HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.10.22 Special Session Minutes January 10, 2022
The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Special Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo,
Iowa, at 5:00 p.m., on Monday, January 10, 2022. Mayor Quentin Hart in the Chair. Roll Call: Boesen,
Nichols, Amos, Chiles, Grieder, Wilder, and Feuss,joined the meeting via Zoom.
160858 - Feuss/Chiles
that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Special Session on Monday, January 10, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., be
accepted and approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
160859 - Amos/Grieder
that "Resolution approving Amendment No. 6 to a Development Agreement and Minimum
Assessment Agreement with Central Property Holdings, LLC, raising the minimum assessed value
from $2.5 million to $4.0 million, for the All-In Grocers Project, and authorizing the Mayor and City
Clerk to execute said documents", be adopted. Roll call vote-Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, explained that the minimum
assessed value has requested to be raised, since a laundromat and public space have been added to the
project, taking it from 18,000 square feet to 26,000 square feet.
Jeff Jacobi, 1207 Williston Avenue, commented that the reason he is speaking is because he has some
concerns about the length of this project. He stated that he is concerned that this is the 6th amendment
to the development agreement and questioned why a special session of the council was called shortly
before the item was to appear on the agenda again. He shared that he understands supply chain
problems as he deals with that at work however he expressed concern the project has taken so long to
get going.
Forest Dillavou, 1725 Huntington Road, stated that he has concern with how long it has taken to get
the project going. He stated that the public was told in 2017 that the project needed to hurry up to get
the House of Hope moved. Now we're getting told that these items need to hurry up and get approved.
He stated that doing this at a special session is also difficult for a lot of business people to make it to.
Todd Obadal, 124 Amity Drive, shared that this is being done as a special session at a special time
that it is inconvenient for people who work. Only three people were able to attend in person from the
public and those three people have all spoke. He questioned how much money has the city spent on
this project and how much money will the city take in city taxes on a four million dollar project. He
stated that he believes that the city will only get a few hundred thousand dollars on the project. He
stated this is a requirement from the state code and it needs to be followed. He shared that Mr.
Anderson got the property for$1.00 so all he would have to give back is $1.00. He further questioned
when the property was put up to the public for a bid. He further does not understand why this is being
done in a special session.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, shared that the city is meeting all
of the provisions of the state code.
Mr. Amos commented that the reason he requested the special session is because there were questions
about the city getting rid of the mortgage on the property. Having talked to Mr. Anderson, the city
would be the subordinate mortgage holder and that was not made clear at the prior council meeting.
He is concerned that if the project keeps getting pushed back, it will go away. People in the
neighborhood want and need the grocery store. He stated that for him, living in Ward 4 and knowing
the needs of Ward 4, it is important to hold this meeting to get this project started. He further shared
that the rules were followed when calling the special session.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, clarified that a mortgage was placed on the property as a
lien so that it could not be disposed of without building the building. The city did not pay anything
off or release anything. Council elected to postpone that and the action tonight is to raise the minimum
assessment of the project. The taxes should be about$144,000 per year based on a four million dollar
minimum assessment.
Mr. Grieder questioned if the city assesses the project at $4 million dollars, would the city get more
tax dollars than where it was originally assessed.
January 10, 2022 Page 2
Michelle Weidner confirmed.
Mr. Grieder questioned what happens to the property as far as the city's financial responsibility if the
project does not go through.
Noel Anderson shared that reversionary language in the development agreement allows the city to
recoup the property and past grants.
Mr. Grieder questioned if any money is being exchanged at this meeting or if the developer is agreeing
to pay more taxes.
Rodney Anderson, commented that he is agreeing to pay more taxes on the property that will be built
and no exchange of monies here.
Mr. Grieder questioned if any council member is allowed to call a special session.
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, explained that the rules of procedure require that four council members
request a special session; otherwise the mayor is also able to request a special session. She stated that
she had a conversation with Mr. Amos and the Mayor, and that Mr. Chiles, Mr. Nichols and Ms.
Wilder all desired to have this special session as well.
Mr. Grieder clarified that Monday meetings do typically involve city business around the five o'clock
hour, such as the Finance Committee meeting. He questioned if the city met the necessary time
requirements to publish the meeting.
Kelley Felchle confirmed and noted that special sessions have been held about this time in the past.
She confirmed that all state requirements were met for the timely notice of the special meeting.
Mr. Boesen questioned why this action could not wait until the January 18th regular session meeting
and if there is another reason that this action is so urgent that it needs to be completed tonight.
Rodney Anderson commented that the size of the building went up 28 percent of square footage and
that the minimum assessment needs to be increased.
Mr. Chiles commented that he has had numerous phone calls from the public questioning what exactly
will be happening at this meeting. He said that once he had the opportunity to explain the purpose of
the meeting, each of the callers were satisfied because they want to see this building built. He added
that he appreciates that the revisionary language has been cleared up, there is no exchange of monies
and that we are still protected.
Mr. Rodney Anderson commented that a week might not make a difference when the building is built,
but with securing financing, it will make a difference.
Mr.Nichols commented that the reason why he voted no is that there was a misunderstanding that the
city would be releasing the mortgage and that it would not have security.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2022-023.
ADJOURNMENT
160860 - Grieder/Amos
that the Council adjourn at 5:29 p.m. Voice vote-Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Kelley 'Felchfe
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk