Monday night's Regular Council Meeting contains fairly routine approvals; I would draw your attention, though, to Item #18, which is the annual Council Goals document, which gives the council's direction to the Administrator for city operations in the coming year. If a council member wishes, they can motion to amend this document any way they see fit, but in the past, this has not happened -- it usually gets approved with little fanfare. The staff and I did carry out a lot of editing work on it this year, to better organize the content, improve readability, cite references, and include links to external documents. I hope you'll find it a very helpful guide to what your local government is doing in 2021, and why.
The big item for Monday will be the 5:00 work session; I explained the situation in my Friday blogpost, and strongly encourage all residents to either watch the initial discussion live, or else in the coming weeks (it will be recorded and playing on Channel 15 and YouTube). No deciding actions will take place on Monday night, but the council will be able to express opinions on the rough draft of the proposed changes, and what they'd like to see added or removed. It promises to be a lively, and I trust productive, discussion with friendly compromise and concession involved, in order to build a consensus for how the Council would like to proceed.
After that, at 6:25pm we'll shift right to Committee of the Whole and will hear a presentation on the proposed FY2022-2026 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), which will be up for a vote after a public hearing on January 4th. And then we pick up on our Regular Council Meeting at 7pm. Due to the current "HIGH" County COVID spread risk at blackhawkcovid19.com, these meetings will all be held virtually via Zoom. Please see the links below for attending, and thank you as always for doing the work to be an informed and engaged citizen. I hope you can join us Monday night!
To protect against the spread of the COVID-19, the meeting will be held via video conference. The public may access/participate in the meeting in the following ways:
a) By dialing the phone number +13126266799 or +19292056099 or +12532158782 or +13017158592 or +13462487799 or +16699006833 and when prompted, enter the meeting ID (access code) 962 7287 1738.
b) iPhone one-tap: +13126266799,,96272871738# or +19292056099,,96272871738# c) Join via smartphone or computer using this link: https://zoom.us/j/96272871738.
d) View the live stream on Channel 15 YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzeig5nIS-dIEYisqah1uQ (view only).
e) Watch on Cedar Falls Cable Channel 15 (view only).
To request to speak when allowed on the agenda, participants must click “Raise Hand” if connected by smartphone or computer, or press *9 if connected by telephone. All participants will be muted by the presiding officer when not actually speaking.
Call to Order by the Mayor
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
1. Approval of the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of December 7, 2020 and Special City Council meeting of December 9, 2020. This action simply enters the minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired in the meeting; it is not a time to debate the merits of the items themselves.
Agenda Revisions
Special Presentations
2. Acceptance of a plaque of appreciation from the Iowa National Guard 1st Battalion, 133d Infantry Regiment. In July, Cedar Falls and surrounding cities designated July 11th each year as "Ironman Battalion" day, to officially honor and remember our Eastern Iowa soldiers in the National Guard, as well as their families and alumni. Major Andrew Smith, from the Waterloo Armory, is scheduled to make a short presentation to the City Council and the people of Cedar Falls.
Special Order of Business
3. Public hearing on proposed Amendment No. 6 to the Downtown Development Area Urban Renewal Plan. This adds specific projects to the Urban Renewal plan; these are listed in the council packet, and will be explained in this public hearing.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 4, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution determining an area of the City to be an economic development and blighted area, and that the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment, development or a combination thereof, of such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City; designating such area as appropriate for urban renewal projects; and adopting the Amendment No. 6 to the Downtown Development Area Urban Renewal Plan.
4. Public hearing on proposed Amendment No. 6 to the Cedar Falls Unified Highway 58 Corridor Urban Renewal Plan. This adds specific projects to the Urban Renewal plan; these are listed in the council packet, and will be explained in this public hearing.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 4, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution determining an area of the City to be an economic development area, and that the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment, development or a combination thereof, of such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City; designating such area as appropriate for urban renewal projects; and adopting the Amendment No. 6 to the Cedar Falls Unified Highway 58 Corridor Urban Renewal Plan.
5. Public hearing on a proposal to undertake a public improvement project for the West 27th Street Sanitary Sewer Extension Project, and to authorize acquisition of private property for said project. This gets the ball rolling on extending sewer services to the new subdivision planned next to the new Cedar Falls High School, as well as the high school itself.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 11, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving a public improvement for the West 27th Street Sanitary Sewer Extension Project, and authorizing acquisition of private property for said project.
6. Public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 20, Subdivisions of the Code of Ordinances relative to Final Plat Phasing. These updates would require and hold the developer accountable for necessary street connections and improvements; the need for this kind of language has been made clear by some current difficulties now being experienced in Cedar Falls. I have no concerns with the proposed language.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 11, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Pass an ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 20, Subdivisions, of the Code of Ordinances relative to Final Plat Phasing, upon its first consideration.
7. Public hearing on proposed submission of the City’s FFY19 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program. The city must create this report annually for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in order to receive federal funds for housing assistance. It's a very insightful document, and worth a read.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published December 4, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving and authorizing submission of the City’s FFY19 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program.
Old Business
8. Pass Ordinance #2976, amending Section 26-118 of the Code of Ordinances by rezoning from C-3, Commercial and R-4, Multiple Residence Districts, to C-3, Commercial District, of property located in the vicinity of West 22nd Street and College Street, upon its third and final consideration. This change to the Bani property on College Hill has been discussed in previous meetings; no concerns.
9. Pass Ordinance #2977, amending Chapter 12, Human Relations, of the Code of Ordinances relative to the Human Rights Commission, upon its second consideration. This change for the expectations of the Human Rights Commission has been discussed in previous meetings. No concerns. I look forward to the HRC making significant progress in its new charge in 2021.
10. Pass Ordinance #2978, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles of the Code of Ordinances relative to the use of electric-assist bicycles on City recreational trails, upon its second consideration. This code change clarifies the definition of eBikes as 'electric-assist bicycles' rather than as 'motorized bicycles' (aka Mopeds). It means they can be used on the recreational trails of the city. No concerns, though I would like to see a speed limit on the trails to ensure all bikes (and razor scooters, hoverboards, etc.) are limited to 20mph on the trails for safety's sake.
11. Pass Ordinance #2979, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to prohibiting parking of commercial trucks and trailers on residential streets, upon its second consideration. This prohibits many commercial vehicles and trailers from being parked on city streets overnight. It was discussed in a previous meeting. No concerns.
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.)
12. Receive & file the resignation of Angela Waseskuk as a member of the Human Rights Commission. I thank Ms. Waseskuk for her service these past several months; I anticipate bringing new nominations to the council for approval in our January 4th meeting for the three current vacancies, as well as one additional to fill this new vacancy by late February. Given the great importance and visibility of this commission's work, I have wanted to cast the net wide for qualified candidates.
13. Approve the following recommendations of the Mayor relative to the reappointment of members to Boards and Commissions: Thanks to these civic leaders for being willing to share their time, talents and knowledge to better their community. You have the deep thanks of Cedar Falls!
a) Chelsey Bowermaster, Cedar Falls Health Trust Fund Board of Trustees, term ending 12/31/2026.
b) Floyd Winter, Cedar Falls Health Trust Fund Board of Trustees, term ending 12/31/2026.
14. Receive and file the City Council Goal Setting Report of November 17 & 19, 2020. These are a synopsis of the discussion items and consensus for the two days of our council Goal Setting sessions. The expressed desires of the council were then incorporated into the Council Goals document, which is up for approval as Item #18.
15. Receive and file Receive and file the Committee of the Whole minutes of December 7, 2020 relative to the following items: This action simply enters the minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired in the meeting; it is not a time to debate the merits of the items themselves.
a) Grow Cedar Valley Update.
b) Annual Report of Cedar Falls Public Library.
c) Subdivision Code Amendment – Final Plat Phasing.
d) Zoning Code Amendment – Adaptive Re-use of Institutional Buildings in Residential Zones.
16. Approve the following applications for beer permits and liquor licenses: The council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits.
a) Gourmet Garden, 5907 University Ave, Special Class C liquor - renewal.
b) Huhot Mongolian Grill, 6301 University Avenue, Special Class C liquor - renewal.
c) Rancho Chico, 618 Brandilynn Boulevard, Class C Liquor - 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.
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.)
17. Resolution establishing the 2021 pay for City of Cedar Falls elected officials, in compliance with the City's Code of Ordinances. The mayor and council compensation is dependent on the consumer price index; given the challenge to our community in 2020, I believe as a vote of solidarity with the plight of our residents, the council should forgo a compensation increase this year for the elected officials. Normally I wouldn't make this call (especially not to just score some easy political points), but this has been a very unique year, and merits some special consideration.
18. Resolution approving and adopting the FY2022 City Council Goals, Work Program and Short-Term Financial Plan. I can't stress this highly enough...this is a CRUCIAL document, which sets the city's direction for the next year. If you want to be considered an informed and engaged resident, it's very important to know what's in it. it changes very little from year to year, but there are indeed differences in direction based on what the Council discussed in Goal Setting.
19. Resolution approving and authorizing expenditure of funds for replacement of Tasers for the Public Safety Department. This would commit $38.6K to the purchase of eighteen replacement Tasers for the police division. No concerns -- the original 20-year-old models have reached the end of their service life, and this expenditure has been anticipated for quite some time.
20. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Red House Studio Lease relative to the use of 224 West Seerley Boulevard as artist studio space, in conjunction with the Hearst Center’s Visiting Artist Program. This continues the use of the city-owned property next to the Hearst Center as a studio space for artists.
21. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Failor Hurley Construction, Inc. for the Cedar Falls Recreation Center - Locker Room Upgrades Project. This action allows the contractor to be paid the remaining $10.6K of a total $212.7K for remodeling of the Recreation & Fitness Center's locker rooms and showers. It looks terrific...much more space now to maneuver.
22. Resolution approving and authorizing the expenditure of funds for replacement of trickling filter arms at the Wastewater Treatment facility. This commits about $95K for necessary new wastewater treatment equipment.
23. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Peterson Contractors, Inc. for the Ridgeway Avenue Reconstruction Project. This would allow the contractor to receive final payment for work done on Ridgeway at a cost of $1.82M, with $1.7M of that coming from private sources.
24. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Professional Service Agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for FEMA Levee System Accreditation Submittal relative to the Cedar Falls Flood Protection System. This would commit up to $73.5K in Flood Mitigation Grant funds for the contractor to prepare a report for the federal government, to obtain final accreditation of our newly-heightened levee.
25. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Peterson Contractors, Inc. for the Walnut Street Box Culvert Replacement - University Branch of Dry Run Creek Project. This allows the contractor to receive final payment for this work.
26. Resolution setting January 4, 2021 as date of public hearing on the proposed FY2021-FY2026 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). No concern about the proposed date.
Allow Bills and Payroll
27. Allow Bills and Payroll of December 21, 2020. The council is required by city code to approval all city financial transactions since the last meeting. No concerns.
City Council Referrals
City Council Updates
Staff 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 | 12/21/20 |
