City of Sergeant Bluff, IA
SERGEANT BLUFF, IOWA
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Council Chambers
501 4th Street;
Sergeant Bluff, IA
1. MAYOR/MAYOR PRO-TEM TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER:
1.Roll Call
2.Pledge of Allegiance & a Moment of Silence
Attendee Name Title Status
Shari Zenor Kiple Council Member
Present
Kirk Moriarty Council Member
Present
Ryan Panowicz Council Member
Present
Mark Reinders Council Member
Present
Andrea Johnson Council Member
Present
Ron Hanson Mayor Present
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Shari Zenor Kiple, seconded by Mark Reinders to Approve the Agenda. Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
3.aApprove the minutes of the August 10, 2026 Special Meeting
3.bApprove the minutes of the August 11, 2026 Regular Meeting
3.cApprove the minutes of the August 14, 2026 Special Meeting
Motion by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Ryan Panowicz to Approve the minutes of the August 10, 2026 Special Meeting, August 11, 2026 Regular Meeting, and the August 14,
2026 Special Meeting. Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
4. CITIZEN'S INPUT:
There was no citizen input.
5. DEPARTMENT HEADS' REPORTS:
The written reports were provided to the City Council.
6.APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
6.aLiquor License Renewal: Pub 52 (Community Center)
6.bNew Liquor License: Hawks Coffee Shop (New Ownership)
6.cApproval of 24-Hour Fire Department & EMS Volunteer: Morgan Johnson
6.dApproval of new Fire Department & EMS Volunteer: Nathan Bigelow
6.eBills: Check numbers 94110 to 94182 and ACH transactions 90000034 to 90000040 in the total amount of $499,306.15
Motion by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Shari Zenor Kiple to Approve Consent Agenda Items:
6.a)Liquor License Renewal: Pub 52 (Community Center)
6.b)New Liquor License: Hawks Coffee Shop (New Ownership)
6.c)Approval of 24-Hour Fire Department & EMS Volunteer: Morgan Johnson
6.d)Approval of new Fire Department & EMS Volunteer: Nathan Bigelow
6.e)Bills: Check numbers 94110 to 94182 and ACH Transactions 90000034 to 90000040 in the total amount of $499,306.15
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
Name Description Amount
ANALYTICAL & CONSULTING SERVICES SAMPLE ANALYSIS 240.00
BAKER, NANCY JO OVERPAYMENT OF ACCT 12.19
BENTSON PEST MANAGEMENT PEST CONTROL 315.00
BOMGAARS HOSE/ROUND UP/SUPPLIES/WATER PLANT SUPP 307.89
BORDER STATES SUPPLY ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES 369.48
CAPPETTA, MATTHEW VOLLEYBALL REGISTRATION REFUND 45.00
CHESTERMAN COMPANY CONCESSION SUPPLIES 219.00
CHESTERMAN COMPANY CITY HALL DRINKING WATER 9.00
CHEW, LI CHI REMAINING ELECTRIC DEPOSIT REFUND 113.02
CINTAS SUPPLIES 38.59
CITY OF SIOUX CITY UTILITIES JULY 2026 SEWER USAGE 46,319.17
DANKO EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT CO GLOVES 46.25
DGR ELECTRIC UPGRADES/ENGINEERING SERVICES 23,319.86
DRAIN SPECIALISTS CLEANOUT TO CITY SEWER 550.00
EBNER, JOE REIMBURSE/BUSINESS CARDS/JACKET 178.67
EMC INSURANCE COMPANIES INSURANCE PREMIUMS 1,314.00
FAREWAY CLEANING SUPPLIES/DISTILLED WATER 38.23
FASTENAL MINOR EQUIPMENT 189.81
FELD FIRE FIRE DEPT. SUPPLIES 106.00
FREMONT TIRE INC TIRE 109.33
GILL HAULING INC SOLID WASTE 11,825.22
GORSETT, RYAN ELECTRIC DEPOSIT REFUND 87.46
GRAFFIX INC SCREENPRINTING/SHIRTS 2,420.00
GRAFTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK 12.99
H&R CONSTRUCTION UTILITY REFUND 37.99
HAWKINS WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS/CHLORINE CYLINDERS 80.00
HELGESON, VINCENT ELECTRIC DEPOSIT REFUND 69.93
HIRSCHFIELDS PAINT/REPAIRS 297.35
HOWE, JENNA WATER DEPOSIT REFUND 6.00
HYDRAULIC SALES AND SERVICE CO HOSE GUARD 116.37
IOWA FIRE CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION 2026 MEMBERSHIP/GAUL & LAUTERS 50.00
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY ASCE TRANSPORATION CONFERENCE 250.00
JACKS UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT CLOTHING ALLOWANCE 748.15
KLUVER, JOHN EVENT REFUND 450.00
LITTLE RED EMBROIDERY CO CLOTHING ALLOWANCE/PARADE POLOS 92.46
LONG LINES LLC TELECOMMUNICATION EXPENSE 42.34
MARCO INC COPIER CONTRACT 91.04
MARCO TECHNOLOGIES LLC COPIER CONTRACT 672.12
MENARDS-SIOUX CITY BUILDING SUPPLIES/TARPS 120.43
METERING & TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS METER/EQUIPMENT 4,964.90
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY JULY 2026 GAS UTILITY 458.67
MILLS AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES FLOOR LINER/TONNEAU COVER 713.01
MPIRE HEATING & COOLING LLC POLICE REPAIRS 1,057.50
MUNICIPAL ENERGY AGENCY OF NEBR JUL 2026 POWER PURCHASED 266,435.03
NIPPON SANSO MATHESON INC ACETYLENE 86.89
PENWORTHY COMPANY BOOKS 305.23
PETER, ABSTASIO OVERPAYMENT REFUND 304.03
PIONEER AUTO VEHICLE MAINTENANCE/REPAIR 267.63
POMP'S TIRE SERVICE TIRE REPAIR 60.54
RESCO SPLICE JACKET 314.00
RIVERSIDE TECHNOLOGIES INC PD COMPUTER 2,235.00
SAM'S CLUB OFFICE SUPPLIES/POOL/POOL SUPPLIES 1,362.98
SEXTON OIL COMPANY BULK FUEL 12,981.28
SIOUX CITY ENGINEERING 1ST STREET BEAUTIFIC PROJ PE -RETAINAGE 30,000.00
STATE CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS WASTEWATER PROGRAM 529.42
STIVERS FORD LINCOLN POLICE INTERCEPTOR 48,900.00
STRYKER SALES CORPORATION AED SUPPLIES 132.60
SWEARINGEN, RYAN DOT PHYSICAL 110.00
THOMPSON, LIBBI EVENT REFUND 2,400.00
TRI-STATE UNDERGROUND LLC RAILROAD CROSSING 19,440.00
VAN METER INDUSTRIAL INC SUPPLIES 384.04
VEENSTRA & KIMM INC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1,491.60
VERIZON WIRELESS CELL PHONE EXPENSE 962.50
VESTIS MATS/LINENS 276.14
WESCO RECEIVABLES CORP ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES 130.80
WILLIAMS & COMPANY AUDIT SERVICES 2,850.00
WILLIAMS, ESTHER ELECTRIC DEPOSIT REFUND 30.08
WOODBURY COUNTY TIF PAYMENT 7,196.94
ZIMCO SUPPLY CO CHEMICALS 1,615.00
Total: 499,306.15
7. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:
7.aCity Administrator Presentation of Additional Information for Re-Establishing the Public Works Director Position
Aaron Lincoln provided a document to City Council which reviewed the organization of the Public Works Department, a history of the position, the impact on job duties, and the financial impact.
Items discussed during the meeting included the necessity of the change, the timing of when the person in the position would start, upcoming retirements in the Public Work Department, the duties of the current Assistant City Administrator, the responsibilities of the Public Works Director position, what is available in the current budget to accommodate the proposed change, the desire to have had this presented during budget season, and the salary range.
7.bApproval of Establishment of Public Works Director Position, Set the Range of Wages, and Authorize City Administrator to Post the Position
Motion by Mark Reinders, seconded by Andrea Johnson to Approve the Establishment of the Public Works Director Position, set the salary range to be between $90,000 and $97,375, Select a Start date of January 4, 2027 and Authorize the City Administrator to Post the Position.
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
7.cApproval of Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement with the Owners of 219 Topaz Drive Council has received confidential information related to a Council Summary Report and a Certified Arborist Appraisal for the damage done to a mature Colorado blue spruce tree on the property.
Aaron Lincoln explained that the electrical crew was out trimming trees, they saw an evergreen that was across the sidewalk and chose to trim it up. We have been working with the home owners for a settlement agreement. We would be taking out the tree and grinding the stumps. We had a certified arborist value the tree at $4,700.00. The goal is to make it right with the citizen. He discussed with the City Council about where the tree was originally planted, how the tree was valued, and that the property owner wasn't notified prior to the trimming which would have provided them with an opportunity to trim the tree on their own.
Motion by Ryan Panowicz, seconded by Andrea Johnson to Approve the Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement with the Owners of 219 Topaz Drive.
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
7.dFinal Discussion and Direction to Staff Regarding an Ordinance for Residential Urban Revitalization
Aaron Lincoln referenced an e-mail he sent out which provided a summary. He said that the Serenity Estates development agreement had language which provided that the graduated 10-year abatement would be offered for their development. The Urban Revitalization program has three main function which include the project area (eg. city limits or a smaller area), the duration of the program, and the type of abatement. We do need to extend the program for Serenity Estates, but staff needs direction on the desired proposed area and the type of abatement. The Iowa Legislature changed the law so that school district taxes cannot be abated.
Kirk Moriarty left at 6:47pm and returned at 6:49pm.
There was extended discussion between the City Council and city staff which included discussion on:
- The agreement made with the Serenity Estates development.
- Developers and citizens asking city staff if the city is going to extend the abatement.
- If a cap can be placed on the valuation of an abated home.
- How the 2% growth ceiling that the State of Iowa has placed on our assessed valuation growth impacts tax revenue.
- Some cities are suspending their abatement program until the Iowa legislature provides clarification on recent changes.
- Home growth over the last few years.
- Some cities are transitioning from tax abatements to other forms of incentives.
- How the abatement works for existing homes that are upgraded/revitalized.
Staff was directed to provide additional information and to discuss this further at the next City Council meeting.
7.eDiscussion on a potential Commercial Urban Revitalization
There was no discussion.
8. RESOLUTION(S):
8.aRES 26-19 Obligating Funds for the Payment of an Economic Development Tax Rebate to Precision Landscaping and Construction, LLC Pursuant to and Authorized Under Iowa Code Chapter 15A
Aaron Lincoln explained that the Sergeant Bluff Community Development Corporation sold a parcel to Precision Landscaping and constructed a project, part of the sale agreement included a tax incentive for commercial development. Recently the property was sold and David Brown is asking for the incentive that was due per the agreement and support he had from prior elected officials. Aaron reviewed other similar things that the City has done in the past. The funds would come from the TIF account. He explained how TIF rebates work.
There was discussion about prior contacts from Precision Landscaping about the TIF rebate, the timeline by which it is normally requested, and how the Urban Renewal (TIF) program works.
Motion by Mark Reinders, seconded by Kirk Moriarty to Approve RES 26-19 Obligating Funds for the Payment of an Economic Development Tax Rebate to Precision Landscaping and Construction, LLC Pursuant to and Authorized Under Iowa Code Chapter 15A. Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
9. ORDINANCE(S):
9.aORD 775 Amending Chapter 155 Sign Regulation (First Reading)
Aaron Johnson said that this had been reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission and reviewed and modified further by the City Attorney. The goal is to make the sign code clearer and more enforceable, it includes updated language to address modern signage. Existing signs that don't meet code are considered non-conforming signs, as long as those signs continue to be maintained it can remain. If the sign deteriorates or something causes it to be destroyed it won't be able to be replaced.
A sign along Sergeant Square Drive was discussed that doesn't meet modern sight triangle standards.
Motion by Mark Reinders seconded by Shari Zenor Kiple to Approve ORD 775 Amending Chapter 155 Sign Regulation (First Reading).
Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
10. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
Aaron Lincoln discussed potential overlay projects on Airview Drive or S Lewis Blvd. He had a meeting with Long Lines regarding the franchise agreement. The 185th Air Refueling Wing is bringing back their family event in September (details were in the FYI section of the agenda packet). There will be information on the GO Bond at the next meeting.
Danny Christoffers said that Tyler Tweet, Jessie Kneifl, and himself have been meeting to discuss a potential proposal to discuss changes to Community Action Team, he will be reaching out to Council members about that.
11. COUNCIL MEMBER'S COMMENTS:
Shari Zenor Kiple said that she went to the open house at the elementary school and had representation at the middle school and primary well. She gave kudos to the Police Department for having representation at those events as well. There was engagement from people interested in the Safe Routes to School and Library information.
Mark Reinders said that he attended the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting the other week and there was discussion about potentially annexing land on the east for a potential housing development, no action was taken.
Kirk Moriarty said that everything with Pioneer Valley Days went very well.
12. MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Ron Hanson encouraged everyone to address concerns or questions regarding agenda to bring those up prior to the meeting and during the approval of the agenda. He said that Aaron Lincoln and himself will be meeting with Chad Janzen and Jeff Wright to discuss the crossover by the new fields regarding how to make that feasible and safe.
13. FYI ITEMS:
13.a185th Air Refueling Wing Outdoor Entertainment Permit
14. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Kirk Moriarty, seconded by Ryan Panowicz to Adjourn at 7:47pm. Motion Carried. [Unanimous]
Mayor/Mayor Pro-Tem
Attest:
Danny Christoffers, City Clerk
Published in the Sergeant Bluff Advocate weekly newspaper, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. The SB-Advocate is the Official Newspaper for the City of Sergeant Bluff and is an Official Woodbury County newspaper. (PN#091026-00494A/B)
