The Sioux City Council has approved a $60,000 contribution to The Siouxland Initiative in its meeting Monday.
Previously, the city council had deferred the Siouxland Initiative's funding request twice.
Council member Matthew O’Kane said he had the opportunity to speak with Kevin McManamy of the Siouxland Initiative, saying that he now understands that the money contributed from the city is part of its overall budget.
O’Kane mentioned after the conversation with McManamy he sees how the Siouxland Initiative contributes to the city's growth.
In one of the meetings, Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore read a letter from Kevin McManamy of the Siouxland Initiative, which cited support for Cone Park, Chris Larsen Park Riverfront Development, and the Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center.
Council member Alex Watters maintained his position that there is a lack of transparency with the organization.
Watters mentioned how no one from the organization has come to the council meetings and that he didn’t have the opportunity to speak to someone from TSI.
Council member Julie Schoenherr abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
According to a memo, the city has been contributing to the organization since 1988 and has provided $60,000 annually since 2004.
The measure passed 3-1-1.
