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WAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
April 13, 2026
A. Call to Order – The work session meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor
Clarke at 5:31 p.m. at Waukee City Hall, 230 W. Hickman Rd. and electronically via Zoom.
B. Roll Call – The following members were present: Mayor Courtney Clarke; Council Members Kala
Anderson, Chris Crone, Rob Grove, Lori Lyon, Anna Bergman Pierce. Absent: None. (Mayor Clarke
left the meeting at 7:52 p.m.)
Also in attendance: City Administrator Brad Deets, Assistant City Administrator Nick Osborne, Finance
Director Rachel Downing, Director of Economic Development Jennifer Brown, Community
Development Director Andy Kass, Parks & Recreation Director Matt Jermier, Public Works Director/City
Engineer Rudy Koester, Human Resources Director Michelle Lindsay, Director of Marketing &
Communications Heather Behrens, Police Chief Chad McCluskey, City Clerk Rebecca D. Schuett.
C. Agenda Approval – Council Member Lyon moved to approve the agenda, removing item #D4 at the
request of City staff; seconded by Council Member Anderson. Results of vote: Ayes: Anderson, Crone,
Grove, Lyon, Pierce. Nays: None. Motion carried 5 – 0.
D. Work Session:
1) Bravo Greater Des Moines update – Bravo Greater Des Moines President Sally Dix presented
on the organization’s mission, partnerships, expenses and local impact. She also discussed the
potential impacts of funding changes.
2) Raccoon River Valley Trail Association update – RRVTA chairperson Pat Steele and incoming
chairperson Doug Pfeiffer shared the findings of a trail user survey and noted the economic and
health impacts of trail use and cycling.
3) Strategic Planning: Hospitality Attraction Plan update – Director of Economic Development
Brown shared the “pitch deck” used to attract businesses in the hospitality industry.
4) REMOVED
5) City Civic Campus financing and schedule – City Administrator Deets discussed projected
phasing of project construction, then noted potential revenues to fund the project, debt limit
considerations and next steps.
6) Alice’s Road Project update – Public Works Director/City Engineer Koester reviewed the project
and future phases. He also shared NE Westgate Dr. traffic and speed data, noting an increase in
traffic volumes but no increase in speed. City staff continue to review traffic mitigation options.
There was some discussion on general traffic calming measures that have been implemented
elsewhere in the city.
7) Water distribution model update – Public Works Director/City Engineer Koester discussed a
consulting services contract to update the drinking water distribution model.
8) Bicycle ordinance update discussion – Police Chief McCluskey presented a draft ordinance to
address personal transportation devices. There was much discussion on ordinance language and
enforcement. (Mayor Clarke left the meeting at 7:52 p.m.)
9) Holiday lights – Parks & Recreation Director Jermier informed the council of issues with holiday
lights and flags on MidAmerican Energy utility poles, recommending that such items be limited to
key areas and intersections.
E. Council Liaison Reports – Report made by Council Member Crone.
F. Comments
Council Member Lyon moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Anderson. Ayes: All. Nays: None.
Motion carried 5 – 0.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
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Courtney Clarke, Mayor
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Attest:
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Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk
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