The big item for this night will be the Police Chief nomination approval discussion and vote (Item #9); Council will also vote on rezoning property for the new high school (Item #2) and I'm asking for Council support to establish a new Sister City partnership (Item #10). Many other employee health care and construction project completion items are also included in the packet.
Prior to this meeting, the Council will meet in a Work Session at 6pm to discuss their opinions and desires for re-implementing the "committees" structures for the council, rather than just one overarching "Committee of the Whole". This will also be conducted via Zoom, using the information below, but will not be broadcast on Channel 15. The public is invited to observe that work session.
I hope you can join us at 6pm for the Work Session and/or 7pm for the Council's regular meeting. And as a special note, no one has been blocked from participating; I understand that two people have received a message stating "Connection refused by host"; that's a technical problem, rather than you being barred from the meeting. If that's happened to you in a previous meeting, please let me know at rob.green@cedarfalls.com We don't have an explanation for why it's happening, but IT will try to troubleshoot with you. You may have success simply by dialing in with your phone, rather than through the Zoom app.
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. Regular Meeting of August 3, 2020. This action simply enters the minutes into the official record as an accurate reflection of what was discussed at the meeting. It is not an appropriate time to discuss the merits of the items themselves.
Agenda Revisions
Special Order of Business
2. Public hearing on the proposed rezoning from A-1, Agricultural District to P, Public District, of certain property located north of West 27th Street and west of P E Center Drive, and also on an associated amendment to the Future Land Use Map by changing the designation from Medium Density Residential and University to Schools. This change would be required to allow the new Cedar Falls High School to be built. You can view the Future Land Use Map and Zoning Map online. The changes have been anticipated for quite some time.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published August 7, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Pass an ordinance amending Section 26-118 of the Code of Ordinances by removing property located north of West 27th Street and west of P E Center Drive from the A-1, Agricultural District, and placing the same in the P, Public District, upon its first consideration.
f) Resolution amending the Future Land Use Map by changing the designation from Medium Density Residential and University to Schools, for property located north of West 27th Street and west of P E Center Drive.
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.)
3. Receive and file a proclamation recognizing August 18, 2020 as the 19th Amendment Ratification Centennial Day. Though COVID-19 has largely dampened the celebrations of the centennial, it's still a really big deal. I'm happy to provide an additional spotlight, particularly on the actual ratification date. Thanks to all our area partners for their virtual and in-person commemorations this year.
4. Receive & file the following resignations of members from Boards and Commissions: COVID-19 is also having an understandable impact on our boards and commissions makeup; several members have had to step away either directly or indirectly due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. I thank them for their service, and welcome them to participate again once time allows for them to contribute.
Additionally, Mr. Zaputil's resignation includes a number of significant concerns about Human Rights Commission dynamics; I will be holding a Work Session before the City Council's next meeting (September 8th) to discuss these organizational concerns and proposed solutions.
a) Jeremy Rosel, Art & Culture Board.
b) Jeffrey Zaputil, Human Rights Commission.
c) Marvin Mattfeld, Park & Recreation Commission.
5. Approve the following recommendation of the Mayor relative to the appointment of members to Boards and Commissions. Chelsey Bowermaster was vetted through my Selection Committee and comes highly qualified for service. I'm very glad to have her insights as part of the board.
a) Chelsey Bowermaster, Health Trust Fund Board of Trustees, term ending 12/31/2020.
6. Receive and file the Committee of the Whole minutes of August 3, 2020 relative to the following items: NThis action simply enters the meeting minutes into the official record as an accurate reflection of what transpired at the meeting; it is not an appropriate time to debate the merits of the items themselves.
a) Washington Street Reconstruction.
b) Bills & Payroll.
7. Receive and file the Abstract of Votes for the July 7, 2020 Special Election to fill vacancy (TFV) and the August 4, 2020 Special Runoff Election to fill vacancy (TFV). As Larry Sabato says, "Every election is determined by the people who show up". I'm still astounded that in local elections, we're lucky to get 1 in 5 registered voters to actually make their voices heard at the polls. This document simply records the number of votes for each candidate in the special election and runoff.
8. Approve the following applications for beer permits and liquor licenses: The City Council is the approving authority for all alcohol licenses. No questions.
a) Buffalo Wild Wings, 6406 University Avenue, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
b) The Library, 2222 College Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
c) Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill, 402 Main Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
d) Fraternal Order of Eagles, 2125 West Lone Tree Road, Class C liquor & outdoor service - temporary expansion of outdoor service area. (August 22, 2020)
e) Main Street Sweets, 307 Main Street, Class B native wine – new.
f) The Ragged Edge Art Bar & Gallery, 504 Bluff Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service – new with exceptions. (see attached)
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.)
9. Resolution approving the Mayor's nomination of Assistant Chief Craig Berte for appointment as Police Chief. I explained my reasons for making this nomination in the the memo in the packet (pages 36-37). I also invited the public to send me their questions, concerns, and opinions in a Courier guest column last Sunday. I received several letters in support of the nomination (included in the packet) and none against. I understand that accusations have been made by special interest groups on social media, but I must make my decisions based on the facts and official records before me, not on opinions and hearsay. As I said in the Courier, I was also impressed with the credentials and passion of the other candidates; all were indeed qualified to serve as Police Chief. The public will have an opportunity to comment prior to Council deliberation and voting.
10. Resolution supporting the Sister City relationship with Ferizaj of the Republic of Kosovo. In 2013, then-Governor Terry Branstad officially partnered Iowa with the Republic of Kosovo in a Sister States program. Earlier this year I learned of efforts to join cities together in similar Sister Cities partnerships. My memo to the City Council asks for their support to build long-term friendship and good will with the city of Ferizaj. You can learn more about the backstory with Kosovo in this TV-9 article.
11. Resolution naming official depositories for the City of Cedar Falls. A fairly standard administrative request from staff. I'll ask for details of why this addtional bank is being added to our portfolio of depositories.
12. Resolution approving and authorizing a request for reimbursement from the Iowa Covid-19 Government Relief Fund for eligible costs related to the Covid-19 public health emergency. This allows the city to receive $963K from the State as part of the federal CARES Act. No questions .
13. Resolution approving and adopting a Benefits Certificate for the City of Cedar Falls Employee Dental Plan. A routine health benefits related item for city employee coverage.
14. Resolution approving and adopting Summary Plan Descriptions for the City of Cedar Falls Health Benefit Plans. A routine health benefits related item for city employee coverage.
15. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Waterloo and Black Hawk County relative to the 2020-2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funding for the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force. (Starts page 309) This is an annual agreement for disbursing a grant, in which Cedar Falls would receive about $15.7K for narcotics enforcement, gun violence, gang activity, and other criminal activity.
16. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an extension of an Agreement for Custodial Services with Fresh Start Cleaning Solutions, Inc., relative to providing custodial services for city buildings from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021. This is for the third year of a contract for $22K to Fresh Start Cleaning for city building custodial services. I've been impressed with the custodians' attention to detail and work ethic, and am happy to support this agreement extension.
17. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Peters Construction Corporation for the Place to Play Playground Project. This allows Peters to receive their final payment of $22.3K, after the city (through the Council) accepts their work as being fully complete.
18. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Storm Water Maintenance and Repair Agreement with AutoZone Inc. relative to a post-construction stormwater management plan for 6130 University Avenue. A fairly standard agreement for handling stormwater; this is a new construction (AutoZone) where the old Pizza Hut used to be on University.
19. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Peterson Contractors, Inc. for the 2018 Street Construction Project. (Starts page 363) This allows Peters to receive the final $245K in taxpayer funds, for the completion of the $4.9M road improvements project from 2018.
20. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Iowa Bridge & Culvert, LC for the 2017 Levee/Floodwall System Improvements Project. This allows Iowa Bridge and Culvert to receive the final $200K in taxpayer funds, for the completion of the $4.0M levee upgrades.
21. Resolution receiving and filing, and approving and accepting the bid of Feldman Concrete, in the amount of $38,899.20, being the only bid received for the 2020 Sidewalk Assessment Project - Zone 3. Allows Feldman to move forward with repairing/replacing sidewalk tiles throughout the city, where property owners have chosen to not complete the work themselves.
22. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Contract for Economic Development Marketing Services with Brand Acceleration, Inc. This would allocate $18K in taxpayer funds to Brand Acceleration, develop marketing materials and other services for economic development. This basically outsources what we would likely have to do internally; it is particularly important given the current economic upheavals; Cedar Falls is well-positioned to be a small-town alternative to the high costs of big cities for companies of all sizes. Efforts like these help us to best partner with companies most compatible with Cedar Falls.
23. Resolution approving a Central Business District (CBD) Overlay Zoning District site plan for facade improvements at 212 ½ Main Street. A new awning for the Masonic Lodge. No concerns.
24. Resolution approving a Central Business District (CBD) Overlay Zoning District site plan for facade improvements at 515 Main Street. A new sign for a new medical spa in the Farmers State Bank building downtown. No concerns.
25. Resolution approving an S-1 Shopping Center District site plan for installation of a permanent kiosk for online order pick-up service at 6301 University Avenue. This moves the curbside pick-up service from the front of Hy-Vee to the back. This has already become the trend at other retailers; no concerns.
26. Resolution receiving and filing, and setting September 8, 2020 as the date of public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the 2020 Street Patching Project. No concerns about the proposed hearing date.
Allow Bills and Payroll
27. Allow Bills and Payroll of August 17, 2020. Approval of the city's recent expenditures (starts page 545). This reminds me to ask staff why we sometimes have this printout in the Committee of the Whole packet, and sometimes in the main packet. It would make more sense just to always have it in the council packet (so you know where to find it each month)...I'll find out.
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 | 08/17/20 |
