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.
Riverfront Update (Pier and Tower)
Economic Development Report (Advance Southwest Iowa) – Presented by Paula
Walkability Study – Presented by Jare Stevens (Iowa State University Extension), Lynn Ditmer (Chamber), and Bradley Grief (MAPPA)
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.
Note: The meeting was adjourned after the regular business.
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.