Charter Oak City Council Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 The Charter Oak City Council met in regular session on April 6, 2026. Mayor Peggy Staley called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Members present were Alec Castillo, Randy Ulmer and Wayne Copeland; one vacancy. Others in attendance were Craig Warnock, Megan Peitsch, Patti Goslar, Nancy Kruse, Garrett French, Jason French, James Hoffmeier, Wayne Neumann and Sara Bohlmann. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to approve the agenda. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to approve March 2, 2026 regular meeting minutes, March 23, 2026 and March 25, 2026 special meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to open public hearing, Adopting Final Budget for Fiscal Year 26/27, at 7:01 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Wayne Copeland submitted a written objection to the proposed budget. No other comments were received. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to close the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Roll call vote was requested by Councilman Copeland. Ayes: Ulmer and Castillo. Nay: Copeland. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to approve Resolution No. 04-06-2026E, Approving FY 26/27 Budget. Ayes: Ulmer and Castillo. Nay: Copeland. Motion failed due to lack of votes to pass a resolution. Councilman Maack joined the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to approve Resolution No. 04-06-2026E, Approving FY 26/27 Budget. Ayes: Maack, Ulmer and Castillo. Nay: Copeland. Motion carried. Public Forum: Wayne Neumann expressed his objection to the possibility of a Dollar General store being built on the arboretum property. Department Reports: Fire: Assistant Chief Craig Warnock reported 2 controlled burns, 1 EMS call for Charter Oak and 1EMS call to Ricketts. Police: Printed report from Sheriff Rassmussen was presented. Wastewater/Water/Maintenance: Craig said hydrant flushing is planned for this spring. He will also be collecting the blue, one-call flags or citizens can return them to city hall for re-use. Motion Maack/Castillo to decline the resignation of Craig Warnock. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to keep Craig as Water/Wastewater Operator and Certified Pool Operator. Craig will also provide oversight of the water main project. He will remain at his current wage, 10-15 hours/week, with no health insurance stipend, effective April 18, 2026. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to accept bid from Bonine Garage Doors for an overhead door at the city shop for $3,234.00. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/ Castillo to change the current yard waste pick-up policy to every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, resuming on April 20. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to open public hearing, Adoption of Asset Management Plan, at 8:15 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. No comments/objections from the public. Motion Maack/Castillo to close public hearing, at 8:17 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/ Castillo to approve Resolution No. 04-06-2026D, Adoption of Asset Management Plan. Ayes: Castillo, Ulmer and Maack. Nays: Copeland. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Castillo to open the public hearing, Submission of a CDBG Application for Water Main Improvement Project, at 8:19 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Peggy Staley read announcements: • The need for the proposed Charter Oak Water Main Improvements Project is due to the need for the City to provide a safe, reliable, and high-quality water supply to residents within the City. The City has a history of poor water quality for residents living in the City including low water pressure, taste and odor complaints, and discolored water. The proposed project strives to replace a significant portion of the City’s existing water mains which are old and deteriorated and which hold the highest potential to increase the overall water quality for the residents in the City. • The project will be funded with a combination of CDBG funds and a loan from the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) managed by Iowa Finance Authority. It is estimated that total project costs will be $1,879,340.00 which includes construction costs, engineering services, contingency, and CDBG grant administration costs. The total cost of the project eligible for CDBG funding is related strictly to construction (estimated at $1,383,340.00), construction contingency (estimated at $132,000.00), and Grant Administration Services ($22,000.00) for a total CDBG eligible cost of $1,537,340.00. • The City intends to utilize a combination of funding from SRF and CDBG (loan and grant funds) to finance the project. The City is listed on the SRF Intended Use Plan (IUP) for a loan in the amount of $1,598,000.00 and they are applying for CDBG grant funds in the amount of $500,000.00. Total resources available for the project will then be $2,098,000.00. An award from CDBG would reduce the amount of loan funds needed from Iowa Finance Authority. • The grant application will be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority no later than May 22, 2026, at midnight. • The City is requesting $500,000.00 in CDBG funds for the proposed project. • The project will result in a City-wide benefit and utilizing the 2016-2020 American Community Survey data, as allowed by IEDA and the CDBG Program the City’s citywide LMI percentage is 71.9%. • The proposed project activities will take place throughout the City in the street right-of-way and involve replacement of existing City water mains. Specifically, the streets where water mains will be replaced include the following: * Cedar Avenue from 5th Street west to the City limits * Cedar Avenue from Railroad Street west to 4th Street * 4th Street from Cedar Avenue north to Birch Street * Main Street from Railroad Street west to 2nd Street * Oak Avenue from Railroad Street west to 3rd Street *Railroad Street from Cedar Avenue south to Oak Avenue • The proposed project will not result in the displacement or relocation of any persons or businesses. • No persons will be replaced by the proposed project. • The nature of the proposed project involves the construction of new water main and related valves, fire hydrants, connections, and restoration of the area. Wayne Copeland submitted a written objection opposing the submission of a CDBG application for water main improvement project. Motion Maack/ Ulmer to close the public hearing at 8:31p.m. Ayes: Castillo, Ulmer and Maack. Nay: Copeland. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Ulmer to approve Resolution No. 04-06-2026, Committing Matching Funds for Water Main Improvement Project CDBG Application. Ayes: Maack, Umer and Castillo. Nay: Copeland. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to approve Resolution No. 04-06-2026B, Endorsing and Authorizing Submission of CDBG Application. Ayes: Ulmer, Castillo and Maack. Nay: Copeland. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to approve Resolution No. 04-06-2026C. Adopting a Language Access Plan. Ayes: Ulmer, Castillo and Maack. Nay: Copeland. Motion carried. Council discussed spring nuisance abatements. Motion Ulmer/ Castillo to change city hall hours to 10 am- 4 pm, Monday-Friday. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to approve bills. Ayes: Maack, Castillo and Ulmer. Nay: Copeland. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/ Castillo to adjourn at 9:39 pm. All ayes. Motion carried. Peggy Staley, Mayor Sara Bohlmann, City Clerk Eftps, Fed/Fica Tax 2,012.82 Treasurer, State Of Iowa, State Tax 170.41 Ipers, Ipers - Regular 1,606.01 Bt Computers, Computer Issues 15 United States Post Office, 3 Rolls Of Stamps 234 West Central Iowa Clerks, Wcica Meeting 3/18/26 10 Vetter Equipment, Tractor Door Replacement 533.19 Diane Smith, Reimb Library Supplies 88.65 Payroll Checks, Total Payroll Checks 9,177.48 Claims Total 13,847.56 General Fund 6,713.38 Road Use Tax Fund 2,602.58 Water Fund 2,327.30 Sewer Fund 2,204.30 Total Accounts Payable March 41,542.68 Revenues Report (Mtd) March Charges/Fees For Service Garbage 3669.80 Charges/Fee For Services Landfill 1277.64 Charges/Fees For Water 14,719.23 Charges/Fees For Sewer 9,689.05 Road Use Taxes 2,253.67 Revenues Total March 31,609.39 MP4-23-26
