City Commissioners hire Kayla Hilbrink as new city manager/clerk

After holding several in-person interviews after the regular meeting of the Stockton City Commission held on Tuesday, October 17th, the Board voted to hire Kayla Hilbrink as the new city manager/clerk pending acceptance of the contract.

Before the interviews were held, the commissioners conducted regular business as presented on the evening’s agenda.

They first presented assistant city clerk Kayla Hilbrink withacertificateforcom-stockton pleting the requirements to attain the title of Certified Municipal Clerk.

They then turned their attention to New Business and approved the EBH pay request #4 for the CCLIP program.

Next, the commissioners approved the Solomon Valley Manor hand checks for decorations and supplies for the new facility, with the funds used from the tax credit monies the Manor had received for the project.

After reviewing the Rooks County Transportation yearly request for funds, the commissioners approved the monthly payments of $1,056.00 for the use of the program. This is for the 20242025 year.

Christmas bonuses were discussed with the commissioners voting to give $100.00 in Chamber Checks to city employees, which will be noted on the November payroll.

Building permits for the Main Street Christian Church for a play area, for Adam Bryant for a second floor addition, for Colton and Michelle Pfeifer for a shed, for Scott Baker for a privacy fence, and for DSNWK for concrete for parking were then approved by the commissioners. Adam Bryant abstained from the vote.

The speaker system for Main Street is short about $3,500.00 to $4,000.00 from its goal, so the commissioners voted to fund the rest of the project with ARPA funds with the intent to have the system up and running for Olde Tyme Christmas.

The City is working on pour-in-place material for under the slide and other areas at the Lower City Park. The company that will do the work will submit a tire improvement grant for the City for half the cost. The City will submit a Heartland Community grant application and will also use ARPA money for the project.

A gift fund request had been made by The Motion Dance Company, but since it is a private business, it was decided to go with the recommendation of the Gift Fund Board and deny the request.

The fund status reports for the Solomon Valley Manor and City of Stockton were both reviewed and approved by the commissioners as presented. It was noted that the Manor is full and the residents have moved into their new rooms.

During her City Manager/Clerk Report, Courtney Flower stated that the citywide cleanup was going well. The move to the new Manor is almost completed. Assistant city clerk Kayla Hilbrink attended the LKM Conference on the City’s behalf. The Chamber of Commerce’s supplies and equipment can be stored in one of the Rooks County recycle trailers.

Next, the commissioners went into executive session before they started the interview process with Courtney Flower and commissioners Reesa Brown, Jesica Kerr, Nathan Glendening and Adam Bryant in attendance. Commissioner Bob Becker did not attend the sessions.

At the start of the meeting, the commissioners approved the Consent Agenda which included the following items: Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll for $61,022.28; Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll for $60,498.19; Solomon Valley Manor (SVM) warrants for $79,424.53; Solomon Valley Manor warrants for $65,695.41; City of Stockton gross payroll for $89,312.54; City of Stockton warrants for $172,049.43; City of Stockton warrants for $133,159.59; and September 19th regular meeting minutes.