[0:00] council meeting.

[0:02] Right.

[0:03] It's new.

[0:04] Roll call, please.

[0:06] Rankin?

[0:07] Yes.

[0:07] Lata?

[0:08] Yes.

[0:09] Gada?

[0:10] Yes.

[0:11] Nichols?

[0:12] Yes.

[0:14] Okay, before we get started, I just wanted to mention, um, KNIA

[0:19] for a year has covered us either through their Zoom link that they had or through the radio years ago.

[0:27] And they will no longer be doing that, and so we have will have, um, a Zoom link on our agenda each week.

[0:34] So people that want to listen, if they cannot attend, will be able to use the Zoom link, and those will be on the on the website if they want to watch them afterwards.

[0:44] That would be a nice addition for people that want to go back and try to catch me.

[0:49] Just wanted to mention that, so it'll be a little change for us, but I think it'll be great.

[0:54] Okay, now is the time for citizen and public comment. This is for anything that is not already on tonight's agenda.

[1:02] Then seeing none, we'll move on to consent agenda.

[1:05] 3.1 approves City Council meeting minutes from September 8, 2026.

[1:09] 3.2 accept Airport Commission meeting minutes from August 8, 2026.

[1:14] 3.3 accept Library Board meeting minutes from September 14, 2026.

[1:20] 3.4 approved the reappointment of Annie Leonard to the low rent housing board of commissioners.

[1:25] 3.5 accept Water Board meeting minutes from September 8, 2026.

[1:31] 3.6 accept Knoxville Fire Department August 2026 report.

[1:35] 3.7 approve August 2026 financials.

[1:39] and 3.8 approved fiscal year 2026 annual urban renewal report.

[1:45] Motion to approve the consent agenda.

[1:48] Second.

[1:49] Motion by Rankin, seconded by Lada.

[1:53] Roll call, please.

[1:54] Lada?

[1:55] Yes.

[1:56] Nichols?

[1:56] Yes.

[1:57] Rankin?

[1:58] Yes.

[1:59] Gada?

[2:00] Yes.

[2:03] Consent agenda passes.

[2:06] Item agenda 4.1, School Bond Referendum presentation.

[2:13] Is that you guys?

[2:14] That is, the both of us.

[2:16] Yeah, I was going to say, wherever you're comfortable. Good right here.

[2:19] Okay.

[2:20] It's work.

[2:21] I don't need a microphone or anything.

[2:23] Yeah, you're fine.

[2:24] So, uh, the second slide here, we got a brief video, so we can dive into that.

[3:26] So just the uh brief project details, a new elementary school in the Veterans district,

[3:30] providing better proximity and access to our other schools, uh, community parks, our athletic facilities, and uh, near a new key housing development.

[3:41] Uh, target size would be about 73,000 square feet.

[3:45] with a new performance level gymnasium, um, designed to provide community access outside of school hours and to accommodate events.

[3:53] Uh, as of right now, Northstar current elementary school this would replace is about 45,000 square foot.

[3:59] So it would be uh quite an upgrade to uh what we have currently.

[4:04] Um, transition will also create space at West Elementary for our preschool students allowing us to eliminate the portable buildings for our youngest learners uh in the future.

[4:16] Next slide.

[4:18] So the total projected cost um is the three uh 35.7 million.

[4:22] Um, the bond referendum that would be in front of our voters uh this November is 15.3 million, remainder of that would be financed through the um save or secure advanced vision for education fund off uh tax dollars.

[4:39] Uh, the key thing with this as opposed to the geo bond from last year is that there's no tax rate increase and approved bond referendum on November 3rd would not raise property tax tax rates for the district.

[4:52] Um, will extain uh excuse me, extend the existing debt service levy of 365 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

[5:03] So the current challenge.

[5:04] North Star are the building is, you know, 66 years old,

[5:11] um and isn't exactly

[5:13] conducive for the current learning environment

[5:15] and needs of our students.

[5:18] Um, both from the learning standpoint, AEA teaching

[5:21] or ADA teaching, um and safety.

[5:24] So the school district uh contracted with Boy Jones to

[5:28] do a comprehensive building assessment in October 2024,

[5:31] uh which identified $22.5 million

[5:33] in deficiencies and that was reviewed by the task force

[5:36] that multiple you guys participated in.

[5:39] Um, the projected cost now,

[5:43] given that this bond referendum didn't pass last year,

[5:46] now takes those um improvements to $27 million.

[5:50] Uh, for the future of the building it would not be demolished.

[5:52] Um, under our proposal it would allow it to be sold

[5:55] um and continue to serve Northfield in a new manner.

[5:57] Um, several redevelopment options including senior housing,

[6:00] multi-family housing, um are things that have occurred

[6:02] in other cities when schools have done things like this.

[6:06] Uh, the plan would allow for property uh to add

[6:08] property taxable value as opposed to a public building

[6:10] that pays none right now, um, while also addressing

[6:15] a need for more housing. What questions do you have for us?

[6:19] I'll first thank you guys for coming.

[6:21] We appreciate the information. It's nice.

[6:25] Council, any questions, comments?

[6:30] Um, I would just comment maybe um another bullet point

[6:33] for your presentation might be that so if the costs

[6:36] went from 22.5 in 2024 to 27 million.

[6:42] Um, maybe compare um,

[6:43] I know our property tax base has gone up significantly

[6:48] with uh all the commercial improvements.

[6:51] So, while the costs have gone up, you might point out that

[6:55] it's not all on the taxpayers from 2024 because we have

[6:59] Quick Start, we have another Casey's, we have Domino's.

[7:04] Maybe um, I think Heather in our budget process has kind

[7:08] of a breakout of the increase in in our tax base in the

[7:12] city of Knoxville, which um, just reading some of the comments

[7:16] on social media,

[7:18] I don't think people understand that even when you uh say that

[7:22] we're going to pay for it with save dollars, how much the

[7:28] commercial growth in our community contributes to those

[7:33] dollars in addition to property taxes? So it seems like there's

[7:39] a common theme that people don't understand that it's property

[7:44] tax neutral. And I think that's a huge, I mean, we had the same

[7:49] benefit to um, pitch the public safety building.

[7:52] that it's all going to be um, with dollars from local option

[7:56] sales tax is how we're going to pay for that debt. And I I work

[8:00] in the finance area and bond, so it it all makes sense to me,

[8:04] but I think it's a very foreign concept for a lot of the blue

[8:08] collar community that we live in. And so if you can um, bring

[8:13] to light some of those other benefits that might be helpful.

[8:17] That's really good information. Thank you. We'll share that

[8:20] with uh the task force. A couple things. Um,

[8:24] you can use this as you choose, but to summarize, you know,

[8:27] chart that says voting yes,

[8:28] is $15.7 million you're agreeing to, voting no

[8:32] is $27 million you're agreeing to. We're going to

[8:35] do one or the other. That's a critical point to drive home,

[8:40] and I think that's what I understand. Um, that'd be hard

[8:45] to argue. Um, but the second thing I would point out is,

[8:50] one thing I hear a lot of is people don't think that um,

[8:52] school facilities, sometimes city facilities as well, are

[8:54] maintained, they don't understand the dollars that

[8:56] we spend. Um, some of it's not really visible to the general

[8:59] public. And I see that a lot on this project, people saying,

[9:03] you know, it wouldn't need, you know, $20 million worth

[9:07] of repairs had we had we kept it up. And I don't think

[9:10] one thing that's not been communicated very well,

[9:13] that I would challenge is, I'm not 100% sure I've been

[9:16] looking into it for the, I haven't had a lot of time,

[9:20] but there have been, I believe, more additions and more

[9:23] improvements and more dollars spent on that school building

[9:25] than anything we've ever had in the district. So, I I don't

[9:27] know if we've communicated that well enough. I know

[9:31] of two different, my mother lived close, and I remember

[9:34] two, I remember two different periods about 5, 10 years

[9:38] apart where we built the south side, then the north side.

[9:42] We had to be ADA compliant,

[9:45] um, we had to build a retention pond, a new playground, a new

[9:48] parking lot. So, for those of you guys who are just here,

[9:51] this is what we want the bond referendum, we're asking for

[9:54] a debt to issue in 2024 to fund the Northstar School.

[9:58] If you vote yes, you're agreeing to issue debt for $15.7 million,

[10:02] and if you vote no,

[10:04] So, I think we can work on communicating

[10:07] what do you mean when you have maintained it. It's probably

[10:10] had more dollar, way more than East Elementary ever had spent on it.

[10:13] That was gone. So

[10:15] Yeah. Okay. It's tried to be diligent that's put on to it. Yeah.

[10:18] And there's other things. I mean, I the road was a big deal

[10:20] when I was involved side, I have 10, 15 years ago.

[10:24] The trust fund's on top.

[10:27] So, I would encourage you to communicate there has been a lot

[10:30] of maintenance, improvements and, you know, limping that thing along

[10:32] for nearly 70 years.

[10:34] Um, so, anyhow,

[10:36] those were a couple things I noticed.

[10:38] Um, to echo what the mayor said, you know, really appreciate

[10:42] the work. It's it's tireless work. And um, I uh,

[10:49] I know first hand and really appreciate

[10:51] what you guys have been doing. Thank you.

[10:55] Right. One of the things of the presentation that made me start

[10:57] well questioning or wondering,

[10:59] if you said building the new school is going to free up space in the west.

[11:03] Explaining how that's going to happen would be important to me.

[11:06] because it doesn't make any sense building your new school

[11:08] creating space in the other school.

[11:10] So if you're planning on transferring kids or whatever,

[11:12] however that is,

[11:13] that would be an important thing for me to hear.

[11:15] one of the grades is going to go out there.

[11:17] Yeah. The second, second grade, all the children.

[11:19] This is the first time I've heard that. Oh, okay.

[11:21] So this is the process to start and so that's not being

[11:24] communicated very well.

[11:26] Please. We're the sources that I'm looking at.

[11:35] The school's growing.

[11:36] And it's just time.

[11:39] Somebody, how many years ago was it? 66 years?

[11:43] Yeah, 66. No.

[11:44] They made hard decisions then.

[11:46] And and the town supported it and here we are.

[11:50] And it's it's uh, it's our turn to step up to the plate.

[11:55] [clears throat]

[11:58] And and and thank you to the school. I mean, you know, we

[12:01] we, I guess, as council are we're taxpayers as well and and so

[12:06] for you guys to be able to put uh the community in a position to

[12:11] build a $35 million dollar building and and we only have to

[12:20] bond, uh, you know, whatever that is, what?

[12:23] 15. Yeah, 15.3. That that's just tremendous to me.

[12:26] I look at that. I mean, and so

[12:28] that kudos to you guys.

[12:30] Thank you for for doing that and putting us in that position.

[12:33] to where we're not bombing for 35 million and we said it's 15.

[12:37] So, um, I just appreciate the hard work uh that everyone's put

[12:40] in to putting us in that position.

[12:46] Anything else? No.

[12:48] Thanks for your time. Thank you guys for being here. Thank you.

[12:52] We look forward to... Yep.

[13:01] Report two, resolution to guarantee the local match for the

[13:04] Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund.

[13:06] Lucas, are you going to sit down? Do I have to sit?

[13:08] You can sit down, you can sit down if you want. Sit down. Hey. Sit.

[13:11] Don't don't make you feel bad. But that's all right.

[13:14] Um, Lucas Young, uh, with the Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance

[13:18] and today I'm here to discuss the Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund.

[13:21] Uh, for those of you that are new to the council, uh, this is an

[13:25] annual request by the Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund.

[13:29] Um, the next slide here.

[13:31] this actually just explains uh the Housing Trust Fund system across

[13:34] the state.

[13:36] Uh, there are

[13:38] Uh, I think the highest I it looks like there's around 27 of them or so.

[13:42] Um, so, the entire state is covered by a housing trust fund.

[13:46] Interesting fact. Uh, the Central Iowa's the Central Iowa Housing

[13:49] Trust Fund was the last Housing Trust Fund to be created.

[13:52] Um, and those last four counties were Boone, Jasper, Marion, and

[13:55] Warren counties.

[13:56] So, uh, it's been existence, I have that on future slide but since

[13:59] around 2020.

[14:02] Uh, was their first allocation of funding.

[14:05] Housing Trust Funds are a state approved or state allowed to exist

[14:09] type entity.

[14:13] Um, there was enabling legislation in the early 2000s, uh, that

[14:16] allowed housing trust funds to exist.

[14:21] Annually, we apply for funds uh to the state for dollars.

[14:26] Uh, and these funds are used exclusively for uh lower to moderate

[14:30] income housing projects.

[14:33] Um, in Marion County here specifically in Knoxville, uh,

[14:36] projects include the Habitat for Humanity,

[14:39] uh, owner occupied repair program that they have.

[14:43] Uh, that is a that is a program that is uh funded by the Central

[14:46] Housing Trust Fund.

[14:49] Um, and more recently too, uh we provided funding on the

[14:54] veterans, uh what's the name of it? Veterans Park.

[14:57] Um, project,

[14:59] uh the senior living facility on the south side.

[15:03] number of funds from the Central Housing Trust Fund that went to that.

[15:06] Um, on your screen there though are the amounts of funding

[15:09] that have been received by the Central Housing Trust Fund.

[15:13] Uh, there have been, there'd generally been an increase in funding since 2020.

[15:18] Uh, part of that was the entire state was the entire state was then covered by Housing Trust Fund

[15:21] and there was an acknowledgement from the state that more money should be put into housing,

[15:27] uh, so one of those avenues was to allocate more funds to housing trust funds.

[15:32] And as part of that, there was an increase in local match.

[15:36] Uh, but uh each year

[15:40] might have this.

[15:42] Yeah. Anyway, each year there's funds that are required to be raised locally.

[15:48] Uh, the housing trust funds do that in a variety of ways.

[15:51] The Central Housing Trust Fund decided at inception that the best way to do that was to

[15:57] uh, have one entity provide a local guaranteed local match.

[16:02] And that's what the City of Knoxville has done.

[16:05] From inception has provided that guaranteed local match for the entire Four County region.

[16:11] Um, and you can see those amounts on the screen have steadily increased last year,

[16:15] uh, the City of Knoxville guaranteed that $143,302 in local match.

[16:22] Uh, this year the resolution that we're asking for tonight

[16:25] was for $49,000, $49,000 and $97,

[16:29] uh, because the state acknowledged that raising local funds for housing trust funds

[16:35] has become a struggle with the pressures on local government,

[16:39] uh, so they reduced the local match amount to 10% instead of previous years it was 25%.

[16:45] So, that's the change here recently.

[16:49] Uh, there was also just a general reduction for 2027

[16:52] in overall funding at the state level.

[16:56] So, funding's awarded on a two-year contract basis,

[17:00] All funds that have been awarded up through 2025 have been allocated and spent

[17:05] across the Four County region.

[17:08] Uh, there's still funds from 2026 that are being spent.

[17:11] Uh, and those amounts are listed there, about 39% of the funding has been spent

[17:17] and projects are actively spending those dollars as we speak.

[17:23] Uh, 2026 projects specifically that were funded through the Central Housing Trust Fund.

[17:28] Uh, as I mentioned, Habitat for Humanity here in Marion County has received funding,

[17:32] they received about 226,000.

[17:35] Um, and I know that there's been a collaboration here with the City of Knoxville on that.

[17:40] Uh, the City of Newton did a waterline replacement program.

[17:44] Sally retirement home, that was window replacement, a senior living facility.

[17:49] Uh, Jasper County itself received funds for their general generally general relief program.

[17:56] Uh, Habitat for Humanity in Jasper County also received money.

[17:59] Uh, City of Norwalk, and More County Habitat also received money

[18:04] for non-occupied repair and then the Heal Housing and you know received funds

[18:09] to make repairs to their facility.

[18:14] Uh, as I as I noted earlier, each housing trust fund has to raise that local match.

[18:20] Uh, when and when the Central housing trust fund was created, it was decided that

[18:24] each funding recipient would have to raise their money, their local match.

[18:29] Uh, but to do that, we had to have an entity that was willing to

[18:34] guarantee that local match even though they might never come ask for that dollars.

[18:40] So, um, we put that local match requirement on the funding recipient

[18:44] and then you end up with a timing issue because

[18:47] we apply in October for our state funds and we have to have those local match dollars guaranteed.

[18:53] We then don't award funds out until January or February

[18:58] after we have state award.

[19:00] So, uh, there becomes a timing issue on that, so that's why we're here asking for that guarantee.

[19:12] So, that solution is that local match guaranteed resolution

[19:15] and the City of Knoxville as I mentioned has been doing that from the get-go.

[19:21] And I just want to point out for those that you were new,

[19:24] the Central Housing Trust Fund has never asked for this money, it's only been a guarantee on paper.

[19:30] Um, and I know that there's been some benefits like the thriving communities

[19:34] because that helped underscoring because you guys were able to

[19:38] add that to your things that you had done.

[19:41] Uh, so there has been some benefit that way for the city.

[19:45] [clears throat]

[19:47] So, I do have on here just in case this question comes up, what happens

[19:51] in the event Central Trust Fund is unable to secure the local match to meet the requirements,

[19:58] I suppose there could be some weird scenario where something like that happens, so there are a couple options.

[20:02] there that I have listed.

[20:04] you know, if the funds weren't raised by the applicants,

[20:07] which is a requirement for them to apply, but

[20:09] uh, if they were if that didn't happen,

[20:13] Um, the city would not be out of pocket for anything.

[20:17] We would send the money back. the corresponding state amount.

[20:21] uh, would return those funds. So, uh, there wouldn't be a

[20:23] requirement that the city, uh, actually double for these dollars.

[20:27] Um, and then also I have on here, if for example,

[20:30] the city wanted to use those dollars if there was

[20:33] something that was returned, uh, the city could come up with that

[20:36] local match and provide that and give the larger

[20:39] corresponding, uh, portion of the money as well.

[20:43] So, there are a couple options there if

[20:45] something like that were to happen,

[20:47] in all of the years that we've done this, it hasn't happened.

[20:50] So, Um, I, one last thing here just, you know, thank you to the

[20:53] City of Knoxville for continuing to do this.

[20:57] Um, it's been more than a four million dollar investment

[20:59] across the Four County region because of

[21:02] and here guys's willingness to go out and guarantee these, um,

[21:06] guarantee these dollars as far as local match is concerned.

[21:10] And as a note, uh, the mayor does serve on the

[21:12] Central Iowa housing Trust Fund board. So.

[21:17] Gladly.

[21:19] Happy to answer any question you might have.

[21:22] Uh, first, thank you, uh, for for presenting,

[21:25] uh, and thank you to you and Andrew for all the work

[21:27] you do to do. This is

[21:29] a great addition, uh, to Marion County and to Knoxville.

[21:34] Um, you mentioned a couple times that the Habitat for

[21:37] Humanity, um, for critical home repair,

[21:41] and that has truly been a blessing.

[21:43] Uh, you know, I don't know how many times we've had people

[21:46] come to us or to me or to whoever it

[21:47] whatever the situation is,

[21:49] and they truly need help and for years it was like, I

[21:51] don't I don't know, let's try this or try that and now

[21:53] it it just

[21:54] it feels so good to be able to say I know right where to

[21:56] go. you know, you know,

[21:58] call habitat and and usually there's there's a place for him and and

[22:01] habitat does a great job of administering that and and

[22:04] getting people the help that they need in that critical time.

[22:06] So, that is truly been a blessing.

[22:12] Any other questions or comments, Bruce?

[22:15] My understanding is we're see as much as a quarter million

[22:17] dollars in benefit for guaranteeing

[22:21] 49,000 on our end.

[22:22] And I would say that it's a good deal.

[22:30] Well, thank you. Yep. Thank you, you know.

[22:33] Appreciate your work and we're happy to be a partner.

[22:37] Okay. Do we have a motion to?

[22:41] I think I'll make a motion to approve the resolution

[22:43] to guarantee the local match for the Central

[22:45] Iowa Housing Trust Fund.

[22:47] Second. Motion by Nichols.

[22:50] Seconded by Gotter. Roll call, please.

[22:53] Nichols? Yes. Ranken?

[22:55] Yes. Lasada? Yes. Gada? Yes.

[22:59] Motion passes.

[23:02] Thank you.

[23:06] Okay. 43. Uh, take from the table,

[23:09] approved the first consideration, possible wave second and third

[23:13] consideration, then adopt an ordinance omitting the code

[23:15] of ordinances, the city of Knoxville,

[23:17] by amending provisions pertaining to building code.

[23:20] So this was the one last time we weren't ready to move

[23:23] forward with, so we tabled.

[23:24] We just need a motion to remove that, um, from the table so we

[23:27] can proceed with discussions.

[23:30] Move to remove it from the table.

[23:33] Second. Motion

[23:35] by Lada, second by Rankin.

[23:38] Roll call, please.

[23:39] Lada? Yes. Ranken?

[23:41] Yes. Gotter? Yes. Nichols? Yes.

[23:44] Okay.

[23:46] 44 is, uh, first consideration, possible wave second and third,

[23:48] adopt an ordinance pertaining to building code.

[23:54] just briefly.

[23:57] Um, as I mentioned at the first meeting in September, it's common practice for cities to

[24:01] adopt building codes that are prepared and published by the International Code Council, ICC,

[24:07] which serve as a national model ensuring that local regulations reflect modern construction

[24:11] safety and economic realities.

[24:17] Um, specifically, uh, regarding tonight, we're we're speaking about the

[24:21] Knoxville building code,

[24:24] which is comprised of three ICC codes, um,

[24:29] presently.

[24:32] All of them are 2018 editions, and those include the

[24:35] International Building Code, the International

[24:38] Residential Code and the International

[24:40] existing Building Code.

[24:43] So essentially what this ordinance before you is

[24:46] proposing is to

[24:49] update and, uh, for the city to begin using we move from the

[24:53] 2018 edition of those codes to the 2024 edition

[24:57] of those codes.

[25:02] And it's also common for cities to make some local amendments, which I explained at the last meeting,

[25:11] especially with the, as we were talking about the fire code.

[25:14] So not only does the ordinance before you, uh, formally adopt those

[25:19] 2024 additions,

[25:21] but it also spells out some amendments

[25:27] to those codes so that we can tailor it if umm more to our needs and not.

[25:32] And probably the big the biggie is the big the biggie is the requirement in those national codes

[25:38] to require a fire sprinkler system in a one or two family residence,

[25:44] so a single family home or a duplex.

[25:47] Our amendment is saying that that's only required if you're

[25:50] for a single family home if it's over 8,000 square feet.

[25:55] So we're providing it,

[25:57] we're providing an exception, um, which is pretty common for

[26:01] a lot of communities to opt out of that.

[26:05] but that's just an example of how we're tailoring the national code models to

[26:10] best meet our our needs here locally.

[26:16] I got a couple of questions, um, and I'm no builder.

[26:21] If you look at some of the latest structures whether it be at home or commercial building built around here,

[26:27] Changing these codes to what we're planning to change it to

[26:29] the international code.

[26:31] how many of these buildings would have met everything in, you know,

[26:33] that the builders are already doing it or would we even require

[26:36] under our latest and greatest dwellings around here to have had

[26:39] some things done differently.

[26:42] So we're we're already using the in the these these

[26:45] we're already using these codes now.

[26:48] We're just using the 2018 additions.

[26:51] Um.

[26:54] There's a booklet, I guess, that goes along with that that explains what some of the changes are,

[27:00] but I can't I can't speak to each of those,

[27:03] but it's it's fairly common for communities to move to

[27:07] a more recent addition just because these codes

[27:11] aren't necessarily being updated to make it more difficult to build.

[27:19] They're also being updated to reflect changes in construction and to

[27:24] just be more current.

[27:27] Um, I think to answer your question, and then that a code expert,

[27:31] although I can pretend to be one.

[27:36] the international existing building code is probably the one that's, uh, comes into play more frequently.

[27:44] the 18 or the 24?

[27:45] Either one.

[27:46] Um, with our existing buildings, particularly like the buildings on a square for instance,

[27:53] and that's a that's a code that recognizes that there are existing conditions in older buildings

[27:59] that, you know, we just have to live with.

[28:03] Okay.

[28:04] And, um, essentially accepts those conditions for what they are.

[28:09] So that essentially would prevent someone from having to install an elevator

[28:15] in an existing commercial building,

[28:19] like a two-story commercial building, which may be required of one.

[28:26] Yeah, my only concern, and the reason I I I asked that kind of question

[28:30] would be if I don't really want to use the term concern, but

[28:33] Yeah, I just want to make sure it doesn't stunt any progress while that

[28:38] we don't put ourselves in a position where

[28:41] we're not trying to make it more, um, difficult or more expensive.

[28:45] Cost is what I was mostly.

[28:47] Yeah. And that example about the fire sprinkler system, uh,

[28:50] there's a substantial cost that would go along with that that goes along with

[28:54] that if you're building a new single family home.

[28:57] You think some communities here in Iowa specifically adopt, you build a home,

[29:01] you got to put a fire sprinkler system?

[29:03] I don't.

[29:04] There's not a lot of that that is.

[29:06] So some have it like we do exempted out to a square footage

[29:09] and more like a duplex

[29:11] or so many units under under roof.

[29:15] That makes sense.

[29:16] Um, the state, so kind of what got us started on this path was

[29:20] in September, the state adopted the 24 editions of the code.

[29:24] So they're kind of keep in line with the state.

[29:29] We felt it was time for us to, um,

[29:32] plus it also affects for ISO scoring if we can stay within

[29:34] fire code cycles.

[29:36] So, um,

[29:39] There's a lot that plays into when we adopt and when we move the codes, but,

[29:43] the goal is to keep it all as precise and local as we can.

[29:49] Yeah, I and the majority of communities, I would say in the Demoin area,

[29:52] not all adopted these ICC bottle codes.

[29:57] Um, they're all, I know Adela for instance, I think they're wrapping up

[30:00] tonight.

[30:02] adapting the 2024 editions as well.

[30:04] So that's also good for consistency purposes because you know, some of these

[30:09] developers work in multiple jurisdictions and so they're all sort of working on uh

[30:14] same or similar corporations.

[30:16] Do we ever, when something like this comes up,

[30:19] do we ever, do we have like a trusted panel of developers or anybody that

[30:22] would say, hey, this is what we're thinking about doing?

[30:26] What what what good, bad things you see of us adopting

[30:29] or this kind of go by your knowledge.

[30:32] You know, you rely heavily on the expertise through our uh

[30:36] building inspection uh company, Kim.

[30:41] to they, I mean,

[30:43] when we were looking at the fire code, what we'd heavily into that was our own

[30:47] our own staff because we happen to have that that expertise on staff.

[30:52] In terms of, you know, building codes and inspections, we rely on

[30:56] the expertise of our consultant company, Kim.

[31:00] And so they weighed heavily into um what what should be adopted or what

[31:05] should be amended here locally based on what they're seeing other communities

[31:09] do as well.

[31:12] We're we're in no way, I think I

[31:14] think you weren't here, but I explained it at the last meeting.

[31:16] We're in no way trying to be different from the other community,

[31:19] from the other community, we're we're wanting to be within the

[31:24] the realm of what is just generally expected by the development

[31:27] community.

[31:31] And I'm not always opposed to being different from it.

[31:33] But sure, when it comes to the, you know, the momentum we have there, I'd be very

[31:38] careful about yeah. And I don't claim to be an expert, but I did pay close

[31:42] attention and reading what's out. So

[31:44] I'm good.

[31:45] Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

[31:51] to approve the first consideration of way of the first consideration.

[31:54] To adopt an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the city of Knoxville

[31:59] I will probably provisions pertaining to the building code.

[32:09] Second.

[32:11] Motion by God, a second and by Rankin.

[32:14] Well, Got it.

[32:16] Yes. Yes. Rankin. Yes. Nichols. Yes.

[32:20] Motion passed. Thank you.

[32:23] or five approve payment of claims.

[32:27] Motion to approve payment of claims.

[32:30] Second.

[32:32] Motion by Rankin, seconded by Gottard.

[32:35] Well, Got it.

[32:36] Yes. Rankin. Yes.

[32:37] Nichols. Yes. Pasada. Yes.

[32:40] Motion passes.

[32:42] reports.

[32:46] Um, I want to still have a summon, I'm sure she's going to tell us about

[32:50] the ribbon cutting at

[32:51] Katie.

[32:53] You. You can go. Okay.

[32:54] Is it this Wednesday?

[32:57] Um, at the new KD development at 3 o'clock, they'll have a ribbon cutting

[33:02] for the new buildings that they are the new buildings that they are the new buildings they have already completed.

[33:06] And I think those are six of those and I just received certificates of

[33:09] occupancy from being KNA for two.

[33:13] Got. So there's now eight.

[33:16] And I think they're very much, I don't know the breakdown, but they're they're of

[33:19] duplex, six plex, and four plex.

[33:21] And the ones that they've opened up, we're filling out.

[33:24] Yes.

[33:27] Um, our building inspector can't get the the certificate of occupancy quick enough

[33:32] because I'm hearing from evening, hey, we need that certificate of occupancy

[33:35] because we've got people moving in.

[33:37] Yeah. So that's pretty promising.

[33:39] That's good. That's very exciting.

[33:40] Anyway, they're having a ribbon cutting so if anyone's interested at 3 o'clock

[33:44] this Wednesday out there at the new development.

[33:47] That's great. Glad to have them here in town.

[33:50] Sorry.

[33:51] Okay.

[33:52] I'll make a comment. I just wanted to thank everybody for their passion, support

[33:56] over the last few months.

[33:58] So.

[34:03] I don't know.

[34:05] Okay.

[34:06] Okay.

[34:08] Who's coming?

[34:09] Oh, the board.

[34:10] About a thousand.

[34:12] Okay.

[34:14] There's nothing further with that.

[34:15] Do we have a motion to adjourn the closed session according to section

[34:21] 215J purpose for sale of property.

[34:26] So.

[34:27] Second.

[34:29] Motion by God, a second and by Rankin.

[34:31] Well, Got it.

[34:32] Franken. Yes. Got it. Yes.

[34:34] Pasada. Yes. Nichols. Yes.

[34:39] Motion passed.

September 21, 2026

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