Independence City Council approves handbook updates, DOT maintenance agreement and long‑range plans

The Independence City Council on Feb. 23 approved a set of administrative and planning measures, including changes to the employee handbook that clarify HIPAA-related procedures and leave usage, a maintenance agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for a stretch of Iowa 150, the council’s 2025 strategic plan and a 10‑year capital improvement plan covering fiscal years 2027–2037.

Pedro Calderon, a district representative for U.S. Rep. Ashley Henson, opened the public‑comment portion and said his office can assist residents with federal issues, including IRS and passport matters: “If there's anything that I can do, uh regarding federal policy or a federal agency for the city, I'll be your liaison,” Calderon told the council.

The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign handbook amendments that staff said primarily rework HIPAA policy wording, renumber voluntary payroll deductions, align a social‑media policy with other provisions and clarify the handbook’s description of leave types. Staff emphasized the revision does not require employees to use leave in a specific order; it removes wording that could be read as mandating an order of use. The measure passed on roll call.

Council members also approved a 2026–2031 maintenance agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation covering Iowa 150 from 8th Street SE to 16th Street NE, a corridor the staff described as roughly 3.46 lane miles. Under the previous five‑year arrangement, the city received $8,321.30 per year; the new agreement as presented did not specify an annual dollar amount but staff said they expect the payment to remain similar. The council authorized the city manager to sign the agreement.

The body adopted the 2025 strategic plan, which staff described as a working baseline that began in April 2025 and will guide future planning sessions and funding applications. Council members also approved a 10‑year capital improvement plan (pages 191–202 of the meeting packet) intended to prioritize projects and make the city more competitive for outside funding.

Routine business passed as well: the consent agenda, including minutes and two alcohol license items, and claims payment with one vendor item withdrawn for separate handling.

By roll call, the measures recorded passed votes on the record; councilmembers voted to approve each of the major items during the meeting.

The council received brief reports and community recognitions — including congratulations to the high school speech team and the wrestling program — and discussed a preliminary plat matter that the planning and zoning commission approved 3–2; the council agreed that the plat will appear on the March 9 meeting for further consideration. The meeting adjourned following the last items of business.