Special Meeting, City Council Meeting

CITY HALL CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, APRIL 7, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING, CITY COUNCIL MAYOR DANIEL LAUDICK PRESIDING The City Council of the City of Cedar Falls, Iowa, met in Special Session, pursuant to law, the rules of said Council and prior notice given each member thereof, at 5:15 P.M. on the above date. Members present: Schultz, Latta, Kruse, Hawbaker, Ganfield, Crisman, Dunn. Absent: none. 55273 - Mayor Laudick announced that in accordance with the public notice of March 20, 2025, this was the time and place for a public hearing on the proposed FY2026 property tax rate for the City of Cedar Falls. It was then moved by Kruse and seconded by Dunn that the proof of publication of notice of hearing be received and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 55274 - The Mayor then asked if there were any written communications filed to the proposed FY2025 property tax rate. Upon being advised that there were no written communications on file, the Mayor then called for oral comments. Director of Finance & Business Operations Rodenbeck provided an update. Craig Fairbanks, Pam Gabbard, Todd Graper, and Dean Dunphy of Cedar Falls spoke regarding concerns about increased tax rates and cost of living. David Sturch for MET Transit thanked the City for continued support. There being no one else present wishing to speak about the proposed FY2026 property tax rate, the Mayor declared the hearing closed and passed to the next order of business. 55275 - Following questions and comments by Mayor Laudick, Councilmembers Schultz, Kruse, Dunn, and Crisman, and responses by Director of Finance & Business Operations Rodenbeck, it was moved by Kruse and seconded by Ganfield to give staff direction to move $700,000 of projects being funded by general revenue moved to capital projects funding. Following comments by Councilmembers Ganfield, Kruse, and Hawbaker, and Mayor Laudick, , and responses by Director Rodenbeck, it was moved by Dunn to call the question. Motion failed 4-3 (5 aye votes required) with Schultz, Kruse, and Ganfield voting Nay. Following comments by Councilmembers Latta, Kruse, Ganfield, Schultz, Dunn, and Hawbaker and responses by Mayor Laudick and Director Rodenbeck, the mayor put the question on the original motion. The original motion failed 2-5, with Schultz, Latta, Hawbaker, Crisman, and Dunn voting Nay. 55276 It was moved by Crisman and seconded by Hawbaker to bring back the $12.20 rate at the April 21, 2025 City Council Meeting. There being no further discussion, the Mayor put the question on the motion. Motion passed 6-1, with Kruse voting Nay. 55277 It was moved by Hawbaker and seconded by Dunn that the meeting be adjourned at 6:51 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. ________________________________ Kim Kerr, CMC, City Clerk