Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street December 01, 2025 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:55 p.m. on December 01, 2025, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Danny Laudick, Gil Schultz, Chris Latta, Daryl Kruse, Aaron Hawbaker, Dustin Ganfield, Hannah Crisman, and Kelly Dunn. 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 Agenda, Grow Cedar Valley Update. Mayor introduced their Board Chair Dave Wilson, who prided them on a clear and honest picture of their work and partnership with the City of Cedar Falls. Vice President of Economic Development Lisa Skubal spoke regarding lead generation being most effective in person and provided economic development efforts including events in the Netherlands and Germany which were attended by Shane Graham and Mayor Laudick, virtual meetings, and local events hosted in the Cedar Valley. Director of Business Services and Advocacy Adrienne Miller provided information on the Business Retention and Expansion Program; workforce talent resources; local and state incentives support; working with policy changes and tariffs; workforce training programs; and upcoming government affairs and advocacy events. Director of Talent and Workforce Stephanie Detweiler spoke about the population study reveal event and a Newcomer Welcome Event. Detweiler also spoke about Community Round Tables that took place and “8 big bets” that were taken to Community Idea Workshops. Cedar Valley Manufacturer Association is working under Grow Cedar Valley with support from advisory council members and focus on workforce development, industrial advocacy, imaging, innovation and collaboration. Talent and Workforce Development Manager Kelsie Kunkle spoke about her passion to bridge education to industry; 4 initiatives including: Cedar Valley Leadership Institute; Cedar Valley Intern Connect; Cedar Valley Young Professionals; and Wilson in the Valley. CEO and President Katy Susong shared appreciation for collaborations with the City and emphasized GCV is a resource for all. Mayor opened for Council discussion. Mayor and Councilmembers thanked GCV for all the work they do and for recent travel opportunities. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Agenda, Parking of Trailers and Other Vehicles on Unimproved Surfaces. Mayor introduced Building Official Jamie Castle to follow up on the previous presentation and give clarification on the wording for related ordinances. Current enforcement approach is complaint based and provided statistics; all parking must be on a hard surface regardless of location with leniency being given for recreation vehicles and trailers hidden from the view of right-of-way or small trailers stored empty where grass is well- maintained. Staff has created the following 3 options for Council to discuss: 1) Direct enforcement of ordinances in place with no ordinance changes; 2) Allow unimproved side yard parking by amending the current code to define parameters, council would determine number allowed and setback considerations; 3) Amend current codes to allow limited parking on unimproved surfaces. Mayor opened for Council discussion. Mayor, Councilmembers and staff discussed use of citizens’ property while not affecting neighbors’ quality of life; parking in side yard on gravel existing prior to 2015; who is complaining and where; concerns with size of trailer limitations; support of removing the requirement of paving the rear yard; freedom of use of property; the complaint-based system; what would constitute need for a parking lot; and the need to make things clear moving forward. Crisman motioned to approve option 3. Latta seconded. Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Latta, Hawbaker, Crisman, and Dunn; Nay: Schultz, Kruse and Ganfield. Motion carried 4-3. Mayor stated staff would review and bring back to Council. Meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m. Minutes by Lyndzy Murtha, Administrative Assistant