Jan 5, 2026

City Council · 17 recorded votes · Present at roll call: Duer, Evans, McFadden, Stewart · Absent: Mertz

All votes

Every vote in the official minutes, in agenda order. Routine items on this meeting (2): agenda, adjournment. Full minutes for the whole Jan 5, 2026 meeting (saved copy)

• Vote 1Resolution to appoint Kyle Mertz to fill temporary vacancy due to Military Service. (Council Seat)Passed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 1

  What this means: Resolution. A formal council decision, usually made in one vote. It approves a specific action, such as a contract, plan or policy, without changing the city code.

• Vote 2Perfecting and approval of the agendaPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 1
• Vote 3Approval of December 15, 2025, Council MinutesPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 1

  What this means: Approving minutes. The council confirms that the written record of an earlier meeting is accurate.

• Vote 4Resolution to approve the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated costs for the Water System Improvements 2024, Jordan Well #5 ProjectPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 1

  What this means: Bids and contracts. For public construction, the city approves plans and a cost estimate, takes bids, then awards the contract, usually to the lowest responsible bidder.

• Vote 5Resolution to approve the contract and bond for the construction of the Water System Improvements 2024, Jordan Well #5 ProjectPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 2

  What this means: Bonds and notes. Borrowing. The city sells bonds or notes to raise money now for projects and repays it with interest over years. General obligation (GO) debt is repaid from property taxes.

• Vote 6Resolution making award of the contract for Water Well #5 DrillingPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 2

  What this means: Resolution. A formal council decision, usually made in one vote. It approves a specific action, such as a contract, plan or policy, without changing the city code.

• Vote 7Consider approving the MidAmerican Energy Company Electric EasementPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 2

  What this means: Easement. A right for the city or a utility to use part of someone’s land for a set purpose, such as pipes or access. The owner keeps the land.

• Vote 8Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Altoona, Iowa, 2025, by amending Chapter 98, Section 10Passed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 2

  What this means: Ordinance. A local law. Ordinances change the city code, and in Iowa they usually take three votes at separate meetings.

• Vote 9Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Altoona, Iowa, 2025, by amending Chapter 98, Section 10Passed 4–0 · Minutes

  What this means: Ordinance. A local law. Ordinances change the city code, and in Iowa they usually take three votes at separate meetings.

• Vote 10Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Altoona, Iowa, 2025, by amending Chapter 98, Section 10Passed 4–0 · Minutes

  What this means: Ordinance. A local law. Ordinances change the city code, and in Iowa they usually take three votes at separate meetings.

• Vote 11Resolution approving the Final Plat for Spring Creek Ridge West Plat 2Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Evans · Minutes, p. 2 · Full page →

  What this means: Plat. A map that divides land into lots, streets and easements. A preliminary plat is the proposed layout. A final plat is the official version that gets recorded with the county.

• Vote 12Resolution to approve a Site Plan for a private individualPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 3 · Full page →

  What this means: Site plan. A detailed drawing of how one property will be built, such as buildings, parking, driveways and landscaping. The city checks it against its rules.

• Vote 13L. MPO Bike Roundtable – Primary Vern WilleyPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 3
• Vote 14H. Resolution appointing planning and zoning commission member(s): Jill Pudenz and Scott HenryPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 3 · Full page →

  What this means: Rezoning. Zoning sets what can be built or done on each piece of land, such as homes, shops or industry. Changing it is done by ordinance, usually after a planning commission review and a public hearing.

• Vote 15O. Board of Adjustment – Tom Downs, Mary SimonPassed 4–0 · Minutes
• Vote 16Consent agenda (7 items, approved in one vote)Passed 4–0 · Minutes

  What this means: Consent agenda. A list of routine items the council approves together in one vote, without separate discussion. Any member can ask to pull an item out for its own vote.

  7 consent items

  1. Allow Bills
  2. Pay Apps B1) Pay App #14 – Alliance Construction – 8th Street SE Widening, 7th Avenue SE to Falcon Drive SE - $10,000.00 $10,000
  3. Consider agreement with McClure Engineering Co. for the Water System Improvements 2024, Adventureland Drive Water Transmission Main
  4. Resolution to approve an application to the Trees Please! Grant Program and to continue matching funds
  5. Consider approving an agreement with MidAmerican Energy for electric service to Fire Station #26 · Full page →
  6. Consider Event Request - None
  7. Beer and Liquor Permits 1) Adventureland – Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) 2) Adventureland – Class E Retail Alcohol License (LE) 3) Mini Tapatia/JC Grocery’s LLC – Class B…
• Vote 17Adjourn at 7:01pmPassed 4–0 · Minutes, p. 4

  What this means: Adjourning. The routine vote that ends the meeting.