[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-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",[32,74,84,96],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6002526,"mediaKeyId","5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c","parentId",5838762,"title","Council Bluffs council votes: approvals on public works, development, fees and permits","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2207000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c&start=2207&end=2207","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c/thumbnail_2207000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6002526/Council-Bluffs/Pottawattamie-County/Iowa/Council-Bluffs-council-votes-approvals-on-public-works-development-fees-and-permits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6002526-579ac9f498ff21db6a4ee73ea3b1092c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105998&Signature=mNSEKgwPtSjTVPe6dHUO2Z2j8my67pqepOfKty0uMbhMwDP0XpwgFnSe3T0zEYTTBRvBWkZrrJW9HLg6r2kArriZYjiqm49~0oBO~yrVKDgxzF5GUBgb-4ylLwDnxvHEoY-hrcs8NCs18hpp5PkU~BuFha3Yfjsr7-7XnugKKdCNOSjRxtDfUuHQ1LVVTUeC7nreJEp3D2QdhQMDewHYzX9wzuROanenlAF-QSsGh8w3d-tnZc~UR52kRaWb6l0h1vyplQpDDWvReFYbkBTTGL~J-AiHOMFIq6~ihFdxqCesNlGgcTyh9bGki2~KG9vsog2C4RAWPGW3ncfeKTbM8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Council Bluffs, Iowa","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Council Bluffs City Council on April 21 approved a slate of routine and substantive items, including public works plans, a development agreement with Cornerstone CB Power Drive Partners LP, and an assortment of ordinances, resolutions and licenses.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded at the meeting):

- Resolution 25-111: Approve plans and specifications for Kenmore Avenue sanitary sewer reconstruction (Public Works Project 25-24). Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor; no written protests received.

- Resolution 25-112: Approve and authorize execution of a development agreement with Cornerstone CB Power Drive Partners LP (Power Drive). Public hearing held; motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor; no written protests received. (See separate article for details on TIF and terms.)

- Resolution 25-113: Authorize application for FY26 State Transit Assistance through the Iowa Department of Transportation. Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor.

- Ordinance 66-46: Amend Title 9 (traffic) regarding open containers in motor vehicles (first reading or action as recorded). Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor.

- Ordinance 66-44: Urban renewal tax and payment provisions for Kanesville Urban Renewal Area (third reading actions recorded). Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor.

- Resolution 25-114: Approve change order in the amount of $38,163 (exceeds director approval threshold). Motion and second recorded after discussion; voice vote in favor. Council discussion noted the work had been completed prior to paperwork reaching the council and staff apologized for the tardy submission.

- Resolution 25-115: Adopt site-specific development plan for a financial services property (legal description on file). Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor.

- Resolution 25-116: Authorize city clerk to certify assessments to Pottawattamie County treasurer for abatement costs (weed and solid waste abatement). Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor.

- Resolution 25-117: Authorize mayor to execute Iowa DOT cooperative agreement (Cooperative Grama No. 2023-16-081) for intelligent transportation system work. Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor.

- Resolution 25-118: Adopt schedule of fees for 2025 (version 2 dated 04/21/2025). Motion and second recorded; voice vote in favor.

- Liquor and permit applications (8a1 through 8a7): Motions recorded and approved by voice vote.

Other business: Council approved the consent agenda and called for adjournment after public comment concluded. Several items (TIF, change order, schedule of fees and rental inspection fee adjustments) drew council questions during study-session discussion prior to the formal votes.

Recorded motions were generally moved and seconded from the dais and approved by voice vote; no recorded roll-call tallies or named vote counts were provided in the meeting transcript for these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Bluffs City Council Meeting Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council Bluffs City Council approved a series of resolutions, ordinances and permits on April 21, including sanitary sewer plans, a development agreement, transit grant application, multiple ordinances, a change order, a site-specific development plan and an updated schedule of fees.","taxTitle","Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa","taxId",25021,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6002531,"Council approves $38,163 change order for park pump system after staff says work was needed to correct buried errors",1391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c&start=1391&end=1391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c/thumbnail_1391000.jpg","/articles/6002531/Council-Bluffs/Pottawattamie-County/Iowa/Council-approves-38163-change-order-for-park-pump-system-after-staff-says-work-was-needed-to-correct-buried-errors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6002531-6f7eec355676874dd0d9fd004f1b1f6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105998&Signature=JiOeM4mYps1PkbjLfsIqG7Gld-ezRe3CY6dGl2PUp9SSJxlTieCDh5-OdgSzT5jYcKVwjRO-pwRjvOLrbfCG1M~ZhTRQ3pgq206VV7tpLudOAbpguL5X1MMDZWP6z8fKNG247fuVvm6TP77dpogm1ROEaKJV6LXtLIHkVD-Uy8j34Pq3K7TjQKmHCTUyD8e3unXrUn1AwFTKfAePPk2J2l9lhg7OnDb026csBHJjgzmhKjDYhhhoeaW2B7Ddz9dXUSNBAaJmvtLGj6FhGYgLfUPI~cM8ZTEfUQZ064y0DEPGiQPbtDWRiiNhQ9LvFYnOpiXxQjM5k~txoDLRkKYrCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council Bluffs on April 21 approved Resolution 25-114, authorizing a $38,163 change order related to repairs at a park water feature and pump house.

City staff told the council the existing underground gravity drainage had been installed incorrectly during prior work, and that when the system was started the gravity flow did not operate as planned. Staff said a suction pump had been added after the original installation in 2017 and that work to remove or replace equipment and re-engineer the system became necessary to get the feature operating safely and in compliance with permit expectations.

Council members pressed staff on process and timing. One council member said the additional charge “should have come to us in the summer” and questioned why the council’s approval was being requested after the work was done. Staff acknowledged the change order paperwork was not submitted in a timely manner and apologized for the delay; the city said the work itself had been required to repair hidden defects discovered during activation and troubleshooting.

Why it matters: The additional cost exceeded the director-level approval threshold, which required the council’s sign-off on the change order. Council members noted the $38,000 figure is significant and asked why contractors did not raise the change order earlier. Staff said hidden, below-ground conditions and corroded equipment made the repairs necessary and that the contractor’s late submittal of the change order was an administrative lapse.

The council approved the resolution after discussion and a voice vote.

Staff did not identify a specific contractor claim beyond the submitted change order amount in the public discussion, nor did the council vote include a recorded roll-call tally in the audio transcript.","City Council approved Resolution 25-114 authorizing a $38,163 change order to address unexpected underground issues and pump-house repairs tied to a prior 2017 installation; council members questioned why the work was performed before approval and staff apologized for tardy paperwork.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6002536,"Council approves development agreement for Power Drive affordable housing, staff explains TIF terms",1421,963000,2384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c&start=963&end=2384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c/thumbnail_963000.jpg","/articles/6002536/Council-Bluffs/Pottawattamie-County/Iowa/Council-approves-development-agreement-for-Power-Drive-affordable-housing-staff-explains-TIF-terms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6002536-61dd8af6e745e6057ce5a536787c76f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105998&Signature=C5r1zcIGg9YJTwjoFgO-vKiF5-PkOfgrz2zTJoHqcy51sBIYJ8oN-TvOHXeISoxc4YcH7D2qiDGUXbPyQ0VvrqUmeIlMsYxW35Yu~aXGG4RtKiWL322sSqvxc7qAyviYJj~03DXlK953F2QCFNFJ0BjbtXONNjaYHjTuWeZEHHOMnKAZUkRxNNA42O-2fTP5uDlQUnrLDLHnR1OzVrbG4x8BVdKC7JEZW5hp~sTP3AZfwJ9O~Oc~vWeQYM6cU~hutPVc6BsBkVheiIIFZHPNH-Wmn4trO8A4aPPB3-kUVnCJBJC-57LXU7WFQsz5mElQZ1rz~CFsZ2akj-yq981y5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on April 21 approved a development agreement with Cornerstone CB Power Drive Partners LP and held a public hearing on the related tax-increment financing (TIF) package.

Staff explained the TIF arrangement and answered council questions about term, capture percentage and the cap. A council member asked for an explanation of how the TIF was structured; staff said the package being considered uses a 15-year term with 75% tax capture and a cap of $9,000,000 to support public infrastructure, including a costly Power Drive road improvement near the Sam’s Club area.

Why it matters: Staff said the developer proposes a 100% affordable multifamily project. For low-income housing tax credit projects the assessment and rollback rules differ from standard residential treatment, and that can affect the modeled tax revenue. Because the project is 100% affordable, staff said the project could qualify for an extended valuation clock in some models, but the city made a policy decision to set terms comparable to earlier incentives for multifamily projects in order to make costs for road improvements feasible.

Staff noted the developer projects roughly a $30,000,000 valuation and that the city compared the Power Drive package to a prior incentive provided to another project (Annex Group on South 19th Street) where a $10,000,000 incentive was offered. City staff said roughly $1,000,000 of the $9,000,000 cap would be the city’s contribution specifically toward Power Drive costs, with the remaining incentive structured to reach parity with past deals.

Council discussion included questions about how TIF value is modeled, the distinction between greenfield farmland assessments and other sites, and the city’s general practice of limiting incentives to a percentage of project costs (staff said the city typically aims to stay near 15% of project cost but that affordable housing deals can exceed that target because of program constraints and policy priorities).

The council approved the development agreement after a motion and second; no written protests were recorded at the public hearing.

No timeline for construction or final developer financing milestones were provided in the council discussion recorded during the hearing.","Council Bluffs approved a development agreement with Cornerstone CB Power Drive Partners LP and a related tax-increment financing plan; staff explained the 15-year term, 75% capture and a $9 million cap as part of a package intended to support road costs and 100% affordable units.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_46":102,"_48":103,"_50":104,"_52":105,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":106,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":107,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6002542,"Council Bluffs Chamber reports strong business support for potential Dodge Riverside housing development",909,176000,1085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c&start=176&end=1085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5838762-d3d405dd8aadc8ae4b94e60bb3f80d6c/thumbnail_176000.jpg","/articles/6002542/Council-Bluffs/Pottawattamie-County/Iowa/Council-Bluffs-Chamber-reports-strong-business-support-for-potential-Dodge-Riverside-housing-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6002542-3acae4d8ec4162f70464a09bd320e42c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105998&Signature=Gn0a55VTr3fGZ7N6v9w~d3AigOOmHBKTCvCA-~zintIdDvl1Myr24714j9IrEY~Zv0c3zIb~hjPzmKzVwsWBnIXLd1T0V~BR85ggWfLZFsPxVHvG4FSNisuqZUcyha1DS~XcTZK2TCF~5NWF45nMwDv15RhHX9lqHMUwBxBMjUGSp87gqNEZMmpEKuf52LkGBoRYvE9tHGQRLYh0G18AzCAPvZnRrmSLWMKGKRl1hO3XZj6FSt1phYyR16Sl6kAdD-~DECZZQMhn3KqYyxkV1t0v~fxhvvYMVoWQuiR6HmzILr8altd3bHaPj9YzAZ~1CfqtoDu81uhzDmOXNL-ICQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chris LaFirla, a representative of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, told the City Council on April 21 that the Chamber has been briefing members about a potential redevelopment at Dodge Riverside and collecting feedback.

LaFirla said the Chamber’s 2025 strategic plan centers on three goals: grow the local economy, grow the population and enhance quality of life. He described the Dodge Riverside concept as one of this year’s “community impact initiatives” intended to drive jobs, investment and housing opportunities.

Why it matters: Chamber leaders said local employers and service providers repeatedly raised the city’s housing shortage as a constraint on hiring and retention. LaFirla told the council hospital CEOs and the school district superintendent reported employees live across the river in Omaha because of a lack of housing options in Council Bluffs; that turnover hampers recruitment and continuity.

LaFirla said the Chamber held two informational meetings open to members (March 5 and March 11) and presented on the idea at multiple partner and networking events. He estimated the outreach reached “well over 200 people” and reported that more than 100 Chamber members signed a letter of support submitted to the city the same day.

Members’ feedback, as summarized by LaFirla, included enthusiasm that a residential development could help grow the tax base, support schools and attract young professionals. Concerns raised during the outreach included potential loss of green space and the golf course currently on the site, plus skepticism about market demand and whether a development would make Council Bluffs appear to be “trying to be more like Omaha.” LaFirla said developers have expressed interest in responding to an RFP if the city proceeds.

LaFirla framed the Chamber’s role as informational and supportive: the Chamber sought to inform members, gauge sentiment and indicate willingness to support city-led action that aligns with the Chamber’s three strategic goals.

The presentation concluded with LaFirla offering to take questions. Mayor and council members thanked the presenter and placed the briefing on the record.

LaFirla declined to present a formal proposal or timeline; no council action was taken during the item.","The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce updated the council on member outreach about a proposed Dodge Riverside redevelopment, reporting broad support from employers and more than 100 members signing a letter backing study of the project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council Bluffs council votes: approvals on public works, development, fees and permits

Council approves $38,163 change order for park pump system after staff says work was needed to correct buried errors

Council approves development agreement for Power Drive affordable housing, staff explains TIF terms

Council Bluffs Chamber reports strong business support for potential Dodge Riverside housing development