Sioux Center Council approves housing plat, revitalization amendment, wage adjustments and utility measures

Sioux Center — The Sioux Center City Council on June 23 unanimously approved a series of land-use, budgetary and utility actions, including a plat and rezoning for a new housing addition, an amendment to the city’s multi-residential urban revitalization plan and wage and salary adjustments for fiscal year 2026–27.

Mayor Dale Vander Berg presided at the noon meeting in city offices. Assistant City Manager Dennis Dokter told the council that Sioux Center Land Development had applied to plat and rezone Country View Heights North Fourth Addition from Agriculture to R‑1; the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. Councilmember Cory Gotto moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. SC‑R‑24‑26 approving the plat; the roll-call vote was 5–0 in favor (Aye: Gotto, Hulshof, Moerman, Vermeer, Vreugdenhil).

The council opened and closed the required public hearing on the rezoning with no written or oral comments and then suspended the statutory two-meeting consideration period under Iowa Statute 380.3. Councilmember Jennifer Vermeer moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. SC‑O‑06‑26 to change the zoning classification of the affected parcels to R‑1; the ordinance passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Dokter also presented a proposal to expand the Sioux Center Multi-Residential Urban Revitalization Plan to add an area designated for multi-residential housing. The council adopted RESOLUTION NO. SC‑R‑25‑26 (Amendment No. 5) and then approved ORDINANCE NO. SC‑O‑07‑26, which amends prior revitalization ordinances and formally designates the new multi-residential urban revitalization area. Both actions passed without opposition.

City Manager Scott Wynja recommended salary and wage adjustments for FY 2026–27, based on cost-of-living considerations, market comparisons and employee performance reviews. The council approved RESOLUTION SC‑R‑26‑26 adopting the recommended wage and salary adjustments, with a unanimous roll-call vote.

Utilities Manager Murray Hulstein and Finance Director Darryl Ten Pas reported that Tim Miller of MRES worked with staff to update municipal electric rates to reflect wholesale costs and system maintenance. Staff recommended a 7% rate increase in 2026 and again in 2027. The council approved the second reading of ORDINANCE SC‑O‑05‑26, which repeals the prior rate ordinance and establishes the updated electric rates; the vote was unanimous.

Hulstein also briefed the council on an opportunity for additional transportation capacity on Northern Natural Gas Company’s pipeline. The city’s stated Contribution in Aid of Construction (CIAC) obligation was $612,837; Hulstein said the city may withdraw if the CIAC rises. The council ratified staff action to continue work with Northern Natural Gas Company by voice vote.

On administrative matters, Finance Director Ten Pas recommended the city retain Williams and Company P.C. as the city auditor for two fiscal years; Williams and Company had performed the city audit since 2015. The council approved the auditor agreement by voice vote. The council also authorized The Piper Sandler Company to provide municipal advisory services related to SRF financing and bonding for the South Water Tower and Sewer East Interceptor projects; the estimated fee was not to exceed 0.15% of gross proceeds.

Other brief items included an update on the former White Oak gas station, a downtown traffic camera vehicle-counting update and a Downtown Steering Committee plan for the 300 block. The council set future meeting dates and adjourned at 12:54 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • RESOLUTION SC‑R‑24‑26 (plat approval, Country View Heights North Fourth Addition): approved, roll-call 5–0. • ORDINANCE SC‑O‑06‑26 (zoning change to R‑1): approved, roll-call 5–0 (statute 380.3 suspension approved). • RESOLUTION SC‑R‑25‑26 (Amendment No. 5 to Multi-Residential Urban Revitalization Plan): approved, roll-call 5–0. • ORDINANCE SC‑O‑07‑26 (designation of revitalization area; Amendment No. 5): approved, roll-call 5–0 (statute 380.3 suspension approved). • RESOLUTION SC‑R‑26‑26 (FY 2026–27 wage and salary adjustments): approved, roll-call 5–0. • ORDINANCE SC‑O‑05‑26 (second reading; municipal electric rates): approved, roll-call 5–0. • Ratification of staff action on Northern Natural Gas CIAC ($612,837 stated obligation): ratified by voice vote. • Audit services agreement with Williams and Company P.C.: approved by voice vote. • Municipal advisory agreement with The Piper Sandler Company (fee ≤0.15% of gross proceeds): approved by voice vote.

What it means: The council’s actions clear the way for a residential subdivision and zoning changes that support new single-family lots, expand an eligible area for multi-residential redevelopment incentives, and implement municipal budget changes that include wage adjustments and higher electric rates to match wholesale and maintenance costs. The Northern Natural Gas CIAC authorization positions the city to pursue added pipeline transportation capacity while retaining an option to withdraw if costs increase.