Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street April 21, 2025 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Gil Schultz, Chris Latta, Daryl Kruse, 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, South Main Sanitary Sewer Project Update. Mayor Laudick introduced Public Works Director Chase Schrage. Schrage provided an overview of the background of the project, the three (3) proposed areas to be serviced by City sanitary sewer with the goal of eliminating septic services, as recommended by the DNR. Schrage included estimated construction costs, total project costs, the proposed maximum tapping fee for each area, proposed financial assistance options, and the connection fee agreement. Schrage said the project’s next steps will be: residential septic to sanitary sewer policy, May 2025 by resolution; easement negotiations, beginning in 2025; project letting, January 2026; and project build, summer 2026. Schrage stated staff is requesting direction moving forward with the project. Mayor opened for Councilmembers and staff discussion, questions, and responses, which included: expectations and timelines for removal of septic systems and City connectivity; the County is responsible for inspecting septic systems; reasoning for basing tapping fee for properties by acre v household size and use, City Attorney Kevin Rogers stated that a use tax is not allowed; the difference in homeowner costs among areas including linear footage of installation and easements; efforts to address the costs with residents affected; efforts to minimize the impact to trees, fences, etc.; options to replace/repair septic systems if project moves forward – if the property is within 200’ of the sewer main, they will be required to connect to the sanitary sewer, if not they would be allowed to repair/replace septic systems; concerns regarding septic systems and the Dry Run Creek Watershed; potential for grant funding for the project, none is known; and other ways to lessen the burden on homeowners. Mayor opened for public comment. Elizabeth Ackerson, Cedar Falls, expressed concerns about the cost to homeowners, proposed easement, transparency of cost breakdown, impact of development behind the properties, concerns with proposed materials, and the City’s communication regarding the project and meetings. Natalie Morfitt, Cedar Falls, expressed concerns regarding communication with the City and the cost to homeowners. Mayor asked for any additional comments or questions from Council before entertaining a motion, which included: other City funding; cost-sharing with other septic system areas in the City; grant potential. Mayor responded to Ackerson’s comments regarding cost and damage potentially caused by nearby development, and communication with the City. Councilmembers further discussed: type of taps; DNR recommendation of sanitary sewer; citizens’ responsibility for maintenance to the main; and further cost-sharing options. Councilmember Ganfield read two written communications submitted to Council: Walt & Jenny Rogers, Cedar Falls, wrote in support of the project; Natalie Morfitt, Cedar Falls, wrote about transparency of initial and current cost breakdown, the financial burden on homeowners, and communication with the City. Council discussed when homeowners would be required to connect. Ackerson asked what information regarding this project would need to be disclosed during sale of the property; Schrage and Rogers answered the easement and tapping ordinance. Councilmember Latta state most residents he spoke with were favorable to the project for area 1, but not 2 or 3 and agreed with reducing the cost to citizens. Mayor requested a motion recommending City Council to direct staff to proceed with the whole project. Dunn motioned and Crisman seconded. Mayor asked for public comment; there being none, Mayor asked for any further Council discussion. Councilmember Kruse spoke about cost reduction; and Councilmember Hawbaker stated this isn’t “forced tapping”, septic systems would need to be checked at the sale of the property and the purchaser might want the ability to connect. Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Hawbaker, Crisman, and Dunn; Nay: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, and Ganfield. Motion failed. Mayor requested a motion to direct staff to proceed only with Area 1. Kruse motioned and Schultz seconded. There being no further Council or public discussion, Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, and Dunn. Nay: none. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor requested a motion to direct staff to proceed with Area 2. Dunn motioned and Crisman seconded. There being no further Council or public discussion, Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Hawbaker, Crisman, and Dunn; Nay: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, and Ganfield. Motion failed. Mayor requested a motion to direct staff to proceed with Area 3. Dunn motioned and Crisman seconded. There being no further Council or public discussion, Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Hawbaker, Crisman, and Dunn; Nay: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, and Ganfield. Motion failed. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, Refuse Study Presentation, and introduced Maintenance and Operations Manager Brian Heath. Heath provided information from the most recent refuse rate study including: Black Hawk County Solid Waste Landfill, the Management Commission, and rate history; the Cedar Falls Transfer Station services and rate history, including UNI, and the proposed rate increases; yard waste services, use of the Compost Facility by the City and residents, the rate history, the proposed rate increases, and discontinuation of BHC Landfill for yard waste; recycling services, collection methods, recycling methods, current recycling operations for residential and commercial/bulk; and contracting out curbside recycling v. City operated; rate history of bulk pick-up and drop-off items including accepted items and proposed rate increases; rate history for container dumpsters; automated refuse routes, rate history, proposed rate increases; and a rate increase summary. Heath then introduced City Controller/Treasurer Lisa Roeding. Roeding presented information on: the history of the refuse fund; negative impact on the fund without rate increases; increase use of the compost facility and recycling; interest in smart environmental practices; and continuation of City marketing and public relations for refuse programs. Roeding provided a summary of what the proposed rate increases will accomplish including: better cash flow and maintaining cash reserves for services and upcoming projects. Roeding proposed a motion to proceed with drafting refuse rate ordinance implementing the recommended rate increases included in this presentation. Mayor opened for Councilmembers and staff discussion, which included: appreciation for the facility tours and work of staff; locations of additional recycling drop-off sites; clarification on yard waste going to the BHC Landfill or compost facility; refuse container rate increases; appreciation for public outreach regarding compost facility services; and annual testing of compost. Mayor requested a motion to proceed with drafting ordinance implementing the recommended rate increases included in the presentation. Kruse motioned and Latta seconded. There being no further Council or public discussion, Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, and Dunn. Nay: none. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Minutes by Katie Terhune, Administrative Supervisor