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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/92CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 9, 1992 5:30 p.m. Large Conference Room Roll call: Mayor Manning, Angel, Lemke, Wright, Budak and Fox. Absent: Buck and Dell. The Mayor stated that the purpose of the meeting was to provide an update on the proposed ice facility. Dean Myhr, Director of the Waterloo Recreation and Arts Center, stated that the committee had promised to report to the Council progress to date on the proposed ice facility. The following was reported. Wayne Snyder, of Thorson, Brom, Broshar Snyder Architects, stated that two concepts have been reviewed. The first scheme would include a 100' x 200' sheet of ice plus seating for 3,000. This facility would have a perimeter concourse with the floor and seating below grade. The facility would include locker facilities, concession facilities, public lobby, pro shop, possibly a video game area and a minimum of four changing rooms. Estimated cost of this facility would be $3.4 million. The second scheme would still include the 100' x 200' sheet of ice plus 3,000 seats but a scaled down version of the first scheme at a cost of approximately $2.5 million. Mr. Snyder pointed out that either facility could be placed on the proposed site bounded by E. 6th, Bluff, E. 7th and Jefferson Streets. It was noted that seating for 3,000 people would require approximately 1,000 parking spaces. Parking is available within two (2) blocks of the proposed site, utilizing the parking area under the highway. Larry P. Burger, Clerk/Auditor, noted that several financial packages are being investigated including the use of urban renewal bonds. He noted that there will be no more cost to the city than the current subsidy of $80,000 which is the lease payment plus out of pocket expenses to the city which this year have been estimated at $65,000. He noted that this would be a year round facility and revenues generated 12 months out of the year. He also noted that there may be some type of public/private partnership or a lease purchase type of arrangement. In response to a question from Kathy Oberle, 710 Forest Avenue, Randy Swanson noted that the ice users are reviewing fund raising possibilities and solidifying their commitment of approximately $600,000 to the facility. Ice users are looking at the possibility of hiring a professional fund raiser although no funds are in hand at the current time. Brian Nicholes, noted that several private investors are looking at an alternate site bounded by Water Street, E. 5th Street, Sycamore Street and E. 6th Street. Preliminary thoughts have been given to using the facility for other types of uses such as basketball or small concerts. Mr. Myhr pointed out that perhaps it would not be possible to interrupt use of the ice for such activities although such possibilities need to be investigated. Mr. Myhr pointed out that it is interesting to note that since the initial site has been disclosed, the public has been stimulated to look at alternative sites. He reiterated that the committee has not made a final recommendation to the council on a site and are very much aware of the concerns of the property owners within that block. He suggested that the council and the committee continue to look at the whole ice facility issue very closely and to find the best location possible. No official action was taken by the council. With no further business before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Larry P. Burger City Clerk/Auditor CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 9, 1992 6:00 p.m. Large Conference Room Roll call: Mayor Manning, Lemke, Angel, Budak, Fox and Wright. Absent: Buck and Dell. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposed amendments relating to off-street premise signage in the "H -C" Highway Corridor District. The original "H -C" Highway Corridor District ordinance banned additional off -premise signs until 30 days after the opening of Relocated U.S. Highway 218. With the proposed opening on November 12th, this time frame is quickly approaching. The Planning, Programming & Zoning Commission has reviewed off - premise signage and solicited comments from all segments of the community. Although city staff has recommended that no additional off -premise signage be allowed and that the existing 17 signs be allowed, it was the recommendation of the Planning, Programming & Zoning Commission that the existing 17 off -premise signs be allowed to remain in the corridor as well as off -premise signs at 750 foot spacing on either side of Highway 218. The Commission also recommended that new signs only allow local business advertising. City Attorney Jim Walsh stated that this latter provision would be difficult to regulate and was a dangerous precedent to set. Bob Stevenson, City Planner, noted that other Iowa cities, including Sioux City, Des Moines and Dubuque do not allow off - premise signs in various areas of the community. The city of Houston, Texas is also considering a ban on all off -premise signs. Jim Lawrence, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, stated that he would support the use of directional signs to assist tourist in finding customer related services. He was not advocating additional billboards but did not want to handicap local businesses. Wayne Snyder, representing the Design Review Board, stated that the committee supported the Gateway Committee in opposing any additional signage. Brian Nicholes stated that the U.S. Park Service was impressed with the lack of billboards in the community while reviewing the city's request for an urban park as a part of the Silos to Smokestacks project. No official action was taken by the council. This item was referred to the City Council Agenda of November 9th, under Public Hearings. With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Larry P. Burger City Clerk/Auditor