Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street January 6, 2025 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:15 p.m. on January 6, 2025, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Gil Schultz, Chris Latta, Daryl Kruse (virtual), Aaron Hawbaker, Dustin Ganfield, Hannah Crisman, and Kelly Dunn. Absent: None. Staff members from all 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, College Hill Incentive Request and provided background information on the request to modify a development agreement, developer represented by Brent Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom provided background on the current development project and previous agreements with the City: at the time of the original agreement, only a 5 year tax-incentive program was offered; the project is currently in early construction stages. Dahlstrom requested Council consider amending the agreement’s tax incentive from 5 years to 10 years, as recently approved by Council for future projects, stating it will create momentum for development on College Hill. Councilmembers asked about the current state of the project and timeline; Dahlstrom responded the project is in early stages, and loan approval is pending Council’s action on this request. Councilmembers Dunn and Kruse questioned setting a precedent for changing from policy at the time of agreement to new policy adopted after the most recent agreement amendment and start of project. Dahlstrom responded this is common practice in other communities. Dahlstrom referenced the lack of development on College Hill through the past 10 years by other developers. Councilmembers Crisman and Latta spoke in favor of approving the request due to the early stage and as momentum for development in the College Hill district. Councilmember Latta motioned to bring forward to Council a development agreement with the 10-year amendment; Hawbaker seconded. There being no further discussion, Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Hawbaker, Crisman, and Dunn; Nay: Kruse and Ganfield. Motion carried 5-2. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Committee of the Whole agenda, Presentation of 5 Year Capital Improvements Plan and introduced Finance and Business Operations Director, Jennifer Rodenbeck. Rodenbeck gave a brief introduction to the purpose of the CIP document and an overview of several proposed items, including: #42 Hearst Center; #65 Park Master Plan Implementation; #93 Sewer Extension Dry Run Creek Phase I; #122 Annual Alley Reconstruction Program; #124 Annual Street Repair Program; #128 Union Road Phase I; #139 Viking Road & Prairie Parkway Intersection; #140 Viking Road Reconstruction; #161 Seerley Park Renovation; #193 Replacement of Aerial Truck; and #200 Nutrient Reduction Improvements. Rodenbeck spoke about the impact of the CIP, next steps to be taken by Council, and recommended approval of Council to direct staff to move forward with approval of the document as presented or amended by Council. Councilmember Kruse spoke in favor of sending the CIP to Council as is; Councilmember Ganfield asked how the FY26 budget is affected by the recently received assessed value information. Rodenbeck responded general revenue items will be affected more than general obligation (GO) bonds; consideration of levying funds towards the Hearst Center project; and the CIP gives a plan and direction, and helps staff with incorporating items in the budget. Ganfield asked which projects are concerns. Rodenbeck responded: Hearst Center funding for expansion and ongoing operations; Parks Master Plan funding challenges due to a lack of “quality of life” revenue sources; and the Nutrient Reduction Improvements due to project cost and effect on sewer rates. Ganfield asked about flexibility of delay of payments towards the natatorium and redirecting those funds; Community Development Director Stephanie Sheetz responded the contract states payments is due on completion. Councilmember Hawbaker motioned to bring the CIP forward for approval by Council; Councilmember Dunn seconded. There being no further discussion, Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, and Dunn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. Minutes by Katie Terhune, Administrative Supervisor