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Record of Proceedings

North Liberty City Council Regular Session - November 10, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, November 10, 2026
BodyNorth Liberty, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 10, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:20

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:47

Good evening everyone.

0:48

Tonight is November 10th, 2026, and I will call the North Liberty City Council meeting to order.

0:55

Tracy, could we have roll call, please?

Speaker 2

0:57

Absolutely.

0:58

Fortney here.

0:59

Libeled.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Park.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Smith.

1:03

Here.

1:03

Wayson.

Speaker 1

1:04

Here.

1:05

Thank you.

1:05

Item three is approval of the agenda.

1:07

There are no changes.

1:08

Could I have a motion for approval, please?

Speaker 3

1:10

So moved.

Speaker 1

1:11

Second.

1:12

By Park seconded by Smith.

1:15

Any questions?

Unassigned speaker

1:16

All

Speaker 1

1:17

in favor, say aye.

1:18

Aye.

1:19

Opposed?

1:20

Our agenda is set.

1:21

Item four is our consent agenda.

1:23

Is there anything on there that you have questions about or want to ask?

Speaker 4

1:27

I had a question, Mayor, about the liquor license renewals.

1:32

Both of them had failed, but I don't see where they were reinspected in past.

1:36

So I'm just kind of curious on that.

Unassigned speaker

1:39

Okay.

Speaker 5

1:39

Yeah, and oftentimes what happens is the license needs to be considered before they make the final improvements.

1:49

So we'll give them 30 days generally to get this get their things in order.

1:54

And depending on the severity of the issue, you know, we'll it'll will either require a quicker turnaround or if they need lead time on something, we'll get might give them 45 days, but we will be sure that it gets corrected.

2:09

That the timing doesn't always work for when the fire station get in can get an inspection versus when their application is due for renewal.

Speaker 4

2:18

Because it already showed that the reinspection was scheduled in October.

Speaker 5

2:24

That their reinspection wasn't scheduled.

2:26

So I I don't know the details on it, but generally Brian our fire marshal harden uh works closely with them to uh to get it and if I just was yeah, if there were an issue where they were not cooperating, then uh the chief and I would have a discussion about what we need to do to make that happen.

2:45

So

Speaker 3

2:45

the the issuance of a license does not prevent us from uh issuing a citation for violating an anything that that has failed, right?

2:53

That they are uh they one can inform the other, um, but it's not required.

Speaker 6

2:57

Okay, gotcha.

2:58

Thank you.

2:59

And grant through repeated citations we could uh revoke should it be necessary.

Speaker 3

3:06

Yes, of course.

3:06

Yeah.

Speaker 1

3:08

Great questions, and I'm glad that um

Unassigned speaker

3:10

I

Speaker 1

3:11

knew the answer, but not as in detail as these guys.

3:13

And it's every it's good to have that reminder every once in a while.

3:16

So thanks for bringing that up, counselor.

3:18

Any other questions?

3:20

Could I have a motion for

Unassigned speaker

3:22

uh

Speaker 1

3:22

uh approval of the consent agenda, please?

3:25

So moved.

Speaker 4

3:27

Second.

Speaker 1

3:28

By Wayson seconded by Fortney.

3:30

All in favor, say aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture███████████████████████████████31%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Urban Planning███████████████15%
Public Engagement███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Community Engagement███3%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

North Liberty City Council Regular Session - November 10, 2026

The North Liberty City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Chris Hoffman presided, with all five councilors present (Tonja Fortney, Brian Leibold, Paul Park, Brent Smith, Brian Wayson). The meeting covered a consent agenda, multiple rezoning approvals, a presentation of the draft Art & Culture Plan, an urban renewal area expansion, and several resolutions for infrastructure projects. The council also discussed principles of public process and public discourse.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously the following items: City Council Minutes (October 27, 2026); Liquor License Renewals for J&A Tap and Andale Cantina (with discussion on inspection timing – administrator noted licenses are issued before final corrections and follow-up inspections are scheduled); FY 2026 Annual Urban Renewal Report; South Fiber Project pay application #4 ($10,959.30) and final completion; Water Supply & Treatment Improvements Project pay application #2 ($488,823.78); Forevergreen Road & Jasper Avenue Improvements pay application #7 ($1,037,722.42); Easement Agreements (Resolution 2026-124) for Ranshaw Way Phase Six; Delinquent Amounts Assessment (Resolution 2026-125); and the list of Claims.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were offered during the open comment period or during any public hearings (urban renewal, Holiday Lodge, North Ridge Trail).

Discussion Items

  • Engineer Report (Josiah Bilskemper): Provided an update on the Forevergreen Road and Jasper Avenue roundabout project. The contractor aims to open the roundabout by the end of November 2026. Some work (cones, safety barriers) will remain after opening, with final plantings and touch-ups planned for spring 2027. Councilor Smith commented on the removal of the DOT construction shoot on I-380, calling the design unsafe.
  • City Administrator Report (Ryan Heiar): Highlighted the Strategic Goals progress report – 21 active projects with progress, 8 goals with little movement expected to be addressed during FY28 budget preparation. Announced a budget check-in discussion at the next council meeting (November 24).
  • Mayor Report: Proclaimed November 12, 2026 as Philanthropy Day. Reported on countywide digital infrastructure meeting (water availability discussion), library strategic planning, ICCSD boundary committee, and upcoming MPOJC meeting. Paid tribute to former councilor Glenn Siders (passed away), noting his four years of service and community leadership. Also noted that November 10, 1913 was North Liberty’s incorporation – 190 residents, 61 votes cast (31 for, 28 against).
  • Council Reports: Councilor Wayson recognized Veterans Day, CCA sports teams, new EMA building in Tiffin. Councilor Smith reported on Better Together 2030 strategic planning. Councilor Park attended Coffee Connections and Iowa City Area Sports Commission (received Hayden Fry memorabilia). Councilor Leibold attended Coffee Connections and data center discussion. Councilor Fortney attended a ribbon cutting for Tracy’s Deli and Coffee Shop and served as a poll observer.
  • Art & Culture Plan Presentation: Siobhan Spain (Group Creative Services) presented the draft Art & Culture Plan, a “live” story map emphasizing community connection to nature, outdoor spaces, and neighborhood identity. Key themes: activating ponds and water features, establishing “Old Town” interactive art, a “282 Challenge” bird migration scavenger hunt, and integrating art into city projects (e.g., Cherry Street Firehouse). Councilor Park praised the community listening process. Mayor Hoffman noted the plan captures history, outdoors, and wayfinding. Next steps: council adoption, forming an arts commission, and identifying funding – not solely city budgets. Council expressed excitement about economic and community impact.
  • Urban Renewal Plan Amendment: Public hearing opened and closed at 6:38 PM with no comments. Approved Resolution 2026-126 (declare necessity and establish urban renewal area) and first consideration of Ordinance 2026-18 (tax division) – both 5-0.
  • Holiday Lodge Rezoning & North Ridge Trail Rezoning: Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Public hearings held (no comments). For both rezonings, motions to waive the two-reading requirement failed (3-2, with councilors Wayson and Leibold voting no on principle of public process). Each first consideration passed unanimously (5-0). Holiday Lodge rezoned from R-FB to R-MH; North Ridge Trail rezoned from R-FB to P Public Use.
  • Waiving Readings Discussions: Councilors debated the practice. Councilor Leibold and Wayson consistently voted against waiving readings, citing state law requiring three considerations for public input. Councilor Smith and others favored waiving for minor map corrections. Motions failed on Holiday Lodge, North Ridge Trail, 515 Carlyle Court, and Golfview rezonings.
  • Old Business: Councilor Fortney expressed disappointment over personal attacks on social media following the Flock camera vote, appealing for respectful discourse. Mayor Hoffman and councilors affirmed the collaborative nature of the council.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Resolutions and Ordinances (all votes unanimous 5-0 unless noted):
    • Resolution 2026-124 (Easement Agreements for Ranshaw Way Phase Six)
    • Resolution 2026-125 (Delinquent property tax assessment)
    • Resolution 2026-126 (Urban Renewal Area expansion) – 5-0
    • Ordinance 2026-18 first consideration (tax division for Urban Renewal) – 5-0
    • Ordinance 2026-19 first consideration (Holiday Lodge rezoning) – 5-0
    • Ordinance 2026-20 first consideration (North Ridge Trail rezoning) – 5-0
    • Resolution 2026-127 (Cherry Street Firehouse Project agreement with Miron Construction) – 5-0
    • Resolution 2026-128 (Solomons Landing Part 6 Final Plat) – 5-0
    • Resolution 2026-129 (Stoner Court Storm Water Facilities Maintenance Agreement) – 5-0
    • Resolution 2026-130 (Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 3 design amendment with Strand Associates) – 5-0
    • Resolution 2026-131 (Partial release of escrow for Sunset Prairie) – 5-0
    • Ordinance 2026-16 second consideration (515 Carlyle Court rezoning from P to RS-4) – 5-0
    • Ordinance 2026-17 second consideration (Golfview rezoning from R-FB to R-MH) – 5-0
  • Failed Motions (to waive two-reading requirement):
    • Holiday Lodge (3-2: Park, Fortney, Smith yes; Wayson, Leibold no)
    • North Ridge Trail (3-2: Park, Fortney, Smith yes; Wayson, Leibold no)
    • 515 Carlyle Court (2-3: Park, Smith yes; Wayson, Leibold, Fortney no)
    • Golfview (3-2: Park, Smith, Fortney yes; Wayson, Leibold no)
  • Next Steps: City Administrator to present FY28 budget update at November 24 meeting. Draft Art & Culture Plan to be adopted by council, with action steps including formation of an arts commission and funding strategies.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening everyone. Tonight is November 10th, 2026, and I will call the North Liberty City Council meeting to order. Tracy, could we have roll call, please? Absolutely. Fortney here. Libeled. Here. Park. Here. Smith. Here. Wayson. Here. Thank you. Item three is approval of the agenda. There are no changes. Could I have a motion for approval, please? So moved. Second. By Park seconded by Smith. Any questions? All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Our agenda is set. Item four is our consent agenda. Is there anything on there that you have questions about or want to ask? I had a question, Mayor, about the liquor license renewals. Both of them had failed, but I don't see where they were reinspected in past. So I'm just kind of curious on that. Okay. Yeah, and oftentimes what happens is the license needs to be considered before they make the final improvements. So we'll give them 30 days generally to get this get their things in order. And depending on the severity of the issue, you know, we'll it'll will either require a quicker turnaround or if they need lead time on something, we'll get might give them 45 days, but we will be sure that it gets corrected. That the timing doesn't always work for when the fire station get in can get an inspection versus when their application is due for renewal. Because it already showed that the reinspection was scheduled in October. That their reinspection wasn't scheduled. So I I don't know the details on it, but generally Brian our fire marshal harden uh works closely with them to uh to get it and if I just was yeah, if there were an issue where they were not cooperating, then uh the chief and I would have a discussion about what we need to do to make that happen. So the the issuance of a license does not prevent us from uh issuing a citation for violating an anything that that has failed, right? That they are uh they one can inform the other, um, but it's not required. Okay, gotcha. Thank you. And grant through repeated citations we could uh revoke should it be necessary. Yes, of course. Yeah. Great questions, and I'm glad that um I knew the answer, but not as in detail as these guys.

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