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Independence council approves street rehab contract, moves parking ordinance forward and signs off on engineering studies
Summary
Council approved a $677,326.90 contract for the 2026 Street Rehabilitation Project, passed first reading of a parking‑regulation amendment, appointed Bill Lake to Planning & Zoning, set a March 23 rezoning hearing, and approved multiple engineering contracts and equipment transfers.
The Independence City Council took several routine and substantive actions at its March 9 meeting.
Street rehabilitation contract: Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute contract and bonds for the 2026 Street Rehabilitation Project with Shake Fry Excavating Company for $677,326.90. Council members asked about homeowner assessments; staff said the resident charge is $30 per lineal foot and estimated many homeowners’ costs would range in the low thousands. The contract passed by roll call, 5–2.
Parking ordinance first reading: The council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 69 parking regulations to apply two‑hour and overnight parking to the south side only (removing restrictions on the north side between 2nd and 3rd Avenues). The first reading passed 6–1; suspension of the statutory two‑meeting rule to finish the ordinance the same night was discussed but was not adopted, so the second reading will occur at the next regular meeting.
Appointments and hearings: Council appointed Bill Lake to the Planning & Zoning Commission to replace Stephanie Sailor (vote 7–0). The council also set a public hearing for March 23, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. on a rezoning request from A‑1 to R‑3 for approximately 1.93 acres near the end of Pine Drive.
Engineering and equipment approvals: The council approved a Fairgram engineering proposal for a Pines 1st & 3rd stormwater study ($16,900) and authorized an $8,500 MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) services contract for fire station design with Martin Gardner; both motions passed unanimously. Council also approved a vehicle purchase and transfer agreement with Blackhawk County (vote carried with one abstention). Consent agenda, claims and monthly department reports were approved or received with no substantive follow‑up required.
Public comment: Shelley Pratt, who identified herself as project director for a Department of Labor Title 5 grant program serving workers 55 and older, urged council members to help spread information and recruitment materials for the program; she offered flyers and pamphlets and said she assists residents in Independence.
