Spencer City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Spencer City Council met for a regular session on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at Spencer City Hall. Mayor Donavon Wunschel presided, and all seven council members (Nelson, Lyons, Moser, Reit, Peterson, Vermeer, Beehler) were present. The meeting covered routine approvals, a public hearing, new business agreements, department updates, and concluded with a closed session for litigation strategy.

Consent Calendar

The council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda (7-0). Items included the August 17, 2026 meeting minutes; alcohol and tobacco license updates for Sports Page Bar & Grill, Casey's locations, Cargo Express, and the Clay County Fair; residential and multi-residential tax abatements; a $43,071.59 final payment to Anderson Drainage & Excavation for the 2025 Landfill Cell Project; Resolution No. 6781 authorizing street closures for the Spencer High School Homecoming Parade on September 25, 2026; and Resolution No. 6782 acknowledging the Spencer Municipal Hospital's FY 2026-2027 budget.

Public Hearing & New Business

• 2026 4th Ave West Drainage Project: A public hearing was held on the proposed plans, specifications, and cost estimate. No written or oral comments were submitted for or against the project. Following the hearing, the council unanimously passed Resolution No. 6783 approving the plans, and Resolution No. 6784 awarding the construction contract to BD Construction Services, LLC for $89,862.00.
• 28E Agreement with Spencer Community Schools: The council approved Resolution No. 6785, a new agreement allowing the school district to use Utility Task Vehicles on the city trail system. The City Manager clarified this formalizes existing activity and requires the school district to clearly label its vehicles. The vote was unanimous (7-0).
• Bridge Replacement Agreement: The council approved Supplemental Professional Services Agreement #4 with Kirkham and Michael for the bridge replacement on West 18th Street. The vote was unanimous.

Department & Committee Reports

• Fire Department: Reported 76 calls for service in August (16 fire-related, 54 EMS). The department completed 10 training events, 9 inspections resulting in 3 violations being addressed with business owners, and through targeted recruitment efforts extended offers to 4 new volunteer members from 8 applications. A new SCBA bottle fill station is operational.
• Golf Course: Announced a 2027 season pass special allowing play for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027. The course received over 4 inches of rain over the weekend but was open for play by 9:00 AM.
• Police Department: Reported 870 calls for service and 34 arrests in August. The Communications Center handled 2,365 phone calls, including 382 calls to 911. Department-wide training on bloodborne pathogens, hazardous communications, and emergency response was conducted.
• Public Works: Completed the landfill cold storage spray foam project. Street painting and spray oil rock patching were performed. The cashless solid waste system was praised by user Tom Clark for improving operational efficiency. A contract for biosolids application at the wastewater treatment plant is expected at the next meeting, with projected savings.
• Engineering Reports: Ross (KCN) updated the council on the RISE Project (cul-de-sac paving complete, storm and sanitary sewer work remaining), the 4th Ave W drainage project (underground work complete, paving delayed by rain), sewer flow monitoring via four installed flow meters capturing weekend rainfall data, and the Lead Service Line Project (23 of approximately 240 water services completed). Wes (Bolton & Menk) reported the Splash Pad and 18th Street Trail are on schedule for substantial completion on October 16 and October 30, 2026, respectively.
• City Manager's Report (Gabby): Highlights included a $16,000 grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa for the library to digitize newspapers, the beginning of collective bargaining negotiations for a new contract following the current one-year 1.5% COLA, and a planned housing incentive conversation for late October or November. The city is preparing to launch an RFP for a comprehensive land use plan and demolition RFPs will be sent within the month. Spencer was announced as the only municipality in Iowa accepted into a NASA-led flood prediction study using the 2024 disaster as a model.
• Mayor's Report: Reminded the public of the upcoming Clay County Fair. Clarified that Highway 71 lane closures are strictly an Iowa DOT project unrelated to the city. Celebrated the completion of two new homes in Spencer (a Mennonite rebuild and a Habitat for Humanity home). Commended the Deerfield neighborhood for hosting a block party with over 200 attendees.
• Council Reports (Kevin): The Committee of the Whole will meet on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM to discuss sewer rates and flood insurance options with Matt Stoffel from PFM. The next regular City Council Meeting follows at 6:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Decisions and Votes: All agenda items passed unanimously (7-0). This included the Consent Agenda, Resolutions 6783 and 6784 for the 4th Ave West Drainage Project, Resolution 6785 for the 28E Agreement with schools, the Bridge Replacement agreement with Kirkham and Michael, and the Bills and Claims list.
• Closed Session: The council unanimously voted to enter a closed session at 7:01 PM pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel concerning litigation. The session concluded at 7:21 PM, after which the meeting was adjourned.
• Next Steps: The council will hold a Committee of the Whole on September 21st to consider options for increasing sewer rates and flood insurance costs. The city manager will present housing incentive proposals to the council in late October or November. Broader demolition and comprehensive planning RFPs are slated for release within the month. A biosolids application contract will be presented at the next regular council meeting.