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Council approves multiple contracts, development agreements, farm leases and moratoria
Summary
The Waterloo City Council on May 12 approved a series of resolutions and agreements covering fiber-project addenda, trail repairs, bridge review services, a development agreement with tax abatement, a public mural, multiple farm leases and moratoria on hobby farms and new tobacco permits.
The Waterloo City Council on May 12 approved a series of resolutions and professional agreements during its consent agenda and resolution vote, covering information-technology infrastructure, public works repairs, development agreements, public art, farm leases and temporary moratoria.
Notable approvals included addenda and work-authority items for the fiber-to-the-premise feeder distribution and backbone network project with Intrust Solutions Group of Denver: addendum number 5 for $14,210, addendum number 4 for $124,210, and addendum number 6 for $3,155 (contract number 1088). The council also approved a professional-service agreement with Eocene Environment Group of North Liberty in the amount of $8,830 for Sargent Road trail repairs (contract number 1091).
The council adopted a professional-service agreement with AECOM Technical Services Inc. for the FY2025 biannual bridge review program and approved a levy and final schedule of assessments tied to the FY2025 sidewalk repair assessment program, zone 4 (contract number 1111).
A development agreement with Twin Card Holdings LLC was approved that included a minimum assessment agreement of $135,000 and a current tax-abatement arrangement tied to construction described in the agenda materials as a "45 foot square foot building" southwest of 1010 Commercial Street. Planning staff said the parcel will be tied by covenant to adjacent lots since the new building will not provide separate parking on its lot. Council also approved an early-access agreement with 3 Studios LLC allowing certain development activities at 115 Warp Drive.
The council authorized a public mural agreement with Main Street Waterloo and artist Isaac Campbell Creative LLC for a mural on the East Park Avenue parking ramp at 310 East Park Avenue. Farm-lease agreements with Michael S. Cook were approved for several small parcels at negotiated per-acre rates (examples in the record include approximately 5.25 acres for $1,050 and 3.7 acres for $370). Councilmembers asked planning staff why per-acre farm lease rates varied from a recent $300-per-acre lease; planning staff said rates reflect soil suitability (CSR ratings), acreage size and prior tillage.
The council also adopted two moratoria by resolution: a moratorium on issuance of special permits or variances for hobby farms in the city of Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa; and a moratorium on issuance of new tobacco permits in the city of Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa. Councilmembers said they would convene a task group and bring stakeholders, including schools, into discussions about vaping and tobacco permitting policy.
A council member voiced concern about what he described as high prices for certain consultant work: "I'm just disappointed that these numbers are so high," he said while referencing design fees and addenda for the fiber project.
The motions carrying these resolutions were recorded by the clerk and passed on the consent agenda with roll-call votes as part of the meeting.
