The Hawarden City Council met in special session last night to discuss resolution 2024-32, which was to eliminate the position of the Community and Economic Development Director effective December 15th. The meeting drew significant community attention as over 100 community members gathered in the standing room only chambers, even spilling out into the hallway, to advocate for retaining Director Carol Hoogestraat. The diverse assembly included business leaders, school officials, investors, builders, business owners, and a non-profit charity leader, all united in their support for Director Carol.
This special session was necessitated by the fact that the original vote on November 13th was deemed unlawful because it was based on an oral motion, not a resolution, and did not provide ample time for discussion. In the special meeting, a resolution was brought to the table.
During the meeting, twelve community members spoke passionately in favor of Director Hoogestraat, highlighting her positive impact on the town’s development. Hoogestraat herself addressed her supporters, expressing gratitude for their unwavering backing. The council members were not silent either; four of the five shared their thoughts.
After hearing the community input and the council comments, the council once again took a vote on the resolution to eliminate the economic development director position. The vote narrowly passed with a 3-2 margin. However, in a pivotal moment, Mayor Larry Gregg utilized a city ordinance that grants the mayor veto power over council resolutions. This ordinance allows the mayor to veto an ordinance, amendment, or resolution within 14 days of its passage and requires the mayor to provide a written explanation of the reasons for the veto.
Mayor Gregg invoked this ordinance to formally veto the passage of resolution 2024-32, outlining ten reasons in a written message to the council. With this action, the resolution to eliminate Hoogestraat’s position was overturned. If the council wishes to revisit this resolution, they would need a four-vote majority. As it stands, the city of Hawarden will retain its community and economic development director, thanks to the concerted efforts of its community and the decisive action of its mayor.
