City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
SERGEANT BLUFF, IOWA
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Council Chambers
501 4th Street; Sergeant Bluff, IA
1. MAYOR/MAYOR PRO-TEM TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER:
1. Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance & a Moment of Silence
Attendee Name Title Status
Ryan Panowicz Present
Mark Reinders Present
Kirk Moriarty Present
Andrea Johnson Assistant Mayor Pro Tem Present
Ron Hanson Mayor Pro Tem Present
Jon Winkel Mayor Remote
On behalf of the Mayor and City Council Ron Hanson extended condolences to the family of Dale Petersen who recently passed away. Dale previously served as a Councilman and Mayor. Those present recognized the Petersen family during the moment of silence.
Jon Winkel joined the meeting via telephone at 5:35 pm.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Kirk Moriarty, seconded by Mark Reinders to Approve the Agenda. Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
3.a Approve the minutes of the December 23, 2024 Regular Meeting
Motion by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Kirk Moriarty to Approve the minutes of the December 23, 2024 Regular Meeting.
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
4. CITIZEN’S INPUT:
Jerry Logeman, explained that he has seen fewer American flags on homes. He would like to see more flags in town. He would like to see Sergeant Bluff be known as a town that fly’s the most American flags. He believes if we had enough, people might visit to see them and perhaps a mural could be displayed. It could help local businesses. He knows that some of the Legionnaire’s have helped put up flags in the past and perhaps some of the Air National Guard recruiters could participate with that. He described different types of American flags that could be flown and different locations they could be placed.
Jerry also provided an update for the Museum and the Community Garden. The Community Garden raises between 3-4k pounds of produce each year. It is distributed at the post office. One problem they’ve experienced is the loss of active members, they need more volunteers from the community. There will be an article in the Advocate requesting more volunteers. The greatest need for volunteers is to spread grass trimmings and pick produce. The Museum has had 28 people or organizations donate to the museum with 77 items. The Museum continues to grow but they are experiencing space problems. Various organizations meet at their location. They will be subscribing to the newspapers.com website to help in research projects. They are going to look into utilizing someone from the AARP to help do research. He gave a few historical talks at the library. The volunteers at the Museum are the best, but they need to recruit new people. They’re looking to refinish the floor at the museum. They’ve had more guest speakers than in prior years. They recently found some VCR recordings of some former residents of the community they hope to share.
5. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
5.a Liquor License Renewal & Ownership Update: Dollar General
5.b Bills: Check numbers 90554 to 90650 in the amount of $166,292.97
Motion by Ron Hanson, seconded by Andrea Johnson to Approve the Consent Agenda Items:
5.a) Liquor License Renewal & Ownership Update: Dollar General
5.b) Bills: Check numbers 90554 to 90650 in the amount of $166,292.97
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
Name Description Amount
ABT MAILCOM CUSTOMER NOTICES/JAN 25 BILLS 2,349.17
AHLERS & COONEY PC LABOR RELATIONS 30.00
AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOC 2025 MEMBERSHIP 238.00
ANALYTICAL & CONSULTING SERVICES SAMPLE ANALYSIS 327.00
APPEARA CLEAN LINENS/MATS 538.08
AT&T MOBILITY EMERGENCY LINE PHONES 304.33
AVAYA TELEPHONE SYSTEM 237.04
BENTSON PEST MANAGEMENT PEST CONTROL/WATER PLANT 50.00
BLUE LAKE WEBSITES 2025 WEBSITE HOSTING/WORDPRESS 619.00
CARRIER CONTAINTER COMPANY SOLID WASTE 23,420.50
CERTIFIED TESTING SERVICES INC 1ST STREET/LOESS HILLS BIKE TRAIL 210.00
CHESTERMAN COMPANY COMMUNITY CENTER POP SUP 174.90
CHESTERMAN COMPANY INSPECTIONS WATER 10.00
CHESTERMAN COMPANY DRINKING WATER EXPENSE 9.00
CINTAS SUPPLIES 129.57
CLEVELAND, GREG OVERPAYMENT OF ACCOUNT 77.31
COVENANT WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS EAP PROGRAM 1,497.00
CULLIGAN RENTAL FEE 74.25
DAKOTA RIGGERS & TOOL SLING/SHACKLE 332.71
DAY’S DOOR COMPANY DOOR REPAIR 1,025.00
DIAMOND VOGEL PAINT CENTER PAINT 114.12
DINGES FIRE COMPANY GLOVES 288.28
DOCKENDORF EQUIPMENT COMPANY FUEL TANK REPAIRS 300.00
EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS JANITORIAL SUPPLIES 151.92
ECHO ELECTRIC SUPPLY SHOP SUPPLIES/STREET LIGHTS 294.15
ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING CHARGER BASES 778.68
FAREWAY CLEANING SUPPLIES 58.47
FELD FIRE FIRE DEPT. SUPPLIES/SCBA HYDROTEST 481.55
FLOYD RIVER MATERIALS INC WASHED SAND 2,189.61
GAUL, ANTHONY CELL PHONE STIPEND 300.00
GE SOFTWARE INC/EKOS GAS BOY LICENSE 2,376.00
GEORGE NELSON POST 662 FLAGS 767.40
GILL HAULING INC JAN-MAR 2025 LANDFILL CHARGES 27,714.70
GREYSTONE CONSTRUCTION BUILDING MATERIAL 2,000.00
HEIDMAN LAW FIRM LEGAL EXPENSE 19,903.50
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OCT 24- DEC 24 300.00
IOWA PRISON INDUSTRIES SIGNS 3,550.20
JACKS UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT CLOTHING ALLOWANCE/HUTZELL 155.70
JOHNSTON AUTOSTORE FILTERS/REPAIRS/SUPPLIES 127.53
KNOEPFLER CHEVROLET 2022 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 146.17
LAUTERS, DEAN CELL PHONE STIPEND 300.00
LEXIPOL LLC 1/2 2025 ANNUAL FEE 3,121.90
LINDBLOM SERVICES INC PORTABLE TOILETS 190.00
LONG LINES LLC TELECOMMUNICATION EXPENSE 1,787.06
LOPEZ, ANDREA ELECTRIC DEPOSIT REFUND 48.78
LOWE’S BUILDING REPAIRS/SUPPLIES 227.44
MARCO INC (FD) COPIER CONTRACT 160.83
MENARDS-SIOUX CITY BUILDING EXPENSES 41.35
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY DEC 2024 GAS UTILITY 3,497.10
MIDWEST ALARM ALARM INSPECTION/CITY HALL 650.00
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC CHARGER UNITS 2,923.22
NIEHUS, LARRY BOOKSHELF 350.00
NOELLA, ROSA ELECTRIC/WATER DEPOSIT REFUND 182.97
NORTHWEST IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES 2025 MEMBERSHIP DUES 50.00
PER MAR SECURITY SERVICES ALARM MONITORING 750.27
QUICK LANE TIRE & AUTO CENTER 2020 FORD/PARTS 506.16
RADAR SHOP RADAR RECERTIFICATION 302.00
RIVERSIDE TECHNOLOGIES INC NETWORK SUPPORT/JAN 25 2,087.20
ROBERTSON IMPLEMENT CO EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES/GENERATOR/RECOIL 264.38
ROBINSON, JOHN CLOTHING ALLOWANCE/REIMBURSEMENT 213.41
SERGEANT BLUFF ADVOCATE BACK PAGE/LEGALS/PD SUBSCRIPTION 3,125.70
SPEEDY ROOTER HYDRO JET SERVICE 3,015.00
STAN HOUSTON EQUIPMENT CO INC LATCH 40.00
STAPLES BUSINESS ACCOUNT OFFICE SUPPLIES 113.95
STEFFEN SMART HITCH 311.04
T & W TIRE ENGINE 3/RESCUE TIRES 1,980.00
THOMPSON SOLUTIONS GROUP FIRE ALARM MUSEUM 40.00
TRUE NORTH VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER AD&D POL 651.70
UNITYPOINT CLINIC OCCUP. MED. DOT DRUG SCREEN 82.00
UTILITY EQUIPMENT COMPANY COPPER TRACE WIRE/WATERMAIN EXT 10,874.16
VAN METER INDUSTRIAL INC BUILDING SUPPLIES/COIL/WALL PACK/REPAIRS 640.60
VEENSTRA & KIMM INC 1ST STREET/PIONEER VALLEY STORM/ENGINEERING 10,669.76
VISA CARD - FIRE DEPT BUILDING MAINTENANCE/TRAINING/PROPS 562.15
VISA CARD - LIBRARY BOOK/DVD/MISC/OFFICE SUPPLIES/SUMMER READING 391.73
VISA CARD - PARKS & REC DVD PLAYER/MOVIE/POPCORN/SUPPLIES 119.37
VISA CARD - PD ALTERNATOR/BLDG/CAR WASH/CLOTHING/LEASHES/OFFICE SUPP 811.62
VISA CARD - PUBLIC WORKS BATTERIES/FLASHLIGHTS/SOCKETS 290.89
VISA CARD - TRAVEL CARD 1 CODE BOOK TABS/INSPECTIONS/ZOHO FORMS/ZOOM 235.78
VISA CARD - TRAVEL CARD 2 BINDERS/CODE BOOK TABS/HDMI/OFFICE SUPPLIES/EMPLOYEE MEAL 349.79
WESCO RECEIVABLES CORP ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES 524.40
WESTERN AREA POWER ADMIN DEC 2024 POWER PURCHASED 19,978.42
WESTERN IOWA TECH COMM COLLEGE FIRE CLASSES 80.00
WIESELER, BETH FIRESIDE ROOM DEPOSIT REFUND 100.00
Total: 166,292.97
6. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
6.a PROCLAMATION: National Human Tracking Prevention Month (January)
Paige Frye with the Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking appeared to emphasize the importance of National Human Trafficking Prevention & Awareness Month. Between 2005-2023 the US Attorney Southern District of Iowa brought 81 traffickers to justice. In 2023 the National Human Trafficking hotline received 200 calls from within the State of Iowa. These statistics underscore the urgent need for action. She wanted to acknowledge the strength and courage of the victims and survivors who have endured these experiences. They are not alone and we stand with them in their recovery. The Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking is dedicated in bringing awareness to the public.
The Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Hanson read the Proclamation which will be signed by Mayor Jon Winkel.
6.b Superintendent Chad Janzen’s Update on City-School Partnerships and Request for City Participation of a Shared Study for YMCA Facilities and Services
Aaron Lincoln explained that at the last Council meeting the possibility of renting the Indoor Batting Facility to the SBL Schools was considered for various sporting activities year-round. No city activities occur in the facility currently. The School Board reviewed the proposal submitted by the City. The discussion went well and they are interested in proceeding. That will go to the City Attorney for review and hopefully come to the City Council on the January 28th agenda for approval. The IBF members will be notified that we intend to operate through July and they will receive a reduced membership cost for the shorter time-period.
The School is requesting a longer lease than the initial proposal. In addition, a copy of the study proposal has been passed along to City Council for the potential partnership with the YMCA and discussion has been had on what the City could benefit from as part of that partnership.
Rhonda Robson, CEO of the Norm Wait Sr. YMCA, explained that they partner with the Sergeant Bluff School District for their before and after school program and summer camp. The YMCA is about strengthening the foundations of the community, not to take over anything. Sometimes cities want them to manage different facilities, such as South Sioux City asked them to manage their pool. She also provided various examples from other communities where the YMCA has partnered with local entities. They’re looking for items that they may be able to assist the City with if they partnered.
Chad Janzen, School Superintendent, explained that this came up when they were exploring the bond issue. Various ways of partnering were considered and the before and after school program was a good fit and it has been running very well since the partnership began. They also hosted summer programing at the school for kids that went well. He believes there are many more opportunities that the YMCA could provide to the school and city. In the future the primary building could someday be a possible location for the YMCA. The School Board approved a potential study that he hopes would be cost-shared with the City to explore ways for the YMCA to come to Sergeant Bluff.
Lastly, he provided an update on the school’s East Campus Project. They almost everything done due to the good weather. They didn’t get the concrete for the softball dugouts. The concrete was poured for the bullpen. The fence posts are in the ground and the dirt is halfway up for the tennis courts.
There was discussion on programing possibilities, implementation timing, and the methodology of the survey. The total cost of the study is a maximum of 10k shared between the school and city.
Motion by Ryan Panowicz, seconded by Kirk Moriarty to Approve up to $5,000 for Shared Study for YMCA Facilities and Services.
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
6.c Council Committee Appointments - 2025
The Council Committee Appointments were received.
6.d Review of Bids for the Community Center Fire Alarm System and Potential Award to Contractor
Aaron Lincoln explained that we’ve ramped up on the Commercial inspections. The Community Center is need of replacement and upgrades to its fire alarm and detection system. There were three bids received with some variations that are impacted by potential duct detection if needed. We will need to install some detectors on the American Legion’s side to bring the entire building into compliance. There is some additional cost with that. The staff recommendation was to award Thompson Solutions the base bid of $49,951.34, with duct detection work it would be $53,900.68.
Jerry Logemann described some work done by Thompson Solutions at the Museum, one regret they had was not ensuring they had access to the system at the local panel. He suggested that the City include panel access.
Kirk Moriarty asked if we could inquire of the American Legion about cost-sharing the additional work that covers the American Legion space.
Motion by Mark Reinders, seconded by Andrea Johnson to Accept and Award the low Community Center Fire Alarm System Bid to Thompson Solutions for $49,951.34 with the possibility of adding in the duct sensors work for an additional $3,946.34.
Motion Carried. [Ron Hanson abstained due to being a Legion member]
6.e Approve S Lewis Blvd Storm Water Crossing Project Pay Estimate #1
Aaron Lincoln said that this is down by the Serenity Estates, we punched a pipe underneath the Railroad. ARPA funds were used. The main cases is in there, the pipe is on site. The wrong sized spacers were delivered, they’re hoping to get the correct spacers in this week to get those put in. This pay estimate is for all the work they’ve done so far.
Motion by Ron Hanson, seconded by Kirk Moriarty to Approve the S Lewis Blvd Storm Water Crossing Project Pay Estimate #1.
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
7. RESOLUTION(S):
7.a RES 25-01 Appointment to MEAN Board of Directors
Motion by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Ron Hanson to Approve RES 25-01 Appointment to MEAN Board of Directors.
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
8. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Aaron Lincoln said that he attended another Sioux City Wastewater Design review meeting. They are close to terms with their construction manager for the phase 1 improvements. Bob Padmore, City Manager of Sioux City, announced his retirement/resignation with the City of Sioux City. He was a good partner and communicator; he will be missed. Aaron provided a summary of Dale Petersen’s public service to the City, they are looking at having the funeral on Saturday at 11am at the Sergeant Bluff Community United Methodist Church. The City will have a Fire Truck, Police vehicle, and Public Works vehicle to travel behind the hearse.
9. COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORTS & COMMENTS:
Council expressed condolences to family of Dale Petersen.
Mark Reinders asked for an updated on the Roof Project at the Community Center.
Tyler Tweet said that the contractors still have some equipment up on the roof. He has attempted to get ahold of them about status, but has no details yet to share.
Mark also said that he has received inquiries about getting glass recycling in town. Aaron Lincoln will look into that.
Ron Hanson said that he attended a SIMPCO Policy meeting.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT:
Jon Winkel extended his condolences on behalf of the entire City to Dale’s family. He was a good friend and good Mayor. Please keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.
11. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Kirk Moriarty, seconded by Mark Reinders to Adjourn at 6:40pm. Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
Mayor/Mayor Pro-Tem
Attest:
Danny Christoffers, City Clerk
Published in the Sergeant Bluff Advocate weekly newspaper, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. The SB-Advocate is the Official Newspaper for the City of Sergeant Bluff and is an Official Woodbury County newspaper. (01/23/2025/NP) #012325-0004
