Charter Oak City Council Meeting Minutes September 9, 2026 The Charter Oak City Council met in regular session on August 9, 2026. Mayor Peggy Staley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Members present were Randy Ulmer, Alec Castillo, Russ Maack, and Chaise Hampton. One council vacancy. Others present were Patty Goslar, Nancy Kruse, Jason French, Haven Reese, Craig Warnock, Richard Bornhoft with R&S, and Kathryn Sassman. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to approve the agenda. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Ulmer to approve August 3, 2026, regular meeting minutes and August 13, 2026, special meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Forum: No one addressed council. Dept Reports: • Fire: Craig Warnock - Four EMS, one fire, and one hazmat call in August. The fire department has found a 500-gallon replacement for the leaking tank on the Dodge pickup. • Police: Monthly incident report from Sheriff Rassmussen was presented. • Maintenance/Water/Wast water: Craig Warnock - Garrett French assisting in daily tasks for Craig. Motion Ulmer/Maack to appoint Haven Reese to fill city council vacancy due to Wayne Copeland resignation through Resolution No. 09-09-2026, Proposing to Fill City Council Vacancy by Appointment. All Ayes. Motion carried. Councilman Haven Reese sworn into office and seated. Motion Maack/Castillo to approve Resolution No. 09-09-2026B, Issuing Checks Prior to City Council Approval. All Ayes. Motion carried. Motion Ulmer/Maack to set a bu get of $225 per pair for up to six pairs of new boots for the fire department. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Maack/Castillo to agree to new R&S Waste 5-year contract for city garbage and landfill fees. Council will vote on new garbage and landfill rates at a later meeting. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Hampton to approve renewal of Snak Atak annual liquor license. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Hampton to approve clerk attendance at IMFOA Fall Conference. All ayes. Motion carried. City hall will be closed October 21-23. Motion Hampton/Castillo to impose fines for current nuisance abatement cases and send certified letters to homes in violation of mowing and abandoned car ordinances. All ayes. Motion carried. Council discussed obtaining bids for topping or complete removal of diseased ash trees in the city right-of-way. Motion Ulmer/Hampton to allow creation of a view-only UBI online banking profile. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Ulmer to take no action for the service line issue at 862 Second Street. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Maack to set a 20% increase in water (+$7) and water usage (+$1 per 1,000 gallons) rates which would go into effect early 2027. All ayes. Motion carried. Ordinance to be drawn up for next council meeting. Motion Ulmer/Castillo to appoint Mary Faye Quandt to the Library Board due to the resignation of Patty Staley. All ayes. Motion carried. Council discussed revamping city code to require building permits or council permission to place shipping containers on properties within city limits. City will reach out to Simmering-Cory for samples to review at a later meeting. Motion Castillo/Hampton to post for Deputy Clerk Position. All ayes. Motion carried. Council discussed four complaints regarding multiple cars parked in the street for extended periods of time, shipping container placed over city sidewalk, and houses in violation of mowing ordinances. Motion Ulmer/Reese to deny building permits for 661 6th St. due to incomplete application and fees; and for 22 Pine Ave. due to application needing revision for updated scope of work. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion Castillo/Hampton to approve bills. All ayes. Motion carried Eftps, Fed/Fica Taxes 2,231.96 Treasurer, State Of Iowa, State Tax 117.61 Ipers, Ipers - Regular 1,357.40 Dnr, Npdes/Operation Permit Fee 210 Mid American Energy Utilities 205.42 Mapleton Press, Publishing Legals 311.39 Novus Ag, 2.5 Gal Glyphosate Herbicide 125 West Central, Merchandise For Re-Sale-Water 4,604.14 Bt Computers, Reset Microsoft 365/2nd Laptop 85 Hydro Plumbing, 1.25 Hr Vac Truck Walnut Main 506.25 The Office Stop, Office Supplies 22.81 Crawford Co Engineer, 1” Road Stone/Delivery Fee 651.17 Do It Best, Fire Station Door Repair 74.12 United States Post Office, 1 Roll Fc/5 Roll Pc Stamps 409.62 Dunlap Plumbing & Heating, Furnace Work In City Hall 626.65 Jepsen Repair, Tire Repair-Pick Up 25 R & S Waste Disposal, August Contract Rate 3,162.50 Midwest Laboratories Inc, Water Analysis X2 137 State Hygenic Laboratory, Testing Water For Haloacetic 174 Denison Auto Parts, Skid Loader-Repair Parts 54.71 Ampride, Fd Diesel Rescue 1 & Engine 1 426.53 Iowa Dept Revenue, July Wet Taxes 769.24 Iowa State University, Library Program - Avoid Fraud 100 Vetter Equipment, Skid Loader Tow And Repair 369.83 Peggy Staley, City Hall Vacuum 179.97 Crary Huff Law Firm, Maack/Knowles/Neddermeyer/Gen/ 3,825.30 Simmering-Cory, Iowa Codefication 1,500.00 Visual Edge It, Inc Monthly Contract Base/Overages 85.39 Us Bank, Ch Chairs 399.25 Ettleman Oil Company, #2 Red Diesel 292 Gal 1,372.40 American Fire Equipment, Dodge Replacement Tank 500 Gal 1,000.00 Isg, Permitting & Plan Review 4,972.78 Sexton Oil Co, Fill Gas Tank 1,883.21 Hailey Meseck, Mileage Reimbursement 622 Mile 450.95 Iowa Western Cc, Fire Training/Basic Life 225 Kathryn Sassman, Mileage Reimbursement 84 Miles 72.21 Payroll Checks, Total Payroll Checks 13,445.77 Claims Total 46,169.58 General Fund 26,950.88 Fire Fund 1,651.53 Road Use Tax Fund 1,372.18 Water Fund 7,774.02 Water Sinking (Debt) Fund 582.5 2025 Water Project Fund 4,972.78 Sewer Fund 2,865.69 Motion Ulmer/Castillo to adjourn at 9:41 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Peggy Staley, Mayor Kathryn Sassman, City Clerk. MP9-24-26
