Pleasant Hill council approves park grants, contracts and infrastructure agreements; sets $1.6M bond hearing

The Pleasant Hill City Council on Feb. 10 approved a package of resolutions covering park grant applications, service contracts, professional services agreements and planning steps for transportation and facilities projects and set a Feb. 26 public hearing on a proposed $1.6 million general obligation equipment bond.

City Manager Ben Champ told the council the proposed bond would help fund equipment purchases over the next several years — including replacing a retiring fire truck — because the city’s equipment replacement fund lacks a dedicated ongoing revenue source. The council voted 5-0 to set a public hearing Feb. 26 to consider the equipment acquisition loan agreement. Champ said the bond is part of preliminary budget planning for fiscal year 2026–27.

Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Merritt secured council approval to submit two grant applications aimed at park improvements. The council authorized submission of an AARP Community Challenge Flagship Grant to fund a permanent gateway and art structure at Doanes Park that would improve wayfinding and accessibility, and approved applying to the T‑Mobile Hometown Grant for a court mural and surface repairs at Sunrise Park near Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Merritt said each application, if awarded, would fund design, fabrication, installation and associated event or outreach costs and the city would assume long‑term maintenance responsibility if grants are awarded.

Also in parks procurement, the council awarded two service contracts. Kelly George Turf & Irrigation was identified as the only responsive bidder for turf chemical applications at a season price of $43,784.05 and was awarded a three‑season contract (2026–2028) with renewal options subject to satisfactory performance. MB Lawn Care, LLC was selected as the apparent low bidder for mowing and trimming services covering roughly 140.2 acres at $3,420.10 per week (about $24.39 per acre); the council approved the award following staff review and legal compliance checks.

On development and facilities, the council accepted public improvements for Hawthorn Townhomes Plats 1 & 2 and authorized release of the performance bond after staff confirmed sanitary sewer and water mains were complete; a four‑year maintenance bond will begin on the date of formal acceptance. The council also approved a professional services agreement with Axiom Consultants to lead site selection for relocation of the City’s Public Works and Parks facilities, citing flooding, access and security concerns at the existing sites. Axiom representative Brian Boelk briefly addressed the council.

For transportation planning, the council approved a professional services agreement with Bolton and Menk to coordinate Pleasant Hill’s planned reconstruction and urbanization of NE 70th Street with the City of Altoona and to support a joint application to the U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant program. Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Madeline Sturms said coordination with Altoona is intended to demonstrate regional cooperation and increase competitiveness for grant funding.

The council also approved a search contract with Sagency, LLC to begin recruiting for a City Clerk/Finance Director position that will be vacant on July 1, 2026, and adopted the city’s 2026 Strategic Priorities developed from the Pleasant Hill 2050 Comprehensive Plan to guide near‑term budgeting and decision making.

On legislation, the council adopted Ordinance No. 966 on third reading to amend Chapter 115 (Cemetery). Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Merritt described changes that clarify allowed memorial decorations, establish a 14‑day grace period following burials, align flag allowances with federal guidance, set three annual cleanup windows, and add notice, storage and appeal procedures for removed items.

In closing remarks, Mayor Sara Kurovski said she attended a Central Iowa Water Works online session about nitrate levels in drinking water and encouraged councilmembers to view the program; Public Works Director Russ Paul announced the traffic signal enhancement project on E. University Avenue will begin Feb. 16 with intermittent signal outages and ongoing traffic control and public messaging.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution #021026-05 (Accept Hawthorn Townhomes public improvements / release performance bond) — Motion carried 4-0 (Murray, Birch, DeMoss, Konrad yes). - Resolution #021026-06 (Submit AARP Community Challenge Flagship Grant for Doanes Park) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-07 (Submit T‑Mobile Hometown Grant for Sunrise Park court mural) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-08 (Award turf chemical application contract to Kelly George Turf & Irrigation, $43,784.05/season) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-09 (Award turf mowing contract to MB Lawn Care, LLC, $3,420.10/week) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-10 (Set public hearing for $1.6M GO equipment acquisition loan agreement) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-11 (Approve 2026 Strategic Priorities) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-12 (Professional services agreement with Axiom Consultants for site selection) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-13 (Search contract with Sagency, LLC for City Clerk/Finance Director) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-14 (Professional services agreement with Bolton & Menk) — Motion carried 5-0. - Resolution #021026-15 (Support joint BUILD grant with Altoona) — Motion carried 5-0. - Ordinance #966 (Amend Chapter 115 — Cemetery) — Adopted on third reading, motion carried 5-0.

The council adjourned at 6:39 p.m.