Sac City Council approves sale of Ahrens Street property, establishes urban renewal area and passes several measures

The Sac City Council approved a package of land-use and administrative measures during a special meeting on Dec. 3, 2024, including the sale of the Ahrens Street property and creation of an urban renewal area covering the Sac City College Addition.

Council member Tom Lownik moved to approve the consent and subsequent motions that led to the sale; the motion to authorize the sale was adopted unanimously. The council also approved resolution no. 2024-50 to declare necessity and establish the 2024 Sac City College Addition urban renewal area, citing Code of Iowa section 403.4. Council member Tom Lownik moved the urban renewal resolution and Larry Mahler seconded; the roll call was unanimous.

The council then approved the first reading of ordinance no. 2024-332, which provides for the division of taxes in the new urban renewal area pursuant to Code of Iowa section 403.19. The ordinance was introduced by Council member Teresa Bruening and seconded by Council member Larry Mahler; the first reading passed on a unanimous roll call.

In other actions, the council considered resolution no. 2024-47 establishing fees for vacant building permits. Council member Bob Murley moved an amendment to lower the initial fee from $750 to $500 (with the annual fee to remain $500), but the amendment failed for lack of a second. The original resolution passed on a roll call of Ayes: Kayla Shull, Teresa Bruening, Tom Lownik and Larry Mahler; Nay: Bob Murley.

Council also approved resolution no. 2024-48, granting approval of the plat for a planned unit development in the College Addition of Sac City. Council approved a reward of up to $500 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for vandalism on the Sac City trails. The council voted to cancel its Dec. 10 and Dec. 24, 2024 meetings, heard committee and department head reports, and adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2024-49, authorizing sale of Ahrens Street property: Moved by Tom Lownik; seconded by Bob Murley. Vote — Ayes: Larry Mahler, Bob Murley, Kayla Shull, Teresa Bruening, Tom Lownik. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 2024-50, declare necessity and establish 2024 Sac City College Addition urban renewal area: Moved by Tom Lownik; seconded by Larry Mahler. Vote — Ayes: Mahler, Murley, Shull, Bruening, Lownik. Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2024-332, first reading (division of taxes in the urban renewal area): Introduced by Teresa Bruening; seconded by Larry Mahler. Vote — unanimous. Outcome: first reading approved. - Resolution 2024-47, vacant building permit fees: Amendment to reduce initial fee to $500 failed (no second). Original resolution passed — Ayes: Shull, Bruening, Lownik, Mahler; Nay: Murley. - Resolution 2024-48, approval of PUD plat in College Addition: Moved by Larry Mahler; seconded by Tom Lownik. Vote — Ayes: Murley, Shull, Bruening, Lownik, Mahler. Outcome: approved. - Reward for vandalism on Sac City trails (not to exceed $500): Moved by Teresa Bruening; seconded by Larry Mahler. Vote — unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Why it matters: Establishing the urban renewal area and approving the plat clear the way for development activity in the College Addition. The sale of the Ahrens Street property and the new fee schedule for vacant buildings change property and regulatory conditions in Sac City. The council’s authorization of a modest reward signals concern about trail vandalism and a local enforcement priority.

The council meeting record notes that the Planning and Zoning Commission submitted letters supporting the property sale and the urban renewal plan. No oral public comments were recorded for either public hearing. The council adjourned at 5:35 p.m.