McKeon for City Council

10/02/2025

Election Day is coming up. Here's some key info on casting your ballot.

09/19/2025

Storm Lake residents could soon see changes to how the city handles its annual clean-up.  During Monday night’s city council meeting, city staff proposed a ticket-based system that would allow […]

09/17/2025

Storm Lake residents will head to the polls this fall for a special city election to fill the seat vacated by longtime council member Kevin McKinney.  The city council voted […]

09/15/2025

09/11/2025

Read the real story…

CITY LEADERS URGE INVOLVEMENT DURING POP-UP SESSION
The mayor and members of the city council were invited guests at Friday’s SALUD gathering, doubling as the latest of the City’s “pop-up” opportunities.
The pop-up meetings are intended to further conversation with the community and to encourage public involvement. “Sometimes people are reluctant to come to council meetings, so we decided to come out to the community,” Council Member Meg McKeon said of the pop-ups.
The city representatives not only urged people to attend meetings and serve on boards and commissions, also encouraging residents to consider running for elected offices. “You do not have to have the full knowledge of the process to run, there are people here who will help you learn,” said Council Member Maria Ramos.
Mayor Mike Porsch said he had first chosen to run for office in gratitude to the community that had meant much to him and to his family. “I felt it was a responsibility to give back for what Storm Lake has given to me over 50 years. This is a great community. I love being involved, it is challenging. I encourage anyone to run for one of the open positions.”
The mayor’s seat will be open in the November election as Porsch retires from that position at the end of the current term. Two full four-year council terms are up for election, as well as a two year partial term following a council member mid-term resignation.
“Our council is somewhat diversified, and we would like to see more,” Councilperson McKeon said. “It is time for the next generation to step up. It’s time, people, to start taking care of your community… There are leaders in this room who would be great on the council, boards or commissions.”
Local elections often draw low turnout. “I think voting is incredibly important,” Council Member Maggie Martinez told the gathering.
At times, people run for office based only on a single issue of personal interest to them, the mayor noted. “They tend to find out it’s not that simple. It takes time (to learn the issues and workings of city government), it takes effort.”
The council members stressed that the role of the council is to govern, not to manage the city departments, which are overseen by the city manager and staff. “We’re trying to bring the community together,” Councilperson McKeon told the gathering.
Among the questions asked during the public meeting was the status of housing in Storm Lake.
Mayor Porsch said that an estimated 500-plus home units have been added in the past six years, while perhaps only 50 had been developed in the six before that. He said that some developers are looking at the community for additional projects, but the biggest hurdle is being “boxed in.” Building space within city limits is limited, and the landowners directly surrounding the community are not currently in the market to sell property, he said. Council representatives said they will continue to consider incentives to assist developers in adding more housing, and encouraged the public to review the recently-completed housing assessment study, which can be found on the city’s website at www.stormlake.org.
Council members also explained the City’s rental housing inspection program, noting that the regulations allow the inspectors to only look for certain safety-related aspects of the housing unit.
SALUD leaders said they are seeking to return to the roots of their multicultural health coalition, including working to help nurture the immigrant population of the community.
“You are the voice of the people who don’t have a voice,” Councilperson Martinez said of the organization. She said she wished that everyone, including the immigrant population, knew that they are welcome to be involved and to be active, starting with attending council meetings. “Our doors are kept open,” she said of the council chambers. “That has a symbolic meaning.”
Mayor Porsch added that city government’s role is to “represent everybody.”
The council is planning to continue their pop-up sessions around the community. Follow the City’s social media for announcements.

09/04/2025

Please read and listen to the reports on nomination process for upcoming City elections.

Storm Lake’s fall election season is officially underway, with nomination papers now being accepted for city council and school board positions. Mayor Mike Porsch’s seat and as well as the […]

09/03/2025

The Storm Lake City Council officially accepted the resignation of Councilperson Kevin McKinney durong the regular Council meeting on September 2, 2025. His resignation is effective Sept 12, 2025. This action will allow an individual to run for and be elected to complete the two remaining years of Mr. McKinney's term. People who are interested in running for this two (2) year term should consult the election handbook available at
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/electioninfo/citycndgdeprim.pdf
Forms to run for this position can be downloaded at this site or pciked up at City Hall in Storm Lake.

This is an important city election as two four (4) year terms will also be on the ballot as well as the position of Mayor. All information about running for any of these elected positions can be found at the above link.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact, Mayra Martinez, City Clerk by calling City Hall 712-732-8000.

09/02/2025

08/26/2025

I get a lot of questions about how City government works, the responsibilities of Council members, the Mayor and elections. Hope this is helpful. As always feel free to contact me with suggestions, questions or concerns.

GUIDE TO CITY ELECTION & CITY GOVERNMENT

City elections take place Tuesday, November 4 in Iowa communities. The candidate nomination period begins today, August 25. In the upcoming Storm Lake City Election, the mayor’s seat and three of the five city council seats will be on the ballot.

Current Mayor Mike Porsch has announced that he will not seek re-election. Council Member Kevin McKinney is stepping down from the council, and the remaining two years of his term will be filled in this election. Terms for seats currently held by Council Members Matt Ricklefs and Maggie Martinez expire at the end of the year, and those seats are also on the November ballot. The other two city council seats, currently held by Maria Ramos and Meg McKeon, have terms expiring in December of 2027.
Here is some information to know headed into election season.

THE BASICS

Election date: City elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years.

Who can run: A candidate must be an eligible voter (though not required to be registered to vote) residing in the city or ward the person seeks to represent. An eligible candidate must be age 18 or older, a citizen of the United States and resident of Iowa, and may not be a convicted felon unless voting rights have been restored.

Nomination process: Copies of nomination papers are available at the city clerk’s office, county auditor’s office, or from the Secretary of State’s website: http://sos.iowa.gov/city-elections. The prospective candidate must collect the required number of signatures (minimum 50 for the Storm Lake City Election), and file the nomination form with their affidavit of candidacy in order to be listed on the ballot. The nomination filing period closes September 18.

City elections are non-partisan, meaning that candidates do not represent a political party. Separating politics from city management helps the organization to focus on results within the community.
Voters: Voter Pre-Registration deadline is Monday, October 20. You may still register and vote at your appropriate precinct on election day.

ABOUT CITY GOVERNMENT IN STORM LAKE

There are a few different types of municipal governments used in cities around the United States. Storm Lake utilizes the original and most common, the Mayor-Council form. In this system, the City Council is the policy-making body, with the City Manager in a supporting role.
Storm Lake also elects mayor and council at-large, meaning that all elected city officials represent the entire community rather than a ward or district.

CITY COUNCIL – Iowa Code states, “Power of a city is vested in the city council except as otherwise provided by a state law.” In the Mayor-Council system, the council is elected by the people to represent their interests. The Storm Lake City Council holds authority for setting the policy that governs the community. The council, for example, acts on strategic planning, adopting budgets and tax rate, adopting or updating ordinances (city laws), and approving major projects and developments. The council creates policy through resolutions and motions approved by majority vote of the group. Motions are typically used for more routine business, and roll call resolutions for establishing policy.

MAYOR - The mayor is also elected by the voters, but is separate from the council in this system, serving as chief executive officer of the City. The mayor has responsibilities such as representing city government at various events and functions, overseeing administration of local government, and presiding over council meetings. Unlike council members, the mayor does not have a vote on policy-making decisions under a Mayor-Council system.

CITY MANAGER - The City Manager and City Staff are guided by goals and directives provided by the City Council. The City Manager is appointed by the council based on credentials, and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and public services duties of the city, freeing the council for visioning and planning. The manager is also responsible for supervising city departments and employees. A code of ethics defines the principles serving as the foundation for local government management.

Additionally, a City Clerk is appointed by the City Council to oversee record keeping, citizen requests and many other duties.

WORKING AS A PARTNERSHIP

It is crucial for elected officials and city management to work hand-in-hand.
“It is equally important for the manager to identify processes and tools for supporting the governing body in achieving their objectives,” notes Public Management (PM) Magazine. “It takes a trusting partnership to foster alignment between ‘politics and administration.’ Getting important things done for the community and achieving aspirational goals are most successful within a collaborative mentality on the governing body and with the manager…”
Neither the council or city management could fully serve the community without the other.

08/19/2025

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY?
The City of Storm Lake is seeking volunteers to serve on the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. Here's an opportunity to have a hand in the way the City will develop into the future.
Meetings are held only as needed.
WHAT THE GROUPS DO
* The Planning & Zoning Commission makes recommendations on applications for rezoning, subdivision plat approval, and text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. In reviewing applications, the Planning and Zoning Commission takes input from applicants, neighboring property owners, citizens, and city staff. Commission members review applications for impact on the neighborhood, community, environment, utilities and transportation. The commission’s recommendations are forwarded to the City Council.
* The Board of Adjustment approves or denies variances of Storm Lake Zoning Regulations, and decides if special exception uses of property are acceptable. The board also hears appeals on decisions by the zoning administrator or decisions based on property maintenance codes.
QUALIFICATIONS
No special qualifications are necessary. Volunteers should reside in the Storm Lake city limits, be age 18 or older, and be eligible to vote.
HOW TO APPLY
* Pick up a boards and commissions volunteer application at City Hall.
* Or fill out and submit an application online. See: https://www.stormlake.org/146/Boards-and-Commissions
* Questions on these openings? Contact Scott Olesen, Building & Codes Official, 712-732-8000 or [email protected].