City of Salix, Iowa - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (05/13/26)

Mayor Nelson opened the regular meeting of the Salix City Council at 7:00pm on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026.  Council members present: Gene Monk, Denise Burkhart, Emily Clayton, Nick Black, Brenda Smith-Hansen was absent.

Others present: Ashley Mareau, Ed Colyer, John Hines, Salix’s City Attorney, Craig Beedle, Engineer with V&K.

•The Woodbury County Sheriff Report was reviewed by the council & Sherriff Luesebrink.

•Mayor Nelson opened the Public Forum. Many were present, so Hines explained the normal policy for public forum at a City Council Meeting. Over 20 residents spoke of their concerns. Many were concerned about the annexation, why it occurred without any knowledge of development in the future. They have many concerns of a data center coming in, and the negative effects it may have on our city. Many have homes near the annexed land, they do not want industry/commercial developments near their homes. They also wished for our agendas to be on Facebook and our website, not just the Sgt Bluff Advocate and the 3 places it is displayed in Salix. Clerk Mareau will begin advertising the agenda in those places requested. These concerns will be added to June’s agenda for discussion. The public forum was closed after 45 minutes.  

•Mayor Nelson opened the Public Hearing on Zoning Change Application from the Salix Fire & Rescue Departments. No citizens voiced an opinion for or against the proposal. No oral or written comments were received after the required notice was posted and published in the Sgt. Bluff Advocate, and required mailings were sent. Burkhart motioned to close the public hearing, Monk seconded. All ayes. Mayor Nelson declared the public hearing closed. 

•Colyer spoke of mower engine failing. Does council wish to repair or replace? Council said replace. Also spoke of water usage at park, and loss that was discovered with new water meter installed. Only 6 or 7 meters left to install. Letters for Curb Stop repairs have been sent. Colyer chose D. Stanfield for new Part Time Maintenance. Clayton Motioned to approve hire. Monk seconded. All ayes. 

•Mareau spoke of MRHD grant being denied for Fire Hydrants. Working on BRIC grant for Drainage District Repairs. Reminded those in attendance of Clean Up Days, and City-Wide Rummage dates.

•Mayor spoke of Annexation paperwork being finalized through Iowa Secretary of State, Woodbury County Recorder, and Treasurer of the State of Iowa. It is completed. 

•Craig Beedle with V&K spoke of groundwater getting into the Aspen Lift Station. Looking into sealing it where it connects. Will investigate more.  Looking into a possible warranty.

•Resolution 2026-8 Adoption of 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved on motion from Burkhart and seconded by Clayton.  Roll call vote: Monk (aye), Black (aye), Burkhart (aye), Clayton (aye), Smith-Hanson (absent).  Resolution 2026-8 passed and approved.

•Resolution 2026-9 Lien on Property was approved on motion from Monk and seconded by Black.  Roll call vote: Monk (aye), Black (aye), Burkhart (aye), Clayton (aye), Smith-Hansen (absent).  Resolution 2026-9 passed and approved.

•Ordinance 2026-2 Changes to Salix’s Ordinance Map was approved on motion from Monk and seconded by Burkhart.  Roll call vote: Monk (aye), Black (aye), Burkhart (aye), Clayton (aye), Smith-Hansen (absent).  Ordinance 2026-2 passed and approved.

•Clayton motioned to waive the 2nd and 3rd reading of Ordinance 2026-2. Seconded by Burkhart. Roll call vote: Monk (aye), Black (aye), Burkhart (aye), Clayton (aye), Smith-Hansen (absent).  

•The Consent Agenda was approved on motion from Clayton. Black seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.   

a. Approval of financial reports

b. Approval of bills and payroll

ACCO: Liquid Chlorinating Solution $1,247.61, ANALYTICAL & CONSULTING SERV.: Testing $184.00, BADGER METER: Annual Meter Cellular Fee $2,198.89,  CASEYS: Pick-up Fuel $80.97, CHN: Garbage $2,860.05, CRARY HUFF: Legal $931.00, ED COLYER: Mower Supplies & Mileage $124.62, EFTPS: Fed/Fica Taxes $1,543.51, FLOYD RIVER MATERIALS: Crushed Concrete $880.18, FOUNDATION ANALYTICAL LAB: Water Testing $265.50,  IA DEPT OF REVENUE: Sales Tax $499.61, IPERS: Ipers $1,073.04, JBE LLC: Sewer Help $400.00, LONG LINES: Telephone $39.65, MENARDS: Water Meter Parts, Shop Supplies $295.92, METERING & TECH SOLUTIONS: Shipping on meter $23.28, MIDAMERICAN: Gas & Electric $1,461.09, SGT BLUFF ADVOCATE: Publications $582.35, STOREY KENWORTH: Utility Postcards $477.42, VERIZON Cell Phones $100.32, VISA: Street signs, mower blades $1,302.35, WCSWA: FY26 Landfill Fees $898.28, WOODBURY CO RECORDER: Annexation Packet Recording $62.00  PAYROLL: $8,946.64 FUND TOTALS:  GEN: $13,937.56, ROAD USE: $3,762.04, WATER: $8,489.55, SEWER: $2,358.04 

c. Approval of April 8th & 22nd Regular Council Meeting minutes.

d. Approval of Public Works reports

•Council tabled the Motion to Prepare & Submit the FEMA BRIC grant not to exceed $128,000. Engineer had ideas to add, which would change amount applied for. Mareau will speak with FEMA and Engineer to come up with final amount. Burkhart motioned to table, Clayton seconded, all ayes. 

•Black motioned to approve Iowa DOT Roads Agreement. Monk seconded. All ayes, motioned carried.

•Burkhart motioned to set Public Hearing on FY27 Budget to May 27th at 6:00pm. Clayton seconded. All ayes, motioned carried. 

•Mayor Nelson spoke of Ordinance Updates council had planned on making and will begin discussions in late summer. 

Salix Drainage District Updates

Revenues received by fund for April 2026: 

General: $44,742.03, Road Use: $2,999.72, Employee Benefits: $3,395.62, Local Option Sales Tax: $4,986.55, Debt Service: $13,485.26, Cap Project: $0.00, Water: $11,394.67, Sewer: $2,371.48, Total Revenues: $87,353.66

The meeting was adjourned at 8:34pm by a motion from Clayton and seconded by Burkhart. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.

Attest: Kevin Nelson, Mayor                                                                                   Ashley Mareau, Clerk