This is a fairly light council meeting at 7pm, with only 27 items. The only items that really affect the general public are Item #4 (the final reading on institutional exemptions for parking lot requirements downtown) and almost $2M in state & gaming grant funding requests the Council is being asked to approve for the new High School / Community natatorium (indoor pool facility).
Prior to the regular meeting, at 6:15, the Cedar Falls Community Foundation will give the FBO Committee a presentation on their mission and activities, and the Public Works Committee will then hear a presentation on the Cedar Falls dam and options for it in the future. Please join us in person in the Council Chambers, or livestreamed on YouTube, or on CFU Channel 15...and thanks as always for doing the 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 September 5, 2023.
Agenda Revisions
Special Presentations
2. Proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as Women in Politics Day.
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
3. Public hearing to consider conveyance of certain city-owned real estate located adjacent to 6317 Development Drive to KATZ Properties, LLC. This item would sell 8000 square feet of industrial park property for $20K, to the property owner of an adjacent industrial use property. This will help that business be more efficient, and I have no concerns about the sale.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published 09/09/2023)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Quit Claim Deed conveying title of certain city-owned real estate located adjacent to 6317 Development Drive to KATZ Properties, LLC.
Old Business
4. Pass Ordinance #3041, amending Chapter 26, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances relative to parking requirements for institutional uses in the Downtown Character District (CD-DT), upon its third & final consideration. (requires 5 aye votes) This has been discussed in past meetings; it would allow churches and civic institutions to have a property in the downtown area "just" for a parking lot, with no requirement to have a two-story building fronting the street.
5. Pass Ordinance #3042, amending Chapter 2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances relative to establishing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, upon its third & final consideration. This was discussed in previous meetings. If approved, I will appoint members similar to other boards and commissions.
6. Pass Ordinance #3043, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to prohibiting parking on certain portions of Dakota Street, upon its third & final consideration. This approval would restrict parking on this street to a 2 hour limit.
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. Receive and file the City Council Standing Committee minutes of September 5, 2023 relative to the following item:
a) Future Forward Cedar Falls 2025: Community Wide Strategic Plan.
8. Approve the following applications for retail alcohol licenses: The City Council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits and liquor licenses.
a) Escapology Cedar Falls, 2518 Melrose Drive, Special Class C retail alcohol - renewal.
b) Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel/Event Center, 7400 Hudson Road, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
c) The Ragged Edge Art Bar & Gallery, 504 Bluff Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service – renewal.
d) Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill, 402 Main Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - temporary additional outdoor service. (September 23, 2023)
e) Aldi Inc., 315 Brandilynn Boulevard, Class B 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.)
9. Resolution Calendar with items considered separately.
10. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Cooperative Agreement with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission for FY24. This provides for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission's handling of discrimination complaints in Cedar Falls, for a maximum of $33K of services (additional requires further authorization by the city). I am supportive of this approach based on the positive recommendation of the Human Rights Commission through the signature of the commission chair. My one concern is that this covers July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, so I will ask that next year's contract be delivered to the Council prior to July 1, 2024 for approval.
11. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow the property located at 1113 Lindale Road. The city uses a contractor to mow nuisance properties after several warnings. The cost is then assessed to the property owner's property taxes. It this case, it was debris removal rather than mowing, but it is the same impact/process.
12. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow the property located at 1119 Calumett Drive. Same as Item 11.
13. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow the property located at 2520 Central Avenue. Same as Item 11.
14. Resolution approving and accepting Local Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program funding from the Iowa State Fire Marshal Division relative to providing fireworks safety education materials. This approval would receive $5000 in state grant funds for fireworks education over a 12 month period.
15. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of an Enhance Iowa Community Attraction & Tourism (CAT) Grant application for funding assistance relative to the Cedar Falls High School community swimming pool located at West 27th Street. This would allow staff to submit a $950K CAT grant request through the State of Iowa.
16. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of a grant application to the Black Hawk County Gaming Association for funding assistance relative to the Cedar Falls High School community swimming pool located at West 27th Street. This would allow staff to submit a $900K CAT grant request through the gaming association.
17. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Waterloo, contracting with Mosaic Community Planning for preparation of a 5-Year Consolidated Action Plan and updated Analysis of Impediments relative to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Programs. This would allow the city to partner with the City of Waterloo for the preparation of a strategic plan, as part of our requirements to receive federal housing funds.
18. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Red House Studio Lease with Taylor Hansen relative to the use of 224 West Seerley Boulevard as artists’ studio space, in conjunction with the Hearst Center’s Visiting Artist Program. This item would allow a studio artist to use a space managed by the Hearst Center. It is similar to many other leases signed in this space over the years.
19. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Public Art Committee Agreement for Lease of Artwork with Rachel Heine relative to placement of a sculpture at 311 Main Street. This would pay a sculpture artist $1000 for the lease of a sculpture, with first right to purchase the sculpture if desired at the end of that year.
20. Resolution approving and accepting a stipend from the Iowa Arts Council for funding. This would receive a $1000 stipend from the state for the Hearst's Poetry Out Loud Competition.
21. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of a GIG Fund grant application to Arts Midwest relative to an art invitational at the Hearst Center. This item would allow the Hearst to apply for a state grant of up to $4000 for funding an art show.
22. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of an application for an Iowa Tourism Grant for funding relative to digital advertising to promote Cedar Falls. This item would approve a $10K grant request for state funding for a digital ad campaign fr the city.
23. Resolution approving and accepting the contract and bond of Boulder Contracting, LLC relative to the 2023 Sidewalk Assessment Project – Zone 1. This approval of required paperwork would allow the contractor to continue forward with sidewalk repairs around town.
24. Resolution approving and accepting a Warranty Deed, in conjunction with the Ashworth Drive Extension Project. This allows the city to obtain from the property owners a small piece of property on Hudson. I will ask staff why it is only for $1.
25. Resolution setting October 2, 2023 as the date of public hearing on a proposed ordinance granting a partial property tax exemption to KL Iowa 01, LLC for construction of a new warehouse and manufacturing facility at 6313 Production Drive. This simply sets the hearing date for this new facility's incentives request.
Allow Bills and Claims
26. Allow Bills and Claims for September 18, 2023. The council is the approving authority for all bills and claims made to the city since the previous council meeting.
Council Updates and Announcements
Council Referrals
Executive Session
27. Executive Session to discuss Legal Matters per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.
Adjournment
| Council Packet Link | |
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| Meeting Date | 09/18/23 |
