Apr 08, 2025 City Council

>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER 2 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO

[2. A public hearing will be held to consider amendments to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan and 5-year plan (Sara Buck and Laura Shaw). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #OB363680]

THE SECTION EIGHT HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN, AND FIVE YEAR PLAN.

SARAH BUCK AND LAURA SHAW ARE HERE.

I WILL RECOGNIZE YOU BOTH.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, SARAH BUCK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

>> LAURA SHAW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

THE PROGRAM WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT ABOUT TODAY IS THE SECTION 8 HUD PROGRAM.

WE'RE FUNDED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

WE CURRENTLY SERVE LYNN AND BENTON COUNTIES,

[00:15:04]

AND WE'VE BEEN AROUND IN THIS AREA FOR APPROXIMATELY 49 YEARS.

WE PROVIDE RENT ASSISTANCE TO VERY LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

WE TRY TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS DECENT SAFE AND SANITARY HOUSINGS.

THE FUNDING IS PROVIDED TO LOCAL PRIVATE OWNERS AND RENTAL AGENTS.

ABOUT SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IN RENT ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ARE PAID DIRECTLY INTO LYNN AND BENTON COUNTIES EACH YEAR.

WHO BENEFITS FROM THE PROGRAM? CURRENTLY, 26% OF OUR FAMILIES ARE PERSONS THAT ARE 62 OR OLDER THAT'S HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD CO-HEAD OR SPOUSE.

54% OF FAMILIES HAVE A HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD CO-HEAD OR SPOUSE WITH A DISABILITY, WHO IS A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.

59% OF OUR ACTIVE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE AN ANNUAL INCOME OF UNDER $15,000.

CURRENTLY, THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME A FAMILY IS ON THE PROGRAM IS AVERAGED OUT TO ABOUT SEVEN YEARS.

>> IN OUR MISSION, THEN OUR FIVE YEAR PLANS TO PROVIDE SAFE DECENT AND SANITARY HOUSING OPTIONS FOR VERY LOW INCOME FAMILIES, MANAGE THOSE RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY TO PROMOTE THE PERSONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL UPWARD MOBILITY, TO PROVIDE FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM SUBSIDIZED AND NON-SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT WE CAN ASSIST WITH THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE, CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS, PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES FOR POTENTIAL LANDLORDS AND OUR PARTICIPANTS AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WORKING TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

AS A PROGRESS REPORT, WE ARE STILL DESIGNATED A HIGH PERFORMER, HAVE BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WE COLLABORATE WITH THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.

WE CREATED AN OPEN WAITING LIST FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

RATHER THAN WAITING FOR THAT WAITING LIST TO OPEN AND THEN APPLYING, SOMETIMES THAT'S THREE TO FIVE YEARS AT A TIME, THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE 30 VOUCHERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE EVERY SINGLE YEAR, AND THOSE ARE REFERRED BY COORDINATED ENTRY.

AS PEOPLE GO TO WAYPOINT, GET ON THE COORDINATED LIST, THEN THEY CAN BE REFERRED DIRECTLY TO US, SO WE CAN ASSIST THEM WHEN THEY NEED THAT HELP.

LEVERAGING FUNDING AND REDUCING BARRIERS.

WE HAD OUR LANDLORD TENANT INCENTIVE PILOT THAT CEDAR RAPIDS BANK AND TRUST HAD FUNDED THROUGH THE ALLIANCE FOR EQUITABLE HOUSING.

THROUGH THE HOUSING TRUST FUND AND A LOT OF OTHER PARTNERS, WE ARE ASSISTING APPROXIMATELY 30 HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE REALLY HIGH BARRIERS TO HOUSING IN OBTAINING A UNIT AND THEN WE'RE PARTNERING ON THE BACKSIDE WITH EITHER APERTY HOUSING OR THE SECTION EIGHT VOUCHER TO HELP PAY FOR THE RENT.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE LIST THERE OF OTHER TYPES OF VOUCHERS THAT ARE FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE AT RISK OR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

WE HAVE OUR REGULAR REFERRAL THAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT FROM COORDINATED ENTRY.

WE HAVE 30 EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS, FIVE STABILITY VOUCHERS, AND THEN 24 OF THE VETERANS OR VAS VOUCHERS.

LET LAURA TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN CHANGES.

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE'S SEVERAL REGULATORY CHANGES.

IT'S COMING DOWN FROM HUD.

IT'S CALLED THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH MODERNIZATION ACT.

THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS SINCE ABOUT 2016, SO WE'RE FINALLY JUST ENACTING PARTS OF IT.

IT'S PRIMARILY CHANGING THE DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND THE WAY THAT WE'RE CALCULATING ASSETS FOR THE FAMILIES.

WE DON'T BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LARGE IMPACT ON OUR FAMILIES.

MOST OF OUR FAMILIES WON'T SEE REALLY ANY CHANGE.

WE'RE ALSO DOING THE ANNUAL UPDATE TO THE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM, AND IT'S CALLED AN ACOP, THEIR ADMISSIONS CONTINUED OCCUPANCY PLAN.

>> FOR SOME DISCRETIONARY CHANGES.

WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH LEGAL AID AND SOME OTHER OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICE PARTNERS AND FINDING WAYS THAT WE CAN AS A FAMILY BECOMES ENTERS INTO DETERMINATION, BEING ABLE TO CONSIDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

RATHER THAN JUST MOVING FORWARD WITH A TERMINATION LETTER, WE'RE ACTUALLY SENDING OUT THIS LETTER ASKING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY IMPACT THEIR CASE BEFORE WE'RE MAKING THAT DECISION TO TERMINATE, AND THAT JUST GIVES US ABILITY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE TENANT TO REALLY DISCUSS IF THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN AVOID TERMINATION.

THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WE'RE CHANGING TO AGAIN, REDUCE BARRIERS TO THOSE TENANTS.

ACTIONS TO DATE JANUARY 21ST, THE SECTION 8 RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD REVIEWED THE CHANGES AND APPROVED THEM.

FEBRUARY 21ST THROUGH APRIL 7TH, WAS OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

MARCH 19TH WAS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TODAY.

WE'RE HERE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION, AND THEN JULY 1ST IS WHEN THOSE APPROVED CHANGES WOULD TAKE PLACE.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 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

[00:20:02]

NO COMMENTS FOR THE RECORD. COUNCILOR VANORE.

>> THANKS, MAYOR. CAN WE GO BACK TO THE SLIDE? ONE OF THE FIRST ONES HERE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PILOT.

THANK YOU FOR TALKING ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS SUCH AN EXCITING THING THAT FIRST OFF, WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE TEAM HERE.

IN OUR INTENTION TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND ALSO BUILD MORE QUANTITY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A SUPPLY ISSUE, AND THERE'S ALSO AN ISSUE WITH SOME BARRIERS THAT PEOPLE HAVE PERSONALLY TO.

YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN REALLY INSTRUMENTAL.

I KNOW THAT IN THE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ON DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES.

WE'VE TAKEN SOME REALLY FOUNDATIONAL STEPS IN TERMS OF OUR OWN INTERNAL POLICY AS A HOUSING AUTHORITY AND REDUCING THOSE BARRIERS.

THIS IS A FURTHERANCE OF THAT.

THE REALLY IMPORTANT PART IS THAT WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS NOT NECESSARILY THERE'S ALWAYS A LACK OF SUPPLY.

BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE VERY RISK AVERSE, WHICH CAN BE UNDERSTANDABLE.

IF YOU SEE SOMEBODY'S CRIMINAL RECORD AND YOU SEE THAT MAYBE THEY'VE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT DETERS YOU FROM WANTING TO RENT TO THEM.

YOU ALL HAVE INSTEAD OF TELLING SOMEBODY, NO, YOU'VE GIVEN A CONDITIONAL MAYBE AND HELPS THEM PARTNER THEM WITH ENTITIES THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THEM IN HOUSING, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK WHEN WE STARTED, ONE OF THE HARD CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD WAS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST CARRY SO MUCH SHAME, LONG TERM SHAME ABOUT THE FACT THAT SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST THAT THEY JUST WOULD NOT APPLY.

AS WE CONTINUE TO REDUCE THESE BARRIERS, I WANT TO EXTEND MY SINCERE THANKS TO CRBT FOR RAISING THE HAND AND BEING THAT COMMUNITY PARTNER, SPECIFICALLY JAMES KLINE AND INCENTIVIZING THIS BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO PROVE TO PEOPLE THAT IT REALLY IS A PERCEPTION PROBLEM, THAT THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CAUSING ANY ISSUES.

THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE. YOU ALL HAVE DONE THAT HARD WORK. IT IS HARD WORK.

IT IS YEARS LONG WORTH OF WORK, BUT IT IS PROVING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND I AM JUST SO INCREDIBLY THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING TO GET PEOPLE INTO SHELTER AND A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

>> YOU MAY NOT HAVE THIS IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT I KNOW WE WERE STILL LOOKING FOR LANDLORDS.

IS THAT STILL THE CASE TO BE PART OF THAT?

>> THAT IS TRUE. SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SMALLER UNITS OR ONE OR TWO BEDROOM UNITS, IF YOU HAVE THEM AVAILABLE AND ARE WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE.

WE HAVE SOME INCENTIVES FOR LANDLORDS ON UPFRONT PAYMENTS, INCENTIVE PAYMENTS, AS WELL AS THAT GUARANTEED RENT THROUGH EITHER SECTION 8 OR THE RAPID REHOUSING.

YES, APPRECIATE. ANYONE GIVING US A CALL OR WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION.

>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IF THERE'S NO ONE ELSE.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION.

MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

>> THE OPPOSE SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER 3 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER

[3. A public hearing will be held to consider a Development Agreement with Butterfield Holdings, LLC for a housing project at 525 10th Avenue SE (Scott Mather). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #TIF-0074-2022]

THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH BUTTERFIELD HOLDINGS, LLC FOR A HOUSING PROJECT AT 525 TENTH AVENUE, SOUTHEAST.

SCOTT MATHER IS HERE, SCOTT. I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MARON COUNCIL. SCOTT MATHER WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.

WE RECEIVED ON MARCH 23RD OF 2023, CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED STANDARD LOCAL MATCH INCENTIVES IN SUPPORT OF A WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDIT APPLICATION ON AUGUST OF 2023, IDA AWARDED THE PROJECT WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDITS.

THE PROJECT QUALIFIES UNDER THE ABOVE STANDARD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEARS OF TAX INCENTIVES TO COVER THE COSTS OF RESURFACING THE ALLEY WITH CONCRETE.

AS WE DO WITH ALL ABOVE STANDARD INCENTIVES, WE ANALYZE THE FINANCIAL GAP.

WE ENSURE THAT THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONAL COSTS EXCEED OUR PRESENT VALUE OF THE CITY INCENTIVES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING.

THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TERMS INCLUDE A $1.5 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FOUR PLEX MARKET RATE HOUSING UNITS FOR LEASE.

THESE ARE LARGER. THESE ARE FOUR BEDROOM THREE BATHROOM WITH A TWO STALL ATTACHED GARAGE.

THEY EACH INCLUDE A 500 SQUARE FOOT TERRACE ABOVE THE GARAGE, AND THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE RESURFACING OF THE ENTIRE ALLEY WITH CONCRETE.

CONSTRUCTION WOULD COMMENCE IN MAY OF 2025 AND COMPLETE IN MARCH OF 2026.

THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES ARE 100% REBATE OF TAX INCREMENTS UP TO A NET PRESENT VALUE OF 140,000 OR 15 CONSECUTIVE PAYMENTS.

THE RED BOX INDICATES THE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT.

THAT HOUSE THAT SHOWED THERE HAS BEEN RAISED IN THE PARCEL HAS BEEN SCRAPED.

THE RED AREA INDICATES THE AREA OF THE ALLEY TO BE IMPROVED.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF RENDERINGS OF THE FOURPLEX.

STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION

[00:25:01]

AUTHORIZING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH BUTTERFIELD HOLDINGS, LLC, WITH THAT I RETURN BACK TO YOU, MAYOR.

>> THANK YOU, SCOTT. 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 COMMENTS FOR THE RECORD.

COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

SCOTT, WILL YOU GO BACK TO THE PICTURE, PLEASE? YEAH. THESE ARE GREAT.

I LIKE THE DESIGN OF IT.

GO BACK TO THE INTERIOR, THE PATIOS ON THE TOP, THE REAR ENTRANCES, THE ZERO PROPERTY LINES.

THESE ARE REALLY VERY SPECIAL AND REALLY LOVELY, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY HAVING MORE OF THESE UNITS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DEVELOPER AND VERY NICE. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMAN ROLSON.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I AGREE.

I THINK WHAT I'VE WATCHED THIS NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE WITH PROJECTS BEING FINISHED OUT AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSING.

THIS IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT WITH THE SIZE OF UNIT.

I THINK WHAT IT DOES IS IT BRINGS A MIX OF A VARIETY OF FAMILY SIZE, INCOME SIZE, AND IS REALLY HELPING WITH THE APARTMENTS GOING UP, LOTS OF APARTMENTS AND OTHER BUILDINGS BEING UPDATED.

I THINK IT SENDS A GOOD SIGNAL THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR CORE, AND HOPEFULLY MORE PEOPLE WILL TAKE EMPTY LOTS AND DO THE SAME THING.

THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE, AND IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL, I'M SURE THE WORD WILL SPREAD. THANK YOU FOR THIS EFFORT.

>> COUNCILMAN HAGER.

>> MAYOR, I'M GOING TO RECUSE MYSELF FOR THIS VOTE DUE TO A CONFLICT.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

>> THANKS, YOUR HONOR. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE POLICY QUESTION HERE BECAUSE I APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION WE HAD.

THE QUESTION BECOMES ONE OF WHY ARE WE SUBSIDIZING MARKET RATE HOUSING? FOR ME TO MAKE THAT LEAP, I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO JUSTIFY IT BY ASKING THE QUESTION, WHAT IS THE COMPELLING INTEREST OR GAIN THAT THE CITY GETS OUT OF IT? VERSUS A MARKET RATE, ANOTHER MARKET RATE UNIT PROJECT.

IN THIS CASE, THE FACTORS THAT I'M LOOKING AT IS THAT THIS IS A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT HAS LANGUISHED OUT THERE FOR 10+ YEARS EASILY, AND IN AN AREA THAT'S STABILIZED WHERE THERE'S GROWTH, IT'S TIME TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

I APPRECIATE THE DEVELOPERS TAKING THAT STEP.

THE OTHER THING THOUGH, IN TERMS OF THE BENEFIT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE ADDITIONAL MONEY, THE ADDITIONAL INCREMENT IS GOING TO BE USED TO PAVE THE ALLEY.

WE'VE HAD THIS QUESTION OVER ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE, WHERE WE'VE DONE SIMILAR PROJECTS, AND WE STILL HAVE THESE ALLEYS THAT WE DON'T HAVE A COST CENTER OR A REVENUE STREAM FOR.

IN THIS CASE, IT MAKES GOOD SENSE TO ME IN TERMS OF A WIN WIN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEVELOPER TO GET THAT PIECE OF ALLEY DONE.

THAT'S WHY I'M SUPPORTIVE OF IT AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AND GET DONE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER MERODIE

>> THE OTHER PART TOO IS THAT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IN OUR HOUSING STUDY, WE DO NEED THIS TYPE OF HOUSING. THAT'S IMPORTANT.

BUT THE ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE, REALLY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AT NAUSEAM.

PROBABLY FOUR YEARS RUNNING, TALKING ABOUT ALLEYS AND WHAT TO DO WITH THEM AND WHO'S GOING TO PAVE THEM AND HOW WOULD WE EVER GET THIS DONE? BECAUSE QUITE HONESTLY, THEY'RE WET AREAS, AND WE KNOW WE'VE GOTTEN THE PICTURES OF A SLOPPY ALLEY WHERE THERE'S JUST A LOT OF RAIN ACCUMULATION AND PEOPLE CANNOT ACCESS THEIR PROPERTIES BECAUSE THERE'S JUST BIG MOUNDS OF WATER AND ALSO IN THE WINTER, LOTS OF SNOW, LOTS OF ICE.

THIS REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT I HOPE CONTINUES TO SET A PRECEDENT FOR PEOPLE THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS DONE.

IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE.

BUT IF WE CAN MAKE THAT WORK, I THINK THAT'S HOW WE ACTUALLY START MEETING THAT GOAL THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. THANK YOU.

>> SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON.

SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND.

>> THOSE OPPOSE SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER 4 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLANS,

[4. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the FY 2025 Bridge Maintenance project (estimated cost is $2,050,000) (Ken DeKeyser). (Paving for Progress) CIP/DID #305145-03]

SPECIFICATIONS FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE FY 2025 BRIDGE MAINTENANCE PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,000,050.

KENDA KAISER IS HERE. I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, KENDA KAISER WITH PUBLIC WORKS.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BRIDGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THIS FISCAL YEAR, THIRD AVENUE BRIDGE OVER CEDAR RIVER AND J STREET, SOUTHWEST OVER PERRY CREEK.

WE HAVE A APRIL 16TH BID,

[00:30:01]

AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF LATE START DATES.

WE'RE GOING TO START J STREET ON MAY 19TH, AND THEN THIRD AVENUE WILL BEGIN WITH A LATE START ON JULY 14TH, AND IT'S A TWO STAGE PROJECT, SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GO INTO NEXT YEAR TO START THE SECOND STAGE OF THIRD AVENUE IF NEEDED.

EACH STAGE OF J STREET AND THIRD AVENUE ARE ALLOWED 50 WORKING DAYS.

FIFTY WORKING DAYS, IS ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

FOR EACH STAGE A AND B AND THEN J STREET.

OVERALL COMPLETION SHOULD BE BY JULY 31ST OF 2026.

WE HAVE A $2,050,000 COST OPINION MAINLY THROUGH LOCAL SALES OPTION SALES TAX PROCEEDS THROUGH PAVING THROUGH PROGRESS, AND WE DO HOLD A COUPLE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS.

SPECIFICALLY, ONE FOR IN DECEMBER 10TH FOR J STREET AND THEN ON FEBRUARY 18TH FOR THIRD AVENUE.

THIS IS THE OVERVIEW OF THE J STREET, SOUTHWEST PLAN.

IT INVOLVES A DECK REPAIRS, GUARD RAILS, SIGNAGE AND APPROACH WORK, AS WELL AS SOME UNDERSIDE SUBSTRUCTURE REPAIRS.

THERE WILL BE A DETOUR INVOLVED WITH THE J STREET, AND WE'VE GOT THAT ALL MAPPED OUT AND WE WORKED WITH THE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GOT THEIR FEEDBACK DURING THIS TIME.

THIRD AVENUE BRIDGE INCLUDE SIMILAR WORK WITH THE DECK AND SUBSTRUCTURE AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL WORK ON CONCRETE RAILINGS AND STAIRS.

THIS WILL BE DONE IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SECTIONS.

FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO START ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE THIRD AVENUE BRIDGE FOR THE 50 WORKING DAYS, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A DETOUR VIA SECOND AVENUE FOR THAT.

THEN WE WILL MOVE OVER TO THE WESTERLY HALF OF THE BRIDGE.

AGAIN, WITH A PLANNED DETOUR ROUTE FOR THAT.

THERE'S ALSO A PEDESTRIAN ROUTE THROUGH MAYS ISLAND DURING ALL OF THIS WORK.

WITH CONSIDERATIONS OF THIRD AVENUE, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DOWNTOWN SMIT IN LYNN COUNTY COURTHOUSE STAFF, PARK CR FOR THE PARKING SITUATION AND THEN FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER FCS PROJECT THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING AWARD TODAY, AND THOSE WILL BE COORDINATED TOGETHER, AS WELL AS SPECIAL EVENTS, SPECIFIC SIGNS FOR THE COURTHOUSE DETOUR, AND AT ALL TIMES COURTHOUSE AND JAIL DRIVEWAY WILL REMAIN OPEN.

WE ARE AVOIDING CLOSURE OF SECOND AND THIRD AVENUE BRIDGES AT THE SAME TIME.

BASED ON THE CURRENT SCHEDULE, WE HAVE FOR SECOND AVENUE THAT'S PROPOSED FOR REOPENING IN JUNE AND THEN WE WOULD START IN JULY FOR THIRD AVENUE BRIDGE CLOSURE.

IF FOR SOME REASON, THERE ARE SOME DELAY IN SECOND AVENUE, WE'LL REWORK TO SCHEDULE WITH THE CONTRACTOR ON THIRD AVENUE.

THEN THE PLAN SET ALSO INCLUDES A LIST OF SPECIAL EVENTS TABULATED.

WE'VE WORKED WITH OUR EVENTS COMMITTEE AND MAKE SURE THE CONTRACTOR IS AWARE OF ALL THE EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE OCCURRING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

WITH THAT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVING THE RESOLUTION, HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, KEN. THIS IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.

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

COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

>> JUST A DUMB QUESTION, BUT WHERE ARE WE AT WITH THE DOWNTOWN VISION PIECE OF SECOND AVENUE? IS THERE ANY WAY TO CONSOLIDATE WHATEVER WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE WITH SOME OF THIS?

>> THERE IS A WAY TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE AN UPCOMING PROJECT IN FY 26 FOR THE SECOND AVENUE BRIDGE, AND WE CAN COORDINATE THE VISION WORK WITH THE BRIDGE MAINTENANCE ON SECOND AVENUE IN FY 26.

>> THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER WILSON.

>> TO OPPOSE, NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER 5 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLANS,

[5. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the WPC Feeder Main Extension project (estimated cost is $3,450,000) (Brandon Jennings). CIP/DID #2024040-02]

SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE WC FEAR MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,000,450.

BRANDON JENNINGS, IS HERE, BRANDON, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS, BRANDON JENNINGS WITH THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.

THE CEDAR RAPIDS WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY HAS RECENTLY BEGUN CONSTRUCTION ON THE WPC FACILITY PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS CONTRACT 2 PROJECT TO UPGRADE SITE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT TO EXTEND THE FACILITY'S USEFUL LIFE.

THIS WPC FEEDER MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT WILL EXTEND APPROXIMATELY 10,000 FEET OF NEW WATER MAIN ALONG BERTRAM ROAD FROM MOUNT VERNON ROAD, SOUTHEAST TO PROVIDE A SECONDARY FEED TO THE PLANNED EXPANSION AT THE WPC FACILITY TO SUPPORT FUTURE WATER DEMANDS AND PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FIRE PROTECTION TO THE SITE.

THE ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE CONSTRUCTION COSTS IS $3,450,000.

[00:35:02]

BIDS WILL OPEN ON APRIL 23, AND CONSTRUCTION IS SLATED TO BEGIN IN JULY OF 2025 AND WRAP UP IN SPRING OF 2026.

THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE PLAN SPECIFICATIONS FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE WPC FEEDER MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDON. THIS IS THE TIME IN TO PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.

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

SEEING NONE. THE ADOPTION THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGAR, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAYER.

>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO AND THIS MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER 6 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN SPECIFICATIONS,

[6. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Playground Equipment at Fox Trail Park project (estimated cost is $245,000) (Steve Krug). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #PUR0325-246]

A FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT FOX TRAIL PARK.

THIS PROJECT HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $245,000.

STEVE KRUK IS HERE. STEVE WILL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

AS STATED I'M HERE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PLAN SPECIFICATIONS AND FORM OF CONTRACT FOR THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT FOX TRAIL PARK.

THIS PROJECT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THAT ARE IN THE PARK DUE TO AGE MAINTENANCE ISSUES AND CURRENT HIGH WATER DAMAGE.

THE NEW PLAYGROUND WILL CONSIST OF A 2-5-YEAR-OLD PLAY STRUCTURE, A 5-12-YEAR-OLD PLAY STRUCTURE, AND ADDITIONAL STANDALONE PLAY EQUIPMENT.

THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND WILL BE REMOVED, AND THE ELEVATION OF THE PLAYGROUND AREA WILL BE RAISED TO PREVENT FUTURE HIGH WATER ISSUES.

THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY OUT FOR BID WITH THE BIDS DUE ON APRIL 9.

ESTIMATE A PROJECT COST IS $245,000.

THIS IS JUST A LOCATION OF THE PARK.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU, STEVE.

THIS IS A TIME AND TO PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.

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

PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS, COUNSEL. COUNSEL MARTY HOEGER.

>> STEVE, CAN YOU JUST CONFIRM THAT THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDE ACCESSIBILITY FOR DISABLED?

>> YES, THEY ALWAYS INCLUDE ACCESSIBILITY ON ALL OUR PLAYGROUNDS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR DISABLED. YES.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> COUNSELOR MAYER.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. STEVE, I HAVE A BROADER QUESTION AND NOW IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME.

WE CAN TAKE IT OFFLINE.

I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THE BROADER STRATEGY AS FAR AS DETERMINING WHICH PARKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE ENHANCED OR IMPLEMENTED WITH NEW EQUIPMENT.

>> WE HAVE A LIST PUT TOGETHER OF ALL OF OUR PLAYGROUNDS IN THE CITY AND THEY'RE ORDERED RANKED BY WHICH ONE SHOULD BE REPLACED NEXT DUE TO AGE ISSUES, USE, AND DIFFERENT ITEMS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE PUT INTO OUR CIP LIST WHEN WE PUT THEM OUT FOR BID AND REPLACEMENT.

>> ANYONE ELSE?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

>> I JUST GOT TO SAY, STEVE, JUST TO GIVE SOME INSIGHT.

WE BUILT THIS IN 2000.

IT WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS NEW.

IT WAS LAND THAT COULD NOT BE DEVELOPED BECAUSE OF THE WATER ISSUES, LESSON LEARNED.

BUT IT WAS A NICE PARTNERSHIP, AND THE PLAYGROUNDS REALLY WORKED WELL OVER YEARS.

I'M GLAD TO SEE IT WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY PUT IN, THERE REALLY WASN'T A NEIGHBORHOOD OUT THERE.

IT'S NICE TO SEE.

IN FACT, AS A CITY GREW, WE CONTINUED TO GO THAT WAY.

WE WENT DOWN C AVENUE, PUT THE ONE IN OVER THERE AT C AVENUE.

BUT THEY GO OUT AND THEN THEY INSPECT EACH SEASON AND BASED ON THE QUALITY OF THE PLAYGROUND, THAT'S HOW THEY DETERMINE WHEN TO REPLACE IT.

IT'S A GOOD SIZE PLAYGROUND.

IT'S A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU'RE SPENDING ON IT.

I THINK THE NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD BE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN OUT THERE.

>> COUNSELOR TODD, YOU MENTIONED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

DIDN'T CLEVELAND DO THAT TOO?

>> CLEVELAND DID. BASICALLY, BACK THEN, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY AND SO EVERYBODY DID.

THAT HELPED MOVE YOU TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.

IN TERMS OF, YOU COULD WAIT FOR IT TO COME TO THE TOP OF THE LINE THROUGH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BUDGET OR CDBG FUNDING, WHICH WE USED TO USE A LOT OF, OR YOU COULD HELP PARTNER AND RAISE MONEY.

THAT WAS HELPFUL IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO GET THEM DONE.

>> COUNCIL FOR VANORNY.

>> THANKS, MAYOR. CLEVELAND REALLY IS A SUCCESS STORY IN TERMS OF JUST THE NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT THERE.

AS YOU KNOW, THEY ALSO HELPED TO MATCH, NOT JUST PERSONALLY,

[00:40:04]

BUT THEY ALSO USED THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FUNDS THAT THEY WOULD BE GRANTED TO USE FOR EVENTS OR WHATEVER THEY WANTED TO OVER SEVERAL YEARS TO INVEST IN DIFFERENT ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES AND SPECIFIC THINGS, INCLUDING TREES OR LANDSCAPING THAT THEY REALLY WANTED FOR THAT.

IT REALLY WAS A COMMUNITY-LED EFFORT WITH THEM, ALSO FUNDRAISING WITH LOCAL OWNERS AS WELL TO INVEST IN THOSE, AND THEY ALSO SOUGHT OUT SOME GRANTS.

REALLY IMPORTANT COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THAT COULD BE USED AS AN EXAMPLE THROUGHOUT CEDAR RAPIDS.

>>SCOTT OLSON.

>> TO FOLLOW UP ON DAVID'S QUESTION, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE IN OUR PARK SYSTEM IN THE CITY, AND I THINK WE'RE CLOSING WE'RE ADDING PARKS, CONTINUING TO DO IT IN A COUPLE OF SPOTS, AND WHAT WE'RE UP TO 95 PARKS APPROXIMATELY, WHICH AS I REMEMBER, WE HAVE MORE PARKS THAN ANY CITY IN IOWA.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO GET UP THAT LIST FOR SOME OF THESE THAT HAVE A LOT OF EQUIPMENT, BUT WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE SCALE OF THAT SYSTEM WE HAVE IN THIS GREAT CITY. THANKS.

>> THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.

THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

THANK YOU. HERE IN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS,

[PUBLIC COMMENT]

WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS.

THE FIRST COMMENT PERIOD IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL ACTIONS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY.

A SECOND PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD WILL COME AT THE END OF THE MEETING FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK ON ISSUES THAT ARE GERMANE TO THE CITY, BUT NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY STAFF MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

HOWEVER, WE ARE HERE TO LISTEN.

A REMINDER THAT ALL THE MATTERS I ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE MEETING APPLY TO THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, A REMINDER TO STAY AT THE LECTERN, THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS, YOU WANT TO GET TO US, GIVE THEM TO THE OFFICER WHO GET THEM TO US THAT BLESS YOU.

YOU'LL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT ON THE LECTERN.

THAT MEANS YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE AND WHEN IT'S RED, WE ASK YOU TO TAKE YOUR SEAT.

ALSO, ALL COMMENTS NEED TO BE DIRECTED MATTER YOU WISH TO ADDRESS, AND NO ABUSIVE PERSONAL, OR IRRELEVANT COMMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED.

ALSO, WE ASK FOR NO PARTICIPATION OR DISRUPTION FROM THE AUDIENCE.

IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON TODAY.

I WILL JUST CALL YOU IN THE ORDER THAT ARE LISTED, BEGINNING WITH SHANNON THOMPSON.

THE ADDRESS IS CEDAR RAPIDS, HERE TO SPEAK ON REZONING.

>> HI. MY NAME IS SHANNON THOMPSON, AND I'M FROM HUNTER COMPANIES.

MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT THE REZONING OF 4415 WILLIAMS BOULEVARD.

THIS MATTER WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE ORDINANCES SECTION OF YOUR AGENDA AFTER THE CONSENT AND THE REGULAR AGENDAS.

I REPRESENT ST. LUKES MENARDS, LLC.

IT'S THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY TO THE EAST OF THIS SITE.

ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL UNITY POINT IS OUR TENANT AND IT OCCUPIES THE ENTIRE 29,000-PLUS SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING.

I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY ADDRESS THE TIDINESS OF MY COMMENTS AND THEN I HAVE THREE CONCERNS IN THE REQUEST.

I UNDERSTAND THE CITY HAS ALREADY HAD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE NOTICE WAS MISPLACED IN OUR OFFICE AND WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE HEARING.

WE DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE OF A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING.

IOWA LAW REQUIRES A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO BE CONSIDERED AT TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT WHICH IT'S FINALLY PASSED, UNLESS AS YOU KNOW, THREE-QUARTERS OF THE COUNCIL SUSPENDS THIS REQUIREMENT.

THE REASON FOR THE MULTIPLE READINGS IS TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE CONCERNS, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ORDINANCE IMPACTS PROPERTY RIGHTS.

IT ALSO GIVES COUNSEL THE TIME TO GIVE DUE THOUGHT TO THE MATTER.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO VOICE CONCERNS, AND I APPRECIATE YOU HEARING ME OUT.

WE'RE CONCERNED WITH TRAFFIC AND HOW THE ROAD CONNECTS ON THE CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH US.

IT'S DANGEROUS TO HAVE TRAFFIC COMING IN FROM THE STATE HIGHWAY IN TWO DIRECTIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

THE PROPOSED INTENDED USER FOR THIS SITE TRACTOR SUPPLY WILL HAVE BIG TRUCKS COMING IN TO DELIVER MACHINERY AND BULK ITEMS. CUSTOMERS WILL ALSO COME IN WITH LONG BEDS AND HAULERS, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY PAY HEIGHTENED CONSIDERATION TO THIS INTERSECTION AND THE SAFETY OF THIS USE.

WE'RE CONCERNED WITH SCREENING AND OUTDOOR STORAGE.

I REVIEWED MANY IMAGES OF TRACTOR SUPPLY STORES TO GET READY FOR THIS PRESENTATION TODAY.

THEY ALL HAVE SIGNIFICANT OUTDOOR DISPLAYS AND OUTDOOR STORAGE.

EVERYTHING FROM GARDEN TILLS TO RIGHT-ON LAWNMOWERS AND SMALL TRACTORS, LARGE METAL FEED CONTAINERS, PLANTS, BAGS OF PET FOOD, SEED, AND FERTILIZER ARE ALL ON DISPLAY OUTSIDE THE FRONT OF THE STORE.

IN MANY INSTANCES, THE MERCHANDISE EVEN SPILLED OUT FROM THIS AREA AND PILED UP IN THE PARKING LOT.

[00:45:03]

THIS IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO MENARDS, THE NEIGHBOR ON THE OTHER SIDE, WHICH DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING OUTSIDE ON ITS SIDEWALKS, EXCEPT PERHAPS AN OCCASIONAL SEASONAL ITEM.

ALSO, THE OUTDOOR DISPLAYS ON THE SIDE OF THE MENARDS BUILDING ARE SCREENED AND THEY HAVE AN ATTRACTIVE WOOD FENCE AND TREES AND THEY'RE NOT A CONCERN WITH THIS PROPERTY.

FINALLY, WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOOK OF THE BUILDING.

MANY OF THE IMAGES OF THE TRACTOR SUPPLY STORES I REVIEWED SHOWED ATTRACTIVE BUILDINGS WITH ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS THAT WERE INCLUDED FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES.

COMPARING THIS TO THE SIXTH STREET TRACTOR SUPPLY STORE, WHICH SEEMS MORE AGRICULTURAL AND DOESN'T SEEM TO FIT NEXT TO A LARGE MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING.

MY REQUEST IS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE WAS NO NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, WE REQUEST THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE SITE PLAN AND THE ELEVATIONS IF YOU'RE INCLINED TO APPROVE THIS REZONING.

WE WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE ROAD CONNECTIONS, THE ELEVATION, AND THE OVERALL SITE PLAN. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. DARREN, YOU HAVE TO GIVE ME YOUR NAME, AND AS THE CEDAR RAPIDS ADDRESS, HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT TREE PLANTING.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. AND COUNCIL.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, DARREN CHAMBERLAIN, WITH LAM FORMS DESIGNING.

JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE TODAY AND GO OVER A COUPLE OF THE ITEMS THAT YOU GUYS WILL BE DECIDING ON TODAY.

ONE IS A CONTRACT FOR DICHO TREES. TWO OF THEM ARE.

ONE IS A RELIEF SPRING RIGHT AWAY TREE PLANNING THAT'S UP FOR AWARD.

ABSOLUTE GROUP IS SELECTED BY THE CITY FOR LOW BID.

LET'S SEE. WE'VE GOT $243,020 VERSUS OUR BID $246,298, AND I HAVE A 2% NET TEN DAYS ON THERE, WHICH WOULD BE A $5,000 DISCOUNT FOR THE CITY, WHICH SHOULD ACTUALLY MAKE MY BID LOW.

THE OTHER ONE IS ABOUT A $5,000 DIFFERENCE.

PARTICULAR INTEREST ON THE ONE THAT WE'RE VERY CLOSE ON IS AN OLD NEIGHBORHOOD OF MINE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED BY DICHO.

AS YOU DRIVE AROUND JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST LIKE A BUZZ SAW WENT OVER IT.

PARTICULAR INTEREST TO ME BECAUSE THAT WAS AN OLD NEIGHBORHOOD OF MINE.

I'VE BEEN LANDSCAPING FOR 40 YEARS.

I WENT TO KIRKWOOD, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 1984 THROUGH '86, GOT MY HORTICULTURE DEGREE.

I WAS A CERTIFIED NURSE SINCE 1986.

I'VE BEEN AWARDED BY GOVERNOR BRANSTAD FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL.

RAISED TWO KIDS LOCALLY.

I'VE PLANTED THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF TREES.

MANY FOR THE CITY.

I'VE DONE FIVE EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITIONS FOR TY PENNINGTON.

DICHO SURVIVOR AND A FLOOD SURVIVOR.

I'VE SEEN THE PAIN THAT WE'VE ALL GONE THROUGH IN THIS CITY, AND IT'S A BIG JOB AHEAD.

WE PROBABLY LOST SOME SAY 675,000 TREES.

I'D SAY PROBABLY MORE THAN THAT, MAYBE 1 MILLION OR MORE.

WE GOT A BIG JOB AHEAD OF PLANTING TREES.

ONE THING I WANTED TO BRING UP TO COUNCIL, IS PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING LOCAL.

OUT OF LET'S JUST SAY, I'VE GOT 11 PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT OUT FOR BID AND AWARDED OR ABOUT TO BE AWARDED, LET'S SAY, 11 PROJECTS TOTALING $3,000,000 SINCE LAST FALL.

$3,059,226 AWARDED.

OF THAT, LOCAL LANDSCAPERS, $29,700.

A LITTLE SHOCKING THERE.

LUCKILY, IF THAT ONE, WHICH I THINK WENT TO IOWA LANDSCAPE, 29,700, IF THEY DID NOT BID, THE NEXT BIDDER WAS $1,700 A TREE FOR A 1 " TREE, SIX FOOT TALL, $1,700.

[00:50:06]

LUCKILY, IOWA LANDSCAPE, THE ONLY ONE TO GET ONE OF THESE 11 PROJECTS IN THE PAST YEAR.

I TRIED TO DIG BACK FARTHER AND THAT'S ALL I COULD FIND.

THAT'S LESS THAN 1% OF ALL THE TOTAL BIDS SINCE AUGUST 5, 24 THAT ARE LOCAL.

>> I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS COULD GET A LITTLE MORE CREATIVE.

LOCAL PREFERENCE ON A JOB, THIS SIZE IS 1%, THAT'S GOT TO BE REALLY TIGHT.

I KNOW LOCAL PREFERENCE IS 5% ON UNDER 25,000.

WHICH IS NONE OF THESE BIDS.

THEY'RE PRETTY LARGE JOBS.

THE LARGEST ONE AWARDED, I THINK IS ALMOST A $1 MILLION.

MAYBE SOME OF THE REASON IS JUST THE JOBS ARE JUST SO BIG.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA.

I'M JUST GOING TO RUN THROUGH A COUPLE OF THESE REAL QUICK.

MB LAWN CARE, 574,770 IOWA LANDSCAPE, 29,700 THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, MB LAWN CARE 422,240.

LEGACY TREES, 246,694.

THESE ARE ALL OUT OF TOWN.

ABSOLUTE GRANGER, 514,000, LEGACY TREES, 673,000.

NO ONE YOU'VE EVER HEARD OF.

>> MR. CHAMBERLAIN, THE NEXT TIME. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YES. THANK YOU. JOYCE ST. JOHN, HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT TREES.

JOYCE I SEE CEDAR RAPIDS AS WELL.

>> YES, I'M JOYCE ST. JOHN AND I AM A RESIDENT OF CEDAR RAPIDS.

I'M HERE TO SUPPORT DARREN CHAMBERLAIN IN HIS BED.

I HAVE KNOWN DARREN FOR MANY YEARS.

I WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF HIS MOTHER'S.

DARREN IS A VERY CONSCIENTIOUS, HARD WORKING PERSON, AND I'M CERTAIN THAT HE WILL DELIVER EXACTLY WHAT HE PROMISES.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR THE CITY, I GUESS YOU COULD MAYBE SAY NOT NECESSARILY, BUT SHOP SMALL, SHOP LOCAL, KEEP IT LOCAL, AND DARREN WILL DO A GREAT JOB FOR THE CITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. LAURIE DOLLY, CEDAR RAPIDS.

SPEAKING ON THE REZONING OF WILLIAMS BOULEVARD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. LAURIE DOLLY, WAS SHUTTLEWORTH AND INGERSOLL.

I WAS HERE DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING COMMENT A FEW WEEKS AGO.

THIS CONCERNS THE SAME REZONING AREA THAT MS. THOMPSON SPOKE ABOUT A BIT EARLIER.

I DID JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF POINTS HERE THAT SIGNS WERE POSTED AT THE PROPERTY ABOUT THE REZONING.

THE AREA UPON WHICH THE ST. LUKE'S BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED AND THE MENARDS BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED IS ZONE SUBURBAN MIXED USE REGIONAL CENTER.

AGAIN, THE PROPERTY THAT ATWATER GROUP IS REQUESTING REZONING ON WOULD BE SUBURBAN MIXED USE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH IS ONE PRONG LOWER THAN THE REGIONAL CENTER.

THE SMR DISTRICT THAT THE MENARDS AND THE ST. LUKE'S BUILDING ARE CONSTRUCTED ON, THEY ACCOMMODATE A LARGER SCALE BUILDING AND THE INTENSITY AND DENSITY OF USES IS GREATER THAN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL MIXED USE DISTRICTS, WHICH IS WHAT MY CLIENT IS REQUESTING.

I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY OF REZONING.

WHICH IS NOT YET DEVELOPED, AND IT'S ALONG.

WILLIAMS BOULEVARD IS ALREADY ZONED SUBURBAN MIXED USE COMMUNITY CENTER.

THIS WOULD FLOW RIGHT INTO THAT AREA.

THE INTERSECTION OFF OF WILLIAMS BOULEVARD THAT GOES INTO BOTH THE UNITY POINT CLINIC AND MENARDS.

THE TRAFFIC, IF THEY WERE PULLING IN TO GO LEFT, THEY WOULD BE ACCESSING THE ST. LUKE'S FACILITY AND MENARDS, AND OBVIOUSLY, MENARDS DOES HAVE SOME BIG EQUIPMENT AND TRUCKS AND TRAILERS THAT ACCESS ITS FACILITY.

ANYBODY COMING INTO THAT INTERSECTION AND THEN GOING TO THE RIGHT WOULD BE ACCESSING THE SUBJECT PROPERTY HERE FOR THE REZONING WOULD NOT BE TRAVERSING AND ENTERING ANYWHERE ON THE UNITY POINT OR THE MENARDS PROPERTY.

WE WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPROVE THE REZONING AS STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED. THANK YOU.

[00:55:07]

>> THANK YOU. OUR FINAL PERSON, SCOTT, I'LL ASK YOU TO TELL ME YOUR LAST NAME AS WELL, FROM CEDAR RAPIDS, HERE TO SPEAK ON REZONING. SCOTT KALAMAN.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

YES, I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE REZONING REQUEST AT 4415 WILLIAMS BOULEVARD.

KALAMAN IS A CHALLENGING ONE TO SPELL AND SAY, SO YES, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE REZONING REQUEST.

AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER BY SHANNON, THIS SITE WAS DEVELOPED BY ST. LUKES AND WITH HUNTER DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES AS A HIGH QUALITY CLASS A A MEDICAL FACILITY.

WE HAVE OVER 200 PATIENTS A DAY THAT COME TO THIS FACILITY THAT COME THROUGH THAT LOCATION.

MOST OF THE TRUCK TRAFFIC, NEARLY ALL OF THE TRUCK TRAFFIC FOR BERNARDS COMES FROM THEIR SOUTH LOCATION, A DIFFERENT DRIVE.

THIS LOCATION FOR US HAS OVER EIGHT PROVIDERS AND AN IMAGING THERAPY SERVICES AND A UNITY POINT CLINIC FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE.

BECAUSE OF THAT LOCATION, WE JUST FEEL IT'S INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE VISION WAS FOR THAT PROPERTY.

AS SHANNON SAID, HAVE FARM VEHICLES ACCESSING THAT SAME LOCATION, AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE HAVING PHYSICIAN OR PATIENTS COMING IN, EITHER BEING SICK OR SEEING THEIR WELLNESS FOR THEIR WELLNESS VISITS.

AGAIN, WE JUST FEEL IT'S INCONSISTENT WITH THE VISION FOR WHAT THAT PROPERTY WAS, AND WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU DENY THE REQUEST.

>> THANK YOU. THAT WILL CLOSE OUT OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

[MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA]

CITY MANAGER POMERANZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? DO ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES ON AGENDA ITEMS OR MAKE ANY CHANGES? COUNCIL MEMBER MEYER.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, I'D LIKE TO MOVE ITEMS 23K AND 23L TO THE REGULAR AGENDA FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> 23K AND L WILL BE MOVED AT THE TOP OF THE REGULAR AGENDA.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON.

>> I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM CONSIDERATION OF ITEM NUMBER 26.

>> COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, RECUSING FROM ITEM NUMBER 26.

>> MAYOR?

>> YES. COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER.

>> RECUSE MYSELF FROM 17M.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER, 17M RECUSAL. ANYONE ELSE? DOES THE CITY CLERK HAVE ALL THAT? THANK YOU.

THAT BRINGS US TO A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

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

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECOND COUNCILMEMBER TODD.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN OUR REGULAR AGENDA,

THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

[Items 23.k & 23.l]

AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE ITEM THAT WE HAVE MOVED.

JUST MAKE SURE I GET IT CORRECT HERE.

ITEM NUMBER 23K AND L. THIS IS A CONTRACT WITH THE ABSOLUTE GROUP FOR THE SPRING 2025 ROW TREE PLANNING WITH THE US FORESTRY GRANT DOWNTOWN PROJECT FOR THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT WITH AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $243,020.

ITEM L IS AGAIN A CONTRACT WITH ABSOLUTE GROUP FOR THE RELIEF SPRING 2025 ROW TREE PLANTING PROJECT, AND I WILL OPEN THIS UP FOR CONVERSATION. COUNCIL MEMBER MEYER.

>> SURE. THANKS AGAIN, MAYOR.

THE REASON WHY I HAD ASKED TO HAVE THIS AS A REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, I THINK THE DISCUSSION WOULD BE HELPFUL.

AS WE HEARD FROM THE OWNER OF LANDFORM DESIGN, AND I STILL DON'T THINK THERE'S AN UNDERSTANDING OR CLARIFICATION, AT LEAST ON HIS PART, THAT WHEN HE ADJUSTS HIS PROPOSAL TO TAKE AWAY THE DISCOUNT FOR THE TERMS FOR 10 DAYS, AND THEN ALSO GETTING CLARIFICATION ON WHETHER OR NOT HE'S A LOCAL BUSINESS, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, HAS NOT BEEN IF IT'S BEEN RESOLVED, IT'S NOT CLEAR.

I THINK I'D LIKE TO USE THIS TIME TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE IT.

[01:00:02]

MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE IS, WHEN I FIRST SAW THE AGENDA ITEM, I JUST DID A GOOGLE SEARCH OF ABSOLUTE GROUP.

OBVIOUSLY, A LARGE RESPECTED COMPANY, BUT THEY ARE MORE HARDSCAPES THAN THEY ARE LANDSCAPING.

IF YOU GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, YOU REALLY HAVE TO DRILL DOWN TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ADDRESS LANDSCAPING, AND I THINK THEY MENTIONED TREES ONCE.

CLEARLY, PLANTING TREES IS NOT THEIR CORE COMPETENCY IN MY OPINION.

BASED UPON THEIR WEBSITE.

I WOULD ALSO HAVE CONCERNS WITH LANDFORM DESIGN BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BE COMFORTABLE THAT THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THIS TYPE OF WORK.

I WAS HOPING THAT WE COULD GET SOME MORE CLARIFICATION ON HOW THE DECISION WAS MADE BY OUR PURCHASING OR PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT THAT WITH THE ADJUSTED RATES FOR THE PAYMENT TERMS AND BEING LOCAL, AND WOULD THAT PUT THEM INTO THE LOWEST VIABLE BID? EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT THE LOWEST, THEY'RE VERY CLOSE AND TO GET COMFORTABLE THAT ABSOLUTE GROUP HAS THE ABILITY TO CREATE THIS WORK.

THAT'S GREAT IF CITY STAFF IS HERE TO PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT.

>> BEFORE YOU GO ON, COUNCIL, ANYTHING BEFORE WE ADDRESS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS? CAROL, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> HEATHER MILLS PURCHASING FINANCE.

>> HEATHER YOU'RE WITH PURCHASING.

I'LL MAKE SURE WE CAN HEAR YOU.

>> SORRY. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> THANK YOU. YEAH.

>> THERE'S SEVERAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAD ON TWO DIFFERENT BIDS.

I CAN GO THROUGH HOW WE EVALUATED BOTH OF THEM AND GOT TO THE AWARD.

THE FIRST BID, WHICH IS THE 022520, WHICH IS THE RELIEF SPRING 2025 RIGHT AWAY TREE PLANTING.

THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT IS FOR RELIEF SPRING TREE PLANTING THAT IS FUNDED BY THE GO BOND RELIEF PROGRAM.

LOCAL PREFERENCE DOES APPLY TO THIS PROJECT.

THIS IS TO PLANT 696 TREES FOR THIS SPRING SEASON.

THE LOWEST BIDDER WAS NOT AWARDED DUE TO PAST EXPERIENCE THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM.

THE NEXT BID WAS ABSOLUTE GROUP, WHO WE ARE RECOMMENDING AWARD TO $228,930.

WHEN WE EVALUATED THEIR BID, WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS.

WE WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THEM, SO WE REACHED OUT TO THEM, THEY PROVIDED REFERENCES AND LET US KNOW THAT THEY HAD DONE WORK UNDER A DIFFERENT COMPANY NAME SOIL TECH, AND THAT THEY HAVE MERGED TOGETHER.

THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF LARGE PROJECTS AS SUBCONTRACTORS THROUGH THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, AND ALSO IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

THEN THEY'VE WORKED WITH SEVERAL LARGE CITIES TO PLANT TREES OF SIMILAR SIZE AND SCOPE TO WHAT WE ARE DOING.

THEN THE THIRD BIDDER LAND SCAPE REINFORM DESIGNS.

THEY DO NOT QUALIFY FOR LOCAL PREFERENCE BASED ON THE PROPERTIES THAT THEY SUBMITTED ON THEIR APPLICATION.

SHOULD THEY HAVE QUALIFIED, THEY WERE 3.7% ABOVE ABSOLUTE GROUPS BID.

AGAIN, IT WAS STATED PREVIOUSLY THAT OVER $200,000, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE WITHIN 1%.

THAT'S WHERE THAT COMES FROM.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE RECOMMENDING ABSOLUTE GROUP FOR AWARD ON THIS PROJECT.

THE SECOND ONE IS THE SPRING 2025 RIGHT OF WAY TREE PLANNING.

THIS IS FOR US FOREST SERVICE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA BECAUSE IT'S FEDERALLY FUNDED, LOCAL PREFERENCE DOES NOT APPLY.

THAT IS NOT A FACTOR IN AWARD FOR THIS PROJECT.

IT'S TO PLANT 671 TREES.

AGAIN, THERE IS A QUESTION ON THE 2% NET 10 QUICK PAY DISCOUNT THAT WAS SUBMITTED.

[01:05:08]

WE DO NOT TAKE QUICK PAY DISCOUNT INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE'RE EVALUATING A BID AWARD.

THIS IS DUE TO MANY DIFFERENT FACTORS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE PUTTING DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES, DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF DAYS, AND SO THEN IT DOES NOT LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

IF WE DO NOT TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT, ALL THE BIDS ARE EQUAL THAT WE'RE EVALUATING AT THAT TIME.

THEN ONCE WE MAKE THE AWARD, IF THEY OFFER A QUICK PAY DISCOUNT, WE LOOK AT THAT SEPARATELY.

AGAIN, ON THIS BID, THE LOWEST BIDDER WAS NOT AWARDED DUE TO PAST EXPERIENCE, AND THEN THE NEXT BIDDER IN LINE WAS ABSOLUTE GROUP WITH AN AWARD OF $243,020.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?

>> COUNCILOR MEYER.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, HEATHER, THAT WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL.

ESPECIALLY THE PART, AND I'M SURE THIS IS A ROUTINE PROCUREMENT PRACTICE WHERE YOU FOLLOW UP WITH REFERENCES, BUT HEARING THAT FROM YOU TODAY WAS VERY HELPFUL.

THEN CAROL, FROM A RELIEF PERSPECTIVE OR FROM ARBORIST PERSPECTIVE.

WHAT IS THE OVERSIGHT THAT YOU HAVE OR YOUR TEAM HAS WHEN WE HAVE A NEW CONTRACTOR ABOUT READY TO DO WORK? TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE BEING PLANTED CORRECTLY.

I THINK I DEALT WITH YOU A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO ON THIS.

I HAD HIRED A LOCAL NURSERY TO PLANT TREES, AND THEN AN ARBORIST CAME IN AND SAID, THOSE ARE WRONG SO WE HAD TO DIG THOSE UP AND REPLANT SOME OF THOSE.

I'M JUST CURIOUS OF WHAT OVERSIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE SOMEBODY NEW, TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE MEETING YOUR EXPECTATIONS, AND THEN BEFORE THE REMAINING 600 PLUS TREES ARE PLANTED.

>> SURE. WELL, I WILL SAY OUR OVERSIGHT IS TRUE WHETHER THEY'RE NEW OR IF WE WORKED WITH THEM BEFORE.

WE START WITH A QUALITY CONTROL CHECK OF THE STOCK.

IN FACT, WE'RE DOING THAT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES THIS WEEK, GOING TO NURSERIES TO CHECK THE STOCK, AND WE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE ROOT SYSTEM IS APPROPRIATE WITHIN THE POT AND THAT IMPACTS THE PLANTING TOO.

ONCE THE TREES ARE BEING PLANTED, WE GO OUT THERE AND MONITOR FOR A FEW DAYS THE PLANTING AND MAKE SURE THAT THE CREW THAT WE SEE ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

IS THE SAME CREW THAT'S OUT THERE, SO WE KNOW THAT THERE'S CONSISTENCY IN PLANTING TECHNIQUE.

THEN BEFORE WE SIGN OFF ON THE CONTRACT FOR PAYMENT, WE DO A CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE TREES ARE PLANTED CORRECTLY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> COUNCIL POE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. HEATHER, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU PROVIDING US WITH THE INFORMATION.

I'VE ALWAYS FELT THAT WE HAVE A VERY STRINGENT PROCESS THAT THE CITY FOLLOWS FOR RFPS, AND SO I THINK IT'S REALLY HELPFUL FOR US TO ONCE AGAIN REVIEW THAT PROCESS.

THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT FOR US.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.

>> THANKS, MAYOR. I JUST HAVE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION THEN.

I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE AWARD DIFFERENT CONTRACTS AND HOW PEOPLE QUALIFY BASED ON OUR ALGORITHMS, BUT ALSO JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THE POINT ABOUT WHAT THE STATE OBLIGATES US TO DO.

THAT IS REGARDLESS OF HOW CLOSE SOMETHING REALLY IS IN SELECTING THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BID, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, THIS TAKES AWAY SOME OF OUR OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MORE SAY ABOUT COMPANIES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH PERHAPS HERE LOCALLY.

I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS OVER THE YEARS, BUT CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY THAT POINT ABOUT WHAT OUR ABSOLUTE OBLIGATION IS PER STATE CODE?

>> SURE. WE'RE OBLIGATED TO AWARD THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER.

THAT MEANS EXACTLY HOW I EXPLAINED IT, HOW WE EVALUATED THE BIDS TO CHOOSE THE AWARD FOR BOTH THAT ARE PRESENTED IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ONE OTHER POINT THAT I DO WANT TO MAKE IS THE PAYMENT TERMS ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN OUR NORMAL PAYMENT TERMS, AND THAT'S DUE TO THE CITY'S RELIEF PLAN.

PAYMENT TERMS TYPICALLY FOR THE CITY ARE NET 45 DAYS, BUT FOR THESE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY TREES THAT ARE BEING WATERED, AND THEN WE REQUIRE THEM TO BE WATERED FOR

[01:10:02]

TWO YEARS AND WARRANTED FOR TWO YEARS UNDER THE CITY'S RELIEF PLAN, THAT WE PAY 70% OF THE CONTRACT PRICE AFTER THE TREES ARE PLANTED AND ACCEPTED AT THAT NET 45 PAYMENT TERM DATE.

THEN AFTER YEAR 1 OF SUCCESS, WE PAY 15%, AND THEN AFTER YEAR 2, WE PAY THE OTHER 15%.

>> THANK YOU, CAROL HEATHER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

>> SO MOVED.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER POE. DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.

>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

ITEM NUMBER 25.

WAIT. THANK YOU.

NOW, I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION ITEM NUMBER L.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SO MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

SECOND, COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.

>> OPPOSED? THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

NOW WE'RE READY FOR YOU, DOUG.

THIS IS THE REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE 2025 TRANSIT STOP IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT.

[24. Report on bids for the 2025 Transit Stop Improvements project (estimated cost is $190,000) (Doug Wilson). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #306995-05]

THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST AT $190,000.

DOUG WILSON IS HERE. DOUG, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. DOUG WILSON, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THIS PROJECT IS BEING DONE TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY AT 11 TRANSIT STOPS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

ALL 11 STOPS HAVE NEW BOARDING PADS.

FOUR OF THE LOCATIONS WILL HAVE BENCHES AND FOUR OF THE LOCATIONS WILL HAVE SHELTERS AND BENCHES.

THE SHELTERS WILL ALSO HAVE SOLAR POWERED LIGHTING.

THIS IS A MAP SHOWING THE 11 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

THE BID DATE WAS MARCH 26, 2025, WITH FIVE BIDS RECEIVED.

THE BIDS RANGED FROM $139,709-$187,239.

THIS IS A REPORT ON BIDS ONLY.

WE EXPECT A RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD TO BE ON A FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DOUG. THERE'S NO RESOLUTION ON THIS ITEM, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 25,

[25. Report on bids for the Advance FCS Grading, Utility, and Concrete Repair Package project (estimated cost is $1,960,000) (Ken DeKeyser). CIP/DID #3315555-01]

WHICH IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE ADVANCE FCS GRADING, UTILITY, AND CONCRETE REPAIR PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,960,000.

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

>> THANK YOU. THIS ADVANCE FCS PROJECT COMPRISES FOUR DIFFERENT SCOPES OF WORK.

IT INCLUDES STORM SEWER MODIFICATIONS AROUND CITY HALL, RIVER WALL AND RAILING REPAIRS BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 3RD AVENUE BRIDGES.

ALSO INCLUDES REPAIR TO RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED SHAVER ROAD BRIDGE THAT WAS DAMAGED, AS WELL AS SOME ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION AT THE FORMER PARK & RIDE ALONG 8TH AVENUE, AND THIS IS DONE IN ADVANCE OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

THEY NEED A CLEAN SITE BEFORE THEY CAN CONSTRUCT ANY LEVEE IMPROVEMENTS THERE.

HERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE SCOPE OF WORK.

AS FAR AS THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROJECT, THE OPINION OF PROBABLE COST, 1.96 MILLION.

THERE ARE SEPARATE START DATES FOR EACH OF THE FOUR AREAS OF WORK AS WELL AS DIFFERENT WORKING DAYS SET UP FOR EACH OF THOSE.

THIS IS THE BID RESULTS.

FIVE BIDS WERE READ ON APRIL 2ND, RANGING FROM $1,106,942.50-$2,628,000.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS AWARDING THE PROJECT TO EASTERN IOWA EXCAVATING & CONCRETE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, KEN. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON.

THAT NOW BRINGS US TO ORDINANCES.

[26. Ordinance granting a change of zone for the properties generally bound by F Avenue NW, 4th Street NW, G Avenue NW, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, and 1st Street NW from U-NG, Urban Neighborhood General District, U-NG-FM, Urban Neighborhood General District with a Flood Mitigation Overlay, and P-PO-FM, Parks and Public Open Space District with a Flood Mitigation Overlay, to T-MC-PUD, Traditional Mixed Use Center District with a Planned Unit Development Overlay, as requested by Cedar Rapids Development Group, LLC. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000050-2025]

ITEM NUMBER 26 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR THE PROPERTIES GENERALLY BOUND BY F AVENUE NORTHWEST, 4TH STREET NORTHWEST, G AVENUE NORTHWEST, THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD TRACKS, AND 1ST STREET NORTHWEST, FROM URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD GENERAL DISTRICT WITH A FLOOD MITIGATION OVERLAY AND PARKS & PUBLIC OPEN SPACE DISTRICT WITH A FLOOD MITIGATION OVERLAY.

TWO, TRADITIONAL MIXED USE CENTER DISTRICT WITH THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY AS REQUESTED BY CEDAR RAPIDS DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU,

[01:15:01]

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 THE ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY.

THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

27 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT

[27. Ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 2835 64th Avenue SW from I-GI, General Industrial District, to I-LI, Light Industrial District, as requested by Edgewood Partners, LLC. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000065-2025]

2835 64TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST FROM GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY EDGEWOOD PARTNERS, LLC.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAIER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER.

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 COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND.

>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

ITEM NUMBER 28 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR

[28. Ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 4415 Williams Boulevard SW from A-AG, Agriculture District, to S-MC, Suburban Mixed Use Community Center District, as requested by Andrea and Allison Faches. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000016-2025]

PROPERTY AT 4415 WILLIAMS BOULEVARD SOUTHWEST FROM AGRICULTURE DISTRICT TO SUBURBAN MIXED USE COMMUNITY CENTER DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY ANDREA AND ALLISON FACHES.

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

>> THANK YOU. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

>> NO.

ITEM NUMBER 29 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT

[29. Ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 1590 Stoney Point Road SW from A-AG, Agriculture District, to I-LI, Light Industrial District, as requested by L L & C, LLC. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000041-2025]

1590 STONEY POINT ROAD SOUTHWEST FROM AGRICULTURE DISTRICT TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY LL&C, LLC.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON.

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 COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND.

ITEM NUMBER 30 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE

[30. Ordinance granting a change of zone for property north of 16th Avenue SW and west of Rockhurst Drive SW from A-AG, Agriculture District, to S-RM1, Suburban Residential Medium Single Unit District, as requested by Midwest Development Company and the City. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000920-2025]

FOR PROPERTY NORTH OF 16TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST AND WEST OF ROCKHURST DRIVE SOUTHWEST FROM AGRICULTURE DISTRICT TO SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM SINGLE UNIT DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY MIDWEST DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND THE CITY.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I 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 THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY VANORNY.

31 IS AN ORDINANCE CORRECTING ORDINANCE NUMBER 004-25 RELATING TO THE COLLECTION OF

[31. Ordinance correcting Ordinance No. 004-25 relating to the collection of tax increments within the Google Urban Renewal Area along 76th Avenue SW and Edgewood Road SW. CIP/DID #TIF-0099-2024]

TAX INCREMENTS WITHIN THE GOOGLE URBAN RENEWAL AREA ALONG 76TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST AND EDGEWOOD ROAD SOUTHWEST.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAIER.

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 POE, SECONDED BY TODD.