City of Salix, Iowa - REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – July 8, 2026

Mayor Nelson opened the regular meeting of the Salix City Council at 7:00pm on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026.  Council members present: Gene Monk, Denise Burkhart, Emily Clayton, Brenda Smith-Hansen.

Others present: Ashley Mareau, Ed Colyer, John Hines, Chad Kehrt, Kristine Stone (via phone call) with Ahlers Cooney.

• The Woodbury County Sheriff Report was reviewed by the council & Sherriff Luesebrink.

• Mayor Nelson read a prepared statement speaking of his history in Salix, his concerns and hopes for a new development in town.

• Mayor Nelson also went over, in depth, the timeline for the Voluntary Annexation of 900 acres. 

• Mayor Nelson opened the Public Forum. Hines again explained the normal policy for Public Forum at a City Council Meeting. Many who spoke were for a Data Center being built in Salix. Many were union workers who have worked on such, feel there are many benefits from this industry coming into town. There were also residents who spoke with concerns. Both were noted.

• Colyer spoke of the 5 remaining water meters needing installed. Mayor Nelson asked Colyer to verify he was comfortable ending the contract with JBE. Colyer was, council all voted & agreed to end JBE contract. 

• Clerk had no updates. 

• Mayor/Council had no updates.

• Kehrt spoke of Aspen Lift Station filling with water. May have to dig up and re-seal, video to find leak.

• Resolution 2026-14 Res. approving Ahlers  was approved on motion from Burkhart and seconded by Clayton.  Roll call vote: Monk (naye), Burkhart (aye), Clayton (aye), Smith-Hanson (aye).  Resolution 2026-14 passed and approved.

• Resolution 2026-15 Res. for Special Election was approved on motion from Burkhart and seconded by Clayton.  Roll call vote: Monk (aye), Burkhart (aye), Clayton (aye), Smith-Hansen (aye).  Resolution 2026-15 passed and approved.

• The Consent Agenda was approved on motion from Burkhart. Clayton seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.   

a. Approval of financial reports

b. Approval of bills and payroll

ACCO UNLIMITED: Liquid Chlorinating Solution $516.00, ANALYTICAL & CONSULTING SERVICE: Testing $60.0, CASEYS: Pick-up Fuel $83.25, CHN: Garbage $4,189.69, CRARY HUFF: Legal $1,215.25, DNR – WATER SUPPLY: Annual Fee $31.76, ED COLYER: Reimburse, Filter $8.88, EFTPS: Fed/Fica Taxes $1,790.22, FOUNDATION ANALYTICAL LAB: Water Testing $1,680.00,  IA DEPT OF REVENUE: Sales Tax $519.88, IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES: Membership Dues $413.00, IPERS: Ipers $1,257.30, JBE LLC: Sewer Help $400.00, LONG LINES: Telephone $39.65, MIDAMERICAN: Gas & Electric $1,467.18, RYAN PUBLISHING CO: Council Vacancy Publication $72.00, SALIX FIRE DEPT: 12/5/25-7/6/26 Gas & Fuel $430.66, SGT BLUFF ADVOCATE: Publications $245.39, SEWER MASTER: Water Meter Install $320.00, SIMPCO: Dues $334.38, VERIZON Cell Phones $100.37, VISA: Chainsaw, Copy Paper $460.07 

PAYROLL: $6,589.74 FUND TOTALS:  GEN: $13,272.71, ROAD USE: $3,106.63, DEBT SERVICE: $0.00, WATER: $6,436.33, WATER SINKING: $0.00, SEWER: $1,851.77, SEWER SINKING: $0.00

c. Approval of June 10th  Regular Council Meeting minutes, and Salix Drainage District Meeting minutes.

d. Approval of Public Works reports

  • Clerk updated Council on Aspen Development. Wood framing on lots 1 & 2. Working on permit for lots 3 & 4.

• Monk motioned to approve new Council Member Appointment, Tim Skidmore. Tim submitted the only letter of interest. Smith-Hansen seconded. All ayes, from Council present, motion carried. (Clayton was excused for a moment.)

•         Skidmore read Oath of Office, took his seat with Council.

• Kristine Stone spoke of various moratorium options, what it meant to put one in place, how they are utilized.

• Council discussed the options of a moratorium. Creating a moratorium was voted upon. Monk motioned to creating a moratorium, Skidmore seconded. Roll call vote: Monk (aye), Smith-Hansen (aye), Clayton (naye), Burkhart (naye), Skidmore (aye). Council and legal team will begin working on a moratorium. 

• Council voted on sharing emails from our legal team with the Open Meetings Request we received. Council voted against sharing those emails. No motion was given, failed.

• Council went over bids for repairs of items damaged in May’s storm. 

Bid on fence repairs went to Premier Fence with a bid of$6,445.00. Clayton motioned, Burkhart seconded, all eyes, motion carried.

Bid for Shelter Roof repairs was tabled, only one bid received

Bid for Bleacher Repairs was tabled, only one bid received.

Bid for Tree Pile Removal went to Kolbeck with a bid of $10,000.00. Burkhart motioned, Clayton seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Clerk will work on obtaining 2 more bids in the areas of need.

Salix Drainage District Updates

Kehrt spoke of storm drain jetting that will occur in late July, early August. 

  Revenues received by fund for June 2026: 

General: $8,035.05, Road Use: $3,193.28, Employee Benefits: $115.01, Local Option Sales Tax: $3,987.01, Debt Service: $3,040.75, Cap Project: $0.00, Water: $38,460.10, Water Sinking: $3,530.00,  Sewer: $2,489.92, Sewer Sinking: $448.33 Total Revenues: $63,299.45

  The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm by a motion from Clayton and seconded by Smith-Hansen. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.

Attest:

Kevin Nelson, Mayor                                                                                   Ashley Mareau, Clerk