Tonight will be our first full meeting back in the Council Chambers since March; thank you for your patience while we continue working out the logistical and technical issues. I didn't see any contentious issues for this evening; still, there are lots of important items but fairly routine items on the agenda. You can attend either in person (physically distanced) or remotely like in past meetings.
Before our regular meeting, the Council, staff, and I will be meeting at 5:15 to discuss plans for our upcoming Goal Setting Session. This informal work session occurs toward the end of every calendar year, to set the Council's general direction for the next Fiscal Year (July 1 to June 30). Overall, it's a very helpful exercise, but I have concerns with particular aspects of it, and am recommending some reforms for Council consideration as part of my Mayor platform. This work session is scheduled to last 40 minutes, and is open to the public (though no broadcasting). Then we'll have a Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:00 to discuss new Refuse Rates and this year's plans for Snow Removal on Recreational Trails.
I hope you can join us in person, online, via Zoom or on Channel 15. Thanks as always for doing the work to be an informed and engaged citizen.
The Regular City Council Meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 7pm.
The meeting will ALSO 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/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 September 8, 2020. This action enters the minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired at the meeting, and is not an appropriate time to debate the merits of the items discussed in that meeting.
Agenda Revisions
Special Order of Business
2. Public hearing on proposed funding distribution of the State’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funding relative to the CARES Act. This action would disburse Federal funds to community service groups and the improvement of neighborhood parks and playgrounds.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published September 14, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving an Application for State CDBG-CV Entitlement Funding relative to the CARES Act.
3. Public hearing on a proposed ordinance granting a partial property tax exemption to Owen 5, LLC for construction of an industrial use shop/office facility at 1325 Rail Way. This new facility in the Northern Cedar Falls Industrial Park would increase the tax base of the city, in an area where I would like to see significant new construction. The incentive granted is similar to those granted for other projects which will have a minimum assessed property value.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published September 14, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Pass an ordinance granting a partial property tax exemption to Owen 5, LLC for construction of an industrial use shop/office facility at 1325 Rail Way, upon its first consideration.
4. Public hearing on a proposed ordinance granting a partial property tax exemption to Tjaden Properties, LLC for construction of an industrial use manufacturing/shop facility at 2800 Technology Parkway. This new facility in the West Viking Industrial Park would increase the tax base of the city. The incentive granted is similar to those granted for other projects which will have a minimum assessed property value.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published September 14, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Pass an ordinance granting a partial property tax exemption to Tjaden Properties, LLC for construction of an industrial use manufacturing/shop facility at 2800 Technology Parkway, upon its first consideration.
5. Public hearing on a proposed ordinance granting a partial property tax exemption to Zuidberg NA, LLC for construction of an industrial use warehouse and office facility at 2700 Capital Way. This new facility in the West Viking Industrial Park would increase the tax base of the city. The incentive granted is similar to those granted for other projects which will have a minimum assessed property value.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published September 14, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Pass an ordinance granting a partial property tax exemption to Zuidberg NA, LLC for construction of an industrial use warehouse and office facility at 2700 Capital Way, upon its first consideration.
6. Public hearing to consider entering into an Agreement for Private Development with Panther Builders, LLC. This approval would allow Panther Builders to receive the same kind of tax rebate agreement for their new 7th and Washington property that was recently provided to Community Bank and Trust on 1st Street. The infill of existing lots in downtown is far preferable to tearing up agricultural space unnecessarily on the city's outskirts, so I support this recommendation and hope other businesses will seek to build or expand in the downtown area.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published September 14, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement for Private Development with Panther Builders, LLC.
Old Business
7. Pass Ordinance #2969, 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 third and final consideration. This zoning change is required for the construction of the new Cedar Falls High School.
8. Pass Ordinance #2970, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to establishing a 4-way stop at the intersection of West 12th Street and Walnut Street, upon its second consideration. This is the second of three required readings, in order for this four-way stop to be implemented.
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.)
9. Receive and file a communication from the Mayor relative to the July 2020 Compost Facility Fire After-Action Review. City departments carry out after-action reviews for major incidents. Because the Compost Facility Fire was a significant issue for a large number of residents, I believed it prudent to write up a report of the incident for the City Council's and public's consideration.
10. Approve the recommendation of the Mayor relative to the appointment of Jordan Thomas Peterson as Student Liaison, term ending 04/30/2021. UNI forwards a student to me to consider nominating as the Student Liaison to the City Council.
11. Receive & file the resignation of Andrew Morse as a member of the Human Rights Commission. My thanks to Mr. Morse for his service to the HRC over the past several years.
12. Receive and file the City Council Work Session minutes of September 8, 2020 relative to Role of Human Rights Commission. This action enters the minutes into the record as an accurate reflection of what transpired at the meeting, and is not an appropriate time to debate the merits of the items discussed in that meeting.
13. Receive and file the FY20 Annual Report of the Operations & Maintenance Division. This report provides details on one aspect of City operations. I'm not sure why this is posted, while other divisions aren't providing similar information...I'll find out why this is required to be provided to Council.
14. Approve the following applications for beer permits and liquor licenses: The City Council is the approving authority for all alcohol-related permits.
a) Pablo's Mexican Grill, 310 Main Street, Class B beer - renewal.
b) Escapology Cedar Falls, 2518 Melrose Drive, Special Class C liquor - renewal.
c) Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel/Event Center, 7400 Hudson Road, Class B liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
d) Blue Room, 201 Main Street, Class C liquor - renewal.
e) Little Bigs, 2210 College Street, Class C liquor - renewal.
f) SingleSpeed Brewing Co., 128 Main Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
g) The Brass Tap, 421 Main Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
h) The Landmark, 107 Main Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
i) Fareway Store, 214 North Magnolia Drive, Class E liquor - renewal.
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.)
15. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of the City's FY20 Street Financial Report. This report must be provided to the State of Iowa each year in order for the city to remain eligible to receive Road Use Tax Funds.
16. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow and clear overgrown vegetation on the property located at 1122 West 22nd Street. The city hires a contractor to mow yards which are under significant neglect (after giving notice to the property owner). The cost is assessed back to the owner.
17. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow the property located at 234 Clark Drive. The city hires a contractor to mow yards which are under significant neglect (after giving notice to the property owner). The cost is assessed back to the owner.
18. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to mow and clear overgrown vegetation on the property located at 2013 Maplewood Drive. The city hires a contractor to mow yards which are under significant neglect (after giving notice to the property owner). The cost is assessed back to the owner.
19. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with Tempest, Inc. and iDSS Global, LLC for Customer Relationship Management Software for the Visitors and Tourism Division. It will take some significant work to rebuild the vitality of city tourism; tools like these will greatly aid this effort.
20. Resolution approving six occupancy permits prior to the acceptance of public improvements in Western Home Communities Ninth Addition. These properties are ready to occupy; the remaining work & inspections needed for the streets and other infrastructure won't impair the health or welfare of the occupants, so staff is recommending that the new occupants be allowed to move into their homes.
21. Resolution approving a Central Business District (CBD) Overlay Zoning District site plan for facade improvements at 201 Main Street. This would be a major aesthetic improvement to the Blue Room, on the corner of 2nd and Main. The existing wood paneling dates back to the 1970s, and the brickwork and detailing would seek to return it back to it's 1950's look. Interestingly, it's one of the only properties downtown that is looking for a 1950's rather than 1900's aesthetic. The Orange Crush sign is expected to remain, though I wish it would be refurbished a bit so it didn't look so weatherbeaten.
22. Resolution approving the final plat of Chrisbro Subdivision, a Replat of Lot 3, Lockard Pines. This action would allow the properties adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn on the south side of town to be split and sold per the preliminary plat.
23. Resolution approving and accepting the contract and bond of Feldman Concrete, for the 2020 Sidewalk Assessment. This would allow Feldman Concrete to carry out the $39K project to repair sidewalks in the city; the costs would then be assessed to the property owners.
24. Resolution approving and accepting the low bid of Boulder Contracting, LLC, in the amount of $277,914.28, for the 2020 Street Patching Project. This action allows this street utility patching project to proceed, using funds from Cedar Falls Utilities.
25. Resolution approving and accepting the contract and bond of Boulder Contracting, LLC for the 2020 Street Patching Project. This is the required contract for #24 above.
26. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Lodge Construction Inc. for the 100 Block Alley Reconstruction Project. This officially closes out this $271K project to dramatically improve the alley behind the eastern side of 100 Main. It's a very visible area and is many visitors' first impression of Cedar Falls. And it looks terrific now.
27. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Storm Water Maintenance and Repair Agreement with Trinity Bible Church relative to a post-construction stormwater management plan for 125 Orchard Drive. This is a standard agreement to address stormwater runoff when a new property is built on.
28. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of an Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) grant application to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) for Traffic Flow Improvements relative to the West 27th Street Reconstruction Project. This grant would go toward the $3.9M rebuild of 27th Street for use as an access corridor for the new Cedar Falls High School. The installation of roundabouts at various intersections on this street would limit the need for school buses to idle while stopped for traffic in the decades ahead.
29. Resolution approving and accepting the quote of Peterson Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $106,611.00, and authorizing expenditure of funds for the Mandalay Slope Stabilization Project. This would allow the contractor to move forward with plans to mitigate the erosion of the bluff near Mandalay Drive.
30. Resolution setting October 5, 2020 as the date of public hearing on a proposal to undertake a public improvement project for the Greenhill Road and South Main Street Intersection Improvements Project, and to authorize acquisition of private property for said project. This public hearing is the point at which the City Council would decide whether Greenhill and South Main should be s signalized or roundabout intersection. If this item passes on October 5th, the intersection will be built as a roundabout.
Allow Bills and Payroll
31. Allow Bills and Payroll of September 21, 2020. This is a review and approval of all expenditures since the last Council meeting.
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 | 09/21/20 |
