City Council - Regular Meeting

Yeah. Hey Garland, we're going to get started. I'd like to call I'd like to call the order of the Municipal Housing Agency Governing Board meeting for April 6, 2026. Please do the role. Bowen here. Simonson here. here. Baron here. Wester here. Mandelbomb here. Here. We have a quorum. The next item is the approving of the agenda as presented andor as amended.

Move. Then moved and seconded. Please vote. I would say the motion carries. Seven. Yes. The next item is hearing uh and the adoption of the amended municipal housing agency annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2026. Board communication number 26-125. I got it. Move approval, your honor. Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? If not, please vote. Is there any public Oh, is there any I didn't see anybody from the public.

Anybody from the public like to speak on this item? Okay. Please vote.

Seven. Yes. Motion carries. The next item is item number four, the hearing and adoption of What was that? What item we're on? Okay. Sorry, we're getting our computer going here. Hearing an adoption of proposed municipal housing agency annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2027, board communication number 26-125. Is there anyone wishing to speak to this? I see none. Your honor, I'll move item four. Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Just a second. She's getting it.

Seven. Yes, it's approved. Carries. Item five, approving certification to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development of the amended operating budget for all projects for fiscal year ending June 30th, 2026 and of the proposed operating budget for all projects for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2027. I'll move uh item five, your honor. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Seven. Yes.

Motion carries. The next item is item six. It's approving the five-year and annual agency plan for fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 to include the 2026 capital improvement grant, the public housing admissions and continued occupancy policy, the family self-sufficiency action plan, and the section 8 housing choice voucher administrative plan, board communication number 26-123. Any discussion? I'll move item six, your honor. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Seven. Yes.

Motion carries. This is the end of our uh municipal housing agency meeting. Is there a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn, your honor. Second. It's been moved and second. All in favor? I.

I. This meeting is adjourned. Now we will have the proclamation. Who would like to come up as we present this? I know we have quite a few housing people here. Guess looks like we got the whole P County Housing Trust group, our and our city staff. Okay, this is a proclamation. It's a pretty important thing that we're talking about is housing. So whereas the city of De Moines is committed to ensuring fair access to housing opportunities for all residents regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. And whereas April marks the anniversary of the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, a landmark law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing and affirms a fundamental right to fair housing opportunities. And whereas the city of De Moine recognizes that fair housing is essential to building strong and vibrant neighborhoods where all individuals and families can thrive. And whereas despite significant progress, housing discrimination persists and ongoing education enforcement and community collaboration are necessary to eliminate

barriers to housing. And whereas the city of De Moine works in partnership with community organizations, housing providers, and residents to promote awareness of fair housing rights and responsibilities and to support policies and practices that foster a discriminationfree community. And whereas fair housing month provides an opportunity opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to fair housing principles and encourage all residents to support equal housing opportunity for all. Now therefore, I, Connie Boosezen, mayor of the city of De Moine, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as fair housing month. And I encourage all residents, property owners, housing professionals, and community partners to recognize the importance of fair housing and to work together to eliminate discrimination and promote equal and fair opportunity in housing. So, thank you for all being here. And Toby, would you like to say a few words

or Matt? Because we have a lot of events this month.

Yes. Thank you, your honor, and members of council for the opportunity to appear tonight. And we're so thrilled to be with our friends from from Manisha's team. you're doing such important work and uh we're honored to stand. Thank you. I was going to knock that down. We do have a lot of housing events in April to mark this special occasion. The Poke County Housing Trust Fund is excited to uh host our annual housing matters symposium coming up on April 13th. Registration is open now at uh pchf.org. We'll be bringing Charles Marone to De Mo uh back to De Moine for the first time in a decade. a person we're very excited to have here talking about types of housing that integrate well within the fabric of existing neighborhoods as we seek to do things like increase access and opportunity as well as boost property values and make good use of existing infrastructure in local neighborhoods. So we hope people will come and join us for that event uh coming up April 30th. There's also a really great fair housing event.

I'm gonna have to tippy toe here.

Okay, bring it down here. Hi, Manisha Podel, uh, director of community impact and relations department and this these are my team members and also want to acknowledge Chris Johansson who is the director of neighborhood services. Um, so after you attend um the Pook County uh housing trust funds event on Wednesday, April 29th, we'd like you to w uh we'd like to welcome you to attend the summit to fair housing um which is going to be an immersive experience into understanding fair housing laws, rights and responsibilities, code enforcement, um and opportunities for you to engage in a very very interactive and fun though. That's how we we we like to um engage our residents in learning opportunities um to not only learn about fair housing laws or civil rights laws, we'd also like you to um learn about home ownership. Um and we're doing that in partnership with Habitat for Humanity um organization. The event is going to be from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Poke County River Place. Again, that's Wednesday, April 29th. um from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm free to attend for residents of De Moines.

Thank you. Does anybody else want to say any other words? Okay. Thank you all for being here. Sorry, I thought it was off. Uh the uh April 6, 2026 uh De Mo City Council meeting. Please take the role.

Bzen here. Diamondson here. Va here. Baron here. Westerard here. Man here. Go here. We have a quorum. The next item is approving the agenda as presented and or as amended. And in this case, we have uh item 13's been updated to market district departments LP and item 52 has been updated with the speakers list. Move approval. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Seven. Yes.

Motion carries. The next item is approving the consent agenda. These are items 3 through 37. These are rout routine items and will be enacted by one roll call vote without separate discussion unless pursuant to council rules. Council requests an item to be removed to be considered separately. Every nothing has been submitted. So I'll take a motion to move approval. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Seven. Yes.

Motion carries. Go to the hearings. Item 38 on conveyance of a permanent underground electric easement on city-owned property located at 100 East 2nd Street to Mid-American Energy Company for the East First Street improvements from Iowa Interstate Railroad to East Court Avenue project. We will accept Germaine comments to Minister Person speak. Is anyone wishing to speak? Seeing none, uh, Madame Mayor, I'll move item 38. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote.

Seven. Yes. Motion carries. Next item is 39 on conveyance of city-owned right-of-way excess city property, permanent easement for utility purposes and temporary construction easement as part of the Southeast 14th Street corridor improvements project to the state of Iowa for $1. Again, general comments from the public up to two minutes. Anyone wishing to speak? I see none, your honor. I'll move item 39. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote

seven. Yes. Motion carries. Item number 40 on conveyance of vacated north south alley right ofway adjoining 1450 1444 and 1442. Second place to Natasha Zaggar and Evar A. Surveillen Les and USA Properties LLC for $125. Anyone wishing to speak on this? Seeing no one, your honor, I move approval. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote.

Seven. Yes.

Motion carries. The next item is 41 on request from Kent Lays owner to reszone property located at 38201 Street from N5 neighborhood district to NX2 neighborhood mix district to allow the conversion of an existing one-household residential building to a group living use. Choose one alternative below. Approval requires six votes due to relevant property oppos opposition and plan and zoning commissions recommending denial. A is to deny the proposed resoning or B continue the hearing until April 20th, 2026 and direct the city manager and legal department to prepare the necessary legislation to approve the requested resoning. First, parties and interests applicant for resoning and those within 250 ft of the property to be reszoned will be given up to five minutes to speak. Second is gerine comments from the general public. Two minutes per person to speak. 20 minutes maximum. Is there anyone wishing to speak to this?

There's somebody. Please state um your name, address, or ward. And are you the applicant? Yes, ma'am.

And you might Yeah, you might want to pull the microphone down a little bit. Good evening. Uh my name is Lisa. I'm the founder of Grayson's Veteran Homes operating as Grayson's Homes. We provide residential independent shared living, safe, stable housing option for veterans and older adults. Uh I personally have 24 years of experience in healthcare and hospice care which has given me insight into the critical need for stable housing for those who are independent but need um community. Our residents do not require medical care or assistance with daily activities. Um they choose uh not to live alone or in nursing home. They prefer a family style community oriented home while remaining independent. Our home uh will have four residents with 247 supervision provided. It's located near bus services which is on Uklid Avenue providing convenient transit access. Residents manage their own daily lives and participate in monthly house meetings and payments um is through structures contribution towards housing costs not rent. We collaborate with local nonprofits and Paul County resources to ensure that all residents have access to appropriate support services if needed. With these partnerships in place, the home operates safely and effectively with four residents under 247 supervision. The VA also uh provides a case manager for veterans that may need checkups, weekly checkups, participating veterans, and also a community advocate provides weekly support for those who use or choose to use those services. Most of our residents do not require these services as they are fully independent. Now, as far as parking and traffic, uh

majority of our residents generally do not own vehicles, but should they do, uh the home has adequate parking in compliance with zoning requirements. Now, there were concerns from the neighborhood about uh the history of the home. Uh previous occupants challenges are not related to Grayson's homes. Emergency services calls. Our residents are older adults and there may be occasions where emergency services are needed which is appropriate. And another issue that was raised was can strangers live together. Our residents voluntarily choose this living arrangement. Even families can sometimes struggle to live in the same household for long periods without any disagreements. So this isn't about strangers if they can live together. It's about people choosing to live together responsibly, not whether they know each other or not. There are individuals who have a secure These are individuals who have a secure and safe option here in their own city. This home allows them to live independently safe and with community without forcing them back into housing instability. We are committed to following all requirements including the four resident limits and providing 24/7 supervision as uh advised. Our goal is simple and practical to offer a stable organized solution to housing challenges for older adults and veterans in our community. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? if if you'd like to come forward and state your name, address, or ward or you will have uh two minutes to speak unless you're

Sure. No. So, real quick, I'm my name is Rodney Nukem. I live at 381911 Street. I live directly across u from the proposed uh group home. Um I just want to touch on four things. Uh generally uh I'm all about uh second chances for people. Um and so I just want to go over a couple things that I've seen um over the last uh oh probably about six months or a year. Um they have not been any problem. Uh the people across the living across the street have not been a problem for me. I have seen um one instance where uh somebody from the home had gone out in the middle of the night and was rummaging through um some construction materials. Um they were uh redoing a house um three or four houses down. Uh caught that on my security cameras. That was kind of interesting. My uh uh girlfriend who lives up on the corner also saw them um and was kind of wondering what was going on. So um I didn't see them take anything. I don't think any crime was committed, but I thought it was interesting that they were out around at 2 a.m. with flashlights. Uh the other thing is we had an instance where we had some people that were standing out in her yard actually uh looking at her property and then they moved uh down the street uh and went into that house. I also caught that on security camera. Like I said, no crimes were committed, just odd behavior. Um, the rest of it is basically um I'm curious as to um the lady that's doing this and I I don't know anything about her. I guess I I I call on the council to make sure that she has the proper insurance because running a group I think requires certain level of insurance that people need in order to run a business like that. I'd like to know um what the city's uh rules on inspections for the properties are. I mean uh nursing homes, uh assisted care

facilities, those types of things. I guess I'm curious as to what the city policy is on, um, inspections. And lastly, the type of people that come in there. Um, I agree. I think they're all elderly, uh, older, uh, uh, individuals. Um, but also, uh, you know, I I just want to make sure that, uh, you know, we're not dealing with, uh, you know, getting sex offenders or anything like that. There's a lot of young kids up in the neighborhood, including, uh, ones that I care about. So, um, you know, I don't know if background checks are being h, you know, being done on the people or not. My two minutes are probably well gone, so I'll stop talking, but those are my principal concerns. And, um, I'll turn it back over to the council. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Any other people? Anyone wishing to speak? If not, I'll turn over to the council. 41. Second. It's been moved and seconded.

Mayor, I'd like to make a comment. I think we're going to see more of these in the future. And in a way, I hope we do just as a as a another option for older people to live. I'm going to vote no. Excuse me. I'm going to support the motion because I don't have confidence in this applicant. there's just conflicting information. Um, and I hope this person I this person's trying to do good work. Um, but in the right circumstances, this could be an acceptable addition to a neighborhood. But I am going to support the motion. Okay.

Just really quickly,

if you don't mind, I um I read the materials. Um, and I'm I'm inclined to support my colleague. Um, she knows her ward well, but I just what would be the circumstances with which the city would support a a project like this or um, you know, what would be the what because I know, you know, talking about six six residents living there was a was a topic of interest. She finally came back and said she could do four because there only four bedrooms. um what what are the circumstances in which we would support what what went wrong here and what could have gone better because it was a 65 vote at the um PNZ. So just as a new guy like what what can um what would we counsel uh this individual to do differently next time? Well, I think it's really something that we need to look into because as far as how it's being managed and some criteria in space and I think it would be more of a legal issue and to the point of inspections and all the things and what is the safety standards especially when you're dealing with elderly people I think there's a different standard than possibly they were younger just knowing what nursing homes need and those kind of things. So I think that's something we can look more into it. I think there's some conflicting issues and I think that's the reason that's being uh recommended on the denial and I think you look at each thing each one where it's located what are the specifics of what it's going to be done and I think it's independent of I mean each one could be a different scenario and maybe we can get into more criteria and look into it

I yeah because to Councilman Simonson's point I think um I think the justification is is fine to to deny this one. And again, I'll support that. I just we do have a housing crisis in our community right now. We we lack places for people to live. We're dealing with the downstream effects of that. And so I just and I apologize if this is if this is more broader than than we would typically have a conversation about something like this, but I just want to be present to you know what's necessary to meet these needs in the future and where we can be supportive as a city. So

and I think that that's where it goes back to we need to look at all the aspects and what the you know the what we want in a group home and what is the safety valves for people to make sure they're in safe secure places. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

I I just wanted to say that that uh I think the points made by my colleagues about thinking about what we can do to support projects and to be transparent about what it would take to support projects. I think that's a discussion that is worth having as a council so we can provide a little transparency. From my read of the record, I think one of the issues here was that this process was a little bit backwards. I I think it started operating before

it it started operating in in this manner before the conversation was had and I think that that created a lot of I think that created some of the issues that that we're experiencing here. But I think if we're serious about creating multiple options and making an option like this work in our community, we probably need to do some work on the front end to let to let people know what we would accept because I think it's very hard to have these conversations at the council table and and and not have set out straightforward expectations because I think there always going to be concerns of the neighborhood around projects like this and and we owe it to folks if if we say we want these that we we kind of lay out criteria and provide some transparency so people know the right way to go about and do this and know that they'll get a fair shake if they pursue things in that manner.

I think we do have other group homes that have been successful. So I think it's a matter of you look at the individual cases and what is the makeup of the facility and how it's going to be handled and we can get more of that criteria and see what's what we're already doing and uh go from there.

Mayor, if I may, the criteria we have I think is clear. um staff indicated in their report that there were minimum bedroom sizes, toilet requirements, and that type of thing, but nowhere in the report did it indicate what the actual bedroom sizes are. And in fact, there was a floor plan provided. It's not to scale, and that's not any fault of the of the applicant, but it doesn't look correct to me, and I just think more information needs to be provided. Okay, it's been moved and seconded. Any other discussion? If not, if you haven't voted,

seven. Yes.

Motion carries. Item 42 on request from Sebuild LLC Mitch Kuzi officer to reszone a 6 and a half acre parcel located in the vicinity of 5600 Southeast 27th Street Geo parcel number 78242543005 from N2B neighborhood district to limited N2B-2 neighborhood district to allow the construction of up to uh 14 two household dwellings 28 units units and three one household dwelling units require six votes to approve due to opposition of relevant property owners. A is the first consideration of the ordinance above. B is the final consideration of the ordinance above. Waiver requested by applicant requires six votes. C is to receive and file communication from the development services director. First is the parties in interest applicant for resoning and those within 250 ft of the property to be reszoned will be given up to five minutes to speak. Second would be to remain comments from the general public 2 minutes per person up to 20 minutes maximum. Good evening, honorable mayor and council. My name is Mark McMury. I'm with Abekai Consulting. I'm the civil engineer on this project. And with me tonight is Mitch Kuzi, um the developer. So, I I know that you guys all know you never trust a skinny cook or a cool engineer. So, I promise you I will not be eloquent, but I will keep it brief. Um I'm just going to stick with the facts. Number one, we have staff support. So staff reviewed the project and they are

in support of it. It does conform with plan DSM creating our tomorrow comprehensive plan. It does fit the largescale development plan for the area. It will allow for emergency access to the neighborhood. Uh we've crowded the buildings on the north side further to the south so that we could add as much buffer as we could afford on the north side where we've got single family adjacent to us. We changed the west tier of lots to single family. Developers agreed to all the SAS modifications. There's about a half a dozen architectural elements that they wanted included and the developers agreed to do that. Um, Commissioner Draper cited proof that this will increase neighborhood property values. Um, he also observed that the entire neighborhood has parking on the streets which was one of the concerns um at the neighborhood meeting and and parking on the streets actually he cited slows traffic down and makes it safer. So, um, this will form a well planned transition between the senior housing on the south, which has led this property to be going undeveloped for more than 15 years. Um, with the with the state's new code on accessory dwelling units, a single family development could have two units per lot. The resoning allows a modest neighborhood compatible missing middle housing type. It expands attainable options for a wider range of households. It includes promoting housing choice and aligns with the city's long range plans and we respectfully are requesting your support on this motion tonight.

Additionally, uh I am a licensed real estate broker. I use the local MLS to pull data for the neighborhood to emphasize uh the actual benefit and value to the community for this. Can you say your Yeah, get to the mic and say your name and

Sorry about that. My name is Mitch Kuzi. I'm a licensed broker. I live here in town. Our primary office address is 8500 Franklin and Clive. My primary home address is 650 17th Street in De Moine. Um, as I mentioned, I prepared data supporting the neighborhood uh averages. This is live data. It can be verified easily by any agent in town. There is no exclusions to it whatsoever. Average sales price for the surrounding neighborhood is $320,000. The ranches on in general uh sell between or at 329. The proposals that we're bringing as a duplex, we propose resell between 225 or 325 and 3.45. 45. Additionally, we're fueling a needed flat level development as transitional housing. This is meant to be a buy attached, not a true duplex. So, they are individually parcelled, individually owned units on individual locations. Uh overall, uh observing the data here, you can see that the tax abatement will make it substantially more affordable than existing housing that is there. We would love to bring the price point down, but in preliminary discussions, the neighborhood was worried about valuation. So, we can finish these to a higher degree as we've agreed to with the architectural design requests. Um, our initial goal was to bring these between the 300 and 325 range, keeping that price point lower. Um there were let's see we mentioned the ADU piece and planning and zoning did push um for that to be explored. I would love to answer any questions that may arise on this but I'm passionate that this is a good fit for the neighborhood. This was a good fillin and it also unlocks the development of non-owned uh parcels to the east. Any questions that I can answer?

Um, anyone else wishing Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak on this item?

Thanks, Mayor and Council. I live at uh 2713 East Porter Avenue. Uh Scott Kby uh lived there for six and a half years. Um I'll keep it pretty brief. Um my property is just right to the north of this proposed um development. Um when I moved in back in 2019, I figured this land would be developed at some point. Um always assumed to be single family home. So um this was a really big shock to me and everybody I've talked to in the neighborhood um they never expected it to have a um a duplex um complex back there. and it's going to be pretty pretty close to us. So, um talked to a lot of folks in in the neighborhood um been to the meetings and stuff and haven't found one that um supports this or wants it. Um they've all got their reasons. I have a few ones that I think are are pretty strong. Um 31 units just adjacent to single family neighborhood is just uncharacteristic density doesn't really align with the neighborhood. Um it I don't I don't agree that it aligns with the plan DSM initiative for various reasons, but um everybody I've talked to in the neighborhood has has their own reasons why they they don't support it. Um I I believe the same developer was denied in 2019 to build one large home also and that would have been a lot less impactful to our neighborhood. It would have actually um rather probably have that um than this. And just just um to go along with that with the original um with the current N2B zoning, I think that would be a better idea just to stick with that. And I haven't heard a good reason why they're not just keeping the current zoning um that's there. Um I've asked that question a few times to different people and nobody's had a great answer. Um and then just talking about the price point, 300,000 to 325. Um you can actually buy a pretty decent single family home for that price. Um I'm not sure about the tax abatement stuff, but um if these don't sell in a timely manner, they'll probably just turn into rentals. So we'll just have a

rental rental unit complex um really close to the neighborhood, too. So um so just that's all I had. Um on behalf of the neighborhood, I was just I would just ask you to vote no on the resoning. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Mayor, members of council, Jim Ballard, president Ward 4, president of the Easter Lake Area Neighborhood Association. Um, come tonight to speak in opposition. Hope you vote against proposed pro project. The product that's proposed for the neighborhood is not in the character of the current neighborhood. And uh we've been here a number of times with with projects. Uh, one of the more recent ones was at the east end of the lake and we insisted that we have threecar garages because of the the nature of the people that live um in our existing neighborhood today and there was some objection to that and uh finally went through that way and those houses sold out before the 5 years they expected to take to sell out all those lots. So, I think there's a market in this area of town for a better product. Um, as we've looked at everything relative to property tax and everything, the higher price point we can get on these, the better opportunity we have for property taxes, the the proposals. And just to to let you know, I'm not in opposition to the type of product he says he's selling. I own I own a property that's zero entry, no basement, buy attached. I own one of those that I bought for my mother. So, I'm not opposed to the product in general. um to have a singlecar garage in this neighborhood with no basement though um implies there's not a lot of places to store things and that generally means you start storing them outside and generally outside storage starts turning into an eyesore um and so we're really concerned about what that might look like as we go forward um been proposed that these were affordable housing I don't if I can show this or not real quick affordable housing but with a single car garage. You're implying that they might not have a lot of cars. This is the bus that shows the bus routes that are close to the star is the where the proposed properties we're

talking about. So, there's no active bus routes in the area. Um the the shaded area is because it's what they call on call services, but as you'll note, the on call services are only available Thursday and Friday. So, that's not convenient for somebody who's trying to work and take a bus to to a work environment. Um, a quick search of Zillow after the PNZ meeting showed that there are a number of houses within our association in the 200 to $250,000 price range with 12-,500 square ft and a basement. So, those would be affordable housing. So, um, and we've talked in front of you before many times about the amount of affordable housing on the south side. Thank you.

Anyone else wishing to speak? Seeing none, I'll

Thank you, your honor. And I do see quite a few more residents out here. And um I was glad I was able to go to the first initial meeting that Mark was there. Mitch, you weren't able to make it, but there was about 40 residents there at least. And uh I sat and listened for about 45 minutes and kept going over the same things over and over. And finally, I just get went to the front and asked, "Is there anyone in favor of this project at all?" Not one person raised their hand. That tells me a lot. I am I appreciate what you want to do. This just isn't the right spot for it. This is a single family home area. It needs to stay the single family home area. You can maybe move some of these to more of the main corridor, Army Post, where there's a lot of farmland. I know you probably don't own any of that right now, but there is a big for sale sign there right now. if you wanted to do something there. Um, you probably had a little bit better chance of doing it in that particular area. I will make a motion to deny this and um hopefully my colleagues will uh will go along with me with that. But, uh, this is not the right place for it for multiple reasons. So, I'll make a motion to deny.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. Unless any other if there's no other comments, we'll please vote.

Five yes, two no, two deny. Motion carries. The next item is item 43, dismissing hearing. On the last item, can we um receive and file C? Oh, right. For the report, do I have a motion to receive and file the reports that were given? 42C. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Sorry.

Okay. We need one more. Carl. Carl. I can't tell who isn't voting anymore. So, okay. We've received and filed it. It's approved. So on to the next item would be item 43 dismissing hearing on approval of plans, specifications, form of contract and engineers estimate on the 2026 sanitary sewer replacement program due to cancellation of bid process. As this is a dismissal of a hearing, no public comment will be received.

It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Seven. Yes.

Motion carried. Item 44 on Guthri Avenue bridge rehabilitation over the Union Pacific Railroad resolution approving plans, specifications, form of contract documents, engineers estimate, receive and file bids and designating the lowest responsive responsible bidder as Jasper Construction Services, Inc. Cliff Roads President 6,124,5641. Council Communications number 26-130 A's approval of contract and bond. Anyone wishing to speak to this item 44 and 44A. And my comment is is I'm pleased to see that this is moving forward. This bridge has been deemed in poor condition for quite some time. We did some patch work a few years ago, but it This this is a great addition. Plus, we're adding um a a a walkway for modes of transportation other than cars, and I'm pleased about that.

That'll be a great addition to it. Absolutely. Second. Moved and seconded. Please vote.

Seven. Yes. Motion carries. Item 45 on consideration of the recommended capital improvement plan program. CIP for fiscal years 2026 through 27 through 2029 through uh through 30. Council communication number 26-125. Anyone wishing to speak to this? You have two minutes to speak. Move approval, your honor. Item 45. Second. Been moved and seconded. Seven. Yes. Motion carries.

Item 46, an amendment to the annual budget for current fiscal year ending June 30th, 2026. Council communication number 26-125. Again, anyone wishing to speak? Two minutes per person. I I just want to clarify for the record that uh there's no maximum on any of the budget hearings. There's a a limit on the each individual speaker, but there should not be a maximum on the item. So for each of those, if they have that on there, that's not for the record. That's not accurate. Okay. So you we have a lot more time. Is there anyone wishing to speak?

I see none. Your honor, I'll move item 46. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Take off. Seven. Yes. Motion carries.

Next item is 47 on the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2027. Council communication number 26-125. And wishing to speak to this Your honor, just real quick before I move the item, I just would like to say as we go forward with the current budget, I I think what we we're we're what we're going to need to take a look at is is some of our public safety and um whether that be um a new fire station with new firefighters and we're going to need to look at a safer grant for that. Um, I know that uh the police department is asking for more officers that there's grants for that also that we need to take a look at through FEMA. Um, we're going to we're going to need to prioritize going forward after this budget depending obviously on what um our wonderful friends do up to us at the Hill and um we're going to find out soon enough by that uh by that discussion here here shortly. But um we definitely I want you to take a look at those as we go as going forward for next year. Um I'd love to hear what some of my colleagues are going to need to what what what their priorities would be. But uh I know as I listen to our residents, they want to feel safe and they want their response times. Um and they and they want to make sure that that is a number one priority. So going forward, I'd like to just put that on your radar. I'll move item 47. a second. I

think one thing too I just want to bring up that to your point, we have many meetings scheduled starting June 17th to start discussing the next year's budget. Uh because again, we still don't know what's going to happen this year, but we're what we've already been impacted like a year ago has not been or two years ago now. Uh has not been advantageous to our city. So hopefully we will see what comes up this year but we are going to get more discussion in a much uh earlier time frame. So is that been moved in second?

And just to respond to my my colleagues question of what do we what do we prioritize? I worry a lot about the quality of life in our city and the ability to meet the needs of those that are most vulnerable. uh and we continue to see the impact uh over and over uh throughout this city and I feel like that's what we're that's what we're constantly working against but without the resources to do so and so I I I am concerned that you know additional expansions and other things that are beyond justifiable will limit our ability to um really address not just the unhoused but also the people that are living on the margins in some of the neighborhoods that don't get the resources that um like an investm has to offer. And we see folks who are, you know, in cycles of of poverty, generational cycles. And and we need to um if we're going to have all these conversations and we're going to talk about it, we need to also talk about what we can do differently to start to to disrupt those cycles of of generational poverty in this community. If if I could just if I could just add, I I too am concerned about uh this the our our staff for our first responders, both police and fire. And I had sent Scott an email earlier this uh this or late last week about we need more police officers. We're asking our officers to do more and more and they're being uh you know as our population grows and as our community has more needs for public safety and we're not we're not addressing that. I understand that we're adding three cadetses which will two cadetses which will take some of the

strain off of our officers to let them do something else. But I think that we have to make a commitment that we are going to increase our police force. Okay. With that we does anyone

I I'd just like to I mean I don't disagree with anything that's been said. I I think public safety is incredibly important and I also think we need to do a a better job or think about how we serve everyone including uh those on the margins. One of the things that that I think I think it's really important that we contextualize this. We've had two years in a row of cuts in terms of the number of employees. Um, and I I've not necessarily been happy about the cuts that have had to be made thus far. Uh, I I do think to to my colleagues who've talked about emphasizing public safety, public safety protected from those cuts relative in some in some regards. And we are we know we are going into a position where I at least I've been warned that our next budget part of why we are starting this conversation earlier is that our next budget is not a status quo budget. We're looking at significant cuts. And and so what prioritizing public safety might mean in the context of significant cuts is different than what what we can do if we all just had our brothers and could could add staff to the levels that we all would want. There are a lot of things that I would love to do, but we just don't have the dollars to do. That's on the public safety side. That's that's across the board on a in a variety of in a variety of places. Uh, and we've lost staff in areas that that I think in in some respects, like I've said, I think are are shortsighted. For example, on sustainability. I think they're opportunities to save us money over the long run that we're missing out on because we don't we no longer have staff

there. So I think the discussion that we're going to have is going to be a very important discussion and that we should put things in context um that and and we should prepare the public that we are heading into what at least as the manager has relayed is going to be a difficult budget year where we're not talking about where where do we get to add. We're talking about what cuts are being made and where. And some of those cuts will be very potentially very painful. And so we're going to need public input on that. And we're going to need uh we're going to need to be honest with the public about what that means, including stakeholders in the in the city that it's going to be tough to to hold the line on existing services across the board because they're going to be some very real cuts that are going to impact quality of life and impact uh impact a number of our departments. I will also note that um I'm glad that there wasn't, you know, there had been talk from from others about a property tax increase. I'm glad we didn't see that in this in this budget. Um but we're going to have a very tough tough budget and tough conversations and I'm glad we're we're going to hopefully engage the public uh in a much more comprehensive way than we have on other items. I think based on the fact that we are facing what we're facing with the cuts and the legislation that was passed, it's very important for people to understand that we aren't just spending money. We are trying to provide the services and the quality of life that people want and deserve. And 2% does not cover inflation. Uh doesn't cover the wages, doesn't cover a lot of things. So uh I think it's important that we

understand that what's being done by others to the cities is playing a major role because we will not be the only city that will be looking at this. We just have a different need than some of the other cities. So uh anyway we are that's why we're starting earlier to get more input and figure out different ways but uh we have not been in this position in the last two years. It has been but before and most of us on this council had not experienced the cuts that they had experienced over in the years be many years before because the sales tax was our buffer but that is being used now for salaries where we were using it for the roads and cutting the property tax and things like that. So anyway uh a lot of things to do ahead of time or going forward. So, appreciate the staff and all the work they did on this budget and getting it to where it was this year and really looking at more than this year, but looking forward to because it it all goes together. So, thank you for you and your staff and um with that we have a motion on the table.

Devin, yes.

Motion carries. Next item is uh oh that was the end of the hearings 548. Item 48 amending chapter 114 of the municipal code regarding traffic regulation changes as follows. Council communication number 26-129. A is parking modification Angusol Avenue between 37th Street and 38th Street. B is parking modification on street parking changes related to Hanoal Elementary School. One, 56th Street between Southwest 58th Drive and Grand Avenue. Two, Robertson Drive between 56th Street and 53rd Street. C is code correction Merced Street to Merced Drive between 54th Street and 29th Street. D code correction East Watress Avenue between Southeast 34th Street and Southeast Brooks Drive. E. Code correction southeast 3rd Street between East Army Post Road and East Bam Drive Avenue. F is speed limit modification Ingresol Avenue from 14th Street to 42nd Street. G is corner clearance parking restrictions. One, East 23rd Street and East Washington Avenue. Two is 31st Street and Forest Avenue. I will move items 48 A through G 1 and two. Um I also want to want to comment on these and I'm willing to move pursuant to rule 42A all but uh item B. I I want to give the neighbor neighborhood a chance if there are objections to that. I have not heard any to date, but I wanna don't want to wave the second and third reading in case. Huh?

B1 and two on the Hannah Elementary School.

Yeah. And then I wanted to just note a couple of these items uh particularly on Ingresol. Uh, one, I wanted to thank the staff for working with the impacted businesses uh, particularly the new Ingresaw Theater to uh, to create a loading zone right in front of that that business. It was something that was identified as a need. Uh, and I know the businesses work together. It will also provide a loading zone for delivery for some of the food service um, and other other things going on there. And then the other thing I wanted to take thank staff for is the speed limit modification between uh 14th Street and 42nd along Ingresol. This uh creates some consistency along that corridor. Uh we've been working really hard to make that a safe corridor, an accessible corridor, a corridor that works for people who are walking, biking, uh what whatever way they are getting around. And speed is a component of creating a safe corridor, having a consistent speed, which we've been moving towards and which we've been changing over time, uh, but had caused maybe some consternation for residents because, uh, some parts of the corridor had already hit that safer speed and this part had not. This maybe makes clear that the goal is a safe speed for everyone and that we're not trying to not trying to create a speed trap. We're trying to create a consistent corridor, a safe corridor, and I think we've been reaching those results as as we can see by the number of accidents come down along that corridor and the number of severe accidents has been significantly reduced as well. So, I will make that motion. 48A through uh G1 and two and I'll wave the second

and third reading for all but item 48B, B1 and B2. Happy to to second that motion. Moved and seconded. Please vote. Seven. Yes.

Motion carries. Next item is 49 amen section 1118-275 of the municipal code relating to storm water charges. Council communication number 26-125 A is the final consideration of the ordinance above. Waiver requested by Nicholas J. Shaw. Uh finance director requires six votes. Is there a motion? Move approval.

Just to just for clarity, I'll move approval of 49 49a. Okay, it's been moved and seconded. Please vote. Six. Yes. One abstain. No, I want to vote no. Sorry. It's okay. Uh I don't know how to That's okay. Okay. Just register. Yes. So, six yes, one no. Motion carries. Item 50 is established in the Carpenter tiff district number two in the Carpenter urban renewal area.

Mayor move 50. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Please vote. I'm missing one. Seven. Yes. Okay. Motion carries.

Item 51 amending ordinance number 16443 established in the capital city reinvestment district pursuant to Iowa code chapter 15J to amend the boundaries of the district and include additional projects. Council communication number 26-118 A is final consideration of the ordinance above wave requested by Scott Sanders. City manager requires six votes. I'll move 51 and 51A. Second moved and seconded. Please vote.

Seven. Yes.

Motion carries. Next item is uh for this public speaking. Uh we provide speakers under the public speaking portion the opportunity to address a council for up to three minutes each for up to 20 speakers for a total of one hour on the agenda. Speakers will be called forward individually and we ask everyone to please state their name, address or ward prior to providing comments. Please keep comments germaine and avoid references to personalities or character taxes. Those types of comments do not contribute to the purpose for which this public forum exists. As a reminder to the council and the public, this public speaking time is to hear your comments and if there is a need to follow up, we will get it to the appropriate staff or council members following after this meeting. I want to thank you for your support of De Mo. The first speaker we have is Benjamin Ward. Is Benjamin here? We'll move on to Ed Fallon. I don't see him. Justin Kinsey and Bob Haynes. Hi, Bob Haynes, 30656 Street. I just want to talk about Hannahald Elementary, the traffic thing that uh Josh was just talking about. Uh, I received a letter that it would be a 10-hour parking restriction, uh, 7:00 to 5:00 p.m. School is only open from 7:40 to 2:35. Um, backs up for 10 to 15 minutes at the most at 7:30 and 2:25. I don't know why we just can't restrict those times. Uh, we have people that come throughout the day, remodelers, pest companies. Um, they need to park in front of our houses. I don't I don't know. We're losing eight spots, I think, total. But, and I'm all about school safety. My kids went there. But if you give them

more space to get around, people are just they're going to probably go around and get a little more speed to go around. So, maybe looking into speed bumps or improving the crosswalk there. Uh, thank you. Okay. Thank you, your honor. I'll make a motion receiving file 52 A through D. Second. It's been moved in a second. Please vote.

Motion carries. At this point, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn, your honor. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? I. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you for being here.