Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers May 4, 2020 The Committee of the Whole met at City Hall via teleconference at 6:05 p.m. on May 4, 2020, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Robert M. Green, Frank Darrah, Susan deBuhr, Simon Harding, Daryl Kruse, Mark Miller, Dave Sires, and Nick Taiber. Staff members attended from all City Departments, as well as members of the community teleconferenced in. Mayor Green called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Funding Update. Ron Gaines, City Administrator stated the Coronavirus pandemic has caused economic issues, which in turn will have financial impact on six major funding sources; Black Hawk County Gaming, Road Use Tax (RUT), Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), Hotel/Motel Tax, Emergency Reserves and Property Tax. He stated we will know more in 6-8 months and we will discuss changes to Capital Improvement Program at the 2020 Goal Setting. Mr. Gaines reviewed the funding concerns to the six previously mentioned sources. He said Black Hawk County Gaming Award (BHCGA) funding application process has been suspended and those projects that have been awarded will continue to be funded. He stated City staff projects a 25% reduction in funding for both RUT and LOST. He explained these funds are used for street reconstruction and restoration. He went on the explain Hotel/Motel tax will see an estimated 30% reduction and it will affect Visitor & Tourism operations for FY2022 having to use cash reserves. Mr. Gaines explained Emergency Reserves are used to cash flow expenditures during a crisis. He stated Property tax funding will be reviewed and if property valuations fluctuate it may affect future bond funding levels. Mr. Gaines went on to review specific projects and staff recommendation on each project. He stated there are two projects using Emergency Reserves, Cedar River Recreation Improvements which will continue with design and permitting, however staff recommended moving construction from FY22/23 to FY23/24; and Center Street which will also continue with design and pursue BHCGA grant funding if possible and recommends moving the construction to FY22/23. He said the staff recommends continuing with Phase I and Phase II of the Downtown Streetscape and pursue a BHCGA grant for Phase II. Mr. Gaines stated Cedar Heights Drive Reconstruction is phased with other projects so it is recommended to continue with the construction schedule. For Greenhill Road and S. Main Street Intersection the construction is slated for FY22/23 and is phased in with other projects, but staff will continue to monitor the funding allocations from RUT and LOST. Main Street Reconstruction is recommended to continue with design in FY22, monitor the RUT and LOST funding and reassess during Annual Goal Setting and CIP. Mr. Gaines stated there may be potential stimulus grant funding which could be used on some of the projects. City staff recommends moving the design of Union Road Phase I to FY21 and leaving the construction in FY25 unless stimulus grant funding is awarded, construction could move up. West 27th Street Improvements is recommended to continue with design in FY21 and it is a potential stimulus project. The partnership with Cedar Falls Community Schools and University of Northern Iowa is a selling point to the potential for stimulus money. Mr. Gaines stated the Annual Pavement Management Program will continue with design and construction for FY20, FY21, and FY22 and reassess during Goal Setting and CIP and review the projected RUT and LOST revenues in the fall to see if adjustments need to be made. Mr. Gaines stated the City Hall Repurpose and Remodel project will continue with design in FY20 and FY21, possibly reviewing design for better social distancing, however City staff recommends to move the construction to FY22 and FY23. Mayor Green opened it up for discussion from the Council. Chase Schrage Director of Public Works answered questions on the Greenhill Road and S. Main Street intersection, stating the traffic study was completed and presented January 2, 2019. He stated the current intersection has a rating of an F and a roundabout will have a rating of a B. He also stated at the public input meetings there 60 comments and 17 were positive comments towards the roundabout and five negative comments. Councilmember Taiber requested the Greenhill Road corridor study be distributed. Jennifer Rodenbeck, Director of Finance and Business Operations stated only about $200,000 of Debt Service is paid for by the general fund. She also stated they project the sale of bonds at a rate of 1.5% compared to 2.8% in 2018. She also explained we were only able to pay off the 2009 bond early to save on interest rates. Daryl Kruse motioned to have City staff continue with adjustments to the Capital Improvements Program items as presented. Mark Miller seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There being no discussion, Mayor Green moved to the final item on the agenda, bills and payroll. Mark Miller moved to approve the bills and payroll as presented, and Simon Harding seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There being no further, Frank Darrah moved for adjournment. Daryl Kruse seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Green adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer