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Altoona council authorizes up to $7.5 million in 2025B urban renewal notes; approves plats, church site plan and fee increase
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Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Altoona City Council approved steps to issue up to $7.5 million in 2025B General Obligation Urban Renewal notes, approved subdivision plats and a church site plan, and OK'd a 2.6% management-fee increase for the Townsend Community Center; the council also approved consent items including three contractor pay applications.
The Altoona City Council on April 7 authorized steps to issue the 2025B General Obligation Urban Renewal Notes — the city’s annual borrowing for public works — not to exceed $7.5 million and approved multiple land-use and administrative items during a meeting that ran from 6:30 to 7:07 p.m.
Finance Director Andy Lent opened a public hearing on the 2025B notes and told the council the hearing and accompanying resolution concern the 2025B series, which the city plans to use for capital improvements. No members of the public spoke during the hearing; the council then adopted a resolution taking additional action on the loan agreement by roll call vote (5-0).
The meeting included several development approvals. Community Development Director John Shaw presented the Eastpointe Parkway Plat 8 preliminary plat to subdivide an outlot into a single 0.80-acre buildable lot intended for a future doctor’s office; the preliminary plat passed by roll call (4-0-1, Stewart abstained). The final plat was approved the same night after Councilmember Boka moved approval subject to legal documents (4-0-1, Stewart abstained).
The council also approved a site plan for High Pointe Church at 431 Edwin W. Skinner Parkway SE. John Shaw said the updated plan allows construction of an 18,750-square-foot church on a five-acre parcel; Matt Floden of Grace Architecture participated online. The site plan was approved subject to listed deficiencies (5-0).
Bruce Mason, representing Altoona Campus, reviewed attendance, fees and maintenance at the Aquatic Park and Townsend Community Center and requested a 2.60% increase in the center’s management fees; council members approved the change by roll call (5-0).
The consent agenda passed by roll call (5-0) and included approval of bills and three pay apps: Pay App #1 to On Track Construction, LLC for SE Sanitary Sewer Extension Phase 1 ($228,738.55); Pay App #2 to Des Moines Dirt Worx, LLC for Prairie Heritage Civic Center Plaza Pond Improvements ($52,522.18); and Pay App #3 to Absolute Concrete Construction, Inc. for 1st Avenue Reconstruction — Phase III ($84,199.76). The council set multiple public hearings for April 21, 2025 (including plans and contract for 9th Street NE Reconstruction Phase 2B and a rezoning hearing for a 3.31-acre parcel at 6101 NE 62nd Avenue) and approved an agreement with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. to perform an emergency response plan risk assessment. The consent agenda also included a policy change to end existing early-retirement provisions for any new hires after April 7, 2025.
Mayor Dean O'Connor opened the meeting and read a proclamation naming April 6–12, 2025, National Library Week. The council adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Resolution: take additional action on 2025B General Obligation Urban Renewal Notes (authorizing steps to issue up to $7.5 million): approved by roll call (5-0). - Eastpointe Parkway Plat 8 — preliminary plat: approved (4-0-1; Stewart abstained). - Eastpointe Parkway Plat 8 — final plat (subject to legal documents): approved (4-0-1; Stewart abstained). - High Pointe Church site plan (18,750 sq ft on 5 acres): approved subject to deficiencies (5-0). - Townsend Community Center management-fee increase (2.60%): approved (5-0). - Pay applications and consent agenda items listed above: approved (5-0).