Council agrees to split cost of removing dead ash trees; mayor presses mosquito contractor for answers

At the July 6 Rowan City Council meeting, resident Josh Coe asked the council to share the cost of removing four large dead ash trees in the right-of-way at 135 Main. Coe presented an estimate from Wharton Tree Service of $500 per tree and offered to split the cost with the city. Council member Mark Bruns moved to accept a 50% cost-share; Chad Ketchum seconded the motion, and council approved it.

Mayor Dale Hollman raised a separate concern about mosquito spraying. He said he had repeatedly requested the mosquito-control company not to spray his properties but that the company continued to do so and did not provide advance notice this year. Hollman asked the council to review the existing contract with the mosquito-control vendor and requested that the contractor come to meet with a city official to discuss notification and opt-out procedures. The transcript records Hollman’s complaint but does not include a response from the mosquito-control company.

Other maintenance items: staff reported a seven-year-old church generator battery that is failing and needs replacement; staff installed a hinge for the generator cord and plans to keep the block heater on November through May to reduce snow-drift issues. Veenstra & Kimm provided a brief update that they are updating maps of mains and valve locations for the Water Infrastructure Project.

The council recorded the motions and adjourned; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM.