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>> THIS MEETING OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER.
[Call to Order]
WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR TUESDAY, JULY 23TH, 2024.I'D LIKE TO NOTE THAT MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OVERLAND IS AWAY FOR THIS MEETING.
COUNCIL MEMBER POE WILL BE JOINING US VIA TELEPHONE.
COUNCIL MEMBER POE, CAN YOU HEAR US?
>> I CAN, MAYOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME CALL IN.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE CONTINUE TO WISH YOU WELL AS YOU RECOVER FROM HOME.
>> COUNCILOR VANORNY WILL BE HERE MOMENTARILY.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO WELCOME OUR CITY MANAGER, OUR CITY CLERK, AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY, AND AS ALWAYS THANKS TO CITY STAFF FOR BEING HERE BEFORE AND AFTER MEETINGS, SHOULD WE NEED TO GET ANY CLARIFICATION OR HAVE OUR GALLERY ASK QUESTIONS OF YOU.
A REMINDER TO TURN OFF ANY CELL PHONES OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT MIGHT INTERRUPT OR DISRUPT THIS MEETING TODAY.
NOTE THAT ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDAS, MINUTES AND VIDEOS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON OUR CITY'S WEBSITE.
REGULAR SESSIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO WATCH LIVE AND ON REPLAY THROUGH FACEBOOK LIVE.
WE WILL NOW BEGIN WITH AN INVOCATION TODAY FROM PUBLIC SAFETY CHAPLAIN KEN GLANDORF, THAT WILL THEN BE FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> BEFORE I BEGIN, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE MILITARY, I CAME BACK FROM VIETNAM.
I LIVED IN SEVERAL STATES, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, FLORIDA, ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, VERMONT, MOVED HERE ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO FROM COLORADO.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, I REALLY LIKE CEDAR RAPIDS. LET'S PRAY.
GOD, WE DO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOODNESS, AND WE THANK YOU FOR OUR CITY.
WE PRAY FOR THIS MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER THAT THE BUSINESS THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED.
ALSO, WE WILL REMEMBER OUR MEN AND WOMEN OVERSEAS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN ARMS AWAY, WE ASK FOR YOUR PROTECTION IN YOUR NAME, AMEN.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, CHAPLAIN GLANDORF.
WE'LL NOW KICK OFF OUR MEETING WITH PRESENTATIONS,
[Proclamations/Presentations]
AND JENNIFER PRATT, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WILL DO THAT FOR US.THESE ARE OUR CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES.
THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
EACH YEAR, CITY COUNCIL IDENTIFIES KEY PRIORITIES.
IN THE PRESENTATION TODAY, I'LL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE COUNCIL SESSION AS WELL AS HIGHLIGHTING SOME UPCOMING ACTIVITIES THAT WE WILL BE DOING TO SUPPORT THESE PRIORITIES.
AGAIN, WHY DO WE DO THESE COUNCIL PRIORITIES? IT REALLY DOES HELP ENSURE THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED ALIGNMENT WITH ENVISIONCR, OUR CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WITH COUNCIL DOING THE PRIORITIES, IT ALSO PROVIDES TRANSPARENCY AND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC ON WHAT THESE ARE.
IT ALSO ASSISTS THE CITY MANAGER AND OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM TO BE ABLE TO BETTER PRIORITIZE OUR RESOURCES, AS WELL AS EMPHASIZE COMMUNICATION ON THE PROGRESS TOWARDS THESE PRIORITIES.
ON THE TOPIC OF COMMUNICATION, I WILL JUST HIGHLIGHT TWO NEW TOOLS THAT WE IMPLEMENTED THIS PAST YEAR.
FIRST, ARE QUARTERLY REPORTS THAT ARE FOCUSED ON COUNCIL PRIORITIES, AND WE HAVE DONE THESE FOR EACH QUARTER THIS PAST YEAR, AND THOSE ARE ON OUR WEBSITE.
WE ALSO ON COUNCIL COVER SHEETS THIS YEAR, ANY ACTION THAT SUPPORTS A COUNCIL PRIORITY IS DENOTED ON THE COVER SHEET IN THE COUNCIL AGENDA PACKET, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH FLOOD AND DERECHO.
NOT ONLY DOES THIS HELP JUST HIGHLIGHT IT, IT ENABLES US TO TRACK.
AGAIN, OVER THIS PAST YEAR, THUS FAR, 180 DIFFERENT ACTION ITEMS THAT SUPPORT THOSE PRIORITIES.
AGAIN, THE SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THIS WAS HELD ON MAY 8TH.
AGAIN, THIS SERVES AS A WORK SESSION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT IS PUBLISHED AS A MEETING AND FOLLOWS ALL OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETING REQUIREMENTS.
I WILL SAY THAT COUNCIL HAS GIVEN A SURVEY PRIOR TO THIS SESSION, AND ALONG WITH IDENTIFYING YOUR PRIORITIES, WE ALSO ASKED COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON YOUR TOP ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL WAS A TOP ACCOMPLISHMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR? I'M JUST GOING TO GO OVER THOSE REALLY QUICKLY.
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT COUNCIL NOTED.
ONE WAS BIG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINS.
PROJECTS LIKE KINGSTON LANDING,
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AS WELL AS GOOGLE, OBVIOUSLY, OVER $576 MILLION IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT PAYMENTS.HUGE WINS THERE. FLOOD CONTROL PROGRESS, PROJECTS LIKE THE RIVERSIDE SKATE PARK AS WELL AS ON THE WEST SIDE.
A PROJECT WAS AWARDED FOR THE BIGGEST PROJECT SO FAR ON THE WEST SIDE, THE ELLIS LANE, NORTHWEST LEVEE, AS WELL AS THE PROTECT GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED FOR THE EIGHTH AVENUE ARC OF THE JUSTICE BRIDGE.
OVER 56 MILLION FOR THAT PROJECT.
SOME OTHER TOP ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PAVING FOR PROGRESS.
AGAIN, KEY CORRIDOR PROJECTS LIKE THE ELLIS BOULEVARD NORTHWEST TO 6TH STREET CONNECTION, AS WELL AS THE WORK HAPPENING ON MOUNT VERNON ROAD.
ALSO TRAILS, SO THE WILEY BOULEVARD SOUTHWEST TRAIL AND CHEROKEE TRAIL NORTHWEST.
OVER 3,000 TREES PLANTED, WHICH EXCEEDED THAT YEARLY GOAL BY 40%, AS WELL AS SOME KEY GRANTS TO HELP MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.
ALMOST $10 MILLION IN GRANTS WERE RECEIVED FOR THAT PROGRAM.
THEN ANOTHER THING THAT WAS NOTED ARE THE ACCREDITATION.
THIS IS SOMETHING THE CITY IS VERY PROUD OF.
IN 2024, WE ADDED THE BUILDING SERVICES CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION FOR ACCREDITATION.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROGRESS ON OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY AND NON-PROFITS ON THE ALLIANCE FOR EQUITABLE HOUSING.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SUCH A BIG NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE HOMELESSNESS SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, CREATING THAT OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS IS AGAIN, BASED ON THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS GUIDANCE THAT WE RECEIVED, AND GETTING THAT CITY AND COUNTY POSITION FUNDED FOR THREE YEARS.
THIS IS A PROJECT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF,25 NEW LIVING UNITS AND REVITALIZATION OF A KEY CORNER IN OUR COMMUNITY AT 2ND AVENUE IN 15TH STREET, SOUTHEAST.
THAT TAKES US TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES.
AGAIN, I THINK BASED ON THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING, IT REALLY IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THERE'S REALLY A LOT OF CONSISTENCY.
THESE PRIORITIES REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH THE SEVEN SAME CATEGORIES.
HOWEVER, I DID WANT TO NOTE THERE WAS REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION AND WHAT CAME OUT OF THAT IS WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REFERENCED AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION, HOW THAT IS A GENERAL TERM, AND IT DOESN'T TALK ABOUT WHAT THE CITY IS REALLY FOCUSED ON AS THE CITY ISN'T THE DEVELOPER OF HOUSING DIRECTLY.
WE HAVE RENAMED THAT HOUSING OPTIONS AND AFFORDABILITY, AND THAT REALLY GETS TO THE CITY'S ROLE IN MAKING SURE THAT THROUGH OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS AND OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE ENCOURAGING A VARIETY OF HOUSING OPTIONS AT DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
THEN THE OTHER CATEGORY, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY CALLED QUALITY OF LIFE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON HOW THAT IS A VERY GENERAL BROAD TERM.
WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT THE PROJECTS THAT FALL UNDERNEATH THAT, SUCH AS THE GREENWAY, A LOT OF PARKS AND TRAILS PROJECTS, WE REALLY THOUGHT THAT CULTURAL OR EXCUSE ME, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL AMENITIES REALLY DOES A GOOD JOB OF DESCRIBING WHAT THOSE PROJECTS ARE.
THOSE ARE REALLY THE ONLY TWO CHANGES TO THE PRIORITIES, AND I'LL GO OVER THESE JUST VERY QUICKLY.
AGAIN, UNDER FLOOD CONTROL, THIS JUST REMAINS A PRIORITY FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND AFTER HIGH WATER EVENTS RECENTLY, I THINK IT JUST REINFORCES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS UPCOMING YEAR, THE 12TH AVENUE PUMP STATION THAT'S NEXT TO THE NATIONAL CECH AND SLOVAK MUSEUM WILL BE COMPLETED.
THAT WILL BE THE LARGEST OF THE PUMP STATIONS IN THE CITY, AS WELL AS WORK WILL BE GOING ON AT THE CARGILL CORN FACILITIES, SO THE RADIAL WELL AND FLOODWALL DOWN THERE.
FOR HOUSING OPTIONS AND AFFORDABILITY, COUNCIL WILL BE SEEING A LOT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS FROM THE DERECHO OUR ROOTS AND OUR MULTIFAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AS WELL AS WE WILL BE HOPING VERY SOON TO BE BRINGING YOU SOME ALLIANCE FOR EQUITABLE HOUSING PILOT PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO GET KICK STARTED HERE SOON.
UNDER STRENGTHEN AND STABILIZED NEIGHBORHOODS.
AGAIN, REALLY LOOKING TO PROMOTE WALKABILITY BIKE TRAILS, CONNECTING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT ALSO RETAINING THAT UNIQUE CHARACTER.
COUNCIL WILL BE SEEING A TRAILS AND BIKEWAY PLAN THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON, AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF NEIGHBORHOOD ART INITIATIVES AND THE FIRST AVENUE MICRO AREA ACTION PLAN SOON.
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UNDER RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL AMENITIES, AGAIN, JUST REALLY WANTING TO REINFORCE HOW CRITICAL THIS IS TO ATTRACTING AND RETAINING WORKFORCE, AS WELL AS SERVING ALL AGES AND ABILITIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HEARD A LOT THROUGH THE COUNCIL DISCUSSION.
INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE SOUND MUSIC CITIES MUSIC CENSUS THAT WE'RE UNDERGOING, AS WELL AS PROJECTS LIKE THE JONES DOG PARK.
I SHOULD ALSO ADD TO THIS THE CONTINUATION OF THE COMMUNITY GARDENS AND PARKS PLAN, CONTINUING BECAUSE WE KNOW WE'VE HAD SUCH GREAT SUCCESS IN SINCLAIR AND LINCOLN WAY.
UNDER THE PRIORITY OF HOMELESSNESS.
AGAIN, LASER-FOCUSED ON THAT COORDINATION, MAKING SURE WE'RE GETTING THE HOUSING FIRST WITH THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES.
WHAT COUNCIL WILL BE SEEING IN THE NEAR FUTURE IS DIVERSION TRAINING AGAIN, THROUGH THE NATIONAL LINES STAND HOMELESSNESS.
THAT WILL BE HAPPENING IN AUGUST, AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING THE OVERSIGHT BOARD.
WE LOOK TO GET THAT DONE BY JANUARY.
AGAIN, BUILDING ON THAT COMMUNITY PRIDE AND INVESTING IN ONGOING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, LOOKING TO ESTABLISH A TRAILS MAINTENANCE PLAN, AS WELL AS LEVERAGING OUR SELF-SUPPORTIVE MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS AND THAT COORDINATION, AS WELL AS THE IOWA DOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING THOSE CORRIDORS AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE.
AGAIN, REALLY LOOKING TO PROMOTE CEDAR RAPIDS AND REALLY KEEPING OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH OUR EXISTING BUSINESSES IS VERY IMPORTANT.
A COUPLE OF INITIATIVES THAT YOU'LL BE CONTINUING TO HEAR PROGRESS ON THE COLLEGE CAREER CONNECTION WITH KIRKWOOD.
YOU JUST GOT A REPORT OUT THAT OVER 300 STUDENTS, CEDAR RAPIDS RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ASSISTED WITH SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
ALSO NOTING THE COLLABORATIVE GROWTH INITIATIVE, WHICH IS WELL UNDERWAY AND CURRENTLY LOOKING TO HIRE A REGIONAL TALENT DIRECTOR FOR THAT POSITION.
AGAIN, ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION AND MOVING FORWARD.
AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO END WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE LISTENING.
WE ARE UNDERSTANDING THESE PRIORITIES AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING BACK TO COUNCIL AND TO THE COMMUNITY AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO THE MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I CAN'T LET YOU GO.
I'M SURE THERE WILL BE COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL, BUT I'LL JUST KICK US OFF BY JUST A GENUINE THANKS AS COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT NEEDS OUT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT'S REALLY OUR TASK TO IDENTIFY A FEW PRIORITIES.
JUST GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR KEEPING US ON TRACK TO THE STAFF FOR BEING THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.
I OFTEN SAY THAT WE'RE SO FORTUNATE IN OUR CITY THAT I FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE DOING THE WORK INSIDE THE CITY, I FEEL LIKE IT'S PERSONAL TO THEM.
WE KNOW IT'S PERSONAL TO COUNCIL, BUT IT'S SO GREAT, AND I THINK YOU CAN SEE FROM THE RESULTS THAT IT'S PERSONAL FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM AS WELL.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HELP AND ALL THIS.
THEN JUST ONE LITTLE SIDE NOTE TO THE COUNCIL TOO.
I KNOW MANY OF US HAVE A CHANCE TO INTERACT WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, AND THIS IS A TERRIFIC COUNCIL.
I JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH WHEN I HEAR OTHER COUNCILS WORK, THIS COUNCIL GETS SO MUCH DONE BECAUSE OF THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION AND A SHARED MISSION.
MY GRATITUDE TO FEDERAL COUNCIL FOR THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS WELL.
I'LL TURN IT OVER IF ANYONE HAS OTHER THOUGHTS. COUNCILOR VANORNY.
WE ARE A WORKING COUNCIL, AND WE COME WITH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, BUT YOU CAN ALSO SEE THAT WHILE CITIZENS OFTEN PRESENT TO US WITH SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ISSUES CONCURRENTLY THAT WE MUST MANAGE TO CREATE NOT JUST A WELCOMING CITY, BUT ALSO A WELL FUNCTIONING, A WELL-BALANCED CITY.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE THINGS THAT CEDAR OPINIONS SHOULD BE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF.
BUT I WILL JUST SAY TOPICALLY, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE A VALUE SYSTEM, ANY PERSON, ANY ENTITY, BUT TO HAVE YOUR GOVERNMENT HAVE A VALUE SYSTEM THAT IT LEADS WITH IS EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT.
IT'S NOT JUST A BEST PRACTICE, IT'S ACTUALLY OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED THAT YET, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE AGENDAS, THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON MUST TIE INTO ONE OF OUR PRINCIPLES, ONE OF OUR VALUE SYSTEMS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO YEARLY TO MAKE SURE.
NOW THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE ARE SOMETIMES PRETTY BASIC THINGS.
WE DON'T WANT TO BE FLOODED OUT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CEDAR OPINIONS HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.
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THESE ARE REALLY CORE FUNCTIONS OF A CITY.BUT IT IS VERY TOPICAL GIVEN SOME OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, THAT YOU HAVE THE GUARANTEE AND ALL HANDS IN IN CEDAR RAPIDS THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY PURSUING AS ONE OF OUR TOP PRIORITIES, ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN A WAY THAT IS A NATIONAL BEST PRIORITY THAT CEDAR OPINIONS KNOW THAT THIS IS ONE OF OUR TOP THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON AND THAT WE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.
I DON'T THINK SOME OF THE SCARES THAT YOU MAY BE SEEING COMING AROUND THE REST OF IOWA SHOULD EVER HAPPEN HERE, AND I FEEL VERY CONCRETELY ABOUT THAT. I'M PROUD OF THAT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK THAT AS A COUNCIL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ALL READ THE NATIONAL NEWS AND A LOT OF OUR PRIORITIES ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.
I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT WE BREAK UP INTO OUR COMMITTEES AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT COUNCIL MEMBERS FOCUSING ON A VARIETY OF AREAS.
I THINK THAT'S MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
THAT'S WHY I ENJOY BEING ON THE CITY COUNCIL IS BECAUSE WE EACH GET IN AND WORK ON DIFFERENT COMMITTEES AND EACH ONE IS ATTACKING EACH ONE OF THESE DIFFERENT AREAS.
WHAT HAPPENS A LOT, I THINK TO CITIES AND THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO IS THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE ISSUE TAKES OVER EVERYTHING, AND EVERYTHING ELSE GETS DROPPED, AND THEN THE NEXT BIG ISSUE.
I DON'T THINK IN A CITY, EVEN AS SMALL AS OURS COMPARED TO MANY OTHER CITIES, WHAT'S WORKING IS THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE ATTACKING A VARIETY OF ISSUES AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S REALLY SHOCKING TO ME THAT MOST CITIES DON'T DO THAT. THEY DON'T FORM COMMITTEES.
THEY TRY TO DISCUSS EVERYTHING IN A CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS A GROUP, AND THAT'S TOUGH.
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU BELONG TO.
IT'S HARD TO FOCUS IF YOU'VE GOT 10 THINGS, WHEREAS, IF WE CONCENTRATE ON TWO OR THREE, WE GET THINGS DONE.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE MAYOR WAS HIGHLIGHTING IS THAT THAT'S HOW THIS HAS WORKED SO WELL SINCE 2005 IS THAT WE'VE CREATED THIS COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AMONG THE PART TIME MEMBERS WITH A CROSS-SECTION OF BACKGROUNDS, AND EACH OF US BRING OUR EXPERTISE TO THE TABLE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
IT MAKES IT FUN. BUT I THINK THE FUN COMES OUT OF IT WHEN WE'RE RECOGNIZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH ALL OUR NATIONAL RANKINGS.
WE'RE RECOGNIZED FOR GETTING THINGS DONE.
WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE RATIOS.
WE'RE ATTACKING HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND WE'VE GOT A LONG WAYS TO GO IN SOLVING SOME OF THESE, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS IN EVERY AREA, NOT JUST ONE.
I THINK AS LONG AS WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND WORK TOGETHER AS A COUNCIL, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A FANTASTIC STAFF OR FINANCIALLY STRONG, GOT GREAT DEPARTMENTS, GREAT EVERYTHING.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING, AND I THINK WE'LL GET A LOT OF MORE STUFF DONE, AND THIS JUST HIGHLIGHTS HOW EVERY YEAR, THINGS CHANGE, AND WE NEED TO UPDATE OUR PRIORITIES.
IT CAN'T GO FOR FIVE YEARS OR 10 YEARS LIKE A STRATEGIC PLAN SOMETIMES THAT DOES.
EVERY YEAR, SOMETHING CHANGES AND A NEW EVENT HAPPENS THAT WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE AND ATTACK.
WE'RE GETTING THINGS DONE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
>> IT'S STILL FUN. JENNIFER, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE NOTICED IS THAT WHAT IS NOT ON THE LIST? FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO, COUNCIL MADE GUN VIOLENCE A PRIORITY.
BECAUSE OF YOUR WORK AND YOUR EFFORTS AND THE EFFORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT, ALONG WITH OTHER PARTNERS IN THE CITY WE DON'T HAVE TO NOTE IT AS A PRIORITY, EVEN THOUGH WE WORK ON IT EVERY DAY.
BUT THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WITH GVI, WITH THE HIGH RISK UNIT CORRECTIONS, SAFE STREETS TASK FORCE, ALL OF THOSE PARTNERSHIPS ARE PAYING OFF.
WE HAVE SEEN NOT JUST A NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN GUN VIOLENCE.
IT'S ONE THAT SHOULD BE APPLAUDED.
I THINK WE CREATED THE MODEL. THAT'S FUN.
WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THAT A PRIORITY LIKE WE USED TO, EVEN THOUGH IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WORK ON EVERY DAY.
YOU ALSO DON'T HAVE CONNECT CR AND CEDAR LAKE AND THAT STUFF IS GETTING DONE.
DON'T TAKE THIS AS A CRITICISM,
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BUT I GUESS WHEN YOU SAY, DON'T TAKE IT AS A CRITICISM, IT'S AS A CRITICISM IN THE SENSE THAT TWO YEARS AGO, WE MADE HOMELESSNESS A PRIORITY.WE BROUGHT THE ALLIANCE TO TOWN AND WE COLLECTED THE DATA.
WE DIDN'T REALIZE TO WHAT EXTENT THE ISSUE WAS, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO WAS HOMELESS AND WHO WASN'T. NOW WE KNOW.
IT'S CONTRARY TO WHAT WE THOUGHT.
THAT'S HELPFUL IN THAT ASPECT.
THE OTHER THING WE DID, WE HIRED A PHYSICIAN.
GREAT. BUT THEN YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS COMMITTEE TOGETHER IN JANUARY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LOGISTICS ARE IN TERMS OF PUTTING A COMMITTEE TOGETHER.
I THINK YOU COULD JUST PUT A COMMITTEE TOGETHER AND START TO WORK ON THAT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW ACCURATE THIS IS, BUT I'LL JUST THROW IT OUT THERE, WHEN 60% OF OUR POLICE CALLS HAVE TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESOURCES, AND IT'S NOT THE BEST USE OF RESOURCES EITHER.
FOR ME, IN TERMS OF THE CITY, I THINK IT'S A PRIORITY THAT SHOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL JANUARY TO PUT A COMMITTEE TOGETHER.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF YOUR WORK DEALS WITH THIS ISSUE EVERY DAY.
THE PHONE CALLS WE GET EVERY DAY, ONE OF US IS DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE IN SOME SHAPE OR FORM.
THAT'S A NICE WAY OF SAYING, IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN BUMP THAT UP A LITTLE BIT? THE OTHER THING I ALSO HAVE IN TERMS OF THE DYNAMICS, AND I LOVE MY NON-PROFITS.
BUT MY EXPERIENCES, IF YOU WANT TO TACKLE AN ISSUE, YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO JUST PUT A BUNCH OF NON-PROFITS TOGETHER IN A ROOM AND HAVE THEM FIGURE OUT THIS ISSUE.
I THINK IT REALLY IN TERMS OF OUR PRIORITIES, WE NEED TO REALLY BE IN THAT DISCUSSION AND NOT DELEGATE IT TO OUR NON-PROFIT SECTOR BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SKIN IN THE GAME ON THIS.
THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT ON THAT A LITTLE BIT.
>> WELL, I'M GOING TO ALLOW DIRECTOR PRATT.
I KNOW YOU DIDN'T REALLY PREPARE FOR THIS DISCUSSION, BUT MAYBE YOU CAN EXPLAIN ABOUT MISS PETERMAN'S POSITION AND THE PROCESS TO THE BOARD.
>> I THINK WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE BECAUSE AGAIN, THE PURPOSE OF THIS NEW POSITION, THE HOMELESSNESS SYSTEMS MANAGER IS TO OVERSEE AN OVERSIGHT BOARD, AND WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT TIMING OF THAT.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT NO WORK IS HAPPENING BETWEEN NOW AND JANUARY.
BUT I THINK TO YOUR POINT, THE GUIDANCE WE RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE IS ON THAT OVERSIGHT BOARD, THERE ARE NOT THE NON-PROFITS.
THIS IS A OBJECTIVE GROUP THAT IS REMOVED FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY PROVISION OF SERVICE SO THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON THE SYSTEM BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT IT COMMUNITY WIDE, AND IT HAS TO BE DATA DRIVEN.
AGAIN, WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT THE DATE THAT GROUP STARS, BUT THERE IS A LOT THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PLACE ON WHO THOSE MEMBERS ARE, AND THEN ALSO THE STRUCTURE OF WHAT TYPE OF DATA DO WE HAVE TO PROVIDE TO THEM TO MAKE DECISIONS AND TO REALLY SERVE IN THAT OVERSIGHT ROLE.
I JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT NO WORK IS HAPPENING IN THE MEANTIME, BUT WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO GET THAT GROUP UP AND GOING WITH THE RIGHT INFORMATION.
>> ANYONE ELSE? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WELL, [OVERLAPPING] COUNCIL MEMBER POE.
I AM SO SORRY. I'M GOING TO PUT YOUR PICTURE UP HERE SO I CAN REMEMBER TO CALL ON YOU. GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M SORRY.
I KNOW THERE'S A BIT OF A DELAY.
BUT I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THIS COUNCIL FOR OVER 12 YEARS.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY, THIS COUNCIL IS SO UNIQUE IS BECAUSE OF CONVERSATIONS LIKE WE JUST HAD.
THIS IS A GROUP OF COMMITTED AND COMPASSIONATE SERVANT LEADERS.
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THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE SO THOUGHTFUL, AND THEY REALLY TRY TO GET TO THE ROOT OF WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS WANT, WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED.THAT'S THE IMPETUS FOR OUR COUNCIL PRIORITIES.
BUT WE ARE THE CARRIERS OF THE MESSAGE.
TO THAT EXTENT, YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO JEFF POMERANZ PUTTING TOGETHER AN AMAZING TEAM OF LEADERS FOR OUR COMMUNITY WHO LISTEN, AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.
LISTENING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT ALL OF US DO, BUT WE'VE GOT A TEAM IN PLACE WITH JEFF'S LEADERSHIP IN OUR DIRECTOR TEAM WHO ACTUALLY LISTENS AND SOLVES THE PROBLEMS AND BRINGS FORTH THE PROBLEM SOLVING PARTS OF WHAT WE PUT OUT THERE AS PRIORITIES.
WE'RE NOT THE PROBLEM SOLVERS. THEY ARE.
WE CAN BRING IT FORWARD AND WE CAN HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS AND WE CAN IDENTIFY.
BUT IT'S THIS AMAZING CITY TEAM WHO EVERY DAY GO TO WORK AND THE FIRST THING ON THEIR MIND IS HOW CAN I MAKE CEDAR RAPIDS BETTER? WHAT ARE THE COUNCIL PRIORITIES? HOW DO WE ADDRESS THEM? WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS? I HAVE TO TELL YOU I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, BUT ALSO TO BE A CITIZEN OF CEDAR RAPIDS.
WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE EVERY DAY GOING TO WORK AND DOING THE AMAZING JOB UNDER JEFF'S LEADERSHIP THAT THEY'RE DOING.
JEFF AND JENNIFER, AND THE ENTIRE DIRECTOR TEAM.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER POE, AND APPROPRIATE THANKS TO OUR CITY MANAGER THERE TOO.
DIRECTOR PRATT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING.
[1. A public hearing will be held to consider repealing Chapter 37 of the Municipal Code, Fire Code, and enacting in its place a new Chapter 37 and the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code, with modifications (Steve Mast). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #FIR001-2024]
I'LL REMIND EVERYBODY WHO WISHES TO SPEAK TODAY WHETHER DURING A PUBLIC HEARING OR DURING ONE OF OUR TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS OF A FEW MATTERS TO ENSURE WE HAVE AN ORDERLY MEETING TODAY.FIRST, A REMINDER TO STAY AT THE LECTERN.
IF YOU HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS YOU WANT US TO SEE, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO THE OFFICER.
SHE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THEM.
SECOND COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
YOU'LL NOTICE ON THE COUNCIL WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS YELLOW.
THAT IS YOUR ONE MINUTE WARNING AND WHEN IT'S RED, WE'LL 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 ANY ABUSIVE, PERSONAL, LOUD, THREATENING OR IRRELEVANT COMMENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
FINALLY, WE NEED TO HOLD AN ORDERLY HEARING.
WE ASK FOR NO APPLAUSE, CHEERING, BOOING, OR OTHER NOISE OR DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT FROM ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE.
WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THAT.
DOES THE CLERK HAVE ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS IN REGARD TO ANY OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON OUR AGENDA TODAY?
>> YOUR HONOR, FOR PUBLIC HEARING NUMBER 8, ONE WRITTEN COMMENT WAS FILED.
NO OTHER WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS WERE FILED.
>> THANK YOU. ONE WRITTEN COMMENT AND NOT AN OBJECTION.
JUST A WRITTEN COMMENT. ITEM NUMBER 8.
WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 1.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REPEALING CHAPTER 37 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
FIRE CODE AND ENACTING IN ITS PLACE, A NEW CHAPTER 37 AND THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH MODIFICATIONS.
STEVE MASTER IS HERE. STEVE, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL PEOPLE. STEVE MASTER WITH THE CITY RAPIDS FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE.
I HAVE PLEASURE OF SERVING AS YOUR FIRE MARSHAL.
THIS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1 IS ABOUT REPLACING CHAPTER 37 KNOWN AS THE FIRE CODE, WITH AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AND WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS.
LITTLE BACKGROUND, THE '21 IFC IS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL FAMILY OF CODES.
THESE CODES ARE ALL WRITTEN TOGETHER BY THE CODE COUNCIL.
AGAIN, FAMILY OF CODES, THEY'RE WRITTEN TO WORK IN UNISON TOGETHER.
THERE'S A LOT OF THE SAME LANGUAGE.
IT AVOIDS CONFUSION AND PROVIDES CONSISTENCY WHEN WORKING ACROSS TRADES IN DIFFERENT CODES.
ICC CODES ARE CREATED WITH CODE HEARINGS, INPUT OF CODE PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE NATION AND REPRESENT BEST PRACTICES, AS WELL AS ADOPT WITH THEM TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION, THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE, AND UL LABS, UNDERWRITERS LABS.
THE '21 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE BRINGS US UPDATED LANGUAGE AND IMPROVED PRACTICES ON WHEN FACILITIES THAT HANDLE MATTRESSES, UPHOLSTERED FURNITURES MUST PROVIDE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. THAT'S A CHANGE DUE TO THE FLAMMABILITY OF HOLSTERED AND OVERSTUFFED FURNITURE.
ALSO ADDS REQUIREMENTS IN SPRINKLERS AND OPEN PARKING GARAGES.
[00:30:02]
THIS WAS FOUND DUE TO CHANGES IN VEHICLE COMPOSITION.VEHICLES ARE NOW MADE OF MORE PLASTICS AND ALSO CONTAIN LARGE BATTERIES.
AS A RESULT, WE'VE HAD FIRES THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO EXTINGUISH AND THIS IS A CHANGE THAT HELPS ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.
ALSO, SAVING LIVES THROUGH SCIENCE, THIS CODE CHANGES FIRE ALARM TONES.
THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AWAKING YOUNG CHILDREN, PEOPLE OF ADVANCED AGE AND PEOPLE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WHEN THERE'S A FIRE ALARM EVENT.
THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, THEY FOUND FIRE ALARM TONES THAT ARE BETTER AT DOING THAT AND WAKING PEOPLE UP TO GET THEM OUT OF A BUILDING.
THAT'S AN UPDATE IN THIS CODE.
ALSO, WE'VE HAD AN EMERGENCY IN A SOCIETY OF PUZZLE ROOMS OR ESCAPE ROOMS, WHICH WE DO HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THIS UPDATED LANGUAGE AND CODE SECTION HELPS KEEP A ENVIRONMENT THAT'S INTENDED TO BE CONFUSING AS PART OF THE GAME, CODE COMPLIANCE SO YOU CAN GET OUT IF THERE'S EMERGENCY.
ALSO, AS WE KNOW, SOLAR AND BATTERY UPDATES ARE SOMETHING THAT IS EVER CHANGING, AND THIS HAS LANGUAGE THAT UPDATES THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT EMERGED AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL EMERGE.
MANY OTHER UPDATES, BEST PRACTICES COME ALONG WITH THIS CODE.
>> GOALS OF OUR CODES; LIMIT THE NUMBER OF LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO KEEP IT LESS CONFUSING AND MORE READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO DO BUSINESS AND BE COMPLIANT HERE IN TOWN, STAY ABREAST OF LATEST FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, AGAIN, NEW DOCUMENTS OF TECHNICAL REFERENCE AND NEW BEST PRACTICES BY CODE PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD.
MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE HERE WITH THE CITY CEDAR RAPIDS WITH OUR ISO RATING AND ALSO WITH OUR LOCAL ACCREDITATION THROUGH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THROUGH THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EXCELLENCE, THAT REQUIRES THAT WE UPDATE CODES TO THE MOST RECENT VERSIONS OF THE CODE.
FEEDBACK ON THIS ONE; WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT AMONGST OUR DIVISIONS WITHIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, NOT JUST THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, BUT ALSO OUR OPERATIONS DIVISION, TASKED WITH EXTINGUISHING AND PREVENTING FIRES.
COLLABORATION WITH OUR COLLEAGUES FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, DIRECTOR CIABATTI AND DUNCAN MCCALLUM.
PRESENTATION OF CODE AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE AND BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.
CODE AMENDMENTS TO THE HOME BUILDER'S ASSOCIATION IN A MEETING THEY HAD IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR.
SEVERAL COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSES THAT WE APPROACHED AS A TEAM WITH HOUSING, BUILDING SERVICES, AND THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE.
WE'VE COLLABORATED AGAIN WITHIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TALKED ABOUT THESE CHANGES IN COLLABORATION WITH BUILDING SERVICES, HOUSING SERVICES, AND HOW THESE CODES WORK TOGETHER.
DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY; IF YOU'D LIKE TO CHECK THESE OUT, YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT THE CEDAR RAPIDS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THERE'S A LINK ON OUR PAGE THAT WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH RED LINE VERSIONS OF LOCAL AMENDMENTS THAT SHOW CHANGES AND UPDATES, AS WELL AS A LINK TO AN ONLINE VERSION OF THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE.
WITH THAT, NEXT STEPS, WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT TODAY IN THIS PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE'LL HAVE SUBSEQUENT HEARINGS AS REQUIRED BY LAW. QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 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? SEEING NOTHING, THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY MAIER, SECONDED BY HOEGER.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
[2-5. Public hearings will be held to consider repealing Chapter 33 of the Municipal Code, Building Code; Chapter 34, Electrical Code; Chapter 35, Plumbing Code; Chapter 35, Plumbing Code; and Chapter 36, Mechanical Code; and enacting in their place new chapters incorporating updated editions of the various national and international codes (Duncan McCallum).]
AT A NUMBER 2 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REPEALING CHAPTER 33 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE BUILDING CODE, AND ENACTING IN ITS PLACE A NEW CHAPTER 33, AND THE 2021 EDITIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE AND THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE WITH MODIFICATIONS.DUNCAN MCCALLUM IS HERE ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. DUNCAN MCCALLUM, I'M THE BUILDING AND TRADES MANAGER FOR THE CITY.
>> SORRY. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> THANK YOU. I'M THE BUILDING AND TRADES MANAGER FOR THE CITY.
I'M HERE TO UPDATE YOU ON THE BUILDING AND TRADE CODE UPDATES.
WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'D LIKE TO COMBINE THE PRESENTATIONS FOR ITEMS 2, 3, 4, AND 5.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. A LITTLE BACKGROUND.
AGAIN, I'M FOLLOWING ON THE FIRE MARSHAL'S TALES A LITTLE BIT HERE WITH THE CODE UPDATES.
WE ARE UPDATING TO THE NEWER MODEL CODE VERSIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, AND INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE, BUT WE DO COMBINE THESE WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL BECAUSE THEY ARE INTERCONNECTED CODES.
THE MODEL CODES INCLUDE A FAMILY OF INTERCONNECTED CODES THAT WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A TESTED FRAMEWORK FOR DETERMINING LIFE SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO BUILDINGS IN OUR CITY.
I WOULD ADD THAT WHEN WE DO THIS TOGETHER, THAT WE GET A LOT OF BENEFIT, WE DON'T HAVE CONFLICTING INFORMATION BACK TO
[00:35:03]
OUR BUILDERS AND OUR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PLUS OUR CITIZENS.MOST JURISDICTIONS ADOPT MODEL CODES AS THE FRAMEWORK, THEN THROUGH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, THE CODES ARE TAILORED TO FIT EACH UNIQUE SITUATION.
MODEL CODES ARE DEVELOPED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, AS THE FIRE MARSHAL HAD INDICATED, IT'S ON A THREE-YEAR BASIS IN A COMMITTEE AND MEMBER VOTING PROCESS.
OUR DEPARTMENT, I WOULD ADD, PARTICIPATES IN THIS PROCESS REGULARLY SO THAT WE GIVE A LOCAL VOICE TO THAT PROCESS.
UPDATING THE CODES ADDRESSES CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY ALONG WITH MAINTAINING OUR ISO RATING.
ONE OTHER THING TO ADD IS THE STATE HAS ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT DICTATES HOW CITIES ADOPT CODES.
IN MOST CASES, THE LOCAL ORDINANCE MUST BE VIEWED AS RESTRICTIVE AS THE STATE CODE, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, THE STATE NOW MANDATES THAT THE STATE CODE IS ADOPTED RATHER THAN THE UNDERLYING MODEL CODE, THAT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED.
OUR GOALS, WE'RE HERE TO ADHERE TO THE STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR ONE THING, AND THEN AN IMPORTANT GOAL IN OUR ADOPTION IS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR ICC CHAPTERS.
LIMITING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS THROUGHOUT ALL CODES IS ANOTHER GOAL, AND THEN CHANGES SHOULD RESULT IN MINIMAL IMPACT TO THE BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY.
OUR COLLABORATION BEGAN WITH DISCUSSIONS ACTUALLY SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH BUILDING SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF.
WE'VE REVIEWED THIS LANGUAGE MANY TIMES WITH THE EASTERN IOWA CONSTRUCTION CODE COUNCIL, AND IOWA ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING OFFICIALS TO BETTER MATCH THE LOCAL AREA.
WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS OBVIOUSLY WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL AND FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFF.
THEN WE'VE ALSO GOTTEN A GREAT DEAL OF FEEDBACK FROM OUR BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS, MECHANICAL BOARD OF APPEALS, PLUMBING BOARD OF APPEALS, ELECTRICAL BOARD OF APPEALS, AND ALSO THE HOME BUILDERS DEVELOPERS COUNCIL.
WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSES.
I'LL START WITH THE BUILDING CODE HIGHLIGHTS.
OBVIOUSLY WE'RE UPDATING TO THE 21 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE AND 21 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE.
WE REMOVED PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR STRUCTURES THE BUILDING CODE VIEWS AS VERY LOW RISK, THESE ARE INCLUDING PERGOLAS, GAZEBOS, AND SMALL DECKS.
WE MODIFIED LANGUAGE TO MATCH STATE CODE ON DAYCARE OCCUPANCIES, AND WE REMOVED A LONG-STANDING EXCEPTION FOR A PERMANENT LANDING UNDER NON-COMPLIANT EGRESS WINDOWS.
WE REMOVED AN EXCEPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS, WHICH ALLOWED A LARGER RESIDENTIAL BUILDING TO BE BUILT WITHOUT SPRINKLERS.
WE ADDED LANGUAGE IN THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING CODE THAT ADDRESSES CONSTRUCTION SITE, DEBRIS, AND THE IMPACT ON ADJOINING PROPERTIES.
WE MOVED THE FENCE SECTION FROM 33C, WHICH IS PART OF THE BUILDING CODE, TO CHAPTER 32 ZONING.
I'LL HIGHLIGHT THE PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL CODE UPDATES.
WE UPDATED THE STATE MECHANICAL CODE AND PLUMBING CODES IN OUR ORDINANCE AS DICTATED BY STATE CODE LANGUAGE.
IN THIS INSTANCE, WE'VE ADOPTED THE STATE MECHANICAL AND STATE PLUMBING CODE AND THEN MODIFIED THOSE, THAT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE EVER DONE THAT.
WE AMENDED LANGUAGE TO REMOVE A SECTION THAT REGULATES PUBLIC RESTROOMS, AS THIS IS NOW ADDRESSED IN THE STATE LANGUAGE.
WE REMOVED A LONG-STANDING LOCAL REQUIREMENT FOR ONE URINAL IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOMS. WE ALSO REMOVED VARIOUS SECTIONS THAT ARE NOW REGULATED BY THE STATE CODE.
THEN FOR THE ELECTRICAL CODE, WE'RE ADOPTING THE 2020 NEC, WHICH IS THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, WITH STATE CODE AMENDMENTS, THAT'S DICTATED BY THE STATE.
WE REMOVED REDUNDANT AND OBSOLETE LANGUAGE ON LICENSING, WE ACTUALLY REMOVED ABOUT EIGHT SECTIONS.
WE REMOVED ALSO A LONG-STANDING LOCAL REQUIREMENT RELATED TO THE USE OF ROMEX IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO BETTER MATCH THE LOCAL AREA.
WE WERE ONE OF THE FEW AREAS THAT HAD THAT EXCEPTION.
WE ALSO AMENDED LANGUAGE THAT RELATES TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS.
I'M OBVIOUSLY HERE FOR THE FIRST READING TODAY, AND THEN SECOND POSSIBLE THIRD READINGS IN AUGUST, AND WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE IT EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE. I'LL GIVE IT BACK TO THE MAYOR.
>> THANKS, DUNCAN. WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 2, WHICH IS THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE BUILDING CODE.
THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
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 NONE, THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
NEXT, ITEM NUMBER 3 IS THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REPEALING 34 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE ELECTRICAL CODE.
THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD,
[00:40:01]
THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL.SEEING NONE, THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 4 IS THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REPEALING CHAPTER 35 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, PLUMBING CODE.
THIS IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR A 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, THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL.
SEEING NONE, THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY VANORNY, SECONDED BY TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
FINALLY, ITEM NUMBER 5, THIS IS THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REPEALING CHAPTER 36 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, MECHANICAL CODE.
THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A 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 NONE, THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON IT'S FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 6,
[6. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed Amendment No. 3 to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area (Scott Mather). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #TIF-0089-2023]
WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER 3 TO THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR THE CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL AREA.MATHER IS HERE, AND SCOTT, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. SCOTT MATHER WITH CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
I'D LIKE PERMISSION TO COMBINE ITEM 6 AND 7.
>> ON JUNE 11TH, CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED A TERM SHEET WITH JPAC INVESTMENTS FOR A HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT 710 AND 712 O AVENUE NORTHWEST.
AS A RESULT, URBAN RENEWAL AREA PLANS ARE REQUIRED TO BE UPDATED TO REFLECT SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE SUCH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
CONSULTATION WITH TAXING AGENCIES IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT, WHICH WAS HELD ON JULY 8TH WITH NO COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS.
TODAY, WE'RE HERE TO CONSIDER APPROVING THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TERMS INCLUDE A $960,000 CAPITAL INVESTMENT, CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR ZERO-LOT LINE TOWN HOMES WITH ATTACHED GARAGES, THREE BEDROOM, TWO-AND-A-HALF BATH UNITS, THREE OF THE FOUR ARE AFFORDABLE.
ALL UNITS WILL EITHER BE ZERO ENERGY READY OR ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED.
CONSTRUCTION IS TO OCCUR IN SEPTEMBER OF 24 AND COMPLETE BY JUNE 1ST OF 2025.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES INCLUDE A REIMBURSEMENT OF 100% OF THE TAX INCREMENTS UP TO A NET PRESENT VALUE OF 135,000, OR 15 CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL PAYMENTS.
HERE IS AN AERIAL VIEW OF A COUPLE OF PARCELS, 320 AND 330, FIRST STREET, SOUTHEAST THAT THE CITY WILL BE PURCHASING AS PART OF FLOOD CONTROL CONSTRUCTION AND ADDITIONAL PARKING THAT MAY BE NEEDED.
HERE IS A STREET VIEW OF THE 710, 712 O AVENUE, AND A COUPLE OF RENDERINGS OF THE TOWN HOMES.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT NUMBER 3 TO THE CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL AREA, AS WELL AS RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
I'LL RETURN IT BACK TO YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. THIS IS THE TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 6, WHICH IS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER 3 OF THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS PASSES.
[7. A public hearing will be held to consider a Development Agreement with JPAC Investments LLC for a housing redevelopment project at 710 and 712 O Avenue NW (Scott Mather). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #DISP-0040-2022]
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH JPAC INVESTMENTS FOR THE HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT 710 AND 712 O AVENUE, NORTHWEST.THIS IS THE TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT 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 NOTHING FURTHER, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY TODD, SECONDED BY VANORNY.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
ITEM NUMBER 8 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN, SPECIFICATIONS,
[8. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Parking Ramp at 1st and 1st West project (estimated cost is $20,000,000) (Ken DeKeyser). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #635139-02]
FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE PARKING RAMP AT FIRST AND FIRST WEST PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $20 MILLION.
KENDA KAISER IS HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THAT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. KENDA KAISER WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT, THIS IS THE STRUCTURED PARKING FOR THE KINGSTON YARD DEVELOPMENT, SO THIS SERVES THE RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED BIG GROVE, PICKLE PALACE, 151 LOFTS, AND AN UPCOMING HOTEL,
[00:45:01]
A TOTAL OF 463 PARKING SPACES, WHICH HAS ALSO NINE ACCESSIBLE SPACES AND 10 FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.THERE IS INSIDE BIKE STORAGE ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THERE'S A TOTAL OF FIVE FLOORS, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 65 FEET IN HEIGHT.
WE HAVE A PUBLIC BID ON AUGUST 7TH WITH A $20 MILLION COST OPINION, AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START THIS YEAR AND FINISH UP IN 2026.
THIS IS THE LOCATION MAP, SHOWING IN GREEN IS THE SITE, AND THEN AROUND IT, I'VE HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE CURRENT AND UPCOMING DEVELOPMENTS, ALSO RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED IS THE OUTDOOR PLAZA HERE WITHIN THE CENTER OF THE KINGSTON YARD NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEN ALSO JUST TO THE RIGHT HERE YOU CAN SEE JUST WHAT SOME OF THE CURRENT BUILDING CONSTRUCTION LOOKS LIKE, AND TO NOTE TOO THAT THE PARKING GARAGE IS GOING TO BE SIMILAR IN HEIGHT TO WHAT YOU SEE HERE.
ALSO JUST FOR YOUR INTERESTS OR OTHER STRUCTURED PARKING WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN AND THE CORE NEIGHBORHOODS, THIS PARKING RAMP WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ON THE WEST SIDE, BUT YOU CAN SEE ON THE EAST, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PARKING RAMPS RUN BY THE CITY AND THE NUMBER OF SPACES HERE PROVIDED FOR EACH.
THIS SHOWS THE GROUND FLOOR, AND YOU'LL NOTE THAT THERE IS HARDSCAPING AND LANDSCAPING, THIS IS SIMILAR IN APPEARANCE TO WHAT WE HAVE FOR THE REST OF THE KINGSTON YARD NEIGHBORHOOD.
ALSO, IN REFERENCE TO THE COMMENT THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY CLERK, IT WAS REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S GOING TO BE BIKE STORAGE, AND THERE IS, IT'S LOCATED INSIDE IN THE AREA WHERE THE ARROW IS, SO THERE WILL BE BIKE RACKS THAT ARE CENTERED WITHIN THE ROOM AS WELL AS SOME THAT WOULD BE ALONG THE WALLS OF IT.
SECOND FLOOR ARE SPACES THAT ARE GOING TO BE RESERVED FOR THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING.
HERE ARE SOME ELEVATION VIEWS, THE NORTH AND THE EAST ARE WHAT IS GOING TO BE SEEN PRIMARILY FROM THE REAR AND THEN THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
WE DO HAVE FOUR-SIDED CLADDING ON THIS.
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE FOUR-SIDED VIEW BECAUSE OF THE VIEW SHED FROM THE PLAZA AS WELL AS THE HOTEL, SO THAT WAS A BIG DEAL FOR THE DEVELOPER IN THE CITY, EVEN THOUGH THERE CERTAINLY IS A COST CONSIDERATION.
THEN THE SOUTH AND WEST, WHICH FACE THE STREETS, ARE ALSO CLADDED, AND THEN THE NOTABLE KINGSTON YARD SIGN IS GOING TO BE SHOWN ON THE ROOF THERE.
THESE ARE SOME RENDERING, SO THIS IS A NIGHT VIEW, LOOKING FROM THE STREET SIDE WITH THE SIGNAGE, AND THEN A DAYTIME VIEW.
WITH THAT, PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMENDS APPROVAL TO ADOPT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, KEN. THIS IS THE TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? I'LL ASK YOU TO PLEASE TAKE THE PODIUM AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND WHERE YOU'RE FROM.
>> I SHOULD SAY YOUR NAME AND WHERE YOU LIVE.
I LIVE IN THE DOWS BUILDING DOWNTOWN.
DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS ALREADY HAS FAR TOO MUCH PARKING.
THE MAP THAT YOU WERE SHOWING EARLIER, THERE'S MULTIPLE PARKING GARAGES.
THERE'S PARKING LOTS EVERYWHERE, ALSO.
I MEAN, SERIOUSLY, IF YOU COULD PULL THAT MAP BACK UP, YOU LOOK AT THE SATELLITE VIEW AND JUST SEE HOW MUCH OF THE LAND AREA IS BEING TAKEN UP BY PARKING LOTS.
THERE'S LIKE I SAID, I LIVE IN THE DOWS BUILDING.
I SEE ONE DIRECTLY OUTSIDE MY WINDOW.
IT'S ANY TIME OF DAY, ANY DAY OF THE WEEK, IT'S NEVER BEEN FULL.
THAT'S NOT EVEN THE MENTION OF THE ON STREET PARKING, WHICH IS ABUNDANT.
IT'S EVEN ON THE BRIDGES, WHICH I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYWHERE ELSE IN ANY OTHER CITY ON STREET PARKING ON THE BRIDGES.
NOW, SPENDING $20 MILLION ON YET ANOTHER PARKING GARAGE WOULD BE NOT ONLY WASTEFUL BUT ACTIVELY HARMFUL.
AS I SAW I LOOKED AT THE ITEM IN THE COUNCIL PACKET, AND IT SAID THAT THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT WAS TO REINVEST IN THE CITY'S BUSINESS CORRIDORS AND DISTRICTS.
WELL, IF IN CASE YOU WERE NOT AWARE, I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT NOBODY EVER GOES SOMEWHERE TO GO TO A PARKING GARAGE.
BUSINESSES BENEFIT FAR MORE FROM THE PROXIMITY OF RESIDENTIAL OR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS BECAUSE THAT INCREASES FOOT TRAFFIC.
THAT BENEFITS THEM MUCH MORE THAN MORE NEARBY PARKING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S ALREADY PLENTY OF PARKING.
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF PARKING IN THE AREA.
[00:50:03]
I BELIEVE I PUT IN MY NOTES HERE.I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEBODY LOOKED AT A MAP AND DECIDED THAT, HEY, YOU KNOW, THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE ANY PARKING GARAGES ON THIS SIDE OF THE RIVER, SO LET'S BUILD ONE.
I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED, AS YOU SAID EARLIER, THAT THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ON THAT SIDE OF THE RIVER.
I SERIOUSLY QUESTION IF A REAL NEED FOR THIS WAS IDENTIFIED BEFORE IT WAS PROPOSED.
IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM NECESSARY AT ALL.
I'M ALSO WONDERING IF ALTERNATIVES WERE CONSIDERED, HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO ADD ONE BUS DOING A TIGHT LOOP AROUND THE DOWNTOWN AREA? MAYBE IT GOES FROM THE EXISTING PARKING GARAGES TO THE AREA ON THE SOUTHWEST OF THE RIVER.
WAS THIS CONSIDERED? DOES ANYBODY HERE KNOW HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST? WAS IT INVESTIGATED THIS SORT OF THING OR ANYTHING LIKE IT? NO. I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT, AT THE START OF THIS MEETING, I HEARD A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT HOW ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IS A HIGH PRIORITY.
DO YOU THINK YOU CAN ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS BY BUILDING A PARKING GARAGE? NO, YOU CAN'T. THERE'S NO REASON FOR A PARKING GARAGE TO GO UP IN THE SPACE.
ON FIRST AND FIRST, BY THE WAY, FIRST STREET AND FIRST AVENUE, WHICH SHOULD BE PRIME REAL ESTATE IN ANY CITY IN THE WORLD.
THERE'S NO REASON TO BUILD A PARKING GARAGE HERE INSTEAD OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING OR A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT OR REALLY, ANYTHING THAT WOULD MAKE IT A MORE DESIRABLE AREA OF THE CITY TO GO TO, AND ON A PARKING GARAGE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT NOBODY EVER WANTS TO GO TO AND ONLY EXISTS BECAUSE OF A PERCEIVED NEED TO PROVIDE PARKING FOR PEOPLE TO VISIT IT.
BUT THERE IS NO NEED IN THIS CASE.
THERE'S ALREADY PLENTY OF PARKING AROUND DOWNTOWN.
BY THE WAY, I BELIEVE IT WAS MENTIONED, I THINK THAT WAS A THING ABOUT THE BIKE RACKS THAT WAS A WRITTEN COMMENT THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY CLARIFIED TO NOT BE AN OBJECTION.
IN CASE THERE'S ANY CONFUSION, I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE CONSIDERED AN OBJECTION. THANK YOU.
>> EMMETT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNSEL ON THIS ITEM? JUST GO AHEAD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND WHERE YOU LIVE.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PREPARED REMARKS HERE, BUT I WOULD NOTE THAT MY THOUGHT OF, SOME OF EMMETT'S.
I RECOGNIZE THAT THE PARKING GARAGE WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPER, NOTING THAT TO HAVE MIXED USE, TO HAVE BUSINESSES, TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO COME AND WORK AT THEIR PLACE AND HAVE RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO LIVE THERE, THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE THAT PARKING, AND I RECOGNIZE THAT THE PARKING LOT CURRENTLY ACROSS FROM THAT AREA IN THE BROADER PLAN WON'T BE A PARKING LOT FOREVER.
NONETHELESS, I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING JUST THE COSTS INVOLVED, THE 20 MILLION FOR A PARKING GARAGE AND CONSIDERING HOW FAR THAT DOES GO IN OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM, CONSIDERING WHAT OUR CURRENT PUBLIC TRANSIT ANNUAL BUDGET IS AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT 20 MILLION IS.
I THINK THAT AS ALWAYS, IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN STRICTLY, LET'S NOT PUT A PARKING GARAGE THERE.
BUT I AM WONDERING, WHERE WOULD THE COMPLIMENTARY INVESTMENT INTO OUR TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP SERVE THE NEED OF A DEVELOPER WHO WANTS PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THEIR PLACE OF WORK.
IT SEEMS THAT PUBLIC TRANSIT IS A MEANS OF THAT, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ACTUALLY INVESTED IN.
I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT THOSE WERE IMPORTANT REMARKS.
>> THANKS, ISAAC. DOES ANYONE ELSE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNSEL ON THIS ITEM? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER HAS BEEN HELD WITH ONE OBJECTION FOR THE RECORD.
THAT BRINGS US TO COUNSEL COMMENTS. COUNCIL MEMBER MOLLY.
>> I'M SORRY. CAN'T SEE WHO'S STEPPING UP.
A COUPLE OF ASSUMPTIONS WE'RE MAKING.
I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, CAN YOU TELL ME THE VARIOUS FUNDING STREAMS THAT COME INTO THAT 20 MILLION?
>> THE FUNDING IS THROUGH THE REINVESTMENT FUNDS.
I THINK THAT IS LARGELY TIFF MONEY.
I DON'T, WANT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THAT ISN'T BONDS.
>> IT'S TIFF. IS THERE ANY STATE MONEY?
[00:55:03]
IS THERE ANY COUNTY MONEY? IS THERE ANY OTHER.>> I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME STATE MONEY IN THE REINVESTMENT DISTRICT INCLUDES SOME OF THAT, THE CAT FUNDS FOR THIS.
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT 20 MILLION IS COMING FROM.
IF YOU COULD FORWARD TO COUNSEL THOSE VARIOUS FUNDING STREAMS FOR THAT 20 MILLION.
I JUST DON'T WANT THE TAXPAYERS TO THINK THAT ALL OF THIS IS FALLING ON THEIR BACKS.
ALSO, A QUESTION ABOUT ACCESS TO THE HOTEL.
WE ALL KNOW AND WE'VE ALL BEEN FIGHTING FOR ADDITIONAL HOTELS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO BRING BIGGER EVENTS INTO CEDAR RAPIDS, AND CERTAINLY THIS HOTEL WILL HELP ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL VISITORS.
IS THERE ANY ACCESS FROM THE PARKING RAMP TO THE HOTEL? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> YES. THERE ARE ACCESS WAYS BETWEEN THE PARKING GARAGE AND A HOTEL.
SOME OF THE SPACES IN THE GARAGE WILL BE RESERVED FOR HOTEL USE SO THERE IS MORE OF A CLIMATE CONTROL OR, A BREEZEWAY TYPE OF A SYSTEM WHERE YOU CAN GO FROM THE GARAGE INTO THE HOTEL WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE ELEMENTS.
THEN WHO'S SCHEDULED TO RUN THIS PARKING GARAGE, IS THAT PART OF THE PARK CR SYSTEM?
>> AT ONE POINT, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT POSSIBLY AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS STILL THE CASE, THE AVAILABILITY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES TO PARK THERE SINCE WE WERE MAYBE STRUGGLING A BIT WITH PARKING FOR CITY EMPLOYEES TO CITY HALL.
IS THAT STILL THE CASE OR HAS THAT CHANGED?
>> I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT AGREEMENT, THAT WOULD JUST BE BETWEEN THE CITY STAFF AND PARK CR TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
THAT IS NOT PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION PLANS PER SE.
>>THEN I THINK TO ISAAC'S POINT, RIGHT NOW, IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE PICKLE PALACE OR YOU GO DOWN TO BIG GROVE.
YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE PARKING ON THAT NORTH EMPTY LOT AND WALKING OVER.
EVENTUALLY, THAT WILL BE BUILT ON.
THERE ARE PLANS TO PUT A BUILDING IN THAT SPACE.
WHERE WILL ALL THOSE PEOPLE PARK AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO DOWN THERE ON WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY NIGHT.
YOU'LL SEE THAT EMPTY LOT FULL OF PEOPLE PARKING THERE.
I THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR PARKING IN THAT SPACE.
WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT NORTH LOT, I THINK WE ALWAYS AS A CITY, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
THAT PARKING GARAGE, I AM ASSUMING, IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO SERVE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY PARKING IN THAT EMPTY NORTH LOT.
THOSE WERE JUST SOME OF THE QUESTIONS.
IF YOU GET BACK TO US ON THE FUNDING STREAMS, PLEASE SO THAT WE CAN SHARE THAT WITH THE PUBLIC, I THINK THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS INVESTMENT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNSELOR VAN ARDI.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. I THINK ONE, I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS THAT EMMETT, I DON'T BELIEVE WE'VE SEEN YOU HERE BEFORE.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO COME AND EXPRESS YOUR OPINION TO A COUNSEL.
I ALWAYS APPRECIATE WHEN SOMEBODY COMES AND SHARES THEIR THOUGHTS WITH US.
CERTAINLY, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY PARTS OF CEDAR RAPIDS THAT ARE INCREDIBLY OVERPARKED.
YOU CAN JUST TAKE A LOOK AT ANY BIG BOX STORE AND IT'S NEVER FULL.
WHEN WE'RE CONSIDERING WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS VERY THOUGHTFULLY ABOUT CORRECTLY PARKING, PARTICULARLY IN CONSIDERATION TO FLOOD CONTROL, BECAUSE WE KNOW THE MORE CEMENT YOU HAVE, THE LESS ABSORPTION THAT YOU HAVE AS WELL.
WE'VE TRIED A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO NOT ONLY JUST BE COGNIZANT OF WHERE WE MAY HAVE TOO MUCH CEMENT PARKING, BUT ALSO WHERE IT DOES NEED TO BE.
I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER POE BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OF GOOD POINTS, BUT IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT WE'RE PLANNING ON HAVING RIVER RECREATION THAT WE'RE PLANNING ON HAVING A VERY BIG DRAW RIGHT IN FRONT OF THIS SPACE.
WE'RE HAVING THAT MIXED USE BUILDING.
ANYTIME THAT YOU DRIVE ON THE S CURVE, ANY GIVEN DAY.
NOW THAT KINGSTON YARD IN KINGSTON VILLAGE AREA IS AS DYNAMIC AS IT IS, IT'S FULL.
MOST DAYS, YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN A SOLE DOWN THERE AND NOW IT IS FULL AND THE BRIDGES ARE FULL.
WHEN YOU COUPLE THAT WITH OUR DOWNTOWN VISION PLAN THAT REALLY DOES SET TO CENTER THOSE SPACES AS WELL.
[01:00:01]
WE WON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKING ONCE YOU PLAN ON HAVING WHAT IS LATEST I HEARD, MAYBE A FIVE STORY HOTEL.WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALL THOSE THINGS CONCURRENTLY, AND WE HAVE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER AS WELL, I DO THINK THAT THIS PARKING IS WELL PARKED.
IT MAY SEEM LIKE IT'S PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE RIGHT NOW.
BUT GIVEN ALL THE PLANS THAT WE'RE AWARE OF, I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE IN THIS CURRENT LOCATION.
ALSO CONSIDERING SOME OF THE NEW HOUSING AND THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AROUND DASH COFFEE AND AROUND LOCAL PORE, IT GETS VERY FULL.
IN THAT RESPECT, I THINK IT IS AN APPROPRIATE PARKING STRUCTURE FOR THIS SPACE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. EXCUSE ME.
CAN I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS THAT I SHARED BEFORE THE MEETING.
ONE IS ON THE TEN ELECTRIC VEHICLE SPACES.
DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT NUMBER OR PRO RATA PERCENTAGE OF SPACES WAS DETERMINED? I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT IN THE FUTURE, IS THAT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, ASSUMING THAT WE CONTINUE AS A SOCIETY TO MOVE TOWARDS ELECTRIC VEHICLES?
>> WELL, LIKE THE ACCESSIBLE SPACES, WE ARE RESERVING SO MANY ELECTRIC VEHICLE SPACES PER OVERALL.
YES, IT IS PRO-RATED PER A CURRENT STANDARD.
THE GARAGE IS SET UP IN A WAY WITH THE CONDUITS AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT WE CAN RETROFIT FUTURE ONES IN THERE.
WE DON'T WANT TO SET ALL THOSE IN NOW WHEN THE PROPORTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IS STILL SOMEWHAT LOW, BUT THE GARAGE WILL BE READY TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE IN THE FUTURE.
>> EXCELLENT. THANKS FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
THEN MY SECOND QUESTION IS, REGARDING PARK CR, SO PARK CR WILL BE THE OPERATOR, THE CITY WILL BE THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING.
DOES PARK CR COLLECT THE REVENUE ASSOCIATED WITH CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS PARKING IN THE STRUCTURE? IS THAT A QUESTION?
I MEAN, THEY DO MANAGE THAT REVENUE.
THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE HOTEL AND THE PARK CR ABOUT HOW THAT WORKS.
>> IF THIS IS NOT IN THE SCOPE OF THIS CONVERSATION, WE'RE HAPPY TO.
>> YES. WE HAVE THAT IN A SEPARATE CONVERSATION.
>> THAT'S GOOD. THANK YOU, KEN. APPRECIATED.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, COUNSEL MEYER? COUNSEL ROLSON.
>> I DON'T THINK IT NECESSARILY IS GOING TO BE PART OF THIS PROJECT, BUT POTENTIALLY AS AN OPPORTUNITY.
I THINK THE SIGNAGE IS GREAT, THE KINGSTON YARD SIGNAGE.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S IN A VERY VISIBLE POSITION COMING AROUND THE S CURVE.
I WAS IN A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER WHO I'M NOT GOING TO NAME IN CASE HE DOESN'T WANT THE IDEA ATTRIBUTED TO HIM.
BUT IT WAS BROUGHT UP THAT THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS SHOULD PERHAPS HAVE AN EQUALLY LARGE AND LIT UP SIGN SINCE WE'RE PAYING FOR IT, AND EVERYBODY'S DRIVING PAST IT.
AS WE MAYBE DON'T PUT IT AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, AS WE'RE GETTING TO BID HERE AND THE PLANS ARE PROBABLY DONE.
BUT IT'S SOMETHING I THINK WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD CONSIDER.
I MEAN, THAT IS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY CARS DRIVE BY ON 380 EVERY DAY.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NICE NEW PARKING RAMP HERE, IT SOUNDS LIKE, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS SHOULD TAKE SOME CREDIT FOR IT AND GET SOME OF THAT.
I'D ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
COUNCIL MEMBER, TODD, REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS JUST REALLY HIGHLIGHTS THE CITY MAKES DECISIONS NOT EMOTIONAL, NOT BECAUSE WE SAY, OH, THERE ISN'T A RAMP ON THAT SIDE. WE MUST HAVE ONE.
THERE ARE NUMBERS TO BACK THIS UP AND I DON'T WANT TO DIMINISH THE CONCERNS BECAUSE THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY.
I CAN ONLY REASSURE YOU THAT THERE ARE NUMBERS AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW WHAT THAT DATA IS.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE WERE DOING THE TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FRONT OF ST. PATRICK'S, THESE AREN'T EMOTIONAL DECISIONS AT ALL.
I MEAN, THEY BECOME EMOTIONAL, BUT THEY REALLY ARE BASED ON FORECASTING AND DATA AROUND WHAT WE ANTICIPATE THE NEEDS OF BUSINESSES THERE BECAUSE AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE HEAR FROM HERE THAT MIGHT NOT BE IN FAVOR OF THAT, AS A COUNCIL AND CERTAINLY AS MAYOR, I HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ACCESS TO PARKING.
WE HAVE TO BALANCE A LOT OF IT ALL HERE, WHICH IS WHY WE RELY ON THE NUMBERS.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS AND HAPPY TO SHARE THEM AND EMMETT, JUST ZIP ME IN E MAIL AND I CAN GET THOSE TWO TOO. COUNSEL MAN ARSON.
[01:05:03]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR I THINK THAT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE SEE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE SCALE, THE CLOSE TO $100 MILLION.
>> HAVING WORKED WITH A LOT OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS AROUND, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF PARKING ON THAT SIDE OF TOWN BECAUSE NOBODY ANTICIPATED EVER A DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SCALE.
MOST OF THE PARKING LOTS, I'M HEARING COMPLAINTS FROM BUSINESSES ON THE WEST SIDE THAT PEOPLE ARE TAKING THEIR PARKING PLACES, AND THEY'RE NOT GOING IN THERE, THEY'RE GOING TO THE NEW PLACE.
I THINK THAT WHEN A CITY TRIES TO ENCOURAGE $100 MILLION DEVELOPMENT, WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THOSE DEVELOPERS THAT WE WOULD PROVIDE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PARKING.
WE SIGNED THAT DEAL, AND WE MADE A DEAL TO BUILD IT.
THEY IN TURN SPENT 100 MILLION.
WE MADE A DIFFERENCE, AND THIS PARKING RAMP IS A PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TOWARD THAT.
I THINK YOU HIT ON THE FUNDING.
THE OPERATIONS ARE GOING TO BE PAID FOR BY THE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING THE RAMP, AND WE DO GENERATE POSITIVE REVENUE FROM OUR PARKING SYSTEM.
WE'LL COVER THE OPERATION AND SOME OF THAT.
BUT REALLY, I THINK A LOT OF THE REVENUE THAT'S GOING TO PAY FOR THIS RAMP IS NOT COMING FROM EVERYBODY ELSE, IT'S GOING TO BE THE TAXES THAT THAT DEVELOPMENT IS PAYING THROUGH A TIF OR WHATEVER METHOD.
YES, WE ARE AS A CITY BUILDING A RAMP, YES, WE ARE BONDING FOR IT, BUT THE REVENUES COMING FROM THE FACT THAT WE'RE GETTING $100 MILLION DEVELOPMENT THAT WE INCENTIVIZED BY SAYING, WE'LL PROVIDE THE PARKING.
AGAIN, I THINK IT'S A GREAT QUESTION ON OPERATIONS BECAUSE THE HYBRID WORK CLIMATE HAS FREED UP MORE PARKING DOWNTOWN.
WE DO HAVE ON THE EAST SIDE, ACTUALLY, A LITTLE EXTRA PARKING.
BUT IT IS UNFORTUNATELY IN TODAY'S WORLD TO SERVE A HOTEL OR OFFICE BUSINESSES.
I'VE BEEN A PROPERTY OWNER IN DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS FOR SINCE 1985, AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO PARK RIGHT BY THE FRONT DOOR, AND THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO WALK A BLOCK TO A PARKING RAMP, EVEN IF THERE'S A SKYWAY.
UNFORTUNATELY IN TODAY'S WORLD, WE HAVE TO SERVICE THE PEOPLE AND TO GET A $100 MILLION SPENT TO HELP OUR CITY GROW AND ATTRACT OTHER PEOPLE TO WORK HERE, WE MADE AN INVESTMENT OF 20 MILLION.
THAT WAS PART OF THE DEAL, WE SIGNED IT, THEY DID, AND WE'RE COMING THROUGH.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS PEOPLE DEVELOP IN CEDAR RAPIDS IS THAT WHEN WE RECRUIT THEM AND SIGN A DEAL, WE DO OUR PART.
WE MADE THE COMMITMENT, WE'RE BUILDING IT, WE'RE GOING TO OPERATE IT, IT'S GOING TO MAKE MONEY, AND IT'S GOING TO PROVIDE A BIGGER AREA AND DO MORE DEVELOPMENT COMING.
AGAIN, I THINK THE POINTS ARE RIGHT, THE PARKING SYSTEMS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMES BACK TO ME IS THAT WHEN THESE OLDER STORES WERE BUILT ACROSS THE CITY, PARKING REQUIREMENTS WERE WAY TOO MUCH.
NOW OUR PARKING REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN CUT IN HALF.
TODAY IF YOU BUILD A STORE LIKE A KMART OR WALMART OR WHATEVER IT IS, THE LOT YOU SEE EMPTY WOULD NOT BE BUILT TODAY UNDER TODAY'S CURRENT ZONING.
WE'VE ALREADY STARTED TO ADAPT, BUT THEY'RE ALREADY THERE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T OVERBUILD.
WE DON'T WANT TO BE UNDERBUILT BECAUSE WE WON'T SEE NEW BUILDINGS OR PEOPLE WORKING HERE. IT'S A FINE LINE.
I THINK THE POINTS THAT ISAAC BROUGHT UP AND OTHERS, WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM, WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE THINGS, IT'S AMAZING.
AGAIN, IT ALWAYS REMINDS ME THAT IF I HAVE A TENANT IN A BUILDING DOWNTOWN AND THEY SAY, WHERE'S MY PARKING, AND I SAY IT'S IN THE 3RD AVENUE RAMP, THE 4TH AVENUE RAMP, THE RAMP ON CLOSE TO 8TH AVENUE OR WHATEVER, THEY SAY, WELL, THAT'S TOO FAR.
CAN'T YOU FIND ME SOMETHING CLOSER? IT'S JUST HARD TO FIND.
THIS RAMP WILL BE FULL BECAUSE OF THE USES THERE THAT WE'RE HAVING.
I THINK WE'LL GENERATE THE REVENUE WE NEED.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PAYING FOR THAT RAMP ARE THE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE BUILDING THOSE BUILDINGS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO RAISE TAX REVENUE THAT'S GOING TO PAY OFF ANY BONDS THAT WE HAVE.
I THINK IT'S HARD. IT'S A GIVE AND TAKE.
WE MADE A COMMITMENT, WE SIGNED IT, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, AND WE'RE GETTING THE DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY PROMISE.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO PROTECT ALL THE OTHER BUILDINGS THAT HAVE NO PARKING THAT IS GETTING FULL NOW.
THEY'VE GOT SIGNS UP, THEY'VE GOT BARRICADES UP BECAUSE THEIR LOTS ARE FILLING UP TO SERVE THIS LOT, AND THEY'RE LOSING BUSINESS.
IT'S A FINE LINE, BUT GOOD POINTS. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
[9. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Wright Brothers Boulevard SW from 6th Street to Earhart Lane Intersection Rehabilitation project (estimated cost is $10,000,000) (Ken DeKeyser). CIP/DID #3018027-04]
ITEM NUMBER 9 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN,[01:10:02]
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE WRIGHT BROTHERS BOULEVARD, SOUTHWEST FROM 6TH STREET TO EAHART LANE INTERSECTION REHABILITATION PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $10 MILLION.
KEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU ONCE AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A JOINT CITY AND IOWA DOT PROJECT.
THIS IS GOING TO BE BID THROUGH THE IOWA DOT, THEIR BID DATE IS ON JULY 30TH.
WE WERE ABLE AND FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO PIGGYBACK ON SOME OF THEIR IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.
WHAT THEY WILL BE DOING IS RECONSTRUCTING THE WRIGHT BROTHERS BOULEVARD INTERCHANGE WITH I-380 INTO A DIVERGING DIAMOND, AND THAT IS THE SAME TYPE OF INTERSECTION THAT IS NOW CONSTRUCTED AT TOWER TERRACE ROAD.
AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AT BOYSON ROAD.
THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE WIDENING I-380 TO THREE LANES EACH WAY.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S GOING TO BE BETWEEN HIGHWAY 30 AND THE SHUEYVILLE-SWISHER EXIT.
EVENTUALLY, IT'S GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO NORTH LIBERTY INTO WHERE THEY DID THEIR IMPROVEMENTS ALREADY AT IOWA CITY.
THE CITY IN BEING ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE DOT, WE'RE ABLE TO INCLUDE SOME LONG NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AND EARHART LANE, A TRAFFIC SIGNALIZED SYSTEM THERE THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN ASKED ABOUT FOR MANY YEARS FROM THAT DEVELOPMENT ON EARHART, AS WELL AS SOME ADDITIONAL WORK AT 6TH STREET, ADDITIONAL LANES TO HANDLE THE INCREASED TRAFFIC THERE, AS WELL AS SOME TURN LANES AND MEDIANS AT 6 AND WRIGHT BROTHERS.
THE CITY AND DOT WORKED REALLY HARD, AND THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CITY AND STATE LEADERS TO OBTAIN A 57.3 RURAL GRANT THROUGH FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION.
WITH THAT, $7.3 MILLION OF THAT WAS ALLOCATED TOWARDS THE CITY'S IMPROVEMENTS.
AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS, WE STARTED IN DECEMBER 2022 WITH THE PRELIMINARY PLANS, AND THEN WORKED OUR WAY THROUGH TO APRIL 2024 WHERE WE PRESENTED THE FINAL PLANS.
IN-BETWEEN ALL THAT TIME, WE HAD A RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION STAGE AND EASEMENT ACQUISITION, SO WE SPENT A LOT OF ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS DURING THAT TIME TO WORK WITH THEM AND ADJUST THEIR CONCERNS.
AS I SAID, WE HAVE A JULY 30TH BID.
THIS IS THROUGH THE DOT, NOT A CITY BID, AND COST OPINION OF THE CITY'S, PART OF THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE $10 MILLION.
THE OVERALL PROJECT WILL START THIS YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED THROUGH 2027.
ORIGINALLY, I THINK THEY WERE PLANNING ON FINISHING IN 2026, BUT THE STATE DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ACTUAL FULL RECONSTRUCT OF I-380 WHEN THEY DO THE LANE WIDENING, THEY'RE NOT JUST GOING TO TACK ON AN ADDITIONAL LANE.
THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME FOR THE OVERALL PROJECT.
THIS IS THE OVERVIEW OF THE CITY IMPROVEMENTS IN GREEN.
YOU COULD SEE TOWARD THE EAST OR RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE AERIAL, WRIGHT BROTHERS BOULEVARD WIDENING AT EARHART, AND THIS IS TO ACCOMMODATE TURN LANES AND A NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL THERE.
THEN PASSING OVER THE INTERSECTION OR THE DIVERGING DIAMOND OVER TO THE WEST SIDE, WHERE 6TH STREET IS ALSO GOING TO BE WIDENED AND ADDITIONAL TURN LANES ADDED AND THEN COMPLETING SOME MEDIAN WORK AS WE HEAD NORTH ON 6TH STREET.
THIS IS THE IOWA DOTS PART OF THE PROJECT, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THEIR DIVERGING DIAMOND WORK, WHICH AS YOU MIGHT SEE HERE IS A LITTLE MORE COMPACT VERSION OF THE EXISTING INTERCHANGE.
THEN AS WELL AS THE OVERALL LOCATION WHERE THE I-380 IMPROVEMENTS ARE GOING TO START.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE STAGING.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY 147 STAGING PLAN SHEETS WITHIN THE SET.
THERE'S A LOT OF STAGING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL GOING ON HERE.
THIS PARTICULAR ONE JUST DEMONSTRATES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERCHANGE, FOR MOST OF THE TIME, THE EXISTING ON AND OFF RAMPS FROM I-380 TO WRIGHT BROTHERS WILL BE MAINTAINED DURING THIS WHOLE TIME.
THIS WAS A BIG DEAL FOR US AND FOR THE AIRPORT TO NOT HAVE A BUNCH OF CLOSURES GOING ON HERE.
THERE WILL BE SOME INTERMITTENT NIGHT WORK, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO REBUILDING THE OVERPASSES OVER THE INTERSTATE, BUT SUBSTANTIALLY THINGS WILL REMAIN OPERATING.
NOW, THE ONE REASON I'VE PICKED THIS PARTICULAR ONE OF THE STAGES IS BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY CASE WHERE ONE OF THE LEGS, IN THIS CASE, IT WOULD BE THE SOUTHBOUND ON RAMP TO 380, WILL BE CLOSED WHILE THE NEW ON RAMP IS CONSTRUCTED.
IN THIS CASE, THERE IS GOING TO BE A DETOUR THAT TAKES THAT SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC DOWN 6TH STREET TO SHUEYVILLE-SWISHER.
THIS IS JUST WHAT I ADDED, THE EARHART LANE IN WALFORD ROAD GRAPHIC IS JUST AN EXAMPLE WHERE RECENTLY WE HAD COMPLETED THE PAVED INTERSECTION DOWN TO EARHART, AND WE ARE FINISHING UP NOW WITH A PAVED RECONSTRUCT OF WALFORD ROAD.
[01:15:05]
KNOWING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF DETOURED TRAFFIC ANYWAY OR PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION.EVEN THOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE OPEN, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE THINKING ABOUT OTHER WAYS TO GET AROUND.
NOW THEY HAVE A PAVED WAY TO GET FROM ONE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO THE OTHER, NOT ON GRAVEL OR SEAL COAT, BUT NOW A GOOD CONCRETE STREET TO GET THERE, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER PRESCRIBED DETOURS OVER ON 76TH AVENUE.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A GOOD VARIETY OF WAYS TO GET AROUND DURING CONSTRUCTION.
AS ALWAYS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO HAVING BUSINESS SIGNAGE DURING OUR STAGING PLANS, AND HERE'S AN EXAMPLE HERE OF THE PLAN SET WHERE WE'RE POINTING PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GET OVER TO SOME FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS ON 6TH STREET.
THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE, THIS IS ACTUALLY A PHOTO OF JUST AN EXISTING SIGN THAT'S WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION THAT WE'RE EVEN TRYING TO HELP CUSTOMERS GET IN AND OUT OF THE SUBDIVISION OVER TO OUR STREETS.
ALSO, THE DOT, DURING THE CONSTRUCTION, THEY'VE HIRED A CONSULTANT SPECIFICALLY TO HANDLE THE CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION END OF THINGS, WHICH INCLUDES THE PUBLIC INFORMATION, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH US, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE SURE WITH OUR COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS TO TAKE THEIR PROJECT INFORMATION AND BRING IT OVER TO OUR WEBSITE, BRING IT OVER TO NEWSLETTERS.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE ANY ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE WE DO ON OUR OWN PROJECTS.
THE TYPE OF COMMUNICATION THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DURING CONSTRUCTION WON'T CHANGE.
SOME DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BUT THE OVERALL PROCESS IS GOING TO KEEP GOING.
WITH THAT, WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THESE PLANS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, KEN. THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? L ET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. KEN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M GOING TO BE CHANGING MY PHONE NUMBER OUT THERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A PERSON THAT THEY CAN TALK TO BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE SUPER COMPLICATED.
I DON'T KNOW WHO OUR COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST OR WHO'S THEIRS IS GOING TO BE, BUT WHEN YOU GO TO THAT INTERSECTION, THIS IS GOING TO BE A CRAZY WORLD OUT THERE.
IT'S GOING TO GO ON FOR QUITE A STRETCH BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE PROJECT.
I THINK EVEN WITH SIGNS, WHATEVER, WE GOT THE TRAFFIC FOR PEOPLE COMING THROUGH THE CITY OR ON JUST WHEN SOMEBODY GETS A TRAFFIC TICKET ON THE S CURVE, YOU SEE THE EMAILS YOU GET.
JUST THINK WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE AT THIS INTERSECTION.
ONE THING, AND AGAIN, THIS COMES TO SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US.
IF YOU GO BACK TO THAT AERIAL PHOTO, THAT THING IS SO FAR OUT OF DATE WITH THE BUILDINGS THAT ARE BUILT OUT THERE, ET CETERA.
I KNOW WE'RE GETTING NEW AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS THAT YOU CAN USE, BUT THIS IS ONE THAT THERE'S SEVERAL BUILDINGS OUT HERE THAT AREN'T EVEN ON THESE DRAWINGS.
ALL THE ONES DOWN THE SIDE STREETS HERE, THE AL TORFRA BUILDING, ALL THE NEW WORK WE'VE DONE, NONE OF THAT'S ON THIS PHOTO.
THIS PHOTO HAS GOT TO BE 2-3 YEARS-OLD.
WE NEED TO SHOW THE IMPACT BECAUSE THIS PHOTO DOES NOT SHOW THAT.
I THINK THEY WERE SHOOTING THE ENTIRE CITY TO BRING US UP TO SPEED IN OUR GIS. COULD YOU CHECK ON THAT?
>> WE HAVE MORE CURRENT PHOTOS.
THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT STARTED IN 2022.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE EARLIER GRAPHICS THAT WE USE IN PUBLIC INFORMATION, BUT OUR GIS SYSTEM, WE'VE GOT 2023.
>> BUT WE SHOULDN'T BE SHOWING THESE PHOTOGRAPHS TO PEOPLE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? TO US AND TO OTHERS, BECAUSE THEY'RE SO FAR OUT OF DATE.
I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE HAVE PRESENTATIONS THAT WE GET TO SEE THE TRUE IMPACT BECAUSE THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS WAY OLD.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN LINE, COUNCIL? SEEING NOTHING FURTHER.
THIS ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
[10. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Edge of Field Batch 2 projects (estimated cost is $320,000) (Justin Schroeder). CIP/DID #PUR0224-227]
ITEM NUMBER 10 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE EDGE OF FIELD BATCH 2 PROJECTS, ESTIMATED COST OF $320,000.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M JUSTIN SCHRODER WITH THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
THE EDGE OF FIELD WATER QUALITY PROJECT, BATCH NUMBER 2 IS PART OF THE UTILITIES WATERSHED PROGRAMS CEDAR RIVER SOURCE WATER PARTNERSHIP, WHICH WE'VE RECEIVED $15 MILLION FROM THE USDA'S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP.
THE GOAL OF THE EDGE OF FIELD PROJECT IS TO INSTALL WATER QUALITY TREATMENT PRACTICES ON FARMLAND, WHICH BOTH PROTECTS OUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND HELPS THE STATE OF IOWA MEET NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY GOALS TO REDUCE THE DEAD ZONE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BY REDUCING NITRATE CONTAMINATION IN CONCENTRATIONS AND AGRICULTURAL TILE DRAINAGE.
[01:20:03]
BATCH NUMBER 2 WILL FOCUS ON 31 PROJECTS ON FARMS LOCATED IN BLACK HAWK, GRUNDY, TAMA, AND BUCHANAN COUNTIES, AND IT WILL INCLUDE 24 SATURATED BUFFERS AND SEVEN BIOREACTORS TO BE CONSTRUCTED.IN TOTAL, WE HAVE 13 LANDOWNERS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT AND ROUGHLY 2,100 ACRES OF FARM LAND WITH TILE DRAINAGE WILL BE TREATED, TARGETING NITRATE REDUCTION IN THE TILE FLOW.
BASED ON PRACTICES WE'VE INSTALLED IN THE PAST, WE'RE TARGETING ABOUT A 40-50% REDUCTION IN NITRATE CONCENTRATION THROUGH THE TILE DRAINS THAT ARE TREATED THROUGH THIS PROJECT.
>> THE ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THIS PROJECT IS $320,000.
BID OPENS JULY 24TH WITH CONSTRUCTION ANTICIPATED AUGUST OF THIS YEAR THROUGH DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
IN THE PHOTO TO THE RIGHT THERE IS ONE OF OUR BIOREACTORS THAT WE'VE INSTALLED AT TUMA AS PART OF THESE PROJECTS IN THE PAST.
THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION, ADOPTING THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE EDGE OF FIELD WATER QUALITY PROJECT, BATCH NUMBER 2, AND I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, JUSTIN. QUICK QUESTION.
>> YES. BATCH 3 SHOULD BE RETURNING TO LINN COUNTY.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. FIRST, LET'S GET TO THE GALLERY HERE.
THIS IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER? DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK YOU MAY HAVE JUST ANSWERED MY QUESTION WITH BATCH NUMBER 3 RELATED TO LINN COUNTY.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHEN YOU SHOWED A SLIDE WITH THE APPLICABLE COUNTIES AND NONE OF THEM INCLUDED LINN COUNTY OR CEDAR RAPIDS.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHY THIS PROJECT IS COMING BEFORE COUNCIL.
WE AS A CITY, AND AS A UTILITIES DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZE THAT WATER DOESN'T CARE ABOUT COUNTY LINES OR RURAL VERSUS URBAN OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
IT'S REALLY ONE WATER SOURCE, AND WORK THAT WE DO EVEN OUTSIDE OUR CITY LIMITS, OUTSIDE OUR COUNTY LIMITS DOES HAVE IMPACTS TO ALL OF US HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS AS WELL.
THIS IS PART OF OUR BROADER APPROACH TO THE WATERSHED SCALE TYPE OF PRACTICES THAT WE'RE INSTALLING.
BUT THE DOLLARS THAT WE SPEND UPSTREAM OF US DIRECTLY IMPACT US DOWNSTREAM AS WELL.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THAT'S A REALLY GREAT SEGUE.
JUST LIKE WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE RAINFALL WHEN WE'RE WATCHING OUR WATER LEVELS HERE, WHAT HAPPENS UPSTREAM IMPACTS US HERE.
I DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH SOME CITY STAFF TO TOUR THE TUMA LOCATION WITH SECRETARY NEG WHEN HE WAS SHOWING THAT.
I DO KNOW THAT THERE'S A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT IN LINN COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT AS WELL, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE WALFORD AREAS.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME TO WRAP IN SOME OF OUR CEDAR RAPIDS NAME ONLY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS INTO THESE PROJECTS WHEN THEY COME IN BATCH 3.
BUT I THINK THIS IS EXACTLY PROVING AGAIN WITH OUR VALUE SYSTEM WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T ALWAYS SEEM AS STRAIGHTFORWARD, BUT AGAIN, WHAT HAPPENS UPSTREAM IMPACTS US HERE, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS WE MAINTAIN THE BEST TASTING WATER IN IOWA. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE FROM COUNCIL?. SEE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.
THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY VANORNY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
ITEM NUMBER 11 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN,
[11. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Shakespeare Gardens Phase 1 project (estimated cost is $269,550) (Steve Krug). CIP/DID #PUR0624-336]
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE SHAKESPEARE GARDENS PHASE 1 PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $269,550.>> THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
STEVE KRUG WITH PARKS AND REC HERE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE SHAKESPEARE GARDENS PHASE 1 PROJECT.
THIS PROJECT WILL REVITALIZE AND UPGRADE THE EXISTING SHAKESPEARE GARDENS AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO ELLIS PARK.
THE FRIENDS OF SHAKESPEARE GARDENS HAVE RAISED THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF THIS PROJECT, AND THE CITY WILL PROVIDE PROJECT AND ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT AND FUTURE MAINTENANCE.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE EXISTING THE PROJECT WILL REMOVE EXISTING OVERGROWN LANDSCAPING, AS WELL AS HOLD AND DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE, REVITALIZE THE GARDENS WITH NEW ADA WALKWAYS, PERFORMANCE AREA,
[01:25:02]
AND ENTRY STRUCTURES, NEW INFRASTRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, NEW LANDSCAPE PLANTINGS, TREES, SHRUBS, AND ANNUALS.THE ESTIMATED PROJECT COST IS $269,550, AND THIS IS A RENDERED VIEW OF THE PROPOSED GARDENS.
THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BID, IT CAME IN WELL OVER BUDGET AND THE BIDS WERE REJECTED.
WE WENT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD WITH THE FRIENDS OF SHAKESPEARE GARDENS AND REMOVED SOME OF THE ELECTRICAL AND THE WALKWAYS WERE REDESIGNED AND PUT INTO A FUTURE PHASE.
THESE CHANGES WILL ALLOW THE PROJECT TO BID AT OR BELOW THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE CURRENT EXISTING WALL ALONG THE ELLIS BOULEVARD WILL REMAIN.
THERE'S BEEN SOME QUESTIONS ON THAT.
THIS PROJECT, LIKE I SAID, WILL BE BID IN THREE PHASES.
THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION, ADOPTING PLAN, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM A CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE SHAKESPEARE GARDENS PHASE 1. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS? > THANK YOU, STEVE. THIS IS A TIME AND OF PLACE FOR A 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 MEMBER VANORNY. ONE MOMENT, COUNCIL MEMBER POE. COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY OF NOTE, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THIS GARDEN, IT'S ALREADY VERY BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S ABOUT TO GET THAT MUCH MORE SO.
I DO THINK IT'S WORTHY BECAUSE WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THIS ENOUGH ABOUT THE ORIGINAL PLANTINGS OR THOSE THAT WERE FOUND IN SHAKESPEARE'S GARDEN.
IT'S IN THE NAME, BUT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT ENOUGH AND OFTEN.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE DOZENS OF REALLY WONDERFUL PARKS, BUT THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE PARK IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY SPECIAL IN THE FACT THAT THE PLANTS ARE NAMED, THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO SIT AND JUST REFLECT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL AND THRILLED AND THANKFUL TO THE NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR STEPPING UP.
SHAKESPEARE'S GARDEN HAS BEEN A PART OF THE NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD, LITERALLY FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, I GREW UP WITH IT.
IT WAS ALWAYS THERE IN A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR CULTURE ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE.
THIS IS NOT IN ANY WAY SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD JUST SAY, IT'S JUST ANOTHER PARK, IT'S JUST ANOTHER GARDEN.
THIS IS SO TRANSFORMATIVE TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT LOST SO MUCH IN 2008.
THAT GARDEN WAS TAKEN OUT BY THE FLOOD IN 2008, AND IT REALLY IS A CENTERPIECE FOR NOT JUST ELLIS PARK, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE CHERISH IT, WE LOVE IT, WE ENJOY TIME THERE.
AS A LITTLE PERSON GROWING UP IN THAT AREA, IT WAS ALWAYS SOME PLACE THAT MY FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY GRAVITATED TO.
IT'S A THRILL TO SEE IT COMING BACK AND SEEING HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO THAT CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT REALLY EMBRACES SOMETHING AS WONDERFUL AS SHAKESPEARE'S GARDEN.
THIS IS GREAT. I'M HAPPY TO SEE IT COME TO FRUITION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBER POE.
IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY VANORNY.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL. HERE IN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS,
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS.THE FIRST 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 COMES AT THE END OF THE MEETING FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK ON ISSUES THAT ARE GERMANE TO THE CITY, BUT MAY NOT BE ON OUR AGENDA TODAY.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY STAFF MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE BEFORE AND AFTER EACH COUNCIL MEETING.
AT THIS TIME DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE ARE HERE AS A COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO YOU.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL THE MATTERS I ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THIS FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TODAY APPLY TO THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AS WELL.
REMAIN AT THE LECTERN IF YOU HAVE DOCUMENTS YOU WISH TO SHARE, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO THE OFFICER.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
ALL COMMENTS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED DIRECTED TO THE MATTERS RATHER YOU WISH TO ADDRESS, AND ABUSIVE, PERSONAL, IRRELEVANT COMMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED AND THERE SHOULD BE NO PARTICIPATION OR DISRUPTION FROM THE AUDIENCE TODAY.
IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, WE ASK YOU TO APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON.
[01:30:02]
TODAY, WE HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.EMMET, YOU'RE WELCOME TO TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON, THIS IS ITEM NUMBER 8.
>> I UNDERSTAND THE MOTION IS PASSED AT THIS POINT.
I DID JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANTED TO HAVE AS COMMENTS ON THE RECORD THAT WERE MENTIONED AFTER I SPOKE.
FIRST ONE WAS, I BELIEVE IT WAS MENTIONED THAT PEOPLE WILL ONLY WALK SO FAR, AND I AGREE, AND THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT I'M MOST CONCERNED ABOUT.
I THINK THAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT AS I SAID, I LIVE IN THE DOWS BUILDING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN.
RECENTLY, A VERY SMALL CONVENIENCE STORE WITH A LIMITED SELECTION OPENED ON 3RD STREET.
BUT BEFORE THAT AND APART FROM THAT, IF I WANT TO GET A LOAF OF BREAD, THEN THE CLOSEST PLACE THAT I CAN GO TO IS THE CASEY'S.
TO WALK THERE, IT'S LIKE A 10 OR 15 MINUTE WALK AND I AM GOING DIRECTLY PAST, I BELIEVE FOUR PARKING GARAGES, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MANY PARKING LOTS.
I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT YES, I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE WILL ONLY WALK SO FAR, AND THAT IS EXACTLY MY PRIMARY CONCERN.
SECOND THING WAS, IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT MADE, JUST BASED ON EMOTIONS, THEY'RE BASED ON NUMBERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO EXAMINE WHERE THOSE NUMBERS ARE COMING FROM BECAUSE STUDY AFTER STUDY IN CITIES ALL AROUND THE WORLD HAVE SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN, CONSISTENTLY, BUSINESS OWNERS OVERESTIMATE THE FRACTION OF THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT ARRIVE BY CAR AS OPPOSED TO OTHER METHODS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THAT CLOSES OUT OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
CITY MANAGER POMERANZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA?
[MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA]
>> THANK YOU. DO ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS OR MAKE CHANGES TO THE AGENDA?
I'D LIKE TO RECUSE MYSELF ON ITEM NUMBER 13, PLEASE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER POE, RECUSING FROM ITEM NUMBER 13.
THAT IS THE 2025 HOTEL MOTEL TAX ALLOCATIONS, SO NOTED.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
THE APPROVAL OF THIS AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAIER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.>> THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA FOR TODAY,
[28. Report on bids for the Old Bridge Road (North of) Prairie Creek to (South of) CRANDIC Railroad Sanitary Sewer Extension project (estimated cost is $3,580,000) (Ben Worrell). CIP/DID #6550034-02]
ITEM NUMBER 28 IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE OLD BRIDGE ROAD, NORTH OF PRAIRIE CREEK TO SOUTH OF CRANDIC RAILROAD SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,580,000, AND BEN MORRELL IS HERE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BEN MORRELL, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS PROJECT WILL EXTEND APPROXIMATELY 2,100 FEET OF SANITARY SEWER ACROSS PRAIRIE CREEK AND ALSO ACROSS CRANDIC RAIL LINES.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO SERVE THE NEW BIG CEDAR INDUSTRIAL CENTER AND THE PROJECTS BEING DONE IN COORDINATION WITH ALLIANT ENERGY.
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION IS EXPECTED IN JANUARY.
THIS PROJECT BID ON JULY 17TH, WE RECEIVED FIVE BIDS, RANGING FROM $2,994,500.00 TO $3,833,594.20.
THE LOW BIDDER WAS MINGO CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BEN. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
THAT NOW BRINGS US TO THE ORDINANCE.
[29. Ordinance repealing Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code, Housing and Property Maintenance Code, and enacting in its place a new Chapter 29 and the 2024 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, including Appendix A and Appendix B, with modifications. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #BSD001-2024]
ORDINANCE NUMBER 29 IS THE REPEALING OF CHAPTER 29 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, HOUSING AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, AND ACTING IN ITS PLACE, A NEW CHAPTER 29, AND THE 2024 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX A AND APPENDIX B WITH MODIFICATIONS.THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.
THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
>> MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT 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 ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE ON A THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.
[01:35:01]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
AT NUMBER 30 IS THE ORDINANCE VACATING PUBLIC WAYS AND
[30. Ordinance vacating public ways and grounds of a 0.02-acre parcel of D Avenue NW lying northeast of 8th Street NW and adjacent to the Chicago Northwestern Railroad right-of-way. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #301963-00]
GROUNDS OF A 0.02 ACRE PARCEL OF D AVENUE, NORTHWEST, LYING NORTHEAST OF 8TH STREET NORTHWEST, AND ADJACENT TO THE CHICAGO NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY.THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU. I MOVE THAT THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON.
THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
[31. Ordinance repealing Chapter 33C of the Municipal Code, Fences, in its entirety. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #BSD006-2024]
ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 33C OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE FENCES IN ITS ENTIRETY.THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THAT CLOSES OUT
[PUBLIC INPUT]
OUR FORMAL BUSINESS TODAY AND BRINGS US TO OUR FINAL PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD.THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL BUSINESS.
AS WITH THE EARLIER PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS, AT THIS TIME, WE ARE HERE AS A COUNCIL TO LISTEN.
I REMIND EVERYBODY TO REMAIN AT THE LECTERN.
COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES AND THERE SHOULD BE NO ABUSIVE, LOUD, THREATENING OR PERSONAL COMMENTS.
IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON.
THE FIRST PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS RANDY WALKER OF CEDAR RAPIDS, SPEAKING CHURCH COMMUNITY RECOGNITION.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND YOUR HONOR, MAYOR.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
WHAT TYPE OF AFFIRMATION AND APPRECIATION DOES THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS GIVE TO ITS CHRISTIANS AND CHURCH AND PEOPLE OF FAITH COMMUNITY? MATTHEW 25:40-45 READS, THE KING WILL REPLY, TRULY, I TELL YOU, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THESE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME, AND THEN HE WILL SAY TO THOSE ON HIS LEFT, DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO ARE CURSED IN INTERNAL FIRE AND DEPART FROM ME WITH YOUR DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS.
FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO EAT, I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO DRINK, I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU DID NOT INVITE ME IN, I NEEDED CLOTHING AND YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME, I WAS SICK AND IN PRISON, AND YOU DID NOT LOOK AT ME OR LOOK AFTER ME.
THEY ALSO WILL ANSWER, LORD, WHEN DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY OR THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NEEDY OF CLOTHES OR SICK OR IN PRISON AND DID NOT HELP YOU?
TRULY, I TELL YOU, WHATEVER YOU DID NOT DO FOR THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DID NOT DO FOR ME.
DOING A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH OVER AN HOUR OR TWO, I FOUND THE FOLLOWING.
THERE ARE AT LEAST 10 CHURCHES IN THE CEDAR RAPIDS AREA THAT OFFER SOME FORM OF RENT ASSISTANCE.
IN CEDAR RAPIDS, THERE ARE OVER TWO DOZEN FOOD PANTRIES RUN BY CHRISTIAN AND OTHER FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS HELPING FEED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MONTHLY AND THOSE IN NEED.
HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS GIVE UP THEIR TIME, THEIR TREASURE, AND THEIR TALENTS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN OUT OF LOVE FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS.
NEARLY TWO DOZEN CHURCHES AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AT LEAST 20 CHURCHES IN OUR COMMUNITY OFFER OUTREACH TO OUR CITY PROGRAMS SUCH AS FREE HAIRCUTS, FREE LAWN CARE, FREE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, FREE HOME REPAIRS, AND THESE KINDS OF ASSISTANCE.
OVER 30 CHURCHES ARE LISTED IN THE FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER FREE MARRIAGE COUNSELING AND IN MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT CLASSES AS WELL AS THE OTHER COUNSELING OFFERED.
AT LEAST 20 CHURCHES IN OUR COMMUNITY OFFER BUS MINISTRIES TO ALLOW THE DISABLED AND FIRM AND NEEDY TRANSPORTATION TO CHURCH ACTIVITIES AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS FOR EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT.
SOME 20 CHURCHES OFFER FAITH-BASED OPERATIONS, HAVE UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
AT LEAST A DOZEN CHURCHES OFFER CLOTHING ASSISTANCE OR HAVE COUPONS AND GIFT CARDS TO RETAIL OUTLETS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED OF CLEANING PRODUCTS, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, AND CLOTHING.
[01:40:01]
OVER 60 CHURCHES IN THE AREA HAVE GARAGE SALES DURING THE WARMER MONTHS OF THE YEAR, MOSTLY, OFFERING HOME GOODS, CLOTHING, CLEANING SUPPLIES, FURNITURE AT A GREATLY REDUCED PRICE.ONCE THESE SALES ARE OVER, THESE ITEMS ARE DONATED TO GOODWILL SALVATION ARMY, AND ONE OR MORE OF THE OTHER CHURCH RUN THRIFT SHOPS AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL OUTLETS HERE IN TOWN.
AT LEAST 15 CHURCHES OFFER SOUP KITCHENS OR MEAL SERVICE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK OR MORE OFTEN.
APPROXIMATELY, 20 OR MORE CHURCHES OFFER TEMPORARY OR LONG TERM HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED.
DOZENS OF VOLUNTEER, CHAPLAINS, CONCERNED AND CONCERNED LAID PEOPLE VISIT THOSE WHO ARE IN THE HOSPITAL AND THOSE THAT ARE HOMEBOUND, SHOWING CARE, COMPASSION, AND LOVING THEIR NEIGHBOR AS THEY LOVE THEMSELVES.
MANY CHURCHES OFFER MEALS TO THE HOMEBOUND, SICK OR THOSE IN NEED TO HELP DO THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.
EVERY YEAR, AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME, MANY CHURCHES TAKE UP SPECIAL OFFERINGS OF CASH, CHRISTMAS CARDS, FOOD ITEMS, AND CLOTHING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND DONATE THESE TO CARE FACILITIES, CLOTHING BANKS, AND OTHER DISTRIBUTION CENTERS THAT HELP THE UNDERPRIVILEGED.
MILLIONS OF DOLLAR A YEAR ARE GIVEN AT NO EXPENSE TO HELP OUT THOSE OF NEED IN OUR CITY.
THESE DONATIONS ARE GIVEN OUT OF KINDNESS AND PEOPLE'S HEARTS AND THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOT BURDENED.
MOST, IF NOT ALL CHURCHES HAVE SOME FORM OF BENEVOLENCE THEY OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY.
NONE OF THESE CHURCHES OR PLACES OF FAITH ASK FOR ANY KIND OF RECOGNITION FROM THE CITY BECAUSE THEY DO SO AS A SACRIFICE OF LOVE TO SHOW WHAT IT IS TO LENT HELPING HAND, JUST AS THE GOOD SAMARITAN DID IN THE BIBLE VERSUS LUKE 10:25 THROUGH 37.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW THAT STORY, SEE ME AFTER.
I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY THE CITY DOES NOTHING TO RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF THESE PLACES OF FAITH AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER OUR COMMUNITY, YET WE CELEBRATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT RECOGNIZE CARNAL BEHAVIOR AND GIVE A PARADE CELEBRATING WHAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN THE PRIVACY OF THE BEDROOM AND SO CALLED TEMPLE WAS AT THE PARADE OFFERING NO REAL BENEVOLENCE OR ASSISTANCE.
AS A WELCOMING CITY, HOW CAN WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CHURCHES AND NGOS IN OUR COMMUNITY? I BELIEVE THE CITY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST A WEEK OR A MONTH OF RECOGNITION FOR ALL THE EFFORTS OUR CHURCHES AND NGOS PUT INTO MAKING THIS COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE FOR HUMANITY.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. SEE ME LATER IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THOSE BIBLE VERSES.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO CALL. THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE, THIS IS AN ORDER OF OUR SPEAKERS, MELISSA DUFFIELD.
I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO GIVE US YOUR NAME AND WHERE YOU LIVE, IF YOU CAN PROVIDE US THE CITY, THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. THANK YOU.
>> I SPOKE SEVERAL TIMES, AND ACTUALLY, BECAUSE YOU DOCKED ME LAST TIME AFTER I SAID MY LIFE'S BEEN THREATENED AND I'M HAVING TO WEAR BODY CAM.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO START THE TIMER, PLEASE? THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD. AFTER MY FIRST SPEECH OR MY LAST SPEECH, MAYOR, YOU POSTED ON FACEBOOK AS OUR MAYOR THAT YOU WERE SO STUNNED THAT PEOPLE COULD BELIEVE THE WILD ACCUSATIONS LEVELED BY THE PERSON, MEANING ME, WHICH IS PRETTY HILARIOUS BECAUSE I DIDN'T LIE ABOUT A SINGLE THING.
YOU ACTUALLY CALLED ME A FLAMETHROWER AS WELL AS OUR MAYOR, WHICH IS QUITE INTERESTING.
I ACTUALLY CAME BACK FROM DES MOINES WHERE MY BUSINESS HAS JOINED THE BUSINESS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE UP THERE.
IN MY LAST SPEECH WITH THIS COUNCIL HAS OVER A MILLION VIEWS AND 4,365 VOICES COMMENTING AND 7,190 SHARES.
I KNOW YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT MY VOICE, YOU MADE THAT QUITE CLEAR, MAYOR AND COUNCILOR, BUT MAYBE YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO 40 VOICES FROM MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THE FIRST VOICE, I AM A SEX TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR AND IT STARTED IN CEDAR RAPIDS.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. THAT'S SICK.
I AM READY TO SHARE MY STORY ON CHAINS INTERRUPTED.
I NEED ANSWERS ON WHY THE SPECIFIC ORGANIZATION SENT ME STRAIGHT BACK TO THE BROTHEL THAT I WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE FROM.
NUMBER 3, AS A RAPE VICTIM IN THE LATE '70S, IT WAS ALL ABOUT PROTECTING THE RAPIST.
NUMBER 4, THERE ARE RAPISTS BEING PROTECTED BY BG, AND IT IS DEFINITELY AN ORGANIZATION HIDING A LOT OF THINGS.
NUMBER 5, THEY SILENCED ME REPEATEDLY.
I WANT TO SPEAK OUT AT THE CITY COUNCILS.
NUMBER 6, NOBODY WILL HELP ME.
THEY KNOW MY TESTIMONY WILL TAKE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM DOWN.
NUMBER 7, I AM A SURVIVOR IN NORTH LIBERTY.
NUMBER 8, I AM A RETIRED OFFICER WHO WORKED ON THE TASK FORCE FOR CHILD TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE WOMEN, AND I APPLAUD YOUR WORK.
NUMBER 9, I WAS RAPED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN IOWA NUMEROUS TIMES.
NUMBER 10, I REFUSED TO GO BACK TO TEACHING BECAUSE I REFUSED TO WORK WITH THE PEDOPHILES.
NUMBER 11, CEDAR RAPIDS IS A HOT SPOT FOR SEX TRAFFICKING AND OTHER UGLY ACTIVITIES.
NUMBER 12, CR HAS ITS DARK PLACES, AND ALL THE POLITICIANS HAVE KEYS.
SWEETHEART DEALS, AND A STORM IS COMING.
NUMBER 13, LYNN COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE SO CORRUPT.
NUMBER 14, THERE'S SO MUCH CORRUPTION
[01:45:02]
AND COVER UP IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS, CEDAR RAPIDS IS JUST A STEPPING STONE.NUMBER 15, THE MAYOR WAS ALSO A JUDGE ON MISS IOWA.
SHE SHOULD NOT BE ANYWHERE NEAR OUR PROGRAM.
NUMBER 16, IT IS SCARY HOW CEDAR RAPIDS HAS COMMON PATTERNS OF MISSING CHILDREN AND CHILD TRAFFICKING.
NUMBER 17, THIS IS SO TRUE, TOOK MY GRANDDAUGHTER TO CEDAR RAPIDS POLICE STATION, REPORTED A SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND THE OFFICERS INTERVIEWED HER AT THE GLASS WINDOW IN THE LOBBY.
SHE WAS 16-YEARS-OLD, DISGUSTING.
NUMBER 18, LYNN COUNTY IS GIVING CHILDREN TO ABUSERS.
NUMBER 19, I'M 17 AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT CHILDREN, AND THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.
NUMBER 20, PREACH EVERYTHING YOU POST.
CEDAR RAPIDS IS FUCKED UP AND SEXUAL ASSAULT HAPPENS DAILY IN MY WORKPLACE.
TWENTY ONE, I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR DEAF CHILDREN.
TWENTY TWO, MY FAMILY IS TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT DHS IS SEX TRAFFICKING CHILDREN.
TWENTY THREE, MY DAUGHTER PLAYS HOCKEY FOR THE YOUTH ROUGHRIDERS. THIS IS APPALLING.
TWENTY FOUR, MY NOW 15-YEAR-OLD STEPDAUGHTER NEVER RECEIVED ANY JUSTICE FOR THE REALTOR THAT HARBORED HER IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT HOUSES AND HAD SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH HER.
TWENTY FIVE, CHAINS INTERRUPTED AS A SCAM, I'M GLAD YOU CALLED THEM OUT.
TWENTY SIX, I'M A SURVIVOR MYSELF AND I WORK IN ANTI-TRAFFICKING.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THIS HAPPENS IN IOWA.
TWENTY SEVEN, THE TEENAGERS I WORK WITH HAVE GONE THROUGH HELEN BACK, AND IT'S SO AMAZING TO SEE SOMEONE TRYING TO DO ACTUAL CHANGE FOR THEM.
NUMBER 28, LYNN COUNTY JUDGES AND DAS ARE SOME OF THE MOST CORRUPT PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
THEY LET PERP WALKS AND MISDEMEANOR PLEA DEALS AFTER PLEASE DEALS.
TWENTY NINE, I'M A HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM, SO I PERSONALLY THANK YOU.
I HOPE YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT ALONE IN DEALING WITH CORRUPTION.
PROUD OF YOUR WORDS AND STANCE.
THIRTY ONE, CEDAR RAPIDS SUPPORTS PEDOPHILE, SEX OFFENDERS, SEX TRAFFICKING, AND DRUGS.
THIRTY TWO, THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, LYNN COUNTY, COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, JUDGES ARE ALL A COMPLETE JOKE, CAN'T AGREE MORE.
THIRTY THREE, CEDAR RAPIDS HAS A LOT OF SEX TRAFFIC ISSUES, I PERSONALLY KNOW A GIRL WHO WENT THROUGH IT.
THIRTY FOUR, CEDAR RAPIDS DOES NOT HELP WOMEN IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.
THIRTY FIVE, I WAS MOLESTED AND THE JUDGES LET BOTH OF THEM FREE.
THIRTY SIX, LYNN COUNTY COURT SYSTEM IS CORRUPT.
I SEE IT ALL THE TIME. KEEP GOING, PLEASE.
THIRTY SEVEN, THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT.
THIRTY EIGHT, THIS SHOULD BE NATIONAL NEWS AND WHERE IS KCRG IN THE GAZETTE? THIRTY NINE, THEY ALL NEED TO RESIGN AND THAT WAS SAID BY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS.
FORTY, MO, I AM SO GRATEFUL I USED TO CALL YOU MY COACH.
THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING LOUD AND PROUD.
LET ME ASK YOU, COUNCIL, MAYOR, ARE THESE ALL LIARS? FLAMETHROWERS? PEOPLE TO SLAP WITH LAWSUITS AND GO AFTER AND SAY, OH, LET'S THREATEN THEIR LIVES.
JUST CURIOUS, BECAUSE THESE ARE ACTUALLY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT WAS THEIR VOICES PUBLICLY AND THEIR VOICES MATTER.
WHY ARE THEY RALLYING AROUND SOMEONE LIKE ME? BECAUSE I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS. YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO MAKE NATIONAL NEWS.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, ROGER SLADE.
>> HELLO, I'M ROGER SLADE, I'M ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE.
ON MAY 28TH, MYSELF AND SEVERAL OTHERS CAME TO EXPRESS OUR DISAPPROVAL OF YOUR DECISION TO DISPLAY THE PRIDE FLAG AT THE CITY HALL LAWN HERE.
WE INFORMED YOU THIS FLAG DOES NOT REPRESENT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CITIZENS.
APPARENTLY, THIS IS SOLELY PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE OF YOUR OBEDIENCE TO YOUR DEI AND MEI SCORE, WHICH HAS PRIORITY OVER PROTECTING THE FAMILIES AND THE CHILDREN WHO LIVE HERE.
THE SCORING SYSTEM IS THROUGH HRC.ORG, WHICH IS A POLITICAL ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION THAT DOES NOT HONOR CHRISTIAN VALUES.
MAYOR I MENTIONED TO YOU LAST MONTH THAT PRIDE GETS LONGER AND LONGER EVERY YEAR.
THIS YEAR, YOU RAISED THE FLAG, MAY 31ST, AND THE FLAG FINALLY CAME DOWN JULY 8TH AFTER INDEPENDENCE DAY.
YOU ALSO PUT UP FLAGS AT SEVERAL OTHER CITY BUILDINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME AND AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE STILL FLIES TODAY, I DRIVE BY IT EVERY DAY.
SINCE SAN FRANCISCO IS A GOLD STANDARD FOR PRIDE, I WANT TO FILL YOU IN ON WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR BECAUSE THIS IS THE DIRECTION THAT YOU'RE ALL TAKING US.
I HOPE YOU'RE ALL PAYING ATTENTION.
SAVANAH HERNANDEZ IS A JOURNALIST IN REPORTING PERSONALITY AND SHE POSTED A VIDEO ONLINE EXPLAINING HER EXPERIENCE AT THE SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE PARADE THIS YEAR.
SHE STATED, "I'VE BEEN TO A LOT OF PRIDE EVENTS THIS YEAR, BUT I FOUND THIS TO BE BY FAR THE MOST DISTURBING.
THERE WERE NUDISTS THERE THAT WERE FULLY ERECT AND IN FRONT OF CHILDREN.
THERE WERE ADULTS GRABBING OTHER PEOPLE'S GENITALS.
OTHER ADULTS WERE MASTURBATING THERE.
OTHER PEOPLE WERE PEEING ON EACH OTHER.
KEEP IN MIND, THIS IS AN ALL AGES EVENT AND THERE WERE CHILDREN PRESENT.
THIS IS HOW YOU NORMALIZE PEDOPHILIA.
THE FETTISHSOME WAS AN 18 PLUS AREA, BUT THERE ARE NO IDS BEING CHECKED, AND THERE ARE ADULTS HAVING SEX IN PUBLIC.
I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A VULGAR DISPLAY.
I'M HORRIFIED, I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER COVER FOR PRIDE AGAIN." AGAIN, THIS WAS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT.
"ON JULY 6TH, A FRIEND OF MINE FORWARDED A TEXT MESSAGE SHE RECEIVED.
[01:50:03]
IT STATED, WE JUST WENT TO THE CR PRIDE FESTIVAL AT NEUBO, IT WAS ADVERTISED AS FAMILY FRIENDLY AND I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE CHILDREN ARE BEING EXPOSED TO.THEY WERE HAVING UNBAPTISMS AND WERE CHANTING WITH MEGAPHONES, HAIL SATAN, SATAN, HAIL PRIDE, REJECT GOD." THEY EVEN HAD A GOAT THERE JUST TO DRIVE THEIR POINT HOME.
"WHEN I HEARD THIS, I FOUND A COMMENT ONLINE FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS AT THE CEDAR RAPIDS PRIDE PARADE, JUNE 15TH," SO THIS WAS THREE WEEKS EARLIER, WHICH MANY OF YOU ATTENDED, I SAW YOUR PHOTOS.
SHE STATED, "I DID UNBAPTISM LED BY THE SATANIC TEMPLE AT THE PRIDE PARADE TODAY.
WE HAD OUR WRIST BOUND BY A RED CHAIN, WHICH WAS JUST A PIECE OF STRING, AND WE WERE BLINDFOLDED.
AFTER EATING OUT SOME CHANCES, WE WERE TOLD TO BREAK FREE OF THE CHAINS OF SOCIETY AND TAKE OFF THE BLINDFOLD AND BECOME LIBERATED FROM THE TYRANNY.
I'M NOT GOING TO LIE, I CRIED." THE NEXT DAY SHE POSTED, SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH ME, I CAN BARELY FUNCTION.
AS I READ FURTHER, I COULD TELL THAT THERE'S A COMPLETE MENTAL COLLAPSE HAPPENING AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS ARE SETTING IN, AND SHE'S BEEN SINCE HOSPITALIZED.
THIS IS WHAT THE DEMONIC, ON THE WALL, THAT'S WHAT THE DEMONIC DOES.
THE SATANIC TEMPLE ALSO HAVE FREE ABORTION CLINICS.
THEY STATED PUBLICLY THAT ABORTION AND CHILD MUTILATION ARE PART OF THE RELIGIOUS PRACTICE.
SELF-HARM AND MENTAL BREAKDOWNS AND UNBAPTISM, THEY ARE JUST PART OF THE PLAN TO SNUFF THE LIGHT OUT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES.
CR PRIDE IS WELL AWARE OF THIS, THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE SO MANY DRUG QUEENS THAT HAVE TRANSITIONED TO DRESSING LIKE PAGAN GODS, DEMONS, AND BAPHOMET LIKE DRACULA, WHO IS THE STAR OF THE LAKE SHOW.
THESE DEMONS ARE ADVERTISED ON THEIR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
YOU'VE STATED HERE SEVERAL TIMES THAT SAFETY IS YOUR NUMBER 1 CONCERN AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IS A HIGH PRIORITY.
AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'RE EXPOSING CHILDREN TO SATANIC RITUALS.
THIS CULT IS COMING FOR THE CHILDREN.
THEY CHANTED THAT FROM THE STREETS LAST YEAR IN SEVERAL CITIES, AND I WARNED YOU ABOUT THAT A YEAR AGO.
THIS IS BEYOND CHILD ABUSE AND YOU FULLY ENDORSE IT WITH YOUR FLAGS.
MAYOR ON JULY 13TH AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS SHOT, YOU POSTED ONLINE, IT'S TIME TO COOL THE TEMPERATURES, AMERICA.
I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE THAT ADVICE AND TRY TO COOL THE TEMPERATURES IN CEDAR RAPIDS BECAUSE ENDORSING EVENTS THAT INCLUDES SATANIC RITUALS, WHICH LEAD TO AT LEAST ONE YOUNG WOMAN NEARLY TAKING HER LIFE, THAT'S FUELING THE FIRE IN A MAJOR WAY.
I PRAY THAT THE DEMONIC SCREAMS OF HAIL SATAN, HAIL PRIDE, REJECT GOD, DEFILING GOD PUBLICLY IN OUR CITY IN THE STREETS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH IN SAN FRANCISCO, I HOPE THAT CAUSES SOME CONCERN FOR SOME OF YOU.
IN THE FUTURE OF YOUR KIDS AND THE FUTURE OF YOUR GRANDKIDS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST TODAY.
CONCERN ENOUGH TO YOU REFLECT THAT YOU MAKE SOME CHANGES BECAUSE WE'RE OBVIOUSLY ALL UNDER ATTACK, THE CHURCH IS UNDER ATTACK, AND YOU CAN START BY TAKING DOWN THE FLAGS.
I DON'T KNOW WHO DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB, BUT DO SOMETHING.
>> THANK YOU. OUR FINAL NAME HERE ON THE LIST TODAY IS TOM, AND I'M GOING TO ASK YOU, TOM, IF YOU COULD JUST, I DON'T WANT TO MISPRONOUNCE YOUR NAME, SO YOU CAN GIVE IT TO US AND WHERE YOU LIVE, PLEASE.
>> OH, IT'S TOM MARSHALL. SORRY, TOM.
I COULDN'T READ YOUR WRITING. BUT I KNOW YOU.
>> WELL, THAT'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL UPBRINGING, I GUESS. A COUPLE OF THINGS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY I APPLAUD YOUR EFFICIENCY, MRS. MAYOR AND YOUR PATIENCE WITH ALL OF THIS AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL AND MRS. POE TOO.
THIS IS A PITTANCE, BUT THE CITY COUNCIL FOUND $30,000 FOR A FOOD PROGRAM FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES, AND I APPLAUD THAT.
I'M NOT SURE WHO ADMINISTERS IT.
WE CAN'T ASK THE SCHOOL BOARD TO ADMINISTER THAT.
THEN THE LYNN COUNTY SUPERVISORS FOUND $10,000 AND GAVE THAT TO JOHNSON ACADEMY.
WELL, I'M JUST GOING TO PUT THIS OUT THERE.
THERE'S A GAP. THESE PROGRAMS END ON AUGUST 18TH.
THE SCHOOLS DON'T BEGIN UNTIL AUGUST 23RD FOR THE STUDENTS.
THE TEACHERS GO BACK ON THAT 21ST AND 22ND.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE CITY COUNCIL'S BUDGET IS ON FISCAL OR CALENDAR YEAR, CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME THERE? IF THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL MAYBE $10,000, THERE'S A GAP BETWEEN AUGUST 18TH AND AUGUST 23RD.
I DON'T BELIEVE THE CHURCHES CAN HELP OUT HERE.
I BELONG TO A DOWNTOWN CHURCH AND WE CAN'T DO IT AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY WAY MAYBE TO FIND ANOTHER $10,000 TO FIT THAT GAP.
[01:55:06]
YOU KNOW SOMETHING.THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, TOM. THAT CLOSES OUT OUR SECOND PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD.
CITY MANAGER POMERANZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMUNICATIONS FOR TODAY?
[CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS]
>> NO COMMUNICATION YOUR HONOR.
>> NO COMMUNICATION. SEEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL, COUNCILMEMBER VAN HORN MOVES TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.