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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/95City Council Work Session December 11, 1995 5:00 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Chairperson Anders, Mollenhoff, Krizek, Getty, Murphy, Jordan Members absent: Collier It was moved by Krizek, seconded by Jordan to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. City Planner Don Temeyer reviewed the economic development plan for the City of Waterloo. The mission of the plan is to create an economic environment which provides ample opportunities for the development of new and existing businesses, resulting in the creation of new jobs and an increase in the tax base. The strategies to achieve this mission include increasing employment opportunities, increase taxable values, redevelop downtown, develop a city -owned industrial park and airport trade center and assist existing businesses with expansion and retention. The plan has eight general areas of development. The retail development has been growing rapidly in large part to the influx of patrons brought in by the highway improvements. Additional highway projects would provide access to the metropolitan area if Highways 20 & 63 are expanded to four lane and a freeway to Interstate 35 is developed. Areas targeted for development include the Crossroads area, airport, downtown, Logan Plaza area, Northeast Industrial area, Tower Park, Rath area and a northeast arterial to Hwy 63 & 20 The City also works closely with Cedar Valley Partnership for seeking economic development opportunities through the expansion of existing industrial and retail businesses or in attracting new businesses to the community. The City has established a one-stop permitting center to promote a business -friendly atmosphere when businesses are expanding or developing. The building inspections department, planning and zoning, engineers and fire departments work in a coordinated effort to provide inspection and plan review efforts to citizens. Councilperson Krizek pointed out the need for increasing the tax base in the residential areas as another area that should be included in the economic development plan. Temeyer agreed and stated that the Community Development Board has made this one of their priorities. Temeyer discussed the need to rehabilitate as many homes as possible because replacement of older homes with new homes require a minimum investment of seventy to eighty thousand dollars. The Mayor has appointed a Revolving Loan Committee to evaluate and make recommendations on requests for loans of economic development funds. The major emphasis should consider the need to create jobs, increase the City's tax base and add diversity to the economic structure of the community. Tax abatements for downtown projects are being considered to stimulate new developments and renovation of existing commercial buildings in the downtown area. Temeyer asked the council to consider adoption of this plan to allow the entities involved to move forward with a coordinated economic development effort for the City of Waterloo. It was moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Jordan to instruct the City Planner to present the plan for council consideration at the December 18 meeting. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. With no further discussion on this matter, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Mollenhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:46 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk City Council Work Session December 11, 1995 5:45 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Chairperson Anders, Mollenhoff, Krizek, Getty, Murphy, Jordan Members absent: Collier It was moved by Jordan, seconded by Mollenhoff to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Finance Manager Bruce Meisinger presented the animal control services agreement that is proposed with the Cedar Bend Humane Society. The contract would provide two animal control officers to handle services for the City and would cover the period from January, 1996 through June 30th, 1997. The City of Waterloo has been required to reduce their animal control services from three full-time officers to one officer over recent years. This has resulted in a reduction'in the service provided to taxpayers. The annual cost for the agreement is proposed at $150,000 per year which compares to an estimated $165,000 budget for the city to maintain comparable service levels. The estimated budget figure is based on the current operations budget of $134,000 plus the additional cost to rehire an officer at an estimated cost of $31,000 to provide comparable service. Meisinger stated that there were a few areas of conflict in the final versions of the agreement that are still being worked on. The Humane Society has proposed to provide thirteen hours of coverage with the two officers and will provide emergency coverage after hours at a cost of $50.00 per hour. Councilperson Mollenhoff requested that twenty-four hour coverage be looked at. Councilperson Murphy stated that a previous administration had looked into the high cost of service provided by the Humane Society in the past and he is concerned about entering into such an agreement with them again. Councilperson Mollenhoff reported that the previous problems were many years ago and since that time the Humane Society has had a tremendous track record. Deanna Cooper, Executive Director of the Human Society, explained that fourteen years ago the Humane Society handled over 14,000 animals per year in comparison to the 7,000 animals handled this year. The efforts to have animals spayed and neutered have helped to alleviate the problems that occurred years ago. Mollenhoff again stated that he would like twenty-four hour, seven days a week coverage. Councilperson Getty pointed out that as proposed the agreement only calls for sixteen hours per day five days a week. Meisinger reported that the contract as proposed by the Humane Society would provide thirteen hours of coverage per day with a three hour overlap on the two of f i`cers work schedule. Getty also requested twenty-four hour coverage, seven days a week but he thinks the $150,000 charge is high for five days of coverage per week. Meisinger agreed to work with the Humane Society to give a cost comparison of the base agreement to a full service agreement as requested by Getty and Mollenhoff. It was moved by Getty, seconded by Mollenhoff to instruct staff to continue negotiations and develop a detailed comparison for a full service agreement. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. With no further discuss, it was moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Krizek to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman ' City Clerk