The Lawler City Council met in regular session on January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.
Council members present: Scheidel, King, Croell, Roberson and Wilson
Council members absent: None
Others present: Jay Uhlenhake, Renea Huinker and Justin Hoehn
Motion made by King to approve the agenda. Second by Croell
All Ayes: Motion passed.
Motion made by Croell to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.
Second by King.
All Ayes. Motion passed.
| VESTIS | RUGS | 276.86 | |
| JENDRO | GARBAGE CONTRACT | 3,475.64 | |
| STANTON ELECTRIC | 204 S BENZ | 4,739.62 | |
| UPS | 263.75 | ||
| TEST AMERICA | 219.02 | ||
| EFTPS | FED/FICA TAXES | 2,093.06 | |
| IPERS | IPERS | 1,585.95 | |
| STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAXES | 458.32 | |
| BLACK HILLS ENERGY | GAS UTILITY | 312.6 | |
| MIENERGY | ELECTRICITY | 23,198.86 | |
| HAWKINS | AZONE | 508.72 | |
| BLAZEK CORPORATION | LAGOON WORK | 4,402.00 | |
| TEAM LAB | ICE MELT | 280.5 | |
| NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE | BIDDERS NOTICE 2025 | 313.02 | |
| WELLMARK BLUE CROSS | 6,140.55 | ||
| LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARY | 1,333.33 | ||
| LAWLER FIRE DEPARTMENT | 2026 1ST HALF TAXATION | 6,267.78 | |
| CHICKASAW COUNTY AUDITOR | CITY/SCHOOL 2025 | 665.04 | |
| MIC’S PLUMBING & HEATING | CITY SHOP | 174.69 | |
| PATHWAYS | 468 | ||
| CHICKASAW COUNTY TREASURE | SALT | 1,413.21 | |
| CROELL INC | FILL SAND | 91.73 | |
| TERRY DURIN CO | 1,982.50 | ||
| NAPA | SHOP SUPPLIES | 210.77 | |
| MUNICIPAL PIPE TOOL | JET/VAC CLEANING SANITARY SEWE | 6,746.40 | |
| VISA – J UHLENHAKE | 364.45 | ||
| VISA – S BYRNE | 39.17 | ||
| HAWKEY INTERCONNECT | 84.51 | ||
| ZIP’S | SNOW PLOW | 458.76 | |
| FEHR GRAHAM | GIS MAPPING SERVICES | 2,500.00 | |
| IOWA DEPT OF REVENUE | NOVEMBER 2025 SALES TAX | 1,383.11 | |
| OMNISITE | 290 | ||
| INRCOG | 1,160.11 | ||
| WAUCOMA TIRE CO | TRACTOR TIRES | 1,453.75 | |
| DEPOSIT REFUNDS | REFUND DATE 12/23/2025 | 301.38 | |
| PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 9,239.22 | |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 84,896.38 | REVENUE | |
| GENERAL FUND | 22,202.66 | 4595.44 | |
| SANITATION FUND | 3,475.64 | 3256.09 | |
| ROAD USE TAX FUND | 2,150.21 | 3788.4 | |
| WATER FUND | 7,233.42 | 10017.59 | |
| SEWER FUND | 16,201.04 | 7645.3 | |
| ELECTRIC FUND | 33,480.88 | 31850.95 | |
| DEPOSITS – ELECTRIC FUND | 152.53 | 43.31 |
LIBRARY
| EFTPS | FED/FICA TAX | 1,347.34 |
| IPERS | IPERS | 319.71 |
| STATE WITHHOLDING | STATE TAX | 126.48 |
| INGRAM | BOOKS | 54.48 |
| HAWKEYE INTERCONNECT | 31 | |
| VISA | BOOKS | 32.03 |
| MID-AMERICA BOOK | 99.8 | |
| PAYROLL CHECKS | TOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS | 1,550.11 |
| CLAIMS TOTAL | 3,560.95 | |
| GENERAL FUND | 3,560.95 |
Mayor Mark Mueterthies, Kurt Croell and Cole Roberson took their Oaths.
Appointments were made by council for 2026.
Appointments January 2026
Mayor pro-tem Dale King
Bank Bank Iowa
City Attorney John Anderson
City Clerk Suzette Byrne
Toxic Cleanup Jeremy Scheidel
Street Committee Kurt Croell, Cole Roberson, Jay Uhlenhake
Utilities Committee Karen Wilson, Dale King, Jay Uhlenhake
Fire Dept. Rep. Cole Roberson & Dale King
Tree Committee Dale King, Karen Wilson, Jay Uhlenhake
Health Officer Dr. Lukas Brinkman
Street Superintendent Jay Uhlenhake
Water Superintendent Jay Uhlenhake
Landfill Committee Rep. Jay Uhlenhake
Board of Adjustment 5 year term
Jay Uhlenhake 2030
Jeremy Scheidel 2030
Kurt Croell 2027
Roger Dreckman 2030
Frank Wilson 2030
Park Board 5 year term
Roger Dreckman 2030
Dale King 2030
Jeremy Scheidel 2030
Emergency Management Board
Mark Mueterthies
Dale King
REAP
Mark Mueterthies
Motion made by Croell to approve Appointments January 2026. Second by Scheidel.
Ayes: Scheidel, King, Croell, Roberson and Wilson
Nays: None
Motion passed.
Justin Hoehn spoke to the council regarding Dave Njus’s hired hand hauling manure and spilling onto the city streets. He was asking if the city could speak to Dave Njus to possibly take a different route other than the city streets or not overflowing the wagon with manure. The city will speak with Dave. Mr. Hoehn also was asking the city what can be done regarding the stray cats in Lawler. The cats are making a mess on sidewalks and other property. The council discussed possibly setting traps to catch the cats humanely and possibly finding farmers who would take them. The council also asks residents to stop feeding them. Motion made by Croell to set traps to rehome the cats. Second by King.
Ayes: Scheidel, King, Croell, Roberson and Wilson
Nays: None
Motion passed.
Scheidel spoke with the American Legion representatives. They agreed the 28E Agreement between the City of Lawler and American Legion needs to be updated. They are looking into getting it update.
The council discussed Health Insurance for the 2 city employees. The city will speak to Bob Vrzak with Vrzak Insurance for quotes for the city. This is tabled until February meeting.
Renea Huinker with the Lawler Public Library discussed the library upcoming budget. They are asking for an additional $500 from the city. The library board is looking into opportunities to bring more people into the library.
The council worked on the Budget FY26-27. Street repairs were discussed. Suzette will run the numbers the council gave. Budget numbers will be discussed next month.
Delinquents were discussed. Motion made by Scheidel to refund deposits. Second by Croell.
Ayes: Scheidel, King, Croell, Robeson and Wilson
Nays: None
Motion passed
Next meeting will be February 2, 2026 at 7:00pm
Motion made by Scheidel to adjourn at 8:30pm. Second by Croell.
Ayes: Scheidel, King, Croell, Roberson and Wilson
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned.
Suzette Byrne, City Clerk