[0:00] Calling me to order. Please join [clears throat] me for the

[0:02] pledge of allegiance.

[0:06] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:11] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:18] justice for all. Before everybody takes their seats, um

[0:22] on Friday night, um we lost a

[0:25] um valuable community member of ours um with the passing of Joe Olson. And I

[0:30] just like to have a moment of silence for him um to honor his memory.

[0:42] Thank you all.

[0:47] Okay, let's do the roll call then. Weber Yes. [snorts]

[0:50] Anna >> Yes. Moore

[0:52] » Yes. Forsythe >> Present. Manor

[0:54] » Present. O'Laughlin >> Yes. Appleby Yes.

[0:58] I need a motion to approve the agenda as presented. So moved. Second. Have a

[1:02] motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Passes 7-0. Next we move to

[1:07] public comment. We don't appear to have anything, so we'll

[1:11] move then to the consent agenda. I need a motion to accept and approve

[1:15] the consent agenda as follows: the minutes of the May 11, 2026 regular

[1:19] meeting, the Old Rush Park Tavern Class C retail

[1:23] alcohol license renewal with a tentative effective date of May 30, 2028

[1:28] to May 20 2026 Sorry, May 26th. Yeah, that would be

[1:32] May 30, 2026 to May 29, 2027. So moved. Second. Have a motion and a

[1:38] second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Passes 7-0. Next we move to the

[1:44] financials, item number six on the agenda. I need a motion to approve the

[1:47] claims for payment. So moved. Second. Have a motion and a second. All in

[1:51] favor? Aye. >> Aye. Opposed? It passes 7-0. Next we

[1:55] move to item number seven, which is revenues and expenses to date. This is

[1:59] for information only. Anybody have any questions with regard to that? I like I

[2:02] think the only department that's really doing well is the animal control when I

[2:05] see they still have $280 in there. >> [laughter]

[2:11] » Uh let's move to item number eight, transfers. Again, this is information

[2:14] only. Anybody have anything with regard to that?

[2:18] Okay, hearing none, let's move to the hearing and ordinances. Um

[2:23] This is the third and final reading of the ordinance amendment to chapter 170

[2:27] zoning regulations. So, I need a motion to approve the third and final reading

[2:32] of the ordinance that amends provisions pertaining to chapter 170 zoning

[2:35] regulations and to authorize the mayor to sign the ordinance. So moved.

[2:40] » Second. Have a motion and a second. Okay, this is the McDonald property

[2:43] where we're changing the zoning from manufacturing two, which is heavy

[2:47] industrial, manufacturing to C-2, which is commercial.

[2:50] Uh planning and zoning handled this on May Sorry, April 7th, sending it to us

[2:55] for record with a recommendation to approve. Our first reading and the

[2:58] public hearing were both held on April the 27th. Our second reading was May

[3:02] 11th, so this is our third and final reading. Any further comments or Has

[3:06] this property been purchased? Yeah.

[3:09] Um Yeah, he's had it for a He's had He's

[3:13] owned it for a long time. This is a new purchase. Yeah. Okay. He's had it for a

[3:16] long time. This is the one that he's just He wants to rezone it so that he

[3:19] can add some residential to it. Hm. Because it was originally zoned M-2, you

[3:24] can't build residential at all on M-2. So, making it making it C-2 makes more

[3:28] sense to me to allow for that. And there's some neighboring properties

[3:31] around it, if I remember right, that are that are

[3:33] zoned C-2 or A as well. If there's no further discussion, this

[3:38] would be a roll call vote. Hannah? Yes. Moore? Yes. Rosedahl?

[3:42] » Yes. Maynard? >> Yes. O'Laughlin?

[3:44] » Yes. Appleby? >> Yes. Weber?

[3:46] » Yes. Okay, that passes 7-0. Next we move to

[3:49] item number 10. This is a public hearing.

[3:52] So, pursuant to the agenda, I'll now convene a public hearing for the

[3:55] proposal to sell real property. I know.

[3:59] This is This was regards to the property at 204 3rd Street Northeast.

[4:04] Um we've got bids, which we'll talk about in the in the one coming up.

[4:08] Um but this is the time for a public hearing and I did not receive anything.

[4:12] Okay. So, I'll now close the public hearing and the city clerk will note

[4:15] that there were no further comments with regard to that. Moving to item number

[4:19] 11, this is a motion to approve and authorize the mayor to sign a resolution

[4:23] awarding the bid and authorizing the sale of 204 3rd Street Northeast to

[4:27] Jared Donnelly for a purchase price of $5,000. I need a motion

[4:32] » So moved. Second. The motion is second. Okay. So, there were um there were two

[4:36] bids that came in. One was for 4,500, one was for 5,000. The Donnelly bid was

[4:41] 5,000. It's his intention um this There's a

[4:45] um page 143 of your packet. It's his intention to use this for the 2027-28 um

[4:51] building trades homes uh through the school project. Uh the other bid also

[4:55] talked about that, but but um it wasn't clear whether that was going

[5:00] to be the timing of that would have worked for

[5:02] him as opposed to Mr. Donnelly, and Mr. Donnelly had the

[5:05] higher price as well. So, any further discussion with regard to that? Well,

[5:09] one time they said that wasn't buildable, that we'd have to approve

[5:11] that to build on there, and that To do a small house, yeah. And the person would

[5:15] have to own it first before we approved it. So,

[5:18] are we What we're not approving that at this time or Not at this time. This

[5:21] would just be the sale of the property to Mr. Donnelly, and then he would need

[5:23] to come forward to ask the council for approval to build a tiny house on it in

[5:27] the future. And he's There The um the restrictions are on it are the the

[5:31] demolition take place within 90 days. Okay. Uh the site preparation take place

[5:35] in the early summer of 2026, and the construction of a new structure

[5:39] um starting in the fall of 2027 with completion in the spring of 2028, which

[5:43] would be the which would be the calendar school year.

[5:46] And And also talked that that the house had to be up there within a year and so

[5:49] we're past that, too. Um

[5:52] we are I I reached out to him because his bid

[5:56] didn't include any information about the garage, either. The repair of the garage

[6:00] and that's why I'm [clears throat and snorts] kind of

[6:01] starting there. Um I reached out to him to clarify

[6:04] because he was the high bidder whether or not he was going to repair the garage

[6:08] or what he wanted to do and he wants to leave the garage and repair that

[6:10] immediately and then basically have this ready for the 2027-2028 school year to

[6:15] build in during that. Um we still even with this with the approval of this

[6:19] resolution tonight, we still have to do a development agreement with him to

[6:22] allow him to do that. Because you can't have a secondary structure without a

[6:26] primary. So we still have to do we'll put together the development agreement

[6:29] whether it's Mr. Dallenbach or Mr. Donnelly, whoever the council decides.

[6:33] We would still have to do a development agreement after this phase to get that

[6:36] put in place which then has to come back before the council for final approval

[6:39] with that anyway. So there's still a little bit more work

[6:41] that's got to be done even if you choose to sell it whichever one you choose to

[6:45] sell it to.

[6:47] So is he the understanding that he just can't build on it right away? Yeah.

[6:52] He knows he's got to come back and go through additional process.

[6:56] Further discussion. Okay and and so this this motion is to

[7:01] approve the bid from Jared Donnelly as opposed to

[7:04] uh the the bid in the amount of $5,000. Okay?

[7:08] Uh roll call vote then. Moore? Yes. Crusader? Yes. Manor? Yes.

[7:13] O'Laughlin? >> Yes. Appleby?

[7:15] » No. Weber? Yes. Hanna? Yes. Okay that

[7:19] passed. Oh, sorry. I think we need to make sure

[7:21] that you know the place gets mowed and snow removed because

[7:25] Sure. that hasn't happened for that's what made it unsightly just as

[7:29] much as the condition of the house the last several years. Sure.

[7:33] Okay so that motion did pass um 6 to 1. Okay moving then to item number 12 which

[7:38] is the um I need a motion to approve and authorize the mayor to sign the

[7:42] resolution that amends the fiscal year 2026 budget.

[7:47] So, I need a motion first. >> And I need a second.

[7:52] Second. Okay, so if you look in your packet at

[7:55] page 157, you'll see the breakdown. This is as we finish out the calendar year um

[8:01] the fiscal year ending in on June 30th. Um this just

[8:05] brings everything current. For example, if you look at that on 157, you'll see

[8:11] that the total revenues and other sources, which is item number 15, uh

[8:15] you'll see that we have an increase of almost $500,000 in revenues. If you look

[8:20] at item number 26, uh total government activities and business expenditures,

[8:25] you'll see that we have additional expenditures of 344,442.

[8:30] So, this is actually the amendment is actually to the

[8:33] positive in terms of the budget itself. Um

[8:37] And I don't think there's any thing else I need to tell you. Are there other

[8:40] questions that you have for Suzy with regard to this?

[8:46] This is something that we obviously we do every year as we get close to the end

[8:49] of the of the fiscal year. We need to make make sure that our budget balances

[8:52] with what we actually have in revenue and expenses for the year.

[8:55] Okay, this will be a roll call vote then. Crusader. Yes. Manor.

[8:59] » Yes. O'Laughlin. >> Yes. Appleby.

[9:01] » Yes. Weber. >> Yes. Hannah.

[9:03] » Yes. Moore. Yes. Okay, that passes 7-0. Um I'm on 13, right? Yes. Okay, then

[9:08] move to item number 13. Um this is a motion to approve and

[9:13] authorize the mayor to sign a resolution approving the lot combination agreement

[9:18] and add the recording fees to the previously approved claims listing.

[9:22] Um this is dealing with the um the Steel Guard Inc. AKA Gator Manufacturing. Um

[9:28] do I do I have a motion first? So moved. Second. Okay, planning and zoning dealt

[9:32] with this on May the 19th. Um this is a combination of three parcels. If you

[9:36] look in your packet, on page 191, you'll see the drawing.

[9:40] Basically, what they're doing is they're taking the main building and then the

[9:43] other parcels that they own separately on the

[9:47] east and west >> east and west side of their original

[9:49] parcel. They want to combine them so that if they do an addition on the

[9:53] property itself, that they'll have proper setbacks. So, that's the purpose

[9:56] of all this. Um

[10:00] is there anything else that any further discussion with regard to this?

[10:04] Okay, if hearing none, this will be a roll call vote also. Mayner Yes.

[10:08] O'Laughlin >> Yes. Appleby

[10:10] » Yes. Weber Yes. Anna >> Yes. Moore Yes. Presider Yes. Okay, that

[10:15] also passes 7-0. Next, we'll move to other business. This is item number 14.

[10:20] Uh I need a motion to approve a commercial restoration rehabilitation

[10:23] grant application with Wapsie Realty in the amount of 9,000 $43.61.

[10:31] So moved. Second. So, we have a motion and a

[10:33] second. Okay, this the This is 193 to 195 in your packet. Um there's two of

[10:39] these they're 14 and 15, so we're only handling 14 first. This is 119 119 1st

[10:45] Street East, uh which is the um

[10:48] uh Ninnie Franks building. And they what they want to do is they want to do the

[10:52] brick work on the front, clean it up, and

[10:54] so they'll be um grinding and tuck pointing and I guess

[10:58] this one also has some masonry repairs on the backside as well. The total price

[11:03] for the work is 27,158 and

[11:07] our portion of the grant then would be 33 and a third percent of that, which is

[11:11] the 9,043.61. Anybody have any questions or

[11:15] I think it's great. >> with regard to this?

[11:17] » It is great. Downtown look a nicer. Okay, if there

[11:20] there's nothing further, then this will be a roll call vote.

[11:23] O'Laughlin Yes. Appleby Yes. Weber Yes. Anna Yes. Moore Yes. Presider Yay.

[11:30] Mayner Yes. That also passes 7-0. Next we move to item number

[11:34] uh 15, which is [clears throat] a motion to approve the um commercial restoration

[11:39] rehab applic- grant application uh with Wapsie Realty in the amount of

[11:42] $7,265.39. I need a motion first.

[11:47] So moved. >> Second. I have a motion and a second. Um

[11:50] this is the building next to that, which would be 121 First Street East, which is

[11:54] where the the Indie um Area Gymnastics um Academy is currently located.

[12:00] Um the the original uh Did I say this is 196 and 198 of the packet? Um

[12:06] the cost of the the repair work, which is similar um which is the grinding and

[12:10] the tuck painting uh tuck pointing, uh $21,808.

[12:14] A third of that would be $7,265.39. So that's the amount that they're

[12:19] looking for with regard to the grant application.

[12:22] Um any discussion with regard to this?

[12:27] Okay, hearing none, this would also be a roll call vote. Applebee. Yes. Webber.

[12:32] » Yes. Anna. >> Yes. Moore. Yes. Prichard. Yes. Mayner.

[12:36] » Yes. O'Laughin. Yes. Okay, that also passes 7-0.

[12:41] Next we move to um We move to reports.

[12:45] Uh >> All right, Mark.

[12:47] I got to leave, so I got to go. Just leave your stuff there. We'll take

[12:51] care of it.

[12:57] Uh let's start with uh Mr. Webber. I have nothing to say,

[13:00] Mayor. Okay. Nothing, sir. Prichard.

[13:04] No, sir. I have nothing either.

[13:07] Like Uh just glad to be involved in the Chamber Golf tournament uh week from

[13:12] Friday with my cohorts here.

[13:17] Melissa. No. Okay, um

[13:21] Um uh Matt, do you want to go next? I can. Um I just wanted to share with

[13:25] everybody We talked Mayor Eileen O'Loughlin at the start of the meeting

[13:29] for Joel Olson. Visitation for him will be on Sunday, May 31st from 2:00 to 5:00

[13:34] p.m. It's at the Salisbury Family Center here in Independence. And then the

[13:37] service is on Monday, June 1st at 11:00 a.m.

[13:40] Um if anybody wants to attend. So, Joel did

[13:44] a lot of stuff for the community. Um when I first came to Independence in

[13:47] January of '23, he was I think one of the very first people that reached out

[13:50] that wasn't that wasn't either a staff member or on

[13:54] the interview team when that process happened. So,

[13:58] um great guy that did a lot for the city

[14:01] and um never wanted any

[14:04] recognition, never wanted any attention or anything. So, so it's going

[14:08] to be a big loss for the community. So. That's all I've got for tonight.

[14:14] Okay. Um

[14:16] » [clears throat] >> reminder, the primary election is

[14:18] Tuesday, June the 2nd. Um

[14:21] poll regular polling places for everybody um with regard to that.

[14:25] Uh the auditor's office is um um currently doing doing early voting 8:00

[14:29] a.m. to 4:30. That'll be through June 1st. Um they've also announced that

[14:33] they're doing a Saturday voting this coming Saturday, May the 30th at the

[14:37] auditor's office between 7:00 and 3:00. Um one other thing that um

[14:42] some of the some of you may or may not know is that when you go in to vote

[14:46] because this is a primary, um you're you know, you're registered how you're

[14:49] registered, Republican, Democrat, Independent, whatever you're registered

[14:53] at. But when you go to vote in this particular election as a primary, if you

[14:57] decide that you're say you're a Democrat but you want to vote the people on the

[15:00] Republican ticket, you can do that at the at as you check in. So, there's not

[15:05] any issue with doing that. You don't have to change your

[15:08] registration? >> You do not have to change your

[15:10] registration. You can you can vote at the time of the of the election. Now, if

[15:14] you change from from Democrat to Republican, um you then cannot change

[15:19] back that day. You have to wait till until well, I'm going to say you have to

[15:23] wait until after the um the election has been certified. Um

[15:27] technically they say 48 hours, but I'd be safe on and wait till the

[15:32] the yeah, till [clears throat] the the election's actually certified.

[15:35] Um so that that is something that I don't know that we've always that the

[15:39] the state of Iowa's always done in elections. I think it's you know,

[15:45] I think it's a good thing to be able to you know, sometimes in the primaries

[15:48] there are not candidates for every position and

[15:50] maybe that's something's more important to you that that's on the one side or

[15:53] the other and that allows you to be able to do that.

[15:57] Um Oh, also um if you're not registered to

[16:00] vote, you can actually register to vote at the time of at at the time of the

[16:05] election itself. You go in and as long as you've got your ID with your address,

[16:09] that's not a problem. You can do it right right then and there. If you don't

[16:12] have your ID with you or you don't if you have your ID with you, but the

[16:16] address is not your current address, by bringing in a utility bill along with

[16:20] your driver's license or your ID, you can then register at the same time. So

[16:24] you don't have to fill out any separate forms. It's just done right at the the

[16:27] computer itself as you check in. Um anybody have any questions regarding

[16:32] that? Okay, then um uh Brian, did you have anything? Nothing

[16:36] to my mayor. Okay. Um there's nothing else. Um Susie,

[16:40] nothing for you? Okay. Then I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. So moved.

[16:44] Second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye.

[16:49] Stand adjourned. >> [clears throat]

May 26, 2026, City of Independence, IA Council Meeting

Transcript