The two proclamations he delivered recognized longtime city Account Clerk Kim Weinzetl and city native and former professional boxing champion John Roby.

Weinzetl spent 38 years with the city before retiring in late September. Roby put the city in the national media and beyond with a pugilistic career that included 47 amateur and 48 professional fights. He was the International Boxing Organization’s super featherweight champion in 1993 and 1994.

“I am so appreciative of this honor,” Weinzetl said. “I have worked with so many good people, especially on the council.”

“I always tell people to believe in their dreams in order to stay positive,” Roby said. “You might get knocked down, but you need to keep getting back up and not give up.”

-Messenger photo by Mark Adkins
Fort Dodge Mayor Matt Bemrich honored a pair of individuals who have made a significant impact on the community as part of the Monday meeting of the City Council. One of two proclamations he delivered honored city native and former professional boxing champion John Roby.

In action items, the council:

• Approved the final reading of an animal control ordinance that gives the animal control officer more discretion in cases in which an animal must be quarantined after biting someone. The ordinance allows the officer to choose the least restrictive confinement measure that still protects public safety.

• Approved the purchase of a 2026 Dodge Tradesman 3500 regular cab 4×4 for the Sanitation Division of the Public Works Department from Shimkat Motor Co. of Fort Dodge for $46,153.00.

• Hired Smitty’s Lawn and Landscape, of Fort Dodge, to build retaining walls around three burial plots in Oakland Cemetery for $66,413.67.

• Purchased a John Deere 333 compact track loader with accessories in the amount of $122,651.00 from Murphy Tractor & Equipment, of Fort Dodge.

• Approved an agreement transferring a $100,000 Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant to the Boston Centre Owners Association.

The council also heard from residents during the evening. Larry Reinert spoke about problems with finding information on the city’s website in regard to two areas.

“I’ve been seeking updates on bike trails and street signs being updated in the three years I’ve been a resident as they are both common annoyances,” he said.

City Manager David Fierke addressed the bike trails, especially the problems with the Corps of Engineers section by the Des Moines River, stating that it will be fixed, but “we’re not sure if we are going to start with patching it for now or going through a complete redo.”

Local business owner Shanda Marks returned to the council after bringing forward law enforcement concerns in late September to speak about various security issues in several establishments, including the Brass Monkey that she owns and operates.

“There has to be something done — we continue to have monster fights, underaged individuals coming into our businesses causing problems and so on,” she said. “It all starts with who gets the complaints we file and are they getting relayed to the local law enforcement. There are others who have spoken to me that are having similar problems, too. These things need to be addressed, and soon.”