City Council - Regular Meeting

to the Waterl City Council meeting for Monday, February 2nd, 2026. Roll call, please. Mr. Schmidt, here. Miss Clayton Smith here. Miss Barry here. Mr. Salamanca here. Mr. Martin, here. And Mr. Simon, here.

All right. Tonight, we have the honor of having Cub Scout Pack 3025 to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. And if possible, if they could all come up here to the front, right up here everyone can see us TV. Yeah, that's good.

First of all, I want to thank you all for coming and leading us in the pledge of allegiance today. Cup scouts and boy scouts are dear to my heart. I was a scout. I was a boy scout. I was a scout leader and a boy scout. And the skills I learned in scouting I still use. So what you learn here in scouting, you'll use the rest. So Marshall, would you like to say a little bit about your group here before we go? Certainly. So, we are pack 30.

We are pack 3025 and we're based out of St. Ed's uh school. Uh we have about 40 scouts, so we've doubled our size over the last year. So, there is a need for this out in the community. So, I think we're the only Cub Scout pack in town. So, if there's any interest, uh reach out to the scout office. Um, I know there's children out there that are interested in doing this these type of adventures. So, um, if you have any further questions or you want to join, uh, look at scoutingame.org and it should be able to point you to your nearest, uh, pack or, uh, Boy Scout troop as well, too. So, we also have, uh, a Pinewood Derby car. We have our Pinewood Derby coming up soon at the end of March, and we'd like to invite you out. Here's our here's our list of rules. [laughter]

Keep in mind when I when I was a scout master scout myself we did we had all just turn and face the flag and lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

Who wants to start? [snorts] To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ahead of myself here. We're gonna entertain a short moment of silence or reflection, whichever Thank you. Next, I'd like to ask Miss Carol Loose to come to the podium. And tonight, we're going to have the swearing in ceremony of our Waterlue Youth City Council, and she's [clears throat] going to tell us a little bit about this group. I'm excited. Uh these are our future leaders of of our city and our state and our nation. Thanks guys. Thanks for coming. [clears throat]

Skip right over that. Well, he's a good man. That's all right.

Thank you, Mayor Bzen, ward representatives. So nice to see you all and city staff. Thank you all for what you do for our city. As we reflect on the past year, the Waterlue Youth City Council is filled with pride and gratitude for the impact we have made and for the incredible support that made it all possible. Our youth members have stepped up in very powerful ways. We led our second suicide prevention training was our second one. We had over 120 community citizens attend. Thank you to our chief of police for encouraging the police officers to attend. We partnered with Blackhawk Grundy, Blackhawk County Public Health, Unity Point, the Waterlue Community Schools Education Service Center, Mercy 1, Alive and Running, and community citizens who feel it's a very important training. And as our mayor who can testify having attended our very first training, it's very powerful training and necessary that we train not only our youth but also our adults. We organize a Waterlue historical tour which is fabulously received in the community. We celebrated our civics heritage

and we advocate for mental health policies at the state level. And as Mayor Boosezen told us last week when we had a meeting with him, our local city people know about your Waterlue Youth City Council. They have a voice and they listen to our students. These moments weren't just events. They were a reflection of young people finding their voice, building connections, and driving for real change. We've also been hands-on in the community. We volunteer at Irishfest. Our kids are one of the groups that helps with the breakdown. That's not a fun job, but they're actively out there working hard breaking down a lot of those booths. They help with the mayor's fund run and the backpack giveaway for the Boys and Girls Club. Each experience helped shape future ready leaders brought Waterlue closer together as we work for our community events. This February 15th, I will have the privilege of taking 11 of our Waterlue Youth City Council students to Washington DC. Shutdown or no shutdown, we are going. We have scheduled tours for the Pentagon, the White House, and the FBI along as they attend the closeup program. I don't know if you know about it, but it's a phenomenal education

program for our kids. There will be other five other states that our students will be communicating with while we are there in Washington DC. These accomplishes are more than milestones. They are proof of what's possible when youth are given the tools and the support to lead. And as we look ahead, the Waterlue Youth City Council is eager to expand, deepen collaborative efforts, and continue building a stronger, more connected Waterlue. And we thank you all for your past support. I do have youth advisors that represent the different schools. Not all of them are with us today. Sean Riley is from East High. Jonathan Gridner is representing the West. And Miss Lizzy Zando also helps with the East High students. This year we will have 13 of our WICC kids that will be graduating. And out of all those 13, they probably more than half of them have been in WYCC for over three for three years. I think that shows you the involvement and the commitment these students have at this time. Would you like us to bring them in?

Would you just give the date of [cough] of your ceremony in is it in May if people are interested because that's an incredible ceremony to attend.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Well, they will get a flyer and uh Tara will help me with that flyer too. At the end of the year, we have a end of the year ceremony. So, look in your mailbox. Don't be surprised. It is May 20th and it will be at um five o'clock. And at that time, you will hear from our students. They'll giving testimonies. You will also be hearing about their trip to Washington DC. We are we have the privilege of handing out the Mother Moon scholarships. Our students review scholarship opportunities for other students. So, it's it's a great event and um we look forward to seeing you and I'll make sure I save you all a place. How's that?

I've been the last few years and I've enjoyed every every one of them. Thank you very much and we do appreciate your support. Let's bring them up. Okay. And do you want them to come to this right up here? Yep. Thank you. No, but to this microphone and say their name as they come up, why don't they stop at that mic and say say their first name and the school they're they attend. I'm having them [clears throat] do their first name, the school they attend, what position they hold in the council, and how long they've been. Hi everyone, my name is Esther Shen. I am a senior at West High School. I'm the mayor of the water lead city council and I've been on this organization for three years.

Hello, my name is Amy. I'm a student at West High School. I serve as secretary and this is my second year. My name is Phoebe. I'm a sophomore at West High. I serve on the bylaws committee and this is my first year in city council. My name is June. Uh, I go to West High. I serve on the budget and community committee and I'm in [clears throat] 11th grade. My name is Sophie. I go to Waterl East High School. I've been on the Waterlue City Council for three years and I'm vice chair of the marketing committee.

My name is Siana Cody. I go to Waterl East. I'm a senior. I've been on the committee for two years and I am chairs person of the marketing team. My name is Naima. Um I'm a senior at Waterlue East and I'm the community chair. My name is Somaya Wallakin Jones. I am a junior and I am on the marketing committee. I have been This is my first year actually. Hi, my name is Kayen Moore. Uh a I'm a junior at East High and this is my first year and I'm on the marketing committee.

My name is Anders. Um I am a member of the uh community committee. I have been involved for two years and I am a junior. My name is Dely. I'm a senior at West High and I'm the budget chair. My name is Ra. I'm a senior at West High and I'm on the community committee. My name is Elise. I go to Warlu High School and this is my third year on the council and I'm a member of the budget community committee.

My name is Harmony. I'm a junior at Columbus High School. This is my third year and I'm on the budgeting committee. I'm Robbie. I'm a sophomore at Columbus and I'm currently on the marketing committee. My name is Harrison. I'm a junior at West High and I'm currently on the marketing committee. I'm Ben, currently a senior at West High and I'm a mayor prompor. [clears throat] My name is Blake Smith. I'm a senior at West High School. This is my third year on the council and I serve as chairman of the bylaws committee.

My name is Jackson. I'm a junior at Waterl West High School and I'm a member of the budget committee. And I'm Lizzie Zando. I'm a assistant to Carol and I'm also teacher at East High. And I can't not recognize our parents who have supported their kids in being on the council, but have supported their work. So, thank you very much. I couldn't do it without these positive faces out there. So, thank you very much.

[applause] the oath of office. I'm gonna ask you say I and then you're going to state your name. Please don't say state your name. Actually, state your name and then we'll [clears throat] we'll start with the oath of office. Could you all please raise your right hand and repeat after me? I I state your name. Do solemnly do solemnly swear. Swear I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa. I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Iowa. And I will faithfully and impartially to the best of my ability I will faithfully and to the best of my ability discharge all the duties of the office of Waterl Youth City Council member

City Council member City of Wateroo. City of Water Blackhawk County Iowa as now and hereafter required by law. Iowa is now Let's give him a big hand. [applause] [applause] No. Grab it. Um, our mayor would like to say a few words. Our mayor would like to hear your mayor. [laughter] Thank you so much. Your mayor, thank you.

No, you're good. Good evening everyone. My name is Esther Shen and I'm the mayor of the water lead city council. On behalf of WYCC and myself, thank you for inviting us tonight. I would just like to express my gratitude for this organization through the past four three years serving in this waterl city council. I was exposed to all aspects of our community from volunteering at outreach programs and eventually to leading our own for these past two years as the suicide prevention training. To say the least, I've grown in character, particularly in my sense of leadership. The WYCC has instilled in me the significance of adopting a bold yet empathetic approach to leadership. I aim to use this skill wherever I go in life. Thank you, Miss Loose. I ask you guys to continue to build this co cooperative bond with the WICC as they represent the diversity of Waterlue. The strength of our city lies in our ability to listen to one another across generations and I see each of these students representing our community in the future. On behalf of the WICC once again, we are eager to continue this journey with you. Thank you guys. I'm so sorry.

[laughter] He didn't mean it that way. He's way taller than me. Thank you. [applause]

So proud you guys sitting up here, right? Okay, good.

[laughter] Yes. Thank you, my dear. Shoot. Good to see you, Carol. She has been doing amazing work. Yeah. [snorts] And with that, I I would like to say that uh as I said earlier, these are our future leaders. They are. So, pay attention to these these young students because they're going places. They they truly are and they've done such tremendous work the last few years, especially in in the work of mental health. Uh I couldn't be more proud of our water city council. With that being said, we can start our our meeting. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon,

I'd like to make a motion to approve the agenda as proposed as well as the approval of the minutes of the January 20th, 2026 regular session as proposed. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? I I oppose. Same sign. Okay. Okay. I'd also like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda as proposed with the addition of bill payments 1A1 for January 26 in the amount of 4,432,782.16 as well as February 2nd, 2026 in the amount of $598 598,296.91.

Second. We have a motion to second. Is there any items on this consent agenda that uh council has any questions or concerns about? That being said, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt? Yes. Miss Greatton Smith? Yes. Miss Barry? Yes. Mr. Salamanca? Yes. Mr. Martin? Yes. And Mr. Simon? Yes. Moving on to public hearings. Who wants to take number one? Mr. Smith.

Take number one. And that is making a motion to receive and file proof of publication notice of public hearing. And that is for the request by Zidico Investments LLC for a site plan amendment to allow for up to 200,000 square feet of phase 2 and phase 3 expansions in the M2P planned industrial district located at 4050 Levery Road. Second. Second. Motion to second. All in favor? I oppose. Mr. Schmidt. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I make to make a motion to close the public hearing.

I I I I got way ahead of myself. The the I thought I'm sorry. The hearing is now open. Does anybody here like to speak for or against this item on the agenda? Going to first time, second time. Mr. Schmidt. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to close the public hearing and receive and file any oral and written comments and recommendation of approval of the planning programming zoning commission. Second motion and a second roll call. Right? Just all in favor? I oppose. All right. Mr.

Mr. Mayor, make a motion to receive file, consider, and pass for the first time an ordinance amending to ordinance number 5079 as amended. City of Wateroo zoning ordinance by amending the official zoning map referred to in section 10-4-4 approving a site plan amendment requested by Zidico Investment LLC for a site plan amendment to allow for up to 200,000 square feet of phase 2 and phase 3 expansions in the M2P plan industrial district located at 4050 Levery Road. Second motion and a second. This any questions for the city council about this item hearing? None. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt,

yes. Mr. Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to suspend the rules. Second. Well, there's moving a motion, a second. Uh, roll call vote, please.

Mr. Um, I just have a question on the urgency of this. Is there a reason to suspend the rules and move this along? Cole Anderson, community planning development director. Obviously, it's cold out, so they're not going to begin construction right away. Um, but the uh second, third reading approval would allow them to know that it's fully approved and move ahead with their financing. So, it doesn't have to be great urgency, but it would be appreciated. We have a motion to suspend the rules. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin,

yes. And Mr. S. Yes. That motion failed. Number [clears throat] two, please. Mer. Great Smith. I move that we um receive and file proof of public publication of notice of public hearing for the request by the city of Wateroo to acquire or condemn necessary property for right away permanent easements and temporary easements related to the Leaport Road reconstruction phase three project along Leaport Road generally south located south of East Ridgeway Avenue to Bob Street. [snorts] Is there a second? A second. Got a motion and a second. All in favor? I I

opposed. The hearing is now open. Does anybody in the audience like to speak for or against uh this public hearing on the condemnation necessary for right away and easements for the Leaport Road project? Seeing none. Mr. Mr. Mayor. Ma'am, I move that we um close public hearing on the request to the city of Waterl to acquire or condemn necessary property for rideway e permanent easement and temporary easements related to Leaport Road con reconstruction project phase three along Leaport Road generally located south of East Ridgeway Avenue to Bob Street. There second motion a second. All in favor?

I oppose. same sign. It's Kraton Smith.

Okay, Mr. Mayor, I move that we adopt a resolution authorizing to proceed with the port road reconstruction phase three project uh to make final selections of the location to authorize funding for the public improvement project and determine that there is a reasonable expectation the city will be able to achieve uh its public purpose, comply with all applicable standards and obtain the necessary permits. It's um and authorizing the use of condemnation procedures for acquisition of property interest in furtherance of the project objectives and to establish the amount of just compensation. That was a different

second motion in a second. Council, any questions on this item? Wow. Uh hearing none. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes. Moving on to resolutions. Who would like to take one, two, and three, please? Mr. Mayor. Mr. Simon.

Like to make a motion to approve the following resolution. Resolution approving the mutual termination and res recession of development agreement in relation to the development agreement dated June 3rd, 2024 with JNR Real Estate Holdings LLC and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Number two, a resolution approving the first amendment to a development and minimum assessment agreement dated July 7th, 2025 with BKKS Holdings LLC in the amount of 1,995,000 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. And finally, number three, a resolution approving the Iowa Certified Local Government 2025 annual report and authorizing the mayor and community planning and development director to execute said document.

Second. motion in a second. Does anybody in the audience have any uh questions or concerns about resolutions one, two, and three? If so, please come up the podium and state your name and address, please. David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. Uh number two, I guess it is there a change in their [snorts] development agreement as well as the amount that uh it's going to be assessed for? I assume that's what the 1,996,000 is. Five. So, is there a a change in the agreement also besides just the value it's going to be or did that go up? Did that go down? Is that the only one that you want have a question on, sir?

Yes, sir. Okay. Mr. Anderson Anderson, community planning development director. When we approved the development agreement with BKKS, uh phase 1 was going to be 52,50 ft² and phase 2 was going to be 42,50 ft. They're essentially shifting one building from phase one to phase two. So now phase two will be 42,50 square feet and phase two, sorry, phase one will be 42,50T. Phase two will be the 52,50 ft. So, the minimum assessment value has gone from 2.515 million to the 1.995 million to reflect that 10,000 uh square foot building going to phase two.

Does that answer the same total square footage after they're done? Correct. Okay. Guess I don't understand where it went down then. No. Do you have an answer for that? It went down. This is just the phase one minimum assessed value. So then there'll be a phase two minimum assess value that'll go up when it comes. So basically since we dropped 10,000 square feet, we're dropping our our minimum assessment value. It'll go up when phase two. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Does council have any questions about one, two, or three? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Salamanca,

Mr. uh Anderson, when is phase one supposed to go up and are we on track with that? No Anderson, community planning development director. Um, yeah, it should start, it's normally, uh, six months. Um, it may have been eight months. I can get back to you on that from when we developed the development agreement based on winter. Um, so it should be beginning this spring. Okay. And then is there in addition to that, is there um, maybe it's in here, but is there a justification as to why they decided to switch it over to phase two?

I I think it was just the planning of for what they're what they want to move ahead with financial wise. I think they want to fill up the space first and then move to the phase two. Um, but yeah, just it's it's going to be the same in the end. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt? Yes. Miss Ken Smith? Yes. Miss Barry? Yes. Mr. Salamanca? Yes. Mr. Martin? Yes. Mr. Simon? Yes. Someone take four and five, please.

Mr. I move that we adopt resolution 4 approving the dedication of a water main easement by the city of Waterloo on city own property located west of 3105 airport boulevard. Resolution five, approving the dedication of a sanitary sewer and water main easement by the city of Waterlue on city- owned property located west of 3105 uh part of Airport Boulevard and north of Canadian Nail National Railroad. And sixth resour but thank you. We have a motion. We have a second. Second.

We have a motion and a second on the floor. Does anyone in the audience like to speak to four and five? If not, any councel any questions on four and five? Very good. If not, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca? Yes. Mr. Martin? Yes. And Mr. Simon? Yes. Six and seven, please. Mr. Mayor,

Mr. Schmidt. Item number six is a resolution approving a development agreement with Janette Moore Loggins for the construction of a new single family dwelling on an infill lot located at 312 New Street including a $7500 infill grant incentive upon substantial completion and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Item number seven is adopting a resolution approving a professional services agreement with Mihi Commercial Real Estate of Water, Iowa with the retainer in the amount of $1,000 in conjunction with the relocation of Herz and Enterprise rental car operations to Waterl Regional Airport and authorizing the merit execute said document.

Second. Have a motion to second. Is anybody in the audience like to speak for or against items number six and seven? Mr. Dryer, David Dryer, 3145 West Fourth Street. I guess I don't understand on number seven why we need to have a realtor involved for two businesses relocating. Why is that an expense we need to incur? Well, Mr. Deeds, who's on the airport board, is behind you. He'll come up and answer your questions for you. [laughter] I don't know if you had other questions. Do you have any more questions, sir? Okay.

All right. Uh David deeds uh in my role as chair of the Waterl airport board uh we are we're hiring Mihei commercial to make contact. I think the the paraphrasing in the agenda perhaps is a bit misleading in the fact that we have not secured the relocation. That is the purpose of hiring Mihei commercial is to solicit uh the relocation of those or at least a presence for both of those national rental car companies at the airport. Uh we currently only have Avis on site and given the increase in passenger load uh uh boardings uh over the last eight months or thereabouts uh we definitely in order to get to the next level. We need to have additional services available for particularly inbound travelers who are coming into the community and uh may for example have a corporate contract with Herz or Enterprise and not Avis as an example and therefore uh we've hired uh folks to do that. Commercial real estate is different than residential real estate in the fact that there are typically these firms typically have uh national type brokerages that they've hired to represent them in any lease negotiations. And that's why we've gone to a commercial realtor here who is based here in Waterlue uh to make those contacts and outreach to to start the process of soliciting them returning. Herz was at the airport prior to co uh them Herz returning to the airport and the potential for enterprise to come on airport. It's really just the next stage and keeping the moment momentum going.

That answer your question, sir? Yes, it does. All right. Well, thank you, Mr. Deeds. [clears throat] Council, do you have any questions? Mr. Mayor, m Mr. assignment. Um, can I can maybe you can answer this, maybe you cannot. Uh, is there why did we pick this commercial realtor? I mean, is there a reason? Is there are they an expert in this area or can I ask how we determine who was

Sure. Uh, this was a uh situation where essentially there are three options in the Cedar Valley. That's it. Um, this is one that uh we've had a working relationship with before. uh had he had worked previously with for example Gross Cedar Valley that's one that uh we we reached out to there was interest in it and we moved forward for the the discussions and along those same lines the the explanation of the 3% commission that's something that I mean obviously $1,000 wasn't what they're they make their money off of. They make their money off of the commission. Correct.

Yeah. I mean the $1,000 the initial retainer is essentially to get the process going essentially to incentivize that process or to basically facilitate the start of the process uh identifying who the commercial representatives are for each of these firms. So this is not a matter we're not talking to the the local uh manager of the local office here. These are folks that are sometimes difficult intentionally to reach and so there's some time and effort that's going to be required in that. The 3% is uh typical for a listing side of any commercial relationship. Uh there are often also 3% on the representation for the national firm on their side of it as well. Uh to put it in context a little bit, the the 3% is on the base rent. Let's assume that they go into the same size space that Hertz, as an example, had been in prior. Uh the what we're talking about is essentially a total commission for a 5-year lease of $4,700. And over that fiveyear in rent alone, the airport would realize about $155,000 of uh rent revenue. In addition to that, they would also realize the airport would also realize uh uh customer facility charges uh which are based on a percent of the concession air the hertz uh which would be uh I can't estimate that number necessarily but it's it's not insignificant. So you know one way to look at is 3% but that means the airport is keeping 97%.

Great. Thank you. Any other questions or Mr. Deeds Mr. Smith, I just wanted Sorry, Mr. Deans. I just wanted to ask the question, is that $1,000 retainer the standard rate that these realtors [clears throat] request or for the retainer or is this the least amount? I mean, is this the cheapest company? In other words, um why do we in in line with what Mr. uh Simon asked, um

this is uh this is not a low bid situation. Um, it is essentially a situation where it is in the airport's interest to move the process along quickly. Not unlike retaining an attorney, you're hiring a professional who has certain skill sets and certain connections and therefore there are some upfront costs for them. Um, now I'm not saying just to take a step away from the airport for a moment. There's plenty of realtors out there are happy to collect listings and that's exactly what they are is listings. nothing else happens. So, uh this is to uh move this process along. Okay. To ensure the quality of the Exactly. Yes. Exactly.

Schmidt. Um so, yeah, the benefit to the citizens is ideally that we're going to get some space rented. So, the city's going to get some income from that. Yeah. In addition to uh benefiting the additional travelers, business travelers that we're having coming to town. So going back to and again this is absolutely nothing against the firm that you're dealing with. Did we make the other two that you mentioned uh aware of this opportunity? I'm I'm I mean I don't want to hear about this after the fact that how come nobody ever told us this was something

well given the the where this fell on the agenda. I think this has gotten plenty of exposure already. um considering that there was a very large development agreement on their agenda earlier uh that was for a much larger type of transaction and somehow this one is the one that made the headlines. I'm not really sure. Uh to be perfectly blunt with you, no, we did not reach out to the other two. Um a uh Weenan's or AW commercial would be the other one. Officials would be the other one beyond that. This is the one that uh we had an ongoing conversation with regarding our efforts of trying to bring these folks back to the airport. So, um, [clears throat] yeah, I don't know what else to say to you about it. Uh, the other part of this is, and I think it's good to remind ourselves and the citizens and everyone else who's watching is the fact that the airport is completely self-sufficient. There is absolutely no general fund dollars that go into the airport. Uh, at some time prior to CO, there may have been some debt service levy supported funds that went in for matching, local matching grants. However, that has not been the case since CO. Uh so anything the airport generates is used to support the airport, but there's nothing from general coffers that are being used to support the airport at this point. In fact, uh you may recall, Mr. Schmidt, you've been around for a while, that the there were some uh amounts that were owed to the city by the airport uh from back in the '9s when we had fire station staff out there that those that was finally extinguished last year, the year before. So there is uh yes, it is a city department. However, I would also point out that this is a city department that is probably unlike any other city department in the fact that it serves a constituency that is much larger than the citizens of Wateroo and it is in the citizens of Wateroo's interest to keep that airport growing and increasing its level of self-sufficiency going forward. It's an important economic development engine for us here in the Cedar Valley, not only in Wateroo but Cedar Valley as a whole.

The only question I would have is is that working with these a other agencies that that uh they're [snorts] going to be available for all flight times.

That is the intention. Yes. That uh you'll see that there's some benchmarks in here that this initial retainer and then there is an additional thousand payment if we get to a mutually agreed letter of intent, right? Which means we have to accept the terms of it. And one of the terms will definitely be that they have to be available during flight times. Otherwise, it's kind of pointless. uh you know anecdotally uh I will tell you just last week I had someone tell me that they were working on a transaction with somebody based out of New York who called them it was a local person that said the person out of New York said well should I fly into this C or Waterlue and they said well you just fly to Waterlue and he goes well but there's no Hertz there's no rental cars it and he said well we have Avis at the airport again this is just anecdotal but uh they have Avis at the airport but they were sold out So, as you look at it, uh this is not a long-term strategy of leaving just the one rental car provider there at the airport and this is uh us moving the process forward.

Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anybody else have any questions? Mr. Mayor Salamanca, Mr. Deetsz. Yes. Just to bring you up, I do just want to give you the opportunity to explain how this is part of a much larger plan. Uh, I think that's somewhere where the confusion's coming in is that folks are used to things being a certain way and when new change is happening, folks want an explanation. So, if you could uh Yeah, do so.

No, I I appreciate that opportunity. I I I think it's uh important. you know, our uh airport uh [clears throat] uh you know, not in the recent recent past, but uh you know, it's not unusual for a community our size, and I by community, I mean the Cedar Valley, our catchment area for the airport, should be seeing somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 employments a year. Um you know, at our lowest point last year, the year before, we were at 12,000, which is horrible. Uh but even prior to that, we'd seen a long-term decline in that. A small uptick in the teens, if you will, and then uh CO just put a put a real uh uh kibash on everything. So, we finally got at this point, we've got a larger aircraft. It's a dual class aircraft at this point. We've got much improved reliability as an aside to there. Uh we looked at the uh reliability from April or sorry through from June through the end of the year. We had a 1 and a.5% cancellation rate. Nationally, that was a 3.1% cancellation rate. So, we have increased reliability, increased comfort. We have things like onboard entertainment with Wi-Fi that American is providing. And we have much better connectivity uh through the Chicago hub than we had prior to last June. Essentially, it's kind of nice for us that United and American are duking it out in Chicago because that makes it better for us in terms of one-stop connectivity. So, we are on the back on an upward trend. We had a nice rebound of our employment starting last June. I think we hit just under 20,000 employments last year. So, some it was like a 71% growth year-over-year. And our goal here is to keep that momentum going. And uh we had a great meeting with Sky West Airlines just last week and appreciate everybody around the Dest participate in that uh as well as other community members who participated in it. Our goal here is is to not just stop

here, but we want to, no pun intended, take off past that point, right? And this is just a a next step in this process. We've got a great asset here in this airport. It's been perhaps a bit in um slumber for about 20 years, but we need to do much better with it, and I we've got the opportunity to do it. So, appreciate the opportunity to talk more about that, of course. And I just want to articulate that what you're saying is this decision is based off of data and it's based off of a collection of a strategy and a plan in order to ensure that it's successful. Very much so. Thank you.

Thank you for your question. Anyone else? All right. Uh hearing none. Uh six and seven. Roll call vote please. Mr. Schmidt. Yes. Miss Kitten Smith. Yes. Miss Barry. Yes. Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Okay. Who would like to take ordinance number one? Don't everybody speak? Yes, sir. To make a motion to approve the following ordinance amending the city of water code of ordinances by amending chapter 4 plumbing regulations of title 9 building regulations. Second motion to second. This is just a standard all call. All in favor? Oppos? Oh, down this one here.

All right. I apologize. Roll call. Oh, this roll call vote, please. A second. We'll go back to roll call vote, please. Sorry about that. Uh, Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Katron Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Okay. Now, we'll be going to the second here. So, so make a motion to receive and file and consider and pass for the second time an ordinance amending the city of Waterl Code of ordinances. We got all Do we got That's what I just did. So, I'm I'm going to make a motion to suspend the rules. Yep. Second. A motion in a second to suspend the rules. Roll call vote, please. Right. Mr. Schmidt. No.

Uh, Miss Kraton Smith. Yes. Mr. Barry or excuse me, Miss Barry. Yes. Mr. Barry. Sorry. Uh, Mr. Salamanca. [laughter] Yes. Uh, Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. assignment. Yes. And that fails, we'll we'll see it back in two weeks. Who would like to take uh number two, please? Code of ordinances. And then sorry, just for Oh, just for clarification. Um if you take this motion, read where it starts at motion. Yes. Instead of the instead of the title. That's I think that's where we got off. Okay. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon,

I'd like to have another shot at that. Uh, I'd like to make a I'd like to motion make a motion to receive and file and consider and pass for the second time an ordinance amending the city of Waterlue code of ordinances by repealing and replacing chapter 3 electrical regulations of title 9 building regulations with a new chapter 3 electrical regulations of title 9 building regulations. Second motion in a second. Does anybody in the in the in the council chambers want to speak to these ordinance? It was addressed two weeks ago. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I'm going to say the same thing that I said last time.

These are not city ordinance that we're just putting in place. These are state ordinance, federal ordinance that basically are saying this is what we have to do to move forward with potential builds of commercial residential facilities. So, I don't understand why we're not passing them and why we're not moving forward with it because we don't make that choice. It's a state federal scenario that has to be done. So that's all I have to say. Mr. Mayor,

I appreciate that. And and uh it it does have to be done. We've been sitting on this since April. So So it's not When do you want to talk about urgency? Uh anyone else have anything to say on this? If not, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt. Um this is just the the ordinance itself, right? Yes. Miss Smith. Yes, Miss Barry. Yes, Mr. Salamanca. Yes, Mr. Martin. Yes, Mr. Simon. Yes, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules. Second. Is there a second? Miss Barry. Motion in a second to suspend the rules. Uh, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt? No. Miss Kraton Smith? Yes. Miss Barry?

Yes. Mr. Salamanca? Yes. Mr. Martin? Yes. And Mr. Simon? Yes. We'll see this back in two weeks. Number three, please. Mr. Mayor, Miss Great Smith, I move to receive, file, consider, and pass for the second time an ordinance amending the city of Wateroo Code of ordinances by repealing and replacing chapter 5 mechanical systems of title 9 building regulations with a new chapter 5 mechanical systems of title 9 building regulations. Second motion and second. Anybody in the audience like to speak for or against this change in mechanical systems? How about the council? Mr. Martin, you want to repeat what you just said?

Yes, Mr. Mayor. I would like to repeat what I just said. Okay, we'll just put that in the record. Thank you. All right. Anyone else? Okay. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Mr. Mayor and I move that we suspend the rules. Oh, not yet. Okay. Oh, not yet. No, please go ahead. Okay. Yeah, Mr. Mayor, I move that we suspend the rules. Second. Motion to second. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Miss Kraton Smith. Yes. Miss Barry? Yes. Mr. Salamanca? Yes. Mr. Martin? Yes. Mr. Simon? Yes. That failed. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? Mr. Mayor.

Mr. Mayor. Public comments. Oh my gosh. I Where am I? Where am I thinking? I am so far out of out of whack today. Uh, now is your time for public comments. Uh, please approach the podium. State your name and address and address the council, please. You have three minutes.

Roberts 411. Amen. Uh, I didn't even have nothing to speak about today, but I kind of asked my heavenly father to put me on point and it was perfect timing for the youth council to be here because what I'm here for every week is my children and how their lives were altered out of fear, coercion, and this took place by employees of the city of Waterlue Police Department as well as De Moines. things and my children were that age. That's when they was about scared to go outside. And I'm steady coming down here, but I'm not hearing any uh one even trying to say, "We're going to take a look at it." In De Moines, I went two years ago. They called Jod Vanve, who was a policeman, who was my landlord, and the police chief had a detective call him, and they at least got a statement from him, and it was a lie. Uh Mr. Martin, you done said three or four twice that we have to follow state and federal rules. What I've been down here about is rule 51, federal code, code of IRA rule 633. Y'all need to find somebody that understands what it is when that rule is broken and then someone to enforce the law because that's what you're here for. That's that's what law enforcement is for. uh being that it may be a judge involved or uh financer or a banker or or attorneys and whoever else dearing company is where my problem started at partial payment of a $250,000 life insurance policy that I can show only $7,400 was paid out of and my father's stocks that he had in deers. He worked there 34 years. He was an engineer and a purchaser when he retired. So that's what I'm talking about and this is

important stuff. If you're concerned with public safety, now if you can look over public safety and let it go until somebody door get knocked on and kicked in and and done like my daughter was done in the bathroom, then we just overlook it. As I have said before, this is a criminal organization and what we have built, they call themselves the Cornbell Mafia. When I told police chief Truckbat and Mayor Duck Clerk, he laughed. And what I'm telling you is what they told me. So, I'm going to tell you the truth about something else. Not only is there a criminal organization, there's a just folk organization. And instead of saying a mob, well, I guess it is. It's a ghost mafia because you'll never see us clicked up together. But this is going to get ended. And I'm asking y'all to quit overlooking or do something about it. As I said, I called the police chief. He did at least check with the police. If this is something that's out of your scope, then maybe you need to call the federal government. Have a good evening.

Thank you, sir. Anyone else like to address the council? Come to the podium.

My name is Beverly Cosby. I live at 315 window court and I was here at the last council meeting and I'm speaking in regarding to these three ordinances that they seem to keep being passed and passed forward and passed forward which really is a waste of time because if it's something that has to be done but and the state says you have to do it is it are they worded wrong? Um are uh is there something out of the that's missing that should be here that we can't pass these ordinances? Somebody explain that to me because Robert's rules of law or Robert's rules and um how the way you conduct the meeting should eliminate the fact that if you've got five people that approve it, one person that oppose it, and a ghost that's not there, this D ordinance should been passed. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else would like to uh address the council about any non-aggenda related item?

Good evening, mayor and councel. My name is Kathy Schuler. I'm the treasurer of Main Street Waterlue at 512 Malberry Street. Main Street Water is excited to announce that we've been selected by Main Street Iowa to participate in a strategic planning process that includes a community input survey. This survey is important tool that will help us understand what our community values most, where what we're doing well, and where we should focus our energy in the future. The survey will be conducted by Main Street Iowa. Responses are completely anonymous and feedback will directly guide both Main Street Iowa and Main Street Waterlue as we shape our future organizational and community priorities. The survey will be live starting February 9th through February 22nd. We'll be sharing the link on our news through our newsletter, social media. Elected officials and city staff will receive a direct email from our director, Jessica Records. In addition to the survey, we'll be hosting a community input meeting where Main Street Iowa and Main Street Waterlue will review the results and continue the conversation in person. Details on the location and and date will be shared soon and we encourage residents to follow Main Street Wateroo on Facebook to stay informed. We truly want to hear from the community. This feedback helps us ensure our work reflects the voices, the ideas, and the goals of the people who live, work, and invest in Wateroo. I'd also like to make a little quick plug in this Saturday's support local on February 7th. You can find details and purchase tickets on mainstreorg um.org and ticket sales close on Wednesday, so act fast. Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your comments. Does anyone else wish to address the council at this time? Going once, going twice. Now I can finally uh as I screwed everything up today. Motion to Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to adjurnn. Second. Motion made to adjurnn has been made in second. All in favor? We are adjourned. Thank you for your time. Thank you for coming tonight.