RIVERSIDE

Plans for a $35 million water park and camping resort near the Riverside Casino are moving quickly.

The Riverside City Council, during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, approved a memorandum of understanding with Elite Hospitality Group and tentative TIF rebates of $4 million, and set a public hearing for Sept. 21 on a potential annexation of Washington County land for the proposed project.

The Blackjack Beach RV & Water Resort, which may open by May 2027, will feature a 70,000 square-foot water park that will have three pools, a water slide tower, a swim-up bar and a sandy beach. The RV portion would have 154 parking spots and a clubhouse building of 14,000 square feet.

The water park would be located south of the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, and has an estimated construction cost of at least $30 million. A private groundbreaking ceremony was held August 20.

In order for the project to gain access to the City of Riverside’s water system, an annexation plan is being put into place by the city. The public hearing in September is for consideration of the annexation. An annexation will result in future tax funds for the city in exchange for city infrastructure, such as water.

The Council, by three consecutive 4-1 votes Monday, approved the memorandum of understanding and 15-year TIF structure, a pre-annexation agreement and a legal agreement with the Dorsey & Whitney law firm.

City Council member Tom Sexton was the one dissenting vote.

Mayor Allen Schneider said a final TIF (tax increment financing) agreement is still to be negotiated.

Special Election

The special election on Sept. 8 to fill a Council seat has drawn four candidates: Edgar McGuire, who was initially appointed to a seat vacated by Chris Grinstead; Travis Riggan, President of the Riverside Area Community Club and a lead organizer for Trek Fest; Levi Schnoebelen, a member of the city’s Board of Adjustment; and Nickie Nguyen, who was one of five applicants for the seat during an appointment process.

The winner of the election will serve through the end of 2029.

The election will be held 7 a.m. through 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at City Hall.

Wellness Center

The Council approved the start of the construction bid process for a wellness center that is expected to open in January 2028.

A public hearing was held Monday for the wellness center specifications and $13 million cost estimate.

The bidding process will end in mid-September with bids to be awarded and approved by the City Council after that, likely during its Sept. 21 formal session.

The wellness center will be located near Highland Elementary School.

City Administrator

The City Council has set a special session for Saturday, when it will go into a closed session to virtually interview a number of candidates for city administrator.

The city received applications from 11 candidates.

After Saturday’s interviewing is done, the field is expected to be trimmed to three finalists who will be brought to Riverside for final interviews and meetings with the public. A new city administrator is expected to be in place in September or October.

The new administrator will replace Cole Smith, who is now City Administrator of Granger, a outer suburb of Des Moines.

Theia Management Consulting is coordinating the search.

City Hall Hours

The City Council agreed with Mayor Allen Schneider’s proposal for temporarily closing City Hall from noon to 1 p.m. weekdays due to staff shortages while the city is short an administrator.

The hour closures are expected to start soon.

Council Action

The Council approved the second reading of an ordinance amendment that would raise water rates by 3.5%.

The Council approved a temporary wage increase of 10% for city staff due to increased work while the search continues for a new city administrator.

The Council approved a rezoning, from C-3 to M-1, for a property in Enterprise Park.

Next board meeting:

The City Council’s next formal session is at 6 p.m. September 9. A work session has been scheduled for August 24.