Monday night's council meeting agenda is only about half as long as usual, but it has two topics of significant public interest. The first is the College Hill Vision Plan repeal (Item #2), which could realistically happen since five council members had voted on November 6th to put the override on the agenda. The second big item is a controversial proposed plan for the Autumn Ridge subdivision (Item #15). The developer is seeking approval to have smaller property lots in order to significantly increase the number of homes that can be built in that area. On September 13th, the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended denial of that plan (six nay's, two abstentions). This is sure to be a lively topic at the Council Meeting.
We have no committee meetings on this night, so the I hope to see you in person in the council chambers at 7pm, or feel free to join us via Channel 15 or livestreaming on the city's YouTube channel. 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 November 6, 2023.
Agenda Revisions
Special Presentations
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
Old Business
2. Repass, over Mayor’s veto of Resolution #23,366, being a resolution rescinding Resolution #22,360 approving and adopting the Imagine College Hill Vision Plan. (Requires five aye votes to override Mayor’s veto). This council will have a final opportunity to repeal the College Hill Vision Plan if it can muster at least five votes to override my veto. The original repeal vote passed 4-to-3. In our last meeting, five council members voted to have this "repass" item on the Council agenda for tonight. I have stated my reasons in my veto memo (pages 11 & 12) why I believe that repealing the College Hill Vision Plan at this time is not in the best interests of the community. If the College Hill Vision Plan is repealed, it could be brought forward for adoption (again) during the next term if the council so chooses.
3. Pass Ordinance #3045, amending Chapter 26, Zoning, by removing Section 26-196E. Special Parking Standards, relative to allowing adjacent on-street parking to count towards shared parking requirements in the Downtown Character District (CD-DT), upon its third & final consideration. (requires 5 aye votes) This would modify the city's parking requirements downtown, and has been discussed in previous meetings.
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.)
4. Receive and file the City Council Standing Committee minutes of November 6, 2023 relative to the following items:
a) FY2023 Audit Report.
b) Main Street RAISE Grant Update.
c) Royal Drive & Seerley Boulevard One-Ways.
d) College Hill Area Zoning Districts Review.
5. Receive and file the following resignations of members from Boards and Commissions: Ms. Lang is taking a new position out of the city, and so is unable to continue on the board. I wish her the best in her future pursuits, and thank her for 18 years of service.
a) Amy Lang, Board of Adjustments.
6. Receive and file communications from the Civil Service Commission relative to the following certified lists: This CSC is the approving authority for the hiring of Civil Service positions, and must report to the City Council on its activities.
a) Equipment Mechanic.
b) Public Safety Officer.
c) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I.
7. Receive and file the Bi-Annual Report of College Hill Partnership relative to FY2024 Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) funds and an FY2024 Economic Development Grant. The College Hill Partnership receives funding from the city and through taxes; they are required by Council to submit a report twice a year on their activities.
8. Approve an Order Accepting Acknowledgement/Settlement Agreement with Daffodils, Inc. d/b/a Buzz Smoke & Vapor, 2125 College Street, for a second tobacco violation. State law prohibits tobacco sales to persons under 21 years of age; this is a civil penalty for having done so.
9. Approve the application of CIV Plus, 704 Main Street, for a cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor permit. This is another vape shop. The Council is currently looking at density regulations to prevent multiple vape shops from being located in close proximity to one another, as has happened on College Hill.
10. Approve the following applications for retail alcohol licenses: The City Council is the approving authority for all alcohol sales licenses.
a) Urban Pie, 200 State Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
b) Alist Nails & Spa, 6015 University Avenue, Special Class C retail alcohol - new - change in ownership.
c) Cedar Falls Family Restaurant, 2627 Center Street, Special Class C 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.)
11. Resolution Calendar with items considered separately.
12. Resolution amending Resolution No. 20,502, establishing a University of Northern Iowa student liaison to the City Council and developing certain procedures and imposing certain requirements for such position. This would update the existing resolution to allow the student liaison to participate in committee meetings as well as the regular council meeting.
13. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement with RxBenefits, Inc. relative to a prescription drug benefits plan. This an administrative approval related to the city employee medical benefits plan.
14. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a 28E Agreement for Tobacco, Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Product Enforcement with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. This will allow the city to obtain state funding to support the enforcement of laws regarding tobacco and vapor products.
15. Resolution approving an amendment to the RP Zoning District Master Plan and Development Procedures Agreement for Autumn Ridge Development. The developer has requested that the City Council approve his master plan request on the western side of town. This was recommended for disapproval by the Planning and Zoning Commission, but only requires a simple council majority (four members) to override and approve. The council packet contains many letters of opposition from nearby residents, who are unhappy with the increased density that this new plan proposes, as compared with the original plan approved years ago.
16. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Extension of a Yard Waste Management Service Agreement with T & W Grinding relative to management of the City’s compost facility. The contractor is amenable to continuing our existing agreement for an additional year. No concerns.
Ordinances
17. Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Fire Prevention and Protection, of the Code of Ordinances relative to installation of post indicator valves, upon its first consideration. This change would put our sprinkler system requirements into better conformance with national standards, and appears to be a common-sense change.
Allow Bills and Claims
18. Allow Bills and Claims for November 20, 2023. The city council is the approving authority for all bills and claims made against the city since the time of the previous meeting.
Council Updates and Announcements
Council Referrals
Adjournment
| Council Packet Link | |
|---|---|
| Meeting Date | 11/20/23 |
