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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/95COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 6, 1995 4:15 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Anders, Getty, Murphy, Krizek, Jordan, Mollenhoff. Members absent: Collier. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Murphy that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Jordan, Collier, Mollenhoff. Motion carried. Dick Grimm, Street Superintendent and the Bulk Item Committee presented recommendations on establishing a bulk item pickup program. The program needs to be responsive to citizens' needs but also needs to include ordinance changes to allow for fines to be assessed if materials are dumped curbside not in accordance with the City's policy. It was recommended to continue with the organized neighborhood cleanup service when residents request it. Containers would be provided at a neighborhood site to receive materials. The cleanup period would need to be limited to a twenty-four or forty-eight hour period and paid attendants would need to supervise the area for the entire time to prevent any illegal dumping from occurring. A second option for residents would be the establishment of the large item pickup service as a daily operation with a basic fee of ten dollars for the first ten items. The customer would call and schedule the service. Items would be limited to those that are too large to be placed for regular garbage pickup service and would exclude yard waste and construction rubble. If the pickup exceeded the ten item limit, an additional ten dollar charge would be assessed for ten more items. The fees would then be billed through the Waterloo Water Works garbage billing process. The final item to be addressed would be the ordinance changes so that supervisory personnel would have the authority to issue tickets and assess fines for illegal or unacceptable dumping of materials. The tickets would be issued at the site and then staff would clean the location and assess the costs to the property. This would speed up the process of removing the materials and permit workers to ticket and clean up a location without having to go back again. Councilperson Krizek asked whether refrigerators and stoves would be picked up and Mr. Grimm responded that staff would accept appliances in either the neighborhood cleanup or during scheduled pickups. These items would then be sold for scrap value which would help defray the costs. Councilperson Murphy suggested that staff investigate privatization of this service to compare the cost of City staff providing the service or an outside carrier contracting the service. Dick Grimm agreed to investigate this matter. A hazardous materials disposal site has been discussed with the Solid Waste Commission and their agency will be working on providing either a permanent site or one day cleanup effort. Councilpersons Mollenhoff and Jordan in attendance at 4:30 p.m. Dick Grimm was directed to continue investigating the ability to bill the ten dollar pickup charge on the Water bills. Councilperson Jordan raised a concern that this could be assessed to the property owner if the tenant leaves the bill unpaid and moves from the location. With no further discussion, it was moved by Murphy, seconded by Mollenhoff that the meeting be adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 6, 1995 4:30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Anders, Jordan, Murphy, Getty, Krizek, Mollenhoff. Members absent: Collier. Moved by Murphy, seconded by Mollenhoff that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Fire Chief Magsamen discussed the proposed amendments required to adopt the 1994 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code, Life Safety Code, Fire Prevention Code and Uniform Building Code. These codes address flammable liquids, building codes requirements such as fire walls and other protective measures. Other items also addressed are standards for protective clothing and life safety issues. Moved by Getty, seconded by Mollenhoff to receive the recommended upgrades and refer to the City Council for action. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Louis Cutwright, Building Official, reviewed the proposed amendments to Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to adopt the 1994 Edition of the Uniform Building Code. The amendments to the 1994 Code deal specifically with not requiring permits for fences not over 4 feet high, permit fees and dangerous buildings. The permit fee schedules are being developed through a cooperative effort of the Fire Department, Building Department and Contractors Board. The new fees will be adopted by resolution of the council and it is the intention to incorporate reinspection fees into the building inspection program. Discussion was heard on the need to improve the Dangerous Building Code to assist with shortening the timeline for clean up requirements on dangerous buildings. The current language has allowed dangerous sites to go unchanged for over a year. It was recommended that Louis Cutwright re-evaluate this section and propose changes to strengthen code enforcement. Councilperson Mollenhoff stated that the City needs to enact an ordinance to address the dangerous building situations in a more timely fashion. Councilperson Krizek recommended that the code set time limits for abatement of dangerous buildings. Louis Cutwright informed the council of the need to also address who would be responsible for demolition and its associated costs. Councilperson Mollenhoff requested that the Mayor instruct Mr. Cutwright to address this item and bring back recommendations to the council. Another issue that has raised concerns in the adoption of the 1994 code deals with requirements for egress windows in basements and bedrooms. There are mixed opinions on this issue and Louis Cutwright shared information from several contractors with the council. Further discussion was heard on the plan review process and Louis Cutwright indicated that his department and the Contractors Board would be working together on the plan review process and new building permit fee structures and that they have set a goal for presentation of these items for approval within ninety days. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Murphy, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:09 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Jordan. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 6, 1995 5:00 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Murphy, Getty, Krizek, Mollenhoff. Absent: Collier. Moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Murphy that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff initiated discussion on the F.Y. 1996 Budget by reviewing the proposed budget which sets the tax rate at $18.58. This lowers the total tax dollar askings from $25,229,993 in F.Y. 1995 to $25,189,985 in F.Y. 1996. Decreases have been obtained by lowering the health insurance budget by $60,000 and savings from delaying the hiring of a Human Rights Specialist until January of 1996 and dropping 2 new positions for the Building Inspection Department. Bruce Meisinger, Finance Manager, stated that the proposed budget funds all outside agencies at their current level of funding but doesn't allow funding for any new agencies. It allows for contracted mowing services in the Parks Department and enacts virtually all of the recommendations by the Budget Review Committee. The recommendation by the Budget Review Committee to increase contingencies has also been reflected by increasing this line from $100,000 to almost $300,000 in F.Y. 1996. The cash balance should be 1.7 Million dollars at the end of the current fiscal year and should assist in improving the City's bond rating as it exceeds the 5% recommended by Moody's Investment Service. The council directed questions regarding specific line items to Mr. Meisinger. Funds for economic development have been increased due to the release of UDAG funds in connection with the Rath Development. The budget removes funding for Cedar Valley Partnership and the Waterloo Redevelopment Authority from the tax levy but these items could be funded through economic development funds if the council wishes. A request for additional funds for NECSA was discussed and it was agreed that contingency funds could be used for this purpose if needed. Increases to the budget's total expenditures are due to plans for opening Fire Station #6, the library levy, Young Arena operations, Water Pollution Control improvements, the Airport PFC charges, expansion of parking facilities, increased contingencies and the energy project. There are corresponding increases in revenues to offset these increased expenditures. Councilperson Getty expressed his appreciation of the jobs done by staff in the preparation of this budget. Councilperson Mollenhoff shared a concern about the Airport Commission approving salary increases for Airport staff which are not in line with raises for other City employees. This administration set a policy for establishing the proposed raises and he feels the Airport Commission should be responsive to that administrative policy. Councilperson Getty supported this opinion and requested that a work session be set up for next Monday night with the Airport Commission and the City Council to discuss these matters. Councilperson Anders pointed out that there is no tax levy support for the Airport in the proposed budget. Mayor Rooff agreed, however he reminded the council that the City assisted with the cost of the study required for further development at the Airport. Council Work Session March 6, 1995 Page 2 Mayor Rooff requested that the Public Works Committee study the need for the $3.25 garbage charge to residents with private haulers. The revenue generated from this charge is small and the council should consider abating this fee. With no further discussion, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Murphy that the meeting be adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk