North Liberty City Council Regular Session – October 27, 2026

The North Liberty City Council met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Chris Hoffman presided with Councilors Tonja Fortney, Brian Leibold, Paul Park, and Brian Wayson present; Councilor Brent Smith was absent. The meeting included public comments on several topics, approval of consent agenda, engineer and administrator reports, a proclamation, and key decisions on Ranshaw Way Phase 6, two rezoning ordinances, automated license plate readers (Flock cameras), and TIF appropriations.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved: City Council minutes from October 13, 2026; September Revenues and Treasurer's Report; Centennial Park Event Complex Phase 2 Change Order No. 1 ($40,267.44) and Pay Application No. 4 ($204,141.23); NLCC Parking Lot Phase 1 Change Order No. 3 ($3,403.23) and Pay Application No. 4 ($121,380.42); and the list of claims.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ardi Stoner expressed concerns about the proposed Urban Renewal Area amendments, questioning the justification for extending a TIF agreement for two more years and the city's financial exposure, including $20 million in debt and a $7.5 million TIF extension for the same developer.
• Charlene Jones described a near-miss incident with electric bikes and scooters on Front Street and the North Ridge Trail, urging the city to increase police patrols after school, work with schools on safe riding, and evaluate trail safety at blind corners and hills. She noted the issue affects older residents and pedestrians.
• Chris Van Pelt criticized how the Flock contract was signed by a city employee without council approval or bidding, and urged termination of the contract, calling the process troubling.
• Daniel raised concerns about the Axon contract, noting that AI transcription tools may introduce racialized language (e.g., labeling clients of color as "articulate") and that police lack a consent policy for using such technology.
• Shareef Dabdoub argued that Flock cameras violate Fourth Amendment rights (citing US v. Jones, 2012), provide surveillance data to a private company with poor security (referencing a recent hack exposing 1.6 million images), and should be removed.
• Kyle Gardiner noted bipartisan opposition to Flock at the federal level, including a proposed ban and a federal judge ruling warrantless Flock searches unconstitutional.
• Evan Palechek emphasized that technology, policy, and law change rapidly, that Flock data is not secure (citing an FBI hack), and that the cameras are Orwellian and easily skirted by criminals.
• Robert Todd warned that Flock technology is amenable to AI abuses, cited a swarm of AI agents committing felonies, and noted that many neighboring Iowa communities lack transparency pages for Flock data.
• Max Kelberg observed that no public comment has supported Flock cameras and suggested community safety could be better achieved through officer interaction.
• Charlie Bui stated that in multiple public comment sessions, zero residents spoke in favor of Flock, and urged council to honor public trust and discontinue the program.
• Brynn presented a petition with 490 signatures opposing Flock, also raised concerns about the Iowa City Community School District's financial issues and the need for a pool partnership between North Liberty and Coralville.
• Nicole Burr Bui asked council to note the visual majority of audience members holding anti-Flock signs.
• Catherine Staib stated this was her first city council meeting, driven by concern about Flock.

Engineer Report

• City Engineer Josiah Bilskemper provided updates: Forevergreen Road Extension Phase 1 (east site substantially complete fall 2026, west site completion in 2027); I-380 southbound on-ramp at Penn Street now open; Community Center parking lot substantially complete with punch list due by November 20, 2026; Splash pad foundations curing; North Stewart Street design nearing 100% review with January 2027 bid; Cherry Street Firehouse schematic design complete, design development nearing completion, with move-in expected summer 2027. Council discussed a raw water line project on Front Street (bore rig delayed, completion expected November 20, 2026, with sidewalk repairs).

City Administrator Report

• Ryan Heiar reported on the Greater Iowa City economic development grants: $85,000 funded 10 recipients, including five new businesses. He also announced a Muddy Creek cleanup project (Phase 1: clearing invasive species, starting next week) and noted that the program was funded with ARPA dollars and sustainability is being discussed.

Mayor Report

• Mayor Hoffman reported attending Iowa City Community School District Building Committee and Financial Oversight Committee meetings, Joint Entities meeting, early voting, and a Digital Infrastructure meeting. He proclaimed the week of November 2, 2026 as Election Heroes Day, and Karen Franklin of the League of Women Voters accepted the proclamation.

Council Reports

• Councilor Wayson reminded about harvest season farm equipment safety; reported EMA meeting postponed. Councilor Park attended Coffee Connections, spoke to a class in Cedar Rapids, and attended Joint Entities. Councilor Leibold thanked the public for engagement on Flock, noted he reviewed all emails and spoke with Police Chief Venegar. Councilor Fortney reported on Women's Build for Habitat for Humanity, Legislative Champions, and serving as a poll observer.

Discussion Items

• Ranshaw Way Phase 6 (6:59 PM public hearing, no comments): Resolution 2026-120 approved 4-0 to proceed with the improvement project. Resolution 2026-121 approved 4-0 establishing fair market value and just compensation for property acquisition from 17 property owners. This is the final phase of the project.
• 515 Carlyle Court Rezoning (7:02 PM public hearing, Megan Franks from Arlington Ridge HOA asked for clarification): Staff explained the parcel was a remnant piece split off from park property, still zoned P Public Use but privately owned. First consideration of Ordinance 2026-16 (rezone to RS-4) approved 4-0.
• Golfview Rezoning (7:05 PM public hearing, no comments): Staff explained the zoning category change from R-FB to R-MH to reflect prior code updates. First consideration of Ordinance 2026-17 approved 4-0.
• Automated License Plate Readers (Flock Cameras) : Council voted 4-0 to remove the item from the table. After discussion, the motion to terminate the Flock contract (as originally made on October 13, 2026) passed 3-1 (Wayson voted no, Park, Leibold, Fortney yes). The contract had a 24-month term automatically renewed in July 2026 at an annual cost of $36,000, already paid for 2026-2027. Termination via non-appropriation would be effective 30 days after the FY2028 budget is approved (expected March 2027), after which Flock must remove cameras within a commercially reasonable time. Council discussed data sharing, security, and community trust. Chief Venegar confirmed the department can control access and will decommission cameras upon termination.
• FY 2028 TIF Annual Appropriations and Urban Renewal Request : Resolution 2026-122 (Diamond Dreams) approved 4-0; Resolution 2026-123 (Solomon's Landing) approved 4-0; FY 2027-28 Urban Renewal Request approved 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Ranshaw Way Phase 6 resolutions approved (4-0).
• First considerations for both rezoning ordinances approved (4-0 each).
• Flock camera contract terminated (3-1); cameras to be decommissioned upon contractual end after budget approval.
• TIF appropriations and urban renewal request approved (4-0 each).
• Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.