Mar 11, 2025 City Council

[00:00:02]

THIS MEETING OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER.

[Call to Order]

TODAY. I WANT TO WELCOME OUR CITY CLERK AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY, AS WELL ALSO TO CITY STAFF FOR ATTENDING TODAY AND AS ALWAYS, BEING AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THOSE HERE AFTER THE MEETING.

A REMINDER TO PLEASE TURN OFF ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT MIGHT DISTRACT US FROM OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY.

AND NOTE THAT ALL OF OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDAS, MINUTES, AND VIDEOS ARE 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 OUR INVOCATION BY PUBLIC SAFETY CHAPLAIN DENNIS MILLER, FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

CREATOR GOD. AS WE GATHER TOGETHER FOR THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, WE ASK FOR YOUR SPIRIT OF UNITY TO BE PRESENT AMONG US.

HELP US TO PUT ASIDE ANY PERSONAL AGENDAS OR DIFFERENCES AND WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY TOWARDS OUR COMMON GOOD.

BLESS OUR MAYOR AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN THEIR DELIBERATIONS.

REMIND US OF HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS WHEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS LIVE IN UNITY.

LET THIS BE OUR DESIRE AS WE ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OTHERS.

MAY THOSE CHRISTIANS CELEBRATING LENT LEADING TO EASTER, AND THOSE MUSLIMS CELEBRATING RAMADAN CONTINUE ON THEIR PENITENTIAL JOURNEYS TOWARD YOU AND ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN FAITH TOWARD YOU.

WE TRUST THAT YOUR GUIDANCE AND GRACE IN IT WE CAN ACHIEVE A SENSE OF UNITY AND WORK TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY.

MAY OUR WORDS BE FILLED WITH LOVE AND RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND MAY OUR ACTIONS REFLECT THE UNITY WE STRIVE FOR.

IN YOUR HOLY NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP, I'D LIKE TO INVITE THOSE OF YOU WHO

[Proclamations/Presentations]

ANYONE WHO'D LIKE TO JOIN ME AS I READ OUR PROCLAMATION.

AND I'LL INVITE THOSE WHO ARE HERE ON BEHALF TO JOIN ME AT THE DAIS.

ALL RIGHT. WE GOT A BIG GROUP HERE TODAY. YEAH, A LITTLE SOMETHING. IT TURNS OUT THAT WHILE WE.

WE ALWAYS WANT TO HONOR THE KAZIMOUR ORCHARD, WE'RE HERE TO DO THAT.

AND MAYBE MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE HERE TO HONOR AN INDIVIDUAL.

YES, WE'RE HERE TO HONOR BOB KAZIMER. AND WE'RE HERE TO ISSUE A PROCLAMATION.

IT'S A BIT OF A SURPRISE FOR MR. KAZIMOUR HERE.

AND THE COUNCIL ALL WANTED TO BE A PART OF THIS. WHEREAS BOB KAZIMOUR HAS DEDICATED MORE THAN SIX DECADES TO ENHANCING THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH HIS EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP, UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CEDAR RAPIDS, AND NUMEROUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

AND WHEREAS, PROFESSIONALLY, BOB HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF LOCAL BUSINESS AS THE FOUNDER OF MULTIPLE COMPANIES, INCLUDING KIMBERLY CONSTRUCTION, ON SCREEN PRINTING, AND RFK TRANSPORTATION, CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FABRIC OF CEDAR RAPIDS.

AND WHEREAS BOB'S CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS SPAN MORE THAN 40 YEARS ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR MOUNT MERCY UNIVERSITY STEWARDSHIP ON THE CEDAR RAPIDS AIRPORT COMMISSION, LEADING TO LONG TERM EXPANSION PLANS AND PIVOTAL ROLES WITH THE SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COMMISSION, SOUTH SIDE CORPORATION AND AGING SERVICES. AND WHEREAS BOB'S LEADERSHIP EXTENDS ACROSS FAITH, SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING 25 YEARS AS THE HEAD OF SAINT WENCESLAUS PARISH COUNCIL, SERVICE ON THE YMCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN DOWNTOWN ROTARY, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND THE OPTIMIST CLUB, EXEMPLIFYING HIS DEEP COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

AND WHEREAS, HIS LEADERSHIP ON THE BOARDS OF THEATER, CEDAR RAPIDS AND JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF EASTERN IOWA HAS ENRICHED OUR CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE. AND WHEREAS, ALONGSIDE HIS WIFE JAN, HE SERVED AS HONORARY CHAIR FOR THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN ESTABLISHING THE FAMILY CAREGIVERS CENTER AT MERCY MEDICAL CENTER, PROVIDING VITAL SUPPORT TO CAREGIVERS.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED THAT WE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 11TH, 2025 AS ROBERT F KAZIMOUR DAY IN HONOR OF HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY AND IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING STANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE HIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS.

[00:05:04]

I MUST SAY, I'M SURPRISED. DALE TODD, I THINK.

YEAH, I HAD I ACTUALLY HAD A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT THIS MORNING, AND DALE TALKED TO COREY, MY DAUGHTER, AND SAID, WELL, YOU HAVE TO BE THERE.

AND I SAID, WHAT'S IT FOR? AND THEY SAID, WELL, IT'S FOR THE ORCHARD.

AND I SAID, OKAY. SO I GOT THAT CHANGED, BUT I HAD NO IDEA.

AND TIFFANY, MADAM MAYOR, THANK YOU. THIS IS THE SECOND PROCLAMATION YOU DID FOR US AT YOU KNOW YOU DID THE SAINT WENCE 150 YEAR CELEBRATION. AND I LOOK AROUND THE CITY COUNCIL AND I THINK I KNOW EVERYBODY AND ASHLEY BEING SHE'S GONE.

SHE'S ON OUR BOARD AT THE CZECH AND SLOVAK MUSEUM.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST REALLY A GREAT CITY.

I HAD A REALLY GOOD FRIEND STILL HAVE HIM. HE LIVES IN NEW YORK CITY.

HE WAS A CUSTOMER OF OURS. HIS TWO DAUGHTERS LIVE ON THE WEST COAST.

SO HE FLIES OVER AND HE SAID, I FLEW OVER YOUR STATE THE OTHER DAY.

AND I SAID, GOOD, DON'T STOP. JUST FLY OVER. BUT NO, WE JUST WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN BORN IN THIS COUNTRY. I'M FIRST GENERATION.

MY MOTHER WAS BORN IN BOHEMIA. THIS IS MY SISTER, JEANNIE.

SHE'S MY OLDER SISTER. I HAD FOUR OLDER SISTERS AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF YOU COULD EVER FIGURE OUT A WAY TO BE BORN, BE THE YOUNGEST BOY OF FOUR OLDER SISTERS, AND THEY'LL SPOIL YOU SO TOTALLY.

BUT IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GROW UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, BOB. AND WHAT A TERRIFIC EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF US.

THIS IS FOR YOU TO KEEP. YES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL.

WHAT A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE FOR CEDAR RAPIDS. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THEN SOME. YES. THANK YOU. AND NOW ON TO OUR OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS FOR THE MEETING TODAY, OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS. SO I'LL REMIND EVERYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK TODAY, WHETHER DURING A PUBLIC HEARING OR DURING ONE OF OUR 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 WISH TO SHARE WITH US, PLEASE HAND THEM TO THE POLICE OFFICER ON YOUR RIGHT AND SHE WILL GET THEM TO US.

SECOND, COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER SPEAKER, SO WHEN THE LIGHT IN THE CONSOLE IN FRONT OF YOU TURNS YELLOW, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO FINISH UP. AND WHEN IT'S RED, WE INVITE YOU TO TAKE YOUR SEAT ONCE AGAIN.

AND THIRD, BE AWARE THAT ALL COMMENTS MUST BE DIRECTED TO THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THAT ABUSIVE, OBSCENE, LOUD, THREATENING OR IRRELEVANT COMMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

AND FINALLY, WE NEED TO HOLD AN ORDERLY MEETING. SO WE ASK FOR NO APPLAUSE, CHEERING, BOOING OR OTHER NOISE OR DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT FROM THE AUDIENCE TODAY.

SO WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. DOES OUR CLERK HAVE ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS IN REGARD TO ANY OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON OUR AGENDA TODAY? YOUR HONOR, THERE WERE NO WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS FILED. THANK YOU. NOTHING. THANK YOU. WE'LL GO ON WITH ITEM NUMBER ONE,

[1. A public hearing will be held to consider amending the electric franchise granted to Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy) by increasing the franchise fee from 3 percent to 4 percent (Noele Wagner). CIP/DID #OB457539]

ALLIANT ENERGY BY INCREASING THE FRANCHISE FEE FROM 3% TO 4%.

NOEL WAGNER IS HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THAT. NOEL.

I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

NOEL WAGNER WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT. I DO ASK THAT WE COMBINE AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE FOR THIS PRESENTATION, AS THEY ALL PERTAIN TO THOSE INCREASES FOR FINANCE.

ABSOLUTELY. THE CITY CURRENTLY ISSUES ELECTRIC AND GAS FRANCHISE FEES FOR ALLIANT ENERGY LINN COUNTY REC AND MIDAMERICAN ENERGY. BETWEEN THE GAS AND ELECTRIC, WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 3%, AND WE'RE PROPOSING TO INCREASE THOSE TO 4% TO BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2025. THAT ADDITIONAL 1% WILL BRING IN ABOUT $1.4 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL FRANCHISE REVENUE, AND THAT WILL BE IN TOTAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 OF 13.2 MILLION.

THIS ADDITIONAL REVENUE IS IN RESPONSE TO HELP EXCUSE ME, BALANCE THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET WITH THE CURRENT CHANGES IN

[00:10:01]

SO BY INCREASING IT TO 4%, WE'RE STILL UNDERNEATH THAT 5% THRESHOLD.

THE CODE SECTION ALSO INDICATES WHAT WE CAN GENERATE THAT REVENUE AND SPEND IT ON, WHICH IS LISTED HERE ON THIS SLIDE.

SO TODAY OUR TIMELINE WOULD BE THAT WE ARE GOING TO PRESENT THE PUBLIC HEARINGS IN THE FIRST READINGS FOR THE ORDINANCES FOR ALLIANT ENERGY LINN COUNTY REC AND MIDAMERICAN ENERGY. AND THEN THE SECOND TASK WOULD BE TO COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING AT MARCH 25TH AND HAVE THE SECOND AND THIRD READINGS.

SO AT THIS POINT, FINANCE ASKS AND RECOMMENDS APPROVING THE ORDINANCES TO INCREASE THOSE FRANCHISE FEES FOR FROM 3% TO 4%.

I'LL HAND IT BACK TO YOU, MAYOR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, NOEL. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.

DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT.

LET THE RECORD INDICATE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.

ITEM NUMBER ONE HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS.

FOR THE RECORD, THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL COMMENTS.

ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

NOW ON TO ITEM NUMBER TWO. THIS IS THE MIDAMERICAN ENERGY INCREASE OF THE FRANCHISE FEE FROM 3% TO 4%.

[2. A public hearing will be held to consider amending the natural gas franchise granted to MidAmerican Energy by increasing the franchise fee from 3 percent to 4 percent (Noele Wagner). CIP/DID #49-11-021]

DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW.

A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD COUNCIL.

ALL RIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

AND NOW FOR THE ITEM NUMBER THREE, WHICH IS AMENDING THE ELECTRIC FRANCHISE GRANTED TO LYNN COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC CO-OP.

[3. A public hearing will be held to consider amending the electric franchise granted to Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative by increasing the franchise fee from 3 percent to 4 percent (Noele Wagner). CIP/DID #41-14-011]

FOR THE RECORD, THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL. ALL RIGHT.

SEEING NONE, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO IN THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NORTH TOWN URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA FOR PROPERTY AT

[4. A public hearing will be held to consider establishment of the North Towne Urban Revitalization Area for property at 2055 North Towne Lane NE as requested by Cedar Rapids Industrial Property, LLC (Bill Micheel). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #URTE-0059-2025]

BILL MICHAEL IS HERE. BILL, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I'M A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND.

ON JANUARY 14TH OF THIS YEAR, CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED STANDARD INCENTIVES WITH CEDAR RAPIDS INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY, LLC FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF AN EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDING.

THE PROJECT QUALIFIES UNDER BROWNFIELD GRAYFIELD, OR BROWNFIELD GRAYFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

THE BUILDING SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DURING THE DERECHO AND HAS RESULTED IN AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE, ESSENTIALLY. IT'S EXPERIENCED SOME VANDALISM AND TRESPASSING.

THE STANDARD INCENTIVE TEN YEAR DECLINING SCALE EXEMPTION OF NEW INCREASED VALUE AND TAXES IS INCLUDED AS A PART OF OUR AGREEMENT TODAY. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA AS THE MECHANISM FOR FINANCIAL INCENTIVE.

$1.25 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT. RENOVATION OF THE 62000 SQUARE FOOT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING.

REPLACEMENT OF ROOF WINDOWS, DAMAGED SIDING, NEW ELECTRICAL.

CONSTRUCTION COMMENCEMENT WILL BEGIN IN APRIL AND COMPLETION BY DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

TEN NEW JOBS CREATED AND THE INCENTIVES, TEN YEAR DECLINING SCALE.

EXEMPTION OF INCREASED VALUE AND TAXES. A TOTAL ESTIMATED $815,000 IN TAXES OVER A TEN YEAR PERIOD, WITH 245,000 EXEMPTED. AND OF COURSE, THE URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA WOULD BE SURROUNDING THAT PARTICULAR PARCEL. PHOTO AS IT APPEARS. PROBABLY NOT TODAY, BUT EARLIER WHEN IT WAS A LITTLE NICER OUT IN THE FALL.

THE INSIDE AND NEXT STEPS, PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION AND FIRST ORDINANCE READING TODAY AND SECOND POSSIBLE THIRD READING ON MARCH 25TH.

THAT IS ALL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. BILL. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.

DOES ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS.

COUNCIL. ALL RIGHT. SEEING NOTHING FURTHER, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND,

[00:15:05]

THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

AND BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE FOR THIS ITEM, DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. WITH NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HAGER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES AS WELL.

THANK YOU. AT NUMBER FIVE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING CHAPTER 31 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE SUBDIVISIONS TO UPDATE THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LAND TO BE FINAL

[5. A public hearing will be held to consider amending Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code, Subdivisions, to update the general requirements for land to be final platted, pertaining to sanitary sewer, water mains, and general requirements (Ken DeKeyser). CIP/DID #49-25-001]

KEN DEKEYSER IS HERE. KEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. KEN DEKEYSER WITH PUBLIC WORKS.

SO THIS IS A MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 31 SUBDIVISIONS.

IT'S A VERY SMALL AMENDMENT TO THE SECTION CALLED GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAND TO BE FINAL PLATTED.

IT REALLY THE PURPOSE IS TO CLARIFY DEVELOPER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EXTENDING PUBLIC UTILITIES TO THEIR PROPERTY.

AND AS I WILL EXPLAIN TO THE PRESENTATION, THIS IS NOT A CHANGE IN THE RULES.

IT'S JUST A CLARIFICATION AND ADDING SOME MORE DETAIL TO WHAT'S ALREADY THERE.

AND THEN FINALLY, A PATH TO RESOLVE ANY AMBIGUITIES IN THESE REQUIREMENTS.

SO FOR BACKGROUND, THE SUBDIVISION CODE HAS HISTORICALLY REQUIRED DEVELOPERS TO EXTEND PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES THROUGH THEIR PROPERTIES TO SERVE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. AND THIS AERIAL HERE IS JUST A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION WHERE AN EXISTING SEWER WOULD BE LOCATED ALONG A ROAD RIGHT OF WAY, AND THEN THE SEWER WOULD BE EXTENDED BY A DEVELOPER THROUGH THE PROPERTY AND THEN TERMINATE AT A SUITABLE CONNECTION POINT TO SERVE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. THIS TERMINATION WOULD DEPEND IF THE ADJACENT LAND WAS EVEN SERVICEABLE.

SO IF THERE IS SOME TOPOGRAPHIC ISSUES OR THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE IT WOULD NOT BE SERVICEABLE, WE WOULD NOT JUST REQUIRE THEM TO EXTEND ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SITE.

THE REASONING WHY WE DO THIS IS BECAUSE OTHERS HAVE SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME AND MONEY TO EXTEND SEWER AND WATER UTILITIES FROM THE WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS TO THE PROPERTY. SO IT WOULD BE IT WOULD MAKE SENSE THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER DEVELOPING WOULD ALSO RETURN THAT FAVOR TO ALLOW FUTURE DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE CITY. WHEN A DEVELOPER PROVIDES A WATER AND SEWER, PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER, THEY DO NOT PAY ANY CONNECTION FEES TO THE SYSTEM.

OTHERWISE, IF THEY WERE TO PAY CONNECTION FEES, IT'S $1,000 AN ACRE EACH FOR WATER AND SEWER.

SO HERE'S THE CHANGE IN THE SENTENCE. THE EXISTING IS IN THE FIRST BULLET POINT THERE.

AND THEN THE PROPOSED WE'RE JUST ADDING THE LANGUAGE IN RED.

SO, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE VERY CLEAR AS TO WHAT THIS CODE MEANS TO CONNECT TO EXISTING MAINS AND WHERE NECESSARY, TERMINATE AT OR NEAR THE DEVELOPMENT'S BOUNDARY.

WE WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THIS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO PROVIDE UTILITY SERVICE FOR ADJACENT PROPERTIES.

THIS DOES NOT AFFECT ANY CITY REIMBURSEMENTS THAT WE COULD OFFER FOR UPSIZING UTILITY WITHIN THE STATE MANDATED BID THRESHOLD.

IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE CITY. IF THE CITY CHOOSES TO CONSTRUCT ANY UTILITIES AND THEN SET UP A SEWER SERVICE DISTRICT TO RECOUP COSTS, AND IT WOULDN'T AFFECT ANY KIND OF A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT OR OTHER CONDITIONS THAT THE COUNCIL MIGHT WANT TO USE INSTEAD OF THIS.

WE'RE ALSO ADDING A NEW SENTENCE TO THE CODE, STATING, HERE'S A PATH TO RESOLVE SOME AMBIGUITIES.

AND AS I NOTE HERE, THE ITEMS ONE AND THREE. THESE ARE ACTUAL ITEMS THAT OCCUR IN THE CODE NOW.

ITEMS 1 TO 3 ARE ABOUT. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AGREEMENTS AND TEMPORARY TURNAROUNDS.

THERE'S REALLY NO CHANGE TO THE TO RULE THERE.

IT JUST ALLOWS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION TO BE THE POINT OF CONTACT.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

ITEM TWO IS THE UTILITY EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.

AND THAT IS TO BE RESOLVED BY THE CITY ENGINEER.

AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO IS THAT THE ITEMS ONE AND THREE ARE MORE ABOUT SITE PLAN APPROVALS.

ITEM TWO HAS SOME COST IMPLICATIONS WHICH WOULD BE BUDGETED THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS OR POSSIBLY UTILITIES.

SO THAT WOULD TAKE A DIFFERENT INDIVIDUAL TO GO THROUGH THAT.

SO THIS JUST MAKES IT CLEAR AS TO WHO YOU GO TO INSTEAD OF A DEVELOPER NOT KNOWING, AND THEN JUST KIND OF DOING WHAT THEY THINK THEY SHOULD DO.

AND WITH THAT, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, KEN. 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. COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MY ASSUMPTION IS, YOU KNOW, AS WE'RE SEEING SOME LARGER DEVELOPMENTS GOING THE CASE WOULD BE HOW IS THAT DEFINED WHEN SOMEBODY IS DEVELOPING A PROPERTY

[00:20:05]

AND SO THAT MEANS IF THEY START BUILDING IN ONE CORNER, WHEN DID THEY HAVE TO GET IT TO THE OTHER SIDE TO SERVE SOMEBODY, IF THAT PERSON WANTS SERVICE? THAT PHASING WOULD OCCUR WITH EACH ADDITION OF THE FINAL PLAT SUBDIVISION.

YES. SO WITH A LOT OF DEVELOPMENTS, THEY WOULD SPLIT UP THEIR SUBDIVISION INTO DIFFERENT ADDITIONS.

SO, WITH EACH ADDITION THE DEVELOPER WOULD CONSTRUCT THE UTILITIES TO APPOINT IN THAT ADDITION.

AND THEN IN THE NEXT PHASE AND THEY CAN GO TO THE NEXT.

AND THAT COULD BE FINAL PLATTED AND SO ON. SO IT WORKS SEQUENTIALLY ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT.

WITH THEM ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT. SO SOMEBODY THAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE THAT EXPECTS THE SEWER TO GET THERE RIGHT AWAY, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO HAPPEN THAT WAY IF THAT DEVELOPER IS NOT PUTTING IT, IF IT TAKES HIM TEN YEARS TO GET ACROSS THE SITE, IT'S AS MUCH AS A DEVELOPER IS DEVELOPING.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE ON COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT.

SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MEYER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER SIX IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER GRANTING AN UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC LINE EASEMENT AT 101 FIRST AVENUE SOUTHEAST,

[6. A public hearing will be held to consider granting an Underground Electric Line Easement at 101 1st Avenue SE as requested by Interstate Power and Light Company in connection with the Cedar River Flood Control System (Rob Davis). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #3315200-00]

ROB DAVIS IS HERE. ROB, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL, ROB DAVIS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THIS WORK WAS DONE IN 2024 UNDER A TEMPORARY EASEMENT.

IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY HALL PROPERTY AND THE SECOND AVENUE GATE THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OUTSIDE THE BUILDING HERE.

THIS WAS NECESSARY TO BE RELOCATED OUT OF THE WAY OF THE GATE CONSTRUCTION, AND IT WAS DONE.

IT'S ALL UNDERGROUND WORK, SO ESTHETICS WERE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

THE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THAT WAS DONE OUT OF EXPEDIENCY UNDER A TEMPORARY EASEMENT.

THE ACTION TODAY WILL PUT A PERMANENT EASEMENT OVER THE UTILITY EASEMENT THAT WAS TEMPORARY.

AND THEN THE TEMPORARY ONE WILL EXPIRE. WITH THAT, WE WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL FOR EXECUTION OF THE PERMANENT EASEMENT.

THANK YOU. ROB. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.

DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD COUNCIL.

ALL RIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HAGER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER SEVEN IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT AT FIRST STREET SOUTHEAST

[7. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Downtown Parking Lot at 1st Street SE and 4th Avenue SE project (estimated cost is $190,000) (Rob Davis). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #3315558-02]

ROB, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

ANOTHER FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT. THIS IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF FIRST STREET, SOUTHEAST AND THE NORTH SIDE OF FOURTH AVENUE SOUTHEAST.

THIS IS A VACANT LOT. THE CITY PURCHASED IT IN 2024.

AND IT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE WE'LL BE BUILDING SOME FLOOD CONTROL ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE BUILDING AND THE SMALL, FORMER SMALL [INAUDIBLE] AREA. AS WE RELOCATE THE PROPERTIES, IT'S EASIEST TO RELOCATE THE PARKERS TO THIS TEMPORARY PARKING LOT.

SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS BUILD A PARKING LOT TEMPORARILY HERE DURING THE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM.

IT CAN REMAIN THERE AFTER THE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM IS DONE UNTIL MAYBE THERE'S SOME REDEVELOPMENT.

WE WILL MEET THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS. THERE WILL BE A, WE'RE ALLOWING IT TO EITHER BE A CONCRETE OR ASPHALT LOT.

THE CONTRACTOR CAN CHOOSE. THAT SHOULD GIVE US THE BEST BID PRICES.

THERE'LL BE 35 PARKING SPACES AND THE TO MEET THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME SCREENING.

WE WILL ACTUALLY BE USING THE PLANTERS THAT WERE DOWNTOWN.

PUT THOSE IN PUTTING THOSE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT.

THIS, AS I MENTIONED, WILL PROVIDE THE TEMPORARY PARKING AND THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM.

ALONG THE FROM HERE, CITY HALL DOWN TO EIGHTH AVENUE IS FORECAST FOR 2026 AND 2027 CONSTRUCTION SEASONS.

SO WE WANT TO HAVE THIS PARKING LOT COMPLETE BEFORE THE END OF THIS CURRENT CONSTRUCTION SEASON.

ENGINEER'S OPINION PROBABLE COST $190,000. THE BID OPENING IS ON MARCH 19TH.

WE HAVE AN EARLY START DATE OF MAY 12TH AND A LATE START DATE OF AUGUST 18TH.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE QUITE A BIT OF RANGE OF WHEN THIS CAN START. I THINK THAT'LL GET US THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICES, BUT ONCE THE PROJECT STARTS THEY'LL HAVE 40 WORKING DAYS TO COMPLETE THAT.

THAT'S A MONDAY TO FRIDAY, WEATHER PERMITTING.

WITH THAT, WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, ROB.

[00:25:02]

DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD.

COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

ROB, IS THIS A PARKING FOR A SPECIFIC COMPANY OR IS THIS PUBLIC PARKING? WHO WILL BE PARKING IN THIS LOT? THIS IS PARKING FOR THE BUSINESSES THAT WILL BE LOSING PARKING DURING CONSTRUCTION.

WE WANT TO TAKE SOME AREAS OF THE STAGING FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM.

SO IT'S BASICALLY THE BUILDINGS THAT THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE BETWEEN FOURTH AVENUE AND FIFTH AVENUE.

THAT PARK EITHER ON THE SIDE OF THE HACH BUILDING OR ALONG THE RIVERSIDE THERE.

SO JUST THOSE BUSINESSES IN THAT BLOCK. OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON.

THANK YOU, MAYOR ROB, I APPRECIATE THIS EFFORT BECAUSE WE HAD THE POTENTIAL OF LOSING SOME DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PARKING, BECAUSE THE CONSTRUCTION, AS WE'VE SEEN AROUND HERE AND EVERYTHING ELSE, TAKES A LOT LONGER THAN YOU THINK.

BUILDING THIS AMAZING FLOODWALL AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

WILL THIS BE MANAGED BY PARK CR OR WILL THIS BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE ASSIGNMENT THAT'S BEEN MADE FOR THE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES WHOSE, IS PARK CR ARE GOING TO OVERSEE THE LOT TO KEEP IT SNOW PLOWED AND ALL THAT STUFF? THAT'S WHERE WE THINK THIS IS HEADING. THAT HASN'T BEEN FORMALIZED YET WITH PARKS CR.

THAT WILL HAPPEN LATER THIS SPRING, I ANTICIPATE.

WILL THOSE AGREEMENT WILL BE UPDATED TO ALLOW FOR PARKS HERE TO MAINTAIN THAT.

COUNCIL MEMBER TODD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO SORT OF STRESS THE WORD TEMPORARY HERE, THAT IT'S A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO AN IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF A BUSINESS.

BUT LONG TERM, IN TERMS OF A DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, IT'S A VERY VALUABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY.

AND SO WE IN TERMS OF TEMPORARY, ALL PARTIES NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE TEMPORARY NATURE OF THIS PROJECT.

AND I APPRECIATE STAFF BEING ABLE TO RAPIDLY HELP FACILITATE THIS, THIS, THIS NEED THAT IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR A BUSINESS. COUNCILMAN OLSON IS RIGHT.

OTHERWISE WE WOULD LOSE TENANTS DOWNTOWN. SO THANK YOU, ROB.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER HAGER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT 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 Waconia Avenue SW At-Grade Railroad Crossing Improvements project (estimated cost is $240,000) (Ben Worrell). CIP/DID #301994-21]

THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $240,000. BEN WALL IS HERE.

BEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR BEN WALL, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO RECONSTRUCT RAILROAD CROSSING PAVEMENT AT WACONIA AVENUE SOUTHWEST.

IT WILL ENSURE A SMOOTH AND SAFE CROSSING SURFACE FOR VEHICLES AND TRAINS.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A COST SHARED BETWEEN FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, WHICH IS FUNNELED THROUGH THE IOWA DOT, AS WELL AS CRANDIC AND THE CITY. THERE'S A SEPARATE PROJECT WHERE CRANDIC IS GOING TO REPLACE TRACKS THROUGH THE CROSSING THAT'LL BE CONCURRENT, BUT SEPARATE FROM THIS PROJECT. AND HERE'S A GRAPHIC SHOWING THE PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS.

THE LOCATION IS VERY NEAR ADM FACILITIES, SO WE'VE COORDINATED WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ANY INTERRUPTION FOR THEIR PLANT.

ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE COST IS 240,000.

BID LETTING IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED MAY THROUGH MID JUNE, AND DURING THAT TIME TRAFFIC WILL BE DETOURED DOWN TO 60TH AVENUE.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. BEN. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.

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 ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. AND IT LOOKS AS THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

[PUBLIC COMMENT]

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER HARPER, ANY CHANGES TO OUR AGENDA?

[MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA]

THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO.

AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

[00:30:05]

AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. COUNCIL. MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA TODAY.

[27. Report on bids for the 2025 Pavement Milling and Curb Repair project (estimated cost is $3,990,000) (Doug Wilson). CIP/DID #301998-17]

THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,990,000. DOUG WILSON IS HERE.

DOUG, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. THANK YOU. MAYOR. DOUG WILSON, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THIS PROJECT INCLUDES REMOVAL OF THE EXISTING ASPHALT SURFACE, CONCRETE PATCHING AND CURB REPAIRS AT 12 LOCATIONS BY A CONTRACTOR AFTER THE CONTRACTOR IS DONE WITH THEIR WORK. THE STREET OPERATIONS SECTION WILL PLACE THE ASPHALT SURFACE AT EACH LOCATION.

CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MAY OF 2025 AND BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER FOR BOTH THE CONTRACTOR AND STREET OPERATIONS WORK.

HERE IS A LIST OF THE 12 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT WE PLAN TO DO WORK ON, AND THEY ARE ALL RESIDENTIAL STREETS.

ON MARCH 5TH, WE HAD A BID OPENING. WE RECEIVED FOUR BIDS.

THE BIDS RANGED FROM $3,531,506.86 TO $4,225,236.05. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT TO MIDWEST CONCRETE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DOUG COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE? ALL RIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THAT NOW BRINGS US TO OUR ORDINANCES. ITEM NUMBER 28 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 1300 THIRD AVENUE,

[28. Ordinance granting 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. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000009-2025]

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. I MOVE THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS, BE SUSPENDED, AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.

THANK YOU. THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON HIS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. ITEM NUMBER 29 IS AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE COLLECTION OF TAX INCREMENTS WITHIN THE EDGEWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK URBAN RENEWAL AREA.

[29. Ordinance relating to the collection of tax increments within the Edgewood Industrial Park Urban Renewal Area along 64th Avenue SW and 26th Street SW. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #TIF-0010-2025]

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND.

SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. I MOVE THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS, BE SUSPENDED, AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.

THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HAGER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 30 IS AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE COLLECTION OF TAX INCREMENTS WITHIN THE LYNDALE URBAN RENEWAL AREA,

[30. Ordinance relating to the collection of tax increments within the Lindale Urban Renewal Area, generally including Lindale Mall between Collins Road NE and 1st Avenue NE. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #TIF-0009-2025]

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER HAGER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MEYER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBER POE. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. I MOVE THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS, BE SUSPENDED, AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.

THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE AND THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO.

THIS MOTION CARRIES, AND THIS CLOSES OUT OUR FORMAL BUSINESS TODAY.

[PUBLIC INPUT]

THIS IS A CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL BUSINESS.

AND I WILL INVITE OUR, OUR SPEAKERS TO THE PODIUM HERE.

COMMENTS. LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. AND WE ONCE AGAIN ASK FOR NO ABUSIVE, LOUD, THREATENING OR PERSONAL COMMENTS.

SO IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, WE'LL ASK YOU TO APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON.

AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER TODAY AND ONLY SPEAKER SIGNED UP, IS TAMIKA BROWN HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS? MISS BROWN. GOOD AFTERNOON. DON'T KNOW WHY I'M SCARED AS MUCH SPEAKING THAT I DOES, BUT I AM I'M COMING TO I'M COMING TO TALK ABOUT THE CHARTER SCHOOLS HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS.

WE ARE THE FIRST CHARTER SCHOOL HERE. WE SERVE THE AT RISK TEENS THAT WE HAVE LOST IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

[00:35:04]

WE HAVE NEW KIDS COMING IN. WE ARE GIVING THEM ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO THE SCHOOL AND RECEIVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA THAT THEY RECEIVE FROM ANY OTHER SCHOOL.

WE JUST A SMALLER CLASSROOM. SO INSTEAD OF HAVING 40 KIDS IN A CLASSROOM, WE HAVE 18.

THIS IS THE PRINCIPAL. IT'S VERY SMALL. SO INSTEAD OF HAVING 500, YOU HAVE A PRINCIPAL THAT ACTUALLY KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEM, THE PRINCIPAL IS RIGHT THERE.

WE HAVE A DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. WE HAVE EVERYTHING THAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE.

IT'S JUST IT'S JUST A SMALLER PUBLIC SCHOOL. IT'S NOT A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

IT'S NOT A CATHOLIC SCHOOL. IT'S JUST LIKE IT'S JUST A LITTLE SMALL.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF FEEDBACK OF WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL? WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING FOR OUR COMMUNITY? WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO OUR PANEL THAT WE HAVE ON APRIL 28TH AT THE LIBRARY.

WE WILL BE BRINGING IN ALL THE CHARTER SCHOOLS IN IOWA FROM DES MOINES, DAVENPORT, HAMBURG, AND WE WILL BE HAVING TWO OPENING THIS YEAR. COME AUGUST OF 2025, WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER MIDDLE SCHOOL SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH.

CHATTER IS CEDAR RAPIDS PREP AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A K THROUGH FIFTH THAT WILL BE ALSO BE OPENING IN AUGUST.

AND WE INVITE EVERYONE TO COME TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

YOU CAN ALWAYS COME TO THE PANEL AND WE WILL EXPLAIN TO WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL, WHY I'M SO DEEP ABOUT A CHARTER SCHOOL? BECAUSE I ATTENDED A CHARTER SCHOOL IN CHICAGO.

I WENT FROM A PUBLIC SCHOOL TO A CHARTER SCHOOL.

I WENT FROM HAVING 50 KIDS IN A CLASSROOM TO 12.

MY ADVISORY KNOW WHO I WAS. MY PRINCIPAL KNEW WHO I WAS, AND I LIKED THAT BECAUSE IT WAS THE LOVE THAT WAS THERE THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT SIX DAYS TO TALK TO SOMEBODY. I CAN ACTUALLY GO SIT AT THE DOOR AND TALK TO SOMEBODY.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I MOVED ON AND RECEIVED A MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION.

IT'S WHEREVER YOU GO IS AS THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS SMALLER AND IT'S LIKE A HOME INSTEAD OF HAVING SO MANY PEOPLE.

SO I WOULD LIKE FOR EVERYBODY TO COME ON APRIL 28TH TO FIND, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, TAMIKA. AND THAT WILL CLOSE OUT OUR SECOND PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD.

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER HARPER. ANY COMMUNICATIONS TODAY?

[CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS]

COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON MOVES TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

WE ARE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.