A Pleasant Hill City Council member is calling on the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to bring stakeholders together to create a model metro-wide e-bike ordinance, though other metro leaders argue that would be unnecessary.

Why it matters: The Des Moines metro is praised for its vast continuous trail system, but a patchwork of local ordinances could leave riders confused about what rules apply as they cross city lines.

• "If they're all disjointed, I think it's going to be a mess, because you can literally pit one community against another," Pleasant Hill City Councilman Len Murray tells Axios.

Driving the news: During an MPO meeting last week, elected officials across several cities disagreed over the organization's role following Murray's proposal.

• The MPO was built to coordinate regional transportation across the metro, but local officials in the last two years scaled back the organization after arguing it had strayed beyond its core mission of planning transportation projects and directing federal funding. The reset came alongside new executive leadership.

Flashback: Metro police chiefs have taken the lead in bringing a model ordinance to their individual city councils, but it's encountered friction, and initial proposals have differed from each other.

State of play: Murray, who retired from the Des Moines Police Department, says the MPO is best suited to help create an ordinance, and he wants to bring together law enforcement, cycling groups, conservation agencies and public health officials.

• "This is exactly why the MPO exists," he says.

The other side: Other metro leaders say the MPO should not take the lead, noting that Polk County Law Enforcement Executives Association has already talked with stakeholders and created an adaptable template for cities.

• "It's not somebody else's job, it's your job," Altoona Mayor Dean O'Connor told Murray at the meeting.
• O'Connor tells Axios it will take years to try to pass a uniform ordinance. He says cities already have different policies, including for backyard chickens and fireworks. Meanwhile, ordinances should not be the role of the MPO, he says.
• "You're just not going to get together and make one ordinance that we all love," he says.

Zoom out: Everyone agrees there are major safety concerns involving the devices, but there are variations on how and who should be handling policies, as well as their effectiveness.

• Des Moines City Councilman Joe Gatto mentioned that drones could be helpful to enforce speed limits during the meeting.
• O'Connor says Altoona plans to consider its own ordinance that would involve more "bite" than the ones introduced so far, including taking away e-motos and requiring classes to get them back.
• Murray wants communities to consider positive reinforcement before penalizing people.

If you go: The MPO is considering is from 4-5pm tomorrow at the MPO office. A Zoom link is available upon request.

A Fayette County judge dismissed an Iowa homeowner's lawsuit challenging the state's tax-sale system.

Why it matters: The ruling is a setback for Alan Woods, whose case argued Iowa's tax-sale laws violate the U.S. and Iowa constitutions by allowing investors to take equity exceeding taxes, interest and costs owed.

Context: Iowa counties sell unpaid property taxes at annual tax sales, issuing investors interest-bearing certificates.

• If the owner does not pay within one year and nine months after the sale, the investor can begin a 90-day process to obtain a tax deed.

Catch up quick: Woods, 60, has lived in his Maynard home for more than 35 years and owed just over $2,441 in property taxes.

• Equity Trust of Ohio bought the tax-sale certificate in 2022, and last year it received the deed to his home, assessed at nearly $37,500.

State of play: District Judge John Sullivan ruled that Equity Trust complied with Iowa's tax-sale procedures and obtained a valid tax deed.

• Any constitutional challenge to Woods' property interest should be directed to Iowa's statutory tax-sale framework, not the private purchaser, Sullivan ruled.

Between the lines: A bigger case could be in the works if Woods appeals and a higher court takes up the question of whether Iowa's tax-sale system must compensate owners for equity beyond unpaid taxes.

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that a Minnesota county could not keep surplus proceeds beyond the tax debt after selling a condo for unpaid taxes.
• The Nebraska Supreme Court later applied that reasoning to cases involving private tax-sale investors.

What's next: Woods is fighting Equity Trust's efforts to evict him.

What we're watching: Whether Iowa lawmakers revisit the issue next session.

• Senate File 2313 would have established a sheriff's sale process for tax-sale certificates and distributing "overplus" proceeds after a sale, addressing Woods' case, but it didn't make it through this session's legislative process.

🍷 Guess Jason's location correctly by 4pm today for a chance to win two tickets to Summer Solstice Sip & Stroll on Friday, courtesy of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

• The winner and a story about this location will be announced in tomorrow's newsletter.

🌯 Chipotle is considering a second Des Moines spot, including a location off Ingersoll Avenue. (Panch vs. Chipotle fight?) (Des Moines Register)

✈️ Drivers at Des Moines International Airport should expect traffic delays due to reduced lanes. (WOI-TV)

🏛️ The Iowa Board of Regents created a new university efficiency role and hired a gubernatorial staffer for the job at $205,000 a year. (Ames Tribune)

🚲 The Waukee City Council approved the first reading of its updated e-bike ordinance on Monday. (Waukee)

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Bankers Trust is unveiling its fourth Iowa Artists Collection today, featuring 12 works by artists who live or work in Iowa.

State of play: The bank only releases a collection every few years.

• The new exhibit aims to highlight Iowa artists ahead of the Des Moines Arts Festival, which begins on June 26.

Details: Ruan Center lobby, 666 Grand Ave. in DSM

• Public viewing is weekdays, 8am–5pm, through June 25

What's next: After its Ruan Center run, the collection begins a two-year rotation through the bank's Central Iowa branches.