HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.26.20.work session minutes COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 26, 2020
4:00 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Amos, Morrissey, Klein, Feuss, and Juon. Absent: Grieder.
Moved by Juon seconded by Amos that the Agenda, as proposed,be approved. Voice-vote Ayes:
Six. Motion carried.
Objective: Update from Red Cedar Initiative.
Danny Laudick, Red Cedar Initiative, explained that Red Cedar collaborated with the City of
Waterloo about three years ago. He explained that the organization works with local entrepreneurs
through a private public partnership to accelerate their growth. He explained that their mission is
driven by a study completed by MIT that shows that the net growth of a business is fueled by its
age. Red Cedar focuses on the first five years as the business is solving new problems in those
first five years of growth. Red Cedar seeks to organize support for startup businesses by
connecting them to training, funding, research, and networking in the Cedar Valley. Red Cedar
has worked to map out the start out process, identify where businesses see hurdles, and connect
them to resources to help them overcome hurdles. He shared that 34 companies utilized Red
Cedar's services in the last year.
Mrs. Juon questioned what downtown Waterloo businesses have participated in the program.
Danny Laudick shared that Pretty Good Co. and Laughing Tree Caf6 have participated.
Mr. Amos questioned if additional funding will be needed from the city.
Danny Laudick commented that they would like to have a relationship going forward with the city
but that it may change. Right now, a lot of funding is available both on the state and federal level
for assisting entrepreneurs. He added that he wants to make sure that if they come back to the city
for funding that there is a tax base benefit to the city for those funds.
Objective: Review of an ordinance amending the process for assessing water service line repairs.
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, commented on the proposed wording change and explained how the
process currently works. The City Clerk's Office has been processing water service line repair
assessments since 1900 (Ord. 325), when the water works was a privately held investor owned
organization. The practice continued when the Water Works came to its current organizational
following the 1910 election. Fast forward to today, both the Water Works and the City Clerk's
Office believe it will be more practical and efficient for Water Works to handle their own
assessments for water service line repairs.
Current process is that once repairs are made, Water Works bills the cost to the property owner.
If the bills are not paid after a certain period of time, Water Works Board certifies the debt to the
City Clerk by sending a resolution to the City Council. My office then has to follow the state
process for certifying assessments, which includes providing an additional thirty days to pay the
debt prior to it being assessed. If the amount is not paid at the Water Works, my office certifies
the assessment to the county. Water Works will be starting to utilize assessments unpaid water
bills so we feel that it makes sense to house all Water Works related assessments with the Water
Works.
Objective: Discussion of a delinquent airport hangar lease.
Mr. Feuss provided an overview of the current concerns with the existing airport hangar lease
agreement.
Mrs. Klein explained that there has been a contract dispute over an airport hangar lease with
ongoing negotiations, which have consequently halted. The Airport Board has now directed the
Airport Director to set a meeting with the City Attorney in an effort to resolve the issues. The
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purpose of this work session discussion is to keep council informed of the events that have, and
will be taking place on the matter.
Mayor Hart clarified that currently the Airport Board has been at an impasse and is wanting to
bring it to the council's attention, and questioned how long the Airport Board has been dealing
with the current tenant situation.
Mrs. Klein commented that the board has been dealing with this for roughly two years.
Communication starts and stops and has been quiet for six months now.
Mr. Boesen questioned if the city is fair and equitable across the board with all of the lease
agreements.
Mrs. Klein commented that she believes the city is and that the city has gone the extra mile for
every renter.
Mr. Feuss commented that there are many factors to be considered with lease agreements,
including type and condition of the hangar, number of aircraft, etc., that would dictate the cost
analysis.
Mrs. Klein added that there were many long-term lease agreements entered into that as they
came due for renewal, were brought up to modern standards.
Mr. Boesen asked that the council get some better, more detailed information on this particular
issue.
Mayor Hart confirmed that additional information would be sent to council. He requested
confirmation that the Airport Board has the authority to approve lease agreements that are three
years or less, however anything over three years would come before the Waterloo City Council.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, commented that she believes that is accurate and
added that if the contract is longer than three years a public hearing is required.
Mayor Hart commented on the length of time, this issue has been ongoing and that the Airport
Board likely does not feel that it is getting the needed response.
Martin Petersen, City Attorney, commented that he last corresponded with the tenant was back
on June 16, 2020 after providing them with the contract in March. He was told at the time that
their attorneys were reviewing it, but he has not heard back since. He explained that payments
are being made pursuant to the temporary agreement reached back in February.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Juon seconded by Fuess that the
meeting be adjourned at 4:43 p.m. Voice-vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Kelley relchle
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk