HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/92CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 16, 1992
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Roll call: Mayor Manning, Angel, Budak, Lemke, Fox, Dell and
Wright.
Absent: Buck.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a proposal to eliminate
non -conflict street lighting. John Meyer, Public Works Director,
reported that this proposal was presented in F.Y. 1987 but was not
implemented. This measure is now being reviewed to alleviate lost
revenues in the road use tax fund. Road use tax monies are being
received at approximately 97% of anticipated amounts resulting in
an approximate $100,000 short fall.
Mr. Meyer presented maps of the city indicating specific lights to
be removed totaling approximately 1,098 lights. This represents an
annual cost savings of approximately $75,000. There are
approximately 5,330 street lights in the city with 3,880 owned by
IPS and leased to the city with the remaining owned by the city and
located in the downtown area and along major thoroughfares.
It was noted that the city will be responsible for the lighting on
the Relocated U.S. Highway 218 off -ramps resulting in an
approximate cost of $10,000 - $15,000 annually. The possibility of
reducing the decorative lighting along W. 4th Street was discussed
although due to configuration, it would be difficult to shut off at
a certain time.
Mr. Meyer presented street light costs for other Iowa cities noting
that the cities of Waterloo and Sioux City which are served by Iowa
Public Service are much lower than other Iowa cities. A rate
merger, if approved by the Iowa Commerce Commission, could result
in a 60% increase in street lighting cost to the city. The city
may also be required to pay the undepreciated value of new high
pressure sodium lights that have been installed by IPS. The city
will attempt to negotiate this item with the state.
Mr. Meyer stated that if the council agrees to proceed with the
plan, a detailed listing of each street light location will be
prepared and presented to the city council in the form of a
resolution. He stated that if this plan is not approved, the only
alternative is to reduce manpower or reduce the materials budget.
Considerable discussion was heard by Councilperson Wright that
street lights should remain on long streets such as Idaho Street.
Currently all street lighting except for conflict lighting is being
proposed to be removed from this section of street. Any variation
to this policy would require an exception leaving the door open for
additional exceptions.
City staff was given unofficial authority to proceed with the
street removal plan for presentation to the city council at a later
time.
Deb Collett, Executive Director of the Waterloo Housing Authority,
presented the proposed sites for 10 single family houses in
conjunction with the Family Self -Sufficiency Program. The 10
scattered sites are located throughout the community and were
selected and rated by a committee consisting of a cross-section of
the community. City and county owned lots were evaluated although
the Department of Housing and Urban Development's criteria were
very stringent. The sites cannot be near railroads, dilapidated
housing, and must be close to transportation systems, schools and
churches. They also discouraged minority concentration of the
units.
The average cost of the homes is $60,000 - $80,000 each and will
include the construction of two 2 -bedroom homes, six 3 -bedroom
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November 16, 1992
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homes and one 4 -bedroom home. WHA has requested and has received
an exemption to allow basements and garages. A refrigerator and
stove are a part of the package but HUD does not allow any
carpeting.
Duane Svoboda, of Flinn, Saito and Anderson, described the units in
detail and reported that bids will be advertised for construction
of said units.
The tenant occupants will pay 30% of their income as rent with
current Section 8 applicants being given first opportunity. The
family must agree to the Self -Sufficiency Program and possess good
housekeeping skills. It is hoped that families will reach the
self-sufficiency level in five to seven years.
No official action was taken; however, it was the consensus that
the Waterloo Housing Authority proceed with implementation of the
development of the ten family public housing units.
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor