Council Bluffs City Council Study Session and Meeting – July 27, 2026
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Council Bluffs City Council Study Session and Regular Meeting – July 27, 2026
The Council of Council Bluffs held a study session and regular meeting on July 27, 2026. Key topics included Iowa West Foundation Cycle II grants, proposed sewer rate changes for industrial users, repeal of the city weapons possession ordinance, investment strategy for the riverfront maintenance fund, and public comments on noise, code enforcement, and civic engagement. The meeting included multiple votes on ordinances and resolutions.
Consent Calendar
- Items 4A through 4E and 4G through 4K were approved unanimously. Item 4F (NeighborWorks) was pulled due to an abstention and later approved on a roll call vote (4-1, with Councilmember Gorman abstaining).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Roger Williams (10605 Wabash Avenue) played a 30-second recording of constant noise from the Google data center across from his home, measuring 56.8 decibels. He also reported water being wasted from well drilling for four consecutive days and expressed concern about groundwater depletion. He asked the council to investigate.
- Heather Billings (Twin City) observed businesses closing, rising homelessness, neglected neighborhoods, and problem businesses rebranding rather than improving. She criticized low voter turnout (11%) and urged the council to better engage citizens, especially those under 50, and to focus on the city’s 2030 plan. She requested more accessible public meetings.
- Dallas Slapsley challenged the council to reduce the weed height limit from 18 inches to 10 inches, citing 311 data that shows high grass/weeds as the top complaint. He also raised issues with junk cars on both residential and commercial properties and described a Google fiber wire left in his yard for three weeks without response from Google, despite multiple calls.
Discussion Items
- Iowa West Foundation Cycle II Grants: Brenda Maywaring presented the approved $4.6 million in grants. Highlights included $500,000 for the flexible “Growing CB” initiative, STAR scholarship for single parents (30+ years), Iowa Western Skills for Success training, $1.3 million for preschool classrooms (with about $1 million to Council Bluffs School District based on need), an Iowa Legal Aid school-based attorney program, support for the Nebraska Philanthropic Trust Regional First Responder Education and Training Center, Together Inc. housing stability (emergency aid under $2,000), and scholarships for the Iowa Housing Summit.
- Sewer Rate Changes for Industrial Users (Ordinance 6694): Councilmember Joe introduced a first-reading ordinance to eliminate the discounted sewer rate for Significant Industrial Users (SIUs), aligning them with residential/commercial rates. He noted that the gap had been reduced five years ago from roughly 40–60% to 80% of residential rates, but now full parity is sought. Public Works Director Matt Cox (via discussion) stated that the proposed change represents roughly a 13% increase overall. The largest SIU would see a monthly increase of approximately $31,000; all SIUs combined would pay about $70,000 more per month ($420,000–$500,000 annually). Council requested comparables from other Iowa cities regarding discounts given to industrial users. The ordinance passed on first reading.
- Repeal of Weapons Possession Ordinance (Ordinance 6693): City Attorney Jake explained that state law preempts city regulation of weapons possession except for offensive weapons (e.g., explosives), which are felonies under state law. The existing city code created a conflict, so the chapter should be repealed. The ordinance passed on first reading.
- Riverfront Maintenance Fund (Study Session 1C): The council discussed how to invest the $2 million maintenance fund for the riverfront pier and boardwalk. Iowa West Foundation had proposed funding the $2 million earlier than originally planned. City auditors recommended investing the full amount in compliance with state law (e.g., bonds) as the safest approach. Some council members explored splitting the fund: $1 million in bonds for liquidity and $1 million in higher-yield investments during the warranty period. City Finance Director Danielle noted that by cash-flowing maintenance expenses, the city could keep the $2 million invested longer and likely achieve comparable long-term returns with less administrative burden. Iowa West’s Brenda Maywaring indicated flexibility. Council consensus was to proceed with the original RFP for bond investments as planned.
- Amended City Council Rules (Resolution 26261): The council adopted amended rules following a collaborative discussion at the previous meeting. Key change: study sessions will start at 3:00 p.m. instead of 3:45 p.m. to allow earlier adjournment. Approved unanimously.
- Arbitration for Fire Supervisory Employees (Resolution 26215): Continued to September 28, 2026, since arbitration is scheduled for September 1 and a decision must be made within 15 days.
- Park Filter Replacement Contract (Resolution 26262): Authorized a contract with Fluid Mechanical LLC for $238,000 to replace filters at PyRick Cove. The bid was $27,500 over the CIP, but staff identified savings from another parks project (approx. $30,000 under budget) to cover the difference. Approved.
- Liquor License Applications: Applications for Alibi Bar (new owner at the former Levels/Rodeo location) and other licenses were approved. The owner was on vacation but sent a manager and expressed intent to cooperate with law enforcement and the 100 Block Association.
Key Outcomes
- Votes:
- Consent agenda item 4F approved (4-1).
- Public hearing plat approval (Resolution 26-260) – passed.
- Ordinance 6693 (weapons possession repeal) – first reading passed.
- Ordinance 6694 (sewer charges) – first reading passed.
- Ordinance 6692 (civil rights commission) – second reading passed.
- Ordinance 6676A (animal control) – third reading passed.
- Resolution 26215 (fire wage increase) – continued to Sept 28.
- Resolution 26261 (council rules) – adopted.
- Resolution 26262 (filter contract) – awarded to Fluid Mechanical LLC.
- Liquor licenses (10A-C) – approved.
- Directives: Staff to collect sewer rate comparables from other Iowa cities. Study sessions to begin at 3:00 p.m. moving forward. Staff to work with schools on scooter safety education.
- Public Comments Acknowledged: Weed height, junk car enforcement, and Google-related issues noted; no immediate action taken.
Other Business
- Councilmember Joe reminded parents to emphasize scooter safety, helmets, and obeying traffic laws after a near-crash incident. The police chief will explore proactive safety messaging.
Meeting Transcript
First up on study session, we have Brenda Maywaring here to talk about the Iowa West Foundation Cycle II grants. Good afternoon. This is hot off the press. In fact, the press hasn't seen it yet. So you're the first. So I apologize for being tardy with it. But last week the board approved $4.6 million in grants and initiatives. As usual, just running through a few of these. So we've allocated $500,000 towards the project that we're working on collectively with the city and with the chamber, what we're calling growing CB, just so we can be kind of flexible and available as things come up. An example is as we found out about some other community events that were going on. We were able to give the city some additional funds so that the city could support the July 3rd event as something that they would they wanted to be involved with. So that's the kind of thing that we're trying to be on top of as opposed to making people wait three months and in case they're having an event more quickly. That is specifically to engage neighborhood revitalization, really focused on west of downtown. On the second page, there's a paragraph that starts out rounding out the cycle. Two grants that focus on retaining talent. So one of those is STARS, which we've been doing for I think something like 30 years now, continuing to work on the STAR scholarship, which is really intended for single parent families so they they can go back and finish out whatever schooling seems appropriate, up to and including a bachelor's degree. And then also Iowa Western Skills for Success. We have collectively been trying to figure out how to help employers upskill and reskill workforces, and I think that Iowa Western has really figured out a process. They're delivering some really good results on that. So if you look at the list, um Child Saving Institute is making additional improvements at Children's Square. Almost all of the school districts participate, and about a million of that 1.3 million goes to Council Bluff School District because we also consider the level of need. So every school district gets at least one classroom, and then we disperse the rest of it based on uh economics. Also a new program in uh councilwell school districts, Iowa Legal Aid has this functioning in some other communities. They've approached Council of School District. Oftentimes educators will identify that uh child or children are having some challenges at home, and this puts Iowa Legal Aid school-based attorney with the school districts so that those referrals can happen directly so that a family can so that a student can be identified and families come can come in and get help, especially with uh housing and retaining housing. Um Nebraska Philanthropic Trust Regional First Responder Education and Training Center. This is of course a Nebraska-based facility, but it is going to be the best in the region by far. We consulted with uh Chief Davis and Chief James. Um both were very supportive of this project. It allows relatively close access to training that is above and beyond what can be offered locally. Um I was in uh Texas with Union Pacific, I was on the an advisory council for Texas AM. They have the premier um hazmat training in the country, and this one will they've done a lot of study in at AM, and I think they're gonna do some things that will really put our metro area on the map with training for first responders. Together Inc. has been doing some really great work on housing stability, essentially identifying folks that need emergency support with just a little bit of money, less than $2,000. Oftentimes you can keep people in their homes, and if you can keep them out of homelessness, that is the solution all of us want. And then last thing I'll point to the community housing organizations, um, including a couple of folks from Council Bluffs, City of Council Bluffs. Uh, we do scholarship folks to pay both the tuition and the cost to go to those summits. This is the Iowa Housing Summit in September in Des Moines. It just is an opportunity to see what other communities are doing to connect with some of the folks who have the money to make sure they know all the great stuff that's going on in Council Bluffs, and they can start thinking about the western side of the state to get some of those resources. So that's sort of a high-level review. Any questions since you've had about three minutes to look at it? Any questions for Brenda? Thank you very much. Thank you. All right, next up is review of the agenda. Is there any questions on the consent agenda for this evening? I have one thing on a grabbing reminder. Sorry. I'll have to abstain from one uh item on the agenda on the Cassandra agenda. That's uh I'm looking it up here.
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