Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES City Hall, 220 Clay Street March 2, 2026 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:15 p.m. on March 2, 2026, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Danny Laudick, Gil Schultz, Tom Nagle, Aaron Hawbaker, Craig Fairbanks, Hannah Crisman, and Kelly Dunn. Absent: Chris Latta. 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, Water Service Materials Discussion and introduced Building Official Jamie Castle. Castle stated discrepancies in materials allowed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and materials allowed by Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU), causing confusion. Castle introduced CFU Gas & Water Operations Manager Jerald Lukensmeyer. Lukensmeyer defined water service and noted that the property owner owns the line from the water main to the meter and is responsible for any repairs. Lukensmeyer presented past and current practices, stating that copper piping has been the industry standard since the 1950s; copper pipe is the current residential service material; water services over 100 feet in length beyond the curb stop are allowed to use High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe; and ductile iron pipe is used for water services over 2” in diameter and for fire protection lines. Lukensmeyer provided a list of 15 materials accepted by the 2021 UPC for water service and house piping, and indicated that developers want to know why they can’t use PEX when it’s accepted by the code and stated that contractors feel it’s easier to use, there are potential savings, and it’s allowed in other communities. CFU’s reasoning includes a lack of UV resistance, lack of proper trench preparation, bedding, and backfill, premature failure, contaminated soil issues, potential shorter service life, underground locating issues, and microplastics. Lukensmeyer stated the cost savings are minimal compared to potential issues and PEX requires additional inspections and permits. Lukensmeyer reviewed CFU’s recommendations for updating the City’s plumbing code: continue the current program with the City adopting the current UPC with amended service materials limited to copper, HDPE, and ductile iron; amend current UPC Table 604.1 as shown; and amend UPC Section 1210.1.7.2(2) changing the tracer wire size from 14 AWG to 12AWG to improve strength and longevity. Lukensmeyer reviewed several class action suits against makers of PEX piping. Mayor opened for discussion. Mayor, Councilmembers, staff, and Lukensmeyer discussed: PEX v. copper pricing; the intent to change to code to reflect current practice; property owner choice in materials used; use of PEX inside the building as opposed to outside; Councilmembers thanked CFU for their advocacy and the presentation. Councilmember Dunn moved to adopt CFU’s recommendations as presented; Councilmember Crisman seconded. Mayor asked for any further Council discussion: request for more information on the cost comparison; modifying real estate disclosure(s) if PEX is used outside; new housing using copper from the curb stop to the main; past benefits of following CFU’s recommendations; building affordably; homeowner insurance policies which cover water and sanitary sewer; costs to build and maintain a home and lifetime value; PEX is economic and efficient inside a building, copper the most reliable and durable. There being no further discussion, the Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Nagle, Hawbaker, Crisman, and Dunn. Nay: Fairbanks. Motion passed 5-1. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Agenda, Middle Cedar Watershed Presentation and introduced Middle Cedar Watershed Management Association (WMA) Chairperson Mary Beth Stevenson. Stevenson defined a WMA as 28E agreements among two or more cities, counties, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts; WMAs provide watershed planning and management, education, grant writing, and administration to address and manage flood risk, water quality, clean drinking water, and recreational experiences within the watershed. Stevenson provided maps of watersheds in the state and the MCW; it was formed in 2016 to address water-related issues, provide outreach and educational materials, work with grants, managing projects, tracking pollutants and reductions, monitoring and evaluation, and urban-rural partnership; MCW is part of the Iowa Watershed Approach aimed to help communities “prepare for, respond to, recover from, and adapt to floods”. Stevenson introduced ECICOG Environmental Specialist Alyssa Comer, who provided information about what communities participate in the MCW and their financial contributions. Stevenson reviewed the Watershed Management plan, the high priority implementation subwatershed map, and accomplishments including several wetland projects and a grant to engage urban growers and grow resilience in the MCW. Stevenson introduced Middle Cedar WMA Secretary and Stormwater Specialist Maria Perez. Perez reviewed the upcoming Coneflower Urban Wetland project and the grant to fund it. Stevenson spoke about the wetland grant and thanked Perez for her work on it. Mayor opened for Council discussion. Mayor, Councilmembers, and MCW members discussed: growing need for water quality initiatives; MCW would like to develop 3-5 new projects; nitrate levels at a high concentration due to drought; how the Cedar Valley’s efforts affect downstream areas; aquifer vulnerability; filtration levels because all ground does not filter the same, and the City’s use of that information; benefits of the City’s investment; nitrate concerns downstream in Cedar Rapids; hiring a full-time staff member; future development and protected use, making educated decisions. There being no further discussion, Mayor called for a motion to adjourn; Hawbaker moved and Dunn seconded. Mayor called for a voice vote on the motion. Aye: Schultz, Nagle, Hawbaker, Fairbanks, Crisman, and Dunn. Nay: none. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. Minutes by Katie Terhune, Administrative Supervisor