Polk County supervisors approve series of bids, plats and service agreements; authorize closed session on litigation

The Polk County Board of Supervisors approved a package of resolutions, bid awards, plats and service agreements and set a closed session to discuss litigation, during a regularly scheduled meeting (meeting date not specified).

The actions approved by the five-member board included acceptance of construction bids for sanitary sewer and drainage projects, approval of plats and easement contracts, renewal of retail alcohol licenses, funding agreements with the Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and community development grants. The board voted unanimously on most items, moved one road-budget item to deferment, and authorized a closed session under Iowa law to discuss strategy with counsel in pending or imminent litigation.

Among the items approved, the board adopted a resolution approving a quitclaim deed to Glacier DC for a vacant parcel at 1249 Fourth Street in Des Moines (agenda item 6). It approved the 2025 sanitary sewer improvements on Northeast Fifth Street, Northeast Sixth Street, Northeast Aurora Avenue and Northeast 40 Fifth Place (item 7) and accepted a bid of $896,899.20 from Graff Excavating of Toledo, Iowa for those sanitary sewer improvements (item 22). Earlier, the board accepted a separate low bid of $483,243.58 from Gus Construction Company of Casey, Iowa for an RCB culvert twin-box project (item 29).

The board approved multiple Iowa Department of Transportation funding agreements covering bridge replacement, pavement widening and resurfacing, and culvert work (agenda items 24–28). It also approved a right-of-entry and temporary construction easement agreement with Chad Pasteur (item 30) and awarded a contract for a wetland project (project number 715-2526) to RW Excavating Solutions (item 31).

On public services and social programs, the supervisors approved a service agreement with Herta Public Transit (item 32), an agreement with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for the commodity and supplemental food program (item 33), and funding for Central Iowa services and shelter for first-night stays and weather amnesty (item 34). The board approved a community development grant for the Ankeny Wrestling Club and other community sponsorship awards (items 40–41) and authorized an agreement with Simpson College for provision of learning experiences (item 35).

Permits and license actions included renewal approvals for Class C and Class E retail alcohol licenses for businesses in Des Moines including Outer Limits and multiple Casey’s General Store locations (items 10–13). The board also approved petitions suspending taxes and special assessments and authorized the chairperson to sign applications and affidavits for redemption of parcels listed on the agenda (item 14).

Administrative and land-use actions included approval of final and preliminary plats (Thomas Ridge Acres Plat 1 and Timberbrook Plat 6, items 18–19), establishment of a recommended speed limit on Northeast 120 Sixth Avenue (item 20), and approval of easement contracts tied to the 2025 sanitary sewer improvements (item 21). Several notices and consultations from cities and state agencies were received and referred as appropriate, including city urban-renewal and annexation consultations and Iowa DOT condemnation notices (items 48–56).

The board voted to defer action on the Polk County revised fiscal year 2026 secondary road budget and five-year secondary road construction program to the Iowa Department of Transportation (item 23). A request for tax abatement for property at 5233 Stoney Creek Court in Johnston was referred to the assessor, treasurer and county attorney (item 47). The Polk County Veteran Affairs first-quarter report for fiscal year 2026 was received and filed (item 46). The board also scheduled canvassing-board sessions related to the Nov. 4, 2025 city and school elections (items 44–45).

Board remarks included a remembrance of Claire Selsey. Supervisor Holm, during board comments, referred to Selsey as a longtime colleague and said, "she had the heart of a lion, and she was a true public servant." The board then approved a motion to go into closed session to "discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent," citing Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) (agenda item 60).

Most roll-call votes recorded the five supervisors — Holm, Hawkinsmith, Connelly, Altringer and McCoy — voting yes on approved items; the transcript shows no recorded dissent on the approved motions. Specific dollar amounts and contractor names recorded in the meeting include $896,899.20 (Graff Excavating) and $483,243.58 (Gus Construction Company).