Sam Chia

The City Council meeting included the approval of the agenda and several consent items, such as the minutes from previous meetings for the City Council, Park Board, Planning and Zoning, and the January Claims List and Financial Reports. Key discussion and consideration items included the Jester Presentation, where a dividend check from the IAMU safety insurance program was expected; setting a public hearing for amending Chapter 165 regarding Zoning Regulations (specifically addressing Accessory Dwelling Units and Variance Criteria to comply with new Iowa law); authorizing a transfer of $162,050 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for GO Series 2021 Bonds FY24 debt service; approving the disposal of surplus Police Department property; and adopting an Unclaimed Property Policy. Department reports were also presented.

The meeting covered several agenda items. Key discussions and potential actions included Resolution #2026-8 concerning balance transfers for the FY25 Audit Journal Entries. The council also held a discussion regarding the FY27 Preliminary Budget, which included reviewing documents related to insurance expenses, levy rates, and proposed budgets for various departments, as well as an updated Capital Improvement Plan list. Furthermore, there was a discussion and possible action item related to the City Administrator Employment Agreement.

The meeting commenced with standard opening procedures, including the Pledge of Allegiance and a Civility Statement. Key actions included the approval of the agenda and the Consent Agenda, which involved approving several previous meeting minutes (October 13, October 27, September 29, December 1) and accepting the November Claims List, while deferring October Financial Reports and the FY25 Street Finance Report. Substantive discussions and resolutions covered the sworn oath for new officer Nathaniel Schwab, appointing representatives to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Dallas County 911 Board, approval of a Plat Waiver for Lautner, amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Invision Architecture, setting employee wages for CY26, and authorizing an agreement for the Network Refresh Project. The Council also discussed and possibly approved the Van Meter Park System Plan and the Van Meter Parks & Rec Banner Sponsorship.

The meeting commenced with standard procedures including the Pledge of Allegiance and a Civility Statement reading. Key discussions and actions included approving the agenda (with certain items moved to a future meeting), conducting a Citizen Hearing where public comments addressed zoning changes and live streaming requests, and adopting the Consent Agenda (which also involved moving several items forward). Major discussion items addressed approving a resolution for a 319 Van Buren address assignment, considering a tax abatement for 29365 Hickory Lodge, awarding the contract for the Richland Road Trail Project, setting employee wages for CY26, and approving contracts for the City Administrator and City Attorney. The session concluded with appointments to Council Committees and Board Liaisons for CY26, and receiving reports from various city departments.

The agenda for the Board of Adjustment meeting includes the Call to Order/Roll Call and Approval of the Agenda. The primary focus is a Public Hearing regarding a Reduced Setback Variance Request for the property at 320 Hudson, submitted by Justin Barck. The request seeks to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet to 20 feet to permit the construction of a new home. The agenda outlines the standard public hearing procedures for testimony and evidence presentation.