09/01/2026
CITY OF SABULA, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
A Regular Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026, at 6:30 PM at City Hall, located at 411 Broad Street.
This meeting was open to the public at City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Curtis Johnson, Pro-tem Erica Shoemaker, Mike O'Hara, Jeremy Diercks, and Dave Ward.
ABSENT: Scott Hibbard.
OTHERS PRESENT: Paige Miller, Travis Woodhurst, Chief Evan Nixon, Bryan McClimon, Theresa Johnson, Seth Lawson, Chris Fee, Deb Thayer, Audrey Thayer, Kurt Marzofka, Sandra Kempter, Keshia Lott, Lisa Hartman, Dave Rittmer, Brilee Deardorff, Jack Mix, Candi Diercks, and Mike Eckman.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
E. Shoemaker made the motion to open the council meeting, seconded by M. O'Hara. All ayes. Motion carried.
DELETIONS-None.
CITIZEN CONCERNS-None.
VISITORS WITH BUSINESS
Easton Valley School Superintendent Chris Fee and School Board President Seth Lawson addressed the Council regarding digital sign placement within the City of Sabula. They presented the properties the School District has researched for possible sign placement and asked the Mayor and Council for consideration. The Mayor and Council expressed desire for alignment and connection and agreed to set up a work session to further discuss sign placement and other projects. The mayor shared concerns with placing a sign at city hall.
CONSENT AGENDA
Consisting of: Minutes from 07/28/2026; August total claims and payroll; and placing on file the Financial Statement, Expenditure, and Revenue Report for July.
E. Shoemaker made the motion to approve the consent agenda, seconded by J. Diercks. All ayes. Motion carried.
AGENDA
1. Consideration to approve special building permit at 801 Elk Street – Larry Chrest
Travis Woodhurst reviewed the details of the special permit and reason for the special. It was noted that no complaints were received from neighbors. E. Shoemaker made the motion to approve, seconded by D. Ward. All ayes. Motion carried.
2. Consideration to approve special building permit at 314 River Street – Ray Widder
Travis Woodhurst reviewed the details of the special permit, noting the proposed deck addition is within the property boundary. It was noted that no complaints were received from neighbors. E. Shoemaker made the motion to approve, seconded by J. Diercks. All ayes. Motion carried.
3. Consideration to approve boat ramp repair and maintenance project
Mayor Johnson shared the importance of our north boat ramp, as well as concerns, frustrations and necessity for ramp repairs. He shared Ramp #1 is unusable; Ramp #2 has seen heavy degradation. He presented a diagram of the repair plan, which includes removal of the rock pile at Ramp #1; adding 3" clean rock at the end of Ramp #2; addressing erosion and cleanup repair of the walk ramp/gangway exit; removal of unsafe concrete slabs at lease locations; distributing excess 3" rock around the
Public
perimeter; and repainting the ramp guardrail lines. Estimated cost is $2,000–$2,500. E. Shoemaker made the motion to approve, seconded by D. Ward. All ayes. Motion carried.
4. Consideration to approve Resolution #1409 – Path and Direction of Broad Street Storm Drain Reroute
Mayor Johnson shared the necessity for re-route of the north bound broad st storm drain to ensure proper flow and drainage. The Council reviewed V&K's engineering draft plan. The proposed reroute storm drain diagram shows the new drainage exit piping would be located between 105 & 109 Broad Street. The timeline for completion, cost, and contract was also discussed. E. Shoemaker made the motion to approve the intended path, seconded by D. Ward. All ayes. Motion carried.
5. Consideration to approve public works equipment sale items and process
Mayor Johnson and Public Works Spv. Woodhurst. presented a list, including pictures, of City equipment no longer needed that would be offered up for sale. Mayor explained the items will go live for sale via sealed bid for 2 weeks and would be open for bidding from 09/02/2026 thru 09/15/2026 with bids to be opened 8:00 AM on 09/16/26. Sealed bids must be received (in envelope) at city hall before 4:00 PM on 09/15/26. The following equipment and minimum bids were set:
Onan 45EM – $250; Stihl TS 510 AV Saw – $50; Plow (1 of 2) – $50; Plow (2 of 2) – $50; Salt Spreader – $100; Briggs & Stratton 5 HP Generator – $10; Homelite Blower Fan – $10; Honey Wagon – $500; Digger Derrick – $500; Pump (1 of 2) – $100; Pump (2 of 2) – $10; Copier – $0; Water Machine – $0; 30' Walkway – $500; Street Sweeper – $1,000.
J. Diercks made the motion to approve, seconded by E. Shoemaker. All ayes. Motion carried.
6. Discussion and consideration regarding Fire Department truck loan up to $60,000
Fire Chief Travis Woodhurst requested an internal loan from the city of up to $60,000 for the purchase of a new fire truck/ brush truck including equipment. He discussed the reasoning for the necessity, and benefit of it serving a dual purpose as an additional brush truck and work truck for the rescue boat. A payback of $10,000/year by the fire department to the city was proposed. The mayor expressed alignment with intent, however shared the current impact of other items requiring city funds does not make timing optimal. The item was tabled for the time being. M. O'Hara made the motion to table, seconded by E. Shoemaker. All ayes. Motion carried.
7. Discussion and sync on fundraising target for river front improvement project
Mayor Johnson presented a desire and future intent to develop, improve, and beautify the city of Sabula riverfront (with the first phase of a multi-phase project) including 1,300 ft. walking path, along with a Sabula lookout point to highlight the city. The plan and on-purpose design would have the potential to include underground power/ new street lighting, entryway access steps (ADA compliant), dedication/ memorial abilities, and further visual opportunities. The mayor shared the benefit, value, and expressed the projects’ ability to grow Sabula pride, and rally the community, residents, businesses and outside entities around a pointed effort. The mayor expressed that a separate fund has been created to capture project funds/ donations solely for the project and that the project would be paid for through donation and fundraising efforts with an initial fundraising target of 100,000$. The mayor will look to build a committee and look to hold a community info event in the future. No formal action was taken, but the council shared alignment and consent.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Reports were given for: Mayor; City Clerk; Public Works; Fire Department; Library; and Police Department.
Due to timing, Mayor Johnson asked for a motion to place the Department Reports on file. E. Shoemaker made the motion, seconded by J. Diercks. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
E. Shoemaker made the motion to adjourn, seconded by J. Diercks. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.
Curtis Johnson, Mayor
Paige Miller, City Clerk
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