City Council Agenda & Packet Summary – Grimes City Council – May 26, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: City of Grimes
• Organization Type: municipality
• Government Body: city-council
• Meeting Title: Tuesday May 26, 2026 5:30 PM CDT City Council Meeting Agenda Posted on: May 22, 2026 2:44 PM Grimes Community Center, 410 SE Main Street, Grimes, IA 50111 City Council
• Meeting Date: 2026-05-26
• City: Grimes
• County: Polk
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://grimesia.portal.civicclerk.com/event/441/files
• Meeting Listing URL: https://grimesia.portal.civicclerk.com/
• Public Body Website: Not available
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: Not available

What Community Members Should Know

The May 26, 2026 Grimes City Council meeting focuses on continued community growth, major infrastructure investments, financial approvals, development decisions, and policy actions affecting utility customers, property owners, businesses, and residents. The agenda includes more than $12.4 million in claims and payments, multiple transportation and water-related projects, development reviews, and several long-term planning matters.

A major policy item is the continued consideration of Ordinance 812, which would impose a 3% franchise fee on gross revenues from electricity and natural gas sales by Black Hills/Iowa Gas Utility Company and MidAmerican Energy Company within city limits. The proposal had already advanced through earlier discussions, and the council continued reviewing the long-term implications of the fee.

The council is also addressing growth-related infrastructure needs. The packet includes payments and professional service agreements for roadway improvements, water system projects, trail connections, the Grimes Public Administration Building, and other capital projects. These investments reflect ongoing expansion and efforts to maintain city services as development continues.

Development review is another significant part of the meeting, including amendments for Heritage Town Center Phase 2B and UnityPoint Clinic-Grimes. The council is expected to consider site-related requests and a waiver request involving building design requirements.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Franchise Fee Ordinance for Utility Services

The council is considering the third consideration of Ordinance 812, which would establish a 3% franchise fee on gross revenues from electricity and natural gas sales by Black Hills/Iowa Gas Utility Company and MidAmerican Energy Company within Grimes city limits. The ordinance is authorized under Iowa Code Sections 364.2 and 384.3A.

During earlier discussion, City Manager Anderson explained that the ordinance would remain in effect unless the council later repealed it. Council members previously discussed questions about the fee, including how long it would apply. The May 26 meeting represents another formal step in the review process.

The issue matters because utility-related fees can affect city revenue sources and may influence future budgeting decisions. Residents and businesses may want to understand how revenue generated by the fee would be used and how the city balances funding needs with customer costs.

Iowa Highway 44 Improvement Planning

The council is continuing work related to a future Iowa Highway 44 improvement project. Previous discussion included the roadway’s history, project goals, estimated processes, and a timeline extending toward completion in 2034. The council approved a pre-design agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation and authorized staff involvement with design planning.

The project represents a long-term transportation investment intended to address future mobility needs. Although construction details were not fully provided in the available packet material, the planning phase allows the city and transportation partners to define improvements, costs, and implementation steps.

Capital Improvement and Infrastructure Payments

The council agenda includes approval of numerous professional service invoices and capital project payment requests. Major payments include $467,574.96 to Absolute Concrete Construction for S James Street and SE 11th Street Improvements, $265,414.46 to All Star Concrete for E Gateway Drive and E 1st Street Intersection Improvements, and $233,932.09 to Concrete Technologies for the SE 41st Street and SE Park Drive Extension.

Additional payments support the Grimes Public Administration Building, water main improvements, NE Destination Drive improvements, and engineering services. These items represent ongoing construction and planning activity throughout the city.

Grimes Public Administration Building

The packet includes multiple payments connected to the Grimes Public Administration Building project. Payments listed include work by Graphite Construction Group, Kruck Plumbing & Heating, Nelson Construction Services, Sandstone Management, and US Erectors.

The project represents a major municipal facility investment. The approved payments support continued construction and related building work, allowing the city to advance toward improved administrative facilities.

Development Projects and Site Plan Reviews

The council agenda includes Heritage Town Center Phase 2B Site Plan Amendment and UnityPoint Clinic-Grimes Site Plan Amendment. The UnityPoint item also includes a request for a waiver allowing clear glass to be raised above eye level.

These reviews are part of the city’s development approval process. The council’s role is to evaluate whether proposed changes meet city requirements while considering design, land use, and community compatibility.

Fireworks, Permits, and Community Events

The consent agenda includes approval of fireworks permits for Cutty’s Des Moines Camping Club and Governors Days, along with related supporting materials. The council is also considering annual cigarette, tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor permits for 2026-2027.

These actions support regulatory oversight while allowing approved community events and businesses to operate under city requirements.

Financial Matters

The council is reviewing a claims report totaling $12,487,112.57. The claims package includes routine expenditures, payroll, debt service activity, capital projects, utilities, and other city obligations.

Large portions of the reported expenditures relate to major infrastructure and capital accounts. The expense approval report identifies significant activity in debt service, tax increment financing, roadway projects, water projects, and the city administration building.

Professional service payments include:

• HR Green for the SE 37th Street East Gap project: $45,535.33
• ISG for the NW 27th Street Trail Connection: $7,153.99
• McClure Engineering for water and roadway-related services
• OPN Architects and Weitz Company for the Grimes Public Administration Building
• Snyder & Associates for transportation improvement projects

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The council is considering several resolutions related to financial approvals, contracts, permits, easements, personnel transactions, and development matters. The meeting includes approval of previous meeting minutes, claims, professional services payments, capital project payments, and change orders.

The council is also moving forward with Ordinance 812 regarding utility franchise fees. The ordinance represents a policy decision about future city revenue generation.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The consent agenda includes the April 2026 Finance Report and the Marketing & Communications Annual Report.

Staff reports and council reports are included as discussion items. The available packet indicates that staff continues monitoring issues affecting city operations, including financial and legislative matters.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The consent agenda includes approval of personnel transactions. The packet does not provide detailed personnel information in the accessible material, so specific staffing changes are not summarized.

The council is also maintaining official records through approval of previous meeting minutes, consistent with Iowa requirements for municipal meeting documentation.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

The meeting highlights several major infrastructure efforts:

• S James Street and SE 11th Street Improvements
• E Gateway Drive and E 1st Street Intersection Improvements
• SE 41st Street and SE Park Drive Extension
• Water system improvements
• NE Destination Drive improvements
• SE 37th Street improvements
• NW 27th Street Trail Connection

The city is also managing property and easement matters connected to infrastructure expansion, including agreements involving stormwater easements and the SW 19th Street Transmission Main Extension.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The meeting includes a public forum where residents may address the City Council. Speakers must sign up, be recognized by the presiding officer, provide their name and address, and are generally limited to three minutes.

The council is also setting a future public hearing date related to possible amendments to Title 12 zoning regulations concerning Planned Unit Developments.

Community Impact

Residents may be affected by decisions involving utility fees, transportation improvements, water infrastructure, development approvals, and municipal facility investments.

Taxpayers should pay attention to the scale of capital spending and the sources used to fund projects. The claims report and project payments show continued investment in roads, buildings, utilities, and public infrastructure.

Businesses and property owners may be affected by development approvals, zoning discussions, and utility-related policies. Residents may benefit from improved infrastructure capacity, transportation connections, and continued planning for city growth.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will revenue from the proposed 3% utility franchise fee be used?
• What impact could the franchise fee have on residential and business utility customers?
• What are the expected milestones for the Iowa Highway 44 improvement project?
• How will the city prioritize major capital projects as multiple developments proceed?
• What are the expected community benefits of the Grimes Public Administration Building project?
• How will proposed site plan amendments affect surrounding properties?
• What future public input opportunities will be available for zoning changes?
• How does the city evaluate infrastructure needs associated with continued growth?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• May 26, 2026: City Council meeting at 5:30 PM at Grimes Community Center.
• May 26, 2026: Council consideration of Ordinance 812, infrastructure payments, development items, and resolutions.
• Future date to be determined: Public hearing regarding possible Planned Unit Development zoning regulation amendments.
• 2034: Target timeline referenced for completion of the Iowa Highway 44 improvement process.

Key Takeaways

• The City Council is reviewing more than $12.4 million in claims and expenditures.
• Major spending continues on roads, water systems, trails, and municipal facilities.
• Ordinance 812 would establish a 3% franchise fee on electricity and natural gas revenues within city limits.
• Iowa Highway 44 planning continues with a long-term improvement timeline extending toward 2034.
• The Grimes Public Administration Building remains an active capital project.
• Development reviews include Heritage Town Center Phase 2B and UnityPoint Clinic-Grimes.
• The council is considering multiple easement, permit, and infrastructure-related resolutions.
• Residents may provide public comment during the meeting.
• Future zoning discussions will include Planned Unit Development regulations.
• Capital investments reflect continued city growth and infrastructure expansion.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://grimesia.portal.civicclerk.com/event/441/files
• Meeting listing: https://grimesia.portal.civicclerk.com/
• Public body website: Not available
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: Not available

About the Public Body

• Name: City of Grimes
• Organization type: municipality
• Government body: city-council
• Location: Grimes, iowa
• County: Polk
• Provider: civicclerk

Keywords

City of Grimes, Grimes City Council, municipal government, city council meeting, Polk County Iowa, franchise fee ordinance, Black Hills Energy, MidAmerican Energy, Iowa Highway 44, infrastructure improvements, S James Street, SE 11th Street, E Gateway Drive, SE 41st Street, water system improvements, Grimes Public Administration Building, Heritage Town Center, UnityPoint Clinic-Grimes, zoning regulations, Planned Unit Development, capital projects, public finance, development review, fireworks permits, utility services, transportation planning, community growth