Minutes Sepember 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting

CITY OF FORT ATKINSON REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
Mayor Paul Herold called the regular meeting of the Fort Atkinson city council to order at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Futrell. Eich arrived at 6:14. Also present were Paul Herold, Michele Elsbernd, Greg Barta and Maddie Putnam-Keck.
Motion by Leuenberger, second by Futrell to approve the consent items (agenda, minutes of August 5, 2026, claims and the financial reports) All aye, motion carried.

Claims Aug26
Acentek phone/int 622.59
Alliant elec 2713.39
Anderson Law legal 1008.00
Badger Meter read serv 63.68
Bank Iowa has 600.00
Beaver Creek t=shirts/lib 333.25
Blazek Corp well#3 150.00
Bruening rock park and streets 4176.63
Cedar Valley Ele generator mtce 1500.00
Citizens Svgs. Ba fees 23.10
City Laundry supplies 292.90
Croell Redi Mix playground 915.00
Dalco Steel blade uni 308.30
Decorah Leader publishing 277.02
Decorah Tech lib/serv 467.50
Donna Karnik barricade 100.00
Drillings parts/supp 94.97
Premier Coop diesel 682.84
Forge & Build supplies/park 28.74
Fort Nursery clean up Woody 245.00
Franzen Sales fuel fd 220.50
G.Dietzenbach cabinet mus 8125.00
Hawkins valve poly 100.60
Hoopla audio vis/lib 59.15
Ingram books 287.74
IRS taxes 2436.01
Ia Dept Rev wet tax 829.40
Ia DOT emulsion 1650.00
Ipers pension 1844.18
J.D. Financial supplies 488.93
Kwik Trip gas 622.80
Lickety Split gas 232.88
Marv Smith Ele fire station wirin 11246.77
Marv Smith Ele part well 8.37
Microbac testing 45.75
NE Ia Backhoe projects 1250.24
Olsbard Auto plow/install 10361.24
Overdrive lib fee 390.48
Riley’s toner lib 239.90
USA Blue Book test kit well 804.40
Utility Equip coupling 510.67
Visa supp/lib 450.01
Wellmark ins 814.13
Payroll Aug 9447.34
Total 67069.40
claims by fund
General 29347.97
Museum 8125.00
Road Use 4487.75
Benefits 2436.74
Lost 10361.24
Water 8051.67
Sewer 4259.03
Total 67069.40
Revenue by fund
General 8453.94
Museum 495.00
Road use 4039.80
Benefits 90.63
Lost 3955.67
Debt Serv 297.39
Water 7653.01
Water Imp 4385.09
Sewer 4685.32
Sewer Imp 10618.46
Total 44674.31

Maddie Putnam-Keck with Winneshiek County Development and Tourism was present to update the council on past and future projects. She indicated there would be a Winneshiek County Housing Study in 2027.
Motion by Leuenberger, second by P. Schmitt to approve the Fireworks permit for Scott Sindelar for fireworks during the 50th Rendezvous. All aye, motion carried.
Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Leuenberger to approve Resolution # 413 designating official locations for posting meeting notices. Notices will be posted at the post office, Huber’s Store, Citizens Savings Bank and Lickety Split. Aye: P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt. Leuenberger, Futrell and Eich. Motion carried.
Motion by Futrell, second by P. Schmitt to approve the building permit for garage/laundry at 102 Grove Street. All aye, motion carried. Motion by Leuenberger, second by P. Schmitt to approve the fence permit submitted by Max Krivachek at 102 Grove Street. All aye, motion carried.
The clerk shared the submitted annual report with the council.
The urban chicken item was tabled.
Greg Barta requested a discussion on working with NRCS to plant wildflowers at the lagoon location and the ballpark location, if approved this would be at no cost to the city. The council encouraged him to apply to NRCS to save on mowing and wear and tear on the equipment. Greg reported that he was working on issues with the power washer, he also stated that Earl is laid up with possible broken/bruised ribs. Council agreed to see what future brings on the sale of the truck, they are hoping for a little larger bid. Rendezvous and future Rendezvous were discussed briefly.
Nuisance properties were discussed, many of the issues have been taken care of as requested, the rest are still a work in progress.
Golf carts were discussed and the city ordinance was reviewed, the city has in place a requirement for a permit in the city code. A permit will be required and a yearly fee to comply with current ordinance. This will be added to the October agenda for review.
Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Leuenberger to adjourn. All aye, motion carried, meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

___________________________________________
Paul Herold, Mayor

ATTEST: ___________________________________
Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk

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