Annotated Agenda for January 6, 2025
Happy New Year! In an effort to keep you informed and engaged, beginning this year, I am going to provide an annotated version of the upcoming council agenda. This hopefully allows you to better understand the items we’ll be discussing and how they may impact our community.
I encourage you to join us for the meeting—whether in person at City Hall, by tuning in on Channel 15, or watching the live stream on Channel 15’s YouTube. Your participation and feedback are always valued as we work together to make our city a great place to live and grow!
You can download the council packet with all the nitty gritty on the city’s website if you’d like more details on any of these items.
Call to Order by the Mayor
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Minutes
1. Regular meeting of December 16, 2024.
Agenda Revisions
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 a proposed Hidden Pines Urban Renewal Plan for a proposed Urban Renewal Area.
The Council has recently approved the creation of new “Urban Renewal Areas” in developing neighborhoods to promote economic growth. Hidden Pines is the first neighborhood to benefit from this initiative!
By designating this area, the city can direct property taxes into our Housing Trust Fund. This fund is a dedicated resource that supports the development, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing—an invaluable tool for fostering a vibrant and inclusive community.
a) Receive and file proof of publication of notice of hearing. (Notice published 12/19/24)
b) Written communications filed with the City Clerk.
c) Staff comments.
d) Public comments.
e) Resolution determining an area of the City to be an economic development area, and that the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment, development, or a combination thereof, of such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City; designating such area as appropriate for urban renewal projects; and adopting the Hidden Pines Urban Renewal Plan.
3. Pass an ordinance providing that general property taxes levied and collected each year on all property located within the Hidden Pines Urban Renewal Area, in the City of Cedar Falls, County of Black Hawk, State of Iowa, by and for the benefit of the State of Iowa, City of Cedar Falls, County of Black Hawk, Cedar Falls Community School District, and other taxing districts, be paid to a special fund for payment of principal and interest on loans, monies advanced to an indebtedness, including bonds issued or to be issued, incurred by the City in connection with the Hidden Pines Urban Renewal Area, upon its first consideration. (Contingent upon approval of previous item)
This ordinance formalizes that a portion of property taxes collected within the Urban Renewal Area will be allocated to the special Housing Trust Fund. Since it requires three readings to pass, you’ll see it on our next two agendas as well.
Old Business
4. Pass Ordinance #3090, amending Chapter 2, Administration of the Code of Ordinances relative to reestablishing the College Hill Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID), upon its third & final consideration.
A SSMID (Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District) is an additional tax that a commercial district voluntarily imposes on itself. The funds generated are reinvested directly into the district. In College Hill, these funds are managed by the College Hill Partnership, which collaborates with the district to determine how best to use them. Cedar Falls also has a SSMID in the Downtown area.
5. Pass Ordinance #3091, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to removing calendar parking on certain portions of Ellen Street, upon its third & final consideration.
Parking on Ellen Street, between W 7th Street and W 12th Street, is currently restricted to one side of the street on an alternating basis, Monday through Saturday. These restrictions were originally requested by residents when the high school was located on Division Street, to address student parking concerns. Now that students no longer park in this area, residents have petitioned to remove the restrictions, as they are no longer necessary. A big thank you to these residents for staying engaged and helping improve our community!
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.)
6. Receive and file the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of December 16, 2024 relative to the following items:
This creates a record of what was discussed at official meetings to the official archives; it is not an opportunity to debate the merits of the items covered.
a) Traffic Management Policy.
b) Human Rights Commission Annual Report.
7. Receive and file the Board of Trustees of the Municipal Electric Utility, Gas Utility, Water Utility, Communications Utility, and City of Cedar Falls City Council joint Meeting minutes of December 5, 2024.
See #6
8. Receive and file the report of the Mayor relative to the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem for 2025.
Each January, the mayor appoints an individual to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the upcoming calendar year. This designation identifies the person who will fulfill the duties of the mayor in their absence, ensuring continuity in leadership and decision-making. The Mayor Pro Tem may also assist with ceremonial duties and represent the city at official events as needed. For a second term, Councilor Latta will serve as Mayor Pro Tem.
9. Receive and file the report of the Mayor relative to the appointment of Standing Committees for 2025.
Each January, the mayor appoints members of the council to serve on the city’s standing committees for the upcoming calendar year. These committees play a critical role in the council's operations, enabling focused discussions and detailed consideration of specific issues before they are presented to the full council.
Our city has two standing committees:
Committee of the Whole: This committee includes all members of the council and is designed to provide a platform for comprehensive discussions on matters that impact the entire city. It serves as a venue for exploring policy initiatives, reviewing complex topics, and fostering collaboration among council members.
Administration Committee: This committee includes all members of the council and focuses on administrative functions, such as financial oversight, personnel matters, and other internal operations essential for the city's effective management. Its recommendations help guide the council's decisions on administrative policies and procedures.
The mayor’s appointments ensure that each committee is equipped with the appropriate expertise and representation to support the council's overall mission of serving the community effectively.
10. Receive and file the following resignation of members from Boards and Commissions:
Thank you for your service!
a) Sonja Bock, Human Rights Commission.
11. Receive and file the Bi-Annual Report of College Hill Partnership relative to FY2025 Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) funds and an FY2025 Economic Development Grant.
Recipients of funding from SSMID districts are required to submit biannual reports of how they are using said monies. This is creates a record of that report.
12. Approve the application of Mini Mart, 1420 West 1st Street, for a cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor permit.
The City Council is the approving authority for all cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor permits and retail alcohol licenses.
13. Approve the following applications for retail alcohol licenses:
The City Council is the approving authority for all cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor permits and retail alcohol licenses.
a) Second State Brewing, 203 State Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal.
b) Wild Hare American Bar and Grill, 2512 Whitetail Drive, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - 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.)
14. Resolution Calendar with items considered separately.
15. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Lease with Paula DeBuhr relative to property vacated by flood buyout programs.
For several years, the City has leased vacant parcels of land to nearby neighbors through a leasing program that benefits both the community and the City. Neighbors maintain and mow the land during the growing season, reducing the City’s maintenance costs and freeing up park staff to focus on other properties. It’s a win-win for everyone!
16. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Lease with Dennis Carlo relative to property vacated by flood buyout programs.
See #15
17. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Lease with Patrick Renner relative to property vacated by flood buyout programs.
See #15
18. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Codametrics, Inc. relative to the College Hill Zoning Update Project.
After reviewing the insurance requirements, staff determined that the City’s Small Insurance Requirements would be sufficient for the Service Agreement. The amendment updates this, but there are no changes to the contract, project scope, cost, or consultants involved.
19. Resolution approving a College Hill Neighborhood (CHN) Overlay Zoning District site plan for a building addition and façade updates at 2128 College Street.
This project is in the CHN district, and requires a site plan review, which ensures the use is appropriate.
20. Resolution approving the preliminary plat of Terraces at West Glen Third Addition.
A preliminary plat outlines how a piece of land will be divided into individual lots, providing an opportunity for feedback and adjustments before finalizing the development plan. This particular plat includes a request for rezoning, as the owner intends to subdivide the lots so the homes can be sold individually rather than as condominiums.
21. Resolution approving the final plat of Terraces at West Glen Third Addition.
The final plat is an official map or survey that records how a property will be divided. As noted in #20, this request includes rezoning, and all public streets, utilities, and sidewalks have already been constructed. This allows us to vote on both the preliminary and final plats in the same agenda, which is not typically the case.
22. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Service/Product Agreement with Benton's Sand & Gravel, Inc. for demolition of structures located at 4109 West 1st Street.
The city acquired this property to put in a roundabout at the intersection of 1st Street and Union Road. This is a contract with Benton’s to demo the buildings on the property.
23. Resolution approving and accepting the contract and bond of Peters Construction Corporation for the Seerley Park Improvements Project.
A contract is a legal agreement between the City and a construction company (in this case, Peters Construction Corporation) outlining the work they will do, the timeline, and the cost (in this case, in Seerley Park).
A bond is like an insurance policy for the City. It guarantees that the construction company will complete the project as agreed in the contract. If the company doesn’t fulfill its obligations, the bond ensures the City can recover the costs or hire someone else to finish the work.
24. Resolution setting January 21, 2025 as the date of public hearing on the proposed FY2025-FY2030 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).
Scheduling a public hearing informs the public of the date when the council will vote on an item.
25. Resolution setting January 21, 2025 as the date of public hearing to consider entering into an Agreement for Private Development with BT Holdings, LLC.
See #24
26. Resolution setting January 21, 2025 as the date of public hearing to consider entering into an Agreement for Private Development with UMENB, LLC.
See #24
27. Resolution setting January 21, 2025 as the date of public hearing on the proposed rezoning from R-2, Residential District, to MU, Mixed Use Residential District of property located at 4616 Cedar Heights Drive.
See #24
28. Resolution receiving and filing, and setting January 21, 2025 as the date of the public hearing, on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
See #24
Allow Bills and Claims
29. Allow Bills and Claims for January 6, 2025.
The council serves as the approving authority for all bills and claims submitted to the city since the previous council meeting.
Council Updates and Announcements
Council Referrals
Executive Session
30. Executive Session 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 pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) and to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the City in that litigation pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c).
An executive session is a private part of a city council meeting where council members discuss sensitive or confidential issues away from the public eye. Unlike most of our meetings, which are open to everyone, executive sessions are closed to protect important information.
In this case, the executive session is necessary because the city is looking to buy or sell specific pieces of real estate. If details about these transactions were made public too soon, it could lead to higher prices that the city would have to pay for the property. By keeping these discussions private, the council can negotiate better deals and make informed decisions without outside factors driving up costs.
Thank you to our residents for understanding the importance of executive sessions in ensuring that the city can manage its resources effectively and make decisions that best serve the community.
Adjournment
