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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/95City Council Work Session September 11, 1995 5:00 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Mollenhoff, Jordan, Murphy, Collier, Getty, Krizek, Anders Motion by Jordan, second by Collier that the agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Assistant City Attorney Sang-ki Han provided a rough draft of the ordinance implementing the recommended changes as requested at a previous work session. Councilperson Getty asked if the original ordinance prohibited parking on the parking. Han stated that the ordinance enforced no parking only as it pertained to prohibiting fixing vehicles on the parking. Han identified the new sections as Section 273A. 2, 3, 4. The Chief of Police stated that his department is opposed to the adoption of the language presented in Section 273A.4 because most complaints received in the police department for this problem originate in the residential areas. Councilperson Murphy expressed his concern about the need for more distinction in designating the "parking" area specifically for those districts that have no curb or sidewalk line. Councilperson Anders expressed the belief that the enactment and enforcement of this ordinance has gotten out of hand. The ordinance was proposed to assist in cleaning up properties in town that cluttered or obstructed the parking area; however, the issue has turned away from cleaning up properties and instead has been focused on problems with enforcement. Police Chief Koehrsen explained that in the past enforcement of this ordinance was at the discretion of the officer and most ticketing was done upon receipt of a complaint from a citizen. Mayor Rooff proposed leaving the ordinance as written but adding a section which requires businesses to get a permit for parking on the parking for employees or customers and requiring signs to be erected at approved locations. Another method for approving parking on the parking would be to grandfather locations in by establishing a set of criteria such as paved parking or no on - street parking, etc. Councilperson Anders opposed the council having the discretionary function to approve locations for permitting parking on the parking. City Planner Don Temeyer pointed out that the council is the appropriate authority to set the criteria and approve any exceptions to the ordinance. Mayor Rooff instructed the City Attorney to return the ordinance to its original form and add clarification for the designation "parking" as easement and add prohibition to repair vehicles under Section 3842.405. Police Chief Koehrsen offered to work with the Attorney's office to revise the ordinance and return in a future work session with the new changes. With no further discussion on the issue it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk City Council Work Session September 11, 1995 5:30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Mollenhoff, Jordan, Murphy, Collier, Getty, Krizek, Anders. Motion by Krizek, second by Jordan that the agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Darrell Wenzel, general manager of TCI of Northern Iowa, introduced representatives from TCI and Anteck Fiber Optics, Jim Scofield and Mike Whitley, who will be making the report on fiber optics. Mike Whitley explained that Anteck Fiber Optics is the largest manufacturer and supplier of fiber optics to the cable industry. Samples of fiber optic cable were displayed for the Mayor and Council to view. Mike Whitley explained that most of the cable industry is using co- axial cable for distribution of its channels. Co -axial cable is limited in band width and has a history of unreliability due to the number of relay stations required to transmit the signal over long distances. Fiber can be transmitted to a central plant to amplify the product and is more reliable in outage situations because incidents causing outages can be limited to specific nodes. Fiber also allows regional connections for business, schools and home uses. Fiber optic connections would allow rural areas to access metro hospitals for assistance in diagnostic and treatment practices. Councilperson Getty asked what has to be done to get fiber optic cable to the residential areas. Mike Whitley explained that it is a simple process to replace the co -axial cable with fiber and purchase equipment to attach the nodes to a central location. Darrel Wenzel stated that TCI of Northern Iowa would have to upgrade its transmission equipment to seven hundred fifty megahertz. The current plant is at 300 megahertz which would double the capacity from 36 channels to 70 channels and still allow capacity for other purposes such as phone or computer transmissions. Wenzel reported that the current thirty-eight amplifiers that are used to transmit from the plant to the north side of Waterloo could be replaced by five amplifiers if fiber optics would be installed. Mayor Rooff reported that the City and TCI are in the process of negotiating a new franchise agreement. The upgrading of equipment could be part of this agreement but the build out period is a negotiable item as yet. There are some current needs which need to be addressed such as connections for police and fire for the centralized dispatch system. Police Chief Koehrsen affirmed his need for connections with the dispatch center, fire department and Tri -County Task Force offices. Mayor Rooff asked what the project for the connection of Allen Hospital to the Armory consists of. Darrell Wenzel stated that TCI did not get the bid for installation of that connection but they are willing to bid on any project the City would have along with other businesses in the community. Administrative Director Bob Stevenson agreed to get a city-wide collection of fiber optic needs to bring back for review by the Mayor and Council. With no further discussion on this matter it was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk