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Old City News Items (2003-2008)

Citywide Cleanup Day - April 26
North Liberty residents can bring appliances, bulky items, tires, brush and scrap metal to the City Shop (off South Front street at 620 Calvin Street) between 7:00 am and noon on this day. Click here for detailed information.

The Iowa City Landfill will be sponsoring a hazardous waste collection day on May 17. This service is only available to the first 30 North Liberty households that contact City Hall at 626-5700 or stop in to sign up.

Election Results November 7, 2007
 According to preliminary results from the Johnson County Auditor, Chris Hoffman, Coleen Chipman and Terry Donahue will assume the three contested seats on City Council. Hoffman, who garnered the most votes with 634, will fill an immediate vacancy, while Donahue and Chipman will be sworn in after January 1, 2008. Jack Zimmerman and incumbent candidate James Moody did not receive enough votes to be elected. Running unopposed, incumbent mayor Tom Salm received 95% of votes for his office. While turnout for this election was less than 16%, the results represent a change in the majority of City Councilors for the coming term.

The other item on the ballot, the question of whether or not North Liberty can assess a 7% tax on guests at hotels and motels in the City, passed with 85% of voters in favor and 15% opposed. Revenue collected from the hotel/motel tax will be used for community betterment projects.
 

270th Street and West Forevergreen Road Embargoed
Until further notice, vehicles weighing 8 tons or more are prohibited from driving on 270th Street, for its entire length in North Liberty, and W. Forevergreen Road (from Highway 965). Contact City Hall with questions: 626-5700.

Know what to do in a Snow Emergency
Did you know that a Snow Emergency automatically goes into effect if there is three or more inches of snow? This means that on-street parking is limited throughout town. The best thing you can do to help in a Snow Emergency is get your vehicles off the street. This facilitates plowing the roads and ensures that emergency vehicles can pass through town effectively.

Click here for Snow Emergency information. Thank you for your cooperation!

Highway 965 Corridor Improvements Plan Meeting
Do you have a visualization of what Highway 965 should look like? Are you an avid bicyclist, walker, or jogger who uses this corridor regularly? Are you a business owner concerned about access to your property? Do you have other ideas or concerns regarding the future of North Liberty’s main north/south thoroughfare? Do you think Highway 965 should be a rural cross section with ditches or an urban cross section with storm sewer connections? Come join us and provide your input!

City hired consultants, McClure Engineering and Howard R. Green will be hosting an open house to gather public input for the Highway 965 Corridor Improvements Plan. Come join us on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Gerdin Conference Center (in the Community Center at 520 W. Cherry Street). This will be an open house format so residents, business owners, and other interested parties can join us at any time to provide their opinions. The consultants will be providing scenarios and possibilities for improvements to the roadway. We look forward to seeing you then.

If you are unable to join us on January 9 and have input into the future of Highway 965, contact Tracey Mulcahey at City Hall at 626-5700.

Housing Rehabilitation Grants Available
You may be eligible to receive assistance for home repairs like siding, roofing, plumbing and electrical work. To qualify, you must:

Applications are available at City Hall (5 E. Cherry Street), and must be completed and returned by November 20, 2007.

City Council/Mayoral Candidates announced
At the November 6 election, North Liberty's voters will be selecting a majority of their City Council (three seats) and their mayor. Candidacy filings were due on September 20, and the following applications were received.

For Mayor, running unopposed: Tom Salm (current mayor, his term expires this November)
For City Council: Chris Hoffman, Colleen Chipman, James Moody (incumbent), Terry Donahue and Jack Zimmerman. The terms of current Councilors Natlie Wilkerson and Matt Bahl are also due to expire. Please visit the Election 2007 page for more information about the candidates.

New City Administrator selected
North Liberty’s City Administrator Selection Committee has selected Ryan C. Heiar to be the next City Administrator for North Liberty. Heiar is currently the administrator in Eagle Grove, Iowa. He will fill the vacancy left when Brian James resigned in April 2007. Tracey Mulcahey, North Liberty's assistant city administrator and city clerk, who is also a certified administrator, has been serving in interim capacity since April. Heiar is expected to begin employment with North Liberty in late November 2007.

Community Center Fall Programs
Look in your mailbox on Thursday, August 30 for a copy of the North Liberty Community Center Fall 2007 program brochure - inside your monthly copy of the North Liberty Leader. This brochure details programs and events happening at the Community Center and sponsored by the Recreation Department and the North Liberty Community Library for the months of September through December. You can already download a PDF of the entire brochure here!

Good Neighbor Meeting for Fox Run Area - October 4, 6:00PM
A meeting will be held on October 4, at 6:00 PM in the North Liberty Recreation Center, Room 1B, to explain a proposed annexation and rezoning, and to gather comments from the public. The proposal includes public road right-of-way for Dubuque Street, 240th Street, and Highway 965; and three private properties adjacent to Dubuque Street and Highway 965.

Click here to see a PDF map showing this area. If you have any questions you may contact Dean Wheatley, Planning Director, at 319-626-5747 or at dwheatley@ci.north-liberty.ia.us.

Cleaner Water for North Liberty
Learn about North Liberty's new and highly-advanced wastewater treatment plant. This facility is the biggest capital construction project in our town's history, and will filter wastewater for the cleanest effluent possible. Come to a public presentation on Tuesday, August 21, 7:00pm in the lower-level Gerdin conference room of the Community Center. Steve Troyer, a project engineer with Fox Engineering will talk about the technology behind this state-of-the-art plant and the greater commitment to the environment that stands behind it. Refreshments will be provided.

No Change in Form of Government for North Liberty
The results of the June 12 special election indicate that North Liberty residents prefer to stick with the current Mayor-Council form of government. A ballot measure to change the government to a Council-Manager-Ward form failed with 77.8% casting a vote against it. Turnout for this election was higher than anticipated, with 13.7% of registered voters participating (more than cast ballots in the School Sales Tax referendum in Feb. 2007).

Help the NLPD find this suspect Updated April 11
The North Liberty Police Department is seeking information on the robbery of Johncy's Liquor Store on April 10. Click here for more information, including surveillance photos and a description of the suspect. Contact the Police Department at 626-7524 with information.

Council approves agenda-setting policy Updated April 11
The City Council approved a new policy for setting the agendas for their meetings. Members of the public who are interested in having an item for Council discussion or action placed on the agenda should contact the interim City Administrator, Tracey Mulcahey, at 626-5700. Click here to read the policy (PDF).

Petition to change the form of government received Updated April 3
A petition with 320 valid signatures requesting that the City Council ask the electors of North Liberty to adopt a different form of government was filed with City Hall today. Click here for more information.

Water Department flushing hydrants April 23 to approx. May 11 Updated April 9
The North Liberty water department will be flushing hydrants throughout town beginning on April 23 and for the following three weeks, between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. If you experience low water pressure or rust-colored water, please refrain from doing laundry at that time. This water is safe to drink, but you should wait to consume or use it until water from your cold tap runs completely clear. Contact City Hall with questions: 626-5700.

Bike Trail and Muddy Creek Clean-Up Saturday, April 21 Updated April 9
Volunteers are needed to help with the annual Trail and Creek Cleanup. Please join Boy Scout Troop 216, North Liberty City Staff and the Tree & Storm Water Advisory Board in observance of Keep America Beautiful Day for this event. Help clean up the creek and trail, meet other North Liberty residents and learn something about preventing water pollution and storm water management. Meet at the Community Center, 520 W. Cherry Street at 9:00 am on Saturday, April 21 to help out. Call the Rec Center for more information: (319) 626-5716.

Attention Deerfield Residents: 240th Street Reconstruction starts again April 16 Updated March 30
The City Engineer has released the plans for the next phase of 240th Street reconstruction. Work will begin on April 16 and continue until July 1, 2007 (weather permitting). The road will be closed, from Highway 965 and westward up to just east of Progress Street during construction. Please follow detour signs, and plan to use 230th Street and Alexander Way to access the Deerfield Subdivision. Click here for a plan showing the section of the road that will be under construction. Work hours are from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM, but residents in the area are advised that there may be some pavement sawing that takes place after 7:00 PM. Contact City Hall with questions or concerns at 626-5700. Thank you for your patience and accommodation during this important road project.

Spring Leaf Pickup now underway Updated April 9
Click here for the schedule and information about Spring Leaf pickup.

JCCOG Seeking Comment on its Transportation Plan Updated March 26
If you are interested in the future development of all modes of transportation in Johnson County into the future, you may want to comment on the Johnson County Council of Government's updated Long Range Transportation Plan. Please click here to go to the JCCOG website and learn more about this plan and your opportunity to provide input. Citizens have until May 12, 2007 to comment on the plan.

City Administrator Brian James resigns Updated April 9
Brian James has resigned his post as City Administrator for North Liberty, effective immediately. The City Council accepted James' resignation at a Special Session on Tuesday, April 3. Click here to view Brian James' press release regarding his resignation. David Franker resigned as Mayor on Thursday, March 29. Click here to view Mayor Franker's letter of resignation.

Spring Cleanup Day adds hazardous waste mobile collection Updated March 26
Saturday, April 28 from 7:00am to 12:00pm is Spring Cleanup Day for North Liberty residents. This year we are working in coordination with the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, who will be holding a Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection that day. Please click here for Spring Cleanup Day information.

270th Street and West Forevergreen Road Embargoed Updated March 23
Effective immediately and until further notice, vehicles weighing 8 tons or more are prohibited from driving on 270th Street, for its entire length in North Liberty, and W. Forevergreen Road (from Highway 965). Contact City Hall with questions: 626-5700.

Last Tuesday of the Month Book Club at the Library Updated March 8
All adults are invited to participate in the North Liberty Community Library's Last Tuesday of the Month Book Club. The club meets the last Tuesday of each month in the library. Refreshments are provided! In March we are reading The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew and the Heart of the Middle East, by Sandy Tolan.Questions? Contact Jennie Garner at the library 626-5701 or jgarner@north-liberty.lib.ia.us, or Jessica Bielicke at jbielicke@gmail.com.

Lighten Up, North Liberty! kicks off January 13 Updated January 11
MercyCare North Liberty and the North Liberty Recreation Department are co-sponsoring the Lighten Up, North Liberty! program, an easy way to help improve your health. Registration forms are available at the Community Center and at MercyCare North Liberty. Anyone nine years old or older can participate. It’s free and you’ll receive a t-shirt for your efforts.

Participation is easy: just show up at the North Liberty Community Center on Saturday mornings between January 13 and April 28 to meet as a group, or exercise on your own schedule and record your progress. Exercise can be as simple as walking or jogging on the track, using treadmills, bikes, EFX machines or swimming laps. (As always, use of the track is free of charge. Regular fees apply for other equipment and pool use.) MercyCare North Liberty will arrange educational speakers and services throughout the duration of the program.

The goals of Lighten Up, North Liberty! are to promote exercise, weight loss and health, provide motivational support to participants and provide recognition for MercyCare and its services available in North Liberty. Questions can be addressed to Recreation Director Shelly Simpson at ssimpson@ci.north-liberty.ia.us or (319) 626-5716.

Iowa DOT unveils 511ia.org website for up-to-date travel info Updated January 12
Residents and visitors who are wondering about road conditions around the state can visit www.511ia.org for the latest information on travel advisories and road condition reports. The Iowa Department of Transportation is promoting this site to assist travelers make smart choices about driving in potentially hazardous seasonal weather conditions.

Highway 965 speed limit Updated December 18
On December 12, North Liberty’s City Council approved the final consideration of an Ordinance that amends the speed limit on portions of Highway 965 in North Liberty. These changes will be effective when the new signs are posted on December 26, 2006. (Click here to view a PDF of the speed limit Ordinance.)

The affected road sections are from the southern City limits (Forevergreen Road) north to Lions Drive, and from Lions Drive to the northern City limits. The speed limit on the southern portion was lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph. The northern section, which includes much of North Liberty’s commercial district, has changed from 45 mph to 35 mph.

North Liberty residents and commuters who use the highway are encouraged to look for the new speed limit signs and be aware of the possibility of heightened speed limit enforcement on Highway 965.

North Liberty Transit – another bus and a van pool? Updated December 22
Ridership continues to increase on the express bus route between the North Liberty Community Center and downtown Iowa City. The City is trying to gauge demand for an additional, earlier express service. If you would use a bus that left North Liberty at approximately 6:15 AM, arriving in downtown Iowa City at 6:45 AM, or a return route that left downtown Iowa City at 4:10 PM, we want to hear from you!

Do you work in Cedar Rapids? North Liberty is also exploring a partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids and Five Seasons Transit that would provide a van pool for those who live in North Liberty and need transportation to their jobs in Cedar Rapids. Contact City Hall if you could benefit from such a service.

If you want another express bus run to Iowa City, if you could use a van pool to Cedar Rapids, or if you want to express your thoughts about North Liberty transit in general, please call City Hall at 626-5700 or email transit@northlibertyiowa.org . Go to www.North-Liberty.org/transit/  for the latest information.

Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments Updated December 22
The North Liberty City Council is approving a small increase in water and sewer rates, which will show up on residents’ February 1, 2007, utility bill. The water and wastewater rate changes are as follows:

Current Water Rates New Water Rates
Minimum bill, first 1,000 gallons $10.30 Minimum bill, first 1,000 gallons $10.30 (no change)
Each additional 1,000 gallons $2.75 Each additional 1,000 gallons $2.89 ($0.14 increase)
Current Wastewater Rates New Wastewater Rates
Minimum bill, first 1,000 gallons $12.35 Minimum bill, first 1,000 gallons $12.35 (no change)
Each additional 1,000 gallons $2.25 Each additional 1,000 gallons $2.36 ($0.11 increase)

Questions regarding these rates can be addressed to City Hall at 626-5700.

2007 Pet Tags Now Available Updated December 22
It’s time to get your pet’s tag for 2007. All cats and dogs are required to wear tags that may be purchased at City Hall for $1.50 for each animal. A tag provides identification in the event a pet is lost. Click here for more information about keeping pets in North Liberty.

Muddy Creek Watershed Coalition Updated December 22
A group of concerned staff persons and residents from North Liberty, Coralville, and Iowa City have been meeting for the last six months to create a coalition to do an assessment of the creek and watershed. The group will be writing a grant for assessment and an additional grant for clean up….bank restoration, rain gardens, and other improvements. If you are interested in improving our watershed, contact Tracey Mulcahey at 626-5700 to get involved. People are needed to lead the group, assist with grant writing, getting information out to the public, and other activities.

Would you like to preserve North Liberty's history? Updated December 22
House at 515 W. Penn Street, the proposed site of a possible historical/welcome center for North Liberty.The North Bend Historical Group is still seeking to increase its membership and participation. Click here to learn more about North Liberty's history. Anyone interested in helping to preserve North Liberty's history is invited to contact webmaster@northlibertyiowa.org.

 

Liberty Centre wins Engineering Achievement Award Updated December 1
City Engineer Kevin Trom reports that the Liberty Centre Pond project has won the Engineering Achievement Award in the special projects category of the 2007 engineering excellence awards competition. This competition is sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Recognition of the award will be at a banquet in Des Moines in March 2007.

Coralville Annexation Application Updated October 31
The City of Coralville's Council voted on October 24 to annex certain areas of property owned by the Scanlon family, some of which is located north of Dubuque Street, near North Liberty. North Liberty believes this annexation is in violation of our Fringe Area Agreement with Coralville, and citizens have been speaking out at North Liberty and Coralville City Council meetings on the issue. Please click here for the annexation application and maps showing the area in question.

Aquatic Center job opportunities
The North Liberty Aquatic Center is now hiring for the positions of Lifeguard, Swim Lesson Instructor and Swim Lesson Aide. Click here for application information and job descriptions for these openings.

Change a Light Campaign Updated October 30
North Liberty Mayor Dave Franker proclaimed October 24 as Change a Light day. Click here to see the proclamation and understand more about this program.

FREE Blood Pressure Checks at the Rec Center Updated February 14
MercyCare North Liberty is offering free blood pressure readings in February at the Community Center (520 W. Cherry Street). A MercyCare nurse will check your blood pressure in a low-stress environment. Screenings will be available at these dates and times:

Wednesday, February 21 and Wednesday, February 28
8:00 - 9:00 am and 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Please call the Rec Center at 626-5716 in advance to reserve your time. At your free screening, you can also register for the Lighten Up, North Liberty! program and get information on upcoming informational seminars offered by MercyCare professionals.

SILO Election February 13, 2007 Updated December 22
The school districts in Johnson County, including the Iowa City Community and Clear-Creek Amana districts, have called an election for Tuesday, February 13, on the question of whether or not there should be a county-wide $.01 school infrastructure local option sales (SILO) tax. Vote in this election at your regular polling place (not your school polling place). Register to vote no later than February 2, 2007. See www.jcauditor.com for election details.

KGAN and Mediacom Cable Updated December 1
Late in the day on November 30, Mediacom and Sinclair Broadcast group reached an agreement to extend Mediacom's carriage of KGAN until January 5, 2007. More information is available here: http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/nltv/sinclair_dispute.htm.

Hydrant Flushing Updated October 30
The North Liberty Water Department will be flushing hydrants for approximately two weeks, Monday through Friday, beginning on November 6. Residents should avoid doing laundry during the hours of 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM throughout this period, as low water pressure and rust-colored water deposits can cause problems. Although rust-colored water is safe, residents are advised to run the tap until the water is clear for best taste and clarity after hydrant flushing takes place. The Water Department also reminds mobile home residents to check their heat tape. Replacement of a water meter due to freezing costs the home owner $100.

Fall Leaf Pickup 2006 Updated October 6
City crews will be pickup up leaves raked to the curb by 7:00 AM on the following days. Please click here for full leaf pickup information.
       October 9
       October 16
       October 23
       October 30
       November 6
       November 13
       November 20

240th Street reconstruction Updated September 13
Reconstruction of 240th street began June 12. The portion including the Alexander Way intersection is now complete. Construction on phase two is nearly complete, including the roadway section between Deer Drive and Logan Court, opening to traffic on September 14.

During Phase Three construction, the Jones Boulevard and 240th Street will be closed. The detour will extend to Progress Street via 238th Street. Access to Logan Court will be from the west during this phase of the project.

As the project proceeds, road closure and detour information, as well as updates in the project timeline, will be posted here and on NLTV (cable channel 5 in North Liberty). Concerns and questions about the 240th Street reconstruction project can be addressed directly to City Administrator Brian James at (319) 626-5700. Click here for plans of the 240th Street reconstruction.

Residents are asked to follow the detour signs posted for the duration of the project.

Transit Service Started September 5 Updated August 25
North Liberty's new bus service is running! The service leaves the Community Center at 7:05 AM, heading to downtown Iowa City via the VA loop at the UIHC. Click here for complete transit information.

Forevergreen Road is now open! Updated August 21
Thank you all residents for your patience during the reconstruction of Forevergreen Road. The road is now open and the traffic signals are operating at the intersection with Highway 965. The City of Coralville and North Liberty worked together to complete this project on time.

James Van Allen Dies at age 91 Updated August 9
   
Students at James Van Allen Elementary welcomed Dr. Van Allen with a standing ovation at their school dedication ceremony on August 26, 2005

Renowned physicist Dr. James Van Allen passed away early in the morning on Wednesday, August 9. Van Allen was the inspirational namesake for Van Allen Elementary school here in North Liberty. He visited the school for its dedication last August and met with a fifth grade class in January.

To learn more about the legacy of this great Iowa scientist, please see one of the links below.
    Iowa City Press-Citizen http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060809/NEWS01/60809004/1079
    Wikipedia (online Encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Van_Allen

Please keep signs out of the right-of-way Updated August 1
A reminder to North Liberty residents and realtors: advertising and real estate signs may only be displayed on private property, and should not be placed in the public right-of-way (the area between the street and the sidewalk or on street corners). City staff may remove signs that are in the right-of-way. Thank you for your cooperation!

Mayor Asks for voluntary water conservation Updated July 5
The City of North Liberty is asking all residents and businesses to participate in a voluntary water conservation program based on the following criteria:

If your residence or business is located at an odd-numbered street address, please limit your lawn and landscape watering to odd calendar days. If you are located at an even-numbered address, please only water on even-numbered calendar days. Individuals with new sod are exempt from this request, but even if you are trying to establish your lawn, try to monitor your water usage and limit it to the minimum needed. Contact City Hall with questions: 626-5700. Click here for the full press release.

For more information on residential water conservation, please see these tips from the EPA: http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/resitips.htm.

North Liberty Community Library offering wireless internet access Updated July 3
Anyone is welcome to come to the library to utilize free wireless internet access. You don't need to be library patron to utilize the internet access. The existing Internet/Personal Computer Use Policy applies to all computer use in the library. Please ask at the circulation desk for a copy of the Wireless Use Procedure if you have any questions.

Please trim trees to keep sidewalks clear Updated July 6
Municipal Code requires that tree branches be trimmed up to a height of 8 feet above the sidewalk and 13.5 feet above the street. Property owners are responsible for all plants in the public right-of-way (sometimes called the "parking" - the area between the sidewalk and the street) along their property. Please click here for links to more info.

Liberty Centre Ribbon Cutting October 21 Updated October 6
 This map shows where the pond and underpass are located in North Liberty, in relation to the Community Center on Cherry Street.The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the new Liberty Centre Park in North Liberty. City officials will be on hand to answer questions about North Liberty’s newest park and showcase its many amenities. Join us Saturday, October 21 at 9:00 AM at the northwest corner of Highway 965 and Cherry Street for this event.

Recreation Director Shelly Simpson foresees a variety of community events taking place in Liberty Centre, including band concerts, movies in the park, vending fairs around the pond, and family fishing and canoeing in the summer. The pond in Liberty Centre is stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. The trails adjacent to Liberty Centre may serve as venue for future fun runs or community bicycle rides.

The aesthetic of the Liberty Centre development was patterned in part after the Jordan Creek Mall complex in West Des Moines. Commercial lots in this area will hopefully include retail and foodservice businesses oriented towards this pedestrian-friendly public space. North Liberty received a $750,000 grant from Vision Iowa in 2005 to help fund the project.

Call the Community Center for more info at 319-626-5716.

East Penn Street to be closed June 26-August 1 for paving Updated June 16
E. Penn Street will be closed for paving of a section of the roadway east of where the pavement currently ends, to where E. Penn turns into North Liberty Road. This is a developer paving project, and should be completed by August 1, 2006. No cross streets will be affected by this road closure.

US Tennis Associate Grant awarded for Koser Park Updated June 15
The City of North Liberty was awarded a grant in the amount of $58,850 to go towards the development of tennis courts in Penn Meadows Park. The proposed plan includes four courts that would be fenced and lit. The plan also includes parking for the tennis facility, and an eventual second phase of parking that will serve the easternmost ball diamonds in Penn Meadows Park. Construction of the new courts is anticipated to commence in late July or early August. Address questions about the tennis grant and tennis court construction project to Guy Goldsmith at 626-5700.

 

Forevergreen Road Closures Updated May 25
Due to improvements being made to the street and its intersections, sections of Forevergreen Road will be closed according to the following schedule:

March 13th - May 31th: Between Front Street and the Forevergreen Nursery
                                   West leg of the Highway 965/Forevergreen Intersection

May 31th - August 4th: Between Highway 965 and the Forevergreen Nursery Throughout the duration of the project, there will be access to the Nursery at all times.

Please note that beginning May 31, the temporary traffic lights will be replaced by a stop sign on the west leg of Forevergreen Road.

These road improvements are being done largely by the City of Coralville. If you have questions or comments, contact Coralville Engineer Scott Larson at 248-1720.

Recreation Summer Brochure available online Updated May 2
 Listings for Community Center programs and events for May through August 2006 are now online. The print version of the brochure was sent to the public in the all-circulation edition of the North Liberty Leader on April 26, and is available at the Community Center. Registration is now underway for these programs. Special events this season range from library family movie nights, to neighborhood picnics to family fishing. Click here to go to the Recreation Department's home page and find links to all programs.

City Council/Planning & Zoning full meeting videos online Updated May 2
Anyone in the world with internet access can now view replays of the North Liberty City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings. Full meeting videos of Council and Planning & Zoning are available to the public viewing in Windows Media format. Click here to go to the City Council video page. Click here to select a date of a past Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to review. Contact the webmaster if you have questions about meeting video availability online. Don't forget that these meetings still replay on NLTV channel 5 and can be checked out at the North Liberty Community Library.

Highway 965 Task Force gets down to business Updated March 13
On March 9th, the Highway 965 Task force held their first meeting and discussed many issues concerning one of North Liberty's main transportation routes. The goal is to thoroughly research options and devise improvement and funding plans to propose to City Council. Approximately 18,000 - 20,000 vehicles travel through the North Liberty portion of this road each day. The task force's meetings are televised LIVE on NLTV (cable channel 5 in North Liberty) and are replayed at 9:00pm on Mondays, 11:30am on Wednesdays, and 9:00am on Thursdays. Click here for the task force's latest agenda.

Feral cat trap-neuter-release clinic June 20-23 Updated June 16
The Johnson County Humane Society will be coordinating a trap-neuter-release program for feral (also known as wild or stray) cats in North Liberty June 20-23. A local vet will be spaying/neutering feral cats free of charge. If you have feral cats or barn cats in your neighborhood or on your property, please contact Kristina Wilken at 319-330-8361. Kristina will be capturing feral cats using humane live traps in North Liberty June 18-23. There is also limited availability for spaying/neutering of domestic (pet) cats. Please contact Kristina for more information. The Johnson County Humane Society is also seeking places for unwanted barn/outdoor cats to reside in Johnson, Linn and Iowa Counties.

Would you like to preserve North Liberty's history? Updated March 27
House at 515 W. Penn Street, the proposed site of a possible historical/welcome center for North Liberty.Subcommittees of the North Bend Historical Group will be reporting on their progress at a full group meeting on Thursday, March 30 at 5:30pm at the North Liberty Community Center. Click here to learn more about North Liberty's history. Anyone interested in helping to preserve North Liberty's history is invited to attend!

 

City Council Meeting Agenda Packet now online! Updated February 10
City Council members receive a packet prior to each meeting with information on all the agenda items to be discussed at the meeting. You can now view and download the Council's agenda packet from the North Liberty website! Click here to go the meeting agenda page, where you will find a link to the packet in PDF format. The packet is very large (200 pages for the Feb. 14 meeting), so it may take some time to download on a slower internet connection. Packets are also available online for the Planning & Zoning and Telecommunications Commissions.

Contest Court Appeal Announced Updated January 24
Mayor Pro Tem Matt Bahl has announced that he will be appealing the court decision of January 6 that ruled no runoff was needed in the North Liberty mayoral election. Rob Gardiner reportedly will not be seeking an appeal in his case against City Councilor James Wozniak. Dave Franker will reportedly continue acting as mayor for the immediate future.

Mayor's Office Hours announced Updated January 11
Mayor Dave Franker will be holding weekly office hours, where citizens can come to discuss any issue of community importance or concern. The hours will be Mondays 8-9 am at City Hall and by appointment. Those interested in meeting with the mayor during times other than the posted hours should call City Hall at 626-5700..

Alliant Energy donates to the community Updated January 11
At the January 10 City Council Meeting, Alliant Energy presented the City of North Liberty with donations totaling $3,000. An amount of $2,500 was designated for planting trees in North Liberty's parks, and $500 was given to the North Liberty Volunteer Fire Department.

Election Contest results posted Updated January 6, 2006
The contest trial has ended, with the decision being that the court had no jurisdiction over the election contest and that no runoff election is required. Dave Franker is now Mayor and Jim Wozniak is a City Councilor. Click here to see the official decision on the County Auditor's website.

12th Avenue Opening on November 23 Updated November 18, 2005
12th Avenue will reopen to through traffic from Oakdale Boulevard up to the Forevergreen Road/Front Street intersection by late Wednesday afternoon, November 23rd. The 12th Avenue project still has a long way to go before it is completed, but the project has reached a point where traffic can be let through safely while still giving the contractor the ability to work as weather permits. Information about the layout of the new roundabout (and how to drive it) is posted on the City of Coralville website. Click Here.

City Board & Commission Positions Available Updated November 15
There are numerous positions on the City of North Liberty's various public boards and commissions that either have new terms beginning in January of 2006 or are vacant at this time. Click here for a list of these positions and for a description of each commission or board's duties. City Council is slated to appoint applicants to these positions on December 13. You can pick up an application at City Hall or download one from the link above.

East Side of 965 Underpass Nearing Completion Updated November 15
According to City Administration, the pedestrian underpass under Highway 965 is nearing completion on the East side of the street. This underpass will provide a safe way for bicycle and pedestrian traffic to cross the busy highway. The underpass is located just north of the Cherry Street intersection with 965. For more information about this project, contact City Hall at 626-5700.

Mayoral Election Recount Announced Updated November 15
According to the Johnson County Auditor's Office, a recount has been called for the North Liberty Mayoral Election. Click here for more information from the Auditor's Office.

City Election Results Updated November 10
Record turnout on November 8 in North Liberty made for a very exciting election that came down to the wire. Dave Franker was elected mayor, while Gerry Kuhl and Jim Wozniak assumed City Councilor positions. Click Here for more information on the election and results.

Trick or Treat October 31
Trick or Treat in North Liberty is held on Halloween night, Monday, October 31, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Children are asked to only visit homes with front porch lights on. Please use caution when walking and driving around town during Trick-or-Treat. Parents should accompany young children, and kids should wear bright, reflective colors or carry flashlights after dark. Contact City Hall with questions at 626-5700.

City Council and mayoral candidates information online, on NLTV  Updated October 13
There is no excuse not to vote on November 8. Learn about the City Council and Mayoral candidates by checking out individual video and written statements in their own words. These statements are available online here: http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/city/council_openings.htm. You can also tune in to NLTV channel 5 at these times to view the collection of candidates video statements or replays of the October 12 League of Women Voters Candidates Forum. You can find all this and candidates photos and contact information at the North Liberty Community Library as well.

The deadline to register to vote in the November 8 election is October 28. Please click here to visit the Johnson County Auditor's website for more information on registering to vote.

Polls will be open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 8 for this election, which will fill two City Council seats and the position of North Liberty's mayor.

Possible Housing Rehabilitation Assistance: are you interested? Updated October 24
North Liberty homeowners may be eligible for grants or loans through a Housing Rehabilitation program. Right now the City is collecting information on possible program participants, who could be involved if the program receives funding. Please click here for information on the possibility of this program, and to find the downloadable pre-application form.

City honors Mayor Mekota's service Updated October 12
The North Liberty City Council recognized Clair Mekota's years of service as mayor at their October 11 meeting. Mekota spoke on city accomplishments during his tenure, which began in March 2001, including the Community Center Phase II expansion, the Maytag distribution center and numerous commercial and residential developments. Mekota stepped down on September 19, 2005. Mayor Pro Tem Matt Bahl is acting mayor until the November 8 election. Bahl and fellow City Councilor Tom Salm are both on the ballot for the mayoral seat.

Citywide leaf pickup begins October 17 Updated October 13
Leaves are turning and falling quickly this year. The North Liberty Streets Department is offering citywide leaf pickup on Mondays throughout the month and into November. Please click here for more information on leaf pickup.

Council Appoints Assistant City Administrator, Approves Heartland Express Updated September 16
At at special City Council meeting on Thursday, September 15, the Council voted on two items. The first was to appoint Tracey Mulcahey to the position of Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk. Mulcahey is currently the City Administrator for the City of Solon. The North Liberty position will be vacated by Mary Kae Mitchell, who has served the City of North Liberty for thirty years and will be retiring this fall. The City Council also approved a Tax Increment Financing rebate package for Heartland Express. This company will be moving its headquarters from Coralville to North Liberty next year, with a facility estimated at $6 million and an estimated 200 employees.

Recreation Fall 2005 Brochure available Updated September 1
Listings for Fall 2005 Community Center programs and events are now online. The print version of the brochure was sent to the public in the all-circulation edition of the North Liberty Leader on August 31, and is available at the Community Center. Registration has now begun for fall programs. Special events this fall range from spooky Halloween activities to a dog swim to a free country music concert. Click here to go to the Recreation Department's home page and find links to Fall 2005 programs.

Liberty Center Underpass Construction to begin July 12 Updated July 5
Work on the Highway 965 pedestrian underpass located just north of Cherry Street is scheduled to begin on July 12. During this project, there may be minor disruptions in traffic flow on Highway 965, but the highway will not be closed. This project should be complete late this fall. Questions on the Liberty Center project or underpass can be addressed to City Hall at 626-5700.

Governor Vilsack encourages Iowans to help the Gulf Coast Updated September 2
The governor is urging Iowans to be generous in their support of victims of Hurricane Katrina. Relief efforts are being coordinated at the state level, and anyone with questions on how to help should call the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985. Monetary donations can be made directly to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org. See Governor Vilsack's statement on ways Iowans are helping by clicking here. Residents are reminded that it is best to work through official relief agencies to most effectively assist those in need.

Library and Jaycees collecting hurricane relief donations Updated September 2
The North Liberty Jaycees are asking for help from local residents in collecting items of necessity to aid hurricane victims in Louisiana and Mississippi. The North Liberty Community Library is serving as a drop-off site for donations, and the Library will be accepting donations from patrons in lieu of fines. Useful items include flashlights, batteries, soap, band-aids, blankets, new clothes, diapers, toilet paper and toiletries. Contact the Jaycees with questions: 665-8087. Donate soon, your help is needed!

Mayor Mekota announces resignation Updated August 24
At the August 23 City Council Meeting, Clair Mekota announced his resignation from his post as Mayor of North Liberty, to be effective September 19, 2005. At that time, Mayor Pro-Tem Matt Bahl will serve as acting mayor. A new mayor will be chosen at the November 8 regular election. Iowa law allows for the new mayoral term to begin immediately after the election. There are also two City Council seats to be filled at this election, those currently held by Rob Gardiner and Dave Franker. Clair Mekota served as North Liberty's mayor since March 2001.

Midamerican Hobbies RC racetrack to remain open through end of 2005 Updated July 13
At the City Council meeting on July 12, the Midamerican Hobbies was given approval to continue operating their off-road radio-controlled vehicle race track on a limited schedule until January 1, 2006. This decision was made after lengthy discussion between members of the public, City Councilors and the Mayor. If you would like to see this meeting, tune in to NLTV (cable channel 5) at these times.

Forevergreen Road Scarification
The City of Coralville has let bids for the reconstruction of Forevergreen Road from Highway 965 east to Front Street. Construction will take place this summer. In the meantime, North Liberty's Streets Department has been busy trying to keep the roadway intact. In an effort to relieve some of the worst cracking and heaving in the pavement, some sections of the road are being scarified and filled in with gravel. The gravel sections should be smoother than asphalt, which was riddled with potholes in some places. Please use caution when driving on Forevergreen Road. Reduced speed will help you keep control of your vehicle on the uneven road surfaces. Please contact the Streets Department with questions: 626-5718.


All are invited to Lois Hatch's Retirement Party Updated July 7
The public is welcome to attend this event on Saturday, July 30, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The party will be held in the Gerdin Conference Center (lower level) of the North Liberty Community Center at 520 W. Cherry Street. This will be a community pot luck! If you have enjoyed Miss Lois' Storytimes, or just think she's the greatest children's librarian of all time, come out to share a snack and wish Lois the best in her retirement.


South Slope Cable TV
 South Slope Cooperative is now offering cable TV service, called Video Plus TV, to the public. Contact South Slope to learn more about their service. South Slope is in competition with Mediacom for cable service in North Liberty.

The May 11, 2004 special election on the question of granting a cable TV Franchise to South Slope in North Liberty passed nearly unanimously, with 189 voting in favor and one voting against.

South Slope has been working with the Telecommunications Department and the Telecommunications Commission in planning for this service.


NLPD welcomes new officer Jess Bernhard
 North Liberty residents can look for a new face on the police force. Officer Jess Bernhard started employment with North Liberty in February and is now on patrol. He chose North Liberty because of the growing and progressive department we have, that is focused on community-based policing. Bernhard is the NLPD's fifth full-time officer. To read an interview with Officer Bernhard, please see the March 30, 2005 edition of the North Liberty Leader.

 

New Zoning Map approved Feb. 8
 The North Liberty City Council adopted the new Zoning Map on February 8, 2005. The Zoning Map identifies the type of development slated for different districts of town. You can see the new Zoning Map by clicking here.


Community Super Bowl Party
 This event was a great success thanks to the help of all of our sponsors. Over 45 people enjoyed the game on big screens, shared some food and drank some of the free pop! There were door prizes for everyone and the kids got a kick out of the games and activities. We hope to see many more North Liberty residents at next year's Super Bowl bash! Click here for photos from the event (500KB page may take some time to load).

 

MacBride Raptors visit the Community Center
On Monday, March 14, two raptors from the MacBride Raptor Center visited the Community Center.
A crowd of nearly 100 enjoyed a presentation about raptors, bird activities, food, and a visit with a live hawk and owl! This program will be replayed on NLTV. Click here for the NLTV schedule.
 

Water Department Update
Winter weather can unfortunately mean water service leaks. water meterResidents are encouraged to call City Hall at (319) 626-5700 if they have questions or suspect there is a water service leak in their neighborhood.

Manufactured home residents are encouraged to periodically check their heat tape to make sure pipes won't freeze this winter. All residents should make sure hoses have been removed from outdoor faucets to prevent freezing. If you have questions about Water Department updates, you can contact the Department at (319) 626-5719.
 

Community Center Expansion
 Click here to see photographs of the past year of construction on the site.

Construction on the site has been ongoing since May 15, 2003. The pool facilities celebrated a successful opening on May 29. The remainder of the project, including a second gymnasium and a lower-level conference center are all but completed. Please stop by the site to see the progress or view plans for the facility.

Questions regarding this project should be addressed to Janet Ellerbrock, the City's Aquatics Supervisor.
 

Special Census 2004 - Everyone Counts!
The Special Census was completed at the beginning of May 2004. The official count for North Liberty residents (as of April 1, 2004) was 7,211. This is an increase of 34% over just four years!

The City hopes to generate approximately $140,000 per year in additional Road Use Tax revenue due to this documentation of North Liberty's rapidly-growing population. Increased revenue for City government ensures consistently high-quality programs and services for residents. If you have questions about the Special Census or how Census data is used, please contact City Hall at 626-5700.
 

Water Department Update
The North Liberty Water Department is installing radio-read meter reading units on homes and businesses in town. This project began on July 10, 2003 and is still ongoing.  Department staff are physically replacing the units which only takes 5-10 minutes per building. The radio read units enable much more efficient meter reading than the older electronic gun-based system. Meters can bewater meter read from a short distance based on a radio signal transmitted from the unit on the home. This saves time and improves safety for Water Department staff, as they no longer have to enter onto each resident's property to read meters. Using the old system, it took four staff members over four days to read all of the units in North Liberty. With the radio-read system in place, it will take one staff member only four hours to read the entire town!

The Water Department is also conducting a lead and copper sampling program. Designated homes in North Liberty will receive materials to fill out and will be asked to participate in helping the Water Department collect data. Lead and copper sampling and testing is required by the Environmental Protection Agency. If you have questions for the Water Department, please call (319) 626-5719 or City Hall at (319) 626-5700.


More fishing opportunities for residents
Parks Department employee Tim Hamer releases bluegill and catfish fry into the pond at Fox Run.In Fall 2003, the North Liberty Parks Department stocked the ponds at Fox Run and Broadmoor Estates with 3,000 fish each. The fry included channel catfish and bluegills. The Parks Department collaborated with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to obtain the 9,000 young fish. It is extremely important that residents refrain from dumping other species of fish into these ponds this season. An immature pond ecosystem can be easily disrupted by invasive species such as gold fish. In order to maintain the best possible recreational fishing opportunities in town, residents need to respect the fragility of these ponds. The Parks Department ask that residents refrain from fishing these three ponds until the summer of 2005 so the fish have a chance to mature. Contact Parks Superintendent Guy Goldsmith if you have questions at (319) 626-5720.
 

Governor Vilsack Honors North Liberty
 At a personal visit to the North Liberty Community Center, Governor Vilsack proclaimed August 29, 2003 to be Pride in North Liberty Day for the State of Iowa. Vilsack visited the site of the Community Center Phase II Expansion, which was funded in part by $1,000,000 from a Vision Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism grant. The Governor also toured the existing facility and gave a brief speech on the Iowa Values Fund, value-added agriculture and life sciences initiatives throughout the state and Iowa's position as a national leader by quality of life measures. Please click here for photos of the Governor's visit.
 

Fire Department Update
 The North Liberty Fire Department is currently seeking new members to become firefighters and first responders. You can pick up an application at City Hall (5 E. Cherry Street) and learn more by following the links on the NLFD page.

The NLVFD has sponsored an Ordinance before City Council to require that a Knox Box safe-entry system key lock box be installed on all new commercial, industrial and multifamily structures. Click here for more info on the Knox Box system.