HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.15.2025_Council_Work_Session_MinutesDocusign Envelope ID: FE84A752-BD49-494D-BA1 D-0809F92CF30A
December 15, 2025
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Roll Call.
Members Present: Mr. Boesen, Mr. Nichols, Ms. Creighton -Smith, Mr. Simon, Ms. Wilder and
Mr. Feuss. Mr. Chiles was absent.
Agenda, as proposed or amended.
Nichols/Simon
that the agenda as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes of the December 1, 2025 Work Session, as proposed or amended.
Nichols/Simon
that the minutes of December 1, 2025, Work Session as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -
Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Discussion of the FY2025 Audit.
Bridgett Wood, Finance Director, shared that Bergen KDV is here to present an overview of the
FY2025 financial audit.
Dustin Opatz, BergenKDV, presented the preliminary results of the FY2025 financial audit.
Mr. Boesen questioned when he expected the Waterloo Fiber audit to be completed.
Dustin Opatz commented that, optimistically, in the next couple of months, but because they
are a new entity, it could take longer.
Mr. Boesen questioned if it would be possible to get Waterloo Fiber more in line with the Water
Works, as they turned theirs in just a couple of weeks ago.
Dustin Opatz explained that it is their goal to get it done much more timely.
Update from Grow Cedar Valley.
Katy Susong, Grow Cedar Valley President/CEO, Grow Cedar Valley, provided a brief overview
of their accomplishments over the past six months.
Lisa Skubal, Vice President of Economic Development, provided a high-level update on some
of the projects they have been working on since their last report. They have engaged nineteen
new prospects for Waterloo representing $947,000,000 in new capital investments.
Adrienne Miller, Director of Business Services and Advocacy, works with existing businesses in
the Cedar Valley to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. Data received from
these businesses is sent to the state Economic Development Office to collect and contribute to
statewide reporting as strategic reporting on their end and to identify trends. There have been
fifteen business visits to date, representing over three thousand and three of those businesses
indicate that they want to expand. Workforce and employment growth are steady in the area.
Page 1 of 2
Docusign Envelope ID: FE84A752-BD49-494D-BA1 D-0809F92CF30A
They have a government affairs committee and each year they set legislative priorities, which
include economic development, workforce and education and community development.
Stephanie Detweiler, Director of Talent and Workforce, provided a high-level update on efforts
over the past six months with consultants out of Austin, Texas. They held twelve roundtables
with twelve different topics, one on one conversations with twenty community leaders and two
community ideas workshops. These interactions resulted in eight areas to focus on to push our
community forward with our population.
Kelsie Kunkle, Workforce Development Manager, shared one of the most recent initiatives is
the integration of the Cedar Valley Manufacturers Association underneath the Grow Cedar
Valley umbrella. This allows them to create a stronger, more coordinated approach to
supporting our largest workforce, our manufacturers.
Katy Susong commented that they have a lot of good initiatives underway and the population
study will provide an overarching plan for our community. They are excited about getting this
underway, and it will enhance the work that they are already doing.
Mr. Nichols questioned what businesses were part of the Career Crawl and how the businesses
were chosen.
Kelsie Kunkle provided the names of those businesses and where they placed their focus.
Grow Cedar Valley led a breakout session with thirty UNI students where they addressed a
specific case study where they could collect feedback and allow participants to see what Grow
Cedar Valley does.
Mr. Nichols questioned and Katy Susong explained how events can be added to the Live the
Valley website event calendar.
Mr. Simon questions if there are smaller businesses on their advisory committee.
Katy Susong explained that there is a mix of manufacturer sizes, and noted that this
organization was already underway. Grow Cedar Valley saw an opportunity in meeting with
existing leadership to identify things they can do to strengthen the program. She shared that
the intent of Cedar Valley Manufacturers Association is to represent manufacturers of all sizes.
ADJOURNMENT
Nichols/Simon
that the council adjourn at 4:57 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
p—Signed by:
' r000corracoaAa.
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk
Page 2 of 2