Council Bluffs City Council Meeting – May 18, 2026: Proclamations, Riverfront Update, Economic Development, and Public Hearings
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Council Bluffs City Council Meeting – May 18, 2026
The Council Bluffs City Council convened on May 18, 2026, for a study session and regular meeting. The session began with two proclamations: National Public Works Week (May 17–23, 2026) and NeighborWorks Week (May 23–June 7, 2026). The study session covered updates on the riverfront pier and tower construction, an annual economic development report from Advance Southwest Iowa, a walkability study introduction, and a discussion on a potential text messaging platform. The regular meeting included public comments, consent agenda approval, public hearings on outdoor dining, intersection improvements, trail extensions, budget amendments, zoning changes, and several ordinances, including restrictions on pet ownership for those convicted of animal abuse. A new community health coach position within the police department was established. The council also heard public testimony in support of a housing services coordinator position.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike Hayes (616 Franklin Avenue) reported repeated parking violations and sidewalk blockages in his neighborhood, stating that after-hours calls to the city are not addressed promptly. He requested faster enforcement.
- Scott Zimmerman (3415 West Broadway, Suite B) urged the council to invest in a homeless services coordinator, arguing that the city already pays inefficiently for housing instability through public safety systems and that coordination would improve outcomes.
- Dr. Glenn Hurst (medical director for Heal Omaha, works in Council Bluffs) spoke in favor of a housing services coordinator, emphasizing that people experiencing homelessness cannot solve their situation alone after two weeks and that a coordinator would connect outreach, healthcare, and housing services.
- Matt Green (12115 Wabash Avenue) supported the coordinator role, comparing it to hospital care coordination and noting that people in encampments are resilient and motivated.
- George McGinnis (outreach worker, lives in Omaha) shared his personal experience of homelessness and addiction, stressing the importance of peer support and a city coordinator to align resources.
- Tamra D'Wire (Homeless Services Coordinator for the City of Omaha) offered collaboration and noted that Council Bluffs has a 98% occupancy rate, indicating a severe lack of affordable housing.
Proclamations
- National Public Works Week (May 17–23, 2026): Mayor Jill Schudak proclaimed the week to honor public works professionals. City staff accepted the proclamation, highlighting that much of their work goes unnoticed until something fails.
- NeighborWorks Week (May 23–June 7, 2026): David from NeighborWorks Home Solutions accepted the proclamation, noting that in 2025, the organization reinvested close to $11 million in Council Bluffs through homeownership programs and rental complexes.
- Council Bluffs Celebrates 250 (July 3, 2026): A proclamation for a family-friendly event on July 3, 2026, celebrating America’s 250th birthday, featuring live music, food vendors, a drone show, and more.
- Workers’ Memorial Day (April 28, 2026): Proclamation recognizing workplace safety and honoring victims of workplace injuries and diseases.
Discussion Items (Study Session)
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Riverfront Update (Pier and Tower)
- Pier: Preliminary punch walk identified concerns with the porcelain paver system (24x48 inches, 3/4 inch thick) for uplift compliance. Staff noted that ripped pavers were initially present but have been replaced with iron pieces or full-size pavers, but the system may not meet International Building Code uplift standards. A 15-page engineering report on uplift was received just before the meeting and was under review.
- Treetop Walk and Tower: Load capacity inspection confirmed that all 11 city vehicles (parks, fire, police) can be supported. However, loose or missing bolts were found and must be addressed. The elevator is still incomplete (estimated at least a week or more), and a security gate requested by the city is not in architectural plans. The developer (Ursso Sync) requested early acceptance of the tower before the cabling system is complete, but the city refused, requiring all amenities to be installed and inspected before transfer. The cabling system is reportedly still on a boat en route. The city also asked for bollards on the pier to prevent vehicles from accessing an area that cannot support a gator (due to paving system fragility). The pier may not open by Summerfest as hoped.
- Mayor’s Comment: The city had proactively identified outstanding issues about seven weeks prior.
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Economic Development Report (Advance Southwest Iowa) – Presented by Paula
- Advance Southwest Iowa was established in 2013 as the economic development arm for Council Bluffs, funded primarily by the city, Pottawatomie County, and Iowa West Foundation, with about 20 private investors.
- Pipeline: Typically ~50 active projects county-wide, split equally between new-to-market and existing expansions. Logistics/warehousing and technology (AI boom) are strong sectors, but power restrictions are slowing tech projects.
- Key Projects:
- A logistics company (three-phase approach) purchased land west of South Avenue and announced additional expansion.
- Van Trust (on Hunt Avenue) may build either one 800,000 sq ft or two 400,000 sq ft buildings, pending end user.
- Project Costa (large protein manufacturer) has optioned three parcels south of town; one is annexed into the city with others expected.
- Project Tetra (technology facility expansion) is progressing but may scale back due to changes in property tax and TIF rules.
- Manowa Logistics Park (120 acres, rail-served) is back on the market after two failed deals; two developers have been contacted.
- A confidential entertainment project “super fun and extremely good for the city” is under development.
- A local manufacturer is considering a major expansion.
- Challenges: Running out of sizable industrial sites within city limits; infrastructure is a major concern. Paula noted the city’s sewer study and new comprehensive plan will help set a roadmap.
- Performance: The city has outperformed the regional partnership in landing projects (15% vs. industry average 10%) for at least three years.
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Walkability Study – Presented by Jare Stevens (Iowa State University Extension), Lynn Ditmer (Chamber), and Bradley Grief (MAPPA)
- The study is part of a CDC grant (LEAP Coalitions) to address obesity in six Iowa counties. Council Bluffs was selected for a nationwide Walkability Action Institute, which involves a four-month virtual/in-person project to develop an action plan.
- The team plans to supplement ongoing efforts (downtown master plan, comp plan update) and will likely conduct walk audits this summer on the First Avenue trail connection to Bayless Park and on Madison Avenue (identified as one of the most dangerous road segments in the state, eligible for safety upgrade funds).
- No immediate action required; the team will refine goals with city staff.
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Text My Gov Discussion – Staff proposed a subscription-based texting platform for city alerts (road construction, events) to supplement postcard mailings. Council expressed interest in learning more. The platform would be separate from county and EMA accounts. Staff will invite a representative for a presentation at the second session in June.
Consent Calendar (Approved Unanimously)
- Routine approvals for meeting minutes, reports, and items pulled from consent: All items passed without opposition.
Key Outcomes (Regular Meeting)
- Resolution 26189: Approved a five-year outdoor dining lease with Napoli’s Italian restaurant on the 100/200 block of West Broadway.
- Resolution 26190: Approved plans and specifications for the Valley View and Franklin Avenue intersection improvement project (geometry changes and rapid flashing pedestrian signal).
- Resolution 26191: Continued to June 8, 2026, because the public hearing notice was not published.
- Resolution 26192: Granted final plat approval for Fleming and Davis Edition Replat 1 at South 16th Street and 11th Avenue (industrial use).
- Resolution 26193: No action taken on the Southwest Express Trail Extension; will be rebid when another project is completed.
- Resolution 26194: Approved the South 24th Street Trail Extension Project to fill a gap from the bridge to the recreation complex.
- Resolution 26195: Approved an amendment to the current city budget for FY2025-26.
- Ordinance 6677: Rezoned 810 First Avenue from C2 to R3 (low-density multifamily) to facilitate property sale; approved on first and third reading.
- Ordinances 6678 and 6679: Amended sign regulations for West Broadway to allow existing pole/pylon signs to be refaced (size-for-size) without reducing size, unless destroyed by 50% or more or property is redeveloped; approved on first and third reading.
- Ordinance 6682: Enacted restrictions on pet ownership for individuals convicted of animal abuse, neglect, torture, or dog fighting (serious misdemeanor or above); will be enforced via daily background checks at the time of pet license application (limited to specific Iowa codes). Violations: $750 fine for first offense, $1,000 for subsequent, plus animal removal.
- Ordinance 6683: Amended solid waste collection rules to allow the recycling center to enforce policies and rules.
- Resolution 26196: Approved Title VI Accomplishments and Goals Report for 2025.
- Resolution 26197: Abolished a division secretary position and a clerk typist part-time position in the police department (both vacated through attrition) to clean up department titles and headcount.
- Resolution 26198: Approved amended operating agreement for Rivers Edge Master Owners Association, removing Nodel and designating Broadmoor and Iowa West Foundation.
- Resolution 26199: Approved property management agreement with Broadmoor Management Company for the Rivers Edge parking garage (city pays $1,000/month plus maintenance via TIF).
- Resolution 26200: Established a community health coach position within the police department (previously funded jointly by city and Iowa West Foundation for three years). Council members noted the position is a street-level role that helps the HOP team and reduces crisis escalations.
- Resolution 26201: Approved a memorandum of understanding with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to acquire 29 additional acres for the Vincent Bluff Nature Preserve (appraised at $706,000; no city funding required; INHF has option until April 1, 2027). The land is a suitable replacement for Playland Park improper conversion.
- Applications for Permits and Cancellations: Approved items 9A 1-10, 9B, C, D.
Council Action Items
- Councilmember Cole mentioned exploring options to allow dog licensing at veterinary clinics instead of requiring online or in-person submission with records. He will work with the police chief and legal team to explore the feasibility.
- Council discussed the housing services coordinator position; some members suggested it might be better placed at the county level rather than city-funded, given the regional scope of homelessness.
Note: The meeting was adjourned after the regular business.
Meeting Transcript
Hello. There we go. Sorry. We're gonna get started, and we have two proclamations this afternoon that we were gonna start with. The first is National Public Works Week. So the City of Constable is from the Office of the Mayor Proclamation, whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, emergency management, and services that are vital importance to the sustainability and resilient, uh resilient communities and public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of Constable, Iowa. And whereas these infrastructures, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works uh professionals who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, soil solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens. And whereas it being public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children of Constable Iowa to gain knowledge, maintain ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works, first responders, and public works programs in their respective communities. And whereas this year, 2026 marks the 66th Annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now, therefore, I, Jill Schudak, mayor of Consulbless, Iowa, do hereby proclaim May 17th through 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week in the City of Constable, Iowa, and urge all citizens to join with the representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contributions they make in protecting our net our nation, excuse me, our national health safety, and quality of life. I hereby do proclaim as the mayor of Constable, Iowa, Jill Catherine Chudak. And I just like to mention before I hand it over, just thank you so much to all of the public works crews. I know that we have a few of them here. Um to anybody who's watching in the crowd or at home. We have some amazing facilities in our community. Um, and I would highly recommend that you go out and take a look at wastewater treatment or down at Fleet or the roads buildings. They're really cool tours, and it's you gain a wealth of knowledge of how our city actually runs when you go out and you um take a look at these facilities. And so just thank you, um, gentlemen, for being here today to accept the award. Um, and thank you. And I'm sure that the council uh gentlemen I'm sorry, I didn't see back there. All public work people, sorry, I thought it was all guys here. Sorry, and lady and gentlemen, um, for being here to accept the proclamation today picture. Can you think we can go? Yeah. Yeah, you guys are I'm all for this. Don't worry about us. Don't worry about us. We're good. Awesome. Thank you guys. Thank you very much. Do you want to say anything as well for accepting it? Um comparison. Um I just did, you know, we do this annually. Uh typically it's just myself that receives the proclamation, so I thought it was important this year to have some of the some of the team members join. Um, most of them are represented here today, not all of them, but uh they do a lot of the things that go unnoticed each and every day until something goes wrong. Honestly, most of what we do, people expect it to perform flawlessly and don't notice it until it's not. Um a lot of what they do is unglamorous, it's dirty, it's dangerous. Um sometimes it's in a first responder role, and uh it's nice to recognize them and let them have the chance to that we we definitely benefit from them being here and the excellent professional work that they do every day doesn't go unnoticed. Yeah, absolutely. Thank you guys. Thank you guys. Thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. And we have a second proclamation tonight as well, and this is neighborworks week, and David is here to accept um the proclamation. So from the City of Constable, Iowa, Office of the Mayor proclamation, whereas Neighbor Works Week was initiated in 1983 by the U United States Congressional Resolution, co-sponsored by more than 240 members of Congress, and whereas the formal introduction of Neighbor Works Week occurred in the spring of 1986 and began an annual national celebration held the first through the second Saturdays in June. And whereas Neighbor Works Week is in a celebration is a celebration of neighborhood pride and unity among nearly 250 organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and tribal lands, and whereas Neighbor Works Week celebrates the efforts of local organizations working with partners and volunteers to create healthier communities. And whereas Neighbor Works Home Solutions is a proud member of Neighbor Works Network and has served in the community of Consulbless for 17 years, advancing affordable housing and community development, supporting financial well-being, and strengthening resident leadership. Now, therefore, I Jill K Shudak, mayor of Council Blast do hereby proclaim May 23rd through June 7th, 2026 as Neighbor Works Week and the City of Consulblas, and urge all citizens to participate in activities planned by Neighbor Works Home Solutions.
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