4 vie for 3 seats on North Liberty council

NORTH LIBERTY - With Coleen Chipman's decision not to run for a third term, North Liberty's City Council will have at least one new member come 2016.

Incumbents Terry Donahue and Chris Hoffman - who have each served since 2007 - are seeking third terms. Challengers Jay Johnson and Jim Sayre are seeking seats as well.

Three of the four will be chosen in Tuesday's election, joining two others on the council.

Candidates differ on some viewpoints, but they all agree that the city's biggest challenges stem from North Liberty's rapid growth.

' Terry Donahue, 69, retired associate warden with the Iowa Medical and Classification Center:

Donahue said he hopes to continue to develop the community in the best way possible, using his experience in government - including service on a plethora of boards such as transportation, development and mental health - to continue to serve North Liberty.

'City government has been and is a task I clearly enjoy,” he said. 'It gives me the opportunity to help develop a community that has grown substantially over a short period of time. City government allows me to use skills and abilities I have learned over a number of years to face these new, exciting challenges.”

Donahue, who spent 14 years as mayor in Creston, said the city's biggest challenges - transportation, infrastructure and public safety facilities and staffing - should be addressed individually with evaluations and discussions.

' Chris Hoffman, 42, business developer with Moxie Solar:

Hoffman said he, too, is hopeful to spend another term serving the community and addressing the growing population through collaboration and communication.

Hoffman said the three biggest issues the city faces include a need for infrastructure for the Liberty High School location and the future Interstate 380 interchange at Forevergreen Road, growing demand for social service requests and more communication with area governments on transit services and regional issues.

'All of the issues we will face as a community are related to the continued fantastic growth we experience,” Hoffman said. 'I will best address these issues through the discussion/planning of our budget and seeking the partnership of other Corridor leaders.”

' Jay Johnson, 34, vice president of sales for a food distribution company:

Johnson, who lived in North Liberty from 2010 to2013 and then returned last year, said the key to addressing the city's growth is through smart budgeting.

'It really breaks down to how can we grow as a community and do it sustainably? I just think we need to be good stewards of our money and make sure that what we do facilitates the growth,” he said, adding that infrastructure is a main need for the community where many residents work in other cities.

'How can we better get in and out of town, not only quicker, but safer?” he asked.

Johnson said his ability to lead and collaborate make him a good candidate.

' Jim Sayre, 39, associate director of parking and transportation with the University of Iowa:

Sayre, a member of the city's planning and zoning commission who previously served on the board of adjustment and transit advisory committee, said his willingness to listen, seek input and make rational decisions make him a good candidate.

While he applauded the council's efforts to manage growth so far, Sayre said the city needs to continue to work to stay ahead of growth by addressing social services, land use and infrastructure.

'As we continue to grow, it's important to make sure our capital improvement plan is comprehensive and accounts for the ongoing maintenance of our utility and roadway infrastructure. We cannot afford to let this get behind again,” he said.