[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6478657,"mediaKeyId","5708577-ea0e6b0d8c7b2a6567fb35eeeed920fb","parentId",5708577,"title","Boone council debates expanding firefighters’ residency radius as staffing concerns persist","audioSeconds",1074,"startMs",1923000,"endMs",2997000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708577-ea0e6b0d8c7b2a6567fb35eeeed920fb&start=1923&end=2997","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708577-ea0e6b0d8c7b2a6567fb35eeeed920fb/thumbnail_1923000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478657/Boone/Boone-County/Iowa/Boone-council-debates-expanding-firefighters-residency-radius-as-staffing-concerns-persist","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478657-985dec971b72354b79a62659d32d9349/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200507&Signature=JX~TmXHnREnYbYjjK6bOucyY1OFOFaFdKk8ymlxMu2m847n5KsiKpapDOlJYY3esaoWsPm2slEBTM~gP9bBG7SB8da5VXHNjKwWHYj3~vjwPgbU~ezQgZytqzUdWdy5DGhm~jPwyckCQiYR9QdCifuPVAfw2jd2lE3r8l1I6WGj1eJIipJuJIMI-c4YQ-rhrWXMb-hA~1O6hJef94mS2K1ELW1Z5uDYYJzefXXgB~99tHw8fHmNxpvFg0IqoV8RgBFJI6cwUfPDN11PzrFzm~2Xnj9-uVGE9MHGgfNIf2FXWA9Vj9AezXQ10LAtSi0WUC00cGUxWi6U4zNENiSjVCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boone","date","2025-09-03T20:31:56.973Z","article","The Boone City Council discussed a request from the firefighters’ union to change the municipal residency requirement that currently requires certain emergency employees to live within 10 miles of the city limits.

Councilmember Rebecca Williamson (Policy Administration) opened discussion by reading the ordinance language under review: certain positions “must live within 10 miles of the corporate limits of the city,” which the union asked to expand to 20 miles. Williamson said the Policy & Administration Committee voted to bring the request to the full council for consideration.

Proponents argued a larger radius would widen the hiring pool and reduce overtime and burnout. Union representative Casey Peterson told the council the department remains staffed now but that expanding the radius would aid future recruitment. “We are still a fully staffed department. We still have 3 fully certified firefighters coming to your house,” Peterson said, adding the change is intended to increase applicant numbers rather than prompt current members to move.

City and council opponents raised response-time concerns. One council member warned that “20 miles as the crow flies can mean a 25 minute response time or a 30 minute response time,” and said that extended response intervals could be dangerous during large fires.

City leaders and the fire chief discussed callback data and staffing patterns. A city speaker reported the department averages about 349 callbacks a year — nearly one per day — and said staffing shortages and unpredictable call volume are the core issue. The chief and union said recent trial staffing adjustments reduced callback frequency, but both sides agreed recruitment and retention present long-term challenges.

During the meeting a council member proposed a compromise amendment to allow a 15‑mile radius as a test; that motion was seconded and a roll-call vote was recorded with mixed yes/no responses (see vote record below). The meeting transcript records the roll call but does not include a formal announcement of final ordinance adoption during the session.

What’s next: Council did not adopt a final ordinance change at this meeting. Council members asked staff and the fire department to continue discussions; the item may return to Policy & Administration or a future council agenda for further action.

Context: The issue has come to council previously and involves weighing recruitment benefits against potential increases in emergency response times if recruits live significantly farther from the station.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 2, 2025 Boone City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Boone City Council debated a union request to expand residency rules for certain fire positions from 10 miles to a wider radius, with the union citing recruitment needs and some council members warning expanded limits could increase emergency response times.","taxTitle","Boone, Boone County, Iowa","taxId",64197,"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},6478653,"Votes at a glance: Boone council approves multiple routine measures, sets hearing dates",1806,88000,1894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708577-ea0e6b0d8c7b2a6567fb35eeeed920fb&start=88&end=1894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708577-ea0e6b0d8c7b2a6567fb35eeeed920fb/thumbnail_88000.jpg","/articles/6478653/Boone/Boone-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Boone-council-approves-multiple-routine-measures-sets-hearing-dates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478653-06f349bd2ae3ec053d6a071fd203be28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200507&Signature=E-IQtNNdLemUoyzoGUAt83UPswSTwep8JvKw~IdB4xopMFK3ioNOhPrHtaDxI8TIa0OqItnsBpeX2EekRV1cISCwPDbiwqJJFR3hv7VhMzhKCGrT~zkguMsjF5u1Li8CcofSd8oklGIqnqAuz5WnE9fptbavrpx8HAK~cWrP5EsMHQmC45D7~rlS9JJtWBHbmjXmwJp4HHq49KkOnpCqGSY~aGhLHguphjUIfIIjjxTtQr9r-jyCTFeDmIbjvJwe1oneSmWo1zmALJ9h7ZuUxUpHstHmPGeW03HvnkxtzGiOHPVpSjPCs2kfXUAQA5MmSwuDMzFAqoKIB4Ef6A9qlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boone City Council approved several routine measures and set dates on other items during its meeting. Items that passed or were scheduled are summarized below.

- Resolution 34‑18: Determined an area of the city to be designated economic development and a blighted area as part of a public hearing on Amendment No. 11 to the Southeast Boone urban renewal plan. The council closed the hearing and adopted the resolution by roll call.

- Resolution 34‑19: Authorized granting an easement at 1811 Twelfth Street. Council moved, seconded and approved the resolution by roll call.

- Resolution 34‑21: Fixed a date for a meeting to consider authorization of a loan agreement and issuance of notes not to exceed $1,500,000. Council approved setting that date by roll call.

- Resolution 34‑22: Authorized a temporary agreement to accept sludge from the City of Ogden’s wastewater plant for up to one year (estimated 60,000–120,000 gallons) at a per‑gallon fee (approx. $0.175/gal discussed in the meeting). Council approved the temporary acceptance by roll call; staff described it as a short-term neighborly arrangement that brings modest revenue to Boone’s wastewater operations.

- Resolution 34‑23: Approved a demolition and asbestos‑abatement agreement for the collapsed building at 1813 Keeler; the city will manage demolition and bill the property owner for 75% of the cost, with the owner required to rebuild a commercial property within 30 months or face assessment, council was told. The committee unanimously recommended approval and council adopted the resolution.

- Wayfinding sign in green space: Council voted to place a county-funded wayfinding sign at the downtown green space partition; motion carried.

- Downtown design guidance: Council approved a package of recommended downtown design guidelines (not adopted as ordinance standards; council described the document as guidance for future grant and design work).

- Ordinance 23‑23: Council waived second reading and adopted an ordinance to change certain city parking regulations.

Consent agenda items and a new liquor license for a business (Bottle Bliss) were approved as part of the consent agenda.

What’s next: Several items (property sale public hearing, alley/easement follow-up and ordinance recodification) were scheduled or deferred for future meetings; staff will return with technical specifications, agreements and, where applicable, funding or contractor details.","The Boone City Council approved a package of resolutions and an ordinance during its meeting, including an urban renewal designation, an easement at 1811 Twelfth Street, a demolition agreement for a collapsed building and placement of a wayfinding sign in the downtown green space.",{"_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},6478661,"Residents warn of safety, parking impacts as Boone council takes up Eighth Street alley vacation",1651,109000,1760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708577-ea0e6b0d8c7b2a6567fb35eeeed920fb&start=109&end=1760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708577-ea0e6b0d8c7b2a6567fb35eeeed920fb/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6478661/Boone/Boone-County/Iowa/Residents-warn-of-safety-parking-impacts-as-Boone-council-takes-up-Eighth-Street-alley-vacation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478661-4ab8c1fc3c289e1f668561d7a6b9d1c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200507&Signature=HaWpnI4WIb9qWRUfE5DZ5YoPPEjGoQ1xr12d-Z4ewLUuf3TTBWhbvl~wTasxFiB68~JVJaPYGnZX4hoacHHvBjF-GqnLt4WaBdbSfpjIPh3ZIjH1fnytjQH4xEEavJ7KzLJDdqDrSxoT0Q1oQcCEALqeZpYboVzEL0bK00tLvU5FdMpQC811dmcYg7Sp~-3N-I5Zn0huDSW45nPt7pJS2d1NsDxAHSgEHUeJDLM1zM3n7rN7xja4GLaDiGBigqFStNuxHM8aFPikdZ2Mtek7Z40s7-psy1QtLWEsta7511iwqVCA1JUvctEkPkDLoNQ6jWJ8ySfMfU6-XA3jIasOSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Boone City Council public hearing on a proposal to vacate a north–south alley abutting 926 Eighth Street drew lengthy public comment from property owners and downtown businesses who said the change could create safety risks for delivery trucks and reduce scarce customer parking.

Property owner Laura Ulrich said her tenants at the building that abuts the alley were told the north half of the parking lot they use might be closed, and said the notices and outreach around the proposal had been incomplete. “My tenants are all stressed out. They’re gonna lose their parking in the future, which could potentially cost me the lease of my building,” Ulrich said.

Other speakers raised operational safety concerns. Erin Drake said changing the alley’s direction or removing part of it would force delivery trucks to make blind turns and increase the risk of vehicle collisions or injuries. “If you vacate that part of the alleyway … the likelihood that those trucks are gonna hit at least a parked car is almost 100%,” Drake said. Semi-truck driver Harry Randolph said he did not see a way for a tractor-trailer to make the proposed turn without striking parked vehicles.

Joe Hall of Hall Plumbing said the alley is used as an egress for his driveway and that frequent deliveries would block his business’s access if the alley configuration changed.

Council members and staff responded point-by-point. A staff speaker said the city inspected an existing sewer line that crosses the area and plans to rehabilitate it with a polyethylene lining if needed; the city also said that any sale of city-owned property would require separate public process. The city confirmed it paid $70,000 for an adjacent empty lot that is under discussion for future sale and development.

Planning and zoning had recommended against vacating the alley, citing truck traffic and circulation concerns, council members said during debate. One council member suggested an easement allowing businesses to run HVAC ducts or exhaust hoods over city property as an alternative to vacation.

Council did not take a final vote on vacating the alley. Instead, members discussed drafting and scheduling a separate hearing on an easement (height and vehicle clearance to be defined) so staff, property owners and businesses could identify technical constraints and proposed easement language. A council member said staff would set an easement hearing for a future meeting and calculate required clearances for box vans or semis before any final action.

The lengthy public-comment period highlighted competing downtown priorities: support for new commercial activity and outdoor seating for a proposed restaurant, on one hand, and ongoing access, parking and safety concerns from adjacent property owners and service businesses on the other.

The public hearing on the alley closed after the council heard comments and asked staff to return with technical specifications and a proposed easement date.

What’s next: Council instructed staff to prepare an easement proposal and to set a future hearing; no alley vacation ordinance or resolution was adopted at this meeting.","City Council public hearing on vacating a north–south alley abutting 926 Eighth Street drew multiple business owners and residents who raised safety, parking and process concerns; council declined final action and directed staff to schedule an easement hearing instead.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Boone council debates expanding firefighters’ residency radius as staffing concerns persist

Votes at a glance: Boone council approves multiple routine measures, sets hearing dates

Residents warn of safety, parking impacts as Boone council takes up Eighth Street alley vacation