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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/02/1988March 2, 1988 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Special Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 5:00 p.m., on March 2, 1988. Mayor Bernard L. McKinley in the Chair. Roll Call: Dell, Fox, Angel, Buck, Wright, Budak, Brown. 91650 - Moved by Angel, seconded by Fox that the Agenda, as amended, for the Special Session on March 2, 1988, at 5:00 p.m., be accepted and approved. Motion carried. PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC 91651 - The Mayor announced that the purpose of the meeting was to review the site plan request of IBP for property generally located south of the Chicago Northwestern railroad tracks and west of North Elk Run Road. He stated that even though the site plan is the only item scheduled for discussion, he would permit limited discussion concerning other aspects that the public may wish to discuss. He asked the public to keep comments brief. He called on Don Temeyer, Planning and Development Director, to discuss the site plan request. Mr. Temeyer explained that the site plan indicates that a four lane access road will be built along the southerly side of the property. To facilitate truck movement onto North Elk Run Road improvements will be made to ensure safety at this intersection. He also reported that a new connection is to be constructed as a part of the Interstate Substitution Plan from the McCoy Road intersection on 380 north to Dubuque Road, as well as improvements on Dubuque Road from that point west to Elk Run Road. Current projected traffic counts on North Elk Run Road, Newell Street and Donald Street were presented. Approximately 2700 more vehicles per day are expected on North Elk Run Road after the completion of IBP. The zoning of this property to "M -2,P" Planned Industrial District allows more control of the internal development of the site. If the site plan is approved, the next phase will be the building permit process. Mr. Temeyer reported that the Federal Aviation Administration has been contacted due to the proximity of the East Waterloo Airport to the site. They have verbally indicated that no problems are anticipated. At a later time, the City Council can determine if the embargo on Donald Street and Independence Avenue will be necessary. Mr. Temeyer reported that sewer and water facilities are adequate to the site. He explained that even though the site is located on prime agricultural land, it also is prime development land due to the amenities present. Mayor McKinley asked whether there are other sites available in the community for a large scale industrial development such as being proposed here. Don Temeyer responded by saying that the process would be the same and that rezoning would be necessary any where since there are no other large tracts of land for such a development. In response to a question from Councilperson Buck, surrounding zoning classifications were reviewed. Also in response to a question from Councilperson Buck, Mr. Temeyer reported that the Sixth Street Extension is a Priority 1 scheduled for 1990 or 91 on the portion from Franklin Street to Idaho. Bruce Bottorff, Superintendent of Water Pollution Control, reviewed the adequacy of the plant should IBP locate in the community and detailed the sewer agreement. Earl Rogers, 2705 McClain Drive, Cedar Falls, questioned whether the waste water discharge will be adequately monitored. He read a news article from the Cedar Rapids Gazette concerning IBP's violation of discharges at other locations. March 2, 1988 Page 2 Troy Calhoun, Vice President of Engineering for IBP, clarified Mr. Roger's statement by indicating that IBP does not discharge raw sewage and that on occasion, IBP has exceeded permit limits but regularly monitors the discharge. As any industry, limits are exceeded but are corrected. Bruce Bottorff indicated that on occasion the City's plant has also exceeded discharge limitations. Mr. Calhoun further explained the by-product material, including the drawing of the blood of the animals. Once dried, it is sold, as is the grease and hair. Processes are designed for each of these materials to minimize its discharge to the sewer. John McDowell, 85 Franklin Street, asked that City officials hold IBP accountable for their actions. Based upon previous activities of the company in other communities, many problems have been cited with the company. Mayor McKinley stated that IBP is not on trial at this meeting and that his initial reaction to IBP locating in the community was questionable. After reviewing the company's practices and meeting with officials, he now looks upon IBP's location in our community as very favorable. Councilperson Budak stated that his concerns have all been answered concerning IBP. Mayor McKinley went on to indicate that the Police Chief and Superintendent of Water Pollution Control were asked to look into IBP locating in the community as it relates to their respective areas of responsibilities. The Mayor also indicated that he had visited Storm Lake four times and is satisfied that IBP is good for our community. He also reported that he has received many positive telephone calls to IBP's location in our community. The resident at 930 Brook Road asked whether Newell Street east of North Elk Run Road would require an application of sodium calcium chloride to keep dust levels down. Don Temeyer responded by indicating that this portion of Newell Street is located in the county and that he will contact the County Engineer concerning this potential problem. Jim Waterbury, speaking on behalf of the Waterloo Courier, reiterated their support for IBP. Geoff Grimes, Chairperson of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, expressed the Chamber's support of IBP and that we need to move on with locating the Plant in our community. Chuck Means, 253 Prospect Avenue, reported that the site plan is appropriate and that the community needs the jobs. He urged the Council's unanimous approval of the site plan and to move forward with the construction. Ken Lockard, 148 Sans Souci Drive, stated that he owns property on the east side of North Elk Run Road directly across from the proposed site. He stated that he is excited about IBP locating in the community, that roads are adequate to the site, and that he looks forward to the smell that IBP may produce. Bill Gilliam, representing Warren Transport, stated that the City's Land Use Policy Plan encourages diversity of the community. He stated that the location of IBP in the community is not diversifying the economy, but rather makes it more dependent on agricultural. This plan is not consisted with the City's overall plan of development. He also stated that employees to IBP will not be those in our community out of work but will be new people brought in by IBP. He also reiterated his concerns with the high turnover rate that IBP has of approximately 60 percent per year. He also stated that IBP will bring a new set of problems to our community, including problems in the schools and labor problems. He also cited past violations of IBP concerning truck embargoes, etc. He also addressed concern that IBP's location in the community was a predetermined issue and was decided by the Council in less than one month's time. He asked that the Council table action on the site plan to allow further public debate in a fair and open setting. Mayor McKinley stated that in his approximately two and a half years in office, the creation of jobs had been a more difficult task than he anticipated. In his endeavors, approximately one thousand letters have been sent to potential companies to locate in our community as well as hundreds of phone calls to prospects. In his 35 Point Plan, one of the points is to locate a food processor in the community. IBP meets that goal. Mdith 2, 1988 Page 3 Mr. Gilliam questioned the location of IBP in this area of the community and that a better location may be south of the Waterloo Greyhound Park. Mayor McKinley responded by indicating that there is not adequate land available at this site. Councilperson Brown stated that the population of Black Hawk County (approximately 135,000) will provide an adequate labor pool for IBP. Councilperson Brown stated that Mr. Gilliam's comments concerning injuries at the Storm Lake facility may be high because this includes such injuries as cut fingers and other minor injuries. Councilperson Brown asked whether or not these figures had been compared to Rath Packing Company's accident reports. Councilperson Brown also stated that IBP had awarded nearly $18 million in bonuses to its employees. Councilperson Brown indicated that he had obtained the traffic counts at various intersections in 1983 as they relate to Rath Packing Company, specifically Franklin and Vinton and Lafayette and Vinton. Mr. Gilliam responded by indicating that these traffic counts were not available when he requested them and wondered why they were made available to Councilperson Brown and not him. Hugh Field, City Attorney, reported that traffic issues are not a concern of site plan review. He referred Mr. Gilliam to page 62 of the City's Zoning Ordinance, as amended, that lists the issues to be dealt with during the site plan review process. Mr. Gilliam stated that with the information given by City staff at tonight's meeting that City staff were given "marching orders" since prior meetings on the rezoning request. Mayor McKinley also asked Mr. Gilliam not to demean City staff on this issue. L.C. Hennessey, 319 Belmont Avenue, asked that the Council take a vote on this matter and either vote it up or down. Ken Utz, 568 Sunset Road, publicly thanked Councilperson Brown for his written apology concerning remarks made at the February 10 Public Hearing. He stated that he thought it was odd that since the February 10 meeting, his house was asked to be inspected by City Inspectors. Mayor McKinley asked whether he was making accusatory remarks. Mr. Utz said "no", so the Mayor asked him to refrain from further implications. Mr. Utz went on to state that it is time to get the right facts and figures concerning traffic counts. He stated that he was made to believe that 1982 was the last traffic count but now traffic counts for 1985 are now available. Bob Molinaro, representing Warren Transport, stated that IBP is a frequent violator of embargo limitations. Troy Calhoun and Mr. Molinaro exchanged comments concerning weight violations. Mr. Molinaro also stated that he had visited many of IBP's facilities and had spoken with the employees of the facilities in local taverns. Reports from these employees were not good. Mr. Molinaro also questioned why the Columbus Junction Plant was advertising for employees in Texas if Waterloo officials were so certain that local employees would be used at the Waterloo Plant. Mr. Molinaro also stated that Warren Transport had intended to double its employment by moving its Administrative Headquarters to the North Elk Run Road site; however, they will be reconsidering this possibility if IBP locates next to their existing facility. He stated that this clearly sends a message to existing businesses in the City that the City does not care what is located next to them. Mr. Molinaro also alluded to potential problems in the schools if IBP locates in the community. He also questioned the Council's suspension of the rules at the zoning public hearing and adoption of the ordinance at the same meeting. He also condemned Councilperson Buck for a letter that he wrote to Father Karnik. Moved by Brown, seconded by Wright that communication from City Planner transmitting site plan of proposed IBP Pork Processing Plant generally located west of North Elk Run Road, south of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, together with recommendation of approval of the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission, and oral comments, be received, placed on file, and "Resolution approving said site plan", be adopted. Ayes: Seven. March 2, 1988 Page 4 Prior to adoption of the resolution, the following comments were heard: Councilperson Wright stated that one of her objectives is to bring jobs to the Fourth Ward and employ the people in our community and that IBP helps assist in obtaining this goal. Councilperson Dell stated that comments throughout the hearings have alluded to the type of people that IBP may attract. He stated that he has faith in the system and that IBP will employ local people and must vote for providing jobs and putting food on the table. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1988-84. James Wright, 4143 Independence Avenue, questioned the potential runoff from the site and indicated that the same problem existed at the time Deere's located in this location. 91652 - Moved by Buck, seconded by Wright that the Council adjourn to Executive Session. City Attorney Hugh Field ruled that the purpose of the Executive Session (Labor Strategy) was allowable under Iowa Code, Chapter 20.16. Motion carried. EXECUTIVESESSION 91653 - Moved by Buck, seconded by Angel that the Council adjourn Executive Session. Motion carried. 91654 - Moved by Dell, seconded by Fox that the Special Session adjourn. Motion carried. Larry P. Burger City Clerk/Auditor