Grinnell City Council Regular Session Meeting - November 2, 2026

The Grinnell City Council met on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. Mayor Sam Cox called the meeting to order with all six council members present. The council approved the agenda and consent agenda, then considered financial, public works, and public safety items, approved first readings of eight ordinances, and heard public comment regarding the Hotel Grinnell bankruptcy.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of October 19, 2026.
• Approved city claims and payroll claims totaling $2,384,515.72 for October 6 through November 2, 2026.
• Approved resignation of Kyle Graff, Assistant Supervisor of Public Services, effective November 29, 2026.
• Approved liquor license for Grinnell Pub, 909 State Street.
• Reviewed Campbell Fund requests.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Angela Harrington, owner of Hotel Grinnell, addressed the council, pleading for support in the hotel's bankruptcy reorganization. She detailed challenges including loan sales, pandemic impacts, HVAC issues, and water corrosion. She noted that all creditors, including Grinnell College and the main lender, have voted in favor of the reorganization plan. She requested reinstatement of the development agreement, emphasizing that the hotel generates self-funded revenues through sales and property taxes. No council action was taken on her comments.

Discussion Items

• Finance Committee Report: Council discussed and accepted the Plan Reorganization filed by Grinnell Center, LLC (vote 4-2). Discussed a request from Robert Gainer, legal counsel for Grinnell Center, LLC, regarding an incentive payment after successful bankruptcy completion (no action). Set a public hearing for November 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM on the cure of default and amendment to the Purchase Sale and Development Agreement with Grinnell Center, LLC (vote 4-2). Approved Resolution 2026-154 for a $6,000,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Note with Iowa Finance Authority at 2.85% interest for the water plant (unanimous). Approved monthly internal transfer of $65,550.15 (Resolution 2026-155, unanimous). Approved monthly trust and agency transfer of $13,030.62 (Resolution 2026-156, unanimous). Approved termination of Managed Services Agreement with Heartland Business Systems (unanimous). Approved a two-year Master Services Agreement with Platinum Information Services, Inc., with a one-time fee of $27,000 and monthly service fee of approximately $11,403 (unanimous).

• Public Works & Grounds Committee Report: Council approved 12 items unanimously:

  1. Resolution 2026-157 fixing a public hearing for an electric line easement to Interstate Power and Light Company (public hearing set for November 16, 2026).
  2. Free Brush Dump weekend November 14-15, 2026, and free curbside pickup week of November 16, 2026.
  3. Right-of-way agreement with Windstream/Kinetic for fiber build-out (First Avenue and East Street).
  4. Right-of-way request from Windstream/Kinetic (Fourth Avenue and Prince Street).
  5. Change Order No. 2 ($138,861) with Houston Engineering for Lakes Restoration Project (Resolution 2026-158).
  6. Change Order No. 2 ($104,145.75) with Iowa DNR for Lakes Restoration Project (Resolution 2026-159).
  7. Pay Request No. 3 ($987.55) to Con-Struct, Inc. for Library Handicapped Parking Project (Resolution 2026-160).
  8. Pay Request No. 3 ($2,685.42) to Con-Struct, Inc. for 10th Avenue Raised Crosswalk Project (Resolution 2026-161).
  9. Pay Request No. 19 ($31,350) to Caldwell Tanks, Inc. for South Water Tower (Resolution 2026-162).
  10. Pay Request No. 20 ($399,472.54) to WRH, Inc. for Water Plant Project (Resolution 2026-163).
  11. Change Order No. 12 ($38,979.61 net increase) with WRH, Inc. for Water Plant Project (Resolution 2026-164).
  12. Award contract to OEL Construction Services, Inc. ($2,117,516.25) for Water Plant Streets Project (Resolution 2026-165).

• Public Safety Committee Report: Discussed adding a yield or stop sign at 5th Avenue and Chatterton Street. Police Chief McClelland reported two accidents in 10 years and will bring a formal written recommendation to the November 16, 2026 meeting. Discussed a Memorandum of Understanding for an Extreme Temperature Center between Poweshiek County Emergency Management Commission and Drake Community Library; the City Manager will present a recommendation at the November 16, 2026 meeting. Both items were postponed for two weeks.

• Ordinances: Council approved first readings of eight ordinances (all unanimously):

  • Ordinance No. 1578: Abandoned vehicles.
  • Ordinance No. 1579: Alcoholic beverage control.
  • Ordinance No. 1580: Alternative nicotine and vapor products.
  • Ordinance No. 1581: ATV and UTV accident reports.
  • Ordinance No. 1582: Elections.
  • Ordinance No. 1583: General traffic regulations.
  • Ordinance No. 1584: Operating budget annual statement.
  • Ordinance No. 1585: Public meetings.

Key Outcomes

• Accepted Plan Reorganization for Grinnell Center, LLC (4-2 vote).
• Set public hearing for November 16, 2026 on Grinnell Center, LLC agreement cure/default.
• Approved $6,000,000 capital loan note for water plant.
• Approved multiple contracts and change orders for water plant, lakes restoration, and other infrastructure projects.
• Postponed decisions on 5th Avenue/Chatterton Street sign and Extreme Temperature Center MOU to November 16, 2026.
• Approved first readings of eight code amendments.
• Public comment from Angela Harrington regarding Hotel Grinnell bankruptcy; no council action taken.