Sutherland, Iowa City Council Meeting – May 5, 2025 – 7:00 PM – 110 Ash Street
Meeting Room

Mayor Kay Gifford called the public hearing for the amendment of the 2024-2025 budget to order. Roll call showed council members present were: Patrick Nelson, Nancy Kuehl, Johanna Homan, Bruce Engelke, and Tyler Draper. Others present were: Mari Radtke, Gerald and Caleb Kammerer, Cain Junkman, Wendy Koch, Nancy Hill, Colleen Johnson, Rich Van Beek, and Amanda Vanderhoff. There were no comments or questions. A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to adjourn from the public hearing. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford called the council meeting to order. Roll call showed council members present were: Patrick Nelson, Nancy Kuehl, Johanna Homan, Bruce Engelke, and Tyler Draper. Others present were: Mari Radtke, Gerald and Caleb Kammerer, Cain Junkman, Wendy Koch, Nancy Hill, Colleen Johnson, Rich Van Beek, Devon Jones, and Amanda Vanderhoff.
A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to approve the agenda, previous minutes and clerk’s report. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
Guests: Colleen Johnson was present to provide information and answer questions council might have about Jim and Colleen donating the property at 133 W 2nd Street to Economic Development.
Public Comments: Gerald Kammerer expressed concerns regarding traffic on M12, specifically highlighting issues with J braking and speeding.
Council reviewed the bills. A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Homan to pay the bills. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
The Economic Development report was given by Nelson. The Board sold a lot at the Industrial Park to Double R Leasing, LLC. The Spruce up Sutherland Committee met and approved 8 applications. A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Engelke to approve Jill Jurgensen, Macey Friedrichsen, and Draper to the Community Fund Board. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Library report was given by Director Nancy Hill. AEL was at the library for the annual maintenance and safety test for the elevator. The community garden has been planted with help from Wendy Koch. Nancy has registered the library for the E-Rate Program. This program gives a discounted rate for the library’s telecommunication expense. The library hosted a cake decorating class that was well attended and is hosting a photography class on May 6th. Council was provided with 3 bids for the window replacement at the library: Valley Glass & Framing – $15,506.00; DM Renovations – $13,600.00; Sweeney’s Construction – $9,922.12. A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Engelke to except the Sweeney’s Construction bid of $9,922.12. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
The Fire and Ambulance report was given by Chief Rich Van Beek. They had 4 ambulance call and 0 fire calls. The Department helped with 4 controlled burns.
The Police Report was given by Officer Cain Junkman. The report is available at city hall. Rich will get the speed sign installed on M12.
Communications and topics for discussion:
Mayor Gifford appointed Nelson and Draper to the wage committee.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded Homan to approve Resolution 2025-15: Amending the Current Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025. Roll call: Ayes – Engelke, Nelson, Draper, Kuehl and Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Engelke seconded by Draper to approve Resolution 2025-16: Approving the Donation of a Property at 133 W 2nd Street from Jim and Colleen Johnson to the Sutherland Economic Development. Roll call: Ayes – Engelke, Nelson, Draper, Kuehl and Homan. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Draper seconded by Engelke to approve Resolution 2025-17: Resolution to Authorize the City of Sutherland to Enter into a Contract and Convey Real Estate Owned by the City of Sutherland and Fixing a Date on the Hearing Thereof. Roll call: Ayes – Nelson, Kuehl, Homan, Engelke, and Draper. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nelson seconded by Draper to approve the liquor license for Friedrichsen Meat Company. All in favor. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports:
Water – purchased 2,410,702 gallons.
Streets – Rich has ordered more patch. The clerk is waiting on one more quote for some street repairs.
Sanitation (sewer) – 3,334,000 gallons to the ponds. Mapping was done to check the condition of the lagoons. The company suggested using organisms in the lagoons to help with cleaning. The clerk presented council with a quote from Rehab Systems for some repairs.
Town Property – No report.
Park – The Board is starting to plan for Labor Day. They have vendors scheduled to be at the park and they decided not to charge vendor fees for that weekend. They are also planning to host a bingo event at the RL Johannsen Center over Labor Day weekend. The Board is working on a grant to update some equipment at the park.
Weeds and Debris – The committee will start letting the clerk know what properties need letters.
Lights – Rich suggested looking into repairing some lights at the park.
Sanitary Service (garbage) – No report.
A motion to adjourn was made Nelson by seconded by Draper. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Kay Gifford
Amanda Vanderhoff, City Clerk
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times- Courier May 15, 2025
TOTAL EXPENSES $107,202.68
General Fund $4,378.26
Road Use Tax $3,850.81
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $-
TIF $-
Police Fund $8,850.68
Water Fund $7,127.45
City Sign $-
Employee Benefits $2,713.78
Sewer Fund $11,061.79 Garbage Fund $6,810.40 Lib Cap Impr $- Library Fund $3,722.06 Fire & Ambulance Fund $7,341.93 $-
Park Fund $105.52 Insurance $51,240.00 Water Meter Project $-
TOTAL REVENUES $194,790.64
General Fund $7,613.15
Road Use Tax $7,359.68
Economic Development $-
Debt Service $7,588.51
Tax Inc. Finance $30,536.81
Police Fund $456.12
Community $6,286.94
Insurance $36,047.61
Employee Benefits $10,578.21
Water Fund $27,969.49
Sewer Fund $26,605.13
Garbage Fund $13,763.66
Lib Cap Impr $-
Library Fund $8,965.16
Library Reserve $20.00
Fire & Ambulance Fund $-
Fire & Ambulance Reserve $264.52 Park Fund $1,017.93 Franchise Tax $8,993.92 City Sign $31.50 Vehicle Reserve $692.30
Sutherland, Iowa
Bills 5/5/2025
GENERAL
R.L. Johannsen
rent $700.00
Visual IT
copier $16.26
Marcus News
legals $735.97
Wells Fargo
copier $79.00
Main Market
spls $50.12
Smith, Grigg, Shea, & Klinker
legals $196.00
POLICE
Verizon
serv. $101.16
Don Pierson
repair $896.77
IA Dept of Public Safety
fee $300.00
Zubs’s
fuel $270.75
WATER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $40.79
Verizon
serv. $17.05
Foundation
Labs $16.50
UECO
spls $1,252.86
SEWER
MidAmerican Energy
serv $126.69
Verizon
serv. $17.05
Foundation
Labs $64.00
GARBAGE
Town & Country
contract $5,826.70.
PARK
MidAmerican
serv $34.10
BB $26.81
SL $10.00
LIBRARY
MidAmerican
serv $205.00
Leaf
copier $87.23
Baker & Taylor
books $50.72
Amazon
books/spls $280.53
Main Market
spls $80.84
ResourceMate
fees $409.00
Menard’s
spls $81.77
American Popcorn Co $52.00
ROAD USE TAX
MidAmerican Energy
St Lights $1651.91
Shop $565.43
Verizon
serv. $17.05
Main Market
spls $24.74
O’Brien Co Engineer
salt/sand $2,339.75
O’Brien Co Engineer
1 of 5 $17,684.75
AgriVision $168.99
Zubs’s fuel – $375.74
FIRE AND AMBULANCE
MidAmerican
serv $129.14
Verizon
serv. $40.01
Paul Hibbing
spls $32.09
Main Market
spls $293.51
WITCC
classes $435.00
Sutherland Implement
repairs $777.27
AgriVision $67.43
Zubs’s
fuel $283.98
oc/battery $373.91
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Wellmark Bl Cross
health ins –
RV $1,075.14 per month
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OCEDC – 28E $864.00
Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times- Courier May 15, 2025