Johnston City Council Regular Meeting Monday, April 6, 2026

Johnston City Council Regular Meeting Monday, April 6, 2026 Johnston City Council Regular Meeting Monday, April 6, 2026 1. Participation Information Procedural: A. To Participate in this Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96939835050 2. Opening of Meeting A. Call to Order Johnston City Council Meeting No. 26-07 B. Roll Call Members present Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt C. Welcome Mayor Dierenfeld welcomed residents and guests to the meeting. D. Pledge of Allegiance Dennis Meyer led the meeting in the Pledge. E. Agenda Approval City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver noted that there was a scrivener's error in item 5I, and that the year should be 2026. Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by Tom Cope to Approve Agenda as noted. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 3. Public Communications A. How to Make Public Comments - Electronic Participation B. Dennis Meyer Created in Johnston C. Public Comment Scott Bass, 6575 NW 54th Court, addressed the Council, asking if there were any updates on any proposed language related to UTVs. Chief of Police Dennis McDaniel advised that the topic remains on his list of items for future discussion with the Council. Mayor Dierenfeld noted that the item would be addressed in a Work Session before any action may be considered, and encouraged Bass to keep an eye on the Council agendas. 4. Public Hearings A. Conduct a Public Hearing on the Matter of Adoption of Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the NW 86th Street PCC Patching Project and Consider Resolution No. 26-59 - Adopting Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost; Consider Construction Bids, Consider Resolution No. 26-60 - Making Award of Construction Contract, and Consider Resolution No. 26-61 Approving Construction Contract and Bond The Public Hearing opened at 7:11 p.m. Public Works Director Matt Greiner reviewed the outcome of the bids for the NW 86th Street Patching Program, located between NW 54th Avenue and the south city limits. Greiner noted that there were 6 bidders and the engineer's opinion of probable cost was $320,000. Greiner advised that the certified bid tab shows The Concrete Company as the low bidder at $271,401.50, and that staff and the project engineer recommend approving the action items related to the project. No public comments were received. The Public Hearing closed at 7:13 p.m. Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by Suresh Reddy to approve Resolution No. 26-59 Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by Suresh Reddy to approve Resolution No. 26-60. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by James Evans to approve Resolution No. 26-61. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt B. Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Resolution No. 26-65 - Approving and Authorizing Execution of a Development Agreement by and Between the City of Johnston and Kohles Mechanical, Inc. The Public Hearing opened at 7:14 p.m. Economic Development Project Manager Ethan Standard reviewed the proposed Development Agreement, noting that the developer was looking to build their own facility in the NW Beaver Business Park after being in a leased space for the past few decades. Standard stated that the agreement follows the standard base TIF program of 50% for 5 years, but that the City had agreed to a 6th year based on the timing. Standard advised that construction was slated to be wrapped up towards the end of 2026 or quarter one of 2027. He noted that the partial assessment would likely come in fairly high for a new building, but that the agreement does not adjust the cap, just allowed the extra payment on a partial valuation in the first year if they obtain their certificate of occupancy by the end of quarter one, 2027. He noted that it's a maximum of $175,000 for the construction of a 16,200 square foot building which includes some warehouse storage space, sheet metal fabrication, and office space. There is also the retention of 9 jobs, and the creation of one additional job, for a total of 10. No public comments were received. The Public Hearing closed at 7:16 p.m. Motion by Tom Cope, second by Suresh Reddy to approve Resolution No. 26-65. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 5. Consent Agenda A. Consider Approval of the March 2, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes B. Consider Approval of Liquor License Renewals C. Consider Change Order #1 in the Amount of $26,343.00 for additional fence work and Pay Request No. 2 in the Amount of $98,064.70 to Caliber Concrete LLC for Work Completed on the Lew Clarkson Dugouts D. Consider Out-of-State Travel for Police Department Staff Member to Attend High - Threat CQC Instructor Course in Rosemount, MN. August 20 -24, 2026 E. Consider Out-of-State Travel for Police Department Staff Member to Attend NASRO School Safety Conference in Reno, NV, June 28th - July 3rd, 2026 F. Consider Resolution No. 26-62 - Authorizing a Consulting Agreement in the Police Department & Approve REQ01275 Not to Exceed $15,800 G. Consider Resolution No. 26-64 - Certifying the 2025 Special Federal Census for the City of Johnston to the Iowa Secretary of State and the Treasurer of the State of Iowa H. Consider Approval of Pay Request #1 in the amount of $146,926.87 to MPS Engineering LLC for the Foxboro Trail Replacement Project I. Consider Approval to Set a Public Hearing for April 20, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. on the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 Through June 30, 2027 J. Receive and File Reports in Item 6 Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by James Evans to approve the Consent Agenda. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 6. Reports A. Library Board Minutes February 19 2026 B. Building Department March 2026 Monthly Reports C. Johnston Police Department 2025 Annual Report 7. Non-Consent Agenda A. Consider Resolution No. 26-55 - Approving the Preliminary Plat for ACCO Townhomes Plat 1 Following a motion to remove the item from the table, Planner Jakob Sheraden reviewed the preliminary plat which proposes to subdivide 11.12 acres into 48 lots for twin homes, 2 lots for stormwater detention and 1 lot for the public street. Sheraden reviewed previous considerations on this property, noting that the developer had withdrawn their application prior to any Council action. Sheraden reviewed the bulk regulations for the site, as well as the 3 proposed roadways with connections to NW 57th Avenue and NW 55th Avenue. Sheraden showed the proposed extension of Pioneer Parkway to NW Beaver Drive, noting that originally, that extension had been proposed to improve NW 55th and NW 57th Avenues, but since that original concept, much of NW 55th, and NW 57th Avenues have been reconstructed and much of the right-of-way was not preserved. This resulted in the easterly connection of Pioneer Parkway being removed during the 2020 Thrive Comprehensive plan update. And that although the western connection was not removed, it would require significant redevelopment to be connected due to the number of individual properties that would be impacted. Sheraden advised that the Fire Marshal reviewed and approved the proposed plans, and that no turnaround in required on NW 56th Avenue. Sheraden answered questions and provided clarification to the Council related to public roads, sidewalk requirements, and parking. There was additional discussion regarding the extension of Pioneer Parkway and the lack of turnarounds on the new roadways. City Attorney Kristine Stone provided guidance on what the Council can or cannot require from a developer, noting that if the developer submits a plan that is in compliance with our ordinances, the Council cannot institute additional requirements. But the overall street layout, traffic volume, and speed are factors that can be considered. Eric Cannon, 2727 SW Snyder Boulevard, consulting engineer for the project, noted that he doesn't see that this preliminary plat does not preclude the ability to extend those streets in the future. Discussion continued regarding the road alignment and future expansion possibilities, as well as the apparent shortcoming in the code related to the proposed development. There was also discussion on the objection by the adjoining neighborhood to the previous plan that included the connections through the development. Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by James Evans to remove the item from the table Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt Motion by James Evans, second by Suresh Reddy to approve Resolution 25-55. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt No: Rhonda Martin B. Consider Resolution 26-63 - Approving a Site Plan for Kohles Mechanical Planner Michael Delp introduced the item to the Council, noting the submission of a site plan for new construction of a 16,200 square foot building at 4825 NW 59th Avenue. Delp reviewed the elevations for the building as well as the zoning for the area. He noted that the site plan meets the parking requirements with 28 parking spaces and 2 ADA spaces. Delp also noted that the developer is proposing a commercial accessory building. Delp advised that all facades facing within 300 feet of public streets meet the Class A and Class B materials. Delp noted that the landscaping plan meets code requirements, including the buffer requirements. Planning and Zoning did recommend approval of this site plan. In response to Council Member Burkhardt's question regarding the accessory structure, Delp advised that the structure would be screened by the setback, the building, and the buffer. Motion by James Evans, second by Suresh Reddy to approve Resolution 26-63. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt C. Consider Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the City Administrator to Sign an Agreement for Temporary Communications Services City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver noted that due to the resignation of the Communications Director, staff had sent out an RFP to solicit responses for temporary services of communications services. Following interviews with 2 of the 5 respondents, staff had selected AKC Marketing to fulfill the communications needs while reviewing and recruiting to fill the vacant position. Motion by James Evans, second by Suresh Reddy to approve Resolution No. 26-66. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt D. Consider Approval of Claims in the Amount of $836,795.39. Motion by Tom Cope, second by James Evans to Approve Claims in the Amount of $836,795.39. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 8. City Administrator / Staff Comments A. Comments No comments were received. 9. City Council Comments A. Comments Council Member Cope noted that he had met with staff to answer questions related to the possibility of lowering the tax levy. 10. Closing of Meeting A. CLOSED SESSION - Per Iowa Code §21.5.1(j): to Discuss the Purchase of Particular Real Estate Only Where Premature Disclosure Could be Reasonably Expected to Increase the Price the Governmental Body Would have to Pay for that Property. The Minutes and Tape Recording of a Session Closed Under this Paragraph Shall be Available for Public Examination when the Transaction Discussed is Completed Motion by James Evans, second by Suresh Reddy to enter into Closed Session. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt The meeting entered into Closed Session at 8:13 p.m. The meeting entered into Open Session at 8:42 p.m. B. Upcoming Meeting: Monday, April 20, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. Work Session and 7:00 p.m. Council Meeting C. Meeting Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. _________________________ Paula S. Dierenfeld, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Cyndee Rhames, City Clerk April 17 2026 LIOW0499937