Included in each City Council information packet is a memo from the City Administrator offering a summary and context of items appearing on the agenda. We will begin publishing these memos here in our news feed to make them more accessible. You can sign up to be notified of news items, agendas and more by email.

This meeting will be held in person and may be accessed live by the public in person or on the internet 

This meeting may be accessed live by the public in person or on the internet at at northlibertyiowa.org/live, on Facebook at facebook.com/northliberty or on YouTube at youtube.com/ northliberty. Meetings are rebroadcast on cable and available on-demand on northlibertyiowa.org/meetings.

Meeting Note

Tuesday’s meeting will be held in person as well as live streamed at Watch Meetings Live.

Consent Agenda

The following items are on the consent agenda and included in the packet:

• City Council Minutes (07/13/21)
• Claims
• Liquor License Renewals
  • Tin Roost
  • Sushiya
  • Rocky O’Brien’s
• Pay Application #11, SW Growth Area Utility Extensions, Boomerang Corporation, $233,609.42
• Change Order #1, Ranshaw Way, Phase 5 Project, Peterson Contractors, ($4,567.65)
• Pay Application #2, Ranshaw Way, Phase 5 Project, Peterson Contractors, $488,346.51

Project Better Together

After hearing from the Project Better Together Team at the July 13 meeting (presentation included), the Council directed staff to draft a resolution approving a $5,000 contribution to the PBT Vision 2030 Project. The resolution is included in the packet and recommended for approval.

2021A Bond Sale

The agenda includes a resolution authorizing and approving a loan agreement for the bond sale on July 27. The sale is scheduled for 10am on Tuesday and once the results are final the resolution and related documents (included in the packet) will be updated. Tionna Pooler, the City’s Financial Advisor, will be attending the meeting to make a recommendation to the City Council.

Centennial Park Loop Road Project

The agenda includes several items related to this topic, including a public hearing and resolution approving the plans and specifications. Staff recommends approval of the resolution.

This week, four bids were received for the Centennial Park Loop Road Project, with the low bid submitted by All American Concrete in the amount of $514,900, $108k less than the engineer’s estimate. Staff has previously worked with All American Concrete and recommends approval of the bid and award of contract.

Urban Renewal Plan Amendment

An Urban Renewal Plan Amendment is needed to include St. Andrews Drive into the Urban Renewal Area, which will allow a portion of the project to be funded with TIF dollars. This amendment also adds several other projects into the plan, including potential Penn Meadows Park projects, Ranshaw Way, Phase 5 and Dubuque Street, Phase 1. The agenda includes a resolution setting a public hearing on August 10 for the proposed Urban Renewal Plan Amendment. Staff recommends approval of resolution 2021-67.

Cedar Springs Lighting License Agreement

The Cedar Springs Homeowner’s Association has asked for permission to install additional lighting in the City’s right of way on Cedar Springs Drive. Cedar Springs would hire Alliant Energy to perform the work, and it would be installed and maintained at the association’s expense. City Staff has drafted a license agreement to ensure that the City’s interests are protected, and recommends approval.

T&R Subdivision SMF Agreement

The recently-approved site plan for T & R Subdivision Part Two, Lot 1 includes a stormwater detention facility. City Code requires the execution of an agreement between the property owner and the City to ensure the proper maintenance and oversight of such facilities. The conditions for maintenance have been reviewed by the City Engineer, and staff recommends approval.

JT Properties LLC Rezoning

This is a City initiated request for a zoning map amendment from I-1 to C-2-A to allow 1.72 acres – southwest corner of Ranshaw Way and 240th St, formerly Suburban Landscape – to achieve consistency with the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation, which is Commercial.

The Zoning Ordinance authorizes the City Council to consider a zoning map amendment on its own or on petition. Comprehensive Plans in Iowa are advisory; however, staff is initiating this request for the following reasons:

1. Staff agrees with the Commercial Future Land Use Map designation and believes the Commercial designation will not change with the upcoming Comprehensive Plan
2. The property is along a prominent location on the Ranshaw Way
3. Without a zoning map amendment, the City Council would be compelled to approve a development proposal consistent with I-1 standards.

Staff spoke with the property owner prior to initiating the request. The property owner indicated that the I-1 zoning was more desirable but shared that the sale of the property is not actively being pursued. Notices of the Planning Commission and City Council meetings were sent to the property owner via certified and regular mail. No formal objection has been received. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request at its July 6, 2021 meeting. Staff recommends approval as well.

Agricultural Experience Ordinance, 3rd Reading

This is a staff-initiated amendment, which would allow an agricultural experience use in North Liberty corporate limits. As proposed, the agricultural experience would be permitted on property that is zoned ID – Interim Development with the approval of a Conditional Use. The agricultural experience use would be required to be accessory to an on-site agricultural use. Although any property owner(s) meeting the locational and size requirements could apply for the agricultural experience use, it was primarily designed to allow the Colony Pumpkin Patch to annex into the City. Staff collaborated with Dean and Katie Colony on this ordinance, such that it would be mutually beneficial to both parties. At this point, the Colonys have expressed a willingness to annex the Colony 1927, LLC and Four D’s Acres, LLC into the City, subject to the following approvals:

1. The Agricultural Experience Ordinance is adopted;
2. The Board of Adjustment grant approval of the Conditional Use; and
3. The City Council grant approval to allow hunting on the property

With this annexation and other voluntary annexations, the City anticipates a formal annexation of 317.89 acres, or just under ½ square mile. Staff also worked with the North Liberty Community Pantry Executive Director to amend the food pantry regulations to allow a small expansion into a separate outbuilding to provide clothing to the community. This ordinance is an excellent example of collaboration with community stakeholders to improve the City’s codes. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request at its June 1, 2021 meeting. Staff recommends approval of the ordinance as well.

Hate Crime Ordinance

At the June 22 meeting, the City Council asked the public for feedback on the idea of adopting a Hate Crime Ordinance. Two emails were received and are included in the packet. Also included is the original memo from City Attorney Lientz on the subject matter as well as a sample ordinance. Staff is seeking direction from Council on whether or not to bring forward a Hate Crime Ordinance.