Committee of the Whole Meeting

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall, 220 Clay Street September 16, 2024 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 6:00 p.m. on September 16, 2024, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Daniel Laudick, Councilmembers Chris Latta, Daryl Kruse, Aaron Hawbaker, Dustin Ganfield, Hannah Crisman, Kelly Dunn, and Gil Schultz. Staff members from various City Departments and members of the community attended in person. Committee of the Whole: Mayor Laudick called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, UNI Update and introduced UNI President Dr. Mark Nook. Nook presented data on enrollment and 4-year graduation rates. He reviewed UNI’s purpose statement; how UNI is creating opportunities and new degree programs; facilities upgrades and renovations at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, the Campanile, and the UNI Dome; noted UNI alumni who competed in the Paralympics in Paris; thanked the City for the collaboration for the fireworks show at the Dome. Nook announced that it will be UNI’s 150th anniversary upcoming and Homecoming 2025. Nook, Councilmembers, and Mayor discussed: how to improve enrollment and retention; the nursing program; appreciation for the student liaison program; partnership between UNI, College Hill, the Downtown District, and the City; how UNI can attract tourists and revenue. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, Discussion of Cedar Falls Economic Development Corporation Contract and stated this conversation should provide direction for Council and staff moving forward; Mayor indicated that Jim Brown of the CFEDC was in attendance if Committeepersons have direct questions. Brown, Councilmembers, staff, and Mayor discussed: lapse of the original contract; non-profit and tax exempt status, lapse, and current actions to reinstate; does the CFEDC overlap with Grow Cedar Valley and City projects; past and future metrics outlined by the contract, changes that can be made moving forward; transparency in accounting without the tax exempt status; collaboration with Grow Cedar Valley and the City; CFEDC’s investment in the Housing Needs Assessment and the Housing Trust Fund; incentives for projects v. a lump sum contract amount; accountability written into any future contract as well as results and deliverables. City Attorney Rogers stated more information would be needed regarding the currently lapsed tax- exempt status while the non-profit status remains. Meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m. Minutes by Katie Terhune, Administrative Supervisor