“…To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones…”
George Washington
The May 27, 2025, meeting of the Spirit Lake City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Kevin Bice with five council members present: Brett Johnson, Angela Kofoot, Keith Brockmeyer, John Chappas, and David Mensing.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and so the council settled down to proceed through the agenda.
Agenda Item # 1 was the consent agenda dealing with the approval of the special council meeting minutes of May 7, 2025 and the regular meeting of May 13, 2025. For those of you who do not know the concept of a consent agenda, a consent agenda is a portion of a meeting agenda that presents a grouping of routine or non-controversial items together, allowing them to be approved with a single motion and vote. The alleged purpose of this move is to save time and consideration by the council which ultimately results in the avoidance of separate discussions on each item thus clouding transparency.
For example, the meeting of May 7, 2025, which was dubbed a special meeting. Present at this meeting was Mayor Bice, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Kofoot, Councilman Brockmeyer, Councilman Chappas, Councilman Mensing and City Attorney Gregg Owens at the 6:00 p.m. meeting. It was noted in the minutes of this special meeting, “…motion by Councilman Brockmeyer, second from Councilman Mensing to go into a closed session pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5 (c)* which states,
“…To discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the positions of the governmental body in that litigation…”
A roll call vote was taken with a unanimous vote Aye X 5 to go into executive session. Unfortunately, the minutes fail to state how long the session was and at what time the meeting was adjourned. Just the notation that,
“Motion by Chappas, seconded by Johnson to go out of closed session. Roll call vote taken…”
Followed by a Motion by Chappas, second by Johnson for adjournment with apparently no action taken.
Approve the warrants of May 2025.
Agenda Item #2 Iowa Lakes Corridor update. Two gentlemen from the Iowa Lakes Corridor, Curt Strouth- President/CEO and Trevor Smith- Senior Vice President of Economic Development spoke to the council with regard to their adopted initiatives of 1) workforce development and 2) entrepreneur pitch which dealt with available grant moneys and seed moneys.
Agenda Item #3 Discussion and possible action regarding Wellmark Health Insurance with ICT and SISCO. Action taken to approve contract, motion by Chappas, second from Brockmeyer with a unanimous X 5 Aye vote.
Agenda Item #4 Discussion and possible action regarding Civic Systems computer software: Action taken to approve (Option 3) a three (3) year contract with a motion from Brockmeyer with a second coming from Johnson, approval of the motion was a unanimous X 5 Aye vote.
Agenda Item #5 Discussion and possible action regarding School Resource Officer Agreement. Action taken to approve with a Motion from Kofoot, a second from Mensing to approve negotiation for a three (3) contract. Approval of the motion was a unanimous X 5 Aye vote.
Agenda Item #6 Resolution approving a plan and specification, setting public hearing and potential bid letting for 2025 City of Spirit Lake Pointe of Pines Third (3) Addition Infrastructure Improvement Project. This Resolution was approved with a motion from Johnson and a second from Mensing and a unanimous X 5 Aye roll call vote.
Agenda Item #7 Appointment to the Low Rent Housing Authority. Gary Caviness appointee was approved with a motion from Brockmeyer and second from Kofoot, with a unanimous X 5 Aye vote.
Comment from Councilman John Chappas, announcements and discussion on the projected start of the 23rd street improvement project.
Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting by Chappas, seconded by Johnson and with a unanimous X 5 Aye vote the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
A Voice from the Gallery 