Hiring side by side Firefighter Medic Position

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Recorded in the minutes as: “f. Resolution #052626-12 – Hiring side by side Firefighter Medic Position Birch/DeMoss moved to approve Resolution #052626-12 – Hiring side by side Firefighter Medic Position. Motion: Hodges moved to approve Resolution #052626-13 – Resolution Providing for Notice of Hearing on Proposed Amendment to the Revitalization Plan for the Pleasant Hill Urban Revitalization Area. City Manager Ben Champ explained that the City of Pleasant Hill has an adopted Urban Revitalization Plan that has been in place for many years to support housing and growth in the City. The Plan designates the entire City as an Urban Revitalization Area under the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 404. The designation provides for the City’s tax abatement program that provides a deferment in the imposition of property taxes on the incremental value of new residential and commercial projects and qualifying remodels and additions. An amendment is now being proposed as an urgent response to the recent passage of SF 2472, a bill establishing new property tax regulations in the State of Iowa. The bill makes fundamental changes to tax increment financing and tax abatement. The two tools are used by communities across the country and have been specifically used throughout the state and in Pleasant Hill to encourage and facilitate economic development and broadening of the local tax base. The new law will now prevent the valuation generated by both programs from counting as new construction valuation for the City’s general fund in future budget years. This creates a uniquely untenable situation where incentivizing economic development for the long-term health of the community will now penalize municipal operations and create upward pressure on tax levies. As all new development in the City is potentially eligible for the program, the need to amend the tax abatement program is pressing. The City has worked with bond counsel to create an amendment to the Urban Revitalization Plan to cease acceptance of applications effective June 12th. The Plan would remain in existence and could be amended again to accept applications should new legislation supporting these economic development tools be passed in a future session. This is a resolution prepared by bond counsel setting a public hearing date for the June 9th Council meeting to consider the plan amendment. Councilmember Birch asked if there has been any feedback from Developers. Mr. Champ said the Developers have been concerned and frustrated, not at the City, but with the legislation”. The minutes add: “Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Hill explained that the Pleasant Hill Fire Department requests approval to fill a spot with a side-by-side full-time position. This position is needed to assist with covering the vacancy created by an employee who will be on limited duty and FMLA for the remainder of the year 2026. One employee will be unavailable to work regular shifts due to limited duty and approved FMLA leave. This creates a staffing gap that could impact operations and service continuity. Hiring a side-by-side …”

Motion as recorded: “Hodges moved to approve Resolution #052626-13 – Resolution Providing for Notice of Hearing on Proposed Amendment to the Revitalization Plan for the Pleasant Hill Urban Revitalization Area. City Manager Ben Champ explained that the City of Pleasant Hill has an adopted Urban Revitalization Plan that has been in place for many years to support housing and growth in the City. The Plan designates the entire City as an Urban Revitalization Area under the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 404. The designation provides for the City’s tax abatement program that provides a deferment in the imposition of property taxes on the incremental value of new residential and commercial projects and qualifying remodels and additions. An amendment is now being proposed as an urgent response to the recent passage of SF 2472, a bill establishing new property tax regulations in the State of Iowa. The bill makes fundamental changes to tax increment financing and tax abatement. The two tools are used by communities across the country and have been specifically used throughout the state and in Pleasant Hill to encourage and facilitate economic development and broadening of the local tax base. The new law will now prevent the valuation generated by both programs from counting as new construction valuation for the City’s general fund in future budget years. This creates a uniquely untenable situation where incentivizing economic development for the long-term health of the community will now penalize municipal operations and create upward pressure on tax levies. As all new development in the City is potentially eligible for the program, the need to amend the tax abatement program is pressing. The City has worked with bond counsel to create an amendment to the Urban Revitalization Plan to cease acceptance of applications effective June 12th. The Plan would remain in existence and could be amended again to accept applications should new legislation supporting these economic development tools be passed in a future session. This is a resolution prepared by bond counsel setting a public hearing date for the June 9th Council meeting to consider the plan amendment. Councilmember Birch asked if there has been any feedback from Developers. Mr. Champ said the Developers have been concerned and frustrated, not at the City, but with the legislation”.

From the vote line in the official minutes, which names each member’s vote. Members not named in the vote line are shown as Not in the record unless the minutes list them absent. Vote line as printed: “ROLL CALL: AYES: Murray, Birch, Hodges, DeMoss, Konrad. NAYS: None. Motion carried 5-0.”.