Council Bluffs City Council Meeting - February 23, 2026

The Council Bluffs City Council met on February 23, 2026, for a study session beginning at 3:45 PM and a regular meeting at 7:00 PM. The agenda included a proclamation, budget presentation, human resources policy discussion, public hearings on bond issues and plats, and multiple resolutions. Key topics were the proposed STEM Innovation High School at River's Edge, a donor plaza, and a dog park. The council voted to move forward with a public hearing on the STEM school land sale, defeated a donor plaza resolution, and rejected a dog park MOU on the wet side of the levee.

Proclamation

• Mayor Jill Shudak proclaimed March 1–7, 2026 as Women in Construction Week, recognizing the National Association of Women in Construction, Greater Omaha Chapter 116, for its 61 years of service and contributions to community development.

Budget Presentation (Unleashed Council Bluffs FY2027)

• Mark Ekman, Executive Director of Unleashed Council Bluffs, presented the proposed FY2027 budget. Key statistics: $334 million in visitor spending (calendar year 2024), $3.184 million in hotel/motel tax revenue (FY2025), and double-digit growth in website metrics (unique visitors up 22%, sessions 16%, page views 26%). The request was for a 5% increase (approximately $41,000) to cover inflation and remain competitive with similar cities. The budget is balanced between revenue and expenses, with a projected negative balance of approximately $145,000 in FY2026 that will be reinvested.
• Council members asked about digital marketing metrics, casino investment trends, and team size (currently 4 full-time staff, with plans to hire a fifth).

Human Resources: Parental Leave Policy Research

• Brenda (HR) presented a summary of parental leave policies from neighboring municipalities. Options ranged from 4 to 12 weeks of paid leave. She noted that providing paid leave would have minimal incremental cost since the employee would be absent regardless; overtime coverage would be the main expense. Current city policy allows only 16 hours of sick leave for family care (non-union).
• Council discussed the need for input from department heads before making a decision. Brenda will gather feedback and present a draft policy at the next meeting (March 9, 2026). The council agreed to keep the item on the agenda but not to delay it further.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rodeo Promotion: Cody Flinton, owner of Big Bucks Pro Rodeo, requested community support for the rodeo event at Mid-America Center on March 20–21, 2026. He mentioned affordable tickets and a desire to partner with schools for anti-bullying assemblies.
• STEM Innovation High School (Consent Agenda B): Multiple speakers urged the council to vote yes on setting a public hearing for the sale of city-owned property at River's Edge to the school district for a STEM high school.
  • Robert Schlott (community volunteer) described the 15-month planning process, a $30–35 million cost estimate, and $24 million in pledges. He emphasized the need for a written agreement.
  • Jared Tripp (school board president) highlighted the strategic location, stating it would serve as a "beacon of innovation" and that the district has invested time and resources in reliance on earlier discussions.
  • Pat Peters (school board member) cited economic benefits: STEM jobs grow 8.1% in Iowa, median wage over $103,000, and property values near schools can increase by 20%.
  • Amanda Jens (principal) argued the location is a "front porch" that signals progress and facilitates partnerships with nearby industry.
  • Kathleen Schmidting (CTE coordinator) noted that 91% of district graduates earn a diploma plus one credential, and the school would build on that success.
  • Justin Heckman (teacher) shared success stories of students who went on to careers at NASA and MIT, crediting project-based learning.
  • Maria Sotillo (parent) supported the school for offering hands-on learning and workforce pathways.
  • Dr. Vicky Morello (superintendent) warned that if the land sale is not approved, the district would have to ask taxpayers for a bond.
  • Two students, Lucia Wolf and Zed Wolf, spoke in favor, citing their robotics and engineering interests.
  • A letter from former council member Mike Wolf was read, supporting the school as an economic driver.
• Donor Plaza: Deborah Peterson (local property owner) opposed the $600,000 taxpayer-funded donor plaza, arguing that the city should not pay for recognition of private donors. She emphasized the need for written contracts and questioned the project's necessity.

Discussion Items

• STEM School Location: The council debated whether to set a public hearing for the sale of Block 7 at River's Edge for the STEM high school. Council members expressed support for the concept but disagreed on the location. Doug Rowe, who served on the original River's Edge planning committee, argued that the site was intended for commercial development to generate tax revenue and that a school would not fit the plan. He preferred to wait for a developer. Roger Sandow and Jill Shudak (mayor) also favored a different location for the school. Joe DeSalvo and Cole Button supported the River's Edge location, citing the need to act now and the school's potential to attract families and businesses. The motion to approve the consent agenda (which included setting the public hearing) passed on a voice vote. (Note: The exact tally was unclear from the transcript; the motion carried.)
• Dog Park MOU (Resolution 2674): The council considered an amendment to the MOU for the Southwest Iowa Nonprofit for Collective Impact (SYNC) to allow a dog park on the wet side of the levee at River's Edge. Council members preferred the dry side as originally planned. Staff reported that two alternative dry-side locations had been identified. The motion to approve failed (no further detail).
• Donor Plaza (Resolution 2676): The resolution would have approved preliminary and conditional use of $600,000 in CIP funds for a donor plaza at River's Edge. Extensive discussion covered whether the city should fund donor recognition, the lack of a firm cost estimate, and the need for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval. The council expressed willingness to recognize donors but not at a fixed $600,000 without a design or bid. The motion failed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda A: Approved (unanimous).
• Consent Agenda B: Approved (motion to set a public hearing for the STEM school land sale). The public hearing will be scheduled for a future meeting.
• Public Hearings (Resolutions 26-58 through 26-66): All seven bond purpose hearings and the related resolutions were approved (various amounts for general obligation bonds).
• Final Plat – Hawkeye Height Subdivision Replat (Resolution 26-67): Approved on a roll call vote (4 ayes, 1 abstention from Doug Rowe).
• Final Plat – Whispering Oaks Phase 5 (Resolution 26-68): Approved on a roll call vote (3 ayes, 2 abstentions from Doug Rowe and Roger Sandow).
• West Broadway Urban Renewal Plan Amendment (Resolution 26-69): Approved.
• Tap-on Fees Ordinance (Ordinance 6669): Approved on third reading.
• Lien Schedule (Resolution 26-70): Approved.
• Western Engineering Bid for Pavement Resurfacing (Resolution 26-71): Approved.
• Ashland Road Excavating Bid for Indian Creek Levy (Resolution 26-72): Approved.
• Security National Bank Agreement (Resolution 26-73): Approved (10-year contract).
• Dog Park MOU (Resolution 26-74): Failed (motion did not carry).
• Cobalt Credit Union Planned Commercial Development (Resolution 26-75): Approved.
• Donor Plaza (Resolution 26-76): Failed.
• Black Hills Parking Lot Planned Industrial Development (Resolution 26-77): Approved.
• Tax Abatements (Resolutions 26-78 through 26-85): Approved.
• Permits and Cancellations: Approved.
• Other Business: Councilman Sandow raised an issue with the West Broadway overlay sign ordinance that prevents businesses from refacing existing pole signs. The council directed the legal department to draft an amendment for the next meeting.