The first regular Council Meeting of the new term (at 7pm) contains mostly administrative/routine items; of note, councilors will consider the preliminary plat for the West Viking Road Industrial Park (Item 18). This is the first stage of arranging for the necessary roadway, water, sewer, and other infrastructure for that large area of land.
For me, the most interesting item of the evening is the first discussion of the FY2023-FY2028 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) during Committee of the Whole. This will shape what major projects will be planned for funding in the next five years (though each project will require an individual vote in the years ahead). The CIP presentation begins at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers.
And thanks for taking the time to read these...civics done right isn't terribly dramatic or exciting, but should be something we all take an interest in. It's been a true honor to be an elected representative these past four years, and I hope my annotations and questions have been an encouragement to take an active part in the process. Maybe there's a council or mayor seat in your future? I hope you'll consider it, because you're obviously doing the work to be an informed and engaged citizen!
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022, and I hope to see you in person, via teleconference, or watching along on Channel 15 or YouTube Monday night!
The City is providing in-person and electronic options for this meeting. The City encourages in-person attendees to follow the latest CDC guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The meeting will be accessible via video conference and 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. Regular Meeting of December 20, 2021.
Agenda Revisions
Special Presentations
2. Proclamation recognizing January 17, 2022 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
3. Proclamation recognizing January 2022 as National Mentoring Month.
Public Forum. (Speakers will have one opportunity to speak for up to 5 minutes on topics germane to City business.)
Old Business
4. Pass Ordinance #3002, amending Chapter 2, Administration of the Code of Ordinances relative to reestablishing the Downtown Cedar Falls Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID), upon its third & final consideration. This was first discussed two meetings ago, and is a new five-year agreement for property owners to have a special property tax to improve the downtown business district.
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.)
5. Receive and file the report of the Mayor relative to the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem for 2022. Councilor Harding has done an excellent job as Mayor Pro Tem in 2021, including presiding over two council meetings in my absence, representing the city at the Economic Inclusion Summit, and serving on selection committees for boards and commissions.
6. Receive and file the report of the Mayor relative to the appointment of standing committees for 2022. Although the Council has directed in Admin Policy #7 that only Committee of the Whole and the Administration Committee, I still appoint members to the other standing committees because the Code of Ordinances require it. I'm working to re-enable standing committees this term.
7. Approve the following recommendations of the Mayor relative to the appointment of members to Boards and Commissions: Council members are required to be annually appointed to several commissions.
a) Daryl Kruse, Board of Appeals, term expiring 12/31/2022.
b) Susan deBuhr, Board of Electrical Appeals, term expiring 12/31/2022.
c) Susan deBuhr, Board of Mechanical Appeals, term expiring 12/31/2022.
d) Susan deBuhr, Board of Plumbing Appeals, term expiring 12/31/2022.
e) Peter Berendzen, Art and Culture Board, term expiring 07/01/2024.
8. Receive and file Departmental Monthly Reports of November 2021. This great reference shows what the city has been working on for the last month. I've been taking special note of the Rec Center traffic, which is down significantly from 2019, but picking back up steadily since 2020. The Rec & Fitness Center is worth a visit if you've not been lately!
9. Approve the following applications for beer permits and liquor licenses: The City Council is the approving authority for all alcohol sales-related permits.
a) Second State Brewing Company, 203 State Street, Class B beer & outdoor service - renewal.
b) Wild Hare American Bar and Grill, 2512 Whitetail Drive, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
c) Tobacco Outlet Plus, 4116 University Avenue, 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.)
10. Resolution approving and adopting Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD) for the City of Cedar Falls Health Benefit Plans. A fairly routine administrative item for city staff medical benefits.
11. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow property at 130 North College Street. The city mows properties if the property owner is negligent. This assigns the cost for that mowing back to the property owner.
12. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow property at 234 Clark Drive. Same as #11
13. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Agreement relative to funding of a Book Bike for the Cedar Falls Public Library. This approval would allow the Library to spend up to $5K in federal grant funds on a book bike. I've seen these are used to great effect elsewhere, and I am very supportive of this effort to increase literacy in our community!
14. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement for the Use of State or Local Overtime and Authorized Expense/Strategic Initiative Program for Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) for FY2022. This is an ongoing partnership with the state for $3K in overtime expenses for officers assigned to this task force.
15. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Humanities Project Grant Agreement with the Iowa Arts Council relative to the "Our Town: Reclaiming the Narrative" exhibition for the Hearst Center for the Arts. This $5K grant to cover half the cost of a traveling exhibition requires council approval for receipt.
16. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of two Leases relative to properties vacated by flood buyout programs. NoThe Council regularly approves these $1 lease agreements which allow residents to lease flood buyout land.
17. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a First Amendment to Agreement for Professional Services with Operation Threshold for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV3) Funding relative to the Cares Act. This just extends an existing contract to help Operation Threshold distribute a remaining $20K to Cedar Falls residents in mortgage/rent distress.
18. Resolution approving the preliminary plat of Cedar Falls West Viking Road Industrial Park Phase V & VI. This is the first step for turning city-owned farmland (annexed in 2020) into an extended industrial park. I read this proposal very closely because several surrounding residents had some concerns about it early in the process. It appears that the city has made the necessary changes to make this extension a better neighbor to these residents.
19. Resolution approving an amendment to a Downtown Character District (CD-DT) Zoning District site plan for outdoor amenities at River Place Plaza. This would change the formal agreement so that the main stage at the River Place Plaza could remain up permanently. Originally the stage was supposed to be temporary. I see no concerns for keeping the permanent setup, since activities are taking place there throughout the year (including Holiday Hoopla).
20. Resolution approving and authorizing the expenditure of funds for the purchase of a mechanical street sweeper for the Public Works Department. This would approve the purchase of a mechanical sweeper for $234.4K in Street Construction Funds o replace a sweeper that has catastrophically failed.
21. Resolution setting January 18, 2022 as the date of public hearing on the proposed FY2022-FY2027 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). No concerns about the hearing date.
22. Resolution receiving and filing, and setting January 18, 2022 as the date of public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the West Viking Road Industrial Park Phase V Project. No concerns about the hearing date.
Allow Bills and Claims
23. Allow Bills and Claims for January 3, 2022. The council is the approving authority for all bills and claims made against the city since the last council meeting.
City Council Referrals
City Council Updates
Staff Updates
Adjournment
| Council Packet Link | |
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| Meeting Date | 01/03/22 |
