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Home My WebLink About04/22/1996CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 22, 1996 4:45 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Chairperson Getty, Anders, Murphy, Krizek, Mollenhoff. Members absent: Collier, Jordan. It was moved by Murphy, seconded by Mollenhoff to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes: Five. Absent: Collier, Jordan. Motion carried. Finance Manager Bruce Meisinger provided a list of the projects selected for the upcoming general obligation and sewer revenue bond sale. A hearing for the bond sale is set for May 6, 1996. The general obligation bond sale will fund projects which include street, traffic signal, sidewalk and storm drain improvements. Building improvements for city buildings, golf courses and parking ramps are also included. Funds are being provided for the purchase of new computer and telecommunications equipment. The total bond issuance for general obligation bonds is $4.2 million dollars. Sewer revenue bonds will be sold for the next phase of matching funds for the construction of the wastewater treatment facility. Meisinger explained that the difference between general corporate purpose and essential corporate purpose general obligation bonds is that general corporate purpose could be subject to a reverse referendum if a petition is signed within thirty days of the hearing. Councilperson Anders asked who decides which categories the projects fall under. Meisinger stated that bond counsel is required to determine the appropriate category. Meisinger indicated that staff is still considering sewer revenue bonds advance refunding. There are several series that may provide a return on interest if refunded. A financial analysis will be done before the bond sale to determine if it is advantageous. The proposed sale follows the five year debt management plan which retires more general obligation bonds than are sold each year. The city is retiring 1.5 million dollars more in debt than it is acquiring this year. Collier now present at 5:00 p.m. Meisinger was asked what determines the difference in interest rates for sewer revenue bonds versus general obligation bonds. Sewer revenue bonds are taxable and thus assigned a premium by rating agencies. Jordan now present at 5:02 p.m. The estimated maturity schedules were reviewed. The general obligation bonds will have a fifteen year maturity schedule and the sewer revenue bonds will have a twenty year maturity. Councilperson Krizek asked for an explanation of the $54,000 funded for fire equipment. Chief Magsamen reported that three engines will be refurbished with the funds and new Lifepaks will be purchased for the ambulances. Councilperson Anders asked for an explanation of the airport improvements. Meisinger reported that the funds are intended for needed improvements to handle jet service, the parking lot overlay and improved signage. With no further items to discuss, it was moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Jordan to adjourn the meeting at 5:12 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 22, 1996 5:15 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Chairperson Getty, Anders, Murphy, Jordan, Collier, Krizek, Mollenhoff. It was moved by Jordan, seconded by Murphy to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Building Official Louis Cutwright updated the council on the revisions to the downtown renovation guidelines. Cutwright had been asked to review the handicap restroom requirements for small restaurants and has returned with modifications to the plan. The guidelines now propose that only a single unisex handicap accessible restroom will be required for restaurants with an eating area of less than 750 feet. Restaurants with larger eating areas will need to provide two handicap accessible restrooms. The differentiation between small storefronts and large store fronts was discussed. Cutwright established criteria for small store fronts which have less than 1,600 square feet and three employees may have one unisex bathroom. City Planner Don Temeyer pointed out that most store fronts downtown are between 1,600 and 2,000 square feet. It would seem more equitable to treat both the same if there are less than four employees. Councilperson Jordan asked what the current guidelines were? Cutwright stated that there are no current guidelines and it is a matter of discretion for the building official. These specifications are needed to be provided to developers as they begin to plan for improvements. Councilperson Krizek stated she would like to amend the plan to a 2,000 square feet maximum for a single unisex handicapped restroom. It was the consensus of the council to revise the guidelines to 2,000 square feet for restrooms. Cutwright pointed out the safeguards established to help prevent catastrophic fires damage like the Chicago fire. Mike Hahn, Waterloo Redevelopment Authority, requested revisiting the basement exit and sprinklers requirements. Downtown developers indicated that requiring exits for basements only used for utilities seemed excessive. Cutwright reported that these requirements are right out of the Life Safety Code and are needed to protect both property and lives. The council agreed to Cutwright's request to leave this section as written. With no further discussion on the downtown renovation guidelines, it was moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Jordan to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 p.m. Ayes:', Seven. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 22, 1996 5:30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Chairperson Getty, Anders, Murphy, Jordan, Collier, Krizek, Mollenhoff. It was moved by Jordan, seconded by Mollenhoff to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Craig Ritland presented the plans for the proposed Fourth Street renovation project. He also introduced Tom Noonan from Claassen Engineering who assisted with the design process. The changes to the west side of the river encompass reducing the number of decorative lights and spreading them across the bridge. The east side renovations will include putting in thirty-two new lights and establishing on -street parking. The UpDownTowners are raising funds to purchase the additional lights through brick sales. The new lights are estimated to cost about $1,000 less each than the original cost. Councilperson Krizek asked if the trees will be interrupted. Ritland stated that some of the trees will be removed and new replanted. This is a result of the move from twenty off-street parking spaces to fifty parking spaces. Downtown property owners support the need for additional parking spaces. Councilperson Collier requested an estimate on the total project cost. Don Temeyer, City Planner, stated that the project is anticipated to cost $476,000 to construct. Ritland reported that he has had several meetings with downtown property owners. Concerns by west side owners seem to involve the need for lighting in certain areas. East side owners are primarily concerned with the need for additional parking spaces. With no further discussion on the matter, it was moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Jordan to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 22, 1996 6:40 p.m. Police Library Members present: Chairperson Getty, Anders, Murphy, Jordan, Collier, Krizek, Mollenhoff. It was moved by Jordan, seconded by Krizek to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The council's schedule for meetings were reviewed. It was requested that a date be set to complete the airport tour. Councilperson Anders asked that there be a meeting with the Recreation Center and Young Arena staff to discuss a joint building maintenance program. Council was reminded that there is a Computer Technical Review Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 24th at 8:30 a.m. The City van was scheduled', for the Thursday, April 25 tour of Corkery Recycling. Councilperson Krizek asked that a boards and commissions meeting be scheduled for Monday, May 13th. A public safety meeting was set for Thursday, April 25th at 1:00 p.m. With no further items to discuss, it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Mollenhoff to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk