City Council - Regular Meeting

Most likely we all know I mean it participate via Zoom. Jackie,

right? 6 o'clock up there. Are you guys ready? Are you guys ready? All right. We will bring this meeting to order at 6 pm. Kaylin, will you call the role, please? Council member Baker here. Council member Brown here. Council member P here. Council member Livingston here. Council member Miki here. Mayor Phillips.

All right. Uh now, if you'll please join us in the pledge of allegiance. of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right. Approval of the agenda. Would anyone like to move any of the consent agenda items to the regular agenda? I ask to move item J, recording in progress. All right. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? Motion. Second. All in favor?

All post. Same. All right. So, now we have a dedicated work session. This is actually was at my request. Um, I had been notified by a community member who asked about having uh fundraising events or being able to uh get a discount or something at the fieldhouse for fundraising events. So, I don't know, she's not here. I don't know if anybody else is here. I will just relay. Um, the De Mo Metro Pickle Ball Club has an annual gala every year. Um, and one of the uh, persons involved in that is Gold Curry. Gold and Mike Curry are members of our community. Mike um, does a lot of the UTV ride events. Um, Golda is, um, she's been described to me as a professional pickle ball player. I know she competes a lot in tournaments. Um, and she's a big part of this, um, the Metro Pickle Ball Club. Um, so she had approached me a while ago about um being able to hold something at a tournament at the fieldhouse for uh and since it is a charable charitable event. For instance, this year, uh, I believe they raised money for first responders. Um, they were just inquiring if they could how they could go about having maybe a policy change to do something at our fieldhouse at a discounted rate. So, I said, I'll see if we could discuss it at So, that's kind of where we're at. I know Luke asked Cararissa to get some information together or you got some

information together. I don't know which.

Yeah, I can give you just a little bit of background. Um I've done a little bit of kind of checking within the metro area. Um and there's a range of policies, but most of the policies that allow for um 501c3 access are typically um to a community center type facility where um you're looking at meeting room space and things like that or shelters. um in terms of a facility that operates more like an enterprise fund like the fieldhouse, I didn't find any um comparable usage agreements that allow for that yet. Um, so I think there um is just a a range of ways you could go with it. But in terms of the fact that we're operating the fieldhouse currently trying to get to a point where we can see what the general revenues look like um I have a little bit of concern on just how we would apply that policy uniformly across different nonprofits um and determining how much access we would be willing to give up knowing that it would offset potential revenue of court rental time. Um and just the application of that. I know last year um around this time before I got here, there was some discussion from different organizations that looked for a similar type of arrangement. Um it went through park commission in November last year and then came to council in December last year and I think the agreement was made with the school district and associated entities like the booster club that we allow for one um tournament weekend right now for the booster club for that reason um just because of all of the shared facility usage between the district and um the city. So, we had that in place and at that time commission didn't recommend and it doesn't and council didn't approve any other entities besides the school and the booster club. Uh, so that's kind of where we're at right now. And, um, my recommendation at this point would be to not, um, make any changes to that until we have a better handle on what our revenues look like over the course of a year, what our core usage looks like um, and get a better handle on that because once we would make a change like that, we'd be sacrificing our potential um, to kind of look at that and balance out all

the different organizations that might be interested. Um, and do you have a I don't know a a thought about when you will have a good sense of the revenue so that if right if they want to come back and ask again okay you guys have been open for five years can we recons I don't know if I know exactly when I would say that is um I think it would depend on council decision on when we were looking at the facility from a standpoint of is it an economic driving and revenue generating where we want on a break even or is this a a similar to a park usage like music fest that happens in the park and when do we hit that threshold? I would look to your direction on that but I would say probably at least give me a year before we revisit that and then we'd be at about two years of operations. So, [snorts]

I'm kind of fearful that if uh I don't know why the mayor in our discussion, he said no one else in the metro is is charging for that. I have no idea if that's speculation. He actually I thought it was the other way. No one else in the metro is allowing it. Everybody in the metro charges for it. Correct. Correct. Correct. Yeah, that's what I meant. not not doing a discount or something like that, right? Um and I'm worried about unintended consequences if you know you get a big group like that. Well, there's going to be a member from Beaverdale, there's going to be a member from Norwok. We could end up with an endless slate of 501c3s all want something. Yes.

Yep. Um, a lot of the communities that um, have for allowances for policies or that are exploring that I found in facilities that are not similar to the fieldhouse do have restrictions too on the time like a Monday through Thursday requirement or a limited number of hours. And I think with the fieldhouse we have such a finite amount of court time. Um, it's not like having multiple park shelters available or having um, we also, you know, we'll do a donation of day passes to the aquatic center to a nonprofit. That's not a finite resource that we can't accommodate. So, the court space is different in that way.

I guess I'd like to see a little water under the bridge, you know, so you kind of see how how it's going up there. And if if we would consider such a policy, maybe a limited one like that so it wouldn't jeopardize anything like maybe a percentage of the time available or something like that. Yeah. And I would also say, sorry, I'd probably only do that after I had a pretty good handle for what's coming and going.

Yeah. And I would say there are other ways we can partner with nonprofits too, like we mentioned the day pass donations or a membership donation um that we can give to the organizations like we do with the pool or the fieldhouse membership that allow them to utilize that to raise funds. um or just a partnership of an event. If there's an event we think that we could put on that would work in partnership with a specific nonprofit where we um maintain the control of is this a good use of the court space for the entire community versus like you said opening the door to how many potential requests we could get is where I would look at that from. Well, I appreciate that discussion and consideration. Now, along the consensus,

thank you. All right. So, item five, welcome of guests and public comments. This for any non-aggenda item. You have three minute time limit. You can't take any action on anything that you want to discuss tonight. Um, but if you and if you'd like to comment on anything that is in the consent agenda, now would be the time. So, any guests or public comments? Come on up to the dance if you would. Sure. My um kind of go along with what you just talked about. So, name um address.

Good evening. I'm Angie Croll, C O L. I live at 225 West High Road here in Norwok. Um I am here on behalf of the Norwok Area Ministerial Association. I kind of want to do a couple things tonight. kind of want to update you on what we're doing in our in our town here and also uh to go along with what you guys just discussed. Um a little bit of a request. So um the Norwok Area Ministerial Association or NAMA is the only human services organization here in Norwok. We serve exclusively Norwok residents who are in the school district of Norwok. Um every family that we help is your neighbor, your child's classmate, or someone you're going to see in our community. Um, NAMA exists to make sure that when life gets tough for families here in Norwok, they don't have to face that hardship alone. Uh, so far in 2025, we're on pace to provide emergency financial assistance to about 60 families. Um, and that assistance could be uh assistance with rent, the utility bill, um, a necessary car payment um, that they might be missing um, or a car re repair. Um, and these are just the kind of things that if they are left unressed can lead to further crisis in this family's life. Um, in addition to emergency assistance, NAMA supports families in many other ways throughout the year. Our Christmas event was just last week and we served 118 households here in Norwok. That was 190 children and 35 single adults. Um that is our joyful giving event and that helped ensure that our community experienced joy and dignity and stability during this holiday season. Um in August we had our shoe love event. We provided 134 children with new shoes, socks, and underwear so that they can start the school year with confidence. Um and week after week at our food pantry, uh we serve more than 135 families. That is weekly.

[clears throat] We do that. We help put food on their table um and also provide other household essentials for them like laundry supplies, hygiene items. And it was very cold tonight there running outside. That's why my cheeks are red. Um through our food rescue program, NAMO volunteers have rescued over 32,000 pounds from area businesses and taken them into communities in our in our or town where people need the food. So, we are rescuing that food and giving it to putting on people's tables that need it. Um, and more than 80 families receive food um from each of our bimonthly food uh mobile food pantry events. Um, and then our ever popular uh event, Lunch in the Park, which happens at City Park, um, which we feed over 2600 meals every summer. Um, we were there every Friday feeding hot meals to people and then also giving 1,400 snack bags to the kids so they can have that snack um over the summer because they're missing their school lunch that they they usually have. Um, all this work is done through the community support, volunteers, and partnerships and fundraising, which brings me to why I'm here tonight. Um, I was not the community member that approached Jackie about this, [laughter] just so you know. Um but we do have a small committee which includes Gula who is working on um they're in the very early stages of planning a fundraiser for us. Um and that is for 2026 and that will help us sustain sustain our services and grow the services. Um we're respectfully asking that the city council consider donating or waving the um rental fee for a pickle ball tournament that would benefit Nama. Um, like I said, the details, it's still in the early details here. Um, but understanding whether a rental fee of thousand dollars or more, um, if we're

going to have to cover that is going to be critical to determine the feasibility of the event. Um, this support would allow more of the funds raised to go directly into serving the Norwok residents. The request is not just about a fee, though. It's about an investment in the people of Norwok. Um, every dollar we don't spend on overhead is a dollar that can be used to help a family through a tough moment. And it's a wonderful way to showcase our amazing fieldhouse to pickle ball lovers from throughout the metro. Um, so I do think there is value added in inviting these world-class pickle ball players into our fieldhouse. Um, we're very proud at NAMA to serve this community and we take our responsibilities seriously. um we exist to support this city's residents um in ways that can strengthen families and ultimately the community. Um so thank you so much for your time. Hopefully I didn't go over.

You did. I gave you a little leeway. Sorry. Thank you. All right. Anyone else? Okay. So item number six. I'm in protest. recognition and of you and me. I said I'm in focus. Well, the the mayor was very disappointed. He was ill this evening, so he couldn't be here. I think he was going to do more of a roast. I'm I'm doing recognition, so

that should be nicer. Uh this evening we get to honor two extraordinary individuals who have dedicated so much of their time, energy, and passion to serving our city. Jackie Jackie Livingston and Brian Baker. As outgoing council members, they've left a mark on our community, and it's only fitting that we take a moment to reflect on their contributions and express gratitude. Let me start with Jackie. I know how much she loves this kind of recognition. Jackie, your sharp questions have been a guiding light for all of us, pushing us to think deeper and make better, more informed decisions. You've truly demonstrated the value of open conversation at the dis showing us how thoughtful dialogue can lead to real progress. I have to admit your communication style, that straight path to the point without any unnecessary detours, is something I've tried to model in my own work. Though I know I'll never quite match your precision. What many people don't see is the countless impacts you've had on our regulations behind the scenes. Your meticulous review of contracts, legal language, and all those intricate details have strengthened our foundation in ways that will benefit us for years. Jackie, you've been both a quiet force of excellence as well as an outward strong voice, and we're all better for it. Jackie has dedicated 12 years of service to the city of Norwok. During her time on council, she has served not only as a council member, but as mayor prom, which you get to do this evening, and has represented Norwok with distinction on a wide range of boards, committees, and regional organizations. Her services includes a central Iowa Trails Board, Metro Advisory Council, Mid Iowa Association, Local Governments, Warren County Emergency Management Board, and Warren County E91 Board, as

well as countless uh work groups within the city. There's a lot more. I deleted a bunch of them because I knew you wouldn't want me to read all of them. Uh she's also, this one I think is very deserving. Uh she did serve on the Greater De Moines Sister City Commission uh with your involvement in the Kosovo sister city also the wastewater reclamation authority as well as the park and recreation board liaison. Across all of these roles she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to thoughtful governance and a long-term success of our community. Her leadership and willingness to serve have made a lasting impact on the city of Norwok. Now turning to Brian. Brian, you've been our financial rock, steady and reliable through every challenge. With your background in sales and finances, you've bridged the rough roads of negotiations on so many critical projects. Turning potential obstacles into opportunities. You've even helped us nerdy financial types, that's me, uh caused me to step back and recognize there's real value beyond just the numbers. It's about people, vision, and long-term impact. And as a strong proponent of investing in our infrastructure, you've championed initiatives that will carry lasting value for generations to come. Your foresight and dedication have truly shaped the future of our city. Brian has dedicated eight years of service to the city of Norwok. He has been a steady and thoughtful leader, bringing a practical perspective to both policy decisions and long-range planning. He represented the city on numerous boards and commissions, including serving as a planning and zoning commission liaison, construction board of appeals, and the parks and recreation board liaison. His service also extended beyond city hall. He represented Norwok on Warren County 911 board, Metro Advisory Council, Metro Waste Authority, Water Reclamation Authority Board, contributing to

collaboration and infrastructure planning that benefits our community. In addition, he played an active role in several city work groups. He helped guide decisions that balance fiscal responsibility and community growth. What unites Jackie and Brian is their profound profound care for the community. Their efforts as council members reflect a deep commitment to making our city a better place, not for accolades, but be because they genuinely believe in power of service. They've listened. They they've advocated and they've worked hard to address the needs of our residents. Before I finish, I want to draw some special attention to their respective roles in the city's strategic goal setting. During Norwok's 2028 strategic vision and in vision 2035, they each served as champions for long-term priorities. Brian championed the goal of balancing Norwok's tax base in both [clears throat] in both of the strategic plans. uh that helped us focus on fiscal sustainability and responsible growth. I would argue that the birth of the southwest corridor was a result of Brian's work. The future of light industrial growth will have long-term impacts. Jackie championed the town center goal and we now have Norwok Central. What a huge success that has become and is still becoming. Jackie and Brian, as you step away from the council, know that your legacies will endure. We'll miss your wisdom, your wit, and your support. On behalf of council and the entire community, thank you from bottom of our hearts. We wish you all the best in your next adventures. May they be filled with the same fulfillment you've brought to us. Let's give them a round of applause. has come down to accept some didn't say I was quiet.

You have to take your name with you there.

Let's stand in front of the That's a good idea. Thank you.

Congratulations. We get your name right on. [laughter] Good. Thank you. Thank you, Luke. All right. Item number seven, the consent agenda. Motion. Second. Motion by See, now I got to remember everybody's name one time in the second. Motion by Brown, second by Baker. Would you call the role? Council member Baker. Yes. Brown. Yeah. P. Yes. Livingston? Yes. Mine? Yes.

All right. That passes. Um, so we're going to do uh item J, which was removed from the consent agenda, the pay estimate number six, and the change order number two for the completion of TK concrete for the Main Street water main replacement project. Um, and I asked that this be removed from the consent agenda just because we had a previous not good experience with TK. We brought him back, gave him another shot. So, I just want to I know change orders happen all the time, but I want to know why there's a change order and what caused it, I guess. Sure.

Be happy to answer that. Um, overall, so yeah, TK Concrete overall, they did a great job. They were, um, probably our best contractor in town working this summer. They did two projects. They did this Ninth Street one and the Cherry Parkway widening project. Um, as far as the concrete and logistics go, they did great. They responded to every request that we asked. The delay comes from, I would say, most of it's attributed to their con subcontractor not starting right away. Um, BNK was hired to manage the project at the pre-con, member Tony, saying, um, your start date, um, you can start whenever you want, but the contract completion date is not negotiable. There's a completion date in there and they did go beyond it. It wasn't an issue due to TK concrete. It was their sub just not getting started right away. So Tony has negotiated already with TK concrete. They're agreeable to the liquidate damages 19 days. Um they're behind schedule to get to substantial completion. They're agreeable to that. We did incur additional engineering cost from BDK to have them out there. So liquidity liquidity damages are appropriate. Everybody's in agreement with the amount. Staff's very happy with TK Concrete, very responsive. Like I said, one of the better ones we've had. So I think they tried hard.

Great. That's great news. Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve the resolution? Okay. Resolution to approve pay estimate number six, change order number two and certificate of completion to TK concrete for the main street water replacement project. Motion by Faker. Second by Mi. We Kaylin, will you call? Uh, council member Brown, yes. Yes. Livingston, yes. Yes.

And that resolution passes. And we go to 8A, a final reading of an ordinance amending chapter 176, subdivision regulations, by amending section 1768, design standards, and 17609, construction of improvements. providing for amended road construction requirements and warranty and maintenance bond requirements for public instructure. So, we're changing our subdivision ordinance to require subdrains and granular subsurface for all new streets as well as some revised language for bonding. Council passed that first reading, actually uh second reading at our last meeting. I believe the staff's continued to have some discussions with several representatives from the development community. We understand these changes will have some direct impact on developers and the cost of new housing in Norwok. As it stands, uh the ordinance will go into effect immediately and due to that we've discussed some phasing in which would include some local contributions for building streets to the new standards. Um so we've talked about this idea of phasing in. Um we're going to we took that that part out for a vote. So we'll vote on that part separate. So this first or discussion would just be um amending that chapter. So Wayne Luke.

Yeah. No significant changes from the last meeting other than [clears throat] the participation and cost. Any discussion council? Any public comment? Sounds good to me. Yep. Motion. Second. Motion by Cole, second by Brown. Uh, any further discussion? Kaitlin, will you call the role? Council member Cool. Yes. Livingston, yes. Minus, yes. Baker, yes. Brown, yes.

All right. And then the second part of that is the resolution approving the road construction cost participation by the city of Norwok. So with the ordinance changed, this would be this um city's kind of assistance to offset some of that phase in. Uh Wayne, Jim, or Wayne or Luke, anything to add? Okay. Any public discussion or comments from council? Just a clarification from the public that this is not really uh to fund this going forward. We could have a whole year of substandard rows built before it would kick in. Or am I wrong about that?

Without so the ordinance you just passed has now officially made these new standards implemented immediately. Yeah. Had you not done that under the previous scenario of waiting a year like giving just a time buffer then yes we could have gone through one year of roads going in at our previous lower standards. So

is that our normal thing to do or is that some kind of a regulation or rule or what caused that? You decided to wait one year if that was even an option. I I think that's actually pretty typical to what we see on some of our subdivision standards. Paris, what was the last big change that we made where we phased in or we give them a period of time that I mean that was our main overhaul of the subdivision standards. Yeah. So it was that we allowed that to be like a year delayed. Yeah, I think it was even longer than that in that case because we it was our whole ordinance we changed. So yeah,

in this case because it's my thoughts are because this is such a focused improvement on the street standards and there there seems to be agreement by the city and the development community that there is a cost attributed like a direct cost attributed to these. We felt like this was one that made more sense to implement immediately with some cost offset to help buffer that issue for the developers. we get a benefit, our citizens get a benefit. Um they have the uh the challenge of implementing immediately. That's where the financial offset came into play. And the reality of it is we're actually saving the city money

longterm. Yeah. Left now if they have to tear it out and rebuild it. But the one year option is more of a traditionally of how we've done things. Give them a year to kind of the rules, new rules, right? So I I think that's an accurate statement. I'm looking at Luke Paris because like our when we did the bigger subdivision thing, I think we had like a two and fouryear like there was certain things you could have done within the first two years and then some things that went up to like four year like it was like four years was like the cut off. Like everybody at that point has to do everything. We don't really care if you bought the property already and you'd done some proforma stuff but

I just want to make that clear. And like at the state better street, that's the whole idea. At the state and federal level, you know, some legislation takes effect immediately upon passing and some legislation doesn't take effect till the following July one. And I mean, so it's not inconsistent with things. You certainly have that option. This one will take place July 1st, 26. So suppose anything that No, no. anywhere right now tomorrow. Okay. It's all the phase in for the funding. But they have to have what I mean. They have to have their prelims done, right? Okay.

It's not usually and these dates align with our fiscal year. Yeah. Right. Okay. One of them. I just wanted to clarify that that in my own mind too that was some kind of a phas in rule that was by the state or just Two questions, George. Any further discussion? Motion back by Baker, second by Cool. Kaylin, will you call the RO? Council member Livingston, yes. M, yes. Baker, yes. Brown, yes. Cool. Yes.

All right, that motion or that resolution passes. So, um, item 8 C, a resolution approving a parking waiver for the Dun Industrial Condominium. There is a sports user that's going in at the condominiums. They've indicated that the facility will be a training location and not used for tournaments. Using it as a sports facility bumps up the parking requirements quite a bit. However, since they're only going to hold practices there, the only would like the owner would like that parking waiver to reduce the amount of required parking stalls. As a point to consider, the council can put some conditions on the waiver. So, if the owner does try to hold a tournament, the parking waiver would be removed, for instance. So, Luke,

yes. Um, it just says Luke. I don't get a paras.

That's fine. That's fair. I would default to him, too. Um, okay. So, in 2024, we approved the site plan that's on the screen. Uh, that's just one page of it. Um, that site was for two 19,000t buildings that were identified as multi-tenant office warehouse. Um, that site also included drive aisles, loading docks, and parking. Um, they were required to have 54 parking stalls and their site plan shows a total of 58. Um, as of today, they built the built the north half of the site that's on the screen here. So, they built the northern building, um the drive that goes around it, the all of the loading dock parking area back behind that one, um and then uh the the area in red is uh 27 parking stalls that they have um built as of today. Uh this fall we were proposed by the owner and uh the idea that they had a business that wanted to locate there um to use the facility as a basketball facility. Um if you go up one um screen Oh, you got it there. Uh so that's two full courts and one half court and then a the far end is like a um training room like weights and stuff. Uh

this is I'm sorry [clears throat] to interrupt you but this is the whole 1900 this is the whole building. Okay.

Yep. So the entirety of the building would take up with this use. Um so that is a change a use change. So we originally evaluated the site plan as office warehouse. This now becomes recreation. So there's a change there which would um require additional parking and other things. when we run it through our stuff, we end up with um uh 101 parking stalls is what would be required if that thing was being built as a recreation facility. So, similar to when we did our fieldhouse, we had that calculation, did the same calculation here. Um they've requested to reduce that to the 27 parking stalls that's currently on site. um partly because they uh have represented us that they don't plan on using it the same way that we do our fieldhouse or or some of these other facilities. It's going to be more a membershipbased business um where they won't be doing those larger uh events. So, um we tried to think of some ways that we could come up with a number that made sense. Um one of the thing the building code lets us do is limit occupancy of a building. Um, so you figure out the maximum occupancy and you say, "Okay, we're going to limit it to this." And we we do that all the time for uh somebody that uh isn't going to use something that would require like 20 bathrooms. Well, look, I I'm only really going to have need for five bathrooms. So, we can do some limited occupancy things there and stuff. So I included in the staff report there at the bottom um just some uh calculations on uh if they limited uh occupancy which they suggested to us uh limiting it to 120 occupants. Um and that would put it to a 32 parking stall requirement if you do all that math. Um so that was relatively in line with the 27. We decided to just bring the 27 um waiver forward. There is a lot of extra space. Um PNC had a lot of discussion about the ex the pavement that's out there today and the ability

for that extra pavement to um be potentially used for parking. Um so ultimately PNC did meet at December 8th um discussed all of that. Um did feel like there was um additional space that they could do extra parking if they needed to in those loading bay areas. Um and so they went ahead and recommended approval of the waiver. um staff analysis wise um you know I don't have a concern with this use specifically and that um I just try to look more long-term we're going to have a facility there and it gives me a little bit of pause that you know who's the second third fourth user there and what does that put us in um if somebody decides to start running it that we we're not aware of and we don't always know when businesses change over and then you know some Saturday afternoon have 200 cars parked out on Madison. Um, and then that puts us just in a bad spot because now we got to react to that because they've limited occupancy, but they're violating that. But do you go shut down a tournament and all that? I don't think that's a problem right now, but that might be a cons consideration of a condition or something that you might want to put on that waiver um related to future uses or any of that stuff. So, with that, uh, answer any questions. Now, can a waiver be granted to a specific business rather than property?

Believe in the past Jim has said that it runs with the land. Um, so I think you would have to maybe restrict it to like a certain type of use like you know if we're that waiver go away. I think Jackie mentioned it when introducing the item that you know maybe a waiver to allow it but if they do operate a tournament there then the waiver disappears, right? like um that's probably the way to do it because then that covers everybody, not just the current user. So, and could we go even further and say maybe not just if they hold a tournament, but if they have, you know, occupancy over a certain number, because Sure.

So, here's my concern, right? Two full courts. So, right, I don't play basketball. I don't particularly like basketball. I don't know offense to anybody, but right figure Thank you. If we figure 10 people on a team and one court that's 20 people plus coaches and parents and on another court that's 20 people plus coaches and parents and then you got a half court for I don't know all the other people. So, right, I just if you have younger kids, it's not usually a drop off situation. Parents come and stay. So, now you have

twice that amount of people. I just feel like 27 spots is not enough for for no tournaments. I don't feel like 27 spots is enough. Um, but I do feel better if we say, okay, if you go if you have more than I don't know 100 people then the waiver is invalid. I mean I whatever that number is I don't know but I just Yeah. I don't know that tournament is the word that I think should regulate it. I'm not trying to micromanage but I think right what matters is how many people are there. Sure.

Right. And if you have a tournament you still generally have the people who are playing at the time and then they leave and somebody else comes. There's a little bit of overlap. Um, so I'm actually a little bit less concerned about the term tournament than I am about the number of people. Okay. Who came up with the 120 number? The MVP Sports when we were uh working with them on trying to figure out a way to to make this make sense. Um, we suggested, well, if we limited occupancy, what would you limit it to? And so the 120 is the number from the company that they feel like they wanted. I believe one of their emails they felt like that was more well more than they needed. So

where would the extra parking? So on the site plan above um you've got the parking that's up there and then you got an aisle drive aisle that comes down the east side of the building and then one that comes back to the south of it and there's all those kind of hatched areas. Yeah. Um in between the two buildings, Luke. Um Mhm. cuz that second building's not built yet and the the south parking uh drive is not built yet. Um right up next to the building there's all those hatched areas, right?

Um those are the loading bays with overhead doors and then the blank spots next to those would be available to be striped for parking. So I mean just guessing at that you could probably do four four to five per spot between each of those hashed areas. So you could potentially get another 20 to 25 parking stalls on the south side. Okay. So one of the things that you said was the other building's not there yet, but if we approve this waiver unless we have a an end date, the building will be built at some point, right? And the waiver still in place. Yep. Um and I don't

is is this middle section, this loading bay section, is it paved differently? Um, it's probably actually a thicker pavement than the other area just because for a loading expensive in the scheme of things to stripe it for parking. No, it wouldn't be it wouldn't get us 101, but it would get us more but it would get us more. Yep. Which they from the P&Z discussion I believe were willing to do. Um, PNZ ended up approving it with the 27 just knowing that that was an option if it became an issue. Um, so I think and I believe the the owner of the property was agreeable to that. So, if you wanted to send it to a bigger number and we can communicate back to them, hey, we want you to stripe that area, um, we could certainly work on that.

My preference is I would rather have it done than if it becomes a problem because then we have to police it. Sure. Right. And it just it's a it's a headache to do it afterwards. And if it's I mean it would be different if they had to pave and it would be a huge cost increase. Not that much more expensive to stripe it. Yep. So that's Mike. Did I understand it right that if if everything goes south and uh and this had to be turned back into warehouse and office that is super hot right now on the market. The 58 stalls is that what was originally required for the warehousing office? Okay, I'm good.

I think the other piece of this too is like uh was talking what Jackie mentioned is looking at the overall occupancy numbers because that'll probably you know control a number of vehicles you're so in your discussions with them out there right you might consider discussing maximum number and you you mentioned that you might discuss with them the striping of the other areas to add you know some available parking right I I I think that you did discuss number right which is 32 spots.

32 is what I calculated and they were asking to just use the existing 27.

So and 32 is at a occupancy of 120. Um the the draft resolution that I prepared does kind of have all those numbers in it. So just something to be aware of when we're approving things or if you want to table something to have us tweak the them to the actual numbers, we can do that. Um my math though basically like if if you want them to be to require more stalls it's basically.263 263 stalls per occupant. Right? So if you say, "Well, 120, we we're worried that that's not really going to be enough to that." You could say, "Well, we want you to limit to 150." And then I can do the math real quick and tell you what that number is. Right? Like,

so have we already approved or do we not need to approve a change in use? The change in use is allowed because it's allowed in the zoning district. It's just when use changes trigger other requirements. Yeah. Okay. I just wanted to make sure. So, I feel like [clears throat] um Right. I get that it's only five more spots. I think 32 is that's the number you've calculated for 120 occupants. I think that's what ought to be right.

Okay. Well, I would recommend if if that's what you all want to recommend, um we would want to update the parking waiver resolution to 32 stalls. So, and then we can work with them to make sure we get 32 out there. I guess that's my motion. I think uh if they're if they came up with 120, you know, I don't know at what point you'd lose if to get it down to 27 where the backward math would get to 110. Yeah, something like that. I I think it's fine the way it is. They have a ton of overflow space. I don't think it's going to take leasing, I'm I'd be happy with proving it as

103 103. Got it. Yeah. I So if it's just used for practicing, I think that is sufficient. I think if they're going to go for 120, we should require the adequate number of parking. Yeah, it's not a huge deal. Then we kind of stay consistent. I Brian, your thought is the normal Jason Brown thinks. Yeah, but all they have to do is stripe one section of those for five stalls and you're done. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I a paintbrush.

I mean, but I think you're you're all right till the next building comes up. That's all I'm worried about. But then when the next building comes up, right, it's you got to change occupancy. But you'll have another shot. That might even be a office warehouse that doesn't, right? Because if the other one's an office, you don't need the extra space. That'll be their problem then because you got to maintain that lighting. I think we, you know, everybody complains all the time about not enough parking. So, let's just give them the required number of parking and it's not a hardship. It doesn't sound.

All right. So, I'm making the motion for 32 parking stops. I'll second it. All right. So, any other discussion? Any public discussion? Okay, we call the role. Member, yes. Baker, yes. Brown, yes. Yes. Livingston, yes.

All right. D, resolution approving engineering services agreement with Beanstro and Kim for the 2026 founders water main improvements project. This is the next phase of improving the water distribution center system in the founders district. Spent a lot of time talking about new growth and expanding infrastructure. This project is a great example of Norok recognizing the need to maintain and update older infrastructures. So Wayne, you summarized it very well. I'll just add we're hoping to start design as soon as possible and have construction yet in 2026. That's why it's before you tonight and not waiting for the traditional CIP approval. We're hoping to get going on right away.

And we've already budgeted this. Yes. Yep. There's money available in our accounts. Any discussion? Any public discussion? Motion by Cool. Second by Miki. Kaylin, would you call the role? Council member Baker. Yes. Brown. Yes. Yes. Livingston. Yes. Mine. Yes.

All right. Ae. A second reading of an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the city of Norwok to adopt a zoning amendment related to gates on commercial property. The zoning amendment is to allow the construction of gates and barriers along Highway 28 for businesses. We did the first reading last meeting. Luke, anything to add? Nothing for me. Sorry. [laughter] You're just right here. So, all right. any um further discussion? I know um you had some stuff last week doing

so I I uh I continue to have some stuff, but I think one thing is important to be clear with council on is I'm all for having a zoning ordinance related to this and I'm all for giving private property owners the opportunity to do this. So, let me say that. Uh my biggest concern is the aesthetics of it and particularly along Highway 28. uh to just make sure that if people are going to use gates, uh I know it sounds funny, but I I would love it if uh if the gate actually added to the aesthetic value of the property. Uh and so uh you know, spent um you know, years of my life researching gates and barriers and the aesthetics qualities of those. So, I'm I'm I'm a qualified expert there, but uh I thought it might be valuable for us to spend a little bit more time to think about that possibility uh of uh what would we what would we want the aesthetic qualifications of these gates? And and again, if you if you just think about uh it's a um you know, it's a mental experiment we're running. Uh what if we uh said, "Hey, they actually have to add to the aesthetic quality of a place in Norwalk." And so what what would that mean in terms of uh you know an ordinance and the requirements uh to fulfill it? So

I think it addresses that a little bit. Not from a like prettiness standpoint, but has to be coated, I think, with Yeah. Yeah. Some kind of coating so it doesn't rust out right away. No, it doesn't address it for me, George. Does it for you. Was it pretty? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I tried. I mean, not having rust is is a I would call that like here's the floor. not having rust, you know, unless it's made to look like rust, right? Then it's gone. [clears throat] How would uh current businesses be grandfathered in or not? This I'm thinking of the uh on I believe it's High Road and 28 the little storage facility that

is just chain link. I think just Yeah, I was going to say that's chain link. I I don't know what your idea of beautifification and and I don't know how grandfathering clauses work and think, but I think that that'd be an important thing to consider as well. Right. I'm thinking about moving. I don't Isn't that high road? No, it's not high road. Right. Right. It's on right. I was confused.

Typically, uh, things that when you make a zoning change, things that exist as long as they were done legally at the time get to continue until they're removed and then when it's something's put back, it has to meet the new code. And there's certain things that that I think about exempting uh and that would be um you know storage facilities common common places where gates have been used. But are you hesitant about No, I have no style ability. You know my idea of beautifification and yours and everybody's is going to be different. I think that's going to be very difficult.

Right. Right now though, we have certain requirements for how uh buildings are built. So I I'm asking for us to think through it a little bit more deeply in regards to gates and barriers. I suppose you could somehow tie it to what the building requirements are for the structures in that area, you know, as far as the surfacing of it or what. Yeah. I don't Yeah, I don't know quite how that look. I'm not the expert on that, but we do have people around. I'm like, I will have to become an expert. I'm like, Jason, but I will do that if we need to. So, what are we looking to do here? Right. So, do you want to table this so we can get more?

Do I have a chance to vote for big? Basically, I'm really I'm really trying to It doesn't pass with us. It's really most important that I get Brian and Jackie to say, you know, for one more meeting. I don't want to fight with Jason for very long.

I think there's value in what you're saying. I think that there ought to be some um requirement about what that fence or gate or um you know, stoppage looks like. I I don't think that that's unreasonable. Um, so I don't if we I don't have an opinion. If it gets tabled, it doesn't bother me. If it does, I don't feel like we're any imminent anything imminent coming up that require gay danger. Jackie, thanks for bringing that up because yeah, a conversation about is there anything we're going to really slow off, right,

if if we slow this up and it seemed to me it seemed to the booths that there's nothing that was going to like like we're slowing somebody up, you know, because that I wouldn't want to do that. But other than it might have impact on the one business that's coming in that technology. Yeah. You know, and I don't know what they're looking at for a timeline for that, whether that's in the spring or what. We could probably afford a couple of weeks to refer this back to the staff to take a look at it. Yeah. Come back with some recommendation. So, I would make a motion to table this. There's a motion to table it.

I'll second it. And then with that understanding that you know the staff will take a look and bring us back a recommendation act. So one meeting next meeting enough. How much time you need? I think how much time do you think you're going to need to like look in have some conversation month the second meeting in January? Second meeting again at a minimum. Will you survey the businesses that are going to put up a gate? I mean, I suppose that's part of what you I mean, if you wouldn't be the ones that are existing, I mean, that are going to be right new ones, but the ones that are existing. So, you know, if we pass this or we put up a gate

of some type, we get their input. Well, we know one business that has already said they're going to Yeah, we I tried to write the language that's before you today with the context of knowing the folks that want to put stuff up or have stuff up already and writing a code that would allow them to do what they've said they want to do. So, you know, one of them is a school that runs a plastic chain across the front of their driveway, right? which is one side of that, but it's a non-corrosive material that won't rust. Right. It's just getting above the floor. Right. Um can I just have a gly take a look at it like [laughter] that.

So, um I would say the second meeting in January, we can definitely have something for you. Um but yeah, if you want to leave it open, we might have something on the ETH if we all decide that we're geniuses with it. Thank you. So, there's a motion and second to table. Any other discussion? Uh, Palin, would you call the RO? Nebrask? Yes. Baker? Yes. You still got the board on?

All right. Adaf, final reading of an ordinance repealing and replacing chapter 35, Department of the Norwok City Code. This change is being done to update language to make it more accurately represent how the department functions today. Spirit Jackie Livingston motion. Thank you, Chief Porter. Anything else? No, ma'am. Thank you. Any council discussion, questions? Yeah, I got a second. Second. [laughter] Motion by Brown, second by Baker. Anything further? Okay, we call the role. Council member C. Yes. Livingston, yes. Baker, yes. Brown, yes. Okay. Okay. I think I've forgotten to say every time that passes.

Okay. Uh item seven, future agenda items. The purpose of this is for council to give direction to staff by way of motion to have items placed on future agendas, not for discussion of the merits of any subject matter. So, right, we had the request from NAMA. Anything else we want to do on that? Do we want to specifically talk about their request? Do we want to wait? Uh, I'd like to talk about the request. Yes.

And yeah, you know, thinking about organizations that specifically they themselves are a nonprofit organization and their work benefits Norwalk. Norwalk. Okay. Ed, you're the only one that really I'm probably fine with that. I I wish we we'd have enough water under the bridge to understand. Well, and right in theory, you could just talk about this oneoff event and not set any policy for the future, right? I mean, that's the theory. There's the other thing, Chrissa. How much does it cost to rent the space? Like, if they're thinking about doing it on a Saturday, what's the cost of

On a Saturday, it's $65 per court per hour, and there's four courts, so it depend. Well, in pickle ball, I guess I need to look up the specific rates. We have different pickle ball. If somebody can do quick math, like what is that then for the day? 260 per hour based on the basketball court rate, which would be the full facility. So like $1,000. What? For about four hours. So here's here's you know, I have two thoughts about that. One, I don't think we're not supposed to talk about it. We're just supposed to talk about Right. You're not supposed to talk about the merits of it, right? Thanks, Jack. We're gonna ask for it to be on agenda in the majority. Those who will be here in the future say yes. Yes. So yes. Okay. Got that? Yes. All right. Anything else?

No.

All right. Council inquiries and staff updates. Um All right. So we will start with the outgoing Mr. Baker. I would like to say I am very uh honored and feel very privileged to uh help with Norwok and the community and serving with you guys. You absolutely make this pleasure. I will miss this so much. Uh you as a staff really makes our job easier, a lot easier. I have learned so much and you guys have tempered your eye rolls when I ask for the definition of an acronym as usual. Um, but anyway, yes, I'm really gonna miss it.

You still stop by after the Oh, I probably will be in May. [clears throat] George, I'll pass. Ed.

Well, we passed our budget there at the uh waste management and uh we anticipate a $71 million income over this next year. And uh we're able to reduce the budget a little bit. We didn't add any staff over the year. So, we're not we don't plan on adding any staff. And uh we will have a minimal increase in our uh costs as you it's uh make sure make sure it's telling you right here 2.7% uh increase in the rate for a solid waste and uh then it's uh 3.1% for the curve of recycling rates. That'll be the green and it's significantly less because we use the east facility. The west facility they did a cost estimation of those communities in the west considerably and uh it just worked out that was the cost analysis of being able to operate that facility. Anyway, other than that, that's all I have, ma'am.

All right. Thank you, Luke Paris. Um, yeah. So, as of today in December, we have 17 housing permits. So, that puts us up to 220, which is right at our average. So, that's good. Um, maybe we'll get a few more next week. We'll see if people want to build houses over Christmas. Um, that's all I've got other than thanks to Gi Jackie and Brian for your service and it's been nice working with you. Thank [clears throat] you. All right, Carrie. Nothing. Wayne,

I just want to say thanks for the subdivision standards improvement. That's something a great value to the city. Um, so council proud for making that change. We'll still have some issues, but I think a lot of our issues can go away and we'll see some a lot, like I said, a lot of value in that. Thank you. That's it. Nothing tonight. Thank you, Chief Tony. Chief Tony I just want you point to about the design standards too. I think something that we will recognize the benefits for long term. So really really excited about about that and also thanks to Jackie Bryant for your service.

Um CS with carts was a tremendous success. Um, you all know that already, but I just want to say it publicly. Um, 8,615 pounds of food and about $4,500 in cash so they can buy fresh meat, eggs, and milk when they need it. Um, and one and so that's a lot. That's really a lot a lot a lot. But one thing I would just want to put in perspective is that um during the event, some of the things that we do is we spend some of the money that we take in there at Fairway and deliver food down. That's part of the 8,615 pounds. And I took one of the new officers out and we picked up boxes of Hamburger Helper. And we figured out how much they were per box. And you know, I have a budget in mind of what we'll spend of the cash we take in. And we put 144 boxes of Hamburger Helper in a cart. And the officer said, "Wow, this is like a whole lot of food. I mean, are you sure we want to buy this much?" And I said, "Yes, we want to buy this much because although it's 144 boxes, they'll serve 125 families next week and this will be gone if they choose to give Hamburger Helper out next week." I say, "And we're not buying the hamburger that goes with it." So3.99, 5.99 a pound, whatever it is. And so it's a lot, but it's really not. So while it's really fun and and makes you feel good to to rally the community together to put that much food in the food pantry, it really never goes that [clears throat] much food every three weeks all year long. So if you're looking for something to contribute to, the NAMA in the food pantry ministry is an excellent choice. That's all.

All right, Jean Kelly, the only thing I have is to say thank you to you and Brian. It's been a pleasure working with you. Ollie,

I won't get emotional about you guys leaving, but we are very grateful that we've had you here for so many years because it's just been um just an amazing change in this community since you've been here. Been a huge part of that. Um we're really going to miss you. We know we have a couple good council members coming in, but I told Jackie your issues just can't be filled in certain ways and we're I'm very very grateful. And on your last year going out, just a couple little nuggets as we're finalizing year-end reports and all the stats that'll come out in January, which just so you know, helped with 23 new businesses open their doors in Norwok in 2025. We've added estimated 350 new jobs to our local market. Over 300,000 square feet of new commercial industrial space either open, broke ground or announced. It's a lot of new tax base for the community. And then Norwalk is in the news 340 times. So those are all positive stories. So thank you and congratulations.

Uh Carissa, I won't try and follow that. Thank you [laughter] Straville. Just thank you on behalf of the library staff and the board of trustees. We really appreciate your service, Lindsay. Thank you to both of you. It's been awesome to work with. Okay. I really feel like I'm okay if you want to. You are welcome. Anything. All right. Sorry, Kaitlin. I assign that. Kaitlin. Uh D.

Thank you. Thank you. Uh, huge for me coming on with no experience to be able to have you two there every week. Huge. And I'm also very concerned about initially how do we replace some of this. Super excited for Kelsey. Uh, also excited for Angie or Andy. But yeah, thank you. It was a pleasure sitting next to you, Jackie. Um, I got an email from Luke, several of us did, and I just for your enjoyment, Luke put the words interesting and wastewater flow almost back to back. And for a kid who is still junior high male at heart, um, that was glorious to get that email. I did not think I would hear interesting wastewater flow and Luke was being serious. It was interesting to know.

You're going to deal with the sewer a lot. Yeah. Yeah. Sewer is a big deal. Uh let's see. That felt like there was one more thing I wanted to notice. Oh, Jackie, our girls basketball team is undefeated and third ranked. Thank you for updating that. That's awesome. So, like I thought you [laughter] That's it. I think I think I don't have any stuff. I wasn't going to say anything, but I have something that just made me think of it. My son joined the Norolk wrestling team. Oh, yeah. All right. There you go.

Senior year, he decides to go to wrestling. What a perfect transition from gymnastics, right? Actually, pretty good. That's all I have.

Thank you. Uh well, I would just like to say uh that it's been a long and somehow very short 12 years. Um it's been a blessing uh and very fulfilling to be part of this community and to serve it in this capacity. Um, as I look around the room, um, I think there's maybe three people who outlast me. Um, who who predate me, right? Luke Paris was here before me. Barely terribly like three months. [laughter]

Had a hand in Wayne's getting hired, had Staples getting hired and Holly and Jean and um was here when we uh hired uh Deanster and Kim to be on full-time and when we hired uh Jim to be our full-time attorney and um through three chief fire chiefs and got best. Um so I'm just uh and second library uh also the best. Um Carissa, you're gonna be great. I'm sure you are. [laughter] Um so anyway um from uh getting Ragbr here and having a very successful run with RagBry in Norwok, we had a lot of great positive comments. I was really proud of that. All my involvement with Kosovo and the ability to be able to go and and be such an active part of that partnership. Um Norwok Central of course is something I'm super proud of. Um, my only failure IV and as far as I'm concerned [laughter]

I don't think that's your just sell us the land back and get the heck out of that for the record. Seconded. [laughter] So with that, if there's nothing further, can I get a motion to adjurnn? Motion second. All right. All in favor say I. I. I. Same. We are adjourned. Please come to Fairway Franks and have a drink with us.