OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sioux City City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025

Council Meetings — Monday, August 11, 2025
BodySioux City, Iowa
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateMonday, August 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 20:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

More.

0:08

Okay.

0:09

Here.

0:10

Here.

0:11

Scott.

0:12

Here.

0:12

Waters.

0:13

Here.

0:14

And for a moment of silent perhaps, followed by the pledge of a reasonable.

0:21

Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America.

0:25

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:28

One nation under God.

0:30

Into visible with number 10, just as well.

0:36

The appointment's been rescheduled, so we'll go right to the consent agenda items three through 14D.

0:42

Constitute the consent agenda for today.

0:44

The items will pass unanimously unless a separate roll call vote is requested by a council member.

0:50

You want to speak on any of these items, please come up as I read it.

0:53

If you want to speak on an item not on the agenda, please come up under citizen concerns.

0:57

Remember to always state your name for the record.

1:00

I'll move the consent agenda.

1:01

Second.

1:02

Three is a reading of the August 4 City Council minutes.

1:06

Four is a resolution adopting plans inspect the terminal roof replacement project phase three at the airport.

1:13

Five is a resolution amending the position classification manual by approving an updated job description for the position of recreation coordinator.

1:22

Six is a resolution awarding a purchase order to black line safety for gas meters and alarm monitoring.

1:30

A is a resolution scheduling a hearing on the proposed amendment.

1:34

Number one to the amended and restated Donner Park Urban Renewal Plan creation of the South Bridge number three urban renewal sub-area.

1:42

B a resolution scheduling a hearing on a proposed amendment number one to the amended and restated combined central C Sioux City CBD urban renewal plan creation of the lawn ridge urban renewal sub-area.

1:56

C is a resolution scheduling a hearing on the proposed amendment number two to the amended restate of Teton Urban Renewal Plan, the creation of the Indian Hills North Urban Renewal Sub-area.

2:08

D is a resolution of necessity determining a blighted area and determin and designated the Crescent Park as an area for an urban renewal project and scheduling a hearing on the proposed Crescent Park Urban Renewal Plan.

2:21

Are actions relating to grants?

2:23

A is a resolution authorizing the execution of the Iowa Levy Improvement Fund Award Agreement.

2:31

I'm sorry, you're not in the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Flood Mitigation Board for the Big Sioux River Levy Extension Project.

2:43

Okay, thanks, Mayor.

2:44

Hey Gordon, I have a quick question for you.

2:47

I just want to make sure I understand the timetable on this as well as what we're doing here is consistent with what was told to the residents out there as far as the levy goes and how it's gonna be extended, that kind of thing.

3:02

And if I read it right, you said that the um that the construction activities would start in 2027 and then they'd be completed in 2028.

3:12

So I'd just like to just have some confirmation on that from the Gordon Fair City Engineer.

3:17

Uh that is the plan for that, yes.

3:19

There is a long lead time for the permits through the uh DNR and the core to get these uh that levy extended.

3:29

The design is relatively easy and the construction is relatively cheap.

3:35

It's the all of the permitting afterwards.

3:39

Okay.

3:40

I just I want to thank you for getting the state share uh that was up, it's gonna be up to 865,000 or 50 percent of the eligible cost.

3:49

So thank you for doing that, Gordon.

3:52

Welcome.

3:53

Thank you, Mayor.

3:54

Gordon, hang out for just a second.

3:56

I'll let him read B is a resolution authorizing environmental services to submit a grand application, Missouri River Historical Development for the 2025 impact match grant.

4:09

That one?

4:09

Yeah, Gordon.

4:10

What I wanted to chat about this is I first off, I really appreciate if it was ERA or um whoever it was that came up with this project to be able to replace those.

4:22

I think that's an area that really needs to be replaced.

4:25

The sidewalk just is somewhat failing and in dire shape along that area, so I think improvement would be uh much needed.

4:33

What I would really like you to help me look into and we can discuss it maybe at the next public works to just uh if ERA is there or if I can chat with her.

4:44

This area is down across from the convention center is where is the sidewalk area that this goes.

5:00

And what I would like to figure out is where we want to send pedestrians to be able to get over to the sidewalk in front of the promenade in front of that pure form, I think is what it's called now.

5:07

That's new studio.

5:09

There's that sidewalk there that runs along those businesses.

5:12

I forget if you and I have spoke about it before, but right there at the end of that sidewalk of where they're proposing to do these new paving pavers to connect to that sidewalk.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement███████████████████████████27%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████21%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Active Transportation██████████████14%
Procedural████████████12%
Parks and Recreation███████████11%
Summary of Proceedings

Sioux City City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025

The Sioux City City Council met on August 11, 2025, to consider a consent agenda, hear citizen concerns, and receive updates from council members. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a silent moment. The consent agenda was approved unanimously, with brief discussions on a levy extension project and a sidewalk improvement project. A citizen raised concerns about fence ordinances and code enforcement.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 3–14D were approved unanimously without separate roll call. Key items included:
    • Resolution adopting plans for the terminal roof replacement project at the airport.
    • Resolution amending the position classification manual for recreation coordinator.
    • Resolution awarding a purchase order for gas meters and alarm monitoring.
    • Four resolutions scheduling hearings on urban renewal plan amendments and a new plan for Crescent Park.
    • Actions relating to grants: a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Flood Mitigation Board for the Big Sioux River Levee Extension Project (discussed below).
    • Resolution authorizing environmental services to submit a grant application for the 2025 Impact Match Grant (discussed below).
    • Street closure resolutions for various events.
    • Contract approvals, including change order for South Mulberry Street project and stormwater management agreement.
    • Property actions: amending a lease with Western Iowa Tech Community College for Rugby Field, and inviting proposals for land in the Floyd River Urban Renewal Area.
    • Permits, licenses, and committee minutes.
  • Discussion on Levee Extension Project: Councilmember asked City Engineer Gordon Fair to confirm the timeline. Fair stated construction is planned for 2027–2028, with a long lead time for permits through DNR and the Corps. Councilmember thanked Fair for securing a state share of up to $865,000 (50% of eligible costs).
  • Discussion on Sidewalk Improvements (Impact Match Grant): Councilmember noted the need for sidewalk replacement along the area near the convention center and raised concerns about a drainage intake that creates a barrier for pedestrians, especially those with mobility impairments. City Engineer Gordon Fair agreed to bring the issue to the next team meeting and the Active Transportation Committee. The existing intake location was acknowledged as problematic.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Paul Koskevich (business owner) expressed frustration with the city's fence ordinance, specifically the prohibition of barbed wire facing outward. He argued that the ordinance hinders efforts to protect property from theft and crime, citing a recent break-in and copper theft. He claimed a city inspector (Chris) sent a citation based on anonymous complaints, and that the inspector did not work with him to find solutions. He also alleged harassment at a Chick-fil-A jobsite where a complaint was filed about sidewalk cleanliness shortly after he had cleaned it. Councilmember Mike responded that he had discussed the issue with Chris and that the fence setback and right-of-way intention would be reviewed. Councilmember also noted that the city inspector had returned from vacation and addressed the matter promptly. Koskevich also criticized the city for not maintaining its own properties (e.g., near Al Haynes).
  • Matthew (city council member, speaking as part of public comments?) Note: Matthew is a council member, but his remarks were given during the council comments section. He thanked neighborhood networks, police, and fire for National Night Out events, and noted the Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment upcoming on Saturday.

Discussion Items

  • Councilmember Alec reminded that pools are closed for the season due to staffing, but splash pads remain open through Labor Day and possibly beyond if warm weather continues.
  • Councilmember Julie had no comments.
  • Councilmember (unnamed) noted the success of the Siouxland African Festival and National Night Out.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda passed unanimously.
  • The city engineer will review the sidewalk drainage issue with the appropriate committees.
  • The fence ordinance issue will be discussed with the citizen and city staff to explore possible solutions.
  • Appointments were rescheduled from the agenda.
  • The meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

More. Okay. Here. Here. Scott. Here. Waters. Here. And for a moment of silent perhaps, followed by the pledge of a reasonable. Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Into visible with number 10, just as well. The appointment's been rescheduled, so we'll go right to the consent agenda items three through 14D. Constitute the consent agenda for today. The items will pass unanimously unless a separate roll call vote is requested by a council member. You want to speak on any of these items, please come up as I read it. If you want to speak on an item not on the agenda, please come up under citizen concerns. Remember to always state your name for the record. I'll move the consent agenda. Second. Three is a reading of the August 4 City Council minutes. Four is a resolution adopting plans inspect the terminal roof replacement project phase three at the airport. Five is a resolution amending the position classification manual by approving an updated job description for the position of recreation coordinator. Six is a resolution awarding a purchase order to black line safety for gas meters and alarm monitoring. A is a resolution scheduling a hearing on the proposed amendment. Number one to the amended and restated Donner Park Urban Renewal Plan creation of the South Bridge number three urban renewal sub-area. B a resolution scheduling a hearing on a proposed amendment number one to the amended and restated combined central C Sioux City CBD urban renewal plan creation of the lawn ridge urban renewal sub-area. C is a resolution scheduling a hearing on the proposed amendment number two to the amended restate of Teton Urban Renewal Plan, the creation of the Indian Hills North Urban Renewal Sub-area. D is a resolution of necessity determining a blighted area and determin and designated the Crescent Park as an area for an urban renewal project and scheduling a hearing on the proposed Crescent Park Urban Renewal Plan. Are actions relating to grants? A is a resolution authorizing the execution of the Iowa Levy Improvement Fund Award Agreement. I'm sorry, you're not in the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Flood Mitigation Board for the Big Sioux River Levy Extension Project. Okay, thanks, Mayor. Hey Gordon, I have a quick question for you. I just want to make sure I understand the timetable on this as well as what we're doing here is consistent with what was told to the residents out there as far as the levy goes and how it's gonna be extended, that kind of thing. And if I read it right, you said that the um that the construction activities would start in 2027 and then they'd be completed in 2028. So I'd just like to just have some confirmation on that from the Gordon Fair City Engineer. Uh that is the plan for that, yes. There is a long lead time for the permits through the uh DNR and the core to get these uh that levy extended. The design is relatively easy and the construction is relatively cheap. It's the all of the permitting afterwards. Okay. I just I want to thank you for getting the state share uh that was up, it's gonna be up to 865,000 or 50 percent of the eligible cost. So thank you for doing that, Gordon. Welcome. Thank you, Mayor. Gordon, hang out for just a second. I'll let him read B is a resolution authorizing environmental services to submit a grand application, Missouri River Historical Development for the 2025 impact match grant. That one?

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