Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers June 21, 2021 The Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 6:18 p.m. on June 21, 2021, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Frank Darrah, Sudan deBuhr, Kelly Dunn, Simon Harding, Daryl Kruse, Mark Miller, and Dave Sires. Absent: Mayor Robert M. Green. Staff members from all City Departments and members of the community attended in person and teleconferenced in. Mayor Pro Tem Simon Harding called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, Grow Cedar Valley Update and introduced Cary Darrah, President/CEO of Grow Cedar Valley. Ms. Darrah gave some opening remarks and introduced Lisa Skubal, Vice President/Economic Development of Grow Cedar Valley. Ms. Skubal reviewed external marketing and business growth and stated they have 7 new project leads since December. Ms. Skubal explained the QR Code that is available to scan and see the 2020 exiting Business Survey Report, cost of living calculator, and other options. They have executed the first 6 counties’ regional wage and benefits survey. Ms. Skubal explained their collaboration with Techworks and extended an invitation to UNI’s Advanced Manufacturing at Techworks on Wednesdays from 10:30-2:30 to see the latest in 3-D printing and robotics. Ms. Darrah explained the diversity, equity, and inclusion projects, talent initiative, IGNITE, ONE Cedar Valley programs and the upcoming Economic Inclusion Conference. Ms. Darrah explained the outreach regional magazine and website called Live the Valley. Ms. Darrah introduced Aaron Jarnagin, Director of Marketing with Grown Cedar Valley. Mr. Jarnagin explained the digital marketing project, Project Engage, and Live the Valley, a digital marketing initiative to promote the Cedar Valley. Ms. Darrah gave closing remarks and stated they are still working on airport advocacy and strengthening the current flights. Mayor Pro Tem Simon Harding introduced the second item on the agenda, Cash Management Report, Lisa Roeding, City Treasurer. Ms. Roeding gave the cash management report for FY2022. Ms. Roeding gave an overview of investments and rates of return, operating cash reserves, and providing a snapshot of financial position and capital expenditures. Three priorities in managing public funds are safety, liquidity, and yield. Ms. Roeding stated the City will continue to keep an eye on the rollback and state backfill, since the State will be phasing out the backfill funds. She explained these funds are used for one-time capital projects. Councilmember Kruse asked about the significant amount of reserve in the sewer fund. City Administrator Gaines stated this is set aside for the Treatment Plant projects. Councilmember Kruse motioned to approve the Cash Management Report for FY2022. Councilmember Miller seconded. Mayor Pro Tem asked for a roll call from Councilmembers voting on the Cash Management Report: Aye: Miller, deBuhr, Kruse, Harding, Darrah, Sires, Dunn and Harding. Nay: None. Motion carried. There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Minutes by Kim Kerr, Administrative Supervisor