HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/22/93COUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 22, 1993
4:45 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Discussion was held on current revisions to the transient merchant
ordinance. Transient merchant shall mean any person, principals or
agents who are not residents of Black Hawk County or do not own
real estate in this county who offer for sale on a temporary basis.
Local christmas tree dealers want out -of -county christmas tree
dealers to pay licensing fees to do business in Waterloo. They
also want outside vendors to be covered.
The current ordinance covers only transient merchants selling their
wares indoors and requires them to purchase a license running from
$100 per day to $300 per week.
Councilperson Angel pointed out that no one enforces what we have
now, as transient merchants with stands at Crossroads Center or the
Cattle Congress have not been purchasing the license.
Bonnie Smith, Crossroads Manager, said a steep licensing fee would
drive many of her vendors away.
Mel Cook, a member of the Waterloo Optimist Club, stated they have
sold christmas trees for 32 years, and they support the kids of the
community with the Optimist Baseball League through the Waterloo
Recreation Center. Outside merchants are coming into the area and
are selling trees for less than what the Optimist Club can purchase
them.
Councilperson Dell pointed out that enforcement is crucial on this
matter, since a merchant was selling clothing on the street a
couple of blocks from City Hall without a license.
After much discussion, it was felt that many details still need to
be worked out. The fee schedule needs to be looked at, enforcement
of the ordinance needs to be reviewed and some terms still need
refining. It was also felt that it was too late this year to
include any changes (christmas tree dealers) to the ordinance to
make any difference.
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:13 p.m.
Tom Campbell
Deputy Clerk/Auditor
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 22, 1993
5:15 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Discussion was held on the latest wastewater treatment plant
improvements. Bob Bamsey, RUST Environmental & Infrastructure,
gave a presentation on the alternative analysis that would allow
the wastewater facility to meet the new standards of the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources and State Environmental Protection
Commission. The alternative presented is a two plant alternative
that would consist of modest refurbishment of the current treatment
plant on Easton Avenue and the construction of a new facility in
Northeast Waterloo. The estimated project cost is approximately
$38 million and would require user rates to increase 50-70 percent.
Waterloo Water Pollution Control staff presented a slide and graph
history of the wastewater treatment facility. They also favor the
plan recommended by RUST. They said the current system could meet
federal discharge limits with the existing equipment if it were not
for IBP and Eagle Tannery.
Councilperson Fox said he saw little choice but to accept an offer
by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to make the necessary
improvements and come into compliance with federal regulations.
City Attorney Jim Walsh favors the two plant alternative. He
stated the one plant option is no option unless the City is willing
to go to court as it requires six years to complete compared to
four years for the two plant alternative.
John Meyer, Public Works Director, pointed out that IBP and the
Eagle Tannery are currently the only contributors to the proposed
new facility and would hope they would pick up the majority of the
cost as it will have to be negotiated under current contracts to
discharge waste into the city's sewer system.
Councilperson Buck asked that this be placed on the council agenda
at its December 6, 1993 meeting.
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
Tom Campbell
Acting Clerk/Auditor