The City of Grimes City Council met on May 26, 2026, for a regular meeting focused on routine governance, financial oversight, development activity, permits, property matters, and ongoing city projects. The meeting materials identified several major categories of business, including consent agenda approvals, financial reports, professional service invoices, development requests, permits, ordinance updates, and property transactions.
The council reviewed and accepted April 2026 financial information, including the treasurer report, cash report, budget expense report, and revenue report. These reports provided an update on city finances and spending activity during the fiscal year. The meeting materials also included a 2025 Annual Report related to Marketing & Communications for council review.
A significant policy item was the adoption of a 3% franchise fee ordinance. The discussion centered on the purpose of the fee and its role in compensating the City for street use and oversight related to cable service. The meeting summary materials noted that city staff recommended the 3% rate because it is common among peer communities.
The council also addressed several community development matters, including development waivers, site plans, building elevations, rezoning and subdivision-related requests. These items involved review of proposed projects and land-use actions intended to guide future growth while meeting city standards.
The consent agenda included routine approvals such as claims, prior meeting minutes, property improvement consents, and a tobacco license renewal. Consent items allow the council to approve multiple routine matters together when no separate discussion is requested. The meeting summary identified claims paid May 26, 2026, approval of May 12, 2026 meeting minutes, and consent to improvements at three properties.
The council also considered community event and business-related permits. Fireworks permits for Cutty’s and Governor Days events were identified as approved items, with supporting materials including permit applications, insurance information, product lists, and licensing documentation.
Infrastructure and capital improvement work remained an important part of the meeting. The agenda packet included multiple professional service invoices and project-related payments involving street, water, trail, public administration building, and other improvement projects.
Residents should continue to watch for implementation of approved policy items, continued development reviews, progress on capital projects, future community event planning, and additional property or subdivision actions. The meeting materials identified these areas as ongoing follow-up items after the council meeting.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Consent Agenda, Claims, and Routine Approvals
The council considered a group of routine items through the consent agenda process. Items identified in the meeting materials included claims paid May 26, 2026; approval of prior meeting minutes; consent to improvements at 2977 NW Brookside Drive, 2309 NE 11th Street, and 1508 NW Sunset Lane; a tobacco license renewal for Casey’s Marketing Company; and additional routine consent items.
The consent agenda approach allowed routine matters to be handled together unless a separate discussion was requested. The meeting summary identified the consent agenda motion as carried.
These actions affected city operations, property owners completing improvements, and businesses requiring active licenses.
April 2026 Financial Reports and Fiscal Oversight
The council reviewed several April 2026 financial reports, including:
- Treasurer report
- Cash report
- Budget expense report
- Revenue report
The purpose of these reports was to provide transparency regarding city revenues, expenditures, available funds, and budget performance. The meeting summary indicated that April reports showed revenues and expenses tracking within budget.
The council also reviewed the 2025 Annual Report for Marketing & Communications as part of department and city reporting activities.
Professional Service Invoices and Capital Projects
The council approved multiple professional service invoices and project-related payments. The packet included invoices associated with projects such as:
- SE 37th Street East Gap
- NW 27th Street Trail Connection
- SW 19th Street and SW Jazzwood Functional improvements
- Water system on-call services
- Phase 1A Water System Improvements
- Public Administration Building work
- Gateway Drive projects
- Destination Beaverbrooke-related work
These payments supported ongoing infrastructure and facility projects. The meeting summary noted that multiple invoices were approved because services were completed as contracted for various capital projects.
Franchise Fee Ordinance
The council considered and approved a franchise fee ordinance establishing a 3% fee effective April 8, 2026.
Discussion focused on why the fee was set at 3%. The meeting summary explained that city staff recommended the percentage because it is common among comparable communities. The fee was described as compensation to the City for street use and oversight related to cable service.
The ordinance represents a policy change affecting applicable utility-related charges and future city revenue planning.
Development Requests and Land Use Items
The council reviewed development-related requests, including a waiver request, site plan approval, building elevations, rezoning, and subdivision concepts.
Supporting documents included site plans, building and landscape plans, parking plans, lighting information, staff reports, waiver requests, comment letters, and subdivision materials.
The rezoning and subdivision discussion was intended to allow future development in the requested area.
Fireworks and Community Event Permits
The council considered fireworks permits connected with community events, including Cutty’s and Governor Days. Supporting materials included permit applications, vendor information, insurance documentation, product lists, and licensing records.
The meeting summary identified fireworks permits for community events as approved items.
Tobacco License Renewal
The council considered renewal of a tobacco license for Casey’s Marketing Company. The meeting materials identified this as part of the consent agenda.
The meeting summary noted that the license approval applied only to traditional tobacco products and did not authorize vape sales.
Property Purchases and Agreements
The council considered property purchases and related agreements. The packet included offer-to-purchase documents involving the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa and Wallace.
The meeting summary identified property purchases and related agreements as approved items.
Votes, Decisions, and Direction
Verified actions identified in the meeting materials include:
- Approval of consent agenda items, including claims, minutes, improvement consents, tobacco license renewal, and routine items.
- Acceptance and review of April 2026 financial reports.
- Approval of professional service invoices and project payments.
- Adoption of the 3% franchise fee ordinance effective April 8, 2026.
- Approval of fireworks permits for Cutty’s and Governor Days events.
- Approval of development-related waiver and site plan items identified in the meeting summary.
- Approval of property purchases and related agreements.
The available materials do not identify individual council member votes or the names of motion makers and seconders.
Financial Matters
Financial topics included:
- April 2026 treasurer report
- April 2026 cash report
- April 2026 budget expense report
- April 2026 revenue report
- Claims and professional service payments
- Capital project invoices
The council reviewed financial performance and accepted the April reports. The meeting summary indicated that revenues and expenses were tracking within budget.
Professional service invoices supported ongoing city improvement projects involving infrastructure, water systems, trails, intersections, and public facilities.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The primary policy action was adoption of a 3% franchise fee ordinance. The ordinance established a new fee structure effective April 8, 2026.
The council also considered development-related approvals involving waivers, zoning, subdivision concepts, and site plan standards. These governance actions guide future land use and development decisions.
Reports, Presentations, and Updates
The council received financial reports for April 2026 and reviewed the 2025 Annual Report for Marketing & Communications.
The reports provided information about city operations, financial activity, and department-related communication efforts.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
No significant personnel appointments, resignations, retirements, or staffing changes were identified in the available meeting materials.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The meeting addressed multiple infrastructure and facility-related projects through invoice approvals and project payments. The packet listed work related to streets, trails, water system improvements, intersections, the Public Administration Building, and other city improvement projects.
Continued progress on approved capital projects was identified as a future focus area.
No substantive public comment, hearing testimony, or community statements were identified in the available meeting materials.
Questions and Answers
The meeting summary identified several questions addressed during discussion:
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Why was the franchise fee set at 3%?
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The summary indicated city staff recommended 3% because it is common among peer communities.
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Do fireworks permits require a state license?
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The summary indicated vendors must have an ATF manufacturing license and proof of insurance.
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Will the tobacco license allow vape sales?
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The summary indicated the license only allows traditional tobacco products.
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What does the franchise fee cover?
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The summary stated it compensates the City for street use and oversight related to cable service.
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Are financial reports on track?
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The summary indicated April revenues and expenses were tracking within budget.
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What is the rezoning for?
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The summary indicated it supports subdivision development in the requested area.
Residents may be affected by:
- Continued infrastructure improvements funded through city projects and professional services.
- Future development activity resulting from approved land-use actions.
- Implementation of the franchise fee ordinance.
- Community events supported through approved permits.
- Continued city financial monitoring and reporting.
The meeting reflected ongoing city efforts related to growth, infrastructure investment, financial management, and community services.
- How will revenue from the new 3% franchise fee be tracked and reported?
- Which capital projects will receive the greatest benefit from current professional service payments?
- What construction milestones are expected for current infrastructure projects?
- How will approved development projects affect nearby neighborhoods?
- What future public meetings will address remaining subdivision or development requests?
- How will the City measure the impact of community event permits and activities?
- When will residents see updates on approved property agreements?
- How will future financial reports show the impact of new revenue sources?
Important Dates and Next Steps
- May 26, 2026: City Council regular meeting.
- April 8, 2026: Effective date identified for the 3% franchise fee ordinance.
- Future council meetings: Continued review of development applications, financial performance, and city projects.
- Ongoing: Progress on approved capital projects and community event preparation.
Key Takeaways
- City Council met on May 26, 2026, at the Grimes Community Center.
- The council approved routine consent agenda items.
- April 2026 financial reports were reviewed and accepted.
- The council reviewed treasurer, cash, revenue, and expense reports.
- Multiple professional service invoices and project payments were approved.
- Infrastructure and facility projects remained a major focus.
- A 3% franchise fee ordinance was adopted effective April 8, 2026.
- The franchise fee was described as supporting street use and oversight related to cable service.
- Development requests, site plans, and waiver items were considered.
- Fireworks permits for Cutty’s and Governor Days events were approved.
- A tobacco license renewal for Casey’s Marketing Company was approved.
- The tobacco license approval did not authorize vape sales.
- Property purchases and related agreements were approved.
- Three property improvement consents were included in the consent agenda.
- The City continued monitoring financial performance.
- Capital project work will continue following approved payments.
- Development applications remain an ongoing area of council review.
- Future meetings will continue addressing city growth and operations.
Official Sources
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, city council, Grimes Iowa, Polk County, municipal government, regular meeting, consent agenda, financial reports, April 2026 finances, franchise fee ordinance, 3% franchise fee, development requests, site plans, zoning, subdivision development, fireworks permits, Governor Days, Cutty's, tobacco license, Casey's Marketing Company, capital projects, infrastructure improvements, water system improvements, trail projects, public administration building, property purchases, city operations, community development
