HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/28/92CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 28, 1992
5:45 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Roll call: Mayor Manning, Angel, Buck,
Wright.
Budak, Lemke,
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the
facility.
Fox, Dell and
proposed ice
Dean Myhr, Recreation Director, provided a brief history as to the
Commission's past effort to construct a sports facility.
Construction of the complex would allow for use by both seniors and
kids. Currently, the city leases McElroy Auditorium for six months
per year with an ever increasing cost to the city for repairs to
this aging facility. He stated that it is important that the city
begin looking at an ice facility before McElroy becomes unusable.
This proposed ice facility is Phase I of a total recreational
project.
Budak now present at 5:51 p.m.
Mr. Myhr thanked Dave Tyler who is president of the U.S. Hockey
League and instrumental to hockey in this community. Randy Swanson
has served in the capacity of facilitating the site selection
process together with representatives of the Recreation Commission,
the city, and interested citizens.
Randy Swanson presented the process and criteria used for the
selection and review of 17 sites for the facility.
Angel now present at 5:54 p.m.
The process used was a decision model, which included listing
criteria that were a "must" or a "want", with each given a weighted
numeric value. Each site was evaluated on these criteria with a
clear best choice being the site bounded by East Sixth Street,
Jefferson Street, East Seventh, and Bluff Street.
Mr. Myhr stated that the committee was asking for preliminary
approval of said site and authorization to proceed with design of
the facility for this specific site. On October 26th, it is the
committee's intent to bring back to the council a total package
including an architectural plan for the site, costs, and a proposed
operational budget. The architect will determine whether the site
is adequate for the facility in terms of size, parking,
transportation and affordability, among others. Should there be
overwhelming opposition to the site, it will be the council's
option to then cease with this project location. In essence, this
project will be a public - private partnership. This site was also
recommended for its future expansion possibilities.
Kathy Oberle, 710 Forest Avenue, read statements from Mary Lichty
and Leonard Katoski endorsing said project.
It was noted that the National Cattle Congress site was discussed
as a proposed site. The Cattle Congress Board recognizes the need
to improve ice facilities in the area but that they cannot be
financially involved in any project relating to ice. It was noted
that the city will probably continue to honor its lease with Cattle
Congress for two more years allowing them to prepare for future re-
use of the facility after the lease ends. John Nicholson, an
advocate of ice, asked that the city consider encompassing the
entire county with this project in order to serve all citizens in
the area.
Councilperson Wright questioned how property owners would be
affected within the block. Property owners have expressed to her
opposition and fear to possibly moving and relocation. City staff
emphasized that the city is only in the exploratory stages and that
should the site be, the city would work with the businesses in the
Council Work Session
September 28, 1992
Page 2
block conforming to the Federal Uniform Relocation Act. This will
include review of property owners' leases, lease hold improvements,
appraisal and establishment of fair market value. Councilperson
Buck warned that if this site is determined to be appropriate it
will then be incumbent upon the city to proceed, purchase and
relocate property owners within the block.
Mr. Myhr stated that the preliminarily architectural design will
include a conceptual plan including seating for 3,000 people, a 100
x 200 sheet of ice and possible expansion alternatives.
Councilperson Angel asked whether the architectural fee paid will
be lost if the site is not approved. It was stated that a
preliminary architectural drawing could be, with modification,
transferred to an alternative site.
Councilperson Fox stated that he was willing to go ahead with this
site if it proved as the best possible alternative and asked fellow
council members whether they were willing to go forward with the
plan.
The tenant of Johnstone Supply, 329 W. Sixth Street, stated her
disappointment with locating the ice facility in this block since
she was a new tenant to the area. She stated that less than two
months ago she had received a certificate from the City of Waterloo
thanking them for assisting in redevelopment of the city and
locating in this area. Now the city is kicking them out without
consideration for their hard work and effort in locating here.
Mayor Manning stated that if this site is the number one location,
it should not be construed that the city does not want business in
the community. It was noted that the other five top sites would
have a greater relocation cost because more property owners were
involved.
John Nicholson suggested use of the Municipal Stadium area for an
ice facility. It was noted that this area is subject to flooding
and would not be a suitable location.
Don Temeyer, Planning & Development Director, stated that when
appropriate, the city will assist in working with property owners
to provide alternative sites. Councilperson Wright also noted that
Johnstone Supply Co. had received a SBA loan and were concerned
about its repayment. Bob Stevenson noted that until the city has
been given authorization to proceed with the project, it would be
difficult to determine relocation assistance until leases could be
reviewed and lease holding improvements have been evaluated. Kathy
Oberle noted that it is the city's responsibility to assist these
property owners.
No official action was taken by the Council at this session.
Official action was taken by the City Council during its regular
session on September 28, 1992. (refer to City Council minutes CR
100054 & 100055)
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor