Sioux City City Council Meeting - March 9, 2026

The meeting included proclamations, appointments, consent agenda approval, a billboard moratorium extension, citizen concerns centered on library funding, and a community engagement update. Council members clarified that proposed library budget adjustments were aimed at exploring a four-branch model, not closing branches.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3 through 11D were approved unanimously: March 2 City Council minutes, appointment of Catherine Pappel to the Active Transportation Advisory Committee (waiving policy on multiple board service), resolutions scheduling meetings on property tax levy and bond proposals, service provider agreements (Richard Hanson for maintenance, Black & Veatch for wastewater audit, C&C Lawn Care renewal, Sioux Land Developers development agreement and corrective deed), change order and payment approvals for bridge overlays, sidewalk ramp, and Glen Oaks Boulevard paving, and resolutions proposing property sales at 2121 West 17th Street, West 17th and John Street, and 2423 South Cypress Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Legend Campbell urged the council to protect library funding, citing 239,763 visitors, 320,000 items circulated, 18,461 computer sessions, and 16,410 program attendees. He stated the library saved residents over $3 million in 2025.
• Linda Sante emphasized the downtown building’s structural suitability for books and argued for maintaining a main library.
• Brand Esteck shared a personal story of how the library built community for her family during a health crisis.
• Mary Nissan asked for clarity on the proposed budget cuts, noting misinformation had caused public concern.
• Terry O'Brien opposed moving the library, saying the city owns the building and that a similar study five years ago found it not fiscally sound to rent.
• JJ Stone raised an issue about rent reimbursement denial for residents in nonprofit-owned apartment complexes, asking the council to investigate.
• Ben Bemus (library employee) argued that a $1 million cut would devastate services, noting $3.03 million of the $3.8 million budget is compensation.
• Charles Wishman (Iowa Federation of Labor) urged the council to avoid cutting staff and emphasized the importance of library access for job seekers.
• William Burroughs criticized the council for inconsistency, noting a $3 million spending on other projects while proposing library cuts, and called for protecting library funding.
• Brett Watchworn asked if other departments faced similar 25% cuts, noting the library was singled out.
• Andrew (member of the Effective Fiscal and Public Policy Committee) presented a 15-page model for a four-branch system, stating the downtown library costs $646 per hour to operate compared to $187 per hour at Morningside, and that the current system spends $2 million of the $3.8 million budget on the downtown location.
• Paul Koskovich (billboard company) asked to be included in discussions on the moratorium extension and urged the council to speed up the process.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Recognized Bob and Julie Mesmer for 22 years of bus driving and 20 years of foster parenting (89 foster children), and proclaimed March 26th as National Brain Injury Awareness Month in Sioux City. Brain Injury Association of Iowa representatives spoke about programs and expansion.
• Appointments: Sam Avery (Visual Edge IT) reappointed to the active transportation advisory committee; Dean Bradham (plumbing background) appointed to the wastewater treatment plant reconstruction advisory committee; Jose Montes (Iron Workers Local 21) appointed to the same committee; Andrew Pritchard (Cargill refinery superintendent) appointed to the same committee. All appointments were approved by council.
• Billboard Moratorium Extension: Chris Matchin, Planning Division Manager, requested a six-month extension of the moratorium on off-premise signs (billboards) to allow time to meet with additional sign companies and revise the ordinance. Council members discussed the need for regulation to control billboard proliferation. The extension passed on first reading (5-0) and was approved after waiving rules (5-0).
• Library Budget Discussion: Council members Julie and Rick clarified that the proposal was to ask the library director to model a four-branch system, not to cut funding or close branches. They stated that the library board and director refused to model the idea. The mayor noted that the budget will not be finalized until March 18, and no decisions have been made. Council members expressed frustration with media coverage and misinformation. The council did not take any action on the library budget at this meeting.
• Motion to Appoint Alex Waters: Deferred from February 23 and March 2, the motion failed (2-3, with Bertrand and Scott voting no, Rayford, Shanner, and Barrenstein voting aye).
• Pulaski Park Stormwater Pipe Replacement: Resolution approving a consolidated services agreement with DGR Engineering for $1 million project. Some council members questioned the history of the pipe. The resolution passed (3-2, with Scott and Bertrand voting no).
• Community Engagement Update: Anne Westra presented statistics on the city's communication platforms, including website redesign (to meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards by April 24), social media growth (Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor), and the impact of a part-time social media creator. She recommended transitioning the role to full-time. Council members praised the outreach.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• Billboard moratorium extended six months (passed 5-0 on first reading and final approval).
• Appointment of Alex Waters to Active Transportation Advisory Committee failed (2-3).
• Pulaski Park stormwater pipe replacement resolution approved (3-2).
• Library budget discussion deferred; no action taken. Council will continue budget wrap-up on March 18, 2026.
• Citizen concerns noted; council directed staff to follow up on JJ Stone’s rent reimbursement issue.
• Proclamations issued for Bob and Julie Mesmer and National Brain Injury Awareness Month.