City Council Meeting

CITY HALL CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, APRIL 7, 2025 REGULAR MEETING, CITY COUNCIL MAYOR DANIEL LAUDICK PRESIDING The City Council of the City of Cedar Falls, Iowa, met in Regular Session, pursuant to law, the rules of said Council and prior notice given each member thereof, at 7:02 P.M. on the above date. Members present: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Absent: None. Mayor Laudick led the Pledge of Allegiance. 55278 - It was moved by Crisman and seconded by Kruse that the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 17, 2025 be approved as presented and ordered of record. Motion carried unanimously. 55279 - Mike Armstrong spoke on behalf of the Iowa League of Cities and introduced winner of the If I Were Mayor for a Day essay contest Jasmine Elsgersma. Mayor Laudick presented her with the award. 55280 - Dennis Pruckler, Cedar Falls, spoke about watershed and provided Council with a handout. Rosemary Beach, Cedar Falls, requested public bathrooms downtown and commented on concerns with accessibility. Rick Sharp, Cedar Falls, commented on the budget discussion and requested Goal Setting be televised. Craig Fairbanks, Cedar Falls, expressed concerns with the budget and requested transparency. Mayor Laudick commented. Bob Manning, Cedar Falls, commented on the opportunity to tie public and private interests together to help in the development of buildable residential lots. Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, expressed concerns with lack of communication regarding the 1st Street and Union Road intersection and potential budget reductions. 55281 - Director of Public Works Schrage commented on the Earth Fair on Saturday April 12, 2025 at Gateway Park. Schrage also provided an update on Holiday refuse collection. Mayor Laudick provided an update on the Strategic Plan and asked for public input. 55282 - Mayor Laudick announced that in accordance with the public notice of March 20, 2025, this was the time and place for a public hearing on a proposed Third Amendment to Option and Lease Agreement with GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC, relative to a proposed amendment to the Central Park Cell Tower Lease. It was then moved by Kruse and seconded by Crisman that the proof of publication of notice of hearing be received and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 55283 - The Mayor then asked if there were any written communications filed to the proposed amendment. Upon being advised that there were no written communications on file, the Mayor then called for oral comments. Director of Finance & Business Operations Rodenbeck provided an overview of the proposed amendment. Following a question by Councilmember Ganfield, and response by Rodenbeck, the Mayor declared the hearing closed and passed to the next order of business.  -2- 55284 - It was moved by Ganfield and seconded by Latta that Resolution #24,012, approving and authorizing execution of a Third Amendment to Option and Lease Agreement with GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC, relative to a proposed amendment to the Central Park Cell Tower Lease, be adopted. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,012 duly passed and adopted. 55285 - Mayor Laudick announced that in accordance with the public notice of March 20, 2025, this was the time and place for a public hearing on a proposed ordinance amending the boundaries for wards and precincts within the City of Cedar Falls to incorporate recently annexed territory. It was then moved by Hawbaker and seconded by Crisman that the proof of publication of notice of hearing be received and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 55286 - The Mayor then asked if there were any written communications filed to the proposed amendment. Upon being advised that there were no written communications on file, the Mayor then called for oral comments. Economic Development Coordinator Graham provided an overview of the proposed amendment. Following a question by Councilmember Schultz, response by Graham, and public comment by Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, the Mayor declared the hearing closed and passed to the next order of business. 55287 - It was moved by Kruse and seconded by Hawbaker that Ordinance #3106, amending the boundaries for wards and precincts within the City of Cedar Falls to incorporate recently annexed territory, be passed upon its first consideration. Following comments by Councilmembers Schultz and Latta, and Mayor Laudick, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55288 - Mayor Laudick announced that in accordance with the public notice of March 20, 2025, this was the time and place for a public hearing to consider entering into a Development Agreement with Cedar Falls Municipal Utilities relative to the South Cedar Falls Urban Renewal Area. It was then moved by Latta and seconded by Hawbaker that the proof of publication of notice of hearing be received and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 55289 - The Mayor then asked if there were any written communications filed to the proposed agreement. Upon being advised that there were no written communications on file, the Mayor then called for oral comments. Economic Development Coordinator Graham provided an overview of the proposed agreement. There being no one else present wishing to speak about the proposed agreement, the Mayor declared the hearing closed and passed to the next order of business. 55290 - It was moved by Crisman and seconded by Kruse that Resolution #24,013, approving and authorizing execution of a Development Agreement with Cedar Falls Municipal Utilities relative to the South Cedar Falls Urban Renewal Area, be adopted. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,013 duly passed and adopted.  -3- 55291 - Mayor Laudick announced that in accordance with the public notice of March 6, 2025, this was the time and place for a public hearing on a proposed Cedar Falls Historic Core Urban Revitalization Plan for a proposed Urban Revitalization Area. It was then moved by Crisman and seconded by Kruse that the proof of publication of notice of hearing be received and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 55292 - The Mayor then asked if there were any written communications filed to the proposed plan. Upon being advised that there were no written communications on file, the Mayor then called for oral comments. Economic Development Coordinator Graham provided an overview of the proposed plan. Following comments and questions by Mayor Laudick and Councilmember Kruse, responses by Graham and City Attorney Rogers, public comments by Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, and responses by City Administrator Gaines, the Mayor declared the hearing closed and passed to the next order of business. 55293 - It was moved by Kruse and seconded by Hawbaker that Resolution #24,014, approving and adopting the Cedar Falls Historic Core Urban Revitalization Plan for a proposed Urban Revitalization Area, be adopted. Following comments by Councilmembers Crisman, Schultz, Latta, and Ganfield, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,014 duly passed and adopted. 55294 - It was moved by Hawbaker and seconded by Kruse that Ordinance #3107, designating the Cedar Falls Historic Core Urban Revitalization Plan of the City of Cedar Falls, Iowa, be passed upon its first consideration. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55295 - Mayor Laudick announced that in accordance with the public notice of March 27, 2025, this was the time and place for a public hearing on a proposal to undertake a public improvement project for the Highway 57 & Union Road Intersection Improvements Project, and to authorize acquisition of private property for said project. It was then moved by Kruse and seconded by Hawbaker that the proof of publication of notice of hearing be received and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 55296 - The Mayor then asked if there were any written communications filed to the proposed project. Upon being advised that there were no written communications on file, the Mayor then called for oral comments. Principal Engineer Bitter provided an overview of the proposed project. Following comments and questions by Councilmembers Schultz, Ganfield and Kruse, responses by Director of Public Works Schrage and Mayor Laudick, public comments by Cedar Falls residents Kim Jensen Jordan, Sam Runyan, Todd Graper, and Rick Sharp, and responses by City Administrator Gaines, the Mayor declared the hearing closed and passed to the next order of business. 55297 - It was moved by Ganfield and seconded by Latta that Resolution #24,015, approving a public improvement project for the Highway 57 & Union Road Intersection Improvements Project, and authorizing acquisition of private property for said project, be adopted. Following comments and questions by Councilmembers Schultz, Latta,  -4- Kruse, and Ganfield, and responses by Director of Public Works Schrage, City Administrator Gaines, and Iowa DOT Engineer Nick Humpal, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,015 duly passed and adopted. 55298 - Mayor Laudick announced that in accordance with the public notice of March 20, 2025, this was the time and place for a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the West 23rd Street Reconstruction from Hudson Road to Campus Street Project. It was then moved by Schultz and seconded by Hawbaker that the proof of publication of notice of hearing be received and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 55299 - The Mayor then asked if there were any written communications filed to the proposed plans. Upon being advised that there were no written communications on file, the Mayor then called for oral comments. Principal Engineer Claypool provided an overview of the proposed plans. Following comments by Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, and responses by City Administrator Gaines, the Mayor declared the hearing closed and passed to the next order of business. 55300 - It was moved by Dunn and seconded by Hawbaker that Resolution #24,016, approving and adopting the plans, specifications, form of contract & estimate of cost for the West 23rd Street Reconstruction from Hudson Road to Campus Street Project, be adopted. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,016 duly passed and adopted. 55301 - It was moved by Kruse and seconded by Crisman that Ordinance #3098, vacating a portion of Campus Street right-of-way south of West 23rd Street, be passed upon its second consideration. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55302 - It was moved by Ganfield and seconded by Latta that Ordinance #3099, amending Chapter 2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances relative to police division; acting chief in absence of the police chief and fire division, acting chief in absence of the fire chief, be passed upon its second consideration. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55303 - It was moved by Latta and seconded by Crisman that Ordinance #3100, amending Chapter 13, Licenses and Business Regulations, of the Code of Ordinances relative to sales prohibited on public property, exemptions, application for license, and insurance, relative to mobile merchants, be passed upon its second consideration. Following a question by Todd Graper, Cedar Falls, and response by Mayor Laudick, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried.  -5- 55304 - It was moved by Dunn and seconded by Schultz that Ordinance #3101, amending Chapter 17, Parks and Recreation, of the Code of Ordinances relative to definitions, penalty for violation of article, no tree or shrub planting, trimming or other similar work in public places, tree trimmer's license, exemptions from license and permit requirements, temporary cutoff of electricity for purpose of pruning or removal, fastening signs, wire, etc., deposit or storage of materials impeding passage of water and air to roots, protection during building operations; tree and shrub damage, trees and shrubs overhanging street or sidewalk, diseased or infected trees declared nuisance, maintenance of infected trees prohibited, failure to destroy infected trees or wood; destruction by city, noxious weeds prohibited; exceptions, and failure to destroy noxious weeds; right to hearing; destruction by city, be passed upon its second consideration. Following comments by Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, and responses by Councilmember Kruse and Mayor Laudick, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55305 - It was moved by Dunn and seconded by Hawbaker that Ordinance #3102, amending Chapter 19, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Code of Ordinances relative to definitions, plantings by property owners or parties in possession, duty to maintain streetside area; assessment, damage by city to plantings or obstructions in the streetside area, warnings and barriers, storage of building materials, certain commercial use of public sidewalks, duty of abutting property owner to repair defective sidewalk, and standards for numbers, be passed upon its second consideration. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55306 - It was moved by Latta and seconded by Ganfield that Ordinance #3103, amending Chapter 19, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Code of Ordinances relative to use of public sidewalks for sidewalk cafes, operation of sidewalk cafes, application for sidewalk café permit, and insurance requirements, be passed upon its second consideration. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55307 - It was moved by Hawbaker and seconded by Kruse that Ordinance #3104 amending Chapter 19, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Code of Ordinances relative to contractor’s bond; insurance, bond; insurance and contractor’s bond; insurance, be passed upon its second consideration. Following comments by Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55308 - It was moved by Dunn and seconded by Kruse that Ordinance #3105, amending Chapter 23, Traffic and Motor Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances relative to definitions, electric personal assistive mobility devices, control of vehicle; reduced speed, use of sidewalks, pedestrian use of a roadway, solicitation of rides, riding on sidewalk prohibited in specified locations, traffic control signal legend, pedestrian conveyances and bicycles prohibited from use on certain city property, and pedestrian conveyances and bicycles must yield to pedestrians afoot; priority, be passed upon its second consideration. Following comments by Rick Sharp, Cedar  -6- Falls, and responses by City Attorney Rogers, the Mayor put the question on the motion, and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: Schultz. Motion carried. 55309 - It was moved by Hawbaker and seconded by Crisman that the following items on the Consent Calendar be received, filed, and approved: Receive and file the City Council Committee of the Whole minutes of March 17, 2025 relative to the following items: a) College Hill Zoning Update Project. b) Major Thoroughfare Plan & Connectivity Standards. Receive and file the City Council Goal Setting Report of December 9, 10, and 17, 2024 and January 27, 2025. Receive and file the City of Cedar Falls Strategic Plan Visioning Workshop summary of March 10, 2025. Approve the following applications for retail alcohol licenses: a) Deringer’s Public Parlor, 314 ½ Main Street, Class C retail alcohol - renewal. b) Jorgensen Plaza (Table 1912, Diamond Event Center and Gilmore’s Pub), 5307 Caraway Lane, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal. c) Luxe Nail Bar, 5907 University Avenue, Class C retail alcohol - renewal. d) Mary Lou's Bar & Grill, 2719 Center Street, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - renewal. e) CVS/Pharmacy, 2302 West 1st Street, Class E retail alcohol - renewal. f) Amvets, 1934 Irving Street, Class F retail alcohol & outdoor service - temporary additional outdoor service area. g) The Pump Haus Pub & Grill, 311 Main Street, Class C retail alcohol - temporary outdoor service/sidewalk café. (April 8 – November 15, 2025) h) Happy’s Wine & Spirits, 5925 University Avenue, Class C retail alcohol & outdoor service - 5-day permit. i) Dark Vassal Gaming, 4116 University Avenue, Class C retail alcohol - new. Motion carried unanimously. 55310 - It was moved by Ganfield and seconded by Latta to approve the following recommendations of the Mayor relative to the appointment of members to Boards and Commissions: a) Michael Mahncke, Historic Preservation Commission, term ending 03/31/2028. b) Jim O'Loughlin, Historic Preservation Commission, term ending 03/31/2028. c) Lindi Roelofse, Historic Preservation Commission, term ending 03/31/2028. Following comments by Councilmember Crisman and Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, the motion carried unanimously. 55311 - It was moved by Schultz and seconded by Latta that the following resolutions be introduced and adopted: Resolution #24,017, approving and adopting the FY2026 City Council Goals, Work Program, and Financial Plan. Resolution #24,018, approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with the State of Iowa, Department of Management relative to Enhanced Security Services.  -7- Resolution #24,019, certifying to the Treasurer of the State of Iowa the actual population of territory annexed to the City of Cedar Falls. Resolution #24,020, approving and authorizing execution of a Contract with Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI) relative to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for service agencies. Resolution #24,021, approving and authorizing execution of a Contract with House of Hope relative to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for service agencies. Resolution #24,022, approving and authorizing execution of a Contract with Northeast Iowa Food Bank relative to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for service agencies. Resolution #24,023, approving and authorizing execution of a Contract with Pathways Behavioral Services Inc. relative to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for service agencies. Resolution #24,024, receiving and filing the bids, and approving and accepting the low bid of Boomerang Corp. in the amount of $8,137,717.80 for the Creekside Business Park Project. Resolution #24,025, receiving and filing the bids, and approving and accepting the low bid of Boulder Contracting, LLC, in the amount of $212,294.56 for the 2025 Public Sidewalk/Trail Infill & Repair Project. Resolution #24,026, accepting the Contract and Bond of Peterson Contractors, Inc. for the 2025 Street Construction Project. Resolution #24,027, setting April 21, 2025, as the date of the public hearing on the proposed FY2026 Budget for the City of Cedar Falls. Following due consideration by the Council, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. The Mayor then declared Resolutions #24,017 through #24,027 duly passed and adopted. 55312- It was moved by Dunn and seconded by Schultz that Resolution #24,028, approving and adopting a job classification for the position of Human Resources Specialist, be adopted. Following comments by Human Rights Commission Chair TW Ingham and Councilmember Ganfield, and responses by Mayor Laudick, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,028 duly passed and adopted. 55313 - It was moved by Latta and seconded by Crisman that Resolution #24,029, approving and authorizing execution of an Amendment to Advertising Agreement Renewal Relative to Recruiting with Lee Enterprises, incorporated, d/b/a Courier Communications, be adopted. Following questions by Councilmember Ganfield, and responses by Human Resources Manager Schindel and Mayor Laudick, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Crisman, Dunn. Nay:  -8- Ganfield. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,029 duly passed and adopted. 55314 - It was moved by Ganfield and seconded by Schultz that Resolution #24,030, approving and authorizing execution of an Agreement with the Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services at UNI relative to an Introduction to Kayaking Course, be adopted. Following comments by Kim Jensen Jordan, Cedar Falls, and response by Director of Community Development Sheetz, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,030 duly passed and adopted. 55315 - It was moved by Latta and seconded by Schultz that Resolution #24,031, determining the necessity, and setting April 16, 2025 as the date of consultation and May 5, 2025 as the date of public hearing on a proposed Arbors 6th Urban Renewal Plan for a proposed Urban Renewal Area in the City of Cedar Falls, Iowa, be adopted. Following questions by Craig Fairbanks, Cedar Falls, and response by City Administrator Gaines, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,031 duly passed and adopted. 55316 - It was moved by Dunn and seconded by Crisman that Resolution #24,032, setting April 21, 2025 as the date of public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 19, Article VIII, Major Thoroughfare Plan, of the Code of Ordinances and Chapter 20, Subdivisions, of the Code of Ordinances, to update and establish definitions and regulations related to street connectivity, be adopted. Following a question by Councilmember Kruse, the Mayor put the question on the motion and upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion Carried. The Mayor then declared Resolution #24,032 duly passed and adopted. 55317 - It was moved by Kruse and seconded by Crisman that the bills and claims of April 7, 2025 be allowed as presented, and that the Controller/City Treasurer be authorized to issue City checks in the proper amounts and on the proper funds in payment of the same. Upon call of the roll, the following named Councilmembers voted. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Nay: None. Motion carried. 55318 - Councilmember Crisman commented on the Adopt a Spot program. 55319 - It was moved by Hawbaker and seconded by Kruse that the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. __________________________________ Kim Kerr, CMC, City Clerk