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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-02/18/2008• • February 18, 2008 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Regular Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, February 18, 2008. Mayor Timothy J. Hurley in the Chair. Roll Call: Cole, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Moment of Silence. Pledge of Allegiance: Councilperson Carolyn Cole. 126627 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as amended, for the Regular Session on Monday, February 18, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. 126628 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, February 11, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA 126629 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper that the following items on the consent agenda be received, placed on file and approved: a. Resolutions to approve the following: 1. Resolution approving Schedule AP640, pp. 1-80, dated February 18, 2008, in the amount of $2,230,849.80, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office, together with recommendation of approval of the Finance Committee. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-119. 2. Communication from Police Chief transmitting request of Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside to hold Pony Express Ride on March 21, 2008, with riders leaving Evansdale at approximately 3:00 p.m. along Lafayette Road from the city limits to 6th Street near the Black Hawk County Courthouse, then right one block to Mulberry Street, then left to the front of City Hall. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-120. b. Motion to approve the following: 1. Tim Pillack, Police Captain; Carroll Kienol, Police Lieutenant; Brad Walter and Joe Zubak, Police Officers; to attend Iowa Governor's Highway Traffic Safety Conference in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 25-27, 2008, with costs not to exceed $430.00, including use of city vehicle. 2. A.W. Farmer, Police Officer, to attend K-9 Narcotics Detection Seminar in Caledonia, Minnesota on February 27-29, 2008, with costs not to exceed $439.00, including use of city vehicle. 3. Bob Stringer, Human Resources Director, to attend NPELRA 2008 Annual Training Conference in Clearwater, Florida on April 12-17, 2008, with costs not to exceed $2,688.00. 4. Cammie Scully, Director of Cultural & Arts Commission, to attend Cultural Advocacy Day in Des Moines, Iowa on February 18-19, 2008, with costs not to exceed $130.00. 5. David Meeks, Executive Director; Robin Means, Fair Housing Coordinator; Jerome Amos and Rhonda McRina, Commissioners; to attend HUD National Fair Housing Conference 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia on April 7-12, 2008, with costs not to exceed $7,057.96. 6. Keith Smith, Police Sergeant; and Rob Duncan, Police Officer; to attend Video Enhancement Seminar in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 24-27, 2008, with costs not to exceed $2,116.00, including use of city vehicle. February 18, 2008 Consent Agenda continued 7. Luke Even, Forestry Foreman; and Todd Derifield, City Forester; to attend 52nd Annual Iowa State University Shade Tree Short Course in Ames, Iowa on March 11-12, 2008, with costs not to exceed $494.00, including use of city vehicle. Page 2 c. Beer License Permit Application Class C Jim Lind Standard Services, 230 E. Ridgeway Avenue (Renewal) (Expires 4/6/09) (Includes Sunday Sales) d. Beer/Liquor License Permit Application Class C Cafe Bar Piramida, 712 Jefferson Street (Renewal) (Expires 2/18/09) (Includes Sunday Sales) Red Carpet, 1409 Newell Street (Renewal) (Expires 4/4/09) (Includes Sunday Sales) e. Outdoor Service Area Application Red Carpet, 1409 Newell Street f. Cigarette/Tobacco Permit Application Ramada Hotel Convention Center, 200 West 4th Street Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. HEARINGS & BIDS 126630 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on Purchase of Traffic Mast and Poles, West 9th Street and Ridgeway Avenue, as published in the Waterloo Courier on February 1, 2008, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. 126631 - This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none. Laurence Wheeler, 433 Bratnober, stated it seems to him that the city has been spending a lot of money, and he asked if any of this traffic signal project is going to receive any federal of state DOT funds. If no federal or state DOT funds are being used, he would oppose the project because if the signal is not malfunctioning and the state doesn't require it to be replaced he feels the city should use the signal until its deemed unusable. Mayor Hurley stated that this expenditure would come from bond money. Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, reported this project is being funded with bond money and is being done in conjunction with the Ridgeway reconstruction project. These traffic signals are very, very old, and they do need replacing. The city does receive grants from the DOT and federal funding for a lot of our traffic signals replacement. The city felt that since the Ridgeway and 9th Street intersection is going to be torn up, it would be a good time to work with the contractors. Welper/Reggie Schmitt that the hearing be closed and oral comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. 126632 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt that "Resolution confirming approval etc. in conjunction with Purchase of Ridgeway Avenue", be adopted. Ayes: Resolution adopted and upon approval of plans, specifications, form of contract, Traffic Mast and Poles, West 9th Street and Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. by Mayor assigned No. 2008-121. 126633 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt that "Resolution authorizing to proceed in conjunction with adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. above purchase", be Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-122. • • February 18, 2008 Hearings & Bids continued Page 3 126634 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt to receive, file and instruct City Clerk to open and read bids and refer to Superintendent of Traffic Operations for review: Bidder Bid Bond Bid Amount Electrical, Engineering & Equipment, Waterloo, IA 5% $19,494.32 Crescent Electric, Waterloo, IA None $18,446.24 Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 126635 - Steve Schmitt/Welper that communication from Associate Engineer transmitting recommendation of award of contract in the amount of $2,496,259.52 to Aspro, Inc. and Its Subsidiary of Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with F.Y. 2008 Asphalt Overlay Program, Contract No. 737, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving award of said contract", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-123. 126636 - Steve Schmitt/Welper that communication from Director of Cultural and Arts Commission transmitting recommendation of award of contract in the amount of $82,970.00 to Signs By Designs of Cedar Falls, Iowa in conjunction with Purchase of Digital Sign for Waterloo Center For The Arts, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving award of said contract", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-124. PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC 126637 - Reggie Schmitt/Hart that communication from City Planner transmitting request of Deer Creek Development to rezone from "M -2,P" Planned Industrial District to "B -P" Business Park approximately 119 acres of land generally located west of 2015 West Ridgeway Avenue and north of 3250 Greyhound Drive for the purpose of establishing a business park development, together with recommendation of approval of Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission, be received, placed on file and "Resolution setting date of hearing as March 3, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on the above described request", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-125. REPORTS 126638 - Hart/Cole that communication from Human Resources Director transmitting revised Policy for Payment of Prescription Safety Glasses, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said policy", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-126. February 18, 2008 DOCUMENTS Page 4 126639 - Hart/Cole that communication from Associate Engineer transmitting Contracts, Bonds and Certificates of Insurance in the amount of $2,496,259.52 with Aspro, Inc. and Its Subsidiary of Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with F.Y. 2008 Asphalt Overlay Program, Contract No. 737, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said documents", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-127. 126640 - Hart/Cole that communication from Senior Planner transmitting Preliminary Plat of Tower Park No. 4, together with staff report, aerial photo and report of the City Engineer, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said preliminary plat", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-128. 126641 - Hart/Cole that communication from Associate Engineer transmitting Notice of Discontinuation of Storm Water Discharge covered under Iowa NPDES General Permit 2 with Iowa Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with F.Y. 2004 18th Street Bridge and Approach Roadway, Contract No. 622, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said notice", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-129. 126642 Cole/Reggie Schmitt that communication from Community Planning and Development Director transmitting Property Access Agreement for 408-410 East 8th Street for environmental site assessment as part of the Brownfield Redevelopment Program in the downtown, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-130. 126643 - Cole/Reggie Schmitt that communication from Police Chief transmitting agreement with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division for Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program grant not to exceed $316,667.00, with no required match, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said document", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-131. 126644 - Cole/Reggie Schmitt that communication from Community Planning and Development Director transmitting Real Estate Purchase Agreement with Robert M. and Rita M. Welter at a cost of $350,000.00 for property consisting of 38 acres and located at 4012 Leversee Road, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-132. 126645 Cole/Reggie Schmitt that communication from Building Official/Maintenance Administrator transmitting recommendation of award of contract in the amount of $13,983.18 to S. J. Construction of Waterloo, Iowa for the Remodel of Evidence Storage Room Area for the Police Department and approval of contract, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving for said contract", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-133. • • • • February 18, 2008 RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED Page 5 126646 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt that "Resolution approving communication from Police Chief transmitting request for hotel/motel discretionary funds in the amount of $16,200.00", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-134. 126647 Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt that "Resolution setting date of hearing as Monday, March 10, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on FYE 2009 Budget", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-135. 126648 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt that "Resolution approving communication from Leisure Services Director transmitting Golf Fee Schedule for 2008 Season", be adopted. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Councilperson Hart noted that the season pass was $600.00 for an adult, and he knows golf is usually calculated as break even. Councilperson Hart asked if more season passes were purchased for 2005 thru 2007 or did that number decrease as he is wondering about supply and demand. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, responded it is kind of a mixed bag depending on which classification of season pass you look at, but last year we actually saw a slight increase in the number of season tickets sold from 238 in 2006 to 246 in 2007 for adults. The junior season pass sales declined. It was pretty close overall, but there were a few more adult season ticket passes sold. Mr. Huting explained we did not increase the fee for a season pass last year when other golf courses around us did increase their fees. We were hoping that if we did not increase our fees and other courses in the Cedar Valley did increase their fees that our rounds might go up. Our rounds actually went down in total for all rounds. The reason for the increase this year is that we do try to project a break even budget for golf, but over the past few years rounds have declined so there was a slight subsidize overall because our rounds continue to go down. Councilperson Hart asked Mr. Huting if the adult season ticket is increased from $600.00 to $650.00, would he foresee any type of impact, would the number of season ticket holders decline. Mr. Huting responded what they have seen in the past is when the season pass price is increased, the total number of tickets sold will go down. Typically, the next year the daily sales tend to go up to kind of compensate. Usually the second year without a change adult season pass sales will kind of even out. Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted that in looking at the rate increases for next year, he noticed that some of the fees had no increase and some of the fees increased as high as 17 percent, such as the junior season tickets, with a variety in between. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked how they arrived at the various increases. Councilperson Steve Schmitt commented that he noticed the junior daily fee increased 14 percent, the junior season ticket fee increased almost 17 percent, with the other fees in the 6 to 7 percent range or zero increase. Mr. Huting responded that he thinks the feeling of the committee and commission was that the fees they increased a little bit were fairly low to begin with and maybe considered a little bit too low. The $150.00 junior season ticket fee is a pretty reasonable fee, and the commission is edging that up a little bit just to make it a little more equitable. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked if it was last year when the junior morning fee was doubled from $5.00 to $10.00. Mr. Huting responded that he believes that was two years ago. Mayor Hurley noted that the fees have not been increased since 2005. February 18, 2008 Resolutions to be Adopted continued Page 6 Councilperson Hart asked if there is a marketing plan for golf. Mr. Huting responded they are packaging with various hotels in the area. They are also working with the pros, who are independent contractors, to do specials where they will actually cut their current rates along with our rates for a fall special, and then we package that with a hotel. Mr. Huting noted that they also go to golf shows, consumer shows in the Minneapolis areas and many other areas. Mr. Huting commented that they are trying to get the rounds back up, but it has been a struggle in the entire Midwest. Councilperson Cole asked if there is a national trend that people are deserting the golf courses. Mr. Huting responded there has been. There have been two trends. One is to build more golf courses, and that trend is starting to end, but there has been a proliferation of new courses. At the same period over the last five or six year or longer, there has been a trend down in total rounds played. The existing courses and municipal courses, in particular, have seen rounds come down. Councilperson Cole commented that the Wall Street Journal did a story within the last two years that people just aren't willing to commit eight hours or whatever it takes to play 18 holes. Councilperson Hart stated that the only thing he was worried about is the season ticket holders, the adults, the juniors and the seniors, which pretty much have been guaranteed money for the courses. For the adult seniors, it has been kind of consistent from 2005, 2006 and 2007. Councilperson Hart commented that he is wondering if we raise the fee for the senior group by $50.00 is that going to have an impact over those who have been consistent with supporting the golf courses. Mr. Huting responded that the best way to answer that question is to look to the past when we have increased fees both for adult regular season ticket and senior ticket. The overall bottom line at the end of that particular golf season was higher, so he doesn't think we have ever priced ourselves into a place where supply and demand is going to stab us in the back. Me. Huting noted that the commission compared our fees with all the surrounding areas, and he thinks we are still very competitive. Mayor Hurley noted that last year the weather hurt us in rounds. Mayor Hurley asked if it would be a fair statement that the Waterloo Municipal courses offer one of the highest values in golfing from getting out of your car to getting back in. Mr. Huting responded that he thinks that is very true. Mr. Huting stated they feel that the city has some of the nicest courses in the Midwest, and he has had a lot of people from outside the area and around here say that for municipal courses they are very, very nice. Councilperson Hart commented that the city's golf courses have been featured in magazines for affordable play. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked as a follow up on what Mayor Hurley said about Waterloo being a golf destination because of the nice courses and inexpensive rounds if the city has done any kind of survey to know how many are out-of-town golfers or is that a question for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Huting responded that is a question for both Leisure Services and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. The golf manager used to work with the CVB and had some tourism training, and he has been working on tracking that information along with the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor 126649 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt assigned No. 2008-136. that "Resolution approving communication from Leisure Services Director transmitting Sports Program Fees for March 2008 - February 2009, as approved by Leisure Services Commission", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-137. • • • • February 18, 2008 Resolutions to be Adopted continued 126650 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt Page 7 that "Resolution renaming existing public street known as Phillip Street to Phillips Street generally located between Albany Street and MLK Jr. Drive", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-138. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED 126651 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt that "an Ordinance amending the 2003 Traffic Code by repealing Subsection (57) Cataract Avenue of Section 551, Parking Prohibited At All Times On Certain Streets; and enacting in lieu thereof a new Subsection (57) Cataract Avenue of Section 551, Parking Prohibited At All Times on Certain Streets (restricting parking on the north side of the 300 and 400 blocks of Cataract Avenue from Edgemont Avenue to Barton Avenue)", be received, placed on file, considered and passed for the first time. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Mayor Hurley reported that Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, supplied council a written explanation of an anonymous phone call she received about the 300 block of Cataract Avenue. The anonymous caller said that getting out of the driveway is very difficult to go to their 3rd shift job, and this proposal is the very best solution. Doug Carter, Fire Chief, reported that Ms. Greco contacted him Thursday afternoon with her concerns after receiving some complaints. Chief Carter stated that the Fire Department drove Cataract, and it was not possible for the ambulances and fire trucks to pass down that street because of the traffic. The next morning at 6:00, there was a fire in the 300 block of Cataract and because it was 6:00 a.m. there was not the congestion. Chief Carter commented that the ability to respond and place the vehicles was certainly part of the reason that building was save. If it been 12 hours earlier or 12 hours later, the Fire Department would have been limited in their response and limited in their ability to place their vehicles. It would have delayed the Fire Department's ability to fight that fire. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS 126652 - Steve Schmitt/Welper that communication from Community Planning and Development Director transmitting Logan Avenue Urban Renewal and Development Plan Amendment No. 1 - 2008 to include the area along U.S. 63 from Donald Street to the Cedar River, together with recommendation of approval of Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission, be received, placed on file and "Resolution setting date of hearing as March 17, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on the above described request", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-139. 126653 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper to instruct Superintendent of Central Garage to prepare specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with Purchase of One 4 -Wheel Drive Truck With Snow Plow, be received, placed on file and approved. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Laurence Wheeler, 433 Bratnober, stated when it comes to doing these bids for vehicles, he would like to see Waterloo see about getting an intergovernmental agreement because there is a little secret to vehicle purchasing when you buy more than two vehicles. Some manufacturers have a minimum of five in order to get the fleet discount. February 18, 2008 New Business continued Mr. Wheeler stated he moved back to Waterloo on medical retirement from Kansas, and one of the things that the governmental bodies always took advantage of, and he wished Waterloo would do the same, is to check with the people with the Department of Transportation in Des Moines because he believes that the city can save a lot of money by buying equipment from the state. In Kansas, he lived in the capital city of Topeka, they needed three or four dump trucks for plowing and salting, and they ended up getting three Tandem dump trucks with sanders for three dollars because they bought it from the state because they were •a government entity. Mr. Wheeler stated he is pretty certain if the city checked with the folks in Des Moines they probably have extra equipment setting around, collecting dust, rusting away and it would be to the city's advantage because there is some talk about that the next fiscal year budget may run a little tight. Mr. Wheeler noted there is some equipment the city can save a lot of money on by bypassing the dealer and going on-line to the manufacturer. Mark Rice, Superintendent of Central Garage, responded the city does take advantage of the state bid, and we usually bounce both local vendor prices off of state bid. The state bids vehicles in sufficient quantity to get the discounts that Mr. Wheeler is talking about and then we have the ability to buy off of their bid. Mr. Rice noted there are plenty of used equipment sites. Part of the reason that we are out soliciting new equipment is because we have more then our fair share of used equipment that is no longer serviceable. The city is trying to supply the departments with equipment that provides our operation needs. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that 95 percent of a vehicle's service charge occurs in the last five years of ownership. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated the city went many years with not replacing equipment, and he asked if we are finally getting ahead of the curb by purchasing vehicles where we don't handle large expenditures for engine replacement, transmission replacements, where we were originally at 95 percent replacement costs. Mr. Rice noted the city is working toward that goal, but we are not there yet. Mr. Rice stated that the city has about 460 pieces of rolling stock, and he is trying to assess the city's needs and determine if those are the legitimate numbers for meeting the mission requirements of each department. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. Page 8 126654 Reggie Schmitt/Cole that specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with Purchase of One 4 - Wheel Drive Truck With Snow Plow, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. 126655 - Reggie Schmitt/Cole that "Resolution preliminarily approving specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with above described purchase", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-140. 126656 Reggie Schmitt/Cole that "Resolution setting date of hearing on specifications, bid document, etc. as March 10, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and taking of bids on above described purchase", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-141. 126657 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper to instruct Superintendent of Central Garage to prepare specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with Purchase of One 4 -Wheel Drive Truck and Service Body, be received, placed on file and approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. • • • • February 18, 2008 New Business continued Page 9 126658 - Reggie Schmitt/Cole that specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with Purchase of One 4 - Wheel Drive Truck and Service Body, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. 126659 - Reggie Schmitt/Cole that "Resolution preliminarily approving specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with above described purchase", be adopted. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-142. 126660 - Reggie Schmitt/Cole that "Resolution setting date of hearing on specifications, bid document, etc. as March 17, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and taking of bids on above described purchase", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-143. 126661 - Cole/Reggie Schmitt to instruct Director of Cultural & Arts Commission to prepare specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with First Phase of Collection Storage Fixtures and Equipment for Center For The Arts, be received, placed on file and approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. ORAL PRESENTATIONS 126662 - Doug Carter, Fire Chief, requested the citizens' help with fire hydrants. The city has over 3,100 hydrants, and the Fire Department cannot get to them all. The Fire Department doesn't know if they are buried in the snow. The process of clearing the streets sometimes buries the hydrants, and the Fire Department is asking citizens to get out in their neighborhoods and clear the hydrants. Chief Carter noted that with the weather we have had, they are finding that the hydrants aren't just buried in the snow, they are buried in ice. The Fire Department would be delayed if they had to literally get out the axes to chop the ice away to get to the hydrant. Mayor Hurley noted that in a lot of places the citizens are clearing the hydrants and we really love that, but if nothing else citizens should notify the city if they know of a fire hydrant that is buried. Chief Carter commented that they have had some offers for some community service people to clear the hydrants, but we don't know where the hydrants are located. If citizens call then a list could be put together and the Fire Department will do its best to get them cleared. Dennis Clark, Water Works General Manager, stated that in the last few weeks they have had a number of hydrants hit by cars. Sometimes the Water Works is aware of it because there is an accident report filed, but a number of times they are not aware of it until the hydrant is either leaking water or the Fire Department needs it in an emergency situation, and that is a bad time to find out that a hydrant has been hit. It doesn't take much of a hit by a car to cause enough damage that the hydrant might be inoperable. The Water Works' interest is to make sure that all 3,100 of those hydrants are operable at all times. The fire hydrants have all been inspected within the last two years so the Water Works knows that they were all operable sometime in the recent past. Even a very light hit by a car can damage a hydrant as it can bind the stems so that the hydrant won't work properly. If people are aware that a hydrant has been hit by a car and they make the Water Works aware of it, the Water Works can check and verify that that hydrant is in good working order. Laurence Wheeler, 433 Bratnober, stated that he moved back to Waterloo on an early medical retirement. He left Waterloo in 1964 and had a brief visit in 1975 to bury his grandfather. Mr. Wheeler stated there are an awful lot of people who are opposed to the coal plant, and he does not think it will be a problem because there have been advances in coal technology, especially coal from Wyoming or Utah. There is a variety of coal that is called low sulfur. The coal that is found in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky is a high sulfur which has been condemned as it is unfit for consumption. February 18, 2008 Oral Presentations continued If people want to stop the coal plant the thing to do is to get thoroughly involved with the three Rs, which is reduce, reuse and recycle. Convert to low wattage bulbs, not use the air conditioner as much and make it to where there is not a need for electricity, and if there is no need to build the coal plant, they will go away. Another thing that could be done is to install solar panels as solar panels can be used to generate hot water and electricity. If you have enough solar panels and you are gone for the day, that solar panel will constantly be working as long as it is getting sunlight if you don't draw a lot of power from air conditioners and refrigerators. One of the things that could be an advantage is that that solar panel will continuously work, and that will make the meter spin backwards and will give you a lower utility bill. Mr. Wheeler stated another thing he is not agreeable with is that the Central Garage went ahead with a fuel based generator to operate the gasoline pumps at the Central Garage. They should have maybe looked into bidding on a solar unit so the city could be able to pump gas during the day and rely on the battery backup for the evenings and when there is not any power. It can be a revenue string if you get that meter going back wards. Page 10 Reggie Schmitt/Cole that the above oral comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT 126663 - Cole/Welper that the Council adjourn at 6:15 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. Nanc}(ckert, CMC City Clerk •