HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.21.2022 Council Work SessionCOUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 21, 2022
3:40 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Nichols, Amos, Chiles, Grieder, and Feuss. Absent: Wilder
100973 - Grieder/Amos
that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Objective: Discussion of resettlement and other immigrant and refugee services with Lutheran
Services in Iowa.
Nick Wuertz, Director of Lutheran Services in Iowa, (LSI) Immigrant and Refugee Community
Services, and Vinh Nguyen, addressed the council regarding services offered by LSI in
welcoming refugees to the community as well as supporting them once they are here and an
opportunity for the City to participate and in supporting those services.
Council member Amos questioned the State's role in allowing refugees residence in Iowa. Mr.
Wuertz explained the process of applications, review and approval by the state to determine
which sites they will allow refugee access and provide settlement services.
Council member Feuss questioned the type of commitment LSI was requesting from the City
Council.
Mr. Wuertz explained they are having numerous discussion with community partners to
determine the local community's capacity for accepting refugees, providing resettlement
services, and based on those discussions would like to have a follow-up conversation with the
Council to request a letter of support to provide services.
Council members Feuss and Grieder stated they feel this is an opportunity to show leadership in
the community and look forward to an additional conversation with LSI.
Council member Chiles questioned who the partners and stakeholders are in the community and
if they are requesting funding from the city and if there is appropriate funding for these refugees
to be successful in relocating, and feels there is a need considering the most recent census. Mr.
Chiles also questioned if LSI had looked at or spoken with local landlords.
Mr. Wuertz explained that finding local housing is primary so they have had conversations with
landlords, but would appreciate any guidance or assistance with housing needs. Partners would
include primary care physicians and health care providers, school districts/community college,
Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, for food assistance
and medical insurance, employers, public transportation accessibility and the community at
large. Mr. Wuertz also explained they are working to expand childcare slots and addressing the
childcare barriers throughout the state for training and licensing for in home childcare businesses.
Objective: Update from Grow Cedar Valley.
Cary Darrah, Stephanie Deitweiler, Nicole Sallis, Director of Communications, Lisa Scubal
Updated council regarding second scope of work to identify and implement funding sources,
government affairs legislation, airport services working group to encourage use and attracting
businesses to the Waterloo airport. Stephanie Deitweiler provided the council with copies of the
Grow Cedar Valley Livability magazine and reviewed progress for distribution in the Cedar
Valley.
Mr. Chiles commented he would like to see the Community Profile page in more places to
highlight libraries and art opportunities in the community.
Carry Darrah updated the council on transferring the Techworks lots and Hawkeye Community
College construction on the second floor.
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Mike Mallaro, Chairman Grow Cedar Valley, thanked the council for their support of the
community and explained the business community's support of Grow Cedar Valley and
opportunities being created.
Objective: Discussion of Downtown Parking.
Jessica Rucker, Main Street Waterloo, Laura Lierz and Jeri Griswold, Republic Parking, updated
the council on the Parking Taskforce System Improvement recommendations.
Council member Boesen questioned exceptions for two-hour free parking for jury duty
customers.
Ms. Lierz explained discount options for specialty group exceptions.
Council member Grieder questioned if the proposed parking fees would make parking off
street/long term parking more attractive.
Ms. Lierz agreed the proposed fees should be more attractive for long term users.
Mr. Chiles thanked the group for the study and the expedited results and asked when and how
often the Council could get updates on parking statistics.
Ms. Lierz responded they could provide monthly updates and hoped to launch the LPR system
in December to provide that data.
Mr. Amos questioned capital expenses/annual parking technology expenses.
Ms. Lierz responded that the new fees will generate a yearly revenue.
Council member Nichols questioned revenue.
Ms. Lierz explained they used current customers with this fee schedule to estimate annual
revenues.
Council member Boesen questioned expenses versus revenues, how this would affect current
staffing and stated the parking is currently not breaking even.
Ms. Lierz stated they would continue to employ the same maintenance staff but could possibly
decrease enforcement staff by one employee and that the City is currently realizing about
$100,000.00 in parking revenues.
Council member Boesen questioned the parking agreement with Best Western.
Ms. Lierz indicated due to previous agreements for maintenance on ramp infrastructure,
payments were not coming in, so the contract needed to be reviewed.
Jessica Rucker explained they would continue to work with the Council and ask that they
determine where capital funds would be coming from, approve the ordinances to make the
proposed changes, have budgeted for the next fiscal year so that they could launch on July 1,
2023.
100974 - Grieder/Amos
that the meeting be adjourned at 5:04 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
,eqLuc &Vex,
LeAnn M. Even, Deputy City Clerk