[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6575526,"mediaKeyId","3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8","parentId",3093173,"title","Votes at a glance: ordinances, site plans and routine approvals from Johnston City Council","audioSeconds",1858,"startMs",3580000,"endMs",5438000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8&start=3580&end=5438","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8/thumbnail_3580000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575526/Johnston-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-ordinances-site-plans-and-routine-approvals-from-Johnston-City-Council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575526-288cd33e38066f3dd90e6762bf10bc42/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170610&Signature=nhOzJ4fVEd9RD9PGc69RHvoFRgDOUwi2dOeiavVt8hE0r92MOhto1qI-F5H5HsjhI84bppZFtTJ1km0CbaZLxrbBOeiUZonICxaQXrvvz1m04oA84Ml9OmJe02exhjb6MtxXNrSfWZYELb-zmZiJNhxcVewaAlK68-yN4wPKK3lScTkTHHiByvguLmaE9tvw-sMEr~~4EcCsg~TlRcm~XW8Hy5KqYsY1tYkibldkVvnGEvW4Jk2yQNGNgyVW4ZCv61fZ-iTB-E-u1iNnAvNWiBE9ogx2CaphNHBXcDbqOQlt99h-P14d0Nsu~z494~d0T5Q1LqcOzyGvLstkw3mA8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Johnston","date","2025-04-23T13:51:59.477Z","article","On Monday the Johnston City Council approved a slate of ordinances, site plans and routine items with little public discussion. The council handled several second- and third-reading ordinances, site-plan approvals and consent-agenda items in a single evening after more substantive hearings earlier on the agenda.

Key actions approved by the council included:

- Ordinance 11-36 (third reading and adoption): Establish the Dragonwood Urban Renewal Area and associated TIF framework (third reading adopted). Council staff noted no public comments had been received on the ordinance.

- Ordinances 11-37 and 11-38 (second reading and waived/third readings): Amendments to the Johnston building code (Ch. 155) and fire code (Ch. 159); staff asked the council to consider waiving the third reading and adopt both ordinances given consistent, coordinated language across both codes.

- Resolution 22-110: Approve the site plan for the Pioneer Hybrid/Corteva parking lot reconstruction.

- Resolution 22-111: Approve the site plan for playground improvements at Timber Ridge Elementary School (Johnston Community School District).

- Ordinance 11-33 (second reading): Rezoning 6.36 acres with an animal-keeping overlay.

- Resolution 25-120: Authorize up to $5,500 for employee appreciation, onboarding and retention activities at the direction of the employee engagement committee; staff said the expenditure is in the adopted budget and the state auditor advised such expenditures be approved in open session rather than on consent.

- Consent agenda and claims: The council approved the consent agenda and claims in the amount of $1,709,547.43.

Most of these items passed unanimously or by recorded roll call votes with no public testimony. Staff said several site plans met zoning and landscaping requirements and that the Pioneer site plan met prior parking waivers applicable to that campus. The council discussed technical questions, such as whether an aggregate threshold of added parking would trigger electric vehicle requirements and whether public improvements tied to certain projects would be timed to developer progress.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Johnston City Council Meeting - April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of noncontroversial votes and procedural items the council approved on Monday, including two building/fire code ordinances, an urban renewal ordinance, site plans and routine spending and personnel items.","taxTitle","Johnston City, Polk County, Iowa","taxId",52106,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575531,"Council grants amendment to Bombers development agreement, extends financing deadlines",719,4485000,5204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8&start=4485&end=5204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8/thumbnail_4485000.jpg","/articles/6575531/Johnston-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Council-grants-amendment-to-Bombers-development-agreement-extends-financing-deadlines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575531-a1ba2df0fa18af966ba3bc5560d7bb92/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170610&Signature=my6qGLJZUTv6ePm9Z~p2tjk4Dm9FGkixnTH~7ooLURtvpGMXYFq0DLiaclx7dt6matdPLhvF0JWRaDkoOoiTi-P6~Mbmx4PYv9YCe0I7GtDiLmFSmOzS~NJ74bfK-9ud2wu~k3~7SGHowZKBgtyXbJ8w86HXqjVZ8XVThDIFEfr9f34rkE6mKDiGR15MWxKNWxkwUUXb2pKu6oyAVTZmtsEOXxe5aOq7aGVYGwPo~1SKQzADc6g1qLnuwJaZXBCwwcx7hWTf9xvBK6~sF958KQLxgx20WYQyC7VQh~mKPP7XlIQBlD1QuyPqT6do03ix4t8pPEhdcYsNaU-QPEzqxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston City Council voted to approve Amendment No. 8 to the development agreement with Johnston Golf Development LLC (the “Bombers” project), allowing the developer more time to secure financing and extending the construction completion schedule.

City counsel explained Amendment No. 8 would extend prior deadlines: the developer must provide a fully executed term sheet by Oct. 31, document sufficient equity 60 days later and document financing 60 days after that, and order steel within 90 days of establishing a construction loan. The amendment extends the construction-completion target from Dec. 31, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. The ad hoc economic development committee recommended staff prepare the amendment after meeting with the developer to consider the developer’s extension request.

Developer representatives reported they had a signed term sheet from April 3 and that lender discussions continued; they told the council the financing option(s) available had evolved and that another lender option also had been presented. The developer said the project already has significant sunk costs on the site and that roughly $2.4 million in city-funded predevelopment grants have been paid under prior agreement provisions. The developer also told the council their hotel partner would contribute $2 million cash and could invest up to $5 million in the Bombers project, which the developer said added equity to the overall financing package.

Council members noted the project’s long timeline and past extensions and asked for assurances about forward progress. Staff and developers said they were confident enough to bring the amendment to council but acknowledged continuing market uncertainty and state legislative matters affecting financing.

After discussion, the council approved Resolution 25-113 amending the agreement to extend financing deadlines and the construction timeline; staff said the amendment gives the developer roughly six months to secure an executed term sheet and additional months to close on financing and to order required construction materials.","Council approved Amendment No. 8 to the Johnston Golf/Bombers development agreement, giving the developer additional time to secure financing and extending the construction completion deadline by roughly one year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575533,"Council approves consolidated development agreement for ‘Project Rally’ campus, including new incentives",1758,1764000,3522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8&start=1764&end=3522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8/thumbnail_1764000.jpg","/articles/6575533/Johnston-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-consolidated-development-agreement-for-Project-Rally-campus-including-new-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575533-c0f1105daf7c5584fbc0ac89398b2be0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170610&Signature=D0rvtm7pELs3oOITjTX8hf7cPE-Ok20LSybZH548baYufT2OqCVhmVEUKHamInInzqvVP6~4I5hvkvWoJT5JQhSuSIYvuWEl~wgK3g9w9cTYRbXPFe4BY3mrsJLRM9gQa303JbrsudOW~KrBMZkIUwhibmhWBD-Fz1EJGjfQnB3uZptP889W7NuwUOCSW-noRUVbnOxlihaCAIwK5efIdk3TP5mhiy0jw7hopxMYYON3I3m832t15mNLiTUAbZ49uWB2MWmcwxRq8OJCwO4ay-KxyVb0AaXhDE7H-bzumzgOMp~HzM6LnJJRzOCgCUTrjYDgcTYIDHtp7sYrawVRjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnston City Council on Monday approved Resolution 25-106 authorizing a consolidated development agreement with Ignite Johnston LLC that replaces three prior agreements and sets a schedule, incentives and public-improvement commitments for a multi-building sports and entertainment campus known in part as Project Rally.

Planner Josh summarized the agreement as “essentially a rewrite of 3 different agreements” and outlined key deadlines the developer agreed to if the council approved the new agreement: proof of financing or an executed term sheet within about 60 days, submission of final plats and site plans and steel-order shop drawings within roughly 120 days, and a goal to begin construction by Sept. 30 of the current year with full completion of minimum improvements by Sept. 30, 2027. The developer would be responsible for multiple private buildings — including a 30,000-square-foot two-story commercial building conceived for brewery, health-clinic or other complementary tenants — and an additional supplemental 12,000-square-foot two-story commercial building at the former quick-lube site on Merle Hay Road.

Developer representatives Chad O’Meara and Brian O’Meara told the council they had an active financial term sheet (the team said a term sheet had been in place since November) and described prior work and spending on the site. Chad said the project “has had an active financial term sheet since November” and described over $20 million already invested on the site, including foundations and utilities.

Josh told the council the city has already provided performance-based predevelopment financial incentives totaling $3,308,130 in cash, plus a previously issued forgivable loan and demolition grant; when recategorized in the consolidated agreement the previously issued incentives total $3,527,361. The new agreement proposes a tax-increment-financing (TIF) incentive structure of a 95 percent TIF rebate for 10 years capped at $14,200,000, with an annual deduction of $59,357 from increment for public improvements already incurred or to be incurred in the future. The agreement also restates a $60,000,000 minimum-assessed-value target for the minimum required improvements, a figure the staff and the developer said was developed with the county assessor’s office.

Council members pressed for specifics on costs the city has already incurred for site work and Pitch Parkway; staff gave a rough estimate that city costs for the Pitch Parkway portion were about $2.2 million and noted other engineering and permitting expenses not included in earlier tallies. Council members repeatedly asked for the developer to confirm financing milestones; developer representatives said they were confident and that their lenders had vetted term sheets with board review and internal options.

The agreement also carries a five-year utilization-payment arrangement that the city and developer previously negotiated: a guaranteed payment of $360,000 per year for the first five-year term in exchange for a specified number of hours the city may use rentable spaces in the facility (the agreement notes defined “peak” and “non-peak” hours and guarantees 144 peak and 144 non-peak rentable hours annually). Staff said the utilization agreement remains a guaranteed, performance-based payment structure with optional extensions but no obligation beyond the agreed term.

After questions from council members and developer remarks, the council closed the public hearing and voted to approve Resolution 25-106. Council members emphasized the 60-day financing milestone as an early “hurdle” to watch and asked staff to bring back detailed accounting of city-incurred costs on the project when available.","Council approved a new development agreement that consolidates three prior agreements with Ignite Johnston LLC, establishes timelines and incentives for a multi-building sports and entertainment campus, and reiterates predevelopment grants the city has already issued.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575534,"Johnston City adopts FY2026 budget, authorizes police staffing increase",1363,369000,1732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8&start=369&end=1732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093173-ad4e4ae0f33ea50fad31312b665e9ff8/thumbnail_369000.jpg","/articles/6575534/Johnston-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Johnston-City-adopts-FY2026-budget-authorizes-police-staffing-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575534-9bfaa7d6a169e9a2d08b81a4d8ba9f41/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170610&Signature=jnRWtoA52fu9zg0a8V4mePC-guOgf5rRze~qCCYkYzWYpiuIuYB0i3mvcsa~IeXGTyz6tuN9w~ndGS5BreooezkZSf0DzKNbIpLn0Vl47nmvPkbvJ7kCbHqq3EOERBWx8PpDLFjYHNmABWjYVc8bYPxBdghUMteZpKMT1pSDaTNhUVfb-sJqGeqfQFCHlGSTa3gh-vHVGYPvV458PcTIoAbg~2MfZ9klM~VbomTx9HlE3Y1~-Tur81vSUW30jX9eVBQhYG1ox--xy2C8JRC~EvqKSwxbwbMss20ljDIuFRD26Oqmfqm0vClOYUzklMHcpP8~pwSm0-ye84L-3cwdvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston City Council on Monday adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget after a public hearing and approved related resolutions that set the tax levy and authorize several transfers, and the council voted to permit the police department to increase its authorized sworn staffing to 38 officers.

The council approved Resolution 25-117 adopting the FY2026 budget and the tax levy; a separate motion granted the police department authority to expand sworn staffing to 38 officers effective with the FY2026 budget. The council also approved Resolution 25-118 confirming public-purpose findings for economic development, arts and culture, and Resolution 25-119 approving transfers included in the adopted budget.

City Administrator Mike opened the public hearing, calling it “the public hearing on our proposed FY 2026 fiscal budget.” Finance Director Sarah, whom staff and council praised during the meeting, described the budget as “the most important document we have,” and reviewed drivers behind increases in the proposed spending, including rising costs for patrol vehicles and major fire apparatus. Sarah told the council the budget incorporates a modest increase that remains below national inflationary rates, and she highlighted departmental efficiency measures that reduced pressure on the levy: converting some sworn positions to civilian roles in police, shared fire district leadership with a neighboring jurisdiction, reassessing fleet purchases, and energy-saving solar projects for city facilities.

Sarah outlined several revenue challenges tied to recent state policy changes, including the phaseout of commercial property tax backfill and reductions tied to multi-residential rollback, which she said together account for roughly $712,000 in lost revenue and equate to about a $0.40 impact on the levy rate. The budget projects a total ending fund balance of about $61.1 million across city funds, with a projected general-fund ending balance of about $9.1 million and an operating reserve near the city policy target of 25 percent. She also noted six new positions in the budget: city clerk, two police officers, two firefighter-paramedics, and one public-works traffic maintenance position.

Council members asked for clarity on what parts of the package required motions versus resolutions; staff explained the increase in authorized police positions was handled by motion rather than a resolution. No members of the public addressed the council during the hearing. After discussion, the council voted to adopt the budget and passed the related resolutions and motions by recorded votes.

Looking ahead, staff noted capital investments included in the budget’s CIP—major street and stormwater projects, water and sewer extensions, acquisition and installation of city hall solar, and park trail work—alongside programmatic items such as expanded senior programming and library space-needs assessments. The council and staff emphasized that the budget reflects both constrained revenue from state actions and internal efficiency efforts to protect core services.

The vote: Resolutions 25-117, 25-118 and 25-119 were approved and the motion to authorize police staffing to 38 sworn officers passed during the meeting.","Johnston City Council held a public hearing and approved the FY2026 budget and related resolutions, including authorizing the police department to raise sworn staffing to 38 officers; council also approved related transfers and economic development public-purpose findings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: ordinances, site plans and routine approvals from Johnston City Council

Council grants amendment to Bombers development agreement, extends financing deadlines

Council approves consolidated development agreement for ‘Project Rally’ campus, including new incentives

Johnston City adopts FY2026 budget, authorizes police staffing increase