Waukee approves disposal of gas‑utility property and 25‑year MidAmerican franchise tied to utility sale
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Summary
The City of Waukee approved a resolution authorizing disposal of certain real estate interests and adopted a 25‑year franchise ordinance allowing MidAmerican Energy to operate a natural gas system within city limits.
The City of Waukee approved a resolution authorizing disposal of certain real estate interests and adopted an ordinance granting MidAmerican Energy a 25‑year nonexclusive franchise to operate natural gas facilities in the city.
Brad (staff member) told the council the actions are tied to an imminent closing of the sale of the Waukee Municipal Gas utility to MidAmerican Energy. “Earlier this year, the citizens of Waukee voted to approve for the sale of the Waukee Municipal Gas utility, to MidAmerican Energy, and that is scheduled to take place this Wednesday, October 22,” Brad said. He identified the city’s interests for disposal as a town border station in Granger and utility‑specific easements.
The franchise ordinance lays out service requirements, construction practices, communication duties and data‑sharing expectations, Brad said, and was described in staff recommendation as substantially similar to Waukee’s electric franchise with MidAmerican. Council moved to introduce the ordinance, waive the second and third readings because of the timing of the utility closing, and place the ordinance on final passage the same night.
Mayor Clark, speaking after the vote, thanked staff and project partners and acknowledged representation from MidAmerican at the meeting. “This is the culmination of, like, 3 years’ worth of work,” the mayor said. Council members then voted to approve both the disposal resolution and the franchise ordinance.
Why it matters: The votes clear legal and property hurdles that must be resolved as part of the city’s sale of the gas utility. The franchise establishes a long‑term framework for MidAmerican’s service and infrastructure inside Waukee city limits.
What the council approved: - A resolution authorizing disposal of city real estate interests and gas utility easements tied to the utility sale. - An ordinance granting MidAmerican Energy a 25‑year nonexclusive franchise to construct, operate and furnish natural gas service within the City of Waukee; council waived further readings and placed the ordinance on final passage.
Council and staff did not receive written correspondence on either public hearing, and no members of the public spoke during the hearings.
