure definitions and tiny homes, and took public comment on contractor registration.

Key items

• Mayor’s report: The mayor noted completing his first full month. The property tax evaluation project is paused, with an update planned for a town hall in April. He is exploring the formation of a growth and economic development committee (no action taken) and is personally redeveloping the city website to improve transparency at no cost to the city.
• Clerk’s report: Reported total income of $771,835.25 and vouchers of $125,250.48. The two lagoon accounts will be merged next month. The Council approved the January 2026 vouchers.
• Minutes: Approved the January 12, 2026 regular meeting minutes and the January 14, 2026 special meeting minutes.
• Sewer report: Systems operating normally. A sewer line was hit during waterline construction, causing a minor spill that has been addressed.
• Nuisance code, building codes/permits, police (monthly and year-end comparison), and fire reports were presented via on-screen summaries with no major action.
• Water project: Approximately 43% complete. The booster station is complete and operational; testing and integration are ongoing (with some weather delays). Tower sanitation began the day of the meeting. A change order for additional meters was approved by USDA. The Council approved pay requisition #8 to BG Consultants/Hedinger for $662,317.22.
• Lagoon expansion: Moving into construction. Notice of award was issued to S (Double S) Dirt Works. The Council authorized the mayor to execute the construction contract once received (pending legal review).
• Resolution 147 (fee schedule): Approved a correction updating the dumping rate to $19.58 per thousand gallons as of 2026, plus year corrections.
• Meeting schedule: The Council approved returning to two meetings per month (second and fourth Mondays at 6 p.m.), starting this month, described as temporary given current workload. There was one dissenting vote.
• Executive sessions: The Council held two closed sessions — one on non-elected personnel and one on attorney-client privilege — each returning with no action taken.
• Personnel changes: The Council approved changing the codes clerk’s role to full codes enforcement at $22.56/hour, and limiting the building inspector to building inspections at $19.58/hour, effective Monday. The building inspector’s city vehicle is to remain at City Hall with no personal use. Certifications are expected within 90 days, with pay to be revisited at that time. There was one dissenting vote.
• Old code truck: Will be sold via sealed bids; no formal vote required. Bids to be opened at the first March meeting.
• Water operator: The Council authorized the mayor to enter a month-to-month contract with Page Enterprises (Mike Paige) at $2,500/month, reassessed monthly, with locates at $75 each and mileage at the federal rate.
• Accessory structure definitions (presentation only): The building inspector outlined the lack of clear definitions for “shed” and “skid building,” the utility-connection concerns, and the discrepancy between city (5 ft) and POA (2.5 ft) property-line setbacks. No vote; item directed toward planning and zoning for further review.
• Tiny homes (presentation only): The building inspector proposed considering tiny homes (200–599 sq ft) via rezoning of certain R2 lots, noting existing IRC code sections could be adopted. Discussion touched on property values, affordable housing potential, POA covenants, and fair housing considerations. No vote taken.
• Public comment: Resident Andrew Ball raised concerns about the contractor registration requirement (the $50 fee versus accepting a certificate of insurance) and voiced support for the tiny home proposal.

Follow-ups

• Property tax evaluation update planned for the April town hall.
• Formation of a growth and economic development committee to be discussed at future meetings.
• Another workshop to be scheduled on the water project to re-evaluate connection requirements for properties served by the new system.
• Execution of the lagoon construction contract with Double S Dirt Works pending receipt and legal review.
• Accessory structure definitions to go to planning and zoning; possible coordination with the POA on setback distances.
• Tiny home proposal to be studied further, including potential rezoning and POA coordination.
• Sealed bids on the old code truck to be opened at the first meeting in March.

This is an unofficial summary provided for residents. The official record is the approved meeting minutes.