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Council approves first reading to vacate 5-foot strip for St. Mary's School accessibility improvements
Summary
Storm Lake City Council voted on the first reading of Ordinance 010-2026-2027 to sell and vacate a narrow (about 5-foot) strip of East Second Street to St. Mary's School so the school can build exterior steps and an ADA-accessible ramp; supporters said the privately funded work will improve circulation and community use and will be phased to allow later accessibility upgrades.
Mayor Meg McAn opened a public hearing and the City Council considered a request by St. Mary's School to purchase and vacate a 5-foot-wide strip on the north side of East Second Street between Cayuga and Seneca (Center) Street to accommodate exterior steps and an ADA-accessible ramp.
Mr. Olson, speaking for city staff, described the request and recommended approval, saying the sale would allow interior ADA upgrades and a ramp where the current stairs sit. Patrick Schnell, an architect with FBH Council, told the council the school building has "seven separate levels" and that the chosen plan adds a two-story west addition and a gym-lobby renovation as an initial phase to improve circulation and security without immediate demolition. "The building does not currently have an elevator," Schnell said, explaining why a phased approach was chosen.
Community speakers supported the request. John Murray, a religious-education instructor who said he uses the gym lobby for weekday programs, said the improvements would help non-school users and make tournament traffic safer. Several parents and fundraisers, including Jeff Fell, emphasized the project is privately funded through school fundraising and that the work is intended to keep the school viable.
Council discussion focused on accessibility and phasing. Councilperson Martinez thanked presenters for prioritizing ADA improvements but expressed disappointment that an elevator was not included in early phases and urged the school and city to accelerate elevator work in later steps.
Councilperson Martinez moved approval of Ordinance 010-2026-2027 on its first reading; Councilperson Piercy seconded. The council approved the ordinance on a roll-call vote (Councilpersons Reiner, Ramos, Martinez and Piercy voting Aye). The ordinance passed its first reading; further readings will follow the city's ordinance adoption process.
The council record shows the sale requested was for a narrow right-of-way strip (described in staff materials as roughly 5 feet), intended to allow steps, an ADA-accessible ramp and to protect future phased additions; the school representatives said no change to on-street parking is proposed.
Next steps: the ordinance will return for required subsequent readings and any potential waivers or schedule changes must follow council procedure. Several speakers asked the council to consider expediting later readings to minimize disruption to the upcoming school term; staff noted procedural limits for waiving readings.
