[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-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",6633212,"mediaKeyId","2665890-acb4b658c5f3aae7b59547486bdd05dc","parentId",2665890,"title","Cedar Falls council approves business park and street projects, signs RAGBRAI agreement; hears hate-incident and Sartori property concerns","audioSeconds",620,"startMs",676000,"endMs",1296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665890-acb4b658c5f3aae7b59547486bdd05dc&start=676&end=1296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665890-acb4b658c5f3aae7b59547486bdd05dc/thumbnail_676000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633212/Cedar-Falls/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Cedar-Falls-council-approves-business-park-and-street-projects-signs-RAGBRAI-agreement-hears-hate-incident-and-Sartori-property-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633212-842c2b11a56f535a83b324e154b1b109/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180663&Signature=IjlJ2o1o-c2CzrKx11ZFKi9vW1scVVhTcMlmXhK62uB91-JnMFtOKDB-tl3gPjFr9fK-Dzb5eHzXOpC3hbjsARXapIJD6PeMOA7MI4LlpYbnt5ND2Ck6HP8~0UREtCcwo2kWr3a0JTDd3IzEwizObdhL1FI4UX8o92GWJkpPfcbMcvhOY-XE8dBJp7u6NvurLiQjaVOrdsXJxeQhtjLVmIam~uNyp~4h3hLX31YXXFJAeh8dnlx9ZvfWeNxcxxii4Q47HFZxAqEpd92tisS68AuVMNwn6~rH69sbFK2EIjTGbstQAAu~7VZ0SX4kKV0X0ngZpqmnzTdy0bwogQQWDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cedar Falls","date","2025-03-18T01:07:31.387Z","article","The Cedar Falls City Council on Monday approved final plans and funding authorizations for multiple local infrastructure projects, authorized the city’s overnight agreement with the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) and its advisory committee, and took steps on a street reconstruction project — all while hearing public comment about an alleged hate incident at a downtown bar and concerns about the future of the Sartori property at 515 College Street.

Council adopted a resolution approving plans, specifications, form of contract and an estimate of cost for the Creekside Business Park project, which includes two roundabouts on West Ridgeway Avenue, a looped Gibson Drive south of Ridgeway, trails and related utilities and landscaping. Tom Bitter of the engineering division said the construction estimate is $9,863,431 and that the project will be funded by the South Cedar Falls tax increment financing district. The resolution passed by roll call.

The council also approved the 2025 sidewalk and trail infill and repair project, a package of sidewalk replacements, ADA ramp work and trail repairs with a construction estimate of $323,704 to be funded by general obligation bonds and hotel-motel tax proceeds. During discussion Roger White, a member of the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership, asked the council to prioritize additional sections of Prairie Lakes Trail in future capital plans; staff said the trail system is being evaluated for future CIP programming and funding.

Related street actions included passage of a resolution of necessity and a second resolution directing preparation of final plans for the West 20th/Third Street reconstruction project from Hudson Road through Campus Street. Engineering staff said the procedural steps approved Monday complete most preliminary assessment work for the project and allow staff to prepare detailed design and bid documents.

Councilors also approved a request to vacate a section of Campus Street south of West 20th/Third Street that lies on the University of Northern Iowa campus; planning staff said utilities and CFU (Cedar Falls Utilities) will not need additional easements because utilities in the area are already established as private. The item advanced on first consideration.

City leaders authorized RAGBRAI-related items: (1) a 2025 overnight-town agreement with Venture Endurance LLC d/b/a RAGBRAI and (2) a resolution establishing a RAGBRAI advisory committee and appointing members. Mayor and staff encouraged community volunteers and noted RAGBRAI would announce routing in early April; volunteer sign-ups and committee coordination are underway.

The council approved a resolution authorizing submittal of a carbon reduction program grant application through the Black Hawk County Metropolitan Planning Organization for intersection improvements at Union Road and West 20th/Seventh Street. Staff described the request as one of several grant opportunities the city is pursuing to reduce project costs and emissions through traffic-flow improvements such as roundabouts.

Council approved a package of ordinance amendments covering Police and Fire division succession, mobile merchants, park tree rules, sidewalks and sidewalk cafés, contractor bonding and traffic rules; most amendments were described by staff as periodic code cleanup or clarifications and were adopted on first consideration.

Public comment highlighted two substantive community concerns. Everett Wilson recounted an incident on March 15 at Sharkey's Bar on College Hill that he said involved verbal harassment and physical interference with his phone; he said he has opened a police case and is pressing charges. In public forum the mayor stated that assault and harassment remain crimes and will be enforced, and noted the city cannot comment on an active police investigation. Wilson concluded, “Trans rights are human rights, and we will never be erased or forgotten.”

Kim Johnson Jordan urged the council to examine the city’s stewardship of the Sartori property at 515 College Street, a roughly 14.6-acre site the speaker described as a community asset currently under lease to MercyOne. Jordan reviewed historical trust and lease arrangements, referenced the Sartori Trust and earlier agreements with health-care partners, and asked the council to look at maintenance and readiness of the building if MercyOne ends tenancy in 2026. She said trust minutes show limited routine maintenance and urged more active planning for the site’s future use.

The council had multiple other public comments, including on residential lot availability and the city’s short-term financial plan. Staff noted property-tax notification letters from Black Hawk County may overstate increases because they assume a uniform 10% assessed-value increase; Director Romack said the council is considering rate options that would reduce the effective increase for a typical residential home and that two public hearings in April will finalize the rate.

Actions taken Monday will move into design and procurement phases for the construction items; councilors and staff said timing and final funding packages depend on subsequent CIP programming and availability of grant funds. The agenda included multiple consent and resolution items approved by voice or roll call; most were adopted unanimously.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cedar Falls City Council Meeting: March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cedar Falls City Council on Monday approved final plans and funding steps for the Creekside Business Park, a street reconstruction project and a sidewalk-and-trail repair package, authorized the city's RAGBRAI overnight agreement and advisory committee, and heard public comment about an alleged hate incident at Sharkey's Bar and concerns about the Sartori property at 515 College Street.","taxTitle","Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa","taxId",51799,"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},6633205,"Resident urges council to plan for maintenance, future use of Sartori property at 515 College Street",264,952000,1216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665890-acb4b658c5f3aae7b59547486bdd05dc&start=952&end=1216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665890-acb4b658c5f3aae7b59547486bdd05dc/thumbnail_952000.jpg","/articles/6633205/Cedar-Falls/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Resident-urges-council-to-plan-for-maintenance-future-use-of-Sartori-property-at-515-College-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633205-52e77f4dc6ac3554aa4a4799c78178ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180663&Signature=MlpPjS-YQDvJhpXApl8s8VJQWDGsSvIuUikbVravv4kqTmfEmSjpdGDzVva0PM86AnuKs-WmbNGdg08W3fKWltkZmnA6xLlPdGUGIY1ZguJQASzXrEVoqsleTDMEznwbvb2DAyj-liyq5FYGMS0NPoctM9C4jsh0SIBfM4Xj~4t2omf~vV~rKiN624BwHVy-Okt4GSdPTO6LXqPtbqNPk19jceT5hVRk92omZP6IUqNO~7NH7ya9Gn-oQr~ctvTAni6KrgW~921bavhOkvxKhz2DxNYAIxj1D5LmziNXrSl8falWKdT2zYfYzQKlZA5gHjfHeph-ENsLb1a-6FkxYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public forum at the March 17 City of Cedar Falls meeting, Kim Johnson Jordan urged the council to examine long-term stewardship and readiness of the Sartori property at 515 College Street. Jordan described the parcel as roughly 14.6 acres and said the city owns the building and remains responsible for interior and exterior maintenance under current lease arrangements.

Jordan referenced the Sartori Trust and said interest from that trust was first budgeted in 1999 to support community health care concerns. She said a separate trust board with city oversight is in place and named Ron Gaines as a current board member. Jordan recounted prior agreements involving MercyOne (formerly associated with Wheaton Franciscan, Covenant Medical and Trinity Management Systems) and said those tenancies are expected to end in 2026, giving the city the opportunity to seek a new tenant or repurpose the facility.

Jordan said trust board minutes show limited routine maintenance and that she is concerned the city may be underutilizing a community asset. She urged the council to identify necessary repairs and to ensure the property is not unexpectedly converted to unrelated development when MercyOne’s tenancy ends.

Council did not take formal action on the matter at the March 17 meeting; Jordan requested that council look more closely at the building’s maintenance needs and long-term planning for the site.

Proper names and historical references included in Jordan’s remarks — such as the Sartori Trust, MercyOne and earlier local administrators and health-care partners — were presented as background context rather than proposed council action.","At the March 17 council meeting Kim Johnson Jordan asked the council to prioritize maintenance and future planning for the 14.6-acre Sartori property at 515 College Street, citing trust minutes and lease arrangements with MercyOne and past agreements with health-care partners.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633209,"Resident reports alleged hate-motivated assault at Sharkey's Bar; police case opened",248,924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665890-acb4b658c5f3aae7b59547486bdd05dc&start=676&end=924","/articles/6633209/Cedar-Falls/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Resident-reports-alleged-hate-motivated-assault-at-Sharkeys-Bar-police-case-opened","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633209-3d6b090ae697c6579e1d40872a9f7c8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180663&Signature=EInxnvGATcJtaZWFy-k2jucxRA~Ne9LAtB4eoLwKWQAF4Jn22fju7chIrWWKN2iTgWyGAneASoNUhF-vTEgj6hKAr5q1oAfLrrl8jakBrPZnBrjw5xaAhUq2zi~ER3Ad-724f029GT62YJSDDejCCcCJv~cCL9ksSyWWiFky~SAVPJIlROGJ7hZ068JjyKj3jofogewffRx~icV~ukGvOZ8Mc5OslikIu2h6cURUWN13v9YrgLsTs9a9Br~sh8ItDIOuoYTO1AzuCHLBqWqwz3eeBngSeD2is6tqjslU~5l5P36-z0fOeZ7pu2wrUiNleDweUEeUq~oPIjPw2e~7Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the City of Cedar Falls’ March 17 public forum, Everett Wilson described an incident he said occurred March 15 at Sharkey's Bar on College Hill in which he was verbally harassed and physically disarmed while recording the encounter.

Wilson said he and a friend had dressed for a night out and that patrons and staff began making derogatory remarks. He said an individual identified by name as Landon Foley called him a slur, then punched his phone from his hand. Wilson said he hit the individual in self-defense; he said the manager, identified in his remarks as Sierra, asked them to leave and refused to review security camera footage. Wilson said he later found his phone in a dumpster and that he has an open police case and is pressing charges.

Wilson framed the incident in broader terms, warning of escalating discrimination against transgender people and concluding, “Trans rights are human rights, and we will never be erased or forgotten.”

Mayor (presiding) responded during the meeting by noting that, while the city cannot comment on an active police investigation, assault and harassment remain crimes regardless of protected class status and will be enforced. The mayor also referenced a recent local hate-crimes forum and said questions remain about changes to state civil-rights protections but that criminal statutes for assault and aggravated assault remain enforceable.

No council action on the incident was taken at the March 17 meeting; the matter was presented as public comment and city staff said Cedar Falls Police have an open case.","During public forum at the March 17 Cedar Falls City Council meeting, Everett Wilson described being harassed and struck at Sharkey's Bar on College Hill on March 15; he said staff refused to check cameras and he has an open police case.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cedar Falls council approves business park and street projects, signs RAGBRAI agreement; hears hate-incident and Sartori property concerns

Resident urges council to plan for maintenance, future use of Sartori property at 515 College Street

Resident reports alleged hate-motivated assault at Sharkey's Bar; police case opened