Charter Oak City Council Meeting Minutes November 3, 2025 The Charter Oak City Council met in regular session on November 3, 2025. Mayor Peggy Staley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present were Russ Maack, Alec Castillo, Randy Ulmer and Jason French. Council Member Nathan Mohr was absent. Others in attendance were Ashley Mohr, Craig Warnock, Patty Goslar, Matt & Melinda Knowles, Kyle Miller, Tim Thompson, Adam Castillo, Amanda Goodenow and Ashayla Soodsma. Motion French/Castillo to approve the agenda. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/French to approve the October 8, 2025, regular meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Forum: Matt Knowles addressed the council regarding his 137 Main Street and 455 1st Street properties. Adam Castillo contested a weed eating charge for his 18 Pine property. Department Reports: Maintenance/Water/Wastewater: Craig reported rock maintenance has been done in the alleyways, Ten Point Construction has completed the crack sealing on 4th & 5th Streets and has begun the curb/gutter and sidewalk repairs. Craig also reported he had begun discharging the lagoons and should finish up around November 10th. Fire: Chief Kyle Miller reported three EMS and one mutual aid fire call for the month of October. He also informed the council that the old tanker truck was currently listed for sale for $29,000. Ashayla Soodsma from ISG discussed the draft design proposal for the water improvement project with council. Motion Ulmer/French to approve the presented draft design proposal. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Ulmer to approve Resolution No. 11-03-2025, Assessment of Unpaid Nuisance Abatement Charges. Ayes: French, Maack, Ulmer. Nays: Castillo. Absent: Mohr. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to approve Resolution No. 11-03-2025B, Assessment of Unpaid Utility Charges. Ayes: Castillo, French, Maack, Ulmer. Nays: None. Absent: Mohr Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/French to approve Resolution No. 11-03-2025C, Transferring Funds FY 25/26. Ayes: Castillo, French, Maack, Ulmer. Nays: None. Absent: Mohr. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/French to approve revising the tree dump policy to include allowing professional tree companies to bring trees from the city limits, provided the companies are not charging the property owner for tree disposal. The city could then burn the trees instead of paying to have them chipped. All ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Staley updated the council on current nuisance abatements. No action taken. There were no building permits or complaints to discuss Motion French/Castillo to go into closed session at 8:19 pm, Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(c), to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation. Ayes: Castillo, French, Maack, Ulmer. Nays: None. Absent: Mohr. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/French to end closed session and return to open session at 8:51 pm. Ayes: Castillo, French, Maack, Ulmer. Nays: None. Absent: Mohr. Motion carried Motion Ulmer/Castillo to authorize the city attorney to make settlement offer as discussed in closed session. All ayes. Motion carried. Council started draft code review at 8:51 pm. Motion Castillo/French to approve bills. All ayes. Motion carried. Eftps, Fed/Fica Tax2,344.34 Treasurer, State Of Iowa, State Tax261.93 Ipers, Ipers - Regular1,727.43 Dnr, Annual Water Use Fee115 Hoffman Agency, Adding Skid Loader To Insuranc162 Mid American Energy, Utilities1,665.70 Feld Fire, Repairing Lighting New Tanker3,325.89 Mapleton Press, Publishing Legals284.82 West Central, 969,000 Gallons Used4,070.90 Bt Computers, M365 Software Licenses324.2 The Office Stop, Office Supplies155 Bomgaars, Shop Supplies-Pliers/Gas Can202.68 Iowa Rural Water Assoc., Membership Renewal 2026315 United States Post Office, 4 Rolls First Class Stamps312 Gworks, Annual I Drive Subscription5,590.00 Secure Shred Solutions, Quarterly Shredding Costs59 Jepsen Repair, Tire Repair-Trailer25 Iowa One Call, One Call Email22.5 R & S Waste Disposal, Garbage Services October 20252,875.00 Denison Auto Parts, Sander Parts-Solenoid,Toggle,1,043.33 Ampride, Fuel-Mowers160.06 Hach, Pocket Pro Ph Tester-Lagoons530.3 Quill.Com, City Hall Toner/Usb Drives742.44 The Library Store, Laminate/Book Repair Corners301.87 Vetter Equipment, Skid Loader Parts391.75 Visual Edge It, Inc, Monthly Contract Base/Overages124.07 Teri Kuhlmann, Halloween Candy29.92 Silversmith Data, Annual Software/Tab Data Plan1,171.00 Us Bank, Iamu Conference291.88 B.C. Murphy Enterprises, 2019 Skid Steer Bobcat T650 W/34,800.00 Snak Atak, Fuel City Truck99.64 Nancy Hass, Craft Items/Supplies/Hours50 Payroll Checks, Total Payroll Checks9,480.53 Claims Total73,055.18 General Fund50,936.57 Fire Fund3,385.09 Road Use Tax Fund3,979.35 Water Fund9,094.53 Water Sinking (Debt) Fund582.5 Sewer Fund5,077.14 Revenues Report (Mtd) Oct Charges/Fees For Service Garbage4,792.23 Charges/Fees For Service Landfill1,768.98 Charges/Fees For Service Water18,204.94 Charges/Fees For Service Sewer12,761.95 Road Use Taxes5,976.59 Local Option Sales Tax6,655.26 Refunds/Rebates General16,053.00 Library Donations20 Building Permits25 Dog Licenses20 Fire Department Grant 1,000.00 Township Contributions Fire Dept7,939.10 Revenues Total October75,217.05 Motion French/Ulmer to adjourn at 9:36 pm. All ayes. Motion carried. Peggy Staley, Mayor Ashley Mohr, City Clerk MP11-13-25
