Ten Webster City residents attended Monday's City Council of Webster City meeting to express concern for the number of trees that have been removed in conjunction with the record number of street and utility reconstruction and maintenance projects now underway. Alison Studar, above, a certified arborist and landscape designer, asked the Council to pause all non-urgent tree removals, reinstate the position of city forester on the city's staff, and "promote a culture of respect and open dialogue."

It was a busy night for the City Council of Webster City Monday as it voted to advance several issues it’s been considering over the last month.

In summary, there will be more legal days and hours for Webster Citians to set off fireworks this Independence Day, a chip paving project for three streets was approved, a $3 million bond issue will proceed to pay for the Fair Meadow Drive 2 improvements project, a new snow plow, and new street sweeper; and rates paid by electric utility customers are on track for a 3% increase on August 1, 2025.

In other actions, the Council:

— Approved a second reading of a measure authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with the Iowa Department of Revenue to participate in its setoff program. The program is a statewide, state-run collection service that helps cities collect past-due debts of services performed by the city, but which remain unpaid by citizens. Some examples include all city permit fees, past-due sidewalk repair or replacement, and charges for nuisance abatement services performed by the city.

— Reviewed and agreed to renew cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vaping permits for 12 outlets in Webster City, including both Casey’s General stores; Cards Tan & Fold, 917 Seneca Street; Dollar General; Fareway; Fast & Fresh; Hy-Vee; Highway 20 Liquor & Tobacco; both Yes way and Kwik Trip stores. These permits are reviewed and renewed each year in June, and remain valid throughout the City of Webster City’s fiscal year, July 1 to June 30.

— Passed a second reading of a proposed amendment to section 118, Chapter 50 of the Code of Webster City, pertaining to interconnection standards for privately owned solar arrays. Councilman Logan Welch, who’s familiar with the regulations, said “as solar technology continues to change, we’re making small changes to our code to ensure we remain current.” Anyone installing solar panels at their home or business in Webster City is required to sign an interconnection agreement with the city’s electric utility.

— Signed off on a final plat for Lynx Development No. 2, a mixed residential project on the city’s southeast side. The Council reviewed the preliminary plat for this development at its May 5 meeting. It had been previously reviewed and approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission.

— Heard a presentation from Jamie Griffith, Hamilton County Fair manager, requesting the Council consider an annual grant of $10,000 to support the fair, which, she said, is the oldest, continuously-running event in the county. She cited increased costs for insurance, maintenance and staffing as reasons for the funding request. While the Council seemed to be in general agreement, it did not vote on the matter. Instead, it instructed City Manager John Harrenstein to investigate the matter further and report back to the Council at a later date.

— Listened to a briefing from Harrenstein on conditions of buildings in downtown Webster City. Harrenstein reported a third building, which houses the operations of Chris McNeil’s electrical and plumbing repair business, has been barricaded along its Second Street side, “as a matter of public safety.” While the building was undergoing repairs to its second floor windows recently, brickwork buckled, creating an unsafe condition.

Harrenstein said, “We want to remind the public we’re facing a very serious situation with downtown buildings. We’re aware of it, and are working hard on a solution. Repairs will be costly, and we’re looking into available funds available to us. We are racing to have the necessary discussions with all involved parties.”