Aug 25, 2025 City Council

[00:00:04]

IT IS THE CITY'S BOND RATING AND BOND SALE. AND JOHN BURMEISTER, OUR ADVISOR FROM PFM, IS HERE.

JOHN, WELCOME. THANK YOU.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS FIRST OR JUST PRESENT? YEAH. YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE RATING PROCESS. OKAY. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND ME.

SO I THINK IN YOUR PACKET YOU SHOULD RECEIVE SOMETHING.

THIS IS CALLED THE CREDIT OPINION FROM MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE.

AND WE WANTED TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES JUST TO KIND OF BREAK DOWN HOW DOES THE RATING AGENCIES KIND OF FIGURE OUT WHAT YOUR RATING IS? AND IF YOU GO BACK TO PAGE FIVE, THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION IN HERE.

BUT IT REALLY KIND OF BOILS DOWN TO PAGE FIVE.

THEY CALL THIS YOUR QUANTITATIVE CREDIT SCORE.

EVERYBODY GET TO THAT PAGE. AND IT'S NOT BUT SAYS METHODOLOGY AND SCORECARD FACTORS.

SO ONCE EVERYONE THERE YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT THEY'VE BROKEN THIS DOWN INTO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

ONE OF THE CATEGORIES IS THE ECONOMY. HOW WELL IS THE CITY DOING? AND IN YOUR CASE, THE METRO AREA. THE SECOND PIECE IS THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE CITY.

THEN THEY ALSO LOOK AT THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD BE LIKE THE STATE OF IOWA, AND HOW YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN THE RULES OF THE STATE OF IOWA LEVERAGE AND THEN SOME SOME NOTCHING FACTORS OR NON NOTCHING FACTORS. SO ON THE ECONOMY SIDE, THE FIRST THING THAT THEY LOOK AT IS THE RESIDENTIAL INCOME RATIO.

AND THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IS BASED ON CENSUS DATA.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT YOUR 0.88, 88.2%, SO YOU'RE LESS THAN THE AVERAGE OF ONE 100%.

AND THAT'S PRETTY TYPICAL WHAT WE SEE IN LARGER COMMUNITIES FOR THAT.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT'S 10% OF YOUR OVERALL RATING SCORES.

SO THEY KIND OF TACKED YOU IN AS AN A CATEGORY FOR THAT METRIC RIGHT THERE.

AND THAT'S GOT 10% OVERALL OF THE RATING. NOTHING YOU CAN REALLY DO ABOUT THAT.

IT'S KIND OF IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS. JUST TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE, THE CITY CLY, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE 160%. SO THEY FEEL THAT THERE'S MORE WEALTH THERE.

THEY CAN BORROW MORE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, IS THERE THEIR VIEW OF THAT/ I THINK FROM WHAT THEY TOLD ME, WHICH IF WE WENT UP TO 100, THAT WOULD HELP US.

THAT WOULD. AND I HONESTLY THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE FACTORS THAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK.

IT KIND OF IS WHO YOU ARE. IF THIS WENT TO 100, I DO BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD HELP YOU GET TO THAT NEXT LEVEL.

THE OTHER IS THE MARKET VALUE. THIS IS YOUR MARKET VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY, DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE IN THE 136,000.

THAT'S ACTUALLY REALLY, REALLY GOOD. THE DATA CENTER IS BRINGING A LOT OF VALUATION.

THE POPULATION IS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER. SO ANYTIME YOU'VE GOT THAT KIND OF 136,000 THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT'S IN THE AA CATEGORY.

I DON'T SEE THAT VERY OFTEN. MOST CITIES IN IOWA ARE AN A.

SO YOU'RE REALLY LOOKING REALLY WELL ON THAT ONE.

AND THEN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH FACTOR, THEY'RE TRYING TO DO SOME MATH ON YOUR GDP OF THE OF THE METRO AREA.

AND YOU CAN SEE YOU HAVE A GROWTH HERE AT 0.4.

I NORMALLY SEE NEGATIVE GROWTH IS WHAT I SEE IN ALL THE COMMUNITIES.

SO YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT'S A TRIPLE A CATEGORY.

SO THE METRO AREA HERE IS ALIVE AND WELL AND DOING REALLY GOOD FOR YOU.

THEN THEY'VE GOT YOU KIND OF CATEGORIZED AT A TRIPLE A.

THIS IS ABOUT 30% OF YOUR OVERALL RATING. DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO CONTROL.

IT'S JUST THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATURE AND WHERE YOU'RE AT THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. NOW THIS NEXT CATEGORY FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.

YOU CAN SEE THIS IS ANOTHER 30%. THIS IS REALLY THE AREA THAT YOU CAN CONTROL QUITE A BIT.

AVERAGE FUND BALANCE RATIO, THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING THERE IS THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OF ALL OF YOUR OPERATING CASH THAT YOU HAVE ON HAND RELATIVE TO YOUR OPERATING REVENUES.

HOW BIG HOW MUCH FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY DO YOU HAVE? THE HIGHER THAT IS, THE BETTER THE INDICATOR IS.

IN FACT, THIS IS YOUR STRONG POINT HERE, WHICH IS A BIG COMPONENT OF YOUR RATING, 46.2%.

AND YOU'RE IN THE TRIPLE A CATEGORY THAT'S 30% OR HIGHER IN THE TRIPLE A CATEGORY.

SO THOSE STRONG FUND BALANCES, THE LOST MONEY.

THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE IS THERE. LOOKING AT BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, THEY JUST USED TO LOOK AT YOUR GENERAL FUND.

NOW THEY'RE LOOKING AT YOUR TIF FUND. THEY'RE LOOKING AT YOUR SEWER FUND. THEY'RE LOOKING AT YOUR UTILITY FUNDS. THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING AT YOUR ROAD USE FUND.

AND THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO ASSESS THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITY OF THE CITY IN TERMS OF CASH ON HAND.

AND AS A DETRIMENT TO THE CITY THE STATE OF IOWA WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE THOSE LOWER.

YEAH. AND BY DEFAULT, THEN IF THAT GETS DRIVEN LOWER.

HIGHER INTEREST RATE MEANS THE TAXPAYER. THAT'S RIGHT.

AND SO THEN YOUR RATING PROBABLY WOULD GO DOWN BECAUSE OF THAT.

SO IT'S I NEVER LIKE WHEN THEY SUGGEST THAT BECAUSE IT JUST EVERY COMMUNITY DOES THIS DIFFERENTLY.

AND I FEEL IT'S IN THE CITY'S BEST INTEREST TO RUN YOUR CITY THE WAY YOU WANT TO RUN IT.

AND I THINK THAT YOU SEE LOTS OF DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON HOW PEOPLE WANT TO RUN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FOR THE STATE TO KIND OF TAKE THAT OUT OF YOUR HANDS. I ALWAYS SAY IT'S NOT ALWAYS, I THINK IT'S YOU'RE THE ONES THAT KNOW BEST FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, IN MY OPINION.

I THINK THEY'D LIKE TO SEE IT BE 50%. WELL, I THINK THEY'D WANT TO SEE IT 25 LOWER.

OH. THE STATE. THE STATE DOES. I'M SORRY, BUT THE MOODY'S.

OH. SAID THEY'D LIKE TO SEE IT IN 50 TO GET A HIGHER RATING.

[00:05:04]

LOOK AT YOUR YOUR CASH ON HAND AS WELL. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK.

THAT WAS THE AGAIN THE STATE OF IOWA AND ALL THE CAN YOU DECLARE BANKRUPTCY.

DO YOU HAVE AN 810 LEVY LIMIT. WHAT ARE YOUR BORROWING AUTHORITY? WHAT CAN YOU BORROW FOR? WHAT DO YOU NEED AN ELECTION FOR? AND SO THAT'S IN THE AA CATEGORY THERE AS WELL.

AND YOU CAN SEE THEN LEVERAGE. THAT'S ANOTHER COMPONENT 30% LONG TERM DEBT LIABILITIES.

THIS INCLUDES THE CITY'S DEBT PLUS ALL YOUR YOUR PENSION OBLIGATIONS.

AND YOU CAN SEE HERE MEASURE 149%. THAT'S IN THE DOUBLE K CATEGORY.

WE PREPARE THIS EVERY YEAR. I'M ASSUMING YOU GET IT IN YOUR BUDGET PACKETS.

THE DEBT UTILIZATION. COUNCIL BLUFFS IS ON THE LOW END OF DEBT IN THE STATE OF THE STATE OF IOWA.

YOU'RE IN THE CATEGORY OF THE TRIPLE-A COMMUNITIES, SO YOU JUST HAVE A VERY LOW DEBT BURDEN.

YOU PAY OFF YOUR DEBT VERY QUICKLY. IN FACT, THE STRUCTURE THAT YOU HAVE HERE TONIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A VERY LARGE PRINCIPAL PAYMENT BEING PAID ON JUNE OF 26. IT MEANS YOU'RE PAYING OFF YOUR DEBT AS FAST, IF NOT FASTER, THAN WHAT YOU'RE TAKING IT OUT. A LOT OF CITIES WILL BORROW 20 YEARS.

IT TAKES 20 YEARS FOR THAT DEBT TO COME OFFLINE.

AND IT ALWAYS IS GROWING BECAUSE NOTHING'S EVER COMING OFFLINE.

YOU'RE THE OPPOSITE HERE. YOU'RE PAYING IT AS QUICKLY AS YOU'RE TAKING ON AND NOT FASTER.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER CREDIT STRENGTH TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEN FIXED COSTS. SO THE YOU'RE IN THE TRIPLE-A CATEGORY HERE VERY LOW EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE PAYING YOUR DEBT OFF VERY QUICKLY.

YOU'RE THEY LOOK AT THIS PERCENTAGE. AND USUALLY I SEE THAT NORTH OF 10% EVEN PUSHING 20%.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR DEBT, HOW MUCH OF YOUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ARE AUTOMATIC.

THEY HAVE TO HAPPEN. THEY'RE FIXED. AND THOUGH EVEN THOUGH IN FACT MOODY'S DOES ONE THING WHERE THEY'LL SAY, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU PAYING YOUR DEBT OFF QUICKLY, BUT NOW YOUR FIXED CAR CHARGE IS SO HIGH THEY PENALIZE YOU FOR THAT.

IN YOUR CASE, YOU'VE GOT THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS LOW DEBT, AND YOU'RE PAYING OFF YOUR DEBT RELATIVELY QUICKLY AND YOUR FIXED COST RATIO IS VERY LOW.

AND NOW HERE'S THE INTERESTING PART. ALL THIS SCORECARD INDICATOR OUTCOME AA ONE.

SO THAT'S WHAT YOUR SCORECARD COMES OUT TO BE A DOUBLE AA ONE.

AND NOW YOUR SCORECARD YOUR ACTUAL RATING IS A AA2 WHICH MEANS THERE'S PRESSURE ON THEM TO RAISE YOUR RATING NOT LOWER IT.

NORMALLY I DON'T SEE THIS MOST OF THE TIME, IF NOT ALL OF THE CITIES I WORK WITH.

THERE'S MAYBE 2 OR 3 THAT HAVE A HIGHER SCORECARD THAN YOUR ACTUAL RATING.

USUALLY IT'S ONE NOTCH, IF NOT TWO NOTCHES LOWER, MEANING THAT THEY HAVE THEM RATED HIGHER THAN THEIR SCORECARD WOULD INDICATE.

SO YOU'RE JUST THE OPPOSITE. IN THAT CASE, YOU'RE PUTTING PRESSURE ON THEM TO LOOK AT HOW STRONG WE ARE.

AND IF THERE'S A IF THERE'S A MOVEMENT HERE, IT'S HIGHER NOT LOWER.

SHOWING PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT. YEAH. SO THAT'S THAT'S VERY UNIQUE TO THE CITY HERE.

SO I WOULD TAKE ALL THE GOOD WORK YOU'VE BEEN DOING HERE. THAT'S KIND OF ALL REFLECTIVE IN THIS, IN THIS IN THIS ANALYSIS.

SO WITH THAT I'LL OPEN UP ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE SPECIFICALLY AND JUST AS A BACKGROUND.

TRIPLE A'S THE HIGHEST YOU CAN GET, AA1, AA2 AND THEN AA3.

SO YOU'RE ONLY TWO NOTCHES FROM THE FROM THE BEST RATING THAT YOU CAN GET.

I TOLD PEOPLE I THINK MAYBE IN HINDSIGHT, I MADE A MISTAKE BY NOT ISSUING MORE DEBT WHEN IT WAS SO LOW, WITH CONSTRUCTION COSTS GOING UP 20, 40%. YEAH, MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE DURING THOSE COVID TIMES BEEN MORE ACTIVE.

BUT YEAH, IT IS WHAT IT IS. YEAH. YOU LOOK BACK.

SO WHAT WE ALWAYS DO FOR THE CITY IS WE LOOK AT YOUR INTEREST RATES ON YOUR EXISTING DEBT.

IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO REFINANCE IT? BECAUSE WE CAN MAYBE GET ANOTHER DEAL.

THAT'S WE, THERE'S NOTHING THAT, THERE'S NOTHING THERE FOR US TO REFUND.

YOUR DEBT IS SO LOW WHAT YOU HAVE OUTSTANDING REMAINING.

THE 2%. MAYBE TWO AND A HALF. THREE IS WHAT YOU'RE AT IN ALL YOUR EXISTING DEBT THAT YOU HAVE OUTSTANDING NOW.

SO IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO FINANCE THAT WHEN IT'S THAT HISTORICALLY LOW.

SO BUT YEAH I HAVE PEOPLE ARE REFLECTING UPON THAT.

AND THEY WISH YOU HAD GOTTEN AHEAD OF THAT INFLATION CURVE.

AND NOBODY KNEW 30% INFLATION WAS COMING EITHER IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

SO WITH THAT RATING AA2, WE THEN SEND OUT THE CITY'S BOND SALE AND OF COURSE THE GO BONDS.

THIS IS THE STRONGEST CREDIT WE CAN SELL. WE'VE GOT A AA2.

YOU HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SIZE BOND ISSUE. SO IT'S ABOUT 5.6 MILLION WAS THE, WAS THE SERIES A AND THEN 2.2 MILLION WITH SERIES B.

I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SERIES B, IT'S SMALLER, IT'S SHORTER.

SO I WAS VERY PLEASED, IF YOU HAVE THOSE BID PACKETS HERE, WE GOT NINE BIDS ON BOTH TRANSACTIONS AND I WAS REALLY SURPRISED ON THE B BECAUSE IT'S THE SMALLER SHORTER, NOT AS ATTRACTIVE AS YOUR TEN YEAR $5 MILLION DEAL.

AND SO IT WAS NICE TO SEE ALL OF THOSE BIDDERS ON THE SERIES 25A YOU CAN SEE ROBERT W BAIRD CAME IN WITH THEIR BID AT A

[00:10:09]

THEY'RE FIGHTING OVER YOUR BONDS. AND IF YOU KIND OF FLIP THE PAGES IN HERE, YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE OTHER BIDDERS NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND THEN ALSO THE BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

DALLAS. AND THEN YOU CAN SEE ON THE VERY LAST PAGE, THE HIGH BID WAS A 3.3% VERSUS THE 30309.

SO PRETTY GOOD SPREAD IN THE BIDS. THE COVER WAS A 3,11.

SO A PRETTY TIGHT BIDDING THERE. AND THEN WHEN WE DID GET THE BID RESULTS ON HERE, THIS DID PRODUCE SOME BOND PREMIUM.

SO ON THE LOWER PART OF THIS, WE DID LOWER YOUR BOND SIZE FROM 5,000,640 TO 5,000,205 TO PRODUCE THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU NEEDED FOR YOUR CIP PLAN. SO WHEN YOU APPROVE IT TONIGHT THE FINAL PARAMOUNT WILL BE 5,000,205.

AND THEN ALSO ON THE THE B SERIES PIPER SANDLER CAME IN WITH THEIR BID OUT OF CHICAGO.

THEY HAD A 4.1865. I HAD 5% IN THERE JUST BECAUSE I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT INTEREST RATES WERE GOING TO BE WHEN WE DID THIS LAST DECEMBER.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY KIND OF COMING DOWN A BIT NOW, AND YOU CAN KIND OF FLIP THE PAGE AS ROBERT W BAIRD CAME IN WITH THEIR BIG SYNDICATE AS WELL. AND THE HIGH BID WAS, THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING.

SO THE OPPENHEIMER ON THE LAST PAGE CAME IN AT 508 VERSUS, EXCUSE ME, 418.

SO REAL BIG DIFFERENT OPINION WHERE INTEREST RATES ARE IN FACT THE SECOND TO THE LAST BIDDER.

I WAS POINTING THIS OUT EARLIER. THEY HAD A 10% COUPON ON THIS.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY BID IT THAT WAY, BUT IT PRODUCED A PRETTY HIGH TIC.

WHEN WE DID GET THE RESULTS ON THIS ONE, WE DID DECREASE THE AMOUNT BY $10,000.

SO THIS PARAMOUNT WOULD BE 2,000,002. WHEN YOU APPROVE THE THE AWARD THIS EVENING TO PIPER SANDLER AND THEN ROBERT W BAIRD FOR THE SERIES A.

CAN I JUST VERIFY? YEAH, YEAH. SO THIS ONE. OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU.

ALL GOOD. IS YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED? YEAH.

ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR JOHN? KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU. MARK CAME DOWN WITH THE CREEPING CRUD.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THE AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? PUBLIC HEARINGS. ANY QUESTIONS ON PUBLIC HEARINGS? CAN YOU HEAR US? ROGER. ROGER. YES, I CAN HEAR YOU.

OKAY. WE'RE GOING OVER THE AGENDA. MARK ECKMAN CANCELED TODAY.

WASN'T FEELING WELL, SO WE WERE JUMPING TO THE AGENDA.

IF YOU HAD ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, ANY QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYTHING ON THE PUBLIC HEARINGS? HOW ABOUT RESOLUTIONS? I HAVE A COUPLE ON THE RESOLUTIONS. 5.B I KNOW WE DID THIS, WAS IT EITHER LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE WHERE WE WAIVED THIS PRACTICE? E? B AS A BOY. BOY. SORRY. CORRECT.

WE DID IT LAST YEAR FOR ONE YEAR, AND IT CAN BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.

AND WHAT THIS MEANS IS NOT THAT THE POSITIONS DON'T FALL UNDER CIVIL SERVICE, BUT THAT BECAUSE IT'S A POSITION THAT WE HIRE FOR ALL THE TIME, VERY REGULARLY, WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS EACH TIME OF GETTING THE PROCEDURES APPROVED, CREATING THE LIST, GETTING THE LIST APPROVED, AND THEN SELECTING, WE JUST SKIP THROUGH TO THE PRESENTING THE INFORMATION AND THE LIST SO THAT WE CAN HIRE MORE QUICKLY,

[00:15:07]

ON THAT PROCESS, LAST YEAR, I HAD CONCERNS. I HATE TO SEE THE CIVIL SERVICE BE WATERED DOWN.

WE AND WE NORMALLY KEEP A LIST, CREATE A LIST OF HIERARCHIES, AND I REALLY WANTED TO GO TO WORK AND TRY AND GET THAT LIST BUILT UP. IS IT NOT BEING BUILT UP OR A LIST OF LIKE SYMBOLS? THAT POSITION WOULD LIKE? IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE KEEP A LIST OF.

RIGHT. TEN AND THEN ANOTHER LIST OF TEN. RIGHT.

AND THEN ONCE THE LIST IS EXHAUSTED, EXHAUST.

RIGHT. AND AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE GONE TO REQUEST THIS IS BECAUSE WE EXHAUST THE LIST SO QUICKLY.

WE HAVE TO START ALL OVER, MAKE A NEW LIST, GET THROUGH THAT LIST.

I GUESS A QUESTION I WOULD HAVE IS, ARE WE HAVING HIGH TURNOVER IN THAT POSITION? AND IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE PAY GRADE.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN PROMOTING OUT OF THAT CLASS INTO OTHER ROLES WITH PUBLIC WORKS, WHICH IS A POSITIVE.

AND IT'S JUST A POSITION THAT WE DON'T GET A TON OF APPLICANTS FOR WHEN IT IS OPEN. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S, I DON'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT IT'S A PAY ISSUE.

I THINK IT'S A FIT. PEOPLE LOVE IT OR THEY DON'T, WE AND THEY REQUESTED THAT WE LOOK AT IT AGAIN. WE'VE HIRED. GOSH, I WANT TO SAY.

MAYBE 8 OR 10. BUT WHEN WE ONLY HAVE A LIST OF TWO QUALIFIED AND ONE SAYS, NO, I GOT ANOTHER JOB AND THE OTHER ONE TAKES IT, THEN WE HAVE TO START A WHOLE LIST OVER AGAIN.

WE COULD ALSO CHOOSE TO APPROVE IT FOR SIX MONTHS AND REEVALUATE OR OR YOU CAN JUST LET US KNOW THAT YOU WANT US TO CONTINUE WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE PROCEDURE AS NORMAL.

AND THE CIVIL SERVICE JOB ITSELF IS STILL UNDER THE SAME PROTECTION.

CORRECT. AND YES, ANYONE HIRED INTO THAT ROLE.

CORRECT. IS STILL IS STILL UNDER CIVIL SERVICE PROTECTIONS.

THAT'S CORRECT. YEAH, I KNOW LAST YEAR I VOTED IN FAVOR OF IT.

AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE STEVE CAME FROM. AND I VOTED UNDER THE PRETENSE THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A ONE TIME THING.

OKAY. AND THAT IT WOULDN'T CONTINUE TO ROLL FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

OKAY. SO THAT THAT'S THE CONCERNS I HAVE IS VERY SIMILAR TO STEVE'S WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.

THAT'S FINE. BUT IT WILL LEAVE YOU POTENTIALLY WITHOUT EMPLOYEES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

THAT'S ALL. THAT CREATES PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE, OVER TIME AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO I SEE WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO BALANCE THIS.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET A PERMANENT LIST EVENTUALLY AT LEAST.

BUT WORK TOWARDS THAT. AND HOW DID IT WORK THIS THIS YEAR.

DID IT. IT SEEMED TO HELP YOU FILL THESE. CAN YOU SPEAK INTO THE MIC AND THEN MATT AS WELL? I CAN'T HEAR I CAN'T HEAR THAT WELL. SO JUST ONE STEP BACK.

SO THE WHAT WE'RE ASKING TO WAIVE IS THE GOING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE TO HAVE THEM APPROVE THE PROCEDURES, WHICH WE HAVEN'T CHANGED IN PROBABLY 3 OR 4 YEARS.

IT'S THE SAME PROCESS EVERY TIME. WE'RE NOT CHANGING IT, BUT IT IS A FORMAL PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A MEETING, ASK THEM TO APPROVE THE PROCEDURES, WHICH WITH NO COMMENT, JUST TO GO OUT AND ADVERTISE FOR THE POSITION.

SO THERE'S PROBABLY ONE MONTH THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT HAVING TO TO EXTEND OUR PERIOD WITH THAT EXTRA MONTH.

THEN WE GO THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS. WE ACTUALLY BRING THE LIST BACK.

WE'RE STILL DOING THAT, JUST LIKE WE DID BEFORE.

THE LAST TIME IT WAS APPROVED, IT WAS APPROVED WITH THE EXTRA CLAUSE THAT YOU ASKED FOR STEVE FOR.

IF WE EVER REACHED A LIST OF TEN, WE WOULD SUSPEND THIS PROCESS.

WE'VE NEVER GOT A LIST OF TEN. I THINK THE MOST IS MAYBE FIVE.

AND OFTENTIMES, AS WAS ALLUDED TO BY THE TIME WE GO BACK TO THE LIST FOR A CONSTRUCTION WORKER,

[00:20:02]

AND SO WHEN WE HAVE AN OPENING, WE QUICKLY BURN A LIST ALMOST EVERY TIME.

RECENTLY WE ADDED TWO POSITIONS. SO THAT AGAIN HELPED US GO THROUGH THE EXTINGUISHED LIST AGAIN.

SO I THINK WE'RE DOING THE HIRING PROCESS 4 OR 5 TIMES A YEAR.

RIGHT NOW, THAT'S JUST BEEN OUR PRACTICE AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN WHAT'S BEEN NECESSARY TO KEEP THOSE POSITIONS FULL.

SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE REQUESTING TO CONTINUE WITH THIS PROCESS.

I DON'T SEE IT IMPACTING THE EMPLOYEES OR THE THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION THEY RECEIVE THROUGH CIVIL SERVICE, BECAUSE THEY STILL RETAIN THAT. THE ONLY THING WE'RE SKIPPING IS A PROCESS THAT ULTIMATELY IS HAVING NO IMPACT.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MATT OR BRENNA? NO. OKAY.

STILL ON RESOLUTIONS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE RESOLUTIONS? YEAH. LET'S TALK THROUGH 5.G. YEP. I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU WANT TO START. I MEAN, WE'VE GLANCED AT IT.

I MEAN, I'M LOOKING AT SKIPPING AHEAD AT NUMBER FOUR OR IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU GUYS SAW PRIOR TO THAT.

I HAVE SOMETHING ELSE, BUT IT'S NOT IN HERE, SO I'LL GO AFTER YOU.

I JUST WANT YOU TO WALK THROUGH NUMBER FOUR. SO IT'S, YOU KNOW, AT STUDY SESSION, BECAUSE I DON'T RECALL IN MY TIME ON COUNCIL THAT WE'VE HAD SOMETHING. WELL, IT'S CERTAINLY AN UNUSUAL SITUATION.

OKAY. AND THAT WAY. SO WE'RE ALL CLEAR ON IT.

SO YOU KNOW, WE DON'T MAKE. ONE OF US MAKES A FALSE STEP, AND IT PROHIBITS OR DISQUALIFIES ANYTHING.

SO YOU'RE SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY ON THE, THE, THE SUBMITTAL THAT WE HAVE OUT OR JUST THE WHERE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M IN THE JUST ON THE ON ON THE DISQUALIFICATION PART NUMBER FOUR AND THAT JUST SO WE CAN WALK THROUGH.

SO WE'RE CLEAR ON IT. SO WE KNOW AND I READ IT AND IT KIND OF MAKES SENSE.

BUT JUST SO WE CAN. SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WE'RE KEEPING THE PROCESS AS PURE AS POSSIBLE, IS HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE IT. WE PERHAPS IN THIS LAST ROUND GOT SLIGHTLY LENIENT WITH HOW COMMENTS AND THINGS WERE GETTING RECEIVED AT US, NOT SO MUCH FROM LIKE IT WAS JUST COMING FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE, LIKE, JUST SAY IT THAT WAY.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE EVALUATING THE CRITERIA AND ONLY ON THE CRITERIA.

SO WE'VE PUBLISHED THAT AND ENSURING THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT THE PROCESS IS WHAT IT IS AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH.

WE'RE GOING TO RANK THEM BASED ON THE RATING THAT YOU HAVE APPROVED.

AND WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE YOU A RECOMMENDATION.

AND WHAT WE'RE ASKING FROM COUNCIL AND FROM STAFF AND ANYONE THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY IMPACTED BY THE SUBMISSIONS THAT COME IN THAT YOU'RE NOT HAVING CONVERSATIONS OFF TO THE SIDE THAT COULD IMPACT YOUR HOW, HOW WE'RE MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SO I GUESS THEN. ANY AND ALL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, NOT JUST WITH THE DEVELOPERS, BUT IF AN OUTSIDE SOURCE CALLS.

I MEAN, WE'RE JUST SHOOTING THAT DOWN. JUST SAY WE'RE NOT PRIVY TO TALK ABOUT IT DURING THE THE BIDDING PROCESS.

YES. OKAY. SO THERE IS THE THERE IS A POTENTIAL OR THERE'S A PORTION OF IT THAT THEY'RE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS AND THEY ASK THEM THROUGH ION WAIVE AND THAT'S PUBLISHED. AND THEN THOSE CUT OFF THERE'S A CUT OFF FOR IT. SO IF THEY HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THOSE COME THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

WE RESPOND TO EVERYONE. AND THEN EVERYBODY GETS THE SAME INFORMATION BACK THAT'S IN WITH THAT WANTS TO BID OR WANTS TO SEE WHAT COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS CAME IN.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT MATTERS IS THAT WE'RE DOING LIKE FOR LIKE SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND EVERYONE HAS THE SAME INFORMATION AT THEIR DISPOSAL.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF I TOLD STEVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN I TOLD JILL THAT WOULD NOT, THAT WOULDN'T BE WHAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S OUT THERE. BEYOND THAT, THEN NO, THERE'S NO COMMUNICATION.

SO YOU WOULD BE ION WAIVE IS OUR ELECTRONIC BIDDING PROCESS THAT THEN EVERYONE CAN GO LOOK AND SEE WHAT QUESTIONS WERE ASKED AND WHAT ANSWERS WERE GIVEN.

OKAY, THAT MAKES SENSE. I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT UP HERE.

SO EVERYBODY'S ON THE SAME PAGE BECAUSE I MEAN IT'S A PRETTY TALKED ABOUT TOPIC.

SO YEAH, BUT THIS IS AND I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY.

RIGHT. BECAUSE WHEN I TALK TO MIMI THIS WEEKEND, IT WAS IF SOMEBODY IN THE PUBLIC HAS A QUESTION ABOUT ARE WE MOVING FORWARD? WHERE ARE WE? WE CAN SAY WE'RE IN THE BIDDING PROCESS LIKE WE CAN.

WE JUST CAN'T TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE APPLYING OR ANYBODY WHO'S WORKING WITH THEM.

CORRECT. OKAY. YEAH. AND YOU CAN SAY IT'S STILL IN PROCESS.

[00:25:01]

YEAH. AND I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BECAUSE COUNCILMEMBER PETERSON'S QUESTION WAS, IS IT ANYBODY OR IS IT JUST PEOPLE AFFILIATED WITH THE PROJECT? AND THAT WAS ALSO WHAT COUNCILMEMBER SHUDAK WAS CLARIFYING.

SO THE LANGUAGE HERE REALLY DOES LIMIT IT TO FOLKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT.

IN REALITY, THERE SHOULDN'T BE DISCUSSION ABOUT MATTERS THAT ARE PENDING.

THAT IS INFORMATION THAT'S NOT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WITH ANYONE.

ANY INFORMATION THAT ISN'T PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SHOULDN'T BE DISCUSSED ABOUT A MATTER THAT'S PENDING BEFORE THIS COUNCIL. OKAY. HOLD TIGHT REAL QUICK. CHRIS. ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT? YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. AND SO WE ALL I SAID WE ALL HEARD THE SAME THING.

WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, SO NO ONE CAN QUESTION IT LATER THAT WE HAD DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DISCUSSED WITH MIMI WHEN WE WERE TALKING IS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT IN THE BUSINESS GENERALLY OF BEING THE PERSON SELECTING IT'S OUR LAND, IT'S OUR PROJECT.

RIGHT? SO WE'RE NOT NORMALLY IN THAT BUSINESS.

NORMALLY WE'RE ZONING, WE'RE, SOMEBODY ELSE'S IS MAKING SURE THAT DAVIS-BACON IS BEING PAID, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS TALKING TO ME ABOUT IS A POTENTIAL ADDING INTO THE RFP IN EITHER TONIGHT'S RFP OR RFP IS GOING FORWARD IN MANOA AND THE FIRST AVENUE PROPERTIES THAT WE OWN ABOUT AN EQUIVALENT OF A EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND SCREENING SERVICE. I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE SERVICE AT OMAHA CALLED ONE SOURCE.

AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY, THEY REALLY JUST KEEP ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN A GOOD STANDING. SO FROM AN EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE, THEY'RE MAKING SURE PEOPLE THAT ARE HIRED.

AND THERE'S DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SERVICE. BUT, YOU KNOW, ARE THEY ON A SEX OFFENDERS LIST OR ARE THEY DRUG AND BACKGROUND OR DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENED? ARE THEY IS THERE A FELONY FROM AN EMPLOYEES LIST? AM I WORKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS WORKMAN'S COMP INSURANCE? AM I GETTING PAID THE RIGHT WAGES? FROM OUR STANDPOINT, IT'S THE CONTRACTORS IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE ANYBODY THAT'S HIRED ON A SUB, A SUB OF SUB, A SUB OF A SUB OF A SUB, ALL MEETS AND MAKES THAT MATTER.

AND IT'S PAID THE SERVICES PAID FOR BY THE CONTRACTOR AND IS, IS GENERALLY THEN MANAGED BY THAT CONTRACTOR. OMAHA USES THIS QUITE A BIT ON NOT ONLY THEIR CITY PROJECTS BUT THEIR SCHOOL PROJECTS REALLY A LOT.

AND SO I WAS INTERESTED IN GETTING THE COUNCIL'S OPINION ON WHETHER WE WANT TO ADD SOMETHING LIKE THAT INTO OUR CONTRACT AS WELL.

WE ASKED MIMI IF SHE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD TIME TO CHECK IT.

THEY WHEN YOU SAY IT'S PAID FOR BY THE CONTRACTOR, I WOULD SAY THAT IT GETS PASSED THROUGH TO THE THE CITY.

I KNOW COURTNEY HAD A QUESTION AS TO WHAT RESPONSIBILITY IT CREATES WITH HER TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH CONTRACTOR IS FOLLOWING THAT PROCESS. AND AS THEY HIRE AND FIRE DURING SEVERAL I KIND OF, I THINK, KNOW WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.

I TOLD MIMI, I OFTENTIMES GET CONTACTED BY THE CARPENTERS UNION THAT THERE ARE SUBCONTRACTORS WHO ARE BEING PAID CASH AND THEN OFTENTIMES NOT PAID ON THEIR LAST PAYCHECK BECAUSE THERE'S NO RECORD OF THEM EVER BEING EMPLOYEES.

AND THAT'S BEEN A PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE JOBS. AND SO, YEAH.

AND I WAS TALKING TO MIMI. SO OMAHA ACTUALLY HAS A STATUTE FOR IT.

SO IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING DOWN THE ROAD IF WE WANT TO WORK TO BUILD A STATUE IN.

BUT WE COULD PUT POTENTIALLY A CLAUSE IN FOR THIS RFP, AND IT WOULD BE THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR WHO'S IN CHARGE OF MONITORING AND MAKING SURE ANYBODY THAT COMES ONTO THE SITE. SO IT WOULDN'T BE ANY ADDITIONAL WORK ON YOUR BEHALF.

AND SO I KNOW ONE SOURCE ISSUES THEM A CARD AND THEY HAVE TO PUT IT ON THEIR, THEIR HELMET.

SO ANYBODY THAT WALKS ONTO THAT JOB SITE HAS A CARD THAT'S ON THEIR HELMET.

AND SO THAT CONTRACTOR, THAT GENERAL CONTRACTOR OR WHOEVER'S THERE ON THE SITE, THEN MAKE SURE AND IT'S A FINE TO THE PEOPLE AND THEN THEY GET ON A

[00:30:03]

MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN, ALTHOUGH LIMITED, THAT THE CONTRACTORS ARE NOT VERY RESPONSIVE.

SO I CALL AND ASK. I'VE HAD REPORTS THAT YOU HAVE NONUNION DRYWALLERS.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. WE HIRE A THIRD PARTY AND THAT'S THEIR BUSINESS NOW AND IT DOESN'T NEED THAT.

THEY ARE UNION. IT'S JUST ARE THEY ARE THEY VERIFIED RIGHT.

SO I SAID UNION I DIDN'T MEAN YOU KNOW YOU'RE YOU'RE GOOD BUT I CAN I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S A LOT OF EYES ON THIS PROJECT, ESPECIALLY WITH DAVIS-BACON WAGES. THERE'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE DOWN THERE VERIFYING OF WHO'S GOING TO BE ON THAT JOB SITE.

SO JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. MY STAFF DOES DO THE DAVIS-BACON REVIEWS, AND WE HAVE WE HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC PROCESS THAT WE FOLLOW.

WE HAVE TO VERIFY THE WAGES. DUCEY WILL DO THAT FOR THIS PROJECT.

WE GO OUT AND WE DO THE MONITORING. FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND LIKE THAT WE ARE, WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE ON STAFF THAT WE DO DAVIS-BACON MONITORING ALL THE TIME.

SO JUST IF THERE'S SOME COMFORT THERE THAT IF WE WANT TO VET LANGUAGE BEFORE THAT BECOMES SOMETHING WITH THIS PARTICULAR ONE SO THAT WE MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT. I THINK THIS ONE HAS SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE BECAUSE IT IS A FEDERAL PROJECT.

THAT THE PROTECTIONS I THINK JILL IS WORRIED ABOUT ARE THEY COVERED BY WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION? ARE THEY GETTING PAID RIGHT? ARE THEY GETTING PAID ON A REGULAR BASIS? RIGHT. SO THAT'S THAT'S WHERE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND I HAVE FULL FAITH IN YOUR GUYS, THE STAFF ABOUT THE DAVIS-BACON.

IT'S I'VE SEEN THIS ON INTO YOUR POINT THE CONTRACTOR'S CALL OR THE CARPENTERS CALL.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE DOWN THERE.

AND I'M JUST THERE'S A LOT OF EYES ON THIS PROJECT.

SO I'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING FROM OUR SIDE TO MAKE SURE IT RUNS AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE DOWN THERE.

SO IT COMES OUT WITH THE BEST PRODUCT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING. MIMI GAVE ME SOME PROPOSED LANGUAGE THAT I'M, I'M LEANING TOWARDS PROPOSING TONIGHT TO ADD INTO THIS RFP.

SO I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ONE LAST THING. SORRY TO GO BACK TO THIS. IS THIS GOING TO BE NUMBER FOUR THE DISQUALIFICATION? ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THIS STANDARD PRACTICE MOVING FORWARD? AS I SAID, I CAN'T RECALL SEEING IT BEFORE. WE HAVE USED THIS LANGUAGE IN VARYING FORMS IN OUR RFP AND QS AND BS.

I THINK THAT LEGAL IS WORKING THROUGH SOME MAKING SURE THAT WE STANDARDIZE THAT LANGUAGE.

BUT YES, YOU WILL SEE VARIATIONS OF THIS AND EVERYTHING TYPICALLY.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN RELATION TO THIS AND OTHER RFPS IS THAT THE CITY FOR YEARS HAS USED A PROCESS THAT THEY'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT THAT WAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED MAYBE 30, 35 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE NEW STAFF. WE WANT THEM TO REVIEW AND APPROVE OUR PROCESS FOR 2025.

MAKES SENSE. THANK YOU. SO YOU'LL SEE IN THE.

SORRY I COULDN'T TELL PEOPLE WE'RE DONE IN THE IN THE REVISED ONE THAT SHOULD BE EMAILED OUT UNDER TIMELINE BUDGETARY COMPLIANCE AND UNIT COUNT. IT SAYS PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO DEVELOPERS THAT BUILDERS THAT CAN COMMIT TO AT LEAST 20 OR MORE UNITS.

WE STILL WANT SOMEBODY TO DO ALL 40. RIGHT? THAT'S STILL THE GOAL.

I GUESS I THOUGHT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STILL WANT ALL 40 BUILT BY ONE.

AND WE SHOULD SAY THE ORIGINAL WAS WRITTEN. BUT YEAH, IDEALLY, YES.

ROGER, WE'LL HAVE ONE BUILDER, BUT AGAIN, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE'LL GET.

WE WANT IT, WE'LL SAY THAT IF SOMEBODY IS WILLING, WE'LL GIVE PREFERENCE TO SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO DO AT LEAST 20.

FROM ON OUR GRADING SCALE, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO DO 40, YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SCORE MORE.

AND OF THE EIGHT THAT APPLIED LAST TIME, ONLY ONE SAID THEY DO 20, CORRECT? YEAH. ONE PERSON SAID THEY COULDN'T DO 40 RIGHT.

YEAH. YEAH THAT'S CORRECT. I TALKED WITH MIMI THIS AFTERNOON A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S I UNDERSTAND THE NOT TALKING TO THE DEVELOPERS.

IT'S A STRUGGLE WHEN THEY COME TO THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS SOMETHING WE'RE VOTING ON AND TO NOT

[00:35:01]

YOU KNOW, BASICALLY TELL THEM WE CAN'T TALK TO THEM.

WHEN WE'RE THE ONES MAKING THE DECISION, THEY'RE TRYING TO TALK WITH US. IT'S A HARD THING TO EVALUATE.

AND AS I SAID, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION AS A COUNCIL AS A WHOLE.

AND MY RESPONSE TO ROGER IS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS THAT IS A CONCERN.

CITIZENS HAVE A RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT FACTORS AFFECTED THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

SO IF A DEVELOPER IS TALKING TO AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OUTSIDE OF THE PUBLIC FORUM THAT COULD AFFECT THAT COUNCIL PERSON, AND THE REST OF THE PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW HOW THAT AFFECTED THAT COUNCIL PERSON.

SO THAT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ENSURE PROPRIETY ON.

AND IT DOESN'T PRECLUDE YOU FROM TALKING TO COURTNEY.

IF IF SOMEBODY ASKS YOU A QUESTION, YOU COULD ASK COURTNEY THE QUESTION.

BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND HAVING THEM COME TO STUDY SESSION.

RIGHT. IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION, LET THEM COME ASK THE QUESTION.

TONY, OUR RULES AND THE STUDY SESSION IS ONLY IF WE CALL ON THEM THOUGH.

SO TRUE. ROGER. IT'S TONY. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THESE TYPES OF PROVISIONS GENERALLY ARE ACTUALLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF CITY COUNCIL AND PEOPLE WHO ARE KIND OF PUT IN THOSE AWKWARD POSITIONS FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO FALL BACK AND NOT HAVE TO REALLY GET INTO IT OR EXPLAIN AND JUST SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, LIKE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT.

I CAN'T DISCUSS SPECIFICS WITH YOU. WHICH KIND OF GETS BACK TO MR. PETERSON'S EARLIER QUESTION DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEONE FROM THE PUBLIC CALLED YOU WITH A CONCERN, YOU CAN ALWAYS RECEIVE THE CONCERN. DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO COMMUNICATE INFORMATION BACK, BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY RECEIVE A CONCERN AND THEN INTERNALLY KIND OF NAVIGATE HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

BUT THESE TYPES OF PROVISIONS ARE I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY PROJECT WE AWARD STAYS VALID AND ISN'T, YOU KNOW, INVALIDATED FOR ANY REASON. BUT IT'S ALSO HAS THE SECONDARY EFFECT OF REALLY PROTECTING THE CITY COUNCIL FROM GETTING PUT IN A POSITION WHERE THEY MAY BE VIOLATING, YOU KNOW, EITHER OPEN MEETING OR OPEN RECORD LAWS OR PERMITTING, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR UNDUE INFLUENCE.

IT'S MEANT TO BE PROTECTIVE SO THAT YOU CAN TELL, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WHO HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THE PROJECT.

YOU KNOW, I UNFORTUNATELY CAN'T SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT THIS AND YOU KNOW YOU CAN DIRECT THEM TO IF THEY HAVE CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS THAT THERE'S, YOU KNOW, THE RFP GUIDES THAT PROCESS AND REDIRECT THEM EITHER TO THE RFP OR TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

YEAH. I'M I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE AT. I GUESS IN MY IN MY, I PUT IN MY BRAIN LIKE I'M AS A CITIZEN.

RIGHT. AND I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION OF MY ELECTED OFFICIAL.

EACH BUILDER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL ME IF THEY WANT, OR CALL ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OR THE MAYOR OR COURTNEY, LIKE, IT'S NOT PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. IT'S.

AND I'M NOTM, I'LL AGREE TO THE LANGUAGE. YOU KNOW I'M JUST SAYING ANYBODY CAN CALL WITH ANY QUESTION.

IT'S NOT LIKE I AM ONLY OPEN TO ONE PERSON CALLING OR ONE CITIZEN CALLING.

ALL CITIZENS CAN CALL AND ASK THE SAME QUESTION IF THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY RIGHT \TO ALL FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THAT'S WHERE I, THAT'S WHERE I STRUGGLE AS A IF I WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE AND NOT SITTING IN THE CHAIR AND THE.

SORRY, TONY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE KIND OF EXAMPLE THAT MY WELL, OUR ATTORNEYS WERE DISCUSSING TODAY IS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU THINK MAYBE ABOUT A TRIAL AND A JURY AND A JURY MAKING A DECISION, YOU WANT THEM TO FOCUS ON THE INFORMATION THAT'S PRESENTED AT A TRIAL AND NOT ON INFORMATION THAT THEY'VE RECEIVED OUTSIDE OF THE TRIAL.

FOR MAYBE A PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY. AND IT'S KIND OF A HELPFUL ANALOGY BECAUSE IF IF SOMEBODY IS SPEAKING TO YOU.

ROGER. YES. THE OTHER DEVELOPERS COULD CONTACT YOU AS WELL, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW TO NECESSARILY IF THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THAT CONVERSATION IS HAPPENING.

SO WE WANT THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO HAPPEN HERE WITH FULL TRANSPARENCY, SO THAT THE OTHER DEVELOPERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND AND HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME WITH YOU.

[00:40:05]

AND SO WE WANT ALL OF THAT DISCUSSION TO BE OPEN, TRANSPARENT AND PUBLIC.

AND SO IF THEY'RE HAVING A PRIVATE CONVERSATION WITH A DECISION MAKER, THEY DO LOSE SOME OF THEIR ABILITY TO TRY TO INFLUENCE OR ASK QUESTIONS OR PROVIDE INFORMATION BECAUSE IT CAN BE SEEN AS IMPROPER.

WHEN THEY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE OUTCOME.

AND THAT'S AGAIN WHERE WE'RE GETTING BACK TO TRYING TO PROTECT YOU, TO BE ABLE TO TELL SOMEONE, YOU KNOW, HEY, I CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT ALL THESE OTHER THINGS WHERE YOUR COMPANY OR YOU ARE NOT THE YOU KNOW STANDING TO POSSIBLY BENEFIT FROM MY VOTE.

BUT ON ANYTHING WHERE SOMEBODY IS STANDING TO GAIN SOMETHING FROM A SPECIFIC VOTE THAT YOU MAY GIVE ON A ON ANY CITY PROJECT OR CITY CONTRACT, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AT THAT LINE OF LETTING THEM KNOW, HEY, YOU KNOW, THIS HAS TO BE DONE OPENLY AND TRANSPARENT AND TRANSPARENT WITH ALL OF THE COUNCIL, OR HANDLED IN A WAY LIKE THROUGH ION WAVE WHERE EVERYBODY'S GETTING THE SAME ACCESS AND THE SAME ANSWERS.

YOU KNOW, BECAUSE LIKE ON ION WAVE, IF ONE DEVELOPER ASKS A QUESTION, THAT QUESTION IS PUBLIC TO EVERYBODY.

AND THE CITY'S RESPONSE IS PUBLIC BACK TO EVERYBODY WHO IS APPLYING.

AND SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENTIATION, BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT AT ALL INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS BECOMES AWARE OF SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT, THEY CAN CALL AND COMMUNICATE THAT TO YOU. AND I THINK THAT'S PRUDENT, YOU KNOW, FOR YOU TO RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY BE CONCERNING THAT MAYBE NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO ALL OF THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION. BUT AGAIN, THAT CONVERSATION SHOULD BE DONE IN PUBLIC AND TRANSPARENTLY PURSUANT TO OPEN MEETING AND OPEN RECORD LAWS. I UNDERSTAND LIKE IT'S JUST I THINK ABOUT IT FROM THE PUBLIC. IF ONE DEVELOPER CALLS COURTNEY AND COURTNEY TALKS TO THEM AND GIVES THEM INFORMATION, THE REST OF THEM DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION EITHER.

THAT'S AN UNDER COMPLY. AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE AT.

I'M JUST IN. ROGER, TO YOUR POINT. THAT'S THAT'S HOW I SEE THIS DISQUALIFICATION ISN'T JUST TOWARDS CITY COUNCIL.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S TOWARD THE CITY. SO COURTNEY HAS VERY ESTABLISHED WAYS UNDER THIS NEW LANGUAGE AND THIS NEW RFP THAT SHE CAN RECEIVE QUESTIONS WHEN SHE CAN RECEIVE QUESTIONS, AND HOW SHE CAN COMMUNICATE TO ALL THE PARTIES SO THAT WE AREN'T DOING PIECEMEAL.

AND THAT'S YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS JUST A CONSEQUENCE.

LIKE THE MAYOR WAS SAYING, YOU KNOW, NOBODY HAS LOOKED AT THIS AS THINGS HAVE EVOLVED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.

AND WE'RE JUST USING TEMPLATES, YOU KNOW, THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHO NECESSARILY CREATED THEM.

AND SO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THESE ISSUES, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO COME WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB WITH THE MOST CURRENT LEGISLATURE, THE MOST CURRENT LAWS, THE MOST CURRENT POLICIES, THE MOST CURRENT BEST PRACTICES, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROTECTING WHAT THE CITY DOES. I MEAN, WHEN YOU GUYS VOTE ON SOMETHING, WE WANT THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS DONE IN A WAY THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE INVALIDATED OR SOMEBODY CAN'T GET AN INJUNCTION AGAINST IT TO STOP IT BECAUSE THEY SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING IMPROPER DONE.

UNDERSTOOD. COMPLETELY. I'M JUST GOING TO ADD ONE MORE THING.

THIS IS DANIELLE BEMIS. SO AT ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE BID PROCESS OR THE RFP, Q, B YOU CAN ISSUE AN ADDENDUM THROUGH THERE. SO IF COURTNEY IS BEING CONTACTED AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED OR SOMETHING WITHIN THAT, WE CAN ISSUE AN ADDENDUM THROUGH THERE, WHICH IS THEN RELAYED TO EVERYBODY WHO HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THAT.

THESE ARE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR A REASON. SO IT'S ALSO A PROTECTION FOR THE CONTRACTORS AND THE COMPANIES THAT ARE ISSUING A PROPOSAL TO US.

SO IT'S SEALED UNTIL IT IS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE. SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD THOSE COUPLE OF THINGS AS WELL.

ROGER, I KNOW IT'S NEW LANGUAGE FOR US. THIS IS JILL.

BUT I MEAN, THIS IS PRETTY COMMON IN CORPORATE AMERICA WHEN WE DO RFPS.

I MEAN, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE BIDDING THE WAY HOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S A GOOD WAY IT GETS US OUT OF THAT MESS.

AND IT'S AN EASY WAY TO JUST SAY WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT.

OTHER FOLLOW UPS. ROGER. ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL? OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE RESOLUTIONS OR APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS AND CANCELLATIONS?

[00:45:06]

MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SECOND.

ALLEGIANCE] I PLEDGE

[1) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

LIGHT SHOW. CALL THE COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER.

[2) CALL TO ORDER]

BUT WE'LL GET STARTED. HE IS GOING TO ATTEND ONLINE.

I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[3) CONSENT AGENDA]

OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. TONIGHT WE HAVE FIVE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO ANY OF THOSE PUBLIC HEARINGS, PLEASE STEP FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE. GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

NOW IT'S TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARDS TO RESOLUTIONS 25-209.

[4.A) Resolution 25-209 Resolution approving the plans and specifications in connection with the 2600 Block Alley between West Broadway and Avenue A Sanitary Sewer Reconstruction.  Project # PW25-26]

ANY WRITTEN PROTEST RECEIVED. NONE RECEIVED. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER.

IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL? MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN. NOW IT'S TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARDS TO RESOLUTION 25-210,

[4.B) Resolution 25-210 Resolution approving the plans and specifications in connection with the I-80 Pump Station Emergency Generator.  Project # PW25-15    ]

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT 25-15 PROOF PUBLICATION ON FILE.

YES IT IS. ANY WRITTEN PROTEST RECEIVED. NONE RECEIVED. ANYBODY WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER? SEEING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL? MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED SAME SIGN. NOW IT'S TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARDS TO RESOLUTIONS 25-211 A AND 25-211 B,

[4.C) Resolutions 25-211A and 25-211B Resolution 25-211A, receipt of bids and directing the sale of $5,640,000 (Subject to Adjustment per Terms of Offering) General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025A   Resolution 25-211B, receipt of bids directing the sale of $2,210,000 (Subject to Adjustment per Terms of Offering) General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025B]

SERIES 25 A IS APPROVED PUBLICATION ON FILE. YES IT IS.

ANY WRITTEN PROTEST RECEIVED. NONE RECEIVED. ANYBODY WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER.

IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL? MOTION TO APPROVE WHILE WE AMEND IT? THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE BID AND DIRECTING THE SALE OF $5,640,000 IN THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FOR THE SERIES 2025 A TO ROBERT W BAIRD AND OH, THAT'S IT. I THINK THAT SECOND.

HOLD ON JUST A SECOND, BECAUSE I THINK SO. THE AMOUNT IS SUPPOSED TO SAY THE SAME ON THE HEADING IS IT.

YEAH. AND THEN IT DESCRIBES IN IT. WE GOT VERIFICATION FROM [INAUDIBLE] THIS AFTERNOON.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT. SECOND CONCURS I MADE THE AMENDMENTS AS HE PROPOSED IN TODAY.

BUT IF THAT'S HOW THEY WANT TO DO IT, WE'LL DO THAT.

THAT WAS ANY DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. ROGER'S ON NOW. TWO.

ALL RIGHT. NOW IT'S TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON RESOLUTION 25-211 B RECEIPT OF BIDS, DIRECTING THE SALE OF 2,210,000 TO PIPER SANDLER SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT PER TERMS OF THE OFFERING GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SERIES 2025 B. APPROVED PUBLICATION ON FILE.

YES, IT IS WRITTEN. PROTESTS RECEIVED. NONE RECEIVED.

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER.

IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL MOTION TO APPROVE AND AMEND THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RECEIPT OF THE BID AND DIRECTING THE SALE OF $2,210,000 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SERIES 2025 BE TO PIPER, SANDLER AND COMPANY.

SECOND. SECOND. CONCURS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

[00:50:04]

[4.D) Resolution 25-212 Resolution granting final plat approval of a 100-lot residential subdivision to be known as East Manawa Subdivision, legally described as all of the SE ¼ NE ¼ of Section 13-74-44, except the southerly 20 feet thereof, and a portion of the NW ¼ of Section 18-74-43.  Location: Undeveloped land located west of East Manawa Drive and east of Mohawk Street. SUB-25-006]

IS PROOF OF PUBLICATION ON FILE. YES IT IS. ANY WRITTEN PROTESTS RECEIVED? NONE RECEIVED. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER? IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL? MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. NOW IT'S TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARDS TO RESOLUTION 25-213,

[4.E) Resolution 25-213 Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a development agreement by and between the City of Council Bluffs and OER LLC.]

ANY WRITTEN PROTEST RECEIVED. NONE RECEIVED. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER.

IS THERE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL? MOTION TO APPROVE.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED SAME SIGN. MADAM CLERK. RESOLUTION 25-214 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE FISCAL YEAR 25 WATER,

[5.A) Resolution 25-214 Resolution certifying the FY2025 water, sewer, and refuse collection lien schedule for nonpayment to the County Treasurer to be assessed against the owner's property.]

MOTION TO APPROVE. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN. RESOLUTION 25-215 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUSPENSION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION PRACTICES FOR

[5.B) Resolution 25-215 Resolution authorizing the suspension of civil service commission practices for hiring Utility Worker II positions    ]

SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN. AYE. RESOLUTION 25-216 RESOLUTION

[5.C) Resolution 25-216 Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract in the amount of $247,900.00 for the Trolley Park Playground Improvements, Project #R26-06 with Dostals Construction Co. Inc.]

MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE AYE.

OPPOSED SAME SIGN. RESOLUTION 25-217 A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT A PR ONE PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

[5.D) Resolution 25-217 Resolution to adopt a PR-1/Planned Residential Development Plan for a multifamily residential development (West End Roost) on property legally described as Block 12, Bryant and Clark’s Subdivision, along with the vacated alley adjoining.  Location: Undeveloped land lying south of 1st Avenue, between South 28th and South 29th Streets. PR-25-005]

BRYANT AND CLARK SUBDIVISION, ALONG WITH THE VACATED ALLEY ADJOINING.

MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. RESOLUTION 25-180 TO RECONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING SETBACK HOMES AS THE SELECTED BUILDER

[5.E) Resolution 25-180 (Reconsider) Resolution approving Sudbeck Homes as the selected builder for the East Manawa Phase I Housing Project.]

MOTION TO DENY. SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE, AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. RESOLUTION 25-218 A RESOLUTION REJECTING ALL SUBMISSIONS FOR THE EAST MANOA PHASE ONE HOUSING

[5.F) Resolution 25-218 Resolution rejecting all submissions for the East Manawa Phase I Housing Project request for proposals.]

SECOND. IS THERE A DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE OPPOSE? SAME SIGN. RESOLUTION 25 219 THE RESOLUTION APPROVING MINIMUM DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS

[5.G) Resolution 25-219 Resolution approving minimum development requirements, competitive criteria, and procedures for disposition of certain city-owned property along East Manawa Drive; and soliciting proposals in accordance with the request for proposals and setting a public hearing for October 6, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. to accept proposals.]

[00:55:08]

ADDING A BACKGROUND SCREENING LANGUAGE WAS PROVIDED BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY, MIMI.

SELECTED CONTRACTORS MUST UTILIZE ONE SOURCE OR AN EQUIVALENT EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND SCREENING SERVICE TO CONDUCT BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL WORKERS ON THIS PROJECT.

CONTRACTORS SHALL PROVIDE VERIFICATION OF SCREENING AND COMPLIANCE PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WORK.

CONTRACTOR IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING ALL WORKERS ASSIGNED TO THIS PROJECT MEET ACCEPTABLE BACKGROUND SCREENING STANDARDS.

CONTRACTORS SHALL ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT SCREENING CRITERIA APPROPRIATE TO THE NATURE OF THE WORK, AND SHALL NOT ASSIGN ANY WORKER TO THE PROJECT WHO POSE A RISK TO PUBLIC SAFETY, SECURITY OR THE INTEGRITY OF THE WORK.

IS THERE A SECOND? IS THERE A SECOND? MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF A SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE ORIGINAL. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT ORIGINAL MOTION? THOUGHTS? JILL? STILL. NO, I MEAN, THE AMENDMENT WAS GOING TO, I THINK, BE VERY HELPFUL TO THE CITY, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE DOWN THERE WORKING ON OUR PROJECT ARE SAFE ON THEIR SIDE AS WELL AS THE EMPLOYERS PAYING THEM CORRECTLY. THAT THEY HAD WORKERS COMP INSURANCE.

THE CORRECT RATES ARE BEING PAID OUT ON THE FLIP SIDE.

THEN IT WOULD COVER US. SO WE'RE NOT DOWN THERE.

IT'S A FEDERAL FUNDING PROJECT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE COUNCIL HASN'T MOVED ON THIS, BUT WE'LL HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS GOING FORWARD. ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AND WE ARE VOTING ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION, WHICH IS RESOLUTION 25 TO 19.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. APPLICATIONS AND PERMITS.

[6) APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS AND CANCELLATIONS]

MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH YOU WANT?

[7) OTHER BUSINESS]

YEP. GENERALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM BEING HEARD.

I THOUGHT I WAS. CAN I SET THE STAGE FOR YOU A LITTLE BUTCH AND THEN.

YEAH, PLEASE. SO AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS RECEIVED THE WESTERN HISTORIC TRAILS LAND WHICH INCLUDED SOME LAND ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE LEVEE, AND I KNOW JOS WAS INVOLVED EARLY ON.

AT ONE TIME WE HAD HOVEY PARK DOWN THERE, WHICH IS FOUR WHEELERS.

THEN THE FLOOD OF 2011 HIT. WE REALLY NEVER GOT IT REOPENED.

THERE IS STATE MONEY AVAILABLE TO PUT IN AN HOV PARK, WHICH WE DON'T HAVE ANY CLOSE TO HERE.

EXCUSE ME. I'LL MEET IN THE MEN'S. AND THEY THEY WANTED THE CITY TO MANAGE IT.

NOT. NOT THE HOV PEOPLE, BUT THE DNR. AND WE REALLY DON'T DO A LOT OF LAND MANAGEMENT, BUT THE COUNTY DOES WITH THEIR SKI HILLS AND STUFF, AND THE COUNTY WANTS TO STEP FORWARD AND DO IT, WHICH IS HEADING UP A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING WITH THE DNR AND, AND IT IS A RECREATIONAL USE QUALIFIES UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANKS.

I'VE BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF TIMES, MAYBE A YEAR AGO, IF YOU GUYS WILL REMEMBER.

MISS SHUDAK IF YOU NEED A BRIEFING, I'M AVAILABLE ANY TIME.

I THINK YOU ALL GOT A BRIEF THROUGH MISS QUAKENBUSH ON FRIDAY.

I HOPE THAT WAS HELPFUL. THAT'S THE MAP THAT WAS IN YOUR PACKET.

SO WE JUST WANT TO CHECK IN WITH YOU GUYS. WE'VE BEEN SPENDING THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, ALMOST THREE YEARS NOW, TRYING TO GAIN MOMENTUM AND GET ENOUGH PARTNERS TOGETHER THAT THE STATE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH US.

THE ORIGINAL PARK IS THE GOLD ON THE RIVER BETWEEN THE LEVEE AND THE RIVER.

[01:00:03]

WE REFORMED RIVER VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS. I'M HERE REPRESENTING THEM.

WE HAVE PETCO CONSERVATION AS A PARTNER. THE CITY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH US.

MEETING THE STATE IS PROVIDES THE LAND AND OHV STICKER FUND THAT WILL FUND ANY ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH REOPENING OR MANAGING THE PARK. IOWA OHV ASSOCIATION, WHO ADVOCATES FOR ALL OF THE EIGHT OHV PARKS IN IOWA, IS A PARTNER. WE'RE ALL GOING THE SAME DIRECTION NOW AND TALKING ABOUT REOPENING RATHER THAN THE TWO YEARS OF WHEEL SPINNING THAT WENT AHEAD.

SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU GUYS A CHANCE TO ASK ANY QUESTION.

THIS IS OUR PROPOSAL. IT COMES IN THREE PHASES.

THE GOLD PHASE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE LEVEE WOULD EXTEND INTO THAT FORMER HERITAGE TRAIL AREA PAST THE POND. THERE'S A 40 ACRE BEAN FIELD THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO PUT THE PARKING LOT IN A BEGINNER AREA.

THE FORMER OHV PARK OPERATED TO THE SOUTH OUT OF A PARKING AREA DOWN THERE ON HIGHWAY 275.

THAT'S BEEN CONSUMED BY THE LEVY PROJECT AND ISN'T REALLY USABLE ANYMORE.

AND SINCE 19, THE SIDE BY SIDES HAVE REALLY TAKEN OFF.

AND SO THEY USE LARGER VEHICLES, LONGER TRAILERS.

AND SO THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE WORKED ANYMORE.

AS IT IS, THE THREE CIRCLES ON THE LEVY ARE LEVY CROSSINGS, THE LOWEST ONE NEXT TO THE PARKING IS AN EXISTING LEVY CROSSING THE ONE UP BY THE WESTERN HISTORIC. THE MIDDLE ONE IS THE WESTERN HISTORIC TRAIL CENTER, WHICH WE NEED TO START CALLING IT SOMETHING ELSE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT THAT ANYMORE. IS A PAVED CROSSING THAT'S USED BY BICYCLES.

THE NORTH ONE DOESN'T CURRENTLY EXIST, BUT ONE OF THE CONFLICTS WE WOULD REPRESENT IN PHASE TWO, WHICH IS THE TEAL COLOR, THAT'S THE 89 ACRES TO THE NORTH, WHICH IS THE CITY'S NEW LAND.

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC COME UNDER I-80 AND GO OVER THE MIDDLE LEVEL CROSSING, HEADING SOMEWHERE EAST, AND TO HAVE OHV TRAFFIC AND BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE SEGREGATED.

SO I'M IN A MEETING WITH WITH ONE OF YOUR STAFF SAID THAT IT HAD LONG BEEN A PLAN TO REROUTE THAT BIKE TRAIL UP ALONG THE FREEWAY FENCE AND GO TO THE NORTH OF THE WHOLE UNIT. SO THERE ARE THREE POTENTIAL PHASES.

THE FIRST IS REOPENING THE OLD PARK WITH A LITTLE BIT OF EXPANSION.

THE SECOND PHASE IS TEAL. THAT WOULD BE A KIDS TRACK, A MOTOR TRACK AND A SKILLS AREA.

AND THEN THE THIRD PHASE, WHICH IS SO FAR DOWN THE ROAD.

WE'RE NOT REALLY EVEN PLANNING FOR THAT. BUT THAT COULD BE THE PURPLE AREA, WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE CAMPING, A CAMPGROUND BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE. I'M SORRY.

CITY AND STATE ARE LANDOWNERS. RIVER VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS ARE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND ADVOCATES.

POT CO WOULD MANAGE THE SITE AND IOWA OHV ASSOCIATION WOULD ADVOCATE FOR US.

SO AS IT SITS CURRENTLY, IF YOU RIDE YOUR BIKE DOWN THERE, THERE'S A LITTLE CHUTE, YOU CAN ALMOST SEE IT WHERE YOU CAN KICK OUT ONTO THE RIVER.

AND THERE'S A PLATFORM THERE WITH A PLAQUE AND SOME STUFF LIKE THAT.

WOULD THAT BE RETAINED? THAT'S UP TO YOU. OH, RIGHT THERE.

I THINK IT'S PREEXISTING. I THINK IT GOT WASHED OUT.

OKAY. WE CAN GO LOOK AT IT. IT WAS THERE WHEN I RODE MY BIKE THERE A WHILE AGO.

ANYTIME WE PUT FOOT TRAFFIC IN SOMEWHERE WHERE MOTORIZED TRAFFIC IS, AND WE HAVE TO MANAGE THAT.

SO. SURE. I JUST KNOW THAT LIKE A LOT OF GUYS THAT I WOULD SEE RIDER, I USED TO RIDE BIKES A LOT.

PRETTY KIDS, WE WOULD ALWAYS PULL OFF THERE BECAUSE THERE WAS A IT WAS A NICE FLAT SPOT AND STUFF.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME, THERE'S A LITTLE AND IT WAS EVEN THAT WHERE WHOEVER'S MANAGING IT FOR A WHILE HAD EVEN CUT IT AND CLEARED IT OUT, AND YOU WOULD JUST AT THE TIP OF THAT TRAIL, GO STRAIGHT ACROSS.

YEAH. IT'S NOT IT'S NOT MANAGED TODAY. SO EVERYTHING WOULD BE PAID FOR.

THERE WOULD BE NO FINANCIAL OBLIGATION BY THE CITY.

THE OHV FUND WOULD PAY FOR A MANAGER TO BE ON SITE.

IT WOULD PAY FOR TRAIL INSTALLATION AND REPAIRS.

IT WOULD PAY FOR FENCING. WE PLAN TO FENCE THE ENTIRE AREA AND FENCE THE PARKING AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ESCAPE THE SITE AND GO PLACES THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO GO. FIGURE OUT THE WAY UP OVER THE LEVEE.

THAT AND HARD SURFACE IT SO THAT WE DON'T SEGREGATE THE, THE.

[01:05:05]

I KNOW THERE'S A HOUSING AREA NEARBY, AND WE'RE BEING REALLY CONSCIOUS OF ANY KIND OF SOUND INTRUSION OVER THERE.

SO IT'S A HEALTHY OUTDOOR ACTIVITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHWEST IOWA.

THERE ARE THERE ARE EIGHT OHV PARKS, INCLUDING THIS ONE, AND THEY'RE ALL WEST OF DES MOINES OR NORTH.

THERE'S NOTHING REALLY ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STATE AND NOTHING IN THE IN THE SOUTHEAST.

WE HAVE TRIED TO GO IN THE PLANNING PHASE AS FAR AS WE CAN GO, BUT WE'RE NOT THE DECISION MAKERS ON THIS.

YOU GUYS HAVE TO AUTHORIZE THIS THROUGH A RESOLUTION, AS DOES POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, TO BE THE MANAGER.

THE STATE IS LOOKING FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE BODY LIKE YOU OR THEY TO BE INVOLVED.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO A CLUB ANYMORE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP YOU AS INFORMED AS POSSIBLE.

LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING, THAT WE WON'T GET AHEAD OF OUR SKIS OR AHEAD OF YOU.

SO THIS IS THE PLAN AS IT AS IT SITS TODAY. WE GO TO POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS NEXT TUESDAY, I BELIEVE. WE'RE MEETING REGULARLY WITH ALL THE THE FIVE PARTNERS.

SO EVERYBODY'S ON BOARD. WE DO NEED TO GO TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR BOTH THE 404 AND A 408 PERMIT.

THAT'S THE WETLAND PERMIT. AND THEN THE WORKS OF THE THE RIVERS AND HARBORS ACT AMENDMENT ON THE WORKS, WHICH WOULD BE THE THE LEVEE AND THEN ANY OF THE WORKS THAT CHANNELIZED THE RIVER.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OUT THERE. AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO BE SENSITIVE TO THAT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH OF A PROPOSAL TO GO TO THEM FOR A PRE CONSULTATION STATION MEETINGS SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING SO THAT THEY CAN SURE SAY EITHER THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING APPROPRIATE OR IT DOESN'T.

IF WE WERE JUST REOPENING THE OLD PARK AS IT WAS, WE WOULDN'T NEED A NEW PERMIT BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED AND IS ONLY TEMPORARILY CLOSED. BUT BECAUSE OF THE EXPANSION, BECAUSE OF THE MOVEMENT TO THE DRY SIDE OF THE LEVEE WITH PARKING AND BECAUSE ENOUGH TIME HAS PASSED, WE REALLY NEED TO CIRCLE BACK WITH THEM AND GET A FRESH PERMIT.

ANY QUESTIONS? I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE YOU UP ON YOUR OFFER AND SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

I'D LOVE TO. CAN YOU SHARE MY EMAIL? YEP, I HAVE IT.

OH, YOU HAVE IT. OKAY. SO I'LL REACH OUT TO YOU AND GET SOME TIME SET UP AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.

AND IF ANYBODY ELSE IS INTERESTED. I THINK I'VE SAID EVERYTHING WE'RE THINKING.

AND IF WHAT SOUNDS KNOWLEDGEABLE. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

IS THAT RIGHT? WHAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND? I RETIRED IN DECEMBER.

I WAS A BIOLOGIST FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR 32 YEARS, AND I WORKED AT THE REGIONAL OFFICE UP HERE.

I WAS THE REGIONAL CHIEF OF SCIENCE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

SO KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANKS FOR YOUR DATE. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? ANYONE FROM THE COUNCIL? YEP. JUST EVERYBODY WATCHING AT HOME.

KIDS WENT BACK TO SCHOOL, SO GET OFF YOUR PHONES.

PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING AROUND AND SLOW DOWN THE SCHOOL ZONES, PLEASE. IT'S GOING TO BE A HECTIC TRAFFIC TIME ALL OVER THE COMMUNITY.

ANYBODY ELSE? IF NOT, HAVE A GREAT WEEK. ENJOY THE WEATHER.

WE ARE ADJOURNED. HI, ROGER.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.