County staff report progress, funding and next steps in Minden tornado recovery

County recovery staff on a quarterly update described one year of tornado recovery work in Minden and outlined near‑term projects including water system repairs, mixed housing development, park redesign and a community recreation hub. The presentation noted a mix of federal, state and philanthropic funding supporting projects and said several funding decisions were pending.

The update was delivered by a recovery team staff member identified in the transcript as Stephanie, with additional remarks by a colleague identified as Matt Allen. Stephanie said the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is expected to fund a roughly $1,500,000 water project, with the federal share estimated at 80 percent and local partners covering the remainder. She said environmental review and public notice have been completed and the team is awaiting final notice. “Right now we feel really positive about where that is at,” she said.

The presentation described housing work including an expected October ground‑breaking for three duplexes developed with Habitat for Humanity, pending final clearances from MAPA (Metropolitan Area Planning Agency). Staff said the duplexes will be rear‑loaded, aim to improve sidewalk connectivity and add attainable housing options.

Staff also described a planned North 40 redesign to provide a range of lot sizes and housing types, and said valuation increases in 2025 (compared with 2024) could allow the city to certify debt by Dec. 1 to capture a lower base year value. Stephanie said the Iowa Rural Development Council and the Wells Fargo Foundation have supported recovery planning and TIF (tax increment financing) work.

Park and recreation work described included a Kaler Park redesign emphasizing native plantings, bioswales and a walking path, and continued planning for a multimillion‑dollar Community Recreation Hub. Staff said they have an MOU with the nonprofit that manages the community club and are working with volunteers and architects on phased designs. Golden Hills RC&D and the Great Outdoors Foundation were cited as partners and potential funders for conservation and bioswale work.

Staff flagged one unresolved infrastructure item: replacement or relocation of a damaged pump house and sterilization plant. Stephanie said FEMA will generally fund replacement “as it was” and that any enlargement or relocation requires additional justification; she said the city’s regular engineer, Eagle Engineering, is handling the issue and the city is “still navigating that process.”

Board members asked about the pace of grants and staffing; Stephanie said the intense grant work earlier in recovery has slowed somewhat and that staff are now moving into longer‑term project delivery. She also said some funding decisions (for water, for example) remain pending and that staff will return with updates when final notices arrive.

Ending: Staff did not present a formal action for board approval during the update; they requested continued support and said they will return with specific funding notices and project steps as they become available.