Sarah Smith
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 2
- Total speaking time
- 5:13
- Avg per meeting
- 2:37
- Segments
- 219
Want every word Smith has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Smith said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Windstream fiber build-out right-of-way
More than $2.7 million across contract awards, pay requests, and change orders.
Karma Hospitality/Holiday Inn payment schedule revision
Keeps city payments spread over four installments instead of half up front.
Campbell Fund charitable distributions
$19,655.25 from the Campbell Fund.
Stop or yield sign at 5th Avenue and Chatterton Street
Minimal — signage costs are small.
Extreme Temperature Center at Drake Community Library
Abandoned and dilapidated properties
Not quantified at the meeting.
Development Agreement with 4th Avenue LLC
Terms of the public commitment weren't detailed at the meeting.
FY 2028-2034 Capital Improvement Plan
Sets up years of capital spending; funding is clear for the first two years.
FY2028 Tax Increment Financing Indebtedness Certification
Certification level affects how much property tax revenue the city can capture.
Water infrastructure project payments
Over $1.08 million in contractor payments approved in one night on the water projects.
Scout Subdivision utility extensions
The city fronting utility infrastructure costs it may take 10-plus years to recoup.
Poweshiek County Fair Association tourism grant
$40,500 from hotel-motel tax, with the state paying the balance.
Urban forestry grant
Fully covered by grants.
Mobile food units and food trucks ordinance
Food trucks generate sales tax revenue for the city, though no property tax.
Urban revitalization plan update
Could affect property tax abatements for qualifying development in the revitalization area.
Lead service line replacement
Federal grant of $3.03 million plus city matching funds and a largely forgivable state loan — homeowners pay nothing.
FY2026 budget amendment
A prior SpyGlass-style audit found about $7,200 in annual savings; the new CD earns 4.15% APR.
Hotel Grinnell financial assistance
About $300,000 in previously budgeted city funds would go to parking lot and Havek system work — but only if the deal advances.
EMS funding recovery agreements (GEMT)
Potential recovery of otherwise-uncompensated ambulance transport costs.
Music in the Park funding
$5,000 from the hotel/motel tax fund.
Decisions during term (263)
Recorded while Smith was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of agenda
Consent agenda (minutes and Campbell Fund requests)
Resolution 2026-149 — Development Agreement with 4th Avenue LLC
Resolution 2026-150 — Second Amendment with Langhals Enterprises and K&M Tire
Engagement for labor and employment legal services with Ahlers and Cooney
JEO Consulting tree inventory and management plan agreement
Sidewalk repair bid — Pour Boy, $19,655.25
Right-of-way agreement with Kinetic for Zimmerman Drive
Resolution 2026-151 — Intergovernmental transfer of public funds with Iowa HHS
Resolution 2026-152 — GEMT provider participation agreement
Perfecting and Approval of Agenda:
Minutes: October 5, 2026.
Consider approval of a resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Development Agreement by and between the City of Grinnell and 4th Avenue LLC. (See Resolution No. 2026-149)
Resolution No. 2026-149 — 4th Avenue LLC Development Agreement
Resolution No. 2026-150 — K&M Tire Second Amendment
Engagement for Labor and Employment Legal Services — Ahlers & Cooney
Approval of Agenda
Consent Agenda (minutes, resignations, claims, liquor licenses, Campbell Fund review)
Public Hearing: Water Treatment Plant Street Improvements Project
Resolution No. 2026-143 — Development Agreement with 4th Avenue LLC hearing date
Voting record (41)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.