>> THIS MEETING IN THE CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER.
[Call to Order]
[00:00:04]
WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025.I'LL JUST NOTE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER MARTY HAGER WILL NOT BE ATTENDING TODAY'S MEETING, AND WE HAVE AN ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY FILLING IN FOR ATTORNEY CHAVEZ TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR CITY MANAGER, OUR CITY CLERK, AS WELL AS OUR ACTING CITY ATTORNEY TODAY.
THANK YOU AS ALWAYS TO CITY STAFF FOR ATTENDING AND BEING AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS SHOULD PEOPLE HERE HAVE THOSE FOR YOU.
A REMINDER TO THOSE OF YOU HERE TO TURN OFF ANY CELL PHONES OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT MIGHT DISTRACT US FROM OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY.
ALSO NOTE THAT OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDAS, MINUTES, VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE ALWAYS ON OUR CITY'S WEBSITE, AND WE ALSO STREAM LIVE ON FACEBOOK LIVE, AND YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK AND LOOK AT OUR SESSIONS THERE AS WELL.
WE'LL BEGIN NOW WITH OUR INVOCATION BY PUBLIC SAFETY CHAPLAIN JIM COYLE, FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU-ALL, BUT THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOU TAKE A BIG DEEP BREATH IN THAT SUN IS SHINING, REJUVENATING OUR SOULS, LONG AWAITED.
GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE WEATHER CHANGE, AND MAY THAT JUST CONTINUE IN THIS CHAMBER AS DECISIONS ARE MADE AND DISCUSSED.
I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD CONTINUE TO GUIDE THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COMMUNITY IN A DIRECTION THAT ONLY YOU CAN HELP SUPERVISE.
I THANK YOU FOR THIS LEADERSHIP, AND WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN YOUR NAME.
>> WE'LL BEGIN TODAY'S COUNCIL MEETING WITH A PRESENTATION ON OUR MUSIC CENSUS REPORT,
[Proclamations/Presentations]
AND JENNIFER PRATT IS HERE TO TELL US MORE ON THAT.JENNIFER, I WILL RECOGNIZE YOU WHEN YOU ARE READY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
GLAD TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO JUST GO OVER REALLY QUICKLY, WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE MUSIC CENSUS.
AGAIN, THIS IS A COMMUNITY-LED INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE US WITH A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT OUR LOCAL MUSIC ECOSYSTEM.
REALLY THE PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY, WHAT ARE THOSE STRENGTHS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE IN OUR LOCAL MUSIC INDUSTRY TO REALLY HELP US SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN POLICYMAKING TO SUSTAIN AND GROW THAT ECOSYSTEM.
WE'VE CONTRACTED WITH SOUND MUSIC CITIES, WHO'S OUT OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
THE CENSUS HERE RAN FROM SEPTEMBER TO MID OCTOBER, AND WE WERE GLAD TO GET JUST OVER 450 RESPONSES FROM THOSE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.
AGAIN, THIS WAS A JOINT EFFORT WITH THE CITY, VENUWORKS, THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE, AS WELL AS CEDAR RAPIDS TOURISM.
THEN LOTS OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS STEPPED UP TO REALLY BE AMBASSADORS FOR THIS AND TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.
IN THE SURVEY THAT WAS ADMINISTERED REALLY WAS VERY COMPREHENSIVE.
IT LOOKED AT 10 DIFFERENT INDICATORS FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE IN OUR MUSIC ECOSYSTEM.
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORT, STARTING WITH THE GRAPHICS BELOW, WE HAD 72% OF THOSE RESPONDING WERE MUSIC CREATIVE PEOPLE, 8% BEING THOSE VENUES OR PRESENTERS, AND THEN JUST 20% THAT ARE IN THE INDUSTRY AND OTHER CAPACITIES.
THE OTHER REALLY INTERESTING DATA THAT CAME BACK IS THAT 84% OF THE PEOPLE THAT RESPONDED HAVE BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY FOR OVER 10 YEARS.
AGAIN, A VERY SEASONED GROUP THAT RESPONDED.
SOME OF THE OTHER DATA THAT WAS INTERESTING, $9 MILLION IN TOTAL MUSIC GENERATED INCOME JUST FROM THOSE THAT WERE RESPONDING TO THE SURVEY.
73% OF THE MEMBERS ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN A PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION.
AGAIN, LIMITING THAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY AND ALSO VENUES ARE STRUGGLING WITH THOSE RISING TALENT COSTS, MARKETING EXPENDITURES AND REALLY THAT POST COVID ATTENDANCE SHIFT.
NEXT STEPS, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CEDAR RAPIDS TO CONSIDER.
WE REALLY NEED TO PRIORITIZE THEM BECAUSE TAKING ON NINE OF THESE AT ONCE IS JUST NOT A GOOD APPROACH.
[00:05:01]
WE WERE REALLY LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY VOICES THAT WILL HELP US SHAPE THIS ACTION PLAN.THE NEXT STEP FOR WHERE WE'RE STARTING IS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 4, WE HAVE INVITED MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED ALREADY IN THIS SURVEY TO HAVE A COMMUNITY SUMMIT.
THE IDEA HERE IS TO REALLY REVIEW THE REPORT TOGETHER, START THAT DISCUSSION AND REALLY LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS WE CAN START BUILDING THAT NETWORK AND OUR OWN COMMUNITY TO MOVE THESE ACTION ITEMS FORWARD.
AGAIN, THE FULL REPORT AND A DASHBOARD IS AVAILABLE AT CEDARRAPIDSMUSIC.COM, AND WE'RE ANXIOUS FOR PEOPLE TO START GETTING EYES ON THAT AND BRINGING IDEAS AND ENERGY TO THE TABLE.
AGAIN, ONE THING THE CITY CAN ALWAYS DO WELL IS BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE, SO WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE DOING THIS WITH OUR MUSIC INDUSTRY AND WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO THE MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JENNIFER.
COUNCIL, ANY THOUGHTS OR FEEDBACK FOR JENNIFER, COUNCILMEMBER TODD.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK JENNIFER AND HER TEAM FOR THEIR WORK BEHIND THE SCENES AND HELPING TO FACILITATE IT.
I HAVE TO THANK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, AND MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER POMERANZ FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE.
I THINK IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO THAT WE STARTED TALKING INTERNALLY ABOUT THE IDEA.
I WOULD SIMPLY SAY THAT WE REALLY LACKED OUT IN TERMS OF THE CONSULTANT, DON PITTS.
THEY WERE THE RIGHT TEAM FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING UNIQUE IN TERMS OF THE TRIFECTA OF THE PARAMOUNT, MCGRATH, AND THE POWERHOUSE AND WHEN THEY'RE ALL OPERATING ON THAT INFUSION IN DOWNTOWN IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF CITIES ENVY.
WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S GETTING PRETTY COMPETITIVE OUT THERE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE PULLED TOGETHER THIS ECOSYSTEM, THIS FEEDER SYSTEM, OF ALL THIS GREAT TALENT AROUND HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IT REALLY WASN'T TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO FORCE THEM ALL TO TALK TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER AND SO WE'RE PROBABLY MIDWAY THROUGH, ANOTHER YEAR AT LEAST OF A PROJECT THAT WE HOPE BUILDS ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY IN THE MUSIC SYSTEM.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING A PRODUCT BACK THAT'S GOING TO MAKE US ALL PROUD.
>> COUNCILMEMBER TODD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS FOR SURE. COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY?
>> YES. THANKS, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE PUT LOCAL MUSICIANS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST POINTS OF FEEDBACK WITH OUR LAST LARGE ATTEMPT AT A MULTI REGION WITHIN THE CITY FESTIVAL.
WE DIDN'T DO THAT, DURING THAT TIME.
WHAT DIDN'T EXIST BEFORE VENUWORKS. THAT ENTITY.
UNFORTUNATELY, DID NOT PRIORITIZE LOCAL VOICES.
WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, YOU DON'T GET THAT LOCAL BUY IN, AND WE HAVE SO MUCH PHENOMENAL TALENT HERE.
LIKE COUNCILMEMBER TODD SAID, THE PERFORMANCE VENUES, THE AMOUNT OF TIMES THAT I HEAR PEOPLE SAYING, I COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED THAT A SPACE LIKE THE PARAMOUNT EXISTED.
LET ALONE THEN TO HAVE THEATER CEDAR RAPIDS AND CSPS, AND IDEAL THEATER.
I KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO GO A LONG WAYS AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROMOTE OUR LOCAL MUSICIANS AND CONTINUE TO BE ATTRACTIVE TO OTHER ARTISTS COMING IN AS WELL SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JENNIFER, AND COUNCIL FOR LEADERSHIP.
MY SON IS AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST.
HE'S A VOCALIST, GUITAR PLAYER, SONGWRITER, AND HE FOUND IT OVER THE YEARS VERY FRUSTRATING TO FIND A VENUE WHERE HE COULD PLAY WHERE HE WASN'T TRYING TO SING OVER A CROWD OR OVER PEOPLE DRINKING.
HAVING AFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL ARTISTS TO PERFORM IS, I THINK, REALLY IMPORTANT TO GROWING THAT TALENT LOCALLY.
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THOSE AFFORDABLE LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES LOOK LIKE FOR OUR ARTISTS.
THIS IS GOOD STUFF AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MORE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY BE WONDERING HOW THIS FITS IN WITH OUR DOWNTOWN VISION PLAN.
THIS GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING OVERALL TO
[00:10:01]
HOLISTICALLY LOOK AT IGNITING OUR DOWNTOWN.THIS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OUR CITY'S WEBSITE?
>> YES, YOU CAN DEFINITELY FIND A LINK IF YOU PUT THAT IN.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, JENNIFER.
ONTO ITEM NUMBER ONE OF OFFICIAL BUSINESS TODAY,
[Items 1 - 8]
A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $49 MILLION IN GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, ESSENTIAL CORPORATE PURPOSE 1, FY 25 GO BONDS FOR BUDGETED PROJECTS.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M GOING TO COMBINE AGENDA ITEMS 1-8 INTO ONE PRESENTATION.
THIS WILL COVER THE SERIES 2025A GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND SERIES 25C WATER REVENUE BONDS.
>> ITEMS 1-7 ARE FOR THE 2025A GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
THIS INCLUDES $16 MILLION FOR CIP PROJECTS, INCLUDING JOINT COMMUNICATIONS, TRAFFIC, PARKS, FORESTRY AND SO FORTH.
IT INCLUDES $9,150,000 FOR URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS FOR STREET AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND $36 MILLIONS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM.
ANTICIPATED ISSUANCE COSTS ARE $1,110,000 FOR A TOTAL PAR OF $62,260,000.
AGENDA ITEM 8 IS FOR A SERIES 2025C WATER REVENUE BONDS.
THIS INCLUDES $10,325,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS.
THESE ARE FOR GENERAL REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER SYSTEM.
WE NEED TO FUND A DEBT RESERVE FUND OF $590,215.
ISSUANCE COSTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE $249,785 FOR A TOTAL PAR OF $11,165,000.
THE SCHEDULE FOR THE BOND SALE INCLUDES TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARINGS, AS WELL AS THE PRE-LEVY RESOLUTION.
ON APRIL 22, WE'LL ASK YOU TO APPROVE THE SALE DATE, APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT, AND ELECTRONIC BIDDING.
BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON MAY 13 AND WE'LL AWARD THE BONDS.
AND THEN ON MAY 27, WE'LL APPROVE THE FINAL DOCUMENTS AND THE OFFICIAL CLOSING AND DELIVERY OF FUNDS WILL BE ON JUNE 18.
FINANCE RECOMMENDS APPROVING THE RESOLUTIONS, INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SERIES 25A AND C BONDS.
>> THANK YOU, CHAD. THIS IS A TIME IN A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER, AND WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 1, WHICH IS THE ESSENTIAL CORPORATE PURPOSE 1.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNCIL.
SEEING NONE. THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
NOW ON TO ITEM NUMBER 2, THIS IS FOR GENERAL CORPORATE PURPOSE 2.
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? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS FOR GENERAL CORPORATE PURPOSE 2 IS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 3. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR GENERAL CORPORATE PURPOSE NUMBER 3.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ON THIS MATTER? LET THE RECORD SHOW. A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, THAT BRINGS US TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES, THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 4.
THIS IS FOR GENERAL CORPORATE PURPOSE NUMBER 4.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ON THIS MATTER? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
COUNCIL? SEEING NO QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 5 IS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR GENERAL CORPORATE PURPOSE NUMBER 5.
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 HERE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 6 IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR GENERAL CORPORATE PURPOSE 6.
[00:15:05]
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 7 IS FOR THE URBAN RENEWAL.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNSEL.
SEEING NONE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MER VAN ORNE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE WATER REVENUE BONDS.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNSEL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNSEL.
SEEING NONE HERE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VAN ORNE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD.
[Items 9 & 10]
WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED URBAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR THE LINDALE URBAN RENEWAL AREA, GENERALLY, INCLUDING LINDALE MALL, BETWEEN COLLINS ROAD NORTHEAST AND FIRST AVENUE NORTHEAST, AND THE COLLECTION OF TAX INCREMENTS THEREIN.BILL MICHAEL IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT, BILL. I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
BILL MICHAEL, ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, AND I'D LIKE TO COMBINE THE PRESENTATIONS FOR AGENDA ITEMS 9 AND 10, PLEASE.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON JANUARY 14, CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED FINANCIAL INCENTIVES WITH SHOPS AT CEDAR RAPIDS, LLC, FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER SEARS BUILDING AT 4601ST AVENUE NORTH EAST.
ONE OF THE ITEMS UNDER THIS AGENDA IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN. THESE ARE REQUIRED.
WE'RE REQUIRED TO UPDATE PLANS REFLECTING SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND/OR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
ON FEBRUARY 10, WE HELD A CONSULTATION WITH TAXING AGENCIES AND RECEIVED NO COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS TO THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA PLAN.
SO TODAY, THERE IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN, AS WELL AS FIRST READING AND OF THE ORDINANCE.
A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, MINIMUM INVESTMENT, $25 MILLION.
AGAIN, FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE FORMER SEARS BUILDING, 117,000 SQUARE FEET.
THE TENANT IS DICK'S HOUSE OF SPORTS.
IT'S A YEAR ROUND MULTI PURPOSE.
INCLUDES A YEAR ROUND MULTIPURPOSE OUTDOOR FIELD, AS WELL AS SOME AMENITIES INSIDE IN ADDITION TO THE RETAIL, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE BATTING CAGES, GOLF SIMULATORS, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENITIES THAT WILL ADD AN IMPORTANT AMENITY TO LINDALE IN THAT FORMER SEARS BUILDING.
CONSTRUCTION TO COMMENCE AUGUST 25, ANTICIPATED COMPLETION MARCH 26, CITY INCENTIVE TEN YEAR, 100% REBATE OF THE INCREASED TAXES, THE INCREMENT, 3.4 MILLION IN TOTAL WILL BE GENERATED WITH 2.1 MILLION REBATED.
EMPLOYMENT, 80 FULL-TIME JOBS WILL BE CREATED AND 30 FULL-TIME JOBS RETAINED, THE 30, OF COURSE, ARE AT THE EXISTING STORE TODAY, AND THAT NUMBER WILL BE INCREASED UP TO 80.
THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA BOUNDARY INCLUDES THE FORMER HIGH V BUILDING AS WELL AS ALL OF LINDALE MALL AND ANTICIPATING SOME ADDITIONAL FUTURE DEVELOPMENT THERE.
FEW PICTURES, THE OLD SEARS BUILDING HERE AND THE SITE PLAN FOR THE DICK'S HOUSE OF SPORTS.
YOU CAN SEE THAT OUTDOOR FIELD AND TYPICAL RENDERING OF WHAT THESE LOOK LIKE.
THIS WILL BE, I THINK THE TENTH OF THESE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
AND SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE LINDALE URBAN RENEWAL AREA, AS WELL AS THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH SHOPS AT CEDAR RAPIDS, LLC, AND I'LL HAND IT BACK TO THE MAYOR.
THIS IS A TIME IN 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,
[00:20:04]
COUNSEL. COUNCILMEMBER TODD.WE RECEIVED A QUESTION FROM A TAXPAYER.
IT WAS ENCOURAGING US NOT TO GO ALONG WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY POSE THE HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION TO YOU, WHY WOULDN'T WE DO AN AGREEMENT LIKE THIS.
TEN YEARS IS BY NO STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION A LONG TIME.
BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO PICTURE [NOISE] THE OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS IOWA, AND I WON'T NAME THEIR NAMES NOT TO EMBARRASS THEM, WHERE THEIR MALLS ARE CLOSED AND WHERE THE AREA AROUND THE MALLS ARE BLIGHTED AND WHERE YOU'VE SEEN DISINVESTMENT HAPPEN, UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU WOULD HOPE A CITY WOULD NOT GO THROUGH.
IT'S HAPPENING IN A LOT OF CITIES THAT I KNOW.
LINDALE MALL HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL.
IT'S STILL OPEN, AND I SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BREATHE SOME LIFE INTO THE PLACE.
AND IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DO, IT IS NOT A LARGE TAX INCENTIVE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING IT.
AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT BY DOING THIS, THEY'RE GOING TO, I BELIEVE, LEAVE THE EXISTING PROPERTY THAT THEY'RE IN, THAT WILL I THINK ATTRACT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FIRST AVENUE.
WHEREAS IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING HAPPEN IN THIS PROPERTY, YOU CAN IMAGINE THE REST OF THE AREA IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE.
I THINK WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION HERE AND I APPLAUD BILL AND THE CITY MANAGER FOR MAKING THIS MOVE.
>> JUST A REAL QUICK QUESTION, BILL.
DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG THE SEARS BUILDING HAS REMAINED VACANT?
>> WELL, I THINK 2018 IS WHEN SEARS FINALLY COMPLETELY MOVED OUT OF THERE.
2017 SOMEWHERE IN THAT VICINITY.
>> LONG OVERDUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. LINDALE IS IN MY DISTRICT, AND I THINK IT GOES BACK EVEN FURTHER THAN THAT.
AND PLUS WHEN SEARS WAS STILL OPEN, A LOT OF IT WAS EMPTY.
AND THERE WASN'T TOO AWFUL LONG AGO AND THE ONLY THING THAT WAS CONSIDERING THAT, I THINK, WAS A U HAUL SHOP.
THAT DIDN'T COME ALONG, FORTUNATELY, NOTHING AGAINST U HAUL, BUT NOT A GOOD SPOT FOR IT.
BUT I THINK THIS DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO HAVE INCREDIBLE INFLUENCE ON THAT ENTIRE AREA.
AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE ONE OF ONLY TEN IN THE COUNTRY, WE'RE AT THE FRONT END OF THIS.
SO IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY THAT THEY WOULD INVEST THIS HERE. GOOD JOB.
>> I DON'T, BILL, CAN SPEAK THIS, TOO, BUT WE'VE ALREADY HAD INTEREST FROM OTHERS FOR EVEN THE OTHER END CAP OF THAT.
SO IT CERTAINLY PROGRESS DOES BIGET PROGRESS.
IF THERE ARE NO MORE FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING? THOSE OPPOSED. THAT MOTION CARRIES.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON, BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE FOR THIS ITEM, DOES IT COUNCIL HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THAT? IF THERE'S NO MORE QUESTIONS ON THAT, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VAN ORNE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
NOW ON TO ITEM NUMBER 10, A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE SHOPS AT LINDALE.
BILL, DID YOU COVER THAT? YOU DID. WE CAN MOVE ON TO THAT.
THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT ITEM.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS.
COUNCIL COMMENTS? SEEING NONE HERE.
THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
[Items 11 & 12]
ONCE AGAIN, BILL MICHAEL IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED URBAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR THE EDGEWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK URBAN RENEWAL AREA ALONG 64TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST AND 26 STREET, SOUTHWEST, AND THE COLLECTION OF TAX INCREMENTS THEREIN.
[00:25:02]
BILL, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU AGAIN.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SIMILAR SET OF ACTIONS, WE'LL COMBINE PRESENTATIONS FOR AGENDA ITEMS 11 AND 12.
ON JANUARY 14, COUNCIL AUTHORIZED CITY FINANCIAL INCENTIVES WITH INDUSTRIAL AVENUE, LLC, FOR THE MASTER PLAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ALONG 64TH AVENUE AND 26TH STREET SOUTHWEST.
URBAN RENEWAL PLANS, OF COURSE, ARE REQUIRED TO REFLECT SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
ON FEBRUARY 10, STAFF HELD A CONSULTATION WITH TAXING AGENCIES AND RECEIVED NO COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS.
OF COURSE, TODAY IS URBAN RENEWAL AREA RESOLUTION APPROVING THAT AS WELL AS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, WHICH INCLUDES MINIMUM INVESTMENT, 21.5 MILLION DOLLAR, CONSTRUCTION OF NINE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ON 19 ACRES, WAREHOUSES RANGING FROM 11,900 SQUARE FEET UP TO 70,000 SQUARE FEET.
THIS REALLY FALLS INTO THAT SWEET SPOT FOR WAREHOUSING IN CEDAR RAPIDS, WHERE WE CONTINUE TO SEE A SHORTAGE OF AND DIFFICULTY FINDING WAREHOUSES OF THIS SIZE FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES.
WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THEM RECEIVE MORE PRESSURE AS WELL AS WE START TO SEE CONTRACTORS COME INTO TOWN FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, WHETHER IT'S DATA CENTERS OR OTHERS FOR STORING EQUIPMENT, FOR OFFICE SPACE.
AGAIN, WE CONTINUE TO SEE PRESSURE PUT ON WAREHOUSING.
HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, 80 NEW JOBS WILL BE CREATED.
CONSTRUCTION COMMENCEMENT MAY 2025 WITH COMPLETION MARCH 2030.
CITY INCENTIVE IS A TEN YEAR 50% REBATE OF THE INCREASED TAXES GENERATED, ESTIMATED TOTAL OF $7 MILLION IN TAXES OVER TEN YEARS WITH $2.4 MILLION REBATED.
QUICK AERIAL VIEW OF THE LOCATION NORTH OF 76 AVENUE.
THIS IS A PHASING PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE WAREHOUSES, RENDERING OF WHAT ONE OF THE SMALLER SET OF WAREHOUSES WILL LOOK LIKE, AND THIS IS A RENDERING OF ONE OF THE SPACES THAT'S APPROXIMATELY 60,000 SQUARE FEET.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE EDGEWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK URBAN RENEWAL AREA, AS WELL AS THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH 1145 INDUSTRIAL AVENUE, LLC, AND HAND IT BACK TO THE MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, BILL. THIS IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNSEL.
SAYING NO FURTHER COUNCIL COMMENTS.
THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE FOR THIS ITEM, DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY COMMENTS? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MOR VAN ORNE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
NOW FOR ITEM NUMBER 12, 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.
THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
[Items 13 & 14]
A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER EIGHT TO THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR THE CONSOLIDATED I 380 CORRIDOR URBAN RENEWAL AREA.BILL, ONCE AGAIN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO COMBINE ITEMS 13 AND 14 IN THIS PRESENTATION.
JANUARY 14, CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED CITY FINANCIAL INCENTIVES WITH 380 COMMERCE PARK, LLC, FOR THE MASTER PLAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT 8205 6TH STREET, SOUTHWEST, AGAIN, REQUIRES AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN REFLECTING SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES AND NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
ON FEBRUARY 10, STAFF HELD A CONSULTATION WITH TAXING AGENCIES.
NO COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS WERE RECEIVED, AND CONSIDERING THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA AMENDMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TODAY, IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, $15 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, CONSTRUCTION OF THREE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ON 19 ACRES, TWO WAREHOUSES OF 61,000 SQUARE FEET AND ONE OF 74,000,
[00:30:01]
50 NEW JOBS CREATED, AND THOSE ARE INCLUDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION AT APRIL 25, COMPLETION APRIL 2030, TEN YEAR 50% REBATE OF INCREASED TAXES GENERATED, ESTIMATED 5.8 MILLION IN TOTAL TAXES OVER TEN YEARS WITH 2.1 MILLION REBATED.PROJECT LOCATION RIGHT ALONG 6TH STREET AND JUST WEST OF I 380 AND SITE PLAN LAYOUT OF WHERE THOSE WAREHOUSES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.
YOU'LL SEE THERE'S A 61,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS.
THEY STARTED THAT SOME TIME AGO AND WAITED TO SEE HOW THAT WENT AND DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD.
AGAIN, RENDERING OF WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE.
ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NUMBER EIGHT TO THE CONSOLIDATED I 380 CORRIDOR URBAN RENEWAL AREA AND APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH 380 COMMERCE PARK, LLC.
>> THANK YOU, BILL. THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
COUNCIL. SEEING NONE HERE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAIER.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT.
DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
SEEING NONE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 15 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A CHANGE OF
[15. A public hearing will be held to consider a change of zone for property at 1300 3rd Avenue SE from T-RF, Traditional Residential Flex District, to T-RH, Traditional Residential High District, as requested by Harvest Moon Homes LLC (Seth Gunnerson). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000009-2025]
ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 1300 3RD AVENUE, SOUTHEAST FROM TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL FLEX DISTRICT TO TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL HIGH DISTRICT.THIS IS REQUESTED BY HARVEST MOON HOMES, LLC.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
SETH GUNDERSON, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR.
AS NOTED IN THE AGENDA DESCRIPTION, THIS IS A REQUEST TO CHANGE OF ZONE FROM THE TRF OR TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL FLEX TO THE TRH OR TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL HIGH ZONE DISTRICT.
THE PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST IS TO ADD A FIFTH DWELLING UNIT INTO AN EXISTING HOME.
THE PARCEL IS APPROXIMATELY 5,600 SQUARE FEET.
THERE'S AN EXISTING 2,200-SQUARE-FOOT STRUCTURE.
THERE ARE SIX REQUIRED PARKING SPACES ARE PROVIDED ON-SITE AND WITH ADJACENT HOMES OWNED BY THE SAME OWNER.
THE LAND USE TYPOLOGY HERE, THIS IS A FUTURE LAND USE MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION IS URBAN HIGH INTENSITY.
THIS WOULD BE 10TH STREET SOUTHEAST AND 1ST AVENUE.
OVER HERE WOULD BE THE PCI MEDICAL MALL.
ZONING MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION AT 3RD AVENUE AND 13TH STREET, SOUTHEAST.
THE THREE PROPERTIES I'M HOVERING OVER RIGHT NOW ARE ALL OWNED BY THE SAME PROPERTY.
HERE'S AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE HOME.
THE THREE PROPERTIES WERE PURCHASED BY THE APPLICANT IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR AND A STREET VIEW.
THE APPLICANT PROVIDED THIS IMAGE OF SOME OF THE INTERIOR REMODEL WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE ELSEWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
IN TERMS OF REZONING CRITERIA.
THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AS THE REQUESTED TRH ZONE DISTRICT IS ALLOWED WITHIN THE URBAN HIGH-INTENSITY AREA.
THE CITY HAS NO CONCERNS WITH THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
THE PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD ALLOW FOR THEM TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL UNITS TO THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY IN THE TRF ZONE DISTRICT, BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE LOT, THEY ARE KEPT AT FOUR UNITS, SO THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO CONSTRUCT THAT ADDITIONAL UNIT.
THIS WENT TO THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 6, AND WAS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.
PENDING OUTCOME OF TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARING.
SECOND AND POTENTIAL THIRD READINGS WILL OCCUR ON MARCH 11.
CITY STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN BACK TO THE MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, SETH. THIS IS THE 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.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. [NOISE] SETH, SO JUST TO CLARIFY, IS THERE GOING TO BE AN ADDITION ONTO THAT BUILDING FOR THE FIFTH UNIT.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT'D BE AN INTERIOR REMODELED TO GET A FIFTH UNIT.
>> IS THIS PART OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT IN WELLINGTON HEIGHTS OR NOT?
[00:35:02]
>> I WOULD HAVE TO DOUBLE-CHECK THAT.
I BELIEVE IT WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF IT, BUT I MIGHT BE WRONG ON THAT.
IF IT WOULD BE THAT ANY EXTERIOR CHANGES WOULD BE REVIEWED BY THE PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
>> THEN DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE PLANS ARE FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD BUILDINGS THAT THE DEVELOPER PURCHASED?
>> I BELIEVE THEY'RE OCCUPIED.
I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'VE COME TO US WITH ANY PLANS FOR THEM AS OF YET.
>> IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THIS DEVELOPMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL AND JUST ANOTHER GENERAL COMMENT.
IT'S JUST I CONTINUE TO BE BLOWN AWAY AND AMAZED BY THE AMOUNT OF DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY FROM BUSINESSES MOVING IN LARGE AND SMALL AND THESE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE REALLY EXCITING TIME TO BE IN CEDAR RAPIDS. THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. [NOISE] THIS PROPERTY HAS DETERIORATED RAPIDLY ON THE CORNER AND IT'S IN AN AREA THAT IS IMPROVING, AS DAVID MENTIONED, AND MY CHURCH IS THERE AT THE BOTTOM.
SO I DRIVE BY EVERY SUNDAY AND WATCHED IT FALL APART.
THE OTHER TWO BUILDINGS ARE IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE THAN THIS ONE ON THE CORNER.
I THINK WITH AS MUCH TRAFFIC AS THERE IS ON 3RD AVENUE IN THIS WHOLE AREA, I THINK IT WITH A CORNER LIKE THIS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT AND SEND A GOOD SIGNAL TO OTHER OWNERS IN THERE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU CAN FIX UP A PROPERTY, YOU CAN BRING ADDITIONAL RENTAL IN OR WHATEVER IT'S REQUIRED TO THE AREA AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE ROOM FOR PARKING AND OTHER THINGS.
IT'S PRETTY EXCITING TO SEE THIS CORNER, WHICH WILL BE VERY VISIBLE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S REALLY A VERY EXCITING PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU. SETH, HOW MANY UNITS DID YOU SAY WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THIS?
>> CURRENTLY IT'S FOUR, THE REZONING WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GET A FIFTH UNIT.
>> I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN OLSON, I WALK BY THIS AREA QUITE OFTEN AND IT HAS GRADUALLY DETERIORATED OVER TIME AND IT'LL HOLD THAT CORNER DOWN NICELY AS YOU ENTER INTO THAT AREA INTO THAT DISTRICT.
IT'S GREAT WORK AND I LOVE THE INTERIOR DESIGNS.
>> HELP ME OUT, SETH. IS THERE A NEW OWNER FOR THESE PROPERTIES OR IS THIS THE CURRENT OWNER ASKING TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL SPACE?
>> I BELIEVE IT'S A NEW OWNER THAT PURCHASED THE THREE PROPERTIES IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.
>> BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER BOUGHT IT.
THE GOAL WAS TO FIX UP THE PROPERTIES. THAT NEVER HAPPENED.
>> THIS IS THE AREA WHERE IT'S A BIT OF A GRAY AREA, AT LEAST FOR ME, IN TERMS OF, I GET IT.
YOU NEED THE ADDITIONAL UNIT TO BRING IN INCOME FOR CASH FLOW.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IN TERMS OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY, IT GOES FROM YEARS AGO, IT WAS A SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE.
THEN IT GOT CONVERTED TO TWO, THREE APARTMENTS.
NOW IT'S BEING CONVERTED TO FIVE APARTMENTS.
IT BECOMES A QUESTION OF, WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A ROOMING HOUSE VERSUS A TRADITIONAL APARTMENT WITH FIVE UNITS.
>> THE DIFFERENCE WOULD BE A ROOMING HOUSE, YOU WOULD HAVE SHARED FACILITIES LIKE A SHARED LIVING ROOM, SHARED KITCHEN.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE HOUSING DIVISION TO IDENTIFY AND DOCUMENT WHEN WE HAVE ROOMING HOUSES VERSUS RENTAL UNITS.
>> IT ENDS UP LEADING TO, YOU HAVE THESE TWO POLICY ISSUES THAT CONFLICT THE NEED TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHICH WE ALL WANT.
BUT THEN YOU END UP WITH THE DENSITY ISSUE IN A DENSE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND YOU POTENTIALLY CAN END UP WITH CONFLICT.
I THINK IN THIS CASE, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF IT, BUT CERTAINLY IT HELPS IN THE FUTURE TO HAVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OR WHATEVER ENTITY IS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE POLICING OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO A DEGREE TO HAVE THEM COME IN IN TERMS OF SUPPORT.
IN THIS CASE, I'M FINE, BUT YOU ALWAYS HOPE THAT IT WORKS OUT THE RIGHT WAY.
SOMEHOW IN TERMS OF THE DEPARTMENT, I WANT US TO JUST ASK THOSE QUESTIONS IN A MORE ESOTERIC WAY SO THAT WE
[00:40:01]
DON'T FIND OURSELVES FOUR OR FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD SAYING, WHY DID WE DO THAT? THANKS.>> SETH, YOU MAY NOT HAVE THIS ANSWER, AND THAT'S TOTALLY FINE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF THE RENTS?
>> THE RANGE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
WELL, IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COUNCIL COMMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 16 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER
[16. A public hearing will be held to consider waiving Right of First Refusal to properties at 400, 404, 420, 424 and 432 G Avenue NW, and granting Matthew 25 Ministry Hub (a.k.a. Matthew 25, Inc.) permission to transfer or sell those properties (Rob Davis). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #CD-0106- 2025]
WAVING RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO PROPERTIES AT 400, 404, 420, 424, AND 432 G AVENUE, NORTHWEST, AND GRANTING MATTHEW 25 MINISTRY HUB, AKA MATTHEW 25, INC., PERMISSION TO TRANSFER OR SELL THOSE PROPERTIES.>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
ROB DAVIS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE BACKGROUND IS THE CITY DISPOSED OF THESE PROPERTIES TO MATTHEW 25 IN 2011.
THERE WERE MORE PROPERTIES IN THE C5, BUT THE FIVE THAT THE MAYOR MENTIONED ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
TYPICALLY, WE DON'T HAVE THOSE RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL, AND THIS WAS CDBG PURCHASE ARE REALLY NOT REQUIRED FOR THAT.
BECAUSE OF THAT, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, ROB. THIS IS TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM CONSIDERATION OF THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
ITEM NUMBER 17 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER
[Items 17 & 18]
THE DISPOSITION OF A 1.34 ACRE PARCEL AT THE DEAD END OF UNDERWOOD AVENUE, SOUTHWEST, AND WEST OF ROCKHURST DRIVE, SOUTHWEST, AS REQUESTED BY MIDWEST DEVELOPMENT CO.>> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. I'D LIKE TO COMBINE A PRESENTATION FOR BOTH ITEMS 17 AND 18 IF YOU DON'T MIND. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A MAP OF THE AREA 16TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST IS ON THE BOTTOM HERE.
AGAIN, THIS IS A FUTURE STONEY POINT ADDITION.
THE CITY PURCHASED THIS LARGE LAND HERE, WHICH IS FROM THIS AREA TO THE NORTH AS PART OF THE ROCKHURST DETENTION BASIN IN 2017.
LIKE MOST DETENTION BASINS OR ALL DETENTION BASINS, THIS WOULD REDUCE THE DOWNSTREAM FLOOD RISK.
WE BOUGHT A RECTANGULAR PARCEL IN 2017, BUT MOST DETENTION BASINS ARE MORE OVAL-SHAPED.
MIDWEST DEVELOPMENT IS REQUESTING THAT THE CITY BREAK OFF TWO SMALL PARCELS HERE, THEY'RE SHOWN AS PARCEL A AND B IN BLUE, WHICH IS LIKE THAT INEFFICIENT AREA BETWEEN THE OVAL AND THE RECTANGLE.
THE TWO PARCELS ARE 1.34 ACRES AND 1.46 ACRES.
THAT WOULD BECOME PART OF STONEY POINT 27TH EDITION.
AS THEY ARE AT THE FRINGE OF DETENTION BASIN, THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS.
MIDWEST DEVELOPMENT HAS PAID TO THE CITY A TOTAL OF $41,160 FOR THESE PARCELS SUBJECT TO YOUR APPROVAL TODAY.
THERE WAS A PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ON FEBRUARY 19TH, TO WHICH THERE WERE NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE SALE OF THESE FRINGE AREAS OF THE ROCKHURST DETENTION BASIN.
JUST LOOKING AT THOSE TWO AREAS, YOU CAN SEE HOW THESE WERE THE TWO AREAS HERE THAT OUTLINED IN PEACH ON THIS MAP.
THAT WOULD SHOW HOW THOSE AREAS WOULD BE USED TO COMPLETE 20.7, THE ONE ROAD GOES THROUGH AND CURVES WESTWARD, AND THEN THERE'S A CUL-DE-SAC ON THE EASTERN ONE.
THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.
THEN YOU CAN SEE AT THE VERY TOP HERE STILL THE PART OF THE DETENTION BASIN IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO.
AGAIN, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO WORK FOR BOTH THE DETENTION THAT WE NEED, SOME WATER MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF 20.27TH.
ACCORDINGLY, WE WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS DISPOSITION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ROB. THIS IS THE TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THESE MATTERS.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. ROB, HAVE WE HEARD OF
[00:45:02]
ANY GROUNDWATER ISSUES IN THAT AREA WHERE THE WATER IS COMING UP THROUGH THE SEWER SYSTEM FROM THE BOTTOM? THE REASON I'M ASKING THAT IS, IN THE PAST, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT IN THAT AREA, HAVING HAD A HOUSE THERE.I'M JUST WONDERING ABOUT THE STABILITY OF THAT AREA AND THE GROUNDWATER IN PARTICULAR.
>> I'M NOT AWARE OF THAT ISSUE, BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN LOOK AT THAT AND WORK WITH THE DEVELOPER IF THEY NEED TO LINE ANY OF THAT AREA, THAT COULD POSSIBLY HELP THAT.
>> I THINK SO. WHEN THE ELECTRICITY GOES OUT AND YOUR SEPTIC [OVERLAPPING] ISN'T WORKING ANYMORE, YOU WAKE UP WITH BASEMENT FULL OF WATER.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PURCHASE THE HOMES, THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT.
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY CHECK THE ELEVATIONS OF THOSE HOMES VERSUS THE DETENTION BASIN AS WELL.
>> ANYONE ELSE? IF THERE ARE NO MORE FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
NOW FOR ITEM 18. THIS IS A TIME AND 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 NOTHING, THE RESOLUTION OF THIS HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAIER.
>> THOSE POSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
ITEM NUMBER 19 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN,
[19. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the 5th Avenue SE Gatewell and Pump Manhole project (estimated cost is $1,960,000) (Rob Davis). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #3315553-01]
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE 5TH AVENUE, SOUTHEAST, GATEWAY AND PUMP MANHOLE PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,000,960.>> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. THIS IS A VERY EXCITING PROJECT FOR US ON FLOOD CONTROL BECAUSE IT'S THE LAST GATEWELL IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
HERE'S YOUR MAP. IT'S BASICALLY FOUR BLOCKS SOUTH OF HERE.
IT'S IN THE GREAT AMERICA PARKING LOT ON FIRST STREET, SOUTHEAST.
AGAIN, THE PROJECT WILL INSTALL A GATEWELL.
IT WILL ALSO PUT A PUMPING MANHOLE, AND THEN IMPROVE SOME OF THE STORM SEWER IN THE AREA.
THIS IS RELATED TO WORK WE'VE DONE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS WHERE WE'VE BEEN COMBINING STORM SEWER INTO LIMITED NUMBER OF OUTLETS BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE CAN CONTROL IT AND HAVE A PUMP FROM.
IN THIS CASE, THIS WILL BE A TEMPORARY PUMPING SITUATION.
AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, SHOULD THIS LOT REDEVELOP, WE HAVE LAID OUT FOR A PERMANENT PUMP STATION, BUT IT'S NOT REQUIRED FOR THE ARMY CORPS PROJECT TO BE FULLY COMPLETED.
WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL PUT A NEW OUTFALL TO THE RIVER HERE.
WE'VE DONE THE WORK IN FIRST STREET ALREADY.
WE WILL INSTALL A GATEWELL AND A PUMPING MANHOLE NEAR THE RIVER CURB LINE OF THE GREAT AMERICA PARKING LOT, AND THEN WE WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOT.
AS SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER, THIS IS THE FIRST AREA THAT FLOODED IN 2008.
THE WATER WAS LED INTO THE STORM SEWER SYSTEM.
WHAT THIS DOES, IT WILL ISOLATE THE STORM SEWER FROM THE RIVER FLOODING.
WE'VE ALREADY PUT ONE IN A DOWN AT SINCLAIR.
WE'RE UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT HERE, THE TREE OF FIVE SEASONS WITH THE GATE STRUCTURE.
THIS IS THE LAST OPEN STORM SEWER PIPE, AND IT'S A BIG ONE.
IT'S A 72-INCH OPENING THAT WE CAN ISOLATE, AND THEN IT REALLY BECOMES ABOVE GROUND FLOOD FIGHT AT THAT POINT.
THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PROJECT.
AGAIN, IT'S THE LAST ONE, YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR WEAKEST LINK AND.
THIS IS THE LAST ONE TO DO IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
ALSO PLEASED TO REPORT THAT OF THE 1,960,000, 80% OF THAT IS BEING COVERED BY FEMA.
ALSO, VERY GOOD LEVERAGE OF OUR FUNDS.
THE BID OPENING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 12, 2025, AND WE'VE GOT A START DATE OF JUNE 2ND OF THIS YEAR AND A COMPLETION DATE IN JULY OF 2026.
WITH THAT, I ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS PROJECT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ROB. THIS IS TIME AND PLACE FOR 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.
THIS ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 20 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN,
[20. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the 10th Street NW from B Avenue to D Avenue Storm Sewer Cross Connection project (estimated cost is $2,530,000) (Ben Worrell). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #304528-02]
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE 10TH STREET,[00:50:02]
NORTHWEST FROM B AVENUE TO D AVENUE, STORM SEWER CROSS-CONNECTION PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,530,000.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BEN WORRELL, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS PROJECT WILL INSTALL AN EIGHT FOOT BY FOUR FOOT STORMWATER BOX CULVERT ALONG 10TH STREET NORTHWEST.
THE CULVERT WILL CONNECT TO EXISTING CULVERTS AT B AVENUE AND D AVENUE.
THE CULVERT ON D AVENUE HAS SOME ADDITIONAL CAPACITY AVAILABLE, AND BY MAKING THAT CONNECTION, WE'LL BE ABLE TO REDUCE FLASH FLOODING RISK WITHIN THE WATERSHED.
PROJECT WAS IDENTIFIED THROUGH OUR STORMWATER MASTER PLANNING EFFORTS, AND IT INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE STREET, SIDEWALK, CURB RAMPS, AND RELOCATION OF UTILITIES.
WE DO HAVE GRANT FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT FROM FEMA WITH A STATE MATCH.
THAT'S BEING ADMINISTERED BY THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND OUR CONTACT WITH THAT AGENCY IS SAYING THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE AFFECTED IT APPEARS BY EXECUTIVE ORDERS, SO WE SHOULD BE GOOD THERE.
THIS IS A HEAT MAP SHOWING SOLID WASTE PICKUPS FOLLOWING A FLASH FLOOD EVENT IN 2014.
I'VE GOT TWO PROJECTS NOTED THERE, THIS STORM SEWER CROSS-CONNECT PROJECT, AND ALSO THE E AVENUE DETENTION BASE AND EXPANSION PROJECT, WHICH I HAD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR LAST MONTH.
BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS ARE GOING TO REDUCE FLASH FLOODING RISK IN THE AREA.
ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE COST IS 2,530,000.
THE BIDDING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 12TH, SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION BY NOVEMBER 30TH, WITH SEEDING LIKELY IN SPRING OF 2026.
CLOSURE OF 10TH STREET NORTHWEST IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT.
IT'LL BE DONE IN THREE PHASES STARTING AT D AVENUE.
I DID WANT TO NOTE THERE WAS A TRANSIT STOP AT 10TH STREET AND C AVENUE THAT WAS RECENTLY REMOVED BECAUSE OF CHANGES TO BUS ROUTES, NOT RELATED TO THE PROJECT.
THERE IS CURRENTLY A STOP AT 10TH STREET AND B AVENUE, AND THAT WILL HAVE A TEMPORARY RELOCATION EXACT LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED BY TRANSIT DIVISION.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BEN. THIS IS TIME TO PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
COUNCIL? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY.
THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 21 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN, SPECIFICATION,
[21. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the 2025 Stormwater Basin Maintenance project (estimated cost is $340,000) (Ben Worrell). CIP/DID #304160-16]
FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE 2025 STORMWATER BASIN MAINTENANCE PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $340,000, AND BEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. THIS PROJECT WILL REMOVE SEDIMENT FROM FOUR STORMWATER DETENTION BASINS THAT THE CITY OWNS AND MAINTAINS IN ORDER TO RESTORE DETENTION CAPACITY.
ULTIMATELY, AGAIN, IT'S TO REDUCE DOWNSTREAM FLASH FLOODING RISK.
PROJECT INCLUDES INSTALLATION OF ROCK CHECK DAMS AND CHANNEL ARMORING FOR EROSION PREVENTION.
THERE IS NATURAL VEGETATION OUT THERE CURRENTLY AT THESE BASINS, AND WE'RE GOING TO RESTORE THE SITE WITH WETLAND FORB AND NATIVE GRASS SEEDING.
THERE'S A VARIETY OF PLANT SPECIES IN THOSE SEED MIXES, BUT I'VE PROVIDED A FEW EXAMPLES ON THIS SLIDE.
THERE'S TWO BASINS OFF OF 16TH AVENUE.
THOSE WILL BE ACCESSED FROM THE NORTH OFF OF AUBURN DRIVE.
THERE'S FOUR BASIN LOCATIONS HERE.
I WOULD POINT OUT THAT THE CITY OWNS AND MAINTAINS OVER 100 DETENTION BASINS.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW NEEDING SOME MORE SIGNIFICANT WORK.
ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE COST IS 340,000.
BID LIGHTING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 12TH.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED APRIL THROUGH JUNE WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BEN. THIS IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR 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.
COUNCIL? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 22 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN SPECIFICATIONS FORM OF
[22. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the 2025 Pavement Milling and Curb Repair project (estimated cost is $3,990,000) (Doug Wilson). (Paving for Progress) CIP/DID #301998-17]
CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE 2025 PAVEMENT MILLING AND CURB REPAIR PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,990,000.
DOUG WILSON IS HERE. DOUG, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
DOUG WILSON, BULLOCK WORST DEPARTMENT.
[00:55:01]
THIS WORK INCLUDES REMOVAL OF THE ASPHALT SURFACES, CONCRETE PATCHING AND REPAIR TO CURBING AT 12 LOCATIONS BY A CONTRACTOR.ONCE THE CONTRACTOR HAS COMPLETED THEIR WORK, THE STREETS OPERATIONS DIVISION WILL PLACE AN ASPHALT OVERLAY AT EACH OF THOSE 12 LOCATIONS.
THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY PAVEMENT FOR PROGRESS THROUGH THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX.
HERE'S A LIST OF THE 12 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, AND I'M NOT GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THROUGH THOSE, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY COME BACK TO THE SLIDE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS.
ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE COST IS $3,990,000.
BID LETTING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 5, 2025 WITH CONSTRUCTION TO START IN MAY OF 2025 AND COMPLETION IN OCTOBER OF 2025 FOR BOTH THE CONTRACTOR AND STREET OPERATIONS.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, DOUG. THIS IS THE TIME AND TO PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.
DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.
COUNCIL? SEEING NOTHING, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
ITEM NUMBER 23, IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN, SPECIFICATIONS,
[23. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the D4 Clarifier Rehabilitation project (estimated cost is $2,840,000) (Paul Bestick). CIP/DID #6150061-02]
FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE D4 CLARIFIER REHABILITATION PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,840,000.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.
PAUL BESTIK WITH THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY UTILIZES VARIOUS CLARIFIER BASINS AS PART OF ITS TREATMENT PROCESS.
THE FINAL GROUP OF FOUR CLARIFIER BASINS AT THE FACILITY ARE KNOWN AS THE D CLARIFIERS.
THE D1, 2, AND D3 CLARIFIERS HAVE ALL BEEN REHABILITATED SINCE 2004.
THE D4 CLARIFIER SHOWN CIRCLED IN RED IN THIS PHOTO.
THIS IS THE LAST DE-CLARIFIER STILL OPERATING ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN THE 1990S.
THIS WAS 10 YEARS AFTER THE COMMISSIONING OF THE PLANT.
THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE CONCRETE REPAIRS, REPLACEMENT OF THE INTERNAL MECHANISM, ELECTRICAL AND CONTROLS UPGRADES, AND LINING OF BURIED PIPING FOR THE D4 CLARIFIER.
THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATED OPINION AND PROBABLE CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THE PROJECT IS $2,840,000.
BIDS WILL BE OPENED ON MARCH 12TH, AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS APRIL.
IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL AUGUST OF 2026.
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, PAUL. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR 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.
COUNCIL? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.
THANK YOU. HERE IN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS,
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS.THE FIRST IS A CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL RATHER ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL ACTIONS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY, AND WE HAVE NO ONE SIGNED UP, SO WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE OUT THIS VERY FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA]
DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES TO OUR AGENDA?>> NO CHANGES. DO COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? THAT MEANS JUST FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MEYER.
>> 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 MEYER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON.>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.
MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA TODAY. ITEM NUMBER 48.
[48. Report on bids for the E Avenue NW West of 28th Street Detention Basin project (estimated cost is $2,440,000) (Ben Worrell). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #304504-02]
THIS IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE E AVENUE, WEST OF 28TH STREET DETENTION BASIN PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,440,000.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS PROJECT IS TO EXPAND AN EXISTING DETENTION BASIN OUT E AVENUE.
THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE FLASH FLOODING IN THE AVENUE WATERSHED, INCLUDING THE VENT AND DRAINAGE WAY, AS WELL AS PROVIDE SOME WATER QUALITY BENEFITS.
PROJECT INCLUDES SANITARY SEWER REPLACEMENT, WATER MAIN LOOPING, STORM SEWER, SIDEWALK, AND HAMMERHEAD TURNAROUNDS AT THE ENDS OF 31ST, 30TH, AND 29TH STREETS.
[01:00:02]
THE SAME GRANT FUNDING AS THE 10TH STREET PROJECT FROM FEMA WITH A STATE MATCH.IN ADDITION, IT WAS ALSO AWARDED A GRANT FROM THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP FOR THE WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS.
PROJECT'S BEING COORDINATED WITH THE UPCOMING CHEROKEE TRAIL AND VINTON AND DRAINAGEWAY SEDIMENT REMOVAL PROJECTS.
HERE'S A CONCEPT SHOWING THE BASIN WITH THE OX-BOWS INSTALLED AND THE EXPANDED DETENTION.
THERE'S GOING TO BE SIDEWALK ON THE SOUTH AND EAST SIDES OF THE BASIN INSTALLED WITH THIS PROJECT AND WITH THE FUTURE CHEROKEE TRAIL PROJECT, THERE WILL BE A LOOP AROUND THE BASIN.
THIS PROJECT BID ON FEBRUARY 12TH.
WE SAW AGGRESSIVE BIDDING, EIGHT BIDS.
THE LOW BID WAS $1,643,163.75.
THE HIGH BID WAS $2,175,391.0.
THE LOW BIDDER WAS BOOMERANG PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BEN. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
>> THOSE OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 49 IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR
[49. Report on bids for the 8th Street NW from D Avenue to E Avenue Reconstruction project (estimated cost is $230,000) (Doug Wilson). (Paving for Progress) CIP/DID #3012300-02]
THE EIGHTH STREET NORTHWEST FROM D AVENUE TO E AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT.THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $230.
DOUG WILSON IS HERE. DOUG, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. DOUG WILSON, PUBLIC WORKS.
THIS IS FULL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE STREET BETWEEN D AVENUE AND HE AVENUE, NORTHWEST.
ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE COST WAS $230,000.
THE BID OPENING WAS ON FEBRUARY 12TH, AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL OF 2025 WITH COMPLETION IN JUNE OF 2025.
13 BIDS WERE RECEIVED ON FEBRUARY 12TH RANGING FROM $163,539.57 TO $222,897.37.
>> THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT TO EGGLESTON CONCRETE CONTRACTORS OF CEDAR RAPIDS. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. DOUG, COUNCIL, QUESTIONS.
IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO SEE COMING IN A LITTLE LESS THAN WE EXPECTED.
THAT'S GREAT. IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION IS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL.
>> THOSE OPPOSE SAY, NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 50 IS A PRESENTATION AND RESOLUTION
[50. Presentation and resolution authorizing City financial incentives in support of an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s High-Quality Jobs Program by Ingredion Inc. for a plant expansion at 1001 1st Street SW (Bill Micheel). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #HQJP-0007-2025]
AUTHORIZING CITY FINANCIAL INCENTIVES IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION TO THE IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES HIGH QUALITY JOBS PROGRAM BY INGREDION INC FOR A PLANT EXPANSION AT 1001 FIRST STREET, SOUTHWEST.BILL MICHAEL IS HERE. BILL, I RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SOME BACKGROUND ON THE PROPOSAL.
REQUEST FROM INGREDION INCORPORATED FOR STANDARD CITY FINANCIAL INCENTIVES IN SUPPORT OF THEIR HIGH QUALITY JOBS APPLICATION TO THE IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A PLANT EXPANSION PROJECT AT 1001 FIRST STREET SOUTHWEST.
THE PROJECT REQUIRES A LOCAL MATCH AND QUALIFIES UNDER THE LOCAL MATCH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE HIGH QUALITY JOBS PROGRAM AT THE STATE.
CITY INCENTIVE WOULD PROVIDE A TEN YEAR 50% REBATE OF INCREASED TAXES GENERATED BY THE PROJECT, $48.5 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THREE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
THEY'RE GOING TO UPDATE THE 1970S ERA DRYERS WITH A NEW STARCH FLASH DRYING TECHNOLOGY.
WE'LL ALSO ALLOW THEM TO LOAD MULTIPLE TRAILERS AT ONCE AND INCREASE THEIR OUTPUT, DEMOLITION OF ONE EXISTING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, COMMENCEMENT APRIL 25 COMPLETION, OCTOBER 26.
FULL TIME JOBS CREATED WITH EIGHT RETAINED AT OR ABOVE THE HIGH QUALITY JOBS THRESHOLD.
THE BUILDING SHOWN IN THE RED SQUARE JUST NORTH OF RIVERSIDE PARK IS THE BUILDING THAT WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED, SO THAT AREA THAT IS ADJACENT TO THE PARK WILL GET A BIT OF A FACE LIFT, AND THEN THE EXISTING DRYERS WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED.
JUST A QUICK SCHEMATIC OF WHAT THOSE NEW DRYERS WILL LOOK LIKE, AND AGAIN, ALLOW THEM TO LOAD MULTIPLE TRACTOR TRAILERS AT ONCE.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HIGH QUALITY JOBS APPLICATION TO THE IEDA AUTHORIZING THE STANDARD TEN YEAR 50% REBATE OF INCREASED TAXES WILL GENERATE 5.1 MILLION IN TOTAL TAXES OVER A TEN YEAR PERIOD AND $750,000 ESTIMATED TAXES REBATED.
[01:05:05]
AGAIN, STAFF RECOMMENDS, THE APPROVING THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE NEGOTIATION OF A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH INGREDION INCORPORATED.WITH THAT, I'LL HAND IT BACK TO THE MAY.
>> THANK YOU, BILL. COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. WELL, I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING BECAUSE THIS CAME UP CERTAINLY IN THE CONVERSATIONS WITH RIVERSIDE, WOULD THEY MOVE INTO RIVERSIDE OR NOT.
I APPRECIATE THEIR INGENUITY IN REHAVING THE FOOTPRINT THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE.
WHAT I CAME TO FIND OUT FROM A LOT OF THE INGREDION WORKERS IS THAT THIS IS A PRETTY GENERATIONAL FACILITY WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT HAVE WORKED HERE AND HAVE SOME PRETTY TENURED WORKERS THERE.
CERTAINLY JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO INGREDION FOR THEIR LONG TENURE HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS.
LESS WE FORGET THAT THEY WERE A HUGE AND CRITICAL PART OF THE GREAT TOILET PAPER DEBATE IN 2020.
THEY WERE CREATING THE START THAT ACTUALLY HELPS THE PAPER NOT STICK TOGETHER, WHICH IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT, BUT THEY ARE A KEY PIECE IN THAT ECONOMIC NEED IN 2020.
THEY ALSO JUST ARE PART OF OUR CIRCULAR ECONOMY, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT, TAKING THE WASTE FROM OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN TOWN AND REPURPOSING IT TO OTHER THINGS, LIKE GLUE, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH SOME OF OUR BOXES THAT INTERNATIONAL PAPER MAKES.
JUST APPRECIATE THIS INVESTMENT AND CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN CEDAR RAPIDS.
>> IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR THE CITY, AND I'M GLAD ROB DAVIS IS STILL HERE TO TALK ABOUT TRAIL ACCESS.
WE HAVE TWO STUBS THAT END RIGHT THERE.
WILL THERE EVER BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE TRAIL ACCESS ON THE RIVER SIDE OF THAT PLANT?
>> YEAH, CERTAINLY, SOMETHING THAT WE ARE EXPLORING IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
I THINK THAT THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME ADDITIONAL PLANS, AND WE ARE HAVING THAT CONVERSATION AS THEY MOVE FORWARD.
FOR NOW, THEY'RE LIMITING IT TO WHAT WAS ON THE SCREEN.
I THINK IN THE FUTURE, THERE'S LIKELY MORE TO COME AND AS I MENTIONED, WE'RE IN CONVERSATIONS.
>> I THINK IT'D BE VERY AGAIN, THE CITY TRAIL SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO ACTIVATE THAT SIDE OF THE RIVER.
THERE'S OTHER INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS THAT NOW WE CAN POINT TO IN TERMS OF OUR ABILITY TO WORK WITH THEM AND PROVIDE THAT RIVER ACCESS.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT THAT AS WE GO DOWN THE ROAD WITH THEM ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. THANKS, BILL.
>> UNDERSTOOD. YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BE SPEAKING WITH THEM.
I KNOW IT DID THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT PROVIDED US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM AS TRUE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND THERE WAS A WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE NEW WAYS AND INNOVATIVE WAYS FOR THEM TO FURTHER SOLIDIFY THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON.
>> THOSE OPPOSE SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM NUMBER 51 IS A PRESENTATION RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 ENVISIONED CR UPDATES.
[51. Presentation and resolution adopting the 2024 EnvisionCR Updates (Betsy Borchardt). CIP/DID #OB165740]
BETSY BORCHARD IS HERE.ENVISION CR WAS ADOPTED IN 2018, AND SINCE THEN, THE CITY HAS BEEN UPDATING IT ANNUALLY.
IT KEEPS DEPARTMENTS ON TRACK, AND IT PROVIDES FOR FLEXIBILITY FOR CHANGING CONDITIONS.
YOU'LL SEE TO THE RIGHT HERE, THOSE ARE THE SIX ELEMENTS WHICH ARE IN ESSENCE THE CHAPTERS OF THE PLAN, AND THIS YEAR, WE UPDATED CONNECT AND GROW CR.
AFTER CITY COUNCIL SETS THEIR PRIORITIES IN THE SPRING, THAT'S WHEN STAFF GETS TOGETHER AND STARTS UPDATING THEM.
THE PROCESS IS A COORDINATED OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS INITIATIVE IN ACTION STEPS, WHY THEY'RE NEED, HOW THEY RELATE TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND CITY GOALS.
IT'S ALSO A VERY INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION.
[01:10:02]
IT HELPS GROW STAFF RELATIONSHIPS, IMPROVES COMMUNICATION, AND LEADS TO MORE EFFICIENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT.TO THE LEFT IS JUST AN OVERVIEW OF ALL THE DIFFERENT INITIATIVES THAT WERE UPDATED BOTH IN VISION CR AND THEN ALSO WITHIN 13 OTHER PLANS.
TO THE RIGHT ARE SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WERE COMPLETED IN THIS LAST YEAR.
THIS YEAR, WE UPDATED 284 INITIATIVES IN TOTAL.
PER STATE COB WENT TO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, THEN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE BOTH RECOMMENDED THE UPDATES, AND THEN IN APRIL, WE ARE PLANNING AN OPEN HOUSE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
CITY STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE 2024 ENVISION CR AND PLAN UPDATES. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BETSY. COUNCIL ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? IF THERE ARE NONE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION IS BOON MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VAN ORNE.
>> THOSE OPPOSE, SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
NEXT, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION AND RESOLUTION,
[52. Presentation and resolution adopting the 1st Avenue East Micro-Area Action Plan and incorporating it into EnvisionCR (Noah Zeker). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #CD-0107-2025]
ADOPTING THE FIRST AVENUE EAST MICRO AREA ACTION PLAN AND INCORPORATING IT INTO ENVISION CR.>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. NOAH ZEKER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
THE MICRO ACTION PLANNING PROCESS IS SIMILAR TO THE AREA ACTION PLANNING PROCESS, BUT WITH A SMALLER STUDY AREA AS SHOWN IN THE GRAPHICS TO THE RIGHT HERE.
THE COLLEGE DISTRICT AREA ACTION PLAN, WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE FIRST AVENUE EAST MICRO AREA IN PART, WAS AROUND ALMOST 570 ACRES.
WHILE THE FIRST AVENUE EAST AREA IS ONLY A TENTH OF THAT SIZE AT JUST UNDER 60 ACRES.
MICRO-AREA ACTION PLANS USUALLY ALSO HAVE A SHORTER PROJECT TIMELINE AND MORE TARGETED ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FIRST AVENUE HIGH VE CLOSURE, THIS PLANNING PROCESS WAS EXPANDED.
SHOWN HERE ARE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PLAN AREA, EIGHTH AVENUE IN THE NORTH TO 17TH STREET IN THE EAST, SECOND AVENUE, SOUTHEAST ON THE SOUTH SIDE, AND THEN 12TH STREET IN CO ROAD ON THE WEST SIDE.
THE PROJECT WAS KICKED OFF IN MAY 2024, THE FIRST ROUND OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TAKING PLACE IN JUNE AND AUGUST.
THEN THE DRAFT PLAN WAS DEVELOPED IN SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER WITH THE OPEN HOUSE, WHERE WE PRESENTED THE DRAFT GOALS AND ACTION STEPS TO THE PUBLIC TAKING PLACE IN DECEMBER.
TO TARGET AREA STAKEHOLDERS, WE ORGANIZED SIX FOCUS GROUPS, THE ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH WAS MADE UP OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE COLLEGE DISTRICT, THE WELLINGTON HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND THE MOUND VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, HELPED US IDENTIFY THESE GROUPS.
WE ALSO HELD AN ONLINE SURVEY, WHICH LAUNCHED IN EARLY JUNE.
A MAILER WAS SENT TO ALL SITE ADDRESSES AND OWNER ADDRESSES IN THE PLAN AREA TO ENSURE PARTICIPATION.
THE ADVISORY BOARD ALSO ASSISTED BY SHARING THE SURVEY WITH THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.
WE ALSO ATTENDED THE NEIGHBORHOOD GET TOGETHERS, WHICH WERE CITY HOSTED EVENTS WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
THESE WERE GEARED TOWARDS ASSISTING RESIDENTS IN THE WAKE OF THE FIRST AVENUE HIGHWAY CLOSURE.
LISTED HERE ARE SOME OF THE ACTION STEPS THAT WERE VOTED HIGHEST PRIORITY BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
FIRST IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY ACTION STEP OVERALL, WHICH IS TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS FOR AREA BUSINESSES.
THE SECOND IS TO WORK WITH THE COLLEGE DISTRICT IN ENHANCING AND CREATING NEW PROGRAMS TO ASSIST AREA BUSINESSES.
THIRD, STREETSCAPE AND ROAD DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS TO INCREASE SAFETY FOR ALL USERS.
FOURTH, IDENTIFY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CONNECTIONS BENEFICIAL TO NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, AND THEN LAST TO SECURE FUNDING FOR A HISTORIC CONTEXT STATEMENT TO TELL THE AREA'S HISTORY.
THE PLAN IS FORMATTED PRIMARILY AS AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE EXPERIENCE.
THIS ALLOWS US TO DEVELOP GRAPHICS AND MAPPING ELEMENTS THAT
[01:15:01]
ARE MORE INTERACTIVE AND EASIER TO UNDERSTAND THAN JUST STATIC TEXT.A PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
HERE YOU CAN SEE THE MAPPING ELEMENTS ARE ABLE TO BE INTERACTIVE, SO YOU CAN CLICK AND FIND OUT MORE IN ADDITION TO THINGS LIKE THIS SWIPING GRAPHIC, WHICH SHOWS THE DEVELOPMENT BEFORE AND AFTER AT 14:45 FIRST AVENUE.
THEN THIS ONE WHICH SHOWS THE PLAN AREA IN 1950 ON THE LEFT AND 2023 ON THE RIGHT.
THIS SECTION SHOWS THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SECTION OF THE PLAN.
HERE DESCRIBES PARTICIPANT'S CONNECTIONS TO THE AREA WITH THE HIGHEST BEING LIVE IN AND THEN WORK IN AND SHOP IN.
THIS TREE MAP HERE SHOWS RESPONDENTS ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE PLAN AREA? USERS CAN GO IN AND SEE WHAT RESPONDENTS SAID, CLICK AND FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION, AND THEY'RE BROKEN UP INTO CATEGORIES AND ELEMENTS.
YOU CAN GET DOWN AND INTO WHAT PEOPLE WERE THINKING WHILE THEY WERE TAKING THE SURVEYS AND PARTICIPATING IN THE FOCUS GROUPS.
THIS SECTION TALKS ABOUT WHAT RESPONDENTS ANSWERED TO WHAT THEY DON'T LIKE ABOUT THE FIRST AVENUE AREA.
THE ELEMENTS HAVE THE SAME COLORIZATION, SO YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT THEY SAID ABOUT DIFFERENT ELEMENTS.
THIS WORD CLOUD SHOWS ANSWERS TO WHAT THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE THE AREA TODAY, AND YOU CAN HOVER OVER AND SEE THE COUNT OF RESPONDENTS WHO NOTED THAT SAME THING.
THIS IS WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD YOU LIKE TO BEST DESCRIBE THE AREA IN THE FUTURE.
THEN OUR FINAL QUESTION WAS, WHAT BUSINESSES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF IN THE AREA? THE TOP ANSWER CATEGORY WAS DINING WITH 51.
THE HIGHEST SINGLE ANSWER WAS GROCERY STORE, HOWEVER.
THEN HERE WE SHOW THE DRAFT GOALS AND ACTION STEPS, AND THEN FURTHER DOWN, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON CHANGES THAT WERE MADE BASED ON INPUT.
>> ON FEBRUARY 19, WE BROUGHT THE PLAN TO DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FOR THEIR REVIEW, AND THEY PROVIDED THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL.
IN CONCLUSION, STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE FIRST AVENUE EAST MICRO-AREA ACTION PLAN AND ITS INCORPORATION INTO ENVISION CR.
WITH THAT, I WILL PASS IT BACK TO COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, NOAH. COUNCILMEMBER POE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. NOAH, WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
I THINK THAT THEY REALLY SHOW WHAT PEOPLE WERE THINKING AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEE THOSE DETAILS.
AT DEVELOPMENT, I HAD ASKED A QUESTION BECAUSE IT'S TOP OF MIND FOR A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ABOUT A GROCERY STORE.
BILL, YOU ARE KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE US AN UPDATE.
WOULD YOU MIND SHARING WITH ALL OF COUNCIL AN UPDATE ABOUT WHERE WE MIGHT BE WITH ANY PROSPECTS FOR A GROCERY STORE IN THAT AREA?
>> SURE. HAPPY TO. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM THE KANSAS CITY AREA THAT OWN AND OPERATE RIGHT AROUND 10 GROCERY STORES IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE KANSAS CITY MARKET, AND THEY REACHED OUT TO US AND ARE VERY INTERESTED.
WE PARTNERED WITH THEM AND APPLIED FOR A USDA FAIR FARE GRANT FOR $250,000.
WE SHOULD RECEIVE WORD ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOING TO RECEIVE AN AWARD IN MARCH.
IF WE RECEIVE THAT, THEY WILL USE THAT MONEY FOR PURCHASING RACKS, SHELVING, COOLERS, FREEZERS, THAT EQUIPMENT TO OUTFIT THE STORE.
WE ALSO HAVE MADE A CONNECTION WITH IGA, INTERNATIONAL GROCERS ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT, AND IF FOR SOME REASON, THE INDIVIDUALS FROM KANSAS CITY DON'T WORK OUT, THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONNECT US WITH PARTIES THAT ARE INTERESTED IN OPERATING THAT GROCERY STORE.
I AM OPTIMISTIC MOVING FORWARD THAT THERE WILL BE SOME OPPORTUNITIES THERE.
[01:20:05]
WE DO STILL NEED TO PARTNER WITH HY-VEE IN THAT THEY ARE THE CURRENT LEASEHOLDER AND WILL NEED THEIR HELP GOING TO THE OWNER TO TRANSFER THE LEASE OR MAKE THE PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.LIKE I SAID, I'M OPTIMISTIC, I SEE SOME GREEN LIGHTS AHEAD, BUT THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES, STILL, OF COURSE.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT WITH ALL OF COUNCIL.
JUST TO REITERATE THE SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THE WELLINGTON HEIGHTS AREA AND THAT LOCATION ALONG THE MICRO AREA, THAT HAS BEEN TERMINATED, THAT NO LONGER IS HAPPENING, RIGHT?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
APPRECIATE IT. COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. I KNOW I SHARED THIS AT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, BUT THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE BETTER PRESENTATIONS THAT WE'VE SEEN.
I APPRECIATE THE DEPTH OF THE PRESENTATION, BUT ALSO THE INTERACTIVE NATURE.
I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE TRANSPARENCY THAT YOU POSTED IN THERE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF INTEREST IN WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE HY-VEE CLOSURE.
BUT THEN YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE NUMBERS TRANSLATED TO ACTIONABLE ITEMS, PEOPLE COMING TO THESE PRESENTATIONS AND USING THEIR VOICE AGAIN, TO BE MORE THAN JUST A VOICE, TO BE A PART OF THE PLANNING.
WHILE THAT WAS REALLY LOW, I THINK WHAT WE GOT OUT OF WAS VERY GOOD.
I HOPE THAT ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE HY-VEE CLOSURES REALLY STUDIES WHERE THE FEEDBACK IS, WHAT THE CURRENT STATE IS, WHERE THE POTENTIAL IS GOING, AND JUST IS A PART OF THE PROCESS BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONTINUED EFFORT.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE, FOR EXAMPLE, JUST ON WALKABILITY ALONE SO THAT WE HAVE SAFE WALKING PATHS.
WE'RE NOT CROSSING DIAGONALLY AND PLAYING CHICKEN OR FROGGER WITH RESIDENTS.
BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE REDUCE THAT BLIGHT AND PUT SOME LIFE BACK INTO THESE BUILDINGS.
I JUST APPRECIATE YOU AND THE STAFF EFFORTS TO CONTINUOUSLY AVAIL YOURSELF AND HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL STUDY THE PRESENTATION THAT YOU PUT TOGETHER SO WELL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF, THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
TODAY, THEY PRESENTED THE MUSIC STUDY, THE ENVISION IOWA STUDY, AND THEN YOU TOOK OUR TRADITIONAL CITY PRESENTATIONS TO A NEW LEVEL WITH GRAPHICS THAT I DON'T THINK WE DID INTERNALLY.
I DON'T KNOW OR DID WE? BUT CONGRATS, NOAH.
I THINK IT'S NO SECRET AMONGST US THAT WE'VE GOT AN ISSUE IN THAT AREA.
I REMEMBER AFTER THE FLOOD YEARS AGO, A PROJECT HAD A MAJOR INVESTOR, HUGE.
THEY ASKED ME THE QUESTION, WELL, WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD? I HAD TO LOOK AT THEM AND SAY, THERE REALLY ISN'T A PLAN.
WE SPENT A YEAR AND A HALF TRYING TO PUT A PLAN TOGETHER.
WHILE NOTHING HERE GOES AS FAST AS I WOULD LIKE IT, IN THIS CASE, IT MADE SENSE FOR YOU GUYS TO DO THE PLAN.
I HAVE TO APPLAUD THE MAYOR FOR TENACITY ON THIS JEFF.
WE'VE REALLY PERSONALIZED THE ISSUE OF ATTRACTING RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL TO THIS AREA FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF IT JUST FOR THE OVERALL MORAL REASONS.
BUT COA IS THERE AND COA IS A HUGE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH THE OTHER COLLEGE.
THERE IS SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY AND YOU SEE IT EACH DAY AT STARBUCKS AND AT SCOOTERS, AND AT WENDY'S AND THESE OTHER PLACES, AND YOU ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE REST OF THE RETAIL RAMPED UP TO THIS PLACE? IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF OUR MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAT I THINK WE'VE HAD.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS, I THINK ALL WE CAN DO IS GET BETTER WITH THE PLAN AND WITH THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING BEHIND THE SCENES.
A LOT OF IT IS IT'S TOUGH WORK.
WHILE WE LIKE TO THINK WE'RE GREAT ALL THE TIME,
[01:25:05]
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PERCEPTION.IT'S OUR JOB TO CHANGE THAT PERCEPTION AND BRING THEM AROUND TO WHERE WE THINK IT NEEDS TO BE.
THIS IS A FIRST STEP, AND I HAVE TO GIVE YOU AND JENNIFER AND THE TEAM CONGRATULATIONS FOR, I THINK A WORK WELL DONE. NOW COMES THE HARD PART.
>> WELL SAID, COUNCILMEMBER TODD, I OFTEN THINK ABOUT NEWBO CITY MARKET WHEN IT WAS JUST BLIGHTED LAND WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, AND WE KNEW THAT WHATEVER WE PUT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A REAL CATALYST FOR DEVELOPMENT.
I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT WHAT WE PUT AT HY-VEE, WHAT WE PUT WHERE THAT EXISTING MCDONALD'S IS.
AS MAYOR, IF YOU ASK ME ABOUT THINGS THAT KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT, IT'S THAT AREA.
I THINK MOSTLY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL, AND NOW WE DO HAVE THAT PLAN.
IT'LL BE INCREDIBLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE A 15TH STREET STREETSCAPE, KNOWING THAT'S REALLY THE GATEWAY INTO WELLINGTON HEIGHT.
IT'S NOT JUST THAT AREA THERE.
I JUST THINK WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF SOMETHING REALLY GREAT THERE.
I'M GRATEFUL TO THAT 100 OR SO PEOPLE.
I WISH IT WAS MORE, BUT I GET IN THAT SMALL AREA THAT PROBABLY IS A PRETTY GOOD NUMBER FOR TAKING TIME OUT AND PROVIDING THEIR INPUT, AND THEN CERTAINLY, NOAH.
WOW. I'M HOPING THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ONLINE WATCHING FACEBOOK TAKE A SECOND TO GO OVER TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND PERUSE THAT BECAUSE WHAT A FEAST TO BE ABLE TO JUST DIG INTO EVEN HISTORY THERE.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US TO THAT LEVEL.
IF PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT, AS ALWAYS, YOU CAN CALL THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET YOU A PRINTED COPY SENT TO YOU SO THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY, NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
THAT CLOSES OUT OUR FORMAL BUSINESS TODAY AND BRINGS US TO OUR FINAL PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD.
[PUBLIC INPUT]
THIS IS A CHANCE FOR CEDAR RAPIDS RESIDENTS, PROPERTY OWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL BUSINESS.AS WITH THE EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, WE'RE HERE TO LISTEN FOR THIS PORTION.
I'LL REMIND EVERYBODY TO REMAIN AT THE LECTERN.
COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES, AND WE ASK FOR NO ABUSIVE, OBSCENE, LOUD, THREATENING OR PERSONAL COMMENTS.
IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON.
THE FIRST PERSON TO SPEAK IS MONTEL WALTON, HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT A PLOW AND A MAILBOX.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
RECENTLY ON 13 FEBRUARY, WE HAD A SNOWSTORM JUST THE NIGHT BEFORE, AS YOU'RE AWARE.
THAT NEXT DAY, I LOST MY MAILBOX TO A SNOWPLOW.
IN FACT, HE JUST WENT UP A COUPLE OF HOUSES LATER, TOOK OUT ANOTHER MAILBOX, ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS.
ANYHOW, I BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A HIT AND RUN IN ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO DISCUSS THAT PART HERE.
BUT I AM HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE COST OF MY MAILBOX AND WHAT THE CITY SAID THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PAY ME FOR IT.
I SHOWED YOU MY PAPERS THERE WHAT I HAD FROM MAILBOX.
IT WAS BACK IN 2010, I INSTALLED IT FOR $85 PALTRY NUMBERS, I'M SURE, BUT NOW THAT MAILBOX GOES FOR ALMOST $96 AFTER TAX.
I REACHED OUT TO JACKIE LYNCH, AND SHE LET ME KNOW THAT THAT'S ALL THEY WAS GOING TO PAY WAS THE $75.
MY CONCERNS ARE WITH THAT IS THAT THAT JUST COVERS THE MAILBOX.
IT DOESN'T COVER THE POST THAT GOES UNDERNEATH OF IT, IT DOESN'T COVER THE CEMENT TO SET THE POST.
WHILE I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF INSTALLING A NEW MAILBOX, THERE ARE A LOT OF CITIZENS HERE THAT ARE NOT.
SOME PEOPLE, THEY MIGHT BE SENIOR CITIZENS AND MIGHT NOT BE OF GOOD HEALTH, MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT ON THEIR OWN, THEY MIGHT HAVE TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR.
JACKIE LYNCH ALSO LET ME KNOW THAT THEY WERE NOT
[01:30:03]
GOING TO BE SUPPLYING ANY ASSISTANCE IN THAT ARENA.THAT WAS A CONCERN FOR ME REGARDING THAT.
I APOLOGIZE, I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS WHILE I'M SPEAKING HERE.
[LAUGHTER] I'M TOLD THIS IS PRETTY COMMON OCCURRENCE, AND CITY REVIEWS THIS EACH YEAR TO VERIFY THE CLAIMED AMOUNT AND HOW MUCH THEY'RE WILLING TO COVER A STANDARD MAILBOX AND POST, AND MY MAILBOX IS NEITHER CONSIDERED DECORATIVE OR FANCY, EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD THAT THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THEY WEREN'T GOING TO COVER BEYOND THAT BECAUSE THEY DON'T GO BEYOND A CERTAIN AMOUNT FOR THAT.
BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY HAS A BUDGET TO MAINTAIN SO THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF THESE, I WAS TOLD.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN I SPOKE TO A POLICE OFFICER, HE TOLD ME THEY GET THESE ALL THE TIME.
WELL, CITY IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS A BUDGET.
ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS HAS A BUDGET, AND WE DON'T BUDGET FOR MAILBOXES BEING TAKEN DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOWSTORM.
[LAUGHTER] BUT AT ANY RATE, I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE MAILBOXES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE IN EVERY DAY CITY OPERATIONS IN THEIR RIGHT OF WAY.
MY QUESTION IS, IF IT IS IN THE RIGHT OF WAY, WHAT ISN'T IN THE RIGHT AWAY? BECAUSE IF A PERSON HAS A PARKED CAR AND THE PLOW TAKES OUT MY PARKED CAR, DO THEY NOT HAVE TO PAY THE FULL DAMAGES OF THAT? IF I WERE TO ACCIDENTALLY DAMAGE CITY PROPERTY, I'M ALMOST CERTAIN THAT YOU GUYS WOULD EXPECT FULL PAYMENT BACK AND ON TIME.
I JUST THINK THAT'S FAIR IS FAIR.
WHAT I PAID FOR SHOULD BE WHAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET BACK WITHOUT ASKING ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT.
I THINK I HAD A REASONABLE REQUEST.
MAYBE IT'S NOT FOR MOST PEOPLE, BUT FOR ME, YEAH.
[LAUGHTER] BEFORE I GET MORE NERVOUS AND RUNNING OUT OF TIME, I'LL JUST STOP THERE, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING ME. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'M NOTICING HERE, MONTEL, THERE'S A DIFFERENT EMAIL THAT WAS SENT TO ME.
>> YES. I HAVE MULTIPLE EMAIL ADDRESS.
I APOLOGIZE. I PROBABLY WROTE DOWN THE WRONG ONE.
>> THAT'S OKAY. WOULD YOU PREFER THE ONE THAT'S ON THIS ONE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU?
>> YEAH, THAT'S FINE. YOU CAN DO EITHER ONE. THAT'S GOOD.
>> NEXT, ROBERT HOGE, HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT NOISE.
>> GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL ROB HOGG 2750, OTIS ROAD.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE ONGOING NOISE AMONG THE OTHER PROBLEMS AT THE RAIL YARD THAT CARGILL HAS CONSTRUCTED WITH YOUR PERMISSION IN THE CEDAR VALLEY ROMPOT NEIGHBORHOOD.
LAST TIME I WAS IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL, I TRIED TO SHARE THIS AUDIO FROM CHRISTMAS DAY, WHICH I WANT TO DO NOW.
WISHING EVERYBODY A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
WE CAN HEAR THIS IN OUR HOUSE SO OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD.
>> THAT WAS THE CHRISTMAS DAY VIDEO THAT WAS PREPARED BY A NEIGHBOR WHO LIVES ON THOMPSON DRIVE.
THIS IS A VIDEO THAT HE PREPARED ON FEBRUARY 9TH.
>> NOW, I WANT TO SHOW AN AUDIO THAT I PREPARED ON JANUARY FROM OTIS ROAD NEXT TO MY PROPERTY.
[01:35:07]
NOW I'D LIKE TO HEAR AN AUDIO FROM 20 MINUTES LATER THAT DAY.[NOISE] NOW 40 MINUTES LATER, FROM THE MIDDLE OF MY FIELD.
[NOISE] NOW, SEVEN MINUTES AFTER THAT, SO THIS IS AN HOUR AND 10 MINUTES AFTER MY FIRST AUDIO THAT I DID.
THIS ONE WILL BE FROM MY GARAGE OPPOSITE SIDE OF MY HOUSE, FROM THE RAIL YARD.
[NOISE] WELL, I'LL FINISH. I'VE GOT OTHERS, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I'LL FINISH WITH YESTERDAY.
I WAS JUST GETTING READY TO LEAVE THE HOUSE OUTSIDE MY HOUSE, AWAY FROM THE RAIL YARD.
GETTING READY TO GET IN THE CAR.
[NOISE] I SEE MY TIME HAS EXPIRED.
I CONTINUE TO ASK THE CITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.
GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M [INAUDIBLE].
I LIVE AT 3839 COTTAGE GROVE AVENUE, SOUTHEAST, AND I AM AN OFFICER OF ADVOCATES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
WE ARE APPALLED AT THE CITY'S DECISION TO PREEMPTIVELY PAUSE THE CITY'S WORK ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND AND TO REASSIGN THE DIVERSITY EQUITY AND MANAGER TO A DIFFERENT POSITION.
I'M SURE YOU ALL REMEMBER THAT THIS WORK AND THIS POSITION ARE A PRIORITY FOR ASJ.
WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THE DECISION WAS TO ELIMINATE THE POSITION AND THE WORK WAS A RAPID RESPONSE TO RECENT FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATED TO DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
HOWEVER, CEDAR RAPIDS CAN DO BOTH WHAT IS JUST AND WHAT IS LEGAL BY HOLDING OFF ON TAKING THIS SWIFT ACTION.
THE DIVERSITY EQUITY ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION WORK AND SPECIFICALLY THE DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION MANAGER POSITION WERE ORIGINALLY CREATED TO CREATE A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR EVERYONE IN THE CITY.
BY OUR READING, THE CITY IS DOING NOTHING IN THE NAME OF DIVERSITY EQUITY, AND INCLUSION THAT WOULD BE DEEMED UNLAWFUL BY WHAT IS OUTLINED IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS.
TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, ONE EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRES FEDERAL GRANTEES TO CERTIFY THAT THEY DO NOT PROMOTE DEI PROGRAMS THAT VIOLATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS.
I DO NOT KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT THE CITY OR THE DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION MANAGER ARE DOING THAT WOULD VIOLATE SUCH LAWS.
NOTHING THAT THE CITY IS DOING RIGHT NOW CONSTITUTES ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENCES.
HAVING A CITY POSITION DEVOTED TO ENSURING THAT THE CITY IS WELCOMING IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY.
WORKING ON BEHALF OF A COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTS TO DETERMINE HOW TO BEST ENSURE THAT CITY SERVICES
[01:40:01]
MEET OUR NEEDS AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES EQUITABLY IS NOT ILLEGAL.WHAT IS EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THAT THE CITY CHOSE TO MOVE SO SWIFTLY WHEN THE INK HAD BARELY DRIED ON THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS.
INDEED, A FEDERAL COURT HAS ALREADY HANDED DOWN A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION THAT BARS ENFORCEMENT OF PROVISIONS IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATED TO DIVERSITY EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, FEDERAL JUDGES HAVE BLOCKED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED SINCE JANUARY 20TH.
WE FULLY ANTICIPATE THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, GUIDANCES, AND POLICIES TO COME THAT WILL REQUIRE THE CITY TO EVALUATE THE WORDS WE USE AS WE CARRY OUT OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
BUT WE DO NOT NEED TO DO THE JOB FOR THEM AND CENSOR OURSELVES BEFORE IT IS CLEAR THAT SUCH ACTIONS ARE UNAVOIDABLE.
EVEN THEN, I MIGHT SUGGEST THAT OUR CITY NEEDS TO STAND UP IN FAVOR OF FAIRNESS AND AGAINST BULLYING, BUT THAT'S FOR ANOTHER CONVERSATION.
RIGHT NOW, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE CITY TO TAKE PREEMPTIVE ACTION TO PAUSE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION WORK.
RATHER, WE MUST STAND STRONG AGAINST ANY OVER-CORRECTION OR SELF-CENSORSHIP AND IN FAVOR OF OUR VALUES OF WELCOME, FAIRNESS, EQUITABLE TREATMENT, DIVERSITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION.
PLEASE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT THAT THE CHAOS OF THE CURRENT FEDERAL CLIMATE AND THE DAY-TO-DAY UNCERTAINTY HAS HAD ON CITY STAFF AND ON OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
PLEASE DO NOT ADD TO THE CHAOS BY TAKING ACTIONS UNTIL THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED, AND EVEN THEN CONSIDER HOW TO EXERCISE LEADERSHIP IN WAYS THAT MAINTAIN THE FUNCTIONING OF OUR LOCAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND COMMITMENTS.
WE IMPLORE THE CITY TO REVERSE THE DECISION TO PAUSE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION WORK, AND TO RE-ESTABLISH THE DIVERSITY EQUITY, AND INCLUSION MANAGER POSITION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ROGER SLADE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON CAMERAS.
FIRST OFF, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. POMERANZ, FOR THE SYMPATHY CARD THAT YOU SENT OUT.
MY WIFE AND I APPRECIATE THAT, AND THAT WAS REALLY UNEXPECTED.
THANK YOU. ON JUNE 29TH, 2024, MYSELF AND THE MAYOR MET ALONG WITH BERNIE HAYES TO SPEAK ON SOME LOCAL ISSUES GOING ON.
I MENTIONED MY CONCERNS WITH THE CAMERAS ALL OVER THE CITY, AND I STATED THAT MY HOMETOWN OF DUBUQUE HAD HUNDREDS OF THEM EVEN YEARS AGO, AND MY FAMILY AND I DON'T WANT THAT HAPPENING HERE.
YOUR RESPONSE TO ME, MAYOR, WAS THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN IN CEDAR RAPIDS.
WELL, AS YOU KNOW, WITHIN A WEEK, THERE WAS A TWO YEAR CONTRACT SIGNED OFF WITH FLOCK GROUP FOR NEARLY HALF 1 MILLION TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO ADD 75 ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
MAYBE I WAS MISLED, BUT I FEEL LIKE I WAS FLAT OUT LIED TO.
THIS CONTRACT WAS JUST $750 SHORT OF 500,000.
IF THIS CONTRACT WAS OVER 500,000, THAT WOULD REQUIRE LONGER PUBLIC INPUT AND A FULL COUNCIL VOTE.
IT APPEARS THAT SOME PRICING WAS INTENTIONALLY MANIPULATED FOR THAT SITUATION.
CEDAR RAPIDS PD DOCUMENTS STATE THAT THESE CAMERAS ARE ONLY FOR LOCATING SEX OFFENDERS, MISSING PEOPLE, AMBER ALERTS, BAR DRIVERS, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND ASSIST WITH LOCATING STOLEN VEHICLES.
BUT PER YEAR CONTRACT, ICE CANNOT BE CONTACTED.
ILLEGAL ALIENS, INCLUDING THE NOW EIGHT DECLARED TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS ARE PROTECTED IN THE CITY.
EVERYONE'S WELL AWARE OF CEDAR RAPIDS 15-MINUTE CITY AND CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.
YOU CAN'T HAVE A 15 MINUTE CITY WITHOUT A COMPLETE FORCED COMPLIANCE OF SURVEILLANCE OF PRIVATE CITIZENS.
THAT WASN'T IN THE BROCHURE FOR CLIMATE ACTION, WAS IT? I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD OF NEW YORK'S CONTROVERSIAL CONGESTION PRICING.
IT'S SIMILAR TO THE SPEED CAMERAS ON I-380 THAT FUNNELS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE CITY GOVERNMENT, SHOULD THEY CHOOSE TO PAY THEM.
UNDER THIS NEW OPERATION IN NEW YORK, DEPENDING ON THE AREA, AND YOU CAN DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH ON THIS.
CARS ARE CHARGED $9 AND THEY ENTER CERTAIN LOCATIONS AND DELIVERY VEHICLES AND TRUCKS GET CHARGED OVER $30, AND THAT'S MULTIPLIED WITH EACH TRIP, SO THEY GET HIT WITH THIS TOLL SEVERAL TIMES A DAY.
A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME LAST MONTH THIS POLICY IN NEW YORK HAS BROUGHT
[01:45:01]
PREVIOUSLY REGULAR VISITORS TO HIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO AVOID THIS AREA BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD IT, AND BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC IS NOW NON-EXISTENT.I SAY THIS BECAUSE I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU'RE WEIGHING THIS OPTION FOR CEDAR RAPIDS.
I'VE SEEN YOUR CONVERSATIONS HERE.
AS LOCAL BUSINESSES COLLAPSE, SHOULD YOU GO THIS DIRECTION.
WE NOW HAVE YOUR POLICIES TO POINT TO.
YOU PUSHED THE MESSAGE ABOUT CONSTANTLY ABOUT BUYING LOCAL, SUPPORTING LOCAL, BUT IN REALITY, RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE TAKING THE BABY STEPS INTO NEW YORK TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT POLICY, WHICH IS DESTROYING LOCAL BUSINESS.
I'M SURE YOU SAW LAST WEEK THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TERMINATED THE APPROVAL OF NEW YORK'S CONGESTION PRICING, SO I HOPE YOU'RE TAKING NOTES ON THAT.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT.
THESE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS REQUIRE A LEGAL WARRANT, WHICH YOU DO NOT HAVE.
OUR POLICE CHIEF CAN CONFIRM THAT.
THAT DOESN'T EXIST. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT LOSES THE TRUST OF THE PUBLIC.
I'M SURE IF YOU ACTUALLY ASKED THE PUBLIC FOR FEEDBACK ON THIS, YOU'D FIND THAT WE ACTUALLY WANT HUMAN POLICE OFFICERS HERE OVER AI-POWERED POLICE ENFORCEMENT, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE TREND.
CAMERAS CAN ALSO BE COMPROMISED AND USED AS A WEAPON AGAINST THE PUBLIC.
THEY'VE ALREADY HAD PLENTY OF NATIONAL CONTROVERSY TIED TO THEM, WHICH INCLUDES SITUATIONS OF POLICE USING THEM FOR STALKING AND BREAKING THE LAW BY SHARING PERSONAL DATA.
YOUR CONTRACT STATES THAT OUR PERSONAL DATA IS ONLY SAFE FOR 30 DAYS.
HIGHLY DOUBTFUL. DATA ONLINE IS ALWAYS SAVED INDEFINITELY.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE DATA CENTERS OPENING UP, JUST LIKE DOWN THE STREET, WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE.
WITH THAT, I'D APPRECIATE HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY FROM ALL OF YOU GOING FORWARD, IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.
YOU'LL HOST A PUBLIC MEETING TO TELL US ABOUT BRIDGE REPAIRS THAT ARE BEING PLANNED, BUT YOU'LL AVOID HOLDING A MEETING TO EXPLAIN WHAT PERSONAL DATA YOU'RE COLLECTING FROM EVERYONE, EXCEPT ILLEGALS, WITH ZERO CONSENT AND ZERO WARRANTS.
EXTREMELY IT'S DECEPTIVE, AND YOU'RE ALSO PUTTING OTHER OFFICERS AT RISK.
IF CRIME IS ACTUALLY DECLINING, LIKE WE'VE HEARD IN THESE MEETINGS BEFORE, AND IN THE NEWSLETTERS SENT OUT TO US, THEN WE SHOULDN'T ALL BE TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS.
>> THANK YOU. THAT IS GOING TO CLOSE OUT OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
CITY MANAGER, POMERANZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMUNICATIONS?
[CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS]
>> ALL RIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL, COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON MOVES TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND.
>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.