Mayor Paula Dierenfeld spoke to the Johnston Rotary on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, giving an update on her goals and the projects underway in the city. She has served as mayor for 14 years. She is up for reelection this November, unopposed.
The Mayor thanked Rotary for its community projects and support, including the life vest station and bike station at Terra Park, and the Smokin’ Heroes barbecue event that raises money for Johnston students to attend the TOKA camp in Kosovo.
The Mayor proudly stated that Johnston is the best place on earth to raise a family. The Johnston motto is “Thrive. Every Day.” Her focus is to make and keep Johnston safe for families to live in and for businesses to thrive. She noted that the census showed that the Johnston population grew 40 percent since 2010, from 17,000 to near 25,000. Even with that growth, she noted, Johnston still has a small town feel.
She has three goals or focus points as Mayor – 1) public safety; 2) property taxes – keep low; and 3) quality growth and quality of life including recreation. As to public safety, she noted that safety is a key goal and that over her tenure she has worked to professionalize the police and fire departments. She noted that the City has a new civilian position of Community Affairs Coordinator, Josh Kennedy. She noted that the schools and police have had a successful School Resource Officer program. As to property taxes, she noted that she and the council have worked hard to keep property taxes low for residents and businesses. Johnston is fourth from the bottom in terms of property tax rates for the metro area. Last year they reduced the property tax levy by 1.02 percent. This year that rate was maintained. As to quality growth and quality of life and recreation, the Mayor noted that there are over 40 miles of trails connected in the community. The Pioneer Parkway trail was ten years in the making. Construction of the trail on 86th Street is underway. The northwest Beaver trail is to be finished soon.
She commonly hears about the Trestle to Trestle trail bridge with inquiries about when it will be fixed. The new bridge is planned to be more than a fix. The City has worked with Polk County and Polk County Conservation and others to design an “amazing new bridge” that will have an overlook, special lighting, and other impressive features. It is to go to bid in November. Construction is anticipated to take place most of 2022 and maybe into 2023. She also discussed Beaver Creek water trail progress, noting kayak launces at 86th and 70th, and Lew Clarkson Park, with a third planned to be at the south point of Merle Hay Road. She pointed out that Beaver Creek is the most paddle friendly waterway in central Iowa, and that Johnston was the first community to put in a waterway trail in the area.
City residents wanted a dog park. A future dog park is to be completed in the spring of 2022.
The Town Center is the transformation of a new area into the downtown Johnston never had. The City Hall is finished; green space in front is complete; the splash pad is open, and can convert to an ice rink in the winter. The Mayor recognized Johnston’s public art, noting that the sculpture “Up Down,” formerly located at Merle Hay Mall, also called “Merle,” was donated by its recent owner to the City. It resides at the trail head on the east side of the building. Another piece of public art, “Ripples,” is the 2000 pound fish, 21 feet long, inspired by the waterways in and near Johnston. The grand opening with a concert by American Idol Winner and native Iowan Maddie Poppe was a big success. Restaurant, office, and retail space will have groundbreaking this fall at the Town Center. There is an area saved for a boutique hotel which is in the discussion stage.
The Merle Hay Road Gateway project is underway. Work is progressing behind Puglia’s, which is to be the site of a large sports facility, Ignite, with inside and outside facilities and fields. The City acquired the property on the east side of Merle Hay Road, formerly an old motel, and will work with developers on the development on Merle Hay Road.
The Mayor took time to answer several members’ questions. Her next stop was the library, where she was going to read a book about a bus to children, and then ride with them on an electric bus.