City Council - Regular Meeting

now here.

I call the meeting to order. City of University Heights City Council meeting today's April 14, 2026. Welcome everyone. Uh all five council are present tonight. Approval of minutes February 24th, March 10th, and March 31st. I'm going to say them all at the same time, and if there's any additions or corrections on any of them, we'll go back. Uh, are there any additions or corrections to the minutes on February 24th, March 10th, or March 31st? Hearing none, the minutes are approved by unanimous consent. Thanks everyone. Then we'll go to um comments from members of the public. Are there any public on Zoom tonight? Okay. And nobody's present here.

Okay. Thank you. We'll go on to mayor's report. Consideration of motion approving mayor's proclamation making April 24th, 2026 Arbor Day and University Heights. Is there a motion? Salute. So moved by Nick. Is there a second? Second by McKenzie. Uh any discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Unanimous consent. Proclamation. Whereas in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed, am I on the right one? Yeah. Yes. Proposed in the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees leading to the establishment of Arbor Day. Whereas 2026 marks the 154th celebration of Arbor Day. And whereas Arbor Day provides opportunity to teach students and residents alike about environmental responsibility and urban ecology. And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce lifegiving oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our community increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now therefore, I, Louise Bra, mayor, on behalf of the city council and the residents of University Heights, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 Arbor Day in the city of University Heights, Iowa. And I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our urban trees and woodlands. Further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations. Signed this 14th day of April, 2026.

Thank you. Then we'll go on to consideration a motion approving mayor's proclamation making May 2026 bike month in University Heights. Is there a motion? Motion by Alisa. Is there a second? Second by Nick. Uh is any discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Anyone opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Proclamation. Whereas the bicycle is an economical, healthy, and environmentally sound form of transportation, recreation, and enjoyment. And whereas increasing bicycle access and safety enables residents of University Heights, including young people, to participate more fully in the educational, social, and economic life of our community. And whereas the metro area bicycle network, including our off- streetet trail system, now attracts bicycle tourism, economic development, and helps to support and sustain local businesses. And whereas throughout the month of May, residents of University Heights can experience the joys of bicycle by participating in educational programs, rides, commuting events, charity events, or by simply going for a ride. And whereas these activities create greater public awareness of rights and responsibilities of bicyclists to improve safety for all. Now therefore, I, Louise Braum, mayor of University Heights, Iowa, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Bicycle Month and May 11th through 15th as Bike to Work Week. And May 13th is the University Heights Bike Breakfast from 7 to 9:00 a.m. in University Heights. I urge all residents who are able to join in this observance by bicycling for fitness, recreation, or to commute to work. Further, I ask all motorists to drive safely with full attention to the road by putting away electronic devices, obeying all traffic signs, signals, and speed limits, sharing the road by allowing no less than 5 ft of separation

when passing a bicyclist or taking to the adjacent lane to pass on roads and speed limits over 25 miles per hour and yielding to bicyclists and pedestrians as required by law. signed this 14th day of April 2026. And then we have the consideration a motion approving mayor's proclamation regarding parking and related regulations during the Savannah Bananas games at Kenn Stadium in July of 2026. Is there a motion? So motion by McKenzie. Is there a second? Second by Doug. Any uh discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Is there anyone opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Proclamation. Whereas the Savannah Bananas are bringing their 2026 Banana Tour to Kenik Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa on July 3rd and July 4th, 2026 for two games. And whereas the University Heights City Council desires to welcome fans and to encourage citizens to support and enjoy the event. And whereas the University Heights City Council desires to establish certain regulations for tailgating and parking for the Savannah Bananas Banana Ball Tour pursuant to the council's authority and jurisdiction to adopt regulations for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the community. Now therefore, I, Louise from, mayor of University Heights, do hereby proclaim that the following regulations shall be in effect on July 3 and July 4th, 2026. There are seven of them. Parking of motor vehicles will be permitted on yards with the permission of the property owner and or property residents. Parking on street shall be at the discretion and direction of the University Heights Chief of Police. Traffic regulation shall be at discretion and direction of the University Heights Chief of Police to protect the health and safety of residents, motorists, bicyclists, and support teams. Sale of goods, merchandise or services from property within a residential zone shall rem shall remain restricted as provided in ordinance number 81 which permits only sales from home occupations defined to allow those living at the property to sell items that are prepared on the premises. Signs, banners, and flags are permitted to be displayed with the permission of the property owner and or property residents. Portable toilets may be placed on private property no earlier

than 8:00 a.m. on July 2nd, 2026 and must be removed no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 5th, 2026. These regulations shall be in effect from 8:00 a.m. July 3rd, 2026 to midnight July 4th, 2026. Signed this 14th day of April, 2026. Uh, thank you. And I'd like to uh just say with my mayor's report, we're you've got an email where uh it's University Heights time for joint entities meeting and Mike has sent around the asking for agenda items and uh Troyy's going to do a presentation on the trails project. A lot of people are interested in that. And so if you can attend, it's at the Marriott Hotel as you know on the 20th at 4:30. Uh so I'll just go on to city attorney report really quick with the this proclamation with the Savannah Bananas. Did we need to include something about the noise ordinance because we were allowing Josh's team to have the concert playing until 11 p.m. or does that not matter? Yeah, Troyy's going to answer that.

The ordinance doesn't apply to noises that are originating outside of Okay. City. So much like a football game, what happens on the parking lot or what happens in the parking lot at Ken Stadium, we have no authority over correct. Okay. So, we don't have to Okay, that makes sense. It's on their property. Yes. Good question. Are there any other questions about that? Okay. Okay. We'll go to the legal report. Steve, I want to quit talking. You're doing so well. Yeah, good job. That's right.

Uh, so a couple things. So, got third consideration of two ordinances. The first one is 258, which amends uh the community police relations ordinance um to comply with state law. Nothing changed, just third consideration. So, moved. Okay. Motion by Nick. Is there a second? Yes. Second by Lisa. Uh discussion. Okay. Roll call vote. Dwire. I. Herbal. Hi. Moore. Hi. Sher. Hi. So I ordinance is adopted.

The next item is ordinance number 259 which amends. Ordinance 52 related to the tree board that changes the membership from five members to three and reduces the chairman office from five years to three. So again nothing changed just third consideration. Okay. So so that's before you second. Okay. Motion and second. You got that too? Yeah. Okay. Uh any discussion? Roll call vote. Herbal I Moore I Sharter I swelles Dwire

Iance is adopted.

The balance of my report is u is taken up or in other agenda items. The only other item that I wanted to speak on, there was discussion at the March meeting about amending the what was called a conditional zoning agreement with respect to the hotel developers and their uh restrictions on owning certain property. Um the you know Greg Stiller was here and talked about perhaps wanting to buy a home for his daughter for example. Um, as I looked at the conditional zoning agreement, um, what I learned was that there were there were several, uh, variations of that agreement way back when. And, uh, there was discussion about prohibiting the hotel developers from kind of owning property anywhere in the city. But that's not the version that that ultimately was agreed to and adopted. So, the version that was ultimately agreed to and adopted prohibits, it's pretty it's pretty specific. It prohibits the developers of the hotel from owning uh any properties any homes on on Melrose Avenue east of Sunset Street that have access to Melrose Avenue and any properties on Lemur or Port. uh but only if any of those locations is for ancillary hotels still stay related business whatever that means the product of negotiation and some strong feelings by certain members of the council at the time that's what was agreed to so what I'm saying is there's no prohibition from for the developers to own own a home in university for their daughter to live in for them to live in or even to have her rent it if it relates to uh somehow a stay at a hotel, then those particular uh

locations would be prohibited. But discussing that with with the mayor and with Greg, um I don't think there's any reason for the council to take any action. I don't think there's any issue presented. Any questions for Steve? Okay. Thank you. Uh we'll go on to the city administrator report. It's only three pages.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd just like to touch on a few items. Uh item two, just as a reminder, uh there was a single complaint about the missing sidewalk on George Street along the Grand View Court. Both the city engineer Ryan and I have had conversations with a representative from Keystone Management and I just I want to remove this item uh for the future, but I wanted to let you know that from the HOA board's perspective, they have no intent to voluntarily put in a sidewalk there. They listed a number of issues. They don't want to pay for the sidewalk. It would require a special assessment to their owners to pay for the sidewalk since the property was exemp exempted or grandfathered when the ordinance was passed back in I think it was 72. Uh they were grandfathered in or exempted and they feel like they should continue to be grandfathered in and exempted. Uh if the city was going to require a sidewalk be installed, the city should have stepped forward and done that back in 2006 when they were doing improvements to the property. Uh single complaint does not justify construction of a sidewalk. Even if they put in the new sidewalk, in their opinion, there's a slight gap. They said a three-foot gap between where their sidewalk would end and the sidewalk in Iowa City begins which creates in their opinion a greater hazard and trip hazard and safety hazard to the public and that there's a sidewalk on the other side of the street. So for those reasons and more they they are strongly of I mean they are not they have zero inclination of voluntarily doing it. Uh, I explained to them that I was just reporting to council that there was a a complaint and I quoted the

ordinance and what council could and couldn't do. I'm not recommen recommending action either way. That's up to council. Uh, I still believe that you have the authority to compel one there if you would like, but they are they would request the opportunity to come up here and speak before council if that happens. So that's just updating you on that and and I consider it a handle, but council's free to take whatever action they want and in the future I know it was brought up in conjunction with our sidewalk project. I'd like to skip down to the swisher track. That's number four. I just pretty self-explanatory. Uh it's moving along nicely, but I wanted to point out that I continue to meet I think Nick has met with groups too, but I continue to meet with people in groups. You have another one scheduled for tomorrow on the 15th tomorrow. That's right. Uh the Oakill residents, the one university place open residence. And again, it is there people have questions. Uh but really any concerns are usually alleviated by by those those meetings that people have been very receptive to it and are interested in it and I think that it's kind of snowballed.

Is this a good time maybe? I don't remember if we brought it up after the previous meeting and walk that currently the idea is we're going to save a lot of money by not doing a parking lot down right the building on the other side building save quite a bit of pathway coming to the parking lot. So it just would go out on this side, come back, but then part of the catch is that we need to use reserved parking spaces in this parking lot possibly.

Okay. So that's kind of where we have it sitting is that we could still have it be compliant, but we would need to make part of these sidewalks kind of part of the path so that they're reserved spaces on the the path. Does that make sense?

If we depending on what grants we apply for, there may be requirements for accessibility and handicap parking. And if that's the case, then we will have to figure out how to make that happen. I think that there's space here and can make it happen. We've not had to cross that bridge yet. As Nick said, the conceptual design was that there would be this big horseshoe that went out when we went out and walked around it. And in response to mostly OUP residents concerns, uh, that has been changed to I I call they call it an eyelet path that only goes out from the east side. It goes out to the same overlook area and it loops around it and it comes back. I think it makes sense for a lot of reasons. One, it does cut costs. We're paying probably 60% of what we would have done otherwise. uh there in talking with the environmental group that has managed the prairie. One of the best stands of buffalo grass in Johnson County that's been reestablished is down here where we would need to tear out if we put in that proposed parking lot. There's also elevation change enough elevation change from the east side to the west side that for it to be that path to be the purpose of sixoot pave path which I think originally we talked about eight but a sixoot pave path for people with mobility issues or people pushing a stroller or people wanting to take their book and coffee and walk out. There's no there's far less elevation change this way. They're not having to go up and down. So it made sense on a lot of fronts. Uh but yes and just touching but continue with that for a moment. We are at about the 30% design level right now. I meet with the design team. I meet with Adrian and Ryan from Bolton make every two weeks. Uh this week when we meet we're actually going to go walk it again

with uh Ken from Backyard Trails. Ken and his crew have been out there flagging where the trails will go. Yes. and and where in some places they will mirror the trails, they will actually use the existing trails. In other places, they pointed out that it's less than ideal to use those trails. So, those trails will be reverted back to a more natural state because there erosion issues with the water not crossing the trail, but actually running down the trail. So, it is progressing nicely. It's progressing nicely. Both both the design, the on the ground work, and I think community interest and and acceptance of it. scary uh agenda that I just like to touch on. Uh I don't know if John was going to talk on it or not but but the consideration it's later the consideration of motion to move cities operating county hills bank that in part came out of direction from council to staff to just explore our banking uh kind of with an eye towards many many things. finding the best balance of security, return, the liquidity we need, uh, diversity of investment, and with the desire to bank locally when possible. Uh, Jean went around and did his homework, and he believes that it is in the city's best interest to move our operating account, not all of our funds, but our operating count to to a vehicle provided by Hills Bank. And, uh, that's one of the considerations you'll have. But I just I wanted to just speak briefly on on how that came to be. That was direction from council to staff to to go out and see what we can do. And I I just want to make it clear that it's we're not putting all our eggs in one basket. This is just our operating fund that we're talking about moving.

And there's some advantages on electronic banking for making that move also. And then the other resolution I wanted to comment on was uh later on there's consideration of resolution number 2610 which in a nutshell authorizes investments with I paint. This is part of the finance committee's report I believe. I I wanted to comment. There's been conversations that that Steve Cool and I have had that John Brown and I have had. Uh Steve Ballard and I to some degree. Nick has been involved in some of those. But I I there's been a bunch of peace meal conversations and I just want to make sure that everybody's on the same page. The resolution only allows for the possibility of investment by the city if and when the city believes that it's in the best interest to participate. It's it's just adding it to the accepted investment and banking practices for the city. It doesn't commit us to investing. It just it just opens the puts that option on the table if John acting on behalf of the city or the city believes that that's that's a prudent thing to do. Uh it does not commit the city to investment. And as a reminder, IP's an investment program that we have access to because of our membership to the League of Cities. It's not actually part of League of Cities, but it's a partnership, a collaboration with League of Cities. And my introduction to IPA came from our normal contact with League of Cities who suggested that we we talked to Paul and considered that that many other communities are are using this particular uh vehicle and that it it would be in the University Heights best interest to do so. That's how we became introduced to them, I guess. And then the last thing I wanted to comment on is the IPA, the Iowa public agency

investment trust is not affiliated with the Iowa trust fund. I know that at least one person if not more has reached out to Nick because he shared that that with some concerns about trust fund and and specifically the Iowa trust fund was was the one that was singled out. The Iowa trust fund is a discredited investment program. It was accused of mismanaging uh making making unrealistic promises and mismanaging money. Uh lots of cities ended up I mean they were sued. Uh some of the some of the people who were operating in that that particular trust were criminally charged. That is not the Iowa public agency investment trust. The only thing that's they have two words Iowa and trusts happen to both be in their names, but they're completely separate entities. And as a matter of fact, in some of the the research material and the the articles that were circulated, it was pointed out that the that I paid was actually one of the it was a competing trust fund, but it was one of the entities that brought forward to the state and said this other trust fund, the the ITF, this is not realistic what they're doing. They're making false promises. I mean I I don't know that I characterize iPade as a whistleblower, but they were one of them coming forward to the state and saying this is not a scrupulous company. Their practices are bad. Their practices are unsafe and and they're they're overpromising and underdeling. So I just I wanted to make sure that when council when this does this discussed here later in the meeting that council is aware that they are two very very different entities. two very very different entities. And then the last I wanted a comment that's

not in here. Uh Elaine Shala is that right? Yeah. Elaine Shala last year. Yes. Last year had volunteered and had done some work in the median out here on Sunset Street. Uh she also facilitated or coordinated

I think Lisa Hercamp helped her too. Yes. as I recall, she also there was some miscommunication, but uh there was some additional work that was done that the city paid for. Elaine has been out there this year. Uh I think she said she spent about 3 hours and filled 16 bags despite her her bad back. Uh all of the spring cleaning has been clean up has been done in that. She did say that Lisa stopped up and helped briefly. Uh I have con I have had conversation with Curtis. It was easy to talk to Curtis Shonthaler. I'm never sure I'm saying his name right. Uh and he is willing to to help me understand what are appropriate plannings out there so that we don't have some of the obstructions that we had from the taller grasses. Also the postal dropbox is being moved from the community garden down by Stella up here at some point this year. Well, it's spring probably of

next year. Yeah.

Yeah. But it's going to be moved. So, we just whatever happens up there needs to be coordinated with all that. Anyway, I talked to Elaine. I knew that she had bought some uh mult or compost bags and she she adamantly declined my offer to reimburse her for anything. She said it was her way of volunteering. uh she appreciates that the city has she stepped up initially because she thought that it needed a little love and attention last year. Uh so anyway, I have contacted her, but I wanted to give her a huge shout out for the work that she had done and and pretty much on her own. Uh and then the final shout out I have is to Mid American Energy. It's in my report, but the city received $1,000 from their trees please program uh when came on the 31st and handed the mayor and I the check. Uh that will be used to plant three or four trees, whatever we can do and there'll be a matching there has to be a matching in kind thing and Curtis again has offered to step up and do some volunteer some of the labor for that. But I just wanted to make sure that Mid America got a shout out for that, too. And the rest of the things you've mentioned, uh, we do have our Swisser Trail Spring Hike Walk coming up. That is May 30th at 10:00 a.m. Uh, it'll be about an hour and a half and that is going to be guided by District Forester Mark Vitas and it'll just be kind of a walk and talk. It's targeted at at anybody that wants to come, but hopefully we'll get some youth engagement. But uh there was a flyer that was circulated. I need to make a couple tweaks to it and then it can be posted and distributed.

I some do something to my neighborhood people. So the the main thing is that it was suggested that I add the actual physical address. I said University Heights people know where to go. But then somebody else find out. Okay. No, it's great. There's nothing wrong with it. No, I liked the flyer and right away when I saw it, I was like, "Oh, I'm just going to text this." But that's and feel free to distribute them electronically or physically. Uh I will bring some card stock in and print out a few to post around. I'll walk down the sidekick and see if if I might just Katie's arm and get her to put it up on her board here. So, and I apologize, Mayor. I'm always longwinded, but any questions? You're going to change the time also, right? Not the time of the no

of the cancellation. It is. Yes. Now I will I'll make sure that I'm prepared. They wanted they wanted it they wanted to make sure that people knew the night before when we organized it whether it was going to be cancelled or not. It's a longer time window than I would put up, but that's in conversation with with Mark basically. So you'll do it? Yes, I will do it. Hopefully the weather won't be an issue and I won't even have to. Don't want the website to blow up. I'll I'll get it posted. I just might take everything else down. Okay, great. Who Who came up with this flyer? That's so cute. That was you.

Yes, it took far longer than it should. Very nice. Can was very helpful. Very nice. Thanks for all your work, Troy. Any questions for Troy on any subject or want to make a comment on any subject? Okay, we'll go on to Mike Heber Camp's clerk report. There is at the end of

Oh, we got to do the motion here. Consideration a motion to adopt the city administrator's recommendation to move the city's operating account to Hillsbank. And so, uh, that's what Troy talked about. And John's here. John did a lot of leg work on that. And, uh, did you want to speak a little bit, John, before Yeah. Yes, thank you, Mayor. Uh Troy, thank you very much uh for the leadin. We this kind of came to pass because our current uh the current financial institution, Midwest One Bank, who has an operating account, is being taken over by Wisconsin Bank. And uh so we took we took that in combination with one of our vendors leaving messages on my mayor's phone about uh bills that are being paid. So we I took this opportunity to look at different options. Uh one we can switch from paying by check to paying by AC. We don't have to worry about checks getting lost in the mail or not being handled properly by a vendor or or what have you. Uh, we had an instance where a vendor was complaining we didn't pay him and I checked our account and it had cleared. I had the front and back image of the clear check and I had to point it out to them. So, AC is going to be better. Um, reached out to local financial institutions and Hillsbank gave us a great uh quote of 0.25% 25% below the Federal Treasury Reserve rate which top rate which is currently 3.75. So in our in our main checking account and our money was sitting there would be earning 3.5% interest whereas right now it's not earning any

interest and the second closest bidder came in at uh 2.25. So, it's it's um not a it was it's a it's it's almost a gift. Um but we need to make sure things are are definitely on paper before we transfer everything over. I do owe I do owe Troy, Nick, and the mayor some additional analysis. Uh soon as tax season is over, I will do that. And that is to actually put together what is the reserve minimum reserve we need to have in the operating account. you know, you adjusting for the fluctuations when our gross receipts are coming in for property taxes, you know, in the spring, later in the fall, and then all of our dispersements. That that is still something that I owe everybody, and maybe it'll be available for the next city council meeting. Um, but I don't have it ready tonight. Regarding the warrants, I do want to point out that the um the OUP association dues did not go up. It's just a double. It's we're we're paying for two months. So, and that that's the only thing I wanted to highlight about the list of warrants.

Questions for John? Okay. So, uh, Troy recommends this also consideration a motion to adopt the city administrator's recommendation to move the city's operating account to Hilly's Bank. Is there a motion? Motion by Nick. Second. Second. Second by Tim. All in favor? Say I. I. Is anyone opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Thanks for your work on this, John and Troy. Thank you. So, now we'll go to the clerk's report. Thank you, Mike.

Um, this is actually having gone through all that's a good segue that that operations account when we're always talking with our city exam about separation of duties. That account is part of it because I'm the person who deposits money into those accounts and John's the person who writes the checks. and our operations account from our end does not get a giant amount of money. It's it's rental permits, it's parking fees and and things like that. So, imagine my surprise in the past month when I opened a letter from the city of Iowa City for a check for $41,000 and their apology for double billing us for fire protection. Yeah.

So, we have more in that operations account from my end than I usually put in there. I'm not I surprised the guys at the bank with the size of the deposit for a change. So, just to let you know, we'll be moving that along, too. Um, the only other thing I was going to mention in my report tonight is you have a a motion to approve renewal of Sidekick Coffee and Books Class C liquor license. This is the start of liquor license season for the council. You'll have one a month for the next five months as we go through that. Um there's been a bit of a change this year. Uh the alcohol alcoholic beverages division is now been subsumed in state government efficiency under the department of revenue directly. as Katie found out when she went to apply and her login didn't work and nothing was the way it was. And she and Nick contacted folks at the state and they said, "Well, here's your amount." And basically what happened was when they recoded everything, they did it by zip code, which puts us in Iowa City,

and that your liquor license is based on the size of the town that you're serving in. So all of our liquor license would have more than doubled from 700 and some change a year to over 1500,600. We've managed to get that straightened out. Nick ended up talking to them. Senator Winer also talked to the folks there and said that's not what we intended with our with that bill. So, we are on an approval process that is what we've always done before. There's the state part, our local part. Chief does a background check on the owners. Our building inspector. Um, Terry Gert does structure compliance. He does fire compliance. He does health compliance in the case of Stella and in terms of their restaurant and things like that. So when we bring that to you, we'll have gone through all those steps. And like I say, this is the first one that we're going to do, but we'll be we'll be doing one a month now for the next five months. So that's that is before you and that is just a simple motion as well to renew their class C liquor license.

Okay. So this is consideration a motion to renew class C liquor license for sidekick coffee and books. Is there a motion by Lisa and a second by McKenzie? I saw your hand go up. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Is anyone opposed? Motion carries. Oh, are you going to recuse yourself? No. Yeah, you are. Okay. Rec. Got it. Very, very.

Thank you. And any questions for Mike? Okay, thank you, Mike. We'll go on to John. City treasur report. I see you sent the warrants this afternoon, John. And did you have any additions to that? Uh, no. I I did get I did uh get any alerts from our esteemed city clerk, Mr. Havocamp, that there was anything. No, nothing nothing came in today.

Okay. So that is that is that is the list of warrants as complete as possible. Okay. So are there any objection to paying the warrants? Hearing none. The warrants are paid by unanimous consent. Any questions for John? I know it's a busy time for you, John. Thanks for attending the meeting tonight. Appreciate it. And um we'll go on then to finance and Nick's going to talk about I paid a little.

Sure. Yeah. Um and we've already talked about this a little bit. I am fine supporting the resolution resolution 2610. I think it's just um I think the other trust issue that has been brought up is potentially a cautionary tale not to put too many eggs in one basket. Um, and I think, you know, one of the other big takeaways is that I think it's undisputed that 95% plus of the money goes out of the state of Iowa. So, you know, I think, you know, part of what we've talked about with these local banks is we like to support the local banks. They there's multiplier effect. They sponsor things in our community. Um, you know, people work there that might live potentially in our community. So I I think that's why our goal and this is something to talk to, you know, John about too after tax season, but I think the goal is to still rely on the local banks. I think this could be a tool, you know, that we we may need in the short term, especially if we have an influx of a lot of money. Um I do get concerned, you know, financial adviserss are good at what they do, but they're also potentially good at kind of taking the reins and pulling things in. And so I think it will potentially involve a little city push back in terms of you know allowing us to just totally go into it um with our money which I think there are state limitations if I understand correctly on the percentage of total public funds that we can put into it um and it has to be I think consistent with some investment policy uh provisions but you know it's not FDI IC FDIC insured also So, you know, from all indications, as Troy has articulated, there don't there there don't seem to be issues with this um fund and you know, Troy said, potentially they were a whistleblower, which is great.

Um but you never know. I mean, if you could predict the future, you wouldn't have issues like the the other. So, um so I think yeah, I'm ready to support it. I just think we need to keep talking about um staying diversified, supporting local banks, um understanding that you know anything can happen in terms of if you don't have FDIC insurance, you know, it could be gone. So just being responsible. So the consideration of resolution 2610's before you. Would you like to make the motion for that, Nick? Sure. Okay. Is there a second? I'll second it.

Second by Doug. Discussion. Any further discussion? Okay. Roll call vote. Moore. Hi. Schroeder. Hi. Swel. Hi. Dwire. Hi. Herbal. Hi. Carried. 5. Thanks Nick for doing the homework on that. Uh, is there anything else you wanted to talk about tonight? Any other questions for Nick? Thank you. We'll go on to community protection and police chief is here tonight. Excuse me. I liked your pictures in your report. I thought you might. Kids at the school. That was that was really a highlight for the month with the guys.

I love that. They enjoyed being down there with the kids and man, they were well received. So, um, beyond that, the only things I want to point out is thank you, Troy, for covering me while I was away with the backgrounds for the liquor license, and thank you, Lisa, for working with the drug takeback uh post on the on the website. So, hopefully we'll we'll get everything taken care of. Um, beyond that, I really don't have anything. Um, if you look at the number of calls for service, you can tell people were out of town for spring break. the number of house checks significantly went up. Oh my goodness.

Uh we're probably 30% over what we were last month, which is good though. Uh people are feel comfortable leaving their house and and leaving us in charge of it. So all positive things for me. So questions for Chief Thank you. Thank you. McKenzie, do you want to add anything? Um, just that uh, Chief Acres sent me a bunch of stuff on kind of laws from other neighboring cities and around regarding electronic bikes and scooters and I've gone through it and need to meet with Chief Bakers and I think Nick also wanted to. So, uh, there's a lot

there's enough that's been in there. Yeah. And I think I I'm gonna probably like lean on you a lot for kind of what your recommendations would be, but Nick, I'll also look to you and we'll kind of figure that out. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Thank you everyone. We'll go on to streets and sidewalks. Ryan, you're going to start here. I can start.

I probably won't unless anybody's got any questions. There's several things in my report just updates on things we've been discussing. I probably won't go into much detail or I don't have much to add to most of those. I'll get to sort of the main resolutions except for the update on the RFPs at Sunset Proest. Um so um the update I got from the contractor from their supplier after our regular meeting in March was that the shipment wasn't anticipated to be sent for the equipment until April 17, which is next week. Uh next Monday, I believe is what it is. So, um, in talking with the contractor, you know, it could take up to a week sometimes to for that shipment to to make it all the way to their warehouse and then they'll schedule. So, um, unfortunately, it's a lot later than we were hoping for, but um, they they also can't control those equipment shipment dates. So, we're looking at May 4th. So, hopefully um sometime here in the next few weeks, we'll be seeing those go in. So, and then uh sidewalk inspection program, we've got we issued for quotations. We received five quotations, which is great. Um we got a good range uh somewhere between like 20 and 24,000 uh for each quotation. And uh LJ Stevenson Company of Solen was our lowest uh quotation. Um I'm aware that they've done work like this in the past. I've got um really no concerns about them performing a work. uh their submitted quote of 20,712.75 was under our estimate of 23 just over 23,000. Um, so, okay.

Generally speaking, I guess I'm I'm recommending that council um approve that quotation and there's a resolution before council to do that and accept that quotation uh under resolution 2615 accepting the quotation for 2026 sidewalk repair project. So, move. So, you have that 2615 2615 first. Okay. Is there a motion? Oh, it was Nick. Okay, thank you. In a second. Second by McKenzie. Thank you. Uh, discussion. Roll call vote. Schroeder. I swelles. Hi. Dwire. Hi. Herbal. Hi. Moore. Hi.

Carrie. 5.

And a reminder on that project that we will have to do a reinspection at May one to find out which properties are actually all incomplete and need to be added to the list. This this number is based off an estimate of 50% of the properties that did not contact us by December last year being included with the work. So that's how we sort of provided the contractors an estimate on the quantities. So the actual final number will probably change I guess is what I'm saying of the cost for that work. But remember that those will be invoiced the actual construction costs will be invoiced like copyright. Uh the next uh item and resolution that we have is for the 2026 permeable paver cleaning. Uh this is something we did last year got started to make sure we were maintaining the permeable paver systems, the bays on Golf View Avenue and Olive Court. Um the we have standard budget items for these now. uh for the current fiscal year budget. We've increased that amount now that we've got a year under our belt with the the quotation estimate of those costs and the number of times um they're recommending cleanings. Um so the we've increased that budget to 5,500 which is helpful. They kind of provide us quotation early in the budget system or budget process. So, um, the cost for this year was $5,5523. That includes essentially four cleanings, uh, one at each street in the spring and one at each street in the fall. So, in the spring, they'll do a more robust cleaning and they'll re-chip the joints, just more smaller 38 rock inside the joints. Uh, and then in the fall they basically just sweep up the debris and haul it away and dispose of it. So,

um, that cost is only about $40 more than it was last year for the same amount really. So, it's like a 1% increase. Okay. So, 2616 uh, accepting quotation for the perial paving cleaning project 2026 is before the council. Is there a motion? Motion by Lisa. Second a second by McKenzie discussion.

I'm just curious like in hindsight was this do you think this was a bad idea to do these? It seems like a big expense. I don't know if we or if this is just like made the made the project easier because of the drainage part portion of it or um I I guess um I wasn't here when those projects were sort of passed or recommended to council or approved by council. I do think I understand that council was looking for um some sustainable solutions to the storm water and the fact and and I will say in University Heights there's a a kind of a major lack of a storm source system right um a lot of roads drained to single points and so um uh particularly on GW there's it's a a tricky grade situation with that road and getting the drainage all the way down to ultimately where the low point is. So, I would say that it's that in that situation particularly, it's probably like I don't know if it was a bad idea, but I think that also because of the vegetation that's around that area, it's making it very difficult to keep it clean,

right? There's a lot of pine uh you know, evergreen trees. Uh there's a lot of I guess just vegetative debris, sediment. Yeah. And sediment. Two evils. Yeah. Yeah. So, it's I don't know. It's hard to say. I It's um Yeah, it's hard to answer that question. Yeah. And there are there any other options going forward that you can think of like long term if this is a expense that kind of adds up over the years?

Yeah, I mean the there's generally some concerns I have with the storm source system and network uh that runs out to that golf area the way that it's routed. Um that's probably just due to the time frame it was put in and it runs through the backyards along Melrose and then it appears it goes underneath the garage off Golf View and then to the intake system and then out that concrete flume that's on GU. story. I mean,

if I were to do it again, like the empty lot that Paul Moore moments, like running a pipe potentially through the sideyard there down to Golf View and then routing it on the front there would have probably been an option that we would have preferred to know. But those backyards since they're lower elevation than Melrose, like I don't think you can ever really get rid of that. Do you know who this garage? I just know someone wants to get rid of their garage and they're like like right on I know they're 25 I believe I don't know the I guess I have to I have to I don't I have to look at my

Stilles. I think it's Michael and Dennis's okay. Well Stals are on their on their property actually. Right. That's a whole another issue where they built over the property. Yeah. Yeah. Such thing as a perk test to see if those actually absorb a bunch of they've been in for a few years or they come by with say 100 gallon of water and dump it and then time it see how much water gets into the ground. Yeah. I mean I guess we could look into doing something like that. Um I I guess is your question ultimately would you remove them or

I just like to know if the 5,500 bucks that were spent on is it actually doing any good or is it there's a power washing work we call it good right you can form but I don't think we need to remove them we just if we don't keep them clean water doesn't drain down them so if we were not to perform the maintenance on it it would just the the efficiency or the efficacy of would would be diminished and it would be more like just regular pavement. So, we wouldn't have to remove them necessarily. We just wouldn't get the benefit of being permeable pavement because we'd be preventing any water from going between them.

Yeah. So, I guess I should say that I I think that doing the maintenance is is going to work, right? It will keep them clean. Um we we'll continue to sort of monitor them uh with the maintenance. Um, last year was the first year we committed to doing the maintenance, right? So, it's the first one time through. We had some issues just because it had been a few years since particularly all court was installed, right? And so, there was a little bit of extra work to get some of the vegetation that was growing up in the joints, but that's it's not necessarily like the joints were completely clogged. It was savaged. So, last year they had them like torn up several times.

Yeah. We didn't have nothing changes that they were doing underneath maintenance bonds or something.

Yeah, we were having more settlement than we should have after their initial installation. So when we do when we do our low our larger road projects, we will request a maintenance bond from the contractors for um I guess generally like defective work, right, is what the way I'd put it. And so we had a 5-year maintenance bond on the um storm and pavement systems on GW Avenue. And so I cashed that in with the contractors and said this was settling more than it should normally. So they came back and reset that. The the reason they started and stopped is because things froze. And so they were trying to do it before winter so that we wouldn't have a lot of ice ponded in that area. And then we got a really cold snap that November and they weren't able to actually physically get them dislodged because the rock was frozen. The brakes were frozen together. So So that's why they started and then had to stop and then they came back and started and started. I'm gonna take your brain about a person thing then to

Okay. Any more discussion? Uh resolution number 2616 is before the council. Uh roll call votes. Sweles Dwire. I war. Hi. Sher. Hi. Car 5. Thank you.

Yeah, I've got that one more. We've got that simple motion for the uh the street sweeping and the pavement marking with Iowa City. So in my report um this kind of a long explanation in my report but when we were discussing the 2080 with city of Iowa City um third streets superintendent had mentioned that or we were kind of asking some trade-offs since they have some roads within University Heights u that are kind of landlocked by us like on Le and Olive Court. trying to ask about trade-offs with street sweeping and and things of that nature. Um, in that sort of partnership, that give and take, they ultimately said, "You know what? It's not worth it to us for you to do that for us. We'll just we'd actually prefer to do some of that work for you and then just invoice you based off time and material." Uh, so in discussing this with Troy and with Doug and with Mayor From, um, I think we've decided it's a pretty good idea to just try this out this year and see how it works. um see what those costs ultimately become. Time and material basis of billing is usually I think considered pretty cost effective because they're not they're not really raising their rates beyond just a certain rate that they establish. So it's not they're not like adding a certain amount for profit. Um so Iowa City does that work for the University of Iowa and they build them the same way. This is how they perform the work on our traffic signals in town. They they had voice university heights already. So it for this year especially it would just be sort of like let's try this out. It would be the long lines. So the center lines, the double yellow center lines and the uh turn lane lines. Uh they would paint those with a 4-in high build paint line which is the same paint we've moved to also. That's the only kind of paint that they use. And then the street sweeping, they would just sweep the entire city um over the next month here.

where with Russ there's we will need it. I thought I noticed that coming in today out on the west side. He has done the spring patching already, but I did notice that it's coming apart at the transition from Iowa City there. Okay.

Yeah. So Russ has done one review and fiddle this spring so far. So I guess we could follow up and let him know. So we have the consideration of motion uh to enter into an informal agreement with the city of Iowa City streets division for sweeping and striping certain streets in University Heights on a time and materials basis. Is there a motion? Motion by Nick. Second. Second by judge and uh discussion. All in favor say I. I.

Is anyone oppose? Motion carries unanimous. Thank you. Do you have a few other things? Ryan, I guess we're going to I think that's all I've got unless anybody had specific questions about anything else that's in my report. Um we are Melrose Avenue panel replacements. We met with Iowa City last week, the water superintendent, the wastewater superintendent and their engineering department and reviewed some some new comments from them. So, we're picking up some adjustments to the plans that today and yesterday and today trying to get that one shipped out for bids. Uh was hoping today, but it probably tomorrow.

Thank you, Ryan. And next week at our special meeting, besides considering the budget, we will also have a public hearing on the Melrose utilities that there has to be a public hearing for that. That wasn't published in the paper. Yep. So, the overhead underground joint utility project, that construction plan, we'll have a public hearing next week at the meeting. So, and we met with the utility companies at the end of last week to review some of that work, too. Well, I don't know what happened to building zoning and sanitation, but I swear when I look at the agenda, it was there. The the first one, the one that we approved, I saw Tim's name. I It was there.

And now I'm like, what does yours look like? What is No, that was when when some other things got changed. I think that cut. Sorry, Dan. We're leaving you out here. So, would you like to add anything? Nothing to add there. There are I was just sending Brian a note that there are a couple sizable holes uh just west of Sunset on Koser. So, right. You wanted to add on the north half of

there's Poles. These are these old rattling. So, um, okay. Um, sorry about that. We'll go to uh e government unless there's and Lisa, you circulated a report and you've been working on adding all kinds of things to the website. My breakfast is after our menu. Did you wanna Oh, everybody should come on because it's Don't Yes. Okay.

One caveat with the bike breakfast. Um Jeff Perrell injured his knee pretty badly. So, he mentioned he may not be up to doing all of his usual locks and bagels spread this year. And I said we'd do everything we could to make sure we we pick up the slack for him. So, um me up badly. No, I was talking to guys in the shop. So,

well, any questions for Lisa and announcements? Any announcements? You know, we are going to have our special meeting on next Tuesday, April 21st, and it'll probably be about 2030 minutes. We had to add a couple things, but it won't be real long and uh just to take care of some city business that we need to do. And so that worked out nicely. And Steve Cool will be here for that too. Is there anything else?

Steve did. I reminded Steve about asking to do some comparison charts and things for budget and he said he would have those. He said he'd have it ready on the 21st. I'd already talked to McKenzie about it. Thank you. He said that I had asked him about it the other day and he said the exact thing. So I just wanted to make sure right that was happening. Thank you. Anything else? Is there any objection to adjournment hearing? None. The meeting is adjourned by unanimous consent. Thanks everyone.