City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you everyone for being here this evening. Uh madame clerk, could you please read the role? Mr. Bzen, yes. Mr. Nichols, sorry here. Miss Kon Smith here. Mr. Childs, here. Mr. Simon, here. Miss Wilder here. And Mr. Foy here. All right. Thank you. Please join me in a moment of silence. All right. Thank you. Uh the pledge this evening will be by Steve Simon at large council.

I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Uh, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I would like to make a motion uh for approval of the agenda as amended in resolutions number 16. Uh, that one we are not going to uh take up tonight. Uh remove 11. Oh jeez. The dollar amount

11. Sorry. 11. We're going to move. Thank you. Uh and then on uh number 16, uh the dollar amount is changing to $4,50,000. And then I would also like to make a motion for approval of the minutes of the November 17, 2025 regular council session and the November 24, 2025 council special session as proposed. Second. Second. That motion's been made with a second. All in favor? I oppose. All right, we have an agenda. All right, first up is uh oral presentations. Your opportunity to address the council on non-aggenda related items.

Stacy Roberts, 411 Almond Street. with liberty and justice for all is what was said. But that's what's being denied and that's what makes us my children and myself be enslaved. This didn't start once I said I told you about five years ago it started with the roof uh air and one thing that always stuck with me. Me and my brother were had purchased the property I'm living in now and it was Blackhawk Plumbing I think that he owned and it was the highest bid and I asked my brother why did you go do that with our money you know and we went back and forth over that briefly and let it go. So that's how far back this goes and some of his family I grew up with and they have pretty much implemented him in this what I'm talking about. There's quite a few other financers and stuff like that uh that have been a part of it. The problem that really has me is the way my children have been treated. We're not able to communicate. And there was a song by Stephen Marley, Hey Baby, that I would send to my daughter that this is going on the 13th year since I communicated with her. And with that being said, like the plague put on the Egyptians by God through Moses to free the enslaved Israelites, God's wrath will come on this criminal organization through me to free my children. There's not just Chelsea and Dustin. There's also Joshua who the police in Waterlue would be familiar with and connect him with me through his uh fight uh to try to get justice for itself. And with that uh criminal organization and what they have done to my children, like I said before, is far worse than Anne Frank because this is going on in real time. Unlike the plague on the

Egyptians, there will be none of the first nine plagues, but 10 will affect all of their children as well as anyone else they may love. Like Juan Valdez, when we were kids, the coffee bean commercial, some of you might remember, he handpicked each bean. In this particular plague, God will handpick each one of these family members and deal with them throughout 2013 being this is the 13th year that I have been unable to communicate with my daughter. And to tell you honest God, truth, apologies go back to 98 99 since they've had my children enslaved through Stockholm syndrome. So, this is what we can look for. And uh Chief, I'm looking for you to get some calls on this matter cuz the way God is getting ready to heat this up, they're going to want to tell. They're going to have a reason to tell. And this is what has to happen. You all have a good night.

I'm Mary Potter, trustee of the Grout Museum. And last time you told me you'd all be willing to hang a poster in your office or somewhere in a window. So, I'm going to hand those around. you have nothing to do right on this. It's telling you about Christmas at the Russell Square. And this, of course, deals with the two houses that are located across from the grout, one one past the block or one past the park. And on Saturday night, we are going to have this Christmas at Russell House. And we are going to be having some live music. uh the children, the adult children from uh Leaport City will be entertaining. Also a part of the Metropolitan Corral will be there. In addition to that, over at the Russell House, the Russell Wensler House, there will be live music being played on the piano, the grand piano there. But the thing that you're going to most look forward to is there are refreshments and you will enjoy those because we're going to have special cookies and special drinks and all that. In addition to that, I would like to mention to you that when you're thinking about Christmas gifts, you might want to consider supporting a child, a family, whatever, and giving them a gift of a membership. On the other hand, you might also consider making a gift to the grout, and that would be in the form of a membership. The grout is driven by memberships. Without memberships, we are in bad shape. Uh you know that our levy has been taken away from us and that is causing a huge problem. So, I would ask that if you have a heart of hearts and want to give a little gift to the grout, buy a membership this year or support it with a donation. Thank you very much.

Special cookies like

Megan Butler, 818 Cloud Street. Um, and I wanted to make a note. Um, just talk about me personally a little bit first. Um, knowing someone personally doesn't mean they're without flaws. We all make mistakes. We all have poor reactions to situations. Um, just the other day I was super frustrated with my children. And I yelled at them and it was not good. Um, and when my husband called me out for that, um, and told me, "Hey, you shouldn't be talking to our kids that way." I was glad. I took the feedback and was like, "You are correct." Um, and I apologize to my kids and I am making an effort to not do that anymore because an apology without behavior change doesn't mean anything. Um, and I'd like to relate that back to a couple things that I had to talk about here at the council. Um, one is last council meeting I wasn't here, but I watched it online afterwards and there were a lot of public comments about racism and some posts that were made. And I think it's important to know that you can do a racist action and learn from it and do better um and not be a racist person. Like even I as a white person, I make racist mistakes all the time and when I'm called out for them, I try my best to not make this mistake again. Um but knowing if I slip up again, I hope somebody holds me accountable. The second thing I'd like to note is I had an interaction with the fire and police department um a couple weeks ago with a homeless man in my neighborhood that I have been just checking on and caring for. Um and he had started a fire in the garage which he should not have done but it was a cold November night. Um and when the firefighters came, they took out the two logs, set them outside. Um, and the council all knows this and so do the firefighters because I've already emailed them about this, but um, for the community, um, they decided after the fire was put out to, um, water down his

clothing. Um, which a homeless individual on a November night. I just I don't there could have been embers in them is the information I was given, but I was standing there. The logs were already outside. They were already extinguished. So regardless, I wanted to get some feedback on what we're going to be doing differently to make sure that we're caring for our most vulnerable people because Brad did not deserve that that night. He already is homeless. He doesn't need his clothes getting wet. Um, and I know safety is important, but we weren't in a rush or anything. And then I got feedback back from the chief and I don't remember Marshall. I don't remember what the names are, but um saying that this this firefighter is a veteran and he is compassionate. And I'm like, I am compassionate, too, but I make mistakes. Just the other day, I laugh. I yelled at my kids. And it's okay to make a mistake, but it's important to be able to take the feedback when you're called out and not just stand up and say, "Hey, I did the right thing. I followed all the rules." Even if you're following the rules, you can sometimes do better. Anyone else?

Good evening. Jessica Rucker, Main Street Waterlue. Um, as we know, we had a large snow event on Saturday which significantly impacted our downtown businesses with small business Saturday. So, we are unofficially doing a redo for this Saturday, December 6th. So, I am begging and pleading everyone to come out and support small businesses. On December 6th at 10:00 a.m., we will be handing out the swag bags in for the first 100 shoppers that come to downtown Waterlue. And we'll also have Santa starting at 11:00 a.m. So, the holiday season is one of the most important seasons for our small businesses and anything we can do to support them, especially after having a rough weekend because of mother nature. I would greatly appreciate you guys all supporting local. Thanks,

Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Yes, sir. Where will these swag bags be? Swag bags. Where can you get a swag bag? So, I will be at Anton's Garden starting at 10:00 a.m. Uh, it's a collaboration with Gross Cedar Valley and Community Main Street, Cedar Falls. We have reusable bags that have coupons, gift cards, and some surprise items um for some lucky winners if you come and grab one from us that we're doing them in Waterl and in Cedar Falls. Okay, thank you. All right, councel motion to uh close public comment. Second. Motion made a second. All in favor?

I oppose. Public comments close. Mr. Sir, I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the addition of bills payment 1A1 for November 24th in the amount of $6,28,48.85 and for December 1st 7,345,187.66. Second motion's been made with the second. Mr. No, Mr. Bz. Did you want to remove 16? Yeah. I apologize yet. I just wanted to talk about it separately. All right. So, um, all of those items and then, uh, we will move 16 for further discussion. Madame Clerk, Mr. Bosen,

yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Smith, Mr. Childs, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. Poe, yes. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I can make a motion to see and file the 2026 budget for Waterl Fiber and authorize city clerk to file said document with the Blackout County auditor. Second. That motion has been made with the second. Yes, sir.

And what I had a few questions about uh I I was surprised that it was just one page. You know, I and I I did speak to Miss Belley about it and she explained it to me. Uh I just had a couple couple questions if if Eric could be so kind to uh answer. Uh our wages and salaries are going up $500,000 in the 2026 budget. Can you just give me a a brief overview of of what's caused that? Yeah. So, as we bring on subscribers throughout 2026, 27, 28, um our staffing needs will increase mostly in like our um network operations and customer service. So, how many people are you are you bringing on next year for that extra? Uh it's like around nine or 10

for 500,000 and that's benefits and everything. Oh, that's good deal. That's $50,000 a person. includes benefits, too. Or maybe that's just wages. I'd have to look at I don't know. I'm just saying it doesn't that doesn't equate to our salary and benefits. And the other one was on the building lease. Mhm. Because I remember at at one time we were we were renting offices at the at the public works for $1,000 a month and for $12,000 a year. And now our building lease is $175,000 a year. Um, that should have been the same as from 20 from 2025 to 2026 175,000.

I I see it. Yeah. But I I I thought that we were that that we were paying like 13,000 a month for that building. Yes. That's plus our triple net expenses. Your what? Our triple net expenses. So our share of the utilities and stuff like that. Okay. Yep. Thanks for thanks for your answers. Yep. You're welcome, Madam Clerk. Mr. Bzen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Kraton Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. Fo, yes. All right. Thank you. We have We have uh Barkley Hill here today. If you're here, can you stand up?

Uh what about uh Sonata Muich? Uh Harris Chichi. Well, at least they didn't they sure are not here to hear me uh destroy their names like that. Uh but uh all three of them uh are two equipment operators, two Barkley and Harris and then uh Sonata's with the compliance supervision supervisor at the housing authority. So uh congratulations to all of them if you are looking on. Uh could someone take number one in public hearings? M

Yes, sir. like to make a motion to receive file approve publication notes public hearing for cattle congress lift skate lift station application for state revolving fund loan. Second motion has been made with a second. All in favor? I oppose. The hearing is now open. Yes, sir.

David Dryer, 3145 West Street. Uh don't have any cash on hand? It seems like uh we're increasing our uh sewer fees every month, every year, but yet we always have to keep borrowing money to do things. Uh I I would hope that someday we get liquid because uh it just doesn't seem like we do anything but borrow money in this town. Thank you,

Mr. Bennett. Thank you. Uh Randy Bennett, public works uh division manager. Um so there are some things that we do pay cash for. So a lot of our CIP, which is our slip lining, uh we're able to pay cash for that. Unfortunately, this is a large enough project that um we've got to borrow the funds for uh the funds for it and the state resolving funds is um the cheapest way for us to do that. Right. Thank you, Mr. Bennett. Can I have somebody make a motion to close? Yes. Second.

No, we have to receive a Oh, receive a vote. Second. [clears throat] Right. We have a motion, a second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Yes. resolution approving submission of an application for the cattle congress lift station state revolving fund loan and authorizing the assistant director treatment operations supervisor for waste management services to execute said document second motion [clears throat] and a second council questions madam clerk Mr. Bzen yes Mr. Nichols yes mton Smith yes Mr. Charles Mr. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss Wilder. Yes. Mr. Fo.

Yes. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Number two. Yes, sir. I move to receive and file proof of publication of public hearing for Grant Hus Solar long-term land lease agreement with Waterl Regional Airport. Second. That motion has been made with second. All in favor? Opposed? The hearing is now open. David Jar, 3145 West 4 Street. I guess I'm confused on this. I think I asked this question before. So, are we getting the money each month or each year or are we giving them the money?

We're getting the money, but I'll have Mr. um Mr. Kishar come up and talk to us about it. Stephen Kar, director of aviation. Uh we would receive a a yearly payment depending on which type or which phase of the project it is. Uh it starts at $50 a year during the development phase, moves to 375 during the construction phase, then during constru or during production, we would receive $1,400 a year with a 2% increase per year. Okay. Since there's an airport tiff, does that money stay in that tiff or does it come to the taxpayer? That money would stay with the airport as it's a a lease on airport

to reduce our liability at airport as taxpayers. Uh the right now no tax pay no tax money goes to the airport. Yeah. One of the one of the agreements historically has been to try to help to make sure that the the airport sustains itself. Every now and then there's been some capital projects that that we would do to help partner with it or the city would give some bond monies to help match come in with matching grants that they receive from the FAA. But overall uh when this succeeds uh this will be a substantial amount of money that will be generated uh for the airport to help them continue to move forward. So Okay. Good. All right. Thank you, sir.

I would also like to add that Ranger Power is here if there's any questions specifically for them if you the council or public has. Well, just would would love for you to uh introduce yourselves and then um after we close public hearings, then uh we'll move to the council to see if there's any questions uh from there. But please introduce yourselves and let's know who you are. Hello everyone. Um my name is Olivia Rodriguez. Uh this is my colleague Sergio Trovinho. We're both developers for Ranger Power. Um and excited to answer your questions today. All right. Thank you. So, uh, we're going to close public hearings if somebody wants to.

Yeah. Um, I move to close the hearing, receive and file oral comments, and recommendation of the approval of the planning program and zoning commission. Uh, that's not on. Oh, shoot. Sorry, that's next. My second the motion. All right. Uh, motion to close the hearing. All in favor? I oppose. Hearing is now closed. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Move to adopt a resolution approving a long-term ground lease of approximately 759 acres of airport owned property to Grand Husk Solar in the amount of $50 per acre upon assigning. $50 per acre per year through the development terms, $350 per acre per year through the construction term, and $1,400 per acre per year through the production term, and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute set documents. Second. That motion has been made with a second. council. Mr. Mayor,

sir, I would actually like to see this postponed until the next meeting. I contacted the airport director this weekend on Sunday because there was no doc associated documentation with this the lease agreement and I was in his email he returned to me. He said that they were going to this was going to be post pulled from the agenda and then when I opened it up today just at the council meeting there's a 30ome p a 69page lease agreement that I have not read. Has every anybody else read the 69 pages? wish if I was included on some of these emails. Yes, sir. That is due to I did not receive uh legal concurrence until this afternoon or this morning that we are okay.

Once again, I'd like to postpone this until the 17th. I'd like to second that motion. The 15th. 15th, I'm sorry. The next council meeting. I apologize. keep me involved. Well done. All right. Uh I would say um that would be a good motion uh for those interested. I don't have a question. He has to he has to review the documents. But madame clerk uh the motion to postpone to the next next meeting. Mr. Bzen? Yes. Mr. Nichols? Yes. Miss Kraton Smith? Yes. Mr. Charles? Yes. Mr. Simon? Yes. Miss Wilder? Yes. [clears throat] Mr. Fo? Yes. All right. Thank you. Number three, please. Mr. Mayor,

yes, sir. I move to receive and file proof of publication of public hearing and request by city of Farley to reszone 233 acre from C1 CZ zoning district to R21 and two family residence district located at 541 Albany Street. Second. That motion's been made with a second. All in favor? I opposed. The hearing is now open. Is there anyone that would like to speak to this particular item on the agenda? Uh we'll take this up on the the next meeting. All right. Going a second time, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Move to close the hearing and receive uh the recommendation of approval of the planning, programming, zoning commission. Second.

Motion been made with a second. All in favor? Opposed? The hearing is closed. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I move to receive, file, and consider and pass for the first time on ordinance amending ordinance number 5079 as amended. City of Waterl zoning ordinance by admitting the official zoning map referred to in section 10-4-4 approving a request by the city of Waterl to reszone approximately 33 acres from C1 CZ to conditioning zoning district to R21 and family district located at 541 Albany Street. Second. That motion has been made with the second uh council. Madame clerk, Mr. Bosen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Miss Kraton Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. voice. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I move to suspend the rules.

Second. Motion's been made with the second. Madam Clerk, Mr. Bzen, yes. Mr. Nichols, Miss Kraton Smith. Yes. Mr. Charles. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss Wilder. Yes. Mr. Fo. Yes. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I move to consider and pass for the second and third times and adopt the ordinance. Second. Motion made with a second. Madame Clerk. Mr. Bzen. Yes. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Mr. Kraton Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss Wilder. Yes. Mr. Fo. Yes. All right. Thank you. Could someone take number four? Mr. Mayor, sir,

I'd like to make a motion to uh receive and file proof of publication of notice of public hearing. And that is for a request by Luke and Megan Finley to reszone approximately 1.18 acres of from A-1 agricultural district to R-1 1 and two family residence district located east of 930 East Orange Road. Second. That motion has been made with a second. All in favor? I opposed. The hearing is now open. Is there anyone that would like to speak to this item on the agenda?

Good evening. Um, I just want to introduce myself. I'm Luke. That's my wife Megan. And we are the the ones that are wanting would like to um have this resone so we could build a home and reside there. That's all our purposes are. So, if you could just let us know your current address. I'm sorry. My current address. We live in um Ryan, Iowa, right on the country. pretty rural, but All right. So, thank you. It's about 45 miles away. All right. And then if anyone has any questions, thank you. We'll get to that part next. So, thank you. All right. Anyone else for comments? Somebody want to close the hearing? I will. Um, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir.

Like to make a motion to close the hearing and receive and file uh oral comments and recommendation of approval of planning, programming, and zoning commission. Second. That motion was made with second. All in favor? I oppose. The hearing is now closed. Mr. Mayor, sir to make a motion to receive, file, consider, and pass for the first time an ordinance amending ordinance number 5079 as amended city of Waterl zoning ordinance by amending the official zoning map referred to in section 10-4-4 approving a request by Luke and Megan Finley to reszone approximately 1.18 acres from 8-1 agricultural district to R-11 and2 family residence district located east of 930 East Orange Road. Second.

A motion has been made with the second council. Madame clerk. Mr. Boosezen. Yes. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Mr. Katon Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss. Wilder. Yes. Mr. Foy. Yes. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Sir, make a motion to suspend the rules. Second. The motion has been made with [snorts] the second. Madame Clerk. Mr. Bzen. Yes. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Mr. Caton Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss Wilder. Yes. Mr. Voice. Yes. Thank you. Mr. Mayor. Sir. like to make a motion to consider and pass for the second and third times and adopt the ordinance. Second. A motion has been made with the second. Madame clerk. Mr. Bzen. Yes. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Mr. Cton Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss. Wilder. Yes. Mr. Fo. Yes.

All right. Thank you, council. Congratulations. Uh, could someone take number five, please? Mr. Mayor, sir. Like to make a motion to receive file proof publication of notice public hearing for the sale and conveyance of approximately 6.29 29 acres of city-owned property located directly north of 3470 West Airline Highway, including a development agreement. Second. That motion has been made with a second. All in favor? I oppose. The hearing is now open. Is there anyone that would like to comment on this item on the agenda? Going a second time. May I'd like to make a motion to close the hearing. Second. That motion has been made with a second. All in favor? I. Opposed? The hearing is now closed. Mr. Mayor,

I'd like to [clears throat] make a motion to adopt a resolution approving the sale and convenience of 6.29 acres of city-owned property located directly north of 3470 West airline Highway to International Paper Company in the amount of $1 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said documents. Second. That motion has been made with the second. Councel, Madame Clerk, Mr. Bzen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Clayton Smith, yes. Mr. Charles, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. first. Yes. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Sir,

like to make a motion to adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the development agreement with International Paper Company to sell 6.29 acres of city-owned property located directly north of 3470 West airline Highway and authorizing the Maran City Clerk to execute that document. Second. This motion has been made with the second. Madame Clerk, Mr. Bosen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Green [clears throat] Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. Fo, yes. All right. Thank you. Uh, could someone take um just one, two, and one, two, and three? Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am.

I move that we adopt resolution number one, a policy on the prohibition of the use of excessive force. Resolation resolution two, approving the suspension of civil service hiring practices for entrance level positions as authorized by Iowa code section 400. um that 12A for a time period of January 7, 2026 through January 6, 2027 and resolution three adopt approving supplemental agreement number two with ACOM, Inc. in the amount of $1,364,500 in conjunction with the fiscal year 2022 Leaport Road improvements phase 2 contract number 1128 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Second.

That motion has been made with the second. [snorts]

David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. Number one, uh, didn't we have this sort of a thing before that prohibited a use of excessive force? Yeah, you're absolutely correct. Um what we need to do on this is just uh mirror some of the state state and federal regulations to to we they didn't like the way we had the language and so this is just to mirror that to be eligible for some of the dollars. So it's not drastically changing. It's just what we need to do to be eligible. Okay. Got to come up with times. Gotcha. Okay. Then number two, um I guess why do we need to uh suspend the civil service hiring practices?

That's a good question, sir. We've done it before. Miss Missy, would you elaborate?

Missy Gearhart, I'm the assistant HR director. So, the civil service hiring process is a process that we go through. um it's determined by the Iowa State Administrative Code and last year they updated it to where we can suspend the process for um incoming positions, entry- level positions, which allows us to speed up the hiring process. So, the council voted last year to let us um try that for a year. And so we were able to try that for a year and we um sped up the hiring process by quite a bit. We were able to um put people in positions an average of 50 days earlier than we were before we suspended the process. So

okay, I guess that still doesn't explain to me why we need to suspend it. to help get people into positions faster than we normally would do with our old practices. Okay. But the practice doesn't eliminate doesn't make it easier for somebody to get a job that it maybe isn't qualified. They still have to be qualified. We're not correct. We're not changing the rules of of how they get hired. Okay. That's correct. All right. We have questions and we do a panel interview and we do scoring just like we always do. Okay. Yep. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else in the audience with questions? Councel, Madame Clerk, Mr. Bzen? Yes.

Mr. Nichols? Yes. Mr. Craton Smith? Yes. Mr. Childs? Yes. Mr. Simon? Yes. Miss Wilder? Yes. Mr. Fo? Yes. All right. Thank you. Um four, five, and six, please. Mr. Mayor,

sir. I move to adopt a resolution approving supplemental agreement number two to a professional services agreement with FA entertain uh infrastructure and environment LLC originally executed March 17, 2025 and amount not exceed $81,000 in conjunction with the fiscal year 2026 Katowski drive in Huntington Road reconstruction contract number 1123 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute that document. resolution approving an agreement for the Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program funding grant with the Iowa Department of Transportation amount of $700,000 in conjunction with the construction of a roundabout at Hammond and Ridgeway Avenue and authorizing the mayor city clerk to execute that document and a resolution approving an agreement for the carbon reduction program funding grant with the Iowa Department of Transportation amount of $1,332,000 in conjunction with the construction of a roundabout at Hammond Avenue and Ridgeway Avenue and authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute that document. Second.

A motion has been made with the second.

I should have sat closer. David Dryer, 3145 West 4th Street, but I didn't want to eliminate my back row status. [laughter] Uh number number five, U Iowa Clean Air Act. Uh, so we're going to take advantage of the state or the federal government for the $700,000 to make a roundabout there. That intersection, I have sat longer at a stoplight than I have at that four-way stop. Um, if you put a roundabout in, I've been at roundabouts where I've sat longer at the roundabout. So, that doesn't clean the air up because my engine's still running. Doesn't make sense to me. So, I I guess my my question is why do we need to do this other than taking advantage of $700,000 and uh number six is uh basically the same thing, a grant money again. So, five and six I like I say, I've sat longer at a roundabout than I have at a stoplight. I've sat longer at a stoplight than I have at uh Hammond Ridgeway.

Thank you. All right, Mr. Oh, Mr. Divu, did you have a same question about this item or something else? Okay. Um, well, let's go ahead and take um take uh Mr. Dryer's questions. If you give us one second, sir, please.

Safia, traffic operations director. Um, so we applied for a grant for IAP and CRP and we received them um to replace the stop signs with a roundabout at this location. the Iowa DOT um did uh go through our applications and approved and um considered everything and um they are giving us a little bit over 2 uh million dollars to uh switch to the roundabout and um they've reviewed everything and came up with um accepting that this will um improve and reduce carbon and um they gave us the money. So,

what's the total cost? Uh a little bit over 2.5 million and we have grant for 2 million and we've applied for um a TEP grant. We we don't know if we've received that yet or not, but that's around 500,000. So, all right. So, I'm pretty sure there'll be other questions. So, if you want to stick around somewhere, push the chief out as chair or something like that, it'll be good. There's another chair, Mr. Mr. Divu,

Forest Dillu, 1725 Huntington Road. My questions are on the one for Huntington and Katowski. Uh, the engineering on that. This is a for the school. I assume it is the roundabout and we have we have heard that the school is going to be contributing on some of these things in the roundabout. Will this be funded with taxpayer money or will this be funded with school money? I know it's all my money. It comes out of the right pocket or the left, but I'd like to know which one's getting fleeced. Yes, sir.

Jamie Kson, city engineer. Um, a portion of it will be paid for by the schools and and a portion of it will be paid for by the city of Wateroo. And the portions could we hear that please? Right now it's about one for this is just for landscaping within the roundabouts. Approximately one quarter will be the schools and threequarters would be the city. Those aren't the numbers we heard previously on the roundabout cost. [clears throat] This is this is specifically for landscaping within the roundabouts themselves. The grass areas inside the middle of the roundabouts part that we maintain.

It's the parts that are we maintain that's completely separate from the actual design and the construction cost for the roundabouts we've talked about previously. Mr. That's just for the portion in the roundabout. It's not for the the entire project. Oh, okay. All right. A council may Mr. [clears throat] Charles.

Thank you. Um, when I first was elected to council four years ago, one of the first complaints I saw on Facebook before I deleted that evil website was this this intersection at uh on Ridgeway and it was con constituent after constituent saying, "We're putting roundabouts in all these other places. Why can't we put a roundabout here?" If you have ever found a roundabout that you sit it longer than for than a stop sign, that roundabout is not functioning properly. please let us know so that way we can figure out what in the world is going on at that roundabout because you should move faster at a roundabout than a stop sign by the inherent nature that you shouldn't stop at a roundabout. Typically what happens in that situation is the signage may not be clear or someone may not be knowing what's going on and they stop and they wait for people in ways that they're not supposed to. You're supposed to just keep going at a consistent slower speed. So, it's not only supposed to be more efficient, it's supposed to be safer because if there's an accident, it is less likely to be at a high-speed collision, uh, which can happen at stop lightss. So, uh, this particular roundabout is something that I've heard from the community for four years, and I know this is just my own personal experience and what I've heard personally, and everyone can hear something different, but I know that the neighbors in this area will be ecstatic that that area isn't so bad. And when I used to live in Ward 5, um I had to go through this stop light around four a stop sign around 4:00 and you would sit there for 20 minutes and the line would go all the way back to sometimes it would make it what is that main road? I can't think of it right now. San Martin. Sometimes it would get all the way back there to San Martin. Like you could see it trying to go to get some tools uh at Menards and like there's a line here. Why is there a line here? Because of that dang stop sign. So I think that in the in the interest of the citizens, this will be a very positive and the fact that we're able to get this for such for free essentially, you know, with just the hard work and grant money. Thank you so much, Safia, for getting that done. Uh this is a gift to Waterlue and we should be very proud that we're going to get people through that faster and faster.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I would like to echo uh Council Person Child's comments as well. Um, and if I'm not mistaken, I thought we did a study or of some sort uh when the previous director was here for that area. U his name um and so um it was my under my I was under the impression also that something needed to be done about that intersection. I know my goodness, the traffic would be backed up to what used to be Red Lobster. Um so yeah, it's been pretty bad. So, I'm I'm also pleased that we're getting grant money to to help out with that, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir.

Um, I live nearby that roundabout. And to answer Mr. Dryer's question about you shouldn't have to stop, the inherent if there's heavy traffic coming from West High down Ridgeway, there there may be a time where you might have to stop, but it's going to be less than um, you know, burning burning gas. every car that comes to that stop sign has to stop. Well, if it's less traffic, obviously there will be no stopping. So, I can see where the the savings would be there, but there will be some times where if traffic is coming, once that traffic starts, I've been I've waited at roundabouts at that yield sign before. It's it's inevitable. But um and on the other one, uh the school paying 25% of this, I I hope this isn't a preceding what's going to happen when we start doing other stuff with the school. Um, that was a heavy a heavy consideration by that neighborhood when we put the when the water schools decided to put that there that it was going to be an added cost to the to the citizens of Waterlue to put that in that densely populated area. Um, so I I can see where some people might have some concerns when whenever we have a supplemental agreement for working those roundabouts and the traffic in that area. So I I would like to see us watch that continuously too. So

we know that. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. I do remember long lines on Hammond when GMAC and Aquin was in full swing and that that's eased up considerably on Hammond for sure. Uh my concern is on on number four um $81,000 and and I think Mr. Kudson said for design of the centers of the roundabouts. That seems kind of excessive to me. number one and I would like to know if the schools have even paid us anything of of the money that we paid up front so far.

Jamie Kudson, city engineer. No, I have not invoice them yet for any of the any of the bills. Can you can you give us an idea how much they owe us right now? Not off the top of my head. No. Could you email it to us? I certainly can. Thank you. Good. All right, Madame Clerk. Four, five, and six. Mr. Bzen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Clayton Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. Voice, yes. They're going to be a huge titan right. All right. 789. Mr. Mayor, sir,

recommend approve the following resolutions. First is a resolution approving an agreement with Ian Engineering LLC of Lyall, Illinois in the amount of [laughter] 1,295,460 in conjunction with the fiber Waterlue fiber project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Next is a resolution approving a temporary easement agreement in the amount of $197 with uh Shatha Properties LLC uh located at uh 10008 Leaport Road in conjunction with the Leaport Road phase 2 reconstruction project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. And number nine, a resolution accepting and approving an acquisition contract and approving a deed to sell real property to the city of Waterlue for a partial rataway acquisition in the amount of $4,256 to a temporary easement agreement in the amount of $4,244. a total compensation amount of $8,500 with Steel Smith Properties LLC located at 1911 East Mitchell Avenue and 820 Leaport Road in conjunction with the Leaport Road phase 2 reconstruction project authorizing and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said documents.

Second. The motion has been made with the second. Uh comments on these three items, council. Yes, sir.

I have uh some comments on number seven. I I just think that this cost is ridiculous. 1 point. It's almost $1.3 million. We're going to pay $31,600 a month for project management. We're going to pay $6,000 a month for project engineering support. We're going to pay $38,000 a month for construction management, which includes one construction manager or inspector. We're going to pay $27,192 a month for one inspector. And if we have more than four construction crews, we're going to pay for an additional $27,000. So, we're are and then we're going to pay for their travel expense to go back and forth. So, we're going to end up with $107,955 a month for a handful of people. And I I I mean, we're paying $27,000 for one person to do inspections for a month. I I just think it's ridiculous. And then they've laid out January through December of 2026. So, every month is $107,955. I don't know how we could incur those same expenses in January, February, and March and November, and December when we're not in the ground and we're not we're not doing a lot of work at this time, but yet we're still paying like we've got all these crews out there that are putting fiber in the ground. I just I just think it's I think they got us over a barrel and and and I I'm not happy with this with this price uh fixing right here. It's It's just 1 point almost $1.3 million for a handful of people. Thank you.

Yes, sir.

Uh Randy Bennett, public um division manager. So, just to be clear, that's if we had all of the staff that were doing performing those services at the time. So over the last few months, um, some of the inspection services have already backed off. So we haven't been compensating for those, but when we do come back into the spring and the construction would step back up. And if we actually got to the point where we'd have that many, that's how much those services actually we um could go back up if we actually got to that full full point. But I I do want to to clarify that we won't, you know, like right now, they've already backed the the inspectors off, so we're not compensating them for those that are not into the field. that would be if if they were all back in into play doing that. The other thing when when it comes to this portion of the contract too is we are starting to come down to the winding end of the actual contract itself. So that's built into this. There's also a um part of the agreement to where we can give notice to where we can also um terminate the contract as we get come closer to the foreclosure of it when we have all the main fiber that's sent into the ground. And that part of that also can be whether it would be through waterl fiber and or the city depending on which portions could still be going on. So um yes those are in there but that but we're only paying for the services that were being provided. So like right now where some of the inspections are going on especially like with the wither um they they'll be doing more. So they'll be working on some of the asbuilts and and some of the other testing. So while some of it's not necessarily the inspection side of it it's it's the other portion of it. So, you're saying we're not paying $31,600 a month for project management?

Yeah. Um, we'll we'll pay for those the number of individuals that's working at that that given time. They've already backed off on some of the inspectors these last few months. So, if you remember last year when we increased some of the inspectors when they when they backed off, we also part of their billing, they backed off of that. Can can you give send me a breakdown of of what we're actually spending? Yes, I can. Yeah, I can get as opposed to this 107955,000.

I mean, the biggest thing is is trying to incorporate what it would be if if when we were like at full, you know, um full thing. You have to realize we're to the point now where most of the conduit is in the ground. We don't have much left to do. You know, unfortunately with the weather, this is going to impede us now. But, you know, once we get to the spring, there's not much left and then it's going to be focused on the other aspects of it. But yes, I can definitely help you get a breakdown to to clarify it. Yeah, because it's I mean it'd be nice to know what we're actually spending. Yep. That's fair. Paying for what you use. Yep. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Who dictates the number of workers at a every given month? Is that something you do or they do or

it's more of what um so as we were starting to to get the conduit that was all into the ground on on the the primary it's it's the workload is what dictates it. So when the weather was decent and we were able to do that um you you have to realize if you when we originally did the project we had like a set amount then we ramped it up because we brought on more um boring crews and everything else to accelerate the project but in the process of doing that you have to have more inspectors and everything else. So that's where we increased that. But now that that actually has kind of taken place and now that we're starting to ramp down because we've got most of the conduit in the ground now it's starting to reduce some. And then who oversees that? Is that something you oversee? So if they if they are let's say they're not doing anything. I'm not saying that they're not

but we know how some people I mean people can it's human nature if they would try to get paid for not doing anything. Is that something that you monitor?

Yep. So part of what we do is working within trust. That's our main main firm. um that's actually doing that and then they test and verify whether or not that um or to oversee whether the conduit and everything's in and then in conjunction with that both Eric um team with waterl fiber and then myself we do go and verify you know whether or not boxes and stuff we're putting in I can tell you I don't go see all the the fiber because that's kind of outside of my scope but part of when they go all to do their testing everything else and then once it comes online of course to be able to provide that service, you know, everything has to be um functioning so that way when we're actually having paying customers. So, in the end, that's kind of

So, basically, I I just wanted to know if it was you that's watching it or if somebody Yes, it's it's a cumulative both of myself and Yeah, that was a simple question. Um the the other question I have is and this this runs till are we are we still on target or ahead of schedule? I thought we had heard we were ahead of schedule and then so this is okayed through this um agreement through like how long does this agreement last until the completion of the job or is it um is it got a I was trying to find

we are um assuming we don't continue you know some of the things that has extended the contract is the fact that we had new growth so like paradise estates and um and those things that we added that added to the contract that we originally didn't have but um so Overall, are we ahead of schedule? Yes, we are. Um, some of it is a dependence on the weather, you know, but we do anticipate that to have this done before the end of next year

on the on the main portion of the conduit. Now, there's multiple facets to this because when it comes to, you know, the fiber to the home and the and then some of the backbone things, you know, those are other aspects of it, but under the main mainline portion, we do anticipate that getting done within this next calendar year. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Madame clerk. Mr. Bzen. Yes. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Mr. Greatton Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss. Wilder. Yes. Mr. Foy. Yes. All right. Could someone take 10 through 14? Mr. Mayor.

Sir. I'd like to make a motion to adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the development agreement with Donnie RE Investments LLC originally approved on July 7, 2025 regarding property located at 512 North Barlay to change the purchase price of the property from 15,000 to $5,000 and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a document. A resolution approving uh resolution accepting and approving an acquisition contract and approving a deed to convey real property to the city of Waterlue for a partial rideway acquisition contract in the amount of $1,38. a permanent easement agreement in the amount of $5,799 and a temporary easement agreement in the amount of $786 for a total compensation amount of $7,893 uh dollars with me Metro Investments Waterlue LLC for the property located at 1326 Leaport Road in conjunction with the Leaport Road phase 2 uh reconstruction project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a document resolution approving a temporary easement agreement in the amount of $715 with Metro Investments uh Waterlue LLC located at 1329 Leaport Road in conjunction with the Leaport Road phase 2 reconstruction project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute some document. Uh you said 14 as well, correct sir? Yes,

sir. resolution accepting and approving an acquis acquisition contract uh and approving a deed to convey real property uh to the city of Waterlue for the partial rightaway acquisition in the amount of $3,315. Uh permanent easement agreement in the amount of $12,282 and a temporary easement agreement in the amount of $465. Removal of pavement in the amount pavement in the amount of 9,626 for a total compensation amount of $25,688 with Metro Investments Waterlue LLC for the property located at 1328 Leaport Road in conjunction with the Leaport Road phase 2 reconstruction project and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said documents.

Second. A motion has been made with the second. Council, Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I had a question um regarding resolution 10. Uh the property was uh bidded on for 15,000 was purchased at that price and then now they want it um to reduce to $5,000$10,000 less because no one else bidded on it.

No Anderson, community planning and development director. Yes. The uh city of Waterloo originally sent out a request for proposals on this uh project, probably over 40 individuals um to see if anyone was interested in rehabbing it. Um we only received the one RFP back um from Danny uh RE Investments LLC. Um upon finding out that he was successful in getting it, um he did uh realize that he was the only one that bid on it. We did have a minimum bid on there of $5,000 per the policy. Um and so now he is asking to reduce his uh offer from 15,000 to 5,000. Um obviously the council can approve his request and change that amount or you could deny it um and see what his action is. Obviously if he would then drop out of of the development agreement and not want to fix it up, we would send it back out for RFP.

Um Mr. Anderson, is this common or un, you know, unusual or ordinary? I mean, what I would say it's it's it's highly unusual. Um, we we have not had this happen before, right? Um, and and sometimes we we do have more than a bidder or two and we take a look at what they're actually going to do to reinvest uh back in that property. But, you know, you don't you know, you can't leave right now. I don't even see why you're walking away. [laughter] You see, council has questions. But also though, um what's what's the um there's also incentive for this property. So would we if we reduced it to 5,000 would there be an expectation? This is in the targeted area as well, right?

The development was was written with the $5,000 incentive. Um so he basically was going to get the 5,000 back. So it would knock 10,000 and then we'd give 5,000 back.

Yeah. So if we if we approved it as requested by him to 5,000, he'd basically pay the 5,000 for it, have to fix up the house, and then at the end we would refund him the purchase price of 5,000 and then we would refund and then we give him the $5,000 incentive. So he'd make 5,000 in the end versus the current agreement with him paying 15, he gets 5,000 back per policy and then he would get the $5,000 infill. Okay. All right. Don't go anywhere. Forest Dillu, 1725 Huntington Road. I do not like what this is doing. It's setting a policy. A couple weeks ago, we had one that was bid on. They said they were going to rehab a house and put up fence and they had taken bids. They allowed that person to not put up the fence, which to me totally changes the bid process. You are cheating the taxpayers when you do those things because it's a contract and you're violating the contract between the buyer and the seller which is the citizens of Waterlue. Each time the citizens come up short, the taxpayers come up short. This is why we are the highest tax city in the state or in the 40 cities or whatever. You just keep giving away our tax dollars. Yeah. I would like to do that when I go to an auction bid on a car and I'm the hard high bidder. I'd like to get it for free. That's what this ends up being free. Instead of paying the money they bid on it, they're going to get it for free. I don't think this is a policy that we need to set for the citizens of Wateroo. Thank you. Thank you.

David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. Um, I have to somewhat agree with what Mr. Dilvo said, but actually he's not going to get it for free. He's going to get $5,000 from us to take it. That's a bad precedence for us to keep setting. U, you know, if he agreed on the 15,000 in the first place, hold him to the contract. And that that's my opinion. Thank you. There's just discussion now. Um council Nichols

um my question um was would there be anything to preclude the same um if it you know if we if it does come back to a bid um would he still be able to apply for the next RFP? The same uh same person.

No Anderson, community planning development director. Um yeah, I mean if we had to go out for RP again, um perhaps we would uh require a down payment um amount um to go with the original bid so that anyone that would come back and try to change it would be out some money initially. We have done that before required like $1,000 down. Um we don't always do that to try to encourage more proposals, but we could go back to that format. So at least if someone did this, they would be out some some funds to try come back and try to change it. It's my only thought is that if we did go back to RFP, he can come back, put in his $5,000 bid, be the only bidder, and get what he wants anyway. So, Mr. [clears throat] Mayor, I'm sorry. Yes, sir.

So, so this they're already in process on this property. Is that correct? I do not believe they've started any of the construction yet. There is no I mean there's been some activity there. Windows are gone and campers in the parking lot and stuff like that. that. So, I thought maybe there was some something being functioning there. Nothing's been taken in or out of the building. Eric Schrader, city planner. I'm not aware of any activity that the uh developer has started. The city has not deed the property to him yet. So, we can do some double-checking into that. Could very well be vandalism. Well, when I was just driving to the council meeting tonight, there was a property. That's not

That's not the same property. Okay, very good. I apologize.

So, this this this uh discussion is always interesting because, you know, several years ago, to uh Mr. Dillu's point about the property tax rate. um having a conversation with the county. The county said, "Hey, we need for you guys to take a look at targeted areas around the community and see what you can do to try to help insent and bring up the values around those particular places." Because if you take a look um at the map, uh you got places where there is, you know, 80% rental versus ownership. you have places where derelict landlords will get those properties and not fix them up. And so part of this is to uh say, "Hey, you have a property within area of the community that we were able to get uh from 657A or someone is able to donate to us because we want uh someone to come in and fix up those places, right? Because that brings the entire uh neighborhood up. And so that is the portion around the $5,000 down the starting bid. That's also the portion that we reinvest back. Uh the goal is and I'm not saying whether or not to go from 15,000 to 5,000 at all. That's that's council's decision. But the goal is to go back into these communities and fix up and raise the value of the properties within there. And that's how we'll be able to increase taxable value all across this city and and spread it spread it around. And so the goal of this program was to at least have the person purchasing this have some skin in the game. And if they hold upon their responsibility fixing this property up, making it a decent, clean, and livable, inhabitable property, like we said, that that raises the value of that property. It brings up the the property tax count on that property. uh and generates more

money overall as well as quality of life and those things. And so, yeah, like I said, I haven't seen this type of, you know, going from there to there uh when there's going to be incentive given back, but ultimately, council, uh it's your decision if you if you want to do that. So, madame clerk, mayor, sorry. Oh, I'm sorry, sir. That's okay. N what in the original agreement, what was the timeline to complete the project? I don't have that right in front of me. Um I I believe he probably had to start it within the next couple of months.

Sorry, I because I'm I'm I am I know like I only have two meetings left, but I'm really struggling with this one only because of the precedents that and I also know that they have other projects that we're waiting on for them to complete. What Mr. Simon is talking about is right along the river between you know so I'm very I know I understand but Eric trader city planner I don't have the agreement in front of me either so I don't know the exact timeline but I do know that it's based on conveyance and we have not conveyed yet so his timeline to start has not even commenced yet since we have I assumed that but I didn't is it would it typically be

we usually either do four or six months to commence and then usually do 14 months to complete So, we're talking upwards of 20 months, almost two years. Okay. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. When you're done, right? Go ahead. Everyone else that not participated has Mr. Bzing. No, that's fine. He called it out first. So, we'll go Mr. Bose and then we'll come to you, sir.

Yeah. Yeah. I I have I have a real issue with this. Um I I think we're we're setting a dangerous precedence. Um they they've got x amount of time time to get this done. One of the reasons they haven't started construction is they got the low bid and they haven't paid us. So, we haven't conveyed the deed to them because they haven't given us any money. Had they had they had they done that, they would had the deed and they'd be working on it right now. But I I can't I I can't approve this. My only my only fear is is that if if we we have the original development agreement, we could actually be out more money because if we come back and rebid this and we get and and that person bids it for $5,000 new development agreement, correct? And they would qualify for 7 $7,500 in and rebates, infield development rebates in the 5,000. We're already we already offered them in the first development agreement. So technically we would be out another $2,500

but it's also up to the discretion for the 7500 if I'm not mistaken. Right. Well, it's in a targeted zone.

Eric Schrader, city planner. I just wanted to add one more thing. The other potential uh way that the city would be out is if we rebid it and get no bids. This property is in pretty rough shape. Uh it will take a lot of work. his I don't have his proposal in front of me, but I think his estimated uh cost for the rehab was like around $70,000. So, it's a pretty substantial um investment that it's going to take to fix this property up since it is in pretty rough shape. So, if we do rebid and get no biders um and then it's going to cost the city the cost to demolition. Just pointing that out. Can I Mr. Mr. Child were you done, Mr. Yes, sir? I'm done. Thank you,

Mr. Child and Mr. Sorry. Yes. Um I think I'm in agreeance with the rest of council here in terms of the precedent setting. What I'm frustrated about primarily here is not everything that a developer asks has to be brought to council. And I think this is one of the things that could have been stopped before it got here because it's not normal to come up to accept an agreement and then ask to change that agreement um because you heard something through the grapevine. Uh that that's what's disturbing me most about this is that renegging on an agreement and then taking advantage of the generosity and the wanting to build this city and possibly reneging on an agreement that you made is so first question is are there any stipulations that if someone reneg on this agreement is there something anything we're getting out of it and then my second question would be kind of echoing Mr. Nicholls question earlier, if he if if this particular development does do that, is he eligible to rebid and should he not be eligible to rebid?

So, there's no clawback in there since he hasn't paid any money up front at this point. Um, and obviously, if the council denies this, you could you could definitely let staff know you want us to send it out for RP and not allow him to um because he'd be uh deemed as a not as a responsible bidder. And then just you were gonna say something. I heard you. No, please go ahead. I forgot.

So, so no. Uh, normally normally we have the, uh, $5,000 in there because one, we have them give a earnest bid because we found out that some people make a lot of promises and then they may not follow through. And so the time frame in which it takes when the person first bids on the house to when we have to tear it down, we assume that that price is going to go up during that time frame, right? Somebody gets it, nothing happens in three, three, four years. Now, instead of paying $4,500 for demolition, now we have to pay $6,000 or $7,000. And so that's why we have the the earnest bid. right now if um this person does not meet the timelines then the city keeps the 15,000.

He he has not paid it to us. So yeah I'm saying according to this contract and they give us the money for the council says no we want to take the we we're taking the 15,000 the person pays the money and then they have x amount of time to fix up that property. Correct. That is correct. And if they do not meet the standards of that agreement, then what happens to the 15,000? We keep it. And if they do not meet the standards of the agreement, they do not get the incentives back. So they wouldn't get back the $5,000 purchase price portion or the $5,000 infill.

So it it's not necessarily a performance bond, but it is a dollar amount that's put in this that we recoup something uh if they don't happen to do it. and and history 101 15 years ago, people would go out and get these places. They just wouldn't fix them up and then we're left holding the bag. Then they we have to come around again. Now we have to spend money to to tear these places down. That was on our dime. And so that's why we had the earnest or the minimum bid uh on these projects. So I think people are having a hard time. I can't speak for the council, but it seems like people are having a hard time of having an agreement to say that there's 15,000 and then now we're coming back saying only 5,000. Then we turn around and give that five well council turns around and give the 5,000 back and then we give another $5,000 within that project. But I think it's important though for in this situation not for his office to make a unilateral decision on behalf of you. So I don't blame them for bringing it to you. You're the you got you're the council, right? You're you're the ones that would would give me authorization to sign this original contract if that's different.

I do have it changes. So yes, sir. I remember the question. We are making a big assumption here which I think is not fair to the developer. Did the developer say he wouldn't do this if we didn't approve this? I don't, Eric, I don't believe he straight out said he would not do it if we didn't amend it. Okay. Well, I think that's a big factor we have to take into account, too. Mr. [clears throat] Mayor,

sorry. So, I think going back to the precedents that we might be setting here, it'd be no different if we had five bids and the lowest bid was lower than by like 50ome thousand and then they found out later that the nearest bidder was 50,000 away and then they'd come back to us and say, "Well, we just want to pay $1 more than the next lowest bidder." I don't think we can do that. So, that's that's why I think it's a precedent that we can't set.

It's slightly different in that it's a request for proposal. So if if someone else would have bid 16,000 but they were only going to put 10,000 back into it with their plans, we could have still chosen this one at 15,000 knowing he was putting 70 into it. So normally if if someone would have been the selected RFP um and then they would have come back and said now they don't want to move ahead with what they submitted, we would normally then go back and review the other RFP solicitations. And in this this one, why is this at 5,000? back when we started this process. That was that was the uh policy in place, I believe. Yeah, we just changed.

Is that a Is that a compromise? But I would probably say at this point uh we probably should Sorry. Yes, sir. So, looking at the original development agreement, it talks about $1,000 shall be paid in certified funds to the city to be held in trust as earnest money. Why don't we have that? Because this was done in July. Sorry, Eric Schrader, city planner. I'll have to review to verify, but I do believe we should have that earnest 1,00.

So, I know we're all over Sorry. Thanks, Eric. I know we're all over the place on this. Can we I and and it seems so sign in insignificant and things but like long-term effects. I I'm going to move to postpone this to December 15th meeting, please. Because I want to reread the agreement and get some answers and understanding from the developer. Sorry. [clears throat] Second. Right. But time for question. Well, on the on the post and in the in the meantime, can null get us all of that documentation so that we don't have to and can we get a statement? can the questions they have, but also um something directly from the developer.

Just time to review their uh because I I was trying to find all of that from the July meeting. Um it's from sorry June 16th meeting. So the all the information that we got from them, the proposal, all of those things would stop the table. I know. Sorry. That's a win for the developer. Well, I know, but I would rather us have right information. All right. So, to table to um the 15th meeting, uh Madame Clerk, Mr. Bzen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Miss Greatton Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, no. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. Fo, yes. All right. And the vote for 12, 13, and 14. Mr. Bzen, yes.

Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. place. Yes. All right. 15 and 16. No, 15. 15 and 16. I'm sorry. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir.

Make a motion approve following resolutions. First is a resolution approving a right of entry agreement with RNK Investments LLC to enter into a city-owned property uh to enter in onto city- owned property to begin construction of a 12,000t commercial building and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. in resolution number 16 uh approving an amendment to the development agreement and minimum assessment agreement in the amount of $4,50,000 uh with Baltimore Fields LLC for new residential subdivision located between Hawthorne Avenue and Eureka Street and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute said document. Second. That motion has been made with second. Um, questions on these.

David Dryer, 3145 West 4 Street. I guess uh I I need to have an explanation on 15 about uh if we haven't transferred it or whatever, but they want to get in there early. Uh have they paid their just fees, etc. so that they have the right to get in there and if we haven't transferred the property, why should they be able to get in there early? Good question, sir. And that's part of the reason why they wanted early access. But no, can you [snorts]

No Anderson, community planning development director. So, you'll notice on the uh consent agenda, we had two actions for this, the site plan amendment and the development agreement to convey land to them. A portion of the land for a dollar, a portion that they would be buying at 30,000 per acre to have uh additional land out there for expansion, which we have seen [snorts] them doing uh in the recent years. They're wanting to move faster to try and stay ahead of the uh cold cold weather. I don't know if they have now at this point, but uh they're they're trying to get out there and basically start doing their dirt work. Um the right of entry gives them the ability to do that while it protects the city from indemnity and insurance and all that in case they were to get injured out there or something prior to doing it being deeded to them. Um but essentially it's for time. Um they are working to get out of their existing building on West Airline Highway um because they're bringing a new business into town from Minnesota um that'll employed about 15 people. So, they're trying to uh start transitioning their way out of that building while the other others come in as best they can.

So, why have we moved too slow? Sounds like we just got the signed development agreement from them, I believe, last week and they set the date of hearing. We are moving as fast as we can. Yeah. Well, you heard Mr. Drier. Let's get it done. Council, Madam Cler, no, I I have questions on 16 and uh because the original development agreement was April 17th of 2023

and I'm curious and I know Mr. Fris here, he could tell us where we're at on this project right now, how much infrastructure is in the ground, because their start date was supposed to be uh on the May 5th amendment to the development agreement, May 5th of 2025. the start date was supposed to be June 1st of 25 on this amendment to this uh or the change in this. We're we're moving the start date to June 1st of 26. Uh I don't know why on May 5th we would approve an amendment to a development agreement that gave all of the incentives that should be in the tiff prior to approving the tiff because now we're stuck. If this passes tonight and we don't pass the Baltimore Fields TIFF, we're obligated to give them 50% tax abayments for 10 years. We're obligated to do all of this other stuff that we should have never passed that development agreement May 5th of of this year. That obligated us to to to do all of the the the items that the TIFF spells out prior to approving a TIF. I don't know how how we got to this point. So, we need an update on the project and we have need able to uh navigate through Mr. Bolson's questions.

Uh Kevin Fitro, Baltimore Fields LLC. We uh were just [clears throat] short of paving. Weather hit, we couldn't pave. All this is doing is setting the fact that we will pave and start housing by June 1st. We're committed to be done with the state for the tax credit by December 31st of 2027. So, we are moving along on our time frame as we said we would. We started right away after May. Crews got in there. We started putting infrastructure in. Weather hit. We just couldn't get the PA here in time. So, you'll get 18 houses in before the December of 27. Yes. Ready to occupy? Yes. Have to. Yeah. Or your housing tax credits.

Yep. Okay, thank you.

No Anderson, community planning development director. So, based on the previous speaker, um we were trying to move faster. Um so, we moved ahead with the uh development agreement while we knew that the uh TIFF actions would take a little bit longer. Um with the council committed to approving that development agreement, uh we moved ahead with the TIFF actions. I would say it's pretty common in a lot of our projects where we have differing actions. Sometimes we're vacating a street. Um, back when Ferguson was built, we were moving ahead with the develop agreement while we were annexing land. So, there's a lot of actions that a lot of times are moving at different speeds and we're just trying to get them all done in the end to bring the projects to Waterlue. But my question is if if the if the TIFF isn't approved, then we're obligated for all the TIFF actions in number 16.

I'm not an attorney, but I would believe that we are. We we have stated that we will do that and the council approved the development agreement by majority vote. So, we are moving ahead with the actions to allow us to take the to give those incentives that we've already approved. And where would that money come from? because because we No, I mean I'm not if everything's approved according to what the council majority has previously approved, it would come out of the TIF um in the form of a grant rebate, whatever you want to call it, right? If the TIFF is is now not approved um because the council has changed their mind, we'd probably have to bond for it or pay for it out of the general fund,

which is I'm sorry. No, no, but that that that was my concern because we we obligated oursel on May 5th prior to a tiff being being approved and and it it just it bothers me because it's almost I mean we're held hostage to it now because we're going to we're we're obligated to give them 10 years at 50% tax rebates or or whatever the cost of of their infrastructure is. And we're obligated to give $5,000 per house to every homeowner that buys those houses as opposed to the developer. Correct. That is correct. According to the new elevate housing policy. No, according follows the policy. Yes. Well, according to the to the amendment to the development agreement that we passed by majority vote.

Yeah. I mean, as staff, when we have multiple actions on a project and the council approves the first action, I have to assume that you're going to approve the other actions that also correlate to that. I understand. Thank you.

Which is part of the conversation. And if we did not have tiff to be able to do some of these projects, these projects will come from us having to borrow more money and do more debt if we want uh new housing and incentivize. And as we know, our neighbors uh in and around are are doing some of the same things too. But that is one of the reasons why. But uh we just have to uh borrow for it if we didn't. But then again, sir, and and not not uh but in April of 23, they had offered to put the road, the infrastructure, the houses in, right? And and so we we did have an agreement to to do all that work ahead of time. Absolutely. Thank you.

We need housing council. Madame Clerk, Mr. Bzen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Kraton Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder. Yes. Mr. Foyce. Yes. All right. Thank you, council. Um, number one, please. In ordinances, somebody do the third reading. Mr. Mayor,

like to make a motion to receive file considering pass for the third time. An ordinance providing that the general property tax is levied and collected each year on all property located within the described Baltimore fields urban renewal area in the city of Waterlue County of Blackhawk state of Iowa by and for the benefit of the state of Iowa. City of Waterlue, County of Blackhawk, Waterlue Community School District and other taxing districts be paid to a special fund for payment of principal and interest on loans, monies advanced to and indebtedness, including bonds issued or to be issued incurred by said city in connection with said urban renewal project. Second. Motion's been made with a second. Um sir

David Gry 3145 West 4 Street. Uh I guess I was sleeping or whatever not realizing that this Baltimore Field uh TIFF uh it says urban renewal plan. But if it wasn't if if you were finally passing it, as Mr. Boseman said, then that tiff doesn't have any money. So where are we going to get the $4,500,000 to pay to the developer if that So there we're going then we're going to have to bond for that which if that not all of it I'm sorry.

Okay, but whatever. Some of it may come back on the taxpayer to finish paying off that bond if this whole thing falls through. Mr. Anderson, can you No. And Anderson, community planning development director. The $4,50,000 is the value of the homes that will go out there. That's not the amount to be paid back with the infrastructure. Um, and all of the money will come from the tiff. So, there'll be no bonding. There'll be no cost by the city. So, it's a on the on the developer to build the housing faster. Uh the residential tiffs by state code are limited to 10 years. So the faster they build houses in there, the more value is created in the tiff from them to pull from. And by agreement, they will pull 50% to pay them back for infrastructure costs.

So there's no upfront expenditures by value of the homes and what they're building is 4 million. That's over a 10year period. And then we start in 10 years seeing anything from Baltimore field tiff to pay back to citizens. What's his time frame that he has to have this built? 27th December.

And and and how the residential tiffs work by state code is there there's a portion that goes to the developer. We noted there's a portion that will go to build new uh lower moderate income housing throughout the city of Wateroo and then the remaining portion will be released from the TIFF into the general fund. So a tiff actually helps another part of the city which Okay, confusing. It is. We got one more question.

Forest Dillu, 1725 Huntington Road. I think we're all getting a little confused on this situation. How many houses are they going to build by December 27th on the Baltimore field? And is there any penalty if they do not get built by December 27th? Or is somebody going to pull a rabbit out of the hat and put a new date on it giving him any amount of time he wants? He has to meet some state obligations, but no.

No Anderson, community planning development director. Yeah. So, the the project will build 18 new homes there. Um they have workforce housing state tax credits which uh puts them to that timeline or they will lose the investment tax credit the reimbursement on uh sales service and use tax and then uh they would lose the incentives from the city of war if they were past the timeline. December 27th of what year? December 27th 2027 27th. Okay. Not the 27th of 27. Okay.

Thank you. Eric Trader, city planner, just wanted to point out a procedure issue here. You've got the action uh under the Baltimore Fields urban renewal plan. There's two motions. The first motion, which is We only need to do the motion that's on the table. Yeah. The other one's an error. Error. Eric,

Mr. Just for clarification, you know, uh for Mr. dryer the once they certify the debt in the tiff. So if all 18 homes are are built and they and then they certify the debt all the property taxes that are that those houses generate 50% of that will go back to the developer to pay for the infrastructure. 48.5% will go towards low to moderate income housing in Wateroo such as uh helping with habitat or some of the other things that we do to create these homes. And it's not a cash cow for the general fund because 1.5% goes into the general fund. But that being said, so that that that's how that whole system works. And then right now is generating zero.

All right, madame clerk. Mr. Bosen, yes. Mr. Nichols, yes. Mr. Kraton Smith, yes. Mr. Childs, Mr. Simon, yes. Miss Wilder, yes. Mr. Voyce, yes. All right. So, I don't need to read motion to adopt the ordinance. No, we just adopt We just adopted the ordinance. figure. [laughter] Somebody take number two, please. Mayor, sir, I move to receive, file, and consider and pass for the first time an ordinance amending the city of Waterl Code of ordinances subsection 6 A2 disposal of yard waste of chapter 3 solid waste collection and disposal title 4 public health and safety. Second.

The motion's been made with a second. David Jar, 3145 West 4 Street. Um, I guess my question about this is this going to affect the the uh yard waste dump or is this just the cans in front of the house and all that kind of thing? Have Mr. Bennett come up so he can say it on the record what it's doing. [snorts]

Randy Bennett, public works division manager. Um what this does, it gives us the option to extend um collection on either one of them, whether it be the compost site and or um curbside collection. So there may be a fee charged to go to the the compost site. Uh no, not a fee. What it is is currently the way the the ordinance reads um there is that the site will be closed December through March. And what it does it gives us the discretion if the weather is um acceptable we can extend that. So it actually gives um individuals a longer duration potentially to be able to dispose of their material. So this really isn't about dollars and cents.

Nope. It's to hopefully give us the option to extend service [laughter] to pay people. It is council. I only had one one issue with this. Appreciate it. Uh and and the verbiage because you you you struck some verbiage in this and one of them that that got struck was schedules will shall be mailed out to voluntary subscribers each December for the next year's service. So we struck that out in its entirety in the in this ordinance. Uh, and I and then it says calendars can be viewed through your through your internet site, your app, but I would I would really like to see the verbiage in there that schedules will be mailed out or or available upon request. Yeah, we uh

doesn't say that in there. We just It doesn't, but when we have individuals that request it, we mail it to them. Okay. We we still just we just do it. We don't have to have it say it. We just do it. That that was my only concern because we have people sitting in this audience that that don't have a computer. When it was brought up before when we said that we weren't going to do that, that was just one of those. Okay. Um but we that was my only concern. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Um Madam Clerk, Mr. Bzen. Yes. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Mr. Kraton Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss Wilder. Yes. Mr. Fo. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Sir, move to suspend the rules. Second. Motion made with second. Mr. Sorry, Mr. Bzen. Yes.

Mr. Nichols. Yes. Miss Craton Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss Wilder. Yes. Mr. Foy. Yes. Thank you. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Move consider and pass the second and third time and adopt the ordinance. Second. Madam Cl. Mr. Bzen. Yes. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Mr. Kraton Smith. Yes. Mr. Childs. Yes. Mr. Simon. Yes. Miss. Wilder. Yes. Mr. Fo. Yes. All right. Thank you. Number three.

Mr. Mayor. I'd like to make a motion to consider and pass for the second time an ordinance providing that the general property taxes levied and collected each year on all property located with the newly described amended and restated south water urban re unified urban renewal and redevelopment plan area in the city of water county of black state of Iowa by for the benefit of the state of Iowa city water county of black water community school district and other taxing districts be paid to a special fund for payment of principal and interest on loans monies advanced to and a deadoness including bonds issued or to be issued incurred by said city in connection with said urban renewal project. Second motion been made with the second council. Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir.

Could null explain what this is and why we need to do it or why we should do it or why are we considering this? Reconider reconsidering.

Nol Anderson, community planning and development director. So, as we've uh discussed in the past, of course, we have tiff districts out there or renewal areas. Um we have the San Martin tiff district. We have the Martin Road tiff district. Um which are actually uh you know, basically on different ends of an intersection right now. Um to move ahead with uh projects. Um you may recall we uh merged the airport uh tiff district with the Logan tiff district a number of years ago to create the east unified uh tiff district. that allowed us to do some projects um at North Crossing to build the infrastructure out there. That allowed us to move ahead with the Gates Park project. So again, it allows the city more options for the use of funding that we have in existing TIFF cash versus bonding and borrowing debt for projects. Uh moving ahead to why are we doing this? The San Martin tiff district has the uh the debt of the Lost Island theme park in there. A great project. Um we're seeing a lot of revenue coming in for uh hotel, motel and all that and growing tourism. Um but it was a lot of debt to make that project happen. So we are proposing to tie the uh San Martin tiff district with the Martin Road tiff district together um as a merger for the south waterlue unified primarily to move ahead with our state certified site. Um as you may recall the city of water was one of the first state certified sites which allows the state of Iowa to give us more leads for larger projects. Uh you may recall the large solar panel project that we we were pursuing was one of those. So um we now have 211 acres at the corner of uh ASboro and Highway 20 um interchange. We have over $4.5 million in Iowa Department of Transportation grants to build the first road and infrastructure in there as well as create a new roundabout at the southern portion of the Ainsboro interchange. Um this would open up about 130 of the 211 lots. by putting this infrastructure in with this merger. We currently have five businesses wanting to go out there. That would be about 20

to 26 million in new taxable value and probably 80 to 125 new jobs to the community. Thank you. And how does this extend the duration of these tiffs? And if it does, how long does it do so? the tiffs will be reset to have a 20-year time frame for the portions that are being uh not being released because there's a portion of Martin Road that's being released and San Martin that's being released um in the next year and we're still able to as we in incur that by increasing the values in those areas by getting businesses into those projects into those areas we are still able to release dollars if we go if they come in at a greater assessed value we can still release dollars from that tiff into the general fund because currently there's no value there

that is correct we we can always release funds uh or release dollars out of the tiff districts on an annual basis and we do that um in different tiff districts based on where the projects might be. We've released funds from the northeast industrial park before. We released funds from uh the downtown tiff district before. So we have that ability um while we're working on a lot of these large projects to release from a different T diff district and and try to increase that amount as we can.

Thank you. We had a project that was quite promising a few years ago uh come into this potential area and then they backed out because of what's happened with the cryptocurrency market and all of that stuff. It's pretty obvious that this was going to happen to them. I even mentioned it at that council meeting that that's kind of a fad. Businesses that are potentially going into there now, are they more stable or are there things that we're going to actually move forward on? Not something that's going to come and then leave us. We're we're we're very confident in the five uh projects that we're working with right now. One of them is on the consent agenda to go out in this area and so the other four are not ready to to be revealed yet, but they're ready to move ahead as soon as we can start getting infrastructure out there. Okay. What how how quickly can we get the infrastructure out there?

That's a great question. Jamie Kudson, city engineer. Um it was just before Thanksgiving that we have finally settled on a layout for the roads because for the last three months everything we'd set something and things would change. The developers would want to change this or move that they want a little more land. They want it reconfigured. So we just finally have are to the point now where we have a good layout that we can actually finish design. It's still probably February before we're going to get out to bids, maybe March, somewhere in there.

Um, you know, we'd like to do it sooner, but it's just taking us a while with all of these projects to be able to nail down a layout. No point in putting anything out there and then having to change it later. Great. And there's no plan of allowing that to be released for farming again or anything like that like it was this past year. Uh there may be portions of it that still could be rented that aren't going to be served. Probably closer to down towards Shalus or further east of where we're putting in all the infrastructure there could be some of that. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Mr. Dillo, you have a question?

And I think it's uh about 80 Yeah, I'm go Mr. Doo, but it's about 80 80 jobs or so in there. Mr. DVO

Forest Div 1725 Huntington Road. Last week we had a special session to pass I believe the same ordinance. It was to me it was kind of a secret one because I don't have a computer. So why did we have this special meeting last week and now it's coming back this week? Why couldn't we have done them both this week? Why did we have to have that special meeting? Well, we it was a sense of urgency for these projects. It's five projects that were going there. You could have passed. Um we had I mean this may not all work tonight. I mean we we'll see what council's um choices are, but

thank you Mr. Mayor. I think Mr. Nicholls and then I'll come to you, sir. Yeah. Um so just regarding the interest um on this uh unified T district uh when I was reviewing the agenda I thought there was something regarding a uh one of the um potential projects and it was like it was a data wahawk data center but I see it's not on here. I realize that is that oh it was on the December 15th. Okay that's what it was. Okay. Never mind. Thank you.

Mr. Simon. So to get me up to speed on this then we we bought this land a while back. Correct. And then what did we pay for that land and then the infrastructure that we have to put in to allow these five other businesses to come in which I'm assuming then their development agreements will be given away for a dollar. Can you give me a total amount of what we have in this 211 acres? Okay. City of Waterlue started to acquire it. um probably about 14 years ago. Um I don't have the exact numbers, right?

I won't hold you to the exact number, but um we uh we spent about 42 on average $42,000 per acre or so or 40 41,000 per acre. So it's probably about $8 million that the city has invested over a 15-year period to buy land out here. Um and uh now we are moving to I guess basically the second phase of now that we have all the land assembled out there and we have the interest we're moving to put in the infrastructure to start to build it out. We've seen a lot of great success um on the west side of the airport recently on some land that we had owned since 1944 by putting in all the infrastructure um and it's moving pretty rapidly for a lot of uh business development and job creation.

So that's common. That's something we do regularly. spend $42,000 an acre and then give it away for a dollar and then put the infrastructure in. Is that what most cities do? I I would say yes. Uh Cedar Falls just annexed I think 78 acres uh recently to the far west portion of their boundaries. They bought it. I don't know what their price per acre was on infrastructure. You don't know how much the infrastructure is going to cost to give me a rough estimate to add on to that 8 million for the land. Jamie can get you that number. So we're looking more closely close to $20 million. Y for 125 jobs obviously which is which I like that's just the beginning though it also opens up

Jamie Kudson city engineer rough estimates right now it's probably around 12 million for infrastructure of which we've got uh 4 and a.5 million or so in state grants.

Okay. I will say that one of the things that council did when back when we did the dry run sewer lift station several years ago, we increased the size of the force man at that time knowing that eventually this area was going to develop. We designed the lift station itself so that we it's big enough that we can pull the old pumps, put in new pumps to handle all the sewer coming from this area. So council has been helping to make sure that this is all long-term going to get developed and so we have these pieces in place and this is where this infrastructure will eventually drain to is into that dry run sanitary

and that's because certain businesses that go in there require certain types of water and yeah depending upon the business they may require a little you know a small convenience store doesn't require a whole lot of manufacturing may have millions of gallons ones that they have that they're dumping in there. We just don't know. But we've tried to size everything so that we can do smart growth rather than having to build it once and then come back and tear it out and build it again. But we're not limited on what can go in those areas because the infrastructure has been put in there. Correct. Very good. Thank you. All right, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Foy. [snorts] Sorry question. You don't have to be sorry.

Just be careful. I know. Can you remind us around the the state grants for how many acres and I do you know where I'm going with that? like like you need a certified site is that and then you have to have so many acres to to qualify for the tech the block grant or I I know that's not the name

as a as a part of going for the larger project and and director Durham was at the meetings with us um in pursuit of that project um a little while back the the state did go back and change their incentive program to uh help in increase the amount of incentives available from the state of Iowa for larger projects. Um, we had 183 acres out there at that point. Um, I believe they put the minimum amount at at least 200 acres, if not 220. And so, uh, I believe it, but I believe it's a 200. And so, right now, we are at a 211 because we wanted to be able to meet those those new incentives for the state and chase the larger projects to try and bring more development to Waterloo. So, I'm just looking at Thank you. No, I appreciate that. I'm just looking at Cedar Rapids

up there. I I I'm looking at Cedar Rapids doing a 20 year 70% tax exemption for 31 jobs. So for a data center, you know, if we're we're doing this for the amount of jobs, I say we're kind of getting a a steal for 20 if we're going to have to spend eight and 20, you know, so and for the five projects that we're talking about, we're probably talking about 37 of the acres of the of the of the 130 160 that this opens up depending upon final configuration that Jamie was noting. Um, so we'll we'll be able to bring quite a few more businesses and jobs out there. Thank you, Mr. B.

So, correct me if I'm wrong. You're going to take up x amount of acres in the first five groups. How does that qualify us to to maintain a state certified site then if we don't have 200 acres? Because on the on the uh consent agenda, we've got something coming up on the 15th to give away 12 acres out there, too. The the 211 is is the total out there. So even though you start to develop it, as long as you have over the 200 acres, you still qualify. So we're going to have 20 million in this as opposed to when Opus was going to pay us 6.3 million and they were going to put the infrastructure in and then we were going to we were going to schedule the rebates and tax abatements and everything based on on their investment. Now we've become the developer. That is correct.

We're going to be out $20 million and then we're also going to theoretically give this land away for a dollar and also give tax incentives. That is correct. That's what the competition is doing. I would say the nice thing too about the 8 million that we spent to buy the land that was all from the San Martin and TIF. So there was never any bonds or money from the general fund that buy used to buy the land. And that's where we're proposing the merger now is so that we can minimize any bonding or anything like that and just use the tiff cash to build out the infrastructure now. So, so now and you mentioned that the San Martin and TIFF is is not where is is not in peril, but it but it's we've got such so much debt because of the theme park and I thought we bonded 14 million for that theme park. That is correct.

And part of that bond was supposed to be paid back through the 20% hotel motel sales tax. Yes. So, how much of that bond is the rest of that bond is being paid for out of the tiff? Right. But how much is the rest of the bond per year? Could you get back to me on that? Thank you. Send it to everyone.

And I would note to the San Martin tiff numbers the the other portion of of why um this makes sense is the portion of the San Martin district and you think if you think of the S of the total tiff district, we release the areas that are uh have buildings built on them when the 20 years is up. So, basically everything north of Highway 20 and east of Amesboro um is at its 20-year time limit um for the most part except for the new construction just happening with the dentist office and the residential, but the senior the senior facility. So, the rest of those buildings are coming out of the tiff district. The vacant lots will reset in there for a 20-year time period. There'll still be some money that goes into the general fund even from the vacant lots because the land may have been worth 20,000 when we put it in as a land. It may be worth 100,000 now. So, there'll still be some benefits directly to the city. So when when San because there's five district five tiff districts in the San Martin tiff

five areas. Yes. Five areas. Okay. So when San Martin one comes out is that am I correct? That's $2 million not going into the tiff. That I don't have those numbers in front of me. That sounds correct.

Okay. And no, what is the thought like if if somebody's looking and they're hearing all of these things, if if you had to make a prediction about that area, what do you say is going to happen uh from this merger for the the vision of there over the next 5 to 10 years? I would say, you know, we have we have two different areas in here. Obviously, the the Martin Road, which is the first tiff district portion out there. It's probably the smallest road, though, but it's Highway 63, Highway 20 interchange. Of course, we have a mix of of medical. We have a mix of some retail uh the Lo's re, you know, retail center, the the trucking businesses, the the the busing businesses, war and transports, logistical centers out there. So, we've got a pretty good mix of kind of some industrial commercial um smattered in with some retail over there. And we kind of see the same thing over here in the San Martin business um park. Um it is zone BP business park, which allows for commercial and light industrial. Um, so you know, right there at the interchange, we'd like to put the highest and best use of maybe some some kind of retail or something that takes advantage of being right at the interchange. Uh, the layouts will show, I think, either 15 or 20 acres right there. And then you get into the larger lots for industrial development. Um, and even more. Um, so as you get closer to ASboro, maybe some some offices or commercial development there.

So the vision behind this in a blunt answer is that this area is going to take off. Oh, definitely. with this and we know for a fact there's five real projects. Uh yes, I mean you know economic development is always a somewhat of a of a educated guess. Um but based on what we're seeing happen in the Waterl Air and Rail Park on the west side of the airport, we expect this area to go. I think that's what also people want to know too. You know, they may not understand uh some of the conversations that council's having on a higher level, but folks want to know. Are we going to continue to see stuff happening and what your thoughts and your forecast about that? And your answer is yes. Yes. All right. [clears throat] Mr. Mayor,

sir, just one last question. So, can we restructure this tiff area and and take sections out of it or are will it stay the same size for 20 years? Can we roll sections out of that into the general fund or do they Yeah, on on an annual basis, we we update the the renewal plans at least on an annual basis. Um, and so we can always Yes. change things as we go. Okay. Thank you. I Yes, sir. When you said the the Martin Road in San Martin reset reset to 20 years, is that just the empty lots get reset to 20 years? Just the empty lots. Nothing that's already in there. Correct. Okay. Madame Clerk. Mr. Bzen. No. Mr. Nichols? Yes. Miss Kraton Smith? Yes. Mr. Childs? Yes.

Mr. Simon? No. Miss Wilder? Yes. And Mr. voice. Yes. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Sir, like to make a motion to suspend the rules. Second. Madam Clerk. Mr. Bzen. No. Mr. Nichols. Yes. Miss Katrton Smith. Yes. Mr. Charles? Yes. Mr. Simon? No. Miss Wilder? Yes. Mr. Fo? Yes.

All right. Um 14 and a half inches of snow this two-day period. Uh I think from the um forecast there was one of the largest third largest two-day event for snow. Uh I want to thank all of our city crews out there working. This has been a tough situation. Um but that has been a lot of snow. Um I will commit that uh we will do a better job of communicating to all of you what's actually happening. We had conversation internally about how to do that. So I want to thank the community for your patience but 14 and a half is almost unreal. Uh so thank you. Sorry. Make a motion to adjurnn.

Did that. No other questions. No, that didn't pass. No, it didn't. You got to have you got it'll come back one more time. Suspension of the rules failed. So, it'll come back for another reading at the next meeting. I just wanted to clarify what was the threshold for passing. It needed six for the suspension of the rules. Simon and Y. Okay. I second Mr. Simon's motion to adjurnn. Motion to journ. All in favor? I We're journed. Thank you.