REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF POSTVILLE, IOWA
December 8, 2025
1. A regular meeting of the City Council of Postville, Iowa, in the Council Chambers at 147 N. Lawler St. On December 8, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Dennis Koenig presiding.
2. On call of the roll, the following Council Members were present: Devora Klein-Mahr, Laurie Moody, Mary Engstrom and Rebecca Engelhardt. Absent: Larry Moore.
* Moore arrived at 7:40 p.m.
3. Council Member Engelhardt made a motion to approve the agenda as posted by the Clerk. Seconded by Moody. Carried 4:0.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Public Comment: Pool, Park and Rec Board Members Paula Enyart and Mary Huinker gave an update on park equipment replacement at Lull’s Park.
4. Mayor Koenig administered the oath of office to Council Members Mary Engstrom and Rebecca Engelhardt. Mayor Pro-Tem Mary Engstrom administered the oath of office to Mayor Koenig.
5. Brian Huinker, Assured Partners presented the council the city health insurance 2026 renewal. The current Wellmark plan is increasing 12% and increasing the out-of-pocket deductibles. Huinker presented an option to the Wellmark plan with Mid-America Associates with $2,000 single $4000 family deductibles with a cost savings of the new plan the city would contribute the cost savings to the employees HSA $3,500 single and $5,500 family so the deductibles would be 100% covered by the employer. He recommended the City make the contributions quarterly in case someone leaves employment. The Council heard concerns from the union employees that were present at the meeting requesting to stay on the Wellmark plan due to the unknown. Council Member Moody made a motion to renew the City Health Insurance with Mid-America Associates with a $2,000 single deductible and $4000 family deductible and contributing quarterly to the employees HSA $3,500 single and $5,500 family. Seconded by Engstrom. The Mayor called for a show of hands ayes: Mahr, Moody, Engstrom and Engelhardt. Nays: Moore. Carried 4:1.
6. Paula Enyart, Farmers Market Manager, requested permission to move the farmers market to the big four fair grounds for the 2026 season. Enyart stated the market has grown and more space is needed. Council Member Engstrom made a motion to approve the request to move the farmers market to the big four fairgrounds. Seconded by Engelhardt. Carried 5:0.
7. Corey Snitker, Allamakee County Emergency Management gave an annual plan review of the County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Snitker identified the hazard for Allamakee County and the high priority actions. The plan can be updated as necessary.
8. Council Member Moore made a motion to waive the water and sewer hook-up fees for the new home construction at 119 W Murdock. Seconded by Mahr. Carried 5:0.
9. Mendy Chazan requested permission for a Hannukah vehicle parade on December 14, 2025 from 6:30 to 7:30 starting at the synagogue. The parade would follow all traffic laws stopping at stop signs, etc. Council Member Engelhardt made a motion to approve the parade request. Seconded by Mahr. Carried 5:0.
10. Council Member Mahr made a motion to adopt Ordinance #707-25 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 155 (Housing Code) of the City Code of Ordinances. Seconded by Engelhardt. The roll was called ayes: Moore, Mahr, Moody, Engstrom and Engelhardt. Nays: None. Carried 5:0. Council Member Mahr made a motion to waive the second and third reading and final adopt Ordinance #707-25 Amending Chapter 155 (Housing Code) of the City Code of Ordinances. Seconded by Engelhardt. The roll was called ayes: Moore, Mahr, Moody, Engstrom and Engelhardt. Nays: None. Carried 5:0.
11. Discussion was held on the Plans of Inspection, for the Postville Housing Code. Engelhardt and Mahr gave an update on a committee meeting that was held with the landlords. They shared that the landlords have agreed to form a landlord group, information was provided on the number of landlords in town, information for tenant that the landlords could provide in multiple languages, and resources for both tenant and landlord. Mahr suggested a change in the plan of inspections requiring every three years with dividing the town into three zones for the three-year rotation of inspection requirements. Mahr also shared ideas of self-reporting inspections, classes for fireman to become inspectors. Mahr also stated the recent proposed policy changes that we are implementing for our residential rentals prioritize, and are focused to positively impact, public health and safety for our community. Mahr suggested extending similar considerations to the local businesses who are facing challenges with rental properties, including lack of inspections and rising costs which are impacting their sustainability and our local economy of which they are vital. I would like to suggest that we explore the possibility of establishing guidelines or an ordinance for rental properties used by local businesses, focusing on fairness, safety and support.
Some initial suggestions I would like to discuss as soon as our housing policy is passed are:
– establishing a voluntary/mandatory inspection program for commercial rental properties to ensure they meet basic safety and health standards.
– consider implementing rent control or stabilization measures to protect businesses from sudden and/or drastic rent increases.
– lease transparency requiring landlords to provide clear, written leases outlining terms, including rent increases and responsibilities.
– establishing a fund or program to support local businesses with resources or possible financial assistance for rent related issues.
– that we as the city engage with local business owners, landlords and property managers to gather input for potential policies to implement.
The Clerk will have the City Attorney draft the requested changes.
12. Council Member Engelhardt made a motion to discontinue treating the city water with fluoride. Seconded by Moody. Carried 5:0.
13. Council Member Moody made a motion to approve the engagement letter with Ahlers & Cooney for the Hardin Urban Renewal and Termination of the South Urban Renewal Plan in the amount of $6,500. Seconded by Engstrom. Carried 5:0.
14. Council Member Moody made a motion to approve the purchase of a sander spreader for the Tool Cat in the amount of $4,000 from Siebrecht Ag. Seconded by Engstrom. Carried 5:0.
15. Council Member Engelhardt made a motion to approve the consent agenda
a. Approval of the minutes of the meetings of November 10, 2025.
b. Departmental reports for the month of November 2025
(1) Treasurer and Clerk (4) Public Works
(2) Police (5) Library
(3) Swimming Pool (6) Zoning Administrator
c. Claims and Transfers for December 8, 2025.
d. Pay Request #6 retainage release Eastern Iowa Excavating in the amount of $25,452.58 Postville Ziegler Utility Improvement Project.
e. Police Charger- Update/direction
f. Pay Request #2 Bacon Concrete in the amount of $174,170.98 Cherry Valley Drive Sidewalk Improvements. Change Order #1 $11,988.74; Pay Request #3 $10,971.78 Bacon Concrete Cherry Valley Drive Sidewalk Project.
g. Designation of the Postville Herald as the official newspaper of the City of Postville 2026.
h. Reappointment of Raul and Leslie Martinez to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
i. Reappointment of Karen Meyer to Pool, Park & Rec Board.
j. Reappointment of Gwen Foels to the Library Board.
k. Reappointment of Mary Jo Moore to the Board of Adjustment.
l. Reappointment of Annette Frey to the Board of Adjustment.
Seconded by Mahr. Carried 5:0.
16. Council Member Moore made a motion to approve the resolution for money to pay claims. Seconded by Engstrom. The roll was called ayes: Moore, Mahr, Moody, Engstrom and Engelhardt. Nays: None.
Carried 5:0.
CASH RECEIPTS for month November 2025
GENERAL 318,922.33
LIBRARY 636.34
SWIMMING POOL 2.63
RUT 29,781.85
DEBT 5,921.67
CAP IMP 1,845.79
WATER 44,735.56
SEWER 76,804.43
STORM WATER 2,952.27
TREE/LANDSCAPE 1,895.81
RESOLUTION FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF MONEY
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Postville, Iowa, that there is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the City Treasury not otherwise appropriated in payment of all bills and miscellaneous claims this day allowed:
GENERAL FUND 111,006.63
ROAD USE FUND 8,111.94
T & A FUND 8,293.29
DEBT FUND 30,751.67
LOST FUND 2,935.01
CAP PROJECT 224,632.18
WATER FUND 13,463.79
SEWER FUN 46,929.65
TRANSFERS – USDA IND WW Sewer to Sewer Sinking- $27,844
Dated at Postville, Iowa, this 8th day of December 2025.
Attest: ______________________ __________________________
Clerk Mayor
CLAIMS OF DECEMBER 8, 2025
DEPART OF REVENUE SALES TAX $2,703.45
ACCESS SYSTEMS COPY MACHINES $423.59
ALLIANT ENERGY ELECTRIC $17,725.19
ASHLEY’S CLEANING CLEANING $295.00
AVESIS INSURANCE $150.42
BACON CONCRETE SIDEWALK PROJECT $186,592.76
BENDA LAWN CARE MOWING $300.00
BLACK HILLS ENERGY UTILITY $900.18
BODLEY EQUIPMENT REPAIRS LEAF VAC/DUMP TRUCK $1,938.42
COLUMN SOFTWARE PUBLISHING $168.49
CONTINENTAL RESEARCH WINTER RINSE $264.26
CROELL INC SAND $2,348.60
DARCY RADLOFF REIMBURSE MILEAGE $397.80
DAVY LABORATORIES TESTING $1,472.00
DENNIS KOENIG MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT $29.40
DEARBORN INSURANCE $402.25
EAGLE BUSINESS CREDIT POLICE EVIDENCE BAGS $1,821.60
EASTERN IA EXCAVATING FINAL RETAINAGE $25,452.58
ELECTRIC MOTOR SHOP LIGHTS $744.37
ELECTRIC PUMP SERVICE AGREEMENT $1,680.00
ELSBERND PEST PEST CONTROL $81.00
ERDMAN ENGINEERING ENGINEERING SERVICES $5,108.30
FARMERS UNION COOP FUEL $1,058.05
FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY TRAINING $850.00
FISK’S FARM & HOME SUPPLIES $92.19
HALL ROBERTS SON INC CALCIUM CHLORIDE $835.00
HAWKINS INC. CHEMICALS $2,254.29
IOWA FINANCE SEWER REVENUE NOTES $35,453.35
IOWA POLICE CHIEF DUES $125.00
IA DIV OF LABOR BOILER INSPECTION $40.00
ILEA TRAINING $50.00
IOWA ONE CALL LOCATES $24.30
JOHN’S HARDWARE SUPPLIES $59.96
KLUESNER SANITATION GARBAGE COLLECTION $15,291.12
KWIK TRIP FUEL $1,320.58
LYNCH DALLAS, P.C. LEGAL $1,497.26
MICROBAC LAB WATER TESTING $180.00
MID-AMERICA PUBLISH BUSINESS CARDS $130.00
MIDWEST BENEFITS INSURANCE $451.11
MIKE’S AUTO CENTER TIRE REPAIR $25.00
MOWER POWER TREE TRIMMER REPAIR $42.99
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY INC WATER SUPPLIES $278.50
NAPA AUTO PARTS SUPPLIES $78.76
NEITEL PHONE/INTERNET $461.02
OSSIAN LUMBER LUMBER LEAF WAGON $230.20
SPEE-DEE SHIPPING $157.06
Speer Financial Inc. TIF REPORT $350.00
STOREY KENWORTHY OFFICE SUPPLIES $84.81
T-MOBILE COUNCIL TABLETS $150.99
US CELLULAR CELL PHONE $744.43
US POSTAL SERVICE POSTAGE $964.90
UMB BANK GO BOND PMTS $30,751.67
UNITYPOINT CLINIC DRUG TESTING $42.00
VISA SUPPLIES $519.00
WIRE PRO ELECTRIC SECURITY CAMERA $21,767.26
WELLMARK HEALTH INSURANCE $10,652.35
ZIEGLER HOSE COUPLING $99.84
PAYROLL ON 11/14/25 21,037.58
PAYROLL ON 11/28/25 $21,296.23
IPERS BENEFIT $9,961.83
STATE OF IOWA WITHHOLDINGS $1,613.97
IRS WITHHOLDINGS 14101.9
TOTAL $446,124.16
There being no further business on the agenda to come before the Council, Council Member Moody made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Engelhardt. Carried unanimously. Adjournment 9:22 p.m.
____________________________________ ________________________________: ATTEST
MAYOR CITY CLERK
POSTVILLE SWIMMING POOL CLAIM OF NOVEMBER 2025
NEITEL Internet 27
Column Software Publishing 17.58
Alliant Energy Electric 100.66
Black Hills Energy Gas 86.18
TOTAL 231.42
Postville Public Library Claims of NOVEMBER 2025
Payroll On 11/1/25 4808.97
IRS FICA/FED 956.05
Dragonfly Books Books 589.13
ELAN Program/misc. 117.85
Alliant Electric 498.06
NEIT Phone/internet 115.52
Women’s World Magazine 74.87
Tri-State Business Machine copier 165.62
Column Software Publishing 20.2
Benda Lawn Care Lawn Mowing 50
Carrie Sholly Reimbursement 11.99
Total 7408.26