Council Bluffs City Council Study Session and Regular Meeting – June 22, 2026

This meeting combined an afternoon study session with an evening regular meeting. The study session focused on a proposed text-messaging service (Text MyGov), a legal review of e-scooter liability, a discussion of a trap-neuter-return (TNR) ordinance for cats, raises for police and fire supervisory employees, and potential increases to the city's franchise fees. The regular meeting included public hearings, ordinances on animal control and other code updates, and several resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (standard items, no recorded opposition).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Colton Finnegan (30 Linwood Drive) – Criticized the council for not repealing Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL), referenced a news story about a German shepherd attack, and argued that citizens’ liberty is being sacrificed for perceived safety. He stated he would run for a council seat.
• Dallas Lapsley (3525 9th Avenue) – Complained about chronic code violations at a neighboring property (high weeds, dead cars, trash) and urged the council to lower the weed-height limit from 18 inches to 10 inches, impose fines for repeat offenses, and enforce property maintenance codes more aggressively.
• Amanda (Straight A Spay, from Omaha) – Expressed strong support for the TNR program and offered resources to help residents deter cats. She noted that cats will try to return to their home territory.
• Jennifer Jones (3100 Atlantic Avenue) – Described years of difficulty with a feral cat that has produced many litters, the threat of an $800 fine for feeding stray cats, and the lack of accessible TNR services in Council Bluffs. She urged passage of the TNR ordinance.
• Jennifer Harrell (1407 Avenue B) – Shared personal experience of finding a stray kitten that later had kittens, emphasizing the need for TNR to reduce the cat population. She cautioned that a one-year review might be too short to see significant results.

Discussion Items

• Text MyGov Presentation (Study Session) – Landon Back presented the text-messaging service for city communications. Key details:
  • Cost: $18,000/year annual fee + $4,000 setup. Contract options: 3-year (standard) or 2-year (proposed as a compromise). 60-day notice to cancel; no early termination.
  • Can instantly import about 18,000 residents’ contact information from USPS data; welcome text with opt-in expected to retain 80–85% of recipients.
  • Core product (non-emergency alerts) can be used for event promotion, road closures, surveys, etc. Premium features (weather alerts, voice calls) are not included because the county already handles emergencies.
  • Discussion: Mayor Loftsgard noted potential to replace some postcard mailings; Council member Rue asked about current postcard costs (to be obtained from Ashley). Council member Sandow questioned whether the service is a “want” versus a “need.” No action was taken; council is to indicate interest individually.
• Lime Scooters (Study Session) – City Attorney Whitney presented findings from a large-city attorneys’ conference regarding liability risks. Key points:
  • Two court cases were cited: Cedar Rapids (defense verdict after trial) and Des Moines (settlement after plaintiff argued that standard roadway discontinuities (<2 inches) are unsafe for scooter tires).
  • The scooter company’s waiver did not protect the city; the city was not expressly named, and indemnity was refused when the claim involved a roadway condition.
  • Council discussed potential restrictions (speed, geofencing, mandatory addition of the city as an insured/indemnified party). Some members expressed continued interest in a limited pilot area. The council will provide individual direction to staff by the end of the week.
• Animal Control – Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Ordinance – Substitute ordinance (6676-A) was debated and passed after amendment. The substitute removes the legal classification of “community cat,” eliminates the requirement to return cats to their original location, and allows the Humane Society to relocate or adopt out trapped cats. It explicitly protects participants from abandonment charges. Council member De Salvo led the compromise; several members noted the importance of revisiting the program after one year. No city funding is used; all costs are donor-funded.
• Police & Fire Supervisory Raises (Resolutions 26-215 & 26-216) – These resolutions, which would provide 2.5% raises to non-union police and fire supervisory employees, were tabled to the July 13 meeting. The council debated whether the gap between union line staff and supervisors should be maintained; some members proposed aligning raises with the union’s 3.5% increase (not budgeted). Chief Davis and other staff stressed the need to incentivize promotions. Council will review additional data on salary compression before making a decision.
• Franchise Fee Increase (Study Session) – The city’s electric (MidAmerican) and gas (Black Hills Energy) franchise fees have been 2% since 1995. State average for cities over 35,000 is about 3.65%. Options discussed:
  • Electric: increase to 3.5% or 3.75% (quarter-point increments recommended).
  • Natural gas: increase to 2.25% (to mitigate impact on winter heating costs, as 83% of homes use gas).
  • Potential differential rate (residential vs. commercial/industrial) – legal research requested.
  • Combined impact: at 3.5% electric + 2.25% gas, estimated additional revenue ~$1.41 million/year; at 3.75% both, ~$2.0 million/year. Council will provide feedback individually by week’s end; a 20-year agreement is typical.
• Other Items – Council rules discussion was postponed to the next meeting. An executive session was held (closed to public) but not detailed in the transcript.

Key Outcomes

• TNR Ordinance (Substitute 6676-A) – Approved on first reading. The substitute ordinance passed unanimously after an amendment to delete a redundant section. (Motion to substitute: passed; motion to approve: passed). The ordinance will allow the Humane Society to conduct TNR without the “community cat” classification.
• Police Supervisory Raises (R-26-216) – Tabled to July 13, 2026 (motion passed unanimously).
• Fire Supervisory Raises (R-26-215) – Tabled to July 13, 2026 (motion passed unanimously).
• Public Hearings (all approved):
  • Zoning change (R2 to R3) at 2231 Avenue B for indoor recreation/golf simulator – approved.
  • Final plat approval for ABC Collision Center (combining lots) – approved.
  • Authorization to bid Pirate Code filter replacement – approved.
  • Second amendment to purchase/sale agreement with First Avenue Freeze Out LLC – approved.
• Second Reading Ordinances (all approved and third reading waived):
  • Alarm systems (annual renewal basis) – approved.
  • Animal control amendments (definitions, dangerous dog proceedings, etc.) – approved.
  • Reorganization of city administration (Chapter 1.09) – approved.
• Resolutions (all approved):
  • Amendment to Rivers Edge parking facility master lease and reciprocal easements – approved.
  • Carly Construction contract for Valley View & Franklin intersection improvements ($181,772.30 for S. 24th St. trail extension) – accepted.
  • Appointment of Jacob Schorlimer as Assistant City Attorney II – confirmed.
  • Schedule of fees (2026 version) – adopted.
• Applications and Permits – Approved as listed (9A1, B1&2, C, D).