Cedar Falls council approves SMID renewal, pickleball shade structures and other measures; residents back ‘trail town’ resolution

The Cedar Falls City Council on Dec. 2 held a public hearing and unanimously approved, on first consideration, an ordinance to reestablish the College Hill Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SMID) and then approved a package of resolutions and ordinances including a parks partnership to add shade structures at Orchard Hill Park, a temporary lease with Peterson Contractors Inc. and removal of calendar parking on portions of Ellen Street.

The College Hill SMID renewal drew a staff presentation and no public opposition. Director Sheets told the council the petition met the state-code thresholds required for consideration, saying the filing “exceeded that threshold at unique property owners of 33% representing over 45% of the total valuation within the area covered by the SMID.” The proposal would keep the existing special assessment at $2.75 per $1,000 of net taxable valuation annually, effective July 1, 2025, through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2030. The ordinance passed on first consideration by roll call; all members voted aye.

The meeting also included public support for a resolution recognizing Cedar Falls as a trail-friendly community and aligning with national routes that cross the city. Larry Buchholz of the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership praised Cedar Falls’ multi-loop network and told council, “Today, it’s a very unique trail system with many loops from 1 mile to 50 miles.” Roger White, a member of the Bicycle-Pedestrian Commission and the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership, urged the council to adopt a trail culture. Quoting material from a webinar, he said, “A trail culture is the 1 thing that is essential to to sustain a quality trail and trail economy over time.” The trail-town resolution (on the council’s resolution calendar) was approved as part of the consent/resolution package.

Item 17 on the resolution calendar drew extended council discussion. The council approved a Park and Recreation Commission recommendation to allow the pickleball club to install shade structures at the Orchard Hill Park pickleball complex. Director Sheets explained the city completed the court expansion this summer and that the pickleball club offered to fully fund the shade canopies. Cliff Roy, president of the Cedar Falls Pickleball Club, told the council, “We're just gonna fund it all,” and said club volunteers will help maintain landscaping. Council and staff discussed planting additional shade trees; council members noted the city is responsible for long-term tree planting but welcomed the club’s partnership. The shade-canopy package represents nearly $70,000 in private contributions, and staff said typical canopy life is eight to 12 years (some replacements at about 11 years) and cited a current replacement cost estimate of under $1,800.

Item 18, a resolution authorizing execution of a lease with Peterson Contractors Inc. for property vacated via flood buyout, was approved after staff explained the lease provides temporary access (a granular surface for off-tracking and material staging) and includes restrictions prohibiting commercial uses of the lot.

An ordinance amending chapter 23 of the municipal code to remove calendar parking on sections of Ellen Street also passed after a neighborhood resident, Sherman Lundy of 1103 Ellen Street, told the council that removal was appropriate now that the high school has closed and traffic conditions have changed.

Staff gave one update asking the public to participate in the “Your City, Your Parks” online survey and interactive map, open through January, to inform the city’s next parks master plan.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance (first consideration): Reestablish College Hill Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SMID). Motion: pass ordinance amending Chapter 2 to reestablish the SMID; mover/second not specified on record. Vote: unanimous (all members voting aye). Key details: petition met threshold (33% of unique property owners; >45% of valuation); assessment $2.75 per $1,000 net taxable valuation annually; proposed effective July 1, 2025–June 30, 2030.

- Resolution 15 (resolution calendar): Recognize/align Cedar Falls as a trail-friendly community / American Discovery Trail / Great American Rail Trail alignment. Vote: adopted as part of the resolution calendar (roll call: all members voting aye). Public support noted from Cedar Valley Trails Partnership and Bicycle-Pedestrian Commission.

- Resolution (Item 17): Approve installation of shade structures at Orchard Hill Park pickleball complex; private funding by Cedar Falls Pickleball Club (~$70,000). Vote: adopted (roll call: all members voting aye). Notes: City will continue responsibility for tree planting; canopies expected life ~8–12 years; replacement cost estimate cited as under $1,800.

- Resolution (Item 18): Authorize lease with Peterson Contractors Inc. for property vacated by flood buyout programs (temporary access/staging; restricted uses). Vote: adopted (roll call: all members voting aye).

- Ordinance (Item 28, first consideration): Amend Chapter 23 (traffic and motor vehicles) to remove calendar parking on specified portions of Ellen Street. Vote: adopted on first consideration (roll call: all members voting aye). Public comment from an Ellen Street resident supported the change.

What happened and why it matters

The College Hill SMID renewal, if finalized through required subsequent readings and administrative steps, would restore a special-assessment funding mechanism to support district promotions, streetscape and business-support activities in the College Hill commercial district. The council’s unanimous first-reading vote advances that process. The pickleball shade-structure approval is notable for its private-public partnership: the club is funding installation and will help with maintenance, while the city retains responsibility for trees and long-term site stewardship. The Peterson Contractors lease is a limited, access-focused arrangement tied to a parcel acquired through a flood-buyout program and carries explicit restrictions on commercial use.

Council procedure and participation

Council took public comment on multiple items during the public forum and during specific agenda items. Four speakers addressed trail and park items, and one resident spoke on Ellen Street parking. Several council members and staff asked follow-up questions, particularly about who is responsible for tree planting and the expected lifespan and replacement costs of shade structures. Several motions were passed by roll call with unanimous support.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this report include Larry Buchholz, Cedar Valley Trails Partnership; Roger White, Bicycle-Pedestrian Commission and Cedar Valley Trails Partnership; Director Sheets (city staff); Cliff Roy, president, Cedar Falls Pickleball Club; and Sherman Lundy, Ellen Street resident.

Ending

Council adjourned after approving bills and claims and having no additional announcements or referrals. The parks master-plan survey remains open through January and is accessible via the city website.