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Knoxville City Council unanimously adopts two rezonings, approves farm lease and orders 2026 street bids
Summary
At its Jan. 5 meeting the City Council of Knoxville, Iowa, unanimously adopted two zoning-code amendments for properties at 1504 E. Pleasant St. and 1201 W. Pearl St., approved a farm lease with Cory J. Moore, and authorized notice to bidders for the 2026 Street Improvements Project. Payments of claims and routine appointments were also approved.
The City Council of Knoxville, Iowa, on Monday unanimously approved two ordinance amendments to rezone properties at 1504 E. Pleasant Street and 1201 W. Pearl Street, approved a resolution authorizing a farm lease of city-owned farmland with Cory J. Moore, and ordered bids for the 2026 Street Improvements Project.
The council convened at 6:15 p.m. Mayor Brian Hatch presided; council members Dawn Rankin, Dan Losada, John Gotta, Bridget Mohler (via Zoom) and Chris Nichols were present. The council approved a multi-item consent agenda that included minutes, commission minutes, the mayoral appointment of John Gotta as Mayor Pro Tem and the council appointment of Jodie Wyman as City Clerk/Finance Officer. "Welcome to the two new council members, and thank you for dedicating the next four years to serving the community of Knoxville," Hatch said.
During the meeting Mayor Hatch opened a public hearing on a proposed lease of city-owned farmland at 6:19 p.m.; an affidavit of publication for that hearing was filed Dec. 26, 2025. There were no written or oral objections. The council approved a resolution authorizing a farm lease between the City of Knoxville and Cory J. Moore by unanimous vote.
The council then opened separate public hearings on rezoning requests. The hearing on 1504 E. Pleasant Street opened at 6:21 p.m.; an affidavit of publication was filed Jan. 2, 2026. No written or oral comments were received. The council approved first consideration, waived the second and third considerations, and adopted an ordinance amending the city Zoning Code; the motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
A second hearing on 1201 W. Pearl Street opened at 6:31 p.m.; the affidavit of publication was also filed Jan. 2, 2026. With no comments received, the council approved first consideration, waived additional readings and adopted an ordinance amending the Zoning Code. Both ordinance actions were taken with unanimous council support.
Council members also approved a resolution to give notice to bidders and order bids for the 2026 Street Improvements Project. The motion to proceed with the bidding process passed with all ayes. The council then approved payment of the claims list presented to the body; the meeting record includes a detailed vendor register, among which larger items included a $270,493.13 invoice to Vanderpool Construction and a $78,925.03 charge for a new Chevrolet Silverado.
In staff reports Mayor Hatch offered condolences to the family of former council member and mayor Craig Kelley. Fire Chief Cal Wyman said he and Deputy Chief Bacus recently traveled to Virginia to inspect a potential replacement ladder truck, which underwent testing at Pierce; "Once completed, we will negotiate a final price," he said. Chief Wyman also reported that 37 Marion County emergency personnel participated in recent alert training held at Knoxville Middle School. Planning & Zoning Director Nathan Parch said Kwik Star will open Thursday at 5 a.m. and that the second phase of Kading Properties is progressing, with private streets completed and footings underway.
The council adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
