Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers June 17, 2019 The Committee of the Whole met in the Council Chambers at 5:15 p.m. on June 17, 2019, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Jim Brown, Tom Blanford, Frank Darrah, Susan deBuhr, Rob Green, Daryl Kruse, Mark Miller, and David Wieland. Staff members attended from all City Departments. Tom Nelson with the Waterloo Courier and Eric Giddens, with UNI Center of Energy and Environmental Education also attended as well as members of the community. Mayor Brown called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, Sustainability. The Mayor introduced Eric Giddens with UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education. Mr. Giddens reviewed a PowerPoint presentation reviewing planning and inventory of greenhouse gas emissions. He stated the first step in the process of climate action planning is to complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. He explained the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) organization has provided framework and methodology for local governments to follow. He explained they also have student engagement through the University as a class project. Mr. Giddens explained a community wide inventory is done, as well as the City may do a government operations inventory. He explained this data is then used to forecast a “business as usual” approach and then planning takes place to make changes to reduce levels. He said Cedar Falls has implemented programs that have led to energy conservation and greenhouse mitigation already; flood plain ordinance, raised levee, and Cedar Falls Utilities has buried most utility lines. Mr. Giddens stated every community should take a proactive approach to this issue. He said a task force should be created to make recommendations. Mayor Brown opened it up for discussion. Mr. Giddens answered questions from the council and stated Iowa City and Dubuque have a sustainability program as well as other Midwest communities. He stated he has also presented this presentation to the Cedar Falls Utilities staff and Board of Trustees. Mayor Brown commented goal setting would be a good place to have additional discussions regarding the sustainability program. Tom Blanford motioned to have the City staff develop a Sustainability Task Force. Frank Darrah seconded the motion. Mayor Brown opened it up for public comment. Carole Yates 519 Chateau Court commented she was on a similar task force in 2009 and could share documents from their discussions. Mayor Brown called for the vote, the motion carried unanimously. The Mayor introduced the second item on the agenda Cash Management Report. Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer, stated this is the 31st year for reviewing the Cash Management program and we do this review annually to review the cash reserves to help meet operating cost requirements. She stated the rates of return on our investments have steadily increased over the past three years, and we have averaged 2.77% so far this year, which has increased from 1.88% in FY18. Ms. Roeding stated goal of the Cash Management report is to provide valuable information regarding the past, present, and future direction of the City’s investments, cash reserves, long term borrowing, and vehicle maintenance program. She thanked Cathy Niebergall for her help in preparing this report. Mayor Brown introduced the final item on the agenda, bills and payroll. Daryl Kruse moved to approve the bills as presented, Rob Green seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There being no further discussion, Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer