This meeting has a rather lengthy agenda; some of the more noteworthy items are a report from the city's Human Rights Commission, tax rebate incentives for two downtown improvements (Items 4 and 7), the elected official pay schedule (Item #16), and several plat approvals, including one new senior homes across from Greenhill Park (item #30) an the corner of Union and 12th Street (Item #35). As always, the public is invited to join us in person at city hall, in TV-land on Channel 15, or streaming live on YouTube. Hope you can make it!
The council meeting at 7pm is the only meeting for Monday night (i.e. no work sessions or committee of the whole that night). This will be my last regular session as a council member; I've greatly enjoyed the mental exercise of writing up the these Annotated Agendas; thanks for reading them, asking questions, and working hard to be informed and engaged residents. I've not decided yet if it's appropriate for me to continue doing so as the Mayor; I'll figure that out over the holiday break. Let me know your thoughts on this!
Call to Order by the Mayor
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019. This action simply enters these minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired at the meeting; it is not a time to debate the merits of the items that were discussed. No questions.
Agenda Revisions
Presentation by a Representative of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission
Special Order of Business
2. Public hearing on a proposal to take action on a petition requesting the recreation of the College Hill Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID). This action allows the public to weigh in on the proposed renewal of the existing SSMID District, which helps to cover the operating costs of the College Hill Partnership. No questions.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 6, 2019)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Oral comments.
3. Pass an ordinance recreating the College Hill Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID), upon its first consideration. This action renews the SSMID District, which helps to cover the operating costs of the College Hill Partnership. No questions.
4. Public hearing on a proposed Agreement for Private Development with Prestige WW, L.L.C. This allows the public to weigh in on a proposal for the city to provide tax rebates to the developer for improvements to 203-205 Main Street (the old St. Vincent's Thrift Store).
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 6, 2019)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Oral comments.
5. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement for Private Development with Prestige WW, L.L.C. As I understand it, this action would grant the developer (Prestige WW) five years of tax rebates for the difference between the current assessed value and the "improved" assessed value of the property...with the rebates paid out of the Downtown TIF fund. This is a pretty common incentive; it significantly improves an existing structure (i.e. infill) rather than building new. This improvement shouldn't add to the city's support burden (infrastructure, public safety, etc.) so I have no questions about this.
6. Public hearing on a proposed Agreement for Private Development with River Place Properties II, L.C. . This allows the public to weigh in on a proposal for the city to provide tax rebates to the developer for improvements to 302 Main (the old Wells Fargo property).
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 6, 2019)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Oral comments.
7. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement for Private Development and a Minimum Assessment Agreement with River Place Properties II, L.C. No questions; similar request as #5 above.
8. Public hearing on a proposed Agreement for Private Development and conveyance of certain city-owned property to The Vault LLC. No questions.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 6, 2019)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Oral comments.
9. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement for Private Development and a Minimum Assessment Agreement with The Vault LLC, and approving and authorizing execution of a Quit Claim Deed conveying title to certain city-owned real estate to The Vault LLC. As I understand it, this would be a 27,000 sqft facility on 2.7 donated acres of land just west of the Target Distribution Center, for use by Schuerman Construction for office and storage. No questions about the agreement.
New Business
Consent Calendar: (The following items will be acted upon by voice vote on a single motion without separate discussion, unless someone from the Council or public requests that a specific item be considered separately.)
10. Approve the following recommendations of the Mayor relative to the appointment of members to Boards and Commissions: No questions about these appointments.
a) Susan deBuhr, Board of Appeals, Boards of Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing Appeals, terms ending 12/31/2020.
b) Jerry Bjerke, Board of Electrical Appeals, term ending 12/31/2023.
c) Julie Gardner, Board of Mechanical Appeals, term ending 12/31/2023.
d) Thomas Frazier, Housing Commission, term ending 12/31/2021.
e) Melissa Heston, Housing Commission, term ending 12/31/2021.
f) Patrick Phalen, Housing Commission, term ending 12/31/2021.
g) Gary Winterhof, Housing Commission, term ending 12/31/2021.
11. Receive and file the Committee of the Whole minutes of December 2, 2019 relative to the following items: This action simply enters these minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired at the meeting; it is not a time to debate the merits of the items that were discussed. No questions.
a) Grow Cedar Valley Update.
b) Naming City Streets.
c) Bills & Payroll.
12. Receive and file a communication from the Civil Service Commission relative to a certified list for the position of Maintenance Worker. No questions.
13. Receive and file the FY19 Annual Report of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission. The report mentioned that the Commission created Goals for 2019, but I didn't see them listed in the annual report. I'll ask for a copy of the goals to review. No other questions about the annual report.
14. Receive and file the Recreation and Fitness Center, Operations and Facility Needs Assessment Study. This was a very thorough study; the City Council received a presentation on it by the researchers in early November. No questions about the study; it's worth viewing when you have time!
15. Approve the following applications for liquor licenses: Council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits and licenses. No questions.
a) Huhot Mongolian Grill, 6301 University Avenue, Special Class C liquor - renewal.
b) Rancho Chico, 618 Brandilynn Boulevard #104, Class C Liquor - renewal.
c) The Brown Bottle, 1111 Center Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
d) Wild Hare American Bar and Grill, 2512 Whitetail Drive, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
e) Bani's, 2128 College Street, Class E liquor - renewal.
f) Hy-Vee Clubroom, 6301 University Avenue, Special Class C liquor - change in ownership.
g) Gourmet Garden, 5907 University Ave, Special Class C liquor - new.
Resolution Calendar: (The following items will be acted upon by roll call vote on a single motion without separate discussion, unless someone from the Council or public requests that a specific item be considered separately.)
16. Resolution establishing the 2020 pay for City of Cedar Falls elected officials, in compliance with the City's Code of Ordinances. This sets the compensation as $6290.64 per year for council members (regardless of years of experience) and $94,883.36 for the mayor (regardless of experience). No questions at this time, but this is a good metric for the issue of full vs. part-time mayor, and also what the expectations should be of council members. In many cities, the Council is paid more, but they also have more daily responsibilities. It's a good debate for another time.
17. Resolution approving and adopting Summary Plan Descriptions for the City of Cedar Falls Employee Health Benefit Plan. This approves the employee health plan. I'll have to admit, this isn't anywhere near my area of expertise. I have no questions about the plan at this time; let me know if you have questions.
18. Resolution approving and adopting Summary Plan Description for the City of Cedar Falls Employee Dental Plan. Same as #17 above, but this time for people's teeth. No questions.
19. Resolution designating authorized signatories for financial accounts and vehicles of the City. An administrative update for who can sign for the city's financial accounts. I'm just curious why Checking is the Mayor's signing responsibility and Investments are the Administrator. Why isn't the Mayor assigned as the signatory on both? I'll ask. No other questions.
20. Resolution approving and adopting payment standards for the City's Section 8 Rental Assistance Program for 2020. This action would be an across-the-board cut in all Section 8 housing payments, due to the Federal Government's lowering of their Fair Market Rent (FMR) figures for our area. Cedar Falls has no choice but to go lower as well, but we're going to be offering the max that we can under the law (110% of the FMR). No questions.
21. Resolution approving and adopting the recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Commission relative to a Recreation Fee Schedule to become effective April 28, 2020. No questions about the rate increase; the rationale makes sense, as the Rec is having a difficult time recruiting staff. With their proposed wage increase, the Rec needs to bring in about $80K of additional income, and so this should be a sustainable way to do it. I appreciate how the rates include the previous several years' levels so that you can identify trends. I see that the City Employee / Elected Official 'extreme' discount rate has been removed again, after being added last year. I believe that transparency is key in this regard (and I'd like to remove the discount for City Councilors altogether, as they're not on the city's health insurance policy). But that's a debate for another time.
22. Resolution approving and authorizing expenditure of funds for the purchase of a leaf vacuum truck. This would expend $119K in taxpayer funds to purchase a new vacuum truck, to replace an older unit. This new one requires just one operator, whereas the existing one required 3+ operators. The joys of automation! No questions.
23. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Professional Service Agreement with Aerial Services, Inc. relative to 2020 Aerial Photography Acquisition. NThis commits $15.5K in taxpayer funds to the aerial mapping of the city in 2020, for our GIS system. I'll ask what the negative impact would be of lengthening the intervals between mapping acquisitions, in order to save money. No other questions.
24. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Supplement to Agreement for Private Development with Standard Distribution Co., and approving and accepting a Warranty Deed from Standard Distribution Co. conveying title to certain real estate to the City. Standard Distribution was originally going to put a parking lot for their semis in this plot. For whatever reason, it's no longer needed, so they wish to return the land to the city (which provided it to Standard at no cost). No questions.
25. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Professional Service Agreement with Snyder & Associates, Inc. relative to the Union Road Recreation Trail - 12th Street to 27th Street Project. This would provide Snyder $56K in mostly federal funds (80% of it) for designing the rec trail from 12th to 27th Street. Council previously approved the creation of this trail, which will be important for connecting bikers/pedestrians from residences surrounding Union Road to the rest of the city. No questions.
26. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of Supplemental Agreement No. 1B to the Professional Service Agreement with Snyder & Associates, Inc. relative to the Downtown Streetscape and Reconstruction Project. Allocates $92K in funding from various sources to the design of downtown streetscaping. These are items that have developed & couldn't be foreseen in the original agreement. No questions.
27. Resolution approving and authorizing expenditure of funds to order brick pavers for the Downtown Streetscape and Reconstruction Project. Who knew bricks could be so interesting?! This would commit the city to order about 1.2 million pounds worth of bricks, to the tune of about $298,000. This has to be done now since the clay-fired bricks will need to be manufactured for us (since we're ordering so many). It will be listed as TIF debt and paid for through private fundraising and a variety of other funding sources. No questions.
28. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Storm Water Maintenance and Repair Agreement with Greenhill Village Senior Living, LLC relative to a post-construction stormwater management plan for Lot 1 of Greenhill Village Estates. A standard engineering requirement for the new senior homes in Greenhill Village. No questions.
29. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Contract for Completion of Improvements with Greenhill Village Residential, LLC relative to the final plat of Greenhill Village Estates. This is the city's acceptance that the agreed-upon improvements will be made to this property, so that the construction planning process can proceed. No questions.
30. Resolution approving the preliminary plat of Greenhill Village Estates. [Begins Page #557] This is the approval of the land boundaries and required improvements for this senior center. No questions.
31. Resolution approving the final plat of Greenhill Village Estates. Basically a repeat of #30 above. No questions.
32. Resolution approving a Mixed Use (MU) Residential Zoning District site plan for construction of a senior living facility to be located on Lot 1 of Greenhill Village Estates. [Begins page 597 above]. This large facility would be built just south of Greenhill Park. No questions.
33. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Storm Water Maintenance and Repair Agreement with Terraces at West Glen, L.L.C. relative to a post-construction stormwater management plan for Terraces at West Glen First Addition. A standard agreement for the drainage of stormwater from this property. No questions.
34. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Contract for Completion of Improvements with Terraces at West Glen, L.L.C. relative to the final plat of Terraces at West Glen First Addition. Similar to #29 above; no questions.
35. Resolution approving the final plat of Terraces at West Glen First Addition. [Begins page 656] The council approved the preliminary plat on 7/15; this action accepts the proposed layout and infrastructure plans for the property. No questions.
36. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a R-P, Planned Residence Zoning District Developmental Procedures Agreement with Terraces at West Glen, L.L.C. relative to a residential retirement community development generally located at the southeast corner of Union Road and West 12th Street. My only question or concern with this development is the actual architectural plans for these six residential homes, and whether or not Council has any say as to their design. I have issues with the design of snout houses and the lack of a sense of community and connectedness that those kinds of structures exhibit. No other questions.
37. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Professional Service Agreement with Nagle Signs Inc. relative to the Cedar Falls Wayfinding Signage Project. This would allocate $21.8K in Hotel/Motel Tax money for 25 directional signs. Some of the signage states "Historic District", as well as "Downtown"....I thought our downtown WAS the historic district. I'll ask how the the proposed locations were determined (page 675-677).
38. Resolution approving and accepting a Lien Notice and Special Promissory Note for property located at 921 West 11th Street relative to the Rental to Single Family Owner Conversion Incentive Program. This would provide a $10K taxpayer-funded forgivable loan to improve a former rental property. A new two-stall garage would be built, relieving pressure for on-street parking. No questions.
39. Resolution approving and accepting a Lien Notice and Special Promissory Note for property located at 912 West 14th Street relative to the Rental to Single Family Owner Conversion Incentive Program. This would provide a $10K taxpayer-funded forgivable loan to improve a former rental property. New windows and exterior doors would be purchased. No questions.
40. Resolution approving two occupancy permits prior to the acceptance of the public improvements in Sands Addition. This action allows the two homeowners to move into this subdivision's completed homes; this is requested because the developer has yet to complete the required public improvements. No additional building permits would be issued until these public improvements are complete. No questions.
41. Resolution receiving and filing, and setting January 6, 2020 as the date of public hearing on, the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the Downtown Streetscape and Reconstruction Project. No questions about the date of this hearing.
42. Resolution setting January 6, 2020 as the date of public hearing on the proposed rezoning from R-1, Residential District to C-1, Commercial District, of property located at 4911 University Avenue. No questions about the date of this hearing.
Allow Bills and Payroll
43. Allow Bills and Payroll of December 16, 2019. No questions.
City Council Referrals No referrals.
City Council Updates No updates.
Public Forum. (Speakers will have one opportunity to speak for up to 5 minutes on topics germane to City business.)
Adjournment
| Council Packet Link | |
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| Meeting Date | 12/16/19 |
