CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on April 13, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Huffman, Tull and Beck; Peterson and Hodges were absent. Staff present was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman and City Clerk, Dawne Bowman. Visitors at the meeting were Colleen Larimer, Deputy Peterson, Casey Allen, Morgan Brokaw, Jesa Christensen, George Pryor and Deputy Pafford.

Tull made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried. Beck made a motion to approve 3/23/26 Special meeting minutes, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried. Tull made a motion to approve 3/23/26 Regular meeting minutes, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried. Tull made a motion to approve payment of the bills, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried. Tull made a motion to approve March 2026 Clerk Treasurer Report, seconded by Beck, all ayes, motion carried.

At 5:30PM Tull made a motion to open the Public Hearing Budget Adoption FY27, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried. George Pryor entered the meeting. There were no comments heard from the public. At 5:32PM Huffman motioned to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Beck, all ayes, motion carried.

Tull made a motion to approve Resolution 26-09 Adopting FY27 Budget, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried.

There was a discussion held on Community Garden in the Railroad Right of Way. Casey Allen, Morgan Brokaw and Jesa Christensen, with Lenox FFA gave a presentation on their ideas and proposals. The FFA would plant and weed the garden and it would be open for the entire community. The 1st year would be vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, zucchini, etc. In the future, they would like to plant fruit trees, sweet corn and have a strawberry patch. Allen mentioned the 1st year would be small and they would make necessary changes for the future. Kitzman discussed watering, and it was decided FFA could use the City gator with the water tank in it; however, it would be supervised by an adult. Public Works will be tilling the area to get the garden ready. Tull made a motion to approve FFA Community Garden, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried.

Deputy Pafford entered the meeting.

Tull made a motion to approve Property Insurance Renewal, with an increase of 5%, seconded by Beck, all ayes, motion carried.

Tull made a motion to approve Employee Benefit Insurance Renewal, with an increase of 11% for health, and 6% for dental, seconded by Beck, all ayes, motion carried. Kitzman added that we are price locked for vision and life insurance for 2026.

Huffman made a motion to approve Resolution 26-10 Authorizing and Approving Community Attraction and Tourism Grant Agreement with Iowa Economic Development Board, seconded by Tull, all ayes, motion carried. This is for the CAT Grant of $62,000 for Phase 3 of the Walking Trail.

Tull made a motion to approve City Wide Clean Up dates of April 27, 2026 to May 3, 2026 from 7AM-8PM, seconded by Beck, all ayes, motion carried.

There were no sealed bids for the Neighborhood Center Enclosed Trailer.

Tull made a motion to approve 2026 Council Committees, adding Beck to Personnel, Sanitation, Gas, Parks, Health/Ambulance, and Library, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed the 6 remaining gravel roads in town that have been quoted for an asphalt overlay. Allen Street (Van Buren to Michigan) $83,876, Nebraska Street (Allen to Layne) $148,720, Oak Street (Van Buren to Ohio) $174,408, Michigan (Oak to Locust) $56,420, Birch Street (110th to Temple) $282,932 and Westwind Drive (Lakeshore to Dead end) $491,712. This does not include fees for Bonding Attorney. All streets would have a 4" overlay, except for Birch and Westwind, which would have 6", due to the possibility of more development. There would be no reconstruction to the roads, no curb or guttering and no water drainage work; strictly overlay the road that is there. Kitzman stated there were a couple options for paying for this if it is something the council wanted to do, as the City does not have it in the budget. One option being a Special Assessment to each property that abuts the road, and the other option would be to assess the whole town for the project. The life expectancy for the overlay would be 15-20 years. This will be on the next agenda, with the property owners being invited to the meeting.

Tull made a motion to approve re-appointment of Deb Miller and Tia Samo to the LMU Board of Trustees for term of 6 years, ending 5/2032, seconded by Beck, all ayes, motion carried.

Tull made a motion to approve Special Event Permit for Prom, seconded by Beck, all ayes, motion carried.

Deputy Pafford reported on E-Scooters as there was a new state law that has come out, restricting anyone under the age of 16 to operate them. More to come on this.

Tull motioned to adjourn the meeting, Huffman seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM.