Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street January 05, 2026 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:35 p.m. on January 05, 2026, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Danny Laudick, Gil Schultz, Chris Latta, Tom Nagle, Aaron Hawbaker, Craig Fairbanks, Hannah Crisman, and Kelly Dunn(virtual). 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, Human Rights Commission (HRC) Annual Report and introduced HRC Commissioner TW Ingham. Ingham provided a narrative summary of FY25 including member updates, website updates, effects of legislative changes, and events hosted by or participated in by members. Ingham provided a budget overview and indicated use of current funds and collaborative work. Ingham provided an overview of the inquiry/concern/complaint process including resourcing complainants and submission of claims to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) for investigation. Ingham provided an overview of the events and activities participated in or hosted by the HRC and its members and recognized past HRC members. Ingham introduced the new HRC Chair Crystal Waltz. Council members Dunn, Schultz, and Mayor Laudick thanked Ingham for their presentation and work. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Agenda, Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Presentation and introduced Director of Finance & Business Operations Jennifer Rodenbeck. The 5-year CIP includes 224 projects costing approximately $485 million sourced by approximately 50 different funding sources. City sources account for about $356 million. FY27 will be placed in the budget. Rodenbeck gave a brief introduction on the planning document based on goal setting objectives and included some of the changes made after goal setting such as our Public Safety Building moving up to FY27/28; Housing Needs Assessment was removed; private funding for park amenities moved to separate line item; Rec Center building construction moved to unmet until plans are completed; added a new line item for multi- use facility study; $600,000 Emergency Reserve to Specialty Park line item; and some streets were moved to unmet to balance LOST & RUT funding. Rodenbeck spoke about the purpose of the CIP and an overview of several proposed items, including: #35 Hearst Center; #57-70 Parks Master Plan Implementation; #79&80 Indoor Turf Complex; #109 Sewer Extension; #140 Annual Alley Reconstruction Program; #142 Annual Street Repair Program; #151 Union Road Phase I; #203 Replacement of Aerial Truck; and #210 Nutrient Reduction Improvements. Rodenbeck spoke about the upcoming Public Hearing on January 20, 2026, 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. Councilmembers, Mayor Laudick, Public Works Director Chase Schrage, Community Development Director Stephanie Sheetz, and Rodenbeck discussed: firetrucks, sewer extension and water service, alleys, micro transit, and the Indoor Turf Complex. Rodenbeck thanked staff for their hard work on the project. There were no public comments. Councilmember Hawbaker motioned to bring the CIP forward for approval by Council; Councilmember Latta seconded. There being no further discussion, Mayor Laudick called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Latta, Nagle, Hawbaker, Fairbanks, Crisman, and Dunn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Minutes by Lyndzy Murtha, Administrative Assistant