I'm seeing a lot of fairly routine items on the Council Docket for tomorrow night. One item I'll pull for discussion is the "Resilience Plan" (Item #13), for a better understanding of what it is, why it's needed, and how the bidding process worked on it. Also, the developer of The Arbors wants to change some of the platted properties from single home to duplex, and this is one worth reading up on (Item #21).
A couple of procedural notes, for your council-meeting-viewing edification
1. Public Hearing Resolution Agenda Placement. In the past couple of meetings, it's been pretty odd that the public hearing would sometimes result in public comment (which is great), but then we'd have a separate item on the agenda to actually approve the resolution, resulting in a second redundant opportunity for public comment. I'm committed to following the letter and spirit of the law (Platform Item #7) and Admin Policy 7 provides that every agenda item will allow for public comment. So, to eliminate the redundancy, the resolutions will now appear as part (e) in the Public Hearing item.
2. Purpose of the Resolution and Consent Calendars. Parliamentary procedure (which we follow in council meetings) allows for a Consent Calendar to lump all the routine and non-controversial "voice vote" items together, and a Resolution Calendar to lump all the non-controversial and routine "roll call vote" items together. The reason this practice exists isn't to sneakily push things through council, but instead to get non-controversial items out of the way so that there's more time to discuss any controversial or confusing items. For the past few council meetings, a member of the public has sought to have every item on the consent and resolution calendar pulled, just for the sake of separate discussion. That's a very poor use of the public's, council's, staff, and my time and attention. Certainly, the council or public are encouraged to pull items for separate discussion if there are actually questions or concerns to discuss. But if not, then pulling each item is like pressing every button on a skyscraper, because you happen to believe the riders should see and appreciate each floor. Going forward, out of respect to all attendees who may wish to devote time to controversial items, I will not allow "pressing all the elevator buttons" and will publicly admonish those who attempt to do so. Let's instead focus attention on those items which really DO need discussion.
3. This Goes Better If We All Do the Homework. Related to #2 above, it's imperative we all read the Council packets prior to the meeting, to track what's going on. It's not a good use of time to have to re-hash everything publicly that you could have learned beforehand (similar to the dreaded "Meeting that could've been an e-mail"). As you've seen these past two and a half years, I devote about 4-6 hours each pre-council weekend to read through the packet, so that I gain a basic understanding of what's before the council for a vote. The council meeting is generally not the time to have a full presentation on each item, unless a public hearing legally requires it. Also, more complex items have typically been discussed already in Committee of the Whole and in Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, and those are recorded and available online. Help is available to anyone having difficulty downloading the Council Packet in PDF form on CedarFalls.com (like this current one), or viewing the YouTube videos.
Thanks for working to be an informed and engaged resident....I apologize for the late timing of the delivery, but had my hands full with lots of City Things all this weekend. Being Mayor is a fascinating job, but it sure does take great time management skills!
Oh, also at 6:25 we'll be getting a business update from Grow Cedar Valley during Committee of the Whole. The regular meeting kicks off at 7pm. I hope you can join us via Zoom, phone, or by watching on Channel 15 or YouTube...details below!
To protect against the spread of the COVID-19, the meeting will be held via Videoconference. 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://youtu.be/fmTQixorGMo (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 May 18, 2020. Simply enters these 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.
Agenda Revisions
Special Order of Business
2. Public hearing on amendments to the Citizen Participation Plan for the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program relative to the CARES Act. This resolution would change the announcement windows for citizen participation in CDBG and HOME programs to comply with the federal CARES Act. No questions.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published May 22, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving amendments to the Citizen Participation Plan for the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program relative to the CARES Act.
3. Public hearing on amendments to the FFY2019-2023 Consolidated Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & HOME Program funding relative to the CARES Act. This resolution would change some administrative & funding level details in the FY19-23 Plans for CDBG and HOME programs to account for new funding provided by the federal CARES Act. No questions.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published May 22, 2020) b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving amendments to the FFY2019-2023 Consolidated Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & HOME Program funding relative to the CARES Act.
4. Public hearing on amendments to the FFY19 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & HOME Program funding relative to the CARES Act. This resolution would change some administrative & funding level details in the FY19 Action Plan for CDBG and HOME programs to account for new funding provided by the federal CARES Act. No questions.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published May 22, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving amendments to the FFY19 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & HOME Program funding relative to the CARES Act.
5. Public hearing on the proposed vacation of certain public right-of-way along Prairie Parkway. This change would allow Western Home Communities to put an entryway sign in a more practical area for the sake of visibility. No questions.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published May 22, 2020)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Pass an ordinance vacating certain public right-of-way along Prairie Parkway, upon its first consideration.
Old Business
6. Pass Ordinance #2966, amending Section 26-121 of the Code of Ordinances by rezoning from A-1, Agricultural, to R-1, Residential and M-1, P, Planned Light Industrial, of recently annexed property located south of West Viking Road and east of South Union Road, upon its third & final consideration. This rezoning request has been discussed in previous meetings, and would be adopted if approved in this third reading. No questions.
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.)
7. Receive and file a proclamation recognizing June 6, 2020 as Cedar Falls Trails Day. We have a terrific trails system, and a unique opportunity to engage a national user group, as one of the few cities on the Great American Rail-Trail route. I'm happy to be able to help commemorate this day.
8. Receive and file Departmental Monthly Reports of April 2020. No questions; I gave a shout-out to the Information Systems Division in the cover memo, for all the extra work required in April to get staff up to speed with remote working. I always learn a great deal from reading the reports...I hope you'll peruse them as well. If nothing else, the police log sure is an eye-opener for a side of Cedar Falls that many of us don't see day to day.
9. Approve the request of The Black Hawk Hotel / Bar Winslow for a temporary sign at 115 Main Street. No questions; this is a simple "sandwich sign" request that only needs Council approval because it's in the Downtown Business District.
10. Approve the following applications for cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor permits: No questions; Council is the approving authority for these kinds of permits. Smoking causes cancer, and I encourage all residents to quit.
a) B&B West, 3105 Hudson Road.
b) Bani's, 2128 College Street.
c) Buzz Smoke & Vapor, 2125 College Street, Suite A.
d) Cloud 9 Glass & Novelty, 2125 College Street, Suite C.
e) Cypress Lounge, 209 State Street Suite A.
f) Dollar General, 2921 Center Street.
g) Dollar General, 1922 Valley Park Drive.
h) Fleet Farm, 400 West Ridgeway Avenue.
i) Fleet Farm Fuel, 108 West Ridgeway Avenue.
j) Greenleaf Tobacco and Vapor, 5901 University Avenue.
k) Kwik Star, 7500 Nordic Drive.
l) Kwik Star, 2019 College Street.
m) Kwik Star, 4515 Coneflower Parkway.
n) Metro Mart, 103 Franklin Street.
o) Prime Mart 1, 2323 Main Street.
p) Tobacco Outlet Plus, 4116 University Avenue Suite 106.
q) Walgreens, 2509 Whitetail Drive.
11. Approve the following applications for beer permits and liquor licenses: Council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits. No questions.
a) Kwik Star, 7500 Nordic Drive, Class C beer & Class B wine - renewal.
b) Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican Café, 6507 University Avenue, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
c) Harry's Five and Dime, 123 Main Street, Class C liquor - renewal.
d) Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant, 112-114 Main Street, Class C liquor & outdoor service - renewal.
e) Prime Mart, 2323 Main Street, 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.)
12. Resolution approving electronic bidding procedures and Official Statement relative to the sale of $3,430,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2020. This document is required as part of our bonding process, and is transmitted each year. No questions.
13. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with Perkins & Will relative to developing a Resilience Plan for the City of Cedar Falls. This would commit about $90K to a community "Resilience Plan", which is what the city is calling the "Sustainability Plan". I'll ask why the terminology changed, and also for some details about the bidding process and how the city arrived at this $90K figure from what appears to be a sole-source consultant.
14. Resolution approving and adopting the City's FY21 Fee Schedule. No questions about the new fee schedule; I checked to ensure that the Employee Wellness Rates are included in the document (they are) -- staff and council members pay a much lower rate for Rec Center membership than the public. I totally support that discount rate for anyone on the city's health care plan...it's a good investment for promoting staff health (and me, for that matter, since I'm on the health plan). But I believe City Council Members should not get this reduced City Wellness rate....Council Members should experience the city exactly the same way as all other residents do. But that's a fight for a different day.
15. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks abutting the property located at 2307 West 3rd Street. This would charge the property owner the cost to have a company shovel the sidewalk well after a snowstorm. As you can see from the pictures, we're talking about significant neglect here, and when it becomes a public safety slip & fall liability, the city intervenes. No questions.
16. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks abutting the property located at 1934 Main Street. Same as #15. No questions.
17. Resolution levying a final assessment for costs incurred by the City to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks abutting the property located at 1009 State Street. Same as #15. No questions.
18. Resolution approving renovation of the monument sign located adjacent to the Hearst Center for the Arts on West Seerley Boulevard, as recommended by the Art and Culture Board. This would allow the Hearst Center to install a new sign (using $1700 in Friends fundraising) which reflects the logo/branding approved in 2016. No questions.
19. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an amended Agreement with Gillian Christy relative to placement of a sculpture at 220 Clay Street. This would allow the sculpture for the City Hall sculpture in honor of former Mayor Jon Crews to be installed / unveiled at the Sturgis Falls 2021 event, rather than the 2020 event. No additional expense to the city is accrued due to this delay. No questions.
20. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Land Maintenance Agreement with Thomas Greiner relative to maintaining recently annexed undeveloped land. This will allow an adjacent property owner to put plant cover on the land the city recently purchased and annexed. I'm just curious what benefit Mr. Greiner will get from this extra work, since it's at no cost to the city. I'll ask.
21. Resolution approving an amendment to the preliminary plat for The Arbors. This change would allow Midwest Development to re-plat some properties from single homes to duplex homes near Aldrich Elementary. It was discussed at the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 13. No questions.
22. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a First Amendment to Professional Service Agreement with the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) for Grant Administration and Technical Services for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funding relative to the CARES Act. This would provide $7K in additional federal grant funds to INRCOG to administer the new provisions and funds of the CARES Act. Outsourcing this work to INRCOG has been a very successful, and I have no questions about this expansion.
23. Resolution receiving and filing the bids, and approving and accepting the low bid of Boulder Contracting, LLC, in the amount of $69,608.45, for the 2020 CDBG Sidewalk Infill Project. Allows the contractor to move forward with required sidewalk repairs and improvements. This work shouldn't be delayed, because the federal Department of Justice has been taking actions against cities that don't meet their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). No questions.
24. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Storm Water Maintenance and Repair Agreement with J Davis Properties, LLC relative to a post-construction stormwater management plan for Parcel F in the College Square Mall First Addition, Minor Subdivision Plat (Slumberland parking lot). This allows Slumberland on Unversity to carry out improvements to its parking lot.
25. Resolution approving and accepting a Quit Claim Deed, in conjunction with the 1994 transfer of jurisdiction of Center Street, f/n/a U.S. Highway 218, from 1st Street north to the city limits. This transfer completes a process of ownership change for Center Street from the State of Iowa to the City of Cedar Falls. This has been over two decades in the making, and I'm very interested to hear why this took so long to accomplish. I'll ask.
Allow Bills and Payroll
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 | 06/01/20 |
