Minutes

The following minutes are from the October 13, 2026 business meeting. As of this upload the minutes have not been approved by council. Upon approval the approved minutes will be posted below.

MINUTES

AMERICUS CITY COUNCIL

BUSINESS MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2026 – 7 PM 

CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by Mayor WRIGHT. Council members present were NUESSEN, HARMON and HINRICHS. GERLEMAN and BURTON were absent. Also present,  Attorney Steve Atherton, Clerk Dodie Doudna, Code Enforcement Justin Arb and Deputy Clerk Denisha Seiter.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Courtney Welch, Brenda Gehring, Wynnette Dudley, Nathan Dudley, Becky Baumgardner, Joel Young, Merry Barber, Jeremiah Weatherhead, Connie Freeman, John Freeman. Candace Fields present at 7:28 pm. Becky Baumgardner stated that the Dudley’s would like to purchase property from the Gehring’s and stay in an RV on the property. Seeing if council would allow that occur. Nathan Dudley expressed intent on staying in said RV temporarily, for 6 months or so. Council could not meet the accommodation as others have not been permitted to live in an RV/Camper. Brenda Gehring presented pictures to Steve Atherton of a camper that was being lived in at one time in city limits. The current city ordinance was enforced by Code Enforcement on the camper in question and they were forced to vacate. Council gave suggestions of where they could hook the RV up.

 CONSENT AGENDA:

                APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 8, 2026, Business Meeting -Minutes could not be approved, majority council members not in attendance.  

                BILLS TO PAY: Moved by HARMON to approve the October bills in the amount of 16,211.71. Motion seconded by HINRICHS. 3-0 Vote. Moved by HINRICHS to pay BCBS October billing for November premium when billing statement is available not to exceed $3000.00. Motion seconded by NUESSEN. 3-0 Vote.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

PARKS & REC : Deputy clerk reported that ARO was asking when they would be able to start storing items next to city hall. Clerk will reach out to Jody Meyers about clearing out evidence locker. Council advised that ARO should bring big purchase needs to council for approval.

MAINTENANCE: Getting close to mowing season being done. HINRICHS will reach out to contact about splashpad to see if we can set up a training to winterize again.

 CLERK: Clerk reported that she has jury summons for Monday the 19th. Carpets at community center and city hall will be cleaned on the 21st. WRIGHT approved the purchase of Halloween candy not to exceed $200.00

CODE ENFORCEMENT: Weed notices are slowing down, in a good position with the established process from this year going into next year. 410 Cherry followed through on all tasks given by code enforcement. 

ADOPT THE AGENDA: Moved by HINRICHS to adopt the agenda. Motion seconded by HARMON. 3-0 Vote.

  1. JOEL YOUNG: Joel would like to long term rent the community center for 2 Sundays a month to hold a church service. Starting no earlier than 4 pm. Council agreed to Oct. 18th and Nov 1st, with future dates approved, just not set on the calendar.
  2. ROLLING HILLS LIQUOR LICENSE: Moved by NUESSEN to approve the liquor license renewal for Rolling Hills. Motion seconded by HINRICHS. 3-0 Vote.
  3. PROJECT PLAYSCAPE:
  4. Cookies with Santa: Due to Emporia changing the date of their Christmas Parade, we had to change ours. The parade will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd. Parade line up to start at 6:15, with parade at 7 pm. Cookies                                 with Santa to follow. $325 approved for Santa and $500 for goodie bags and treats.
  5. Court equipment: HINRICHS gave some illustrations of what the basketball/pickleball courts could look like. Asked council to bring back recommendations on how we should do the courts.
  6. COMMUNITY SURVEY: The community survey was reviewed. Would have liked more submissions, will continue to promote the survey for people to take. HINRICHS asked council to think about projects they want to see happen in the next year and bring that back to discuss.
  7. SEWER BID: Community Center line replacement: Tabled until November council meeting, needing to collect more bids.
  8. CHAIRS: Will reach out to Navrats to see what they have. Will also watch purplewave to see if anything becomes available. No purchase at this time.
  9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Non-elected personnel matters. Moved by NUESSEN to go into executive session at 8:31 pm for 20 minutes for non-elected personnel matters, inviting council, mayor, legal, clerk and deputy clerk. Motion seconded by HARMON. 3-0 Vote. Out of executive session at 8:51 pm, no action taken.

Moved by NUESSEN to adjourn at 8:52 pm. Motion seconded by HINRICHS. 3-0 Vote.

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