July 16 2026 Council minutes

1 July 16, 2026 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS 6:00 p.m. Michael Novitzki from ISG, Inc. presented information on professional services and capital improvement planning from. The presentation was purely informational, and no actions were taken at this time. Mayor Richard Champeny called the regular monthly meeting of the Common Council of the City of Alma to order. Pledge of Allegiance was said. Deputy Clerk Michaela Handke took roll call with the following members present: Mayor Richard Champeny, Davie Meier, Larry Grisen, Randy Brommer, Perry Iberg, Loren Mueller, Gary Jepsen. Absent: David Earney. Motion by Mueller seconded by Iberg to approve the June 18, 2026 Public Hearing and Council Proceeding minutes as presented. All members voting yes. Motion by Jepsen seconded by Mueller to approve the June 2026 Financial Report as presented. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Grisen seconded by Meier to approve the June 2026 Treasurer’s Report as presented. All members voting yes. Citizen comments: Shauna Roberts from the Small Business Association spoke briefly about the current funding opportunities for small businesses, homeowners and renters who received damage from the April 2026 flooding, storms and tornados. FINANCE/TAX & LICENSE/ZONING COMMITTEE Motion by Jepsen seconded by Mueller to approve the operator licenses for Michelle Turnbell, Rene Benezue, Isabella Olson, Gavin Barton, Julie Lindstrom, and Michael Thole. All members voting yes. Motion by Jepsen seconded by Meier to approve a Combination Class B liquor license for Burlington Hotel Bar Shop LLC, Jennifer Griffith. All members voting yes. Motion by Iberg seconded by Meier to approve a Class B Fermented Malt license- on premise only to Mrs. Hippie LLC, Michael Thole, agent. All members voting yes. Motion by Iberg seconded by Meier to approve a Class C Wine license- on premise only to Mrs. Hippie LLC, Michael Thole, agent. All members voting yes. 2 Jepsen informed the rest of the council that though the swim lessons were forwarded to council as a topic of discussion and action from the Finance Committee meeting, they have been covered by a generous donation of $650.00. No action is needed at this time. Motion by Jepsen seconded by Meier to approve the Market & Johnson pay application #10 in the amount of $439,130.28 for the new library. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Jepsen seconded by Meier to increase Sharaya Reed, Clerk/Treasurer’s pay from $29.00 to $30.50 and to increase Michaela Handke, Deputy Clerk’s pay from $24.50 to $25.95. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Mueller seconded by Iberg to approve the Finance/Tax & License/Zoning committee report from July 13, 2026 as presented. All members voting yes. Citizen comments: Shauna Roberts from the Small Business Association spoke briefly about the current funding opportunities for businesses, homeowners and renters who received damage from the April 13- 23rd 2026 flooding, storms and tornados. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Motion by Mueller seconded by Iberg to adopt the wording change to ordinance 51.01. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Meier seconded by Mueller to approve the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report Resolution. All members voting yes. Council reviewed recommendations given by the Utilities Committee for the PSC water rate increase with support from Eric Davidson at Bauman & Associates. Motion by Jepsen seconded by Mueller that the water rate increase of 51% per PSC state guidelines, is approved pending public hearing and approval. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Grisen seconded by Iberg to approve the direct charge approach for fire protection, removing the charges from general fund and placing into the water fund. Effective after public hearing and proper approval. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Iberg seconded by Mueller to approve the Utilities committee minutes for July 13th, 2026. All members voting yes. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE Motion by Meier seconded by Iberg to approve using CAPX2020 funds in the amount of $3,968.70 for a new kayak launch. All members voting yes. Motion by Mueller, seconded by Iberg to approve the July 14th minutes as presented. All members voting yes. TOURISM COMMISSION Motion by Mueller seconded by Grisen to approve the Tourism Commission meeting minutes All members voting yes. SERVICES COMMITTEE Motion by Meier seconded by Jepsen to approve the Services committee minutes. All members voting yes. MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE Motion by Jepsen seconded by Meier to approve the payment of the Lien & Peterson invoice in the amount of $5,000.00 All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Meier seconded by Mueller to approve the payment of the Lien & Peterson invoice in the amount of $2,000.00. All members voting yes. Motion by Jepsen seconded by Mueller to approve the change orders in the combined total of $24,496.00. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Mueller seconded by Grisen to give the mayor approval to increase the building drawn down loan to $800,000.00. All members voting yes by roll call vote. Motion by Iberg seconded by Meier to approve the building committee minutes. All members voting yes. Upcoming Meetings: Services----------------------------------------August 4, 2026 at 9 a.m. Utilities----------------------------------------August 10, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Finance----------------------------------------August 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Tourism----------------------------------------August 13, 2026 at 9 a.m. 4 Park & Rec------------------------------------August 13, 2026 at 10 a.m. Through discussions about the coming month, it was decided to determine the date for the next council meeting at a later date. Motion by Mueller seconded by Meier to adjourn. All members voting yes.