Monday night's 7pm council meeting is probably the most routine one we've had in quite a while; I did not see any controversial topics. After the big discussions of the past six council meetings, I don't mind a little routine for a change!
Prior to the regular council meeting, the Council will meet in a Work Session at 6pm to discuss the council's committee structures and to see if there is a consensus for any change. By council decree, all committee work is currently done in Committee of the Whole, which is all seven council members, with the mayor presiding. The "old way" was to use several committees with five council members each to look at specific topics, with each committee chaired by a council member (instead of the mayor). The city code still references these currently-unused committees, so I would like to see the council either (A) reinstate the three committees (Admin Committee, Public Works, and Community Relations & Planning) (B) consider a modified approach or (C) eliminate these committees from the City Code (Section 2-68) entirely for clarity's sake.
I hope you can join us in-person at the Cedar Falls Community Center (next to the Cedar Falls Library), in TV-Land (CFU Channel 15), or livestreaming on YouTube.
Call to Order by the Mayor
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Meeting of March 21, 2022.
Agenda Revisions
Special Presentations
2. Proclamation recognizing April 17-23, 2022 as City-Wide Cleanup Week. This is the second year of the City-Wide Cleanup; I was very encouraged to see the level of participation last year in our community, and look forward to an even larger turnout this year throughout the week. Keep Cedar Falls beautiful!
Public Forum. (Speakers will have one opportunity to speak for up to 5 minutes on topics germane to City business.)
Special Order of Business
3. Public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the College Hill Parking Lot Improvements Project. This is a $150K project to be paid out via College Hill TIF District funds. It will not add new parking, but would repair our existing city lots.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published March 25, 2022)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving and adopting the plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the College Hill Parking Lot Improvements Project.
4. Public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 26, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances relative to principal permitted uses in the M-1 Light Industrial District. This change would allow a daycare to be expanded in the South Cedar Falls Industrial Park area, to support the daycare needs of workers in that area. Currently the code does not allow for this kind of facility in the light industrial zone (which doesn't allow for hazardous or noxious fumes -- it's an area for clean industry).
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published March 25, 2022)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 26, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances relative to principal permitted uses in the M-1 Light Industrial District, upon its first consideration.
5. Pass Ordinance #3006, amending Chapter 26, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances relative to increasing parking ratios for residential mixed-use and multi-unit buildings in the Downtown Character District to .75 parking spaces per bedroom, but not less than one parking space per unit, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, upon its third and final consideration.This is the third reading of this ordinance to modify the Downtown Character District, which was approved last November.
6. Pass Ordinance #3007, amending Chapter 7, Building and Building Regulations, of the Code of Ordinances relative to discharge of stormwater or groundwater into the city sanitary sewer system, upon its second consideration. This is the second of three readings of this ordinance to remove an exemption for homes built before 1969, so that they will be required to have separate stormwater and sewage lines (can't put stormwater into the sewer system).
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.)
7. Approve the following recommendations of the Mayor relative to the appointment of members to Boards and Commissions: Thanks to these volunteers for their continued service to Cedar Falls!
a) Jennifer Rasmussen, Board of Adjustment, term expiring 03/31/2027.
b) Ken Kagy, Board of Electrical Appeals, term expiring 12/31/2025.
c) Jeff Thompson, Board of Mechanical Appeals, term expiring 12/31/2025.
d) Glenn Behrends, Board of Plumbing Appeals, term expiring 12/31/2025.
e) Dan Berregaard, Board of Rental Housing Appeals, term expiring 05/01/2026.
f) Kim Kranz, Board of Rental Housing Appeals, term expiring 05/01/2026.
8. Receive and file the City Council Work Session minutes of March 21, 2022 relative to the following items: This simply adds these minutes to the official record as an accurate reflection of what transpired in the meeting.
a) Collaborative Opportunities with UNI.
b) Downtown Zoning Changes (continuation of previous discussion).
9. Receive and file a communication from the Civil Service Commission relative to the certified list for the position of Maintenance Worker. The CSC has reviewed the testing results for several applicants for this position, and is reporting back to Council on their findings.
10. Receive and file Departmental Monthly Reports of February 2022. This extensive report lists the activities of our fantastic city staff in February; these reports are always worth persuing for anyone interested in city government.
11. Approve the following applications for beer permits and liquor licenses: The City Council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits and liquor licenses.
a) Godfather's Pizza, 1621 West 1st Street, Class B beer - renewal.
b) Luxe Nail Bar, 5907 University Avenue, Class C liquor - renewal.
c) Mary Lou's Bar & Grill, 2719 Center Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
d) Bani's, 2128 College Street, Class E liquor – renewal.
e) Amvets, 1934 Irving Street, Class A liquor & outdoor service - temporary expansion of outdoor service area.
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.)
12. Resolution approving and accepting four Permanent Public Access Easements, pursuant to the Third Amendment to Agreement for Private Development with River Place Properties, LC. This legally binding agreement simply ensures that the public can access the new River Place Plaza downtown, as well as the sidewalk in front of the new building that houses Urban Pie and other businesses, and the public restroom next to the plaza, during public events. I have no concerns about the agreement.
13. Resolution approving and authorizing the expenditure of funds for the purchase of dump truck chassis for the Public Works Department. This will allocate $86K in street construction funds for the purchase of this necessary vehicle.
14. Resolution approving and authorizing the expenditure of funds for the purchase of a generator for the Water Reclamation Division. This $44K portable generator would be connected to lift stations during power outages to avoid sanitary sewer back ups and overflows.
15. Resolution receiving and filing the bids, and approving and accepting the low bid of Owen Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $281,000.33, for the Lake Street Trail Project. This project will better connect the Big Woods Lake park and campground to North Cedar; approval of this item would allow Owen Contracting to submit the necessary documentation to carry out the project this year.
16. Resolution approving and accepting the contract and bond of Municipal Pipe Tool Company, LLC for the 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. This simply approves the final contract and insurance paperwork for the contractor, before they start work on the previously-approved sanitary sewer project.
17. Resolution receiving and filing, and setting April 18, 2022 as the date of public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the West 27th Street Reconstruction Project. This simply sets the date of the hearing.
18. Resolution setting April 18, 2022 as the date of public hearing on the proposed conveyance of interest in certain real estate to Cedar Falls Community School District. This simply sets the date of the hearing.
Ordinances
19. Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 11, Housing, of the Code of Ordinances relative to the Housing Commission, upon its first consideration. This change would put the city into compliance with state law to have five housing commission members. Currently Cedar Falls has seven commission members.
20. Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to prohibiting parking for the College Hill Farmers Market, upon its first consideration. This change simply accounts for the change from Thursdays to Wednesdays for the College Hill Famrers Market.
Allow Bills and Claims
21. Allow Bills and Claims for April 4, 2022. The city 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 | 04/01/22 |
