Grinnell City Council Regular Session Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Grinnell City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 8:00 AM in the Council Chambers at City Hall and via Zoom. Mayor Sam Cox presided with Councilmembers Smith, Carter, Hueftle-Worley, and Hart present. Councilmember Wray was absent. The meeting was moved from the regular 7:00 PM time due to a lack of a quorum. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 AM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda and the change of meeting time.
• Approved minutes from August 17 and August 27, 2026.
• Approved city claims and payroll claims totaling $2,935,017.83.
• Accepted the resignation of Part-Time Firefighter Ben Bock.
• Approved a liquor license for Grinnell Craft Brewhouse.
• Confirmed Mayor Appointments of Steve Bernemann and Frank Appleton to the Civil Service Commission (terms expiring March 31, 2030).
• Acknowledged receipt of committee minutes (Finance, Public Safety, Planning, Parks & Recreation, Library Board).

Finance Committee Discussion Items

• Campbell Fund – Read 2 Lead Program: The council discussed a special request from the Read 2 Lead program. The request was for $3,000, but staff recommended $1,000 based on previous practice. A significant discussion ensued regarding fund spending priorities. City Administrator Russ Opsal noted the fund is in a transition year under the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation and annual spending limits are not yet clear. He noted the fund's largest current expenditure is rent assistance, a departure from the original intent of medical aid. Councilmember Hueftle-Worley requested a list of all expenditures made from the fund to date. Opsal agreed to provide this. The motion to approve $1,000 passed unanimously (5-0).
• Sidewalk Assistance: Approved applications for 532 High Street and 603 8th Avenue.
• Internal Fund Transfers: Approved Resolution 2026-127 for a monthly internal transfer of $59,409.98 and Resolution 2026-128 for a monthly trust and agency transfer of $18,070.95.

Public Works & Grounds Committee Discussion Items

• Veterans Memorial Plaza: Approved Pay Request No. 6 for $28,452.44 to Caliber Concrete.
• 10th Avenue Raised Crosswalk: Approved Pay Request No. 2 for $970.00 to Con-Struct, Inc.
• Library Handicapped Parking: Approved Pay Request No. 2 for $3,880.00 to Con-Struct, Inc.
• South Water Tower: Approved Pay Request No. 17 for $10,640.00 to Caldwell Tanks. City Engineer Russ Opsal stated the tower is expected to go online the first week of October.
• Water Plant Project: Approved Pay Request No. 18 for $1,047,375.54 to WRH, Inc. Councilmember Smith raised a concern about an expired property insurance certificate (Van Man and Electric, dated Aug 2025 to Aug 2026) found in the agenda packet. Staff took the item under advisement.
• Change Orders: Approved Change Order No. 3 with Caldwell Tanks and Change Order No. 10 for $5,099.88 with WRH, Inc.
• Safe Routes to School: Approved Resolution 2026-136, authorizing a state application for funding. Staff clarified an updated version of the resolution was in the packet.
• Scout Subdivision: Approved the installation of gas and electric service by Alliant Energy. Opsal explained the city must pay for infrastructure up-front and is rebated as meters are installed on new homes, a process that can take years.

Public Safety Committee Discussion Items

• Officer Academy Agreements: Approved agreements with Javin Doland and Chevy Langston.
• Mobile Food Units (Ordinance 1577): Approved the first reading of Ordinance 1577, amending regulations for food trucks. Councilmember Hueftle-Worley asked about the city's posture toward food trucks; Mayor Cox noted the city has become more welcoming over time, seeing them as symbiotic with events and a source of sales tax.
• Trunk or Treat: Approved a street closure for Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM for Park Street from 3rd to 4th Avenue, and 4th Avenue from Park Street to Broad Street.
• Four-Way Stops – Scholar Square: The council discussed the four-way stops near the former Davis School (Scholar Square). Mayor Cox noted the stops were originally required by the DOT for school proximity and likely no longer meet the criteria. The council directed staff to bring a recommendation on the stop sign configuration to the next meeting.

Planning Committee Discussion Items

• Urban Revitalization Plan: Approved Resolution 2026-137, determining the necessity and setting a public hearing date for the proposed 2026 Amended and Restated Consolidated Urban Revitalization Plan.
• Strategic Planning Services: Approved an agreement with Midwest Municipal Consulting for strategic planning services.

Ordinances – Second Reading

• Ordinance 1575 (Junk/Junk Vehicle Abatement): Approved on second reading. Staff reviewed and made minor wording changes before finalization.
• Ordinance 1576 (Traffic Code Enforcement): Approved on second reading. Also reviewed and revised by staff.

Public Comment

• No members of the public were present to provide comment.

Key Outcomes

• All motions carried unanimously (5-0).
• The City Administrator was directed to provide a detailed list of Campbell Fund expenditures to the council.
• Staff will re-verify an expired insurance certificate for the Water Plant Project.
• Staff will bring a recommendation to the next meeting regarding the four-way stop signs at Scholar Square.