Charter Oak City Council Meeting Minutes February 2, 2026 The Charter Oak City Council met in regular session on February 2, 2026. Mayor Peggy Staley called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. Members present were Alec Castillo, Russ Maack, Randy Ulmer and Wayne Copeland. We currently have one council vacancy. Others in attendance were Ashley Mohr, Craig Warnock, Megan Peitsch, Sara Bohlmann, Bryan Plautz, Rick & Julie Staley. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to approve the agenda. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Ulmer to approve the consent agenda consisting of…. a) Approval of January 5, 2026, regular meeting minutes b) Approval of January 2026 bills and payroll c) Approval of Community Club Liquor License Renewal. All ayes. Motion carried. Megan Peitsch discussed FY 26/27 property tax levy and budget with council. No action taken. Motion Ulmer/Copeland to set date and time for Property Tax Levy Public Hearing on March 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Castillo to approve right-of-way permit for a fiber optic project by Long Lines Communications. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Forum: Rick & Julie Staley addressed the council regarding the benefits of the city starting an Urban Renewal Plan (TIF) program. Department Reports: Fire: Assistant Chief Craig Warnock reported six EMS calls, and two fire calls for January. Police: Council was given police reports from December and January. Council discussed the possible implementation of an Urban Renewal Plan (TIF). No action taken. Motion Ulmer/Copeland to approve Resolution No. 02-02-2026, Setting Time & Place of Public Hearing on Approval of a Community Development & Housing Needs Assessment. Ayes: Castillo, Maack, Ulmer, Copeland. Nays: None. Absent: One council vacancy. Motion carried. Council discussed the possible termination of the city’s water permit for unused wells. No action taken. Council discussed the DNR tree removal grant. No action taken. Council discussed possible fire station expansion. No action taken. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to hire Sara Bohlmann as city clerk effective February 2nd, at $20.00 per hour. Sara will also be added as a signatory on all United Bank of Iowa accounts, and Ashley’s name will be removed. Other signatories are Mayor Peggy Staley and Mayor Pro Tem Randy Ulmer. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to hire Ashley Mohr as a consultant at $23.00 per hour. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Ulmer to approve vacation time payout for Ashley Mohr. All ayes. Motion carried. Council took no action on hiring a deputy clerk. Motion Maack/Ulmer to approve continuing handwritten timesheets for payroll. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Ulmer to approve an increase of the health insurance stipend to $300.00 per month for full-time employees. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Copeland to not renew the contract for mosquito spraying. All ayes. Motion carried. There were no building permits or complaints. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to adjourn at 9:17 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Eftps, Fed/Fica Tax 3,333.32 Treasurer, State Of Iowa, State Tax 359.85 Ipers, Ipers - Regular 2,540.34 Hoffman Agency, Ram 3500 Add On To Insurance 149 Mid American Energy, Utilities 2,585.21 Johnson Propane, Propane Maint Building 321.7 Mapleton Press, Publishing Legals 284.44 West Central, 1,051,000 Gallons Used 4,481.71 Bt Computers, Antivirus City Hall/Shop Comp 110 141 Tire Service, F550 New Tires 2,130.80 The Office Stop, Office Supplies 47 Bomgaars, Sander/Fuel Tank/Shop 455.04 Stinn Bachoe & Plumbing, Water Service Tammy Williams 4,092.46 Do It Best, Marking Wand Spray Paint 39.99 Secure Shred Solutions, Quarterly Shredding 59 Iowa One Call, One Call Emails 5.4 R & S Waste Disposal, Jan Garbage Contract 2,875.00 Midwest Laboratories Inc, Monthly Coliform Test 53.5 Crawford Co Recorder, Filing Fees Burn Site Affidavi 24 Denison Auto Parts, Couplers/Hydraulic Hose 152.54 Quill.com, City Clerk Desk Drawer Replace 348.03 Team Lab, Aquatic Weed Killer/Septic Bug 931.5 Council Of Governments, Annual Contribution 500 Crary Huff Law Firm, General/Knowles/Neddermeyer 453.5 Visual Edge It, Inc, Monthly Base Rate/Contract 40.49 Teri Kuhlmann, Supplies Movie Night 110.94 Grainger, Body Harness/Lanyard 351.36 Us Bank, Security Cameras/Yearly Plan 629.6 Ettleman Oil Company, Fuel City Shop 910.8 American Fire Equipment, Professional Services-Selling 2,000.00 Isg, Survey/Boundary & Prelim Desig 12,779.10 Snak Atak, City Truck Fue l363.93 Tyler Kelsheimer, Fd Truck Purchase Replacing Wl 10,800.00 Sexton Oil Co, Fill Gas Tank 1,273.19 Payroll Checks, Total Payroll Checks 9,519.61 Claims Total 65,112.35 General Fund 16,197.79 Fire Fund 15,284.69 Road Use Tax Fund 4,677.36 Water Fund 11,498.32 Water Sinking (Debt) Fund 582.5 2025 Water Project Fund 12,779.10 Sewer Fund 4,092.59 Revenues Report (Mtd) Jan Charges/Fees For Service Garbage 3,786.30 Charges/Fees For Service Landfill 1,313.23 Charges/Fees For Service Water 15,846.27 Charges/Fees For Service Sewer 10,100.82 Library County Funding 2,286.70 Library Book Sales 2.00 Shelter House Rent 150.00 Animal Licenses 110.00 Golf Cart Permits 10.00 Other Misc Use Of Money - General 4,062.90 General Reimbursements 13,555.00 Other Misc Use Of Money - Fire 20,320.00 Road Use Taxes 6,160.30 Local Option Sales Tax 7,661.98 Property Taxes 2,646.79 Revenues Total January 88,012.29 Peggy Staley, Mayor Ashley Mohr, City Clerk MP2-12-26
