City Council - Regular Meeting

Oh, okay. Stand for a moment of silence in the Pledge of Allegiance.

All right, we'll move to interviews today for the Historic Preservation Commission.

McFarland, would you like to come up, please? Hi, tell us about yourself and why you'd like to.

Is there a nomination process that could go along with that?

So if I saw a home, there could be a process that you could add another layer to it and I could nominate someone.

That's it. Thanks, Amy. Hey, and I had mentioned last week, Amy and I are very good friends. And her husband, Steve, has had some health issues. And I'm so pleased that he's doing better.

That's one of the things you want to get booted out of. That's right. Give Steve my regards. Thanks, Amy.

No way are you as old as me. No. Amy, are you as old as Craig? No.

Yeah, I think we appreciate your interest. You're in social work, is that right? I used to be. Used to be? Yep. Okay. Yep. Great. I think you'll bring a great perspective and you'll be able to work with Amy and make good things happen.

Thanks so much. All right, we'll move on to the consent agenda, items three through 12F. They constitute a consent agenda. Items passed unanimously unless a separate roll call. Vote is requested by a council member. Anyone wishing to speak on an agenda item may come to the podium at the time the item is being discussed. Anyone wishing to speak on an item not on the agenda may do so at the end of the regular meeting during citizen concerns. Fill out a citizen concern card that are found out in the hallway and outside the chamber entrance and give it to the city manager, Mike.

All right. I'll move the consent agenda. Second.

Item 3 reading of the September 16th and 21st City Council minutes. Item 4 motion accepting the effective fiscal and Public Policy Committee FY26 annual report.

Julie, can I ask two quick questions or one question and one comment in looking at the annual report notes that that committee was started in 2011? But I am. 99% certain and not that it's critical to reflect, but I thought for certain that committee was started when I was on the City Council back in 2006-2007.

Okay, thank you for that clarification. Then the other comment I have is the information you shared with us does go through generally what their responsibilities are, but it seems more often than not when we're asked to review a fee or permit structure that we're not necessarily, and maybe the committee actually looked at the information, but I think that one of the reasons we have that committee is to preliminarily address a fee structure is an example the stormwater fee that we went through during the budget cycle that I don't recall the fiscal management committee reviewing and approving or

A year prior. items before they come to us. There may be particular items that you don't think necessarily need to, but I would say as a general rule, I would like the fiscal management and public policy committee to look at those similar types of items before they get to us.

Item 5, resolution recommending to the United States Department of Transportation an airline carrier to provide air service to the airport, SkyWest Airlines. Item 6, resolution authorizing the police department to apply for and receive FFY 2027 State and Community Highway Safety Grant funding administered by the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau from the Iowa Department of Public Safety for overtime hours, training-related travel, and equipment.

Chief, what's the breakdown of the $104,000? How would would you propose to break down between the overtime, the training, and the equipment?

I was curious whether there was a stronger or more significant allocation to equipment and capital items and whether it would offset the capital budget, but for $2,000.

We apply for this pretty much every year, right?

Item 8, actions relating to agreements and contracts. A, resolution amending resolution number 2026-083. Did you miss 7? Oh. I did I'm sorry.

I had an ex by that Resolution awarding the purchase order to mighty life for banquet tables and carts much needed I will say so the the CIP's got an allocation of about six hundred and twenty three thousand dollars if we approve this in the consent agenda for 207, how are we allocating the balance of the 416 assuming my math is right

And do we, so is the 416 that's still available consistent? Is the 207 consistent with where you thought we would be in the CIP?

Item 8, actions relating to agreements and contracts, resolution amending resolution number 2026-0833 authorizing the intergovernmental support agreement with the 185th refueling wing to use the regional training tower. B, resolution approving an amendment to license the naming agreement with Tyson Fresh Meats to conclude the naming rights for Tyson Event Center.

Nicole, you've had a chance to look at the agreement, work with Mike, and understand the dialogue that we've had?

Yes. 8C, resolution approving the contract with KP Construction for the Stone Avenue Sanitary Sewer Emergency Relief Project. Item 8D, resolution...

Okay. the stone Avenue sanitary emergency repair.

Okay. Thank you, Teresa. 8D, resolution approving renewal option number one to the purchase order of HICAM for an additional one-year period for the purchase of HyperFLOC liquid polymer.

Vicki, can I ask a question? This actually relates to E as well. So whoever's got E. Question I've got is when we've got a renewal option, we know what the price is going to be or they submit the price. How do we confirm that that's commercially reasonable and whether we should otherwise be getting bids for that commodity?

But we're not obligated to the contract.

But how are we making sure that we've confirmed that number is commercially reasonable?

Yeah. And would that nullify our opportunity to renew at that great price if it is? Correct. Okay, that's what I thought.

But there's nothing prohibiting us from checking commercially reasonable numbers. And then if we renew based on both of our agreements, and it's probably a fairly reasonable safe assumption that if they're agreeing to that extension for one more year, that it's likely consistent with where their numbers would be. I just don't think it hurts us to confirm that.

But if we go out for bids, what I was wondering, the bid would go out to this vendor as well.

But I don't think you have to go out for bids. All you're doing is some independent research to confirm what the pricing would be. I'd ask Spiro on what that looks like.

8E, even though we kind of covered the discussion, I'm going to read it. Resolution approving renewal option number one to purchase order with the EVSDX for an additional one year period of the purchase of chlorine. F, resolution approving cooperative agreement between the Iowa Office of Civil Rights and Human Rights Commission for the purpose of cross filing of complaints. Number nine, action authorizing payments, resolution authorizing payment to Cardus Fence Company for the perimeter fence improvement project at the airport.

So this is a 95-5 split? Yes. Our portion is the 5%? Yes, that pay is 95%. Okay.

Which is always the best deal. 9B, resolution authorizing payment to TR Harris Construction for the South Airport Apron Reconstruction Project, Phase 2 at the airport. 9C, resolution approving a settlement agreement and release regarding claims by Judy Kellen.

Hey, Julie, can we pull that one out? Just because I don't think settlement should be in consent.

Is this on the vote to pull it out or the vote? Is this the vote to pull it out of the consent agenda or the vote on the item?

All right. Item 10, actions relating to property, resolution proposing to sell the property adjacent to 3111 Marshall Avenue, petitioner Ding Dong. 10b, resolution proposing to sell property adjacent to 714 South Alice Street and 3113 Marshall Avenue, petitioners Aaron and Christina Edwardson. C, resolution inviting proposals for the sale of land in the Donner Park Urban Renewal Area, announcing the intent to accept the proposal of Purdue Premium Meat Company and setting a date for a public hearing. Vacated right-of-way south of the intersection of Discovery Boulevard and Southbridge Drive.

I don't have a problem approving of this item because it's inviting proposals, but I do think we need to visit about the details of this particular proposal and probably more importantly, Marty, Renee, what I'd like to see is if when we're looking at economic development proposals, and maybe you share this with the ED team, but what I'd like to see is maybe an application process and a scoring process. I don't know what the qualifiers and the quantifiers would necessarily look like, but I'm guessing that we could help put together what a proposal should look like. I know that the proposals, th

I'm start over. I'm trying to figure out what are you asking? I'm asking that when development agreements.

First of all, I want to make sure that Teresa is comfortable with every development agreement that we propose that were asked to review and approve. And I think that. The most efficient way to do that is if we have an application process and a quantified and qualified scoring system that evaluates the basis of the project, the need for the project, and where our financial commitment is to support that project. So who evaluates it?

This one's about the sale of land, though.

Yeah. But it's also, there's also a 10-year tax, proposed tax deferral or rebate. And that's, I think, before we simply start approving those projects, I think, I'm not on the Economic Development Committee, so I don't get a lot of this detail. I want to know more detail in the projects than just necessarily what we get in this material. And I think an application and I think a proposal A quantified and qualified scoring system would help.

The only problem with that, and I get where you're going with this, but the only problem I have with that is that you bring in subjectivity pretty quick on scoring systems because we've all been involved in them. They're not objective. That's just my opinion. And then plus it's another step that it's like, why?

And there are four pages in the homework with some descriptive information on it.

I was able to read the details on this project. I just don't know how the committee and finance and Mike came up with the decision. Sure. to propose the rebate schedule that you did. I understand the project, I understand that it's adjacent to a very significant project that they've worked on, but we're talking about a 10 year, 100% tax rebate for a period of time.

And that material's in what we received. I had a chance to read the homework. What I'm saying is I would like, as I move forward and we look at different projects, that we have an objective analysis. There will be some subjectivity. Rick's right. Because you're looking at the nature and the quality of the project. but there are also quantifiable factors that influence all of these decisions. And I'd like to know how you are working with Mike and Theresa to better understand those, to present those to the Economic Development Committee to then present to us. Okay.

Well, we'll certainly maybe put this on our agenda for our next team meeting, Rick, and maybe discuss it and see if it's viable.

Well, we will talk about Craig's addition. Okay. If we can get that worked in.

Okay, thank you. That'd be great. Thank you.

Item 11, applications for alcohol licenses. Please see the list. Item 12, board, commission, and committee minutes.

It's under new ownership. Oh, okay. Brand new license. Okay. Item 12, board, commission, and committee minutes.

The only request I would make, and I've asked before, some of the minutes that we have in front of us are dated back into May and June. I'd like to get those, even if they're posted as draft minutes and haven't been approved by the Board or Commission, I'd still like to get those marked as draft and be able to review those well before October for a May meeting.

This is the end of the consent agenda. Cast your votes.

Consent agenda passes 4-0. Mayor Scott is absent. Item 13, Recommendations of Planning and Zoning. Ordinance Mending Chapter 25.05 of the Municipal Code entitled Site Development to Update Requirements for Off-Premises Advertising Signs to Repeal the Interim Sign Ordinance. Petitioner, City of Sioux City. P&Z recommends approval. First consideration approved. Second consideration approved as well.

Yeah, I agree. There was a ton of work put in this. I followed up a lot throughout the process with Chris, and there's a lot of details. There's a lot of little items that can slip through that, I mean, you comb over it 100 times and something will squeak through. So I appreciate all the work that's been done by P&Z totally, 100%. Okay.

Yeah, I appreciate the work that's been done as well. I know this is a very arduous process in looking at how it affects us locally and looking at other communities and their ordinances and trying to adopt something. I'm going to actually ask that we defer this item because Bob's not here and I think Bob has valuable input. I don't know how that affects the moratorium issue or that vote, but...

But whether we, but part of this is to affect the moratorium, isn't it? To trigger that date?

Okay, good. But I do think Bob's input is valuable. I know he's voted. On the first and second reading I think we get additional commentary and dialogue on the third reading I would like to move to defer the item we can have the dialogue I have no problem discussing this and I have some concerns as drafted but I'd like to see Bob have the opportunity and show him the respect to let him share his thoughts as well in a final reading well then we might as well wait for the discussion as well so he gets all of the

Except if there's a man who says I should a minute now that'll carry it into the next week. We're going to. It's going to be a de facto. That's why I say it's going to be de facto deferment anyways, because if I throw an amendment on it, we gotta wait only if correct.

That takes a week, that's what I'm saying. So right now, if I was to propose to support the cap and replace, I'm proposing the at-cost permitting process, yearly, annual, and review of 650. So 1,500 was a little crazy, so we dialed it back to try to match up the costs. So I'm proposing that you guys find where it fits in and then bring it back to us.

Oh, it's an inspection and permitting fee? Yeah.

annual per sign. Not based upon size, not based upon square footage, just flat. It's no different than we do in other aspects of the city.

So the basis for establishing an annual whether it's a permit or a review fee. It has to generally address the cost associated with a review or an annual inspection, correct? Correct. So how do we, I don't know whether Rick's number of $650 a year is right or not, but how do we confirm that that is the right number so that you're comfortable with it from a legal standpoint?

Just a general inspection. Right? Yeah. And that's, if we're going to cap and replace, then these are going to be our permanent structures and this is going to be our, then we should have an annual and we should have a, you know, just like we do for other businesses.

And I appreciate, Rick, the proposal that you're making. I don't know if $650 annually is the right number or not. I'm like everybody. I don't want a proliferation of billboards. I want to be cognizant of beautification and making sure that our community addresses this issue adequately. Based upon what I understand, I don't necessarily believe that a cap and replace program is necessary. Last week when we visited about this, we talked about 1,100 sites being available. I'm certainly not proposing that we try and find 1,100 different sites, but I asked the follow-up question of how many of that

But the community doesn't think so. And I know that we're looking at, I think you said that a certain percentage based upon per capita, and I asked for a number, what does that mean on a per square foot basis? Nobody that I visited with in the last week believes we've got a billboard issue. It seems to me, that in part we're reacting to an issue on Floyd Boulevard. And I think we're not going to be able to address reducing the number of billboards on Gordon Drive. They're grandfathered in, correct? And we're addressing where those locations can be, the height, the distance, et cetera. I don't

That's great. You get to have your vote for that. I totally respect that, but we're having the discussion and the mayor's not here. Let's not do that. Rick, please propose what you'd like to for the amendment.

I'd like to propose that staff figures out what part of the code you want to slide that in and do a general review and permitting on an annual basis. I'm just basing it upon cap and replace too. I would support it with that.

Is the proposal and the vote then still subject to confirming that $650 is an appropriate fee to make sure that staff believes that that is the appropriate amount to charge on an annual basis?

Just want to make sure we're on the same page. So you feel like it's in the correct range?

My guess is we're going to have a little more people in here next week again. That'd be my guess.

And they're 100% for the cap in place. So a lot more going on here than just fees and...

Yeah, it does. Yeah. Mr. Koscovich, would you like to weigh in?

Or you purchase some that are already there.

But again, we get accused of bullying somebody trying to force them to do something. You're not bullying.

I didn't say all the time. I said they come up for sale. Lamar bought from Verde. Verde bought from Avery. That's fine.

Again... You know, I'm playing a little politics here, too. I mean, you see what I'm doing with this. It's like, if you want the cap in place, you're closing down the industry. I also appreciate what Julie's trying to say by the viaduct and trying to protect integrity. But I also think that if you're going to shut down and create a complete monopoly... Then you completely shut down the revenue side of it for the city. That's right. So I agree. These fees could go to block to block and for downtown. You can put them anywhere. You're buying out old signs, whatever you want to do. So there's a lo

Got approved for one of them, because I let you know that personally. Okay.

You told me that there were three, and one of them was approved.

Well, when is enough billboards? Who gets to decide that?

For me, it's not that. For me, it's we're 55% per capita, as high as 55% over what communities around us that we thrive to be like. Everybody wants to be like Sioux Falls, Des Moines, Omaha, all these cities, but we are already above them for the number of billboards that we have.

I said you have the right to your opinion.

Good news is we get to do this all again with Bob here.

Right. We can stop the discussion until the mayor comes back. That's what we said we were going to do.

So let me ask you this, and I don't know this answer. I don't know this answer. So if a billboard right now, Paul tries to put a billboard up, and he goes to the permit process, does that individual board come to the council? It doesn't, does it?

Well, some of the dialogue last week, depending on what's adopted, is whether they need to seek a conditional use permit through the Board of Adjustment, correct?

Yes. But currently right now, if you're going to put a board up, because the question I always get is how do they get the big ones up there on 75 that are intertwined with all the power lines and all that stuff? It's like, how did that happen? And so that's the question. So we're redoing the criteria, which is good, smart. But do the boards... I mean, maybe this is something as simple as maybe moving forward, every board has to come in front of the council. It sounds crazy, but...

I don't like a site plan. I don't like that. I just like that, you know, I mean... But effectively, it's just site call. I know, but you know where this is going to go. But, you know, you got to get in and, you know, but I'm saying is it... Maybe it's something as simple as that. I mean, let's talk about it. Yeah, it's coming back.

Yeah, the cell towers. Those all came in front of the council individually, right?

You know what? I can withdraw it. I was going to say you're going to wait for Bob. I don't care. You know what? I totally get it. There's a bigger discussion there.

And in the meantime, will you look at whether that $650 is directionally correct? Okay.

Can I ask for direction from you guys to do the legwork on it and prepare it?

It doesn't mean I know it's going to cost us a week, but even if you just prepare where it would fit into this and if it would fit into it and do your legalese on it.

Sure, we can certainly examine that. If it passes next week, then we'll require a fourth reading.

We would include it in the materials next week.

Hearings. Item 14, hearing and resolution, instituting proceedings to take additional action for the authorization of a loan disbursement agreement and the issuance of water revenue capital loan.

I'll move this item. Second. So on this item, the $7 million is noted as Highway 71 water main upsize project. Are there any other intended uses for these funds?

Oh, hold a minute. Okay, we needed to step back just for a moment, Craig. So we have a motion and a second. The public hearing's now open. Okay. Okay.

OK, now so this is a $7 million request and it's noted as the Highway 75 water main upsize project. Are there other intended uses of the $7 million fund assistant city manager?

Okay. Voting is ended. The measure passes 4-0 with Mayor Scott absent. Item 15, hearing and resolution approving the proposal to sell property adjacent to 3501 West 35th Street and 3415 West 31st Street and authorizing the deed. Petitioner John and Margaret Fitch.

Oh, in the print, it does say $9,990. So there's a typographical.

Deed itself. If you look at the deed, no all meant by these presents and go to the consideration language, the all caps, this is $9,990 and zero cents. Then in the parents and in the RCA, it says 9,900 even.

Anyone else to be heard? So we'll be voting with the correction.

Hearing is now closed. Please vote. Measure passes 4-0. The mayor is absent. Item 16, hearing and resolution determining an area of Sioux City to be a blighted area and designating such area as an appropriate for an urban renewal project and adopting amendment number one to the amended restated combined central Sioux City CBD urban renewal plan. Properties located along Pierce Street and Iowa Street. Can I get a motion, please? So moved.

Hearing is now open. Anyone to be heard?

So Nicole, is it an issue that on the amendment and at the consultation meeting in September that the school district was not present? It's not a quorum issue.

Anyone else to be heard? Seeing none, the hearings now closed. Please cast your vote. The measure passes 4-0 with Mayor Scott absent. That's the end of the agenda. Have any citizen concerns? Anyone to be heard?

Sir, Mr. Baker, we can be in support of it, but it still has to go through the legal process. So our legal team has to verify with the state of Iowa that we can legally offer.

And we're not saying that you can't. We're just saying that our legal team here at the city has got to verify through the state that we can legally do that.

And you've already you've already proposed the idea and we're thankful for that and we're considering it but It has got to go through the legal process.

I remember him taking away on the trash and we found a new solution for that by offering a smaller bin, right? But we came up with a new solution. We offered a smaller bin with a smaller fee because if your senior citizen you don't have as much trash.

to give you the opportunity to ask for it.

But you won't need to submit a new application. No, we'll allow that. The application that you filed will work if the ordinance is approved, but it won't be retroactive to the day that you filed it.

Good. Thank you. Mr. Baker, I do want you to know that I think I can speak for the council and the city that we do appreciate your service and what you've done for this country. And we understand some of the perspective of those that did serve, especially in Vietnam and when they returned. But please know that we do respect your service and we respect you as a person.

I know when we visited in the past, you've identified particular locations, like on Gordon Drive, also on Lakeport. Right.

Wasn't Captain Bertrand here when you were here two weeks ago and I thought he was going to follow up?

No, I'm just asking some clarity. Where you're going with this is what you want. What do I want? That's all I'm asking.

But I asked her, where is she going? What does she think she wants is what I asked.

I'm guessing maybe there are cameras at Hy-Vee or across the street at the hotel. Are you talking about Lakeport and Gordon? No, I thought you were talking about Gordon Drive now.

Who gave you this information, ma'am? Who was saying that to you?

No, no, no, no. I just, I'm wondering who had that conversation.

You don't look like a fool. We take great respect for what you're sharing. Quick question. Wasn't it you that called me about motorcycle riders on Lakeport in about February of this year?

But didn't you call me specifically, and you and I visited, and Captain- I did not call you specifically.

So yes. Did I not introduce you to the lead engineer at our local Iowa DOT via email? You said you were CCing me on an email.

So what do you want? What would you like? What do you want? I'm just curious. What do you want? We all do. You're up here. You're drawing our attention, which is good. But don't make it that we're not responding. We're just listening.

Because of the motorcycle drivers, right?

Oh, what the taxes, property taxes. Gotcha.

We share the same concern. whether you believe it's getting you to a place where you're having the right discussions, the most efficient and the most effective thing that we can do as council members is put you in touch with the subject matter experts, whether it's the chief of police, the chief of the fire department, whether it's Gordon Fair, whether it's Daryl or Marty or anybody else, Karen, anybody. We work with Mike Collette and his team with Nicole and her team to make sure that we are putting together the most efficient and effective processes available. When you come and present your

But Ryan Bertrand reached out to you immediately and started having violence.

Ma'am, ma'am. We're far beyond the three-minute threshold we've afforded you.

You don't look like a crazy person. I'm not a crazy person. You're a concerned citizen.

You, I provided your email and your contact. That's my phone. Yep, your phone.

But she never sent me an email, so I wasn't able to forward that kind of CC.

And you and I had a conversation on the 18th. Yep. A very pleasant, long conversation. Yes. that you just said we didn't have. No, no, no, no.

One was to you specifically. You contacted us on March 16th, and I contacted you on March 17th.

Well, I just want to know that you're...

Right. We have to turn information to our experts. I'm not an expert on traffic. I'm not an expert on traffic. Well, I hope you understand that. That is our process. I am just...

Anyone else to be heard? Oh. Oh, sorry, I forgot the presentation. Come on up. Oh my gosh. Wistful thinking that it was going to finish up.

Hurry up, Darrell. I'm just kidding. Just kidding.

I haven't had a nasty phone call coming up on three weeks and I just jinxed myself. I know that I just jinxed it, but it's actually been the reverse. I probably got three or four really good calls from great. That's good. Any faces that are and not just through your department, but I was going to save this for for Council comments, but I'll save it now is. even like the fire marshal with ASAP and those guys, you know, they'll reach out and I'll say, you know, like on the turnaround, stuff like that. In years past, I think we were pretty rigid and pretty kind of abrasive almost. And I can say w

And then on the... Oh, I thought you were done.

440 square thousand square foot building, which is just slightly over 10 acres.

Chief, I was going to comment during council concerns, but since you're here, I'll comment now. I think as a council, we've all had a number of opportunities over the last couple of weeks to attend various events. I know that the warming shelter had an event last week. There was a group of faith-based organizations that had an event at the museum two weeks ago, and then on Friday, I went to an event at the Gospel Mission. I think we're finding great teamwork, great partnerships, and everybody wants to continue to find a resolution to what effectively are very global issues. But I think you and

All right. Well, that concludes the agenda. Council concerns.

Briefly, as always. First, I want to thank Tom Pingel. We had a nice meeting with a long outstanding issue. He talked to you about that with a developer and I thought we cleared up a lot of stuff with him to the point where he actually walked out smiling. I just want to thank him and his professionalism. Tom is an A player and when you talk about you know, who needs to stay and who needs to go. Tom's a guy that needs to stay. And I want to make sure that he knows that, that he's appreciated and he's an A player. Second, we talked about bringing in Patrick, talking about snow. Snow's on the way

So we're just waiting for that. So we said we're waiting for foliage and the trees have not been convinced yet that fall is here. But I just want to keep that front of mind that the state is going to or the county is going to generously jump in with us to clean that up. And I want to stay on there.

Yeah and then also the last last but not least I too Craig attended that that meeting on Mount Zion in the warming shelter and all the key leaders I probably attended it for their different reasons simply because I didn't want to get butchered that I didn't go so I did go and I took it in and it was very refreshing to hear all of the progress that's happening in the community in the last three or four months but I think it's sometimes it's a little rich when you sit in those meetings And they talk about all the progress and the statistics in the last four or five months. But let's be real clea

Very quickly, the SUBE event really was nice. It was great to see not only the progress that they've made, but them talking about the commitment they have to this community. The gentleman, the president of their board that spoke actually got emotional about the commitment that the members and their organization have to what they do for globally for this country and internationally and the commitment they've got to the community. So it was really nice to see and I thought Mayor Scott did a really nice job as did the other speakers. And the chamber dinner, congratulations to them. The great even

Great. I don't really have much to add. You guys have covered most everything I was going to talk about, the chamber dinner, the groundbreaking. What I would like to do with our news outlets here is challenge you guys to put a poll out because I saw a poll on should we rebrand and get a new logo and should we rename the Tyson? I'd like to see you put a poll out on these billboards, like our billboards in your roadsides and in your guidelines. So I'm just going to issue a little challenge. So I'll be watching social media to see if I see that. With that, I move we adjourn.