Johnston City Council Regular Council Meeting Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Johnston City Council Regular Council Meeting Tuesday, February 17, 2026 1. Participation Information 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. 25-04 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 Youth from the audience led the meeting in the Pledge. E. Agenda Approval Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by James Evans to Approve Agenda as Presented. 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. Oath of Office for Johnston Police Officer Stephanie Braun Chief of Police Dennis McDaniel introduced new Police Officer Stephanie Braun. Mayor Dierenfeld administered the oath of office to Braun. C. Proclamation for Kosovo's 18th Independence Mayor Dierenfeld read the proclamation and presented it to Chief of Consular Mission in Iowa, Drilon Zogaj, and First Secretary Fatmir Rrahmanaj. D. Public Comment No public comments were received. 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 Foxboro Trail Project; and Consider Resolution No. 26-26 - Adopting Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost; Consider Construction Bids; and Consider Resolution No. 26-27 - Making Award of Construction Contract; and Consider Resolution No. 26-28 - Approving Construction Contract and Bond The Public Hearing opened at 7:22 p.m. Parks and Recreation Director Geoff Hubbard presented the bid results for the project, noting that at $338,367.75, bids came in about well under the engineer's estimate of $609,000. He advised that MPS Engineering was the low bidder and that the engineer, and staff are recommending awarding the contract to MPS Engineering. He also noted that MPS has done other work in the city. In response to a question from Council Member Reddy, Public Works Director Matt Greiner provided a few examples of the previous projects MPS has been involved in. No public comments were received. The Public Hearing closed at 7:24 p.m. Motion by Bryan Burkhardt, second by Suresh Reddy to approve Resolution No. 26-26. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt Motion by Suresh Reddy, second by James Evans to approve Resolution No. 26-27. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt Motion by Suresh Reddy, second by Tom Cope to approve Resolution No. 26-28. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 5. Consent Agenda A. Consider Approval of the January 27, 2026 Budget Work Session Minutes B. Consider Approval of the January 29, 2026 Budget Work Session Minutes C. Consider Approval of the February 3, 2025 Work Session Minutes D. Consider Approval of the February 3, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes E. Consider Pay Request No. 4 in the Amount of $54,779.53 to Van Maanen Electric, Inc. for Work Completed on Orchard Meadows 1 Lift Station 2024 Improvements Project as of September 30, 2025 F. Consider Maintenance Proposal in the Amount of $16,539.22 to Cummins Sales and Service for the Annual Maintenance of Public Works Emergency Generators G. Consider Authorizing Out-of-State Travel for Community Development Department Staff to Attend the National American Planning Conference in Detroit, Michigan April 25, 2026 Through April 28, 2026 H. Consider Resolution No. 26-25 - Approving 5359 NW 78th Court Utility Service Agreement I. Consider Approval of Liquor License Applications and Renewals, and Ownership Updates J. Consider Out-of-State Travel Authorization for Public Works Staff to Attend the American Public Works Association (APWA) North American Snow Conference in Cleveland, OH April 26 through April 29, 2026 K. Consider Resolution No. 26-30 - Approving the Acquisition of Real Estate Interests and Authorizing Payments to Acquire Real Property for the NW 62nd Avenue Improvements-NW 54th Court to NW Beaver Drive L. Consider Resolution No. 26-29 - Approving Change Order No. 2 for the 2024 Sidewalk Repair Program-Zone 2 M. Consider Pay Request No. 4 in the Amount of $41,139.30 to JC Midwest Services, LLC for the Royal Park Estates Channel Repair Phase II as of January 31, 2026 N. Consider Pay Request No. 2 in the Amount of $21,801.04 to Vanderpool Construction for the Beaver Creek Water Main Emergency Repair as of February 6, 2026 O. Consider Approval of a Standard Professional Services Agreement with Snyder and Associates for On-Call Site Development Traffic Reviews and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the Agreement on the City's Behalf P. Consider Approval of an Annual Service Agreement with 1Source Solar for Inspection and Monitoring Services for the Johnston City Hall Photovoltaic System and Authorizing the Assistant City Administrator to Sign the Agreement on the City's Behalf Q. Consider Resolution No. 26-31 - Ordering Construction of the NW 62nd Avenue Improvements-NW 54th Court to NW Beaver Drive, and Fixing a Date for Hearing Thereon and Taking Bids Therefor R. Consider Proposal From MidAmerican Energy for the Conversion of Overhead Electric to Underground for the NW 62nd Avenue Improvements-NW 54th Court to NW Beaver Drive S. Consider Resolution No. 26-32 - Fixing Date for a Meeting on the Proposition on the Issuance of not to Exceed $13,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the City of Johnston, State of Iowa (for Essential Corporate Purposes [ECP]), and Providing for Publication of Notice Thereof T. Consider Resolution No. 26-33 - Fixing Date for a Meeting on the Proposition on the Issuance of not to Exceed $1,600,000 General Obligation Urban Renewal Bonds of the City of Johnston, State of Iowa (for Essential Corporate Urban Purposes [UR]), and Providing for Publication of Notice Thereof U. Consider Pay Request No. 6 in the Amount of $33,500.21 to TK Concrete, Inc. for the Sidewalk Repair Program 2024-Zone 2 as of January 28, 2026 V. Consider Pay Request No. 8 in the Amount of $141,577.32 to On Track Construction for the NW Saylorville Drive Water Main Extension Segment B & C as of January 31, 2026 W. Consider Approval of REQ01211 in the Amount of $10,409.00 to Urban Flooring and Design for Flooring in the Lakeview Space X. Receive and File Reports in Item 6 Motion by James Evans, second by Bryan Burkhardt to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member Cope commented on Item O, noting that Mark Perington of Snyder & Associates is a Johnston resident with a lot of experience in the community and that he appreciates that we've got someone who can work with us on something that plays an important role. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 6. Reports A. Street Department Monthly Operations Report B. Building Department January 2026 Monthly Reports C. Water/Wastewater Monthly Operations Reports for January 2026 D. January 2026 Bank Reconciliation E. January 2026 Treasurer's Investment Report F. January 2026 Year-to-Date Treasurer's Report G. January 2026 Revenue and Expense Summary and Written Summarization of Current Budget Standing 7. Non-Consent Agenda A. Consider Third Consideration, and Adopting and Publishing Ordinance No. 1156 - Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Johnston, Iowa, 2007, by Amending Section 106.12 for the Purpose of Adopting Solid Waste Collection Fees to Become Effective on July 1, 2026 City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver noted that there had been no change from the previous consideration and that no public comments had been received. Motion by Tom Cope, second by James Evans to approve Third Consideration of Ordinance No. 1156 and to adopt and publish. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt B. Consider Resolution No. 26-15 - Approving the Preliminary Plat for 141 Business Park Plat 1 Planner Michael Delp addressed the Council, noting that this request is from 141 Business Park, LLC to subdivide the initial four parcels for a multi-phase business park development, and that tonight's action is for the preliminary plat in that process. He reviewed the future land use designations, advising that these are in line with the proposed development on this site. He showed the 3 parcels for the first buildings in the initial phase, as well as the outlot. Delp reminded the Council that there is a proposed private development agreement that has been discussed at a previous meeting. He also reviewed the requirement for the developer to improve the road adjacent to the project, and noted that there were public comments received at the Planning and Zoning meeting related to maintaining access during those improvements along NW 100th Court. He stated that as part of the development agreement, staff would review the plans for the road improvements, and that the developer would be required to maintain access to the south for any traffic through that area. Council Member Martin noted that it was difficult to get a sense of the quality of the development from the bare-bones representations that have been presented. Delp noted that staff would address the architectural requirements, landscaping, during the site plan review for the buildings. Motion by James Evans, second by Tom Cope to approve Resolution No. 26-15 Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt C. Consider Approval of Claims in the Amount of $1,562,410.30. Motion by Tom Cope, second by Rhonda Martin to Approve Claims in the Amount of $1,562,410.30. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 8. City Administrator / Staff Comments A. FY 2027 Budget Discussion City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver addressed the Council, stating that he thought the Council would like to see the local option sales tax and hotel-motel tax reconciliations. He also noted that as a follow up from the last discussion, he would show the impact of adding a police officer in each of the five years of the staffing plan. He reviewed the FY27 proposal to take additional funds from local option sales tax, which would still keep the 25% reserve. He also reviewed the valuation projections from PFM. He stated that the city is in a good position because of the prudent financial planning in the past. He also noted that his recommendation would be to include an additional police officer in the FY27 budget, funded through the local option sales tax. There was additional discussion regarding the potential to fund other items, such as the CAM fees, and trees through the hotel-motel taxes. Council Member Cope commented on maintaining the tax levy, and that given the higher valuations, perhaps we should look at lowering the levy rate. Pogge-Weaver noted that while a one-year change may be possible, it is quite likely that the rate would then need to be raised in the following year, and that the strategy has been a stable property tax rate. Pogge-Weaver then reviewed the next steps in the budget process, and that the notices would would be prepared using the flat levy rate, and that the Council will still have an option to lower the rate from amount if that is their decision. B. Comments Public Works Director Matt Greiner provided an update on the streetscape plan, noting that the plan would be coming back to a Council work session this spring. 9. City Council Comments A. Comments Council Member Cope noted that he had received some positive comments on the pedestrian crossing light on Johnston Drive. Council Member Burkhardt encouraged everyone to be mindful of pedestrians, and kids out biking and running during this stretch of nice weather. Council Member Martin advised those that had planted evergreens to go out and water them as it has been very dry. 10. Closing of Meeting A. Upcoming Meeting: Monday, March 2, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. Work Session and 7:00 p.m. Council Meeting B. Meeting Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. Paula S. Dierenfeld, Mayor Attest: Cyndee Rhames, City Clerk February 25 2026 LIOW0465305