July 9, 2026
City Council Updates & Correspondence
- City Engineer Report was received (no action taken) with updates on multiple infrastructure projects:
- East 6th Street Reconstruction Project – Work is moving forward on the East 6th Street project. MidAmerican Energy is getting ready to relocate gas lines, with utility work between Farmers Lane and Corn Street expected to start later this month. Survey crews will also be out staking the project area soon. Residents can expect a project newsletter and a dedicated webpage with updates as work progresses. Current construction plans include:
- Completing the Farmers Lane-to-Corn Street portion in 2026
- Completing all associated water main improvements this year
- Finishing the remainder of the project in 2027
- Kimberly Park Pool Project – Engineers recently completed a site visit and are looking at the repairs needed for the pool. The pool deck has settled in multiple areas and several sections no longer meet ADA accessibility standards, making a full deck replacement likely. The engineering team is also reviewing whether it makes more sense to continue patching the pool structure or invest in a complete replacement. Council members also discussed the possibility of incorporating storm shelter capabilities into the bathhouse if major reconstruction moves forward.
- Library Improvement Project – The library project has received approval, and staff are now working to define the scope of work. They are also looking for ways to reduce engineering costs before bringing recommendations back to the city.
- East 6th Street Reconstruction Project – Work is moving forward on the East 6th Street project. MidAmerican Energy is getting ready to relocate gas lines, with utility work between Farmers Lane and Corn Street expected to start later this month. Survey crews will also be out staking the project area soon. Residents can expect a project newsletter and a dedicated webpage with updates as work progresses. Current construction plans include:
- City Manager’s Report included:
- A significant amount of staff time over the past few weeks has been focused on the EMS transition. The city is aiming to complete the transition by August 1, although a council-approved extension remains available through September 30 if needed.
- Officer Jordan has successfully completed his field training in Muscatine and received positive feedback for his professionalism and performance.
- City administration continues working with county law enforcement partners on day-to-day operations and the search for a new police chief.
- The city’s new online utility account system is now live. Customers can:
- View account information online
- Pay utility bills electronically
- Access billing history and statements
- Receive future account communications as additional features are added
- City staff have been busy implementing server upgrades, improving cybersecurity protections, and making other technology updates to help keep city systems secure.
- Economic Development Director Phil Weiss and city leadership recently met with representatives from Iowa’s Main Street program. The group was excited about West Liberty’s interest in pursuing Main Street designation. Discussions focused on downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and protecting community assets such as the city’s brick streets.
- Council scheduled a Public Hearing for July 21, 2026, related to the final steps of transferring property to the West Liberty and Rural Townships Fire and Rescue Agency. While the property transfer itself was approved in 2025, staff explained that title and abstract work still needed to be completed before the transaction could be finalized.
What the Council Approved
- The Fiscal Year 2026-27 city employee salary & wage resolution. (Vote passed 5-0)
- Annual designation of official public meeting notice posting locations. (Vote passed 5-0)
- Accepted Tricon’s bid for Wastewater Treatment Facilities Baseline Improvement Phase 1, and awarded Tricon the construction contract for the project. (Vote passed 5-0)
- Approved a professional services agreement with ISG (INS Group Inc.) for the West Loop Water Main project, hydraulic water system evaluation and modeling project, and to prepare a Lead Service Line Action Plan and SRF funding application. (Votes passed 5-0)
- Approved reimbursement to Ethan Anderson (Big Imprint) through the Economic Development Matching Fund Grant Program. (Votes passed 5-0)
Looking Ahead…
- July 21st, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. Council Meeting
For more information, check out:
City Council Meeting: City Council Video