Independence public meetings in 2023

Library Board

The Library Board will meet to review the FY25 budget proposal and a behavior policy. The session will also cover the Long Term Capital Improvement Plan and IPL Foundation financial processes.

• FY25 Budget Proposal
• Behavior Policy
• Long Term Capital Improvement Plan
• IPL Foundation Financial Processes

City Council

The City Council will consider resolutions and preliminary plans for the 2024 Street Rehabilitation Project. The body will also vote on several board appointments and change orders for the Independence Façade COVID Project.

• 2024 Street Rehabilitation Project preliminary plans, specifications, and cost estimates
• Preliminary Plat-Maryville
• Amended Bridge Agreement with Buchanan County
• Change Orders #10, #11, and #12 for the Independence Façade COVID Project
• Appointments for Independence Light & Power, Planning & Zoning Commission, and Airport Board

Airport Board

The Airport Board will meet to receive updates from the engineer, airport manager, and FBO. The board will also review the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and current revenues and expenses.

• Engineer update
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) review
• Revenues and expenses to date
• FBO update

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting to discuss the commission's meeting time and a preliminary plat located within two miles of city limits.

• Discussion of Planning & Zoning meeting time
• Review of a preliminary plat within 2 miles of City Limits

City Council

The City Council will hold a work session to discuss items intended for future formal consideration. The meeting includes a Q&A with Independence Premium Foods and a review of financial options for the WWTP project.

• Q&A with Independence Premium Foods
• WWTP Project financial options
• City Insurance RFP
• Council training on roles, responsibilities, and liability
• Nuisance property updates

City Council

The Independence City Council will discuss updating public health and safety codes regarding the discharging of weapons. The body is also reviewing a police lieutenant position promotion and updates to building permit fees.

• Ordinance amending provisions for discharging weapons (First Reading)
• Resolution promoting Sergeant Isley to Police Lieutenant
• Resolution updating building permit fees
• Application for Independence Foods LLC to the IEDA High Quality Jobs Program
• Change Orders #20 and #22 for the Independence Façade Phase 1 Project

City Council

The City Council, County, and School District are meeting to discuss anticipated projects for 2023/2024. The group will also review budget challenges and legislative concerns for 2024.

• Discussion of 2023/2024 City projects
• Discussion of 2023/2024 County projects
• Discussion of 2023/2024 School District projects
• Review of budget issues for the County, School District, and City
• Review of 2024 legislative concerns for the School District, City, and County

Library Board

The Library Board of Trustees will meet to review the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and determine the New Year holiday closing schedule. The board will also receive updates on the roof and the Sesquicentennial Celebration.

• Fiscal Year 2024-25 Proposed Budget
• Stanley and Hazelton Library Service Contracts
• Roof Update
• Eagle Scout Project
• Mill & Depot Artwork

City Council

The City Council will consider resolutions regarding the Highway 150 Reconstruction Project and property mowing assessments. The body will also discuss a potential catalyst grant for 107 2nd Ave. NE and several change orders for the Independence Façade Phase 1 Project.

• Resolution to accept Division 2 work for the Highway 150 Reconstruction Project
• Potential Catalyst Grant for 107 2nd Ave. NE
• Four change orders (#16, #17.1, #17.2, #18) for the Independence Façade Phase 1 Project
• Authorization to order a Dump Truck for the Streets Department
• Retail alcohol licenses for El Mazatlan Authentic Mexican Restaurant and The Brick Kitchen

City Council

The City Council will hold a work session to discuss items intended for future formal consideration. Topics include infrastructure projects, city code revisions, and department updates.

• Potential Catalyst Grant for 107 2nd Ave. NE
• 1st Street West Reconstruction engineering services
• Building permit fee update
• Revisions to City Code regarding hunting
• Wapsi Watershed contribution

Airport Board

The Airport Board will meet to receive updates from the engineer, city manager, and airport manager. The board will also review the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and current revenues and expenses.

• Engineer update
• CIP review
• Review of revenues and expenses to date
• FBO update
• Discussion of rules and regulations

City Council

The City Council will discuss the final assessment schedule for the 2023 Street Rehabilitation Project. The body is also considering a zoning code amendment and a mutual aid agreement with the Oelwein Police Department.

• First reading of Ordinance Amendment Article 17 of Zoning Code
• Resolution adopting final assessment schedule for the 2023 Street Rehabilitation Project
• Mutual Aid Agreement with Oelwein Police Department
• Resolution to assess property owners for Chapter 52 Mowing of Properties
• Resolution to assess property owners for Chapter 90 Water Service System

Library Board

The Library Board of Trustees will meet to review September statistics and approve bills. The board is discussing facility closures for carpet installation and Christmas, as well as an infectious disease policy.

• Closure for carpet installation
• Infectious Disease Policy
• IPLF Board Member Appointment
• Art Donation
• Budget Committee Meeting

City Council

The City Council is meeting for a groundbreaking ceremony regarding the Baseball/Softball Complex Field Turf Project. The event is located at Three Elms Park Road.

• Groundbreaking for the Baseball/Softball Complex Field Turf Project

City Council

The City Council will conduct a public hearing regarding changes to the sign section of the zoning ordinance. The body is also considering a budget amendment and a fee increase for environmental impacts.

• Public hearing for an ordinance amending Article 17 “Signs” of the Zoning Ordinance
• Resolution to increase the Environmental Impact Fee
• Contract and bonds for the Baseball/Softball Complex Field Turf Project
• Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Amendment #1
• Alcohol license renewals for Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, Wal-Mart Supercenter #750, Wee Willy's Checkered Flag, and The Sanity Room

Airport Board

The October 4, 2023, meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. No actions were taken.

City Council

The City Council will hold a work session to receive department updates and discuss new business. The council may take action on liquor license renewals and amendments for Hartig Drug.

• Hartig Drug Liquor License Renewal
• Hartig Drug Liquor License Amendment
• Wapsi Watershed Contribution
• Transfer of Drone ownership

City Council

The City Council is meeting to conduct a grant presentation. The meeting is scheduled for September 28, 2023, at the Independence Baseball/Softball Complex.

• Grant presentation

City Council

The City Council will hold public hearings regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 Amendment #1 and the Baseball/Softball Complex Field Turf Project. The body will also consider awarding a contract for the turf project and review several annual financial reports.

• Public hearing and bid consideration for the Baseball/Softball Complex Field Turf Project
• Public hearing for Fiscal Year 2024 Amendment #1
• Retail alcohol licenses for Fareway Stores, Inc. #479 and Allerton Brewing Company
• Agreement with Buchanan County for Bridge Inspection and Load Rating Services
• Resolution to assess property owners for Chapter 52 Mowing of Properties

Library Board

The Library Board of Trustees will meet to review August statistics and approve bills. The board is scheduled to discuss metal roof repairs and an update to the IPL Strategic Plan.

• Metal roof repair
• IPL Strategic Plan update
• IPL Sesquicentennial Celebration
• Municode agenda management
• August statistics

City Council

The City Council will discuss a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2024 and review an engineering agreement for the 2024 Street Rehabilitation Project. The body is also considering ordinance amendments and the acceptance of work for airport and police station projects.

• Public hearing setting for Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Amendment #1
• Engineering Services Agreement for the 2024 Street Rehabilitation Project
• Acceptance of work for the Airport AWOS Project and Independence Police Station Remodel Project
• Agreement for Feral Cat Sterilization and Rabies Vaccination Services
• Resolution to assess property owners for Chapter 52 Mowing of Properties

The City Council adopted an ordinance amending nuisance abatement and junk vehicle procedures. The council also approved engineering services for the 2024 Street Rehabilitation Project and accepted completed work for the airport and police station projects.

• Adopted Ordinance 2023-579 amending nuisance abatement and junk vehicle procedures
• Approved agreement with Crawford Engineering for 2024 Street Rehabilitation Project (Resolution 2023-74)
• Accepted work for Airport AWOS Project (Resolution 2023-75)
• Accepted work for Independence Police Station Remodel Project (Resolution 2023-76)
• Approved agreement with Premier Animal Wellness and Surgery for feral cat services (6-1)
• Approved property owner assessment for Chapter 52 Mowing failure to comply (Resolution 2023-78)
• Approved sale of current Police Dog to Jessica Honey for $1.00
• Approved $3,149.31 Commercial Restoration Rehabilitation Grant for 117 1st Street East