l meeting to order. Roll call showed councilmembers present were: Patrick Nelson, Nancy Kuehl, Bruce Engelke and Tyler Draper. Absent: Johanna Homan. Others present were: Elaine French, Mari Radtke, Cain Junkman, Rich Van Beek, Brent Koppie and Amanda Vanderhoff
A motion was made by Kuehl seconded by Engelke to approve the agenda, previous minutes, and clerk’s report. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
No Guests.
Public comments: Elaine French was present for Commercial Club to inform council they will be having an Easter event at the park this year. The event will be held on April 19th.
Council reviewed the bills. A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to pay the bills. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Engelke and Draper. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
Economic Development report was given by Nelson. They are still working on the commercial abatement plan, to provide 100% abatement for 3 years on new businesses built in Sutherland. The Board has a potential buyer for a lot at the Industrial Park. The new city website should be ready by August. The clerk will send out the Spruce up Sutherland mailings this week.
Library report was given by Elaine French. She read through the Director’s Report. There were 27 children and 15 adults that attended the “Reading with Oliver” event. The O’Brien County Board of Supervisors approved Bethany Burdt to the Library Board. They now have a full Board. There are 10 to 15 children that attend early out events the library holds on Wednesdays. They won’t have a Kids Saturday event in March. There was a motion made by Engelke seconded by Draper to approve Ethel Buehler for the housekeeping position. All in favor. Motion carried. The council was presented with a quote from Wheelchair Dynamics to repair the automatic door for $3,284.90. Council would like to look for more quotes before they make a decision.
Fire and Ambulance report was given by Chief Rich Van Beek. There were 6 ambulance calls and 5 fire calls, mostly ditch and grass fires. Chief Van Beek discussed the need to update their current equipment. They will apply for the O’Brien County Community Foundation Grant to start some updating.
The Police Report was given by Chief Brent Koppie. The Department provided council with a report that shows the traffics stops they make in a month. This includes verbal and written warnings and the number of citations that were given. It also includes the reason for the stop, speed limit, and the speed the driver was going. Chief Koppie has been attending the Calumet council meetings. The patrolling in Calumet has been going well. The Department will be attending an Active Shooter Disaster Course in Cherokee this month and Chief Koppie has been attending the Iowa Police Chiefs Association meetings. They are planning to apply for the O’Brien County Community Foundation Grant for 6 new vests and K9 training.
Communications and topics for discussion
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to approve Resolution 2025-11: Resolution Setting Time and Place for a Public Hearing on the City of Sutherland’s Proposed Property Tax Hearing on
April 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Ayes – Engelke, Nelson, Draper, and Kuehl. Absent: Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to approve letters of support for the Sutherland Police Department, Gen N.B. Baker Library, and the Sutherland Park Board for the O’Brien County Community Foundation Grant. All in favor. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports:
Water – 2,013,764 gallons. Rich found a water leak at a resident’s house.
Streets – Council asked Rich to start patching potholes.
Sanitation (sewer) – 1,200,000 gallons to the ponds. SCE has started on manhole repairs.
Town Property – Council and Economic Development have decided to plant alfalfa at the Industrial Park.
Park – Clerk will post job opening. Park Board President Kuehl presented the quotes for the repairs on the old concession stand. The quotes for a metal roof and siding were around $13,000.00. Council discussed fixing the roof and painting the building. The Board has also been discussing future plans for the bus barn. They are planning to apply for the O’Brien County Community Foundation Grant for sidewalk repairs at the park.
Weeds and Debris – Council asked the city clerk to send out property maintenance letters to certain residents.
Lights – Councilmember Engelke let the clerk know there is a streetlight out on Kerry Street. The clerk will contact MidAmerican again on the lights on 2nd Street.
Sanitary Service (garbage) – a motion was made by Nelson seconded by Engelke to schedule the HHM Trailer for Friday, April 25, 2025 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Town Clean-up Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025.
A motion to adjourn was made by Draper seconded by Nelson. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford
Amanda Vanderhoff City Clerk
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier March 13, 2025

Sutherland, Iowa
Bills 03/05/2025
GENERAL
R.L. Johannsen
rent $700.00
Visual IT
copier $55.06
Westel
serv. $165.35
Marcus News
legals $222.18
Smith, Grigg, Shea, & Klinker
legals $375.00
Wells Fargo
copier $79.00
POLICE
Westel
serv. $38.10
IA Dept Public Safety
fees $300.00
Foundation
labs $16.50
Smith, Grigg, Shea, & Klinker
hearing $700.00
Verizon
serv. $102.16
Zub’s
fuel $257.30
repairs $131.95
car wash $10.00
WATER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $57.74
Westel
serv. $39.52
Osceola Rural
water $5,362.35
Verizon
serv. $17.05
Foundation
Labs $16.50
SEWER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $16.05
Verizon
serv. $17.05
GARBAGE
Town & Country
contract $5,826.70.
Northwest IA Area Solid Waste $2,147.22 Dec/Jan.
PARK
MidAmerican
serv $33.06
BB $4.82
A-1 Portables
fee $43.00
Gordon Richter
snow removal $80.00
LIBRARY
MidAmerican
serv $161.00
Rich Schuknecht
snow removal $75.00
Sutherland Commercial Club
dues $152.00
Leaf
copier $113.06
Elaine French
reimburse $34.50
Baker & Taylor
books $17.10
Amazon
books/spls $181.33
Bell-Times-Courier
renewal $33.50
Menards
spls $26.50
Sweeney’s Farm & Home
spls $30.99
Westel
serv $71.16
ROAD USE TAX
MidAmerican Energy
St Lights $1,653.83
Shop $886.70
Sweeney’s Farm & Home
spls $96.61
Westel
serv. $149.74
NAPA
spls $17.49
Verizon
serv. $17.05
Zub’s
fuel $313.33
Menards
spls $34.99
FIRE AND AMBULANCE
MidAmerican
serv $353.03
CRMC
para-assist $53.84
Westel
serv. $90.42
Blake Morris
reimburse $88.42
Verizon
serv $40.01
Zub’s
fuel $133.02
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Wellmark Bl Cross
health ins –
RV $1,075.14 per month
INSURANCE
J&K Insurance
f/a $1,303.00
J&K Insurance
K9 $79.00
TOTAL EXPENSES $48,006.78
General Fund $3,915.43
Road Use Tax $4,071.86
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $-
TIF $-
Police Fund $7,649.40
Water Fund $8,634.70
City Sign $-
Employee Benefits $2,347.45
Sewer Fund $3,279.46 Garbage Fund $7,973.92 Lib Cap Impr $- Library Fund $4,352.82 Fire & Ambulance Fund $4,261.11 $-
Park Fund $217.63 Insurance $1,303.00 Water Meter Project $-
TOTAL REVENUES $34,414.77
General Fund $2,919.83
Road Use Tax $6,346.42
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $90.65
Tax Inc. Finance $-
Police Fund $732.08
Community $7,408.14
Insurance $166.57
Employee Benefits $23.80
Water Fund $3,566.04 Sewer Fund $3,392.09 Garbage Fund $1,739.53 Lib Cap Impr $- Library Fund $932.02 Library Reserve $20.00 Fire & Ambulance Fund $500.00 Fire & Ambulance Reserve $700.00 Park Fund $463.00 Franchise Tax $5,408.60 City Sign $6.00
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier March 13, 2025