City Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, everyone. Welcome to the Monday, February 16th edition of the finance meeting. Can I get a roll call, please? Uh, Mr. Schmidt here. Mr. Salamanca here, and Mr. Simon here. All right. Can I get an approval? Mr. Mr. Chair, I would like to approve the agenda as proposed and approve the minutes of the February 2nd, 2026 Finance Committee meeting as proposed. Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. All in favor? I opposed. Okay, motion carries. Uh, travel request, please.

Uh, Mr. Chairman, I for whatever reason am not able to see that on my screen, so I would defer to council member uh Aoya. I' I've looked at all that, but I' I'd have him go ahead and read it all.

Okay. Mr. Roya, please. Travel requests. Number one, Wayne Castle, assistant city manager, class meeting, 89th annual SLSI, Land Service Conference. Destination Ames, Iowa. Dates March 4th through 6th, 2026. Amount not to exceed $470. Number two, officer A. Ellers and Officer Montalvo. Class meeting IA AWP. Spring conference destination Deuke, Iowa. Dates March 2nd to 3rd, 2026. Amount not to exceed $330. Number three, Steven K. Jerard, director of aviation. Class meeting, Iowa Public Airports Association Conference. Destination Deuke, Iowa. Dates April 14th through 16th, 2026. Amount not to exceed $700. Number four, Mayor Dave Bzen. Class meeting, Cedar Valley Coalition. Destination Washington DC. Dates March 3rd through 5th, 2026. Amount not to exceed $2,550. Number five, Matt Vquist and Daniel Greer. Street department directors. Class meeting 2026. APWA North American Snow Conference. [clears throat] Destination Cleveland, Ohio. Dates April 26th through 30th, 2026. Amount not to exceed $4,478. Number six, Jamie Kudson, city engineer. Wayne Castle, assistant city engineer. Matt Shindel, principal engineer. Ryan Shatik, storm water specialist. Class meeting 2026 eye storm conference destination Cedar Falls, Iowa. Dates April 22nd, 23rd, 2026. Amount not to exceed $1,60. Number seven, Steven Kajard, director of aviation and David Deeds, airport chair chairperson. Class meeting, jumpstart air service development conference destination, Chicago, Illinois. Dates June 8th through 10th, 2026. Amount not to exceed $6,614. Number eight, Jesse Gahertie, collections director, Randy Bennett, public works division manager, and Todd Gediti, John Holler, CJ Mott, and Cody Dearo, sewer maintenance. Class meeting, 29th annual AI AWEA collection system

specialty conference destination as Iowa. Dates March 5th through 6, 2026. Amount not to exceed $1,688.15. And number nine, Brad Mano, treatment director, and Ryan Anderson, Kyle Frost, and Tyler Weber, sewer maintenance class meeting, 29th annual IAWEA collection system specialty conference review and exam. Destination Ames, Iowa, dates March 4th, 2026. Amount not to exceed $400. Very good. I will second those. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Um, any discussion? No, sir.

All right. Those uh I I do have one one item to discuss and I've talked about this before and and I will be talking with maybe the council and the mayor. Um I've had some people in the past uh want to know what was being covered when these when the when the city staff goes to these meetings. We may have like pick one out every once in a while, have them come up um on the interesting ones and have them explain what was covered at some of these um expos and stuff that they went to. So, just a heads up, we may be doing that in the future just for clarification for the people that are are paying for these people to go to these conferences. So, uh I think that's a great idea.

Okay. Well, um if there's no other discussion, uh those in favor say I. I. I. I. Nay. Are those opposed? Okay, motion passes. Pre-authorization. You ready for another one? Yep. All right. Very good.

Number 10. Portable boarding ramp. Amount $92,314 plus $6,500 shipping handling. Exponential portable boarding ramp for use while the new boarding bridge is being installed. Number 11, code enforcement. Secure property amount $5,73545. expedential secure property by boarding up approximately 44 ground level windows and a glass vestible entryway of the building located at 633 Walnut Street. Cost to be charged back to the property. Number 12, Community Development Second XRF machine resource amount $4,525. Expedential resource and recalibrate the second XRF machine used to detect leadbased paint for rehabilitation and healthy homes production grant project. Number 13, engineering software renewal amount $5,778. Expedential annual renewal of design software with DT solutions. Number 14, fire occupational health services amount $3,853 expedential respiratory clearance evaluations. Number 15, leisure services plant waterlue amount $25,235. Expedenture 232 trees for the plant waterl residential tree program. Number 16, legal settlement amount $5,195. Expenditure settlement in Radian L. Jacobs versus City of Waterlue, BH County case number SCSC199358. Number 17, leisure services team shirts amount $4,879. Expedential team shirts for the Optimus baseball and softball program. Number 18, Leisure Services hats and visors amount $9,438. Expedential hats and visors for the Optimus program, T-ball and Aball. Number 19, leisure services expansion tank. Amount, $3,4056. Expedential expansion tank for hot water boiler system at Cedar Valley Sports Place. Number 20, leisure services trees and labor. Amount $11,570. Expedential 26 trees plus labor to replace dead trees in the downtown area and along Highway 63 corridor. Number

21, leisure services resurfacing of tennis courts. Amount $119,000. Expedential reservicing of 16 tennis courts and the addition of six blended pickle ball court lines on courts one through six. Number 22 MIS department Dell switch maintenance amount $3,628.30 expedential delcore switch maintenance and renewal. Number 23, police Harley-Davidson patrol motorcycles amount $5,300. Expedential one-year lease for two Harley-Davidson patrol motorcycles. Number 24, traffic operations opticom lights for ambulance service amount $15,400. expedential opticon equipment, four 764 phase selectors, and four 768 interface panels needed for ambulance service.

Very good. I would second those. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Uh, any discussion on any of those items, please, Mr. Chair? Mr. Chairman. Okay, you want me to go first, Mr. Councilman? All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. On number 11, code enforcement secure property. Can we prov get some more details as to what that means and what that looks like for that property? It says that it will be charged back to the property, but I want to make sure that the property is able to pay it if this isn't within our um if we don't own the property yet.

Is there anyone willing to speak on this item that's in the chambers? Miss Bridget. Thank you. Uh Bridget Wood, finance director. So when they say it's going to be charged back to the property, it's going to be assessed to the property. So um [snorts] at least that's what I assume they're going to do. Okay. Do you know if the city is planning to take ownership of this property or if that'd be a null question. I have no idea. [laughter] He's not he's not here. Okay. All right. Thank you, Bridget. Y

and I know from my from what I know is that this is the Mount Mariah building, uh the prior church, and

looking at the state that it's in, I believe it would behoove us to ensure that it gets covered and that we're able to secure that property. Uh, I am a little concerned that the cost is going to be charged back to the property, but if there's ways for the city to get cost back or get that back, then I will be supporting it. that would like to I just didn't know. So,

so the question I had is if there was any further question or doubt of this, what the procedure would be to delay the approval of that funding. Um, so that was the question I was asking. Um, I'm I'm I personally am not going to ask for that, but I didn't I just wanted to let that be known that that was what the discussion was. if since there was nobody here to to thoroughly answer that question for Mr. Royo, I just wanted to make sure we knew what our options may be. I appreciate that, Mr. Chair. So, um, any other questions on items 10 through Are you done with your question on that item, sir? I am done.

Uh, Mr. Schmidt, did you have any questions on that item? I I did. And yeah, on this particular one, so your conversation, I mean, what was the answer? The answer that I think we came up with in the short amount of time that we just talked um is that we can delay the the um approval of that fundature I would think.

Yeah, if you want to delay approving the expenditure um we could take a separate motion to delay it. Um but Bridget's um explanation was that the um costs to secure the property um likely would go through the assessment process which would then be the cost would go onto that property tax and then they'd be able to pay that incrementally over over a period of time in order. So it's kind of like a um it's a different way to do collections that is a little bit less burdensome to the property owner. Okay. Thank you, Kelly. Yep. Did that answer your question, Mr. Schmidt?

Well, it it does, but based on what Kelly just said, I guess my preference would be to to delay this for two weeks and have somebody come and give us a little bit better understanding of what exactly our options are there because, yeah, I hate to I hate to see that building fall into disrepair, but I don't think two more weeks is going to make any difference, and maybe somebody out there would like to step forward and and help out with that. I mean, that's just a thought. Yeah. Okay. I think the only concern likely with delaying approval is the expenditure is to secure the property. And I'm not sure what condition it's in currently, but if people are able to get into it or if it's a hazard since schools right there and there's kids around, that could be an issue to potentially take into consideration

safety issue that we're Yeah. We're trying to avoid a safety issue possibly as well. Did you background? Um, this one. I mean, with that with that information, I'm I'm not opposed to to funding it. It sounds like there's been some work put into this to figure out that we're going to try to acquire it, but that's just my opinion, but I value your guys. If if if somebody wants to make a motion, there's a second. We can do that. All right. Okay. And then I've got, assuming Hector does not, I have a question. Could we just get a little bit higher level overview on number 10 and what exactly we're getting for a temporary fix for $100,000 and is that you know where's that money coming from?

Uh yes we have somebody in the audience Sheila Combmes airport business manager. Um we are replacing the airport boarding bridge and it'll be take four to five months probably. So that will not be of use to passengers. So we are bringing we can rent a temporary bridge for about $20,000 a month or we can buy this bridge and have it as our backup for future use. And then we will charge back the $20,000 per month rent to the project. So that will be reimbursed 90% from the FA FAA. Great. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much.

Yes. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions on items uh 10 through 24. Okay. Hearing none. Um those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

Okay. Motion carries. All right. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to approve the following budget line items to be amended. Number 25, approve the budget amendment to increase restricted donation revenue line increase trees and shrubs expense line in the amount of $20,595 to budget funds received by the Young Family Foundation for the Plant Waterlue program as submitted by Leisure Services. Number 26, approve the budget amendment to increase restricted donations revenue line and and increase trees and shrubs expense line in the amount of 11,570 to cover expenses for 26 trees and labor to replace dead trees in downtown area and along Highway 63 corridor as submitted by leisure services. Number 27, approve the project budget for the school resource officer funded in part by the Cedar Valley Catholic School District in the amount of $47,500 as submitted by the police department. Number 28, approve the budget amendment to increase the state grant revenue line and increase various expense lines in the total amount of $126,500 for community development cares act two funding as submitted by community development. And number 29, approve the budget amendment to increase cash on hand revenue line and collection conser conservation expense line in the amount of $6,000 to cover art collection maintenance expenses as submitted by the culture and arts. Number 30, approve the budget amendment to increase reimburse for service revenue line and increase time and a half pay expense line in the amount of 345,000 for several police overtime projects as submitted by the police department. Number 31, approve the budget amendment to increase the cash on hand revenue line and increase building and grounds maintenance and machinery and equipment expense lines in the total amount of 150,000

to cover the cost of the temporary boarding ramp and the other anticipated expenses in the current fiscal year as submitted by the airport. and 32 approve the budget amendment to increase cash on hand revenue line and increase computer equipment expense line in the amount of $120,000 for the purchase of selfch check machines materials sorder public computers as submitted by the library and I get a second please second okay any discussion on these items okay hearing none um those in favor I I I

opposed. Okay, motion carries. Um I'd also like to make a motion to um for other committee business on the refund the request for property located at 656 Summit Avenue for charges build and air for garbage fees in the amount of $78.33. Can I get a second? Second. Okay. Those in favor? I I I

opposed. Okay. Motion carries. And then I'd like to make a motion to add the following bill payments for February 9th in the amount of $4,367,65210 and for February 16th in the amount of $879,559.88 and file and forward those to the full council. I get a second. Okay, we have a second. All in favor? I I opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Make make a motion to adjurnn, please. I to Okay, we have a motion in a second. All in favor?

I I We are ajourned. Thank you.

you to the Monday, February 16th, city council meeting. Roll call, please. Mr. Schmidt. Oh, Mr. Schmidt's m muted. Sorry. Sorry, I couldn't get my mute button. I'm here. All righty. Miss Ken Smith here. Miss Barry present. Mr. Salamanca here. Mr. Martin here. And Mr. Simon here.

Thank you. That being said, I'd like to take a moment for uh prayer or moment of silence and silent reflection prior to the meeting starting. Thank you. Tonight's pledge of allegiance will be by Deb Barry, W three council person. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge [clears throat] algiance 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.

Okay. Hey, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Simon, I'd like to make a motion to approve the agenda as proposed as well as the the approval of the minutes from the February 2nd, 2026 regular council session as proposed. Second. Have a motion, a second. All in favor? I oppose. Same sign. Motion carried. Okay. And Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon.

Um, I would like to, if it's not too late, to pull number 10 off the consent agenda to speak about that separately. Other than that, I would like to propose we make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the addition of the bill payments from February 9th in the amount of $4,367,65210 as well as the uh February 16th uh in the amount of $879,559.88.

Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second on all the items on the consent agenda except item 10. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt. Miss Kraton Smith. Yes. Yes. Miss Barry. Yes. Mr. [clears throat] Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes. All right. Mr. Simon, number 10, please.

Okay. Okay. Number 10 is a motion to receive or a motion for the resolution approving the change order CR-2026-0040 in the amount of $232,440 to the agreement with EN communications of Lyall Illinois for the Waterl Fiber project and authorizing the mayor in to execute said document. Second.

We have a motion to second. Questions Mr. Simon? Um, [snorts] I I know I know this was a a needed thing. Um, I just had some questions. Uh, if you could just clarify what it was. It was it was whoever I'm speaking with, Randy. Um, just just a generalization of what it was so we can I I know we're still well within the budget and I know there's nothing wrong with this other than it was just something that was unforeseen.

Yep. Uh, Randy Bennett, public works division manager. So um within the contract what we have is there a specification as far as not only from the contractor um to the consultants and then to the city as far as a process if they uh come into a scenario for which um a change or needs to occur. In this scenario here what we had is just a little over um uh trying to see the exact distance little over 4,000 ft. What they did is they ran into um rock uh for which they had to change their boring process. Unfortunately, there was a breakdown in communication between the contractor and um our consultant. So, they didn't necessarily follow the process. So, they switched um to do the to the board like that they needed to do. And um unfortunately, it did not come to the city. to where we could have presented that to you in the proper manner to get that change order um pre-approved before they went ahead and do the work. But after working with not only the um consultant along with the contractor um they concurred [cough] that you know it was an area which we we do know that this is an area that we have a lot of um rock face that has um hindered other projects that we have. It has been verified that we needed to do that. um had they followed the process appropriately, we would have been bringing the change order to the council to get the approval. Um because if we were to try to look at change in the design, um it would have been more cost um it wouldn't have been as cost-effective to do that. So this is something that we still would have been approved. Um but after this is um taken place, we have worked with the consultant and the consultant uh or the uh contractor to make sure that we have um [cough] uh reinforced, you know, the the measures in place to make sure that this doesn't happen again. Um there's actually been one um after this it was on Leaport uh where the process was followed um appropriately to make sure that there was pre-approved before they did the work. So unfortunately while they didn't do it um it is something we would have done it still needs to be

done to conform with that um it just unfortunately I wish the process was done appropriately so you would got pre-approval before they did the work. So so we're still just to be clear we're still on track. this doesn't set us back in any way and I mean other than the the inconvenience of what happened obviously. So yeah, no, we're still we're still on track. Um and we're still significantly under budget which is good especially when you take in consideration we've had you know um 12 additional change orders that had to do with new growth and things like that which is good. So the fact that we're still on track to meet the original timeline um I think we're doing pretty good. Mr. Mayor Salamaka.

Uh Randy, can you sounds like this was a costly like miscommunication on, you know, unfortunate, but you're telling us that this is something that won't be occurring again.

Yeah, we we do not want it to happen again. That is correct. But the the fact of the matter is the cost is still the cost would have still um happened as far as what the distance was that they needed to change the boring process that they had to do that. as far as the cost it whether they would have followed the process or not that that would have been the same. Okay. It's just unfortunately they didn't get the pre-approval before the work was performed. And as we are getting um farther into the the process, this is something that I've kind of have brought up to the mayor that you know, unfortunately there's probably going I hope there's not too many and hopefully there's not many, but um as we're getting through the towards the end of it where we've gotten through some of the railroad permitting, uh the core permitting on some of these critical areas, you know, there is some possibilities that some of this may um we'll have to get some pre-approval, you know, as they they get into some of those areas. But this specific issue though, there's been steps done to rectify it so it doesn't occur again.

Yes. Yes, there has. And and those it's already been proven because we've had one change or there was one that didn't necessarily have to come to the council um because of the the dollar amount was within the scope for which the city engineer was able to sign off on, but um they did not move forward until everything was approved. So what what they've implemented has already been put in practice and is [clears throat] is acceptable. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions from council? Mr. Mayor. Yeah, Mr. Schmidt. Uh, so Randy, if I understood you correctly, this is work that's been done, but it's not been approved. Is that what I'm hearing? That is that is correct. Yep. Okay.

And it is work that needed to happen. So, what happens if we don't approve? If we don't approve it. Um, yeah. You know, I I would highly advise not doing that because I mean, this is work that actually needed to take place. This can have a negative impact um potentially on the contract because it is it is work that um needed to be performed. Um I know for waterl fiber um it could be potentially devastating. And I don't know what their process would be as far as what they would want to do because uh this this [clears throat] could have an impact on how the the contractor moves forward.

I mean, it is a large enough amount that I'm not sure that they would just not go without being compensated for that. I would highly advise not not doing that. Okay. And and the reason I bring that up is I seem to remember during the campaign last fall, there was a conversation about things being done and then getting approval afterwards. And so it it and I haven't been on the council for six years, so I'm not sure what's been the mode of operation for the last six years, but seems like that has become more common than

should be. So that's why I asked. And then the other question I have is did I understand somebody to say that this is one of multiple change orders that are increasing the costs. Um so currently right now we have um I guess I I'll just to give you some stats. So considering we have just a little over 700, sorry about that, we have just a little over 706 miles of um conduit in the ground and right now uh we have 40 change orders, five of them that are going to be coming down the pike. Um primarily because as we're getting the the permitting for um the railroad and uh some of these core processes that it's taken a long time to be able to get those approved. So when you when you consider the fact that we have that many miles of conduit in the ground and we're only at 46 change orders 12 of those like I said has to do with the fact that because of new development. So when we originally put this plan in um out there you know this was development that we didn't even know was going to be taking place and it's also on on the request of water fiber because we're able to provide more services um like for instance Paradise Estates um North Crossing out by the mall. I mean we've had a lot of developments expanded. So, these are positive things, but we want to make sure that we're able to provide that service to them. But, we also had some other change orders. One of them we had a hit and run that um was uninsured that we had to make the repair. Um so, that was kind of one of those. So, when you look at the magnitude of the scope of this and the fact that we're only at 46 um or 45 I should say shape. Uh once we get these next five going through, I think that's pretty good. I think we've um we've had a pretty good plan working with engineering, planning, finance, public works, you know, as far as trying to do this when you look at the magnitude of what we've done. Um but unfortunately, anytime you have something of this size, you are going to

run into things that needed to for change orders on that. So, I think overall I think we're doing pretty good. Okay. Can you tell me what's the dollar amount of the 45 change orders? Um ballpark I don't need an exact number but ballpark figure.

Yeah. So for the net decreases I think that one I had written down. Um it's just been a little bit over 2.8 million in um in a deduction in the overall con on on the contract. I'd have to get back to you on what the the increases are. Um that one I I should have got that number, but I did not. So I have to apologize on that. But I can I can definitely um follow back up with you and get that to you. But but you're but you're inferring that with these 45 change orders if I and again I apologize I'm remote but the dollar amount of those 45 change orders is still under budget. So we had apparently a significant amount of expected change orders in the original budget. Is that what I'm hearing? Because I've never seen a budget so I don't know.

Okay. Yes. So for what the uh original estimate was um we were um several million under and then there was also some value engineering and some changes that we did um within the process that also brought the cost down. Um just to give you some example for downtown uh to give an example uh public works had some fiber for which we already had into the ground for which we were able to do some cost savings there to where we were able to put some of that um within our existing condent you know to save some of the cost. Uh we also got a ADA grant um which was able to offset some of that um which was um to be able to reduce some of that. There was also some material and vault um [clears throat] differences at the very beginning that we were able to save a pretty substantial amount on on reducing some of that cost. But then like I said where we've added the 12 different you know like one of them it's roughly 160 new uh residents that wasn't a part of the original design just because it was in private property. Waterlue Fiber kind of wanted to make sure that we were able to um provide that because that's additional revenue. Um so some of these it you know and the city working with Waterl Fiber and trying to uh to do that. Yes. While these are additional cost, we're still millions under um the projected cost of what this is and still staying on the same timeline what we originally set even though the fact that we have 12 additional locations that weren't even any of the original plan. So, um, considering the magnitude of what this project is, you know, it is going to be the largest public fiber utility in the state, I I think we're we're doing really well.

Thank [snorts] you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Cradon Smith.

Yes. Um, so Randy, can you clarify the statement that councelor um Steve Schmidt made is that that we were in a habit of approving things after the fact? Could you clarify that, Miss Communication? Uh yeah and I don't know I guess I can specifically talk about like this one now you know this definitely was an error um but even though it was an error when you look at the the whole scope of it we still would have submitted this um to have the approval I mean this this is an intric point that connects areas that not only is for the backbone which will be the cities but also water fiber to be able to provide their service. So, you know, while the process wasn't followed and um we've worked very closely with not only the consultant and that to make sure that they're doing it, um so I I think he he's definitely right. I mean, this is stuff that we don't want to happen and and we've made it very clear, you know, we don't want this to continue going forward,

but unfortunately it's h I mean, I can't I wish I could undo it, but I you know, so is this the first time this has happened? I missed this. Well, no, it's I think it's happened in other areas. I can't necessarily speak to as far as as far as this one. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions from council? Thank you, Mr. Bennett. Uh, roll call vote on number 10, please. [clears throat] Mr. Schmidt. So, let me ask one other question, Mr. You can't ask another question, sir. We're on We're voting. Okay, then then Okay, then I'm going to vote no. Miss Graten Smith. Yes. Miss Barry, yes.

Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes.

Passes five to one. Thank you. We have a number of uh appointments and u new boards and commission members. And we'll do the u appointments for uh employment first. We have Hunter Daily um position of solid waste technician and sanitation department. We have Walker Z, park maintenance 2, crew leader for leisure services. We have Nicholas Chisel, golf maintenance 2 at leisure services department. And we have Scott Shannon, position of downtown area maintenance 2 in the leisure service department. Is any are any of these people here tonight? Please stand. Well, thank you for for uh all you do and and continuing to work for the city of Wateroo. On under boards and commissions, we have Don Hopper, uh, community development board, a new appointment. We have Alexander Huttle, a new appointment for historic preservation. We have, uh, Darlington Deba, uh, human rights commission, is a new appointment. We have Tom Christensen, who is the Leisure Service Commission, a new employment. We have Tim Moses, leisure service commission of renewal. Allison Allison Richtor, the leisure service commission renewal, a renewal. Uh Laur Lori Eberhard, Main Street Waterlue Board, new. Michelle Simon to the Main Street Waterlue Board, a new appointment. Jennifer Nance to the Main Street Waterlue board uh new appointment. Zack Hansen to the Main Street Waterlue board, new appointment. Philip Sher, planning and zoning. That's a renewal. Theodore Ted Baitman, telecommunication boards, a renewal. And Heidi, uh wearing Wrington, Veterans Memorial Commission, a new appointment. And I know a few of those are in the stands, especially Heidi. Would you please stand if your name was called [applause] and I want to personally thank you for for serving on our boards and

commissions because it's a it's they're vital to the uh to how we do business in the city of Wateroo with our leisure services and the veterans memorial and main street water board. Really appreciate your dedication and service to the city of Wateroo. Thank you. Public hearings. Who wants to take number one? Mr. Men Smith. Okay. Mr. Mayor, I move that we um motion that we receive and file proof of publication of notice of public hearing for the demolition and site clearance services contract number D-2026-02-08B.

Second. There's a motion and a second for number one. All in favor say I. I. Opposed? I. Uh, the hearing is now open. Does anybody from the public wish to speak to the demolition site clearance contract

besides Mr. David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. Uh, I notice on a a lot of these things it doesn't say where it is other than a street a street address or uh but it's kind of vague to me. I'd like to see more detail when you guys do these demolition things. Thank you. What What more would you want besides a street address? Well, kind of an area of town. That would be nice. Northeast, southwest, whatever.

Okay. I I know if it would be mine because I know my address, but I don't know these addresses, so it doesn't tell me what part of town it's in. I appreciate it. Thank you, sir. Any other comments from the from the public? Mr. Greatton Smith. Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I move that we close hearing and receive and file oral and written comments. Second. There's a motion to second. All in favor? I I oppose. Miss Greatton Smith. Mr. Mayor, I move that we adopt a resolution confirming approval of plan, specifications, form of contract, etc., and authorizing to proceed. Second.

Okay. Motion in a second. Uh, roll. Actually, does council have any questions concerning this particular public hearing? No. Okay. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt. Yes. Miss Greatton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Great Smith. Mr. Mayor, I move that we receive, file, and instruct the city clerk to read bids. Actually, I jump over please. Resolution of confirming approval of plan specification. We want to read the biz first.

Um, Yeah, let's we'll read the bids first. Okay, Miss Felley. Um, should we have a second on that? Second. Okay, thank you. Sorry.

Okay, our bids, uh, our engineers estimate was $115,000. Our first bidder was Tom Excavating and Grading of Leaport City, Iowa. They provided 5centent security. Their bid amount was $95,550. Our second bidder was Layman Trucking and Excavating Incorporated of Water, Iowa. They provided 5% security. Their bid amount was $93,69. Our third bidder was D. Carlo Demolition Company of De Moine, Iowa. They provided 5% security. Their bid amount was $187,025. Our next bidder was DW Zenzer Company Incorporated of Walford, Iowa. They provided 5% security. Their bid amount was $161,450. And then our final bidder was Walker Reclaim and Demo of Iowa Falls, Iowa. They provided 5% security and their bid amount was $116,250.

Oh, beeped myself. I'll give you another seven seconds. I'll read faster. All right. All right. Um, that's great Smith.

Mr. Mayor, I move that we uh adopt a resolution approving the award of bid to Leman Trucking and Escavating Inc. of Waterlue, Iowa in the amount of $93,69 approving the contract bond and certificate of insurance in conjunction with the militian and site clearance services contract number D-220 2026-02-08P and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said documents. Second motion to second. Roll call vote, please. All right. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Clayton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon,

yes. Who wants to take number two public hearings? Want everybody at once? M. Mr. Mayor, I I move that we receive and file proof of publication of notice of public hearing for the request by the city of Waterl to vacate an approximately 72,145t platted easement located west and north of 2320 West Airline Highway to allow for future development. Second motion to second. All in favor? I I

opposed. Same sign. Uh hearing is now open. Anybody in the audience like to speak for or against this item? Hearing none, Miss Kraton Smith. All right, Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I move that we close the hearing. And let's see. Motion to close the hearing and receive and file or written comments and recommendation of approval of the planning planning programming and zoning commission. Second, there's more to read.

Okay, I'm just open the second page here. Motion in a second. Uh council, any any comments or questions on this? hearing none. Roll call vote. Oh, we were just on closing hearing. So just voice. Oh, okay. All in favor? I. All oppose. Okay. Motion carried. Great Smith. Yes. I move to receive, file, and consider and pass for the first time.

Mr. An ordinance approving a request by the city of Waterlue to vacate an approximately 72,145 square foot platted easement located west and north of 2320 West Airline Highway to allow for the future development. Second motion in a second. Council, any questions? Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Gratton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Mr. May, I move that we suspend the rules. Second. Motion a second on the floor.

Mr. Schmidt. Uh, I've got a question. Timeliness. Mr. Anderson. D Anderson, community planning development director. There's no uh speed on this. Thank you. Okay, we're back to roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Miss Katon Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Well, we'll see this in two weeks. Who wants to take one, two, and three in the resolutions, please? Mr. Mayor,

Mr. Salamanca. [sighs] Number one, resolution approving wages for years four and five of the 2023 2028 collective bargaining agreement with the AFSCME Council 61 local 1195 and authorizing the mayor and human resources director to execute said documents. Second. One, two, and three. Number two, sorry.

Resolution approving a professional services agreement with AECOM Technical Services Incorporated of Waterloo, Iowa in the amount of $26,800 in conjunction with the replace upgrade ALCMS airfield lighting control and monitoring system FAAP grant 3-19-000094-061 and authorizing the mayor to execute said document. Number three, resolution approving a natural gas facilities construction reimbursement agreement with the Mid-American Energy Company of De Mo Iowa in the estimated amount of 1,389,880 in conjunction with the gas main extension of service WARP fifth edition and authorizing the mayor to execute said document.

Second. Motion in a second. Anybody from the audience have any questions about resolutions one, two, and three? Seeing none, councel, any questions? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Salamaka, on number three, could we get a breakdown as to what this implies to the general public?

Jamie Kudson, city engineer. Uh, what you have before you is an agreement for Mid American to extend more gas out to the warp site. Um, currently with everything that's been developed that's out there and with international paper going in there, we are dangerously close to using up all of our existing gas supply out there. So, in order to continue filling or being able to fill the existing lots that are out there, plus to develop warp fifth, which was probably becoming next year, um, we need to install this new natural gas line. We're doing it at this time because we've and you'll have additional projects coming or an additional project coming to you in the near future for installing sanitary and and storm sewer outlet from that area. Um we had to design getting the water sanitary to warp and this was just easy to be able to design it and get it into this location. But again, we want to make sure that we have enough gas out there for new businesses that will be locating out there.

Thank you. Mhm. Mr. Kudson, we we also, correct me if I'm wrong, but as businesses come online and start using gas, will we be getting some rebate back from Mid-American Energy? Yes, we do. To help pay that then and the amount of gas that International Paper's going to use is probably help with those rebates. Consider International Paper paid for their own additional gas made out there. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, sir. All right. No other questions on one, two, and three. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Smith. Yes. Miss Kraton Smith. Yes. Miss Barry. Yes. Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes. Who would like to take four, five, and six? Mr. [clears throat] Mayor.

Great Smith. I move that we adopt resolution four approving addendum number four to professional services agreement with Robinson Engineering Company of Independence Iowa originally executed April 5th 2021 in the amount not to exceed $10,000 in conjunction with fiscal year 2022 North Crossing area study contract number 1050 and authorizing mayor and city clerk to execute said document resolution five approving a connected building services agreement with train technologies in the amount of $12,640 for a one-year on-site inspection and calibration of CO- NO2 sensors for the public works facility and authorizing mayor to execute said document. And then resolution six approving amendment number one to the professional services agreement with Strand Associates of Madison, Wisconsin, originally executed on January 5th, 2026 to replace number one in its entirety and change item number two in conjunction with the design bidding and construction related services for the 2025 wastewater treatment plant raw wastewater pumping building rehabilitation project and authorizing the mayor to execute documents. doument document

second. Got a motion and a second. Does anybody from the public wish to address numbers four, five, and six? Seeing no one council, any questions for the following ones? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Salamanca.

Uh, Mr. Could we have somebody explain how this is going to for number six the reasoning behind this professional service agreement and all the background information for those folks who may or may not know and in the name of transparency to ensure that individuals understand the investment and commitment the city of Wateroo has to its wastewater and treatment plant. Uh Randy Bennett, public works division manager. Yeah. So originally what we had the agreement was is um we have a um compromised wall at the raw wastewater building for which we um assist the service for strand um to help us work on rectifying that. In the process of doing that, um, as we started moving forward, we also had a faulty hatch that, um, in the process of having that having them evaluate this that we also wanted to incorporate into that because it's corroded now. It's actually an open void, which um, we want to get that and it's going to need some structural um, professional services to to make sure that we do that um, appropriately. So, with part of doing that um, that's what this change order is. And then in the process of doing that is going to inquire um additional um follow-up [clears throat] services do the do the inspections. So it's going to go from um two to four. So and then this is right at the main headworks of the building which is or into the plant I should say which is a critical component of it. Um it's all kind of critical but this is one that um definitely is we need to make sure that it is operable because it could have a very devastating impact if it was to falter. So, this is a critical investment in our future and in our infrastructure then.

Uh, this is going to be more of a repair um for future improvements down the road. But yes, this is just to make sure that we can get it to to that point. Thank you, Randy. Yep. Any other council questions? I just had a quick one on number four for Mr. Kudson. Uh, in the in the council uh information, one of the reasons for this, it said the detention pond will not drain properly. Who's responsible for that? why that's not draining properly.

Jamie Kudson, city engineer. So, this has been a joint project between the city and the north crossing developer. Initially, are you generally speaking the soils on the eastern side of town are more sandy and we expected it to infiltrate at a very specific rate um once and the design was based on that. So once we got into that and got it constructed, it is just not draining what we expected and what we tested it on initially. So at this point, the only way to get it to drain and get that basin to empty is to install a lift station. And this is still being covered under the development agreement that we have with the folks that are developing North Crossing.

Very good. Thank you, sir. We have a motion in a second. Roll call vote, please, on four, five, and six. I apologize. Sorry. No, you're fine. Uh Mr. Schmidt. Yes. Miss Greatton Smith. Yes. Miss Barry. Yes. Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes. 789. Who wants to take that? Mr. Mayor.

No. Mr. Simon. I'd like to uh approve the following resolution approving a professional services agreement with ACOM of Waterl Iowa in the amount of $848 $484,800 in conjunction with the Waterlue sanitary sewer system improvements airline highway lift station force main and sanitary sewer and authorizing the mayor to execute said document. Number eight, a resolution establishing a metropolitan transit authority how to ride signage policy for the city of Wateroo. And number nine, a resolution approving an amendment to develop to development agreement and minimum assessment agreement with Crossroads Realy LLC dated January 5th, 2026 to amend the legal description and instruct the mayor and city clerk to execute said document.

Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Anybody from the public wish to address seven, eight, or nine? Seeing none, council, any questions on those three? Mr. Mayor, it's Kraton Smith, could we have um Noah talk a little bit about the how to ride uh signage um and what that entails, what that means. Mr. Anderson

Nol Anderson, community planning development director, and the city staff has been working with Intercog and Met um primarily through the traffic department for a partnership to to put up some new signs. We actually have Nick Frzy here from Intercog to kind of go over the details of it.

Nick, do you have can you state your name and maybe the Intercog? Nick Fratzky, Iowa Northn Regional Council of Governments, 229 East Park Avenue, Waterl, Iowa. Thanks for having me. Uh, so to to your question, uh, Councilwoman Smith, um, Kraton Smith, uh, this, uh, came about, uh, through several planning studies that we've done. uh one of which being the passenger transportation plan that gets updated every five years for the metropolitan planning organization which waterl is a part of. Um a lot of the public input um kind of identified an issue with uh many of the potential riders not really understanding exactly how the Metransit system operates. Um, and just kind of as a as an opportunity to uh to address the general public on this, uh, Metransit is actually a uh flag down service for anyone who is not uh not aware of that. So there are technically no, uh, no official bus stops. Um so in an effort to uh you know provide opportunities for the general public to understand that um we uh we got together with Randy Bennett um uh and and David Stur and the and the board at Metransit to kind of develop a signage plan um that we would um you know that I guess we're introducing um here to to place on uh you know existing signage structures um so as not to you create signage pollution and issues and things like that. Um opportune areas um where there may be a lot of heavy foot traffic. Um areas that align with the existing routes for Metransit to um you know give a better idea of how that operates. Um one of the things that would be included on that sign would be

uh a QR code. um you know given the you know the idea that not everyone is going to uh be familiar with the English language that would be posted on that sign but that QR code would give them the opportunity to then um you know use a device um to that would then uh direct them to to uh translation services and things of that nature. So the signage is really supposed to be uh pretty small and very much to the point. Um, so, uh, I guess that in a nutshell is kind of how that all came came about. Mr. Mayor, are you done with ma'am? Yes. Thank you, Mr. Salamanca. Nick, good to see you. Good to see you.

I did want to follow up with that. How is Met Transit going to be tracking the success of the program? And in addition to that, would it make It sounds as if the understanding of how to ride Met Transit continues to be an issue. would it make more sense just to have bus stops?

You know, one of the challenges, so I guess I'll I'll back up a little bit for the uh kind of the tracking. Um the idea with being able to assess, you know, what um what kind of I guess uh viewership there was um would be within that landing page would be uh the ability to track how many people have actually utilized that. So, um, but then, um, you know, this may be something that I might defer to Mr. Anderson to, but, the way I understand it is that with any location that is designated as an official bus stop, it needs to be 100% ADA compliant. Uh, and it also needs to be um, you know, addressed during any uh, weather events. So, if there were ice, anything like that. So, um, you know, again, not being a city employee, that's my understanding of why there are currently not designated bus stops. Um, just the challenges that that kind of presents.

Thank you. Sure. And also, sir, that when net realign and changes their route, that's another issue because we don't have all of a sudden we have route changes that they move over two blocks. Correct. And then we have issues with that because we don't have that ability to do that. Any other questions? Thank you. Thanks, Nick. Appreciate your time. You bet. Uh, roll call vote on 789, please. Mr. Schmidt? Yes. Miss Katrin Smith? Yes. Miss Barry? Yes. Mr. Salamanca? Yes. Mr. Martin? Yes. And Mr. Simon? Yes. Who would like to take 10, 11, and 12, please? Mr. Mayor. Mr. Martin.

Uh, number 10. Resolution to approve amendment to development agreement with Deltan. Assess acquire acquisition LLC amending the timeline of completion of phase one for the construction of two single family dwellings located at east of 919 New Street and amending housing design for phase one and phase 2 properties and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Number 10, resolution approving a permanent utility easement in the amount of $121 with Petcore NA Corp. located east of 2444, excuse me, 32444 Wagner Road in conjunction with the Waterl Air and Rail Park utilities improvement project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said documents. And number 12, resolution approving permanent sanitation easement agreement in the amount of $15,990 with WTT properties LC located at 3105 Airport Boulevard in conjunction with Waterl Air and Rail Park utility improvement project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute document.

Second motion and a second. Does anybody from the public wish to address items number 10, 11, and 12? Seeing none, councel. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Salamanca, I'd like to look at number 10. Could we get an explanation why this project has not started? It's my understanding that phase one was about a year ago along with the six-month extension. So, I'm trying to understand why this project hasn't happened yet and what challenges or things have been communicated to the city. N is a developer on Zoom. He's on the Zoom.

Sir, state if you'd like to address that question, please state your name and address.

Yes. Odell Sal 1560 Idaho Water. Well, the reason why the the extension is because we had some some some issues in regards to the original agreement uh uh regarding the actual amount of uh earnest money, whether it be a dollar or $5,000. And then secondly, it was about uh getting the right permits for the type of materials and the things that we're using. We are a innovative company that are using a a product called thermosel which is have not been used in the in the state of Iowa before. And so it it took a little bit more longer and actually to get that product um um properly and and understanding how that prop how that product is going to be used and built. As you can see behind me, it's it's you see these sit panels is how it is. It's not a it's not a stick built home. These homes are 100% non-combustible. We these homes withstand um you know her category four or five hurricanes. Um and the the guarantee on these homes is 200 years. So you build a house with this material. There's no mold. You don't have to worry about termites. So So you know these prop these properties are are are here to stay.

Mr. Mayor. Yes sir. Mr. Anderson, can you speak towards the what's the standard when it comes to these development agreements and the norm of requesting extensions when they haven't yet completed phase one?

No. Anderson, community planning development director. Um so the the uh the housing policies for infill housing projects are that they uh have a minimum bid of 5,000 um for the lot and then that is reimburseable upon completion of the project plus up to 5,000 or up to 7500 for a targeted area um for the infill housing uh project. Um in terms of uh moving ahead for the extension uh the process is that they would request an amendment um and give us the new information to come back to council. Is this the first amendment request or is this the second amendment requested? This would be the first amendment request. And how long ago was this project supposed to have been completed or what was the kickoff's date for it?

Um the original development agreement was approved in September of 2024. Um I believe uh construction was supposed to start four months and be done within 14 months. So they they are behind that. Um as Mr. Salis noted they did have some some different materials that they are working through the the building codes with and all that to to try to bring in for the the permit process. Um so we're we're hopeful that they can move ahead now with this amendment. Thank you. Mayor building Mr. Mayor. Yes, Miss Kraton Smith.

Um so it's my understanding um Mr. Delatan about the um the materials. So, this is like the state-of-the-art or first of the kind in this area um to be used in this area of the community.

Yes. Yes, it is. I mean, we we use it in in several other areas around the country, but in in the state of Iowa in Wateroo, this will be the first time that this material is going to be used. And um you know it creates it number one it creates new jobs for people who have not been able to who have not use this type of building material uh as of yet. So we'll be training new new new individuals to in construction in in regards to building with this material. Uh we've spoken to a few agencies that are uh uh that that handles these types of uh um situations in terms of learning and and teaching and and and also one thing to note is that this this material again is is something that saves the the the the environment, you know, uh and and and it it's you know, we we we run through a lot of uh we don't run through hurricanes, but tornadoes, things like that. that we have a lot of moisture. Uh the these homes can be put up practically during, you know, for the snow outside because of the because of the technology. We we've been around with this product for over 70 years and and and again, like I said, we've got other projects in other parts of the country.

You have any other questions, ma'am? No other questions. Does anybody else on the council have questions? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon, and I I do I seen Mr. Smith wave, too. So, okay. Um, the one question I have about this new material, um, is that going to set you back? Do you have to train local people, local construction people to learn this new material since it's new? Um, we can't hear you, Mr. Salis.

I can I I can I can I can answer that very very quickly. I can take five members up on your up on your council right now and spend a day training you and you'll be able to construct this uh 1500 ft² home in less than two days. Basically, you you you you give us the design, we build it in our uh in our in our corporate facility in in in in Ratford, uh Virginia, and then once we do that, we chop it up, put it on flat beds, bring it out to your location, and you assemble it like if you were doing Legos. This is not this is not a modular home. This is not a manufactured home. This is a this is just like if you were building panels with wood. Instead of wood, you're using our using our materials. So, yes, it training training would probably take, you know, whatever it times for the people to learn, but I can literally take five peoples from this from this council and train you in two or three days and you'll be able to to to to install a 1500 foot house in three days.

Okay. So, this new material did not set you back on the first process. It's not it's not a question of the material. It's a question on whether it's it's it's approved by the by the building and planning. Okay? You know, our R ratings are are higher or way higher than what the standard R ratings are for regular stick build. And so when you come in with a new type of material, you got to get you got to get that approved by your by building department. Did so did that department delay using that material? Is that why the delay of this not getting done on a timely matter? the first time. Is that part of the delay or I'm just trying to understand what if this was part of the delay the first time

of the delay in terms of materials, not them uh uh approving them understanding what the material is being used for and and whether it is and whether and whether it meets the requirements and and all of those and all of those have been answered. So, right now we're currently, you know, everything has been approved and so now all we doing is is waiting to get this amendment um and get this amendment approved so we can move forward. So, so my question was none of this had anything to do with the delay the first time? None of the materials the building materials and getting approval of the materials. This is I mean that didn't delay you the first time.

Once again, it's not the question of the materials being a delay. It's a process, sir. Okay. And who was who was okay? Okay. I guess I I guess my question is who delayed it? The people that had to okay the the the materials.

And you say who delayed it? What what are you asking? I mean, I'm asking the original um development agreement was supposed to start 14 months ago and at the beginning of this you said that you had some well according to to Mr. Anderson that there was a a question of a couple questions. One was the amount of the payment ranging from a dollar to 5,000 and also the building materials. I thought that's where the two delays were. So, am I not correct in believing it was the materials that delayed you?

No. Again, uh the materials we could we could have the materials in the on the site within 30 days. That's that's not a but the approving of the materials. Okay. But the approving of the materials that that's that's a whole another process.

Okay. And then in regards And then in regards to the cost of of of of the the earnest money, we're we're not we're not a fly by night operation. We we our goal was to build multiple units, affordable units there in in in Blackout County. And as if other organizations are doing the same things, we would like to be treated and and given the same opportunity as other organizations. And so we we asked if we could be a part of that. But being the first time coming in, it was something that needed to be discussed and that's what we discussed and that that was also part of the delay. Okay.

And once we once we agreed to to that portion of it, then we just move forward. Okay. Mr. Anderson. So, so how much money was received by this development agreement? $5,000. How much? 5,000. So, we did receive that. Okay. So that question was answered before this. Yeah, I mean there may have been some concern or some some not concerns questions. You know, it's it's not uncommon for the building permit process for plans to be submitted. Sometimes there's questions from the building department or or even the fire marshall when they're looking at uh [music] new products and things like that spec specifically. So there may have been some more dialogue back and forth just to get the information they needed to to look at the codes.

Okay. But it was paid that that amount but it's all ready to go now. I I thought there was some question there. Okay. Any other questions? I know Mr. uh Councelor Schmidt has a question. Mr. Schmidt, did you have a question? You have I raised your hand. Yes, sir. Um and again, I apologize. I'm missing out on a little bit of back and forth, but so Noah, the delay, was some of the delay our fault? When I'm saying our fault, I'm referring to the city. or was it more that the developer maybe didn't do what they needed to do or whatever? I mean, where does where does that fall flat?

I would say some of the delay was probably just in question and answer period um that we would normally not have with regular stick built construction. So maybe there were some extensive questions back and forth for the code uh sections. Uh the other portion was as as Mr. Salis noted, you know, they did come back and say we'd like to change the development agreement to transfer for $1. um the the the policy says 5,000 for the infill housing. So, we we stuck to that. Again, it is reimburseable um upon uh completion of the construction. So, it in the end it'll be the same to the developer, but it's set up that way um for for us to see that they're actually moving ahead with the project. Okay.

And then the the uh delay time frame that they're asking for, would that be typical for what we would extend to other developers? Um, I I would say yes. I mean, obviously they're still interested in building on the sites. We do not have another party that is asking for the same lot, so it's not like it's delayed another project moving ahead. Um, this is still an area of the the community we would like to see new housing in. So, I I think it's a positive for both sides. Sure. Sure. Sure. Yeah. Yeah. I think we all

we all would agree with that. And then the real final question, I guess this is more for Mr. Salace. Am I correct that I understand you folks uh have been doing this kind of development in other parts of the country for a period of time. So you have a track record. This isn't a startup venture of yours. Is that correct? This business is correct. All right. And and no, you or somebody have confirmed that? Yes, we have. We've seen some other projects that they have done as a company. All right. Thank you. Any other questions? Mr. Mayor, Salamanca,

Mr. Anderson, when you're talking about seeing other projects have been developed, have they been developed utilizing the same material that Mr. Salis is planning to implement within the city of War? Yes. Yeah, we've looked at their website. They've built they've actually built commercial buildings as well. So, they they've built quite a few products with the with the materials. Have you spoken with um other city officials from the cities that they have built these buildings in? I have not directly reached out to them. We just went by the images on their websites.

Okay. Thank you. And then my Mr. Mayor, one more question for Chief Beck. Uh Chief, when it comes to this type of material with it being from my understanding never been utilized within the city limits of the city of Waterlue, does that give you cause for concern when it comes to the fire rating, whether or not it will impede firefighters from responding? Uh Bill back fire chief, this a great question. Um, I'm can only assume that this material covers and is covered by all fire code and international codes, whether it be fire, plumbing, electrical. They're all federally mandated. So, I I think we feel fairly confident we can if they can start it, we can put it out. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions from council, Miss Mr. Mayor? One more. I'm sorry.

All right. I know. I'm so sorry, Mr. Anderson. Um, is it practice for you to contact other cities and talk to city officials about building projects that are taking place? Is that something that you typically do or Um, no. Um, I I I don't generally reach out to them. Like I said, we a lot of times go to the websites for projects and just see the images that they have there. Okay. Thank you so much.

Stay stay right there for a second. Everyone else is done. My only concern is what caused a 17-month delay from the time that we approved this that they were supposed to have four months to take the permits out or submit building plans and take the permits out and then 14 months to put that in. 18month delay. What caused that delay? I can't imagine our building department delayed at 18 months researching this product. I I can certainly get a timeline of communication um and share it with the council um to show when it was approved and then when you know building per permit plans and all that were submitted and all that. So, we can we can definitely outline that for you.

That would be good. And then the other one was uh is this property in a target zone? I knew you were going to ask me that and uh it is not. It's across the street I believe. Okay, that's all I have. Thank you, sir. No more questions. Mr. Mayor. Yes, Mr. Mayor. I can actually I'm sorry, Mr. Salace.

I can kind of expand on that. Um, it it's not it's not it's not like it's the city's fault for uh uh delaying the process. Well, first of all, let's understand we're talking about an infield property here, right? Property that the city has that's sitting there and costing the city what? city money cost you money. So a developer comes in and said, "Hey, we're gonna develop a piece of lot or land that bringing you no dollars." And then we come in with the concept and the idea of creating um property income for taxes, infrastructure, new home buying. We we've got the companies around the neighborhood that brings in new new workers. They're looking for places to stay. And then they when they when they do an evaluation of the community and they're looking for available real estate, they want to make sure their clients and and their and their employees have proper living uh uh uh uh situations. And I'm I'm pretty sure uh that you know again we're talking about an infield property program that you have people who are not developers who purchase your properties for $5,000 and they go in as individuals with not even property contractor's license or anything like that and then they develop these properties or at least they attempt to. Some have probably failed and some have probably succeeded. So when we're talking about infield development, you know, that's one thing. But if we're talking about just general infrastructure, city development, where we're asking for tiff funds or any other kind of assistance and things like that, then I can see where the city could be really concerned about these kinds of things. Whether we whether the delay was 30 days or 30 months, the ideal is to to build our infrastructure and get get into get into areas where we don't have developers developing. when areas where

where where it's been have a history of redlinining where we can't get the proper development that we need to have. So when we we're taking all the risks, let's understand that first. We're taking all the risks. So, and so at the end of the day, you know, we're we're we're offering opportunities to build a city in line with other cities and bringing them up to the right value so we can get more tax dollars so we can lower our property taxes. So the more new homes that we get out there and get the values that we need to get to them and but we got to give them a product that these people are going to be interested in buying, then we can begin to increase the number of new new homeowners which then will in turn reduce our property tax and I think we all agree to that that we can reduce our pro property taxes in some form or fashion and this is just one way of doing it. Um, Mr. Mayor, we're

I I thank you for your time. I uh I have concerns because, you know, uh Mr. Anderson said no one's knocking on the door for this property, but no one know knew it possibly would be available. You know, I mean, we that that was that's my only point. Roll call vote on 10, 11, and 12, please. Mr. Schmidt. Uh no on 10, yes on 11, and 12. Miss Clayton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, no on 10, yes on 11 and 12. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simmon, no on 10, yes on 11 and 12.

So 10 fails, 11 and 12 pass. Who wants to take 13 and 14? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Barry, a resolution approving a permanent drainage easement agreement with MBMC aggregates located west of 3533 West Airline Highway in conjunction with the water, air, and rail park utility improvements project and authorizing the mayor and city council, city clerk, excuse me, to execute said document. And let's see, 14.

Number 14, resolution approving a permanent drainage and storm e storm stader easement agreement in the amount of 55,432 with United Concrete, Inc. located at 3530 3553 West Airline Highway in conjunction with the Waterl Air and Rail Utility Improvements Project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Second. We have a motion and second. Does anyone from the public wish to speak on items 13 and 14?

Seeing none, councel with no questions. Mr. Mr. Smith, do you have any questions? All right. Uh, roll call vote, please. All right. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Clayton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. All right. Who would like to take ordinance number one, please? Uh, Mr. Mayor.

Mr. Simons. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to receive and file and consider and pass for the second time an ordinance amendment 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 request by Zidico Investments LLC for a site plan amendment to allow for up to 200,000 square feet of phase 2 and phase three expansions in the M2 M-2P planned industrial district located at 4050 Evercy Road. Can I get a second? Second.

Motion and a second. Anybody from the public wish to speak to this ordinance? Seeing none, council, do you have any questions on this? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mr. Schmidt, timeliness. Mr. Anderson.

No. And Anderson, community planning and development director. I did speak with the representative of the company this morning who noted they like would like to see this approved uh today if possible as they're working to go to final plan design. Any other questions? Mr. Schmidt. Thank you. No. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Uh roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt. Yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules. Second. I have a motion to second. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Greatton Smith, yes. Miss Barry,

yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Uh, Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to consider and pass for the third time and adopt the ordinance. Second and third time. Second. Okay. Okay. A motion second. I'm sorry. Passed for the third time. Did I say second and third time? I don't Okay, we're good. Uh, Mr. Smith, yes. Miss Greatton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. I would like someone to take two, three, and four, Mr. Mayor together. Mr. Martin because these are all one reading. It's the last reading.

Motion to file and consider and pass for the third time and adopt the ordinance amending the city of Waterlue code of ordinance by repealing and replacing chapter 4 plumbing regulation of title title 9 building regulation with a new chapter 4 plumbing regulation of title 9 building and regulations. A motion to receive and file consider and pass for the third time and adopt an ordinance amending the city of Waterlue code of ordinance by repealing and replacing chapter 3 electrical regulation of title 9 building regulation with a third new chapter 3 electrical regulation of title 9 building regulation. Number four, motion to rei receive and file and pass for the third time and adopt an ordinance amending the city of water code of ordinance by repealing and replacing chapter 5 mechanical systems of title 9 building regulations with a new chapter 5 mechanical system of the title 9 building regulations.

Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Does anybody from the public wish to speak to items number two, three, and four? Seeing none, councel hearing none. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. Mr. Simon, yes.

It's now time for public comments. Before we get started on public comments, I wish to make a to note something that a meeting or so ago, I aired in the public comments when I allowed a speaker to address something that was on the agenda. uh specifically on the motion to suspend the rules and uh public comments are for non-aggenda related items. So, if anybody would like to speak to anything on a non-aggenda related item, please come to the podium. Um, state your name and address and you have three minutes. I will make sure that

Good evening, Rich Curtinbach, Blackout County Board of Supervisor. Uh want to make sure public knows and that uh council if you have folks that want to know uh one of my roles in serving as board of supervisors connecting people in our community and our county [clears throat] and what some of the services are and how they work uh for you in this county working with uh county assessor TJ Coingsfeld. We've been doing a couple of these town hall meetings presentations on how your property values are set. Uh I found that was very few people had any clue. They they know that their property taxes are going up but they don't know the what the values are with that as well. So we are breaking down in this process in this presentation. I show the last 20 years my home what the valuations have been along with what the property taxes would have been and in that process it gets a opening idea what it is that TJ presents and how valuations are changed. So, a big thing we're we're trying to make sure people understand. We're trying to educate you as it is today. Uh there is several property tax bills down at the legislature. So, what we're uh telling you is how it is today, how it has been. If something changes with legislation, it may be different, but this is how to gauge it, how it might be different for your home. Uh the next pro uh presentation will be next Tuesday, February 24th, Hartley Library, 6:00 to 7:30. You can go to the county website or our Facebook page and uh sign up and and register for that as well. We kind of like to know if we're going to have more people than we have space for. So far, we haven't had that problem. A lot of people want to know this information, but taking the time to actually come and see the presentation has uh not been quite as redundant robust as we'd hoped. Anyways, uh if you have any interest in

it, I do have extra flyers I can share with folks here tonight as well. Um look forward to seeing them. Thank you. Thank you, sir. We're done.

Anyone else have anything to comment? My name is Beverly Cosby. I live at 315 Window Court. And the reason I'm here to for to speak tonight is there have been we have looked for opportunity after opportunity to develop the east side of Waterloo. And every time it seems we get that opportunity, there's somebody or something that wants to tear it down. Now, Urban Renewal come through there and said told us back in the day that we're going to come through and do get rid of all these old properties, but we're going to put new properties back in there.

That has not been happening.

What we want and what we need is development on the east side and we want to get it the way that they get it on the east side, the way they get it on the south side. Now, if we have an opportunity to build new homes or build businesses over there, we deserve that because the east side needs to needs those kind of things in order to survive. We're going to get them one way or another. We'll get them. And so, no matter how you try to roadblock us or stop us, that's not going to work. Like I said, we we're we're determined people. We're determined uh section of the city and we want to see us develop just as much as a southside, west side in the east side. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Aaron Stacy Roberts, 411 Street, uh Waterlue, Iowa. And I'm here today uh really out of my norm because it's not a public safety matter involving what's going on in my life. But this is for the community and what I have been a part of for about the last three years uh is advance waterlue which is trying to make a better form of city government with having a city manager. Could you hand these out to city council members as well? the attorney. Could you make sure he gets one? Uh, and with the city manager, what I didn't get all of my knowledge off of the card and looking into it, but I looked into it myself and I found that San Bernardino, California was a very good example of what a city manager can do. They were about to go bankrupt and the city manager turned it around and just this last what it says the recent fiscal year of 2025 2026 has saved the budget right at $8.1 million. Uh his expense is $333,000 a year. That's a pretty good return, you know. So, if we could get a city manager and it cost us $200,000 and they can save a couple million dollars a year, uh, that's still a good return. So, the money shouldn't be a big issue and I don't think anyone should have to take any out of their uh, income in order to get us a city manager. It's something we need. The person will pay for themselves. Uh, one thing I would suggest with our city manager is that we may even spend more than $200,000 a year, but look for one

that has some type of a background in law because there's so many laws being broke here just in the what she's speaking about and and it hasn't just started at Waterl. What I've been talking about was going on long ago and the good white folks that was behind me said they've been chasing this corrupt organization for 60 years and that's been some years ago and we're relentless and we're not stopping but they're going to change. The criminal organization wouldn't want any part of this because it's a lot of money that has been sucked out of our community and used against us like uh pretty much what was going on in San Bernardino was corruption that was taking the money. The sad part about it is no one went to jail and we're not going to escape, I don't think, without people going to jail just based on what has happened in the last 20 years around me and my family because there's been family members and about every family that I see in here that are black folks. You've had a family member affected by this and in the damages there are dues. We need to look into the 247 Wall Street report for the city. Have a good day. Thank you sir. Please approach the podium and state your name and address please. Good evening. My name is Darlington T DeA. Uh I live 128 speaker Iowa. Uh first of all, I want to appreciate the city and all the city council and every member in here to have me approved today as the one of the human right commissioner of Wateroo. I want to say thanks to everybody and I think we're going to work on that and know I'm proud to be the first African from West Africa to be the to be member of the human right commissioner of

Wateroo today and uh we're going to work on some uh division of growing also talk about the growing of you know diversity of our community and that will be one of the most important you know, we're going to work on that. I'm going to work with all my other staff to see our best. We're going to make water a better place for us. I appreciate you all. Thank you so much. May God bless you.

Thank you, sir. And thank you for your commitment to to serve on our human rights commission. [applause] Chris Hail, uh, Main Street Waterlue Board of Directors at 512 Main Street Water or 5 512 Malbury Street. Um, we've hit the ground running in 2026. I'd like to share some updates and invitations with you from our organization. First, we've partnered with Main Street, Iowa on our strategic and transformative initiative to continue our work of strengthening downtown. As part of this work, we've rolled out a community input survey, and we need as many voices as possible to make sure that we're building your downtown. The survey can be found on our Facebook page as well as our website. Responses will remain anonymous. We've already received uh over over a hundred um uh survey results, and we're hoping for many more. [clears throat] After you complete your survey, please mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 11th at 5:30m, where we will be engaging with Main Street, Iowa in a community conversation around the survey results and the future of downtown. The venue is to be announced, so please follow along on our social media for updates. The next installment of our quarterly PowerUp Small Business series is on March 3rd at 5:30 p.m. at Single Speed. The theme of the March work workshop is powering business growth through connection and will equip small business owners with skills in networking and relationship building. This series is free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of US Bank. For each workshop you attend, you will be entered into a drawing for $500 in business assistance. So you could say it pays in more ways than one to attend. Our next monthly cash mob is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th at American Legion Becker Chapman Post 138. Stop by between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. and plan to spend at least $20 to help support this downtown business that provides meaningful services to our community's veterans.

As we continue celebrating our 30th year as an accredited downtown organization, Main Street Waterlue is cooking up all sorts of fun programming and initiatives that spark growth, build connections, and champions downtown as a vibrant place for all to thrive. There's a place for everyone to contribute to this momentum and I applaud our city council members for your continued support of our district. Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you at a future event. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anyone else wish to address the council? Seeing none, council, do you have anything that you'd like to discuss? Mr. Mayor, I great

a couple of things I want to share. Um we will not have W three and four um meeting this month. We will resume in March. Um so um get ready for a meeting. We want to continue to build um the um um W three and four and the neighborhood associations contained within those wards. Um the second um question or comment I wanted to share was that it's uh disconcerning that um we have um developer that wants to develop in an area that has had no interest and folks know that it's empty because it's been sitting empty. Yeah. I'm still for a while. So, it it concerns me um that we would do such a thing. And I am concerned about this because I know that my constituents in W three will be looking back at all of our minutes to see if there was ever a time that someone and I know it came before me many times before um that folks have gone that long without fulfilling that contract. So, I know they're going to look into it. I'm not sure what that means. um party, but um I'm sure we will hear about it. So, I just wanted to make it known. And Miss Mayor,

excuse me. Are you done? I'm done. Okay, Barry.

Yes. And I I want to apologize for interrupting you, but I did want to comment on that earlier that I do know on the north side of town that has been an issue for our community in terms of new housing. Now, it seems that we're able to get apartments built there, but when you you're talking about, you know, homes, home ownership and um building new homes, that's it's troubling that um that particular motion did not pass. So, I would just encourage uh Mr. Salis to talk to um null and others to find out just what needs to be done to make sure that we can that the protocols are are followed and I'm sure they have been but we just want to make sure that because we want to support you know anyone who's talking about building homes and particularly on our side of town on the north side and I do agree with what um Miss Cosby what you just shared because that has been an issue for us and and I I I'm sorry that it didn't pass tonight

and I I I will I will need be meeting with the city attorney to see if we can discuss these type of agenda items in public comments after the after the item has been voted on. So I don't know if that's if we can even do that. I I don't know in the past but well actually we do if you if we doing it at the beginning we weren't doing it in the past. Oh see that's why Mr. Mayor Yes, sir. I'd like to make a point of order that

from my understanding, we cannot be talking about previous agenda items and I defer to your judgment and deferred to council's judgment. Um, with that being said, I'd like to take a moment, now that we've wrapped up, I'd like to take a moment to celebrate our city's accomplishments. We have a state wrestling champion from East High School who I worked with at my time at UNIQ and I'm incredibly proud of her. In addition, we have good weather finally arriving here in Waterlue. I'd also like to highlight the folks at Newton Diner who had an unfortunate incident on Saturday where myself and Wateroo PD intervened. And I wanted to showcase that it was done in a calm and collected manner in order to address some behavioral issues that we were seeing from our youth. As we move forward into the spring and summer months, I ask all of us as a community to step up and hold our youth accountable and each other. As always, and I repeat this, and I repeat this, and I repeat this, I encourage anyone and everyone to reach out to me with questions or concerns. And I am more than happy to sit down with you or bring your questions to department heads or counsel. As always to those who elected me in Ward 5, I am proud and honored to represent you and I'm proud to represent the city of Wateroo as a councilman. Thank you.

Proud to have you on here, sir. Anyone else have anything to say? Uh, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mr. Simon.

Um, earlier we had a comment about the um upcoming um understanding your property assessment. Um I during last year's um budget talks, I recommended that people go on down to the courthouse and check and see if they feel like they're unjustly having their property values raised. So I I applaud the uh Blackout County Supervisor for bringing that forward and and letting the people of Waterlue express if they believe their property values are are in air. Um, so I just wanted to mention that uh take advantage of that if you can. And the one question I had is even if it's changed now, probably would not take effect till next fiscal year. Is that correct? If if a county assessor changed a person's value to their home today or tomorrow would that would that affect does that go into effect this right away or does it have to wait till next year?

Okay. Two two years behind. So yeah. So definitely definitely go get that done if you have any concerns. And that's all I had. Mr. Martin or Mr. Smith, do either one of you have any anything to say? I do. Mr. Martin, Mr. Mayor, if anybody's not doing anything on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. The Waterl East High girls basketball team will be regional game at 700 p.m. against Western Deuke. We would love to see all of you out there to support your East Side Trojans. This will [snorts] probably be one of our last just next year games, so we encourage everybody to get out and join us. Thank you. Awesome. Mr. Smith, do you have anything? I would just follow along. The Columbus boys are going to the state wrestling tournament.

Very good. And the only thing that that I'd like to add before we move to adjournment is that on Thursday, April 19th, the W 2 legal women voters uh forum is going to be held here at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers. I encourage everybody that is concerned about the W two race uh to attend. I don't I believe it's probably on delayed broadcast. They they've never had them live. So, uh, but I do encourage you that if you are concerned about W two and your candidates to come meet your candidates, listen to what they have to say, and make a sound judgment. That's, uh, Thursday the 19th at 7 p.m. here in the city council chambers. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? Second.

Second to adjurnn. Moved and second. All in favor? Hi.