Development News for Urbandale, Iowa

New DART Park and Ride Facility to Open at Urbandale City Hall Campus

A license agreement was approved for a new DART Park and Ride at the City Hall campus. This is in response to DART's 'Reimagined DART' initiative, which changes routes effective June 14th. The previous Park and Ride locations are no longer on active routes. The new location will utilize six squares on the City Hall campus, with DART signage at the intersection of 86th Street, the front of City Hall, and an island. Public Works will mark the spots in purple when restriping the parking lot. The agreement is for a five-year term, with potential for extension if successful.

Urbandale Partners with Mid-Iowa Health Foundation for Emergency Rental Assistance Study

The council discussed the 2080 agreement for the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation Emergency Rental Assistance Study Project. This study aims to determine the most effective duration for emergency rental assistance to help families experiencing crisis achieve economic stability. It will involve approximately 675 participants and run from late summer/early fall 2024 through September 2028. Community conversations will be held, with the Urbandale Public Library already engaged. The project was budgeted at $50,000.

Urbandale City Council Discusses Rising Insurance Costs for Property, Liability, and Cyber Coverage

The council reviewed insurance coverages for fiscal years 2026-2027, covering property casualty, workers' compensation, and cyber insurance. John Corner presented data showing increased frequency and severity of disasters, rising vehicle prices, and significant increases in liability insurance costs due to nuclear verdicts and reinsurance rates. Property insurance costs have risen due to more expensive replacements and increased disaster events, leading to a decision to increase the deductible from $25,000 to $50,000. Liability insurance has more than doubled in 10 years. Workers' compensation rates are above average due to a rise in claims costs over the past few years, though recent efforts have reduced claims. Cyber insurance costs have also increased significantly, with a proposed increase in coverage from $1 million to $2 million per incident.

Mayor Returns; Council Receives Updates on DART, Community Events, and Infrastructure Projects

The council welcomed Mayor Robert back after an absence. The City Manager's report noted preparations for the DMDC (likely a conference or trip). Council members shared updates on various community events and initiatives. These included a library summer reading kickoff, street restriping and branding updates, and ongoing Douglas Avenue streetscape discussions. There was also mention of a successful DART field trip and the upcoming 'Reimagined DART' implementation. Other points included free kids' eye exams in July, acceleration of water tower drilling, and a successful boys' soccer season. The Cross Creek fire relief efforts were also highlighted, with ongoing collection of items for affected families. The council members also discussed the importance of continued communication regarding the Douglas Avenue meetings and praised the recent DART bus tour.