Red Oak council approves expansion of urban renewal area after brief public hearing

Mayor Shawnna Silvius opened a public hearing at 5:39 p.m. on May 5 to consider designation of an expanded Red Oak Urban Renewal Area and an amendment to the city’s Urban Renewal Plan. No members of the public spoke during the three-minute public comment period, and the mayor closed the hearing at 5:40 p.m.

Following the hearing, Councilmember Tim Fridolph moved and Councilmember Brian Bills seconded approval of Resolution 2025-49 to declare necessity and establish the expanded Red Oak Urban Renewal Area under Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa, and to approve the Urban Renewal Plan amendment. The council voted unanimously in favor.

The council also suspended the rules and approved all three readings of Ordinance 2025-07, which provides for the division of taxes levied on taxable property added to the Red Oak Urban Renewal Area pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. That ordinance was adopted on the same ballot with all members voting aye.

Councilmember Sharon Bradley moved (seconded by Adam Hietbrink) to approve Resolution 2025-50, which sets a future meeting date to consider a development agreement with LeRette Funeral Chapel, Inc., including annual tax-increment appropriation payments; the motion carried unanimously.

Why this matters: expanding the urban renewal area and approving a tax-division ordinance are prerequisite steps that enable the city to use tax increment financing and enter into development agreements tied to that area. The council scheduled a separate meeting to consider the specific development agreement with LeRette Funeral Chapel, ensuring members and the public will have a dedicated opportunity to review the proposed contract and any fiscal commitments.

The council took these actions by roll call votes recorded as unanimous. The meeting continued with other agenda items and was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.