Council - Regular Meeting

Calling me into order, please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, welcome everybody. This is the City Council meeting for Monday, July the 27th, 2026. We'll start with a roll call.

Weber?

Yes.

Hanna? Yes. Moore? Yes. Crusader?

Here.

Maynor?

Present.

O'Loughlin? Here. Appleby? Present.

I need a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. I have a motion to second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Aye. Passed the 7-0. Next, we'll move to public comment. Do you have anything for that? Okay. Move to item number five, the Hope Wesleyan Church presentation.

So Pastor Solon is here. Did I say that right? Solon is here to present something to the council. I do want to point out on the memo we put on there July 23rd, that was the day that I was doing the memo, and I think I typed that wrong. So it was supposed to be July 27th in the first paragraph of the memo.

But come on up. Mayor Bletchner, city council members and staff, thank you for the opportunity to come and visit with you for just a few moments. I'm Bob Solon. I am the pastor of Hope Wesleyan Church, and I've been here for 18 years now, and it's been such a pleasure to work beside you and to serve in this community. We've raised our kids here, and we're grateful God's brought us this way. We have been celebrating 100 years of ministry as a church here in this community. And so we've been celebrating. And we are grateful that God's helped us to be able to do something very simple. We just want to love God. We want to love our neighbors. And we want to make our community a place where people can thrive. AND I KNOW THAT FOR US OVER ALL OF OUR TIMES OF REFLECTION TOGETHER AS A BOARD, AS A CHURCH, WE'VE REALIZED THAT THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS AS WELL. I MEAN, THERE'S PEOPLE WITHIN THE SCHOOL, THE VOLUNTEERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, FIRST RESPONDERS, teachers, business people, families, and even you as elected officials. We work together to make this a great place. And so it's a way for us to be able to recognize we have different roles to serve in our community, but the same desire. We want to make this a great place. And so it's a way for us to simply say, thank you tonight. You've been on our heart. You've been on our agenda. And so we want to just come alongside of you and say thank you, because we know that public service is not easy. It requires lots of wisdom. It requires an immense amount of patience, kindness, and just the courage to make difficult decisions. for the good of all people. And that's not an easy task. And so for us, we just know that a lot of the things that you guys do, they are done quietly and without recognition. And so I want to come as a member of this community and as a leader in this community to say thank you. What you do matters. And we appreciate all the things you're doing. As a church, we want to see our community thrive. And what we've been doing for the last hundred years, we're trying to serve our community, serve families, to be able to help kids and students and teachers and be able to pray for those, including yourselves, who have been entrusted with the role of leadership. It's a hard thing. So as a very small expression of our appreciation to what you guys do, we would like to present to each of you a Bible. Now for us, the Bible is more than just a book. It really is the foundation of who we are as a church. And we find direction, we find strength, and we find help to be able to do the best we can to minister in our community. In Micah chapter 6 verse 8, it says, this is what is required. We are to do justice, to love mercy, and walk humbly before God. And whatever our role might be in the city for that, we believe as we live those three things out, our city can really thrive. And so we look forward to another 100 years. We're not just looking backward. We're also looking forward. And we believe God's been faithful to our city in the past, and he will continue to be faithful to our city in the future. And so as we pass out these Bibles, we recognize that our responsibilities are different from one role to the next, but we work together to make our community better. And so we promise you as life goes forward, we will be praying for you And we'll be praying for our community. And we hope that if this gift that we give you tonight prompts a conversation, you'd feel free to reach out to me, to anyone at our church, and we would be more than happy to help you to understand, okay, how are we trying to learn from this and to live out the principles that we find in this great book. So thank you all for your leadership. Thank you for the time to come and to meet with you tonight. And we just pray God would bless you and he'd bless our community and that he would bless all who call this place home. So thank you all very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Very nice.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thanks.

Yep, I've got it. I'll make sure the mic gets his. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay, let's move to the consent agenda, item number six. I need a motion to accept the consent agenda as follows, just the minutes from the July 13th, 2026 regular meeting.

So moved. Second.

I have a motion to second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?

Aye.

Passes 7-0. Next, we move to the financials. First item, item number seven. I need a motion to approve the claims. So moved. Second. I have a motion to second. All in favor? Aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Passes 7-0. Next, we move to item number eight, which is the revenues and expenses to date. This is for information only. Anybody have any questions or comments with regard to those? Okay, hearing none, we'll move to item number nine, which is the transfers. Again, this is for information only. Anybody have any questions regarding those? Hearing none, we'll move to item number 10. This is the fiscal year 2026 Outstanding Debt Obligation Report. Iowa Code Chapter 12.1 requires this report to be filed annually. So this is for information only, providing you with that information. Any questions with regard to it? Okay, hearing none, we'll move to item number 11. Item number 11 is the third and final reading of the ordinance amending chapter 20 of the traffic code enforcement.

Chapter 70.

Oh, I'm sorry, chapter 70, I apologize. So first I need a motion to approve the third and final reading. So moved. Second. If you'll recall, we discussed this at the work session on June 1st. On June 22nd, we had the first reading. On July 13th, we had the second reading. So this is our third reading. And what we're doing here is we're bringing our written ordinance consistent with what we're doing in general practice so that it's the same. That's really what we're doing here so that uncontested parties that have traffic violations or parking violations, excuse me, are to be paid at the police department rather than here at City Hall. So I need a motion first. Oh, you got a motion and a second already? Okay, so then this would be a roll call vote. Any discussion on that? Okay, roll call vote then.

Hannah? Yes. Moore?

Yes.

Broussarder?

Yes.

Maynard? Yes. O'Loughlin? Yes. Appleby? Yes. Weber?

Yes. Okay, next we'll move to item number 12. This is a public hearing, so pursuant to the agenda, I'll now convene a public hearing on the proposed modifications to section 1.15 fines and fees schedule.

I did not receive anything on this topic.

Okay, so I will now then close the public hearing. Complete the record. Moving then to item number 13. This is a first reading of an ordinance amendment to CHAT code section 1.15 under the fines and fees schedule. So I start with I need a motion to approve the first reading of an ordinance that amends provisions pertaining to section 1.15 fines and fees schedule.

So moved.

Second. Okay, there's two changes that are being made. The first is we're removing... the auto traffic enforcement signal portion from the fine section, and the second one is we're modifying 99.05, which is the long-term schedule for our wastewater usage rates, both residential and industrial. Did I do the motion yet? Yes. Okay, so any discussion with regard to this? Okay. Hearing none, then this would be a roll call vote.

Moore?

Yes.

Broussard?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Appleby? Yes. Weber?

Yes.

Hanna?

Yes. Okay, that passes 7-0. I'm not going to ask to suspend the statutory rule because I'm pretty comfortable that additional time, some council members want additional time to speak to their constituents beforehand. It's because we're talking about the actual wastewater usage rates. I think that's something that we don't want to rush through, so I'm not going to even ask for a further motion regarding that. So then we'll move to item number 14. Item number 14 is another public hearing. Pursuant to the agenda, I'll now convene a public hearing on the proposed rezoning request.

I did not receive anything on this.

Okay, this is the rezoning request is the LARD LLC just changing the rezoning from R2 residential to M2 heavy machinery. Since there is no comments, I'll now close the public hearing and we'll move forward with the item number 16, which is the first reading of an ordinance amending chapter 170 zoning regulations. a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance that amends provisions pertaining to chapter 170 zoning regulations.

So moved. Thank you.

I have a motion and a second. Planning and zoning discussed this on July the 7th and they recommended that we set a public hearing and move forward with approval of this. What we're doing here is we're correcting a miscategorization where we have an existing zoning district that's zoned as residential 2 or R2 residential when it should be M2 heavy manufacturing. Is there a further discussion regarding this? Hearing none, this would be a roll call vote.

O'Loughlin?

Mikey there?

Yes.

So we're starting a roll call vote. You were the first one. Would you like to vote?

Appleby. Yes. Weber. Yes. Hanna. Yes. Moore.

Yes.

Broussarder.

Yes.

Maynor.

Yes. That passes 7-0. Next, does anybody want to make a motion to suspend the statutory rule requiring that the ordinance be considered and voted on for passage to council meetings prior to the meeting at which it's finally accepted? So moved. Second. The motion is second. Again, this would be a roll call vote.

Appleby. Yes. Weber?

Yes.

Hanna?

No.

Moore?

Yes.

Persauder?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin?

Okay, that passes since there's six out of seven. So then we would move to the actual ordinance itself. So I need a motion to have this ordinance, which amends provisions pertaining to Chapter 170 zoning regulations, be placed on for final passage for adoption pursuant to Iowa Code Section 380.3 and to authorize the mayor to sign the ordinance. So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. This would then be a roll call vote as well.

Weber?

Yes.

Canna?

No.

Moore?

Yes.

Broussard?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Appleby? Yes.

That passes 6-1. Next, we move to item number 16. Again, this is a public hearing. Pursuant to the agenda, I'll now convene a public hearing on the proposed rezoning request. This is a rezoning request of... R2 residential to M2 heavy machinery, sorry, manufacturing. Why did I think machines? Manufacturing for Prees Enterprises, Inc. property. So this is the public hearing portion.

I receive nothing for this item as well.

Okay, so then we'll now close the public hearing. This was discussed at Planning and Zoning on July the 7th and recommended to City Council. Again, this is similar to the other one in that there's a mischaracterization with regard to the existing zoning district. The pre's property should be zoned M2 heavy manufacturing and it's currently zoned R2 residential. So this merely fixes that item. So I need a... Did I... Okay, so I need a first reading of ordinance amendment. So I need a motion to approve the first reading of an ordinance. Pardon me? I need a motion to approve the first reading of an ordinance that amends the provisions pertaining to Chapter 170 zoning regulations. So I need a motion first. So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. Further discussion with regard to this? Hearing none, this will be a roll call vote.

Hannah.

Yes.

Moore.

Yes.

Persauder.

Yes.

Maynor.

Yes.

O'Loughlin. Appleby? Yes. Weber?

Yes. That passes 7-0. Does anybody want to make a motion to suspend the statutory rule requiring that an ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two council meetings prior to the meeting at which it's finally passed? So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. Again, this would be a roll call vote.

Moore?

Yes.

Broussard?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Appleby? Yes. Weber?

Yes.

Hanna?

No. That passes 6-1 also, so now we do the motion itself. I need a motion to the ordinance itself. I need a motion to have this ordinance, which amends the provisions pertaining to chapters 170 zoning regulations to be placed on for final passage for adoption pursuant to Iowa Code Section 380.3 and to authorize the mayor to sign the ordinance. So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. This would again be a roll call vote.

Prusader?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Yes. Appleby? Yes. Weber?

Yes.

Hanna?

No. That passes 6-1. Oh, more.

Sorry.

Oh, sorry. Yes. Still passes 6-1. Next, we move to item number 18. Number 18 is a first reading of an ordinance amendment to chapter code section 70.02, scheduled violations. I need a motion to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending chapter 70.02 of this code of ordinances of the city of Independence. Start with a motion. So moved. Second. Motion to second. This was discussed at the July 6th work session. This is to remove the section dealing with the automated traffic controls to the cameras. Since we don't have cameras anymore, it's unnecessary for us to have it in the code. So this ordinance change is to remove it, as was recommended by our city attorney. I've got a motion already, and I've got a second. Any further discussion regarding this? Hearing none, this will be a roll call vote.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yeah. Appleby? Yes. Weber?

Yes.

Hanna?

Yes.

Moore? Yes. Crusader?

Yes. Okay, that passes 7-0. Does anybody want to make a motion to suspend the statutory rule, require that an ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two council meetings prior to the meeting in which it is finally adopted or finally passed? So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. Again, this is a roll call vote.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Appleby? No. Weber?

Yes.

Hanna?

Yes.

Moore?

Yes.

Broussard?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes. Okay, that passes 6-1. Next, we'll move the ordinance itself. So I need a motion to have this ordinance, which amends Section 70.02 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Independence to be placed on for final passage for adoption pursuant to Iowa Code Section 380.3 and to authorize the mayor to sign the ordinance. So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. Again, this is a roll call vote.

Appleby? Sorry, are we on 19? No. What number are we on?

We're still on 18.

18? Okay. Yes.

Weber?

Yes.

Hanna? Yes. Moore?

Yes.

Broussard?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Yeah.

Okay, that passes 7-0. Next, we move to item number 19 under resolutions. This is a motion to approve and authorize the mayor to sign a resolution approving the contract and performance and or payment bonds for the wastewater treatment plant modifications project and to authorize the city manager to sign the contract. I need a motion first. So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. This is the next step in our process for the project itself, and it allows us to do the pre-construction meeting once this has been accomplished. Further discussion regarding this?

I guess I would prefer you guys reconsider that we reevaluate now that we know that it's going to be a lot higher than we anticipated. that we relook at it and see if we can cut some and see what we can come up with.

We actually approved the contract at the last meeting itself. This is just the last.

You said that we weren't going to discuss it until now, and so here we are discussing it.

Discussion.

Matt, is that progress? Is there things that you guys could possibly change and get cheaper or not?

We're not to that point yet, is what I would say. But it could happen. We're looking at options, yes. Thank you.

I don't think that you should do the project and then discuss the options. It should be discussed the options.

As we discussed... before at the last meeting when this came up. The problem with discussing options and different fees at this point in time is that if we were to do that, then we'd have to re-bid the contract all over again. So all the other people that had previously bid On it and others would be allowed would be permitted to bid and I'm not saying that that's a bad thing But the problem is is that we waited so long to get the approval this would all have to then go back through All of the steps that we've made that aware, okay I just wanted to make sure that yes, it will delay it But you can't just pay 14 million more just because it happens to be more because you waited so long Big things like this take time and and you need to be able to say this is gonna take time and things have come up and things have changed and

And own that. And then try to move forward on changing some things. Because there are things that we can change. As I recall, we were ready for advancement to the water treatment for future growth. And that is something we can definitely look back on and say, hey, we can alter this. to edit it to afford to what we can afford now and like a future growth later. And yeah, there's a delay, but if you say, hey, taxpayer, we've miscalculated because of our estimates being $14 million up, I think they'd understand why there's a delay. You can't just jump on it and go forward just because you happen to be... getting pressure from the city to say, well, you taxed us five years ago. Answer those questions and then delay it and get them down because that's a lot of an adjustment.

Understood. Anybody else?

You people can't pay these taxes. You know that, right? They can't afford it. You got a fire department and a school asking for money too. And you're going to add on. And you already asked them for this much money years ago. And they paid for it. And they know they got to pay for it.

Okay. Keep in mind this is not a property tax. This does not go on property tax.

It doesn't matter. They still got to pay for it. They still got to live in here.

Understood. Okay.

Who do you think is living here?

Okay. I've heard you. I understand what you're saying.

You didn't want to hear me last time when you wanted to vote on it. You told me that we weren't going to discuss it right then. And here it is now.

What I told you is that once everything is done and completed, we then have the opportunity to discuss further with the contractors and with the engineers about things regarding the project.

You want to jump first, approve it, and then...

I don't want to do anything. I don't have a vote. I'm presenting it to the council.

That's a lie. You always have an opinion. Give me a break.

I may have an opinion, but I do not have a vote.

Okay, well then don't say that you don't have one, because you do.

I don't have a vote.

That's not the same.

As what?

As saying that you don't have a thought about it.

I didn't say I didn't have a thought about it. I said I don't have a say in it. It's different.

Then you should stay out of it. I want these people to talk.

I'm asking if anybody else has any further discussion. I'm running the meeting. When you're done talking, somebody else's turn. Anybody else?

The constituents can't pay for this. I really, really, really want you guys to think about that.

I would tend to agree with you. But after listening to Bradley talk about this in the past, that there's other cities that are going through these same exact problems. And their bids came in extremely high as well. And from looking on the internet, I didn't see a single one that had one come in under budget. I mean, if we wait longer, we already know that things are going to increase 4%, 5%, 6% every single year. So we're going to ask for even more next year. So I know we're between a rock and a hard place, but we need a brand new wastewater treatment plant. So we kind of have to just wait.

But there was adjustment in the city's growth. We could look at cutting that back. And like right now, people can't really afford anything. Anything. Anything at all they can't afford. This is not the time to add on for future growth, which is really what was in the plan. And that is something we can cut. Now that we know it's way over what we thought was our budget, you definitely reconsider. That's what residents do in their own home. It's what they're doing every day when they're walking in the grocery store. It's what you should do. It's what we should do right now.

We want to flush our toilets, so we have to do the treatment plan.

We don't have to. There's ways to cut it.

And the longer we wait, just like you said, the more it goes up.

The bigger risk of something catastrophic happening to what's already there, and then we're completely screwed.

Okay. Is there any further discussion before we move to vote on it?

The only other thing I would say is, You know, comment was made, you know, we're jumping into it. No, we're not jumping into it. We've been discussing this for roughly three and a half to four years. You know, since we've really been seriously looking at this and we've looked at all options and everything. And to back up what Councilman Weber said, everything goes up four to five percent. So $14 million more now. In three years, you could be looking at 16 million, 17 million. And you have to look, you talk about on growth, when you're doing a project like this, you have to look at the growth down the road. And you just, in city government, you can't look at just today and today only. You have to look at where you need to be 10 years, 20 years down the road. And you have to plan ahead. And everything goes up in cost. I mean, that was proven by our one-year delay, how much it went up in cost. And it will just continue to go up. So you either pay me now or pay me later, but I'd rather pay less now than pay more later.

But in theory, you'd pay for anything at any time, though. And people can't afford it right now. That's all I'm saying. They can't afford it right now. Is now the time? Maybe in two years it'd be better off, but right now it really isn't. If this is your own home and your own timing, you'd probably say, hey, let's try to put it back because you can't afford it right now. Everyone knows the cost of living is way higher right now. Even a few years ago that might have been different, but it's not right now.

Okay, let's move to the vote then. This will be a roll call vote.

Weber?

Yes.

Hanna?

Yes.

Moore? Yes. Broussard?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Appleby? No.

That passes 6-1. Next, move to item number 20. This is a motion to authorize the mayor to sign a resolution establishing a time and place for a public hearing on August the 10th, 2026 at 5.30 p.m. on the proposal to enter into the sewer revenue loan and disbursement agreement and to borrow money thereunder in the principal amount not to exceed $56,568,000. $568,000. Sorry, $56,658,000, right? Yes. Okay. This is just setting the, this is just to set, first I need a motion. Second. This is just to set the date for public hearing. This isn't the discussion on the actual document itself. That will happen after we've had the public hearing on the 10th. So this would be a roll call vote.

Hannah?

Yes.

Moore?

Yes.

Persauder?

Yes.

Maynor?

Yes.

O'Loughlin? Yes. Appleby? No. Weber?

Yes. That passes 6-1. Next we move to reports. Councilmember reports. Brett, do you have anything?

I'd like to say that the library is looking for stewards or individuals who are interested in the Little Free Library to take over the, that is a project to maintain the Little Free Library. If anybody's interested in that, they can reach out to the library.

How many are there, do you know?

Seven, I believe.

Six or seven, if I'm not mistaken.

What neighborhood are they looking for?

Brett, are those the ones where the books? Eight, there's eight total. Books are out in the... Yes, yes.

You know what neighborhood? Maybe all of them?

If you go to the Independence Public Library website, you can type in Little Free Library, and it shows you a map of all the locations.

I don't mean that. I meant what one did they need help with?

Every single one of them. They want someone to actually sponsor and maintain the actual box itself. They're looking to have someone sponsor it.

Oh, you mean the shape of it, or are you talking the library swabs?

They're starting to get degraded and, you know, worrying about water getting in and things like that. So they want somebody to come in and say that they're going to sponsor, rebuild the whole thing if need be, and put it in there. They could help be a steward with filling the books, or they have stewards that could fill the books for them as well if need be.

And they have several people that have already volunteered that have some type of construction type of experience that are willing to do it. So there's other people that have volunteered, but they're still in need of additional people. Yes. Deb?

I'll just say that I think RAGBRAI went over fantastic in town, and I think everything was pretty positive on it. And I had two good groups at my house. It was a lot of fun.

Deb pretty much put it all in a nutshell. That's it.

I just want to say, Mayor, again, what Ralph and Deb said, and I want to make sure to give a big shout out to all of our volunteers, all of our committee heads that put that together, all the volunteers that worked on those committees. I think that the Chamber did an excellent job with the meetings that we held, I don't know how many of, ahead of time, as far as making sure they were organized, stayed on task, and again, I think everything went tremendously well. And I've heard that from both business owners and residents in town.

Brian, I've also heard from several people that want to thank you for not taking your shirt off. That's what I was going to say.

And you're all welcome. No, I echo what they all said. Coming down that last hill in Den of Pants, my head was so high. It was great.

Mike, do you have anything?

Yeah, shout out to Jake Bass for all his work with the organizational and actually working at it. Enjoyed working with him on the beer tent and look forward to the next time Ryan Brett comes through.

I thought everyone did a really good job in volunteering. The organization was well done. The city was well managed and everything looked like nothing happened. Like the video you put out there, Matt, and it did. I mean, you can tell that that many riders have been there the next day. That takes a lot. So kudos, good job, well done. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves coming here. And I thought, I hope everyone, I know not everyone's a big fan of Ray Bride all the way around, but I think the majority of people. I know I do, and I think the right bears do, and so hopefully if the city gets the offer again, they do it again. It's good.

Andy, did you have anything for the police department?

We'll be participating in the National Night Owl.

I believe our city manager volunteered for a few hours in there.

I did not volunteer. I appreciate you trying that. Waiting on a volunteer? Since this is close on my... You want to take your shirt off?

There you go. There you go. Here's your opportunity.

That's you, buddy. I've been there. I've been there once already. Since I just have the one item. Friday, July the 31st is the Independence Emergency Services blood drive at Falcon Civic Center between 10 and 1.30 and each of the different police, fire, emergency services are all competing for... whoever has the most votes on behalf of their organizations. So that's coming up on Friday.

The only thing I have, everybody's expressed their well wishes and appreciation for RAGBRAI and everything that was done. I wanna also appreciate and thank all of the city staff that helped with everything. Police department, the fire department, the streets guys, the water guys. There pretty much wasn't a department that wasn't touched by RAGBRAI in one way or another. So glad that everybody, that it was a positive event, everything went really well. Just really happy with how everything turned out. Couldn't have went better. So that's all I've got.

Okay, I need a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?

Aye. Votes?

Stand adjourned.