[{"_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",5976732,"mediaKeyId","5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459","parentId",5838599,"title","Council hears concerns about vandalism, security and demolition of dilapidated properties","audioSeconds",306,"startMs",2787000,"endMs",3093000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459&start=2787&end=3093","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459/thumbnail_2787000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976732/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Council-hears-concerns-about-vandalism-security-and-demolition-of-dilapidated-properties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976732-2dd3c5783b2b654a03a0305e802e0ea0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183996&Signature=FwxbG04dNXM4WrT8JHAU~5f2VPLMz21pvCORPuF11RcrnsJYHaD2dzGmUko42yGnP6IfmiKQ2smPxDXygs3nj9YMltYiDcuOtDwIZc-nn-YALSEyNO9OAJM0P7iFEXsJSHZccDssB1gkySLslc4R1YDxmjCu9cfTr0xAqe7MRwFnzJKLdN28HbEb7hLwfwzsSd3IfiLTj~CLcSAyV~GZOXDtY5v3B5c9OUF6Z8bMEG8gqVqHq90f4gplQK-zCMxhZ5TgB7CvrCnIsltK4pViMAQuY5V2wFh7lbGrsA9zFlYcLjq4QJDAPWChIFaHyff5LxZqIVJbKIqlOrSHwzHS-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sioux City Council","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Council members and staff discussed several dilapidated or abandoned properties during the Sept. 15 meeting, focusing on vandalism, the cost of demolition and limited funding for blight removal.

Why it matters: Long-vacant buildings can attract vandalism and increase neighborhood blight. Council members asked about funding sources for demolition and whether brownfield or other grants might be available.

Staff update: Darryl Wallach, Inspection Services Manager, said the city has secured and boarded several properties, and some costs for securing structures have gone unpaid and may be assessed to the tax rolls. He described repeated vandalism at a former packing/turkey-plant site and at a large, stoutly built abandoned building; staff have performed welding and additional boarding to keep the buildings secured but said demolition is expensive and current blight-removal funds are insufficient.

Public comment and council response: A council member asked staff to check federal or state “brownfield” funding options that might help with expensive demolition. Staff confirmed the city has used such funds in the past for other demolitions and said they will investigate availability. Council members reiterated the city’s right to assess cleanup costs to property owners and noted that some owners live out of town.

Action: Council approved an amended resolution related to demolition for a specific property (210 Ross Street) that included authorization for a 90-day delay in demolition; other demolition requests remain under staff review.

What’s next: Staff to investigate brownfield and other grant options, pursue unpaid assessments where applicable and monitor vandalism at secured sites. The council discussed the possibility of seeking additional demolition funding for exceptionally costly structures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sioux City Council Meeting - September 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and councilors raised concerns about vandalism and the cost of demolishing abandoned structures, including a long-vacant building and a house at 210 Ross Street; staff described board-ups, unpaid assessments and limited demolition funding.","taxTitle","Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa","taxId",3852,"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},5976739,"Council awards restoration contract for Sergeant Floyd monument; parks staff clarify cleaning method",69,426000,495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459&start=426&end=495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459/thumbnail_426000.jpg","/articles/5976739/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Council-awards-restoration-contract-for-Sergeant-Floyd-monument-parks-staff-clarify-cleaning-method","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976739-bacd3030467420c98182970e7ba5226a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183996&Signature=RYL-597Y1Zp0ulAarjL6~nty6mEOoPsoEkT~zBxUdAL6VBSE-GXm8ScrfNHFi5xhGOXFD42TO-MJi-SsYbC7L5XA15fcPOzE13nO2k6bWr6byIS1F8sgHCpPOhToreQ4-0q11TQhGVBpqPznVhE89PUXmAViMmiw8ps4itb0Q5dste1K2Ez7xYzNzKJuR3~7dHiuhIgh~BxxF5hFR3azMPcQN0ZyvmprrXOg5mqdQOZJUMiEhHGH-mmDzECEgK3DkNCEb9Kdw5TsvsD2gsM1l8b98LUASgucW~Ap49T8EGNZEJ88utE94hjcSrsCI7yjk7oGHQ7sGy2rhz30~d9r5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sioux City Council awarded a service provider agreement to McGill Restoration for repair and restoration of the Sergeant Floyd monument during its Sept. 15 meeting. The item was part of the consent agenda and passed unanimously after a brief question from a council member about cleaning methods.

Why it matters: Residents had expressed concern that power washing could damage the historic monument. The council sought clarification about the cleaning technique to ensure preservation of the stonework.

Parks staff response: Kelly Bach, Park Superintendent, explained the difference between “power washing” and “pressure washing” and said the contractor will use a soft power wash at roughly 400 PSI. “The difference between power washing and pressure washing is the PSI,” Bach said. “400 is about max when you do the power wash. And at home, your little power pressure washer at home, you can 1,800 PSI. So there’s a big difference.”

Council notes: A council member asked whether the method was pressure washing or power washing; the superintendent confirmed the lower-pressure approach and said McGill has experience restoring historic monuments. The council proceeded to approve the contract.

Formal action: Resolution awarding a service provider agreement to McGill Restoration for the Sergeant Floyd monument repair and restoration; vote passed 5-0.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the consent agenda discussion and the Parks item.","Council approved a service agreement for restoration of the Sergeant Floyd monument; Parks Superintendent said the contractor will use a soft power wash (about 400 PSI), not high-pressure methods that could damage the monument.",{"_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},5976745,"Councilors press for accessible units in infill projects; federal funding requires minimum accessible share",116,748000,864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459&start=748&end=864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459/thumbnail_748000.jpg","/articles/5976745/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Councilors-press-for-accessible-units-in-infill-projects-federal-funding-requires-minimum-accessible-share","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976745-f5aa85aaaf88692aaaef0e8d5c98edc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183996&Signature=EW4i1EoHfDvgKId3~XZJ7BuYoHSF-91NJiyKQacKEvAVpwSwYAWCqJhcdOvEzBfqTa05Mz93gywtg8snBaMgaYt6LR1BDhBp9b03T-7F-C9NuwuiwzutbvoXkXdLQJa16LWg4XmFVy02OIjEUShXnG15yid4ARVXsL6rGzeAUfcqy8oObbu9F8TOBJpTZkJuzv7CRzldi5G75XmHdvXYwE9AA01c1FRxjE8OyPKsXQRE4r9YmOgl212JlJgVX3gG-Nir2ct0Fd4jmzc9baIUkqBbhQeSdbrVySTxXnb8Sjy4OmHjg7s11lJrm73U6M-IqxRHgAPxtO0Hh5GIJtSbUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members urged city staff and developers to prioritize accessible, zero-entry units in new infill housing approved during the Sept. 15 meeting, saying such design helps an aging population and residents with disabilities. Several rezoning and plat approvals tied to infill housing were on the agenda that day.

Why it matters: Accessibility affects who can live in new housing developments over time. Council members said they want the city to push private developers to provide more accessible units up front rather than relying on post-occupancy accommodations.

Details from staff: Jill Wanerscheid, Neighborhood Services Manager, said the federal funding tied to one project requires a minimum share of accessible units. “I believe we agreed to 10%, and the 24 units. So I think, but we, I think we ended up with like 4 units, so we were above that,” Wanerscheid said. She added that half the units in that development will be on the main floor and that eligibility for permanent supportive housing also requires chronic homelessness plus a qualifying disability, so “probably several of these units will end up accessible just because that’s what we’ll need to have.”

Council emphasis and follow-up: Several council members encouraged staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission to include accessibility requirements in development agreements when the city is a funding partner. One council member said, “I just would encourage city staff to really push for and listen to and think about…holding private developers accountable,” while praising staff for exceeding minimum federal requirements in the current project.

No formal ordinance change was proposed during the meeting. Council members asked staff to continue emphasizing accessibility when federal funds or city incentives are involved and to consider whether more prescriptive standards should be included in future development agreements.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during rezoning and planning agenda items about multiple infill projects.","Council members encouraged more zero-entry and accessible units in infill developments; staff said federal funding for one project required 10% accessible units and the project exceeds that minimum.",{"_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},5976751,"Property owners withdraw petition after months of debate over vacating 40th and Madison streets",502,2023000,2525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459&start=2023&end=2525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838599-c45daea98c6b7d5e28518af9a3dd7459/thumbnail_2023000.jpg","/articles/5976751/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Property-owners-withdraw-petition-after-months-of-debate-over-vacating-40th-and-Madison-streets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976751-f159aa27f4ce7894f4846d8452ea143a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183996&Signature=mT9zT~Kfj1vxo-ITSPGEUTjGNzfJeS72yA~uTLvrcXc4r9tUqjnxmWN268NyjyQ~Qh8ririQRBSObGh~hTlzSeJ8ngF4GdHhp6iDnGHnHAmkF8a3PQ4Zgiz0ZGmrml0DZ97Z7d~PzotLVYXz-Dnb6thDL6mFs5ZtQFg2IKh155SuR6mIwrcDGt6MGtbMnINvrdaq2oCIPuh~5dk~MDIm-XWX8b9UgCNa8F2D8Zi6MGSroCp4MYvXlzzCAiQawnCwnyBDqlcxZEoZDUV-WtDZq49~TCB~APpiOZB-ena85SDSNUhCWp1XGnclgdEHlhEFPWk6K~gZBg0bQ3WHBAMsVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sioux City property owners withdrew a petition to vacate portions of Madison Street and West 40th Street after a detailed discussion about utility access and steep site elevations during the Sept. 15 City Council meeting. Council members had been considering whether to vacate the right-of-way while preserving easements for future utilities.

Why it matters: The council was weighing competing interests — the property owners’ desire to consolidate and develop their land and neighbors’ and staff’s concerns about preserving the city’s ability to extend utilities and access future development. Rather than vote on a vacation, the petitioners withdrew and the council removed the item from the agenda for later resubmittal with additional technical documentation.

Council and staff discussion focused on topography, future utility corridors and possible compromises. A city staff representative said grading and elevation differences made road extension difficult and recommended retaining utility easements over any vacated right-of-way so the city could extend water or sewer in the future. The staff member also described the typical practice of including deed language preserving rights for “any existing utilities” and suggested drafting it to cover “any future utilities.”

Resident speakers described both sides. Bridal Reynolds, a nearby property owner, urged the council to preserve 40th Street for future shared access and said, “I see a big use for 40 if we get this developed over here.” He argued the city should retain the right-of-way for neighborhood access. Melissa Einhorn and Barry Bulkey, petitioners seeking to buy and develop the parcels, told the council they had tried to compromise, agreed to grant easements and planned to hire an independent engineer to produce elevation and utilities analyses. Einhorn said the couple would withdraw their petition and return later with an independent survey and engineering report.

Formal action: After the petitioners announced their withdrawal, the councilor who had moved to advance the vacation rescinded the motion and the council agreed to remove the item from the agenda. No vacation was approved.

What happens next: Petitioners said they will hire an independent engineer, secure a survey and return with a clarified plan to show where utilities could run and how access could be preserved. The council asked staff to include options such as blanket utility easements over vacated right-of-way language if a future vacation is proposed.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the agenda item addressing the Madison/40th vacation and during public comment on that item.","Property owners withdrew their petition to vacate portions of Madison Street and West 40th Street after weeks of negotiations over future utility access and site elevations; council removed the item from the agenda without taking a final vacation vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears concerns about vandalism, security and demolition of dilapidated properties

Council awards restoration contract for Sergeant Floyd monument; parks staff clarify cleaning method

Councilors press for accessible units in infill projects; federal funding requires minimum accessible share

Property owners withdraw petition after months of debate over vacating 40th and Madison streets