Sioux City Council Meeting - May 18, 2026: Budget, Housing, Flood Control, and Public Safety
Sioux City Council Meeting Summary - May 18, 2026
The Sioux City Council convened on May 18, 2026, for a regular meeting that covered a wide range of topics including a $5,000 grant from Mid-American Energy, a proclamation for National Public Works Week, multiple consent agenda items, public hearings, a contentious debate over a land sale to Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, a citizen complaint about the FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) inspection program, updates on a long-delayed building renovation project, a presentation on the Big Sioux River Levee expansion, and an update on the HART (Homeless Assistance Response Team) program. The meeting lasted several hours, with significant discussion on property development, flood protection, and code enforcement.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent agenda (items 2 through 13b) unanimously, with a clarifying amendment to the minutes requested by Councilwoman Heidi regarding fuel cost management across all city departments (not just the airport). The amendment passed 5-0.
- Key consent items included: approval of the annual action plan for CDBG and HOME funds; acceptance of work for the Hamilton Boulevard resurfacing project (funded partly by sales tax, which must be used for infrastructure per the 1980s bond resolution); extension of Food Truck Fridays through August 28, 2026 (with a $300 seasonal fee per truck); authorization for a grant application for the Midtown Terrace project; and approval of a land sale proposal for Outer Banks Apartments at 4203 Denise Court, with a note that the development agreement will be revisited due to new school levy legislation (reducing potential TIF rebate from 100% to 75-80%).
- Councilman Bernstein abstained from a vote on taxable general obligation bonds (Series 2026 B) due to a conflict of interest as a shareholder in Security National Bank, which participated in the bond sale. The city clarified that abstention counts as a no vote unless a conflict is noted.
- Several contracts and payments were approved, including a $1.5 million change order for the Lorraine Avenue Emergency Sanitary Sewer Repair (an emergency project without bidding). The council also discussed the sale of the old Tyson Events Center basketball floor.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Stacey O'Rendorf (Breckie's Coffee) : Expressed dissatisfaction with the FOG inspection process, stating that a surprise inspection was disruptive and felt like a compliance-driven approach rather than education. She requested advance notice for initial inspections. City staff explained that unannounced inspections were adopted due to high no-show rates for scheduled visits, but acknowledged her concerns and committed to follow-up.
- Melvin Carter : Asked about the status of Donatell Park. The mayor responded that the city is re-evaluating plans, conducting neighborhood outreach, and has paused any changes.
- Clarence Gordon : Spoke in favor of his alley vacation petition (see Discussion Items).
- John Flannery and Jessica Felix (Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools) : Presented a case for purchasing 1100 Douglas Street to expand the school campus, citing safety concerns from homeless encampments and traffic. They argued that a street through the campus would sever the school and create security risks for 44 preschool and kindergarten students, 230 high school students, and athletic events. They noted $1.5 million in recent CYO building investments and a $30 million investment in the blighted neighborhood over years.
Discussion Items
- Alley Vacation (2310 S. Clinton Street): Clarence Gordon petitioned to vacate an alley that dead-ends due to a retaining wall and has been unused for years. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial because it would create a dead alley. The council discussed potential impacts on a neighbor who wanted to build a garage and might seek compensation. The motion to vacate (overruling P&Z) passed 5-0, with the city noting that neighbors could purchase half of the vacated alley.
- Bishop Heelan Land Sale (1100 Douglas Street): The council debated a resolution to accept the proposal from Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools to purchase the vacated 8th Street portion and adjacent alley. The mayor and some council members expressed concern that a 2012 agreement had envisioned a street connection, but Bishop Heelan representatives argued that the campus expansion and safety needs supersede that plan. A $45 million apartment development had previously fallen through due to opposition from Heelan. The resolution passed 3-2, with the majority emphasizing safety and campus continuity. The council requested that Bishop Heelan present a concrete campus expansion plan at a future meeting.
- FOG Program Presentation: Assistant Public Works Director Vicky Baker and Pre-Treatment Manager Cameron Bill presented the history and implementation of the FOG program, which was created after EPA audits in 2015 due to sanitary sewer overflows. The program requires food service establishments to install and maintain grease interceptors, with grandfathering for existing units. New sizing proposals now consider hours, meals served, and grease factor. The city recently launched a new online tracking database (Fog BMP) to streamline compliance. Councilwoman Heidi noted that the program should be solution-oriented, and staff confirmed they had revised sizing rules based on stakeholder feedback.
- Big Sioux River Levee Expansion: City Engineer Gordon Fair and Kevin Cruz (JEO) presented four alternatives for extending the levee along River Drive. The project is currently in 50% design phase, with an $866,000 grant (80-20). Alternative A (preferred) uses temporary HESCO barriers during flood events (currently 1,500 feet; alternative reduces to about one-third of that) and avoids purchasing an additional property. Alternatives B and C involve flood walls or bulkheads behind a home, requiring easements, with costs from $1.2 million to $1.5 million+. Alternative D would extend the levee to Beck Street, permanently eliminating temporary measures, but requires acquiring the property and costs $1.5-1.7 million. The council expressed interest in the long-term solution (Alternative D) and asked for legal opinion on liability from building a wall behind a property. Staff will bring back more details for a vote at the next meeting.
- Building Permit Software Update: Economic Development Director Marty Dorty reported on the new software implementation for building permits, which held a three-hour business process review meeting with multiple departments. The goal is to streamline permit applications and make the process more user-friendly. The council encouraged progress.
- HART Program Update: Police Chief Rex Mueller reported that the HART team continues to address homelessness citywide, with regular emails and problem-solving. The team has expanded beyond downtown to other areas. Councilman Rick emphasized the need for enforcement against the 20% of individuals who refuse help, particularly regarding trespassing, drug use, and intoxication. The chief confirmed that enforcement remains a priority, and the city is coordinating with other agencies (e.g., BNSF railroad to clean up a large encampment). Councilman Greg noted outreach to Milwaukee and San Jose for best practices. A point-in-time count study from SHIP was requested.
Key Outcomes
- Alley vacation approved: 5-0, overruling P&Z denial.
- Land sale to Bishop Heelan (1100 Douglas Street) approved: 3-2, with a request for a future campus plan.
- Consent agenda passed unanimously with one amendment.
- All public hearings closed without opposition (items 14-19) and passed 5-0.
- FOG program: Council directed staff to follow up with Stacey O'Rendorf on inspection practices and to continue education-first approach.
- Levee expansion: Staff will return with additional cost analysis and legal opinion on Alternative D at the next council meeting.
- HART: Council supported continued enforcement and collaboration; requested a copy of the homelessness study from SHIP.
- National Public Works Week proclaimed: May 17-23, 2026.
- Council concerns: Future meetings will limit presentations to two per week; a 250th anniversary/4th of July parade is planned for July 3, 2026; a new grading permit process is being drafted; and the city will address nuisance property on Nebraska Street.
Meeting Transcript
Rayford. Here. Shayner. Here. Scott? Here. Fairenstein? Here. Bertran. Stand for a moment of silent prayer, followed by the pledge of allegiance, please. Touch allegiance to the flood of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation undergoing. Sam out there. Yeah. Sam Wagner and Kelly, you got something to do here today, please. Come forward. Come on a regular, Sam. Hey, I told you I'll be back. So here we go. Uh, this time as a duly designated representative of Mid-American Energy, uh, here to present a check in the amount of five thousand dollars as a grant through our treats please program. So uh make my remarks brief. And that is that's pretty much it. So thank you again. Uh thanks uh to Kelly and the Parks Department for uh putting in the application and giving me a reason to come before the city council uh without being in trouble. So thank you. We always like it when you come with checks, Sam. All right, thanks, Sam. I have a proclamation that just says public works. Okay, everybody. Whereas the public works professionals provide essential services to protect the health, safety, and quality of life, allowing for a sustainable and resilient communities as well being and the well-being of the people of the city of Sioux City. Whereas these services could not be provided without dedicated efforts of public works professionals who are employees at all levels across our six divisions who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our infrastructure and transportation network, wastewater treatment, stormwater treatment, solid waste operations, fleet management, and renewable energy essential for our citizens. And where it is the public interest for the citizens in Sioux City to gain knowledge of and to maintain a progressive interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. Whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now therefore I Robert E. Scott, mayor of the city of Sioux City, Iowa, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim May 17th to the 23rd as National Public Works Week. I urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies and activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health safety and quality of life. I'll let you guys present this to me and tell us all those activities that we need to take part in. Thank you, Mayor. Mayor, Council, and members of this community, thank you for recognizing the National Public Works Week and your continued support for the public works team. Public works impacts the daily lives of our residents in many ways, from maintaining infrastructure and protecting public health to responding to emergencies and supporting community growth. I especially want to thank our dedicated employees for their hard work, professionalism, and commitment to serving Sioux City each and every single day. Thank you. Thank you. All right, we'll go to the consent agenda items two through 13b. You can consider these items passed unanimously unless a separate roll call votes called for by a council member. Anyone wanting to speak on an agenda item may come up the podium at the time the item is being discussed? Anyone wishing to speak on an item not on the agenda may do so at the end of the regular meeting during citizen concerns, fill out a citizen concern card found. Well, you don't have to do that. Not this late.
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