Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers October 5, 2020 The Committee of the Whole met at City Hall via teleconference at 5:35 p.m. on October 5, 2020, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Robert M. Green, Frank Darrah, Susan deBuhr, Kelly Dunn, Simon Harding, Daryl Kruse, Mark Miller, and Dave Sires. Staff members attended from all City Departments, as well as members of the community teleconferenced in. Amy Riveria with the Waterloo Courier, as well as members of the community teleconferenced in. The Mayor introduced the first item on the agenda Library Trustee Interview – Reginald Green. Mr. Green introduced himself and stated he was influenced at an early age to go to the library. He also stated he has been involved at the University with various committees and boards and has been with Cedar Falls Public Art Committee. A brief discussion was held. Mayor Green introduced the second item on the agenda Great American Rail Trail. Kim Manning Visitor & Tourism/Cultural Program Manager reviewed the Great American Rail Trail, which is a scenic trail across the United States from Washington State to Washington DC. She explained this can be used for walking or biking and will have an economic impact to the communities along the trail. She reviewed maps of the trail, and she zoned in on the area in Cedar Falls. Chris Sevy Planner I, who also is the liaison to the Bike Pedestrian Committee, stated Cedar Falls has been designated a bike friendly community since 2009 and made various map updates since then. Ms. Manning stated 1,900 miles of the 3,700 miles of trail is complete. Mr. Sevy stated 55% of the trail in Iowa is complete. He further explained the segment in George Wyth State Park is in despair. He reviewed grant funding which helped complete various segments in Iowa. Mr. Sevy stated they hope to have 100 miles of the trail to be completed in 2020. Ms. Manning stated city staff continues to market the trails and stated the American Discovery Trail is another trail which travels across the United States. Mayor Green opened it up for discussion. Ms. Manning stated there has been tourism signage installed along the trail. Mr. Sevy stated the trail through George Wyth has funds to complete a partial project but more donations are needed. He said the trail does need to be widened to 10 feet. There being no further discussion, Mayor Green introduced the final item on the agenda Parking Large Vehicles and Trailer on City Streets. Kevin Rogers City Attorney stated this is the third time in four years we have visited this topic. He reviewed the current ordinance and what the restrictions are for street parking. He stated commercial trailer is not a defined vehicle in the Iowa code. He said the current ordinance doesn’t quite catch the parking of large vehicles. Mr. Rogers said safety concerns, tying up available on-street parking and neighborhood aesthetics are items to be considered. He said they reviewed how other cities regulate parking. He reviewed the staff recommendation, listing the vehicles subject to the ban with an exception of actively loading and unloading or providing services. He said the vehicles not included in the proposed language are cars, SUVs, pickups and passenger vans. He said the ban applies to all trailers. Mayor Green opened it for discussion. Councilmember deBuhr stated this would ban trailers hauling bikes, snowmobiles, boats, etc., correct? Mr. Rogers said yes. Councilmember Harding wondered about making exceptions for types of trailers. Mr. Rogers explained Iowa code doesn’t define a commercial trailer and they aren’t licensed as such. Councilmember Kruse said we need to define the commercial trailer. Jeff Olson Director of Public Safety Services stated the State doesn’t issue license registrations as commercial, however if they look up a license plate it may come back registered to a company. Councilmember Harding said a size ban for a trailer would be a good place to start. Mr. Rogers stated he could research what other cities have defined and staff could draft a definition. Councilmember Sires said the trailer should be hooked to a personal vehicle, such as car or pickup. Mr. Olson reviewed the process the officer’s use for the 48- hours parking limit. He said if there was a total ban, he would like to educate the public rather than issue a citation. Mayor Green opened it for public comment. Whitney Smith, 2904 Neola Street, suggested using a permit for service work or restrict parking based on the size of the street. Councilmember Kruse motioned for staff to draft an ordinance based on the proposed ordinance language while defining a commercial vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, and commercial trailer in the ordinance. Simon Harding seconded the motion. Ron Gaines City Administrator stated a building permit is issued and could cover the service work being performed. Councilmember Kruse stated the last sentence of the proposed language would cover the service work aspect. Motion passed 6-1 (aye- Darrah, Dunn, Harding, Kruse, Miller, and Sires; nay – deBuhr). There being no further discussion Mayor Green adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer