North Liberty City Council Regular Session - September 22, 2026

The North Liberty City Council met for a regular session on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. All council members were present: Tonja Fortney, Brian Leibold, Paul Park, Brent Smith, and Brian Wayson. The meeting lasted 30 minutes, concluding at 6:30 PM, and included staff reports, a proclamation, the swearing-in of the new Youth Council, and unanimous approvals of a development agreement and zoning ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, financial reports (August Revenues and Treasurer's Report), amendments to tobacco and liquor licenses for Casey's locations, claims, and several construction pay applications/change orders for the Community Center Parking Lot ($34,375.45 change order; $123,064.63 pay app), Centennial Park ($47,885.99 pay app), and Water Supply Improvements (-$2,500 change order).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered during the public comment period.

Reports & Presentations

• Engineer Report: City Engineer Josiah Bilskemper updated the council on three active projects. The Splash Pad project is experiencing weather delays but has 50% of its foundation walls poured. The Forevergreen Road and Jasper Avenue roundabout project is progressing with paving and roundabout work. The Community Center Parking Lot project saw the west lot paved and north side asphalt completed; the Cherry Street entrance closed the following day for reconstruction. Councilor Wayson raised concerns about the lack of advanced communication from the Iowa DOT regarding 380 ramp closures.
• City Administrator Report: Ryan Heiar announced a FLOCK informational meeting on September 24 and a Stewart Street neighborhood meeting (location cited as Room 4191 in the official minutes, transcribed as Room 9141) on a future Thursday.
• Mayor Report: Mayor Hoffman proclaimed September as Recovery Month. The proclamation cited that 1 in 5 Iowa adults lives with a mental illness, 22.2% of adult Iowans report binge drinking, and 431 Johnson County residents received substance use treatment in Fiscal Year 2025.
• Council Reports: Councilors shared updates on community events (Taylor Swift tribute concert, Gin Blossoms concert), the North Liberty Pantry open house, county supervisor forums, offered prayers for recent events at Lake Macbride, a tour of the Johnson County Jail, and an economic development intercity visit to Huntsville, Alabama. Councilor Fortney announced the jail vote public meeting was moved to the Hy-Vee Center on October 6.
• Youth Council: Abbi Cobb introduced the 2026-27 Youth Council, comprising 10 members (4 returning, 6 new; 5 from Liberty High School, 1 from Clear Creek Amana). Their focus topics include transportation access, youth mental health, and environmental sustainability. Mayor Hoffman administered the oath of office. Current council members shared their years of residency and service with the youth.

Key Outcomes

• Forevergreen Estates Development Agreement (Resolution 2026-110): The Council unanimously approved an amended development agreement with Bowman Property, LLC. (Motion by Leibold, second by Fortney. Vote: 5-0).
• Zoning Ordinance Amendments (Ordinance 2026-15): The Council unanimously adopted the third and final consideration of amendments to the zoning code covering dimensional standards, off-street parking and landscaping, accessory structures, and temporary signs. (Motion by Fortney, second by Wayson. Vote: 5-0).