HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.23.2009• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 23, 2009
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie
Schmitt.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Hart that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Jay Stoddard presented the Riverloop Expo Plaza and Public Market Business Plan to the
council. Mr. Stoddard explained that there are two areas involved: the Expo Area and the Public
Market Place. Mr. Stoddard stated that the idea is to bring out-of-state businesses and
conventions. Revenue will be derived from food, beverage and rental of amenities such as stages
and tents. One of the items discussed is the use of two large tents and sponsors could show their
logos on them. The tents are very versatile and can be reduced in size for smaller events.
Mayor Hurley noted that My Waterloo Days will be the first event at the new Expo Area. Mayor
Hurley stated that the Expo Project was funded with state, gaming and local funds. Mayor
Hurley stated that one of the first steps is to appoint a director/manager, and that one of that
person's first duties will be to get the liquor license. The liquor license will be under Waterloo
Expo Services Corp., a non-profit entity.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that it seems that the Public Market Building will be the anchor
for the Expo Area. He has talked to an entity that is interested in moving permanently to the
market building. They are a fish/meat wholesale business, and they could be the cornerstone for
the whole building. Mr. Stoddard stated they would look at all proposals, but he personally feels
we need a variety of things to bring interest from a lot of people. Mayor Hurley stated the Public
Market Building is not the anchor for Expo, but we need an anchor for the market building. The
Expo Area will be in and above the Public Market. Mr. Stoddard stated that we need a real
strong anchor which will bring others, and he has a list of 17 or 18 who are interested but won't
go further without the anchor.
Jim Walsh, City Attorney, stated we don't want to use the facility for people who already have a
business. We are looking for unique stores and don't want them competing with our other
businesses in town.
Councilperson Welper asked if there is something unique about the Expo Area because there are
other cities that would compete with the Expo Area. Mr. Stoddard responded we have the Five
Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, the stage area and we are in the middle of the Heartland.
Mr. Stoddard stated we need to sell it and get the information to people booking conventions,
and they have developed website. The closest competitor would be Madison, Wisconsin.
Councilperson Cole asked if we would price our local vendors out of their farmers market stalls.
Mr. Stoddard responded that Vandewalle has said that $15.00 per foot is reasonable. The price
for the stalls will be vary depending on if it is for one year, six months, a weekend or a day. Mr.
Stoddard stated that the local vendors farmers market could pay for one day. They are really
looking for vendors wanting to use the market place five to seven days, but both would be
available.
Mayor Hurley stated the public market is not going to force vendors from the farmers market,
but we hope they will want to come to the public market. The public market will be run like a
business and all vendors will have to pay. We are not pushing anyone, just inviting them to use
the public market.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated that he feels that it is a great looking facility and a good job
on the business plan. Six months ago we were talking to the Cedar Valley Alliance, WDC and
Main Street Waterloo and there was a question about a separate entity. Mr. Walsh stated that
this is a not -for -profit entity that will contract with the city to run and manage the Expo Area and
the Public Market, with the city retaining ownership. The proposed Waterloo Expo Services
Council Work Session
March 23, 2009
Page 2
Corporation would have a seven -member board, including two members each appointed by the
city and WDC and a single member each for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Cedar
Valley Chamber of Commerce and Ramada Convention Center. The start-up funds would come
from those seats on the board. Preliminarily thinking the board would have to ante up to get
something in the till. Mr. Walsh stated Mr. Stoddard has a good budget and we will need to
purchase liability insurance right away and we would ask for gaming and WDC to match that.
The Articles of Incorporation and By Laws require that they make reports to the city and that the
books are open for audit and excess cash would be turned over to the city. Mr. Walsh stated
there will be a schedule of fees in the agreement that will be forwarded to the council for
approval. The equipment is an important part of the budget. Equipment would be leased to
people who lease the facility and those funds would be used for operation and replacement/repair
of the equipment. The equipment would not be owned by the city, but a third party for now.
Mr. Stoddard stated it is a full-time job getting this done. Mr. Stoddard stated that no one should
use the area or equipment for free, and everyone should pay their fair share.
Mayor Hurley stated he hopes to have on the April 6, 2009 council agenda the rate schedule and
agreement between Waterloo Expo Services Corp. and the city.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Cole, seconded by Hart that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:23 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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