The City Council Recap is a brief highlight of the Windsor Heights City Council meetings. The recap is not minutes of the Council meeting. Minutes are considered and approved at the subsequent Council meeting.
Polk County Public Works and the Central Iowa Watershed Management Authorities, presented an update on the Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority and its newly adopted five-year implementation plan completed in 2025. The plan outlines collaborative, watershed-wide efforts to reduce flooding, improve water quality, restore floodplains, and increase public awareness, based on input from participating communities, including Windsor Heights.
Council kicked off the FY27 budget process with staff outlining a more challenging outlook driven by legislative pressures, lower interest earnings, and tighter alignment of staffing costs with actuals, alongside proposed budgeting reforms to reduce inflated estimates and improve budget-versus-actual transparency. The proposed budget reflects targeted revenue increases and cost reductions, major capital projects funded largely with cash, and early discussion of long-term constraints, infrastructure funding, potential revenue tools, and upcoming FY28–FY29 debt and bonding decisions.
1/20/26 City Council Meeting Recap
Council reviewed next steps for the Colby Park Master Plan, including completed improvements, remaining priorities, and a proposed 2030 capital project coordinating parking lot reconstruction, stormwater improvements, and tennis/pickleball courts. Council expressed general support for the proposed approach, determined the dog park membership program is not a current priority, and took no formal action.
Council reviewed the draft Capital Improvement Plan and Equipment Replacement Plan, including updated project priorities, cost estimates, and scheduling through 2030, as well as proposed adjustments to street, utility, and stormwater projects. Department heads also provided overviews of planned equipment and technology replacements, and no formal action was taken.
Council discussed initiating a full update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which serves as the community’s long-range guide for land use, development, infrastructure, and policy decisions. Staff outlined a proposed consultant-led update process, timeline, and estimated cost. Consensus was in favor of staff's proposal.
Council approved a resolution accepting a $40,000 Bravo public art grant to support the Dinner Dispatch mural project. The mural will enhance the downtown area and will be coordinated with a consultant-led artist selection process.
Council approved a resolution entering into a use agreement with the YMCA for use of Colby Park for youth programming, which will include a Windsor Heights resident discount. More information from the YMCA can be found at www.dmymca.org/programs/child-care-camp/summer-day-camp