HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.05.2023 Council Work Session MinutesJune 5, 2023
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
4:00 p.m.
Roll Call.
Members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Feuss in the Chair, Boesen, Mr. Nichols, Creighton -Smith,
Grieder, Wilder. Mr. Nichols and Ms. Creighton Smith joined by Zoom. Mr. Chiles was absent.
Agenda, as proposed or amended.
Grieder/Boesen
that the agenda, as proposed or amended, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Update from Grow Cedar Valley.
Mike Mollaro, CEO, VGM Group, commented that he is representing Grow Cedar Valley as this
year's Chairman and stated that they greatly appreciate the partnership with the City.
Lisa Skubal, Vice President, Grow Cedar Valley, opened with comments on the celebration
event for the completion of Crystal Cold's new 100,000 square foot warehouse building and
congratulated the council and city staff on their efforts to make this happen. She provided an
overview of the activity seen since the last update given in November and what can be
expected over the coming months. There are six new project leads in addition to the 31 active
projects.
Stephanie Detweiler, Workforce Solutions Coordinator, Grow Cedar Valley, spoke about
workforce recruitment and retention. She provided a hard copy of an Executive Summary of a
Cedar Valley Wage & Benefit Survey that was sent out to approximately 400 businesses in the
region, and noted that they received 128 responses.
Nicole Sallis, Director of Communications, Grow Cedar Valley, provided an overview on the
marketing efforts she has been spear -heading. She shared that a focus on place -making has
been important to the Live the Valley initiative. The first of two campaigns is a collaborative
effort with Experience Waterloo for the My Waterloo Days Festival. A compilation of photos
taken at photo booths during the festival will be used to create a photo mosaic mural on the
side of the Experience Waterloo building. The second one is an Influencer Campaign. This
campaign is directly connected to digital marketing and will be utilized as a testimonial of what
the Cedar Valley has to offer in a variety of perspectives. Whether that be wellness
experiences, art, creative, music, etc.
Carry Darrah, President & CEO, Grow Cedar Valley, spoke on the progress of the TechWorks
campus and commented that by the end of this summer, all of the floors will be fully renovated
in the Tech 1 Building. She shared that John Deere is removing a portion of the A -Building to
create a green space for gathering. Artist renderings of the plans are beautiful. Ms. Darrah
spoke about Grow Cedar Valley priorities which are workforce and place making, existing
business help and growth.
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Mr. Grieder commented that he is excited to see that they are working on place -making as
there is a problem in the state of Iowa with young people exiting.
Discussion of a Nutrient Reduction Study.
Brian Bowman, Treatment Operations Supervisor, provided an overview the nutrient reduction
study. The goal is to combine the two plants over three phases to provide capacity while
meeting DNR requirements for Nutrient Reduction. The final phase will take approximately five
years.
ADJOURNMENT
Grieder/Chiles
that the meeting adjourn at 4:40 p.m., be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. .
Kerrey rFetch(e
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk
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