>> THE MANAGER, JEFF POMERANZ,
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OR CITY CLERK AND OR A CITY ATTORNEY FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF WHO ARE HERE AND AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT ARISE DURING OUR COUNCIL TODAY.BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OUR MEETING, I WOULD JUST APPOINT LIKE A POINT OF PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF CALEB MASON.
MANY OF YOU KNOW CALEB IN THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY, HE'S BEEN ABSOLUTELY INSTRUMENTAL IN OUR CULTURE HERE IN TERMS OF BEING OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND FINDING A WAY TO YES.
CALEB HAS TAKEN AN OPPORTUNITY WITH OUR AMAZING EASTERN IOWA AIRPORT.
HE'S NOT GOING FAR, BUT HE WILL NOT BE WITH THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS AND NOW HE'S PROBABLY OUT ALREADY DOING SOME OF HIS NEW DUTIES, BUT JUST I'D LIKE TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF CALEB AND HIS TEAM AND LOOK FORWARD TO GREAT THINGS FOR HIM, AS WELL AS HERE INTERNALLY AT THE CITY.
REMINDER, AS WE BEGIN OUR MEETING TO PLEASE TURN OFF ANY CELL PHONES OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT MIGHT INTERRUPT OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY AND NOTE THAT ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDAS, MINUTES, AND VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR CITY'S WEBSITE.
REGULAR SESSIONS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE LIVE AND ON REPLAY THROUGH FACEBOOK LIVE.
AS WE ALWAYS DO, AT THE CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL, WE WILL BEGIN TODAY WITH AN INVOCATION.
PUBLIC SAFETY CHAPLAIN JIM COYLE IS HERE FOR THAT, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I JUST GOT DONE PRESENTING THIS MORNING OF COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS.
AND I KNOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING IN A LOT OF STRESSORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, BUT ONE OF THE GREATEST STANDARD DOTES HAVE ANY ANXIETIES TO BE GRATEFUL, TO BE THANKFUL AND WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR, FOR ALL OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT'S REPRESENTED IN THIS ROOM AND ALL OF YOU STAFF LEADERSHIP AS WELL.
GOD WE COME BEFORE YOU WITH A GRATEFUL HEART, KNOWING THAT THIS IS A SEASON, A DIFFICULT SEASON FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
BUT IT'S TIME FOR US TO BE SO FOCUSED ON THE THINGS THAT ARE WORKING, THAT THINGS THAT ARE GOOD AND I JUST PRAY THAT YOU WOULD CONTINUE TO GUIDE AND MOTIVATE THE LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
MAY YOUR HAND BEYOND THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE TODAY AND I PRAY THESE THINGS IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME.
AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU, CHAPLAIN. WE WILL BEGIN TODAY WITH A SERIES OF PROCLAMATIONS,
[Proclamations/Presentations]
BEGINNING WITH OUR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE CORRIDOR, 30TH ANNIVERSARY.I'D LIKE TO INVITE COUNCIL MEMBER DALE TIDE AND THOSE WHO ARE HERE WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB TO JOIN US HERE AT THE DYESS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK IT WAS MAYBE 30 YEARS AGO OR WHEN DID 25.
I SAT ON A COMMITTEE WHERE WE HIRED JOHN TOURISTY TO BE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, AND SO CONGRATS, IT'S BEEN A GOOD RUN, JOHN.
BUT ON BEHALF OF MAYOR O'DONNELL, CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS.
WHEREAS FOR 30 YEARS THE ORGANIZATION HAS PROVIDED A SAFE PLACE WITH CARING ADULTS WHO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, CARRYING RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS AND WHEREAS THE ORGANIZATION WAS ORIGINALLY FOUNDED ON ELLIS BOULEVARD, IS THE ELLIS COMMUNITY CENTER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND WHERE'S THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN AS ONE SITE WITH 45 KIDS ATTENDING EACH DAY NOW SERVES 300 YOUTH DAILY AT SIX SITES.
WHEREAS NEARLY 400 CHILDREN AND TEENS PARTICIPATE EACH YEAR IN CLUB ACTIVITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND GOOD CHARACTER AND CITIZENSHIP.
NOW THEREFORE, IDEAL TIED ON BEHALF OF MAYOR TIFFANY O'DONNELL, MAYOR CEDAR RAPIDS.
I HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE 16TH DAY ON NOVEMBER IN 2023 IS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE CORRIDORS, 30TH ANNIVERSARY, AND ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THE GREAT FUTURE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN CEDAR RAPIDS.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY. IT MEANS A LOT TO US.
WE APPRECIATE BEING RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY'S CEDAR RAPIDS, AND WE JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT WHAT WE DO FOR THE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
HERE'S TO ANOTHER 30 YEARS, NOT WITH ME.
30 YEARS. [LAUGHTER]. RIGHT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU. NEXT COUNCIL MEMBER LOEFFLER WILL DO A PROCLAMATION ON NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEKS.
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THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE JOINING US, PLEASE JOIN US UP HERE AT THE DAIS.>> THANKS EVERYBODY FOR COMING UP HERE TODAY.
I APPRECIATE IT. CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK IS CELEBRATING ITS NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF RAISING AWARENESS.
THE VITAL ROLE OF REGISTERED BUILDING TRADES AND APPRENTICESHIPS PROVIDED.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES BY ALLOWING APPRENTICES TO EARN WHILE THEY LEARN AND PREPARING A PATHWAY TO GOOD QUALITY JOBS AND PAYING CAREERS IN IOWA AND ACROSS THE NATION AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, EXCUSE ME, THE CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA CITY BUILDING TRADES AND CONSTRUCTION RECOGNIZES THE URGENT NEED TO PREPARE AND MAINTAIN AN INCLUSIVE, DIVERSITY AND HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE THAT IS CAPABLE OF MEETING THE DEMANDS OF THE INDUSTRY WE SERVE IN FORTIFYING OUR ECONOMY AND WHEREAS REGISTERED BUILDING TRADES APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS ENABLE EMPLOYERS TO DEVELOP AND TRAIN THEIR FUTURE WORKFORCE WHILE OFFERING CAREER SEEKERS PASS TO GOOD QUALITY JOBS AND WELL-PAYING CAREERS.
WHEREAS CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA CITY BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL RECOGNIZES THE ROLE OF REGISTERED BUILDING TRADES APPRENTICESHIPS AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR WORKFORCE THAT ARE INCLUSIVE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED, MARGINALIZED, AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY PERSISTENT POVERTY AND INEQUALITY, THUS PROVIDING A PATH FOR QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING WOMEN, YOUTH, PEOPLE OF COLOR, RURAL COMMUNITIES, JUSTICE INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO BECOME APPRENTICES AND CONTRIBUTE TO AMERICA.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA CITY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TRADES RECOGNIZES THE REGISTERED BUILDING TRADES THAT APPRENTICESHIP, A PROVEN INDUSTRY DRIVEN TRAINING MODEL IS RECOGNIZED AS A KEY STRATEGY TO IMPROVING QUALITY JOBS AND CREATING ACCESS TO GOOD PAYING, FAMILY SUSTAINING JOBS FOR ALL, STARTING WITH YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.
WHILE ADDRESSING SOME OF OUR NATION'S PRESSING WORKFORCE CHALLENGES, SUCH AS REBUILDING OUR COUNTRY'S INFRASTRUCTURE, ADDRESSING CRITICAL SUPPLY CHAIN DEMANDS, SUPPORTING CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE, MODERNIZING OUR CYBERSECURITY RESPONSE AND RESPONDING TO CORE ECONOMY ISSUES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PATRICK LOEFFLER ON BEHALF OF MAYOR TIFFANY O'DONNELI.
I DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE NOVEMBER 13TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 19TH AS 2023 NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK, AND ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE FOR BUILDING TRADES APPRENTICESHIPS AND THE HIGH-QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP THESE PRODUCE.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
FINALLY, WE INVITE THOSE WHO ARE HERE FOR GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO JOIN MAYOR PRO TEM AND POE HERE AT THE DAIS.
AS WE RECOGNIZE THAT PROCLAMATION.
>> I GUESS I'M GOING TO TALK A LOT.
ARE GLAD YOU'RE HERE. MY NAME IS ANN HOPE THAT THIS PROCLAMATION IS VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
MY SON IS AN ENTREPRENEUR AND [NOISE] THE FAULT AND SO [INAUDIBLE].
THIS IS A PROCLAMATION FOR THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS.
WHEREAS GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK GEW IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST CELEBRATION OF INNOVATORS AND JOB CREATORS WHO LAUNCH STARTUPS THAT BRING IDEAS TO LIFE, DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND EXPAND HUMAN WELFARE.
WHEREAS CEDAR RAPIDS, WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIPS AND GEW ENCOMPASSES MANY EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, EACH DESIGNED TO EXPOSE CITIZENS TO THE IDEA OF STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS OR SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS.
WHEREAS THESE EVENTS CONNECT PARTICIPANTS TO CONDUCT POTENTIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS, CREDITORS, MENTORS,
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AND INVESTORS, INTRODUCING THEM TO NEW POSSIBILITIES AND EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES.WHEREAS THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IT'S FINE FOUNDED BY ENTREPRENEURS, CREATIVE ARTISTS, AND NEW BOHEMIANS DEDICATED TO DRIVING INNOVATION.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS CONTINUES TO EMBRACE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, EXPLORING NEW IDEAS, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES AND ACTING UPON THEM IN THE SPIRIT OF CULTURE, OF INNOVATION TO CREATE JOBS AND IN AN A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMY.
THEREFORE, I ANN PAUL, ON BEHALF OF MAYOR TIFFANY O'DONNELL AND THE ENTIRE CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL, HERE DO BY FULL-TIME NOVEMBER 13-18, 2023, AS GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK AND ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO ATTEND THE NUMEROUS PROGRAMS SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND SUPPORT OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM.
>> I TAKE A QUICK MOMENT, TO THANK YOU AND THANK OF THE CITY LOVERS AND STAFF FOR ALL YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND REALLY CREATING AN ECOSYSTEM THAT FOSTERS INNOVATION AND TAKING AN IDEA AND RUNNING WITH IT AND CREATE A NEW SPACE.
ALSO REALLY EXCITED TO ALWAYS BE ABLE TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AT CITY MARKET WHO IS CONTINUING TO FOSTER WONDERFUL, NUMEROUS EDC [APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU ALL. NEXT UP, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION ON OUR VENUE WORKS FISCAL YEAR 2023 REVIEW, AND MIKE SILVA IS HERE TO DO THAT FOR US.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT.
MY NAME IS MIKE SILVA. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR VENUE WORKS.
I HAVE ABBY SMITH, WHO IS OUR MARKETING MANAGER AND HERE TO PRESS THE BUTTONS BECAUSE I CAN'T MULTITASK [LAUGHTER].
VENUE WORKS HAS BEEN A LONGTIME PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS AND WE'RE PROUD TO MANAGE THE FOUR CITY-OWNED ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES, IN ADDITION TO THE CEDAR RAPIDS TOURISM OFFICE.
WE RECENTLY PUBLISHED OUR ANNUAL REPORTS FOR BOTH THE TOURISM OFFICE AND THE FOUR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES WHICH YOU SHOULD HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.
THIS PRESENTATION WILL BE A QUICK RECAP OF THE FY23 YEAR AND A BRIEF LOOK AHEAD AT WHAT LIES AHEAD IN THE FUTURE.
I WANTED TO START WITH A QUICK LOOK AT THE AMAZING YEAR.
THE TOURISM OFFICE JUST HAD OUR MIGHTY OFFICE WITH FIVE DEDICATED FULL-TIME STAFF HAVE THE MISSION TO RECRUIT, ATTRACT, AND INCENTIVIZE CONVENTIONS AND SPORTING EVENTS TO CEDAR RAPIDS FROM OUT-OF-STATE.
WE ACCOMPLISH THIS WITH A NUMBER OF TOOLS IN OUR TOOLKIT, INCLUDING STAFF TRAVEL.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO MEMBERS OUT ON THE ROAD TODAY.
WE HAVE THREE SALES STAFF THAT SPENT ABOUT 25 WEEKS OUT OF EVERY YEAR ON THE ROAD MEETING FACE-TO-FACE WITH MEETING PLANNERS AND ORGANIZERS, CONVINCING THEM TO BRING NATIONAL EVENTS TO CEDAR RAPIDS.
WE ALSO BRING MEETING AND SPORTS PLANNERS AND TRAVEL WRITERS TO OUR TOWN, CEDAR RAPIDS FOR TOURS AND TO SHOW THEM THE AMAZING VENUES AND ATTRACTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.
THE TOURISM OFFICE OFFERS COMPETITIVE FINANCIAL BID FEES AND INCENTIVES.
OUR MARKETING TEAM PUBLISHES 45,000 COPIES OF THE ANNUAL VISIT OR GUIDE THAT'S SHIPPED OUT TO 15 COUNTRIES.
THIS YEAR ALL 50 STATES, FOR THE LONGEST TIME VERMONT WAS REALLY HOLD NOW, BUT WE FINALLY GOT THEM.
ANNUALLY OUR MARKETING TEAM CREATES A $300,000 MARKETING CAMPAIGN THAT'S PLACED IN A FIVE-HOUR DRIVE RADIUS TO ATTRACT LEISURE TRAVELERS TO CEDAR RAPIDS.
FINALLY, WE WORK REGULARLY WITH LOCAL HOTEL PARTNERS TO HELP TEAMS AND VISITING CONVENTION ATTENDEES GET ROOM BLOCKS.
IN FY23, WE ESTIMATE THAT THESE INCENTIVIZE CONVENTIONS AND SPORTING EVENTS CREATED APPROXIMATELY 22 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT IN OUR CITY, IN THE OUTLYING AREAS, WHICH IS $123 RETURN FOR EVERY DOLLAR THE CITY COUNCIL HAS INVESTED WITH A TOURISM OFFICE.
WE THINK THAT'S A PHENOMENAL RETURN.
JUST GET A LITTLE MORE SPECIFICALLY, IN FY23 SALES STAFF, 181 OUT OF 121 RFPS THAT WE RESPONDED TO, RESULTING IN BOOKING ALMOST 28,000 HOTEL ROOMS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR.
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ON THE MARKETING FRONT, WE TRACK SUCCESS BY MEASURING WEBSITE PAGE VIEWS UP 30% FROM LAST YEAR AT 1.3 MILLION VIEWS AND OUR TARGETED DIGITAL AD IMPRESSIONS AND THAT FIVE-HOUR DRIVE MARKET AT 15 MILLION, WHICH IS ALSO UP FROM PREVIOUS YEARS,SO OVERALL, A HUGE INTERACTION WITH OUR OUT-OF-STATE LEISURE MARKETING.LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE, THE FISCAL YEAR IS ALREADY OFF TO A GREAT START.
IN SEPTEMBER, THE TOURISM OFFICE HOSTED THE SMALL MARKET MEETINGS NATIONAL CONFERENCE, BRINGING 300 MEETING PLANNERS TO OUR TOWN IN THE CONVENTION CENTER AND WE'D ARE GETTING GREAT FEEDBACK FROM ALL OF THEM.
OUR SALES STAFF CURRENTLY HAVE 48 BITS OUT OR PROPOSALS ALREADY OUT THERE GOING OUT THROUGH 2029.
WE'LL CONTINUE THIS YEAR TO TRAVEL THE COUNTRY, MEETING WITH PLANNERS, NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES.
OUR MARKETING DEPARTMENT IS DEVELOPING A NEW CAMPAIGN WITH THE EASTERN IDAHO AIRPORT, TARGETING FIRST TIME VISITORS TO BUILD EXCITEMENT FOR THEIR CEDAR RAPIDS DAY.
WE WILL ALSO BE LAUNCHING A NEW WEBSITE IN FY 24 TO REPLACE THE CURRENT ONE, WHICH IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD.
FINALLY, OUR 64 PAGE ANNUAL VISITOR GUIDE IS IN ITS FINAL STAGES AND WE'LL HIT THE PRINTERS AND TIME FOR JANUARY DISTRIBUTION.
THE TOURISM OFFICE IS REALLY HIDDEN IT OUT OF THE PARK.
FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, VENUE WORKS IS PROUD TO MANAGE THE FOREST CITY-OWNED ENTERTAINMENT BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THE ALIGNED ENERGY POWERHOUSE, THE PARAMOUNT THEATER, THE MCGRATH AMPHITHEATER, AND THE ICE ARENA.
WE TAKE OUR MISSION SERIOUSLY IN LINE WITH THE CITY'S ENVISION CR PLAN FOCUSED ON PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT AND A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IN TURN CREATES A HEALTHY AND DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE.
IN. FY 23 OUR 24 FULL-TIME AND OVER 400 PART-TIME STAFF SERVICED AROUND 400,000 PATRONS ACROSS ALMOST 200 SPECIAL EVENTS, INCLUDING CONCERTS, SPORTING EVENTS, FAMILY SHOWS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, MOTOR CROSS, AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS.
THIS IS THE YEAR THAT ENDED JUNE 30TH.
VENUE WORKS COLLECTED OVER $6 MILLION IN TICKETING REVENUES, ADMISSION FEES, AND THE LAKE ACROSS THE FOUR VENUES.
WE ALSO SOLD ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS AND HOT DOGS AND BEER, WHICH IS MY FAVORITE THING TO DO.
AGAIN, A PHENOMENAL YEAR FOR FY23.
BASED ON THAT DATA WE GATHERED DURING THE TICKET BUYING PROCESS, WE ESTIMATE THAT OF THE 400,000 PATRONS, WE CONTRIBUTED OVER 20 MILLION IN DOWNTOWN CONSUMER SPENDING AND CEDAR RAPIDS AT THE VENUES, PARKING RAMPS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND OTHER RETAIL DESTINATIONS.
THIS MEANS THAT FOR EVERY $1 THE CITY COUNCIL INVESTED IN THE FOR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, OPERATING BUDGETS.
THERE'S A RETURN OF $105 IN ECONOMIC IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO SAY A LITTLE.
WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO RECEIVE THE FEDERAL SHUTTERED VENUES GRANT IN 2022.
THIS ALMOST $7 MILLION WAS SPREAD OUT BETWEEN THE THREE PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS, THE POWERHOUSE, THE PARAMOUNT, AND MCGRATH AMPHITHEATER.
WHICH HAS SET UP A SITUATION WHERE FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT HAVE TO SUBSIDIZE THESE BUILDINGS.
FOR THE POWERHOUSE, VERY QUICKLY.
THE POWERHOUSE PRODUCED 50 EVENTS OVER 117 DAYS DURING THE FY23 PERIOD, INCLUDING THREE SOLD OUT SHOWS, WHICH SHINE DOWN AND WROTE JELLY ROLL, WALKER HAYES, AND OLD DOMINION.
WE ALSO HOSTED 13 SPORTING EVENTS IN THAT YEAR OF WHICH EIGHT OR MULTI-STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS OR REGIONAL TOURNAMENT.
WE COVERED EVERY SPORT INCLUDING GYMNASTICS, JUNIOR COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL, TAEKWONDO, YOUTH, AND NCAA DII WRESTLING.
WE HOSTED A REGIONAL EVENT FOR THE YOUTH, THE GIRLS UNION WRESTLING, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WE HOSTED THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WOMEN'S WRESTLING, WHICH IS THE FASTEST-GROWING SPORT IN THE NATION.
AT THE PARAMOUNT AND OTHER GREAT YEARS, 73 EVENTS OVER 189 DAYS, 25 COMMERCIAL TOURING SHOWS, 19 OI TITLES, FIVE BROADWAY, AND A VARIETY OF OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDING DANCE SCHOOLS, MEETINGS, LOCAL PERFORMANCES, NUMBER OF FULL CAPACITY SHOWS AT THE PARAMOUNT AS WELL, INCLUDING KILLER QUEEN, WEIRD AL YANKOVIC, AND THREE DOG NIGHT, BUT MY FAVORITE WAS PROBABLY ALICE COOPER, BECAUSE HE ALWAYS PUTS ON QUITE A SHOW.
SIDE NOTE, VENUE WORKS LAST YEAR ALSO RENEWED OUR CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT WITH OUR PARTNER ORCHESTRA IOWA,
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FOR THEM TO CONTINUE AS OUR PARTNER AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATER OUT THROUGH 2025, AND FOR THEM TO CONTINUE BEING THE TICKETING SERVICE PROVIDER FOR ALL SHOWS THAT ARE HELD AT THE THEATER.THE MCGRATH AMPHITHEATER, WHAT A SEASON.
THE FISCAL YEAR RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER, SO THIS ONLY CAPTURES MAY AND JUNE OF THIS PAST SUMMER.
BUT WE PROGRAM 43 DAYS OF THE FOUR-MONTH SEASON WITH A VARIETY OF SHOWS.
WE ACTUALLY HAD AN ALL-TIME HIGH 15 COMMERCIAL SHOWS, TOURING ACTS PLAYING THAT VENUE, WHICH IS REMARKABLE FOR THAT SIZE VENUE.
OF COURSE, LAST SUMMER WE FEATURED THAT GOO GOO DOLLS AND TENACIOUS D, EACH HAVING SOLD OUT SHOWS, INCLUDING IN ADDITION TO HUGE PERFORMANCES FROM BONNIE RAITT, THE ONLY TIME WE EVER HAD TO EVACUATE THE VENUE FOR THUNDER AND COLD WET SOIL.
THIS PAST SUMMER WILLIE NELSON STARTED US OFF LAST MAY, SETTING THE RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST GROSSING AMOUNT OF TICKET SALES SOLD IN THE HISTORY OF THE AMPHITHEATER, SO THAT IS FUN FACT TO HAVE.
MCGRATH AMPHITHEATER IS ALSO A GREAT PLACE FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING THE FREEDOM FESTIVAL, THE CRBT FAMILY MOVIES BY THE RIVER BANK, THE BOURBON & BLUES FESTIVAL, THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S, THE CITY MUNI BAND, AND OF COURSE, THE WELL-ATTENDED AND LATINO FESTIVAL.
FINALLY ONTO THE IMON ICE ARENA.
THEY ARE RUNNING FULL SPEED AHEAD.
THEY'RE OPEN 361 DAYS OF THE YEAR PROGRAMMING ABOUT 2,600 HOURS PER YEAR WITH A FULL SCHEDULE OF YOUTH AND ADULT HOCKEY, ROUGH RIDER GAMES, FIGURE SKATING, CURLING, OPEN COMMUNITY SKATING PERIODS, GROUP OUTINGS AND PARTIES, INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSES FOR LEARN TO ESCAPE AND HOW TO LEARN TO DRIVE THE ZAMBONI, I THINK HASHIM IS GOING TO ATTEND ONE OF THOSE, AND A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NHL, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS THAT PROVIDES GEAR TO YOUTHS INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW TO PLAY HOCKEY.
THIS FISCAL YEAR FEATURE QUITE A FEW OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS, INCLUDING THE ALL-GIRLS ROUGH RYDER CUP CHALLENGE FOR EACH RANK 20 OLD GIRL HOCKEY TEAMS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND DURING WHICH OUR VERY OWN HOME RANK 12TH VIEW GIRLS WON THE CUP.
WE DID A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EASTERN IOWA FIGURE SKATING CLUB TO PERFORM BROADWAY IN ICE, FEATURING LOCAL AND NATIONAL SKATING PERFORMANCES FROM WINTER OLYMPIC SKATER TIMOTHY LEDUC AND FIVE TIME NATIONAL COMPETITOR JOONSOO KIM.
WE DID THE FREEDOM FESTIVAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST, THE CR SCHOOLS DISTRICT WELCOME BACK STAFF ORIENTATION.
THE ONE THAT I REALLY ENJOYED WAS THE HOMECOMING CEREMONY FOR THE 209TH MEDICAL COMPANY OF THE IOWA NATIONAL GUARD, THAT WAS JUST AMAZING.
OF COURSE, THE BIG IMPROVEMENT THIS YEAR IS WE REPLACED ALL OF THE FIXED SEATS IN THE MAIN HOCKEY ARENA.
WE WERE ABLE TO RESELL ABOUT 180 OF THOSE SEATS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN AND OUTREACH TO ROUGH RIDERS SEASON TICKET HOLDERS, AND WE ACTUALLY REUSED OR RECYCLED ANOTHER 42 SEATS FOR PERMANENT LOBBY SITTING IN THE LOBBY, SO THAT'S THE FUN STUFF.
LOOKING AHEAD, THE POWERHOUSE IS GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD WITH OUR SPORTS.
WE HAVE THREE PRIMARY TENANTS IN THE VENUE THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THE THE MAJOR INDOOR SOCCER TEAM, THE RAPTORS ARE RETURNING.
THIS FALL OR THIS WINTER WE'LL BE PRESENTING THE NEW ABA BASKETBALL TEAM, THE ROAD RUNNERS, AND WE FEATURE THE RETURN OF THE INDOOR FOOTBALL TEAM, THE RIVER KINGS IN THE SPRING, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING ARENA FOOTBALL BACK, IN ADDITION TO A TON OF SPORTING TOURNAMENT, CONCERTS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, THE RODEO, THE CIRCUS.
AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATER, WE'RE OFF TO A STRONG START.
WE HAD TO SHOW SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES THIS PAST WEEKEND WITH COMEDIAN MATT RIFE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FIRST SHOWS I THINK SINCE I'VE BEEN DOING SHOWS AT PARAMOUNT, THAT MOST OF THOSE TICKETS SOLD ON THE PRE-SALE, JUST ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR UP-AND-COMING COMEDIAN.
THIS YEAR WE ALSO TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO HOSTING OUR COMMERCIAL TOURING BROADWAY TITLES AND HAVE HAD ENORMOUS RESPONSE TO THE THREE TITLES WE PUT OUT THERE, INCLUDING PRETTY WOMAN, WHICH ACTUALLY PLAYED LAST NIGHT, BOOK OF MORMON COMING UP, AND JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.
JUST A STRONG PROGRAMMING YEAR AHEAD.
AT THE ICE ARENA, WE'RE SO VERY PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE SIX COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT RECIPIENTS FROM THE US FIGURE SKATING ASSOCIATION.
WE'RE IN LINE WITH THE OTHER MARKETS THAT RECEIVE GRANTS INCLUDING CHICAGO, WASHINGTON DC, LOUISVILLE, AND NASHVILLE.
OUR APPLICATION IS TO USE THE FUNDS TO GROW OUR LEARN TO SKATE USA PROGRAM AND INCREASE
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH BY PARTNERING WITH A DIVERSE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITHIN THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.FOR THE AMPHITHEATER, THE SECOND HALF OF THE 2023 SUMMER HAS ALREADY BEEN OFF TO A GREAT START.
WE'VE ALREADY JUST IN JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, HAVE DONE 12 COMMERCIAL TOURING SHOWS, AND WE ALREADY HAVE SHOWS ON SALE FOR MAY AND WE JUST CONFIRMED AND OTHER COUPLE, SO MAY AND JUNE ARE GOING TO COME OUT OF THE GATE STRONG AT THE AMPHITHEATER.
ADDITIONALLY, FOR THIS WINTER VENUE WORKS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WE WILL BE HOSTING A NEW EVENT AT THE MCGRATH AMPITHEATER CALLED FIVE SEASONS LIGHTS, FEATURING LARGE-SCALE LIGHT STRUCTURES THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN WALK THROUGH AND TAKE SELFIES WITH, AND FEATURING SANTA CLAUS ON THE WEEKENDS, WE'LL HAVE HOT TARDIES AND OTHER GOODIES OFFERED IN OUR BEER GARDEN.
WE'RE PARTNERING WITH SEVERAL NON-PROFITS TO BE THE GRADERS AT EACH ENTRANCE AND TO ACCEPT DONATIONS FOR THEIR OWN CAUSES.
THE EVENT WILL RUN DECEMBER 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31 EVERY NIGHT WITH SOME SPECIAL EVENTS ON THE STAGE, PERFORMANCES, AND SO ON.
OVERALL, A REALLY GOOD YEAR FOR THESE FIVE UNITS.
I DO WANT TO THANK MY STAFF, MANY OF WHICH ARE SITTING HERE IN THE GALLERY FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND CONTINUING TO PRODUCE THIS HIGH VOLUME OF ACTIVITY AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE, AND THANK YOU TO CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE FLOOR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AND THE TOURISM OFFICE.
WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> YOU MENTIONED THAT GRANT THAT YOU HAD. WOULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT AGAIN? I THINK I UNDERSTOOD IT, BUT IT SOUNDS PRETTY EXCITING TO HELP US FUND SOME OF THESE THINGS.
>> YES, IT'S PART OF THE FEDERAL AMERICAN CARES ACT.
IT'S THE SHUTTERED VENUES OPERATORS GRANT SVOG.
WE APPLIED FOR IT, WE REAPPLIED FOR IT.
WE WENT THROUGH ALL THIS FOOT WORK AND WE WERE FINALLY VERY FORTUNATE TO RECEIVE ALMOST SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS TO COVER THE OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE POWERHOUSE, THE PARAMOUNT THEATER, AND THE MCGRATH AMPHITHEATRE.
WE HAVE BEEN USING THIS MONEY TO MAINTAIN THE FACILITIES, UPGRADE SOME OF THE FACILITIES, WE BOUGHT SOME NEW FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT AT VARIOUS FACILITIES.
THE REMAINING FUNDS ARE IN OUR OPERATING ACCOUNTS, WHICH WILL FUND ANY FUTURE LOSSES AT THESE VENUES.
>> SPECTACULAR, THAT'S QUITE AN EFFORT.
THANKS FOR GOING BACK A THIRD TIME OR WHATEVER TO GET THAT GRANT.
THAT'S QUITE AN HONOR AND IT HELPS US TO IMPROVE OUR FACILITIES AND ALSO HELPS US THROUGH OUR BUDGET PROCESS. NICE WORK.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR, AND THANKS FOR COMING.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
MAKE SURE TO PASS ALONG OUR THANKS TO EVERYBODY THAT'S NOT HERE.
IT'S FITTING THAT WILLIE NELSON IS THE HIGHEST GROSSING BAND OF ALL TIME OR PERFORMER OF ALL TIME.
MY DAD IS REALLY EXCITED, HE SIGNED UP FOR THE ZAMBONI DRIVING CLASS, SO HE'LL BE OUT THERE, HE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR TWO MONTHS OR HOWEVER LONG.
I DID HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HOW ACTS ARE BOOKED AND CHOSEN.
COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? IS THAT DONE LOCALLY? IS THAT DONE THROUGH REGIONAL VENUE WORKS? HOW ARE THOSE DECISIONS MADE AND THE SEASON PUT TOGETHER AT EACH OF THE VENUES?
JUST DRAW IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
WE HAVE TWO OR THREE SALESPEOPLE ON STAFF THAT ARE ACTIVELY WORKING THE PHONES, WORK IN THE EMAILS.
STAYING IN TOUCH WITH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL PROMOTERS AS WELL AS ALL OF THE MUSIC AGENTS IN NASHVILLE, IN NEW YORK, BEVERLY HILLS.
JUST ALWAYS RING IN THAT PHONE SAYING, HEY, CEDAR RAPIDS IS OUT HERE, WE WATCH YOUR BUSINESS.
THEN AFTER THAT, WHEN WE DO GET A LEAD, IT COMES DOWN TO MONEY.
WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.
WE KNOW THAT AS A GENERAL RULE, EACH OF THE VENUES WORK ON A PROFIT AND LOSS SYSTEM, SO WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE TOO MUCH MONEY ON ANY ACT, WOULD MUCH PREFER TO MAKE MONEY.
WE FACTOR IN HOW MUCH THE ARTIST WANTS TO BE PAID.
WE FACTOR IN HOW MANY SEATS THEY WOULD REASONABLY SELL.
THEN COMING OUT OF THAT, WE KNOW HOW MUCH WE HAVE TO MAKE AND TICKET SALES AND WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD THE WAY THAT ARTISTS ARE NOT.
AS A GENERAL RULE, IF OUR MEDIAN DOLLAR IS 50 BUCKS FOR THIS MARKET, AND WE KNOW WE ONLY HAVE 6,000 SEATS TO SELL AT THE POWERHOUSE,
[00:30:04]
PROBABLY THE MOST WE WANT TO PAY FOR ANY PARTICULAR ARTISTS THAT THE ARENA IS ABOUT 300,000.THERE ARE SIMILAR FORMULAS LIKE THAT FOR ALL THE OTHER BUILDINGS.
>> I THINK THE IT JUST SEEMS THAT THIS IS JUST WHAT I SEE.
THE LEVEL OR THE VISIBILITY SEEMS TO HAVE INCREASED OF THE ARTISTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAY THAT AS WELL.
ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF COVID, EVERY SMALL MEDIUM ACT WANTED TO TOUR THE COUNTRY IN 2021 AND WE GOT OUR FAIR SHARE OF THEM IN 2021.
THIS SUMMER SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN THE SEASON OF SUPER ACTS.
THE SPRINGSTEEN EAGLES, PINK, TAYLOR SWIFT.
A LOT OF PARENTS OUT THERE, A LOT OF MUSIC FANS HAVE SPENT THEIR DISPOSABLE DOLLARS GOING TO STADIUM SHOWS.
OUR ATTENDANCE IS CATCHING UP NOW A LITTLE BIT AFTER A LONG SUMMER.
THE OTHER INTERESTING THING IS GOING INTO THE WINTER, ALL OF THOSE SUPER ACTS HAVE USED UP ALL THE TOURING INFRASTRUCTURE.
EVERY TOUR BUS, TOUR MANAGERS, SOUND AND LIGHT RIG AND EVERYTHING WAS ON THE ROAD WITH TAYLOR SWIFT THIS SUMMER.
WE DID HAVE ONE OR TWO ARTISTS AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATER SAY, I'D LOVE TO COME PLAY, BUT I CAN'T FIND A BUS.
I THINK IT WAS THE GOOGLE DOLLS THAT THEIR BUS BROKE DOWN ON THE WAY TO OUR VENUE BECAUSE THEY ARE THE INFRASTRUCTURES AS LITTLE STRETCH RIGHT NOW.
WITH ANY LUCK, AND IT'S ALL A BIG CRYSTAL BALL WE USE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FUTURE'S GOING TO HOLD.
BUT WITH ANY LUCK, THESE SUPER DOORS WILL GO TO EUROPE NEXT YEAR AND WE'LL GET BACK TO NORMAL HERE IN THE STATES.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A STRONG SUMMER FOR PROGRAMMING AND THAT THING. THANK YOU.
>> WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THE PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE BRING SHOWS TO US.
>> I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
THERE ARE SOME MARKETS THAT HAVE NOT MADE MONEY AND HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, YOU GUYS NOT ONLY AND PRODUCE A QUALITY SHOW, BUT YOU MAKE MONEY.
ALSO, WHOEVER PUT YOUR MATERIAL TOGETHER.
VERY PROFESSIONAL AND EXCELLENT JOB.
>> CONGRATS. IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE.
IT JUST TELLS ME THAT WHAT YOU DO, YOU'VE REALLY LAID THE FOUNDATION, THE FRAMEWORK FOR REALLY BEING A SOLID PIECE OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PUZZLE.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT BRINGS QUALITY OF LIFE TOUCHED TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THE LEVEL OF ACTS THAT YOU BROUGHT HERE, '22, '23.
WHEN YOU CAN LOOK IN THOSE PARKING LOTS AND SEE HOW FAR PEOPLE HAVE CAME FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES.
FROM WISCONSIN, FROM THE OTHER WEST SIDE INTO MOYNE, WEST SIDE OF OUR STATE.
CEDAR RAPIDS IS BECOMING KNOWN FOR A MID-SIZED MARKET WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY 300 BUCKS FOR A TICKET.
BUT YOU CAN PARK FOR 10 BUCKS AND JUST HAVE A QUALITY SHOW AND SO YOU GUYS ARE DOING GREAT.
I ALSO THINK IN TERMS OF CITY MANAGER, BRINGING TOURISM UNDER HIS WING HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE.
I WOULD CONTINUOUS TO THINK ABOUT IT'S NOT BROKE, NO REASON TO FIX IT.
BUT THAT HAS BEEN A GOOD PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. MIKE AND TEAM I KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT THINGS FROM THERE, BUT I WANTED TO EXTEND MY THANKS AND RETURN.
I'M SPEAKING FROM A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE HERE AND THE FACT THAT MY GENERATION IS OFTEN TALKED ABOUT AS BEING THE ONES VOICING THAT THERE'S NEVER ANYTHING TO DO.
I KNOW THAT NOBODY AT THIS DIAS FEELS THAT WAY.
IN FACT, I'M USUALLY TRYING TO CANCEL MORE THINGS THAN THERE ARE OFFERINGS IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB OF HAVING THOSE OFFERINGS.
I WILL SAY TWO, WHEREAS IT'S REALLY EASY FOR SOMEBODY TO CONVINCE THEMSELVES THAT THEY NEED TO LEAVE IOWA FOR GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.
LONG TERM, YOU ARE BUILDING SOMETHING HERE THAT IS GOING TO HELP US CAPTURE THAT MISSING MIDDLE OF DEMOGRAPHICS THAT WE'RE HOPING TO STAY AND RETAIN AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
PEOPLE AREN'T NECESSARILY BUYING BIGGER HOUSES THESE DAYS ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE LIFE ADVENTURES.
THE FACT THAT YOU CAN HELP CREATE THAT, KNOWING THAT CEDAR RAPIDS HAS ROUGHLY A 10TH OF THE COLLEGIATE STUDENT BODY POPULATION THAT SOME OF
[00:35:02]
OUR CORRIDOR NEIGHBORS HAVE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.SOME OF THOSE SOLD OUT SHOWS THAT I'VE BEEN TO NOT ONLY HAVE LINES WRAPPED AROUND THE BLOCKS WHERE YOU'RE FIGHTING OVER TICKETS AS IF IT IS TAYLOR SWIFT, BUT YOU ARE ACTUALLY CAPTURING A REALLY POSITIVE AGE DEMOGRAPHIC THAT YOU HAVE A VARIETY OF SHOWS AND YOU'RE ALSO HAVING A VARIETY OF DEMOGRAPHICS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY VERY PREVALENT IN IOWA, LET ALONE CEDAR RAPIDS.
YOU'RE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB OF BRINGING PEOPLE IN AND HELPING US MAKE WELCOME OUR LANGUAGE.
THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO MIKE.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING STELLAR WORK.
I THINK THAT THIS COUNCIL, THE ONLY QUESTION I REALLY HAVE IS IS DO YOU GET ANY PASS-THROUGH SHOWS PEOPLE COMING GOING FROM, FOR EXAMPLE, MINNEAPOLIS TO ST. LOUIS OR CHICAGO TO DENVER.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP PEOPLE STOP IN CEDAR RAPIDS ALONG THE WAY, OR IS THAT NOT REALLY PART OF THE EQUATION?
>> OH, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY PART OF THE EQUATION.
THAT IS ONE OF OUR PRINCIPAL MARKETING THINGS BECAUSE DOT SAYS BUS DRIVERS, TRUCK DRIVERS CAN ONLY DRIVE SO LONG, SO WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO PUT OURSELVES IN THAT ROUTE.
WE'RE JUST CLOSE ENOUGH TO IAT WHERE WE GET QUITE A BIT OF THAT BUSINESS.
>> GREAT. WELL, THANK YOU AGAIN.
I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN OLSON TYLER, THAT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING IS ARISEN UP QUITE A BIT THIS YEAR.
>> KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MIKE I TOO JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU AND ABBY AND JULIE AND YOUR INCREDIBLE TEAM DO ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS.
WE HAVE STUDENTS HERE FROM CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL HERE TODAY.
WELCOME BY THE WAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND THEN THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT AND TO PARTNER WITH PRIVATE BUSINESS.
I THINK OUR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY HERE AS A COUNCIL IS TO USE OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS, YOUR MONEY, STUDENTS WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THAT, YOUR MONEY IN THE MOST RESPONSIBLE EFFICIENT WAY, AND I ECHO THE COMMENTS ABOUT OUR CITY MANAGERS DECISION TO PARTNER WITH AN ORGANIZATION LIKE VENUE WORKS AND ORGANIZATION THAT CLEARLY KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN THIS ARENA.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE SUCCESS STORIES WHERE PRIVATE ALIGNS WITH PUBLIC AND I BELIEVE WE'RE BOTH BETTER FOR IT.
I APPRECIATE YOU, ABBY. NICE WORK.
ANYTHING ELSE FROM COUNCIL? THANK YOU BOTH.
>> IT IS NOW TIME FOR A PUBLIC HEARINGS.
I REMIND EVERYBODY WHO WISHES TO SPEAK TODAY WHETHER DURING PUBLIC HEARING OR DURING ONE OF OUR TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS OF A FEW MATTERS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE AN ORDERLY MEETING.
FIRST, PLEASE REMAIN AT THE LECTERN.
IF YOU HAVE DOCUMENTS YOU WISH TO SHARE, PLEASE HAND THEM TO THE OFFICER OVER ON YOUR RIGHT AND HE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THEM.
SECOND COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES, SO YOU'LL SEE LIGHTS ON THE DISPLAY THERE.
WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS YELLOW, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO WRAP UP.
WHEN IT TURNS RED, WE INVITE YOU TO TAKE YOUR SEAT ONCE AGAIN.
THIRD, BE AWARE THAT ALL COMMENTS MUST BE DIRECTED TO THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THAT ABUSIVE, PERSONAL, LOUD, THREATENING, OR IRRELEVANT COMMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
FINALLY, WE NEED TO HOLD AN ORDERLY MEETING SO THERE SHOULD BE NO APPLAUSE, CHEERING, BOOING, OR OTHER NOISE OR CONDUCT FROM ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE.
DOES THE CLERK HAVE ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS IN REGARD TO ANY OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TODAY'S AGENDA?
>> YOUR HONOR, THERE WERE NO WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS FILED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ID NUMBER 1 IS A PUBLIC HEARING HELD TO REVIEW
[1. A public hearing will be held to review preliminary information for a State Revolving Fund loan and to make available to the public the contents of an environmental information document and the project plan for the WPCF Process Improvements – Contract 2 project (Jim Flamming). CIP/DID #6150053-02]
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION FOR A STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN AND TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THE CONTENTS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT AND THE PROJECT PLAN FOR WPF PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT CONTRACT TO PROJECT.JIM FLEMING IS HERE. JIM. I RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
JIM FLEMING WITH UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING DESIGN OF UPGRADES TO THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY THAT WILL IMPROVE THE WAY WE HANDLE IN PROCESS WASTE WATER.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AT THE FACILITY.
THE CITY HAS STARTED THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A STATE REVOLVING FUND OR SRF LOAN.
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SRF PROGRAM, THE PROJECT HAS UNDERGONE A MULTI-AGENCY REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT NO SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL, HISTORICAL, OR CULTURAL RESOURCES WILL BE IMPACTED.
THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE IOS OR F HAS FOUND THAT THIS PROJECT WOULD RESULT IN NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS.
THE FINAL STEP IN THIS REVIEW PROCESSES TO HOLD THIS PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.
INFORMATION RELATED TO THE PROJECT HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE SINCE THEN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW.
AS STATED, THE STATE SRF HAS COMPLETED
[00:40:02]
ITS MULTI-AGENCY REVIEW OF THE PROJECT AND HAS ISSUED A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT FINDING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL, HISTORICAL, OR CULTURAL RESOURCES OF THE AREA.THIS HEARING IS DESIGNED TO COLLECT ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO THE FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT.
THERE'S NO RESOLUTION FOR COUNCIL TO VOTE ON TODAY.
WE SIMPLY ARE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO YOU, MA'AM.
>> THANK YOU, JIM. I APPRECIATE IT.
THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS SHOWN FOR THE RECORD.
THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL COMMENTS. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JIM, I THINK THAT THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT WE HAD RECEIVED, I THINK ORIGINALLY A FEDERAL GRANT TO DO THIS WORK AND WENT BACK TO THE STATE BECAUSE IT WAS MORE FLEXIBLE.
WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF ALL THOSE NEW PROCESS? THE SCOPE OF THE COST OR WHATEVER OF THAT PROJECT?
>> SURE. THE TOTAL COST PLUS ENGINEERING IS ESTIMATED TO BE AT ABOUT $250 MILLION.
THAT WOULD INCLUDE UPGRADES TO THE LIQUID WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AS WELL AS SOLIDS HANDLING IMPROVEMENTS.
WE'RE ALSO LOOKING TO PUT IN A BIOGAS COLLECTION SYSTEM THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO COLLECT THE BIOGAS THAT'S DERIVED FROM THE TREATMENT OF THE SOLIDS AND THEN CLEAN THAT BIOGAS SO THAT IT CAN BE REINJECTED INTO THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE IN THE AREA.
THAT WOULD MAKE US ELIGIBLE FOR RIN'S CREDITS, WHICH COULD BE THEN SOLD ON THE OPEN MARKET.
>> SCHEDULE. WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THIS?
>> SURE. WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE THIS FILING AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR, SO JANUARY, FEBRUARY, SOMEWHERE AROUND THAT TIME.
THEN CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, SO AROUND THE MIDDLE OF 2027.
>> ANYONE ELSE COUNCIL? REMINDER, THERE'S NO RESOLUTION WITH THIS ITEM.
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 2,
[2. A public hearing will be held to consider the annexation of land north of Walford Road SW and west of 6th Street SW as requested by Linn County (Jeff Wozencraft). CIP/DID #ANNX034092-2023 a. Resolution authorizing execution of a pre-annexation agreement with Linn County for land north of Walford Road SW and west of 6th Street SW. b. Resolution authorizing the annexation of land north of Walford Road SW and west of 6th Street SW as requested by Linn County.]
A PUBLIC HEARING HELD NOW TO CONSIDER THE ANNEXATION OF LAND NORTH OF WALFORD ROAD SOUTHWEST AND WEST OF SIXTH STREET SOUTHWEST AS REQUESTED BY LINN COUNTY.JEFF WOZENCRAFT IS HERE. JEFF, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JEFF WOZENCRAFT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
AS STATED, THIS IS A RESOLUTION FOR THE ANNEXATION OF LAND NORTH OF WALFORD ROAD AND WEST OF SIXTH STREET.
THIS IS 100% VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF TWO PARCELS AND PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT TOTALS AROUND 11 ACRES.
IT IS WITHIN AN URBANIZED AREA, TWO MILES FROM THE CITY OF SWISHER AND THE CITY OF SHUEYVILLE, AND THE APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION IS RELATED TO ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE OCCURRING ALONG WALFORD ROAD SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATED WITH THE RISE GRANT.
WITH THIS ANNEXATION RESOLUTION, THERE IS A PRE-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT INCLUDED TO ESTABLISH CONDITIONS WITH LINN COUNTY FOR THE PARCELS UPON ANNEXATION INTO CEDAR RAPIDS, WHICH I'LL GO INTO ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
THE ANNEXATION WILL INCLUDE THE FULL RIGHT-OF-WAY OF WALFORD ROAD SOUTHWEST AND SIXTH STREET SOUTHWEST.
THE PRE-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT AS TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS WITH LINN COUNTY REGARDING THE ANNEXATION OF THESE PARCELS.
THE CITY WILL RE-INITIATE OR INITIATE REZONING OTHER PROPERTIES TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL.
THERE WOULD BE NO STRUCTURAL CHANGES REQUIRED TO EITHER PROPERTY TO MEET THAT REZONING STANDARD, AND THE CITY WILL NOT ASSESS THE COUNTY FOR ANY ROADWAY OR OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANNEXATION OR ADJACENT ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS BENEFITING EITHER PROPERTY.
HERE'S THE AREA MAP THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
CONTEXTUALIZING THE ANNEXATION, THIS IS THE FAR SOUTH END OF THE CITY.
HERE ON THE LARGER IMAGE, WE HAVE THE WALFORD ROAD, SIXTH STREET, SOUTHWEST INTERSECTION.
INTERSTATE 380 IS WHERE MY CURSOR IS AT, GOING THROUGH THE RIGHT CENTER OF THE IMAGE.
THE TWO PARCELS BEING ANNEXED ARE THESE DARK BLUE AND THE LIGHT GREEN IS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT IS INCLUDED IN THAT ANNEXATION.
A STAFF REVIEW. THE SEWER, WATER, AND OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE AREA.
AS MENTIONED, THIS ANNEXATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH ROAD IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE PROGRAMMED FOR WALFORD ROAD.
DOES NOT CREATE AN ISLAND OF COUNTY OR IRREGULAR BOUNDARIES, AND WITH THAT, STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION.
FOR TIMELINE, TODAY WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION APPROVING BOTH THE ANNEXATION AND PRE-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT.
IN DECEMBER, THIS WOULD THEN NEED TO GO TO
[00:45:01]
THE STATE CITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD IF APPROVED TODAY.THEN WITH THAT, IF APPROVED AT THE STATE, IT WOULD BE RECORDED IN JANUARY.
WITH THAT, I'LL PASS IT BACK TO THE MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, JEFF. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. JEFF, IN TERMS OF ROAD MAINTENANCE THEN, ARE WE STILL PARTNERING WITH LINN COUNTY FOR THAT PARTIAL ROAD MAINTENANCE OR HAVE WE NOW ASSUMED BOTH PARTS OF WALFORD ROAD?
>> WE WOULD BE TAKING CONTROL OF WALFORD ROAD TO MAINTAIN.
>> ANYONE ELSE? THEN SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION REAUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PRE-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT WITH LINN COUNTY HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE SECONDED BY LOEFFLER.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
NOW, FOR THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ANNEXATION OF LAND NORTH OF WALFORD ROAD SOUTHWEST AND WEST OF SIXTH STREET SOUTHWEST AS REQUESTED BY LINN COUNTY.
THAT RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 3 IS A PUBLIC HEARING HELD NOW TO
[3. A public hearing will be held to consider a change of zone for property at 10000 6th Street SW from A-AG, Agricultural District, to I-LI, Light Industrial District, as requested by Williams Synergy Group, LLC (Bill Micheel). CIP/DID #RZNE-033946-2023 a. First and possible Second and Third Readings: Ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 10000 6th Street SW from A-AG, Agricultural District, to I-LI, Light Industrial District, as requested by Williams Synergy Group, LLC.]
CONSIDER A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR THE PROPERTY AT 10000 SIXTH STREET SOUTHWEST FROM AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY WILLIAMS SYNERGY GROUP, LLC.BILL MICHAEL IS HERE. BILL, I RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
BILL MICHAEL, ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.
AS STATED, AN APPLICATION FOR A REZONING FROM A-AG TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL.
THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION IS URBAN MEDIUM INTENSITY.
THIS INCLUDES 1.54 ACRES AND THE PROPOSED LAND USE IS INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSING.
I'LL GET INTO EACH OF THESE IN A BIT MORE DETAIL.
BUT FOR ORIENTATION IN TERMS OF LOCATION, IT IS A COUPLE OF BLOCKS SOUTH OF WRIGHT BROTHERS BOULEVARD AND JUST WEST OF I-380.
ZOOMING IN A BIT, YOU CAN SEE THE AREA IS CHARACTERIZED BY LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USES, WAREHOUSING, DISTRIBUTION, ASSEMBLY, SOME LIGHT MANUFACTURING.
FUTURE LAND USE MAP, AS I MENTIONED, IS URBAN INDUSTRIAL AREA.
THERE'S SOME HIGH-INTENSITY AND THIS IS, OF COURSE, MID-INTENSITY.
ZONING MAP. YOU CAN SEE THE SUBJECT PARCEL HERE, ZONED A-AG.
AS THE AREA HAS DEVELOPED AROUND IT WITH LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USES, THIS HAS TURNED INTO SOMEWHAT OF A REMNANT PARCEL WITH AN AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT.
THERE IS AN OLD HOUSE AND SOME BUILDINGS ON THE PROPERTY, OF COURSE, THAT WILL BE DEMOLISHED AS A PART OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT, WHICH IS A SEGUE INTO THE CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN.
PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL FLEX BUILDING.
THESE ARE WAREHOUSES USED FOR STORAGE AND THEN DISTRIBUTION.
YOU CAN SEE THE TRUCK DOCKS ON THE WEST SIDE THERE.
IN TERMS OF THE CRITERIA FOR REZONING, THIS PROPOSAL IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
SERVICES DO EXIST IN THE AREA CAPABLE OF SERVING THE PROPOSED USE, AND AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THE AREA IS CURRENTLY CHARACTERIZED PRIMARILY BY THESE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USES, AND RECENT DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE ALSO IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT IS THERE NOW.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION OR JUST RECOMMENDATIONS IN GENERAL.
THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION DID UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND APPROVAL ON SEPTEMBER 7TH.
STAFF ALSO RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
QUICK NOTE ON THE APPEARANCE OF THE POSSIBLE COMBINED FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD READING ON THE AGENDA.
THIS HEARING HAS BEEN DELAYED DUE TO A CIRCUMSTANCE OUT OF CITY STAFF'S CONTROL DUE TO A NOTIFICATION PUBLISHING ISSUE IN THE LOCAL PAPER, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS A REQUIREMENT FOR THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
THAT HAS NOW OCCURRED, OF COURSE, BUT GIVEN THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION AND LACK OF OBJECTIONS, STAFF HAS MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND BACK TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BILL. THIS IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD. COUNCIL? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY TODD, SECONDED BY VANORNY.
>> THIS MOTION CARRIES COUNCIL MEMBER POPE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE TO THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON OUR SECOND AND THIRD READING.
>> THANK YOU. THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE ON A SECOND THIRD READINGS HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
[00:50:01]
AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.ITEM NUMBER 4 IS A PUBLIC HEARING HELD TO CONSIDER
[4. A public hearing will be held to consider proposed amendments to the Central Business Urban Renewal Plan, the Amended and Restated Consolidated Central Urban Renewal Plan, and the Osada Urban Renewal Plan, to include all in a consolidated urban renewal plan with the existing areas unified and renamed the Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area (Scott Mather). CIP/DID #TIF-0089-2023 a. Resolution approving the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area.]
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS URBAN RENEWAL PLAN.THE AMENDED IN RESTATED CONSOLIDATED CENTRAL URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AND THE OSADA URBAN RENEWAL PLAN TO INCLUDE ALL IN A CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL PLAN WITH THE EXISTING AREAS UNIFIED AND RENAMED THE CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL AREA.
SCOTT MATHER HERE. SCOTT WILL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
SCOTT MATHER WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
AS STATED, THIS IS REGARDING THE CONSOLIDATION OF CENTRAL BUSINESS, CONSOLIDATED CENTRAL, AND OSADA URBAN RENEWAL AREAS.
THAT CONSOLIDATED AREA FACILITATES COHESIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND EXECUTION.
EACH OF THESE SUB-URA AREAS ARE DESIGNATED AS BLIGHT AND HAVE NO CURRENT SUNSET.
CONSOLIDATING THE URAS HAS NO IMPACT ON CURRENT OR PROSPECTIVE DEVELOP PROJECTS.
WE DID COORDINATE WITH THIS ACTION WITH LINN CO AUDITOR'S OFFICE, BOND COUNCIL, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT.
IT DOES INCORPORATE NEW PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED PRIOR COUNCIL APPROVAL AS WE'RE REQUIRED TO UPDATE PLANS WHEN WE ADD NEW ACTIVITIES INCLUDING NEW PROJECTS, WERE ALSO REQUIRED TO CONSULT WITH TEXTING AGENCIES, WHICH WAS PERFORMED ON OCTOBER 23RD WITH NO COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS.
THE MAP ON THE LEFT SHOWS WHERE THE CURRENT URL IS OUR CENTRAL BUSINESS AND THE LIGHT BLUE OSADA IS THAT VERY SMALL LITTLE FINGER ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF CENTRAL BUSINESS AND THEN CONSOLIDATED CENTRAL WRAPPING AROUND THE OUTSIDE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE MAP, WHICH SHOW WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE WITH ALL THREE COMBINED INTO ONE CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED URA.
AS STATED, WE DID HOLD A CONSULTATION WITH TAXING AGENCIES OCTOBER 23RD, NO COMMENTS WE'RE HERE TODAY FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN BUT THEN I'LL RETURN IT BACK TO YOU, MAYOR.
>> SCOTT, JUST CONFIRMING THESE ARE ITEMS FOUR THROUGH SEVEN.
>> THIS IS JUST ITEM NUMBER 4 I WILL BE COMBINING FIVE THROUGH SEVEN.
>> YOU WILL. FOR ITEM NUMBER 4, THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL?
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND CITY STAFF.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER.
MY NAME IS DOROTHY DCELLSA GODDESS.
I LIVE AT 1022 7TH STREET SOUTHEAST SINCE MAY OF 2022.
I'VE BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF VOCAL JACKSON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
I DONATE MY TIME TO SUPPORTING AND ENHANCING VOCAL JACKSON NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARTICULAR, AND THE CITY IN GENERAL FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TODAY TO DELAY A VOTE ON THE SUBJECT OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING, PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OF THREE URBAN RENEWAL PLANS INTO ONE CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL PLAN.
THERE ARE 26 PAGES IN TODAY'S COUNCIL PACKET ON THIS MATTER.
THE INCLUDED MAPS INDICATE THAT VAST PORTIONS OF THIS CONSOLIDATED PLANS AREA IS RESIDENTIAL.
SEVEN OF THE EIGHT LISTED ELIGIBLE URBAN RENEWABLE PROJECTS AUTHORIZED PRIOR TO THIS CONSOLIDATION OUR RESIDENTIAL, YET SO LITTLE IN THE 26 PAGES OF DOCUMENTATION MENTIONED RESIDENTS OR RESIDENTIAL MATTERS.
THERE IS MENTIONED THAT CITY STAFF CONSULTED AND I BELIEVE IT WAS THE STATED THEY WERE OBLIGATED TO CONSULT WITH DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL AFFECTED TAXING ENTITIES TO DISCUSS THE PLAN AND THE DIVISION OF THE TAX REVENUE.
THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT CITY STAFF OR ELECTED OFFICIALS MADE ANY EFFORT TO MEET WITH RESIDENTS WITHIN THIS VAST AREA TO EXPLAIN WHY CONSOLIDATING VARIOUS PLANS INTO ONE EITHER BENEFITS THEM OR AT THE VERY LEAST, WON'T HARM THEM.
AS ALWAYS, I ASKED THIS CITY CHANGE THE WAY IT DOES BUSINESS AS IT PERTAINS TO DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING MATTERS TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION AND INTERACTION WITH RESIDENTS WOULD BE AFFECTED BY PROPOSALS PRESENTED TO YOU VIA CITY STAFF.
AT THE VERY LEAST, REACH OUT TO AND SET MEETINGS WITH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS EARLY IN THE DISCUSSION PHASE AND MANDATE OR INCENTIVIZE DEVELOPERS TO DO THE SAME.
I WANT TO THANK ERIC SCHMIDT, JAMES AND SANDY LOCKED, JASON ROGERS, AND A FEW OTHER SMALLER DEVELOPERS FOR DOING SO SINCE MAY OF 2022.
IT'S TRUE THAT WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND ABOUT CITY PLANNING, URBAN PLANNING, URBAN RENEWAL AREAS, AND ZONING COULD FILL VOLUMES.
IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS I REPRESENT,
[00:55:04]
I'M MAKING AN EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND, AS NELSON MANDELA STATED, "EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD." NOW I PLAN TO CHANGE THE WORLD AS IT PERTAINS TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD.OUR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS EMBRACE CHANGE, THOUGHTFUL, INCLUSIVE CHANGE BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERING FROM ALL AFFECTED PARTIES, INCLUDING THE RESIDENTS.
AGAIN, I REQUEST THAT COUNCIL DELAY THE VOTE ON THIS MATTER UNTIL CITY STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICIALS MEET WITH RESIDENTS AND THE AFFECTED AREAS, PERHAPS VIA THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
ALSO, RESIDENTS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO ADDRESS THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS AT MEETINGS AND I APPRECIATE IT.
SPEAKING BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IS A PRIVILEGE.
I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT ALL SPEAKERS AT THIS AND FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR COMMENTS BE REQUIRED TO STAY THERE FIRST AND LAST NAMES AND THEIR STREET ADDRESS AND/OR THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION OR BUSINESS THEY REPRESENT AND THAT STREET ADDRESS.
YOU MAY KNOW WHO THE SPEAKERS ARE, BUT OTHER PEOPLE ATTENDING OR WATCHING THIS MEETING MAY NOT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE ELSE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL?
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ALAN MURDOCK.
I LIVE AT 930 26TH STREET SOUTHEAST.
ON MY OUTFIT IS I PUT ON MY BEST SUIT TO FIT IN AS MUCH AS I CAN AND SO I AGREE WITH DOROTHY.
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH HER, AND I FEEL THE CITY HAS ORDERED ITSELF A RECOGNITION FOR EFFICIENCY PREVIOUSLY AND WHEN I WENT, I SAW THAT I REALIZED THAT THIS IS REALLY THE CORE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM GOING ON IN CEDAR RAPIDS IS.
THEY'RE SIMPLY EXECUTING ON THE PLAN AND THEY'RE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH OR DISCUSSING WITH THE CITIZENS WHAT THAT MIGHT MEAN AND THEIR EFFICIENCY IS HAVING NEGATIVE IMPACTS AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN CORE.
I ALSO REQUEST A POSTPONEMENT ON THE VOTE. THANK YOU.
>> DOES ANYONE ELSE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER HAS BEEN HELD WITH TWO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNCIL ANY COMMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION? COUNCILMEMBER OLSON?
>> WELL, I WAS GOING TO ASK A SIMILAR QUESTION.
JUST GIVE US THE OVERVIEW OF THE PURPOSE OF WHY WE'RE COMBINING THE THREE.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT, LIKE I SAID, WE FOLLOW WHAT WAS REQUIRED BY LAW.
WAS THIS SOMETHING WE INITIATED OR WE WERE REQUESTED TO DO? JUST GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW.
>> REALLY, THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROCESS THAT WAS THAT OCCURRED WITH THE I3 AT CONSOLIDATED URL THAT COMBINE MULTIPLE SEPARATE URBAN RENEWAL AREAS INTO ONE.
LIKE I SAID, WE DID CONSULT WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE BOUND BOND COUNSEL AND DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO ADVERSE OUTCOMES.
FROM DOING THIS, THE TIFF DISTRICTS REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THOSE ARE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE TIFF DISTRICTS WITHIN EACH OF THE URIS REMAINS THE SAME.
REALLY WANT IT ALLOWS US GREATER ABILITY TO DO THE SAME INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT LIKE ROADWAY PROJECTS THAT MAY OVERLAP INTO MULTIPLE URBAN RENEWAL AREAS TODAY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THAT ISSUE WITH TRYING TO DO THOSE TYPES OF PROJECTS.
AN EXAMPLE OF A CURRENT BUILDING THAT'S OVERLAPPING, TWO DIFFERENT ONE IS THE FIVE SEASONS PARKING RAMP.
IT'S IN BOTH THE CENTRAL BUSINESS AND CONSOLIDATED CENTRAL URBAN RENEWAL AREA, WHICH I GUESS JUST CREATES ISSUES WHEN IN TERMS OF TAXING.
BY COMBINING THEM ALL INTO ONE, IT JUST MAKES IT FOR GREATER EASE TO DO NEW PROJECTS, TO DO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITHOUT THAT, THOSE BOUNDARIES THE WAY THEY CURRENTLY ARE, BUT TIFF DISTRICTS REMAIN THE SAME.
ALL THREE URBAN RENEWAL AREAS ARE BASED ON BLIGHT, WHICH MEANS NONE OF THEM HAVE A SUNSET.
NONE OF THAT CHANGES WITH THIS CONSOLIDATION.
IT'S VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH WHAT WAS DONE IN JULY OF 2022 WITH THE I3D CONSOLIDATION.
>> AGAIN, THIS WAS SOMETHING WE INITIATED JUST TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS. [OVERLAPPING].
>> CORRECT. IN CONSULTATION WITH THOSE OTHER ENTITIES TO THAT.
>> BUT I'M SAYING AS FAR AS PLANNING ISSUES AND HOW IT IMPACTS AREAS, ETC.
[01:00:01]
>> MAY I SIMPLY LOOK AT THIS AS A CLEANUP ISSUE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY.
I DON'T SEE A NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT IT CAN HAVE ON ANY PARTICULAR THE COURT NEIGHBORHOODS.
IN FACT, I THINK BY COMBINING THE TAX LIABILITY OF ALL THOSE CORE NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE TO HELP DO MORE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BECAUSE THEY'RE MORE EXPENSIVE IN THE CORE AND SO I DON'T SEE ANY DOWNSIDE TO DOING THIS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 5 THROUGH 7, WILL BEGIN.
[5. A public hearing will be held to consider a Development Agreement with D Taggart Holdings, Inc. for a housing project along the 900 block of M Street and at 1213 N Street SW (Scott Mather). CIP/DID #TIF-0081-2023 a. Resolution authorizing execution of a Development Agreement with D Taggart Holdings, Inc. for a housing project along the 900 block of M Street and at 1213 N Street SW.]
ITEM NUMBER 5 IS A PUBLIC HEARING HELD TO CONSIDER A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH D TAGGART HOLDINGS, INC, FOR HOUSING PROJECT ALONG THE 900 BLOCK OF M STREET AND AT 1213 M STREET, SOUTHWEST HAS GOT A RECOGNIZE YOU AGAIN.>> THANK YOU. MAYOR. I AM REQUESTING TO COMBINE ITEMS 5 THROUGH 7, WHICH INVOLVE THREE SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS THAT ARE ALL INCORPORATED WITHIN THE CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL AREA.
THE FIRST ONE REGARDING THE D TAGGART HOLDINGS INCORPORATED AS A $4,000,000 CAPITAL INVESTMENT INVOLVING 15 TOTAL UNITS ON THE FIVE FOLLOWING PARCELS.
EACH PARCEL DOES CONSIST OF THREE UNITS, A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME, AND TWO ADU UNITS, THREE-STAR GARAGE AND SIX TOTAL OFF STREET PARKING SPACES.
CONSTRUCTION IS PLANNED TO COMMENCE BY MAY OF 24TH, COMPLETE BY MAY OF 25TH, WITH INCENTIVES BEING 100% OF THE TAX INCREMENT UP TO NET PRESENT VALUE OF 400,000 OR 20 ANNUAL PAYMENTS.
THE DEVELOPER IS ALSO TO APPLY FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDITS AND THE 2024 APPLICATION AROUND IF CONSTRUCTION IS NOT COMMENCED PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION DEADLINE.
IF AWARDED, THE INCENTIVES MAYBE REDUCED BY THE NET PRESENT VALUE OF THE AWARD.
THE NEXT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS WITH FXLK, LC REGARDING A $6.3 MILLION INVESTMENT RENOVATION OF THE 16,400 SQUARE FOOT COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE GAZETTE BUILDING, INVOLVES RENOVATION OF THE EXTERIOR FENESTRATION ADDING ROOFTOP AREA, ADDING ON AN ADDITIONAL 9,100 SQUARE FOOT FOR A TOTAL OF 25,500 SQUARE FOOT DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS REGARDING THE GREEN PROGRAM.
STANDARD INCENTIVE UP TO 10 YEAR WHEN OUR PERCENT REBATE OF THE INCREASED VALUE BASED ON THE DEMONSTRATED INCREASED COSTS WITH LEED CERTIFICATION.
THE INCENTIVE IS DETERMINED BY THE DOCUMENTATION OF THE ACTUAL COST TO OBTAIN LEED CERTIFICATION WITH AN ESTIMATED AVAILABLE TAX INCREMENT OF 950,000.
THE LAST DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS WITH MODERN HOME BUILDERS, LLC REGARDING A $4 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT REDEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER US BANK BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR THREE-PLEX TOWN HOMES, 12 TOTAL UNITS, THREE BEDROOMS, TWO-AND-A-HALF BATH TO STALL ATTACHED GARAGE PER UNIT.
THESE ARE MARKET RATE UNITS, REIMBURSEMENT OF 100% TAX INCREMENT UP TO NET PRESENT VALUE OF 600,000 OR 20 ANNUAL PAYMENTS.
STAFF RECOMMENDS THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS JUST REVIEWED.
BUT THE D TAGGART HOLDINGS FOR THE HOUSING PROJECT ALONG THE 900 BLOCK OF M STREET SOUTHWEST AND 1213 N STREET SOUTHWEST WITH FXLK, LC FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT 512 3RD AVENUE SOUTHEAST, AND THE MODERN HOME BUILDERS, LLC FOR THE HOUSING PROJECT AT 1627 HAMILTON STREET SOUTHWEST.
WITH THAT, I'LL RETURN TO YOU, MAYOR.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THESE ONE AT A TIME FOR THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWING ALONG, BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 5, WHICH IS THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH D TAGGART HOLDINGS.
THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC MATTER HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD COUNCIL.
SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOEFFLER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES NOW FOR ITEM NUMBER 6, WHICH IS THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER
[6. A public hearing will be held to consider a Development Agreement with FXLK, LC for the redevelopment of property at 512 3rd Avenue SE (Scott Mather). CIP/DID #TIF-0085-2023 a. Resolution authorizing execution of a Development Agreement with FXLK, LC for the redevelopment of property at 512 3rd Avenue SE.]
THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AT 512 THIRD AVENUE SOUTH EAST.THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNCIL MEMBER, MANN WHITNEY.
>> THANKS, MAYOR SCOTT, CAN YOU JUST HELP ME UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT BETWEEN NUMBER 6 AND NUMBER 7, THOSE PRODUCTS HAVE ALREADY BEGAN DEVELOPMENT? JUST TO HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT WHAT IS BEING ASKED TODAY VERSUS WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN STARTED?
[01:05:01]
>> SURE. WITH THE ONE THAT I HAVE UP ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW, THIS IS REGARDING GOING UP TO A GREEN PROGRAM.
THE WAY I WOULD EXPLAIN IT AS THE PROJECT WAS GOING TO OCCUR, WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY WAS INVOLVED OR NOT BUT BECAUSE THE CITY IS CHOSEN TO BE INVOLVED, THE DEVELOPER IS SEEKING LEED CERTIFICATION, WHICH COMES WITH AN INCREASED COST.
WITH OUR PROGRAM, WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT AVAILABLE TAX INCREMENT FOR THAT INCREASED COST INVOLVED WITH LEED CERTIFICATION.
THAT PROJECT, AS IT WAS DESCRIBED WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THIS TO COUNSEL, HAD ALREADY STARTED.
REALLY, WHAT STEVE EMERSON WAS WAITING TO HEAR FROM IS WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD GO WITH A LEED CERTIFIED BUILDING OR A STANDARD RENOVATION.
THEN WITH THIS ONE, THE CONSTRUCTION JUST RECENTLY HAPPENED OR THE BEGINNING OF IT WITH THE GROUNDBREAKING IN THE LAST WEEK, THAT WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO COUNSEL, THERE WAS NO CONSTRUCTION.
IT STARTED AT THIS POINT AND SO THE RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF THE TERM SHEET HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED BY COUNSEL.
REALLY DUE TO SOME OF THE DELAYS INVOLVED WITH THE VERY FIRST WITH THE CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL AREA AND IN DELAYING GETTING THAT ALL LINED UP BEFORE WE BROUGHT IT TO COUNSEL, IT DELAYED REALLY BRINGING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AS WELL AND SO THE DEVELOPER MADE THE DECISION TO BREAK GROUND.
I SUPPOSE TAKING A BIT OF A CHANCE THAT THIS WOULD STILL GO THROUGH AS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. JUST AS A COMMENT REGARDING NUMBER 7, I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE QUITE A BIT OF THE BASEMENT WALLS ALREADY CONSTRUCTED SINCE I DO DRIVE PAST THIS MOST DAYS.
BUT I DO REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THEY KEPT THE HISTORIC TREES THERE. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE ON COUNCIL. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.
NOW FOR ITEM 7, BEFORE WE MOVE ON,
[7. A public hearing will be held to consider a Development Agreement with Modern Home Builders, LLC for the redevelopment of property at 1627 Hamilton Street SW (Scott Mather). CIP/DID #TIF-0087-2023 a. Resolution authorizing execution of a Development Agreement with Modern Home Builders, LLC for the redevelopment of property at 1627 Hamilton Street SW.]
THIS IS THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY AT 1627 HAMILTON STREET SOUTHWEST.THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, THAT BRINGS US TO COUNSEL.
SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.
[8. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Edgewood Road Transit Stops and Sidewalk project (estimated cost is $764,000) (Ken DeKeyser). CIP/DID #3018005-02 a. Resolution adopting plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Edgewood Road Transit Stops and Sidewalk project.]
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.HELL DO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE EDGE WOOD ROAD TRANSIT STOPS AND SIDEWALK PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $764,000.
KENDI KAISER IS HERE, COUNCIL CAN RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. KENDI KAISER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT AS WE'RE GOING TO CONSTRUCT SIDEWALK AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT STOPS ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF EDGE WOOD ROAD BETWEEN 12TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST AND O AVENUE NORTHWEST.
THIS INCLUDES SEVEN TRANSIT STOP LOCATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IMPROVED WITH BENCHES AND ACCESSIBLE LOADING AREAS AND TWO OF THEM WILL HAVE LIGHTED SHELTERS.
THE SIDEWALK WORK CONSISTS OF INFILLING GAPS AND SIDEWALKS ALONG THE ROUTE THERE.
THE TOTAL OPINION OF PROBABLE COST IS $764,000, WHICH INCLUDES $225,000 OF A TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES GRANT.
THE PROJECT, AS A WHOLE IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN AS WELL AS ENVISIONED CR FOR WALKABILITY.
THE BID OPENING IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 21ST.
THIS IS A LOCATION MAP SHOWING THE STARTING AND ENDING OF THE PROJECT.
THIS IS APPROXIMATELY A MILE AND A HALF IN LENGTH.
THIS IS AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE LOCATIONS OF WHERE A BUS STOP IS GOING TO BE IMPROVED.
THIS IS AT THE CORNER OF 12TH AVENUE AND EDGE WOOD ROAD SOUTHWEST.
CURRENTLY, THERE ISN'T REALLY A STOP THERE.
YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE STREET VIEW ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, THERE'S THE SIGN FOR THE TRANSIT STOP IT'S BASICALLY JUST A SIDEWALK AND A LITTLE BIT OF WORN-OUT ASPHALT WITH WEEDS THERE BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE CURB.
THEN THE PLAN VIEW WHICH SHOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO CREATE THE TRANSIT STOP THAT CAN LEAD TO SOMEBODY EXCESSIVELY TO THE BUS, AS WELL AS PUT A BUS SHELTER BEHIND THE SIDEWALK.
THE REASON WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BUS SHELTERS AND NOT ALL SEVEN AS IT IS BASED ON WHAT TRANSIT DEPARTMENT LOOKS AT FOR RIDERSHIP AND THE AVAILABLE SPACE AND THEN THEY SELECT THE LOCATIONS.
BUT IN ALL ALL OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND HAVE BENCHES.
WITH THAT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. BACK TO THE MAYOR.
[01:10:01]
>> THANK YOU. KEN, THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
IS ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> ISAAC DAVIS, 1213 OAKLAND ROAD.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT ABOUT SIDEWALKS.
ENVISIONED CR SAYS THAT SIDEWALKS ARE A CRITICAL THOUGH FREQUENTLY UNDER-RECOGNIZED PART OF ANY CITY'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES ARE INCREASINGLY A PUBLIC UTILITY AND A RESOURCE FOR PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH.
IT GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT THE OBVIOUS BENEFITS OF WALKING, AS WELL AS REDUCE ROAD DEATHS WHEN PEDESTRIANS HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO WALK.
THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT'S AREA ALIGNS WITH DEMAND DATA THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN.
ALONG WITH THE OTHER PLANS LIKE COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, CITIES, ADA PROGRAM, THE WORK PLANS OF THE WELL-BEING ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ALL OF THAT IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH ENVISIONED CR.
PERHAPS I WANT TO DRAW OUR ATTENTION TO THE IOWA'S SMART PLANNING GUIDELINES IN FORMING ENVISION CR, THE BASELINE, ONE OF WHICH WAS TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.
I THINK THIS PROJECT IS A GREAT BANG FOR OUR BUCK.
THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS LESS THAN A TENTH OF A PERCENT OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET.
WITH THAT GRANT, WE'RE PAYING EVEN HALF THAT.
THIS IS PENNIES COMPARED TO THE ONE OR $2 MILLION WE'LL BE SPENDING ON SIMILARLY SIZED STREET PROJECTS.
WHEN WE GET OUT OF THAT HERE IN THIS IOWA WINTER, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE RESIDENTS WHO ARE ABLE TO WALK THAT EXTRA COUPLE OF BLOCKS TO CATCH THE BUS, THEY'RE GOING TO USE THE SHELTER TO ESCAPE THE ELEMENTS.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET SICK AS MUCH.
THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE IT TO WORK.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE THAT BIT FARTHER AHEAD ECONOMICALLY.
THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CITIES DO.
WE FIND FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE WAYS TO EMPOWER OUR RESIDENTS THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THEY NEED TO PULL AHEAD.
MY CALL TO ACTION HERE IS SIMPLY MORE OF THESE PROJECTS.
PUBLIC WORKS CONTINUE TO FILL THESE GAPS.
MAKE CEDAR RAPIDS STAND OUT WITH OUR COMPLETE STREETS FOR TRANSIT.
KEEP IMPROVING OUR TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR MORE.
IF ANOTHER ONE OR 200,000 WOULD HAVE, LET US ADD SOME MORE SHELTERS IN GIVEN THE WINTER THAT WE TALKED, I THINK THESE ARE PENNIES VERY WELL-SPENT.
THEN FOR COUNCIL, JUST KEEP SUPPORTING AND ADOPTING THE PLANS AND PRIORITIES THAT ALLOW PROJECTS LIKE THESE TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TOO.
WE ALL BECAME VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE 12TH AVENUE APARTMENT COMPLEXES THERE AND JUST HOW DEPENDENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ALL THOSE RESIDENTS ARE.
THIS IS A HUGE VALUE ADD, NOT JUST FOR THE LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS THAT ARE ALONG THAT ROAD, BUT ALSO FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANYWHERE OTHERWISE WITHOUT THIS PROTECTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I KNOW GETTING THIS HAS BEEN ON THE RADAR FOR A LONG TIME.
A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS ALONG THIS STREET ON EDGE WOOD, WHICH IS EXTREMELY BUSY STREET JUST AS WIDELY WAS MAKING THOSE CONNECTIONS.
I CAN ALREADY SEE PEOPLE WALKING ON STUFF BEFORE THEY'RE DONE WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT ARE ALREADY USING THEM.
ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE NOTICED OVER TIME IS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE GRAPHS BUS STOPS WHERE YOU'RE JUST STANDING IN A PIECE OF GRASS ON A HILL.
I'VE TALKED TO BRAD DEVOUR ABOUT THIS.
HOW DO WE GO OUT? I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A SINGLE BUS STOP THAT'S JUST ON GRAPHS.
I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST TWO PIECE OF CONCRETE TO STAND ON THAT SECURE.
LIKE YOU SAY, SOME WILL HAVE BUS STOPS, SOME BUS SHELTER, SOME MAY NOT.
HOW FAR ALONG DO YOU THINK IS THERE A SEPARATE STUDY GOING ON THAT WE IDENTIFY WITH OUR REROUTING? HOW MANY MORE OF THESE CONCRETE ON CONCRETED AREAS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BUS SYSTEM.
>> IT'S REALLY DRIVEN BY THE PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN, WHICH REALLY SHOWS A HEAT ISLAND OF SOME OF OUR MAJOR STREETS.
WITH THAT, WE PAIR THE PEDESTRIAN, THE MAPPING FROM THE PEDESTRIAN PLAN WITH THE BUS ROUTE MAPPING.
THEY HELP US OUT WITH FUNDING AND THE PRIORITIZATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THIS IS AN ANNUAL ONGOING EFFORT THAT WE DO.
WE PUT IN SHELTERS AND TRANSIT STOPS THIS YEAR WHERE WE'VE DONE IT FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING IT.
AS FAR AS THE ETA WHERE IT'S ALL DONE, I'M THINKING PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET DONE FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE AS THE CITY GROWS OR TO KEEP ADDING MORE STOPS AND ADDING MORE ROUTES AND EVEN ALONG THE ROUTES THAT WE HAVE,
[01:15:02]
YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON DEMAND.THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A NEED FOR THAT.
>> DOES THIS HAVE ANY MPO FUNDING OR IS THIS ALL CITY FUNDING?
>> THE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES FUNDING IS THROUGH THE MPO.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN COUNCIL? THANKS SO MUCH.
SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
AT NUMBER 9 IS A PUBLIC HEARING HELD TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLANS,
[9. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Kenilworth Court Streambank Stabilization project (estimated cost is $120,000) (Ben Worrell). CIP/DID #304548-01 a. Resolution adopting plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Kenilworth Court Streambank Stabilization project.]
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THE KENILWORTH COURT STREAM BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $120,000.BEN WILLIS IS HERE, BEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BEN WILLIS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS PROJECT WILL STABILIZE ONE OF THE BANKS AT INDIAN CREEK AT THE LOCATION SHOWN ON THE MAP THERE.
WE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS ALONG KENILWORTH COURT SOME CONCERNS ABOUT EROSION ON THAT BANK.
THE EROSION IS PRIMARILY OCCURRING ON CITY PROPERTY.
I'VE DELINEATED ON THE MAP HERE WHERE THAT PROPERTY BOUNDARY IS BETWEEN CITY AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.
SO WE'RE PROPOSING TO GO IN AND STABILIZE THAT, AND IT WOULD ACTUALLY TIE INTO EXISTING REVETMENT ON BOTH ENDS.
THERE'S ALREADY ROCK PLACED WITH THE EAST PULSE ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT AND ALSO AT THE SAC AND FOX TRAIL PROJECT IN PREVIOUS YEARS, SO WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY JUST BE CONNECTING THOSE AND CONSTRUCTION ACCESS WOULD BE OFF OF KENILWORTH COURT.
ENGINEERS OPINION OF PROBABLE COST IS 120,000.
THE BID LIGHTING IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 15TH.
CONSTRUCTION COULD OCCUR ANYWHERE BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH AND EXPECTING MINIMAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BEN. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
IS ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNCIL.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.
HERE IN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS,
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
WE HAVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS.THE FIRST COMMENT PERIOD IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL ACTION SCHEDULED FOR TODAY.
A SECOND PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD WILL COME AT THE END OF THE MEETING FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK ON ISSUES THAT ARE GERMANE TO THE CITY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
SO COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY STAFF, AS WE MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE BEFORE AND AFTER THE MEETING.
AT THIS TIME THOUGH, DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, THE COUNCIL IS HERE TO LISTEN AND REMEMBER THAT ALL THE MATTERS WE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING APPLIED TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS NOW AS WELL.
IF YOU HAVE DOCUMENTS YOU WISH TO SHARE, PLEASE GIVE THEM THE OFFICER AND HE WILL GET THEM TO US.
COMMENTS MUST BE DIRECTED TO THE MATTERS YOU WISH TO ADDRESS AND ABUSIVE PERSONAL OR IRRELEVANT COMMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED, AND NO PARTICIPATION FROM THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE.
IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON, AND TODAY WE HAD THREE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND I'LL CALL YOU IN THE ORDER HERE.
PAUL DESMOND, HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 33.
FEEL FREE TO CORRECT YOUR NAME TOO IF I MISSPOKE.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR, MY NAME IS PAUL DESMOND.
ADDRESS IS 2508 BEAVER AVENUE SOUTHEAST.
BUT I OWN A COMPANY HERE CALLED FOREIGN FUNCTION STUDIO AT 12:03 THIRD STREETS OUT.
THE SWEET 7 WERE AN ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO.
ITEM 38 RELATES TO MATTHEW 25S, PROPOSAL FOR THREE HOMES WITH TWO ADUS ATTACHED ACROSS THREE LOTS THAT ARE CITY-OWNED.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH CLINTON MATTHEW 25 OH GOSH, SINCE 2020 ON THIS PROJECT.
AND WE'RE FINALLY AT THAT CROSSING POINT.
I COULDN'T SUPPORT ENOUGH OF THIS PROJECT.
OFTENTIMES WE TALK ABOUT DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS IN TERMS OF HABITATS AND ANIMALS AND CREATURES.
WE TALKED WITH MATTHEW 25 OF DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS IN TERMS OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO ALLOWING THESE THREE HOMES TO COME INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S OFTEN NOT GIVEN ATTENTION IN TERMS OF CREATING A DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSITY IS CRITICAL TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR CITY.
WE'VE HONORED TO WORK WITH MATTHEW 25 ON THIS PROJECT FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU GUYS APPROVE.
[01:20:02]
[NOISE] THIS MOTION FOR SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT. THANK YOU.>. THANK YOU. CLINT TWEET BALL HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 38.
>> CLINT TWEET BALL, 1533 MAPLE WOULD DRIVE NORTHEAST AS MY ADDRESS, AND MATTHEW 25 IS LOCATED AT 201 THIRD AVENUE SOUTHWEST.
MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN OVER THE YEARS TO MATTHEW 25 FOR A WHOLE VARIETY OF PROJECTS.
WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY TALKING ABOUT THIS THREE PARCEL AND DEVELOPMENT THAT WE'RE WORKING TO DO.
SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THAT MATTHEW 25 HAD A HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS THAT FOCUSED ON A SIX BLOCK STRETCH OF THE NORTHWEST AREA THAT HAD 47 VACANT PARCELS REMAINING FROM THE 2008 FLOOD.
THE GENEROSITY OF CITIZENS IS WHAT HAS ALLOWED US TO DO THINGS FOLLOWING THIS CAMPAIGN LIKE OPENING THE CULTIVATES HOPE CORNER STORE, REHABBING SEVERAL HOUSES, WORKING WITH OTHER DEVELOPERS TO PUT SOME NEW HOUSING UP, AND NOW AT LONG LAST ALLOWING US TO WORK ON THIS NEW INFILL HOUSING.
TODAY I'M HERE BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING THE NEXT STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THREE LOTS IN THE 1,000 BLOCK OF EIGHTH STREET NORTHWEST.
ITEM NUMBER 38 ON YOUR AGENDA, OUR GOAL WITH THESE LOTS IS THREEFOLD.
FIRST, WE WANT TO BUILD ATTRACTIVE HOUSING THAT IS IN KEEPING WITH THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD.
SECOND, WE WANT TO MAINTAIN LONG-TERM QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THIRD, WE WANT TO BUILD HOMES THAT ARE HEALTHY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THEM, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE PLANET.
SO THE FIRST OF THESE, MATTHEW 25 IS SEEKING TO BUILD THREE UNITS OF HOUSING ON EACH LOT THAT WILL ENHANCE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SCOTT MATHER WILL SHOW YOU SOME PICTURES OF THESE UNITS IN A FEW MINUTES HERE.
BUT WHAT YOU'LL SEE ARE VERY INTENTIONALLY BUILT HOMES THAT FIT THE CONTEXT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
EACH HAS ITS OWN PORCH AREA, A SEPARATE ENTRANCE, STREET FACING UNIT IS DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT WILL GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF A TWO-STORY SINGLE-FAMILY HOME, WILL BUILD THESE IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS FOR SHARED AMENITIES SUCH AS GARDENS AND OUTDOOR GATHERING SPACES.
WE WANT THESE TO BE ENHANCING THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SECOND, WE'RE BUILDING THESE WITH A SHARED EQUITY MODEL OF HOME OWNERSHIP.
THIS MODEL WILL ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO PURCHASE THESE HOMES WITH A LOW DOWN PAYMENT AND RETURN, THE HOMEOWNERS WILL BE LIMITED ON THE EQUITY THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GAIN WHEN THEY SELL THESE HOMES.
SO THAT OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS, THAT EQUITY WILL SLOWLY BE PULLED OUT TO KEEP THOSE HOMES AFFORDABLE FOR THE LONG TERM.
WE'RE EXCITED TO PIONEER HOMEOWNERSHIP VEHICLE IN THE CEDAR RAPIDS AREA THAT WILL INCREASE HOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE QUALIFY.
FINALLY, THIRD, WE'RE BUILDING HEALTHY HOMES.
THESE WILL BE NET-ZERO HOMES, MEANING THAT ALL ELECTRICITY WILL BE DONE ONSITE.
THEY'LL BE ALL ELECTRIC HOMES WITH HEALTHY MATERIALS USED FOR THE INTERIOR, AND EXTERIOR OF THE HOMES.
EACH WILL HAVE TO EV CHARGERS PER HOME.
THEY'LL BE A SMALL FOOTPRINT HOME THAT'S GOOD ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND GOOD FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, DOING SOMETHING THAT'S AS FORWARD-FACING AS THIS REQUIRES A LITTLE MORE FUNDING THAN YOUR TRADITIONAL HOUSING THAT'S GOING UP, AND SO WE APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL CONSIDERING THIS 20-YEAR TIFF TO HELP SUPPORT THE GAP AND FINANCING THIS PROJECT.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU'VE PARTNERED WITH US OVER THE YEARS, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DOROTHY DESOZAGETIS.
>> I ALREADY SPOKEN ON THAT MA'AM.
>> I'M DOROTHY DO CELLS GET IS 10, 20 2/7 STREET SOUTHEAST.
I DON'T HAVE SOMETHING PARTICULAR TO THE AGENDA ITEM, BUT I DO REQUEST THAT THE POWERPOINT NOT BE JUMPED AHEAD UNTIL THE DISCUSSION AND THE VOTE ON THAT PREVIOUS ITEM IS DONE.
IT'S CONFUSING TO BE SEEN NOT KNOWING WHAT COUNCIL IS GOING TO VOTE ON BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY MOVED AHEAD.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT IS THE LAST OF MY LIST HERE, SO THAT WILL CLOSE OUT OFFICIALLY OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS.
[01:25:03]
CITY MANAGER POMERANZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES TO OUR AGENDA?>> DO ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES ON ANY OF THE AGENDA ITEMS OR MAKE ANY CHANGES? COUNCIL MEMBER POE?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M GOING TO RECUSE MYSELF ON ITEM NUMBER 11, PLEASE. ITEM NUMBER 11.
THANK YOU. CLERK, YOU'RE GOOD? THANKS. THAT BRINGS US TO A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
[MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA]
THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY OVERLAND, SECONDED BY TODD.THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA THE APPROVAL OF
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.THANK YOU, COUNCIL. MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA NOW.
[36. Report on bids for the Cedar Rapids Horizontal Collector Well No. 7, Contract 1 – Caisson & Laterals project (estimated cost is $5,110,000) (Paul Bestick). CIP/DID #3317510-11]
ITEM NUMBER 36 IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE CEDAR RAPIDS HORIZONTAL COLLECTOR WELL NUMBER 7, CONTRACT 1 CASE ON AND LATERALS PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $5,110,000.PAUL BESTICK IS HERE. PAUL, RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL PAUL BESTICK WITH UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
TO GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT, AS YOU MAY REMEMBER, THE HORIZONTAL COLLECTOR WELL SEVEN PROJECT WILL CONSTRUCT A NEW WELL FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING COOLING WATER FLOWS TO CARGILL TO OFFSET A LOSS INFLOW FROM THEIR EXISTING WELLS THAT WILL BE REALIZED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REACH FOR FLOOD WALL PROJECT.
THIS IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR CONTRACT 1 OF THAT PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAISSON AND LATERALS.
TWO BIDS WERE RECEIVED ON OCTOBER 25TH, THE FIRST FROM REYNOLDS CONSTRUCTION, LLC FOR $4,017,200, AND THE SECOND FROM LAYNE CHRISTIANSEN COMPANY FOR $4,464,368.
THE ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THIS CONTRACT WAS $5,110,000.
UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS ARE EVALUATING BIDS AT THIS TIME AND WE WILL RETURN WITH THE RECOMMENDATION AT A FUTURE DATE.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO YOU, MAYOR.
COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE HAVE NO RESOLUTION ON THIS ITEM, SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 38.
THIS IS A PRESENTATION RESOLUTION APPROVING A TERM SHEET WITH MATTHEW 25 FOR THAT HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT WE JUST HEARD ABOUT AT 1021.
DID I SKIP THAT ONE? STAND-BY. THANK YOU. WE'LL REWIND.
[37. Report on bids for the Cedar Rapids Horizontal Collector Well No. 7, Contract 2 – Wellhouse project (estimated cost is $17,810,000) (Paul Bestick). CIP/DID #3317510-12]
THAT'S A REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE CEDAR RAPIDS HORIZONTAL COLLECTOR WELL NUMBER 7, CONTRACT 2 WELLHOUSE PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $17,810,000.>> THANK YOU AGAIN, MAYOR. COUNCIL, AS YOU STATED, THIS IS A REPORT ON BIDS RECEIVED ON NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 1ST FOR CONTRACT 2 OF THIS HORIZONTAL COLLECTOR WALL PROJECT.
THIS CONTRACT COVERS THE WELLHOUSE PORTION, WHICH INCLUDES ALL PUMPING EQUIPMENT, PIPING, ELECTRICAL, AND SITE WORK.
WE RECEIVED FOUR BIDS ON THIS PROJECT, THE FIRST OF WHICH FROM WRH FOR $13,888,000, RANGING UP TO $18,012,700.
THE ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THIS CONTRACT WAS $17,810,000.
AGAIN, WE'RE STILL EVALUATING THESE BIDS AND WE WILL RETURN AT A LATER DATE TO PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU, PAUL.
>> COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE HE LEAVES? THERE'S NO RESOLUTION ON THIS.
NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 38.
[38. Presentation and resolution approving a term sheet with Matthew 25 for a housing redevelopment project at 1021-1033 8th Street NW under the City’s Above Standard Economic Development Program (Scott Mather). CIP/DID #DISP-0035-2020]
THAT'S THE PRESENTATION RESOLUTION APPROVING A TERM SHEET WITH MATTHEW 25 FOR HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, WHICH IS LOCATED TO 1021 THROUGH 1033 8TH STREET NORTHWEST, UNDER THE CITY'S ABOVE STANDARD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.THIS IS REGARDING A TERM SHEET PROPOSAL WITH MATTHEW 25, A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND BACK ON JULY 21 OF 2021, CITY COUNCIL HAD AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATION OF A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH MATTHEW 25 REGARDING DISPOSITION OF LAND AT 1021 THROUGH 1033 8TH STREET, NORTHWEST.
AT THAT TIME, I WAS WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
SINCE THEN, THE PROJECT'S SCOPE HAS CHANGED, AND SO A TERM SHEET HAS BEEN CREATED TO MEMORIALIZE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
THIS PROJECT DOES QUALIFY UNDER TARGETED DISTRICT REINVESTMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND DO TWO REQUESTS FOR ABOVE STANDARD INCENTIVES, WE DID PERFORM A FINANCIAL GAP ANALYSIS.
WE REALLY MAKE SURE THAT CONSTRUCTION AND
[01:30:01]
OPERATIONAL COSTS ARE VERIFIED AND ENSURE THAT THE DEVELOPER, THEIR EQUITY EXCEEDS THE PRESENT VALUE OF OUR INCENTIVES.THIS PROJECT IS A $2.5 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
AS STATED IT INVOLVES THOSE THREE PARCELS, NINE TOTAL UNITS.
THERE WILL BE A PHASED APPROACH.
1021 8TH STREET NORTHWEST WOULD BE PHASE 1.
THE OTHER TWO PARCELS PART OF PHASE 2.
EACH PARCEL CONSISTS OF THREE UNITS, A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME TO ADUS, THREE GARAGE STALLS, SIX TOTAL OFF STREET PARKING SPACES.
REGARDING THE DISPOSSESSION OF LAND, THE CITY AGREES TO DISPOSE OF 1021 AND 1027 8TH STREET FOR FAIR MARKET VALUE 1033, DISPOSING FOR $1 DUE TO THE PROJECT MEETING GOALS FROM THE COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.
THESE PARCELS OR THESE THESE UNITS WILL BE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ZERO ENERGY CERTIFIED HOMES.. AS STATED BY CLINT, THAT THEY ARE USING AN EQUITY SHARE MODEL, REALLY LOOKING TO SELL TO BUYERS THAT ARE NOT OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR CONVENTIONAL LOANS AND COME WITH A REDUCED DOWN PAYMENT.
PHASE 1 IS INTENDED TO COMMENCE BY MAY 1ST OF 2024, COMPLETE BY THE END OF THE YEAR 2024.
PHASE 2 TO BEGIN BY DECEMBER 1 OF '24, COMPLETE BY DECEMBER 1 OF '25.
INCENTIVES INVOLVE THE REIMBURSEMENT OF 100% TAX CREDIT, EITHER UP TO 360,000 NET PRESENT VALUE, OR 20 CONSECUTIVE PAYMENTS.
AS PART OF THIS, THEY ARE TO ACHIEVE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ZERO ENERGY READY HOME CERTIFICATION.
MATTHEW 25 AGREES TO ALSO APPLY FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDITS IN 2024 FOR PHASE 2.
IF AWARDED, WE WOULD DO ANOTHER GAP ANALYSIS TO REALLY DETERMINE IF WE SHOULD ADJUST OUR INCENTIVES ARE NOT.
HERE'S AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE THREE PARCELS THAT ARE PART OF THIS PROJECT.
A STREET VIEW LOOKING THERE FROM JAY AVENUE AND EIGHTH STREET NORTHWEST.
THIS IS THE FRONT OF THE THREE UNITS, AND ONE OF THE SIDE RENDERINGS AND THE OTHER SIDE.
HERE IS A RENDERING FROM THE REAR.
TODAY WE'RE HERE TO CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING THE TERM SHEETS.
IF APPROVED, THEN WE WOULD RETURN TO COUNCIL FOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
WITHOUT A RETURN, BACK TO YOU MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE MATTHEW 25 AS WELL FOR THEIR INNOVATIVE PROCESS IN FIGURING OUT HOW TO FILL THE NEEDS AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR MANY YEARS.
I THINK FROM A HOUSING STANDPOINT, THIS COULD BE AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT TO SEE HOW THIS WORKS.
IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD ON THIS FOR A LOT OF ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS FOR FOLKS THAT ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY THROUGH THE TRADITIONAL MORTGAGE METHOD.
I'LL BE VERY INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW THIS PROCEEDS AND HOW IT GOES THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COULD YOU GO BACK TO SOME OF THE RENDERINGS, PLEASE? I'M ASSUMING THAT THE ADUS ARE ABOVE THE GARAGE. IS THAT CRASH?
>> THERE'S 280 YEARS. THE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON THE FRONT, THE ADUS ON THE BACK, AND THEN THE SECOND ADU IS CONSIDERED THE DETACHED ADU WHICH IS ABOVE THE GARAGES.
>> WELL, IT'S A REALLY AN INTERESTING CONCEPT AND I LIKE THE LOOK OF THEM AS WELL.
CLINT HAD MENTIONED SOME SHARED SPACE, I THINK, IN HIS COMMENTS.
COULD YOU INDICATE WHERE THAT MIGHT BE?
I KNOW THAT THE FRONT HAS THE PORCH, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT ENTRY AREAS.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS REFERRING TO THE OPEN AREA THERE ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING THAT SHOWS THE STAIRS GOING UP TO THE ADU ON THE BACK, AND THEN EACH UNIT HAS A SINGLE GARAGE AND A PARKING SPACE BEHIND IT.
IN TERMS OF WITHIN THE HOMES, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY SHARED SPACE WITHIN THE HOMES.
IT WOULD BE THE AREAS OUTSIDE.
>> WELL, I LOVE THE CONCEPT AND IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE SHARED OWNERSHIP WORKS.
KEEP US IN THE LOOP CLINT, PLEASE, IT'S LOOKING GOOD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS SO MUCH ONCE AGAIN TO MATTHEW 25 FOR PUSHING US AND INNOVATING.
WE KNOW THAT NONE OF THIS COMES WITHOUT RISK, SO KUDOS TO CLINTON, HIS TEAM, AND HIS DONORS AND INVESTORS,
[01:35:03]
AND DEVELOPERS THAT ARE WILLING TO WALK ALONGSIDE OF THEM.I HAVE TO JUST CONGRATULATE THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY FOR WALKING THE WALK.
WHEN WE SAY WE'RE ABOUT ALL AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MISSING MIDDLE HOME OWNERSHIP AS A GAME CHANGER, THIS IS A LIVING BREATHING EXAMPLE OF THAT.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY OVERLAND, SECONDED BY POE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
THAT NOW BRINGS US TO THE ORDINANCES.
[39. Ordinance repealing Chapter 59 of the Municipal Code, Massage Therapy Business License, and enacting a new Chapter 59, Massage Therapy, in its place to incorporate the existing Iowa State Code Chapter 152C. CIP/DID #PD0033]
ORDINANCE NUMBER 39 IS AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 59 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESS LICENSE, AND ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 59, MASSAGE THERAPY IN ITS PLACE TO INCORPORATE THE EXISTING IOWA STATE CODE, CHAPTER 152C.THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER POE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON IT'S THIRD AND FINAL READING.
THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE, AND IT'S THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY VANORNY.
ITEM NUMBER 40 IS AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE 80TH STREET NORTHWEST SOUTH OF
[40. Ordinance establishing the 80th Street NW South of E Avenue Sanitary Sewer Extension District and related sanitary sewer extension charge. CIP/DID #6550072-00]
E AVENUE SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION DISTRICT AND RELATED SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION CHARGE.THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY LOEFFLER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.
>> THE ADOPTION OF THIS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY LOEFFLER.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 41 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF
[41. Ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 1119 Wenig Road NE from I-GI, General Industrial District, to I-LI, Light Industrial District, as requested by Ross Industrial Park, Inc. CIP/DID #RZNE-034047-2023]
ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 1119 WENIG ROAD NORTHEAST FROM GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY ROSS INDUSTRIAL PARK, INC.THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVED THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON IT'S THIRD AND FINAL READING.
>> THE ADOPTION, THE ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY.
>> AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 42 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR
[42. Ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 2125 Wilson Avenue SW from S-RL1, Suburban Residential Low Single Unit District, to T-ML, Traditional Mixed Use Limited District, as requested by Smokehouse Assets Company, LLC. CIP/DID #RZNE-033869-2023]
PROPERTY AT 2125 WILSON AVENUE SOUTHWEST FROM SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL LOW SINGLE-UNIT DISTRICT TO TRADITIONAL MIXED-USE LIMITED DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY SMOKEHOUSE ASSETS COMPANY, LLC.THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVED THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.
>> THANK YOU. THE ORDINANCE ON HIS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY LOEFFLER.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
ITEM NUMBER 43 IS AN ORDINANCE
[43. Ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code, Streets, Alleys, and Sidewalks, to update a reference to the State of Iowa Income Offset program in Section 9.11(p). CIP/DID #AMD-SEC-911P]
AMENDING CHAPTER 9 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, STREETS, ALLEYS, AND SIDEWALKS, TO UPDATE A REFERENCE TO THE STATE OF IOWA INCOME OFFSET PROGRAM IN SECTION 9.11P.THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY VANORNY.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
THAT CLOSES OUT OUR FORMAL BUSINESS TODAY AND BRINGS US NOW TO OUR FINAL PUBLIC INPUT PERIODS.
[PUBLIC INPUT]
THIS IS A MOMENT FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL BUSINESS.AS IS WITH THE EARLIER PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS, WE AS A COUNCIL ARE HERE TO LISTEN.
I'LL REMIND EVERYBODY TO REMAIN AT THE LECTERN.
FOR FIVE MINUTES, YOU'LL NOTE THE YELLOW LIGHT TURNS ON, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
RED IT'S NEED TO TAKE YOUR SEAT.
NO ABUSE OF LOUD, THREATENING, IRRELEVANT PERSONAL COMMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON.
FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE AJ DITMAR HERE TO SPEAK ON THE BOND REFERENDUM.
I GUESS [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND REFERENDUM, YOU'RE REFERENCING, AND THE FLOOD CONTROL.
>> MY NAME IS AJ DITMAR, I LIVE ON FIRST STREET ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE.
THE SCHOOL BOND REFERENDUM IS A HOT TOPIC RIGHT NOW.
OF COURSE, I HOPE EVERYONE GETS OUT AND VOTES AGAINST IT BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD THEIR PET PROJECTS ON TOP OF YOUR PET PROJECTS.
[01:40:01]
I SAW A VIDEO THAT IMPLIED THAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS COUNCIL ARE NOT FOR THAT BOND ISSUE, BUT I THINK IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GETTING THE MONEY.THE PROOF OF THE CURRENT BOND AGAINST OUR TAXES FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS FOR FLOOD CONTROL IS PROOF THAT YOU GUYS DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR MONEY.
YOU JUST GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR BONDS AND CHARGE US FOR THEM AND WE DON'T GET ANY VOTE.
WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY VOTE SINCE THE 2008 FLOOD, AND I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE GET OUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON OUR BOND REFERENDUMS IN TOWN AND THE CITY BOND REFERENDUMS. WE NEED THOSE RIGHTS BACK.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE PARKING OUT HERE, BUT I'M NOT DOWNLOADING AN APP AND PUTTING MY FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON AN APP TO PARK HERE, TO COME SIT HERE FOR TWO HOURS, TO HAVE A MINUTE-AND-A-HALF TO SPEAK.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GOT ON OUT THERE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO WORK.
HAVE A GREAT DAY, I'M GOING TO VOTE NOW.
>> ALAN MURDOCK HERE TO SPEAK ON CSPS HALL.
>> I'M JUST DOING MY BEST CLOWN SUIT TODAY BECAUSE IT'S HIGH TIME.
WE HAD SOME REAL TALK ABOUT A CHARACTER ACTOR HERE AND SEE ARE THEY MONICA VERNON.
MONICA SERVED ON THE CITY COUNCIL AS MAYOR PRO TEM UNDER MAYOR RON CORBETT, AND NOW MONICA LEADS THE BOARD AT CSP HALL.
>> MR. MURDOCK, WHAT IS THIS YOU MENTIONED THIS WAS ABOUT CSP HALL? CAN WE KEEP IT ABOUT CSP HALL, PLEASE.
>> MONICA LEADS THE BOARD AT CSP AS HALL WITH RON AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
AS MAYOR PRO TEM MONICA HEADED UP THE FLOODS REDEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT LED TO A SIGNIFICANT DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES ALONG THE WATERFRONT AS DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY.
WHEN MONICA BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, WHEN TAYLOR BERGEN WAS DIRECTOR AT CSP AS HALL, TAYLOR LEFT HIS POSITION AND QUICKLY ALIENATED A DIVERSE BOARD.
ONE OF THE WAYS THAT SHE SHE ALIENATED PEOPLE WAS BY DEMANDING THAT ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS CONDUCT THEIR COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH A GROUP CONVERSATION RATHER THAN INDIVIDUALLY.
MONICA REPLACED THE BOARD WITH ALL WHITE MEMBERS CONTAINING BANKING AND REAL ESTATE BACKGROUNDS.
I SPOKE WITH RON CORBETT LAST WEEK AND HE SAID THAT MONICA INTENDS TO DIVERSIFY THE BOARD, BUT OUR FIRST PRIORITY HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE REAL ESTATE.
RON CITED ANTS IN THE BATHROOM IS RESULTING IN EXTENDED BOARD DEBATE THUS THE CLOWN SUIT.
THE BOARD INCLUDES DEVELOPER SCOTT BUYERS, WHOSE SON HAS BEEN INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THIS CPS HALL SINCE MELLON JOHN DIRECTED THE ORGANIZATION.
WELL, WE SEE IS MONICA LINING UP ABOARD INTERESTED IN TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF A PROPERTY REBUILT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF A NON-PROFIT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
RON SUGGESTED THOSE FUNDS COULD BE ENDOWED, BUT THE QUESTION IS TO WHOM.
RENT WOULD BE OWED TO THE NEW OWNER AND MONICA HAS BURNED THROUGH EXPERIENCE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS AND HIRED THE TICKET OFFICE MANAGER TO RUN THE SHOW.
THIS SO-CALLED ENDOWMENT WOULD MERELY BE A FIXED REVENUE STREAM FOR THE NEW PROPERTY OWNER.
THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY AND ONLY THEN DETERMINING WHAT THE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BECOME.
I SUGGEST THERE ARE MERELY STRIP MINING ONCE AGAIN.
YOU CAN'T KNOW THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT THE ORGANIZATION SHOULD BECOME.
CEDAR RAPIDS IS FILLED WITH THIS KIND OF GAMIFICATION IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR.
USING NON-PROFIT STRUCTURES TO MERELY BOLSTER THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND ACTIVISTS DANCES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DISALLOWED WITHIN THE FORMAT OF 501C3.
>> CSP S IS NOT A CITY ENTITY.
>> THIS REALLY DOESN'T PERTAIN TO COUNSEL.
>> IT DOES PERTAIN THE COUNCIL BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT HOW ORGANIZATIONS THE CITY IS INTERESTED.
>> ABSOLUTELY. BUT THAT'S NOT A CONVERSATION WE CAN HAVE AND DO HAVE ANY ACTION ON AS A COUNCIL TODAY.
>> I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN'T HAVE ACTION ON THAT, BUT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE BEING UTILIZED WITHIN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. THAT IS A QUESTION.
>> AGAIN, THERE ARE A LOT OF NON-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS THAT WE'RE NOT HERE TO DISCUSS TODAY.
>> THE CITY IS INVOLVED IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES.
TODAY YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THOSE CROSSOVERS.
I THINK THAT SETTING A BAD PRECEDENT THAT WE NEED TO RECONSIDER HOW THESE INTERACTIONS ARE GOING.
[01:45:02]
I THINK THAT THE INTERACTION WITH MATTHEW 25 IS EXCELLENT.BUT I ALSO THINK THAT MATTHEW 25 IS AN ORGANIZATION ACTS IN CONTRAST TO THE MAJOR THRUST OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY.
>> I'M GOING TO SUGGEST IF YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH CSPS, YOU NEED TO ADDRESS THAT WITH CSPS.
I WOULD INVITE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU AFTER THIS.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING THAT TODAY IN THIS FORUM.
>> OUR FINAL SPEAKER TODAY IS DOROTHY DESOL DE GEDES.
>> I TRIED TO GET MY MONEY'S WORTH WHEN I TAKE THE TIME TO COME TO YOUR MEETINGS.
MY NAME IS DOROTHY DESOL DE GEDES AND I LIVE AT 10-22 7TH STREET SOUTHEAST.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF OAK HILL JACKSON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
YOU KNOW ME AS A FIERCE ADVOCATE FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF ALKYL JACKSON NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WILL VOTE TODAY AND IN EVERY ELECTION.
LET'S SAY, WHILE IT MAY NOT BE AS EFFICIENT TO MANDATE STAFF MEET WITH RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, SONY CHANGES OR URBAN RENEWAL AREA CHANGES.
RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND AND DISCUSS SUCH ISSUES BEFORE MATTERS HIT AT COUNCIL AGENDA, PREFERABLY EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS.
UNDER THE SUBJECT OF RENTALS, WHICH WE'RE NOT DISCUSSING, BUT I HAD SOMETHING ELSE HERE I TOOK OUT.
I ADVOCATE FOR THE FORMATION OF A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW HOW THE CITY CAN ENCOURAGE AND INCENTIVIZE APARTMENT AND OFFICE BUILDING OWNERS TO CREATE SHORT-TERM RENTAL, AIRBNB, VRBO IN OUR CORE NEIGHBORHOODS AND ALSO TO CLARIFY THE CITY SHORT-TERM RENTAL LANGUAGE.
RESEARCH INDICATES THAT IN SOME AREAS, TOO MANY OF US, SHORT-TERM RENTALS CAN NEGATIVELY IMPACT A NEIGHBORHOOD.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOTEL ROOMS HERE AND AIRBNBS ARE GREAT.
IT'S USUALLY HOW I STAY WHEN I TRAVEL.
BUT I WOULD LIKE A THOUGHTFUL IN-DEPTH LOOK INTO HOW WE CAN FACILITATE THE CREATION OF MORE SHORT-TERM RENTALS WHILE NOT YOU ALWAYS HAVING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AS THOSE SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
I ALSO REQUEST THAT COUNCIL STATE THE OWNERS AND ADDRESSES OF ANY COMPANIES OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS APPLYING FOR INCENTIVES.
SOME OF THE COMPANIES LISTED IN AGENDA ITEMS DON'T EVEN HAVE WEBSITES THAT LIST OWNERSHIP AND THEY'RE NOT LICENSED IN IOWA, SO I CAN'T EVEN CHECK THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE FOR THAT.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE AWAY TAX DOLLARS, TAXPAYER SHOULD KNOW THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS FINANCIALLY BENEFITED FOR THOSE TAX DOLLARS, REGARDLESS OF WHICH COMPANY IS LISTED.
BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE EVER CHANGING AND I'LL ADMIT I HAVEN'T REALLY LOOKED INTO THE PEDESTRIAN MASTERPLAN VERY DEEPLY, I REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WORK WITH STAFF AND RESIDENTS TO DESIGNATE AND INDICATE WHAT SIGNAGE AND PAGES, CROSSWALKS, ET CETERA.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ZONES THAT PRIORITIZE PEOPLE WALKING IN RATHER THAN VEHICLES DRIVING THROUGH OUR CORE NEIGHBORHOODS.
FINALLY, YOU ARE ALL INVITED TO OUR ASSOCIATIONS, NOVEMBER 13TH ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING, WHERE MEETING AT THE HUMAN SERVICES CAMPUS AND A CONFERENCE ROOM AT 06:00 P.M. DINNER HAS GOT TO BE CATERED BY SHAWNEE CAKES.
CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR YOU INVITE BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD ANY RESPONSES TO MY EMAIL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THAT CLOSES OUT OUR SECOND PUBLIC INPUT PERIODS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING TIME TO COME TODAY.
CITY MANAGER, POMERANZ, ANY EXTRA COMMUNICATIONS FOR TODAY?
[CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS]
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TODD, MYSELF, AND DIRECTOR PRATT, AS WELL AS A CITIZEN OF THE COMMUNITY, I HAD A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING IN WASHINGTON DC AT THE OFFICES OF THE EPA.
IT WAS A VERY WELL-ORGANIZED MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM A VARIETY OF AGENCIES REPRESENTING A VARIETY OF GRANT AND LOAN OPPORTUNITIES.
WE WERE FOCUSED SINCE COUNCIL MEMBER TODD WAS ALONG, WE WERE OBVIOUSLY FOCUSED ON CEDAR LAKE AS WELL AS RELATED PROJECTS.
BUT THERE WAS REALLY A LOT OF SUPPORT AND A LOT OF INTERESTS IN WORKING WITH THE CITY AND SUPPORTING OUR LARGE EFFORT.
[01:50:04]
THE WORD OF CEDAR LAKE AND HOW THIS AREA HAS ALREADY BEEN REVITALIZED AND THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE CITIZENS HAD ALREADY REACHED THE OFFICES OF THE EPA.WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL REALLY REINVIGORATED RELATIONSHIP WITH EPA AS WELL AS DNR.
THAT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO US, BUT WE SEE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY THERE TO FURTHER DEVELOP THAT CONVERSATION.
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. SEEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER POM MOVES TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOEFFLER.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.