[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6071178,"mediaKeyId","3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10","parentId",3047058,"title","Residents press council on Grout Museum cuts, scooters, audits and LGBTQ protections during public comment","audioSeconds",173,"startMs",279000,"endMs",452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10&start=279&end=452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10/thumbnail_279000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071178/Waterloo/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Residents-press-council-on-Grout-Museum-cuts-scooters-audits-and-LGBTQ-protections-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071178-134570fa25171c499718af19ab620636/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170836&Signature=Y77hWWg~sWOSJRyjHjVI7w8zsA654IUkbL9MTD9IrGMhKMJZsUZUaxzE3Go9LhbLVZ9cFcT4jAZQ4GyjOa0ZhhB1IrFYtBbhqEWKc9SxPhyPEVspiVOkH5YaPHo1cQtUy0XkjCiJ8OMV3fe2cG~NMvHkWkQ-d35GPtizCXIxqoBzp~J~thIRIuIMRYljFXZOjduFniB3GyLsBs10rARbesqgqMCSWcZgbgAn2MV4t5eqdmxjiEjU8X4Igbqi5EgSfg-xslx-~oc6Zerq0K~quQgdwx3GztG8NuKtrxkpxjpMlYBcf8msd03kj6KttOB3ojForu~JFCMpfDMSONdiJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Waterloo","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","At the March 17 Waterloo City Council meeting, multiple residents used the public-comment period to raise community concerns ranging from local cultural funding and downtown safety to civil-rights protections and requests for state-level advocacy by city leaders.

A trustee for the Grout Museum District told the council the consolidation of levies under state House File 718 ended a dedicated cultural and scientific facilities levy and redirected revenue into cities\u0000general funds. The speaker said the museum previously received roughly $660,000 annually (about 40% of its operating budget) and urged council members to consider restoring support. The speaker asked council members to consider personal memberships and financial backing to sustain museum operations.

Others urged more recreation options. Carol Wardle suggested establishing an indoor roller-skating rink; council staff replied that the city has added outdoor rinks and Gates Park amenities in recent years but that cities seldom own indoor rinks.

Several commenters described safety and enforcement issues downtown. Property and business owners reported near-miss incidents with scooters and e-bikes on sidewalks and called for signage and enforcement. John Hayes and Matthew Carpenter urged clearer rules and more signage; council members said the matter would require signage, discussion with vendors and potential enforcement by police.

Multiple speakers from the LGBTQ community urged the council to take stronger, public actions to protect transgender residents after a recent change in state law. Whitney Rissy and Charlie Grove said city silence or minimal responses make Waterloo less safe for marginalized residents and asked the council to pursue sanctuary-style protections or stronger local policies. Councilmembers offered to meet with residents and staff to discuss next steps; the mayor and staff invited follow-up meetings.

A resident asked about a state audit reportedly initiated by Iowa Auditor Rob Sand in relation to \"All In Grocery.\" The mayor said the city had supplied requested records to auditors and that the state auditor's office controls the audit timeline; the mayor suggested contacting Rob Sand's office for status updates.

Ending: The public-comment period lasted multiple speakers and prompted several council members to propose follow-up actions, including meetings with residents about trans protections and a review of scooter signage and enforcement downtown. The council did not take formal action on the requests during the meeting but scheduled staff follow-ups.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Waterloo City Council Meeting Regular Session - Monday, March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public comment at the council meeting highlighted a funding shortfall at the Grout Museum, calls for skate/roller facilities, concerns about scooters and bikes on sidewalks, requests for sanctuary-style protections for transgender residents, and questions about a state audit.","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},6071183,"Council approves CAPER submission to HUD and sells 406 Randall to Habitat with $5,000 infill grant",152,3201000,3353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10&start=3201&end=3353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10/thumbnail_3201000.jpg","/articles/6071183/Waterloo/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-CAPER-submission-to-HUD-and-sells-406-Randall-to-Habitat-with-5000-infill-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071183-b6ad193bafcd564c411a88424290a009/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170836&Signature=jJFSdRbaEKbabVukplbg63JwoTgauQBviCanXYmPHIaXRRXLQ-zgZRRI-kXZrP~1jj-ufwPbiMpkpYLJxHzdyDatVAY2LGBE2x4Y97y4ToUoJ-tsSqzCmWS1~BNiT44x8KpxoZ-ZmsXBl1HcPG9jiKmNH7OhkLtZIhIquM8g29vCA0oEQlrHsH3w2lIRX70jK1~xO~5q55zc6RiNmyToRauA3RpKsWfA06Jy5WyX14Cy2Edkxff5KVOmd29U675RW0vZQgD6~5Atmxbfnh8ILNiqfx7PzbaOx0bGpLXV4tC1yNQgwQm6fR0ojKRVq2vIGtkDi-2YKWOIuUIX-GFBew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterloo City Council voted to approve the fiscal year 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME program activities and to submit the report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

At the hearing on the CAPER, staff reported no comments on file; the council adopted a resolution approving the CAPER for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and authorized submission to HUD.

Separately the council approved a package of actions on a city-owned lot at 406 Randall Street in the Church Road neighborhood: the council authorized sale and conveyance of the property to Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity for $1 and approved a development agreement that includes a $5,000 grant to support infill housing development and construction of a single-family home at that address. The mayor and city clerk were authorized to execute the necessary documents.

Council recorded unanimous roll-call votes on both measures.

Ending: The Habitat sale and small grant are intended to support infill housing; the CAPER approval is a routine HUD submittal that confirms the city\u0000s consolidated report on CDBG and HOME program activities for the prior fiscal year.","Council approved the FY2024 CAPER submission for CDBG and HOME activities and authorized sale of 406 Randall Street to Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity for $1 plus a $5,000 infill housing grant.",{"_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},6071188,"Council approves $6.4 million in new general-obligation bonds and awards three major street contracts",1311,2633000,3944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10&start=2633&end=3944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10/thumbnail_2633000.jpg","/articles/6071188/Waterloo/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-64-million-in-new-general-obligation-bonds-and-awards-three-major-street-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071188-a938fc671ca2238de861c7981e42d592/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170836&Signature=eG8hCtGq8AWIO57DcnuE9y8ptUhL5B0KMaYyn78m6qE1WnpZ62cxu44f1I43vNxZ5tXVQwrPNVAdZUpwhqO-SNE364AyGtsTMhjc697woKXL-8EQYMD~TuA4kq67k-S5~IEzbbY~fhEqei7XKlB5v1-DPxtU6lQj0IPE1eEdZn9pNAs~t1IfCyybnc7sDjdj7wif3Gas6qxitC26v-rbLz-7JMFnVgTja1OmRACaFk2XWBv1CDWGKWkx6w-QSB9CBdzmtM9rbfzMhjgyzFY3TnjXkJ4cak10~JvgF4JFR4UfciUYrIUhoNVrIw49NNHIkXNE4NHhS3TwRBqbudsamw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterloo City Council on March 17 approved new general obligation bond issues and awarded multiple contracts for street and infrastructure work drawn from the city's Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

Council received and filed public notices before holding hearings for four proposed bond issues: up to $4.2 million for essential corporate purposes (ECP 1), $700,000 for general corporate purposes (GCP 2), $900,000 for general corporate purposes (GCP 3), and $600,000 for general corporate purposes (GCP 4). The borrowing is intended to fund the city's one-year CIP priorities; staff said total department requests originally exceeded $21 million and were cut to $6 million to limit impact on the debt-service levy.

After public hearing, the council adopted a resolution authorizing issuance of the bonds. Council members asked staff to provide debt schedules and vehicle replacement plans to avoid long-term bonds on short-lived equipment.

The council also opened bids and awarded three major construction contracts:
- Fiscal Year 2025 asphalt overlay program (Contract 1115): engineer\u0000s estimate $5,748,374.57; lone bidder Aspro Inc. (Waterloo) submitted $4,908,656.32. The resolution awarding the contract to Aspro was adopted by council vote.
- East-West San Martin Drive reconstruction (Contract 1116): engineer\u0000s estimate $5,350,000; lowest responsive bid Cedar Valley Corp LLC (Waterloo) $4,616,849.97. Council approved award to Cedar Valley Corp.
- Fiscal Year 2025 asphalt reconstruction (Contract 1117): bids reported; council adopted a resolution awarding the contract to Aspro Inc.; the motion as read in the meeting placed the award at $2,247,000.16 and was adopted by roll call.

City engineer Jamie Knudson reviewed scope and schedule details for the overlay and reconstruction programs and said plans and specifications are filed with the clerk's office. For San Martin Drive, Knudson said the work will extend roughly from Highway 21 to Bankers Boulevard and include a $1,000-per-day penalty for missing the substantial completion date (in specifications), with incentives for early completion.

Council members pressed staff on timelines and the mix of financing, especially how vehicle and equipment lifespans matched bond terms. Staff said some vehicle purchases are financed on shorter terms and that the city had reduced planned bonding to avoid raising the debt-service levy.

Ending: Council approved the bonded borrowing and contract awards by roll-call votes. Engineers and staff will provide detailed debt schedules, debt-service impacts and follow-up materials to council.","Council authorized four bond issues tied to capital improvements and approved low bids for the FY2025 asphalt overlay, San Martin reconstruction and asphalt reconstruction projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071192,"Waterloo council adopts new downtown parking ordinance, one-hour free parking and license-plate enforcement",3436,3444000,6880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10&start=3444&end=6880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047058-369488c6603d18c830f0ace2b776ca10/thumbnail_3444000.jpg","/articles/6071192/Waterloo/Black-Hawk-County/Iowa/Waterloo-council-adopts-new-downtown-parking-ordinance-one-hour-free-parking-and-license-plate-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071192-8dd1abd93d5423fff538ee85e08fe000/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170836&Signature=Rg8SzHuVfP8TXDT8C3RKBUUJm16KRI4xO2zbHJHd5LZvV2J4W2FlukSj3cEEsU8NnXpzVlEwtH1AoMdDgAjOzy2Z2nVrI74P8UwoRYTuehUQDRFYyGjjBzQ0BKVi8kotN9P8AqcYRFdvCqsplcslxA3r-3F59sRLDrhUFRWYaVjP7sTrAiO7ZZvGpRancgFVDnUJhq3UVEwusl3fsfm6S7Mod~ZMxN9yiTl6fLAREaTjW-vQyPkk1qY1D4SgXkAyAXhVUK-rag2pxAEFT9khD7e1f-PkcAVwZ61sUyPEEcmxG3OyrRDMnFfzng4dvVSHMtBB~MS~zUVzNdXFOrc-jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterloo City Council on March 17 approved an ordinance replacing the city\u0000s parking meter and ramp sections and adopted a resolution that establishes one free hour of parking downtown, a $1-per-hour rate after the free hour, a higher $2-per-hour rate after four hours, and a $6 daily maximum in parking ramps effective May 1, 2025.

Council members and downtown business owners framed the vote as part of a broader effort to modernize downtown parking while preserving short-term access for customers. Councilmember Tania Wilder urged the city to treat this as a first step and to evaluate enforcement and outcomes after a year.

Business owners urged stronger enforcement and easier payment options. \"If we're going to come up with a new ordinance, it needs to be enforced and it needs to be enforced properly,\" said Matthew Carpenter, owner of Carpenter's Diner, citing past gaps in enforcement staffing. Mary Heller, a downtown tenant, said higher ramp fees could hurt employees and customers and urged policies that encourage parking ramp use.

Council and staff answered questions about the new technology that will support the program. Laura Liers of Reimagine Parking described the planned license-plate recognition (LPR) system that will electronically \"chalk\" vehicles. The system will record a license plate when a vehicle arrives and start the free-hour clock. If a vehicle remains beyond permitted limits without an active paid session, enforcement staff will receive a red alert and may issue warnings or citations. Liers said the system will allow staff to drive enforcement routes and identify violations more quickly than walking every block.

Council clarified how the rate schedule will work: the one free hour is counted against total time parked; a vehicle that uses the free hour and remains longer will pay for the additional hours according to the $1/$2 schedule, and the system tracks the plate across downtown so drivers cannot claim a second free hour by moving to a different block. The council also directed staff to pursue options to offer discounts for businesses that buy multiple ramp spaces.

The council suspended rules and passed the ordinance on final reading; roll-call votes as recorded were unanimous in favor. A separate resolution adopting the fee schedule passed by unanimous roll call; the new rates take effect May 1.

The council and business representatives said enforcement staffing and ramp security will be central to the program\u0000s success. Councilmember comments and public testimony indicated the city will monitor the program and reconsider details as experience accumulates.

Ending: The change replaces older coin-only meters with kiosks that accept cards and a Park Waterloo app integration. Council members said they will review the program after implementation and that the free hour was intended to improve short customer visits downtown while moving toward a more modern, data-driven approach to parking management.

","The City Council voted to replace downtown parking meter rules, add one free hour of parking and implement license-plate recognition for enforcement; council and business owners stressed enforcement and ramp access.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on Grout Museum cuts, scooters, audits and LGBTQ protections during public comment

Council approves CAPER submission to HUD and sells 406 Randall to Habitat with $5,000 infill grant

Council approves $6.4 million in new general-obligation bonds and awards three major street contracts

Waterloo council adopts new downtown parking ordinance, one-hour free parking and license-plate enforcement