City of Farley Packet Summary — 2026-05-20
Regular City Council Meeting
The City Council is scheduled to consider a construction contract for the Farley Public Library and Community Center, a series of economic-development rebate and TIF payments, the FY2026 budget amendment, seasonal concession staffing, and several public works matters. The agenda also includes a public hearing on the budget amendment and departmental and committee updates.
Key Items on the Agenda
Farley Public Library and Community Center
The Council is scheduled to consider bids and Resolution #29-26 awarding a contract for the Farley Public Library and Community Center Project. The proposed resolution identifies Gronen of Dubuque as the lowest responsible bidder at $419,500.
FEH Design recommends maintaining contingency funds so that the contract award plus contingency totals approximately $568,399. A May 6 opinion of probable cost lists an estimated $831,365 total project cost, including $568,399 in building construction costs and $262,966 in soft costs.
The packet's bid tabulation lists six base bids:
- Gronen — $419,500
- Portzen — $499,000
- Conlon — $524,000
- Cardinal — $549,000
- N.B. Koch — $583,884
- Tricon — $626,000
The Council previously approved the project's proposed drawings, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost on May 6. The May 20 agenda also includes a separate library parking lot discussion.
Public Works Property and Equipment
Public Works is scheduled to discuss 606 1st St N with possible action and receive an update on the 3rd Avenue Project.
The agenda also includes a lawn mower discussion with possible action. The packet contains several equipment proposals, including:
- John Deere Z930M with a 12-bushel material collection system — $12,750 balance due after a $4,500 trade allowance.
- Kubota Z726X with grass catcher — $12,083.39 cash subtotal after a $4,500 trade-in.
- Exmark Lazer Z X-Series with collection system — $15,922 total after a $4,000 trade-in.
- Bobcat ZT6000 package — quoted at $16,748.37, with the quote noting a $3,200 trade amount if the City's Kubota zero-turn mower is traded.
- A separate PV18 dump-from-seat catcher is quoted at $5,139 plus $200 shipping and described as compatible with the City's Kubota Z726.
The packet provides these alternatives for Council review but does not identify a recommended purchase.
Major Financial Items
Economic-Development Rebates and TIF Payments
The Development Committee agenda includes Resolutions #31-26 through #42-26 covering proposed June 2026 economic-development rebate and TIF payments. The proposed resolutions state the following amounts:
- Loras Lansing / Lansing Express — $4,137.50
- Heims 2018 agreement — $790.89
- Cory Heims 2020 agreement — $6,375.00
- Behnke Family LLC 2020 agreement — $51,000.00
- Behnke Family LLC 2022 agreement — $18,037.50
- Big River Cast Stone — $7,007.50
- Wildcat Investment Group LLC, Phase 1 — $9,631.88
- Wildcat Investment Group LLC, Phase 2 — $9,554.38
- Wildcat Investment Group LLC, Phase 3 — $9,100.12
- Wildcat Investment Group LLC, Phase 4 — $10,894.57
- Farley Industrial Development Corporation, 2017 agreement — $50,000
- Farley Industrial Development Corporation, 2018 agreement — $25,000
Together, the amounts stated in these proposed resolutions total $201,529.34.
The two FIDC payments relate to separate development agreements. Resolution #41-26 proposes a $50,000 payment under the 2017 agreement for infrastructure costs associated with construction of 11th Ave NW, while Resolution #42-26 proposes $25,000 under the 2018 agreement for downtown redevelopment.
Claims
The consent agenda includes claims covering May 7 through May 20, 2026. The claims report totals $100,156.19, consisting of $80,253.84 in accounts payable and $19,902.35 in payroll checks.
Among the larger items are $39,808.61 to Top Grade for 3rd Ave Pay Application #1, $7,187.22 to Veenstra & Kimm for services, $5,554.28 to Pfohl's for dual mesh roller shades, and $4,878.21 to Wellmark BlueCross BlueShield for health insurance.
Public Hearing and Budget
FY2026 Budget Amendment
The Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the FY2026 budget amendment and then consider Resolution #44-26 approving and adopting the amendment. The fiscal year runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
The proposed resolution states that the City examined and projected FY2026 expenses and revenues and amended the budget accordingly. It also states that advance notice of the May 20 public hearing was published in the May 13, 2026 Telegraph Herald and posted on the City's Facebook page and website.
If adopted, Resolution #44-26 would direct the City Clerk to make the required filing and set up the City's books in accordance with the amended budget.
Governance and Staffing
Regional Housing Authority Appointment
Resolution #30-26 would appoint a City representative to the Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, which serves member governments within Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson and Jones counties. The packet identifies Joe Erion as the proposed commissioner.
Seasonal Concession Stand Employee
Resolution #43-26 proposes hiring Josie Steffen as a seasonal concession stand worker at Tier 2, Level 2, with a $12.00 hourly rate. Employment would begin after required paperwork and pre-employment requirements are completed.
The City's tier system assigns progressively greater duties at higher wage levels. The packet also provides an additional $0.25 per hour incentive for employees returning for consecutive seasons.
Consent Agenda
In addition to the May 7–20 claims, the consent agenda includes:
- April 28, 2026 City Council Work Session minutes.
- May 6, 2026 City Council Meeting minutes.
- Casey's retail tobacco license renewal.
The Casey's application is for Casey's General Store 2561, 306 1st St SW, covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with a listed $75 license fee.
Committee and Department Updates
Several newly listed committee sections include discussion of their purpose and areas of focus:
- Public Safety Committee.
- Infrastructure Committee.
- Communication, Recreation, Cultural Resources Committee.
- Development Committee.
- Finance & Administrative Services Committee.
The agenda also calls for departmental updates from the Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works and Administration Department.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The largest project decision is the proposed $419,500 construction contract with Gronen for the Farley Public Library and Community Center, alongside FEH Design's recommendation for contingency funding and the separate parking lot discussion.
The Council also faces a sizable group of economic-development payments: the proposed June rebate and TIF resolutions collectively state $201,529.34 in payments. Other potential action centers on the FY2026 budget amendment, Public Works' mower options, the 606 1st St N property, a housing-authority appointment, and seasonal concession staffing.
Upcoming dates listed in the packet include a May 27 work session at 5:00 p.m., a June 3 regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. followed by a 6:00 p.m. work session, and a June 16 regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. followed by a 6:00 p.m. public hearing.
