Standing Committee Meeting

MEETING OF STANDING COMMITTEES City Hall, 220 Clay Street June 5, 2023 The meeting of Standing Committees met at City Hall at 5:35 p.m. on June 5, 2023, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Councilmembers Susan deBuhr, Kelly Dunn, Simon Harding, Daryl Kruse, Dustin Ganfield, Gil Schultz, and Dave Sires. Staff members from all City Departments and members of the community attended in person. Committee of the Whole: Chair Harding called the meeting to order and introduced the only item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, Council Policy on Official City Proclamations and introduced Mayor Green. Mayor Green turned the discussion over to Councilmembers. Councilmembers discussed the previous proclamation process that included proclamation approval by Mayor during the Special Presentations portion of the City Council agenda, what proclamation processes do other cities use, emergency proclamations and incorporating special presentations in lieu of proclamations with each presentation limited to 5 minutes. Mayor stated he would only issue emergency proclamations. It was motioned by Ganfield and seconded by Kruse to have staff amend CFD 1127: Council Policy – Official City Proclamations to remove City Council approval of proclamation. The motion was put to vote. Aye: deBuhr, Dunn, Harding, Kruse, Ganfield, Schultz, and Sires. Nay: None. Motion passed. Community Development Committee: Chair Harding called the meeting to order and introduced the only item on the Community Development Committee, Open Space Policies within Subdivisions and introduced Karen Howard, Planning & Community Services Manager. Ms. Howard gave an overview of the City’s requirements for open space for new subdivisions, code requirements, and legal limitations. Ms. Howard explained that staff references the Cedar Falls Parks Plan from 1996 and the Comprehensive Plan from 2012. Ms. Howard stated that staff would request to develop a new Park & Public Lands Master Plan in FY25 & FY26. Councilmembers discussed hiring a consultant for the Park & Public Lands Master Plan, playground equipment in open spaces, City purchase of land to develop the open space, HOA fees, and space for celebrations in open spaces. Councilmembers decided to continue discussion at goal setting. Finance & Business Operations Committee: Chair Dunn called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the Finance & Business Operations Committee, Parking Permits for Downtown Municipal Lots and introduced Marcie Breitbach, Administrative & Parking Supervisor. Ms. Breitbach presented the reasons for 48-hour parking, how 48-hour parking is enforced, and possible options. Ms. Breitbach included three options for Councilmembers to review that included the pros and cons. Option 1: No enforcement of 48-hour parking limit in downtown municipal lots for permit holders. Option 2: Continue to enforce 48-hour parking time limit in municipal lots regardless of parking permit status or residency. Option 3: Continue enforcing the 48-hour limit for regular parking permit holders with an option to apply for temporary long-term parking when needed and paying an additional cost per day through a separate application process. Staff recommended option 2. Councilmembers discussed the courtesy warning, parking permit cost, including residential long-term parking with a higher fee and proof of residency (Driver’s license, rental lease, owner of building, car registration), residential spaces needed, percentage of spaces sold, and how many spaces remain for customer parking. Chair Dunn called for public comment. Julie Shimek, Cedar Falls, spoke in favor of a long-term permit and the inconvenience of relocating vehicles. Dawn Wilson, Cedar Falls, agrees with residential long-term parking permits. Josh Wilson, Cedar Falls, agrees with residential long-term parking permits, and supports a courtesy call before towing a vehicle. Gabe Groothuis, Cedar Falls, agrees with residential long-term parking permits. Brian Heath, Operations & Maintenance Division Manager, explained the plowing process in the downtown parking lots and the newer obstacles in the lots. It was motioned by Kruse and seconded by Harding to implement long-term residential parking permits in the downtown city parking lots. After discussion, it was moved to amend the motion by Harding and seconded by Schultz to bring options for implementation of residential parking permits in the downtown city parking lots to the committee. The motion was put to vote. Aye: Sires, Harding, Kruse, Schultz. Nay: Dunn, Ganfield, and deBuhr. Motion passed. Finance & Business Operations Committee: Chair Dunn called the meeting to order and introduced the second item on the Finance & Business Operations Committee, FY2024 Cash Management Report and introduced Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer. Ms. Roeding reviewed the investments and rates of return, operating cash reserves and provided an outline of our financial position, and capital expenditures. Ms. Roeding stated that in FY2024 we will watch cash reserves that include the rollback and state backfill, national and local economies and any state legislature action. It was motioned by Ganfield and seconded by Kruse to recommend approval of the FY2024 Cash Management Report. The motion was put to vote. Aye: deBuhr, Dunn, Harding, Kruse, Ganfield, and Schultz. Nay: Sires. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Minutes by Kim Kerr, Administrative Supervisor