City of Ute Regular Council Meeting March 9, 2026 – City Hall 6:00pm – Monday The Ute City Council met with Mayor Henschen in regular, open session on Monday March 9, 2026 at 6pm in the Council Chambers with the following Council Members present: Jimmy Carlson, Ryan Pithan, Josh Gotto, Sue Kelm (Arrived 6:49pm). Absent: Matt Lietz. Also Present: City Clerk Megan Peitsch, Public Works Superintendent Lonnie Carlson (by phone). The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm by Mayor Henschen. Motion by JCarlson/Pithan to approve the agenda as posted. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto. Nays – None. Absent: Kelm, Leitz. MC 3-0-2 No speakers for public forum. Mayor gave a general update. The following building permits were approved: 103 E Main St (Handicap Ramp Entrance), 111 Railway (Concrete Slab) Public Works Superintendent LCarlson gave a general report and presented the Water Tank Inspection Report by Maguire Iron. City Clerk Peitsch gave an update on Ordinance 236 passed at the last meeting. Ordinance 236 is not in effect as it was discovered that any changes to the library ordinance must be go to vote by ballot. The ordinance language will go on the next city/school election. Peitsch presented the following February 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 February totaled: $83,216.19. Funds: 001 General $54,238.40; 110 Road Use Tax $3,069.91; 121 Local Option Sales Tax $2,971.61; 600 Water $16,241.02; 610 $6,433.94 Motion by Pithan/JCarlson to approve the consent agenda consisting of: Approval of February 2026 Bills and Payroll; Approval of City Council Minutes: 2/9/2026 Regular Meeting; Approval of All Presented Financial Reports. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto. Nays – None. Absent: Kelm, Leitz. MC 3-0-2 Discussion was held on the FY27 Budget and updates on funding from the USDA for equipment. No action taken. Current and new nuisance abatements were reviewed. Clerk will send out letters for junk vehicles and tires. Abatement of 119 E 1st St will resume on 3/25/26. Motion by JCarlson/Gotto to set the FY26 Budget Amendment Public Hearing for Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6pm. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto. Nays – None. Absent: Kelm, Leitz. MC 3-0-2 Council Member Sue Kelm arrived at 6:49pm. Discussion was held on the Ambulance Stipend Payroll. Ambulance payroll will come out of the Ambulance department in the City Checking account and Ambulance Checking Account will reimburse the City Checking each month for the amount of the checks minus Fund 112. This allows for clearer accounting for payroll liabilities. Ute Clean Up Days will be Friday May 1 through Sunday May 3 at the Ute Water Plant. Appliance Tags will be for sale the month of April. One bid was received for lagoon mowing. Motion by JCarlson/Gotto to award the lagoon mowing agreement to James Andresen and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto, Kelm. Nays – None. Absent: Leitz. MC 4-0-1 Discussion was held on increasing the amount of crushed concrete authorized. Motion by Pithan/Gotto to approve crushing 2,500 tons of concrete and sell the crushed concrete for $22/ton. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto, Kelm. Nays – None. Absent: Leitz. MC 4-0-1 Discussion was held on Recodification Question Set #3. No action taken. Motion by JCarlson/Gotto to authorize Ryan Pithan to purchase up to $250 worth of candy bars and prizes for the Ute Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Community Club with the public purpose of being distributed at a public Ute community event. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Gotto, Kelm. Nays – None. Absent: Leitz. Abstain: Pithan (Conflict of Interest). MC 3-0-1-1 Motion by Gotto/Kelm to approve signing the Long Lines proposal for internet service and creating Gmail email accounts for Clerk, Public Works, Fire, and Library. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto, Kelm. Nays – None. Absent: Leitz. MC 4-0-1 Motion by JCarlson/Kelm to approve and sign the new contract with the Ute Senior Center to provide a monthly payment of $140.00 to pay certain utility bills in order to support the public good of providing resources for meals and hosting a gathering space for senior residents. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto, Kelm. Nays – None. Absent: Leitz. MC 4-0-1 Next regular council meeting is Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6pm at City Hall. Motion by Gotto/JCarlson to adjourn at 7:08pm. Results of Vote: Ayes – JCarlson, Pithan, Gotto, Kelm. Nays – None. Absent: Leitz. MC 4-0-1 Submitted by: Megan Peitsch, City Clerk February 2026 Claims For March Meeting Vendor, Description Amount Incontrol Electronics, Fire Door Dues $17.00 Veit, City Hall Copier $97.78 Midamerican Energy, Electric $10.99 Wipco, Sewer Electric $40.00 Eftps Irs, Vendor Liability $1,581.50 Ipers, Vendor Liability $1,166.85 Iowa Department Of Revenue, Vendor Liability $175.20 Wellmark, Health Insurance $1,276.07 Usda, Usda Loan 98491 March Payment $2,578.00 Usda, Usda Loan 98492 March Payment $2,565.00 Windstream, Phone/Internet $420.12 Windstream, Phone/Internet $77.40 Midamerican Energy, Electric $2,256.24 Iowa Department Of Revenue, Feb 2026 Wet Tax $846.78 Feld Fire, Fire Turnout Gear $5,650.00 Wex, Fuel $134.24 Ashley Seieroe, Ambulance Skills Training Reimbursement $64.69 City Of Ute, Cpr Class Registration $50.00 Pcc, Ambulance Billing 10/01/25-12/31/25 $112.90 Usps, Certified Letters $20.96 Jamie Neddermeyer, Row Tree Removal Second Installment $10,000.00 Ahlers And Cooney Attorneys, Go Bond Legal Inv908786 $6,800.00 Badger Meter, Meter Hosting $33.34 Bomgaars, Gloves $59.22 Chn Garbage Service, Garbage Pickup $2,400.10 Foundation Analytical Lab, Water Testing $52.50 Imfoa, Imfoa Annual Dues $50.00 Lonnie Carlson, Fire Dept Cpr Class Reimbursement $650.00 M&E Plastic Repair Llc, Slide Repair $987.00 Mapleton Press, Publishing $157.72 North American Truck & Trailer, Go Bond - Snow Plow Blade $12,633.23 Triple C Pest Control, 2026 Mosquito Control Contract $1,995.00 Ute Senior Citizens, Senior Contract March 2026 $140.00 Ute Tire & Automotive, Snow Blade Repair $155.87 Hoffman Agency, Insurance Increase $1,712.00 Accounts Payable $56,967.70 Payroll Checks $6,151.20 Total Disbursments $63,118.90 ********** General $50,868.30 Library $265.20 Water $8,474.29 Sewer $2,047.12 Road Use $825.95 Employee Benefits $638.04 Total All Funds $63,118.90 MP3-19-26
