March 17, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
NEW UNDERWOOD CITY COUNCIL
A regular meeting of the New Underwood City Council was held at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center on March 17, 2026. Present were: Mayor Jack Trullinger. Councilmembers: Larry Graham, Tera Hockenbary, Tara Richter and Ben VanderMay. Also present: Meri Jo Anderson, Finance Director, Kristi Pritzkau, Finance Officer, Chris Maas, Joe Noble, Jorja Whitcher, Chuck Branum, Joe Weishaar, Sara and Colin Hansen and Hazel Phillips. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Trullinger with the Pledge of Allegiance following.
MINUTES
Motion by Graham second by Richter to approve March 3, 2026 minutes. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS
Chris Maas reported the garbage truck has worked great for the last couple days. A mini wire harness has been replaced and it was found that the ECM was not communicating with the transmission. Dennis Jensen was offered $20.00 per hour as he has experience running necessary equipment and has a valid CDL. Chris said Dennis accepted the offer and he looks forward to continuing the good work relationship they have.
MAYOR
Mayor Trullinger asked the Council for their approval to donate Centennial buckles and New Underwood history books to the benefit for John Hall and Mike Siegel. Motion by Hockenbary second by Richter to approve that donation. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
2026 ELECTION
Petitions for Mayor and Ward 1 and Ward 2 must be turned in by March 24, 2026 for the June 2, 2026 Election.
WATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WORK CHANGE ORDER TWO
Joe Noble introduced Jorja Whitcher as the day-to-day project overseer and gave an update on project progress. He then explained the necessity for Work Change Directive. Work Change Directive (WCD) 006 decreased culvert prices for approximately 25% of culverts due to changing them from 12" corrugated metal to 6" corrugated plastic pipe in areas with existing culverts 6" and below. WCD 007 captured additional fittings, linear feet of open trenched and bored 2" service line and decrease of one culvert and driveway repair. Motion by Graham seconded by VanderMay to approve Work Change Order #2. Roll call vote. Aye: VanderMay, Richter, Hockenbary and Graham. Motion carried.
The change orders have not increased the contract price that was originally set. Mr. Noble explained we are still on track for the September 18, 2026 deadline. QDS plans to start on the A Ave. water line construction in April.
TRENCH BOX
Motion by Graham seconded by Richter to approve renting the trench box if our insurance covers any accidents that are the result of a defect in the trench box for the following amounts: $150.00 per day, $450.00 per week and $1250.00 per month. Also, if the trench box is used for City projects there will be no rent charge. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
WATERSALESMAN
Chris Maas reported he visited the Black Hawk water superintendent to see their watersalesman. He said it should be simple to get it set it up at the shop and does not believe the fuel tanks will need to be relocated. Mayor Trullinger explained that the shop is currently supplied water from a 1” line and when QDS gets close that will be replaced by a 2” line to supply the shop and the watersalesman. Construction will start when QDS gets new main in on “A” Ave.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Mayor Trullinger has a meeting set up to discuss the possibility of having a contract drawn up for ambulance services to the City of New Underwood on April 8th at 10:00 a.m. to conform with the bill that was passed by the legislature upon the governor’s signature.
LOCAL BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
Motion by Richter second by Hockenbary to approve the 2026 Equalization minutes. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
Mike Siegel is currently unable to work while receiving medical treatment. He is eligible for Family Medical Leave, as the City of New Underwood is a covered employer under the FMLA, which applies to all public agencies including federal, state, and local governments regardless of the number of employees.
The Council has affirmed that Mr. Siegel’s position will be held for him during his recovery. Under FMLA, the City is required to continue paying its portion of his health insurance premium for up to twelve weeks. It was noted that Mr. Siegel is enrolled in a “health plus one” plan, which has resulted in cost savings to the City over the past year and a half compared with the cost of a single plan. Motion by Hockenbary seconded by Richter to approve paying for any necessary health insurance coverage beyond the twelve‑week FMLA period. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
SPECIAL LICENSE
Motion by Graham seconded by Richter to approve Special License #26-04 for Moe’s Bar and Grill at the Community Center on April 11, 2026 for a benefit for John Hall and Mike Siegel. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY CENTER EQUIPMENT
Mayor Trullinger recommended approving the request from Sara Hansen and Hazel Phillips to use the podium and the National and State flags from the Community Center for a gathering to be hosted at Ranch Receptions on March 27, 2026 from 7-9 p.m. to meet Jon Hansen who is running for Governor. Motion by Hockenbary seconded by VanderMay to approve the request. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT
Mayor Trullinger asked the Council to consider appointing Chris Maas as the Director of Public Works. Motion by Hockenbary second by VanderMay to approve Chris Maas as the Director of Public Works. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
FRONTDESK FEES
The fees being charged by FrontDesk are being increased for those who utilize it to pay online. Residents have the option to pay in the office with a check, cash or credit card for no fee or they can drop their payment off in the drop box located in the door of City Hall. The Council had voted in the past to cover the fees charged for those paying by ACH as the fees were minimal. Input from Council and audience was that the City should no longer absorb those fees. Motion by Graham second by Hockenbary to no longer cover those fees as doing so would be more expensive and the fees are for the convenience of paying online. Aye: all. Nay: none. Motion carried.
OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED:
· The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at the Community Center at 6:00 p.m.
Being no further business Mayor Trullinger adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
(seal) Kristi Pritzkau, Finance Officer
Salary 2026
Maintenance Man - $20.00 - $24.00