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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/90June 25, 1990 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Regular Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 7:00 p.m. on June 25, 1990. Mayor Bernard L. McKinley in the Chair. Roll Call: Fox, Angel, Buck, Wright, Budak, Brown. Absent: Dell. Invocation by: Mayor Bernie McKinley Pledge of Allegiance: Councilperson Josef Fox 95932 - Mayor Bernie McKinley presented a Certificate of Appreciation to community organizations for their assistance during the Operation Clean Sweep conducted on Saturday, April 21, 1990. Those organizations recognized included: Hardee's, Columbus High School, Grant School, Cedar River Festival, Inc., KBBG Radio, St. John's Catholic Council of Concerns, Juvenile Court Services, Kingsley Elementary, Communications Workers of America, East High School, Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Highland Association, Kimball Ridge Association, Junior Hocks Hockey, Bob Lanholtz, Boy Scouts Council Sundance District, Sunnyside Temple, Easy Risers Kiwanis, Black Hawk County Employees, Waterloo City Employees, Waterloo School Board, M -Financial Network, Allen Memorial Hospital Volunteers and Allen Memorial Hospital. Mayor McKinley thanked them for their support and ongoing efforts to keep the City clean. Mayor McKinley recognized the Underwater Search and Recovery Team, which has been instrumental in assisting various City Departments in recovery operations. Their dedication and training has saved the City many hours of paid staff time. Councilperson Brown reminded the public that the dollars spent on the flood control projects over the years were instrumental in preventing massive floods during the torrential rains we have been experiencing. He reported that other communities in Iowa have not been as fortunate. Moved by Buck, seconded by Wright that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Regular Session on June 25, 1990, at 7:00 p.m., and the Minutes of the Regular Session on June 18, 1990, at 7:00 p.m., be accepted and approved. Motion carried. HEARINGS 95933 - Moved by Angel, seconded by Budak that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on the three year lease purchase of a Lifeline ambulance with Gelco Corporation for the Waterloo Fire Department, as published in the Waterloo Courier on June 15, 1990, be received and placed on file. Motion carried. 95934 - HOLD HEARING --This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none. Moved by Wright, seconded by Brown that the hearing be closed. Motion carried. 95935 - Moved by Fox, seconded by Angel that "Resolution approving a three-year lease purchase agreement with Gelco Corporation for a Lifeline ambulance for the Waterloo Fire Department", be adopted. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-389. 95936 - Moved by Brown, seconded by Angel that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on request of James L. and Fawn M. Buckner to sell and convey property generally located east of Greenhill Road and to the rear of Grace Chapel Church in conjunction with Greenhill Road Project, IX -6585(3)--79-07, as published in the Waterloo Courier on June 15, 1990, be received and placed on file. Motion carried. June 25, 1990 Page 2 Hearings - continued 95937 - HOLD HEARING --This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none. Moved by Buck, seconded by Fox that the hearing be closed. Motion carried. 95938 - Moved by Budak, seconded by Wright that "Resolution authorizing sale and conveyance of property generally located east of Greenhill Road and to the rear of Grace Chapel Church to James L. and Fawn M. Buckner in conjunction with Greenhill Road, IX -6585(3)--79-07", be adopted and City Attorney instructed to prepare and deliver a deed accordingly. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-390. PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC 95939 - Moved by Angel, seconded by Wright that communication from City Planner transmitting request of Vic Fuller Salvage & Wrecking Company to vacate, sell and convey the northerly 80 feet of right-of-way and to vacate the 60 foot easement of Birmingham Avenue adjoining their property, together with recommendation of approval of the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission, be received, placed on file and "Resolution setting date of hearing as July 9, 1990 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on the above described request", be adopted and Deputy Clerk/Auditor instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-391. DOCUMENTS 95940 - Moved by Wright, seconded by Angel that communication from Clerk/Auditor transmitting contract with Principal Financial Group for group disability and life insurance, together with recommendation of approval, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said contract", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-392. 95941 - Moved by Wright, seconded by Angel that communication from Personnel Director transmitting agreement with Northeast Council on Substance Abuse establishing the Employee Assistance Program for F.Y. 1991, together with recommendation of approval, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-393. 95942 - Moved by Wright, seconded by Angel that communication from City Planner transmitting Final Plat of LaPorte Road Plaza, together with Deed of Dedication, Report of City Engineer, and recommendation of approval of the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said Final Plat", be adopted. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-394. June 25, 1990 Page 3 Documents - continued 95943 - The Mayor announced that the time had arrived for discussion on health insurance benefits for employees upon retirement. Councilperson Brown stated that over the years, the Citizens' Budget Review Committees have recommended that the City begin weaning itself from the liability involved with paying retirees' health insurance. He stated that it was very expensive to provide and financially straps the City. He stated that he objected to the proposal since both new hires and current employees would be covered by the same policy. He reported that the City has many other needs that he would prefer be addressed and urged that new hires not be covered by health insurance except for those exceptions offered by COBRA. Personnel Director Jim Rodemeyer stated that he felt it was necessary that new hires and current employees be treated similarly; otherwise, two separate standards would be in place at a future date. Councilperson Buck stated that the City has made a promise to its current employees but not to new ones and therefore the new employees could be dropped from health insurance after retirement. Police Chief Bernal Koehrsen, representing a cross section of City employees including management and labor, concurred in the recommendation being presented by the Personnel Department but felt that the insurance benefits should not be extended to new hires. Paul Jamieson, 815 West First Street, encouraged the City to practice cost containment since the City's costs increase tremendously as the City employment force ages. He encouraged preventive maintenance of health care costs. Shirley Koslowski, 816 Archer Street, questioned the coverage offered to City employees' families. Mayor McKinley stated that the proposal includes a phase-out formula for the spouse whereby the City decreases its percentage of contribution to the spouse's insurance over a five-year period. At the end of five years, the spouse will be allowed to purchase insurance for an additional three years under COBRA regulations at his/her costs. In response to a question from Ms. Koslowski, Mr. Rodemeyer indicated that it would be very difficult to estimate the total cost savings of the proposal to the City. The Mayor stated that the City will at least be saving the cost of anticipated increases in health care costs. Mayor McKinley also stated that this proposal had been carefully reviewed by employees and there was no opposition to its contents. In response to a question from Councilperson Angel, it was reported that if an employee retires from the City and obtains another job with health insurance benefits, the City will not cover that individual under the proposed policy. Moved by Brown, seconded by Wright that communication from Personnel Director transmitting health insurance benefits for employees upon retirement, together with recommendation of approval, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said health benefits for employees with the amendment that it apply only to current employees, and that all new hires after July 1, 1990 not be covered by Section 2 of the proposal", be adopted. Prior to a vote on this motion, Personnel Director Jim Rodemeyer stated that he knows that at least two bargaining units will be opposed to this proposed change. A vote was taken on the above motion with the following result: Ayes: Five. Abstain: Budak. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-395. June 25, 1990 Page 4 RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED 95944 It was explained that this item is a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the 16th Year Community Development Block Grant Funds totaling approximately $1.1 million. The grant application has been approved and this will formalize the agreement. Moved by Buck, seconded by Angel that "Resolution approving and providing for the execution of Housing and Community Development Block Grant Contract No. B -90 -MC -19-0008 with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (16th Year Community Development Block Grant)", be adopted. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-396. 95945 - It was explained that transfers were being made to the Debt Service Fund which retires the General Obligation Bonds for expenditures in the downtown area. Specifically, these are for revenues received into the TIF Fund and the East Park Avenue Parking Ramp Fund for purposes of retiring debt. Moved by Buck, seconded by Angel that "Resolution transferring from the Tax Increment Assessment Collections Fund to the Debt Service Fund the amount of $163,638.91 and from the East Park Assessment District Fund to the Debt Service Fund the amount of $74,803.84", be adopted. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-397. 95946 - The Mayor announced that the time had arrived for discussion on a Resolution of Support for the reauthorization of funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. Councilperson Wright stated that she objected to several paragraphs contained in the proposed resolution and indicated that the City was not responsible for the funding of this program and this resolution may falsely present that idea. She stated that these matters should be left to the U.S. Congress. Renata Sack, Executive Director of the Cedar Arts Forum, advocated the passage of the resolution. She indicated that the NEA supports many local programs, including the Waterloo Symphony, Grout Museum, Recreation Center, Cedar Arts Forum and the UNI Museum and others. She indicated that with the adoption of the resolution, this endorsement will be relayed to U.S. Congressmen. Councilperson Budak stated that he could not support such a resolution due to the obscenity issue that has arisen with funding of the National Endowment for the Arts. In response to a question from Councilperson Fox, Ms. Sack stated that the proposed resolution had been introduced to the City of Portland, Oregon, which subsequently adopted it. Councilperson Fox stated that he supported the arts. Moved by Fox, seconded by Wright that the City Council of the City of Waterloo go on record as supporting the reauthorization of the National Endowment of the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 and continue funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum Service for F.Y. 1991 without restrictive language. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Motion carried. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED 95947 - The Mayor announced that the time had arrived for discussion on the second reading of the proposed Fire Inspection Ordinance. Council ram Fox stated that since the proposed ordinance does not contain a sunset rause, he could not support its adoption. June 25, 1990 Page 5 Ordinances to be Adopted - continued Jim Lawrence, Executive Director of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, reported that the Business Development Council and Chamber Board had reviewed the proposed ordinance and supported its adoption. Although there was not discussion of a sunset provision, members supported the fee schedule that charges according to the level of hazard. Mayor McKinley stated that if businesses were not billed for the inspections, all citizens of the community would be paying for a service received by one. Councilperson Angel stated that protection of the business owner was in mind when the Council approved the current sunset provision. Councilperson Fox reiterated his support for a sunset clause, and that he would like additional time to talk with various business owners to determine their desires. Jim Lawrence stated that in his conversations with various business owners, the main comment was that the fire inspector should be more sensitive and take adequate time to warrant the fee. Councilperson Buck stated that business owners should pay for this service and not the general taxpayer. Moved by Brown, seconded by Fox that "an Ordinance amending the 1988 Code of Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, by repealing Subsection 14-59, Fees Established, of Article III, Fire Prevention Inspections, of Chapter 14, Fire Prevention and Protection; and enacting in lieu thereof a new Subsection 14-59, Fees, of Article III, Fire Prevention Inspections, of Chapter 14, Fire Prevention and Protection (Life Safety Code)", be received, placed on file, considered and passed for the second time. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Motion carried. BILLS PAYMENT 95948 - Moved by Angel, seconded by Wright that "Resolution approving Schedule A918, pp. 1-77, in the amount of $502,896.25, copies of which are on file in the Clerk/Auditor's Office", be adopted. Ayes: Six. Absent: Dell. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 1990-398. Travel Requests 95949 - Moved by Buck, seconded by Wright that the following travel request, with expenses not to exceed amount shown, be received, placed on file and approved: 1. Robert Greenlee, Police Lieutenant, Clifford Caughron and Douglas Larrabee, Police Investigators, to attend Police Operations Leading to Improved Children & Youth Service Training and Child Abuse & Exploitation Investigative Techniques Training in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 16-20, 1990, with costs not to exceed $290.00, including use of City vehicle. Motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS 95950 - Moved by Buck, seconded by Wright that the following applications for beer and liquor licenses be received, placed on file and approved and endorsed applications forwarded to the Iowa Beer and Liquor Control Department and applications for pawnbroker's and secondhand goods dealer's license, be received, placed on file and approved: June 25, 1990 Page 6 Miscellaneous - continued 1. Beer License Permit Application Class C Garrison Phillips 66, 2230 Independence Avenue (Renewal) (Expires 6/30/91) (Includes Sunday Sales) Virgs Food, 1761 Independence Avenue (Renewal) (Expires 7/29/91) (Includes Sunday Sales) 2. Beer & Wine License Permit Application Class C Mama Nick's Circle Pizzeria, 1934 Washington Street (Renewal) (Expires 7/6/91) (Includes Sunday Sales) 3. Beer & Liquor License Permit Application Class C Elks Club, 407 East Park Avenue (Renewal) (Expires 7/1/91) (Includes Sunday Sales) BJ's Bar and Billiards, 110 Ida Street (New) (Expires 7/1/91) 4. Liquor License Permit Application Class E Hy -Vee Food Store, 2052 Logan Avenue (Renewal) (Expires 7/21/91) (Includes Sunday Sales) Hy -Vee Food Store, 2325 Crossroads Boulevard (Renewal) (Expires 7/21/91) (Includes Sunday Sales) Application for Pawnbroker's and Secondhand Goods Dealer's License Duee's Pawn Shop, 2243 1/2 Independence Avenue A-1 Pawn, Inc., 2000 Hawthorne Motion carried. BONDS 95951 - Moved by Brown, seconded by Budak that the report of the City Attorney and list of bonds filed with the Clerk/Auditor through June 25, 1990, be received, placed on file and report and bonds be approved. Motion carried. ORAL PRESENTATIONS 95952 - City Attorney Hugh Field stated that the ordinance discussed at the June 18, 1990 meeting (see CR 95931) concerning the loitering issue on East Fourth Street was still in the draft stage. There are many constitutional issues that must be addressed before such an ordinance can be considered. He stated that the Council could expect a draft ordinance in one to two weeks. Chief Bernie Koehrsen stated that enforcement efforts have been stepped up in the East Fourth and Webster Streets area. Police Officers recently made 18 arrests in the area targeting known crimes such as consumption of alcohol on public premises, intoxication, failure to disperse, urination on public property and possession of controlled substances. Special enforcement efforts will continue in the area, as needed. Shirley Koslowski, 816 Archer Avenue, reiterated her concerns with handicap accessibility to City Hall and other public polling places. She stated that she is a member of a committee that is currently reviewing the polling places to determine accessibility to the handicapped. She also asked that there be dialogue between the City and the committee after the 1990 census results and reapportionment issues come to the forefront to determine handicap accessible to public buildings for voting precincts. She also reported that a bicycle is chained to the handicap railing adjacent to the handicap parking spaces in the rear of City Hall this evening. Chief Koehrsen stated that they will review the situation. Paul Jamieson, 815 West First Street, asked for the status of parking on Randolph Street. Mr. Jamieson was encouraged to speak with the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission staff to determine the feasibility of this June 25, 1990 Page 7 Oral Presentations - continued restriction. He also commented that the ordinance adopted by the City Council approving a two-way street system on West First Street and West Mullan Avenue will create an adverse condition for emergency vehicles reaching the area. He also complained of the sidewalk repair work being done in his neighborhood and asked that the City Inspectors carefully review the work being completed. Don Temeyer, Planning and Development Director, stated that this will be reviewed by City staff to determine applicability to City ordinances. Leon Mosley, 99 John Street, commended the Police Department for their stepped-up enforcement efforts in the East Fourth and Webster Streets area. He also thanked the Police Department for their assistance with an emergency call to the Prairie Park Apartment complex. In an effort to relieve the Police Department of so many calls to the complex, the Board of Directors is recommending that two young adults be employed as security guards to work with the Police Department and sensitize residents to law enforcement. Vonnie Jackson, 1838 Howard Avenue, asked for specific information relating to the sick leave and vacation payouts for Officers Donald Barker and Craig Penrose. Jim Rodemeyer, Personnel Director, stated that according to bargaining unit arrangements, the officers are entitled to unused accumulated sick leave and vacation pay. Ms. Jackson also questioned why the City was engaging in a survey to determine the "leakage" from the metro area to other cities for retail shopping. Mayor McKinley explained that the City of Waterloo was not financially responsible for this study. Kathy Oberle, 710 Forest Avenue, asked that the sidewalk assessment for Pam Mc Murrin, 1002 Western Avenue, for property she owns on West Sixth Street be reviewed by City staff. She explained that one section of the sidewalk needed repair at a proposed cost of $128, which she thought was outrageous. O. C. Madsen, 1922 Manitoba, asked that the tall grass in the Blowers Creek area be mowed. This will be referred to the proper City official. Councilperson Angel thanked Council Members for their support of cards, visits and telephone calls during her recent hospitalization. Mayor McKinley urged all citizens to vote in tomorrow's election for a new County Jail. Moved by Buck, seconded by Brown that the above comments be received, placed on file and that the City Council adjourn. Motion carried. Michelle Temeyer Deputy City Clerk/Auditor