[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6299902,"mediaKeyId","2495021-b06feee362d1f624d8dfb9d6b77b72f2","parentId",2495021,"title","Council approves agenda and February 3, 2025 work‑session minutes","audioSeconds",10,"startMs",803000,"endMs",813000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495021-b06feee362d1f624d8dfb9d6b77b72f2&start=803&end=813","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495021-b06feee362d1f624d8dfb9d6b77b72f2/thumbnail_803000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299902/Waterloo/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-agenda-and-February-3-2025-worksession-minutes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299902-29f74ed4f111e48b1eba2d2250f38cc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934493&Signature=Rr~S3ExQhsEPMeJGTbYy9-FsjFlaTplieCMnlCvDO3A9aGjRUZbPvASJJoh21x8nNBWkyXDdWN2DD5BfMFEqaOR2cvqjQHCaeFtaB8bI2DTHYNuYTw~HydbnMMY7BLK8V6N1VtH~YHIDo325fV2uvEGRtCH-4vdY~5IafHxZpyz1fSrKwPFXPAPmdjfbGqtQS0VTazeWDDG9OtUrYhT4wNrXbA9SpVhn9tzHZhuH59u2-UCQcbjU-BCrroBDBTIspiaGJnj54sq2xF114vjVsAfUYOz3bIKtlxVopj390C0WJXpsEyHOlO1UBPAp-7IKMmJSPFGc4n~NPnNElik3qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Waterloo ","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","At the start of the meeting a motion to approve the agenda as proposed and the minutes of the Feb. 3, 2025 council work session was made and seconded. The chair called for the vote; the motion carried with the council recording no opposition.

Nut graph: The procedural motion cleared the way for the work session to proceed; no amendments to the agenda or minutes were recorded in the discussion.

Ending: The council then proceeded to the scheduled presentations and agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Waterloo Council Work Session February 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted unanimously to approve the meeting agenda and the minutes from the Feb. 3, 2025 council work session.","taxTitle","Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa","taxId",3694,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6299908,"Council weighs restoring sidewalk sand at parks after past practice ended",693,996000,1689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495021-b06feee362d1f624d8dfb9d6b77b72f2&start=996&end=1689","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495021-b06feee362d1f624d8dfb9d6b77b72f2/thumbnail_996000.jpg","/articles/6299908/Waterloo/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Council-weighs-restoring-sidewalk-sand-at-parks-after-past-practice-ended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299908-f2f5cacff496f57b7abeb081709c717a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934493&Signature=CZeF8X0qtzEt7gp-xOQpq6UwbwCSaJP3bKjoKfGDDhOZKK67rO0OxNZQP5W10FoWhJji-UEkSY4XZPi9xxdLKBNnx1Fi9KAlBihdfvLDmzNSlH8EkU9JXY6R3pxB2xh7N1HM8kSKrKIKUK4r9tqX65ZybuQ7eG72NmY6Sth5pK7fALtqvrox3N3Q3MSG2mPCWRWzN7JeRmEz3Azlid7Pg3iAF5UHrYWydJmBET1ePAELHu1pSOz5JrSZsCaXZrL-2EAFtnW0fNC1DacfFgyNsFjnZlZT9A15AwFQSBnW6fUEIQm-IRk0jxaLic5lXcdRmhKmYwDkuwolFX4lWZQNnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Boesen asked the Waterloo City Council to direct the city to provide sidewalk sand at multiple park locations so residents — particularly older adults — can use it to reduce slip-and-fall risk on sidewalks during winter.

Boesen said the city previously supplied sidewalk sand at parks but stopped the practice; he proposed placing a load at two East Side parks and two West Side parks and asked for council support for a resolution to that effect.

Public Works Division Manager Randy Bennett told the council the city stopped routinely setting out sand after consulting the city attorney and League of Cities because distributing sand for private sidewalk or driveway use can push the boundary of allowable use of public funds. “That’s really not what funds are supposed to be going for,” Bennett said, explaining the legal and policy concern.

Todd Deerfield of Leisure Services described the operational history: Leisure Services placed a single dump-truck load at Hope Martin Park last year and again this year; leftover sand was later picked up by Public Works and used for construction or other municipal needs. Deerfield said last year’s weather was mild and the leftover amount was minimal. He said the most recent purchase cost about $110 for a 13‑ton dump truck load; the price reflected a larger truck and a fifty‑cent unit increase from an earlier price.

Council members asked practical questions about frequency of refills, distribution logistics and cost. Multiple councilmembers said they would be comfortable with either keeping a single central location at Hope Martin Park or spreading sand among several locations; no formal resolution or final vote on expanding locations was recorded at the meeting.

Nut graph: The discussion balanced a low per‑load cost (roughly $110) and operational feasibility against Public Works’ legal guidance that routinely providing sand for private sidewalk or driveway use risks using public funds for private benefit. The council signaled willingness to accommodate residents while seeking clarity on distribution and policy limits.

Councilmembers discussed options for a one-time placement versus an ongoing replacement program, and whether existing city crews or Leisure Services would handle delivery and redistribution. Bennett said historically Public Works would pick up leftover material and reuse it for municipal purposes, reducing net cost to the city.

Ending: The council did not adopt a formal resolution during the work session. Councilmembers requested additional detail on distribution logistics and signaled general support for either keeping the current single central location or expanding to multiple sites, leaving final direction for a future council action if requested.","Councilman Boesen asked the council to restore sidewalk sand at multiple park locations; Public Works staff said the city stopped the practice after legal review, then discussed low per‑load costs and distribution logistics, with councilmembers generally supportive of one or multiple locations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6299913,"Imaginarium reports lower overall attendance, cites blockbuster summer exhibit and new programs",60,216000,276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495021-b06feee362d1f624d8dfb9d6b77b72f2&start=216&end=276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495021-b06feee362d1f624d8dfb9d6b77b72f2/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6299913/Waterloo/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Imaginarium-reports-lower-overall-attendance-cites-blockbuster-summer-exhibit-and-new-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299913-31f5f478878d9081d08fcac061a4e2e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934493&Signature=Xk86z7LpJN0ty1UsRxPZO2tGpUy2-BPzrZvrsDCdEelbVZKn8~Nh39TU5lHRhvMvgh-nDIyIw-I9HBPYdoz3VM7okkGqzMJXRfLexgr-7ii-ISEptxp7Xua9nbDp-Ycv4KMrnUngRfhuRoyH7996mK8ys~rM8MnxBAelfTkH1yaBwUa1Gheab3KEL1j94g4RgF3wowNNhEePKbUerzxwnO7BVmSHf36odgcQMFzkQXJgojiHKCkOk00nX4RaFHttQCBIcPTKYjbRR8IvuD4vnQFh7JPOqITRZliIdY6PxkzDfUr-zm6mtES9gWSUMlZ~140tKnkt2NIujqJ~gtS2vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Imaginarium reported serving about 23,600 people year-to-date, a decline of roughly 5,000–8,000 from the prior year, but said a summer dinosaur exhibit drew more than 7,000 visitors over a five-month run from May through September.

The presenter, identified in the meeting record only as a museum representative, told the council the special dinosaur exhibit showed strong community demand and that planetarium usage is increasing after a renovation and expanded show schedule. “We saw over 7,000 people come through for that 5 month run,” the presenter said. The museum also reported adding planetarium-only admissions and new planetarium programming.

The Imaginarium said its museum-school program is expanding: as of the December 31 packet the presenter said the museum had served about 886 students and is on track to serve roughly 1,250 this year. Outreach programs around the state have served about 2,700 people so far, and rental use of the renovated mess hall and lobby has hosted more than 3,000 people for events such as birthday parties and showers.

Nut graph: The presentation outlined a mix of operational pressures and accomplishments — falling overall attendance compared with last year, notable success from targeted exhibits, earned reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and steps to address a decade-long collections backlog.

In addition to programming, the presenter described collections and staffing moves intended to strengthen long-term operations. The Gallagher Family Foundation has funded a part-time cataloging position with a five-year commitment; the presenter said the museum is in year two of that commitment and the cataloger is processing several artifacts per day. “He is... processing 3 or 4 artifacts in a day,” the presenter said, describing progress against a 10-plus-year backlog.

The presenter said the museum had applied to the National Daughters of the American Revolution Foundation for a conservation grant covering the remainder of a World War II flag conservation project. The presenter said the total conservation project cost is $10,000, the community had raised $6,700 and the museum applied to the DAR Foundation for the remaining $4,500; the grant result is expected in April.

The museum also noted program launches and partnerships: a continuing “Wise Girls” program with the YWCA, a monthly event with Cedar Valley Angels (foster-care mentorship), an archive project collecting oral histories (about 2,100 interviews in the archive including veteran interviews), and rotating exhibits including Black Stories Collective and a Bosnian community-focused display. The presenter said the D-Day exhibit remains on display through May.

The presenter described facility and accessibility changes: a newly created calming/sensory room and a mother’s room for visitors and museum-school groups, plus ongoing small renovations to exhibit spaces to accommodate new acquisitions including a tractor that requires storage planning.

Council members asked several operational questions during and after the presentation, including whether the Gallagher Family Foundation position is temporary. The presenter said the cataloger position is a five-year, part-time commitment and the museum is in year two.

Ending: The presenter closed by noting continued fundraising work (spring and fall appeals and membership drives), succession planning for long-serving board members and donor cultivation including reestablishing a legacy society to support long-term sustainability. The council thanked the presenter and moved to the next agenda item.","A museum presenter told the Waterloo City Council the Imaginarium has served about 23,600 people year-to-date, saw 7,000 visitors for a five-month dinosaur exhibit, won reaccreditation and launched programs while hiring a Gallagher Family Foundation–funded cataloger.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves agenda and February 3, 2025 work‑session minutes

Council weighs restoring sidewalk sand at parks after past practice ended

Imaginarium reports lower overall attendance, cites blockbuster summer exhibit and new programs