Johnston City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, March 2, 2026
1. Participation Information
Procedural: A. To Participate in this Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96939835050 (See content for additional information)
2. Opening of Meeting
A. Call to Order Johnston City Council Meeting No. 26-05
Mayor Dierenfeld called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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
Sherrie Colbert, Director of the Gold Star Museum at Camp Dodge, led the meeting in the Pledge.
E. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver noted that item 5N, was being moved to the Non-Consent Agenda as item 7A2.
Motion by James Evans, second by Rhonda Martin 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. Bravo Greater Des Moines Update
Executive Director Sally Dix thanked Council Member Burkhardt for his representation on the Bravo board. Dix reviewed Bravo's role and contributions across their 17 member communities. She talked about funding of Johnston specific entities including the Iowa Gold Star Museum, Adventures in Social Development, and the Johnston Station Historical Society. Council Member Burkhardt thanked Dix, as well as the Bravo staff for all they do.
C. Public Comment
No public comments were received.
4. Public Hearings
There were no Public Hearings
5. Consent Agenda
A. Consider Approval of the February 17, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
B. Consider Approval for Sam Rezz to Perform at Family Fest on June 6, 2026
C. Consider Approval for Laura Ernst to Perform at Kites on the Green on May 2, 2026
D. Consider Authorizing the Purchase of 10 (ten) Barnes Razor ZOGP Pumps in the Amount of $22,160.00 from Electric Pump, Inc. to Restock Wastewater Department Inventory of Grinder Pumps
E. Consider Pay Request No. 1 in the Amount of $96,992.15 to Caliber Concrete LLC for Work Completed on the Lew Clarkson Dugout Project as of February 19, 2026
F. Consider Pay Request No. 10 in the Amount of $1610.25 to InRoads LLC for Work Completed on the 78th Ave Trail as of February 15, 2026
G. Consider Approval of Liquor License Renewal
H. Consider Pay Request No.12 in the Amount of $24,908.53 to InRoads LLC for the NW 100th Street & NW 78th Avenue Improvements NW 70th Avenue to Hidden Valley Drive as of February 15, 2026
I. Consider Pay Request No. 7 in the Amount of $642,808.03 to S M Hentges & Sons, Inc. for the Little Beaver Creek Sanitary Extension Segment B
J. Consider Resolution No. 26-37 - Approving the Acquisition of Real Estate Interests to Acquire Real Property for a Public Water Main Easement on Property Located at Lot 16, NE 1/4, Section 36, Township 80, Range 25
K. Consider Resolution No. 26-34 - Ordering Construction of the NW 86th Street PCC Patching Project, and Fixing a Date for Hearing Thereon and Taking Bids Therefor
L. Consider Approval of a Five-year Agreement for Maintenance, Repair and Minor Reconstruction of Primary Roads With the Iowa DOT
M. Consider Setting a Public Hearing for April 6, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for the City of Johnston, Iowa 2026-2027 Proposed Property Tax Levy
N. **Moved to Item 7A2**
O. Consider Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Bolton and Menk for the Design of the Green Meadows North - Downstream of the Waterford Dam Channel Stabilization and Trail Replacement Project
P. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 26-40 Expressing Support for Spinco (Corteva's Seed Business) and its Global Headquarters in Johnston, Iowa
Q. Consider Out-of-State Travel for Janet Wilwerding to Attend the 3CMA National Conference in Denver, CO
R. Consider Resolution No. 26-35 - Approving Final Change Order No. 3 for the Little Beaver Creek Sanitary Sewer Extension Segment C
S. Consider Resolution No. 26-36- A Resolution Accepting the Little Beaver Creek Sanitary Sewer Extension Segment C
T. Consider Final Pay Request No. 15 and Pay Retainage in the Amount of $100,048.39 to On Track Construction for the Little Beaver Creek Sanitary Sewer Extension Segment C
U. Receive and File Reports in Item 6
6. Reports
A. Communications Analytics Report of Social Media and Website from January 2026
7. Non-Consent Agenda
A. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 26-38 - Approving the Site Plan and Preliminary Plat for 5445 West Parkway and 7A2: Consider Approval of Resolution No. 26-39 - Approving the Final Plat for West Park Office Plaza Plat 4
Planner Jakob Sheraden presented the Site Plan and Preliminary Plat, providing information on the proposed 4,600 square-foot building and historical zoning information. Sheraden reviewed the bulk regulations, green space dedication requirements, landscape and architectural requirements for the site.
Sheraden noted that Council Member Martin had inquired about the feasibility of extending an internal sidewalk to the street, and that the developer is open to putting in the sidewalk, assuming it will be ADA compliant, with grading being a potential hiccup.
Sheraden advised that the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval.
Council Member Evans inquired about the purpose of the building. The developer noted that there will be 16 individual hair salons, each with a sink. In response to a question about the number of exits in the building, Sheraden advised that there are three exits: one each on the east and west side, and then one on the north side.
Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by James Evans to approve Resolution 26-38.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt
Motion by James Evans, second by Rhonda Martin to approve Resolution 26-39
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt
B. Consider First Consideration of Ordinance No. 1158 - Amendments to Chapter 121 (Cigarette and Tobacco Permits) and Section 46.01 (Minors)
City Clerk Cyndee Rhames provided an overview of the proposed amendments to Chapter 121. In response to a question from Mayor Dierenfeld regarding enforcement issues, Chief of Police Dennis McDaniel advised that there are no significant issues related to the changes to state code.
Rhames asked the Council to consider waiving second and third considerations.
Motion by Tom Cope, second by James Evans to approve First Consideration of Ordinance No. 1158.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt
Motion by Tom Cope, second by Bryan Burkhardt to waive Second and Third Consideration of Ordinance No. 1158; and to adopt and publish.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt
C. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 26-41 - Approving a Community Festival Funding Agreement with Johnston Green Days Inc. and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Said Agreement
City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver discussed the transition of Green Days from the Johnston Chamber of Commerce to a new community-based non-profit called Johnston Green Days, Inc., which is being led by a group of community volunteers. He advised that as part of that transition, the organization has asked for $20,000 in seed funding from the City to cover upfront expenditures while they work to secure sponsorships. He noted that this funding would come from the Hotel-Motel fund, and that the 2026 event would be held June 11-13, at Terra Park.
When asked if the Chamber would be contributing to this new organization, Pogge-Weaver advised that he is not aware of any specific contributions, but there has been some discussion about the Chamber helping to provide volunteers and making taking on some of the activities.
Motion by Tom Cope, second by Bryan Burkhardt to approve Resolution No. 26-41.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt
D. Consider Possible Action Related to the Closed Session during the March 2, 2026 Work Session
Mayor Dierenfeld noted that a Closed Session discussion during the Work Session resulted in Resolution No. 26-42, authorizing legal action in connection with the developers' failure to remit special remedy payment
Motion by Suresh Reddy, second by Bryan Burkhardt to approve Resolution No. 26-42.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt
E. Consider Approval of Claims in the Amount of $2,002,697.02.
Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by James Evans to Approve Claims in the Amount of $2,002,697.02.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt
8. City Administrator / Staff Comments
A. Comments
Covered during the Work Session
9. City Council Comments
Information: A. Comments
Covered during the Work Session
10. Closing of Meeting
A. Upcoming Meeting: Monday, March 23, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. Work Session and 7:00 p.m. Council Meeting (Moved due to Spring Break)
B. Meeting Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
_________________________
Paula S. Dierenfeld, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________
Cyndee Rhames, City Clerk
Publication Dates
LIOW0474553