The Waukee City Council's August 3, 2026 regular meeting combined financial oversight, a major streetscape investment, numerous public works and consulting agreements, several ordinance actions, and public discussion about municipal surveillance technology. Mayor Clark and Councilmembers Anderson, Grove, and Lyon were present at roll call; Councilmembers Crone and Pierce were initially absent. Councilmember Pierce participated later in the meeting during the vote on The Wren rezoning.
One of the meeting's largest individual projects was Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1. The council held the required public hearing and then approved the project's plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost. The council also awarded the construction contract to Concrete Connection of Johnston, Iowa, for $3,475,000. Staff said the project will be funded from cash reserves using tax increment financing associated with the city's unified urban renewal area.
The streetscape project is intended to do considerably more than install signs. Phase 1 includes major gateway features near Interstate 80 and University Avenue, improvements at Grand Prairie Parkway's intersections with Ashworth Road and Westown Parkway, landscaping, hardscaping, lighting, seating, trail-related elements, and placemaking features. Staff described it as the first of two phases planned for the roughly 2.5-mile Grand Prairie Parkway corridor between Interstate 80 and University Avenue. The project is tied to the long-term development of the Kettlestone area and is intended to create a stronger Waukee and Kettlestone identity along the corridor.
The council also received a pre-audit presentation from Denman & Company regarding the FY2026 financial statement audit. Auditors expect to be on site in late August for approximately two weeks and anticipate returning between Thanksgiving and Christmas to present final results. The audit will examine the city's financial statements and include reporting related to internal controls, compliance, Iowa requirements, and federal standards applicable to federal funding. The auditor emphasized that the audit uses materiality and risk-based procedures rather than examining every individual transaction.
A substantial consent agenda advanced a broad range of municipal work. It included bills and payroll, meeting minutes, equipment purchases, professional consulting agreements, construction drawings, change orders, contractor payments, completed public improvements, a federal transportation funding application, a temporary use permit, and preparations for the 2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements Project. Because these matters were approved together through the consent agenda, the meeting did not include detailed public discussion of each individual item.
Among the larger consent-agenda financial items were a $232,755 dump truck equipment package with brine trailer from Hawkeye Truck Equipment, a $385,741.74 payment to InRoads, LLC for the FY26/27 HMA Resurfacing Program, a $224,577.31 payment to Ball Team for the Waukee City Building Project, and a $146,040.78 payment to Brothers Concrete for the 2026 Downtown Street Improvements Project. The council also approved several project change orders, including a $130,321 increase for the Waukee City Building Project.
The council moved several ordinances forward. It approved the first reading of an ordinance involving tax-increment revenues in the North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area. Staff explained that the ordinance responds to new and anticipated development and establishes the city's ability to capture tax increment from the added parcels for projects included in the urban renewal plan.
The council also approved the first reading of an amendment to the municipal code concerning children playing in streets or alleys. Staff said the proposed amendment would establish parental or guardian responsibility when children continue to play in streets after repeated warnings from law enforcement or other city officials. A violation would be a simple misdemeanor; staff stated that the state-law fine range for a simple misdemeanor is $105 to $855. The stated purpose is child safety, and staff emphasized that enforcement was intended for repeated or blatant violations rather than immediate punishment.
A separate dog-park ordinance moved through its second reading but did not receive final passage at this meeting. The original motion contemplated approving the second reading, waiving the third reading, and placing the ordinance on final passage. During the meeting, officials determined there were not enough councilmembers available to waive the additional reading, so the motion was amended to approve only the second reading. The ordinance would incorporate existing dog-park rules into Chapter 26 of the municipal code so they are enforceable as ordinance provisions.
The council also approved the third and final reading of the rezoning associated with The Wren, an approximately 5.78-acre property north of Southeast Ashworth Road and east of Grand Prairie Parkway. The proposal involves an active-adult residential development consisting of a building with four four-story towers above underground parking and a total of 80 residential units. Staff said the proposal is consistent with the Kettlestone master plan.
Public input included a resident's comments about automated license plate reader technology and municipal procurement. The speaker did not allege wrongdoing but asked the city to make information about the program easier for residents to follow, including authorization, policy and retention rules, aggregate costs and funding, oversight, and rules governing outside-agency access. No public comments or written correspondence were reported during the Grand Prairie Parkway public hearing.
At the end of the meeting, city officials highlighted upcoming community events and programs. Public Safety Day was scheduled for August 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., preceded by a 4:30 p.m. ribbon cutting for a new public art installation at the Public Safety Building. The city was also accepting applications for the inaugural "City Explained" program, a seven-week program scheduled to begin in mid-September.
Major Discussion and Action Items
FY2026 Financial Audit Planning
Denman & Company presented an overview of its upcoming audit of Waukee's FY2026 financial statements. The auditor explained that the firm's responsibility is to perform the audit and issue an opinion concerning the city's financial statements. The work will also result in reporting concerning internal controls and compliance with financial reporting standards, the Code of Iowa, and federal Uniform Guidance requirements applicable to federal funds.
The auditor explained that management remains responsible for preparing accurate financial statements and maintaining appropriate financial controls. The audit will use a risk-based and materiality-based approach, meaning auditors will concentrate on matters significant enough to affect users of the financial statements rather than reviewing every transaction.
Two standard significant risks were identified: possible management override of controls and improper revenue recognition. The presenter stressed that these are standard risks considered across financial statement audits and were not described as problems unique to Waukee.
A councilmember asked whether the previous year's audit identified significant concerns, particularly for newer councilmembers who had not participated in that audit. The auditor characterized Waukee's prior audits as very clean and recalled relatively minor matters, including a budget-amendment issue and a recommendation involving inventory cost accounting.
Denman & Company expects to conduct approximately two weeks of on-site work beginning in late August. Final FY2026 audit results are expected to return to the council sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
No separate formal council action on the audit presentation was established by the meeting materials.
Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 Public Hearing
The council conducted a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost for the Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 Project.
Staff described the project as the result of more than 11 years of planning associated with the Kettlestone development and Grand Prairie Parkway corridor. The corridor had been designed with future streetscape improvements in mind, and staff said the current work requires no additional right-of-way.
The City Council had identified implementation of the Grand Prairie Parkway streetscape as a strategic planning item. Confluence was retained for planning work, and the streetscape plan was reviewed and approved by the council in February 2026.
Phase 1 is the first portion of a two-phase plan covering approximately 2.5 miles from Interstate 80 to University Avenue. It includes gateway monumentation at Interstate 80 and University Avenue and improvements at the Ashworth Road and Westown Parkway intersections. Elements include signage, landscaping, hardscaping, lighting, seating, trail-related improvements, and spaces intended for public engagement and placemaking.
Staff explained that one purpose is to establish a more visible entrance to Waukee from Interstate 80 while creating coordinated branding for both the City of Waukee and the Kettlestone district. The project is also intended to support continued economic development along the corridor.
No written correspondence was reported by the City Clerk's office for the hearing, and no one participating in the chambers or through Zoom spoke during the hearing. The hearing was formally closed.
Grand Prairie Parkway Plans and Specifications
Following the hearing, the council considered a resolution approving the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost for Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1.
Staff recommended approval. Councilmembers Grove, Anderson, and Lyon each voted yes. The resolution was approved.
$3.475 Million Grand Prairie Parkway Construction Contract
The city received two bids for the streetscape project on July 28, 2026. Staff reported that both were unusually close to the engineer's estimate, with one approximately 1% above the estimate and the other approximately 2% below it.
The project had been bid with a base scope and four potential deductive alternatives. Those alternatives could have removed the additional Kettlestone sign near Interstate 80, reduced the number of light bollards, removed cast-stone benches at major intersections, or modified the corridor's lighting-control system.
Because the base bid was slightly below the engineer's estimate, staff recommended retaining the complete base project rather than accepting those reductions.
The council approved a $3,475,000 contract with Concrete Connection of Johnston, Iowa. Staff said funding will come from cash reserves utilizing tax increment financing within the city's unified urban renewal area. Councilmembers Anderson, Lyon, and Grove voted yes.
Consent Agenda
The council approved the consent agenda in a single vote, with Councilmembers Grove, Lyon, and Anderson voting yes.
The consent agenda included the August 3 bill list, July 31 payroll, and minutes of the July 20, 2026 regular meeting.
It also included receipt and filing of a $11,847 shouldering machine purchase and a $232,755 dump truck equipment package with brine trailer, both from Hawkeye Truck Equipment for the Public Works Department.
The council renewed the 12-month Class C Retail Alcohol License for Los Tres Amigos, Inc., at 63 NE Carefree Lane, subject to proof of dram insurance and fire marshal approval.
Professional-services and project matters included an agreement with HKGi concerning land-use concepts and agreements with Veenstra & Kimm, Inc. for a bulk-water vending site plan, the Ashworth Road/Sugar Creek Lane Water Main Improvements Project, and an amendment related to the Boone Drive Booster Station Rehabilitation Project.
The consent agenda also addressed the Little Walnut Creek Headwaters Wetland and Greenway Project through agreements involving the Great Outdoors Foundation and Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Construction drawings were approved for Elm Street Parking Improvements and Autumn Valley West Plat 3.
Numerous change orders, payment estimates, project acceptances, and related construction actions were also included.
Ute Avenue Transportation Funding
As part of the consent agenda, the council authorized the city to apply to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funding for partial construction funding for the Ute Avenue Improvements Phase 2 Project.
The action also obligates Waukee to provide the required matching funds if the project receives funding.
The council separately received and filed correspondence from the Iowa Department of Transportation dated July 15, 2026 regarding the I-80 and Ute Avenue Bridge Replacement project.
2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements
The consent agenda included a resolution ordering construction of the 2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements Project and establishing a hearing and bid process.
ADA improvements are intended to address accessibility requirements for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. The agenda materials establish that the project is moving into the formal construction procurement process, although the materials provided do not establish the eventual construction cost or contractor.
North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area
The council considered the first reading of a 2026 ordinance concerning division of revenues under Section 403.19 of the Iowa Code for parcels in the North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area.
Staff explained that new and anticipated development was driving the additions. The ordinance establishes the city's ability to capture tax increment from the affected development and use that revenue for eligible projects included in the applicable urban renewal plan.
Staff recommended approval. Councilmembers Lyon, Grove, and Anderson voted yes on the first reading.
The ordinance was not presented as having completed its entire adoption process at this meeting.
Playing in Streets or Alleys Ordinance
The council considered the first reading of an amendment to Chapter 135 of the Waukee Municipal Code.
Staff explained that the city currently lacks an enforcement mechanism directed toward parents or guardians who repeatedly allow children to play in streets after warnings from law enforcement or other city officials.
The proposed amendment would establish parental or guardian responsibility and make a violation a simple misdemeanor. Staff stated that the standard state-law fine range for a simple misdemeanor is $105 to $855.
Staff characterized the purpose as child safety and indicated that enforcement was intended for repeated or blatant violations after multiple warnings rather than routine or immediate enforcement.
The council approved the first reading. The recorded council votes in the meeting materials were affirmative.
Dog Park Rules and Regulations
The council considered an amendment to Chapter 26 of the municipal code concerning dog-park regulations.
Staff explained that dog-park rules had previously been adopted by resolution but had not been incorporated into Chapter 26, preventing enforcement of those rules as ordinance provisions. The amendment is intended to correct that issue.
The initial motion proposed approving the second reading, waiving the third reading, and placing the ordinance on final passage. During discussion, officials determined that four of five councilmembers would be needed to waive the additional reading and that the necessary number was not available at that point.
The motion was therefore amended to approve only the second reading. Councilmembers Lyon, Anderson, and Grove voted yes. The ordinance remained subject to another reading rather than receiving final passage at this meeting.
The Wren Rezoning
The council considered the third and final reading of a rezoning for approximately 5.78 acres generally north of Southeast Ashworth Road and east of Grand Prairie Parkway.
The proposed development, known as The Wren, consists of a single building incorporating four four-story towers over an underground parking structure. The project is planned for 80 units serving an active-adult residential community.
Staff stated that the request is consistent with the Kettlestone master plan and recommended approval.
Councilmembers Grove, Anderson, Lyon, and Pierce cast affirmative votes on the final reading. The third and final reading was approved.
Automated License Plate Reader Transparency
During open forum, a resident addressed the council about municipal procurement and automated license plate reader technology.
The speaker described researching how Waukee's license plate reader program developed through authorization, funding, installation, policy, renewals, and continuing oversight. The speaker referred to prior city records concerning a pilot program, a Flock agreement, cameras, installation costs, and subsequent payments but explicitly stated that he was not alleging that any particular step was improper.
The resident asked the city to provide a plain-language public overview that would make it easier to understand the program's authorization, current policy, data-retention rules, aggregate costs and funding, oversight process, and rules governing access by outside agencies.
No formal council action on the request was established during the meeting.
Votes, Decisions, and Direction
- Agenda approval: The council approved the meeting agenda. Councilmembers Grove, Lyon, and Anderson voted yes. The transcript does not clearly establish the names of both the mover and seconder.
- Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 plans and specifications: The council approved the resolution covering plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost. Councilmembers Grove, Anderson, and Lyon voted yes.
- Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 construction contract: The council approved awarding the contract to Concrete Connection of Johnston, Iowa, for $3,475,000. Councilmembers Anderson, Lyon, and Grove voted yes.
- Consent agenda: Approved in a single vote. Councilmembers Grove, Lyon, and Anderson voted yes.
- North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area ordinance: The council approved the first reading. Councilmembers Lyon, Grove, and Anderson voted yes.
- Chapter 135 playing-in-streets ordinance: The council approved the first reading. The recorded votes were affirmative.
- Chapter 26 dog-park ordinance: The original proposal to waive the third reading and adopt the ordinance on final passage was changed because the necessary number of councilmembers was not available to waive the reading. The council instead approved only the second reading, with Councilmembers Lyon, Anderson, and Grove voting yes.
- The Wren rezoning: The council approved the third and final reading. Councilmembers Grove, Anderson, Lyon, and Pierce voted yes.
- Adjournment: A motion and second to adjourn were made, followed by an affirmative voice vote. The transcript does not clearly identify both participants in the motion and second.
The consent-agenda approval included the listed bills, payroll, minutes, purchases, license renewal, consulting agreements, construction drawings, change orders, payment estimates, public-improvement acceptances, transportation funding application, property matter, temporary-use permit, and ADA sidewalk project actions.
Financial Matters
The largest individually discussed financial action was the $3,475,000 Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 construction contract with Concrete Connection of Johnston. Staff said the funding will come from cash reserves utilizing tax increment financing within the unified urban renewal area.
The consent agenda included several specific purchases and construction expenditures:
- $11,847 for a shouldering machine from Hawkeye Truck Equipment for the Waukee Public Works Department.
- $232,755 for a dump truck equipment package with brine trailer from Hawkeye Truck Equipment.
- A $7,414.23 increase through Change Order No. 4 for the Waukee Existing Public Safety Building Renovation Project.
- A $130,321 increase through Change Orders No. 1-8 to Ball Team for the Waukee City Building Project.
- $224,577.31 through Payment Estimate No. 2 to Ball Team for the Waukee City Building Project.
- $385,741.74 through Payment Estimate No. 1 to InRoads, LLC for the FY26/27 HMA Resurfacing Program.
- $146,040.78 through Payment Estimate No. 1 to Brothers Concrete for the 2026 Downtown Street Improvements Project.
- A $4,435.67 increase through Change Order No. 1 to Max Smith Construction, LLC for the Little Walnut Creek Drive Water Main Improvements Project.
- $9,212.74 through Payment Estimate No. 5 to Max Smith Construction for the Little Walnut Creek Drive Water Main Improvements Project.
- An $8,840.25 decrease through Change Order No. 4 to Concrete Connection, LLC for the Painted Woods West Park Project.
- $8,600 through the final payment estimate to Concrete Connection for the Painted Woods West Park Project.
- A $24,711.93 increase through Change Order No. 3 to Holzworth Concrete for the NW 6th Street Culvert Over Little Walnut Creek Project.
- $39,669.95 through the final payment estimate to Holzworth Concrete for the NW 6th Street Culvert project.
The council also authorized an application for Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funding through the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for partial construction funding for Ute Avenue Improvements Phase 2. The action commits the city to matching funds if the application is successful. The amount of the requested grant and required local match is not established in the provided meeting materials.
The North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area ordinance concerns the city's ability to capture tax increment generated by development in designated parcels. This was a first reading, so the materials support advancement of the ordinance but not completion of its full adoption process.
The FY2026 audit presentation was also a significant financial oversight matter. Denman & Company will evaluate whether the city's financial statements are fairly presented and will report on applicable compliance matters. Final audit results are expected between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area ordinance received its first reading. Its purpose is to establish the mechanism for capturing tax increment associated with new and anticipated development in the affected area and applying those revenues to eligible urban-renewal projects.
The proposed amendment to Chapter 135 concerning playing in streets or alleys also received its first reading. It would add a parental or guardian responsibility provision for situations involving repeated warnings concerning children playing in streets. Staff said a violation would constitute a simple misdemeanor, with a state-law fine range of $105 to $855.
The Chapter 26 dog-park amendment advanced through its second reading. Staff described the change as an enforcement-related cleanup: dog-park rules previously established by resolution had not been incorporated into the municipal code. The council did not waive the remaining reading, so the ordinance was not finally adopted during this meeting.
The council approved the third and final reading of the zoning amendment for The Wren, changing the applicable zoning for approximately 5.78 acres associated with the proposed 80-unit active-adult development.
The council also approved resolutions related to numerous public projects through its consent agenda, including consulting agreements, construction drawings, completed public improvements, transportation funding, property matters, and the ADA sidewalk project.
Reports, Presentations, and Updates
Denman & Company's FY2026 audit briefing was the meeting's primary formal presentation. Auditors explained their responsibilities, management's responsibilities, the use of materiality, and the significant risks considered during financial statement auditing.
The audit will specifically address the standard risks of management override of controls and improper revenue recognition. The presenter made clear that these risks are common to financial statement audits generally and were not being identified as Waukee-specific misconduct.
In response to a council question about prior findings, the auditor said Waukee's previous audits had been very clean. Minor prior matters recalled during the meeting included a budget-amendment issue and a recommendation concerning inventory cost accounting.
The audit team expects to spend approximately two weeks on site beginning in late August and return between Thanksgiving and Christmas with final FY2026 results.
During reports at the end of the meeting, officials reminded residents about Public Safety Day on August 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. A ribbon cutting for a new public art installation was scheduled there at 4:30 p.m.
The city was also accepting applications for the inaugural City Explained program. Officials said participation would be limited and the seven-week program was expected to begin in mid-September.
A Movies in the Park event was also noted for the following Friday.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
No substantive hiring, resignation, retirement, employment-agreement, or personnel action is established by the provided meeting materials.
Council attendance changed during the meeting. Mayor Clark and Councilmembers Anderson, Grove, and Lyon were present at roll call, while Councilmembers Crone and Pierce were initially absent. Councilmember Pierce later participated remotely in the vote on The Wren rezoning.
The audit presentation also highlighted the respective governance roles of the council, city management, and independent auditor. Management is responsible for accurate financial statements and appropriate internal controls, while Denman & Company is responsible for conducting the independent financial statement audit and expressing its audit opinion.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 was the most extensively discussed infrastructure project. It covers major elements of the corridor between Interstate 80 and University Avenue and is intended as the first of two phases.
The project includes gateway monuments at Interstate 80 and University Avenue and intersection improvements at Ashworth Road and Westown Parkway. Proposed elements include approximately 33-foot gateway signs, lighting, landscaping, hardscaping, monumentation, seating areas, trail-related work, wayfinding, and potential locations for art.
The council awarded the $3.475 million construction contract to Concrete Connection. Staff recommended keeping the full base project rather than using deductive alternatives because the successful bid came in slightly below the engineer's estimate.
The consent agenda advanced several other infrastructure projects. These included the Waukee Existing Public Safety Building Renovation Project, Waukee City Building Project, FY26/27 HMA Resurfacing Program, 2026 Downtown Street Improvements, Little Walnut Creek Drive Water Main Improvements, Painted Woods West Park, and the NW 6th Street Culvert Over Little Walnut Creek.
The council accepted public improvements for the Painted Woods West Park Project and NW 6th Street Culvert Over Little Walnut Creek Project.
Construction drawings were approved for Elm Street Parking Improvements and Autumn Valley West Plat 3.
The council also authorized the federal funding application for Ute Avenue Improvements Phase 2 and received Iowa Department of Transportation correspondence concerning replacement of the I-80 and Ute Avenue bridge.
The 2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements Project was ordered forward through the consent agenda, including establishment of the future hearing and bidding process.
The Little Walnut Creek Headwaters Wetland and Greenway Project also advanced through agreements involving the Great Outdoors Foundation and Ducks Unlimited. These agreements relate to water-quality and urban-wetland work.
One resident spoke during the open forum about automated license plate reader technology and municipal transparency.
The speaker described researching Waukee's prior public records concerning license plate readers, including earlier policy discussion, a proposed pilot, an agreement, camera installation, funding, permits, and subsequent payments. The resident expressly said he was not alleging that the city had acted improperly.
Instead, he argued that residents should be able to understand the entire life cycle of such a program without reconstructing information from multiple agendas, contracts, permits, payment records, and public-record requests.
He asked the city to maintain a plain-language public overview addressing the program's authorization, current policy, data-retention rules, aggregate costs and funding, oversight procedures, and rules for access by outside agencies.
No formal council decision concerning this request is established in the meeting materials.
During the Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 public hearing, the City Clerk reported that no written correspondence had been received. No one in the council chambers or participating through Zoom spoke during the hearing.
Questions and Answers
A councilmember asked the Denman & Company representative whether the prior year's audit had identified significant problems that newer councilmembers should be aware of. The auditor responded that Waukee's previous audits had generally been very clean. He recalled relatively minor matters involving a budget amendment and inventory cost accounting.
During the Grand Prairie Parkway discussion, council members and staff emphasized that the project should not be understood solely as a signage project. The scope also includes landscaping, trail-related elements, seating and gathering opportunities, hardscaping, and substantial redevelopment of several intersections.
Staff explained that Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1 requires no additional right-of-way because the corridor had been planned with these future improvements in mind.
Staff also explained that Phase 1 is intended to establish gateway and major-intersection improvements, while a future phase would fill in additional corridor landscaping, hardscaping, minor intersection signage, and wayfinding.
Regarding the construction cost, staff reported that two bids received on July 28 were very close both to one another and to the engineer's estimate. Because the base bid was slightly below the estimate, staff recommended keeping the full project rather than removing elements through the deductive alternatives.
On the Chapter 135 amendment, staff explained that the proposed parental-responsibility provision is intended to address repeated violations after warnings, rather than creating an expectation of immediate enforcement whenever a child is found playing in a street.
During consideration of the dog-park ordinance, officials determined that the council did not have the required number of members available to waive the remaining reading. The motion was amended accordingly, allowing only the second reading to proceed.
Residents and businesses along Grand Prairie Parkway and within the Kettlestone area are likely to see the most visible effects of the streetscape project. The planned improvements involve gateway features, landscaping, lighting, seating, trail elements, and intersection redevelopment. Construction may affect travel and access as the work proceeds, while the longer-term objective is to improve community identity, placemaking, and the appearance of a major development corridor.
Taxpayers have an interest in the $3.475 million streetscape contract and its financing. Staff said the project will use cash reserves supported by tax increment financing within the unified urban renewal area rather than identifying a new general tax specifically for the project during this meeting.
Residents throughout the city are affected by the numerous public works expenditures approved through the consent agenda, including resurfacing, water infrastructure, city-building construction, downtown improvements, park work, culvert improvements, equipment purchases, and sidewalk accessibility work.
People with disabilities and other pedestrians may benefit from the 2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements Project as it advances through bidding and construction.
North Waukee property owners, developers, and taxpayers may be affected by the proposed urban-renewal ordinance because it concerns how tax increment generated by new development will be captured and used for eligible urban-renewal projects.
Families may be affected by the proposed Chapter 135 amendment if it ultimately becomes law. The first reading would create potential parental or guardian liability following repeated warnings concerning children playing in streets or alleys. Because this was only the first reading, residents should distinguish the council's action from final ordinance adoption.
Dog-park users may eventually be subject to rules incorporated directly into the municipal code. That ordinance did not receive final passage at this meeting and remained in the reading process.
The Wren rezoning allows an 80-unit active-adult residential proposal to proceed under its approved zoning framework, potentially affecting housing options and development in the Kettlestone area.
Residents concerned about privacy and law-enforcement technology may want to follow the request raised during open forum for more consolidated public information about the city's automated license plate reader program. The meeting materials do not establish a council commitment or formal action in response to that request.
- What is the final construction schedule for Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1, and when should residents expect traffic or access impacts?
- What is the complete city funding plan for the $3.475 million streetscape project, including the amount of cash reserves and tax increment financing expected to be used?
- What specific improvements are planned for Phase 2 of the Grand Prairie Parkway streetscape, and when might that phase come before the council?
- How will the city measure whether the Grand Prairie Parkway streetscape investment produces the intended placemaking and economic-development benefits?
- What findings or recommendations from the FY2026 audit will require council or staff follow-up after the final report is presented?
- What parcels are included in the 2026 North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area additions, and how much tax increment is expected to be generated?
- Before final consideration of the playing-in-streets ordinance, how will the city define repeated warnings and determine when parental or guardian enforcement is appropriate?
- When will the dog-park ordinance return for its remaining reading, and will its substantive rules differ from the rules already adopted by resolution?
- What is the estimated cost and geographic scope of the 2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements Project?
- How much Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funding is Waukee seeking for Ute Avenue Improvements Phase 2, and what local match would the city need to provide?
- What construction schedule has Iowa DOT provided for the I-80 and Ute Avenue bridge replacement, and how will traffic be managed during that work?
- Will the city respond to the open-forum request for a consolidated public explanation of its automated license plate reader program, including costs, retention rules, oversight, and outside-agency access?
Important Dates and Next Steps
- August 4, 2026, 4:30 p.m.: Ribbon cutting for the city's newest public art installation at the Public Safety Building.
- August 4, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m.: Public Safety Day at the Public Safety Building.
- Late August 2026: Denman & Company expects to begin approximately two weeks of on-site FY2026 audit work.
- Mid-September 2026: The inaugural seven-week City Explained program is expected to begin. Applications were being accepted at the time of the meeting, with participation limited.
- Between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026: Denman & Company expects to return to the council to present the final FY2026 audit results.
- Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1: The plans and specifications were approved and the $3.475 million construction contract was awarded to Concrete Connection. Project implementation is the next stage.
- North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area ordinance: The first reading was approved; additional ordinance steps remain before final adoption.
- Playing-in-streets ordinance: The first reading was approved; additional ordinance consideration remains.
- Dog-park ordinance: The second reading was approved. The council did not waive the remaining reading, so further council action is required before final passage.
- The Wren: The third and final rezoning reading was approved.
- 2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements: The project was ordered forward, with a public hearing and bid process to follow.
- Ute Avenue Improvements Phase 2: The city was authorized to apply for Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant assistance and commit the required matching funds if funding is awarded.
- I-80/Ute Avenue Bridge Replacement: The council received Iowa DOT's project notice; coordination and future project activity remain ahead.
Key Takeaways
- The Waukee City Council met in regular session on August 3, 2026.
- Denman & Company presented the council with its plan for the FY2026 city audit.
- Audit fieldwork is expected to begin in late August and last approximately two weeks.
- Final FY2026 audit results are expected between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- The auditor described Waukee's previous audits as generally very clean, with relatively minor prior findings.
- The council held a public hearing on Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1.
- No written correspondence or public testimony was reported during the streetscape hearing.
- Phase 1 is part of a two-phase streetscape plan for roughly 2.5 miles between Interstate 80 and University Avenue.
- The streetscape includes gateway monuments, landscaping, hardscaping, lighting, seating, trail-related elements, and intersection improvements.
- The council approved the project's plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost.
- The council awarded the streetscape contract to Concrete Connection of Johnston for $3,475,000.
- Staff said streetscape funding will come from cash reserves utilizing tax increment financing.
- The council approved a broad consent agenda containing bills, payroll, purchases, agreements, construction actions, and project payments.
- Consent items included a $232,755 dump truck equipment package with brine trailer for Public Works.
- The consent agenda included a $385,741.74 resurfacing-program payment to InRoads, LLC.
- The council authorized an application for federal transportation funding for Ute Avenue Improvements Phase 2.
- The 2026-2027 ADA Sidewalk Improvements Project was ordered forward toward a hearing and bidding.
- The first reading of the North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area tax-increment ordinance was approved.
- The first reading of an ordinance adding parental or guardian responsibility concerning repeated violations involving children playing in streets was approved.
- Staff said a simple-misdemeanor violation under that proposal would carry the state-law fine range of $105 to $855.
- The dog-park ordinance received only its second reading after the council determined it could not waive the remaining reading with the members then available.
- The council approved the third and final reading of The Wren rezoning.
- The Wren proposal involves approximately 5.78 acres and an 80-unit active-adult residential development near Southeast Ashworth Road and Grand Prairie Parkway.
- A resident asked the city to provide clearer public information about authorization, funding, retention rules, oversight, and outside-agency access associated with automated license plate readers.
- Public Safety Day was scheduled for August 4, and the city's inaugural seven-week City Explained program was expected to begin in mid-September.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: City of Waukee City Council
- Organization type: municipality
- Government body: city-council
- Location: Waukee, iowa
- County: Dallas
- Provider: agendacenter
Keywords
Waukee City Council, Waukee Iowa, Dallas County, regular meeting, FY2026 audit, Denman & Company, Grand Prairie Parkway, Grand Prairie Parkway Streetscape Phase 1, Kettlestone, Concrete Connection, tax increment financing, urban renewal, North Waukee Residential Urban Renewal Area, Ute Avenue, Interstate 80, ADA sidewalks, public works, municipal infrastructure, Chapter 135, playing in streets, dog park regulations, The Wren, active-adult housing, automated license plate readers, public safety, Little Walnut Creek, transportation funding, streetscape, city finances, City Explained
