[00:00:01]
>> PRESENTING THIS AFTERNOON IS BRENDA MAINWARING WITH THE IOWA WEST CYCLE 1 GRANT AWARDS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. YOU EACH HAVE OUR PRESS RELEASE ON YOUR DESK.
HASN'T APPEARED IN THE PAPER YET, SO YOU HEAR ABOUT IT HERE FIRST.
THIS CYCLE, WE AWARDED 3.9 MILLION IN GRANTS AND INITIATIVES.
ABOUT 0.1 MILLION OF THAT IS GOING TOWARD ARTS AND SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS THAT ATTRACT TOURISM, AND ANOTHER TWO MILLION TOWARD CREATING AND REHABBING HOUSING UNITS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY LONG TIME, WE'VE GIVEN A GRANT TO THE POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
THEY NEED TO EMPHASIZE GETTING MORE VISITORS TO REELS WEST AND SQUIRREL CAGE JAIL.
WITH THE FUNDS, THE GOAL IS TO GET THEM SOME STAFF THAT ALLOW THEM TO HAVE MORE OPEN HOURS, NOT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THAT MIGHT HELP DO TO REALLY EMPHASIZE SOME OF THE GREAT FACILITIES WE HAVE HERE.
WE ALSO GAVE AN ADDITIONAL GRANT TO THE OMAHA SPORTS COMMISSION.
THEY'VE BEEN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A CVB FOR A LONG TIME, BUT WITH THE ADDITIONAL GRANT, THEY'RE GOING TO FOCUS SOME EFFORTS IN COUNCIL BLUFFS CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE CVB, BUT REALLY TRYING TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE WHOLE REGION CAN BENEFIT FROM SOME OF THESE SPORTING EVENTS THAT THEY'RE BRINGING INTO THE AREA.
WE'VE BEEN REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.
THEY BRING IN THE CORGI RACES, REALLY. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT? THEY ALSO BROUGHT IN USA BADMINTON TOURNAMENT, WHICH WAS QUITE AN IMPRESSIVE EVENT.
WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON HOUSING.
WE HAVE SPENT, AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS ON AMENITIES, AND OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE COMMUNITIES WHERE FAMILIES LOVE TO LIVE.
BUT IF THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE TO LIVE, THEN THEY CAN'T LOVE LIVING HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FOCUSING ON HOUSING.
IN THIS CYCLE, WE MADE TWO AWARDS OF 1.5 MILLION, BOTH TO FOCUS ON PREVENTING LOSS OF EXISTING HOUSING, IMPROVING QUALITY OF HOUSING, AND CATALYZING MORE CONSTRUCTION.
HALF A MILLION TOWARD FRONT PORCH INVESTMENT, WHICH IS AN OMAHA BASED ORGANIZATION THAT IS ABLE TO GIVE LOANS.
THAT'S NOT AN AREA OF EXPERTISE FOR US, BUT IT'S AN AREA THAT SERVES SOME OF THE INTEREST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BUILDING IN THIS AREA.
SECONDLY, SETTING ASIDE ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AS A LEAD PARTNER, WORKING WITH MOST OF THE OTHER NONPROFIT COMMUNITIES TO ACQUIRE DISTRESSED OR BLIGHTED PROPERTIES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT IOWA WEST ACQUIRED SOME PROPERTIES THAT WERE NEEDED TO BE TORN DOWN, WE ESSENTIALLY GAVE THEM TO THE CITY.
THAT'S NOT OUR AREA OF EXPERTISE, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY AN AREA OF NEED FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WE SEE BLIGHTED HOUSES, AND AS WE SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE OF THOSE TO COME ON THE MARKET, WE WANT OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE THOSE, SO WE HAVE THAT MONEY SET ASIDE.
WHEN THE ACQUISITION OF THAT PROPERTY MAY AFFECT A TENANT, AND THEY HAVE TO FIND SOMEPLACE ELSE TO LIVE, WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH LEGAL AID SO THAT THE TENANT IN THOSE PROPERTIES HAVE REPRESENTATION AND CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN FIND SOME PLACE FOR THEM TO LIVE.
JUST LOOKING AT THE LIST, A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS.
THE FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY HEALTH COACH.
THIS IS THROUGH THE CB POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S FUNDED AGAIN THROUGH JENNIE EDMUNDSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION.
WE CONTINUE THE EVICTION DIVERSION.
HELP DESK WITH IOWA LEGAL AID, THEY'RE HELPING HUNDREDS OF FOLKS AT THE COURTHOUSE TO STOP THE EVICTION NOTICE.
THAT'S GOOD FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND EVERYBODY ELSE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES.
THEN THE OTHER ONE I'LL DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO IS ANOTHER 0.5 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS TOGETHER, INC, FOR THE NOURISHED CB CHOICE PANTRY, WHICH IS AT THE LAKE AND CAMPUS.
THEY HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATELY, SUCCESSFUL BEYOND ANYBODY'S IMAGINATION.
THEY ARE SERVING TWO OR THREE TIMES WHAT WE INITIALLY ANTICIPATED THEY WOULD NEED TO SERVE, BUT IT'S A PANTRY THAT'S OPEN, MORE REGULAR HOURS.
IT'S NOT DEPENDENT ON VOLUNTEERS LIKE MOST OF THE REST OF OUR PANTRY SYSTEM USED TO BE.
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THOSE?
>> THANKS VERY MUCH AS ALWAYS.
>> THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AS YOU KNOW, WHEN I'M OUT TALKING AND NO MATTER WHAT THE TOPIC IS, IT COMES UP THAT IOWA HAS HELPED HERE OR IOWA HAS HELPED THERE. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO.
REVIEW AGENDA. ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
[B. Review Agenda]
ANYTHING ON THE PUBLIC HEARINGS? GOT A HANDFUL.>> I HAVE YOUR COUNCIL NOTES ON MY DESK, SO I'LL BRING THEM UP.
>> I WAS SAYING, WHICH ONE ARE CONTINUING, 12?
>> NO. FOUR B. I ALWAYS SAY THERE'S LIKE SIX PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[00:05:04]
TONIGHT THERE'S 12. [LAUGHTER]>> FOUR B IS THE ONE WE'RE CONTINUING?
>> YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE NO ACTION ON 4B.
>> YEAH, I HAVE IT. IT'S ON MY DESK. AMANDA'S BRINGING IT UP.
YOU'LL JUST STATE THAT THE HEARING IS NOT BEING HELD TONIGHT.
THEN THERE'S ANOTHER ONE YOU'LL CONTINUE, BUT IT'S ALL ON YOUR NOTES.
>> THAT I FORGOT ON MY DESK. THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
>> ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THOSE 12 PUBLIC HEARINGS? ORDINANCES FOR FIRST OR SECOND READING? ANY SECONDS.
>> I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT'S IN THE ORDINANCE OR IN THE RESOLUTION, BUT WE HAD SET DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 DEADLINE.
WHY DID WE SET THAT DEADLINE? IT'S GOING TO GO UNLESS WE REPEAL IT.
>> I THINK IT'S THE AIRPORT ONE.
>> WE HAD SET A DEADLINE FOR WHATEVER REASON, AND NOW WE'RE CHANGING IT TO NO DEADLINE.
I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER WHY WE SET THE DEADLINE.
>> IT'S 5B, I THINK, IS THAT ONE? NO, NEVER MIND. WHICH ONE IS THAT? I WAS JUST READING IT.
>> NO. IT'S IN THE RESOLUTIONS, I THINK.
>> [INAUDIBLE] THE RESOLUTIONS?
>> YEAH, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHY WE SET THE DEADLINE BECAUSE MOST OF THESE ARE JUST UNTIL WE REPEAL THEM, BUT THIS ONE HAS A DEADLINE.
FOR WHATEVER REASON NOW WE'RE TAKING IT OUT.
DO YOU RECALL WHY WE SET THE DEADLINE? I THINK I WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE ON COUNCIL WHEN WE DID.
>> WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON THIS ONE IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
YOU'RE ACTUALLY REPEALING A SPECIFIC AREA.
THAT WHOLE AREA IS EXPIRED BY TIME, BUT WE'RE TAKING OUT SPECIFIC LAND.
WE TOOK IT OUT OF THE TIF DISTRICT PRIOR TO THIS A COUPLE YEARS AGO BEFORE THE TIF DISTRICT EXPIRED.
NOW WE'RE TAKING OUT SPECIFIC PROPERTY WITHIN THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA SO THAT WE CAN DO THAT HOUSING PROJECT ALONG POWER DRIVE.
WE HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT BECAUSE IT'S AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA, AND WE NEED TO MOVE IT TO A HOUSING DESIGNATED AREA.
>> IT SAYS HERE THE ORIGINAL URBAN RENEWAL PLAN WAS SET TO EXPIRE THE 25TH.
>> CORRECT. THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA, EVERYTHING'S DONE THERE.
THERE'S NOT MUCH ELSE THAT WE CAN DO WITH TIF.
IT'S AN OLD ONE, BUT BEFORE IT EXPIRES, WE NEED TO TAKE THIS SPECIFIC LAND OUT.
>> THEN I WOULD ASK JUST SOME OF THESE HAVE MAPS, THIS ONE, IN PARTICULAR, DOESN'T? IF WE COULD JUST HAVE A MAP.
THAT'S FINE. IT'S IN THE POWER DRIVE HOUSING ONE.
>> IT'S THE SAME PARCEL OF LAND.
>> YEAH. EXACTLY. [OVERLAPPING] UNDERSTAND.
>> IT WAS HARD TO UNDERSTAND, I GUESS.
YEAH, IT'S THE SAME PIECE OF PROPERTY.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS? JUST GO BACK ONE MORE TIME ON THE ORDINANCES FIRST OR SECOND.
>> ALL THOSE ORDINANCES CAN BE WAIVED THIRD IF YOU CHOOSE.
[C. Annexation Discussion - Courtney Harter]
COURTNEY, SHOULD YOU BE UP THERE?
>> IF ANYBODY DOESN'T WANT TO LISTEN, THEY ARE WELCOME TO LEAVE.
>> THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET OUT.
>> WE PROVIDED YOU A MEMO LAST WEEK.
REALLY, THIS IS JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
WE WILL BE HAVING THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THE APRIL 7TH MEETING, BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTIES, AND IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE MEMO THAT WE SENT OUT, WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO REQUEST ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> GENERAL NARRATIVE, THERE'S AT LEAST TWO COMPANIES DOWN IN MILLS COUNTY THAT NEEDS ACCESS TO CITY SERVICES.
WE DON'T PROVIDE THAT UNLESS THEY'RE PART OF THE CITY.
THEY BOTH REQUESTED TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE CITY.
[00:10:04]
ADDITIONALLY, ECO REQUESTED TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE CITY.IOWA STATE LAW ALLOWS AN ADDITIONAL 20% TO ROUND THE BORDERS OF ANY VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROPERTY OWNERS THAT COULD BE IF THE ANNEXATION BOARD AGREES WITH OUR PETITION, INVOLUNTARILY ANNEX.
THE ONE IN PARTICULAR BUSINESS, I THINK WHAT THE RIGHT WAY TO PUT IT, BUT IS PROBABLY THE SECOND LARGEST OPPORTUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WISE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF BLUFFS IN ITS HISTORY.
IT IS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS THAT PROPOSES TO HAVE A $45 MILLION ANNUAL SALARY, HIRING 325 PEOPLE, PAYING SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY TAXES AND USING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY, SO POTENTIALLY PAYING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FRANCHISE FEE AS WELL.
IT WOULD BE A GREAT ONE FOR THE CITY.
THE STATE OF IOWA HAS PUT $20 MILLION OF POTENTIAL INCENTIVE MONEY FORWARD TO TRY AND GET THIS COMPANY THERE.
THE GOVERNORS INVITED THEM TO DE MOINES TO MEET WITH HER AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME HERE, BUT THE ONLY RAIL ACCESS AVAILABLE, THERE ARE ACTUALLY TWO SITES.
ONE ALREADY HAD AN OPTION ON IT, WHICH IS DOWN BY EAST MANAWA AND THE OTHER ONE IS THIS SITE, BUT IT'S NOT WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD.
>> THE ANNEXATION AREA IS ABOUT 470 ACRES, AND WE'RE TAKING INVOLUNTARILY ABOUT 37 ACRES, WHICH IS BELOW WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO.
THE REASON WE DID THAT IS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO SPLIT PROPERTY OWNERS IN BETWEEN WHETHER THEY WERE THE CITY LIMITS OR NOT.
IT'S NOT THE FULL AMOUNT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO CAPTURE, BUT IT MADE A LOT OF SENSE, AND IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE COMING IN.
THE BNSF LINE IS THE OTHER ONE THAT IS VOLUNTARILY ANNEXING, AND THAT'S HOW WE'RE MAKING THAT CONNECTION.
YOU'LL SEE THAT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE NOT FOLLOWING A ROAD, BUT WE'RE FOLLOWING THE RAIL LINE.
THAT'S WHY IT LOOKS A LITTLE FUNKY ON A MAP.
THEN THE MAIN CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN ABOUT ROAD MAINTENANCE, AND WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THESE WILL BE DRIVEN BY THE PROJECTS, AND WE'LL WORK WITH THE COUNTIES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AFTER WE GET THE PROJECTS COMPLETED, AND THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS.
>> WE'VE ALREADY HAD A MEETING WITH BOTH MILLS AND POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY ENGINEERS TO TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
SOMETHING I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND TILL DICK EXPLAINED IT WAS THAT COUNTY ROADS ARE NOT OWNED BY THE COUNTY, THEY'RE EASEMENTS OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND SO WE COULDN'T USE THE ROAD AS THE NEXUS FOR THE ANNEXATION TERRITORY.
I DON'T BELIEVE. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, BOTH COUNTY BOARDS WANT THE CITY TO TAKE AREAS THAT HAVE DEFERRED ROAD MAINTENANCE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE.
WELL, GET TOLD ME THAT HAD BEEN 10 YEARS THAT IT'S NEEDED REPAIR AND HE THOUGHT WE SHOULD TAKE IT OVER AND REPAIR IT.
>> ON APRIL 7, YOU WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING TO APPROVE THE ANNEXATION.
THAT'LL BE THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE ANNEXATION, AND THEN AFTER THAT, IT WILL GO TO THE DEVELOPMENT BOARD AT THE STATE OF IOWA FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL.
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY DID PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT.
MILLS COUNTY PROVIDED A RESOLUTION OF NON SUPPORT.
I'M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE AS TO THE REASONING BEHIND THAT.
OTHER THAN THE ROAD MAINTENANCE AS MAYOR SAID, I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF WORRY ABOUT THE ROADS.
>> GIVE ME THE DOWNSIDE WHY WOULDN'T WE DO THIS.
BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE COME ASKING US QUESTIONS AND I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.
>> WELL, I THINK IF THERE'S A PERCEIVED DOWNSIDE.
>> YEAH, I'M NOT SAYING THERE IS.
I'M JUST ASKING, WHAT'S THE OTHER SIDE?
>> PERCEIVED DOWNSIDE IS THERE ARE TWO FOR SURE BUSINESSES INTERESTED IN ANNEXATION.
[00:15:02]
ONE OF THOSE IS THE CATTLEMEN'S PROJECT, WHICH IS A CATTLE KILL PROJECT THAT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MILLS COUNTY FOR FOUR YEARS ON, AND I'M NOT SURE THEY'RE ANY CLOSER TODAY THAN THEY WERE FOUR YEARS AGO, BUT WHEN WE INITIALLY TALKED TO MILLS COUNTY, THEY SAID, MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T KILL OUR CATTLE KILL PROJECT.THERE IS A PERCEPTION FROM SOME PEOPLE THAT NONE OF YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER, BUT THE OLD IOWA BEEF PACKERS, WHEN THE WIND CAME FROM A CERTAIN DIRECTION, THE WHOLE TOWN STUNK AND I THINK THERE'S CONCERN THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN AT THIS LOCATION.
THE PLANT'S MORE MODERN, PROPOSED PLANT IS MORE MODERN.
>> WELL, IT'S NOT A FEED LOT. IT'S ALL DONE INSIDE, RIGHT?
>> YEAH, BUT WHEN I WORKED AT ONE TIME, WHEN THEY TAKE THE MEAT, THEY'VE GOT RENDERINGS THAT ARE LEFT OVER THAT SOMETIMES THEY SHIP, BUT A LOT OF TIMES THEY JUST [OVERLAPPING]
IT'S NOT A PLEASANT SMELL WHEN YOU BURN FLESH.
>> BUT WE WILL REQUIRE THEM TO BUILD THE CITY STANDARDS, AND THEY'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE DEVELOPMENT STUFF THAT EVERYONE ELSE DOES IF THEY'RE IN CITY LIMITS, SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO HOPEFULLY CONTROL WHAT SOME OF THAT LOOKS LIKE.
>> YOU CAN'T JUST OPEN BURN IN THE CITY, CAN YOU? THAT WOULDN'T BE A THING TO WORRY ABOUT ANY LONGER, IS WHAT I WAS SAYING.
>> I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW THEY DO IT.
I THINK IT'S SOMEWHAT LIKE A FUNERAL HOME THAT CREMATES STUFF.
I WORKED AT IBP AND YOU COULDN'T BREATHE THROUGH YOUR NOSE, AND IF YOU BREATHE THROUGH YOUR MOUTH, THE FLIES FLEW IN YOUR MOUTH AND SO YOU HAD TO GRIT YOUR TEETH SO THAT FLIES WOULDN'T FLY IN, SO IT WASN'T REALLY PLEASANT.
BUT AGAIN, THEY SAY MODERNIZATION MAKES IT LESS ODIFEROUS.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT THAT PROJECT CAN HAPPEN RIGHT NOW WITH OR WITHOUT THE CITY SO IT IS APPROPRIATELY ZONED FOR THE COUNTY TO DO THAT.
I THINK MY STANCE WOULD BE THAT IF THEY'RE IN THE CITY LIMITS, THERE'S THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO MITIGATE SOME OF THAT.
>> ALL THIS DOES IS IT LETS US HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE BECAUSE THEY'LL DO IT WITH OR WITHOUT US WHEN THEY.
>> I WAS TO SAY IT GIVES US ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX ON THE ROLES AND OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO BUILD.
>> WELL, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER BUSINESS DOWN THERE, IF ANYTHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS, IT SURE NOT GOING TO BE A FIRE DEPARTMENT OTHER THAN OURS.
NO ONE ELSE IS PUTTING OUT ANY FIRES DOWN THERE EXCEPT US.
IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO THE LARGE ETHANOL PLANT, A DYNAMITE PLANT EFFECTIVELY.
>> WE'VE SIGNED A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT [OVERLAPPING] PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING SOMEWHERE TO GET OFF WORK.
>> FOR SURE. WE'RE GOING TO RESPOND RIGHT AWAY.
WE'VE GOT GUYS RIGHT DOWN AT BETS MEMORIAL THAT CAN SHOOT DOWN THE ROAD AND IF THERE'S A PROBLEM AT THAT PLANT, WE'LL BE THERE BEFORE ANYONE FROM GLENWOOD WILL BE UP TO DO IT AT ALL.
>> CHIEF DAVIS, CHIEF JAMES, ANY CONCERNS OF STAFFING DOWN THAT WAY? NO. JASON.
>> [INAUDIBLE] WE NEED TO ROUND UP OUR CORNERS WHETHER THAT'S [INAUDIBLE] WE NEED TO ROUND OUT SOME OF THESE CORNERS.
>> ONE OTHER EXPRESSED CONCERN FROM ONE OF THE MILLS COUNTY SUPERVISORS IS WORRIED THIS NEW COMPANY WILL BE RUNNING LOTS OF TRUCKS AND POTT COUNTY TOO.
POTT COUNTY WAS WORRIED, THEY'D RUN THEM DOWN 192ND STREET.
THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO GO DOWN 192ND STREETS NOT PAVED, AND, PEOPLE HAVE GIS SYSTEMS THAT THEY'RE GOING RIGHT TO THE INTERSTATE.
MILLS COUNTY WAS WORRIED ABOUT GOING TOWARDS BUNDY, WHICH REALLY IS BUSY.
EARLY IN THE MORNING, AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND STARTING AND QUITTING TIME, AND SO THEY THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL LOADS OF TRAFFIC, BUT AGAIN, THERE'D BE NO REASON FOR THEM TO GO THAT WAY.
BUT A BIG PERCENT, AND I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT THIS WAREHOUSE IS DESIGNED WITH TWO RAIL SYSTEMS GOING INTO THE WAREHOUSE.
ONE TO BRING PRODUCT IN OR TO BRING INVENTORY INPUTS IN AND THE OTHER TO HAUL FINISHED PRODUCT OUT SO THE BIG MAJORITY OF THE ACTIVITY IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE VIA RAIL,
[00:20:04]
WHICH IS WHY THEY CHOSE THE RAIL SITE.I THINK THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO CONCERNS I'VE HEARD.
>> AFTER THE ANNEXATION, IF IT DOES GO FORWARD, WE'LL WORK WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT WE'RE BRINGING IN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ZONE THEM APPROPRIATELY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO ZONE ANYBODY OUT IF WE'RE GOING TO BRING THEM IN AS IS.
I KNOW THAT'S BEEN A CONCERN FOR A FEW FOLKS.
IT'S NOT OUR INTENT TO ZONE ANYBODY OUT SO THAT THEY CAN'T CONTINUE WHATEVER OPERATION THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE IF IT'S A BUSINESS OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.
>> SO NO CONDITIONAL USES WILL BE ZONED APPROPRIATELY?
>> IT WILL BE ZONED APPROPRIATELY.
NOW, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO COME BACK AND THEY WANT TO DO A MAJOR CHANGE, THEN THAT WILL BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT WE'LL HAVE TO CONSIDER, BUT WE'RE TAKING EVERYTHING IN AS IS.
>> SORRY, I'M READING THROUGH THIS AGAIN.
ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENT THAT'S NOT THERE, THEY'LL PAY THEIR PORTION OF PUTTING IN CITY ROADS, THE STANDARDS, AND EVERYTHING THAT'S ALL?
>> WE'LL NEED TO PUT A ROAD IN WE'RE GOING TO GO FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOOTING RANGE ENTRANCE TO MONGE ROAD.
>> WHICH IS HOW FAR, IT'S NOT.
>> ARE YOU GOING TO PUT A NEW ROAD IN OR JUST PAVE THAT ROAD?
>> WE'RE GOING TO APPLY FOR A RISE GRANT, WHICH IS AN 80/20 SPLIT AND SINCE IT'S IMMEDIATE NEED, IOWA DOT WOULD PAY 80%, AND THE AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH THEM IS THAT THEY WOULD PAY THE 20%.
>> THAT'S ATTRIBUTABLE TO THEIR PROJECT SO THERE ARE SOME COSTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO INCUR TO GET OURSELVES TO THAT SHOOTING RANGE.
>> POTT COUNTY'S ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED THAT WE'RE TRACKING DIRT OUT WHEN WE WERE THE PRIMARY USER, I THINK, ON THAT END OF THE ROAD WITH DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES USING THE SHOOTING RANGE.
>> THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY INFRASTRUCTURE TO START.
>> NOW, WE HAVE PUT SEWER AND WATER.
WE'LL PUT THAT IN AND TIF AND REPAY OURSELVES.
>> THAT'LL ALL BE PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ONCE WE'VE NEGOTIATED THE PROJECT.
>> THEY'LL BE SEWER AND WATER OUR CONTRIBUTIONS.
>> HAVE WE SENT IN A MINIMUM ASSESSMENT AGREEMENT OR NOT?
>> I JUST HAVEN'T SEEN THAT. I'M SURE IT'S IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
>> YEAH. IT WILL HAVE A MINIMUM ASSESSMENT, SO WE KNOW HOW MUCH WE'LL SAVE.
>> APPROVED THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT YET?
>> NO. THEY STILL HAVE THEIR INCENTIVE OFFER.
WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK WHETHER OR NOT THEY ACCEPT.
THEY'RE STILL DOING SOME DUE DILIGENCE ON THEIR OWN SIDE FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU. MOTION TO GO TO EXECUTIVE.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
>> THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE TOPIC FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT'S PURSUANT TO 21.5.
>> I CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER,
[2. CALL TO ORDER]
SO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE IN ATTENDANTS EXCEPT FOR STEVE GORMAN, AND I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDAYE[3. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> IS THERE DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE 12 PUBLIC HEARINGS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO ANY OF THESE, PLEASE STEP FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE.
GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
[A. Resolution 25-70]
NOW IT'S TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDS TO RESOLUTION 25-70.THIS RESOLUTION GRANTS FINAL PLAT APPROVAL OF A ONE LOT SUBDIVISION TO BE KNOWN AS BENSON'S SECOND EDITION REPLAT 1.
BEING A REPLAT OF LOTS 1-6, BLOCK A, BENSON SECOND EDITION, EXCEPT FOR THE PART GRANTED TO THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS FOR RIGHT AWAY, DESCRIBED IN THE WARRANTY DEED 2018-02870.
ITS LOCATION IS 20901 WEST BROADWAY.
IS A PROOF OF PUBLICATION ON FILE?
>> ANY WRITTEN PROTESTS RECEIVED?
>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER? SEEING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL?
[00:25:01]
>> IS THERE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> OPPOSED SAME SIGN. TONIGHT, WE HAVE 1,
[B. Resolution 25-71]
[C. Resolution 25-72]
[E. Resolution 25-74]
[F. Resolution 25-75]
[G. Resolution 25-76]
02, 3, 4, 5, 6 RESOLUTIONS RELATIVE TO OUR 2026 BONDING.I'M GOING TO READ FIVE OF THOSE FIRST AND TAKE IT ALL IN ONE MOTION.
RESOLUTION 2571, A RESOLUTION INSTITUTING THE PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $3.75 MILLION GENERAL OBLIGATION FUNDS SERIES 2025.
RESOLUTION 2572 IS A RESOLUTION INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE NOT TO EXCEED 910,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2025.
RESOLUTION 2574 IS A RESOLUTION INSTITUTING THE PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE NOT TO EXCEED 850,000 FOR GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 2025.
RESOLUTION 2575 RESOLUTION INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE NOT TO EXCEED 875,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION FUNDS SERIES 2025.
FINALLY, RESOLUTION 2576 OF RESOLUTION INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS, TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $910,000 IN GENERAL OBLIGATION FUNDS SERIES 2025.
>> ANY WRITTEN PROTESTS RECEIVED?
>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER?
>> MAYOR, I THINK THEY EACH NEED TO BE VOTED ON SEPARATELY.
THEY CAN HAVE ONE PUBLIC HEARING BUT EACH NEED THEIR OWN VOTE.
>> SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE RESOLUTION 2571, WHICH IS THE 3,750,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
>> IS THERE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
RESOLUTION 2572 IS THE RESOLUTION TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION NOT TO EXCEED 910,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFIED BY SAYING AYE.
>> RESOLUTION 2574, A RESOLUTION INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION THE ISSUANCE NOT TO EXCEED 850,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
>> IS THERE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFIED BY SAYING AYE.
RESOLUTION 2575, ADDITIONAL ACTION, ISSUANCE NOT TO EXCEED 875,000.
>> IS THERE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> OPPOSED SAME SIGN. THEN FINALLY, RESOLUTION 2576, INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION NOT TO EXCEED 910,000.
>> IS THERE DISCUSSION? THEN THE ONE I HELD OUT IS RESOLUTION 2573, THIS RESOLUTION, INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED 930,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 2025 GCP 3.
>> I THINK WE STILL HAVE TO VOTE ON 76.
[OVERLAPPING] A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SORRY. ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ON 2576? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
NOW WE'RE TAKING RESOLUTION 2573,
[D. Resolution 25-73]
INSTITUTING AN ACTION ON 930,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION FUNDS.IS APPROVED PUBLICATION ON FILE?
>> IT WAS NOT ON FILE, SO WE'RE GOING TO SCHEDULE TO APRIL 9, 2025.
NEW NOTICE WILL BE PUBLISHED MARCH 29, SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR APRIL 9 AT 9:00 AM.
>> NO ACTION ON TODAY'S RESOLUTION?
>> CAN SOMEONE MAKE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT?
>> I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS A MOTION OR A VOTE.
>> DON'T NEED TO VOTE TONIGHT, APPARENTLY.
>> MOTION TO SET THE HEARING FOR THAT TIME.
[00:30:01]
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> OPPOSED SAME SIGN. NOW IT IS TIME
[H. Resolution 25-77]
PLACED FOR PUBLIC HEARING REGARDS TO RESOLUTION 2577, THIS RESOLUTION DETERMINES AN AREA OF THE CITY TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA AND THAT THE REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION, REDEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, OR A COMBINATION THEREOF OF SUCH AREA IS NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE, OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY, DESIGNATING SUCH AREA AS APPROPRIATE FOR URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS AND ADOPTING THE POWER DRIVE HOUSING URBAN RENEWAL PLAN.IS PROOF OF PUBLICATION ON FILE?
>> ANY WRITTEN PROTESTS RECEIVED?
>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER? IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> IS THERE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[I. Resolution 25-78]
NOW IT IS TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON RESOLUTION 2578, A RESOLUTION DETERMINING AN AREA OF THE CITY TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA, AND THAT THE REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION, REDEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, OR A COMBINATION THEREOF SUCH AREAS NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.DESIGNATING SUCH AREA AS APPROPRIATE FOR URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS IN ADOPTING THE KINGSVILLE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN.
>> ANY WRITTEN PROTESTS RECEIVED?
>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER?
>> GREG STURM, 13575 220TH STREET.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW EVERY RESOLUTION YOU HAVE UP HERE, IT'S APARTMENTS, APARTMENTS, APARTMENTS THAT DOESN'T GIVE ANY OF THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY A STARTER HOME.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS HAS MADE IT NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE IT FEASIBLE FOR A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.
YOU WOULD THINK INSTEAD OF JUST FILLING THE CITY FULL OF ALL THESE APARTMENTS, FILLING UP ALL THE SCHOOLS THAT MAYBE YOU MIGHT TALK TO YOUR PLANNING DEVELOPMENT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THAT MATTER? IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> REAL QUICK, I WILL TELL YOU BEFORE WE VOTE ON THESE, WE DO TALK TO SUPERINTENDENTS PRINCIPALS.
THE CONSENSUS I'M GAINING RIGHT NOW FROM THOSE SUPERINTENDENTS ARE THEIR WELCOMING APARTMENTS.
I KNOW IT'S NOT ON TOP OF EVERYBODY'S LIST.
WE DO HAVE SOME HOUSING OPTIONS COMING DOWN TO MANUAL.
THOSE ARE THE FIRST PEOPLE I CALL.
BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS ON THE FENCE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO NEXT.
WE'RE WORKING ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT HOUSING OPTIONS.
A LOT OF THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A WHILE, SO THEY'RE COMING TO FRUITION AT THE SAME TIME.
BUT SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND SOME OF THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE DO TAKE THE SCHOOLS INTO ACCOUNT.
WE'RE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEM.
>> LET'S GET A MOTION BEFORE WE HAVE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> YEAH. AS CHRIS SAID, WE DO TALK TO THE SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE PRINCIPALS, WE TALK TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WE TALK TO OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD AGREE WE HAVE APPROVED.
THIS WAS IN THE WORKS A LONG TIME AGO.
IT'S JUST NOW COMING AS YOU SAID TO FRUITION, BUT WE HAVE APPROVED A LOT OF APARTMENTS IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
BUT I CAN AGREE WE ARE WORKING ON SOME SINGLE FAMILY STUFF, TOO. IT IS NOT EASY.
>> COUNCIL BLUFFS HAS A DEARTH OF HOUSING, WHICH MEANS A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING.
THERE IS LESS THAN ITS 0.6% VACANCY IN OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING.
THERE IS 1.7% VACANCY IN RENTAL HOUSING.
THAT IN AND OF ITSELF MAYBE DOESN'T SOUND IMPACTFUL, BUT STATISTICIANS SAY THAT IF YOU HAVE LESS THAN 8% VACANCY IN RENTAL HOUSING, THAT CONTRIBUTES TO HOMELESSNESS.
THE REASON IS SIMPLE, SUPPLY AND DEMAND ECONOMICS.
IF THERE IS A LARGER DEMAND THAN THERE IS SUPPLY, LANDLORDS INCREASE THE RENTS.
RENTS HAVE GONE UP OVER 20% FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES.
THAT FORCES SOME PEOPLE OUT THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO GET BACK INTO HOUSING.
WHILE WE NEED RENTAL PROPERTIES, WE ALSO NEED OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING.
THERE ARE MANY MARKET FACTORS THAT ARE AFFECTING THE OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING.
[00:35:07]
ONE, INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS ARE SIGNIFICANT.I'S DIFFICULT TO BUILD HOMES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE.
YOU TALK ABOUT STARTER HOUSES IN IOWA.
A AFFORDABLE HOUSE TODAY IS LISTED AT 325,000.
THAT IS NOT IN MY MIND, AN AFFORDABLE HOUSE, BUT BY THE TIME YOU PUT IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT'S WHAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO SELL IT FOR TO MAKE MONEY.
THE OTHER THING THAT'S HAPPENED IS DURING COVID, SUPPLY CHAIN CAUSED MATERIALS COSTS TO GO UP.
THAT'S COME BACK A LITTLE BIT, BUT INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH.
TODAY, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN PEOPLE COULD GET 2% AND 3% INTEREST.
THEIR HIGH SEX IS LOW 7%, WHICH DOUBLES THE REPAYMENT OF A HOME BECAUSE YOU PAY TWICE THE INTEREST, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE REPAYMENT IS RELATED TO INTEREST.
WE'RE WORKING TO GET ALL THOSE MARKETS MOVING.
IT'S NOT A COUNSEL BLUFFS' ISSUE.
AFTER 2007, WHEN THE MARKETS CRASHED, A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT OUT OF THAT BUSINESS.
NOT AS MANY PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK.
NOT EVERYBODY STARTS WITH A STARTER HOME, SOME PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE A RENTAL PROPERTY.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY GO TO OMAHA FOR THEIR RENTAL PROPERTY, THEY NEVER COME BACK TO COUNCIL BLUFFS.
WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF ALL OF THOSE MARKETS AND TRY TO MAKE THOSE HAPPEN.
IF YOU COME TO THE MICROPHONE, NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> WILL YOU PUSH THE BUTTON ON THE MICROPHONE FIRST?
>> BOB WOMBLE, 3342 AVENUE B, COUNCIL BLUFFS.
I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY WE NEED ALL THIS HOUSING IN COUNCIL BLUFFS, WHEN FROM 2010, THE POPULATION WAS 62,230 AND THE END OF 2023, IT WAS 62,399.
>> IT'S SIMPLE MATHEMATICS, AND THAT PROBABLY BACK IN THOSE DAYS, THERE WERE FOUR, FIVE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS, NOW THERE'S TWO PERSON HOUSEHOLDS.
JUST BECAUSE THE POPULATION STAYS STAGNANT, THEY BUILT A LOT OF HOMES.
PEOPLE HAVE OCCUPIED THE HOMES.
THE POPULATION HAS AN INCREASE, BUT THERE IS DEMAND FOR HOMES.
IF YOU TALK TO THE PEOPLE IN THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS, THERE'S NO INVENTORY FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO SELL.
THEY SIT AROUND ALL DAY AND DO NOTHING BECAUSE THERE'S VERY FEW HOMES ON THE MARKET.
TALK TO PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A HOME.
THERE'S VERY FEW HOMES ON THE MARKET.
WE HAVE POLICE CHIEF IN TOWN, HE LOOKED FOR THREE MONTHS TO TRY AND FIND A HOME.
YES, THE POPULATION IS STAGNANT, BUT AS YOU DISPENSE THOSE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE HOMES, THERE'S LESS PEOPLE LIVING IN EACH UNIT, ONE PERSON, TWO PERSON, VERSUS YEARS AGO, FAMILIES OF FOUR AND FIVE.
THAT'S HOW THE MATH WORKS ON THAT.
>> I HAVE A HOUSE CURRENTLY FOR SALE, BEEN FOR SALE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF.
I DON'T SEE THE NEED THAT YOU PEOPLE ARE SEEING.
FOR ALL THIS HOUSING, I THINK WE NEED TO BACK OFF.
IF WE DO NEED ALL THIS, THEN WE NEED TO PUT IT IN, I JUST CAME DOWN AVENUE B AT 23RD ACROSS FROM THE OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH THERE.
THERE'S A NICE BIG LOT THERE, YOU COULD PUT 64 APARTMENTS IN.
WE NEED TO FILL IN THEM SPACES.
>> PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THAT I THINK FOR HOUSES. SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF EMPTY SPACE IN COUNCIL BLUFFS THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED.
I'M HERE TO DISCUSS SOMETHING LATER CONCERNING THE HOUSING THAT THE CITY'S PUSHING AND AN EMAIL THAT I GOT OR A FACEBOOK THING THAT I GOT ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE.
>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT THEN.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING FOR LATER ON THE TABLE.
>> THANK YOU, BOB. I APPRECIATE BOB.
>> I WILL SAY JUST BACK TO THIS RESOLUTION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THIS IS OUT GOING TOWARDS KINGSVILLE,
[00:40:02]
UP THE HILL, TOWARDS THE INTERSTATE.THIS IS GOING TO GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT PLACES FOR SOME SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
MĀNOA HAS QUITE A FEW IN ONE OF THE PHASES THAT WE'RE LOOKING DOWN AT.
MĀNOA IS GOING TO BE MIXED HOUSING.
WELL, YES, TO CHRIS'S POINT AND TO ROGER'S POINT, THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF COMING TO FRUITION RIGHT NOW.
WE JUST APPROVED A NEW HOUSING AREA THAT WAS COMPLETED OVER BY AL HIGH SCHOOL.
WE APPROVED ONE AGAIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
ANOTHER ONE ON THAT ROAD THAT'S GOING TO GO PUT INTO.
US AS A COUNCIL ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON BRINGING ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSING TO THE CONSTABLES AREA.
>> ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? DO YOU HAVE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
NOW IT'S TIME PLACED FOR A RESOLUTION REGARDS TO 2579,
[J. Resolution 25-79]
THIS RESOLUTION WILL DETERMINE AN AREA OF THE CITY TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA AND THAT THE REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION, REDEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, AND A COMBINATION THERE OF SUCH AREA IS NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY, DESIGNATING SUCH AN AREA AS APPROPRIATE FOR URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS AND ADOPTING AMENDMENT TO THE OLD AIRPORT URBAN RENEWAL PLAN.>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER? IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> OPPOSE, SAME SIGN. NOW IT'S TIME AND PLACE FOR
[K. Resolution 25-80]
PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARDS TO RESOLUTION 2580, A RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL PLAT APPROVAL OF A ONE-LOT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION TO BE KNOWN AS THE HILLS OF CEDAR CREEK, PHASE 1, REPLAT 6 BEING A REPLAT OF OUTLOT J.THE HILLS OF CEDAR CREEK, PHASE 1.
IT'S LOCATION WEST OF 11422 ABERCOM DRIVE.
>> ANY WRITTEN PROTESTS RECEIVED?
>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER? IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> THIS IS JUST ONE LOT, ONE HOUSE IS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED, SO OUT THAT WAY.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
[L. Resolution 25-81]
NOW IT'S TIME PLACED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDS TO RESOLUTION 2581, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PLAN SPECIFICATION IN FORM OF CONTRACT FOR A MULTIFAMILY PHASE OF EAST MANOA SUBDIVISION.IS PROOF OF PUBLICATION ON FILE?
>> ANY WRITTEN PROTESTS RECEIVED?
>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER? IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MADAM CLERK?
[A. Ordinance 6643]
>> ORDINANCE 6643 AND ORDINANCE PROVIDING THAT GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED EACH YEAR ON ALL PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE POWER DRIVE HOUSING URBAN RENEWAL AREA IN THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, COUNTY OF POTTAWATOMIE, STATE OF IOWA, BY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OF IOWA, CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, COUNTY OF POTTAWATOMIE, COUNCIL BLUFFS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND OTHER TAXING DISTRICTS, BE PAID A SPECIAL FUND FOR PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON LOANS, MONIES ADVANCED, AND INDEBTEDNESS, , INCLUDING BONDS ISSUED OR TO BE ISSUED INCURRED BY THE CITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE POWER DRIVE HOUSING URBAN RENEWAL AREA.
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
[B. Ordinance 6644]
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING THAT GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED EACH YEAR ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE KINGSVILLE, URBAN RENEWAL AREA, IN THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, COUNTY OF POTTAWATOMIE, STATE OF IOWA, BY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OF IOWA, CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, COUNTY OF POTTAWATOMIE, COUNCIL BLUFFS, COMMUNITY, SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND OTHER TAXING DISTRICTS, BE PAID A SPECIAL FUND FOR PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON LOANS, MONIES ADVANCED, AND INDEBTEDNESS, INCLUDING BONDS ISSUED OR TO BE ISSUED INCURRED BY THE CITY IN CONNECTION WITH KINGSVILLE URBAN RENEWAL AREA.>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
[00:45:01]
[A. Ordinance 6632]
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 3 BUSINESS REGULATIONS AND LICENSES OF THE 2020 MUNICIPAL CODE BY ENACTING NEW CHAPTER 3.20, MASSAGE THERAPY.>> IS THERE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
[B. Ordinance 6633]
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 17.01, HOUSING DEFINITIONS OF THE 2020 MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING SECTION 17.01.040, PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF CBMC17.>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFIED BY SAYING AYE?
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
[C. Ordinances 6634, 6635, 6636, 6637, 6638, 6639 and 6640]
6637, '38, '39, AND '40, AMENDING TITLE 13 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION TO ENACT NEW CHAPTER 13.4, ISSUANCE, AND BY AMENDING SEVERAL OTHER CHAPTERS TO REMOVE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS WITHIN EACH CHAPTER.>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
[D. Ordinance 6641]
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 13 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2020 MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING AND REPEALING SEVERAL SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 13.17, LICENSING OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADE.>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE.
>> JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY COMES HERE A LOT.
ORDINANCES TYPICALLY CAN GO TO A THIRD READING.
IF SOMEBODY COMES UP AND TALKS ABOUT IT OR IF IT'S CONTROVERSIAL, OR IF THE COUNCIL HAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION, WE'LL GO TO A THIRD READING.
WE CAN GO TO A FOURTH READING IF WE HAVE TO, BUT ORDINANCES ON SECOND, IF THERE'S NOBODY COME UP AND TALK TO US AT THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING OR THE SECOND READING, WE WAIVE THE THIRD, SO WE JUST GET IT OFF THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT TIME.
JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE WAVING THIRD ON ALL OF THESE THAT HAVE HAD NO DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC, AND SOME OF IT'S ADMINISTERIAL.
>> ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
[A. Resolution 25-82]
>> RESOLUTION 25-82, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN ORDER ACCEPTING THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS FROM CASEY'S, JERUSALEM PETROLEUM, DOING BUSINESS AS SPEEDY GAS & SHOP, FOR VIOLATION OF IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.2.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, JODI, IT'S TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
THE CASEY'S ON 24TH STREET, AND THE JERUSALEM PETROLEUM SPEEDY GAS ON SOUTH 35TH.
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> RESOLUTION 25-83, A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT UNDER
[B. Resolution 25-83]
TREASURY REGULATIONS 1.150-2 TO ISSUE DEBT AND REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR CERTAIN ORIGINAL EXPENDITURES PAID IN CONNECTION WITH SPECIFIC PROJECTS.>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
>> RESOLUTION 25-84, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
[C. Resolution 25-84]
07,855,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 2025 AND LEVYING A TAX FOR PAYMENT THEREOF.>> MOTION TO CONTINUE THE RESOLUTION 25-84 TO APRIL 9, 2025 AT 9:00 AM.
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
[D. Resolution 25-85]
>> RESOLUTION 25-85, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO PROCEED AS PROPOSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD ON MARCH 10TH, 2025.
[00:50:01]
>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> RESOLUTION 25-86, A RESOLUTION
[E. Resolution 25-86]
ACCEPTING THE BID OF ENGINEERED CONTROLS INC IN THE AMOUNT OF $184,650 FOR THE COUNCIL BLUFFS PUBLIC LIBRARY AUTOMATION UPGRADE.>> IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> RESOLUTION 25-87, A RESOLUTION TO AMEND
[F. Resolution 25-87]
THE ADOPTED PLANNED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN RELATIVE TO SIGNAGE FOR PROPERTIES LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS LOT 2 LAKE MANAWA CENTER SUBDIVISION, PHASE 5, AND LOT 19 LAKE MANAWA CENTER SUBDIVISION PHASE 3.>> IS THERE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> RESOLUTION 25-88, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
[G. Resolution 25-88]
THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSENT TO SUBDIVIDE, AND A PETITION FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF LAND LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 157543 GARNER TOWNSHIP.>> I TALKED WITH BRANDON PRIOR TO STUDY SESSION.
THE WAY IT READ, I DIDN'T THINK WE WERE GOING TO ANNEX THE HOUSE AS WELL, JUST THE LOT THAT HE WAS SEPARATING.
WE'LL ANNEX THE WHOLE PROPERTY.
WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE ANY ISLANDS, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A WHOLE ISLAND ITSELF.
>> ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> RESOLUTION 25-89, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN
[H. Resolution 25-89]
THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS AND THE COUNCIL BUFFS ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 15 FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2025-JUNE 30TH, 2028.>> I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK OUR CITY'S NEGOTIATING TEAM, AS WELL AS THE FIREFIGHTERS NEGOTIATING TEAM.
IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT EVERYBODY CAME TOGETHER IN THE END.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE ALWAYS TOUGH, BUT I THINK THAT BOTH SIDES WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND DID A GREAT JOB OF COMMUNICATING BACK AND FORTH, AND WE VALUE THE SERVICES THAT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OUR FIREFIGHTERS PROVIDE TO US.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
MADAM CLERK, ANY OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
>> CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD?
[9. CITIZENS REQUEST TO BE HEARD]
>> NONE THAT I HAVE. [INAUDIBLE]
>> GREG STURM, 13575 220TH STREET.
I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE DODGE PARK ANNEXATION STREETCAR PROJECT THAT JUST HAPPENED TO GET LEAKED OUT.
[OVERLAPPING] MAYOR WALSH, I GUESS I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOUR BEEF WAS WITH PLAYLAND PARK AND DODGE PARK, BECAUSE EVER SINCE YOU'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL, YEARS AGO, THOSE TWO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A HIT ON YOUR HIT LIST.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK BRANDON GARRETT.
>> SIR, HE'S NOT A COUNCILMAN, YOU NEED TO BE TALKING TO COUNCIL.
>> HE'S OUT PUSHING STREAMLINING TRANSPORTATION ACROSS THE RIVER.
NOW, IN MY EYES, STREAMLINE IS FROM POINT A TO POINT B.
IT'S NOT DRIVING DOWN, GETTING OFF, GETTING ON A TRAIN, AND THEN GOING OVER TO WHERE? MAYBE YOU MIGHT GO TO DINNER.
MAYBE. I DID A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH.
THERE IS A LOT OF FAILED PROJECTS THAT MAYBE HE HAD A LOT TO DO WITH.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO MAYBE FIND ANOTHER HEAD OF THAT DEPARTMENT.
MAT BUSES. WE ALREADY HAVE THEM.
WE HAVE ABOUT SIX BUSES A DAY THAT COME OVER HERE.
WITH APPROXIMATELY 30 RIDERS A DAY.
THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS COULD BUY DODGE CARAVANS AND TAKE THE PEOPLE FROM THEIR HOUSE TO POINT B AND STILL SAVE MONEY.
THAT DODGE PARK HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THE INTERSTATE WAS BUILT.
IF YOU NOTICE NORTH 25TH, THE INTERSTATE IS REAL CLOSE.
[00:55:02]
BECAUSE OF DODGE PARK.HOW ABOUT THE FAILURE OF PLAYLAND PARK, $20 MILLION PARKING GARAGE THAT GETS SEVEN CARS A DAY? ARE YOU KIDDING? NOT TO MENTION.
WHEN THEY BUILT THAT UP, ALL IT DID WAS FLOOD THE CONSTITUENTS THAT VOTED FOR YOU.
JUST LIKE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF DODGE PARK, THERE ARE APARTMENTS THAT GET FOUR FEET OF WATER IN THEM.
EXPLAIN THAT. MY GUESS IS THAT NONE OF YOU GO TO THAT END OF TOWN UNLESS YOU'RE DOWN THERE FOR IOWA WEST. THAT'S MY GUESS.
THE CLASS SIZES, YOU'RE LOOKING AT GOING FROM 30-40 KIDS PER CLASS. THAT'S HUGE.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHY IT WASN'T OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
WILL WE GET A CHANCE TO VOTE FOR IT? I GUESS THAT'S WHAT I HAVE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] TO TALK ABOUT. [LAUGHTER] ROBERT WOMBLE, 3342 AVENUE B.
THE CITY ON FACEBOOK THE OTHER NIGHT POSTED SOMETHING ABOUT THE MYTHS OF DODGE PARK GOLF COURSE DOWN HERE, AND IT SAID HOW IT WOULD BRING $10 MILLION WORTH OF DEVELOPMENT INTO THE CITY.
NOW, WE HAVE THE MID-AMERICA CENTER DOWN HERE.
WE GOT PLENTY OF ROOM ON THE EAST SIDE FOR HOUSING.
WE HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM FOR DEVELOPMENT THERE.
WE STARTED A DEVELOPMENT THERE.
CITY HAS EMPTY SUITES THAT HAVE BEEN SITTING THERE VACANT FOR YEARS.
YET, YOU'RE TRYING TO TELL THE PEOPLE THAT WE NEED MORE SPACE WHEN THE SPACE THAT WE HAVE ISN'T USED.
THE CITY IS GOING TO PAY FOR STREETS AND THINGS IF WE DEVELOP DODGE PARK.
WE ALREADY PAID FOR IT AT MID-AMERICA CENTER.
WE DON'T NEED THIS DEVELOPMENT, AND IF IT IS SOLD, IT SHOULD BE SOLD ON A PUBLIC AUCTION, I DON'T KNOW IF THE LAW REQUIRES THAT OR NOT.
>> BUT IT SHOULD BE SOLD ON A PUBLIC AUCTION.
THE WHOLE THING ABOUT MY RESPONSE TONIGHT IS THAT ALL THOSE RESPONSES ON THIS FACEBOOK PAGE SAID, WE DON'T NEED IT.
NOW, IF YOU ALL RECALL THAT RAN FOR OFFICE, WE MET AT THE TIMOTHY HOUSE HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
I ASKED THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS.
ONE, TROLLEY, YES OR NO. EVERYBODY SAID YES.
>> SELL THE GOLF COURSE. YOU MOST CERTAINLY DID.
>> I SAID, I AM OPEN TO THE WAY, BUT NOT THE WAY HOW IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING PRESENTED.
>> I'LL ACCEPT THAT. TWO, THE TROLLEY AND THEN THE THIRD QUESTION I ASKED, YOU LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON IT.
YOU SAID YOU WERE ELECTED TO VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE. THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID.
>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT GET A PUBLIC VOTE, BUT THAT YOU ELECT PEOPLE THAT VOTE ON YOUR BEHALF AS THE PUBLIC.
>> DID YOU GET OVER 50% OF THE POPULATION VOTE IN THE LAST ELECTION? I THINK YOU GOT LIKE 23.4%, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY?
>> YOU'RE NOT MANDATED TO MAKE THAT COMMENT BY THE PEOPLE.
>> I'M JUST TELLING YOU AS FAR YOU ASKED ABOUT, WILL THE PUBLIC GET TO VOTE? THE PUBLIC WILL GET TO VOTE IF THERE IS A BOND ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH A STREETCAR.
WE'RE LOOKING AT WAYS TO TRY AND FINANCE THE STREETCAR WITHOUT TAXPAYERS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PRIOR TO THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE IN KANSAS CITY, WOULD PAY 80% OF THE BRIDGE AND 50% OF THE TRACK INSTALLATION.
WE WOULD LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVE FUNDERS FOR THE OTHER HALF OF THE TRACK INSTALLATION, BECAUSE IT'S ON FIRST AVENUE, WE DON'T HAVE TO TEAR UP INFRASTRUCTURE, WE DON'T HAVE TO TEAR UP STREETS.
WE ALREADY HAVE A BICYCLE TRAIL THAT HAS REST AREAS THAT ARE AT KEY TRANSPORTATION NODES.
WE COULD PUT IT IN FOR MUCH LESS EXPENSE THAN THE CITY OF OMAHA DOES.
BOTH THESE PROJECTS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE IN THE STUDY PHASE.
[01:00:02]
THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE YOU INDICATED THAT WE WERE TRYING TO HIDE IT.I'VE BEEN PUBLICLY TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR THREE YEARS, SO WE'RE NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB OF HIDING IT IF WE'RE HIDING IT.
I DON'T HAVE ANY ANIMOSITY TOWARDS THE GOLF COURSE.
IT'S JUST SIMPLY THE MOST DESIRABLE DEVELOPMENT AREA IN THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN AREA.
THERE ARE THREE OTHER GOLF COURSES IN THE COUNCIL BLUFFS AREA THAT COMPETE AGAINST THE COUNCIL BLUFFS GOLF COURSE.
THREE YEARS AGO, WE PUT IN 200,000 WORTH OF NEW SPRINKLER IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT, AND SO IT COULD CONCEIVABLY ARGUED THAT IT DOES NOT PAY ITS OWN WAY.
I GOT A LETTER THE OTHER DAY FROM A LADY.
THE ENVELOPE CAME WITH NO RETURN ADDRESS, WHICH IS A BIG INDICATOR THAT THIS IS NOT SINGING MY PRAISE.
I CAN SEE THROUGH THE ENVELOPE THAT IT'S LINED LETTERHEAD.
I'M ASSUMING SHE'S ABOUT MY AGE, AND SHE SAYS, I'M 91-YEARS-OLD.
I NEVER MADE MORE THAN $4.25 AN HOUR.
NOW, THE PROPERTY TAX FORMULA IS REAL SIMPLE.
IT'S PROPERTY VALUATION TIMES TAX LEVY.
IF YOU WANT TO INCREASE THE REVENUE, AND WITH INFLATION, THINGS GO UP EACH AND EVERY YEAR, SALARIES GO UP, EQUIPMENT GOES UP, CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS GO UP.
YOU CAN RAISE THE LEVY AND TAX PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES, OR YOU CAN BROADEN THE TAX BASE, CREATE MORE TAX BASE THAT CONTRIBUTES AND KEEP PEOPLE'S LEVY AT A REASONABLE RATE.
I'M NOT AGAINST THE GOLF COURSE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IT'S FAIR TO THOSE OWNERS OF GOLF COURSES WHO PAY PROPERTY TAXES TO COMPETE AGAINST THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS WHO DOESN'T PAY PROPERTY TAXES.
THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, FRANKLY, HAVE GONE IN THE PAST TO SUBSIDIZE THE LOSSES AT DODGE PARK GOLF COURSE, WHICH WHEN I TOOK OFFICE AS MAYOR, WERE $350,000 A YEAR, AND THE OTHER GOLF COURSE OWNERS ARE PAYING THEIR PROPERTY TAXES TO THEIR COMPETITORS SO THAT THEIR COMPETITOR CAN COMPETE AGAINST THEM.
GOVERNMENT PROBABLY SHOULDN'T PROVIDE SERVICES THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS PROVIDING.
THERE'S THREE GOLF COURSES IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.
THERE'S A DOZEN PLUS IN OMAHA.
THAT'S MY PHILOSOPHY, JUST FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ASK.
IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA, AND SO WE CAN'T MAKE ANY DECISIONS.
WE'LL JUST TAKE YOUR INPUT. WE'LL CONSIDER IT.
THERE'LL BE OTHER FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INPUT.
WE'VE HAD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE STREETCAR ALREADY.
WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON DODGE PARK GOING FORWARD.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE ASKING THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IS TO CALL THE PROPERTY SURPLUS SO THAT WE COULD GO OUT, GET PROPOSALS, SEE IF ANY OF THOSE PROPOSALS MAKE ANY SENSE.
I ASKED THE IOS FOUNDATION TO PAY FOR STUDIES FOR BOTH THE STREETCAR AND FOR DODGE PARK, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS, BUT I DON'T WANT TO MAKE AN UNINFORMED DECISION.
I DON'T WANT THIS COUNCIL TO MAKE AN UNINFORMED DECISION.
I KNOW THAT YOU THINK WE DON'T NEED APARTMENTS.
I'M TELLING YOU THAT THOSE BROADMOOR APARTMENTS THAT ARE LEASING UP AS FAST AS THEY CAN BUILD THEM.
THEY GOT AN EIGHT MONTH WAITING LIST.
JASON JAMES JUST OPENED NEW APARTMENTS ON KANESVILLE.
HE'S PRE-LEASING STUFF THAT'S NOT EVEN COMPLETE YET BECAUSE WE NEED HOUSING DESPERATELY.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO TO THE US CENSUS TO SEE THAT.
AGAIN, WE'RE LESS THAN 1% VACANCY.
WE'RE 1.7% RENTAL PROPERTY VACANCY, DRIVES UP THE RENTS AND IS FORCING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES.
WE WORK FOR ALL OF THE COUNCIL BLUFFS.
I THINK LAST I KNEW 140 PEOPLE SIGNED IT.
THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER, BUT IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T REPRESENT THE SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE POPULATION OF COUNCIL BLUFFS.
>> THAT'S WHY I SAY PUT IT UP FOR VOTE BECAUSE THEN YOU VOTE-. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WHEN YOU ELECT MAYOR, WHICH IS IN NOVEMBER, YOU CAN VOTE FOR ME OR AGAINST ME.
>> BUT WE CAN PUT A SIMPLE THING ON THE BALLOT.
EVEN THAT WAY, YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS, BECAUSE, YOU'RE SPENDING OUR TAX DOLLARS.
>> I TOLD YOU EARLIER, IF THEY DO SPEND YOUR TAX DOLLARS, WHICH WOULD BE THE NECESSITY TO BOND,
[01:05:02]
WHICH IS A MAXIMUM $990,000.>> I'LL GUARANTEE YOU THE STREET CAR, IT COSTS A LOT MORE THAN THAT.
IF WE BOND AND NEED 990,000, THAT IS SUBJECT TO A REVERSE REFERENDUM BY THE CITIZENS AT COUNCIL BLUFFS, AND THEN THEY VOTE.
YOU WILL GET A CHANCE IF WE NEED TO USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
IF WE CAN GET THE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEN THIS COUNCIL WOULD VOTE.
YOU DON'T TALK TO THEM. YOU ARE TALKING TO THE COUNCIL?
>> I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE. HERE'S THE WHOLE THING.
>> YOU'RE HERE BOB TO TALK TO THE COUNCIL.
>> NOW, HERE'S WHAT YOU JUST TOLD ME, AND EVERYBODY HEARD THIS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A WAY SO WE DON'T HAVE TO LET THE PEOPLE VOTE.
>> WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A WAY SO THAT THE TAXPAYER DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
>> WE DON'T WANT THE SAME THING HAPPENING IN COUNCIL BLUFFS IT'S HAPPENING IN OMAHA.
THE PEOPLE ARE IRATE ABOUT IT.
>> I VISIT AND DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE STREET CARS, BOB.
IT IS NOT A TRANSPORTATION PLAY.
IT IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAY.
IT'S THE MOST TRIED, TRUE, CONSISTENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.
BECAUSE OMAHA HAS ONE, I THINK WE CAN JUST HOOK UP, AND I'M TAKING BOB'S TIME.
I APOLOGIZE. WE'LL GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO TALK AFTERWARDS IF YOU WANT.
BUT IT WILL PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION.
BUT WHEN THAT STREET CAR GOES IN, MULTI FAMILY HOUSING GOES UP, ALREADY GET IT.
YOU GUYS DON'T WANT ANY MORE MULTIFAMILY HOUSING.
THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THOSE HOUSES NEED RESTAURANTS, THEY NEED BARS.
THAT OCCURS, AND THEN THEY USE THE STREET CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION TO OMAHA TO HAVE DINNER, TO OMAHA TO GO TO THE CHI CENTER FOR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
LIKE I SAY, WE'RE [OVERLAPPING]
>> MY POINT IS, MATT, [OVERLAPPING]
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT PLAND.
OTHER THAN THE IO WEST BUILDING, I GET IT.
THE PARKING GARAGE DOESN'T HAVE ANYBODY IN IT.
THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN FRONT OF IT.
TAXPAYERS DIDN'T PAY A PENNY FOR THAT.
IOS FOUNDATION'S PAYING ALL THOSE PAYMENTS ON THAT PARKING GARAGE 100 PERCENT.
>> YOU SAID THAT WE NEED PARKS AND STUFF IN THIS ARTICLE TO BRING TO STOP THE BRAIN DRAIN, ONE OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED PARKS THAT THE BRAINERS USE THAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT LOSING IS A GOLF COURSE.
NUMBER 2, HOW MUCH MONEY DID COCHRAN PARK MAKE US LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE OR THE YEAR BEFORE? YOU WANT TO TAKE A PARK OUT THAT'S GIVEN YOU GUYS MONEY ON MY BEHALF AS A TAXPAYER AND AS LONG AS THIS MAKING A PROFIT I DON'T CARE, IF IT'S $100.
>> IF YOU'RE A TAXPAYER, AND I GET IT, YOU MAY BE A GOLFER, YOU MAY BE ONE OF THE 20 PERCENT OF COUNCIL BS RESIDENTS THAT GOLF AT DODGE PARK, 80, I DON'T KNOW THESE NUMBERS ARE 100 PERCENT ACCURATE BOB.
WHEN IT WAS LOSING 350,000 A YEAR, WE DID A SURVEY, 20 PERCENT OF THE GOLFERS COUNCILS, 80 PERCENT OF THE GOLFERS OMAHA.
IF DEVELOPED CORRECTLY, WE THINK CONSERVATIVELY IT CAN GENERATE 10 MILLION A YEAR IN PROPERTY TAXES.
DO YOU TAKE 33,000 AND SAY, LET'S JUST TAKE THE LOST OPPORTUNITY OF 10 MILLION A YEAR TO LOWER PEOPLE'S TAXES.
6.5 PERCENT IS MY CALCULATION, YOU COULD DO THAT 6.5 PERCENT IF IT WERE OPEN AND TAXED TODAY.
NOW, I'M NOT TELLING YOU THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE TOMORROW BECAUSE THINGS CHANGE, BUT WE THINK IT CAN GENERATE 10 MILLION MINIMUM PROPERTY TAX AND POSSIBLY AS MUCH AS 25 MILLION.
>> THIS IS A BUILDING THAT YOU BUILD FOR TWO MILLION DOLLARS AN APARTMENT COMPLEX DOWN HERE? IF WE BUILT THAT OVER ON THE EAST SIDE OF BUFFS RUN, DOES THAT GENERATE MORE MONEY OVER THERE? IS IT WORTH MORE IN TAXES OR ARE THEY EQUAL? THAT, TO ME, IS WE'RE FIXATED ON GETTING THIS GOLF COURSE.
INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FILL IN WHAT WE'VE ALREADY DEVELOPED AND PUT MONEY INTO.
IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT MONEY INTO THE CITY, LET'S FINISH SOMETHING THAT WE STARTED ONCE. JUST FINISH IT.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IF WE NEED TO INTERSTATE ACCESS AND EVERYTHING FOR A PARK, HOW ABOUT WE CAN GET RID OF THE SOFTBALL FIELDS DOWN HERE AND THE SOCCER FIELDS AND BUILD IT OVER THERE? IT'S ANOTHER PARK.
I DON'T GOLF BUT I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE DOWN THERE, AND I TALKED TO THE GOLF PRO OR SOMETHING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS OFFICIAL TITLE WAS.
[01:10:01]
BUT HE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? HE SAID, WE'RE BOOKED EVERY DAY.THERE IS A USE AND A NEED, AND I THINK WE NEED TO LEAVE IT ALONE.
I DON'T CARE LESS ABOUT GOLFING.
I NEVER WANT TO GOLF, BUT I SUCK AT IT.
BUT WE'RE SAYING WE'RE LOSING THE BRAIN POWER.
BUT THEN HOW MANY BUSINESS DEALS ARE IN ON A GOLF COURSE? [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT. I WILL TELL YOU FOUR MORE PEOPLE GO.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN A UNIQUE SITUATION IN THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS.
IF YOU'RE NOT CHANGING OR ADAPTING, SO TO SPEAK, YOU'RE DYING.
WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ALL THESE THINGS.
THE NUMBER 1 THING THAT COUNCIL WANTS FROM THE MAYOR, FROM BRANDON, AND FROM THE CITY AND IOS COLLABORATION, INFORMATION.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO VOTE BLINDLY ON ANYTHING.
I'VE NEVER SAID I WAS FOR OR AGAINST EITHER ONE.
MY POSITION IS ALSO UP THIS FALL, BUT I WANT TO BE INFORMED BEFORE I JUMP INTO THE POOL WITH ANYTHING I DO, AND THERE'S A LOT OF PROS AND CONS TO BOTH THESE THINGS.
YOU CAN'T EVEN GO OUT AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT WITH SOMEONE HARASSING YOU.
JOKINGLY OR NOT, DON'T SELL THE GOLF COURSE, WE DON'T WANT A STREET CAR OR YOU KNOW, I'D BE FOR THE INFORMATION.
I KNOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST GO AHEAD AND BULLDOZE INTO THIS THING.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG PROCESS.
WE KEEP ASKING FOR MORE INFORMATION, BECAUSE THE MORE WE KNOW, I KNOW WHAT I KNOW, AND I KNOW WHAT I DON'T KNOW.
BUT WITH THESE STUDIES THAT ARE OUT THERE, AND LUCKILY, WE HAVE A PARTNER, A COMMENT WAS MADE EARLIER, WE ALL RUN DOWN TO IOS.
WELL, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY TRUE, BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT? THERE'S A GRANT SHEET RIGHT HERE FOR WHAT IOS DOES TO SOUTHWEST IOWA, EVEN ACROSS THE RIVER.
WITHOUT THEM, I USED TO BE IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE 300 KIDS A DAY.
WE DO GO DOWN THERE TO IOS, BECAUSE WE HAVE A GOOD PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM.
IOS HAS DONE AMAZING THINGS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
WHEN THEY ALWAYS SAY WE'RE IN IOS POCKET, THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
IF YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE PARTNER WITH THEM FOR INFORMATION.
WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A STUDY.
IF THE CITY IS NOT PAYING FOR IT, THE TAXPAYERS AREN'T PAYING FOR IT.
IF YOU GET ANYTHING OFF FACEBOOK, FIRST OF ALL, IT'S FACEBOOK.
SECONDLY, JUST KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION WITH THE INFORMATION WE'RE GOING TO GET.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO IN BLIND.
AS MAYOR SAID, IT'S NOT HAPPENING ANY TIME SOON.
WE GOT A LOT OF MEETINGS, AND THERE'S A LOT TO MOVE FORWARD ON.
IF YOU TAKE ANYTHING OUT OF THE MEETING AWAY, PLEASE TAKE IT BACK TO ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY YOU TALK TO THAT IT'S NOT A DONE DEAL NEXT MEETING.
THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING THE COUNCIL WANTS TO DO, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE REST OF THEM, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'RE IN THE SAME BOAT AS THAT. INCLUDING STEVE.
>> THE GREEN LIGHTS ON SO I DON'T HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON, CORRECT?
>> TERRY, THAT WILL YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MY NAME IS TERRY OSWALD, 1517 CHESTNUT DRIVE, COUNCIL BLUFFS IOWA.
LIVED IN COUNCIL BLUFFS, MAJORITY OF MY LIFE, WENT TO PC ELEMENTARY, DODGE ELEMENTARY, JUNIOR HIGH, AND SO ON.
I'M HERE TONIGHT. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IT IS, IN JUST A SECOND.
IT'S 2025 AND WE HAVE IS OUR SITUATION.
I'VE HEARD IT TONIGHT ON OTHER TOPICS.
I HEAR CONCERNS ABOUT RETAINING PEOPLE, BRAIN DRAIN.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING, HOW MUCH EXPENSE IT IS 325 TO BUILD A HOUSE.
MATT, I ACTUALLY TALKED TO A BUILDER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
THE BUILDER TOLD ME THAT THE MATERIALS FOR A HOUSE ARE 285 TODAY FOR ONE THAT THEY USED TO BUILD, AND I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS 90,000.
WE'RE IN A DIFFERENT ECONOMY TODAY.
THIS IS 2025, 80 PERCENT OF THIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMY IS BASED ON KNOWLEDGE AND SERVICES.
ONLY 10 PERCENT ON MANUFACTURING AND ABOUT THE OTHER 10 IS GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
WITH THAT IN MIND, AS I LIVE HERE, AND I LOOK AT EVERYBODY HERE, WE ARE A FRIENDLY CITY.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM WOULD GIVE THE SHIRT OFF THEIR BACK, AS MY MOTHER USED TO SAY, TO HELP OUT THEIR NEIGHBOR.
WE ALL, I'M CONVINCED, EVERY DARNED ONE OF US HERE HAS THE RIGHT INTENTIONS.
BUT WHEN I LISTEN TO EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING, I HAVE A GREAT CONCERN.
ARE WE FEEDING THE WRONG MACHINE? TONIGHT, I HAVE TWO ASKS, AND IT'S IN REGARDS TO THIS ANNEXATION PROPOSAL.
[01:15:01]
I WILL TELL YOU I'M VEHEMENTLY AGAINST THE ANNEXATION PROPOSAL.I KNOW IT WON'T BE ON THE AGENDA.
I UNDERSTAND IT MAY COME UP ON APRIL 7.
I UNDERSTAND IT'S A ONCE AND DONE VOTE, BUT I DECIDED TO COME OUT EARLY AND TALK ABOUT IT.
I HAVE TWO ASKS, WHICH I'LL GET TO.
ONE IS, WHEN WE'RE IN BUSINESS, AND YOU ARE IN BUSINESS.
IN FACT, MATT, YOU'VE REFERRED TO THE PENCILING AND ALL THAT AND I ACTUALLY, WE ALL SHOULD BE DOING THAT, I SUPPORT THAT.
I'M GLAD WE'RE ALL DOING THAT, NOT BEING CRITICAL.
WE HAVE GOOD DEALS, AND WE HAVE BAD DEALS.
IN MY BUSINESS CAREER, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
I WAS APPOINTEE OF DAN KENNEY A SENIOR AT THE COLLEGE, AND FOR FIVE YEARS, I HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM AROUND THIS METRO, A LOT OF SCHOOLS.
WE TALKED ONCE A MONTH ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO BUILD MIDDLE CLASS JOBS.
MIDDLE CLASS JOBS PAY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 80 AND 150,000 A YEAR.
IN FACT, ONE TIME WHEN I WAS HOSTING THOSE MEETINGS AS THE VICE CHAIR, I SAID, GUYS, WE GOT TO QUIT TALKING ABOUT JOBS THAT PUT PEOPLE ON WELFARE AND JOBS THAT WERE $15 OR $20 AN HOUR.
THAT WAS BACK IN 2018, BY THE WAY.
AS I LOOK AT THIS OPPORTUNITY.
AND AS I LISTENED TO CHRIS GIBBONS AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WEEK BEFORE LAST, HE SAID THE DRIVER FOR THE ANNEXATION IS THE CATTLEMAN OUT OF MARCUS, IOWA AND AN ASSOCIATION FOR UP IN CHEROKEE COUNTY.
HE SAID, THAT REALLY IS THE DRIVER. WE'RE WORKING.
WE'VE BEEN APPROACHED TO PROVIDE WATER, SERVICES, INCENTIVES TO HELP THAT THING GO.
NOW, I'LL BE REAL HONEST WITH YOU.
WHEN IT WAS JUST MILLS COUNTY, I ACTUALLY, I WOULDN'T EVEN BE HERE TONIGHT IF IT WAS JUST MILLS COUNTY.
EVERYBODY, MOST PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM KNOW ABOUT MILLS COUNTY.
THERE'S NO ZONING. THERE'S EVERYTHING.
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING IN MILLS COUNTY.
IT IS PROBABLY KNOWN AS THE WORST COUNTY IN IOWA.
I CAN BET WITHOUT HAVING TALKED TO THE CATTLEMAN FROM MARCUS, THAT HE CHOSE MILLS COUNTY FOR A REASON.
BUT MAYBE I'VE SLANDERED THE MAN.
BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I WAS FINE WITH THAT.
BUT NOW WHEN WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF TRYING TO GENERATE JOBS THAT WILL PAY FOR THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT, I THINK ABOUT WHAT HEATH MELLOW, THE OMAHA CHAMBER, AND THEY JUST RELEASED A FEW WEEKS AGO, SAYING, IF WE DON'T HAVE JOBS THAT PAY 75 GRAND A YEAR OR MORE, WE WON'T RETAIN PEOPLE IN THIS METRO.
BY THE WAY, THE BRAIN DRAIN ISSUE IS NOT A COUNCIL BLUFFS ISSUE.
IT IS AN IOWA AND NEBRASKA ISSUE.
IT IS OC OBVIOUSLY AN OMAHA METRO AREA.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BEEF PACKING PLANT, AND THIS IS WHAT I HAVE READ.
HE'S TALKING ABOUT 800 JOBS THAT PAY MAYBE 55,000 A YEAR.
THAT THOSE JOBS WILL QUALIFY FOR CHIP, THEY WILL QUALIFY FOR SNAP, THEY WILL QUALIFY FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE.
I'LL BET THEY'RE QUALIFY FOR THE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO OFFER.
I'M SURE HE'S GOING TO REQUIRE A COUPLE MILLION GALLONS OF WATER [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> YOUR TIME IS UP, FIVE MINUTES.
JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS, TERRY. YOU'RE DONE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THIS IS INTERESTING. WE TALKED HERE FOR 15 MINUTES.
I'M JUST GOING TO WRAP THIS UP.
MY CHALLENGE, I WOULD LIKE YOU AND YOUR STAFF TO WITHDRAW THIS PROPOSAL BECAUSE IT'S A BAD DEAL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I ASK THE COUNCIL [OVERLAPPING]
>> OFFICER CAN WE HAVE REMOVED?
>> WHEN THE COUNCIL COMES, YOU GUYS PLEASE PUT A COUNCIL OF THIS. THANK YOU.
>> THERE ARE TWO PROJECTS DOWN THERE, TERRY.
THE ONE THAT'S BEEN IN MILLS COUNTY FOR A WHILE, YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT, IT'S CATTLEMAN'S.
THAT PROJECT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR FOUR YEARS.
I DON'T THINK THEY PROGRESSED ANY IN FOUR YEARS.
THE OTHER PROJECT IS 325 JOBS, A PAYROLL OF $45 MILLION ANNUALLY.
A BUILDING INVESTMENT OF $1.9 MILLION, A $500 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT, THOSE 325 JOBS START AT $100,000 AND GO UP TO 140.
IT IS THE SECOND ONLY BEHIND GOOGLE, MOST IMPACTFUL DEVELOPMENT I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY 30 YEARS SERVING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
[01:20:01]
SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.NOW, WHETHER THE CATTLEMAN'S PROJECT GOES ANY FURTHER, WE THINK WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION IF THEY'RE IN THE CITY, BECAUSE THEN WE CAN HELP DICTATE HOW THEY DEVELOP.
IF THEY STAY IN MILLS COUNTY, THEY'RE RIGHT ON THE BORDER OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT THEY DO.
IF THEY DEVELOP, WE'LL HAVE INPUT IN HOW THEY DEVELOP, I'M NOT EXAGGERATING.
AS FAR AS I KNOW, THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY FURTHER IN FOUR YEARS.
I THINK SOME OF THE GRANTS THEY GOT FROM THE STATE OF IOWA HAVE HAD TO BE RETURNED, BUT THEY STILL THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE IN MILLS COUNTY WANTS THEM TO HAVE A CHANCE.
THE REAL PROJECT IS NOT CATTLEMAN'S.
>> WELL, YOU'RE SHARING INFORMATION THAT THIS IS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS SHARED AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
I WANTED TO KNOW THAT'S BETTER NEWS.
>> MATT, I'VE DONE A LOT FOR THIS TOWN.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP, TERRY. WE'RE NOT GOING TO SIT.
[OVERLAPPING] WE HAVE RULES AND YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE RULES.
>> GOODNIGHT. THANKS. I'M GOING TO LEAVE.
>> THANK YOU. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL?
>> YEAH, JUST COME ON UP. BUT GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE AND YOU GET 5 MINUTES.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE, BOB GOT MORE THAN THAT, BUT ONLY BECAUSE I INTERRUPTED BOB.
YEAH, IT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM, I LEAVE IT ONE.
>> HI. MY NAME IS BAILEY SMITH.
I'M AT 5:03 NORTH 38TH STREET IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.
SUPER QUICK, 5 MINUTES. SOME BACKGROUND.
I'M FROM DES MOINES, IOWA, BORN AND RAISED.
I MOVED TO COUNCIL BLUFFS THREE YEARS AGO THIS APRIL.
UNFORTUNATELY, IF IT WEREN'T DUE TO A LACK OF FUNDS, I WOULD BE OUT OF THE CITY.
I CURRENTLY JUST STARTED A CLAIM WITH THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS.
ON MY STREET, A FEW OF MY NEIGHBORS ARE HERE.
WE SIT VERY LOW, SO THAT'S ONE THING.
ANYTIME IT STORMS, I MEAN, THIS IS A SECOND TIME AS A FIRST TIME HOME OWNER.
SORRY, THAT MY BASEMENTS FLOODED AND THE FIRST TIME I WENT THROUGH INSURANCE SO I ALREADY HAVE ONE, WATER DAMAGE CLAIM ON MY HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.
THE SECOND TIME THE CITY SEWER BACKED UP INTO OUR BASEMENT.
I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE CITY.
I JUST GOT MY SEWER LINE REPLACED, THAT COST ME $15,000.
THE PLUMBING COMPANY SAID THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT OUR PARTS WOULD HAVE FAILED, CALL THE CITY.
THEY BROUGHT OUT THEIR JET TRUCK, DID A COUPLE LAPS TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE CLOG WAS, AND THEY DID IDENTIFY THAT THEIR CITY SEWER WAS SO BACKED UP.
THEY COULD ONLY SEE A FEW INCHES OF PIPE.
ALL OF THIS IS SAID AND DONE ON TOP OF MY $15,000 SEWER LOAN, MY FIRST $10,000 PROPERTY CLAIM THROUGH MY HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE, I HAD TO FORK UP ANOTHER $3,925.28 BECAUSE I HAD PUBLIC SEWER IN MY FINISHED BASEMENT.
TO TACK ONTO THAT, I HAD REQUESTED THE SEWAGE MAINTENANCE RECORD BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN, THERE WERE TWO MEN THAT CAME OUT.
THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD ONLY SEE A FEW INCHES OF THE PIPE.
BUT MY QUESTION IS, WHY DID IT GET SO CLOGGED UP? WHY WAS IT NOT MAINTAINED? I STILL HAVE YET TO RECEIVE THE RECORDS BECAUSE THEY WANT $205.74 FOR THE RECORDS.
BUT I GUESS MY QUESTION IS WHY WAS THE CITY SEWER NOT MAINTAINED? TO THE POINT WHERE IT CLOGGED OUR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD AND OTHER PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED, AS WELL AS I INCURRED PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT I DECIDED NOT TO SUBMIT ON MY HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.
I WORK IN COMMERCIAL AND FARM INSURANCE.
THEY'RE EITHER GOING TO DROP YOU OR RAISE YOUR RATES.
I DIDN'T FILE IT, I PAID OUT OF POCKET.
I'VE ALSO HEARD FROM MY NEIGHBORS BEFORE THE MEETING, I WENT DOOR TO DOOR.
SOME PEOPLE CANNOT ATTEND BECAUSE THEY ARE ELDERLY, DISABLED, ETC.
BUT THEY SAID SOME PEOPLE HAVE LIVED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD 30 YEARS, 55 YEARS.
THEY SAID THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS SO LOW ANY TIME IT RAINS, IT FLOODS.
OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID WHEN THE CITY COMES TO JET THE SEWER,
[01:25:04]
THEY HAVE WATER SHOOTING UP THROUGH THEIR TOILETS.NOW, I HAVE THIS CLAIM FILED WITH THE CITY.
I'M IN CONTACT WITH MIMI DODSON, WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A PLACE TO SAY, BUT IT'S NOT A VERY PLEASANT INTERACTION.
FROM THE START, SHE TOLD ME THAT HER MOTHER IN LAW HAD A CLAIM, AND SHE'S GOING TO TELL ME RIGHT NOW IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE COVERED.
LET ME ADD TO THAT. I APOLOGIZE.
TWO DAYS INTO MY CLAIM, I ALREADY CONTACTED A MITIGATION COMPANY.
I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I COULD TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE.
THE CITY DID NOT CALL ME ONCE TO GET MY SIDE OF THE STORY AND THIS WAS ON THE 10TH.
MY QUESTION IS, WHEN WERE THEY GOING TO CALL ME AND ASK FOR MY INFORMATION? WHEN WAS I GOING TO GET THE PUBLIC RECORDS TO PROVE THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE CITY? I GUESS IN A NUTSHELL, I'M JUST HERE ADVOCATING FOR MYSELF AS A FIRST TIME HOMEOWNER, AS WELL AS MY NEIGHBORS.
I DON'T HAVE $15,000 TO FORK OUT AGAIN.
>> I HEAR YOU. WE WERE BRIEFED AND SO WE WERE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.
YOUR AREA IS LOW, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SAID THAT THAT AREA GETS FLUSHED OUT MORE REGULARLY THAN A TYPICAL SEWER AREA, 380 MILES OF SEWER PIPES.
OBVIOUSLY, THEY CAN'T RUN CAMERAS IN ALL OF THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THE CITY HAS TO BE AWARE THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM AND AND PIPES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PUT IN TO THE SEWERS.
WHEN THEY DO, THEY DON'T FLUSH AS REGULAR.
THEY COAGULATE AND COME TOGETHER AND BLOCK THE SEWER SYSTEM.
YOU HAD A PROBLEM, WE'RE DEEPLY SORRY, YOU HAD A PROBLEM, BUT CASE LAW INDICATES THAT UNLESS THE CITY'S AWARE OF IT, IS NEGLIGENT, THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE RESPONSIBILITY, WHICH I ASSUME IS WHAT MIMI DODSON WAS TRYING TO TELL YOU THAT THERE IS CASE LAW THAT DEFINES THAT.
IT'S A VERY UNFORTUNATE DEAL, BUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SAID HE'S GOT 20 EMAILS, SO THERE'S BEEN SOME COMMUNICATION GOING ON.
HE DID DO THE RESEARCH, TOOK 2 HOURS, AND SO THE CITY'S POLICY IS THAT TO DO THAT RESEARCH, THE PERSON ASKING FOR THE RESEARCH, IF IT'S SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT IT TAKES A LOT OF STAFF TIME.
SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY THE PERSON REQUESTING THE RESEARCH.
HE'S GOT IT. HE'S PREPARED TO GIVE IT TO YOU.
I THINK HIS ESTIMATED COST OF THE EMPLOYEE, NOT THE ANY ADDITIONAL COST, JUST EMPLOYEE TIME WAS $200 AND SO THAT'S WHAT HE'S REQUESTING.
>> DO I SOLVE 30 SECONDS LEFT?
>> I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT, AND I COMPLETELY HEAR YOU, AND I RESPECT YOUR POINT.
HOWEVER, THESE CITY EMPLOYEES ARE MAKING ANYWHERE FROM $33.92 TO $78.18 PER HOUR.
AFTER A $4,000 PROPERTY CLAIM OUT OF POCKET AT 24-YEARS-OLD AS A FIRST TIME HOMEOWNER, $206 IS A LOT TO ASK FOR.
ADDITIONALLY, IT'S JUST A CRAZY SITUATION, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE CITY'S GOING TO DO FOR OUR AREA AND FOR OUR PROPERTY DAMAGE INCURRED BY THIS.
>> I DON'T HAVE A RESPONSE FOR IT.
I JUST GAVE YOU MY RESPONSE, AND SO YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE CITY LEGAL DEPARTMENT, AS FAR AS THE CLAIM, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE CITY LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
>> SOPHIE GRAVY 3415 WEST BROADWAY, SUE B. I'M ACTUALLY A CITIZEN OF OMAHA, BUT I WORK HERE IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.
I'VE BEEN WORKING IN COUNCIL BLUFFS FOR ABOUT 2.5 YEARS.
I'M THE FIRST TIME AT THIS MEETING, SO I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE HOW IT WORKS, SO I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
I WORK WITH HARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE.
I WORK WITH A LOT OF NO INDIVIDUALS.
WE PRIMARILY SERVE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES, A LOT OF PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS.
OMAHA HAD, LIKE, A NEW CITY BUS THING GOING, SO I WENT TO A MEETING TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR PLANS.
[01:30:03]
THEY INFORMED ME THAT IS THE CITY COUNCIL THE ONES THAT MAKES THE DECISIONS ABOUT, LIKE, THE ROUTES THAT WE HAVE IN COUNCIL BUS AND, LIKE, WHERE THE BUSES GO HERE, THAT'S WHERE THEY LED ME TO.THEY SAID THAT YOU GUYS BASICALLY LEASED THOSE BUSES.
>> THE BUSES ARE OPERATED BY METRO AREA TRANSIT? ACTUALLY, WHEN I GOT ELECTED TO CITY COUNCIL, NOBODY WAS RIDING THE BUS SYSTEM.
WE HIRED A CONSULTANT TO REDESIGN THE BUS SYSTEM, GET IT MORE REGULAR ROUTES, CONSOLIDATE SOME OF THE ROUTES LIKE AVENUE G AND NINTH AVENUE THAT DIDN'T HAVE RIDERSHIP.
WE'RE NOW TO IOWA WESTERN THINKING WE'D HAVE STUDENTS THAT WOULD RIDE IT.
I WOULD TELL YOU TODAY WE HAVE ABOUT 240 RIDERS PER DAY.
MY ANALYSIS WOULD TELL ME IF SOMEBODY RODE THE BUS SOMEWHERE, THEY NEED TO RIDE IT BACK FROM SOMEWHERE, AND SO THERE'S PROBABLY 120 PEOPLE THAT USE THAT BUS EACH AND EVERY DAY.
AT A COST OF ABOUT MILLION SEVEN YEAR.
BECAUSE OF OUR POPULATION, WE HAVE TO HAVE THE BUS SERVICE.
WHEN WE HAVE THE BUS SERVICE, WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THE SPECIAL TRANSIT UNITS SO THAT PICK UP PEOPLE THAT CAN'T GET TO THE BUS STOPS.
THEY'RE PART OF THAT MILLION SEVEN COST.
BUT THE COUNCIL CONCEIVABLY COULD CHANGE THE ROUTES.
IT'S PRETTY EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE THOSE ROUTES.
WHEN THEY PUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE DOWN IN FRONT OF THE MID AMERICA CENTER, JUST TO BLOCK DEVIATION OFF 24TH STREET OR 23RD, WHICHEVER THAT IS THAT RUNS IN FRONT OF THE CASINOS.
JUST THAT DEVIATION OFF THERE WAS LIKE, $11,000 ADDITIONAL COST.
WE HAVEN'T DONE IT SINCE I GOT ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
IT'S PROBABLY BEEN A GOOD 20 YEARS.
THE ROUTES HAVE BEEN THE SAME AS THEY ARE NOW.
>> THANK YOU FOR INFORMING, BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.
>> WE WORK WITH METRO AREA TRANSIT, AND I THINK IF WE SAY WE WANT THESE ROUTES, THEN THEY WOULD CALCULATE THE ASSOCIATED COSTS AND THEY WOULD PROVIDE THE SERVICE TO THOSE ROUTES.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU LETTING ME KNOW THAT.
I THINK IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN 20 YEARS, LIKE IF IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS, I KNOW I HAVE A LOT OF CLIENTS THAT I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS KNOW THIS, BUT WHEN PEOPLE GET RELEASED FROM THE JAILS, THEY GET RELEASED.
WELL, I GUESS IT DOESN'T HELP, IT DEPENDS ON HOW LATE THE BUSES WILL GO.
BUT THAT IS VERY FAR FROM ANY OF THE BUS ROUTES.
THE FAST IT GOES IS 16TH AND AVENUE G. WE HAVE A LOT OF CLIENTS THAT WANT TO WORK AND WANT TO BE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, BUT BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY'RE LIVING, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE LIVING AT THE JOSHUA HOUSE OR THE MICA HOUSE, AND MAYBE HAVE SOME PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, BUT DON'T NECESSARILY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SPECIAL TRANSIT.
THEY HAVE A DIFFICULTY FINDING A JOB.
I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD RECONSIDER IT AT SOME POINT AND JUST GET INPUT FROM THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH CAN'T AFFORD CARS, CAN'T HAVE CARS FOR MEDICAL REASONS, CAN'T HAVE CARS FOR LEGAL REASONS WHERE THEY'VE MAYBE GOTTEN THEIR LICENSE TAKEN AWAY.
I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE A GREAT INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP THOSE THAT NEEDS BETTER ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.
I MEAN, I RODE THE BUS AS A KID IN OMAHA, SO I'VE TAUGHT A FEW OF MY CLIENTS HOW TO RIDE THE BUS, AND I'VE EVEN HAD TROUBLES WITH HOW LATE THE BUSES CAN BE, SOMETIMES, HOW CONFUSING THE ROUTES CAN BE, HOW DIFFICULT WHERE SOMETIMES I'LL PUT IN AN ADDRESS FOR MY CLIENT.
THEY'RE LIKE, OH, I WANT TO GO FROM WORK TO MY HOUSE.
THE METRO BUS APP LITERALLY SUGGESTS THAT THEY WALK BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A QUICKER BUS ROUTE.
>> ALL THOSE THINGS ARE DETRIMENTAL TO A SUCCESSFUL BUS ROUTE.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S COMING OR IF YOU MISS IT, AND YOU GOT TO WAIT 40 MINUTES FOR THE NEXT ONE.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S REALLY TOUGH WHEN YOU GOT 120 RIDERS AND A COUPLE OF BLOCK DEVIATION COSTS YOU TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
IT MAKES IT A TOUGH CALL AND I'M NOT PITCHING THE STREET CAR ON YOU, BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STREET CAR AND A BUS IS IT COMES EVERY 12-15 MINUTES LIKE CLOCKWORK.
IT GETS BETTER RIDERSHIP THAN A BUS, BUT TWO DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.
BUT I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAD. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> LET'S GO THE MALL IS CLOSED, GOOD EVENING.
BEN OSMAN FOR 26 NORTH 38TH STREET.
I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING WITH A FEW OF YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
I'VE NEVER BEEN IN THIS ROOM BEFORE, THOUGH.
THE CHANCE FOR THE REASON FOR ME TO BE HERE, OBVIOUSLY HAS TO BE QUITE SIGNIFICANT.
[01:35:02]
HOWEVER, WHILE WE'VE BEEN HERE, WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THE STREET CAR, AND I WILL SAY, I HAVE A DOG IN THE RACE.I WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT MAKES THE THIRD RAIL.
WE COULD POTENTIALLY BID ON THAT CONTRACT.
I'M NOT A FAN. I DON'T SEE THAT WE HAVE THE POPULATION FOR IT.
I DON'T SEE THAT WE HAVE THE DESIRE OR THE NEED FOR IT ALONG THAT CORRIDOR, AFTER SPENDING ALL THE MONEY TO RIP THE RAIL OUT. THAT'S TOPIC 1.
TOPIC 2, I LIVE ON NORTH 38TH STREET.
YOU HEARD MY NEIGHBOR A FEW MINUTES AGO TALKING ABOUT HER HOME.
WE HAVE ANOTHER NEIGHBOR HERE WHO HAS HAD THE CITY COME DOWN.
PROBABLY EVERY SIX MONTHS AND JET OUT THE SEWER LINE.
THE CLAIM THAT IT WAS UNKNOWN IS VERY SUSPECT AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THOSE RECORDS BE LOOKED AT AGAIN.
THE THIRD PART OF THAT, AND I WOULD SAY THE THIRD PART BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY STORM SEWER IS SEPARATE, OR AT LEAST I BELIEVE IT'S SEPARATE FROM OUR SANITARY SEWER.
SINCE 2011, I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF NINE FLOODS.
AFTER SO MANY YOU STOPPED TAKING PICTURES, YOU STOPPED CARING.
I REALIZE IT'S THE STATE OF IOWA PROPERTY AT THE END OF OUR STREET.
I WOULD THINK A RETENTION POND DOWN THERE MIGHT HELP, BUT IT'S GOTTEN WORSE SINCE 2011.
MR. SANDO AND I HAVE SPOKEN OCCASIONALLY, AND TO HIS CREDIT, AFTER I'VE SPOKEN WITH HIM, THINGS SEEM TO GET A LITTLE BIT BETTER FOR A LITTLE WHILE, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT HE HAS ANY CREDIT FOR THAT OR NOT AND HE SAID SUCH, BUT HE DOES MENTION IT TO PUBLIC WORKS.
THERE HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATIONS TO PUBLIC WORKS, SO THERE'S DEFINITELY RECORDS OF THIS. I GUESS THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. I DIDN'T MEAN TO INDICATE THAT THAT WE DIDN'T SERVICE.
IN FACT, I SAID WE SERVICE THAT AREA MORE THAN WE TYPICALLY SERVICE ANY AREA ACCORDING TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
THE UNAWARE ASPECT WAS THAT PLUGGED SITUATION THAT CAUSED THE CATASTROPHE FOR HER HOME.
IF WE DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A WAD OF WIPES THERE.
IT'S PRETTY HARD FOR US TO MITIGATE THAT PROBLEM, BUT IN AN EFFORT TO DO THAT, IN THAT AREA, BECAUSE IT DOES SIT LOW, ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, WE BLOW OUT THAT, AS THE LADY SAID EIGHT TIMES IN THE.
ANYBODY ELSE? I'M SURE WE'LL BE TALKING MORE GOING FORWARD.
ENJOY THE NICE WEATHER. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.