Coralville City Council

Coralville City Council Work Session January 27, 2026 City Hall Present: Mayor Laurie Goodrich, Council Members Rich Vogelzang, Mike Knudson, Hai Huynh, Katie Freeman, Royce Peterson Staff Present: City Administrator Kelly Hayworth, Deputy City Administrator Ellen Habel, Police Chief Kyle Nicholson, City Attorney Kevin Olson, Finance Director Ann Hester Others Present: Three members of the public Mayor Goodrich opened the meeting at 9:05 pm. 1. Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Discussion: Finance Director Ann Hester reviewed the Capital Improvement Project planning document, noting the projects scheduled for Fiscal Year 2027: Forevergreen Road Extension Phase 1, Heartland Drive and Commerce Drive Roundabout, Camp Cardinal Boulevard and Kennedy Parkway improvements, Dubuque Street and Forevergreen Road Roundabout, West Land Use Ridgeview Stormwater Basins, street patching, brick repair, Heartland Drive patching, Streets Department equipment, vehicles, and plow trucks, a salt brine facility, Solid Waste Department equipment and vehicles, Fire Department vehicles, Recreation Center and Indoor Pool, S.T. Morrison Park Improvements, Well 17 and Well 19 and associated raw water main, Valley View Transit Main Replacement, Valve Exercising Trailer, Wastewater Lift Station Upgrades, and SEATS bus replacement. City Administrator Kelly Hayworth shared information about the Local Option Sales Tax, reporting that, using FY24 sales data, the tax will yield approximately $3.68 million to Coralville annually. Hayworth said the total principal and interest payments on $40 million in bonds for the new recreation center is estimated at $3.1 million annually. 2. Discuss Electronic Meeting Participation Policy: Deputy City Administrator Ellen Habel summarized the proposed policy, noting an electronic option is now required by State law for members of the City Council, boards, and commissions. Habel said the policy requires an in-person quorum, in-person presider, and that the person participating electronically can hear and be heard. Members of the City Council suggested it also require participation in the entire meeting and discussed the general challenges of virtual meetings. Habel said that a City Councilperson who wishes to participate electronically should contact the City Clerk. 3. City Administrator’s Time: Hayworth gave the following updates: • Going forward, subdivisions can be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission without completion of legal documents but they will not proceed to the City Council for approval until all of the paperwork is in order.  • The contractor, DCI, will mobilize soon for Gather Iowa; one of the cellular companies has been relocated from the tower and one remains. Councilperson Huynh asked about plowing snow on trails. Hayworth responded that there is a policy adopted by the City Council and it generally allows for plowing routes to schools, while others are groomed for winter sports. Councilperson Knudson noted that there are commuter options for trails that aren’t plowed. Adjourned at 10:05 pm. Notes taken by Ellen Habel, Deputy City Administrator Corrected on February 11, 2026, at 1:50 pm to reflect attendance of Councilor Royce Peterson.