City Council - Regular Meeting

meeting uh Monday, February 20th. Madam clerk, roll call, please. Mr. Schmidt, here. Mr. Marorrow, here. Miss Ken Smith, here. Miss Barry, present. Mr. Salamanca, here. Mr. Martin, here. Mr. Simon here. At this time, we'd like to u exercise a moment of silence or a prayer, silence or reflection. It's all up to you. Thank you. Our pledge of allegiance tonight is Steve Simon, council at large.

Okay, please join me in signing the national We will save that for 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. You don't want me leave for you, Steve. Play ball. All right, Mr. Simon. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I'd like to make a motion to approve the agenda as proposed as well as the approval of the minutes for March 30th, 2026 council special session and April 6, 2026 council regular session as proposed. Second.

There been a motion and a second. All in favor? I I oppose. Motion carried. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon, I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda as proposed, as well as the addition of the bill payments from April 13th in the amount of 2,55,91063 and as well as Monday, April 20th in the amount of $5,144,384.62 seconds. Motion a second. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marl, yes. Miss Katrin Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Mr. Salamancco. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes.

Thank you very much. It's now time for public hearings. First on our on our agenda is uh our budget. And I'm going to uh well, I'll go ahead and whoever wants to open the hearing here real quick. Mr. Schmidt. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion receive and file proof of publication of notice of public hearing. And that is for the fiscal year 2027 budget hearing. Second. Motion to second. All in favor? I

oppose. Motion carried. Uh before we have public comments on this, I was going to have uh Miss Bridget Wood, our finance uh executive to come up and give us a brief overview over the budget and then make herself available to answer any questions as the public uh comes up. Miss Wood,

Bridget Wood, finance director. Um, so just to remember this, uh, are we're planning on the levy rate at $21.79. Uh, well, it's 21.79160. Uh, which would bring in levied property taxes at uh, let's see, 53 million and that is over all of the levied taxes. So that would be for employee benefits, uh, MF, PRSI, u, and FICA, um, our regular A10 levy, which is actually an 891 levy, um, for MET and for our EMC as well as, um, the egg um, levy. So all that would be in on that dollar amount. Um and then our total, let's see, what we're estimating for fund balance to use for this year's budget is uh roughly $4 million. A thou a million of that is for ARPA. um about 800,000 from employee and uh TIFF benefits and then restricted budgets around 200,000 and then actual for our general fund was be about 2.2 million.

Thank you ma'am. Uh hearing is now open. Would anybody from the public uh wish to address? Do you want a chair? Ma'am Bridget, do you need a chair? Yeah. All right. Uh, please state your name and address for the record. Margaret, you have three minutes.

Margaret Margaret Moy, the executive director at the Grout Museum District, home of the Sullivan Brothers IO Veterans Museum, 503 South Street. Uh, Mr. Mayor and members of the council, I'm back. Uh, and this time I'm here to say thank you. When the community showed up at the March 30th public hearing, you listened. When our board members, staff, veterans, and the neighbors contacted your offices, you heard them. And the proposed budget reflects that. And on behalf of the Grout Museum District and everyone who stood with us, I'm grateful. Thank you very much. I'd also like to acknowledge that what this council has been doing throughout this entire process and what you've been doing really well. You've been accessible. You've met with me and you've met with your constituents. You've been asking really great questions to better understand what our needs are. And you've wrestled with the difficult uh situation that the state created and you're working hard to find a path that serves all of Waterloo. And that kind of stewardship matters and it does not go unnoticed. So tonight I want to remind you what 100% of funding makes possible. So we're in the middle of building something sustainable. We're bringing on development staff uh to grow our private giving to rebuild our corporate relationships, expand our grant portfolio, and to build our endowment specifically to diversify the budget so that when the former levy funds stop being collected, we can remain sustainable. That work is underway, but it needs this year to take root. We've already been making hard choices with staff reductions, selling assets, closing a building, and restructuring programs. And we're not asking the city to carry us uh as we're working through these things. We're asking for a runway so that we can finish what we've started. The Sullivan Brothers um Iowa Veterans Museum draws visitors from across Iowa and across the country. People come to Waterlue specifically to stand in that space to honor what the five brothers gave. And that's tourism. That's what economic de uh an economic impact. It's the cultural fabric that makes the city worth living

in and worth relocating to. And this council has the opportunity tonight to send a message that Waterlue keeps its commitments to its history, to its veterans, and to the community members who showed up and made their voices heard. I ask that you hold the line on the proposed budget and see this through for final adoption. Thank you. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to speak about the proposed budget? See Mr. Dryer walking up. David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. Um, just your portion. I checked my taxes from last year. You're going to ding me for 107 bucks more. That's nice. Thank you. Uh but the other thing on the um line item approvals on the budget line item approvals on the previous uh meeting, where does that money come from? We're setting a budget right now. So where does that extra money always seem to come from when you set a budget? If that budget they don't abide by, why did they get any extra money? It comes from somebody else, some other department, you're shifting money around. Uh doesn't seem fair to that department you took it from. So I just wonder where does that extra money come from? It seems like every almost every meeting there's a a line item that says u this guy wants more money, so they they give it to him. You know, what was that one? $680,000 or whatever. Wow. Where's that come from?

Miss Wood's going to answer that question for you, sir. Um Jay Wood, finance director. The budget amendments typically come from grants andor other revenues that have been received during the year that we did not budget for. Um so it's giving us the authority to use those revenues for the expenses that we incurred for them. Thank you. Did that answer your question, sir? I appreciate that.

Anyone else wish to speak for or against the proposed budget? Wayne Nathan 548 Clodale here war. I want to commend all you people for working diligently on the budget and holding the line. Hopefully you can uh work through everything and uh reduce the asking for next year after this and so forth. If I remember right, uh there's going to be $4,000 less bonding this year than what they have in previous years. Hopefully we can u keep working that downward and as that works downward that should take and reduce our taxes also. Thank you uh people for working and uh hold the line on the budget. Thank you.

Thank you sir. Anyone else from the audience wish to approach the podium and speak for or against the budget? Anyone? Who wants to close the hearing here? Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to close the hearing and file any oral and or written comments. Second. Motion to second. All in favor? I oppose. Council, do you have any questions regarding the proposed budget? You can direct them to the chair, Miss Kraton Smith.

Okay. U Mr. Mayor, um I noticed that and we did talk a little bit about that, so that's a little helpful, but I noticed that we're we have the same levy rate as last year, 21.79 and other numbers. So, so my question is uh kind of like what Mr. Dryer said maybe I think uh how are we going to meet the needs and provide quality services to our constituents? Um it seems that the money has to come from somewhere. Um, and one of my concerns is, as I've learned recently about the human rights uh, commission and the director and the secretary and um, and so I'm just saying our others and and then our communications director uh, that position is not going to be rehired. So we've So that money is going to be somewhere, but I'm trying to make sure that we're covering the services. We said we were going to fly the W. So we really need someone to focus on how to promote our city, especially given the So you probably can't see the uh negative kind of connotation we have as the one of the worst places in the United States in the top 10. It's number six now. Worst place in the United States for African-Americans to live. And we're a very diverse community. It is essential that we maintain um the full function of the Human Rights Commission. And I kind of got a somewhat of a like that sounds good like we're going to do that. um making sure that we have someone to oversee the office as director who can also serve and help with an investigator because the more cases we can get closed, the more money comes in, right, uh I think it's like

$850 per case. So, if we've got those folks working on it and I know we don't have the secretary, we need a full functioning office. So, I don't want us to lose those kinds of services. Another one um the question I had is and so what other kinds of ways are we going to eliminate um jobs like if they're being eliminated by attrition then my concern is what's the priority how will that be prioritized would it would it be you know where would it start would it be public safety would it be public works would it be leisure you know How will we determine what's priority in allowing that position or those positions to just kind of uh diminish by attrition? So that that's concerning to me as well. Um uh I I did talk to um uh Rebecca as well and she said there would be no firing and no layoff. So those are that's good thing when it good things when it comes to that particular department maintaining it and building it back up so we can run you know generate that revenue but for other departments you know that um part of our elevate 8 or part of our our city's codes are to do some of the things that we said we were going to do so that we're in the spotlight as a great place because we're growing businesses are coming here uh we have a great diverse community, 40 languages spoken at our school, just a host of things that can really highlight uh our city as one that can make these challenges work and serve as a model for other cities throughout the nation. So, so those are my concerns. I'm just I'm just a little

nervous uh that some of the programs and departments that we care about might lose their capacity to truly serve. And so that's that's my hesitancy uh as I look this thing over. So that's just kind of my questions. I know others have questions. I might have more later. So sorry Bridget uh Bridget finance director Um I believe in this next year we're going to be looking at um all departments especially in the general fund where um we levy our dollars for to make sure that they have the correct number of employees and staff. Um I know mayor has talked about potentially implementing a hiring freeze starting July 1 which would then go through the natural attrition. However, we could potentially do a hiring freeze out and then um allow um like say public safety to be exempt from that. It kind of depends on um the information that they're going to give to the mayor on what appropriate levels of staffing are needed. Um and we'll work through that in this next year to go through each department. As we know, the 891 levy will be dropping soon. So that will end up um could be creating issues with employment. However, we haven't planned on um anything outside of what's already been notified to the public. So um I guess I don't know how else to answer your question. I don't

we're going to re be reviewing it this next year for sure. Thank you. And and then we're going to start right after probably in May with a with a a group of department heads and a couple of council members to do a deep dive in every department's budget so that we we know exactly what their needs are, what their personnel needs are and to make sure that that the money we're spending is well spent

in each and every department. I mean, we may f we may find that we have no no fluff in our budget. We we we don't we will find out though by doing that deep dive. So I want to assure you that that we are going to be working hard. We're not going to wait until next fall to start next year's budget. We're going to start next year's budget or working with departments shortly a shortly after sometime in May and June. So Mr. Mayor, you said that we would council would be involved which I've got two council members that I've that I have that that I would want on that.

Okay. because I would would want to be involved in the areas that are of interest uh to me and my community, especially Ward 4. Um and so I I I would like as part of the transparency plan to know what's happening and to be involved in making those decisions because I bring a level of expertise to the table that others don't have. Um, and so I think it's critical uh that I be included in that process, especially given the diversity of our city. 17% African-Americans, 4% AsianPacific Islanders, um, almost 78% latinext. Um, you know, so I bring that diversity, I bring that that expertise to the table and would truly like to be a part of these conversations when we think about that. So, are you available Monday through Friday during the week?

I will be because I work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and then finals is May 11th. Oh, this is this is going to be going this is going to be going on throughout the year. Uhhuh. And throughout the year, I have next semester Tuesdays and Thursdays, so we can make it happen. All right, we'll see. All right. Uh, anybody else have a question? Well, Mr. Mayor, I would also like to be part of that. We can't have all seven of us on it, but I do understand that. So maybe the days that uh councilwoman crazy and we also need consistency, but I'm just we'll we'll work it out. Yeah, I would definitely like to be okay. Thank you.

Um I wasn't quite done. Just a question for for Bridget regarding the fund balance and I thank you from my heart that you you provided information for me. Um I was just hoping for our citizens um if we if you could explain the sources of support from the like that we'll be using uh that balance those uh funds for are you able to do that for us? Uh like where they're coming from? Yeah, where they're coming from. Yes.

So we had 2.2 million roughly from our general fund. um reserves of about 200,000 from restricted projects about $800,000 from employee benefits levy um and some tiff dollars and then about a million dollars from ARPA. So the million from ARPA is currently would be in the general fund but it since it's a it's also considered a restricted project as well. Yeah. Yeah. And regarding ARPA, are those um it's limited to when you say restricted projects, so whatever is in the um act, right, is what they'll be used for. And we don't know what those are right now. Is that correct?

I believe we already have two projects that are in the works. There's the Upton, is it the demo? So, the demolition that's on the Upton Avenue where that is it a nursing home up. Oh, up and then uh infrastructure and then what was the other West Third and what would you say those two projects would cost?

Uh the Upland is about 1.02 million. So that was already taken out of available fund dollars. So that's why that's not included in next year's um dollar amount, assuming that it'll be paid before the end of this year. Um and then the West Third one, I believe, is part of that million dollars. I don't think it'll get paid until uh next fiscal year.

Okay. And then lastly, regarding the fund balance, are we going to have a problem next year because we're looking at that amount of money coming out? Um, actually I believe the state is looking at restricting how much we can have in unassigned fund balance at about 35% of our certified expenses, which would roughly be about 28 million. Uh, we're currently at 33 million, so we would not have any issues with using the 2.2. and it wouldn't put us in a little bit of a deficit because we're taking from the current budget for last budget for next year, which is what we're working on this year, this uh fiscal year. Um I'm just concerned if we will fall into a deficit coming next budget.

Until our levy meets our current expect like our current needs for expenses, we will always be in a deficit. Yes, we will. Do you have any more questions, ma'am? No. Oh, thank you. And thank you. Those were good questions, Mr. Marl.

Yes. I'd like to make some statements. Having probably been the youngest council member and being asking a lot of questions that uh on budgets and stuff, I guess I wanted to kind of state something. Having re having reviewed several items in depth, finding solutions to address some of the fees paid by the city, ideas to explore how to improve downtown parking, some city expenses, as well as the mayor's commitment to establish a committee to do a deep dive into the new budget to identify ways to use city money more wisely and efficiently. I support the 27 budget with a tax levy the same and would move forward with it. So, I just want you to know, yeah, I'd ask a lot of questions. I I got a lot of answers and a lot of it was I was elected too late to do a whole lot, but we're going to do a deep dive going in and I appreciate that and I'm I'm at your disposal.

Thank you, sir. Any other questions? Mr. Mr. Mr. Schmidt. So, uh, Bridget, just to make sure that I'm on the same page, in order to get this budget where it's at, we're taking $2.2 $2 million out of basically our rainy day fund, our savings account. Yeah. Out of our unassigned uh fund balance. Yes. Okay. And we're taking $1 million out of the ARPA fund balance. What was that money intended for? Uh so the ARPA fund balance, that's just an estimate of what will be remaining at the end of this year. Um so it may be less, it may be more depending on where everything gets paid for from this year.

Okay. And we're taking $200,000 out of the restricted project fund balance. Yep. Because those are already projects that are in the works. Okay. And then we're taking $800,000 out of the health insurance fund, which is for employees. What is it's employee benefit levy. Um it's uh excess dollars that we had left over from prior um years. So it's using up the fund balance instead of taxing for more. So, excess salaries. Would that be for It wouldn't be salaries. It would be employee benefits only.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you said excess salaries. I must have misunderstood. Okay. And then we're also taking $2 million or we're getting I'm sorry. We're getting $2 million from the road repair fund. That's 2.6 is what we're estimating for what we'll get from road use. Um, we've brought in more in the last two years than the original two, what we say 2.4 is what we had originally estimated, but 2.6 is where we feel comfortable um based on voter approval of 20% of that. And we're talking about lost revenue, not Yeah, it's it's yeah, local local option sales tax,

but but money that would be spent to repair the streets and water. No, sir. Because the council voted to take 20% of our of our the citizens voted for the citizens voted to take 20% of of our lost re revenue which is 13 plus million dollars to go to property tax relief. So this year it's 2.6 million. We're not affecting the public works department or anything else. This was a public approved voter referendum. Some cities use 50%. Right. Right.

I tried to get 50% trust me and and it failed miserably. Well, yeah. And so my concern is that and I again I compliment you for getting us where we're at, but my concern is in order to get us where we're at, I'm coming up with um somewhere around six to 7 million that were taken out of a different fund of of taxpayer money that's been collected over whatever period of time for whatever reason. But but and we're portraying it as reducing our tax. The 2.6 in loss is current revenue. It is not out of the reserves of the revenue.

But that's $2.6 million that would have or could have or should have. It was a it was a public vote. So no, it would never have ever gone into that fund with that vote being approved. So, had we had the citizens not approved putting 20% into that uh taking out I'm sorry, 20% from the road repair fund. Had the citizens not voted for that, that $2.6 million still would have been collected. Gone in to repair the roads. So, now it's not going to be there to repair the roads. They're they still have well over $10 million.

No, I'm not arguing with any of that. I'm just I'm just asking questions. So So again, it seems to me that going back to and I'm sorry I think it was Councilman Barry uh concerned about next year because are are we going to have six 7 million again next year to to help us balance it because from what I'm excuse me from what I'm hearing from the state next year we're going to have less money not more. And I understand that null and his group and grow Cedar Valley and all these wonderful folks are working every day to get more businesses to come to Wateroo and get more revenue. I'm all about getting more revenue. But what I've heard for the last 20 or 30 years, and this is not your issue, is the challenge we have getting businesses and employers to come to Wateroo is our high tax rate. and we're keeping it flat, which is a big accomplishment for Waterlue for the last 5 or 10 years. But number one, I'd like to see it decrease. Number two, I I I know that we could lower our budget without taking money out of other funds if we would just sit down and and do some of the things that I I hear we're talking about doing next fiscal year today or yesterday and we could have factored that in, which again is not a a reflection on you at all, but I just want to make sure that I've got the numbers straight. So, thank you. And I do want to clarify that the that the 2.6 million of the 13 million dollars is not money we're taking out of another fund. It's money. It's a voter approved referendum that the voters approved to allow us to take 20% of our local option sales tax dollars to use for property tax relief. And that's exactly what we're using it for.

You and I just have to Well, we can agree because Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine with that. Because when the voters approve it, Yep. It's out of our hands. Right. Okay. Right. But come September, October, when we're getting calls about the condition of the streets, then we're going to be able to say, "Well, you voted for it, right?" We can also say that our city engineer stood up here and said he needs $10 million a year to to do his streets, and we're giving him $10 million a year to do his streets, 10 million plus. So, we're meeting the needs that he said he had for us when he stood at that podium and and expressed his needs for street repairs. Okay. Thank you. So that being said, I think we're we've got it covered, sir. But but thank you for your comments. Other council members, Mr. Mayor,

Mr. Martin, one quick question. How does this budget prepare us for the citizens of Waterlue for the future? How does it prepare them? Mhm. Well, it will decrease their city's portion of their tax levy by the amount of the roll back. It'll it roughly ends up being about 6% on your property taxes for the city's portion of it. A lot of it has to do with the fact that the roll back decreased about 3%. Um otherwise it is I don't know I don't have an answer for that. I mean like next year what Steve just said the state saying that we're going to lose money or they're going to decrease our numbers. So I mean

until the state actually finalizes a bill. I can't really I don't have an answer until they actually put something into law. Okay. And I can tell you that no one in De Moines has an answer right now. Yeah,

I I I truly believe that we're constantly in contact with our legislators and it's it's it's fluid. It changes every day. I mean, I I got last week I got 50some page amendment, strike amendment uh on a on a budget bill and they're just there's no compromise right now. You have three budgets bills. You have the governors, you have the House, you have the Senate and all three of them are different and no one's compromising right now. And the uh I had a legislative call today um uh a Zoom meeting and they think that the legis the legis legislature will go clear into May before they finalize a budget. So everything is up in the air and everything's in flux. Anybody else have a question that hasn't already asked a question?

Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon, um Bridget, thank you for all your work. I know this is a busy time of year for you. Um I came into this pretty simple. I this is my taxes that I pay every year and I came into you way a long time ago and said I want that number to be a zero or negative number this year and it sounds like you've accomplished that with the help of everything that's been going on as far as the I had a question about the cash reserves and what may or may not come down from the state that they may be dictating if I tell me if I'm incorrect on this they may be dictating what a city like water can maintain in their cash reserves is that correct and one we know what that number is?

It would be any city in the state. Uh they would limit the amount of un unassigned um cash reserves that we have. Um right now I believe it was at 10 and now it's up to 35% of our uh certified expenses. And so where where do we usually run the last you know handful of years? Uh last year we were at I think 27 or 28 or not last year, two years ago we're 27 or 28 million of unassigned and then last year was at 33 million. And what percentage was that about I mean if we're getting that's about 45%. Okay. So we're so we're above it right now. So we would have to use some of that cash reserve in order to uh comply with their requirements.

So if I if I'm gathering that correctly, this would may answer what Councilman Schmidt was worried about. We're we we've got taxes we're collecting and not using. Is that correct? So whatever these are the taxes that we're collecting taxes or not taxes but revenue stream. Yeah. Our revenues um like a lot of it comes from interest and stuff that we don't typically budget for just because that's such a volatile um thing to try and uh uh mitigate or navigate or

uh whatever. So we typically uh budget low on the interest that the city has for the funds sitting at the bank. Um so that tends to increase what our fund balance is. Um it's partly that it's also if we have open positions um if there's leftover dollars from that would be what gets put into that unassigned balance.

And so and so we as we patiently wait for the state to figure out which bill they're going to come down to. I I want to commend everybody up here and the mayor for having to work around those situations. And I'm hoping that we've we've got a budget that will keep the city where it needs to be and keep the people's money in their pockets whenever we can do that a little bit more. So once again, thank you, Miss Craden Smith.

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Um I my concern is when we when you say hiring freeze, um you know, I understand that we don't need to hire any new people is what I'm hearing you say at all. Um however some of the the as I mentioned before departments who need that those positions filled I want to make certain they are filled. So that gives me some cognitive cognitive dissonance uh in being able to agree with something that I can't I don't right now I don't feel comfortable. I don't trust that it's going to happen that way especially since I'm not probably not going to be a part of that that process. Um, and I don't want then surprises where, oh, we've got this new person hired in this department or something created that we didn't know about when we were told one thing. So, I'm just not comfortable.

The hiring freeze hasn't been um official yet. It's just something that's in the talks. So currently there's no and our our goal is to get departments fully staffed to the positions they have open meet with the departments to figure out where where their line is in the sand and work within those departments and also work the entire next year to come up with avenues to to help our budget. Mr. Marty, did you have something? I have one question u on on the paper you handed out to us. Can you clarify what's in the debt service line? Uh debt service would be what we're paying for.

So it's the interest. It's not interest. Hold on.

Hold on. What uh what line are you talking about? 23 or excuse me. Yeah. 22, sorry, 22. Okay. So, that would be um the amount that we're going to be paying next year. That's um part of that 39 million is actually a $20 million we'll have to refinance for the fiber project. So, the actual amount there is roughly um roughly 19 million that we'd be paying back. That includes both our debt service for our geo bonds and for um SRF loans. Basically cost of using the money. Um that's the actual payment. So principal and interest.

Okay. All right. Thank you. Any other questions council hearing? None. I want to thank Bridget and her staff for the work that they did you and Kim and and and Bridget. We had a number of meetings, uh, enlightening meetings. I want to thank you and your staff for meeting with any council member that was willing to meet with you and and ask important budget questions. Um, you I know you because I get CCD in the emails. I know you responded to their emails. I know that you met with them in person and I can't thank you and your staff enough for all the work that you've done. Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. Is this yours? Um, Mr. Mr. Salamanca doesn't want to.

Oh, Mr. Salamanca, do you have a question, sir? Nope. Bless your heart, Mr. Schmidt. Yes. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to then make a motion to close the hearing. Oops. That's been done. I'm sorry. like to adopt a resolution approving the fiscal year 2027 budget including total property tax askings of 54 million $841 uh 841,779 and a levy rate of 21.79160 for the budget year ending June 30th 2027. Second.

Got a motion to second. I I would this is the time for that. But people need to know that this fully funds the grout and the library this year. So roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Greatton Smith, no. Miss Barry, no. Mr. Salamanca? Yes. Mr. Martin? Yes. Mr. Simon? Yes. It passed four to three. Thank you. Two, wasn't it? There was three nos. You, you, and you. Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you voted yes. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Got to work on my hearing aid. You can borrow one of Mr. Mar. I'm just trying to help your numbers.

All right. Thank you. Moving on to number two. Who would like to take Mr. Mayor? Public please. Sir, Mr. Marorrow. Um motion to receive. Excuse me. Request by the city of Waterlue to reszone approximately 28 acres of land from A1 agricultural district to BP business park district located west and northwest of 4634 Kimble. Second and motion second. All in favor? I

opposed. Same sign. Mot hearing is now open. Does anyone like to speak about the reszoning of 28 acres of land u west of west of uh 4634 Kimble? one time. No, it's one time per subject. Okay. Yeah. Norman New Bower 1160. I didn't know. Pleasant Valley Drive, Waterl, Iowa. I was just curious about what this farmland was. What is it right now? And what is it being used for?

Mr. Anderson. N Anderson, community planning development director. Um, so it looks like it's farmland in the middle of nowhere. Uh, the city of Wateroo actually owns 181 acres to the west of that. And so the South Waterlue business park will be starting uh hopefully this fall, early spring um for the first roadway with all the infrastructure. All the infrastructure except for the sewer will be coming from Abor. The sewer will be coming from the Tower Park area under a sleeve under Highway 20. So, this uh 28 acres ties right into that. This will allow us to expand our certified site with the state of Iowa and be more eligible for the new state uh big incentives for larger projects.

Did that answer your question, ma'am? Yeah, I'm as a farm girl growing up on a farm, I'm always amazed um to see farmland um south of um the highway, you know, Kimble and Ridgeway in that area. I hate to see the farmland go because once it's gone, it's gone. And I have seen a lot of development go up there. my I would rather see if possible for the city planners to try to come back to town and make use of what we already have here if possible. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Appreciate your comments. Anyone else would like to speak for or against this project?

I Mr. Mayor, motion to close the hearing and receive and file oral and written comments and recommendation of approval of the planning programming and zoning commission. Second motion to second. All in favor? I oppose. I Mr. Mayor motion. Mr. Mr. Mr. Marl.

Motion to receive, file, consider, and pass for the first time an ordinance amending ordinance number 5079 as amended. City of Waterlue zoning ordinance by amending the official zoning map referring referred to in section 10-4-4 approving a request by the city of Waterlue to reszone approximately 28 acres of land from an Awang Agricultural District to BP Business Park District located west and northwest of 4634 Kimble Avenue. Second motion second council, any comments, questions about this? Seeing none, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmid, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Graten Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamo, yes. Mr. Martin, yes.

Mr. Simon, yes. Mr. Mar, Mr. Mayor, motion to suspend the rules. Second. Motion to second roll call vote. Mr. Mayor, timing. No, I'm sorry. Oh, that's right. I I jumped the gun. I I should have known you were going to ask him if the timing of this, right? I'm always going to ask. No, committee planning development director. We have shown the site to a few prospects but nothing that would be moving faster than if you didn't want to expend the rules at all. There's no immediate. Thank you. All right. Motion to second. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kon Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamco, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. Mr. S? Yes. Mr. Marl.

Mr. Mayor. Motion to consider and pass for the second and third times and adopt ordinance. Second. Motion a second. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Mr. Marl, yes. Miss Cranton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. S? Yes. And that passed. Who would like to take number three, please? Mr. Mayor, it's great Smith.

I move that we receive and file proof of publication of notice of public hearing for the request by BFA, Inc. on behalf of Walmart to vacate 26,821 square feet of a 20 foot waterline easement located at 1334 Flleain Drive. Second motion second. All in favor? I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. The hearing is now open. Does anybody in the audience wish to speak for or against vacating an a waterline easement behind Walmart?

Mr. Mayor, this is Rick Roing, engineer with BFA representing Walmart. Uh, I am the engineer on the project. The purpose of this easement vacation is when the Walmart store was expanded in 2005. The then current easement was not amended and the easement today is over property that there is no water line within. So, this is a housekeeping item to vacate the old easement. And the resolution item number 16 on tonight's agenda is to replace that easement dedicating a new easement over top of where the actual water line lies today.

Thank you, sir, for that explanation. Mr. Dryer, see you walking away. My question. I really appreciate him being online then. Any anybody else from the public wish to comment on this? Mr. Kraton Smith. Mr. Mayor, I move that we close um the hearing and receive and file oral and written communic comments and recommendations. Wait, wait. Recommendation of approval from the planning programming and zoning commission. Second. Motion to second. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carried. Miss Kraton Smith.

Mr. Mayor, I move that we receive, file, and consider and pass for the first time an ordinance approving a request by BFA, Inc. on behalf of Walmart to vacate 20 26,821 square ft of a 20 foot waterline easement located at 1334 Flaming Avenue. Second motion to second. Council, any questions on this? Seeing and hearing none, a roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marl, yes. Miss Grayton Smith. Yes. Miss Barry. Yes. Mr. Salmona. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. Mr. Seven. Yes. Mr. Kraton Smith. I move to suspend the rules. Second. Motion in a second. Mr. Schmidt, you have a question?

No, sir. Very good. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, we lost audio. Give us a thumbs up. There you go. Okay. Uh, Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Mr. Graden Smith, yes. I move to consider and pass for the second and third times and adopt SID ordinance. Second motion to second. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marl, yes. Mr. Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Thank you. Number four, please. Mr. Mayor,

Mr. tomorrow. A motion to well motion to receive excuse me 2026 2027. Motion to receive file with a motion. Sir motion. Motion for the 2026 2027 residential lots miscellaneous areas mowing with lot maintenance services contract for city-owned lots generally maintained by the planning and zoning department. Second. Motion to second. All in favor? I oppose. Same sign. Motion carried. The hearing is now open. Would anybody like to speak for or against the mowing contract for city?

David Dryer, 3145 West Four Street. I went back into the U council packet and see the same figures. Um, can you hook me up with this guy that's going to mow less than an acre for $949 because I got 610? I'm not trying to be smart. I'm just trying to point that out. It doesn't seem like this guy's going to make any money and the other guy's going to really cut a fat hog. I don't understand the difference. So, can somebody explain that that there's that much difference between the two companies? Mr. Anderson, can you help them out with that? But if you you can't move a mower for $949.

You're you're you're welcome to contact. Their names and and information is in there. But Mr. Anderson, do you have a question?

We'll get Mr. Schroeder up. We'll put him in the hot seat tonight. Eric Schrader, city planner. So, there were um two different biders that were low on the different parts. So, yes, the the $949 per lot per occurrence for lots under an acre was low under that category. I don't have it right in front of me what the other one's bid was for that category. I think it was like $12. Um, yeah, $1248. And then for the over an acre, that one's uh bid on an acreage amount per acre rather than a per lot like the other one is. And Taylor Construction was low at $49.89 versus the other bid of $6949. So yeah, I can't really comment on, you know, making or not making money on it, but those were the low bits. Kim comment that some of the lots are right next to each other.

Yes. I mean there is an economy of scales for sure that um there's over 200 lots in total and they're generally mowed once a week. Sometimes in the heat of the summer they might not get mowed um but a couple of times a month but it's a lot of work. So yes, when you're going throughout the city and mowing that many lots um all within that one week, it it adds up. So we usually get the better bids than if you're going to mow just a lot. Thank you. Any other comments from the public?

Odell Solace, 2613 Idaho. Um, I'm like Mr. Jerry. $949 for each lock per occurrence. Is is that standard for that that that type of bid on on on these on these types of lots? Eric, I don't I don't know what the bids were last year. Okay. Well, but he's going to answer your question. Let me let me get it all up that way he can answer them all at one time. No, go ahead, sir. Finish your questions.

All right. And and and my other concern was how is these bids come up? I I know you submit bids, you make them open to the public and um you know, you get to bid on these. Um I was just wondering, you know, what kind of consideration is taken? Say for instance, say if I had this contract for the last three or four years and I know my rate would probably been a lot higher than the 949. Is is is my work performance considered in in these bids if the the numbers are are close? How how how is that determined? Any other questions here before? No, Mr. Trader. Okay.

This is Shrader with staff. Um the bid specs do provide wording in there that we can look at. um performance. Um the bids were not really particularly um close on the individual components. Um when looked at it and overall if the contract were not to be split, it was fairly close and provided mayor and council with that assessment. Um, I do not have in front of me the the MO bid has been done as a two-year contract for um, several years now. So, the last bid was two years ago. I don't have that right in front of me what it was. That was included in the transmitt. So, if anyone has the um, civic clerk up, it should be in there. But, I think it was somewhere around 10 to 12. So, it went down a little. I think for the per lot under an acre price.

Mr. Simon is looking it up right now real quick. He's a magician on this. I'm not saying the national anthem. Um, if I'm reading this correctly, would it be 318 of 2024? Let's see. Right away mowing contract we see then It probably was later than that. I think in 24 we had a initial bid and all bids ended up getting rejected and a rebid was done

but it's it's in the transmitt for this item. I note what the current contract amount was. What would you have listed it under in the summary statement and background information? Summary statement.

Yeah. Well, I'm not seeing it, but I I'm happy that the bids were were what they were. Uh I'm I'm comfortable with the bids. If there's if there's an issue, I know your office will be dealing with it and and uh making adjustments. So, any other anybody else from the p public wish to comment on the mowing contract? Seeing none, m Mr. Mayor, tomorrow, please. Motion to close the hearing and receipt. I have a question.

Well, we're not to council questions yet, but we will be we'll get there. Excuse, Mr. Mayor. Motion. Yes, sir. To close the hearing and receive and file oral and written comments. Second and Oh, okay. Got to read. Oh, okay. All in favor? Opposed? Uh, motion carried. Mr. Marl, Mr. Mayor resolution confirming approval of plans, specifications, form of contract, etc., and authorizing to proceed. Second motion second. All in favor? I roll call vote on this one, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marl, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, no.

Miss Barry, I Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes, m Mr. Mayor. Yes, Mr. Mayor. Motion to receive, file, and instruct the city clerk to read bids. Second motion second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Miss Felley.

All right. Let's see. Our bid estimate for item A was $18 per lot per occurrence for lots under one acre. Um item B was $75 per hour per occurrence for lots one acre or more. Our first bidder was P andJ Lawn Care of Wateroo Iowa. Their bid that they provided was not responsive for the bid security lots under one acre and lots over one acre. Our second bidder was Adams Outdoor Contracting Incorporated of Water, Iowa. They provided 5% security. Their bid amount for item A lots under one acre was $949. And for item B, lots over 1 acre, $6949. Our next and final bidder was Taylor Construction of Cedar Falls, Iowa. They provided 5% security. Their bid amount for item A, lots under one acre was $1248. And for item B, lots over 1 acre was $49.89.

Thank you, Mr. Mar.

Mr. Mayor, resolution awarding the bid to Adams Outdoor Contracting Incorporated of Waterl, Iowa in the amount of 9.49 49 per lot per occurrence for lots under 1 acre in conjunction with the 2026 and 2027 residential lots/miscellaneous areas mowing and lot maintenance services contract part one for city-owned lots under one acre generally maintained by the planning and zoning department and awarding bid to Taylor Construction Company LLC Cedar Falls, Iowa in the amount of $49.89 89 cents per acre per occurrence for lots 1 acre or more in conjunction with the 2026 and 2027 residential lots/miscellaneous area mowing and lot maintenance service contract part two for city-owned lots 1 acre or more generally maintained by planning and zoning department.

Second a motion to second. Council questions on this item. Great. Did you have a question? Yeah. You had one earlier.

I did. I do. Okay. So, um I'm it's um a couple of things. I I read Mr. Mororrow's correspondence regarding the individual not having the um notary uh and so there was some question, some comment back and forth about that that I was concerned about. I also received a call from um the individual from the uh third con uh bidder and um the the uh individual stated that the notification time that he received it and had to turn it back in was impossible and he needed more time. he was instructed to turn in just what it whatever he could just turn in something and he did that. Um and um because it was non-responsive I think Kelly said because he turned in just anything according to um my understanding of what information he received. So I don't know um if Mr. Schroeder could help Mr. Mayor me understand that conversation. Eric Schrader, city planner. So, Mr. Adams, and I have to clarify since there's two companies, both with a Mr. Adams.

Um, Mr. James Adams with P&J Lawn Care um was at the um previous council meeting um and spoke with me outside the hall um after the meeting on the other MO bid. I think that was code enforcement's mo bid um occurred and expressed an interest in submitting a proposal on less than the entire contract on just a portion of the property. I noted that um that has not been done in a few years but had been done in the past. So he could submit a a proposal. it would be, you know, we'd have to review that and look at if that's how we would want to proceed. Um, I was still anticipating a proposal that, um, would have been submitted on the city's bid form, include all of the other required forms and the bid security. Um, the proposal was a one-page letter that didn't even list a price. um didn't have any of the other bid forms or bid security. So that was reviewed with the city attorney's office and um deemed not nonresponsive.

Did that answer your question, ma'am? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Eric. Council, any other questions, Mr. Mayor? Barry. Eric, actually for Eric. Sorry, Eric. I just want to make sure I'm clear. So did well let me ask you this question first. Did you instruct him though to handle it the way he did or No. The straighter was staff. No. I I

Okay. I suggested that he could submit a bid on less than the full contract, but I never suggested submitting it in any other form other than what was provided in the bid specs. And has he I um mowed city lawns before? You know, has he worked with us again before? Yes, he has. As I understand it, particularly under the code enforcement contract, he was awarded a portion of the code enforcement contract. Okay. At just the previous council meeting, and I think he's had

portions of city contracts in previous years. Were there any other the other the person who got the bid, was there any issue at all with that person? um just any kind of an issue with the with who who got the bid. Yes. Is who actually got the job, right? We're proposing to split the bid between two biders. So, yes, there were

um some issues. You had the one bidder that raised concerns on the split of the bid and on the submittal information of the other bidder, but that was reviewed with the city attorney's office as well. And I provided a review of that that there was not deemed grounds. I just want to make sure we are not to be rejected. Okay. that we're not um setting any kind of a precedent or picking and choosing things like that, right?

Um we're just following the what the ordinance says the whole time in the process, but it sounds like it probably was not based on what the one Mr. They have the same name Adams. Yeah. Based on what Mr. Adams had conveyed that um there was he was instructed by you to handle it the way he did. Uh okay. You said no. He didn't do anything differently. Yeah. Not that I'm aware of.

Okay. And I'm not accusing you or anything. I just want to make sure that we're making sure that we are giving accurate information and Yeah. Okay. Before you step down, does any other council people have questions for Eric? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Martin,

real quick, based on our conversation that we had, part of the language based off of the equipment that was available. Is that why kind of the the split happened was based off of the equipment that one contractor had versus the other? No, the the split happened based on the um low bids and that each component was each bidder was significantly lower in one component and not the other. The issue raised upon proposing that split was whether or not one contractor had sufficient equipment and by the wording in the bid specifications there there was there's certainly some issue as to whether or not it meets the criteria, but as discussed in in the um city attorney's review uh it was deemed to meet the intent of the requirements. The primary intent of the equipment list is to ensure that the properties can be mowed in a safely and timely manner. And we got confirmation from um the bidder that they uh attest that they will be able to complete the work with the equipment they have in a timely and safe manner. So based on that, the recommendation was to proceed.

All right. Thank you. Any other questions? Nope. Anyone else on the council have any questions? Okay, that being said, thank you, sir. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marl, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca. Gave a thumbs up. Okay. Yes. Uh, Mr. Martin? Yes. And Mr. Son? Yes. Thank you. Resolutions. Who would like to take one and two, please?

Mr. Item number one is a resolution approving a traffic safety improvement program with the Iowa Department of Transportation in the amount of $470,000 in conjunction with the construction of a roundabout at Hammond Avenue and Ridgeway Avenue and authorizing the mayor and city clerk execute said document. Item number two is approving a resolution or adopting a resolution approving a professional services agreement with Protek Central in the amount of $5,400 for a three-year contract for the semianual maintenance and testing of the data room fire suppression system and authorizing the mayor to execute said document.

Second. We got a motion in a second. Anyone from the audience wish to speak to items one or two? We can get your chair up front, sir, if you'd like. We can call you a front row boy.

David Dryer, 3145 West Four Street. Uh number one, um I looked at the U council packet again. Uh we're on the hook total for 1.2 million of which uh we're going to get 470,000 from the state. Okay. But is there I don't see anything about the cost of any land acquisition. You're going to put a tiny roundabout in there or is there some money that's going to get brought up later for Oh, gee, we got to buy some land. Is this Mr. Kudson or Mr. Mr. Bennett? Looks like Mr. Bennett. I appreciate his enthusiasm.

I'll jump it up. Uh Randy Bennett, public works division manager. So, this project is actually encompassing three different grants um for the roundabout. So, we got first got a IAP grant which is an 8020 uh which was a little over or right at a $700,000 grant. We also got a CRP grant um which is in the amount of 1,332,000 which was an 8020. And then this one um for this grant which was for 470 which can be used for the um the match of that portion which would also um encompass where we have to try to acquire some of the property for it. So there is some property going to have to be bought. There will have to be Yes.

The the design is minimal. It's got to all get done but we're not quite at that part but possibly yes. It's got to be designed fully till we get that. It's not. It's going to be small. Thank you for your questions. Anybody else from the audience have a question? Y

Mr. Natham again, Wayne Natham, 548 Cloverdale. And uh regard number one, I have never ever been a a fan of a a roundabout and I've driven throughout the United States and I've seen uh nothing but chaos in a lot of them and so forth. U I I understand there's a lot of traffic at times at Ridgeway and Hammond Avenue, especially certain times of the day. I think the present system is working just fine. uh where they stop, they wait for the and change off and go. Uh I I just hope that uh somebody comes to their senses and says no no roundabout there. Uh first I would just go out and and uh drive through there. I've been through there when the traffic's been heavy coming back from Menards and stuff and I have not had any big problems getting through. You just got to be patient and uh take your turn. And they do the people who drive that every day. They they know what to expect and they take their turn and it works fine. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Vote no for it. Anyone else wish to speak to this item? Council questions. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Sim,

um, couple things. Uh, I think I live nearby there. I think, uh, Mr. Martin does as well. That does get backed up quite a bit there. I think a roundabout will help with the the traffic flow. I've had complaints from people that live near right near that stopping that stop sign. And when cars come up there, they stop. They rev their engines. They speed away. They squeal their tires. Uh this is what I've heard from him. I've sat on his front porch in the summertime and and witnessed it. So, I'm hoping the traffic flow will improve that situation. I know it won't necessarily erase it, but it should help uh reduce those numbers of incidences. And then the other reason why I like this idea is because with Leaport Road upcoming and being shut down, there will be some traffic that will be going down Ridgeway and down Hammond, um any way to keep that motion going, I think is going to be an improvement. So, I think I think this in conjunction with the Leaport Road um makes sense.

Thank you, Council. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Unlike the gentleman just said, I've almost been hitting that intersection like three times and I go that way every single day from work to home. So, the roundabout is needed because some people just can't drive. Point taken. I think he's talking about me. Anybody else have any questions? All right, seeing none, roll call vote, please one and two. Mr. Schmid, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes. We'd like to take number three, please. Mr. Mr. Marl.

Number three. Resolution approving a purchase agreement with the city of Stanwood, Iowa in the amount of $35,000 for a 1996 Spartan firet truck and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said documents.

Second. We have a motion in a second. Anybody in the audience wish to speak for or against this item on the agenda? Mr. Harda Hardo 158 Lech Road. My biggest concern with this is the safety that has come about since 1996 for firefighters in trucks is amazing. Um, just like your cars in 96, there were options that were not available that are standard equipment now on new fire apparatus. I believe that the city is making a bad investment when they buy old technology and somebody else's used truck. Used firet trucks have very little value when they're done being used because they're customd designed

for the city that they're put into. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anyone else in the audience wish to speak for or against this item? Seeing none. Council questions on this. Miss Kraton Smith. Yes, Mr. Mayor. I would like to hear from the chief about the used fire truck. Why would we? When I read it, I thought 1996.

Bill, fire chief. Uh, it is a 1996. Um, currently our reserve status for our engines, um, what we do is when we get a new fire truck, when we get a new fire truck, the truck that it replaces goes into reserve status.

Um, our present, we have three reserve status vehicles. Uh, we will be getting rid of two of them. As a matter of fact, the Purple Wave Auction Company online auction company came today to take pictures of a 97 and a 99 that we've had since purchase that uh according to public works, our central garage have been deemed as unsafe due to uh structural members being unsafe. Uh one fails the pump test continually. Um, while 1996 was 30 years ago, this truck was very lightly used in relation to the trucks that we are be getting rid of that are of that similar age.

Um, it's I don't have them. I apologize. I don't have the hours and the miles, but it's it's minuscule in relation to what we put on them. We run our trucks hard. This truck will not be a frontline apparatus. It will be a reserve apparatus which um trying to project forward uh it will be used regularly in frontline duty but it will never actually be a frontline apparatus. It's always going to be reserved. Thank you. Any other questions? Ma'am, Mr. Marl, question. Don't uh firetruck pumps have to be certified or whatever every so often and has this one been done?

This fire Yes. fire trucks to get uh pump tested regularly. This one was last pump tested in 2024 which had passed. Um again, it's very lightly used in that small community. However, they do exercise the pump regularly. So, you don't have any concern over the pump. We had our shop personnel along with one um of my engineers, and when I say engineer, that means the guy driving the truck, not one of those guys. Um go down there, take a look at it, run it through some paces. They believe it's a good truck in good condition and will serve us well. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions from council? Just a quick question. What's the average cost of a firet truck? The fire I know Yeah.

certainly that uh we are working on a new engine 302. Um the sticker price for that and it's going to be a very plain run-of-the-mill just give me a firetruck fire truck will be about $1.1 million. Okay. um this being at 35,000 we think is going to be very cost effective and that's like a 2026 that would be a 2029 because they're about three or four years out on their bills. Okay. Okay. Well, I trust you if you want that this one. Okay. Any other questions from council? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon, um

when I seen that price tag, I was shocked how cheap that was. So, from somebody that I mean, we're buying a used car, so we know there's risk, but um in comparison to $1.1 million, that's quite the bargain. Um, one concern I have is since it is an older truck, you said we have a 97 and a 98. So, do the do the firefighters have the do they need to be retrained on this since it's an older unit? We will have training on it. It's a different model than we're what we're accustomed to. This is a Spartan. We normally buy pierces.

Okay. Um there'll be there'll be certainly some training on it. There are a few things that are different. Instead of being a uh where the engineer runs the pump on the on the street on the path on the driver's side, uh this is actually elevated up above. I'm a fan of those. Um but uh that's just some different uh training that's needed. And then the last question I have is clarify this for me. Do we have five reserve trucks now and we're getting rid of three of we selling two? and keeping three or do we have three total we're getting rid of two? We technically have four fire trucks that are I'm on reserve. Yes.

Yes. We have um one that is used regularly that is still in in good shape. We have the two that we will be selling and then we also have um a quint which is a 75 foot ladder. Um I have strong hesitations of ever using that quint because that is our backup for our aerial device. Um, if everything goes as well as we possibly can go, I wouldn't expect to get a new aerial in place until probably 2033 or 2034. So, this truck needs to serve us for that. And it's how old is the Quint? It's a 1998. No, it's it's about the same same year. It's a 1996. Yeah.

But it's a 1996 that lived through Waterl Fire Rescue. So, so we three is what we need for reserve and this will bring us up to three if we sell. Yeah, three makes me comfortable. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Any other questions for the chief? Hearing none. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Thank you. Who would like to take four, five, and six, please? Mr. Mayor Greatton Smith,

I move that we adopt the following resolutions. The resolution approving a professional services agreement with ACOM, Inc. of Waterl, Iowa in the amount not to exceed $58,100 for design related services in conjunction with the fiscal year 2026 Cedar Prairie Trail replacement contract number 1142 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute set document. resolution approving a right of entry agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to allow installation of monitoring whales in the city right of way along Midport Boulevard and Big Rock Road and authorizing the mayor to execute said document. And lastly, resolution approving a cooperative agreement with the city of Cedar Falls to split costs in conjunction with the fiscal year 2026 Cedar Prairie Trail replacement contract number 1142 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document.

Second motion second. Anyone from the public wish to speak to items four, five, or six, please? David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. I guess this pertains to four and six. Um, if we're just replacing a piece of cement or black top, whatever it is, why do we need to have AECOM design it? It's already there. It makes no sense to me to spend any money other than with the contractor to do it. Mr. Kudson,

Jamie Kudson, city engineer. The city of Waterlue and City of Cedar Falls received a TAP grant, which is money that comes from our NO. It's federal dollars for $380,000 to pay for about 80% of the uh construction cost for this. The city of Waterlue nor the city of Cedar Falls has the the expertise to deal with all the federal dollar or the federal paperwork that goes along with the dollars that we would be getting or will be getting with the grant agreement. So, it's just not something that that my staff or Cedar Falls staff is is can do. So, that's why we are hiring a come to do the design. So, this money will be coming out of the grant. Majority of it. Yes,

there'll be a portion of it paid that way. Yes. Thank you, sir. Thank you, government. Oh, as as you said in the past, it's still your taxes. Okay. Thank you, sir. Anyone else in the audience wish to speak for or against four, five or six? Seeing none, councel. Well, this is nice. All right, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamancco, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. Thank you. Who would like to take seven, eight, and nine, please? Mr. Mayor, M. Barry,

I'd like to adopt a resolution approving a professional service agreement with Acon, Inc. Waterlue, Waterlue, Iowa, in an am in in amount not to exceed 21,000. No, 21. Is that million? No, that's 21,100.

Okay, thank you. 21,100. This Excuse me. This might help. Sorry about that, y'all. Okay. No, sorry about that. Okay. Um, for engineering related services to complete an application to submit for funding for the conversion and reconstruction of fifth and sixth streets from Washington Street to Franklin Street and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document, a resolution approving a professional services agreement with Acon, Inc. of Waterlue, Iowa in in an amount not to exceed $159,800 for design related services in conjunction with upgrades to the Edward Street storm water lift station and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute self document and a resolution approving supplemental agreement number two with Mccclure Engineering in the amount of $140,550 in conjunction with the fiscal year 2026 Dakota Drive extension contract number 1129 and authorizing the mayor to execute set document.

Second. Got a motion to second. U anyone from the audience wish to speak for against items 7, eight or nine. Seeing none councel Mr. Mayor, Mr. mile. Um, I have talked to a few downtown businesses and they are not uh in in support of converting these streets to two-way streets. And I guess I'd like to know, have we have we done any kind of studies? Do we have any kind of surveys? Do we have any kind of input that says this is or is not a good thing?

Mr. Kudson. and and we have applied for this before. Correct. Correct. Jamie Kudson, city engineer. Um the previous mayor and council had decided to and this goes back probably four years ago had decided to look at the conversion of Fifth and Sixth Street. Um we have applied for a grant three three times three

and this will be the fourth time um to convert it from two one ways to two ways. Um ultimately that decision on whether to move forward with that and move forward with conversion lies with this body. Um but that was how we have proceeded uh based on previous mayor and counsel. And again this as I I think I emailed you Mr. Marorrow the we applied the last time we applied for this grant um the debrief was very positive. Um, it sounded like had we had there not been quite so many applicants, we had a good shot at getting this funded. This is a very big project. This includes not just the streets, but it also includes uh Dryrun Arch under Sixth Street. Um, ultimately the the grant as that we will be pro we will be applying for does require to convert it to from two-way or one way to two-way. Um, if we are not going to move forward with that conversion, there's no point in moving ahead with the grant because I don't think we would get uh any grant funding for it.

So, h has anybody had any discussions with any of the downtown businesses to see whether they're for or against? I have not personally. All I can tell you is that the prior mayor and council had heard from businesses that they wanted it converted. So, it's probably like the downtown parking. You ask different people. you're going to get different uh opinions. Okay. Thank you. As long as you're up there. Any other council people have questions on on this for Mr. Kudson before he sits down? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Simon, so the grant you said the the grant would require it be changed to Yes. And is there a reason they give you as a why?

Well, that's that's what we have applied for the last couple years. It just I don't again based on the debrief from the people that reviewed our grant applic application a year ago. They think we have a very strong grant that and they encouraged us to apply again based on what our application was and that was converting from one ways or one ways to two ways.

And then even if we did get this grant, what would be the estimated cost in your mind? I mean, I I'm not going to hold you to it, but if we were to, let's say we got the grant tomorrow, how much added money will this cost the city? So, and I I put this in the in the in council information. We were applying for approximately 22 million out of the 28 million anticipated cost for the project. So, additional six million.

Again, if we don't at some point, if we don't get this grant this year, that entire 28 million, $30 million is going to fall on to us to pay for it. And it's probably going to have to happen sooner than later if you've driven Fifth and Sixth Street. Mr. Mayor, and then if just to close. One moment, sir. Go ahead, Mr. Simon. I I'm no because I have not had one single person that owns a business downtown say they want two one-way street or to get rid of the one-way streets to get two rightway streets. I mean, I I just can't vote for something that I have no support from the community on. I would

I apologize, but that's just where I'm at. That's that's certainly I would point out this that Sycamore and Lafayette through downtown used to be one ways and they were converted to two ways and there was a lot of folks that did not want to see that happen and it's turned out to be just fine. Fair enough. Okay. Uh Mr. Salamanca, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to table this so that way this council can review the information and have a second pair of eyes on it. I would I want, as Mr. Anderson pointed out, JSA came up uh I don't know if it's been with this particular council, but previously he's come up in support of it. Well, we have a motion to table it. Do we have a second?

Second. Have a motion and a second to table. Discussion on the tableing. Is there any timing issue as far as the table? Mr. Salamaka, how long do you want this to to sit? Two weeks next council meeting. Okay. Okay.

I think that gives us enough time to at least talk to Jamie and, you know, have a better understanding seeing how council has switched. I believe there's now five new council members from previous councils. So, I'd really like to read into it more and understand the data behind this change and what precipitated it, as well as what other cities have done and what best practices exist in switching from a one-way to a two-way um and whatnot. Thank you. I would like to point out to the council that uh we are on a very short time frame to get this grant put in and two weeks is I'm not sure if we wait two weeks that we're going to be able to meet the deadline.

Well, I see Michelle Sweeney here. Maybe she can come up and tell us about the time frame. I saw you walking away. You can run. You can't hide.

Sorry, Michelle Sweeney. A com I was just going to comment on the same thing. So delaying this does um restrict us in the timing to get it turned around. Um this does have a deadline coming up next month. And so uh twoe delay does significantly impact our ability to get the BCA updated and the narrative updated to meet the new criteria uh for the NOFO that came out. The I did want to also note we had several public hearings or public information meetings, not public hearings, uh on the project and did have um a lot of businesses come out in support. Um we didn't have a huge part like we I think we notified everybody, but we didn't have a huge uh attendance, but we didn't Usually that indicates um not a lot of uh opposition when you don't get a whole bunch of people out. Jimmy kids the city engineer. The other thing to point out is we had one Michelle did we have one or two council work sessions

two two the previous mayor and council and Mr. Simon and Mr. Boosezen were on council at that time. So those you know again the public was able to watch those and and review the data for the traffic study and everything else to see how this was going to impact uh the downtown.

Yeah. a lot in a just a kind of quick synopsis on the two-way to or one way to two-way conversion is it does end up spurring economic development. It makes businesses along those corridors more um viable and easily accessible from the corridor uh and the overall improvements that would also come with this. The reconstruction would also help to spur it. A lot of times what you'll see is along a corridor that's been revitalized uh the adjacent businesses also end up benefiting and doing an investment. One of the other and now we're going to we have a motion to table it. Do you have do you have comments on the tableling? No. Okay. Mr. M, do you have comments on the table?

Mr. Mr. I don't believe that we should table this. I think we should move forward and vote on this tonight because of the fact that what you just said as far as it being needed to be done. Um whether you agree with it or disagree with it, I think it needs to be voted on tonight. So I don't agree with the motion to move to put you can vote and when we bring it to to a vote that way. Yes, sir. Um so my understanding is we've applied for this three times before. Yeah. All right. So, when you re how much time does it take to rewrite a grant that you've already wrote three times?

So, it's uh so they're different. I do want to note that it the SS4A and reconnecting communities grants are different grants. Um and then with the new administration that changes the priorities and so then you have to update to the new administration's priorities. So, yes, a lot of the narrative is going to remain the same in the fact that it's safe streets for all. you're doing economic development, but we have to remove um greenhouse carbon gases. Uh there's a lot of verbiage in there that would have hit on the previous administrations versus this administration. So, we have to make sure that we are um submitting and playing towards the strengths of the administration that we are working with. The the other thing too is the the benefit cost analysis that has to be done for this is what takes the longest and we need to make sure that we give a com enough time to be able to complete that BCA otherwise we'll be submitting something that won't be complete and in our best interest

and that deadline is what date I don't have it in front of me but it's the end of May 1st of June I think I thought it was May is it the end May the end of May. And the amount of time that AECOM would need to to do the BCA would be inside that two-week period is too long.

Well, yeah. And not only do we have to do BCA, we have to reach out to the community, get grant letter supports, we have to and so those are all things that we have to do in addition to this. And so, um, and they have to be re rewritten. So, they can't be the same because of the fact that you have to again change the language to meet the administration. So you have to there's leg work that you have to do in order to get that and so we want to make sure we're leaving the community members that we're reaching out to time to do this as well. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is about the tableabling. Yes, sir. Okay. Please.

I also agree that we do not need to table this. We need to move on. We spent a lot of time on this. Uh a lot of energy uh community input has been received. Um she mentioned the uh information sessions. Um I remember we talked about uh businesses who are missing opportunities for to generate revenue because people are just passing by. I remember laughing and talking about trying to whip a you don't listen to this chief. Cover your ears trying to whip a U-turn and get where I needed to go. So we don't want that happening to folks. We need to have both sides working. That's my um it's long line of tableling in my mind that I have, like I say, I have I have some businesses that didn't agree with it. I'm also thinking about budget. The city's going to be on the hook for $6 million if we do this and we're looking in the down the future to address trying to pull it in. So on my mind, if I've got businesses that aren't supporting it and we're trying to trim budgets, is this smart?

So now do the table. Yes. We have a motion to table. A motion and a second to table. Roll call vote, please, for item number seven for tableabling. Mr. Schmidt. No. Mr. Marl. Yes.

Miss Grton Smith. No. Miss Barry. No. Mr. Salamanca. Yes, Mr. Martin. No. And Mr. Simon? No. Okay, that passed 5 to two. Now we can go back on to 7, 8, and 9. Council questions on 7, 8, and 9.

So, Mr. I would just like to mention that uh going back to the discussion we're having about the traffic study. um when I was on the council and that was over six years ago we were talking about doing this and I don't know if the young lady from a come still in the room Michelle

but and prior to that I was on the main street board and I was liazison on the main street board and if I'm not mistaken I thought that over the course of the last 10 years Debuke Cedar Rapids Davenport all of our competitors or most of our competitors ers have gone back to two-way streets in order to enhance uh the retail opportunities downtown. You know, we all are very supportive of downtown Water, but downtown Water struggles because it's so big. Yes. And I'm not saying this is the answer, but it seems like this may be part of it. But am I correct on these other cities that this has kind of been where everybody else has been going?

Correct. This is very much the downtown trend that you will see in other communities. Um, and there you're exactly right. It's for the economic development of the adjacent property owners. Um, it creates more of a walkability corridor because it does uh end up slowing traffic down because a lot of times on those three-lane corridors coming one way, they end up being a little bit of a raceway through downtown versus like your slower um downtown environments. I mean, our our one-way roads were developed when Deer had thousands of more employees out in the north side of Wateroo to get people from one side of town to the other. That's not the case anymore. So, it's really kind of outlived that. Yes.

And and I think and I'm not looking for any names, but I think the the downtown businesses that have commented that they're not in favor of this are not on the one lane roads. They're on the two-lane roads, so they aren't going to be impacted directly anyhow. But I know like Sixth Street, Fifth Street, uh I could see why a business would not want to locate there the way cars travel by there. So yeah. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you. Council, any other questions on 7, eight or nine? Um roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marorrow, no. On seven. Yes. On eight and nine. Miss Cton Smith.

Yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, no on seven. Yes. On the others. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, no. On seven. Yes. On 89. All right. They all pass. Who would like to take number 10? Mr.

Mr. Martin. I'd like to adopt a resolution approving the development agreement with Delaton Assets Acquisition LLC for the phase development, including the $5,000 infield in incentive grant for each resident created for up to a total of $60,000 of infield incentive grants refunding the purchase price of $5,000 for the purchase of each phase for a total refund of 10 $10,000 and a minimum assessment agreement for the for the construction of fewer than 12 new single family homes located near 918 and 919 New Street and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Second.

Motion a second. Anyone from the audience wish to speak for or against item number 10? He's the developer, sir. Come on up. David D, 3145 West 4th Street. I continue to ask this question and I never seem to get an answer that I guess makes sense to me or I don't get an answer at all. But we keep building apartment complexes. Uh there's all kinds of them all around the city, all around Cedar Falls, and our population is stagnant again. Where are these people coming from? Are they coming out of the existing downtown, the the old town I call it, and then now we have a vacant property that we they let go for taxes and we end up tearing it down or paying somebody $5,000 to to take it over. It just doesn't seem to make sense that when I see all these apartment buildings that are going up, big one out by uh Cookstar, huge. And our population isn't there. I'm not moving yet. Thank you.

These are houses, sir. These aren't apartments. These are houses. These are houses. Single family homes. Okay. But then what about all the apartments? So, no, we need a bunch of houses. We need a bunch of everything. Today, we're on this item, we're addressing the houses. Okay, just just to to clarify, it's not apartments, Mr. Salis. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead, ma'am.

Beverly Cosby, 315 Window Court. I believe when this issue came up before um I was one of the I um was u very much for this because I live on the east side and we have been stagnant when it comes to development as far as single family homes are concerned. Yes, they're single families and yes, there are people out there that can afford to buy them. So, why not give them the opportunity to do so? Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else in the audience before the developer comes up?

Mr. Salace again, Odell Salis 2613 Idol. Uh to Mr. driver's concern. Um I just want to say that we we are building homes. One of the criterias in us uh taking on this project was to make available single family residents on that portion of town. And part of our business model is such that we pre-qualify people prior to even starting the development. And we get folks through various uh programs that can qualify based on certain HUD standards to to buy these homes up to a certain uh certain amount. And and so uh I agree we don't need any more apartments in in in those areas and and and I think that uh you know we'll be consistent in in in doing such. So there will be none nothing like that. Mr. Dryer,

very good. As long as you're up here. Council, does anybody from the council have any questions for Mr. Sal? Mr. Marl. Um, the address listed for your company is 1542 uh Fleming is I think that's the old Staples or something, isn't it? Well, it's it's it's a it's the address is what do you say it was? 1542 Fleming. Flaming. Yeah. Flaming.

Yeah. And and the reason why I ask that because I operate over 15 different LLC's and businesses and each one of them has different addresses and it is a custom when you have commercial businesses such as that to use uh uh executive offices and structures if you have businesses around the country such as I do. So this is your executive office then that is that is my suite at that address. Okay. All right. Thank you. So if you need correspondence communications we can receive mail there. We can receive service there and we can ship out there. All right. Thank you. Any other council people have questions? Mr. Mayor Braden Smith,

I I wanted to add that often times we talk about how high uh the property taxes are in Wateroo, but we don't look at the valuation of property in Waterlue. And it isn't until we build more homes and bring in more businesses that the property, the taxes can go down. We have to build our economy. We have to build homes where folks are paying taxes. companies are coming in ultimately paying taxes, bringing more jobs into the community and bringing folks from outside of the city into the city of Wateroo to work at these various international paper and etc to occupy purchase these homes. So when we keep saying that our our taxes are higher than anywhere in the state, you have to look at the property valuation throughout the state. uh our what property value evaluation was 143,000 is the average uh cost of a house. You look at Cedar Rapids is 226,000. So the taxes are going to be lower. So we have to consider the full picture to understand why are why we are where we are and how do we move the needle forward so that our taxes will ultimately go down. And you left out Cedar Falls, who the average price of their homes in 2023 was $470,000.

Just want to throw that out there. Mr. Mayor, any other questions? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. Well, um, for many years I worked around that at that 918 address, which was formerly KBBG radio. And this is exciting. I'm excited to see that there's some some possible housing that's going to go over in that area, new homes. Um, and I just want to encourage this council as as everything you said, Dr. Smith. Um, I hope we will support this because again, it's about homeownership in my in my view and, um, growing our city tax base and this is a way to make that happen. So, thank you, Mr. Salis.

Mr. Simon, um, Mr. Sal, thank you for meeting with us when we we went over this the first time and I enjoyed the conversations we had and null, if I may ask you. Um, at that time when we went over this the first time, there was some requirements that were not met or needed to be met and I'm assuming that Mr. Sal has met all the requirements so we can move forward with this because I I know the last time there was some discrepancies and I just want to make sure we're going forward with a clean slate here. No Anderson, community planning development director. Yes. all all uh everything's been met to this point. We're moving ahead with the development agreement as stated. Very good. That's good to hear. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

I just got a quick comment. I just did a Google search and to answer Mr. Dryer's question about the physical address. Um there is no exact number of companies like Mr. uh Sales that use physical address, but it states a physical address is a common place or practice for small business owners looking for privacy, professional image. These retail locations provide a physical street address rather than a PO box which is necessary for LLC's registrations. Well, thank you for clarifying that, sir. Anyone else have anything? Okay, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Salamanca, what's the timeline for completion of these houses?

Mr. Anderson, now we're talking about phase one right now, sir. Anderson, community planning development director. The uh the development agreement notes uh that uh they will start three months from agreement approval tonight. Um and then the uh phase one uh houses will be done within eight months and that's two units, correct, Mr. Salis? That is correct. Thank you. Any other questions? Mr. Salamanca? Nope.

Mr. Mayor, before before you before you proceed, I just like to say one more thing. Uh, and this is to Mr. Dryer's comment. We have and I personally have contacted companies like Tyson, uh, the meat company, the concrete company out there, and we talked to them about uh, employment. And one of the major things is is that they need housing in that sector where their employees drive. and they uh I believe um uh the the meat company uh has brought on is bringing on 200 200 new employees in in the coming semester. So we are growing and water is growing. We may not see it in certain places but it is growing and we do need the housing for for for that purpose and we did talk to several companies prior to looking at that area to develop.

Thank you sir. Roll call vote please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marl, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, no. Mr. Martin, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. That passes. Would someone take 11, 12, and 13, please? Mr. Mayor, thank you for your time. Thank you, sir. Miss Ken Smith.

Mr. Mayor, I move that we adopt a request by Martin Flats LLC for an encroachment agreement to allow four bike racks on city-owned property in the C3 Central Business District located adjacent to 321 East Forest Street on the sidewalk of East Forest Street and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. resolution approving a memorand memorandum of agreement between the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, and the city of Waterlue in conjunction with the abatement of hazardous materials at the formal wrath packing plan and authorizing the mayor to execute said document. And thirdly, resolution in support of an application by Big Hand Pepper LLC for the Iowa Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority to construct 15 new single family homes at the former Castle Hill School site located south of 235 Spiker Road, including tax rebates for 50% of infrastructure costs.

Second. Motion a second. Did anybody from the public wish to speak to items number 11, 12, and 13? Seeing none, count Oh, I'm sorry. Please come come to the podium and state your name and address, please.

Yeah, my name is Jeff Kane. I live at 213 Valley Road. Um, I I just I'm not against per se the building of this, but I want to make sure that they have uh we can accommodate the sewer and the water runoff because it's on a hill and we're toward the bottom of this hill and when it rains it they're like rivers. I don't think that we have the capability of withstanding all the extra water from all these extra buildings that we're trying to build.

And I'll I'll have I'll have Mr. Anderson comment on it, but there is going to be detention basins included in this. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Kudson, he can comment on the water runoff. Jamie Kudson, city engineer. This area will need to Well, current let me start with this. Currently, the old school does not have any storm water detention. So, everything just runs, as you say, just in our backyard, just straight north.

So, any new housing development that goes in will need to meet our storm water ordinance, which requires them to hold uh the difference between the 100red-year developed and the five-year undeveloped um onsite and let it out slowly. Basically, you're still going to get the same volume of water, but you're going to get it at a much slower rate. So, don't even the same amount. So, that's that's what our ordinance requires. So, they will have to meet that as part of the site plan that they bring in the sewer portion of it

for the sanitary sewer. I haven't I didn't look at that. I would assume that the school again I'd have to look at the numbers, but I would think the school should be producing a lot more uh waste, sanitary waste than what a the number of single family homes in there. I haven't seen any layout, so I can't 15 homes compare that small of an area is a lot. They would be one on top of another. Well, I won't I won't speak to that. But I can just tell you that we can look into we'll look into the sanitary sewer as part of this our area to have homes that close to each other.

We were told this the storm sewers weren't set up for the apartments that they put up uphill around the corner. Uh I can't remember what streets they are. Um over by the kingdom the Jehovah Witness by the Jehovah Witness school. They all tie into that. So we're by LCH. Ma'am, could we get your name and and address for the record? Dain 213 Valley Road. Thank you. So, husband and wife, we just needed your name. Okay.

I will say this. In general, storm sewer on roads are designed for, generally speaking, a 10-year storm. Anything over that um the water is going to run down the roads, the storm sewer is not designed to handle anything bigger than that. Those of us that were here last Tuesday um and watched all the hail and the rain downtown, all the downtown intersections were flooded again because we can only design these things for so much to carry so much water. So, um, the water as of now goes over the road when it rains. Thank you. Appreciate it. Uh, I I I will we we have the developer here. We you only are allowed three minutes. I apologize, but your time is up. Uh, but this is just for an application for workforce housing tax credits. Okay.

Okay. Can I say another issue? Well, your time's up, but Okay. But please feel free to to uh email any of the council members or myself your questions and we'll and somebody will get back to you. Mr. Mayor, it's not council comments yet. Okay, it's public.

Hi, Norman Newower, 1160 Pleasant Valley Drive. I am also part of this Castle Hill community. All right. If we're going to have 15 houses up on this hill with their eve spouts coming down, we are going to have more of a flood. They have video of the boulevard right now from that last storm where the water went over the boulevard, guys. It's not going to be fun. Okay. The only thing I want to contact you about, and I'm not going to look at you straight in the eye. You can just look at me here, but I'm really upset that all this traffic is going to be coming down Spiker. I would like it to go up to Maynard. Okay. If I had 15 little Hot Wheel cars here.

Ma'am, you need to be in the mic so people can hear you.

If I had little 15 Hot Wheel cars here right now, each house, there's 15 houses. Take it times two. That's 30 cars. And you know how the men and some of us girls are, we like one more vehicle. I would like each one of you sitting here right now thinking how you would like to have 40 to 45 cars go past your house morning, noon, and night. We don't want that. We don't care. I It's fine that you put the houses there. That's okay. But let's go to Maynard and not have because we're going to be dealing with this water. You guys aren't going to be dealing with it. We are. Okay. So, yes, I'm a very I'm I'm a little concerned about this. We've lived there since 1979 and I've been there. We've lived it. We've seen it. Okay. The other thing I want to uh to take a look at is this this uh traffic flow. They're either if they come down only Spiker, they're only they're going to be taking a left to go down Valley or they're going to be going up on Rainbow. Okay. So, what are you going to have? Are you going to have stop signs? There isn't any there right now. Are you going to put stop lightss in our neighborhood? It It's not meant for stop lightss, people. It's just not meant to happen. Speed bumps. We have a good speed bump on Maynard, which I think should be higher. Traffic sit on Maynard sometime. I I think it's just a bad location. We're glad that there's houses that are coming in. I think it's what.3 or 0.5 uh allocated acres per house. Are these going to be what kind of houses are these going to be? $200,000 houses, $400,000 houses. You've all talked about that tonight. Okay. I have contacted my representative from this. They are. They know how we are. I'm the one that was the foot soldier. I went around to the neighborhood. There were some people that didn't even know about it. I don't know what your contact is. How far from the houses? How many people have got to be uh you know said, "Hey, this is what's going to be going on your neighborhood." Most of them didn't even

know it, you guys. Now, that's not right. Okay? So, I'd like you to get it together. Um these 15 houses, like we say, it's the traffic that is going to get us. It's It's just Come visit our neighborhood. Okay. Drive down Valley. Drive down little short Spiker. Spiker probably has on one side eight houses. Maybe there's eight on the other. Can I reclaim my time? Just one more minute. Your time's up, ma'am. Um Okay. Well, okay. Thank you. Appreciate your comments.

We do we do have a representative from the developer that can address some of your questions if he wants, but we'll let the public come up first. Mr. Hardama. Dear Hardman, 158 Lech Road. Um, I sent a few of you pictures of my neighborhood. We're not maintaining catch basins. We're not maintaining the storm sewer that's there now. We live in a wonderful neighborhood with lots of mature oak trees that don't shed their leaves till spring. No sweeping has occurred. We've had storm damage. No sweeping has occurred. Every storm basin in that area is blocked. And when I say blocked, I'm talking about the basin under the grates. It's full because we had no sweeping last fall. We've had no sweeping this year. They ran two sweepers down Maynard and called it good and left. We're not getting any attention for storm water. to the engineering department. At the corner of Lech Road and Pleasant Valley, Valley Valley Court, there is a manhole. A manhole that accesses the sanitary sewer. When it rains hard, that sanitary sewer overflows into valleys open ditch. And it happens every time we have a heavy rain.

It's done it for years. The sewer department knows about it because they have to go out and put signage up because of the biohazard that's created in the open ditch that runs down Pleasant Valley. There are so many problems with water in that area, adding more houses is not going to help the situation. Surely adding houses that have elevation advantage to the people that live on Valley and Pleasant Valley, you're going to make their life a total hell.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Harda. Did anyone else from the public before I ask the developer to address it? Mr. Nathan Wayne Nathan 548 Clover deal sounds like these people have got a very very valid complaint and concern without a doubt and it needs to be addressed but uh one of the things I I want to uh come up here and ask and address is uh on these housing projects how long before there's uh property taxes collect on those? Are they getting like a abatement in like in a tiff area or how long before they started collecting money off these uh taxes?

That's that's that's not three years isn't correct. If if the if this moves forward and they get their workforce housing tax credits, if they'll come before this council with their design plans and and requesting that this council approve a residential tiff. Now, residential tiff, 50% of of the property taxes for 10 years goes back to the developer to help pay for the infrastructure cost. 48.5% goes back to the city of Wateroo of their property taxes that pay for that goes towards low to moderate income housing. 1.5% goes into our general fund. Correct, null? So once the houses are in the city of Wateroo which we normally would be getting 43% would be getting almost 48% to to apply for low to moderate income housing projects and then 1.5% of that other 50% would go towards um uh to our general fund. But a if if a residential tiff passes by this council, they don't get the three years at 100% tax abatement. They don't get the the 10 years at at a sliding scale, they start paying property taxes right away.

This circumvents the CLA. Yes. I didn't know possibility. It it does residential tiff circumvent and cura and they start paying property taxes when when their taxes are due and that money stays 50% again goes to the developer to help defer their cost. 48.5% goes to the city of Wateroo for low to moderate income housing similar to what we're doing over here on the east on the east side of Wateroo and what Habitat's doing. And then 1.5% of total property taxes for those 10 years goes to the general fund.

Well, I'm glad to see that somebody is taking the risk to do projects like this, but then we got to have revenue in order to pay uh the city expenses, too. Yes, sir. Thank you. Does anybody else from the public wish to speak? Mr. Fo, would you like to speak?

Kevin Fitro, Big Hand Pepper, uh, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Uh, looks like we're coming into an area that's got some questions for the city and the developer. Those are all answered as we put the preliminary plat together. I'm happy to speak to any homeowner on what our plans look like for housing. U, we didn't put the initial preliminary plat that you're looking at together. that was done by the city of Waterlue. Uh they've looked at this site for many years as it's been a vacated school. So right now it's it's nothing. Has the potential to to have 15 wonderful homes in a beautiful area. That's one of the reasons we're excited about this location is it is a beautiful area. We've developed new subdivisions. We've developed infill. The one thing I can say about infill, if you go to Lincolnshshire, uh is a project that I did with another developer years ago, had downhill water, had homes at the bottom that were getting flooded that did have water issues. As uh your engineer mentioned, when we put the uh the detentions in, that controls the water that's coming from our area. The water ponds there uh for a a certain amount of time before it releases or is allowed to release. So, we are essentially catching the water faster than what it's being caught right now. Protecting these would protect the neighbors that are below us uh with this street. As far as traffic goes, you had a school there. So, you had more cars coming and going in a day.

Ma'am, let let no let the speaker talk. Okay. Again, I'm happy to talk to any of the homeowners uh in person. We do this every day, but you had a school there. We're talking about people that are coming going. We're looking at Maynard being a third uh the through street. We're looking at the culde-sac uh for I forget what that bottom street is. Spiker spiker. So, it's not a through street. So, we are trying to look at how this fits into the development that's already there. And it's and the the the development I'm sorry but the development on with the roundab with the culde-sac on on Spiker that's not all 15 houses because there's a number of houses on Maynard itself. Correct.

I think it's seven and eight. All right. One way or the other. It's seven and eight. I think Let me ask you this before the council asks questions. Would would you be willing if the if those ne if that neighborhood wanted to have a neighborhood meeting? I'm just asking that a question. Oh, I'm sorry. I Okay. Would you be willing to meet with the neighbors in that area if they if they set up a meeting and they contacted your office to to just to discuss this? I don't want you to go in there and just get beat up, but if you say you're willing to meet with people. Yep.

Uh is that is that satisfactory to the neighborhood association if if Mr. Mr. Fritto, a representative from his company, came to to a meeting that you guys held at a a location of your choice and just explained all of this to you so that all of your questions can be answered because all your questions aren't going to be answered here tonight. Nope. You know, I mean, that's why I brought it up. I appreciate we have, you know, proper set up and and yeah,

we kept asking ma'am, we you have to we're you've talked on this. I I appreciate it, but we can't we can't shout from the audience. Okay. But we're it's not a dialogue right now. I'm just trying to make it available with Mr. Fritro to talk to your group. Uh is that something you'd be interested in? Yes. Lincolnshshire is a great example. We met with homeowners that had concerns ahead of time. We would be happy to do that. Okay.

A lot of the answers that they're looking for come in stages two, three, and four. uh if if this doesn't pass then then we we need to take our tax credit request somewhere else. So tonight is really just this but we would be happy to uh get our engineer who's going to design the area to speak on the exact uh calculations and things that would happen in in different events and storms. I appreciate council. Do you have any questions for this miss Barry? Yes. This is your ward.

It's your exactly. So maybe I'll just start with you. You said you like that area, but if it's going to cause hardship to the people who live there, are you willing to look at at another location like maybe the north side of town? I'd have to I mean there's other areas we could look at, but it it would probably not be in Waterl. Okay. Thank you. That's that's all. But I do have a question for Jamie. If I could ask Jamie a question. Mr. Mayor, I'd stay there though. Thank you. Yeah. So, Jamie, you talked about you didn't have an opportunity though to look at the sewer system. You said you just didn't

correct. Yeah. I haven't seen any I haven't seen any layouts or anything like that. So, again with there is sanitary that goes it splits and goes two different ways. A portion of that site can go to Pleasant Valley and part of it goes east. So, again, depending upon how it's all laid out, part of it may go one way, part of it goes another way. So again, until we start seeing some layouts and how they're going to do some of this stuff, it's really a guess right now for anything. So,

all right. Thank you, Jamie. And yes, Mr. Mayor, that is my ward and I am very concerned and I appreciate these uh this the the homeowners in that area talking about it tonight. I had no idea it was to this level. And so I would like to request to table this until we can, you know, get out and look at it and Jamie can bring back some more information regarding the sewer system over there in that area and then um still perhaps set up that meeting to talk with the devel developer and some of his people. And um so I'd like to request that No,

we don't have the time. Is that is that what I'm hearing? The only thing I would the only comment I would make to that is the questions the concerns that are there without calculations. We we can't answer that. What I can say is it's a beautiful area. If it's not us to develop it, somebody else is going to come in to look at it. It's just we had conversation with the schools right away. um if we don't get through this step then we wouldn't put the effort and the cost with engineering okay to get the answers that that you're looking for. Okay. So you met with the school but what about the residents? Is this the first you're hearing from residents on this?

Yes, we bought this. We have to take these steps to get there. And usually I we when we come into an area, we don't announce any area, agriculture, a land, infill, we don't come in and announce to the area that we're planning to build or develop or buy. We buy and then we we take the steps and as we get down the path of preliminary platers, then we have those meetings. So we're we're progressing to the meeting in normal time frame. It's just with the tax credit. This has to happen first. Okay. Well, thank you for that. And then I'll just agree with you, Mr. Mayor. The dialogue, ma'am, is is to table it. We're having open discussion. That's noting to But if that's not possible.

Okay. We have a motion on the on the on the floor to table it. For how long? Oh, next meeting. Just to give enough time for uh J uh Jamie to get what he needed. And I don't think Jamie can get to that information until he has designs, but Yeah. Okay. Go ahead. We need a No, we need a We don't even have a second on the floor. Oh, yeah. Second. But what if we don't? I just got a second. Mr. Salamanca seconded it. So, we have a motion on the floor and a second to table it, but you didn't. But I Mr. Canson, please. I don't He I don't know how Mr. Kudson can give you information on the sewer and all of that stuff if if he hasn't seen the the design work.

Jamie Kson, city engineer, that that's exactly right, mayor. without without them being able to have their engineers start drawing stuff up and start looking at all of that and determining where flow is going to go. Again, once we have that information from the developer, then we can go back and look at the sanitary and the storm sewers and start making sure that it's going to not cause problems. But until we know how they're going to do something, it's hard for me to give you all an answer on what how it's going to impact the neighborhood. So I understand that. Thank you, Jamie. But so then I'll end with this, Mr. Mayor. Yes.

I like your suggestion then if the developer meets with these families there in that area and he said he's willing to do that and perhaps they can reach some kind of a conclusion or consensus at least in postponing this. So, we have a motion and a second to table it for how long? I said next meeting, but he will not doesn't seem like he'll have the information by then. Will he be able to meet with the neighborhoods? Yeah, he can meet with them. So, right. So, Mr. Mayor, we need to find that out, too. Okay. So, Mr. Mayor, I do not think we should table this.

It's up to you. Um, I I'm I think that we need to move forward in order to get the information that the neighbors need, residents need, and that the developer can provide for them. And it sounds like they're going to work together to make it happen. So, um, we don't want to lose a developer. Remember, we want to bring money in. Exactly. So, that's why I don't think we should table it. Any other any other comments on the table,

Mr. Simon? Um, I I don't I I want to make sure I understand this and for the people that came up and spoke from the neighborhood, they had some very valid concerns, especially with the sewer overflow. So, that's a bigger problem that we should address before anything. But my understanding is if we just move forward with this, this just allows a developer to apply for his his tax credit. We're not making a decision on the final development of this property. Is that correct? So, basically, all we're doing is allowing the developer to get his information. Now, going back to the neighborhood and the neighbors, if we do pass this and do not table it and we do pass this, we are not saying we're giving up on your guys' your guys' problems or questions. I think it's just going to allow us to actually

do those questions, ask those questions, let the developer come up with solutions along with the city staff. Is that correct the way I'm understanding that? 100%. So, I think I think with that being said, I think we need to do this for the developer sake. I think we need to do it for the neighbors sake so they can get answers to their issues that they're obviously having before this development even comes forward. So, um I that's just my thought. Anybody else on the table? Mr. M.

Yes. Um, I kind of I'm lining up with Mr. Simon. Um, I think that they've got to have engineering data in order to be able to put information forward to answer the questions to move forward with it. If we table it now, I think it's kind of a mistake because they're not going to be able to get that. We can always vote no down the road if we if the people's issues are not resolved properly. So, I mean, it seems to me that's makes sense. We have a motion in a second on the floor for tableabling item number 13 for two weeks. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Mr. Marorrow, no. Miss Greatton Smith, no. Miss Barry,

yes. Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin, no. Mr. Simon, no. Okay. So, it's not tabled. Uh, any other questions from council on 11, 12, and 13? That being said, roll call vote on 11, 12, and 13, please. Mr. Smith, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, no. Excuse me. On uh yes on 11 and 12, but no on 13 right now.

Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Only 11 and 12. No. On 13. And Mr. Martin? Yes. And Mr. Simon? Yes. Thank you. Who would like to take 14, 15, and 16, please?

Mr. Mayor, I move that we adopt a resol resolution in support of an application by 2020 205 East 4th Street LLC for the Iowa Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for up to 25 apartment units at the Historic Blacks Building located at 205 East Forest Street, including reimbursement funds of $14 million. Next resolution approving compensation in the amount of $5,520 to CRV Inc. for the removal of 27.9 square yards of concrete paving and removal of 27.1 square yards of asphalt paving for the property located at607 through 1621 Leaport Road in conjunction with the Leaport Road phase 2 construction project. And lastly, resolution approving the request by BFA, Inc. on behalf of Walmart to dedicate 30,436 square ft of 20 foot water line easement located at 1334 Flaming Avenue.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Anyone from the audience wish to speak for or against items number 14, 15 or 16? Seeing none, councel, any questions on 14, 15, and 16? Seeing and hearing none, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Maro. Yes. Miss Kraton Smith. Yes. Miss Barry. Yes. Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes. Who would like to take 17 18 and 19? Please. Mr. Mayor. Go ahead. No. No. You. Mr. Simon. You.

Mr. Mayor. I'd like to consider the following resolution approving a temporary easement agreement in the amount of $137 with Mark and Mary Manard located at 1432 Edgewood Drive in conjunction with Katowski Drive and Huntington Road construction project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute set document. Number 18, please. a resolution approving the dedication of a permanent utility easement between the city of Wateroo and SKH Properties LLC located at 330 Tower Park Drive. And number 19 is a resolution approving a Waterlue Leisure Services designated funds agreement with the Waterlue Community Foundation to establish and maintain a charitable fund the foundation to support the city of Waterl Leisure Services and authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute said document.

Second. A motion second. Anyone from the audience wish to speak for against item 17, 18 or 19?

David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. What does 19 mean? Well, I have just the man that can get up there and explain it to us. Yeah, go ahead. No, go ahead, David. He's just going to step out for a second. We'll hold the vote till he gets back.

Sounds to me like you're taking money out of one pocket and putting in the other. JB Bulier, assistant director of Waterl Leure Services. I apologize. I'm not well verssed in this one. I'm going to need to read up on this one. Th this hap just happens to be uh designated funds through the water uh community foundation because we have a couple that wants to donate money to leisure services for trees every year. Okay. And we're and they're going to handle the working through the water. I'm familiar with that now. Y Okay. So, it has to do with uh I think the city is not a 501c3 That's correct.

status. And so, um funneling through this fund, it's it's not anything crooked or or negative. it's a a benefit to the city. This charitable fund has that status and the city does not. And and the and the couple that's setting this this up wants this set up is also going to be donating money to the library also each year. Okay. So it's not one hand putting money in the other pocket. No sir, not at all. Okay. That's what it sounded like reading it.

Well, I'm glad we had JB to clarify it for us. Thank you. Before we take this vote, I'm going to entertain a have someone entertain a motion to take a short recess because we've got some people up here that that may need a short recess. I'd like to make a motion to take a short recess. Second. Motion in a second. All in favor? I I We'll be as soon as these guys get back, we'll start again. Thank you.

resume. Second motion second. All in favor? Thank you. Mo motion carried 17, 18, and 19. Does any other council people have questions regarding these items? Mr. Dryer, we're going to need some quiet, sir. Mr. Dryer. Mr. Natham. Mr. Natham. Yeah, Nathan. Somebody in the back row. We're We're starting back up. We're going to need We're going to need some quiet from the audience, please. Any other Any other questions regarding 17, 18, or 19? If not, roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmid, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry,

yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. All right. How about 20 and 21, please? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Marorrow.

Resolute number 20. Resolution approving a service contract with Parking Inc./Kec /k parking of De Moine, Iowa in the amount of $10,740 for years 1 to three and 11,277 years four to six beginning July 126 in conjunction with the repairs, parts, and services required to maintain the airport parking lot equipment and authorizing the mayor to execute said document. Number 22, resolution approving a construction related services agreement with ACOM technical services, Inc. of Waterl, Iowa in the amount of $195,100 in conjunction with the rehabilitation of runway 1836 inside of runway 1230 safety area FAA AIP project number 3-13-94-059-206 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document.

Second. Okay. Motion to second. That's 2026. Very good. Oh. Uh and uh does anybody from the audience wish to speak to 20 or 21? Seeing none questions for the council for 20 and 21. Mr. Mayor, could we maybe have Mrs. Combmes speak a little bit about item 20 for the folks at home to any big changes going on there? That's a new provider, I believe. No, that's that's who we've

Sheila Combmes, airport business manager. That's the same provider that we've had since 2018. Actually, we had them before that, but this equipment has been since 2018. The amount of the service contract has not changed for the last probably three or four years and um we get great service from them. We're not very often down for more than a few hours or maybe a day or two one piece one of the four items. You're not anticipating any major changes or anything? No. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Uh any other questions for 2021? Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt. Yes. Mr. Marorrow? Yes. Miss Kraton Smith? Yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, yes. Mr. Martin,

yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. 22 through 25, please. Mr. Mayor, it's great.

I move that we adopt the following resolutions. Resolution approving a volunteer time off policy for the city of Waterlue employee handbook. A resolution approving an artificial intelligence AI use policy for the city of Waterlue handbook. a resolution approving an update to the electronic uses policy and renaming it technology technology and electronic communications for the city of Waterlue employee handbook. And lastly, resolution approving terminating the transforming gates and Burns Park designated funds agreement with the Waterlue Community Foundation and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Second.

Motion in a second. Does anybody have any questions from the audience on number 22 through 25? Three city policies and then the transforming gates in Burns Park. Yeah. What does the transforming? Can you state your name and address please? Renee Carson 11:08 Vine. Uh what does number 25 mean? Is that taking away something from the parks? No ma'am. Funny from the parks or anything? No ma'am. The project's completed. Correct. JB, please. This was allowing us to use donations to the community foundation to help pay for the project.

JB W Buler, assistant leisure services director. I can actually speak to this one with some knowledge. Uh the project is basically complete. It means the fundraising is in place and so those funds have been exhausted. So the project is done. Thank you, sir. Any other questions for him, ma'am? No. Appreciate your time for coming up. We have more questions here, but please grave 607 East Donald Street. So, if the funds are exhausted, when something needs to be repaired at either park, what happens? We're just going to have you stand there, JB, until everyone's done. JB Buler, assistant leisure services director. We will use operating budget funds to handle maintenance items

like you do on all the parks. Correct. Okay. So when you say operating budget funds, where is that coming from? That's uh the general fund, our a regular a regular budget. So where are you taking it from? It comes from taxpayer funds. Thank you. All right. Any other questions for JB while he's standing up there? Seeing none, thanks JB. Uh council questions on any of these items number 23 to 25. Mr. Mayor, Mr. tomorrow. Could someone explain to me on number 22 uh the how the volunteer time off works versus comp time versus PTO?

I just happen to have this the assistant HR director right here to explain all that for you today. Great. Dr. Missy Khar, assistant HR director. Um volunteer time off is a new time off that we're going to be giving our employees. It'll be eight hours. They're assigned every year. It's a use it or lose it. Um every It's just for full-time regular employees and they'll be able to use it to volunteer somewhere in the community. Is there specific places they volunteer or just anywhere?

Um and the policy is written that it needs to be a mayor approved activity. In the past, um, Mayor Hart had approved activities like my waterlue days, Irish fest, large community events that he, um, encouraged the employees to be involved with. Can be used in hour increments. We have a sheet um that when the employees volunteer um, who they volunteer with needs to be signed off on and how many hours and they need to turn it into payroll so we can keep track of those hours. Thank you. And it's it's kind of exciting because the mayor previous mayor allowed him to have four hours

to be off for my water days or or or Irish fest or something like that. The they the the policy group met and they they came up with this eight hours. But uh it's I think it's exciting because we could get a group of employees if as if as if as if as if as if as if as if as if as if as if as if as long as it doesn't interfere with overtime and their work schedule to volunteer at the food bank or to volunteer at other organizations. Uh there there are so many organizations that are looking for for volunteer help every year and we're we're just allowing our employees just to throughout the year to spend up to eight hours volunteering somewhere in the community as a city employee. Okay. All right. So I I really think it's a great program. Any other questions if I'm council?

Thank you. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt? Yes. Mr. Marorrow? Yes. Miss Kraton Smith? Yes. Miss Barry? Yes. Mr. Salamanca? Yes, Mr. Martin. Yes, Mr. Simon. Yes, that passed. Who wants to take ordinance number one? Mr. Mayor Greatton Smith. I move that we adopt an ordinance. Receive, file, and consider.

Thank you. receive, file, and consider and pass for a second time an ordinance amending the city of Waterlue zoning ordinance number 5079 to update terms and regulations as they apply to hobby farms, farm animals, tobacco and vape shops and other changes. Second motion in a second. Anyone from the audience wish to speak for or against this item? And then this is for the second reading.

Mr. Mayor, members of the council, my name is Ed Olto. I live at 1225 Downing. Uh, two weeks ago, I asked a question about who was participating in the committee who was counseling the zoning and planning commission about the hobby farms. And I was told that it was uh the police, animal control, the humane society, the council, um code enforcement, public health.

Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I know there were there were more. However, all of these people are involved in for these were egregious violations apparently and uh I can see why they would be concerned. But my concern is that this was the council that made the recommendations to the commit or committee that made the recommendations to the council the uh board and there were no people who were legitimate hobby farmers on it. And I really think that that was an omission on the part of the of everyone that the this is really in my opinion a biased opinion of whether this um whether this ordinance is good or not. And then it went from that committee to planning and zoning and they rubber stamped endorsed it and now it's in front of the council and um and it's omnibust excuse me and it's omnibust as well. I mean, it's tied in with vaping shops and things like that

and and other ordinance changes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. But I I they're totally separate. I don't think they should be basketed together. Um I also want to comment in this moment that um I don't know who these egregious violators were, but likely they were not paying any attention to the or obviously not to the ordinances. Maybe they didn't even know it existed. Um, and they should be called to the on the carpet for that. They should be prosecuted for violating uh ordinances. I don't think this is fair to the people who follow the rules. Um, two recommendations with this ordinance or suggestion. I want you to seriously separate the two. Separate at least separate hobby farming from all the other things. I'm all for controlling vapes, too. I don't vape. I don't go to that stuff at all. But I do think that hobby farming and vaping are two totally different subjects. And I think if you go further and get a better uh consensus on this uh get some hobby farmers involved in the committee recommendation to the uh planning and zoning and just to say I would be happy to be part of that.

Thank you, sir. Anyone else from the audience wish to speak for or against this? Aaron Stacy Roberts 411 Almond I hadn't heard of you trying to get rid of hobby farming for chickens until two weeks ago and I do have a goat have had cattle and uh chickens before and the problem that I have with it is you say that there's 10 hobby farmers in water and if I got this right you want to end hobby farming period right? No sir. What is it that you're trying to do? The the it's not to accept any new hobby farms, but the people that already have hobby farms are grandfathered in.

And that's what I have a problem with because I have two granddaughters that want to get some chickens. And I didn't know this otherwise I would have got in line. So if I go tomorrow, can I apply to be a hobby farmer? I don't believe I don't believe we're accepting any applications during the moratorum. Now, this is where I got a problem with this at is you're saying that there's 10 people in here and I don't know, there's 75,000 people in Waterl, maybe 67, but that's close.

So, 10 people are going to decide because a few of them are bad actors that no one can have chickens anymore in the city limits and that's not good. Uh if you're going to do that, then the next person that gets an owi or vehicular homicide like one of your police officers did, then you need to end alcohol in water. And that's not going to happen. I mean, that's more critical. So why would you punish everyone for maybe what if all 10 of them are doing wrong, why are you punishing me and my grandchildren for what they're doing wrong? What you do is the same thing you do with judges if they get OWI few years ago. One went to the penitentiary after having four here in Iowa. But one thing you can do to deter anything is charge people money.

Find them. Don't take the privilege of me being able to uh have my own chickens raise eggs or produce chicken meat because of 10 people out of 60ome thousand. give them fines like you do people with owis, people with that batter their wives. You don't lock them up for life or say they're I mean you're going too far over a chicken. We got some serious matters here and I'll talk to about that in a few minutes. Thank you, sir. Appreciate your comments. Anyone else from the audience wish to speak for against this?

Yeah, Jacob, 1332 Null Avenue. Uh Mayor Bzen and city council. Um there has been multiple mentions of um yeah the the specific incidences that have had problems. One was the 60 birds in a quarter of the required space. Um personally I don't see this actually pertaining to this ordinance change though because that's already not allowed for obvious reasons. Changing this ordinance won't change how illegal that action was by that individual. And so part what I see here is it just seems like um there there's an a very noble goal on part of the planning and zoning commission and the city council and everyone involved to create a cleaner space um a space where people don't have flocks of birds in their backyards. Uh and I agree with this completely but I think there needs to be more work done in this. Um there's been mentions of how much work has gone into it, the long process of a year plus, maybe up to five years of changes and talking about this. Um in order to honor that work that has already be been done, I think this work needs to continue with more discussion, more community input uh from good hobby farmers, uh so that we can actually find a solution that works well for everyone and accomplishes the goal uh that the council is seeking. Um let's see. Yeah. And then another thing is there's been multiple mentions of the moratorum ending as a reason why this should be pushed through. I hear a lot of things in these meetings. A lot of them are deadline oriented that we need to do this now and so we don't have time to talk about it. Personally, I think that's a very bad principle for making laws, especially ordinances such as this. if it's worth regulating, it's

worth taking the time to make sure we're doing it right. So, and again, I recognize a lot of time has been spent on this already, but I think there is more work to do, more involving citizens, good hobby farmers, um, and yeah, such parties. Um, as has been mentioned by previous speakers, I think a lot of these rule changes would not affect the bad actors since they ignore the ordinance already and it would only affect affect the good actors who would want to have a hobby farm in the future uh but either are not ready at the moment uh or aren't old enough. Um, so in conclusion, because it seems like none of these uh restrictions would actually affect the rule breakers and would instead fall on the rule followers, we need to continue work to develop this ordinance further and make it more effective and less restrictive. And again, I want to reiterate that good law takes time to develop. Don't let a deadline rush this process. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Anyone else from the audience? Council, Mr. Mayor. So, two questions or two, I guess, comments. Number one, u is it too late to make a motion to split these as I attempted to two weeks ago. That's not an option. We can't split it. We're voting on the on the It got passed last two weeks ago. We're voting on the entirety of

So, I can't make a motion to do anything in that regard. Okay. Then the only other thing I would say is that I have since we talked about this two weeks ago had several calls or texts from folks that didn't know anything about it and they are currently in situations either where they're on what we would call a hobby farm and their concern is when they're done living there uh are they going to be able to sell it and the new buyers take it over as a hobby farm or is it only with the owners? I think that I don't know. Eric, you back there. Can you come up and explain that because that was detailed in in a email uh earlier for a person over on Independence Avenue.

Eric Trader, city planner. Um, regarding an existing site, that would depend on uh if number one, it's a legal use in a A1 zone. if it is a legal use by special permit approval as a hobby farm or an illegal use. Um, if it were an illegal use, then no, it would not be able to. If it was a legal use by either of the other manners, then it would become a non-conforming use, commonly referred to as grandfathered. The grandfather provision provides one year. If a use ceases for more than a year, then it loses the grandfather status. If uh a use ceases but would reestablish within that year, uh they can do so um under the legal non-conforming grandfather clause without any additional approvals.

Thank you. And then excuse me, one more question. So then the other way to be able to split this would be to vote it down. We could go back and split. Would you agree with that? No, I just said it's an option. Pardon me? I said it's an option. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you. Yeah. Do you want to explain the the complexities if we vote it down tonight on the splitting and the need to extend the moratorum?

The straighter with staff. So it yeah, if it were voted down, um we would then remand it back to the planning and zoning commission. Um we would um look to see if the moratoriums could get extended. There's two separate moratoriums. One on the applying for a special permit for new hobby farms, the other on tobacco licenses. Um and yes, if it were struck down and um remanded back to the planning and zoning commission um in whatever form it did come back, we would separate them. I mean, they were only put together, you know, not because of their similarity. I agree they're not. It's just because they were both amending the zoning ordinance at one time, which so when you amend like last time we did a zoning ordinance amendment, there was probably 50 different things all included in there, but when you have somewhat of a controversial item, it makes sense to separate it.

Thank you. Any other questions? Miss Barry, the last vote we had on this, I supported it, but I did I talked to a few people and I listened to what was just said tonight. And my my first concern was always was u Councilman Schmidt said, "I feel like these two things need to be divided." I I just I feel that way. But I when it comes to the hobby farms, Eric, do we have um do we have violators of this current ordinance? Yes.

I mean, we certainly have violators out of the 10 pe 10 hobby farms, right? Appro I mean, there's approximately 10 that have approved special permits. I would not include those in the violations as all being uh violators. No, no, no, not all. that do not have the special permit. They do not have Okay. So, with those ones who violated, what has happened? I mean, what was the penalty for that? Um, that becomes a code enforcement uh issue. Code enforcement when they become aware of a violation will issue a notice of violation

and then they will follow through. Um I think you know most of them end up um removing the animals to eliminate the violation. Okay. All right. Um I feel like too that we're probably penalizing good the good ones by doing this. Um

okay that's all I needed. Thanks Eric. Only thing I also, you know, add is there's, you know, a lot of discussion about the allowance for hobby farms and that we shouldn't restrict it. And I would just note that it already is restricted. They're not uh outright allowed in most instances. Prior to 2017, they weren't allowed in the city period other than in the A zones. 2017 the amendment to the zoning ordinance created a provision that can allow for them through special permit approval and that's that approximate 10 or so that have been approved through that. So there are examples uh out there that are in an egg zone which the special permit did not apply to, but for the vast majority of the other sites, they wouldn't be able to have the hobby farm under the current provisions and and the recommendations for changes would have actually made things significantly less restrictive than what the current regulations already is, which there's significant concern to.

Craig Smith, you had a question. Yes. Yes. So, if this was not passed tonight, there would be the possibility of meeting with some of the hobby farmers who have some idea of how to better put uh uh ordinance together or inform it anyway uh with some specific uh specifications. I know, Eric, you said that they it's less restrictive now uh than it was before is what you you're saying or No, the proposal that was submitted is significantly less restrictive than the restrictions in place now.

Yeah. Okay. So that what would happen could be a negotiation on that where uh it was something that was more fair and just for everyone involved if we had an opportunity to allow that to happen, right? A conversation.

We certainly can have, you know, that discussion and negotiation. I would just note that prior to 2017, they weren't allowed at all. And that discussion and negotiation uh is what led to the the provisions that are in place now because there were plenty on both sides. Those that wanted to see the hobby farms being allowed to those that thought uh farm animals uh have uh no belongings within the city limits period. Okay. And the middle ground was allowing them but with fairly restrictive provisions. So I think there will be a lot of push back on the other side to try and be less restrictive than currently allowed. Okay.

And and I will say that the paperwork that was presented to everyone at the last council meeting was pretty much so so so less restrictive. It was almost like you could have a hobby farm in, you know, in a small lot. Really really small lot. So uh that being said, any more questions? Mr. Mayor.

Yes, sir. Just just to be clear there there's been a lot of studying multiple years done on this already. Correct. And that um it's not I mean I think we've addressed enough of the the people that are grandfathered in are obviously grandfathered in. It's unfortunate that like the one gentleman said he might have kids or grandkids that might want to do it. I get that. But um it's such a small number that I just don't think the the harm or the nuisance that farms, hobby farms could pose to the rest of the neighborhoods and the people outweighs a couple people wanting to maybe have a hobby farm going forward. That and this does allow if somebody bought a property and it was a hobby farm before, they can potentially buy that property and have a hobby farm. Correct. if it's been proven that there was a hobby farm on that property

within a year. Within a year's time. Yes. So, there's a there's a possibility that if you want to have a hobby farm, you find a place that was already had a hobby farm and you can buy that place. So, all right. I I'm I'm in favor of passing it. That's Thank you, Mr. B.

Yeah. And I'm kind of chiming in on what Councilman Simon said. Last council meeting, there was a fellow that brought a paper that wanted us to review. and I looked through it, you know, in detail or whatever. And it was basically, you know, taking all restrictions off, if you will. And as you pointed out, we've got 10 uh, you know, licensed whatever ones in and the others, you know, I don't think that what that what that paper would have wanted, I don't think anybody would have wanted next to them in their housing edition or whatever. So, I think what you've done is good work and I think there's been a lot of study on this to get us where we're at. There has been a lot of study. The group that met met for a year off and on. There was conversations at every meeting, pros and cons and and everything. But uh let's see where it lands. Roll call vote, please.

Mr. Smith, no. Mr. Marorrow. Yes. Miss Kraton Smith. No. Miss Barry. No. Mr. Mr. Salamanca. Yes. Mr. Martin. Yes. And Mr. Simon. Yes. All right. Pass for the second time. Uh I'm sorry. Who read it? I did. Ple please. Um Mr. Mayor, I move to suspend the rules. Second.

Motion and a second to suspend the rules. Um roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, no. Mr. Marorrow, no. Miss Grant Smith, no. Miss Barry, no. Mr. Salamanca? No. Mr. Martin? Yes. And Mr. Simon? Yes. All right, that that failed. Who'd like to take number two of ordinances, please? Mr. Martin. Sure.

Request by CNS Properties to reszone approximately.49 acres from R4 multiple resident district to C2 Commercial District located at 911 South Street and 59 West 7th Street. Second. Motion and a second. uh on on this item. Is there anyone from the audience wish to speak for or against this item? Seeing none, council, any questions for or against this item? Hearing and seeing none. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Schmidt, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca,

yes. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes. It's exciting. We got one that passed three readings. All right. Who would like to take other council business, please? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Martin, I'd like to make a motion to reconsider a vote on resolution number 2026-190, resolution approving amendment number three to a professional service agreement with Envision Architect for an increase of $380,000 for the renovation of 100 East Fourth Street from the new Waterl City Hall and authorize a mayor to execute said document. Second.

Thank you. There's a motion in a second. I'm going to have Miss Felley explain this so our new members can understand what a motion to reconsider is. Um, we could have our city attorney.

We need that motion from the prevailing side. We did need that motion from the prevailing voted in favor. So I just we need someone of the four to bring this back. And Mr. Maro, I want to do it. We want to do it right. You want me to read it? Please, please do. Yes, Mr. Mayor. Motion to reconsider a vote on resolution number 2026-190. Resolution approving amendment number three to a professional service agreement with Envision Architecture for an increase of $380,000 for the renovation of 100 East 4th Street for the new Waterl City Hall and authorizing the mayor to execute said document. Second. Okay, we have a motion, a second. Now, we'll let Miss Felley explain it. Okay, sorry about that. No, I'm sorry. I should have I should have

um All right. Okay. So, a motion to reconsider is essentially an opportunity for the council to take a second look at an item that they've voted down. So, the motion that's before you currently is just to decide, do you want to continue to have conversations, look at this agreement, potentially have some changes to it in the future, things like that. If the motion to reconsider passes, um this will be placed on the um first meeting in May for consideration again. Question. So would there be work sessions in between now and then to have discussion or would the discussion occur at the next council meeting?

The discussion would occur at the next council meeting. but does not preclude you from asking questions between now and then with the department. And I and I'll get the CC to the email, too. So, I appreciate that, too. Yeah, it's I mean, it's a good opportunity for council to continue to work with staff, work with the consultants, and work with each other to try to figure out a path forward. And it gives us a deadline to continue to work towards as well. And I appreciate it being brought back for reconsideration. and so that the rest of the council has an opportunity to get their questions answered. So that being said, roll call vote, please. Mr. Smith, yes. Mr. Marorrow, yes. Yes. Miss Kraton Smith,

yes. Miss Barry, yes. Mr. Salamanca, no. Mr. Martin, yes. And Mr. Simon, yes.

Thank you. It is now time for public comments. Uh please uh please approach the podium, state your name and address and you can speak for three minutes on any non-aggenda related item this time. David Dryer, 3145 West 4th Street. I've got a couple of things. Uh, first off, I'll say they used to have the voting on the screen. They don't have that anymore. Why did that disappear? How each council member voted? Apparently, because you don't have the machines anymore. And I went into the council packet and there were 40 pages. 4 over 400 of those were architectural drawings. The council really needs to to look at all of those. I wouldn't understand them. I probably would more than some of you because I have a a construction background. But isn't that a waste of the council person's time or is it just a ploy to you look at that,45 and say I'm not going to go through this and you don't get prepared for the council meeting and that that's a concern for me that that when you come to the council meeting you should be prepared for what's on the agenda that you have to vote on etc. not a bunch of peripheral stuff that keeps you from looking at that agenda.

I can assure you, sir, that when I was on the council, I read all 140 pages in the in that time frame. You went through all the construction Yes, sir. drawings, etc. Yes, sir. And you and you knew whether it was right or wrong.

I used to I used to uh do plan review it for my job here in the city. But I'm just going to tell you that what is put in that council packet is for the council to digest. they can they can pick and choose uh what what they look at. A lot of the items I didn't have to to read because I sat on planning and zoning. I sat on board of adjustments. I sat on a number of boards and commissions that fed that information up to council. I'd already seen it. I'd already voted on it. I already dealt with it and allowed me to to occupy my time with the rest of the stuff that's on that council agenda. The it's up to the council how far into it that they want to go. Well, I guess my concern is that do you see that,445 and say not going to do that? I don't know. I I can't make the mind up for anybody sitting up there.

You can comment at the end. I just because we're not Yeah, it's not a debate. I just want to let you know that that's how it's for the council's benefit and I knew you did that, but it seems crazy that waste that much computer space.

Anyone else wish to speak on any non-aggenda related items? Renee Carson, 1108 Vine Street. And I still say for our safety, y'all need to take us block out our address when we say it cuz there's too many nuts around here. If we got to get one down when we come in here, we shouldn't have to be up here speaking our addresses all the time.

We concerned about our safety, too. Um, and I want to say that I'm glad that I've seen you guys get along a little bit better, being more productive, and I want you to keep moving the city forward. And I'm happy to work with you guys. And I'm going to stay on top of you because we need to push Waterlue forward. That's right.

We don't need to keep being back in the stone ages. So, let's keep it moving forward. Let's reason together, get these things done so we can attract all these businesses to our city. And the housing, I think, is wonderful cuz don't everybody want to live in no apartment because the apartments look worseer than anything once they start going down and ain't nobody keeping them up. So y'all continue to reason together. Y'all made me proud of y'all today. I have to sit here and look at nobody smirking or nobody being nasty to nobody. So y'all keep up the good work.

Thank you ma'am. Thank you for the kind words.

Beverly Cosby 315 window court. My question is to I don't know to the council to the fire department. There are several houses around here that were have been torched um have caught fire and are in dire need of being torn down and one's right up the street. Can someone tell me what what's happening with that or what the process is to get that those houses um demolished? And I think it's like four or five of them that were that have caught fire. Um, so can someone just enlighten enlighten us as to what's going on with those, especially this one right up the street?

You're talking about Franklin Street, ma'am. Yeah, thank you. Just wanted clarification.

No. Anderson, community planning development director. So, we do have a dilapidated housing committee. Um, so we work to uh keep track of those. Um, a lot of times, especially with fire damage ones, there is some state code requirements and insurance. Um, so the attorney's office works through that to see if the city can get the insurance to demolish the buildings and then of course we always look to try and take possession of them for redevelopment as well. So there's a little bit of time uh dealing with some state code issues and then just going through the normal process for the due diligence of the owners. I was about you. You are correct, ma'am, and I' I've addressed this with our our building official uh last week that uh he needs to get together with the owners of these properties and get a fencing around these properties because I don't want kids going into these things and getting hurt in some of these dilapidated fire scenes. So, I've directed him to move forward uh with these landlords or the owners uh to get fencing around these properties until we can take own till we can take ownership and tear it down or we can take the insurance holdback money and get it tore down. And our city attorney is working diligently to uh address these problems, but I'm more concerned right now with the safety of those structures and keeping kids out of it. So, I I addressed that last week, ma'am. and thank you for your comments. Anyone else wish to speak to the council on non-aggenda related items?

Aaron Stacy Roberts 41 Street and fear is a big factor and why uh you don't have people coming down here and even voicing their opinions. And the reason I'm speaking on fear is because that's what has me on my 13th year of not speaking to my daughter after being raped and sent a message to me pertaining to John Deere life insurance money stock and what they didn't pay. Fear is what has held black folks down and it makes us act out irrationally. Uh fear is the new form of slavery and it didn't just start. I mean, as a kid, I had a street light to tell me what time to be home. And it wasn't because my parents were scared of black folks. And when I say black folks in America, I'm talking about the descendants of former slaves. Not a person from Somalia or just came to the country six months ago or six years ago, 60 years ago. I'm talking about the defendant descendants of former slaves. Mr. What's his name on the TV? Salamando. What's his name?

Yeah, you you're gonna address the chair. We're not going to point out any I just wanted I want to ask him to do something. I'm not pointing any I tell I tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to point you out to do that. That's what Please address it to the chair. I'm going to address it to you and make sure you do this, Mr. Bz. No, I'm here. That's what I'm here for.

What I'm saying is we were had a strong conversation with the advanced waterl on getting the city manager. I haven't heard you say a word about it since then. Now, I want to move into this. There's a lady. If you would please write this down. Her name is Dr. Joy. J O Y D E G R U Y Liry. L E A R Y. What I would like for you to look into as the mayor, she has a short video out and I would like you to take a look at it. It's traumatic slavery disorder. And what I want you to get into when you see this is the effects of slavery and how it affects black folks. For example, me, this white man you see in me did not come from consensual sex on three sides of my family. Every one of them were light-skinned before coming out of slavery. That's rape. So when I say this traumatic slavery disorder, it very much affects me and the reason I was able to deal with white folks because I had good white folks in my life. Some blacks in Wateroo haven't had good white folks in their life. And what we need to do is work on mental health issues because between them rapes, lynchings, kidnappings, and killings, there has been slavery and Jim Crow. And in between there, not one person has came and said, "Do you need psychotherapy?" We have grant money that's going around and you need to get some for that reason. I'm done.

Your time's up. Uh before you leave, I just want you to know that I've been working with our city clerk to schedule a work session to discuss the city manager. It's it's on our schedule to discuss it. I'm glad to hear that. I I've been working since I got elected. Okay. Took office to discuss the city manager. A man of your word. Please look into the I got written down. Slavery. Yeah. Traumatic slavery disorder. Thank you, sir. Anyone else wish to speak on any agenda or non non-aggenda related item?

Teresa Co Pepper 119 Carters Grove. I apologize. I was late. So if this was somewhere on agenda, I didn't read it. Just a reminder to council how important when you guys are getting along, how much that means to our community. One of those nights where it matters the most to my neighborhood, Maywood, is Tuesday, August 4th, 2026. It's National Night Out. So, I expect to see all of you, Waterlue PD, fire, Blackhawk County Sheriff's like everybody coming out and supporting our community. And I would like to see our council bring fun things to do with kids. bring your card, whatever it is, because those kids look up to you. Because at home, when we're watching, those kids are watching and you are role models. I just want to remind you of that. So, I appreciate when y'all get along. I appreciate when y'all stop by and eat ribs. Think we got turkey turkey legs. Y'all know how Maywood does. We throw down. But every neighborhood Yeah. Every neighborhood

on National Night Out, we'd like to see you. So, it's a formal invitation. Looking forward to it. Looking forward to your this year. You would, Mr. Martin. Now that my phone went out, it's always the first Tuesday in August. It is Tuesday, August 4th, and we and we get a city bus and we get invited and and we schedule it and we go to as many neighborhood association nights as possible. But I can tell you, and I'm going to we're going to do a throwdown this year. If anybody can beat their neighborhood association's food, I challenge them to that because is some of the best food out there. Thank you, Teresa. Anyone else?

That being said, council, anything for the good of the core? Mr. Maro, I addressing Mr. Dyer's comments earlier about the packages. I per I personally I like the technical stuff. I'm an engineer, so I dig into all the drawings and stuff. And in my career, I wrote a lot of contracts, a lot of things. And so, I like all the detail. And like Mayor Boosezen, I dig through all of them, too. So, uh, I appreciate the package. It doesn't intimidate me. It says I've got information I can dig through and understand it. Thank you, sir. Anyone else? Any other council people have anything to say? Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mark,

ditto to uh Mr. Marorrow and Mr. dryer. Just to let you know, a lot of us do have full-time jobs, but we also have the commitment to uphold our commitment to the city of Wateroo. So, going through these packets is our responsibility. Knowing what we are talking about on a daily basis is our commitment to the community. So, with that being said, I uphold my commitment to provide the best for the city of Wateroo. giving you the opportunity to reach out to me, ask me questions, and keeping the city moving forward. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Any other council people? Miss Graden Smith, you look like you have something to say.

Yes. Yes. I was a little shocked by the city manager thing because I thought we agreed we weren't going to add jobs, but anyway. So, okay. So, I wanted to say that we had a wonderful third and fourth ward meeting um this past Thursday. It was wonderful. Um we had presentations made uh from um um the uni uh farm kind of environmental. Yeah. Yeah. Um we had uh Mr. No Anderson. We had Mr. uh Rudy Jones to give us updates on our award. Really exciting information was shared uh about some projects that are in the works that we're we're looking forward to. So, we're really looking forward to building the momentum uh in wards three and four and also the hope of pulling together neighborhood coalition across the city. Um just to kind of echo some of the sentiments that were stated, um I put page numbers. We I we go through the information and put page numbers on each item so that we can comb the 1,69 pages or 900 or 683 uh 83 pages or what have you and to be able to uh speak intelligently about that information so I know where it is in my head got I engage it and I can also pay close attention to what's going on o other places and what's not going on or is going on in um in the ward and how we have to realize that the entire city is connected. So, we need stuff happening all over for everyone to benefit and for our city to grow.

Thank you. And the library is a nice venue for it, isn't it? Yes. And it's free of charge for council people. Yes.

Thank you. Anyone else? Miss Barry. I I just want to thank Miss Carson for just starting the conversation about you're proud of us. I think every week since I've been part of this council, I came in a little uptight because I am new, but not as new as some of you, you know, first time people and what have you. But um you know I've known Steve for a long time and pastor Belinda and the Kelly I haven't known that long or Steve and the mayor and um Mr. Marl. But I think as long as we keep in mind that we are the leaders of this town and it truly is up to us to set the example.

We need to continue to talk to each other. We may not always agree. Oh, and I don't I don't want to forget Hector up there. Sorry, s um Councilman A Royal. Um but we have to get along and we have to move this city forward. And I think that's what we all campaigned on is making Waterlue one city. And um so I'm I'm uh determined to do that, do the best job I can to work with my colleagues here and um to make sure we're doing the right thing by the people. So just wanted to say that. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Salamaka, do you have anything you'd like to add before we close this down? Nope. Well, thank you for your honesty, Mr. Mayor.

Yes, sir. I'd like to make a motion to close public comments and uh receive and file and propose comments to the public record. Second. All in favor? I opposed. I'd like to make a motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? We're journed. Thank you. Thank you for staying this late, folks.