Mayor Kay Gifford called the council meeting to order. Roll call showed council members present were: Nancy Kuehl, Johanna Homan, Bruce Engelke, and Tyler Draper. Absent: Patrick Nelson. Others present were Steve and Wendy Koch, Mari Radtke, Jeremy Lemons, Elaine French, Nancy Hill, Cain Junkman, Brent Koppie, Rich Van Beek, and Amanda Vanderhoff.
A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to approve the agenda and previous minutes. Roll call: Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.
Guests:
Doug Sweeney was present to talk to council about the condition of the road on the block where Sweeney’s Farm & Home is located. The council will inspect the condition of the road and obtain a quote for the necessary work.
Steve and Wendy Koch were present to ask the city if they are able to burn the creek bed on the south side of Beech Street with the assistance of the fire department. The council and Chief Van Beek agreed. They also expressed concerns on the condition of the culverts on Violet and Beech Street.
Jeremy Lemons addressed the council regarding the finding of lead water service lines at his residential property and questioned council on whose responsibility it should be to replace the water lines. The clerk presented Mr. Lemons and council with Ordinance 90.12 Responsibility for Water Service Pipe: All costs and expenses incident to the installation, connection and continued maintenance of the water service pipe from the main to the building served, including the saddle, corporation cock, line to curb valve and box, and line to meter valve and meter, shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall also be responsible for any damage to street surface resulting from leak and shall be billed by the City for the repair of said damage. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation or maintenance of said water service pipe, and in the event of such action City of Sutherland Code of Ordinances 278 the City shall hereby be given a temporary maintenance and repair easement in order to maintain or repair any water service facilities.
No public comments.
Council reviewed the bills and asked a few questions. A motion was made by Homan seconded by Draper to pay the bills. Roll call: Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.
The Economic Development Report was given by Draper. The new city website is expected to be ready by August. Jordan Bird will start planting alfalfa at the industrial park. Patrick Nelson will send the new commercial abatement plan to the clerk to prepare the proceedings to adopt the plan.
The Library Report was given by Director Nancy Hill. Sheri Drefke is working on the O’Brien County Foundation Grant to update their jr. fiction section (7–12-year-olds) The library has started a Jr. Advisory Board. The Jr. Advisory Board holds meetings, makes decisions on what books they would like to read, and they are learning how to check out and put away their books. With help from the grant, this program is designed for that age group to get more involved at the library and excited about reading. Leer Electric will provide a quote for the automatic door at the library.
Fire and Ambulance Report was given by Chief Rich Van Beek. There were 9 ambulance calls and 2 fire calls. Fireman’s Bingo will be on April 12th. The Department will be out selling tickets the night of April 8th. . Tickets are also available at the door.
The Police Report was given by Chief Brent Koppie. Chief Koppie presented Officer Junkman’s new report for council that breaks down service calls, the number of calls and what the calls were for. The report also shows the calls for service by the day of the week and hour of the day. Officer Junkman was able to secure 4 AEDs for the city at no cost. Chief Koppie said the patrolling in Calumet is still going well.
Communications and topics for discussion:
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Kuehl to approve Resolution 2025-12: Adopting the Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 budget. Roll call: Ayes – Engelke, Draper, Kuehl, and Homan. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Engelke to set a public hearing date for an amendment of current budget for May 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Roll call: Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Homan to approve an O’Brien County Community Foundation Grant letter of support for the Willoway, All in favor. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports:
Water – purchased 2,214,508 gallons. Council asked Rich to start checking abandoned houses for possible leaks.
Streets – A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Homan to accept Fuller & Sons bid of $67,400.00 for street repairs. Roll call: Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Absent: Nelson. Motion carried.
Sanitation (sewer) – 1,894,000 gallons to the lagoons. Rich is working on the lagoons.
Town Property – no report.
Park – A motion was made by Draper seconded by Engelke to approve Tammy Sohn for the Seasonal Park Position. All in favor. Motion carried. The Park Board will make a decision if they want to keep the bus barn as park or turn it over to a different department at their next meeting.
Weeds and Debris – The clerk sent out letters to residents for property maintenance that were discussed at the March meeting. Council will hold off on sending more letters until the weather changes.
Lights – No report.
Sanitary Landfill – The HHM trailer is scheduled for April 25, 2025 from 9:00 – 11:00 am and Town Clean-up is scheduled for April 26, 2025 at 8 am.
A motion to adjourn was made by Draper seconded by Homan. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford
Amanda Vanderhoff City Clerk Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier April 17, 2025

Sutherland, Iowa Bills – 4/07/2025

GENERAL
R.L. Johannsen
rent $700.00
Visual IT
copier $14.21
Westel
serv $334.39 feb/mar
Marcus News
legals $442.36
Wells Fargo
copier $79.00
Amazon
spls $32.12
O’Brien Co Treasurer
prop tax $562.00
POLICE
Westel
serv. $76.23- feb/mar
Smith, Grigg, Shea, & Klinker
legals $280.00
Verizon
serv. $101.16
Zub’s
fuel $237.79
repairs $286.34
car wash $10.00
Cherokee Collison Center
door $264.78
Amazon
spls $79.89
CarGo
fuel $76.18
spls $53.19
WATER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $56.95
Westel
serv $80.20 – feb/mar
Osceola Rural
water $4,939.54
Verizon
serv. $17.05
Foundation
Labs $16.50
USA BlueBook
spls $566.84
Amazon
spls $57.45
USPS
utility bills $106.40
SEWER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $16.05
Verizon
serv. $17.05
USPS
utility bills $106.40
SCE, LLC
repairs $8,582.21
GARBAGE
Town & Country
contract $5,826.70.
NW IA Solid Waste
tonnage $1,880.22 – feb/mar
PARK
MidAmerican
serv $35.84
BB $19.68
SL $8.85
LIBRARY
MidAmerican
serv $161.00
Rich Schuknecht
snow removal $75.00
Leaf
copier $83.12
Baker & Taylor
books $17.10
Amazon
books/spls $263.33
Westel
serv. $147.03 – feb/mar
Main Market
spls $65.46
Mark’s Pump
labor $75.00
ResourceMate
spls $79.40
Hicks Electric
spls/labor $55.19
One Office Solution
spls $59.90
ROAD USE TAX
MidAmerican Energy
St Lights $1,650.41
Shop $777.20
Westel
serv. $299.55 – feb/mar
Verizon
serv. $17.05
Zub’s
fuel $218.52
Sweeney’s Farm & Home
spls $37.45
FIRE AND AMBULANCE
MidAmerican
serv $298.70
CRMC
para-assist $175.00
Westel
serv. $180.88 – feb/mar
Verizon
serv. $40.01
Zub’s
fuel $116.92
Amazon
spls $85.99
Lexipol
fees $397.39
Alex Air Apparatus
equip $411.81
SCBA flow test $894.00
Landon Lenhart
cpr classes $480.00
Boundtree
spls $101.56
AgriVision
spls $8.58
Devon Jones
class/travel $255.20
Paul Hibbing
class/travel $255.20
Devon Jones
classes/hotel/travel $475.76
Sweeney’s Farm & Home
spls $18.99
CRMC
assist $175.00
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Wellmark Bl Cross
health ins –
RV $1,075.14 per month
INSURANCE
J&K Insurance $51,240.00
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
USPS
spruce up $162.96
VOLUNTEER FEES
Landon Lenhart 450
Luke Lenhart 220
Jeremy Burdt 30
Mark Shriver 80
Sheri Drefke 290
Walter Kummerfeld 40
Brian Gunnerson 230
Steve Loshman 70
Bianca Shriver 170
Todd Fuller 70
Scott Waggoner 400
Devon Jones 180
Paul Hibbing 60
Rich Van Beek 220
Blake Morris 160
Ryan Fuller 110
Josh Ries 90
TOTAL EXPENSES $44,219.76
General Fund $5,861.53
Road Use Tax $4,240.13
Economic Development $162.96
Debt Service $-
TIF $-
Police Fund $9,169.69
Water Fund $8,399.14
City Sign $-
Employee Benefits $2,624.94
Sewer Fund $2,713.44 Garbage Fund $6,723.22 Lib Cap Impr $- Library Fund $3,087.16 Fire & Ambulance Fund $1,105.70 $-
Park Fund $52.85 Insurance $79.00 Water Meter Project $-
TOTAL REVENUES $31,374.33
General Fund $2,395.90
Road Use Tax $5,713.30
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $592.60
Tax Inc. Finance $4,785.86
Police Fund $598.88
Community $6,368.57
Insurance $635.06
Employee Benefits $90.73
Water Fund $2,680.47
Sewer Fund $2,549.72
Garbage Fund $1,307.55
Lib Cap Impr $-
Library Fund $3,237.65 Library Reserve $20.00 Fire & Ambulance Fund $- Fire & Ambulance Reserve $- Park Fund $398.04
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier April 17, 2025