Waverly council adopts floodplain amendments, approves airport apron design and schedules multiple bond hearings
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Summary
At its regular meeting, the City of Waverly council adopted updated floodplain regulations on final reading, approved a $2.2 million airport apron design and engineering task order, authorized downtown lighting and other contracts, and set public hearings for a series of bond and loan proposals. The council then moved into executive session on collective bargaining.
The City Council of Waverly on Tuesday adopted on third and final reading an ordinance updating the city—ode—loodplain regulations and moved forward on several infrastructure and financing matters.
The council passed Ordinance 1175, amending Chapter 102 of the Waverly Municipal Code to revise floodplain regulations. Speaker 2 moved the final reading and the ordinance passed by roll call vote with all members recorded as voting in the affirmative.
City officials also approved Resolution 26-18, authorizing Task Order No. 1 to Bolton & Menk for design and construction engineering services to reconstruct the apron and T-hangar taxi lane at the Waverly Municipal Airport. The council recorded a not-to-exceed design fee of $109,500 and construction engineering capped at $102,200, for an estimated total project cost of $2,216,450; the resolution passed on roll call. "It ll looks good," said Speaker 6 during consideration of the task order.
The council approved a bid from Tetra Electric Inc. for downtown lighting at a not-to-exceed amount of $11,428 and discussed a related $28,000 grant. Speaker 6 asked what would happen to any remaining grant funds; staff (Speaker 2) said they had not yet determined whether leftover grant money would be returned to the grantor or used on another project and that they would consult Intercog.
Council members set public hearings and publication notices for several financing proposals tied to the city—udget: Resolution 26-22 fixes a 03/02/2026 hearing on issuance of up to $1.7 million in local option sales tax revenue bonds; Resolution 26-23 sets a 03/02/2026 hearing on not-to-exceed $178,000 water revenue capital loan notes; Resolution 26-24 sets a 03/02/2026 hearing on not-to-exceed $222,000 sewer revenue capital loan notes; and Resolution 26-25 sets a 03/02/2026 hearing on not-to-exceed $1.9 million in general obligation bonds for essential corporate purposes. Council discussion emphasized that the "not-to-exceed" figures provide flexibility but that the city intends to issue only the amounts actually needed.
Other actions approved include: a lease (Resolution 26-20) with Clayton Bruns to cut and bail grass at the municipal airport for $2,601 in 2026 (staff noted the contract date will be corrected from 2025 before execution); a professional services agreement with WHKS for bridge inspection services (Resolution 26-21) with estimated fees of about $4,000 and a rental estimate of $2,408.40; engagement agreements for SRF financing compliance opinions (Resolution 26-28) with Ehlers and Cooney, P.C., for $3,500 each (total $7,000); and orders to proceed and set hearings on the Eastgate Lift Station and Force Main and on the 2026 CIPP sanitary sewer lining (Resolutions 26-29 and 26-30), both set for public hearing on 03/16/2026.
During discussion of Resolution 26-31, which approves revocation of a DOT-initiated detour and authorizes the mayor to sign the detour revocation information sheet, staff explained the reimbursement estimate for road damage is based on a formula tied to traffic volumes rather than a precise damage estimate. "It's theoretical damage," said Speaker 7, who noted the figure was higher than an earlier estimate because the detour period was extended.
The mayoral appointment of John Law to the Leisure Services Commission (term through 12/31/2028) was approved by voice vote; Speaker 1 said Law had relevant leisure-services experience. Council received standard reports from boards and commissions and heard staff updates including a parks/bridal maintenance note and an $11,000 state grant secured by conductor Rebecca Niederhides to support a concert tied to Century Farm families.
Before adjourning to executive session, Speaker 1 said the council would meet in closed session to "discuss collective bargaining strategy for impending negotiations as provided by section 20.17(3) of the Code of Iowa." The motion to enter executive session passed on roll call, and the chamber was cleared.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 1175 (floodplain) — adopted on third reading; Ordinance 1176 (rezoning for 1705 E. Bremer Ave) — first reading approved and hearing set for 03/02/2026; Resolutions 26-17 through 26-33 — all moved, most setting hearings or approving professional/task orders or contracts; mayoral appointment — John Law approved.
The council cleared the room for the executive session; no further public action was taken in open session at the close of the transcript.