Sioux City Council Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Sioux City Council met in regular session on August 10, 2026, with Mayor Scott absent and Mayor Pro Tem Rayford presiding. The council approved a unanimous consent agenda, discussed several development and infrastructure items, heard public concerns over stormwater fee increases, and received updates on permitting software and community projects.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda (items 2 through 12C) in a 4-0 vote, with Mayor Scott absent.
• Prior to the consent agenda, Planning and Zoning staff announced a publication error: three rezoning items (1700 Jackson, 1308 South Cleveland, and 1102 and 122 Grandview Boulevard) missed publicization and were postponed to the next agenda.
• The council approved an amendment to the August 3rd minutes to add motion number 2026-0747.
• Approved appointment/reappointment of Jacob Wanderscheid to the Civil Service Commission, waiving the policy limiting service on multiple boards.
• Authorized plans and specs for the Midtown Terrace project.
• Authorized submission of a COC builds grant application for rehabilitating 525 14th Street (former Jewish Community Center) into 24 permanent supportive housing units.
• Approved grant amendments, contracts, change orders, property sales, purchases, alcohol license applications, and board minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jody House, a Sioux City resident, asked about a possible data center announcement. Marty Doherty (Economic Community Development) clarified the map was mislabeled and there are no current data center plans; it was an outdated future development site identification.
• Nancy Schulenberger, a resident on Talbot Road, expressed opposition to the new stormwater management fees, stating her acreage saw a 300% (quadrupled) increase. She argued the billing was confusing (monthly vs. yearly wording) and urged reconsideration, particularly for low-income seniors.
• Kevin Small, a construction worker, said he now does 70-80% of his work outside Sioux City and that the 300% stormwater fee increase is scaring off potential homebuilders and developers. He supported re-evaluating the fee structure. Council members noted the fee would be reconsidered at the August 24 meeting.

Discussion Items

• Midtown Terrace and 525 14th Street: Jill (Neighborhood Services) described the Midtown Terrace project as transitional and low-income housing and the 525 14th Street project as a 24-unit permanent supportive housing conversion. She noted the city has 12-14 million in grant asks, with decisions expected in the next few months. A HUD-required eligibility criterion for permanent supportive housing is chronic homelessness plus disability; the city typically has 70-80 qualifying households. The project would use tenant-based rental assistance, no debt on the property, and no developer fee.
• Grant Amendment (6B): Jill explained an Iowa Finance Authority grant amendment added $16,000 in excess funds from underutilized grants; funds are expected to be spent within a week or two.
• Larson Park Road Change Order (7B): Gordon Ferris (City Engineer) explained the change order for emergency flood repair work, which grew from original estimates due to unanticipated sanitary sewer, utility, and excavation issues. A $54,000 deficit may result if FEMA reimbursement is not fully approved; funds would then be drawn from other flood-related funds or the next CIP year.
• Regional Stormwater Basin Plan (7C): Tom Pingle (Public Works Director) presented a consultant agreement to develop a "buy down" program allowing developers to pay into regional stormwater basins instead of building on-site detention. The $67,000 study uses existing stormwater budget funds. Council members discussed benefits for development and cost savings.
• F3 Marina Reimbursement (8A): The council considered a $73,000 reimbursement to F3 Marina for fuel system, dock repairs, and dredging. Councilmember Bernstein requested itemization; a deferral motion failed on a roll call, but the council later agreed to defer the item for one week so staff could provide detailed invoices.
• Building Permits & Software Update: Darrell Bullock (Inspection Services) reported delays in permit applications due to staff health issues, and gave an update on the development review software. Central Square consultants recommended cleaning up the land parcel database (with duplicates and outdated rental permit entries, estimated 8,500 line items) before the go-live date. The target go-live is end of year.
• Council Concerns: Councilmember Bertrand discussed potential property insurance savings ($300,000-$500,000) with an alternate provider, cardboard dumpster/dump trailer decisions, workforce housing infrastructure, and the police chief search process. City Manager advised that the council will have a formal vote on the police chief appointment. Councilmembers also requested a report on Flock camera usage and data privacy, and confirmed water/wastewater controls are not internet-connected.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda passed 4-0 (Mayor Scott absent).
• The 525 14th Street grant application was authorized for submission.
• The F3 Marina reimbursement item was deferred for one week to obtain itemized invoices, despite an initially failed deferral motion.
• The stormwater fee increase will be reconsidered at the August 24 council meeting.
• No formal action was taken on the police chief search; the council will vote on the city manager's recommended appointment in approximately 2-3 weeks.
• The council directed staff to prepare reports on Flock camera usage and the stormwater fee review.

The meeting adjourned after council members shared brief closing comments.