[{"_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",6517246,"mediaKeyId","5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949","parentId",5419341,"title","Council approves multiple plats and site plans, OKs park name and maintenance agreement","audioSeconds",967,"startMs",4317000,"endMs",5284000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949&start=4317&end=5284","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949/thumbnail_4317000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6517246/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Council-approves-multiple-plats-and-site-plans-OKs-park-name-and-maintenance-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517246-ca3bfa6e6345d7f22f9f74e7b2765a41/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144135&Signature=Xtj-izywLbjxud7FtDpSUC9WzPVEV4bACu~doAGyBVkRuvwoX-FqQr~8XEHvquOhKOlZ~XNCFfk9Zb9Uw8g3bZ3CJElSfKQdq~vxKp1s6xAFt6vDqK0DyP8sNdKnq6ym9y4pJHt5TM0vMIb~PjVmmCeaBSKEKS7Q30A50YwNnkOqY8duFysQlrNawC87I4XeRlIqjtB~KAFHgoceD6F0~O6zfeYUOXk15sQiFJ0pzdP54uHkuXlwpf8cZeRdBq2J9XhI-S8iWc9sGU~OToQG~wCS1UuVygn~1igDqKa6sxl3hLipje1MIT30J~7rInOA322tTfzpvmbc-s13QI3tAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk","date","2025-07-17T22:53:07Z","article","The council approved several planning and subdivision items July 17, including park naming, plats, a mixed-use site plan and a road-maintenance 28E agreement with Warren County.

Actions approved included:
- Acceptance of a surety for public infrastructure and approval of the final plat for Bloomington Heights Plat 4 (items 7h and 7i). Park-and-rec and city engineering staff reviewed the bond/surety and recommended acceptance so the developer may begin lot sales while minor items on a punch list are finished.

- Approval of the preliminary plat for Maple Heights (item 7j). Staff described the 120-acre area north of Beardsley and east of 50th as a planned development with roughly 249 lots in a PUD parcel that mixes duplex lots on the west side and single-family lots on the east; the preliminary plat also shows future outlots and two internal trail corridors (Ironwood Trail and Sumac Trail) that staff asked to be installed as upgraded sidewalks in certain locations.

- Approval of the site plan for DeJoseph Mixed Use at a key downtown corner (item 7k). The plan rezoned the property to a C-4 main-street style commercial use and proposes two ground-floor office suites and three residential units above. Staff noted limited on-site parking and recommended reliance on nearby street parking and Jackson Street for customer parking; council approved a waiver/condition allowing that approach.

- Approval of the Saddle Ridge parkland dedication agreement and the final plat for Saddle Ridge Plat 1 (items 7l and 7m). Staff said Saddle Ridge includes about 9.34 acres of parkland dedication, much of which is flood plain and will function as a greenway corridor with a future trail corridor tied to the city's long-term greenways concept.

- Approval of a 28E agreement assigning road maintenance responsibilities with Warren County for gravel roads in annexation areas (item 7f) and approving other related plat actions for development (multiple items in the packet were approved by roll call). The council also approved the official name for new Valley View parkland as Bobcat Park (item 7e).

Votes on all land‑use and plat actions were recorded on the meeting roll calls; motions were moved and seconded by council members and carried by the majority present.

Ending

Staff will continue processing final engineering and punch‑list items, coordinate required trail and sidewalk construction noted in plats, and proceed with recording approved plats.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 17, 2025 Norwalk City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Norwalk City Council approved multiple plats, a downtown mixed-use site plan, a parkland dedication agreement and a county road-maintenance 28E on July 17, clearing several development steps for Blooming Heights, Maple Heights, DeJoseph Mixed Use and Saddle Ridge.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Warren County, Iowa","taxId",64209,"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},6517257,"Norwalk council, staff weigh permits and policy to shorten trail closures",2080,594000,2674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949&start=594&end=2674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949/thumbnail_594000.jpg","/articles/6517257/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-council-staff-weigh-permits-and-policy-to-shorten-trail-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517257-8cfb3b812e2a1dbdc50e60536778ead6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144135&Signature=ZF4QGnsJFb~Fu9hgQE-nxS9aGtUU0wnAiszRrTUyW6DXifFc3jlWBXCSWDWlepACXVKYV9L6s7RK0I7cTbLYc5RVKu5Elv5OYF-sEpKtfqVyaio3GqEUAZHJEU0CBASfhiWS7wehz1ChqOFx3EUSelhbTNwco1P~8WZTR0VjCbLDnvpA3~D8HKWYPAeZ8cE7oSAP7uHWMKudGZf9AAzk6adAyXWD2ua87ei~4HbUzh6klbfFJFVXk8MT8Q8TJWTzeSB~H0ZSBmsr0CH91Gbyfm3Moh-LXNf5FCsXJpSyWZz7YmH4wJA3fA02eOxGKSU8UGUczfnK5mGbB3VjIOGBtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Phillips opened a dedicated work session July 17 for council and staff to discuss recurring closures of the city’s pedestrian and bicycle trails and possible ways to shorten the time segments are unavailable.

The discussion focused on why trail connections and approaches are often removed for months while subdivision work proceeds, what the city can require of developers, and whether tools should include a permit system, an ordinance with enforceable deadlines, or stronger requirements in site-plan and construction drawings.

Tony, city engineer, told the council that trail connections often require substantial handwork and grading after paving machines complete main street surfacing. That sequence, together with needed utility work and weather delays, can mean the trail cannot simply be poured alongside the street. He said the city could do more at the design and construction-drawing stage to anticipate closures and require temporary replacement surfaces. “When I say temporary, not gravel. No. That I'm a 100% against that. It's too dangerous for trails with cyclists. It needs to be a hard surface pavement, temporary asphalt or concrete,” Tony said.

Wayne, a public-works staff member, said the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)–approved engineering report for other projects showed the city could build temporary or permanent fixes, and that expanding the construction specifications and testing requirements had already improved replacement quality. He said the city had started interim administrative requirements—notification, subgrade testing, and a 6-inch replacement thickness regardless of prior trail depth—and that developers had complied, though the council and residents had rightly pushed staff for faster timelines.

Several council members cited local examples where trail segments were closed for two to eight months. Council member Brown said some closures had lasted “almost 8 months,” and Council member Poole described observing a runner trip at a gravel-detour site. Council members and staff discussed the trade-offs contractors face: keeping equipment mobilized to remove trail sections incurs added cost, while temporary closures can be safer but last longer.

Mayor Phillips and others urged a combination of tools. The mayor said he had successfully used final-plat holdbacks in the past as leverage to encourage developers to replace trails, but council members wanted staff to draft a more formal option. Staff agreed to draft an approach that could include:
- an optional trail-closure permit with required advance coordination and notification;
- timeline guidance for short-term closures and a requirement for temporary hard-surface replacement when closures extend; and
- stronger site-plan or construction-drawing conditions requiring contractors to prioritize trail restoration or provide safe, engineered detours when necessary.

Council asked staff to draft a permitting/policy option and coordinate with the city attorney, then bring a draft to the Policy & Administration committee for review before returning to full council. Staff noted flexibility would be required in any ordinance to accommodate weather, utility delays or unforeseen on-site changes, but said having clearer, advance requirements and enforcement options would give staff more leverage to shorten closures and protect cyclists and pedestrians.

The work session ended with council generally supportive of staff returning with a draft permit or ordinance and interim administrative improvements; staff emphasized they will continue to use project-specific conditions during construction review and to hold developers accountable in final-plat actions.

Ending

Council did not adopt an ordinance at the July 17 meeting; staff will prepare a draft permitting/policy package and take it to the Policy & Administration committee before presenting it to the full council.","Mayor Phillips opened a dedicated work session July 17 for council and staff to discuss recurring closures of the city’s pedestrian and bicycle trails and possible ways to shorten the time segments are unavailable.",{"_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},6517242,"Council approves early hiring of two police recruits to limit overtime amid expected retirements",593,3725000,4318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949&start=3725&end=4318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949/thumbnail_3725000.jpg","/articles/6517242/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Council-approves-early-hiring-of-two-police-recruits-to-limit-overtime-amid-expected-retirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517242-7b5b82cb88a1f57280ff3c6b2949063a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144135&Signature=EhN3hYuUYkjVsivbK28QoQF0jggeA1KMiVM7e6mLaVKuMECPG0Z2fzzynJZEnEjFUmX3cSQbjBD5EJGNSGvGxSbYDWg2OENbXX13IhCjEIDPDn~~PJ3omgGXOwCUea1SfCOrPekAT2xsst-XPkJSknIDEtMSQ8HA0UvbPHiUbDeDP7Cg5bD2fstK8GLHPtIGUNdsB5484Ndx2tXyUgGTAWIXMzFlWGmEqICjLY48QMlICWsCWsfnIQTEwantCFipEq7LtLzJhJXjQgl6g7fl7iSCvBRUXP3Jr6feYRJwSUTIDLKDTtCTkbXOKig3Rr4mAZwJJQmz08WzsmdVhj0GXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council on July 17 approved the police department’s request to advance the hiring of two replacement officers, scheduling a January start date for training so new officers will be farther along if multiple retirements occur in 2026.

The Police Chief (unnamed in the transcript) explained the department faces potential clustered retirements in 2026 and that academy and field-training timelines mean vacancies create heavy overtime and morale pressures. The chief said police recruits require psychological and medical screening, polygraph, physical testing, and field training—steps that lengthen the time from hire to independent patrol.

Council members discussed timing and costs. Staff presented two timing/cost options mentioned in the meeting: a September start with estimated first-year costs of roughly $102,000–$103,000 per hire vs. a January start with an estimated cost of roughly $74,000 per hire. The council voted to approve the January hires (labeled in the packet as option 1b), citing cost savings and the desire to have new officers through training before retirements peak.

Council members also asked about risks: staff said it is rare for recruits to fail the academy but noted two recent academy dismissals for behavioral issues and one elimination for a medical issue; the police hiring process includes multiple pre-academy screens to reduce attrition. The council discussed retention approaches and non-wage incentives but approved the one-time hiring step requested by the department; the action does not add ongoing positions beyond the department’s authorized count.

Ending

Staff will proceed with the recruitment and processing for a January entry or academy start as approved; the department will report back on candidate clearances and scheduling.","Norwalk approved advancing two police officer hires with a January start to reduce overtime and ensure training coverage after several anticipated retirements; council discussed costs and academy risks and recorded a unanimous roll call in favor.",{"_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},6517251,"Norwalk approves $5.236 million contract for Norwalk Central water tower, opts for larger tank and lighting",793,2750000,3543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949&start=2750&end=3543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419341-f70f059f0867aef7be041d8e35b2f949/thumbnail_2750000.jpg","/articles/6517251/Norwalk-City/Warren-County/Iowa/Norwalk-approves-5236-million-contract-for-Norwalk-Central-water-tower-opts-for-larger-tank-and-lighting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517251-8827383376c33f2d997622dd54fc93ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144135&Signature=R-sf8lMYuni8WgINaHeTWud1LI1recKoboBBSRGMIeGnySlBeuxQKiajW5lYtvvKUQ1oIcv~4d2d-WirH2KK8JyTnoUaV6cqUdCVAolsmf3wa~vahnVdqiSvBm8X4epZcdIRF8x7j9NQJXOUShOdQmcj8C3hFr~3wMfoYmGue1VfuEbB~5IGOYpkyVPGWO9neEA2rRtxYrkRiS0~xwa8zbDfdiqWmMDBNmeRQt4xFeWjkbLMWK2BZae7d0LwSwF7oy7xFFFgttsNPO5SoiTnu2mteKDHikYhovNQo4ScB1ZaZ2yy~9K050Icd-1FjsUr4FO29-EtgtP-a9Pqj6-odA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk City Council held a public hearing July 17 and approved the plans, contract award and contract-and-bond documents to construct the Norwalk Central water tower.

At the public hearing staff said the city solicited four bids and the lowest responsive bidder met the project requirements. The council voted to award Gerard Tank & Steel the contract to build a 1,500,000-gallon tank with LED lighting for $5,236,000.

Wayne, a city staff member, told council the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved engineering work and authorized State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding for a 1,250,000-gallon tank; the DNR also allowed construction of a 1,500,000-gallon tank but indicated the SRF funds would not cover the incremental cost to increase capacity. Staff said the bid alternates indicated the cost to increase the base tank by 250,000 gallons was modest compared with the overall project and that the lighting option (LED uplighting plus perimeter fixtures to illuminate the city logo) was also competitively priced.

Council discussed funding and budget implications: staff said the city budgeted $6,300,000 for the project, leaving room to include the larger tank and lighting in the approved budget. Council member Poole asked whether local-option sales tax revenue could be used for the lighting; staff confirmed the local-option sales tax may be used for governmental purposes and that lighting would consume a substantial portion of that tax if used from the general fund.

A resident who spoke during public comment supported the larger tank and lighting as an economical decision because the tank vendor could mobilize the work.

The council passed three related resolutions in sequence: final approval of plans and specifications (resolution 7b), awarding the contract to Gerard Tank & Steel (resolution 7c), and approving the contract and bond (resolution 7d). Votes were recorded in the meeting minutes with council members voting yes on each measure.

Ending

With the final resolution approved, staff will proceed with contract execution and project mobilization. The DNR/SRF approval remains in place for the base tank size; the city will fund the incremental cost of the larger capacity from local sources within the adopted project budget.","After a public hearing, Norwalk City Council approved plans and three resolutions to award and execute a $5,236,000 contract for a 1.5-million-gallon Norwalk Central water tower with LED uplighting; the DNR and SRF previously approved a 1.25-million-gallon tank for SRF funding but not the larger capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves multiple plats and site plans, OKs park name and maintenance agreement

Norwalk council, staff weigh permits and policy to shorten trail closures

Council approves early hiring of two police recruits to limit overtime amid expected retirements

Norwalk approves $5.236 million contract for Norwalk Central water tower, opts for larger tank and lighting