Author: Diana Gebel

February 2026 City Council Minutes

The Lawler City Council met in regular session on Feb. 2, 2026 at 7:00pm.

Mayor Mark Mueterthies presided.

Council members present:  Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

Council members absent:   Croell     

Others present:  Jay Uhlenhake, Bob Vrzak, Maggie Burger, Kim VanDriel, Michele Quandt, Sherry Iverson and Jason Byrne

Motion made by King to approve the agenda with the addition of Sherry Iverson.  Second by Roberson.

             All Ayes:  Motion passed.

Motion made by Roberson to approve the previous minutes and approval of current bills.

Second by King.    

            All Ayes.  Motion passed.

VESTISRUGS276.86
JENDROGARBAGE CONTRACT3,441.59
UPS 147.69
TEST AMERICA 110.95
EFTPSFED/FICA TAX1,780.10
IPERSIPERS1,367.75
BLACK HILLS ENERGYGAS UTILITY476.94
MIENERGYELECTRICITY27,535.75
CASH 3.87
HAWKINSAZONE555.44
LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARYJan-261,333.33
LAWLER FIRE DEPARTMENTREMAINING 1ST HALF TAXATION 26903.47
CHICKASAW COUNTY AUDITOR2026 QTRLY PMT3,000.57
MIC’S PLUMBING & HEATINGWELL HOUSE225
IWD4TH QTR UNEMPLOYMENT 20258.21
USABLUEBOOKMETERD MAGNETIC LOCATOR1,838.34
IOWA ONE CALL 14.4
STATE HYGIENIC LAB 22.5
VISA – J UHLENHAKE 556.62
VISA – S BYRNE 100.48
FEHR GRAHAM 5,350.00
IOWA DEPT OF REVENUEDECEMBER 2025 SALES TAX1,431.37
INRCOG 1,480.48
PAYROLL CHECKSTOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS6,893.41
 CLAIMS TOTAL58,855.12 REVENUE
 GENERAL FUND10,165.10     8,625.19
 SANITATION FUND3,441.59     3,125.55
 ROAD USE TAX FUND872.1     3,931.05
 WATER FUND6,402.61     8,730.49
 WATER CAPITAL PROJECT FUND5,350.00                  –  
 SEWER FUND3,372.39     6,980.56
 ELECTRIC FUND29,251.33   35,350.38

LIBRARY

IPERSIPERS317.15
INGRAMBOOKS73.18
WOMAN’S DAY2026 RENEW26.72
BETTER HOMES2026 RENEW32
VISATECHNOLOGY155.98
SMITHSONIAN2026 RENEW49.99
PAYROLL CHECKSTOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS1,553.48
 CLAIMS TOTAL2,208.50
 GENERAL FUND2,208.50

Michele Quandt with Camp Companion discussed what they plan to do to help the city with the stray cat population.  She explained she would set of traps in the areas where the cats are most populated and then take them to Dr. Kim Van Driell, Veterinarian to be spade, neutered, rabies shots, distemper and microchipped.  She will bring them back to Lawler.  What will help is getting the cats spayed and neutered so the cats can’t have kittens. Female cats are $88.00 and male cats are $68.00.  Camp Companion will split the cost of the spay with the city. 

Motion made by Scheidel to accept Camp Companion with the cat population.  Second by Wilson

            Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

            Nays: None

            Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Bob Vrzak with Vrzak Insurance provided the council with health insurance quotes for the city employees. After discussion, Scheidel made a motion to accept the Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield silver with dental.  Second by King.

            Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

            Nays: None

            Absent:  Croell

Motion passed

Jay Uhlenhake presented the council with bids for a lawnmower and ATV.  The council discussed the bids given.  Motion made by Scheidel to purchase Lawnmower.  Second by Roberson.

            Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

            Nays: None

            Absent: Croell

Maggie Burger with Speer Financial discussed with the council the SRF Loan to help fund the payment of the Well #3 Improvement Project.  She suggested the council amend the current Water Ordinance #2024-1 to increase the Minimum rate from $20.00 to $22.00 per residential household and $31.00 per commercial property.  Motion made by Scheidel to set public hearing to amend Ordinance #2024-1 water rates March 2, 2026 at 7:10pm at the Lawler City Hall.  Second by King.

            Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

            Nays:  None

            Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Resolution #2026-020326-1 to approve contract and performance and payment bonds for Well No. 3 Improvements Project.  Second by Roberson.

            Ayes: Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

            Nays: None

            Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Motion made by Scheidel to approve Resolution #2026-020326-2 to set date for public hearing to enter into Water Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and to borrow money thereunder in principal amount not to exceed $445,000. Second by Roberson.

            Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

            Nays:  None

            Absent: Croell

Motion passed.

Next meeting will be March 2, 2026 at 7:00pm

Motion made by King to adjourn at 8:25pm.  Second by Wilson.

            Ayes:  Scheidel, King, Roberson and Wilson

            Nays:  None

Meeting adjourned.

Suzette Byrne, City Clerk      

January 2026 City Council Minutes

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.

VESTISRUGS276.86
JENDROGARBAGE CONTRACT3,475.64
STANTON ELECTRIC204 S BENZ4,739.62
UPS 263.75
TEST AMERICA 219.02
EFTPSFED/FICA TAXES2,093.06
IPERSIPERS1,585.95
STATE WITHHOLDINGSTATE TAXES458.32
BLACK HILLS ENERGYGAS UTILITY312.6
MIENERGYELECTRICITY23,198.86
HAWKINSAZONE508.72
BLAZEK CORPORATIONLAGOON WORK4,402.00
TEAM LABICE MELT280.5
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNEBIDDERS NOTICE 2025313.02
WELLMARK BLUE CROSS 6,140.55
LAWLER PUBLIC LIBRARY 1,333.33
LAWLER FIRE DEPARTMENT2026 1ST HALF TAXATION6,267.78
CHICKASAW COUNTY AUDITORCITY/SCHOOL 2025665.04
MIC’S PLUMBING & HEATINGCITY SHOP174.69
PATHWAYS 468
CHICKASAW COUNTY TREASURESALT1,413.21
CROELL INCFILL SAND91.73
TERRY DURIN CO 1,982.50
NAPASHOP SUPPLIES210.77
MUNICIPAL PIPE TOOLJET/VAC CLEANING SANITARY SEWE6,746.40
VISA – J UHLENHAKE 364.45
VISA – S BYRNE 39.17
HAWKEY INTERCONNECT 84.51
ZIP’SSNOW PLOW458.76
FEHR GRAHAMGIS MAPPING SERVICES2,500.00
IOWA DEPT OF REVENUENOVEMBER 2025 SALES TAX1,383.11
OMNISITE 290
INRCOG 1,160.11
WAUCOMA TIRE COTRACTOR TIRES1,453.75
DEPOSIT REFUNDSREFUND DATE 12/23/2025301.38
PAYROLL CHECKSTOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS9,239.22
 CLAIMS TOTAL84,896.38REVENUE
 GENERAL FUND22,202.664595.44
 SANITATION FUND3,475.643256.09
 ROAD USE TAX FUND2,150.213788.4
 WATER FUND7,233.4210017.59
 SEWER FUND16,201.047645.3
 ELECTRIC FUND33,480.8831850.95
 DEPOSITS – ELECTRIC FUND152.5343.31

LIBRARY

EFTPSFED/FICA TAX1,347.34
IPERSIPERS319.71
STATE WITHHOLDINGSTATE TAX126.48
INGRAMBOOKS54.48
HAWKEYE INTERCONNECT 31
VISABOOKS32.03
MID-AMERICA BOOK 99.8
PAYROLL CHECKSTOTAL PAYROLL CHECKS1,550.11
 CLAIMS TOTAL3,560.95
 GENERAL FUND3,560.95

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