City of Ute Regular Council Meeting February 9, 2026 – City Hall 6:00pm – Monday The Ute City Council met with Mayor Henschen in regular, open session on Monday February 9, 2026 at 6pm in the Council Chambers with the following Council Members present: Jimmy Carlson, Ryan Pithan, Josh Gotto (Left at 6:11pm), Matt Leitz (Arrived 6:10pm), Sue Kelm (Arrived 6:27pm). Also Present: City Clerk Megan Peitsch, Public Works Superintendent Lonnie Carlson. The meeting was called to order at 6:03pm by Mayor Henschen. Motion by Pithan/JCarlson to approve the agenda as posted. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto. Nays – None. Absent – Leitz, Kelm. MC 3-0-2 Motion by Pithan/Gotto approving and authorizing a form of Loan Agreement and authorizing and providing for the issuance, and levying a tax to pay the notes in relation to the Not to Exceed $55,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Notes (RESOLUTION #2026-10). Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto. Nays – None. Absent – Leitz, Kelm. MC 3-0-2 Motion by JCarlson/Pithan to approve the Tax Exemption Certificate in relation to the Not to Exceed $55,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Notes. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto. Nays – None. Absent – Leitz, Kelm. MC 3-0-2 No speakers for public forum. Mayor Henschen presented a general report. No building permits were approved. Public Works Superintendent LCarlson gave a general report. Quotes for concrete grinding will be obtained. Tree removal project is still underway. All marked trees south of Hwy 141 have been removed. North of Hwy 141 is currently being worked on. Stump grinding and ground restoration will occur in Spring. City Clerk Peitsch presented the following January Financial Reports: Cash Report, Bank Reconciliations, Treasurer’s Fund Report, Outstanding Transactions, Budget by Function, Tax Liabilities, Monthly Check Listings, and UB Reconciliation. Receipts for the Month of January totaled: $95,755.91. FUND 001 GENERAL $16,135.07; 006 LIBRARY $1,912.00; 110 ROAD USE $3,891.93; 121 LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX $4,113.05; 600 WATER $15,583.45; 602 WATER SINKING FUND $12,350.12; 603 WATER SHORT LIVED ASSET $35,768.10; 610 SEWER $6,022.19 Council Member Matt Leitz arrived at 6:10pm. Motion by Gotto/JCarlson to approve the reduction of sewer charge request for 319 E Cummins for a water leak that did not enter the sewer. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Gotto, Leitz. Nays – None. Absent – Kelm. Abstain: Pithan (Conflict of Interest). MC 3-0-1-1 Council Member Gotto left at 6:11pm. Motion by Pithan/JCarlson to approve the consent agenda consisting of: Approval of January 2026 Bills and Payroll; Approval of City Council Minutes: 1/12/2026 Regular Meeting; Approval of all presented financial reports; Approval of Ute Town and County Class C Liquor License (LC) Renewal pending dram shop review. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Kelm, Gotto. MC 3-0-2 Motion by Pithan/JCarlson to approve the resolution approving temporary salary adjustment of Part-Time Public Works Shannon Hahn for the duration of her service during the Public Works Superintendent’s leave of absence (RESOLUTION #2026-11). Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Kelm, Gotto. MC 3-0-2 Discussion was held on the current shortage in sanitation and rate increase. Extra cans will be charged at the same rate as the extra can size. All landfill charges will increase by five dollars. There will be no change to garbage can charges. Motion by Leitz/Pithan to approve the resolution setting garbage and landfill rates (RESOLUTION #2026-12). Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Kelm, Gotto. MC 3-0-2 Mayor Henschen introduced ORDINANCE 236: AMENDING THE UTE MUNICIPAL CODE, 2017, TITLE V – HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – EDUCATION AND CULTURE, CHAPTER 1 LIBRARY SERVICES. Motion by Pithan/JCarlson to approve the first reading in title only. Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Kelm, Gotto. MC 3-0-2. Motion by JCarlson/Pithan to waive the second and third readings, and place the ordinance on final passage. Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Kelm, Gotto. MC 3-0-2. Motion by Leitz/Pithan to give final approval and direct ordinance to be published. Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Kelm, Gotto. MC 3-0-2 Discussion was held on the FY27 tax levy and budget planning. Council Member Sue Kelm arrived at 6:22pm. Motion by JCarlson/Pithan to set the FY27 Property Tax System Public Hearing for Thursday March 26, 2026 at 6pm at City Hall. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Kelm, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Gotto. MC 4-0-1 Motion by Leitz/JCarlson to post lagoon mowing information at the three posting locations. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Kelm, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Gotto. MC 4-0-1 Motion by Leitz/Kelm to approve signing the agreement with Triple C Pest Control Mosquito Spraying for the 2026 season. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Kelm, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Gotto. MC 4-0-1 Discussion was held on current and nuisance abatements. Junk vehicle abatement will begin south of Hwy 141. Discussion was held on snow plowing in March during PW Superintendent leave of absence. Discussion was held on City Hall internet, phone, and email provider. Clerk will contact various vendors for quotes on pricing. Discussion was held on amending the Senior Center Contract due to change in senior meal provider. City Clerk will talk with lawyer about amending the contract language. Pet License Applications were due January 31, 2026. Applications are available on the website and outside City Hall. Next Regular Council Meeting is Monday March 9, 2026 at 6pm at City Hall. Motion by JCarlson/Leitz to adjourn at 7:10pm. Results of Vote: Ayes- JCarlson, Leitz, Kelm, Pithan. Nays – None. Absent – Gotto. MC 4-0-1 Submitted by: Megan Peitsch, City Clerk January 2025 Claims For February Meeting Vendor, Description Amount Acco, Tubing $37.13 Acs, Install Camera Old Water Tower $1,077.05 Acs, Cloud Backup Oct-Jan $200.00 Amazon Business, Cleaning Supplies $56.54 Ampride Truck Plaza, Ambulance Fuel $53.00 Ampride Truck Plaza, Snow Plow Repair $1,023.15 Badger Meter, Meter Hosting $31.27 Bomgaars, Batteries $125.04 Chn Garbage Service, Garbage Pickup $2,400.10 Community Bank, New Water Sinking Fund Cd $12,350.12 Community Bank, New Water Short Lived Asset Cd $35,768.10 Crary Huff, Legal $73.50 Eftps Irs, Vendor Liability $2,184.47 Foundation Analytical Lab, Water Testing $52.50 Hydro Optimization And Automat, Text Notification Subscription $350.00 Incontrol Electronics, Fire Door Dues $17.00 Iowa Department Of Revenue, 2025 Sales Tax $1,762.39 Iowa Department Of Revenue, Vendor Liability $261.33 Iowa Department Of Revenue, Jan 2026 Wet Tax $873.18 Iowa One Call, Locates $6.30 Ipers, Vendor Liability $1,606.89 Jamie Neddermeyer, Row Tree Removal First Installment $9,000.00 Lonnie Carlson, Mileage Reimbursement $367.58 Mapleton Press, Publishing $182.00 Midamerican Energy, Electric $2,243.17 Office Depot, Llc, Office Supplies $59.98 Quill, Supplies $111.82 Randy’s Electric, Camera Electric $202.43 Usda, Usda Loan 98491 Feb Payment $2,578.00 Usda, Usda Loan 98492 Feb Payment $2,565.00 Usps, Certified Letter $10.48 Usps, Go Bond Ahlers Priority Express$33.40 Usps, Stamps $617.00 Ute Ambulance, Deposit Correction On Wrong Acct$563.18 Ute Senior Citizens, Feb Senior Meals Contract $140.00 Ute Tire & Automotive, Fire Quick Attack Truck Battery Repair $750.75 Veit, Copier Lease$115.95 Wellmark, Health Insurance$1,276.07 Wex, Fuel$178.34 Windstream, Phone/Internet $434.78 Wipco, Sewer Electric $40.00 Accounts Payable $81,778.99 Payroll Checks $5,693.55 Total Disbursements $87,472.54 *********** General $25,916.07 Library $300.37 Water $9,236.24 Sewer $2,435.77 Road Use $827.83 Employee Benefits $638.04 Water Sinking Fund $12,350.12 Water Short Lived Asset Fund $35,768.10 Total All Funds $87,472.54 MP2-19-26
