Anderson hired as assistant city manager
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The Mount Ayr city council hired a new assistant city administrator and set a public hearing to borrow money for street and storm water drainage improvements at their regular meeting Wednesday, June 18.
Council members Mike Wik and Chandra Poore were not in attendance, leading to several agenda items being tabled.
City Personnel
There has been a vacancy at City Hall since the end of March, when Cassie Noble resigned as Utility Billing/Deputy City Clerk.
While that opening was never filled, another position at City Hall was advertised, shifting the structure and roles within the office slightly.
Last Wednesday, the council approved Resolution 2025-19, hiring Brandy Anderson for the position of Assistant City Administrator starting July 1. While the title was previously assigned to Dennis Dugan, his role is shifting to Code Enforcement Officer as of July 1.
Anderson will be cross-trained in the operation of City Hall and City Clerk duties while mentoring under Administrator Brent Wise.
Improvement projects
The City of Mount Ayr is proposing to borrow up to $600,000 to address street and storm water drainage improvement projects.
While discussion about FY 2026 street project bids and storm water concepts were tabled, the council did move forward with the process of borrowing money for the projects.
The council set a public hearing for July 16 at 6 p.m. to give the public an opportunity to speak prior to entering into a general obligation loan agreement up to $600,000.
Rental Housing Code
After passing a new Rental Housing Code, Chapter 161 in December of 2024 and announcing the new ordinance in January, the city is preparing to begin the process of registering and inspecting rental properties.
The council discussed how to best move forward with getting information out to the public about registration of rental housing and upcoming rental unit inspections.
City Administrator Brent Wise suggested sending a letter out to every household in Mount Ayr outlining the registration process for people who own rental units.
Council member Jessica Murphy suggested holding meetings with landlords prior to setting any dates for the rental inspection process. Wise noted landlords could potentially complete the registration paperwork at the meetings.
While no formal decisions were made on specific dates, Wise and council members agreed on the collaborative approach of meeting with landlords first. An implementation timeline of rental housing inspections would then be established.
Other business
The first readings of the Water and Sewer Ordinances, increasing rates recommended by a financial advisor to the city were tabled.
“I think that’s enough of a jump, I think we need everybody here,” stated council member Murphy.
The second reading amending the storm water utility ordinance, and the first reading of an amended garbage ordinance were also tabled.
The council set another meeting on Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m. to discuss the ordinances.
In other regular business, the council approved:
Tobacco license renewals for Casey’s and DOLGENCORP LLC;
A Class C liquor license for Rumors Grill LLC;
A lot agreement with RCDC clarifying the purchase price is not to exceed $4,250;
Resolution 2025-18 hiring one additional umpire and three additional lifeguards;
Resolution 2025-21 transferring funds to pay for council approved projects;
A chicken permit and a permit for four rabbits;
Administrator Update
Administrator Wise brought up possibly returning to a twice a month meeting schedule, and invited discussion about how the once a month meeting process is going.
Wise shared concerns about the amount of documents the council needs to review ahead of each meeting.
“Because there’s more things to put in front of you, it takes longer to be prepared and ready, and I don’t think I’m doing a good job of getting you the information in a timely manner, so you guys have the adequate time to review, evaluate, ask questions.”
Wise noted Mike Wik called and shared with him that if they change to two meetings, he would rather go back to Mondays.
“I don’t think that one meeting is working,” stated Mayor Steve Fetty. “It’s kind of hard especially on the bills, some stuff pops up that we need answers to, and then trying to call a special meeting all the time doesn’t work.”
Wise noted that meetings are averaging two hours now that the council only meets once a month, and questioned the effectiveness of the decision making process while encountering meeting fatigue.
Wise also gave an update on communication with the Madison Street project contractor and engineer.
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The Mount Ayr city council held an additional regular meeting on Monday, June 23 to discuss amending water, sewer, storm water utility, and garbage ordinances will all council members present.
Water and Sewer ordinances
Every three years, cities undergo a study of utility rates to determine whether their current rates will generate enough money to balance money owed for bonds/loans.
City Administrator Brent Wise reviewed the amended ordinances and recommendations from Northland Securities to increase water and sewer rates to ensure the city generates enough revenue to pay current bonding debts.
Presently the City of Mount Ayr is at risk of not being able to pay current debts without raising rates.
Northland Securities recommended raising water and sewer rates 4% for the first two years, 3.25% for the three years after, and then 3% annually after that to backfill where revenue has declined.
“If you don’t do this, or something similar, or validate where we’re going to decrease expenses, it’s possible the next time that we need a bond, we’ll be denied,” stated Wise.
After discussing varying scenarios, the council decided to scrap both ordinances and request alternative recommendations from Northland Securities.
The council favored a 3% percentage increase for base user rates, and raising the percentage increase for customers who use more than 2,000 gallons.
Storm Water Utility Rates
Administrator Wise recommended raising the storm water utility rates to offset $350,000 in projects that need to be addressed.
The second reading of the storm water utility ordinance adding $1 to the flat fee for each parcel of land described within the ordinance.
Garbage Ordinance
The council approved the first reading of an amended garbage ordinance adding $1 to each monthly billing and eliminating extra garbage fees. After the first year, and continuing in subsequent years, the council approved a 3% increase in rates.
This would allow for extra bulk materials to be picked up anytime during the year rather than offering a city-wide cleanup once-a-year.
The change would not apply to batteries, tires, or hazardous waste.
Other business
Additionally, the council worked through other regular business, approving:
A liquor license renewal for El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant;
A request from City Administrator Wise to have an employee evaluation like all other employees;
Paying $700 to Lincoln Lawn Care Tree Removal at the 3-yr contract rate and requesting discussion related to an April 30 billing discrepancy.
Administrator Update
Administrator Wise reported that Ed Rotert is getting bids to replace a truck used by the fire department to pull the dive team trailer.
The council also set a special meeting for Tuesday, June 24 at 7:15 p.m. to discuss tabled business that needs to be addressed in the current budget year, including:
Paving the pool parking lot;
Street project bids including Bowen Concrete work by the Fire Station;
Storm water engineering proposals;
Payment of Feldhacker invoice;
Council meeting schedule changes.
