City of Kelley, Iowa

City of Kelley, Iowa Look here for information about the small town of Kelley, Iowa! Look at Impressum for more information regarding hours/locations Mr. S. Holman.

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY:
Kelley is located in Washington and Palestine Township in the central part of Story County, Iowa, approximately five miles south of Ames and twenty-five miles north of Des Moines. NORWEGIAN TOWN WITH AN IRISH NAME:
Kelley is recorded as first being settled in the 1850’s by its namesake, George Kelley. Kelley helped bring the community to life by building some of Kelley’s ea

rliest establishments including the first school and church. Other early establishments include a stone quarry, the C. Giddings Tile Factory and a post office built in 1875. The town grew and served many residents with a bank, hotel, three grocery stores, hardware store, pool hall, butcher shop, barber, livery stable, two elevators, two depots and many more businesses. The electric Inter-Urban train ran from Fort Dodge, Boone, Kelley and then to Des Moines. Larger than both Slater and Ames in the 1800’s, Kelley had much to offer because of its proximity to the railroad and access to the Inter-Urban train. Churches have been an important part of the town history. The first church was built in 1856 for the United Brethren Congregation. Originally planned to be the United Brethren School, insufficient aid was received so Reverend Marks and the congregation built only a church. In the spring of 1876, Reverend Parmenter oversaw construction of the First Congregational Church. Over the years, one of the churches disbanded and the Congregational Church held joint services. The Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Slater remodeled the old church and changed its name to Lincoln Church. It was later determined that a new church, the North Bethlehem Church, was to be built just south of Kelley on Erick Cleveland’s land. In 1902 the congregation reorganized and called themselves the Betania Norwegian Lutheran Church, served by Reverend H. Conducted in the Norwegian language for nearly a decade, in 1911 the congregation decided to have ten annual services spoken in the English language. The church was moved in 1916 to its present site in Kelley. Kelley built the first school in 1854 of logs and an earthen floor. The second school was built of brick and could house only grades one through eight. A third school, the most recent and longest lived, was built in 1916. A site of a number of tournaments, this school’s gymnasium was the best in the county for many years. The school housed grades one through twelve until 1948, when high school students transferred to Huxley. Kelley and the surrounding communities, including Huxley, Slater and Cambridge, formed the Ballard Community School District around 1960. The Kelley school was closed and demolished in the 1990’s. During the 1920’s, growing use of the automobile and the Chicago Northwestern Railroad led to the rapid decline of Kelley’s business district. Although surrounding communities have continued to grow, only a few businesses, including the post office, woodworking shop, rural fire department and a Lutheran Church serve the small bedroom community today. Elementary students now attend school in Slater or Cambridge, while junior high and senior high students go to Huxley. Through the years, Kelley has retained its small town atmosphere and saw little change in population. Over the past ten years, the population has increased, numbering 300 in 2000, and the town continues to grow. With employment and services available in larger towns nearby, more and more people choose the quality of life and rural setting of Kelley.

09/04/2026

AGENDA
KELLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Kelley City Hall, 1111 Grace Street
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER: Time

ROLL CALL:

CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Approve Agenda for September 8th 2026
2. Approve and place on file the Minutes of August 11th 2026 Meetings
3. Approval of Claims
Citizen Forum: For citizens to speak on matters and for presentations. Council may not take any action on the comments due to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law, but may have the item placed on a future agenda for action. Citizen’s comments will be limited to five (5) minutes.
• Sheriff’s report

Action Items:
• Complaint from resident
• Discussion and Potential Approval of Insurance
• Discussion and Potential Approval of R-Place Liquor License
• Trash Update
• Amendment of Resolution #6 (2026-2027): Accepting RFP for Recycling
• Accepting Resolution #7 (2026/2027): Accepting MOU for Solar Charger
• 1st reading of Ordinance #199: Establishing W**d and Grass Control
• 1st reading of Ordinance #200: Establishing Garbage Ordinance
• Discussion and possible approval of City Hall Gutters
• Discussion of Newsletters
• Discussion of Clerk Hours
• Discussion of Hospitality Room Chairs
• Discussion of Seeding of Field
• Speed Limit update
• Establishing Date for Trick Or Treat
Reports:
1. Mayor –

2. Council –

3. Public Works – Sewer Update, Storm Sewer Update,

4. Clerk- Cash Report, Revenue and Expense Report, Special Election

COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT

COUNCIL MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED

The City of Kelley is an equal opportunity community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, s*x, age, or disability.

09/04/2026

AGENDA
KELLEY WORKSESSION
Kelley City Hall, 1111 Grace Street
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 6:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER: Time

ROLL CALL:

Action Items:
• Discussion of Next Year Insurance Plan

ADJOURNMENT

COUNCIL MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED

The City of Kelley is an equal opportunity community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, s*x, age, or disability.

09/02/2026

FIRE HYDRANT UPDATE!!
The repair is taking longer than expected. They are hoping to shut the water off tomorrow as stated in the last post.

09/02/2026

Fire hydrant repair is being made at Polk St. and Giddings St. Therefore water will be shut off on Giddings St. from Hubbel St. to the East side of town. Work is expected to be completed today.

09/01/2026
08/07/2026

AGENDA
KELLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Kelley City Hall, 1111 Grace Street
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER: Time

ROLL CALL:

CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Approve Agenda for August 11th 2026
2. Approve and place on file the Minutes of July 14th & 29th, August 4th 2026 Meetings
3. Approval of Claims
Citizen Forum: For citizens to speak on matters and for presentations. Council may not take any action on the comments due to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law, but may have the item placed on a future agenda for action. Citizen’s comments will be limited to five (5) minutes.
• Sheriff’s report

Action Items:
• 898 Polk St.
• Complaints from residents
• 28E Update on Trash
• Resolution #4 (2026-2027): Termination with the City of Ames
• Review RFP’S on Trash
• Resolution #5 (2026-2027): Accepting RFP for trash
• Resolution #6 (2026-2027): Accepting RFP for Recycling
• Resolution #2: Schedule of Fees
• Discussion and possible approval of Security Cameras
• Discussion and Update of Speed Concerns on Giddings
• Discussion and Update of Mosquito Spraying
• Discussion and Update of Storm Sewer
• Discussion and Update of Mowing Ordinance
• Discussion and possible approval of City Hall Roof
Reports:
1. Mayor –

2. Council –

3. Public Works – Sewer Update

4. Clerk- Cash Report, Revenue and Expense Report

COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT

COUNCIL MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED

The City of Kelley is an equal opportunity community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, s*x, age, or disability.

07/31/2026

AGENDA
KELLEY SPECIAL MEETING
Kelley City Hall, 1111 Grace Street
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER: Time

ROLL CALL:

CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Approve Agenda for August 4th 2026
Citizen Forum: For citizens to speak on matters NOT listed on the agenda and for presentations. Council may not take any action on the comments due to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law, but may have the item placed on a future agenda for action. Citizen’s comments will be limited to five (5) minutes.

Action Items:
• Resolution #3 - Calling for a Special Election
Reports:
1. Mayor –

2. Council –

3. Public Works –

4. Clerk –

COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT

COUNCIL MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED

The City of Kelley is an equal opportunity community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, s*x, age, or disability.

07/24/2026

AGENDA
KELLEY SPECIAL MEETING
Kelley City Hall, 1111 Grace Street
Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER: Time

ROLL CALL:

CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Approve Agenda for July 29th 2026
Citizen Forum: For citizens to speak on matters NOT listed on the agenda and for presentations. Council may not take any action on the comments due to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law, but may have the item placed on a future agenda for action. Citizen’s comments will be limited to five (5) minutes.

Action Items:
• Appointment of Mayor
• Oath of Office
Reports:
1. Mayor –

2. Council –

3. Public Works –

4. Clerk –

COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT

COUNCIL MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED

The City of Kelley is an equal opportunity community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, s*x, age, or disability.

07/21/2026

City Hall Will be closed on 07-23-26 for a meeting with county representatives for the betterment of our community.

Send a message to learn more

Address

1111 Grace Street
Kelley, IA
50134

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15157692213

Website

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