Monday night's 7pm City Council meeting will feature the second of three required readings of the new Downtown Character District Zoning Ordinance and Map (Items 6 &7). We'll also have a public hearing on the Cedar River Recreation Project's cost estimate and associated documents (Item 5). Also, the Council will have an Executive Session (Item 19) to learn about the city's cybersecurity efforts and assessment of future needs and costs to ensure municipal network and data security.
Prior to that regular council meeting, the City Council will meet in Committee of the Whole at 5:15 to hear a proposal from the new Cedar Falls Economic Development Corporation requesting $150K in taxpayer funds for economic development, and the proposed direction of Cedar Falls' $6.5M share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to required improvements at the city's wastewater treatment plant. We'll also hear from the City Attorneys about the city's current prohibition on political campaigning on city property. If the council wants to change that policy, we'll need to determine if any candidate at the local, county, state or national level can use our parks, if that would apply to all parks, if an event permit / reservations would be required. And would the change also apply to political party rallies as well? Quite a few details need to be addressed in order to be clear and fair to all candidates and stakeholders. I'm glad for the discussion -- it really is ultimately up to council to set the direction, and I'm happy to be a facilitator for this important civic discussion.
I hope you can join us in person in the Council Chambers, or online at Channel 15, YouTube or via Zoom at the links below. And as always, thanks for doing the hard work to be an informed and engaged resident!
The City is providing in-person and electronic options for this meeting in accordance with the Governor's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency regarding meetings and hearings. 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/UCCzeig5nISdIEYisqah1uQ (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 bysmartphone 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 September 7, 2021. This action enters the minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired in the meeting.
Agenda Revisions
Special Presentations
2. Recognition of Civil Service Commissioner John Clopton. I'll be presenting John a Distinguished Service Award for his 16 years as a Civil Service Commission member; the CSC is a critical component of city government, and John has certainly served with distinction.
3. Proclamation recognizing October 3-9, 2021 as Fire Prevention Week.
Public Forum. (Speakers will have one opportunity to speak for up to 5 minutes on topics germane to City business.)
Special Order of Business
4. Public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the 2021 Street Patching Project. This is a standard action each year to repair city streets; the public hearing is required by law and adds transparency to the approval process.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published September 13, 2021)
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 2021 Street Patching Project.
5. Public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the Recreational River Area and Riverbank Improvements Project. This project has evolved from the "whitewater project" and other river safety improvements. The project cost is estimated at $3.76M and is being funded from a variety of city and state funds, private donations, and a $1.5M grant from Black Hawk County Gaming. This action item is to approve the overall plan and scope of the project, so that bids can be received for the construction. The river construction work is expected to start this fall/winter, and will be complete (including riverbank) by the fall of 2022.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published September 13, 2021)
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 Recreational River Area and Riverbank Improvements Project.
Old Business
6. Pass Ordinance 2994, amending Chapter 26, Zoning, and other associated sections of the Code of Ordinances, relative to establishing the CD-DT, Downtown Character District, upon its second consideration. We have discussed this in previous Committee of the Whole and Council Meetings, and it has been recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission, this is the second of three required readings for approval. Given the complexity of the topic, questions and comments from the public are highly encouraged.
7. Pass Ordinance 2995, amending Section 26-118 of the Code of Ordinances, by removing all property within the defined boundaries of the Downtown Character District from current zoning districts and placing the same in the CD-DT, Downtown Character District Zoning District, upon its second consideration. (contingent upon approval of previous ordinance). This item connects to #6 and will set the location of where the different character district zones will be. This is the second of three required readings. Given the complexity of the topic, questions and comments from the public are highly encouraged.
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.)
8. Receive and file the Committee of the Whole minutes of September 7, 2021 relative to the following items: This enters the minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired in the meeting.
a) City Hall Remodel.
b) Review of New International Building Codes.
9. Approve a request for a temporary sign at 2207 Vine Street, for 60 days beginning September 21, 2021. This is a fundraising sign for Center Street improvements in North Cedar. North Cedar Neighborhood Association is publicly raising a little over $55K to fund their part of the project.
10. Approve the following applications for beer permits and liquor licenses: The city council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits.
a) Aldi Inc., 6322 University Avenue, Class C beer & Class B wine - renewal.
b) Escapology Cedar Falls, 2518 Melrose Drive, Special Class C liquor - renewal.
c) Hilton Garden Inn, 7213 Nordic Drive, Class B liquor, Class B native wine & outdoor service - renewal.
d) Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel/Event Center, 7400 Hudson Road, Class B liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
e) Little Bigs, 2210 College Street, Class C liquor - renewal.
f) The Brass Tap, 421 Main Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
g) The Ragged Edge Art Bar & Gallery, 504 Bluff Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service – renewal.
h) Aldi Inc., 6322 University Avenue, Class C beer & Class B wine – change in ownership.
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.)
** Items 11-14 are similar; if a property is continually in violation of city code, the property owner is contacted with an opportunity to correct it. If no corrective action occurs, the City then contracts with a private contractor to address the violation. The cost of that service is then assessed to the property taxes of that property, with council approval.**
11. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow the property located at 130 North College Street.
12. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow the property located at 1227 West 22nd Street.
13. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow the property located at 2208 Coventry Lane.
14. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to clean up/remove debris on the property located at 2716 Waterloo Road.
15. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of an Iowa Tourism Grant for digital advertising. .This is for a $10K grant for marketing in southern MN and vicinity, to encourage visitors to spend some time in Cedar Falls. The grant would require a 25% payment match by the city, which is already included in the tourism budget.
16. Resolution approving a Central Business District (CBD) Overlay Zoning District site plan for façade improvements at 215 Main Street. This is for awning for An Elegant Affair; the council is the approving authority for all facade improvements downtown.
17. Resolution setting October 4, 2021 as the date of public hearing on the proposed rezoning from C-1,Commercial District to R-P, Planned Residence District of property located in the vicinity of Cedar Heights Drive and Valley High Drive, and also on an associated amendment to the Future Land Use Map by changing the designation from Office & Business Park to Medium Density Residential. This simply sets the date for the public hearing, but the memo and applicant package is included in this packet for early review.
Allow Bills and Claims
18. Allow Bills and Claims of September 20, 2021. The city council is the approving authority for paying all bills and claims against the city since the last council meeting.
City Council Referrals
City Council Updates
Staff Updates
Executive Session
19. Executive Session to discuss matters related to cyber security information and records, pursuant to Iowa Code § 21.5(1)(k) and Iowa Code § 22.7(50). I requested this meeting for Council to discuss the city's cyber security. This is increasingly important with the rise in ransomware attacks worldwide. Due to the nature of the topic, it will need to be held in the executive session.
Adjournment
| Council Packet Link | |
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| Meeting Date | 09/20/21 |
