Independence council approves routine contracts and backs PRE Enterprises’ application for economic development

At its June 8 meeting the Independence City Council approved a package of routine resolutions and considered an economic development support request from PRE Enterprises.

Among the votes, councilors authorized the mayor to sign a resolution awarding a contract for airport snow removal equipment contingent on execution of a Federal Aviation Administration grant agreement to Bowdenstein Steiner for $457,378.64; the council was told the city’s required share would be 5 percent and the FAA would fund 95 percent. The sale of a vacant house lot at 416 9th Avenue Southeast to Jared Donnelly for $1,500 was approved (6‑1, Applebee opposed); Donnelly told staff he intends to clear the structure and leave the lot as green space, and staff noted the parcel lies in a floodplain and is difficult to build on.

Council also updated the solid‑waste collection fee schedule to reflect contract escalators with the current vendor, approved a temporary moratorium on parking enforcement on a block of 12th Street Northeast to accommodate a construction project, and authorized the city manager to sign the annual Iowa DOT supplemental maintenance agreement for Iowa 150 (3.46 miles) under which the city receives $3,321.30. The council approved a five‑day Class C liquor license for the Sanity Room for the Ragbride event with explicit prohibition on front‑side sidewalk service and authorized a use‑and‑lease agreement with Clint Spearman to operate a mechanic shop at the municipal airport subject to final administrative details.

On economic development, the council passed a resolution supporting PRE Enterprises’ application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s BIG program. Staff said the company proposes 43 new full‑time positions and a capital investment of $34,400,000. The resolution expresses the city’s present intent to use tax increment financing (TIF) to support the project if later authorized, but it does not commit funding now; councilors asked staff to provide details of potential local obligations when negotiations progress.

During public comment, resident Steve Gibbs raised safety concerns about e‑bikes and scooters on Main Street, saying some riders lacked lights and that he had nearly collided with a rider; he also alleged targeted enforcement related to prior disputes with the city. Staff and councilors responded that the police department’s practice is to educate on first contact and issue citations on repeat contacts, and that the city has recently circulated guidance and signage about micromobility rules.

Other routine reports (police, fire, building, ILPT) were accepted with no questions. Staff also announced that Ashley Henson secured a $497,465 grant to purchase an ambulance for Buchanan County and that her office had obtained roughly $6.5 million for community projects in the district. The council moved to adjourn after the reports and dismissed the meeting.