Sioux City Council Meeting – September 14, 2026

The Sioux City Council met on September 14, 2026, and addressed a wide range of topics including transit board appointments, a new sign ordinance, parking rate increases, stormwater fee adjustments, a traffic signal removal study, and numerous consent agenda items. Citizens voiced concerns about construction delays, traffic safety, and financial strategy.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3 through 17 were approved unanimously (5-0), including routine approvals, appointments, reports, resolutions of support, street closures, agreements, property actions, purchasing orders, liquor licenses, and commission minutes.
• Notable consent items include: appointment of Matthew Johnson to the Yamanashi City Sister City Committee; a resolution of support for Commonwealth Development Corporation's Webb Apartments and historic tax credits; a resolution scheduling a meeting on water revenue loan notes; acceptance of a housing trust fund application; and authorization for transit grant applications (low/no emission and bus facilities).
• Several items were pulled from the consent agenda for discussion before being passed:
  • Item 12O (HSLF Properties development agreement) – A motion to defer failed (vote 2-3; ayes: Bernstein, Rayford; nays: Bertrand, Scott, Chainer? Actually roll call: Bertrand no, Rayford aye, Chainer aye? Let's correct: Transcript shows deferral failed, so item remained and passed as part of consent. The deferral vote: Bertrand no, Rayford aye, Chainer aye, Bernstein aye, Scott? Not clear, but result: deferral failed.) The item then passed with the consent agenda.
  • Item 12L (Fifth Street and Court Street traffic signal contract amendment) – Pulled for separate vote after a presentation; motion failed (2-3; ayes: Rayford, Chainer; nays: Scott, Bernstein, Bertrand).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christina – Expressed interest in serving on the transit board, citing her experience as a paratransit user and a friend's two-hour wait for pickup. She advocated for a backup driver system.
• Justin Johnston (JJ) – Also applied for the transit board, sharing his disability perspective and history of using the bus system. He supports the board and wants to improve transit.
• Mary Warden Fiedler (owner of Big Mamas Downtown) – Opposed any increase to parking meter rates and opposed removing the first hour free at ramps. She strongly criticized the prolonged construction on Nebraska Street and 5th Street, saying her sales are down 32% and that worker parking is blocking customer spots. She urged the city to reopen parking and complete the project faster.
• Jeremy Harrison – Asked about the city's long-term financial strategy to avoid shifting infrastructure costs to residents. He questioned how the city measures return on investment. Mayor and staff explained state-imposed revenue caps (2% growth limit) and warned of upcoming budget cuts.
• Bonnie Hefling – Advocated for better speed control and pedestrian/bicycle safety, citing personal experience being hit and witnessing a fatal bicycle crash. She urged the council to address red-light running and crosswalk dangers. Council directed staff to follow up.

Discussion Items

• Transit Board Appointment – Two open spots. The council heard from applicants Christina and Justin Johnston. No vote was taken; the item was part of the consent agenda appointments.
• Sign Ordinance (First Reading) – Ordinance to update off-premise advertising sign requirements (cap-and-replace for billboards). Sean Fester (Lamar Advertising) requested amendments: change 5,000-foot spacing to same-direction only, and allow billboards on property with on-premise signs. Planning staff showed Sioux City has more billboards per capita than peer cities. Council debated free enterprise concerns. First reading passed 4-1 (Bertran voted no). The interim sign ordinance was also extended.
• Parking Rate Ordinance (First Reading) – Increase hourly, daily, monthly, and bulk rates at city ramps. Mary Warden Fiedler and Reagan Cody (Downtown Partners) opposed meter increases and removal of the first hour free. The first hour free was kept in the ordinance. The council discussed consistency with other cities and need for downtown revitalization. First reading passed 4-1 (Bernstein voted no).
• Stormwater Fee Options – Assistant City Manager Teresa Fitch presented five options to fund the stormwater master plan, CIP, and culvert expenses. Options ranged from immediate 150% increase to a phased hybrid with property tax backfill. Council discussed impacts on nonprofits and disabled veterans. No vote was taken; staff was directed to bring back a specific option (leaning toward option four) and to explore adding disabled veteran relief.
• Fifth Street and Court Street Signal Removal – City engineer Gordon Fair and consultant Adam Denny presented a study showing the signal is not warranted (low volumes, 39 crashes in 4 years, 24 due to red-light running). Initial contract to evaluate was $28,000; a change order for $25,000 to design curb extensions and removal was requested but failed (12L). Council expressed interest in less expensive alternatives like signal lens adjustments. The signal removal will proceed in stages with education.
• Sidewalk Waiver for Hi-Vee – John Gleason explained a historic agreement to build sidewalks on the east side of Hamilton Boulevard. The council granted a waiver from installing new sidewalks on the west side (Hi-Vee side) due to grading challenges.
• Dangerous Structure (1416 West Third Street) – Property owner submitted a $10,000 cashier's check and repair estimates; staff supported a 90-day demolition delay.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda passed 5-0.
• First Reading – Sign Ordinance passed 4-1 (Bertran dissenting).
• First Reading – Parking Rate Ordinance passed 4-1 (Bernstein dissenting).
• Amendment 12L (Fifth Street signal contract) failed 2-3 (Scott, Bernstein, Bertrand against; Rayford, Chainer for).
• Sidewalk waiver (Item 26) passed 5-0.
• Dangerous structure resolution (Item 25) passed 5-0.
• Trail system grant amendment (Item 27) passed 5-0.
• Stormwater fee – No vote; council directed staff to prepare option four (100% increase first year with phased increases) and to research adding disabled veteran relief.
• Citizen concerns – Council committed to follow up on Nebraska Street construction parking issue (Gordon Farr to revisit) and to meet with Sam Moose regarding unresolved property issues.