Decorah City Council has seven members representing five wards, plus two at-large members. Members have staggered four year terms with each member serving on numerous committees as assigned by the Mayor. Committee assignments are listed below each council member and a full description of each committee is available below.

Full Committee Descriptions

THE 2018 DECORAH CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES


Mayor, Lorraine Borowski - 382-3452  or 379-9909 Dec 2021
mayor@decorahia.org or lbcarter9@gmail.com


City Council:


Ward 1, Randy Schissel - 380-3488  Dec 2021
randyschissel@yahoo.com


Ward 2, Dan Bellrichard - 419-5571 Dec 2019
ward2decorah@gmail.com


Ward 3, Andy Carlson - (970) 420-6465 Dec 2021
Decorah3@gmail.com


Ward 4, Steve Luse - 379-2327 Dec 2019
stevele.luse@gmail.com


Ward 5, Johanna Bergan -  380-9674 Dec 2021
johannafordecorah@gmail.com


At large, Kirk Johnson - 419-3626 Dec 2019
johnsonk@luther.edu


At large, Ross Hadley - 277-7407 Dec 2021
hadleyro@protonmail.com


Mayor Pro Tempore: Randy Schissel


City Council Committees (Chair Listed First):
The City Council committees meet on an as needed basis when there is an item to be discussed. The purpose of the committees is to plan and conduct research and develop rules and policy to recommend to the City Council. If you would like to address a committee regarding a certain issue you may contact a committee person or call City Manager Chad Bird at 382-3651 to be placed on the agenda.


Personnel, Negotiating and Insurance- Johnson, all other members of council
Reviews and negotiates wage and benefit packages for City employees. Reviews and approves various personnel actions and policies. Monitors and reviews claim history and provides input in reviewing and selecting the best insurance programs for the City. Reviews proposed union / bargaining agreements and organizational structural changes.


Streets, Alleys, and Sidewalks – Hadley, Bellrichard, Schissel, Johnson
Review issues related to streets, sidewalks alleys and other concerns related to the street department. Reviews plans for the growth, improvement, and maintenance of the street system including capital improvements programming, annual projects and requests. Street related improvements generally include those whose construction, acquisition or maintenance costs may be funded with Road Use Tax or Local Option Sales Tax funds.


Water, Sewer, Public Lights and Utilities – Carlson, Bellrichard, Bergan, Schissel
Reviews plans and projects related to the sanitary sewer system, public water system, garbage collection and recycling. Reviews budgets, rates, and growth demands. Plans future growth and development of the systems and determines policy.


Economic Development and Property – Bellrichard, Hadley, Johnson, Luse
Initiatives and suggestions involving quality of life matters for the citizens and visitors of Decorah. Ordinance and other policy issues related to matters involving Human Rights Commission and code section and Historic Preservation Commission and code section. Also may review and recommend policy on issues related to tax abatements and increment financing.


Community Betterment – Bergan, Hadley, Luse, Schissel
Acquisition, disposal, and maintenance of real property. May also review capital building projects and improvement programs.


Budget & Finance – Schissel, Bergan, Johnson, Carlson
Works with staff to provide input and feedback during the budget preparation process. Reviews and makes recommendations on budget issues that occur throughout the year. Also provides feedback on revenue projects and matters regarding debt.


Public Safety – Luse, Bergan, Carlson, Hadley
Reviews policy and issues involving the Police and Fire departments, First Responders and Disaster Services. Also reviews initiatives and suggestions related to general public safety concerns.


Special Committees
From time to time the Mayor may designate a special committee to review and resolve a particular problem or issue.

The council appoints the following positions: City Manager, City Clerk / Treasurer. The Council may also appoint a City Engineer and City Attorney.

Mayor – Lorraine Borowski

Mayor – Lorraine Borowski

Elected to a four-year term. Mayor Borowski's term expires 12/31/21.

Mayor appoints the Chief of Police with Council approval and one Council member to act as mayor pro tempore.

1st Ward – Randy Schissel

1st Ward – Randy Schissel

Mayor Pro-Tempore

Term expires 12/31/21

Committee Assignments: Budget & Finance, Chair

Also serves on: Community Betterment; Personnel; Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks; Water, Sewer, Public Lights and Utilities

2nd Ward – Emily Neal

2nd Ward – Emily Neal

Term expires: Open

Committee Assignments: Economic Development and Property, Chair

Also serves on: Personnel, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks, Water, Sewer, Public Lights and Utilities

3rd Ward – Andy Carlson

3rd Ward – Andy Carlson

Term expires 12/31/21

Committee Assignments: Water, Sewer, Public Lights and Utilities, Chair

Also serves on: Budget and Finance; Personnel; Public Safety

4th Ward – Steve Luse

4th Ward – Steve Luse

Term expires 12/31/19

Committee Assignments: Public Safety, Chair

Also serves on: Community Betterment; Economic Development and Property; Personnel

5th Ward – Charles Lore

5th Ward – Johanna Bergan

Term Expires 12/31/21

Committee Assignments: Community Betterment, Chair

Also serves on: Budget and Finance; Personnel; Public Safety; Water, Sewer, Public Lights, and Utilities

At Large – Kirk Johnson

At Large – Kirk Johnson

Term expires 12/31/19

Committee Assignments: Personnel, Chair

Also serves on: Budget and Finance; Economic Development and Property; Streets, Alleys, and Sidewalks

At Large – Ross Hadley

At Large – Ross Hadley

Term expires 12/31/21

Committee Assignments: Streets, Alleys, and Sidewalks, Chair

Also serves on: Community Betterment; Economic Development & Property; Personnel; Public Safety