Maquoketa City Council Meeting

The Maquoketa City Council met in Chambers yesterday, and it was a full council with all council persons present. The council held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget and capital improvement plan. No one from the public spoke so they closed the public hearing. The Council approved the minutes from the April 7th meeting along with bills payable through April 21st in the amount of $606,230.29, the March financial Reports. The council also reappointed Sara Davenport to the Civil Service Commission. They also renewed the retail alcohol licenses for La Casa Pancho, Punky’s Cans 2 Cash, Maquoketa Fine Arts Center, and Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh. 

The Council Passed the first reading of an ordinance adopting the Utility Improvement Fund. According to Maquoketa City Manager Josh Boldt, this is an ordinance that would continue a water revenue fee on Utility Bills into and beyond the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. This fee is already present in current utility bills. The fees would be used to fund a $2.4 Million 10 Year Street Improvement Plan. The  streets involved with the improvement plan include Erie Street, Eddy Place, South Niagara Street, East Grove Street, and South 5th Street. 

The Council Approved the City Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for the Fiscal Year Ending on June 30th, 2026. If you want to view a copy of the budget you can visit the City of Maquoketa Website.

The Maquoketa City Council set a public hearing for May 5th at 6:00 PM for a sale of real estate at 1015 East Platt Street. They are selling  166,272 square feet of land to Verla Beck in an amount not to exceed $1 per square foot.  They also set another public hearing for May 5th to sell a 140,440 square feet of real estate from 1015 East Platt Street in an amount not to exceed $1 per square foot. 

The Council set a public hearing for May 5th at 6:00 PM for a $2,400,000 General Obligation Capital Loan. 

They approved a financial agreement with Maquoketa Betterment Corporation for the Glovik Community Park project.  The City will furnish an itemized financial expenditure detail to Maquoketa Betterment Corporation with a requirement to reimburse the City within 2 weeks. The agreement also requires the Maquoketa Betterment Corporation to obtain gap financing if any should arise. 

The Maquoketa City Council approved a 2nd change order increase in the amount of $44,118.55 for the Destination Iowa Prairie Creek project, with the new contract amount being $1,006,696.30.  

The council then approved a $13,630 bid submitted by Line Concrete for curb and gutter reconstruction. They will start around May or June. 

The City Council approved a payment to KE Flatwork in the amount of $13,657.50 for storm pipe cleanout. According to City Manager Josh Boldt, the Public Works Committee and City staff discussed a significant storm pipe silt plug at the Storm Water Levee that would nearly eliminate the functionality of one of the main pipes leading to a flood station. The silt plug is the result of Maquoketa River Flooding, and decades of lime, leaf, grass clippings, and other grime that enters the City’s Storm collection system. They did get it cleaned out and done after 2-3 weeks of jetting, manually cleaning, and utilizing Public Works’ Pumps. 

The City council then approved a contract with Glass Heritage for the Library Storm window project in the amount of $25,465.00. Maquoketa City Manager Josh Boldt said that after seeking bids the library board approved the window replacement contract to Glass Heritage. They also approved the 1st payment of $6,366.25 to Glass Heritage. 

Just before the council meeting ended Kevin Khulman brought up that the Championship Signs for Maquoketa Schools are very old and outdated. Khulman wanted to know if there was a way to maybe get those replaced and updated. He stated that they were on the North and South Side of the City on your way into Maquoketa.