Johnston City Council Regular Meeting Monday, June 15, 2026

Johnston City Council Regular Meeting Monday, June 15, 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. 26-12 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 Metro Waste Authority (MWA) CEO Mike McCoy led the meeting in the Pledge. E. Agenda Approval Motion by Suresh Reddy, 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. Metro Waste Authority Presentation Metro Waste Authority (MWA) CEO Mike McCoy presented an update on the MWA and thanked Council Member Burkhardt for his participation with the MWA Board. C. Public Comment No public comments were received. 4. Public Hearings A. Conduct a Public Hearing on Proposed Acquisition of Property by Eminent Domain and Consider Resolution No. 26-100 - Authorizing Acquisition of Property by Eminent Domain The Public Hearing opened at 7:33 p.m. Public Works Director Matt Greiner addressed the Council regarding the property in question. Greiner noted that staff would continue to work with the property owner to negotiate a reasonable offer, but that due to project timelines, it is necessary to begin a parallel track with condemnation in case an agreement cannot be reached. Greiner advised that there had been agreement on the property value, but the property owner was not satisfied with the value assigned for the removal of the trees on the property. Greiner answered questions from the Council. Foth engineer Nate Whipple also provided information to the Council regarding an arborist's opinion on the tree removal and the survivability of the tree along NW 51st Street. Whipple and Greiner advised that several options had been looked at in order to minimize the impact to the trees on the property, including relocating the water main and the stormsewer main, and moving the sidewalk to the east side of NW 51st Street, but that with the lowering of the road, the size and depth of the trenches for the water and stormsewer mains were going to have a significant impact on the roots. The property owner, Joel Sowders, 5125 NW 62nd Avenue, also addressed the Council, noting that he had been out of the country for the past month, during which time this process was initiated. He also noted that he had not had time to prepare for this hearing, or review the new proposal. He voiced concern over the removal of the trees on his property, but noted that his strongest objection was the removal of a shingle oak tree on the southside of his driveway. He estimated that the circumference of that tree trunk s about 12 feet, and the tree is really a hallmark of the property and the landscaping. He also indicated the is not satisfied that enough alternative options have been explored in order to save this tree. Greiner also talked about the potential ripple effect of delays in the NW 62nd project on other projects proposed in the area. He also advised that staff and the engineer would continue to work with the property owner to avoid the condemnation process if possible. No other public comments were received. The Public Hearing closed at 7:47 p.m. Motion by James Evans, second by Rhonda Martin to approve Resolution No. 26-100. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 5. Consent Agenda A. Consider Approval of the June 1, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes B. Consider Approval of Liquor License Applications and Renewals, and Ownership Updates C. Consider Pay Request No. 3 in the Amount of $92,456.48 to MPS Engineers for Work Completed on the Foxboro Trail as of May 31, 2026 D. Consider Resolution No. 26-94 - Charging Off Active Utility Accounts Receivable E. Consider Annual Contract with Team Services for Construction Material Testing Services F. Consider Requisition No. 01377 to Iowa DOT for the Purchase of Traffic Paint in the Amount of $22,291.99 G. Consider Approval of Out-of-State Travel for the City Administrator and Assistant City Administrator to Attend the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach, CA from October 17th - 21st, 2026 H. Consider Resolution No. 26-97 - Approving Change Order No. 2 for the Royal Park Estates Channel Repair-Phase 2 I. Consider Resolution No. 26-99 - Approving Change Order No. 2 for the NW Saylorville Drive Water Main Extension Segment B & C J. Consider Resolution No. 26-104 - Setting a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Johnston, Iowa for June 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. K. Consider Pay Request No. 8 in the Amount of $22,003.24 to JC Midwest Services, LLC for the Royal Park Estates Channel Repair Phase II as of May 31, 2026 L. Consider Pay Request No. 12 in the Amount of $107,970.24 to On Track Construction for the NW Saylorville Drive Water Main Extension Segment B & C as of May 31, 2026 M. Consider Resolution No. 26-95 - Designating the East Entrance of City Hall, 6221 Merle Hay Road, as the Official Posting Location for Public Meeting Notices N. Consider Resolution No. 26-96 - 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 O. Consider Pay Request No. 1 in the Amount of $15,011.89 to MPS Engineers for the 2026 Sidewalk Repair Program-Phase 3 as of May 31, 2026 P. Authorize the Police Chief to Order and Purchase Six Additional ALPRs for Phase III Implementation & Accept a Grant Award to Off-Set Initial Costs Q. Consider Approval of the Following Items Related to PZ Case 26-07: Resolution No. 26-81 - Approving A Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance Agreement for Enclave at Wooded Pointe Plat and Resolution No. 26-83 - Approving the Final Plat for Enclave at Wooded Pointe Plat 1 R. Consider Approval of Resolution 26-109 - Approving the Construction Plans for ACCO Twinhomes Plat 1 S. Consider Approval of Resolution 26-98 - Initiating an Official Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone 18.94 Acres From AR, Agricultural Reserve District and R-1 (100) Large Lot Residential District to R-1 (75), Medium Lot Residential District. T. Consider Contract with Infomax for Maintenance of New Copier U. Consider Resolution No. 26-102 - Temporarily Suspending Enforcement of Certain Ordinances Concerning Possession or Consumption of Alcohol and Noise in the Johnston Town Center for the 2026 Sounds of Summer & Tunes at Twilight Concert Series; and Consider Approval of the Temporary Outdoor Service Privileges for the Cork's Liquor License for the Event Dates V. Consider Resolution No. 26-106 - Consolidating Debt Service Funds W. Consider Resolution No. 26-107 - Approving Additional Transfers for 2025-2026 Fiscal Year X. Consider Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement/Contract Between the City of Johnston and Teamsters Local Union No. 238 for July 1, 2026 Through June 30, 2028 Y. Consider Resolution No. 26-105 - Resolution Approving Amendments to the Central Iowa Water Works 28E/28F Agreement Z. Receive and File Reports in Item 6 Motion by James Evans second by Suresh Reddy to approve the Consent Agenda. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 6. Reports A. Water/Wastewater Monthly Operations Reports for May 2026 B. May 2026 Bank Reconciliation C. May 2026 Treasurer's Investment Report D. May 2026 Year-to-Date Treasurer's Report E. May 2026 Revenue and Expense Summary and Written Summarization of Current Budget Standing F. Street Department Monthly Operations Report 7. Non-Consent Agenda A. Consider Resolution No. 26-103 - Authorizing Funding for the Expenditure of Funds for Employee Appreciation, Onboarding, and Retention City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver noted that this an annual resolution and for the upcoming fiscal year, the request is to spend up to $5,500 towards defined employee appreciation, onboard, and retention activities. He also noted that this resolution sets explicit public purpose statements and a per-line spending cap for those activities. He advised that the spending does reinforce the high service levels that employees provide, as shown in the recent Community Survey, and that all purchases will be limited to non-cash, low-cost items that directly support teambuilding, orientation, and milestone recognition. Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by Tom Cope to approve of Resolution 26-103. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt B. First Consideration of Ordinance No. 1159 - Amending the Johnston Revised Ordinances of 2007 by Repealing and Replacing Chapter 55, Pertaining to Animal Protection and Control Chief of Police Dennis McDaniel addressed the Council on this item. McDaniel noted that this was the first consideration of Ordinance number 1159, which will repeal and replace Chapter 55 of the Johnston Code, as it pertains to animal protection and control. Mc Daniel thanked staff, and legal counsel for the heavy lift on revising this code. McDaniel reviewed the context of the proposed changes, noting that these changes did not create new programs but rather clarified the administrative rules and definition to allow for regulation of animal control. He pointed out changes related to the city's new dog park, potentially dangerous, or dangerous dogs, municipal infractions, versus criminal charges, quarantine requirements, the appeal process, and other clarifications. He also reviewed the nuisance wildlife inclusion in the code, including definitions of what constitutes nuisance wildlife, and what a Nuisance Wildlife Control Officer is. He touched on the opportunity for a Trap, Neuter/Spay, Return (TNR) program in the community, but that while the code framework is being established, the City will not fund it and oversee it, community members will need to volunteer to run the program. He also touched on the addition of the urban coyote and nuisance wildlife, which would be expanded on during the consideration of the next agenda item. There was discussion regarding determining ownership, and leashing. Motion by Suresh Reddy, second by James Evans to approve first reading of Ordinance 1159. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt C. First Consideration of Ordinance No. 1160 - Amending the Johnston Revised Ordinances of 2007, Chapter 41, Sections 41.09 and 41.14, Pertaining to Authorized Use of Weapons and Trapping for Coyote Control Within the City of Johnston Chief of Police Dennis McDaniel addressed the Council, noting that this proposed ordinance is necessary because of the nuisance wildlife changes in the previous item. He advised that there are two changes: one is an amendment to discharging weapons and the other is to allow for trapping. He further noted that these amendments would apply to the DNR certified Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators, and would allow them to do the work of a trapper on private property. Motion by Suresh Reddy, second by Rhonda Martin to approve first consideration of Ordinance 1160. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt D. Consider Approval of Claims in the Amount of $1,495,272.71. Motion by Rhonda Martin, second by James Evans to Approve Claims in the Amount of $1,495,272.71. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Tom Cope, James Evans, Rhonda Martin, Suresh Reddy, Bryan Burkhardt 8. City Administrator / Staff Comments A. Comments Parks and Recreation Director Geoff Hubbard announced that the final public meeting for the Trails Master Plan was being held on Tuesday, June 16 from 4-7 p.m. at Crown Point. B. Highway 141 / NW Towner Drive Interchange Update Assistant City Administrator David Wilwerding addressed the Council, noting that he and the Mayor had made a presentation to the Iowa Transportation Committee last week, and that it would be timely to have a touchpoint with the Council on where things stand. He introduced Jordan Stoermer of Snyder & Associates. Stoermer provided an update on progress and timelines for the project, and noted that the BUILD grant application results should be announced at the end of June, and that if successful, the grant funding would greatly help closed the financial gap in the project. C. Water Usage Update Public Works Director Matt Greiner provided an update on water usage in relation to the Stage 3 alert from CIWW. He noted that there are two residential and one commercial property that are being monitored, and that exemptions for three properties with newly seeded or sodded yards had been given exemptions. There was discussion related to the splash pad at the Town Center. Greiner noted that the Parks Department has adjusted nozzles, and shortened runtimes when those nozzles are activated. There was further discussion regarding reusing the water from the splash pad for irrigation or things like that. There was also discussion about backflow prevention devices for irrigation systems and the annual testing requirement. Greiner advised that extensions are being offered for systems that haven't been started yet this year. Greiner advised that he would keep the Council informed as more information is received from CIWW. D. Update on Strategic Planning Initiatives City Administrator Mike Pogge-Weaver advised that updates to the Strategic Planning Tracker had been provided in the packet and that staff continues to make progress. 9. City Council Comments A. Comments There was discussion regarding Green Days, and the weather impact on the fireworks and music. Mayor Dierenfeld encouraged staff to look for ways to still have those occur if possible. Mayor Dierenfeld also noted that she was pleased by Green Days this year. She also noted that she had an opportunity to see a performance by an actor portraying Henry Wallace, and that it was incredibly well done. She added that if an opportunity presented itself to have that performance at the library or other events, that should be pursued, especially during the year of Pioneer's 100th anniversary. 10. Closing of Meeting A. Upcoming Meeting: Monday, July 6, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. Work Session and 7:00 p.m. Council Meeting B. Meeting Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. _________________________ Paula S. Dierenfeld, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Cyndee Rhames, City Clerk June 25 2026 LIOW0542994