HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.23.20 work session minutesCOUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 23, 2020
4:20 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Amos, Klein, Feuss, Grieder, and Juon.
Moved by Juon, seconded by Grieder that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote
Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Objective: Discussion of an ordinance regarding approaching stationary vehicles.
Martin Petersen, City Attorney explained the proposed ordinance requiring vehicles to move over
when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, displaying flashing or emergency
lights when a lane is available or whenever possible, or reduce speed for the proper existing road
conditions, and being prepared to stop, which ordinance would match the existing state code.
Juon questioned if there current problems with traffic for these types of situations and penalties.
Mr. Petersen responded the police have indicated there is a problem and the scheduled violation
would be $100.00.
Mr. Boesen questioned if this will be brought before the Council in the next couple of weeks.
Mr. Peterson confirmed it would.
Objective: Update from Grow Cedar Valley.
Carry Darrah, Chris Fereday, Will Frost, Lisa Skubal, Wes James and Jim Schaefer of Grow Cedar
Valley, presented information/updates to the council regarding Grow Cedar Valley's completed
and ongoing projects and plans and thanked the City of Waterloo for being a partner with Grow
Cedar Valley.
Mrs. Juon questioned if business have indicated needs Waterloo is lacking for them to move
operations to the Cedar Valley and thanked them for all their efforts in reaching out to businesses.
Lisa Skubal indicated the lack of larger square footage areas to be found in the Midwest in general
is a concern but indicated Waterloo is doing a good job in keeping those types of industrial spaces
available for businesses and expansion.
Dave Boesen questioned how they quantified 2.5 million contacts.
Will Frost explained this includes virtual as well as personal contacts and that these numbers were
tracked by their digital marketing specialists since 2018.
Lisa Skubal explained that the comprehensive planning for infrastructure on the spaces available
has been tantamount to the success of marketing these spaces to outside businesses and thanked
Noel Anderson, his team and the other city departments for their work.
Margaret Klein asked for an updated report on specific numbers of new businesses brought to the
Cedar Valley through this partnership.
Lisa Skubal explained they have just completed a three-year economic development campaign and
have commissioned Impact Data Solutions to analyze and quantify the data and make available in
a report to the council by the middle of December to see a return on the City's investment.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Juon seconded by Boesen that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:04 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
LeAnn M. Even
Deputy City Clerk