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Record of Proceedings

Sioux City Council Meeting – October 26, 2026: Annexation and Zoning of Morningside Avenue Property

Council Meetings — Monday, October 26, 2026
BodySioux City, Iowa
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateMonday, October 26, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:30:57

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

41:15

Scott?

Speaker 2

41:16

Here.

Speaker 1

41:16

Bernstein?

Speaker 2

41:17

Here.

Speaker 1

41:18

Ertrand?

Speaker 2

41:18

Here.

Speaker 1

41:19

Rayford.

Speaker 2

41:20

Here.

41:20

Please stand for a moment of silent for followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speaker 3

41:34

For which it stands.

41:36

One nation, an under guy, an indivisible with liberty and justice borrow.

Speaker 2

41:44

We'll go to the consent agenda.

41:45

Those items are two through twelve G.

41:48

You can consider those items to pass unanimously unless a separate roll call votes asked for by a council member.

41:55

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

41:59

If you want to speak on an item not on the agenda, please come up at the end of the regular meeting during citizen concerns.

42:06

Always remember to state your name for the record and provide your statement.

42:10

And remember to limit your remarks to three minutes.

42:13

We may, because of the number of people here today, take take uh uh limited.

Unassigned speaker

42:20

I

Speaker 2

42:20

mean, everybody will probably get a chance to speak, but anyway,

Unassigned speaker

42:24

uh

Speaker 2

42:24

if it gets to a point where it's re becoming very repetitive, I may ask you to raise your hand if you're for or against on because I think you're all here probably for one item.

42:33

So I'll move the consent agenda.

42:35

Second reading of the October 14th, 15th, and 19th City Council minutes.

42:41

Three is a resolution adopting the third quarter supplement to the municipal code.

42:50

Received from July through September.

42:52

You know, I

Speaker 3

42:53

know we don't pull the specific donations, but I think we should acknowledge there are some very nice contributions that are made to various organizations or departments within the city.

43:03

So thanks to those that contributed

Speaker 2

43:07

five reactions relating to boards, commission, and committees.

43:10

A is a motion appointing Winona, leader charge of the Human Rights Commission.

43:15

B is a motion accepting the events facility tourism advisory board's annual report.

Speaker 3

43:39

So do we have a homeless court update?

43:42

And I can ask I can hold off on my second question.

43:45

But what is a warrant resolution clinic?

Unassigned speaker

43:48

Sure.

Speaker 4

43:51

Um so yes, the group is still moving forward.

43:54

We did get delayed a little bit because of the um change in state law that we were anticipating.

44:00

So basically what that means, we started doing um Clara and our office done a great job leading um our same-day service fares, and as a part of that, um we were going to have warrant resolutions at those as well.

44:12

So that means there's a judge there.

44:14

Um you have low-level warrants that might help you or um might impede you from getting housed.

44:19

We can take a look at that there.

44:20

Um state law change due to an issue in another county.

44:24

And so um, so we've kind of had to switch gears.

44:27

So the state wanted to make it very clear in the amendment that we're getting an extension, but also that we are not going to be moving forward with any type of warrant resolution as well.

44:35

So

Speaker 3

44:35

that is excluded from the program.

44:37

Okay.

44:37

Yep.

44:37

Thank

Speaker 2

44:38

you, Jim.

Speaker 3

44:54

Sorry, Ike.

44:55

Have we received this grant before?

Speaker 5

44:58

Uh version, yes.

Unassigned speaker

45:00

It's uh the SCIP grant is one we've applied to and have received before.

Speaker 5

45:04

And a similar 106,000 or 100,000?

45:08

That grant was over 100K.

45:10

It was for a virtual reality training simulator.

Unassigned speaker

45:14

I

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety██████████████████████████████30%
Zoning█████████████████████21%
Procedural████████8%
Public Safety██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Housing███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Sioux City Council Meeting – October 26, 2026

The Sioux City Council met on October 26, 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM. The meeting included the consent agenda, public hearings on annexation and zoning of 7103 Morningside Avenue, and citizen concerns. Key discussions focused on traffic safety, lot sizes, and future development.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved items 2-12G unanimously unless separate roll call requested. Items included:
    • Second reading of October 14, 15, 19 council minutes.
    • Resolution adopting third quarter supplement to municipal code.
    • Appointments to boards and commissions (including Winona leader charge to Human Rights Commission).
    • Acceptance of events facility tourism advisory board annual report.
    • Various agreements and contracts, including:
      • Transfer of funds agreement with Iowa HHS for fire rescue (GEMT program) – discussion on 30% prepayment to state.
      • Agreement with CIMCO MPO for Whispering Creek planning study.
      • Contract with Subserf go for 17th Street water main improvement.
      • Amendment with Piper Sandler for fiscal advisory services (wastewater treatment plant removed).
      • Consulting services agreement with Walker Consultants for parking ramp condition assessments.
      • Group application for Norton Lifelock identity protection for employees.
      • Resolutions suspending civil service hiring requirements for Economic Development and Water Treatment/Underground Utilities departments.
      • Updated job description for automotive equipment operator II.
      • Acceptance of museum director annual evaluation.
      • Various payments and purchasing resolutions, including property insurance from Arthur J. Gallagher (saving nearly $1 million) and liquid ferric chloride for wastewater treatment.
      • Alcohol license applications and board commission minutes.
  • Discussion on homeless court update: Delayed due to state law change; warrant resolution no longer part of same-day service fairs.
  • Discussion on camera integration system: Captain Ryan Bertrand presented a system to integrate over 600 city cameras across departments, simplifying access. Concerns raised about privacy and oversight; council members emphasized monitoring and accountability. Councilman Scott expressed opposition, stating any breach is too many. Others cited success in solving crimes including child sex trafficking and homicides.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Annexation (Item 14) and Zoning (Item 15): Multiple residents spoke against the annexation and proposed zoning.
    • Julia Adams (42 Arlington Road): Stated the county did not assent but took neutral stance. Raised unknown costs for roadway improvements, traffic safety, and lot size incompatibility. Urged council not to vote uninformed.
    • Joe Carr (1701 Portland Boulevard): Questioned annexation of county right-of-way affecting his property. Expressed need for answers before annexation.
    • Brian Miller (7004 Morningside Avenue): Pointed out lack of definitive data; noted notice sent by city incorrectly stated Sioux Land Initiative as developer.
    • Randy Bushman (6970 Morningside Avenue): Described dangerous intersection at hill; traffic too fast and heavy. Asked for traffic study before annexation.
    • Jody House (Sioux City resident): Asked council to consider unknowns and not annex yet.
    • David Lyman (1727 Hawthorne Avenue): Expressed fear for teenage daughters' safety leaving their lane due to existing traffic; adding 40 lots will worsen.
    • Bob Patrick (30 Heritage Place): Objected to density (3-3.5 houses per acre vs. 1 per acre in surrounding area); compatibility concerns.
    • Cindy Bauman (6971 Morningside Avenue): Noted variety of traffic (farm equipment, semis, school buses) and safety issues; requested thorough traffic study including different times and seasons.
    • Linda Murphy (7104 Morningside Avenue): Presented plan showing 41 homes; entrance proposed at "Dead Man's Curve" where fatal accidents occur. Argued annexation creates an island; developer profits, city bears costs. Noted her mother did not receive notice.
    • Mary Murphy (7200 Morningside Avenue): Described nearly 80 years of dangerous intersection; invited council to observe mayhem.
  • In favor:
    • Dylan Heiserode (6810 Prairie View Drive): Supported development for young families; affordable housing; believed traffic can be addressed with engineering.
  • Other:
    • Josh Coppelman (40 Arlington Road): Wished developer would reconsider; concerned about light pollution and traffic. Hoped traffic study will address line-of-sight issues.

Discussion Items

  • Annexation (Item 14): Council discussed reasons for annexation (city utilities available, future growth, development potential). Planning Manager Chris Madge explained voluntary annexation of parcel and part of 141/Morningside Avenue. Developer Dan Heiserode (Overlook Developers) presented concept of ~40 lots, with private drive for larger estate lots and public road for smaller lots. Estimated 8-10 year buildout, $16-17 million valuation, $250-275k annual property taxes. Traffic study required at preliminary plat stage. Council members expressed support for growth and noted developer's track record. Mayor Scott and Councilman Chainer voiced some skepticism but overall leaned toward approval. Annexation passed (implied by subsequent zoning vote).
  • Zoning (Item 15): Originally requested General Residential (GR), but Planning and Zoning recommended Suburban Residential (SR) to prevent apartments by right. Councilman Bertrand moved to amend from GR to SR. Vote: 4-1 (Scott no). First reading of ordinance for SR zoning passed 4-1. Council chose not to waive remaining readings; second and third readings will be at next meeting (November 2, 2026). Discussion included conditions for development (traffic study, lot sizes, buffering, detention pond). Public was informed they can attend next meeting.
  • Other: Discussion on speed enforcement on 141; chief noted speed awareness signs can be placed but tickets cannot be issued without officer present. Councilman Bertrand suggested dialogue with Sheriff/State Patrol for monitoring.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda items approved unanimously.
  • Annexation of 7103 Morningside Avenue and part of 141/Morningside Avenue approved (voice vote, no formal tally recorded; subsequent zoning vote indicates annexation passed).
  • Zoning ordinance amended to Suburban Residential (SR) and passed first reading 4-1 (Scott opposed). Second and third readings scheduled for November 2, 2026.
  • Council expressed commitment to require traffic study, safety improvements, and oversight on development.
  • Citizen concerns raised about water rate increase and meeting time; council acknowledged but no action taken.
  • Councilman Bertrand requested city consider a 2050 comprehensive plan; city manager to initiate dialogue.
  • Councilman Rayford raised issue of speed monitoring on 141; police department to place speed awareness sign and consider officer presence.

Meeting Transcript

Scott? Here. Bernstein? Here. Ertrand? Here. Rayford. Here. Please stand for a moment of silent for followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. For which it stands. One nation, an under guy, an indivisible with liberty and justice borrow. We'll go to the consent agenda. Those items are two through twelve G. You can consider those items to pass unanimously unless a separate roll call votes asked for by a council member. You want to speak on any of these items, please come up as I read that number. If you want to speak on an item not on the agenda, please come up at the end of the regular meeting during citizen concerns. Always remember to state your name for the record and provide your statement. And remember to limit your remarks to three minutes. We may, because of the number of people here today, take take uh uh limited. I mean, everybody will probably get a chance to speak, but anyway, uh if it gets to a point where it's re becoming very repetitive, I may ask you to raise your hand if you're for or against on because I think you're all here probably for one item. So I'll move the consent agenda. Second reading of the October 14th, 15th, and 19th City Council minutes. Three is a resolution adopting the third quarter supplement to the municipal code. Received from July through September. You know, I know we don't pull the specific donations, but I think we should acknowledge there are some very nice contributions that are made to various organizations or departments within the city. So thanks to those that contributed five reactions relating to boards, commission, and committees. A is a motion appointing Winona, leader charge of the Human Rights Commission. B is a motion accepting the events facility tourism advisory board's annual report. So do we have a homeless court update? And I can ask I can hold off on my second question. But what is a warrant resolution clinic? Sure. Um so yes, the group is still moving forward. We did get delayed a little bit because of the um change in state law that we were anticipating. So basically what that means, we started doing um Clara and our office done a great job leading um our same-day service fares, and as a part of that, um we were going to have warrant resolutions at those as well. So that means there's a judge there. Um you have low-level warrants that might help you or um might impede you from getting housed. We can take a look at that there. Um state law change due to an issue in another county. And so um, so we've kind of had to switch gears. So the state wanted to make it very clear in the amendment that we're getting an extension, but also that we are not going to be moving forward with any type of warrant resolution as well. So that is excluded from the program. Okay. Yep.

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