City Council Goal Setting Work Session

City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting Work Sessions | Report January 2026 Overview The City of Cedar Falls scheduled goal setting work sessions for December 4,8, and 17, 2025, to identify and prioritize the City’s goals and priorities for FY 2027. Prior to the goal setting work sessions council members were invited to identify in writing and through meetings with the interim city administrator, mayor and facilitator: 1. What do you see as the City’s top three accomplishments over the past year? 2. What do you believe should be the Council’s top three priorities for the next 12 months? 3. Are there specific projects, programs, or initiatives you would like to see advanced or completed this year? 4. From your perspective, what are the most important issues, challenges, or opportunities Cedar Falls should address in the long-term? 5. Are there ways the Council’s decision-making could be strengthened to support achieving the City’s goals? 6. Is there anything else you would like to add? The summary of responses is included at the end of this report. FY 27 Goal Setting – List of Topics In preparation for the work sessions, city staff prepared background materials for the related projects and priorities identified by the elected officials as well as current priority projects. The following topics were addressed. Specific direction and decision is included under the topics. Strategic Plan The Mayor and consultant presented the draft Strategic Plan, which includes the following Focus Areas: 1. Enhanced Recreation Amenities 2. Well Maintained Infrastructure 3. Thriving and Connected Neighborhoods 4. Strong Local Economy 5. High Performing Government City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting FY 2027 | Work Sessions Report | Page 1   Council asked for one change under the proposed strategies: Focus Area: High Performing Government. Change “Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of city services” to “Continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of city services.”  Council asked for quarterly reports on Strategic Plan with a presentation 2 times a year Projects/Priorities Staff presented on the following topics. Specific Council responses and decisions are noted below. Infrastructure And Projects Five Year Pavement Management Plan North Cedar Heights Area Update West 12th Street Reconstruction  Council prefers using traffic calming bump outs vs rebuilding as is West 22nd Street Reconstruction Highway 57/Union Road Intersection Highway 58/Greenhill Road Intersection Union Road Reconstruction Downtown Parking Lot  Council accepted the proposed landscaping for the 2nd Street West Parking Lot  Council is not interested in restrooms in downtown Cedar Falls Creekside Business Park Wastewater Facility Project  Council confirmed continuing with traditional bid package vs the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) process Ulrich Park Lift Station Dry Run Creek Sanitary Sewer Extension Entrance Signage Replacement Transfer Station/Compost Site ADA Assessment/Transition Plan Public Safety Sub Station – W 1st Street  Council confirmed they would like the schematic design, land acquisition and discussions with Cedar Falls School District to be moved sooner in the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Enhanced Recreation Amenities Recreation Center and Tourism Facilities Update  Council confirmed they would like to proceed right away with Indoor Sports Tourism Facility conceptual plan design, Outdoor Multi-Use Athletic Fields feasibility study and Recreation Center scenarios plans  Council confirmed they would like the Rec Center Scenario plans to first look at current site for an expansion at the current site, or a new facility at the current site versus looking at a new larger site. Falls Enhancement Study City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting FY 2027 | Work Sessions Report | Page 2 Heart Center for the Arts  Council confirmed continuing with fundraising in 2026 and discuss next steps at FY28 goalsetting including construction plans and grant applications  Council confirmed the reduction in gaming to be made up by General Fund savings funding on the project budget. Park Master Plan Implementation  Council advised staff to continue with planning as outlined: concepts, neighborhood involvement, construction plans  Council directed staff not to include the 25% private match in the CIP for park renovation or playground projects, but to show the allocated city funds and then note the additional features that can be included with private fundraising as a separate line item on the CIP  Remove Winter Wonderland from the priority project list and redirect those funds to the specialty park implementation project on the CIP  Include Splash Pad with a potential for an Ice Rink in the list of priorities Priorities Update on City Administrator Process Pay Plan Study – Compensation and Benefit Changes  Council confirmed that staff should include the proposed pay plan in the budget Channel 15  Council confirmed they are interested in still supporting a Channel 15 app and asked staff to research options RAGBRAI carryover funds  Council confirmed $25,000 of excess funds to be saved in reserves  Council confirmed using $10,000 year for 2 years of street construction funds for signage updates Developer Task Force Zoning Ordinance  Council confirmed they were good with the schedule presented for the zoning projects  There was discussion by Council on having information about daycare facilities and bringing that information to a future committee/worksession, to start with Council talking with childcare professionals before that is scheduled. Speeding Concerns  Council would like to include some budget for equipment in the FY27 budget so data could be gathered and tracked Requests Historical Society  Council confirmed they need more information on how the project would attract more visitors Historical Preservation City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting FY 2027 | Work Sessions Report | Page 3   Schedule a future Committee meeting for discussion on demolition policy Community Main Street College Hill Partnership North Cedar Neighborhood  Council confirmed they wanted to wait on the North Cedar River project ideas Council Projects/Priorities (Individual Items) Pheasant Ridge Golf Course  Council directed staff to have discussions about continuing with the current contract, discussing a lease increase Housing Affordability  Council would like staff to consider moving the Housing Needs Assessment sooner than 2028 NE Iowa Food Bank  Council directed staff to budget $25,000 again in FY27 and asked staff to encourage NE Food Bank to apply for health trust funding in future years  There was also discussion about eliminating the health trust board’s recommendation to fund the Tiger Performance Center in FY27 and maybe redirect those health trust funds towards the FY27 food bank request Goal Document Format changes were made to the Goal document. Council members will review and discuss any edits in a future Council Meeting. 1. Financial Policies a. Bond Replacement Debt – Council confirmed building the CIP around replacement debt with an extra $500,000 each bond sale for quality of life projects. b. Use of LOST Funds – Council directed staff to bring forward a presentation prior to June for the Council to determine if they would like to pursue changing the use of 25% of the LOST funds for park and rec projects. The council did decide to continue developing the CIP on the current status of 100% of the LOST funds still going to streets. c. Emergency Reserve Funds - Council directed staff to take the overage in the emergency reserve funds in the amount of $600,000 and redirect those funds to the specialty park implementation line item on the CIP. d. Specialty Park Design Assessment timeline – Council confirmed they liked the first option that was presented in regard to the timeline. e. Other Financial Policies – Council agreed with other financial policies presented, including targeting 25% of private donations on quality of life projects. In regard to legislative priorities, council would like to request a list of potential bills so they could then determine if and how they would like to register on those bills. 2. Goals City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting FY 2027 | Work Sessions Report | Page 4  a. Changes b. New Format Future Committee Meetings/Work Sessions  Pre-approve home designs  Micro-Transit  Climate Resilience and Environment Planning  Demolition policy discussion with Historic Preservation Commission  Day Care Discussion City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting FY 2027 | Work Sessions Report | Page 5 City of Cedar Falls | FY27 City Council Goalsetting Summary of Pre-Work Session Survey Responses | November 2025 Compiled from seven City Council member pre-work surveys. Question 1 | Top Accomplishments Over the Past Year  Major capital projects completed (6) – Main Street, Seerley Park, Water Park  Financial stability (5) – balanced budget, AAA bond rating, clean audit  Parks and recreation progress (4) – Parks Master Plan, visible park upgrades  Leadership transition (3) – maintaining momentum after administrator departure  Community engagement (3) – RAGBRAI, outreach, transparency Other Mentions  Urban revitalization and TIF program development  Neighborhood reinvestment  North Cedar Heights Drive project  Staff pay and benefit improvements  Partnerships with CFU, UNI, CFCSD Question 2 | Top Priorities for the Next 12 Months  Hire a new City Administrator (7)  Implement Parks Master Plan (6)  Update zoning / development codes (5)  Advance housing affordability and infill (5)  Maintain and improve infrastructure (roads, water, sewer) (4) Other Mentions  College Square corridor redevelopment  Recreation Center expansion  Public Safety facilities (1st Street building, North Cedar Station)  Support childcare partnerships  Continue fiscal discipline and balanced budgeting Question 3 | Specific Projects, Programs, or Initiatives  Zoning / development code overhaul (5)  Parks and recreation projects (5) – splashpad, skatepark, Birdsall and Pheasant Ridge upgrades  Community connectivity (4) – trails, traffic calming, pedestrian safety  College Square / downtown redevelopment (4) Other Mentions  Turf athletic complex (public-private partnership)  Transfer station relocation planning  Downtown parking signage / wayfinding improvements  Roundabout or traffic control at 12th Street & Quail Ridge  Public access TV (Channel 15 replacement)  Gateway Park lookout platform City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting FY 2027 | Work Sessions Report | Page 6 Question 4 | Long-Term Issues, Challenges, or Opportunities  Housing affordability and availability (6)  Aging infrastructure and facilities (5)  Economic / demographic shifts (4) – aging population, workforce attraction  Balancing growth with preservation (3)  Climate resilience and environmental planning (water quality, sustainability) (3) Other Mentions  Competitiveness with neighboring communities  Fiscal health and TIF use  Strengthening Council–staff–community collaboration Question 5 | Ways to Strengthen Council Decision-Making  Preparation and communication (6) – review packets, ask staff questions ahead  Meeting efficiency (5) – enforce procedure rules, avoid redundancy  Connect agenda items to Strategic Plan (4)  Strengthen Council (4) –staff communication and regular check-ins Other Mentions  Quarterly goal check-ins  Clarify roles and expectations with new leadership  Encourage public engagement and transparency Question 6 | Additional Comments  Optimism about new leadership and trust rebuilding (4)  Desire for stronger staff–Council relationships (3)  Commitment to transparency and public trust (3)  Appreciation for staff dedication during transition (2) Summary Table | Most Frequently Shared Council Themes Theme Count Hire City Administrator 7 Implement Parks Master Plan 6 Housing Affordability & Infill 6 Preparation & Communication in Decision-Making 6 Zoning / Development Code Updates 5 Parks & Recreation Investments (splashpad, skatepark, upgrades) 5 Aging Infrastructure & Facilities (long-term) 5 Infrastructure Maintenance (roads, utilities) 4 Top Five Council Priorities to Guide 2025 Goalsetting 1. Hire and onboard a City Administrator to ensure stable, aligned leadership. 2. Implement the Parks Master Plan with clear sequencing and funding. 3. Advance housing affordability and neighborhood reinvestment. 4. Complete zoning / development code revisions to enable smart growth. 5. Strengthen Council–staff communication and decision processes for efficiency and transparency. City of Cedar Falls | Goal Setting FY 2027 | Work Sessions Report | Page 7