This 7pm meeting has a significant number of contract approvals and other important administrative items. Of special interest to the public would be Four Way Stop Sign proposal in North Cedar (Item #37), as well as temporary downtown residential parking permits (Item #35) and a proposed $1500/yr increase in council pay (Item #10). We'll also be discussing a development agreement with Ryan Companies in the Industrial Park (Item #3).
The request to add a four-way stop in North Cedar (at Lone Tree Road and Center Street) comes because the Center Street corridor from Lone Tree down to Cottage Row Road is no longer a highway corridor, and yet some drivers treat it like it is. With the future growth of North Cedar and the proximity of the elementary school, I believe that the street warrants investigation to slow the cars coming into that neighborhood. Importantly, the proposal has the strong support of the North Cedar Neighborhood Association. I'll be interested in hearing the council & public dialogue at the Monday night meeting.
Prior to this, at 5:20 the FBO Committee will hear a presentation on TIF districts (which was referred by council) and the Public Works Committee will hear a presentation on pedestrian crosswalks.
I hope you can join us in person in the City Council Chambers, online on YouTube, or watching on CFU Channel 15. Thanks as always for doing the work to be an informed and engaged resident, especially as we head into local elections this November.
Call to Order by the Mayor
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Minutes
1. Regular meeting of July 17, 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
2. Public hearing on the proposed revised plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the 2023 Sidewalk Assessment Project - Zone 1. This is the first step in moving ahead with replacement of sidewalk on private properties which are not in compliance with ADA requirements. For full disclosure, I have two 4x3 slabs on my property which will be replaced as part of this program.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published 07/22/2023)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution approving and adopting the revised plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the 2023 Sidewalk Assessment Project - Zone 1.
3. Continuation of a public hearing to consider entering into an Agreement for Private Development, and to consider conveyance of certain city-owned real estate to Ryan Companies US, Inc. This would provide the company 9 acres of free city land and five years of tax abatements (our usual offering) in order to build a qualifying facility and add this property to the tax rolls. The 40,000 square foot industrial warehouse will have a minimum assessed valuation of $4.75M.
a) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
b) Staff comments.
c) Public comments.
d) Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement for Private Development, and approving and authorizing execution of a Deed Without Warranty conveying certain city-owned real estate to Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Old Business
4. Pass Ordinance #3031, amending the Zoning Map by removing approximately 2.26 acres of property located at 702 LeClair Street from the C-1, Commercial Zoning District and placing the same in the PC-2, Planned Commercial Zoning District, upon its third & final consideration. This has been discussed in previous meetings.
5. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a PC-2, Planned Commercial Zoning District Developmental Procedures Agreement with Randy W. Howe Revocable Trust, and approving a PC-2, Planned Commercial Master Plan relative to construction of a warehouse/storage building. If #4 is approved tonight on its final reading, then this item would allow a new structure to be built on the land.
6. Pass Ordinance #3032, amending Chapter 26, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances relative to allowance of vinyl siding on residential buildings with six or fewer dwelling units in the Neighborhood Frontages within the CD-DT, Downtown Character District, upon its third & final consideration.This has been discussed in previous meetings.
7. Pass Ordinance #3034, amending Chapter 19, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Code of Ordinances relative to removal of snow and ice, upon its third & final consideration.This has been discussed in previous meetings.
8. Pass Ordinance #3035, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicle, of the Code of Ordinances relative to prohibiting parking on certain portions of Bluebell Road, upon its third & final consideration. This has been discussed in previous meetings.
9. Pass Ordinance #3036, amending Chapter 3, Advertising, of the Code of Ordinances relative to political signs, upon its second consideration. This would remove the ordinance which requires a permit for political signs. It has not been enforced for several years, due to first amendment concerns.
10. Pass Ordinance #3037, amending Chapter 2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances relative to salaries for elected officials, upon its second consideration. This has been discussed in previous meetings; the original $12000 compensation (currently it's about $7000) has been lowered by amendment to $8500, and it would have to be approved in this meeting and the next, in order to take effect on January 2, 2024.
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.)
11. Receive and file the City Council Standing Committee minutes of July 17, 2023 relative to the following items:
a) Grow Cedar Valley Update.
b) Parking Permits for Downtown Residents.
c) City Council Emails on City Website.
d) Request for 4-Way Stop at the Lone Tree and Center Street Intersection.
12. Approve the following recommendations of the Mayor relative to the appointment of members to Boards and Commissions: Thanks to these community members for their willingness to step up and serve the people of Cedar Falls through boards and commissions.
a) Nick Evens, Utilities Board of Trustees, term ending 08/31/2027.
b) Sandy Thomas, Visitors & Tourism Board, term ending 07/01/2026.
13. Receive and file Departmental Monthly Reports of June 2023. These reports are a terrific way to learn about what's happening in city government. I encourage all to take a look at the monthly goings-on to see the great work of our city staff.
14. Approve a request for a temporary sign/banner to be located on city-owned property at 205 West 1st Street for 60 days. This is for the banner that will be on W First Street in order to show. the new rotary first responder statue construction there.
15. Approve the following applications for retail alcohol licenses: The Cedar Falls City Council is the approving authority for all alcohol permits and liquor licenses.
a) Main Street Sweets, 307 Main Street, Special Class B retail native wine – renewal.
b) Amigo, 5809 University Avenue, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
c) The Pump Haus Pub & Grill, 311 Main Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
d) Wilbo, 118 Main Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
e) Live to 9, 200 Block of State Street and 100 Block of East 2nd Street including adjacent sidewalks, Special Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service – 5-day permit.
f) Kwik Star, 4515 Coneflower Parkway, 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.)
16. Resolution Calendar with items considered separately.
17. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of Memorandum of Understanding with the Iowa Department of Revenue relative to participation in the State Setoff Program. This program is a means to collect past due money from residents, and is a continuation of an existing agreement with the state of Iowa that has been in place since 2008.
18. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Master Services Agreement with CivicPlus relative to content management software for the City's web site. This agreement reflects a price increase with the contractor and would set the city's annual fee for all website services and support at $19,200.
19. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with ByWater Solutions relative to an Integrated Library System (ILS) for the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries. This would transition the library from an older cataloging system for the cost of $43,000 and then put the library into annual support of $30K. The cost would be shared equally by Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
20. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with Tree Town Consultants, LLC for the purchase and training of a dual-purpose police dog. If approved, this item would provide the city of Cedar Falls with a police dog for both detection and apprehension, for the cost of $13,500.
21. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a First Amendment to the Wellness Program Services Agreement with TMA @ Your Service, LLC, d/b/a “Wellworks For You” relative to a platform for the City’s employee wellness program. This updated contract would add mental health wellness services to the offerings from this contractor, as part of our Wellness program.
22. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Offer to Buy Real Estate and Acceptance for 8,000 square feet of city-owned property adjacent to 6317 Development Drive within the West Viking Road Industrial Park. This agreement would sell part of the property of the industrial park to the applicant for $20,000, It is an 8000-square-foot area the city already owns.
23. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Contract with Daniels Home Improvement relative to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing rehabilitation project. This would use $11K n pass-through federal funds to repair an owner-occupied home south of the College Square Mall.
24. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) for administration and technical services related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Project Delivery for FY2024 (Federal Fiscal Year 2023). This would provide $44K in federal funds to INRCOG for administration of our CDBG grant dollars in FY 2024. This is a continuation of an existing relationship and INRCOG does a great job.
25. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) for technical services related to Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Funding Project Delivery for FY2024 (Federal Fiscal Year 2023). Similar to item 24.
26. Resolution approving and authorizing the expenditure of funds for the purchase of a pickup truck for the Parks Section. This would allow for the purchase of a used Ford F-250 for $46,680, for use by the Public Works Department.
27. Resolution approving and authorizing submission of an Application for Site-Specific Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) funding to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) relative to the Prairie Parkway and Viking Road Intersection Improvements Project. This is an application request to the IDOT for $500K, to help cover the cost of the new roundabout being planned for Prairie Parkway and Viking Road.
28. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a License Agreement with Windstream Intellectual Property Services, LLC relative to installing a fiber optic telecommunications system within the public right-of-way along Leversee Road. This simply gives permission for Windstream to install fiber in the right of way, at their cost.
29. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion for the 2021 Public Sidewalk Repair and Infill Project. This finally ends the 2021 project, after challenges with a non-compliant contractor.
30. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Peterson Contractors, Inc. for the 2021 Street Construction Project, and approving and authorizing the transfer of funds from the Street Construction Fund, GO 2022, Sanitary Sewer Rental Fund and Golf Improvement Fund to the Street Repair Fund (LOST). This ends the 2021 street construction project and allows the contractor to be paid.
31. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Peterson Contractors, Inc. for the 2022 Street Construction Project, and approving and authorizing the transfer of funds from the Street Construction Fund, GO 2022, Sanitary Sewer Rental Fund and Golf Improvement Fund to the Street Repair Fund (LOST). This ends the 2022 street construction project and allows the contractor to be paid.
32. Resolution approving the Certificate of Completion and accepting the work of Benton’s Sand & Gravel, Inc. for the Clay Street Park Water Quality Improvements Project. This ends the project and allows the contractor to be paid.
33. Resolution setting August 21, 2023 as the date of public hearing on the proposed conveyance of certain vacated city right-of-way along Hudson Road. This simply sets the hearing date. No concerns.
34. Resolution setting August 21, 2023 as the date of public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 26, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances relative to parking requirements for institutional uses in the Downtown Character District (CD-DT). This simply sets the hearing date. No concerns.
Ordinances
35. Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to establishing temporary long-term daily permits for municipal parking lots or facilities, upon its first consideration. The council recently heard a presentation about parking options; I will defer to their judgment and the staff's recommendations on this, and will look to see how well the solution resolves concerns. This is the first of three required readings.
36. Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to prohibiting parking on certain portions of Dakota Street, upon its first consideration. This change would allow people to park on the north side of the street for 90 minutes, in order to access the Dementia House, which is a novel program by UNI to show the effects and challenges of dementia.
37. Pass an ordinance amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to establishing a 4-way stop at the intersection of Center Street & Lone Tree Road, upon its first consideration. The Public Works Committee recently heard a presentation regarding a potential four way stop at Center Lone Tree, and approved a motion to have city staff draft an ordinance. It will be considered at this meeting, and if approved would require two additional approved readings in order to be formally entered into the city code.
Allow Bills and Claims
38. Allow Bills and Claims for August 7, 2023. The city council is the approving authority for all bills and claims made against the city since the previous council meeting.
Council Updates and Announcements
Council Referrals
Executive Session
39. Executive Session to discuss Property Acquisition per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the governmental body would receive for that property; and to discuss the City Administrator’s performance pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) and City Code Section 2-217. In addition to talks about a potential real estate transaction, the City Administrator has requested a routine mid-year check-in with Council as part of his annual performance review.
Adjournment
| Council Packet Link | |
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| Meeting Date | 08/07/23 |
