At the June 9 Harmony City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the May 12 council meeting, the claims and May checks, the investment report, cash balances, and a review of the budget. A one-year subscription renewal for Win 911, the app the city uses to receive alarms from water and sewer utilities, was also approved.
Riley Knutson from Cohn Reznick was present at the meeting to give the annual audit report. He noted that Smith Schafer merged with Cohn Reznick over the last year so while there was a new name, the same people as last year had conducted the audit. The total tax levy in 2025 was $957,836, and $956,497 was collected in tax revenue. Knutson reviewed the financial information for the various city departments and funds. The city received a clean report. The council approved the audit presentation.
During the public forum, Harmony resident Ann Lyons asked if there were any updates on the data center ordinance. City Administrator Alissa Stelpflug said that it is currently being reviewed by an attorney and if another joint meeting is held to discuss the ordinance, the public will be informed. Lyons also noted that there is an above ground swimming pool in her neighborhood with standing water attracting mosquitoes. It also does not have a fence or anything restricting access to it although there are numerous children in the neighborhood for which it poses a danger. Stelpflug said that she had contacted the pool’s owner, and they said they are having it treated. She will look into whether there are any requirements to block access to the pool.
At the last meeting, a request had been heard from Ambulance Director Samantha Grabau to hire Kyle McIntyre as co-director to assist her with her duties. Council member Tara Morem updated the council on the Personnel Committee’s recommendation which was to hire McIntyre and Joe Drinkwine as co-directors, splitting the $500 a month pay. Grabau will no longer serve as director as of June 9. Kyle Scheevel made a motion to hire McIntyre and Drinkwine with a six-month review. The motion was approved with Jesse Grabau and Steve Donney abstaining.
The council discussed a change to ordinance 71.01 regarding angled and parallel parking. The west half block of Center Street East beside Harmony Mercantile is angled parking in accordance with the ordinance, but the council approved a motion to change that to parallel parking for plowing purposes.
EDA Director Chris Hahn has been in contact with the owner of Gold Grooming about her decision to close in June and has been informed that a new owner will be keeping the business open. Tinker & Makes owner, Mason Weedman, has requested an additional $1,000 for his building repairs as the capstone needs to be reconstructed and reinstalled. Farm Charm has completed its Downtown Revitalization project which came in under budget.
Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce Director Erin Dorbin has resigned, and Kelley Collins has been hired as the interim Chamber director. The visitor center is now open for its summer hours of Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Resignations from Chamber board members Jen Gold and Mason Weedman were accepted, and two new members are being sought to complete their terms.
The council reviewed and approved the Harmony Public Library’s volunteer policy. The policy is available for viewing on the library’s website.
All three Back Alley Jam concerts this summer are being sponsored by the Arts Board. Eight-year-old Kylie Melver was announced as the winner of the 4th of July button contest. The buttons are currently being printed and will be distributed soon.
The raffle tickets for the fire department are available for purchase. Fireworks for the 4th of July celebration have been ordered and are on the way. The old fire truck was sold for $48,500 and is being sent to the Dominican Republic.
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