The council approved a $3,656,716.25 contract for Birdland Park Phase 1A, including raising the flood-prone Neal Smith Trail and a new boat ramp, by a 7–0 vote.
Approved plans and specifications and named Iowa Earth Works, LLC (Huxley) the lowest responsive, responsible bidder at $3,656,716.25. Moved by Westergaard, seconded by Gatto. Passed 7–0; no members voted no.
How each member voted
| Official | Seat | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Boesen | Mayor | Yes |
| Carl Voss | At-large | Yes |
| Mike Simonson | At-large | Yes |
| Rob X. Barron | Ward 1 | Yes |
| Linda Westergaard | Ward 2 | Yes |
| Josh Mandelbaum | Ward 3 | Yes |
| Joe Gatto | Ward 4 | Yes |
More from the record
Phase 1A is the first of three parts of Phase 1 of the Birdland Park and Marina Master Plan, adopted after public meetings that drew over 200 people and 350+ survey responses. It raises and realigns about 0.4 miles of the Neal Smith Trail so it closes less often for flooding (over 160,000 trail uses were counted nearby in 2024), adds a trail spur to the 2nd Avenue Bridge and Central Place Trail, two shelters, three fishing spots (two ADA-accessible), a power boat ramp with parking, an ADA pier and dock, over 100 trees and shrubs, about 3.5 acres of prairie and savanna, and about 1,800 feet of shoreline work. The full master plan was estimated at $54.4 million in 2021. Three bids were received. Council Communication 26-077 (saved copy)
The alternative
No other options were presented in the record.
Parks and outdoors
- Who
- Trail users, anglers, boaters and visitors to Birdland Park
- How
- Higher trail, new boat ramp, shelters, fishing areas, native plantings and shoreline work
- When
- Spring 2026 to late spring 2027
- Source
- Council Communication 26-077 (saved copy)
Money
- Who
- City and grant funders
- How
- $3,656,716.25 (estimate $3,700,000): $1,758,000 in state and federal grants, $822,721.25 local option sales tax and $1,075,995 general obligation bonds
- When
- 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program
- Source
- Council Communication 26-077 (saved copy)
Source Agenda for the whole meeting, item 42 (saved copy) · Full minutes for the whole Mar 9, 2026 meeting, p. 8 (roll call 26-0331) (saved copy) · Council Communication 26-077 (saved copy)