City of Indianola Packet Summary — 2026-08-17
The Indianola City Council is scheduled to meet at 6:00 PM on August 17, 2026, at City Hall Council Chambers, 110 N 1st Street. The agenda includes ordinance changes affecting residential development and building codes, a potential sale process for City-owned downtown property, two development site plans, a recycling fuel surcharge request, EMS service agreements, and direction on approximately $4.07 million in capital borrowing.
Key Items on the Agenda
North Howard Property — Broker Agreement for Potential Sale
The Council is scheduled to consider engaging Knapp Properties, LLC to market and sell the City-owned property at 110 N Howard Street, commonly known as the Regions Bank Building. The City purchased the property in April 2023 and in June 2026 authorized staff to begin the disposition process and seek a commercial real estate broker.
Two firms responded to the City's request for qualifications. Staff and the Facilities and Property Subcommittee recommend Knapp Properties.
The proposed resolution would authorize the City Manager to finish negotiating and execute an Exclusive Listing Agreement after satisfactory legal review. Key terms in the current draft include:
- A 6% commission on the gross sale price, payable only if a sale closes.
- An independent MAI appraisal before the property is listed.
- A requirement that the buyer be taxable so the property remains tax-producing.
- A requirement that exterior changes comply with Downtown Design Standards.
- No upfront cost to enter the listing agreement; commission would be paid from sale proceeds at closing.
Importantly, approving the listing agreement would not authorize the sale itself. Any eventual sale would require a separate statutory process including published notice, a public hearing, and final Council action.
Building, Fire, Plumbing and Electrical Code Updates
A public hearing and first reading are scheduled on a broad update to Indianola's construction and safety codes. The City currently uses the 2018 International Codes and proposes adopting the 2024 International Codes, 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, and 2023 National Electrical Code, along with local amendments.
The changes affect multiple City Code chapters covering residential, existing-building, energy, fuel gas, building, electrical, plumbing and related requirements. Staff presented the code updates at a July 13 work session, and the code books have been available for public review since July 1.
The Fire Department subsequently developed more detailed language governing temporary potable-water stations at outdoor assembly events, intended to establish clearer requirements during periods of elevated heat.
The packet identifies the planned ordinance schedule as:
- August 17: Public hearing and first reading.
- September 8: Second reading.
- September 21: Third reading and adoption.
Staff recommends approval.
Development and Land-Use Changes
Townhome and Row-House Density — Final Consideration
The Council is scheduled for third consideration and potential adoption of an amendment to Chapter 165.05 that would increase the maximum density for townhouses and row dwellings from 10 to 15 dwelling units per acre.
Staff says the change would resolve a discrepancy between the zoning ordinance and the City's Elevate Indianola Comprehensive Plan, which recommends up to 15 units per gross acre for the applicable residential classification. Staff identified the conflict while reviewing a proposed townhome project.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the amendment 5-2 on July 14. The Council previously advanced the ordinance at readings on July 20 and August 3. Staff recommends adoption.
Parkland Dedication Requirements — Final Consideration
Another ordinance scheduled for third consideration would revise Indianola's parkland-dedication requirements for residential development.
The proposal would:
- Reduce the required parkland standard from 16 acres to 7 acres per 1,000 residents.
- Replace the existing appraisal-based approach for calculating fee-in-lieu payments with a Council-established average per-acre fair market value.
- Give the City greater flexibility in determining where parkland should be located and where fee-in-lieu funds may be used.
- Make additional changes to calculations and minimum park-size provisions.
Staff says the current 16-acre requirement is substantially higher than requirements in peer communities. The Parks and Recreation Commission supported the revised 7-acre standard, and staff reports that the City's legal counsel supports the proposed ordinance language.
The Council previously advanced the ordinance on July 20 and August 3. Staff recommends approval.
$30,000-per-Acre Parkland Fee
A related but separate resolution would amend the City's fee schedule to establish a $30,000-per-acre fee-in-lieu of parkland dedication.
Staff reviewed practices in other communities and an appraisal prepared for a recent Indianola development. That appraisal indicated a range of $20,000 to $40,000 and an opinion of value of $30,000. The packet also identifies Waukee and Ankeny at $35,000 per acre and Bondurant at $30,274.
Staff recommends establishing the Indianola fee at $30,000 per acre.
Les Schwab Tire Center Site Plan
The Council is scheduled to consider a site plan for a proposed Les Schwab Tire Center at 102 East Scenic Valley Avenue. The 1.95-acre site is at East Scenic Valley Avenue and North Jefferson Way.
The proposal includes:
- An approximately 8,266-square-foot automotive service center.
- Six service bays and a retail/showroom area.
- 30 parking spaces, matching the calculated requirement.
- A monument sign, tire storage area and trash enclosure.
- Sidewalk and trail connections.
- Approximately 65% open space, compared with a 20% minimum.
Staff finds the plan generally consistent with the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan and recommends approval subject to a condition that no temporary or final certificate of occupancy be issued until required public improvements are completed and formally accepted by the Council. The Planning Commission also recommended approval.
New Kiya Koda Humane Society
The Council is also scheduled to consider the site plan for a new Kiya Koda Humane Society at 1600 East Orchard Place.
The 5.59-acre site is proposed to include:
- A roughly 6,011-square-foot building.
- Approximately 9,000 square feet of fenced outdoor kenneling areas.
- 26 parking spaces, compared with 15 required.
- Sidewalk and pedestrian connections.
- Approximately 83% open space, compared with a 15% minimum.
Staff recommends approval, finding the plan generally consistent with the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0 at its August 11 meeting.
Major Financial Items
Approximately $4.07 Million in Capital Borrowing
The Council is asked to provide direction on proceeding with borrowing for capital vehicles and equipment identified through the FY27 budget and Capital Improvement Plan process.
The proposed financing now totals $4,068,875. Items include street department trucks and equipment, Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center equipment and improvements, Parks and Recreation and Fire Department vehicles, ambulance replacements, a water tender, medical equipment, police vehicles, radio replacements and in-car cameras.
A previously planned Fire Department pumper engine, estimated at $832,500, has been removed following further evaluation and a recommendation from the CPSM study.
Staff reports that the current borrowing amount is $790,270 lower than originally planned. The proposed loan would be repaid through the debt levy and potentially the Road Use Tax Fund over a 20-year period, with individual components amortized so they are paid off before the end of their useful lives.
This item seeks Council direction; purchase agreements would return separately for approval after borrowing is authorized.
Recycling Contract Fuel Surcharge
Waste Management is requesting a temporary fuel surcharge because of increased fuel costs. The existing recycling contract does not provide for an automatic fuel surcharge.
Waste Management proposes an 8.14% surcharge on its current $5.44-per-home monthly charge, adding approximately $0.44 per customer per month. The proposed surcharge would last six months and then be reevaluated to determine whether it should be removed or made permanent.
The City's overall current recycling fee is $6.70, which also incorporates other recycling-related costs. The agenda describes this item as discussion and possible action rather than presenting a specific staff recommendation for approval or denial.
Claims
The consent agenda includes approval of claims totaling $311,999.25. Staff recommends approval.
Fiscal-Year-End Financial Report
The Council is scheduled to receive and file the June 2026 Treasurer's Report. Staff describes the figures as preliminary pending the FY26 audit.
The packet reports:
- Budgeted expenses: $49,645,634.78
- Preliminary actual expenses: $43,962,862.41
- Budgeted revenues: $45,169,914.24
- Preliminary actual revenues: $44,903,672.25
- Preliminary actual revenues over expenses: $940,809.84
Staff reports that the General Fund had higher revenue and lower expenses than the amended budget, with the General Fund reserve projected above 30%. The Recycling Fund was slightly over its expense budget, but revenues were also above budget, so staff says reserves were not needed to cover the excess expenses.
The FY26 audit is expected to occur in August, with a final report anticipated around November.
The July Treasurer's Report is also scheduled to be received and filed. Staff notes that a future budget amendment is expected to move some FY26 expenses into FY27, particularly expenses associated with the CDBG Facade Project.
Public Safety and EMS Agreements
Medical Director Contract
The Fire Department is requesting a new two-year agreement with Dr. Gabe Lancaster to continue as medical director for the City's ambulance service from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2028.
The proposed annual cost is $19,500, consisting of $15,000 for medical director services and up to $4,500 for professional liability insurance. The maximum stated cost over two years is $39,000, unchanged from the current annual agreement.
The medical director provides EMS medical oversight, including protocols, performance review, continuing education assistance, medical audits and consultation. Staff recommends approval.
A proposed agreement with Indianola Community School District would have the Fire Department provide dedicated EMS coverage at four varsity home football games during the 2026 season.
The agreement would run from September 4 through October 17. The school would reimburse the City based on the hourly rates of assigned personnel, and staff expects the arrangement to be budget-neutral.
Staff recommends approval.
A separate agreement would provide dedicated Fire Department EMS coverage for eight Simpson College home football games during the 2026 season.
Simpson College would reimburse the City at applicable personnel hourly rates, subject to a two-hour minimum per event. Staff describes the agreement as designed to have an expense-neutral impact on the City and recommends approval.
Other Consent Agenda Items
The consent agenda also includes several permits, administrative resolutions and previously advancing ordinances:
- Rally Ride for a Purpose: Staff recommends approval of an event and noise permit for the August 22 event organized by 22 Reasons to Stay. Requested street closures include East Ashland Avenue between North First and North Howard streets and North First Street between East Ashland and East Boston avenues. A companion resolution would temporarily suspend enforcement of the City's prohibition on alcohol consumption on designated streets from 5:45 PM to 11:00 PM.
- Sticks and Balls liquor license: Council is asked to consider a five-day Class C Retail Alcohol License for an event at Harley-Davidson, 1300 S Jefferson Way, beginning August 29. Staff requests approval contingent on Fire, Police, and Community and Economic Development Department approval because the application review was not complete when the packet was prepared.
- Indianola Art Festival: A resolution would temporarily suspend the applicable prohibition on wine sales and consumption in Buxton Park for the September 20 Indianola Art Festival. Staff recommends approval.
- TIF subareas: The Council is scheduled for second consideration of an ordinance removing the Hillcrest Amendment No. 3 and Downtown Amendment No. 1 subareas from tax-increment revenue division. The properties would remain within the broader Urban Renewal Area, but future property-tax revenue from those subareas would return to normal distribution among taxing entities. Staff recommends approval.
- Regional transportation representation: A resolution would update Indianola's representatives to the Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization and Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance technical committees, including the appointment of Public Works Director Brian Stineman.
- Nuisance-abatement liens: Staff recommends authorization to certify unpaid nuisance-abatement costs to the Warren County Treasurer. Property owners may pay within the statutory notice period; assessments over $500 may be paid in up to 10 annual installments under the proposed resolution.
- Salary resolution: The Council is scheduled to consider a resolution setting several employee salaries and classifications in accordance with personnel policies, union contracts and seasonal pay schedules.
- Prior meeting minutes: Staff recommends approval of the August 3 regular meeting and August 10 special meeting minutes.
The most significant scheduled public hearing concerns adoption of the updated building, fire and related construction codes. The packet indicates that the proposed code materials have been publicly available since July 1 and that staff had received no questions or comments as of preparation of the packet.
Residents and property owners may also want to follow the proposed parkland-dedication changes. Taken together, the ordinance and fee-schedule items would reduce the amount of required parkland associated with new residential development and establish a standardized $30,000-per-acre valuation when a fee is paid instead of land being dedicated.
What to Watch at the Meeting
Several agenda items leave meaningful questions for Council action rather than simply presenting routine approvals:
- Capital borrowing: Council direction will determine whether staff proceeds with the proposed $4,068,875 financing package and its mix of vehicles and equipment.
- Recycling costs: Council will decide how to respond to Waste Management's request for a six-month fuel surcharge that would add $0.44 per customer per month to Waste Management's contracted charge.
- North Howard property: The proposed broker agreement would move the City closer to marketing 110 N Howard Street, but an actual sale would still require a separate public process and Council approval.
- Development standards: Final consideration of the townhome-density and parkland-dedication ordinances could change how future residential projects are regulated and how parkland obligations are calculated.
- Building-code modernization: The August 17 hearing and first reading begin a multi-meeting process toward replacing older construction-code editions with newer standards and locally tailored amendments.
The agenda also anticipates two closed sessions under Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j) concerning the potential purchase or sale of particular real estate where premature disclosure could affect the price.
This packet summary is based on publicly available meeting materials from the City of Indianola.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting materials.
