Minutes Regular Meeting April 1, 2026

FORT ATKINSON REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 1, 2026

Mayor Paul Herold called the regular meeting of the Fort Atkinson City Council to order at 6:10 P.M. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. Present::  Futrell, P.  Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Eich & Leuenberger.  Also present were: Ron Franzen, Levi Holsted, Jay Schwamman, Michael Kueny, Hailey Kriener, Matt Shatek, Steve Kelsay, Marta Kelsay, Alex Hoscheit, Taylor Skauge, Lucas Merritt and Julian Merritt, Greg Barta, Paul Herold & Michele Elsbernd.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Futrell to approve the consent items (agenda, claims for March 2026, minutes from March 2, 2026, clerk reports and the ABD license for Lickety Split.  Aye:  Eich, Futrell, P. Schmitt. K. Schmitt, Leuenberger. Motion carried.

 

Claims March 26
Acentek phone 629.95
Alliant elec 2901.57
Anderson Law legal 144.00
Auditor State audit 1500.00
Badger Meter read serv 127.65
Bank Iowa hsa 200.00
CJ’s Trophies museum 12.60
Column publish 203.43
Consolidated lp 1740.49
Decorah Elec water serv 300.00
Decorah Tech serv 1800.25
Franzen Sales ship 52.85
Hawkeye Sanit garbage 2264.59
Hawkins cheicals 2569.26
HGTV magazine 39.97
Hoopla audio vis 46.47
Hubers Store supplies 607.10
Ia Dep. Rev state tax 649.09
Ia Dept Rev wet tax 570.93
IAMU member 706.00
IMFOA membership 50.00
Ingram books 202.64
Iowa DOT oil 825.00
Ipers pension 1499.55
Iread supplies 59.25
IRS withholding 2067.69
J.D. Financial supplies 93.53
Lee’s Repair serv 1386.00
Lickety Split fuel 400.95
Marie Riha museum 78.59
Marv Smith Elec well 1 3648.94
Metering Tech meter read 1736.00
Microbac Lab testing 65.25
MWSCO welding sup 150.86
Napa parts 18.02
O’Reilly filters 51.32
Superior Gutt well bldg 190.00
Thern control 568.00
Total Tree removal 2350.00
US Cellular phone 37.24
Wellmark insurance 814.13
Zarnoth sweeper 925.40
Payroll March 9,533.20
43817.76
Exp/fund
General 18,532.95
Museum 91.19
Road Use 2,658.07
Benefits 1,850.17
Emergency 343.08
Water 15,807.94
Water Imp 1,150.00
Sewer -15,903.17
Sewer Imp 21,040.00
Totall 45,570.23
Rev/fund
General 31801.96
Road Use 2613.47
Benefits 2438.79
Lost 3643.5
Debt Serv 10253.32
Water 7364.75
Water Imp 6352.76
Sewer -14947.12
Sewer Imp 32365.68
Total 81887.11

 

 

Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny was present regarding the 28E agreement between Winneshiek County and the City of Fort Atkinson for repayment of the cities share of costs for  W-14 project.  This is a 5 year payback with zero interest.  The agreement was signed by the Engineer and Mayor Herold.

Taylor Skauge with Richardson Sanitation was present to request an opportunity to quote the cities garbage service.  They would provide a 65 gallon tote which would be picked up mechanically.

Levi Holstad, Ron Franzen and Jay Schwamman with the Fort Atkinson Fire Department were present to discuss several items.  They have members due for their required physicals and were looking at options.  Their air packs and compressor needs inspection at an approximate $ 1700.00 cost.   They also were requesting to add an addition to the rear of the fire station.  Funding and budgeting for the addition was discussed.

Hailey Kriener was present requesting to schedule a Tuesday night pickleball league.

April 20, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fort Atkinson Community Center was the time and place set for the Public Hearing on the adoption of the 26-27 budget.

Motion by Eich, second by K. Schmitt to approve the second reading of Ordinance # 49 increasing water rates to help fund the water tower project.  The increase adds $10.00 to the water improvement fee and a .50 increase to the cost per thousand gallons.   Aye:  Eich, Futrell, Leuenberger, K. Schmitt. P. Schmitt. Motion carried.

Lucas and Julian Merritt with Hawkey Sanitation were present to discuss the garbage service.  The current contract expires July 1, 2026.   They will provide a firm quote for the May meeting.  They will also be quoting a 65 gallon tote.

Greg Barta stated the insurance will cover all but the deductible of the pump house problem.

Motion by Eich, second by Leuenberger  to pay the electric portion of the fire station addion.   All aye, motion carried.

Briefly discussed : trailer in boulevard, park project status, newsletter, and the problem with people using the pickleball nets as a “chair” causing damage.  K. Schmtt reported we have received a $ 10,000 grant from the Winneshiek County Community Foundation for phase 2 of the park project and a $ 1,000 grant from Alliant Energy also for the park project.

Moved by Eich, second by K. Schmitt to adjourn.  All aye, motion carried, meeting adjourned at 7:38 P.M.

 

__________________________________

Paul Herold, Mayor

 

ATTEST:____________________________

Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk

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