Palo council approves urban renewal plan, budget amendment, bonds and routine purchases

The Palo City Council approved a slate of resolutions and ordinances at its Feb. 17 meeting, advancing an urban renewal designation, a budget amendment and the issuance of private school revenue bonds while authorizing several operational purchases and reviews.

At the meeting Mayor Busch and the five-member council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 021726D, declaring necessity and establishing the Prairie Vista Phase 3 Housing Urban Renewal Area and to approve the associated urban renewal plan and projects pursuant to Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa. The council also introduced, suspended the rules for, and adopted Ordinance 90-2026 providing for the division of taxes levied on taxable property in the Prairie Vista Phase 3 area under Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa; the roll-call approvals were recorded as unanimous.

Council approved Resolution 021726C, adopting the proposed FY26 Budget Amendment No. 1 after a public hearing, and Resolution 021726B to adopt updates to the Capital Improvement Plan. The council also approved Resolution 021726A authorizing issuance of Private School Revenue Bonds (Xavier School Project), Series 2026, following a brief public hearing that opened at 6:43 p.m. and closed at 6:44 p.m.; the bond resolution passed 5-0.

Operational approvals included a resolution to increase ballfield rental rates (Resolution 021726H; the ordinance text and meeting record do not specify the new rates), a resolution approving a long-term baseball field lease agreement pending negotiations with the Junior Cougars (Res. 021726J), and purchase of two additional Edmunds accounting software modules for $8,750 (Res. 021726K). The council approved purchase of phones and iPads for public works and council members on a T‑Mobile quote (motion carried 5-0); an ITS quote to upgrade internet speed failed for lack of motion.

Other procedural items: Resolution 021726G set a date for a public hearing on a proposed Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and to borrow up to $339,000; Resolution 021726F set the date to consider a development agreement with Forrest Ridge, LLC (including annual appropriation tax increment payments). The council approved a fee waiver request from West Linn Community Groups for a Spring Vendor Fair by a 4-0 vote with Councilmember Stoltenberg recorded as abstaining due to a conflict of interest.

On ordinance business the council approved the second reading of Ordinance 88-2026 to amend Chapter 26 (Beautification Committee) to allow residents outside city limits to serve (roll call 5-0) and introduced Ordinance 89-2026 (amending Chapter 50, nuisance abatement, to allow certain disabled vehicles to be displayed). The transcript records roll-call votes of Van Kerckhove, Welton and Burgin as "aye" and Hanover and Stoltenberg as "nay" for Ordinance 89-2026; the meeting text also records "Motion carried (3-0)," an internal inconsistency in the minutes.

The meeting included routine departmental reports: a sheriff’s deputy reported meeting required hours and 42 calls; the clerk reported 77 delinquent letters and progress on the FY25 audit and the transition to new accounting software; public works reviewed road and park projects; and the fire chief reported nine calls for the month (seven medical, one false alarm and one vehicle crash). Council adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

What’s next: Several items set future steps — hearing dates for sewer financing, a scheduled council meeting to consider the Forrest Ridge development agreement and ongoing negotiations on the long-term baseball field lease.