Standing Committee Meeting

MEETING OF STANDING COMMITTEES City Hall, 220 Clay Street August 7, 2023 The meeting of Standing Committees met at City Hall at 5:20 p.m. on August 7, 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. Finance & Business Operations Committee: Chair Dunn called the meeting to order and introduced the only item on the Finance & Business Operations Committee, Retiring/Expiring TIF Districts and Process of Releasing Funds, and introduced Finance and Business Operations Director, Jennifer Rodenbeck. Director Rodenbeck explained that on May 1, 2023, Council motioned to refer discussion of retiring or expiring tax increment financing (TIF) districts and the process of releasing funds to the Finance & Business Operations Committee. Director Rodenbeck presented the process for TIF certifications, timing of TIF reporting, the five active TIF districts, projects, revenues, and expiration dates for each active TIF district, as well as the benefits of utilizing TIFs. Councilmembers and staff discussed: inflation value, expiration on TIFs, incentives in a TIF district, base values and removing properties from within a TIF, and the Economic Development fund. Public Works Committee: Chair Schultz called the meeting to order and introduced the only item on the Public Works Committee Agenda, Pedestrian Crosswalks on University Avenue, Center Street, and 12th Street, and introduced City Engineer, David Wicke. Mr. Wicke explained that on February 6, 2023, Council motioned to refer discussion of pedestrian crosswalks at University Avenue and Center Street to the Public Works Committee. Mr. Wicke provided four different types of crosswalks and their criteria, current locations and benefits of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), as well as the data collection analysis for RRFB placement at Center Street, University Avenue, and 12th Street. Mr. Wicke stated that 12th Street at Quail Ridge requirements were not met for the following items: use as an interim measure for a RRFB, crash data supports use and minimum volumes, number of vehicles and speed. Mr. Wicke stated the City recommends installation of “Pedestrian Crossing Ahead” signs on 12th Street. Councilmembers and staff discussed: flashing light patterns, length of flash time, color of lights on RRFBs, flashing speed limit signs, and school crossing determinations. Chair Shultz called for public comment. Dan Pickar, Cedar Falls; expressed concern for the speed limit at 12th Street at Quail Ridge, stating the danger of the posted speed limit in regard to pedestrian crossing. Mr. Wicke provided results of the 2022 speed study for 12th Street.. Councilmembers and staff discussed: speed limit determinations and further explanation of Mr. Wicke’s recommendations and reasoning for alternative signage on 12th Street. Councilman Harding inquired about a 24-hour camera study of the 12th Street intersection for an additional pedestrian count. Mr. Wicke stated the installation of signs and pavement markings will be completed in future at 12th Street at Quail Ridge. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Minutes by Shianne Bellinger, Administrative Assistant