Council Bluffs City Council Study Session and Regular Meeting - March 23, 2026
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Council Bluffs City Council Study Session and Regular Meeting - March 23, 2026
The City Council held a study session and regular meeting on March 23, 2026. The meeting began with a proclamation honoring Ed Cain for his decade of service on the Historic Preservation Commission, followed by recognition of retiring employees (Chief Animal Control Officer Galen Barrett and Fire Chief Justin James). The council then reviewed the agenda, discussed numerous items, and held public hearings on several resolutions. Key actions included approval of a TIFF agreement for Arbor Creek townhomes, approval of a site plan for Chipotle on West Broadway, and approval of a major redevelopment plan for Hollywood Casino at Ameristar. The council also discussed a potential Lime scooter program and heard citizen comments regarding Dodge Park.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved by a voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Heather Napier (4301 Cottage Row) spoke during citizens' request, urging the council to adhere to the original Dodge family intent for Dodge Park as a public park rather than a golf course. She cited historical letters from 1912 and 1920 showing plans for a playground and picnic areas. The council received and filed her handouts.
- Ron (536 College Road) addressed the council during the Arbor Creek TIFF public hearing, clarifying that the project includes no low-income housing on site, but the TIFF agreement includes a 44% LMI set-aside that will be returned to the city for other housing projects. He expressed concern that the TIFF was presented after the project was underway; staff noted this is a standard process.
- Blaze Martin (919 Birch Street) spoke against the repeated fiber optic installations encroaching on his yard, asking for better oversight or compensation.
- Paul Zach (VP/GM of Ameristar Casino) presented the $200+ million Hollywood Casino project, noting new restaurants, 560 parking spaces, and a gaming floor with 1,000 slots and 24 table games.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation for Ed Cain – Mayor Jill Shudak read a proclamation honoring Ed Cain for his decade of service on the Historic Preservation Commission, recognizing his work on historic properties including Gooseberry, 221 South Main, and the Brown Kali Building.
- East Manowa Sewer Rehab Phase 14 – Staff presented the 14th phase of vacuum sewer upgrades, which will also create a new storm sewer outlet into Lake Manawa. Plans and specs were approved unanimously after no public comment.
- Disposition of Surplus Property (South of 9th Avenue) – Resolution to sell vacated right-of-way to Ryan Rogers (Hayesome Realty) for $1,200 to allow parking improvements. Adjacent owner (Western Engineering) declined purchase. Approved.
- Arbor Creek TIFF Development Agreement – $615,000 in TIFF incentives over 10 years for 16 townhomes. The city will receive 44.7% of the TIFF rebate (approximately $270,000) for LMI housing uses. Council member Chris asked staff to present a list of eligible uses for the housing fund. Vote: 4 ayes (Rue, Sandale, Button, DeSalvo), 1 abstain (Gorman).
- Atherton Square Subdivision & Chipotle Site Plan – Resolution to subdivide 2900 block of West Broadway and approve a site-specific plan for Chipotle with three variances (transparency, landscaping, setback). Some council members expressed concern about the proliferation of fast food on Broadway, but ultimately approved the project unanimously.
- Disposition of City-Owned Lots (East Manowa) – Six lots sold to NeighborWorks for $35,000 each to build attached single-family homes. Approved (roll call: Gorman abstained, others aye).
- Hollywood Casino Site Plan (Ameristar) – Resolution approving a new casino project with over $200 million investment. Presentation by Paul Zach. Approved unanimously.
- Solid Waste Collection Ordinance Amendment – Amends code to allow citizen volunteer cleanup (e.g., Clean Up CB Week) after discovering previous ordinance prohibited it. First reading approved.
- General Contractors License Ordinance – Strengthens licensing requirements, requiring workers' comp insurance, state registration, and allowing surprise inspections. First reading approved; council requested redlined version before second reading.
- Sync Agreements – Three resolutions: (A) Purchase two IDOT parcels ($70,000 total) for playground, Sync paying; (B) Transfer of pier from Sync to city; (C) Amendment to treetop walkway and tower agreement with escrow for maintenance. All approved.
- Fiber Optic Agreement (Forged Fiber 37 LLC) – Required by state law; approved despite council frustration with multiple fiber installers digging in rights-of-way.
- Sanitary Sewer Rate Study – $100,000+ contract with Carlo Engineers to conduct cost-of-service study, evaluate future capital needs and rate structures. Approved.
- Depository Resolution – Added First National Bank of Omaha as approved depository. Approved.
- Special Event Permit Code Deficiencies – Staff noted current code is constitutionally deficient regarding First Amendment events; they will draft revisions.
- Lime Scooter Discussion – Council expressed interest in pilot program with limited geofenced area. Concerns included liability, insurance, and staffing. Staff to invite Lime to present to council. Goal is to have scooters by College World Series.
Key Outcomes
- Approved East Manowa Sewer Rehab Phase 14 (plans and specs).
- Approved disposition of surplus property for parking ($1,200 sale).
- Approved Arbor Creek TIFF (4-0-1; Gorman abstained).
- Approved Atherton Square subdivision and Chipotle site plan (unanimous).
- Approved disposition of six lots to NeighborWorks ($35,000 each; Gorman abstained).
- Approved Hollywood Casino site plan (unanimous).
- Approved solid waste ordinance amendment (first reading).
- Approved general contractors license ordinance (first reading; redline to be provided).
- Approved all three Sync agreements (land purchase, pier transfer, treetop walk amendment) (unanimous).
- Approved fiber optic agreement with Forged Fiber 37 (unanimous, but with criticism).
- Approved sanitary sewer rate study agreement with Carlo Engineers (unanimous).
- Approved depository resolution adding First National Bank of Omaha (unanimous).
- Approved liquor license applications (unanimous).
- Tabled Mid-America Center parking lot rehab (bid review) to April 20, 2026.
- Directed staff to invite Lime to present on scooter program.
Meeting Transcript
All right, thank you, everybody, and apologies for running late. We had a uh exempt session that we were just wrapping up, so apologies for that. Um, we have a few items today in study session that we're gonna go through uh prior to reviewing the agenda. The first one is a proclamation for Ed Cain. And I believe families here, everybody's all good, right? Awesome. Um, City of Constable, Iowa, Office of the Mayor Proclamation, whereas the City of Constable Blast recognizes the importance of preserving and promoting its historic character as a vital part of the community's identity, heritage, and economic vitality. And whereas Constable Bless Historic Preservation Commission, HPC, is appointed board that works towards the promotion and protection of historic districts, landmarks and sites within the city of Consulas is charged with reviewing and approving exterior modifications to locally designed historic buildings, landmarks, and sites, and whereas historic preservation commission commission further serves the community by recommending the historic buildings, districts, objects, and site worthy of site, excuse me, sites worthy of local designation, educating the public on the city's historic heritage and marking making recommendations to the city council on land usage, urban renewal, urban revitalization, and planning actions related to the historic preservation, conducting studies to identify and designate historic districts and sites, authorizing historic preservation plans, and undertaking other preservation matters as required by the city council. And whereas Ed Cain faithfully served the members of Consulbless Historic Preservation Commission from April 21st, 2014 to July 2nd, 2025, providing a decade of dedicated leadership, knowledge, and commitment to the historic preservation in the community. And whereas during his tenure, Ed Cain played a role in preserving and revitalizing historic properties in downtown Consulus, including but not limited to the Gooseberry 221 South Main Street and Brown Cali Building, 215 or excuse me, 219 and 222 South Main Street in the Haymarket Historic District, ensuring their continued use and vitality. And whereas Ed's passion for preserving through thoughtful guidance and unwavering advocacy has strengthened the city's historic district districts, enhancing the public applications for Consulas's architectural and cultural heritage and left a lasting impact on the community. Now, therefore, we Jill Schudak and the City of Consulbless hereby honor and thank Ed Kane for his outstanding service on the Historic Preservation Commission and his meaningful contributions to the preservation and the vitality revitalization of the city's historic assets and extend a sincere appreciation for his years of dedicated public service. And witness, therefore, I hear with a hand in the city of the seal, Jill Shudak do proclaim. So if you guys want to confirm who wants to explain so much. Absolutely. He really loves you guys so much. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you guys. We have two people who are going to be leaving the city at the end of the week that have done tremendous work. And we would like to extend our sincere gratitude and present a plaques to both of them. So the first one is our chief animal control officer Galen Barrett. So in sincere appreciation for outstanding commitment and exemplary service to the city of Consulbless from May uh 1998 to March 2026. Okay, then we thank you so much for all your service. Thank you. What are you taking it? Good job, everybody. Congratulations. I'm just gonna stand here for the next one because we have our second one then. And this is for Fire Chief Justin James with the deepest gratitude for the loyal service and unwavering dedication. Your contributions will long be remembered. City of Consul Blast, September 1999 to March 2026. Thank you, Justin, so much. Thanks, buddy. Okay, it's a good thank you, Justin. Thank you guys very much. Right. Keep your phone on, buddy. Couple more hours. I get it. I get twenty-one. All right. Um so we'll review the agenda at this point in time. Does anybody have any questions on the consent agenda for tonight? No. Okay. We'll have another proclamation then this evening. Child abuse prevention month. Everybody has a pen that was provided to the council. Um, and they will be here this evening.
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