In Monday night's City Council Meeting, the Council will consider approving the amendment to how the Consolidated Dispatch Center is funded, and also will have the second reading of the ordinance change to increase council compensation from about $7K / year to $12K / year (Item #7). This makes for great political theater to stand up in opposition to an adjustment, but the fact is that the demands on council members have increased significantly over the years, and this isn't simply a "raise" for good performance, but a recognition of the importance and demands on the council members. Having been a councilor (and putting in around 40 hours a month), that would put the compensation at about $25 per hour. For someone who's retired or independently wealthy, the compensation is irrelevant. For council candidates in the workforce, though, adequate compensation is no minor issue. I support the increase as a means to attract and retain qualified representatives who truly represent all segments of the community.
Before the council meeting, the committees will meet at 5:15 to discuss downtown parking, e-mail policy for council members, the possibility of a four-way stop along Center Street and Lone Tree Road, and an update from Grow Cedar Valley.
I hope you can join us in person in the Council Chambers, online on YourTube, or on Channel 15....and thanks as always for doing the hard work to be an informed and engaged resident.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Call to Order by the Mayor
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Minutes
1. Regular meeting of June 20, 2023.
Agenda Revisions
Special Presentations
Public Forum. (Speakers will have one opportunity to speak for up to 5 minutes on topics relevant to City business.)
Staff Updates
Special Order of Business
2. Hearing on a proposed resolution adopting and levying the final schedule of assessments for the 2022 Sidewalk Assessment Project - Zone 5. This is the proposed assessment for property owners, to have their sidewalks repaired by the city contractor.
a) Staff comments.
b) Respondent comments.
c) Resolution adopting and levying the final schedule of assessments for the 2022 Sidewalk Assessment Project - Zone 5.
3. Public hearing on the FY2024 (FFY2023) Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program Funding. This annually-required plan includes increased funding for neighborhood infrastructure improvements.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published June 9, 2023 and July 6, 2023)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving the FY2024 (FFY2023) Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program Funding.
4. Public hearing on a proposal to consider entering into an Agreement for Private Development, and to consider conveyance of certain city-owned real estate to Ryan Companies US, Inc. This economic development activity would add a new industrial warehouse to the industrial park with a minimum property valuation of $7.7M. The public hearing will need to be continued on August 7th due to the finalizing of some documentation.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published 07/06/2023)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments. (Continue hearing to August 7, 2023)
Old Business
5. Pass Ordinance #3031, amending the Zoning Map by removing approximately 2.26 acres of property located at 702 LeClair Street from the C-1, Commercial Zoning District and placing the same in the PC-2, Planned Commercial Zoning District, upon its second consideration. This was included for discussion in the previous council meeting.
6. Pass Ordinance #3032, amending Chapter 26, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances relative to allowance of vinyl siding on residential buildings with six or fewer dwelling units in the Neighborhood Frontages within the CD-DT, Downtown Character District, upon its second consideration. This was included for discussion in the previous council meeting.
7. Pass Ordinance #3033, amending Chapter 2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances relative to salaries for elected officials, upon its second consideration. This was included for discussion in the previous council meeting.
8. Pass Ordinance #3034, amending Chapter 19, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Code of Ordinances relative to removal of snow and ice, upon its second consideration. This was included for discussion in the previous council meeting.
9. Pass Ordinance #3035, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicle, of the Code of Ordinances relative to prohibiting parking on certain portions of Bluebell Road, upon its second consideration. This was included for discussion in the previous council meeting.
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. Receive and file the City Council Standing Committee minutes of June 20, 2023 relative to the following items: This simply enters these meeting minutes into the public record.
a) Youth Commission Presentation.
b) Longevity of Board and Commission Members.
c) Public Safety Update.
11. Approve the following recommendations of the Mayor relative to the appointment of members to Boards and Commissions: Thanks to these citizens for their willingness to serve their community as volunteers on the city's boards and commissions!
a) Robert Seymour, Metropolitan Transit Board, 06/30/2026.
b) Gregory Holt, Art and Culture Board, 07/01/2025.
c) Matthew Hundley, Art and Culture Board, 07/01/2026.
d) Matthew Wilson, Art and Culture Board, 07/01/2027.
e) Sandy Benak, Health Trust Fund Board, 12/31/2028.
f) Brent Johnson, Visitors & Tourism Board, 07/01/2026.
12. Receive and file a communication from the Civil Service Commission relative to the certified list for the position of Public Safety Officer. This new civil service list is being provided for information the council, as the Public Safety Department begins hiring new officers.
13. Receive and file Departmental Monthly Reports of May 2023. This details the city's major activities over the previous month.
14. Approve an Order Accepting Acknowledgment/Settlement Agreement with National Cigar Store, d/b/a Hillstreet News & Tobacco, 2217 College Street, for a second tobacco violation. This business is being assessed a $1500 penalty for selling a nicotine product to a minor for a second time in a year.
15. Approve the following applications for retail alcohol licenses: The city council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits and liquor licenses.
a) Chuck E. Cheese's, 5911 University Avenue, Special Class C retail alcohol - renewal.
b) Buffalo Wild Wings, 6406 University Avenue, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
c) Cypress Lounge, 209 A State Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
d) Hy-Vee Market Grille, 6301 University Avenue, Class C retail alcohol - renewal.
e) Octopus, 2205 College Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
f) The Black Hawk Hotel/Bar Winslow, 115-117 Main Street, Class C retail alcohol - renewal.
g) The Library, 2222 College Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
h) The Other Place, 4214 University Avenue, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
i) Wal-Mart, 525 Brandilynn Boulevard, Class E retail alcohol - renewal.
j) Wal-Mart, 525 Brandilynn Boulevard, Class E retail alcohol – change in ownership.
k) Dollar General, 1922 Valley Park Drive, Class B retail alcohol - new.
l) King Star, 2228 Lincoln Street, Class B retail alcohol - new.
m) Le Petit, 119 Main Street, Class C retail alcohol – 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 Calendar with items considered separately.
17. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Consolidated Public Safety Communications 28E Agreement with participating government agencies in Black Hawk County relative to providing consolidated dispatch and communications services. Each year, the Consolidated Dispatch Center proposes a budget for the year. This year's approved budget request was for $3.307M. Each participating city is then charged a certain portion of that overall expense based on some agreed-upon funding model. Recently, the Oversight Board voted to change from a percentag based on "calls for service" and population count, to one based solely on property valuation. Originally, the plan was to shift this tax item to a county-wide Emergency Management Levy, taking cities out of the payment process. As it is, the cities are still on the hook to make this payment, and the City of Cedar Falls has already budgeted for this change.
In my memo (page 150 of the packet), I reiterated that if the county-wide EMA levy is not implemented, then it is very possible that Cedar Falls could obtain adequate dispatch coverage at a lower cost than $1.184M by exiting the 28E agreement entirely and setting up our own Public Safety Dispatch, housed in the Public Safety Center. As it is, though, we cannot simply leave the agreement overnight...it would take at least a year to set up our own dispatch, so I believe we have no choice but to pay the agreed-upon and budgeted cost in FY24.
18. Resolution approving and adopting a revised job classification for the position of Education Coordinator at the Hearst Center for the Arts. This simply updates the position description to better align with the actual duties of the position.
19. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with Nelson & Schaefer Construction LLC relative to renovations at the Recreation Center. This would provide $30K for the replacement of reception countertops and cabinets, as well as conference room cabinets.
20. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with Scott Easton Design for graphic design services relative to the 2024 Cedar Falls Visitor Guide. This would provide $3000 for a graphic design firm to create a visitor's guide for the city.
21. Resolution approving a Shopping Center (S-1) Zoning District site plan for façade improvements at 6207 University Avenue. This would approve the signage and awnings for a new spa and fitness center next to Panda Express, in front of College Square Mall. Part of the district requirements is that the City Council is the approving authority for new facades.
,22. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement for Elevator Maintenance with TK Elevator Company, f/n/a O’Keefe Elevator Company, Inc., relative to elevator maintenance services for city-owned elevators from August 1, 2023 thru July 31, 2024. This sets the payment rates for inspection and maintenance of the city's elevators.
23. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a 28E Agreement with Black Hawk County for Maintenance of Certain Right-of-Ways at or Near the City Limits. This updated agreement seems to be fine, but there's no mention of what is different in this version. I will ask staff for information.
24. Resolution approving and accepting two Warranty Deeds, in conjunction with the North Cedar Heights Area Reconstruction Project. The city needs to aquire small portions of properties in this project area, in order to build the new roads and sewer infrastructure.
25. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to the Professional Service Agreement with Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC for additional design services relative to the Center Street Corridor Streetscape Project. This action would provide up to $3500 to Foth Construction for some additional design work on the curbs along Center Street in the North Cedar Neighborhood.
26. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Owner Purchase Agreement, in conjunction with the Ashworth Drive Roadway Extension Project. This would provide $11,200 to property owners in North Cedar for the purchase of property along Ashworth Drive.
27. Resolution approving and accepting the contract and bond of Blacktop Service Company for the 2023 Seal Coat Project. This would allocate $191.6K for roadway seal-coating throughout the city.
28. Resolution receiving and filing, and setting August 7, 2023 as the date of public hearing on the proposed revised plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the 2023 Sidewalk Assessment Project – Zone 1. This simply sets the date for the public hearing.
Ordinances
29. Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 3, Advertising, of the Code of Ordinances relative to political signs, upon its first consideration. This formal change reflects the existing practice; the city has not been enforcing any provisions about political yard signs, because courts have ruled that this kind of free speech is protected under the first amendment. The only enforcement would be that signs must be on private property, and can't be on the right-of-way (i.e. between the city and the street).
Allow Bills and Claims
30. Allow Bills and Claims for July 17, 2023. The City Council is the approving authority for all bills and claims made against the city since the previous council meeting.
Council Updates and Announcements
Council Referrals
Adjournment
| Meeting Date | 07/17/23 |
|---|
