HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.27.2009• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 27, 2009
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt,
Greenwood.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Hart that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Steve Dust, CEO of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance, updated the council about the Alliance,
the relationship, economic development and cooperation. Mr. Dust reviewed the vision, mission
and officers of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance. Organizations include: Economic
Development Committee, Chamber, WDC, TechWorks, WIDA, Waterloo & Cedar Falls
Tourism, Waterloo & Cedar Falls Main Streets.
Greenwood now present at 5:04 p.m.
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance operates under a Professional Services Agreement with the
City of Waterloo. Most of the work includes business expansion and recruitment project
management, redevelopment related to E D projects, market feedback and initiatives to create a
better product, workforce issues and government relations.
The city's relationships in core governance include: Mayor is a member of the Executive
Committee and Board; Mayor is vice chair of TechWorks, Inc.; CFO is member of the Finance
& Compliance Committee; Economic Development Director is member of the ED Committee;
and City Attorney is a Board Member.
The Alliance Business Expansion & Recruitment Goals: $500 million capital investment, jobs
wage target of $15 per hour. The progress is 46 percent of capital investment, wages at $21 per
hour, a 975,000 square foot built and 390,000 square foot filled.
The Strategic Targets are: Tech Led Economy Emphasizing High Capital Investment, Higher
Skills; manufacturing utilizing advanced methods such as BioProducts, Alternative Energy;
Information Technologies, Financial Services and Logistics.
Downtown Projects: HQAA, Waterloo Industries Building marketing support, Barmuda
incentives and RiverLoop Expo Business Plan and implementation. The WDC coordinates work
with TechWorks, increased coordination between Main Street Waterloo, and works with
developers and interested tenants. Main Street Waterloo's use of LOIS property database, pilot
organization for synchronist retail and services, business retention software.
Mr. Dust reviewed the TechWorks Campus. There has been significant redevelopment on the
riverside, downtown technology park, and Brownfields. All demolition of and abatement in
structures has been completed. Construction under way for NABL space, TW offices.
Marketing for additional space underway with prospects for all space in Tech 1. TechWorks and
city coordinating on Brownfield, West Commercial and River Drive use.
Development Planning on the TechWorks Campus includes: AgTech Center planning is
underway. Seeking funding for business plan to celebrate agricultural in Waterloo. In the
process of putting business plan together with City of Moline, Illinois for the Midwest IP
Institute & TinkerWorks. Iowa Green Zone proposal is an alternative energy district to include
wind and biomass. They are not recruiting from other areas of Waterloo, but want to attract or
create new businesses at the Waterloo TechWorks Campus.
The Alliance workforce focus on coordinating the workforce in the Cedar Valley, the Regional
Workforce Innovation Planning process, and young professional coalition. The Cedar Valley
campus includes UNI, HCC, Wartburg, Allen, Kaplan and Upper Iowa. A lot of baby boomers
are retiring and will probably pursue a second career and will want to match their skills with the
employers. The cultural competencies for investors seeking training to help other members
Council Work Session
April 27, 2009
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understand the cultural diversity as they add diversified employees. There is more cooperation
with K-12 focused on technology in the curriculum, and increasing the graduation rate.
The Alliance works in cooperation with MyEntre.Net partnership, market feedback. The US 63
Gateway CDC includes Strategic Communications plan, Walgreens, and Dr. Surdaram
developments. The staff volunteerism includes: Airport Board, Waterloo CVB Board, and CV
Sports Commission support.
Upcoming activities include: Green Cedar Valley Initiative, Global Cedar Valley vision for the
area economy, and governance changes.
Mayor Hurley stated that he feels the $85,000.00 paid by the City of Waterloo to the Greater
Cedar Valley Alliance has tremendous value. Mayor Hurley noted that the City of Cedar Falls
and other investors contribute financially to the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance. Mr. Dust
reported that the City of Cedar Falls pays about $50,000.00 per year.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Reggie Schmitt
that the meeting be adjourned at 5:28 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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