Manchester Council to weigh urban renewal amendment, TIF deals; library AC replacement on tap
Manchester city officials are set to take up a proposed amendment to the city's urban renewal area and related tax-increment financing (TIF) agreements at the next City Council meeting, along with filling a council vacancy and approving street closures for a firefighters convention.
Urban renewal amendment and TIF agreements
The council will hold a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Manchester Urban Renewal Area. Following the hearing, it will consider resolutions to approve the amendment and set meeting dates for development agreements with Wesley D. Schulte, Westgate Center, LLC, and Gathering Place Event Center LLC. Those agreements include annual appropriation tax increment payments, according to the agenda.
Council vacancy
The council will discuss and possibly act to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of At Large Council Member Bryan Gray.
Firefighters convention
The council will consider approving street closures and a parade route for the 2026 Iowa Firefighters Association Convention.
Library air conditioning
The council will consider an estimate to replace air conditioning units at the Manchester Public Library. The agenda does not list a dollar amount.
Recent meetings
July 27 City Council
The council reviewed several grant applications for downtown properties. Items on the agenda included:
- Commercial Incentive Grants for The Dairy Parlor at 913 East Main Street: $1,361.98 for facade work and $7,500.00 for interior improvements.
- Downtown Incentive Grant for Honey Creek Furniture at 201 North Franklin Street: $4,658.34.
- Engineering service payments to Fehr Graham ($29,800.00) and Kirkham Michael ($1,750.00).
- Resolution R-086-2026 authorizing the installation of stop signs.
- Review of Board of Adjustment setback decisions for 521 Prospect Street and 103 Oak Court.
Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so no votes or final decisions are available.
July 30 work session
The council held a work session to discuss recreation planning. No other substantive items were listed.
August 3 Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole discussed a city council vacancy, plans for the 2026 Fire Convention, a downtown concept planning proposal by Fehr Graham, an asphalt paving estimate for East Honey Creek Drive, the Fiscal Year 2025 audit report, and a possible update to the social media policy. Minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
- **City Council meeting** – Aug. 10, 2026. Public hearing on urban renewal amendment, TIF agreements, council vacancy, street closures for firefighters convention, and library AC replacement estimate.
All items are from official agendas and minutes; no votes or decisions are reported for meetings where minutes are not yet available.