Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street June 2, 2025 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:25 p.m. on June 2, 2025, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Gil Schultz, Chris Latta, Daryl Kruse, Aaron Hawbaker, Dustin Ganfield, and Hannah Crisman. Absent: Kelly Dunn. Staff members from all City Departments and members of the community attended in person. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: Mayor Laudick called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the Committee of the Whole agenda, Grow Cedar Valley Update and introduced Grow Cedar Valley (GCV) President & CEO Katy Susong. Susong provided a brief overview of the presentation and introduced Lisa Rivera Skubal, CEcD, VP of Economic Development. Skubal stressed the importance of person-to-person interaction for lead generation and provided an overview of lead generation trips, conferences, and interactions, and the future planned lead generation initiatives. Director of Business Services and Advocacy Adrienne Miller spoke regarding business retention and expansion, stating GCV focuses on existing businesses and resources and has been aware of and asking business about effects of current/proposed tariffs. Miller addressed government affairs and advocacy including work with state legislators and other officials; offered information regarding Friday Forums with Legislators; and provided information on upcoming roundtable discussions, headquarter visits, marketing and business visits, and other plans to meet with legislators. Director of Workforce & Talent Stephanie Detweiler overviewed: implementation of Cedar Valey Intern Connect program and future plans, including partnering with UNI; impact of the Cedar Valley Young Professions program and future plans; results of a contracted population study with impact to 5-year population trends, and how to change projected trajectories; 12 roundtable discussions are planned from results. Susong stated GCV is looking for new ways to market the Cedar Valley with a focus on the story about why businesses should choose the Cedar Valley and what makes the Cedar Valley attractive for businesses. Councilmember Kruse requested information regarding the date and time of the lobbying meeting; the information will be e-mailed to Councilmembers. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Committee of the Whole agenda, FY2026 Cash Management Report and introduced Controller/City Treasurer Lisa Roeding. Roeding reviewed the investments and rates of return, investment strategies, how the City manages public funds, reviewed cash reserve policies, liquidity, reserve balances, projected total FY2026 balance, use for capital expenditures; Roeding referenced potential impact of tariffs, the Vehicle Maintenance Program, rollback and state backfill, effects of HF718, economy, and future legislative action impact. Mayor opened for Council discussion. Councilmembers discussed the bond rating review process, current amount of cash reserves including the emergency cash reserve fund. Mayor called for a motion to recommend Council approval to receive and file the FY2026 Cash Management Report; Kruse motioned and Latta seconded. There being no public discussion and no further Council discussion, Mayor called for a roll call vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman. Nay: none. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Laudick introduced the third item on the Committee of the Whole agenda, Wastewater Treatment Facility Project and introduced Director of Public Works, Chase Schrage. Schrage introduced consultant from Strand & Associates, Randy Wirtz. Wirtz provided an overview of the project; project drivers include facility capacity, current process, age of equipment and facilities, and current impact; timeline of the project from 2008 to present; facility overview of current processes, uses, and facilities, proposed demolition and remodel of facilities; addressing the odors; a proposed updated site plan and potential future improvements; proposed upgrades and benefits; factors implementing project cost including site, construction sequencing, and potential effect of inflation on construction costs; projected cost of recommended capital improvements; and Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project delivery options for contracting. Schrage reviewed the project implementation schedule and next steps. Mayor opened for Council discussion. Councilmembers, staff, and Wirtz discussed the CMAR program, proposed site plan location for the treatment plant and associated costs, previous reports from consultants regarding the project, infrastructure if the site was relocated, and the proposed dried material produced with the new process. Mayor called for a motion to proceed with the proposed timeline as proposed. Ganfield motioned to move forward with the proposed timeline with consideration of the CMAR option; Schultz seconded. There being no public comment and no further Council comment, Mayor called for a roll call vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman. Nay: none. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. Minutes by Katie Terhune, Administrative Supervisor