Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers August 19, 2019 The Committee of the Whole met in the Council Chambers at 5:15 p.m. on August 19, 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. Codie Leseman from Iowa Northland Regional County of Government (INRCOG) also attended as well as members of the community. Mayor Brown called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, Cedar River Recreation Enhancement. Codie Leseman from INRCOG stated the Iowa DNR hired them to develop a master plan for the Black Hawk County waters. He stated they held public input meetings and an online survey. They received 92 responses and over half of those were Cedar Falls residents. He reviewed pictures of the recommendations, they included improvements parking lots, boat ramps and plantings, and as well as add a revetment, which is river bank improvements. He stated there is a REAP grant available for $50,000. He reviewed the next steps which are to publish the master plan, update signage, and create a maintenance agreement with the Iowa DNR. After a brief discussion Frank Darrah motioned to endorse the plan presented, Daryl Kruse seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor introduced the second item on the agenda Visitor & Tourism (V&T) Division Update. Kim Manning, Visitor & Tourism/Cultural Programs Manager reviewed the past years activities for Visitor and Tourism division. She stated they went through a strategic plan process with the assistance from UNI’s Institute for Decision Making. V&T continues to have higher hotel/motel tax revenues. Ms. Manning explained their main goal for the new year will be to market the City of Cedar Falls for a meeting and convention location. A list of additional goals of the division were reviewed. Mayor Brown introduced the third item on the agenda Cultural Programs Annual Update. Heather Skeens Cultural Programs Supervision reviewed the past year of programing for the Hearst Center for the Arts. She explained they have used a short term strategic roadmap for deeper engagement through exhibitions, book and film reviews and hands on activities. Ms. Skeens stated they are coordinating efforts for free class material checkouts at the library. There has been new growth in the class registrations and the Friends of the Hearst has had increased membership numbers as well. Mayor Brown introduced the final item on the agenda, bills and payroll. Daryl Kruse moved to approve the bills and payroll as presented, Tom Blanford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There being no further discussion, Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:14 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer