February 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Council Meeting Agenda

Discussion:  No report from Sheriff Tom Decker this month.

Discussion:  Utility supervisor Cory Buck gave a written monthly report.  Council member Geiser asked for clarification about the heaters that were purchased for the water treatment plant.   CA Mogus noted that exhaust fans were on for a while and had since been turned off, but the WTP remains cold, and there is no heat in one of the rooms.  

Discussion:  CA Mogus also had a written report this month.  He mentioned that the paving district is nothing that needs to be done this year.  Mogus also stated that JEO has been great to work with, and now that they know what the Council looking for regarding the levy, they are working on getting Mogus some number.  Mogus reiterated that there is nothing in the budget this fiscal year for the levy. 

Discussion:  No public comments.

Discussion:  City Attorney Henderson noted that the proposed interlocal agreement with the Wakefield Rural Fire Board (WRFB) is to get up to date on practices already in place and would renew automatically unless otherwise brought forth to council.  This agreement, as noted previously, has nothing to do with the proposed new fire hall, and that would need to be a separate agreement.  Henderson would like the go-ahead from Council to send this agreement to the WRFB for their approval.  Once approved by them, Henderson will have the agreement on the agenda for Council to approve and the mayor to sign. 

Discussion:  No names were presented for approval to fill the vacancies on city boards, committees, and authorities.  Mayor Lehmkuhl asked for names by next month's meeting.  Attorney Henderson informed the council that because the possible real estate transactions forthcoming, Planning & Zoning and Community Redevelopment Authority needs the vacancies filled.  P&Z has enough members now for a quorum, but a full board is expected and needed.  

Discussion:  CA Mogus stated that the fire hall roof had been damaged by recent windstorms, and there is a $10,000 deductible.  Mogus has procured three bids:  Lee's Roofing, Schrunk Roofing, and Guaranteed Roofing.  Lee's is the most expensive at $29K; however they use a better material than the other two.  Lee's and Shrunk have both been used by the City previously, and both do a good job.  Michael Foods uses Lee's for all their roofing projects, and Mogus would recommend Lee's even though the price is higher.  Bob Berry, the City's insurance agent, was in the audience and was asked about the claim process.  Berry reported that EMC will determine the cash value up front then once the final invoice has been submitted to them, a check will be cut to reimburse the City. 

Discussion:  Council member Geiser asked if any council members had followed up on the email sent by Clerk Vander Veen in December regarding July 4th fireworks.  Because no one had, Geiser suggested that the council discuss the possibility tonight.  Dolen asked if there would be a Legion baseball game in conjunction with fireworks, but that is not known at this time.  He then asked whether or not fireworks could be in conjunction with WakeFEST in August.  Council was receptive to that, and Kayla Miller, WakeFest representative, stated she would add this possibility to their next planning agenda.  Cost of the fireworks and insurance was briefly discussed.  Council requested tht CA Mogus contact Brian Gibson to find out details and to ask Clerk Vander Veen to add this as an agenda item in March if warranted.  

Discussion:  Since 2019 the Sales Tax fund has contributed $30,000 towards economic development.  These funds have been paid to Wakefield Progressive.  CRA will also contribute $30,000 to Wakefield Progressive; however, CRA will give their portion to the City who in turn will write the check to Wakefield Progressive.  This process was how our attorneys told us to do things legally betweenthe CRA and Wakefield Progressive. 

Discussion:  After Chad Mackling spoke at the January 14, 2026 council meeting about purchasing locally, Council asked for further discussion about a generating a possible purchase policy.  CA Henderson noted that he was not familiar with any other municipal policies of this nature, and noted that Council could encourage purchasing locally but did not need to set a policy.  He felt a policy would lead to several issues in time.

Discussion:  Council member Geiser would like to see a schedule generated that shows which months council members are responsible for reviewing payables.  He stated this would eliminate Clerk Vander Veen texting every month asking for volunteers.  Council was receptive to such schedule, and Brenn volunteered for March; Hansen for April; and Dolen for May.  Geiser will take June and the cycle will start all over.  Council members requested a reminder text from Vander Veen.  

Discussion:  The current resolution allows the clerk/treasurer to pay the following prior to council meetings:  payroll, electric & utility bills, insurance, bond payments, and credit card statements.  
We've been running into issues with Allo and Fastwyre (internet & phone provider).  Because their bills are due immediately after or sometimes prior to the monthly council meetings, there have been late fees added to the statements.  Also, the Postal Service is taking an exceptionally long time to process and deliver mail which makes our payments late. The clerk has been in contact with both Allo and Fastwyre, and they are unable to switch the billing due dates on our accounts. 

The clerk/treasurer would like to know if Council considers Allo & Fastwyre utility payments as provided in Resolution 1-2023.  If so, no action is needed; however, if council does not consider phone and internet as part of the monthly utilities, there needs to be discussion about possibly amending the resolution to include those services.  
Some communities (like Pender) have specified phone & Internet bills separate from utilities.  Other communities use the verbiage of 'claims offering a discount for early payment' and 'claims incurring a penalty for late payment'.  
Even if the clerk/treasurer sets up ACH for these services, they would still be paid before or immediately after council meetings. 

Attorney Henderson does not like the idea of switching to ACH for all payments as he experience shows that's usually where fraud begins.  

Council agreed that regular monthly expenses--which include Fastwyre and Allo--are covered in the Resolution, and the Clerk is free to pay them prior to council meetings as outlined.