HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-11/27/2017COUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 27, 2017
3:50 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Morrissey, Powers, Amos, Schmitt, and Welper. Absent: Mr. Jacobs and Mr.
Lind.
Moved by Schmitt seconded by Morrissey that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice
vote -Ayes: four. Motion carried.
Objective: Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber update.
Bob Smith, Lockard Company and Volunteer Chair, thanked council for the opportunity to
present an update on Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber (GCVAC) activities.
Lisa Skubal, Vice President of Economic Development, explained the current progress that has
been made since the last update in May and plans for the future. Lisa reported that there has
been $37 million in new capital investment planned in the city of Waterloo creating 246 new
jobs paying on average, approximately $18.48 or $38,400 annually. This meets the City of
Waterloo's Strategic Plan Goal #1.
Carrie Darrah explained that the biggest challenge to businesses in the Cedar Valley is finding
employees with the right skill sets. As a result they formed the Leader in Me initiative for
middle school and high school students. The impact study showed that it is shifting the way
schools educate and is being implemented in the UNI teacher training programs. She also
explained that the training offered through Leader in Me can be done for council. She further
provided an update on Techworks. The Marriott will open in January and the retail out lots are
being booked as well.
Steve Dust explained that ideas are being generated throughout the Cedar Valley to create the
next best product, service, etc. and a variety of locations and support are needed to support
creativity and innovation. GCVAC strives to serve as the hub for fostering innovation. They
have kicked off their fundraising campaign and the keystones are talent searching,
transformation, and embracing technology.
Mr. Welper commented that the city is becoming more diverse all the time and questioned what
is being done to help people overcome language barriers.
Steve Dust explained that the schools have at least 40 different dialects. The university and
community colleges have experts in different languages but additional resources are limited.
Mr. Schmitt commented that he is in favor of council training, and also asked if the 246 jobs
were primarily at Crystal Distribution and Tysons.
Lisa Skubal explained that businesses like Tysons have a lot of options for expansion and when
they see communities that are transaction orientated along with business expansion retention
outreach it is appealing to businesses.
Mr. Morrissey questioned what 3 to 5 positives Waterloo has to offer to businesses to locate here
and what one barrier to getting businesses to come to Waterloo, and what suggestions do they
have to be business friendly.
Lisa Skubal explained that Waterloo is transaction oriented and pro-business. She stated that the
city should be proud to have Noel and Adrienne because they think outside the box in finding
ways to get deals done for the city. One negative is the tax rate and is not an easy obstacle to
overcome but it is helpful that staff is creative in helping businesses decide to come.
Steve Dust explained that Waterloo's industrial history, together with the people driving
technology advancement, Waterloo holds an advantage over many other places when businesses
are looking for support systems, people and transportation amongst others.
Page 2
Bob Smith explained that having a predictable outcome before starting a process is important as
well. Businesses want to know what the steps include and the predictability of approval at the
council level. Having less press about business transactions is important as well. Waterloo has a
very qualified team with decades of experience within the Greater Cedar Valley team, City staff
as well as a Mayor who is very involved in the early upfront conversations. He further explained
that by the time opportunities come here, he is very confident that the hard questions have been
asked.
Objective: Overview of TIF Certifications.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, provided an overview of the
TIF items on the council agenda tonight. He explained that the San Marnan and Northeast
Industrial Park TIF districts have some vacant land that will be released from the district, and
readopting it under the TIF, therefore resetting the timeline to allow for future development.
Mr. Morrissey requested an explanation of the purpose of the certifications.
Noel Anderson explained that the information in the certifications must be submitted to the state.
Mr. Powers questioned a small cut out on Shaulis Road and 4th Street and questioned the purpose
of taking the property out.
Noel Anderson explained that he would need to take a look at it in order to provide any
information.
Mayor Hart requested an overview of the project to help advertise our industrial sites to the
public.
Noel Anderson explained that they are taking drone footage of the industrial parks to help market
benefits of each site to businesses.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the expansion of a parcel north of Shaulis and bordering Hammond.
Noel Anderson explained that the purpose of the expansion is to match the county's parcel line.
Objective: Discussion of fireworks usage on July 3rd and 4th of each year.
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, explained the proposal for firework use.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the definition of novelty fireworks and commented that he is in favor
of consumer fireworks but restricting the window of use to only July 4th between the hours of
5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., and that the sale should be restricted to industrial zoned areas of
Waterloo.
Mr. Powers commented that he is flexible on dates and times and that people want an
opportunity to utilize fireworks.
Mr. Amos commented that he is in favor of Mr. Morrissey's suggestions except for starting at
5:00 p.m., he is in favor of July 4th with the same times of the state.
Mr. Schmitt commented he would like to see Waterloo on the same page as Cedar Falls and
Evansdale, and added he would like the new council set the July 4th fireworks schedule.
Mr. Welper stated that he would like to see a full ban with the exception of novelty fireworks.
Mayor Hart explained that Cedar Falls decided to move forward with a complete ban, and
Evansdale tried to mirror their policy after Waterloo's policy. He further added that if possible,
he would like to separate the vote before council for December and July usage.
Page 3
Kelley Felchle explained that any restriction to zoning would have to go before Planning and
Zoning Commission for review and approval.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the need for Planning and Zonings approval to simply restrict the sale
to those areas.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, commented that it may be
more of a legal question if cities can restrict the location of sales in the Code of Ordinance vs.
where they are allowed in the Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Amos commented that he supports a ban of fireworks on December 31St
Mr. Morrissey concurred with Mr. Amos.
Mayor Hart questioned if a vote could be taken just on the December usage and address July
usage at a later time.
Kelley Felchle, explained the process of putting an ordinance in place, and stated it is doable, but
is not necessarily the most efficient.
Mayor Hart questioned if a resolution could be passed to allow for December fireworks usage
due to the shortened timeline.
Kelley Felchle confirmed, and added that an ordinance would still need to be passed.
Mr. Schmitt requested how the resolution now reads for December.
Kelley Felchle explained she did not have the resolution on hand and would not be able to say
with any certainly at this time.
Mr. Morrissey commented that he would like to see an ordinance on an outright ban for July and
December.
Mayor Hart commented that the best course should be to ban fireworks for December.
Mr. Welper commented that all the major cities in eastern Iowa have banned fireworks and that
the city should follow suit.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Welper seconded by Schmitt that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
Kelley Felchl
City Clerk