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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03/10/2008• • March 10, 2008 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Regular Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, March 10, 2008. Mayor Timothy J. Hurley in the Chair. Roll Call: Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt. Moment of Silence. Pledge of Allegiance: Bob Stringer, Human Resources Director. 126723 Reggie Schmitt/Greenwood that the Agenda, as amended, for the Regular Session on Monday, March 10, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 126724 - Reggie Schmitt/Greenwood that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, March 3, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Mayor Hurley presented Basketball Coaches of the Year to JP Garrey, Tom Eighmey, Joe Berinobis, Theron Montgomery and Rudy Jones. Mayor Hurley presented Character Counts Players of the Year to Kalen Saddler, Blaire Thomas, Molly Severin and Jackson Little. CONSENT AGENDA 126725 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt that the following items on the consent agenda be received, placed on file and approved: a. Resolutions to approve the following: 1. Resolution approving Schedule AP640, pp. 1-57, dated March 10, 2008, in the amount of $1,012,704.84, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office, together with recommendation of approval of the Finance Committee. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-172. 2. Communication from City Clerk transmitting request of John Marso of the Waterloo Bucks for a variance to the Noise Ordinance on August 30, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in conjunction with a Styx concert at Riverfront Stadium, together with recommendation of Police Chief. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-173. b. Motion to approve the following: 1. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, to attend American Public Works Association 2008 Mid -American Conference and Exhibit Show in Overland Park, Kansas on May 7-9, 2008, with costs not to exceed $585.00. 2. James Bolger, Golf Manager, to staff the Waterloo golf booth at the LaCrosse Golf Show in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on March 14-16, 2008, with costs not to exceed $300.00. c. Motion to receive and file the following: 1. Communication from Iowa Department of Transportation transmitting notification that the DOT proposes to let a Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) patching project on I-380 from 1 mile north of U.S. 30 in Cedar Rapids north to U.S. 218 in Waterloo on March 18, 2008. d. Beer License Permit Application Class C Holiday Stationstore, 3260 University Avenue (Renewal) (Expires 5/4/09) (Includes Sunday Sales) March 10, 2008 Consent Agenda continued e. Beer/Liquor License Permit Application Class C The Ground Round Restaurant, 1425 San Marnan Drive (Renewal) (Expires 3/31/09) (Includes Sunday Sales) Grand Cafe Bar, 1402 Black Hawk Street (Renewal) (Expires 3/15/09) (Includes Sunday Sales) Page 2 Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. HEARINGS & BIDS 126726 - Getty/Hart that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on Purchase of 4 -Wheel Drive Truck With Snow -Plow, as published in the Waterloo Courier on February 22, 2008, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 126727 - This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none. Getty/Hart that the hearing be closed. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 126728 - Getty/Hart that "Resolution confirming approval of specifications, bid document, etc. in conjunction with above described purchase", be adopted. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-174. 126729 - Getty/Hart that "Resolution authorizing to proceed in conjunction with above said purchase", be adopted. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-175. 126730 - Getty/Hart to receive, file and instruct City Clerk to open and read bids and refer to Superintendent of Central Garage for review: Bidder Bid Amount Witham Auto Center, Waterloo, IA $32,517.00 Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 126731 Hart/Greenwood that communication from Contracts and Grants Coordinator transmitting recommendation of award of contract in the amount of $120,000.00 to D.W. Zinser Co. Inc. of Walford, Iowa in conjunction with General Obligation Bond Demolition Project, 93 and 97 Vinton, 156 -D -GO -03-03-08, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving award of said contract", be adopted. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-176. 126732 - Hart/Greenwood that communication from Assistant City Engineer transmitting recommendation of award of contract in the amount of $3,159,413.78 to Aspro, Inc. and Its Subsidiary of Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with F.Y. 2008 Street Reconstruction Program, Contract No. 736, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving award of said contract", be adopted. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. • • • • March 10, 2008 Unfinished Business continued Councilperson Greenwood commented that Louis Starks, Contracts and Grants Coordinator, reviewed the bid from Aspro, Inc. and feels they complied with the Good Faith requirements. The WBE was 11 percent of the total contract, which exceeds the WBE goal of 2 percent, and the MBE was 4 percent of the total contract. Page 3 Councilperson Hart asked how the reconstruction project will impact what we are seeing relating to our streets. Mayor Hurley noted that potholes are not part of the street reconstruction project, and that the city hopes to cover the potholes prior to the reconstruction project. Mayor Hurley noted that these are two different funding streams and they are not interchangeable. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-177. DOCUMENTS 126733 - Hart/Greenwood that communication from Assistant City Engineer transmitting Contracts, Bonds and Certificates of Insurance in the amount of $3,159,413.78 with Aspro, Inc. and Its Subsidiary of Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with F.Y. 2008 Street Reconstruction Program, Contract No. 736, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said documents", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-178. 126734 - Hart/Greenwood that communication from City Engineer transmitting Completion of Project and Recommendation of Acceptance of Work performed by KWS, Inc. of Cedar Falls, Iowa at a total cost of $564,478.71 in conjunction with F.Y. 2006 San Marnan Drive Traffic Improvements - Phase III, Contract No. 702, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said documents", be approved and two-year Maintenance Bond be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-179. 126735 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt that communication from City Engineer transmitting Completion of Project and Recommendation of Acceptance of Work performed by K. Cunningham Construction Co. Inc. of Cedar Falls, Iowa at a total cost of $181,609.14, with city's portion of $90,804.57, in conjunction with F.Y. 2006 VGM Expansion Entrance Road (Fitzway Drive), Contract No. 704, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said documents", be approved and two-year Maintenance Bond be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-180. 126736 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt that communication from Senior Planner transmitting request of Lisa Kipp for tax exemptions on improvements totaling $13,500.00 for property located at 727 Kirkwood Avenue located in the Consolidated Urban Revitalization Area, together with recommendation of approval, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said request", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to notify Black Hawk County Assessor of same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-181. March 10, 2008 Documents continued 126737 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt Page 4 that communication from City Planner transmitting Housing Enterprise Zone Program Agreement with Iowa Department of Economic Development and Rooff Contracting & Development for construction of four new homes on Madison and Monroe Streets located within Enterprise Zone boundaries, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-182. 126738 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt that communication from City Planner transmitting CEBA Funding Agreement and Promissory Note with Iowa Department of Economic Development and A -Line EDS, Inc. for a $45,000.00 loan/forgivable loan for investment of over $1.2 million in new construction, building remodeling as well as machinery equipment, including construction of new 13,488 sq. ft. building at 808 Dearborn Avenue with an estimated construction cost of $400,000.00 and creation of nine new jobs, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-183. 126739 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt that communication from City Planner transmitting amendment to Development Agreement with MAKO Waterloo Corporation for restoration and rehabilitation of the Rath Administration Building located at 1515 Sycamore Street to extend the Due Diligence period to March 24, 2008 and require the city to remove asbestos by July 18, 2008, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-184. 126740 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt that communication from Assistant City Attorney transmitting Acknowledgement/Settlement Agreement in the amount of $300.00 with New Star Liquor, 1625 West 4th Street, for selling tobacco, tobacco products or cigarettes to any person under 18 years of age, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-185. NEW BUSINESS 126741 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper to instruct Leisure Services Director to prepare plans, specifications, form of contract, etc. in conjunction with 2008 Cedar River/Exchange Sports Complex Fencing Project, be received, placed on file and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 126742 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper that plans, specifications, form of contract, etc. in conjunction with 2008 Cedar River/Exchange Sports Complex Fencing Project, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 126743 Reggie Schmitt/Welper that "Resolution preliminarily approving plans, specifications, form of contract, etc. in conjunction with above described project", be adopted. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-186. • • • • March 10, 2008 New Business continued 126744 Reggie Schmitt/Welper Page 5 that "Resolution setting date of hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract, etc. as March 24, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and taking bids on the above described project", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-187. HEARINGS 126745 - Greenwood/Reggie Schmitt that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on FYE 2009 Budget, as published in the Waterloo Courier on February 26, 2008, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 126746 - This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reviewed "Steady As We Grow, City of Waterloo Budget Fiscal Year 2009", a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's office. Some of the items presented were: The Mission Statement, Top Strategic Priorities as Defined by Mayor and Council, How Does The City Provide Services, Sewer Fund - funded by user fees, How Are Sewer User Fees Spent, Garbage Fund - funded by user fees, How Are Garbage User Fees Spent, Road Use Tax Fund - funded by state taxes, How Are Road Use Tax Funds Used. Ms. Weidner noted that the Road Use Tax funds have remained fairly flat over the past seven years while our expenses continue to grow, some of which will be funded out of the General Fund in FYE09. Local Option Tax Fund - funded by the one cent sales tax, How Are Local Option Tax Funds Used, Community Development/Housing - funded primarily with federal grants, How Are Federal Block Grant Funds Used, How Are Federal Housing Funds Used, Capital Projects Funded - funded with city bond funds(repaid with debt service levy) and by federal and state grants, How Are Capital Project Funds Used, Debt Service Fund - funded primarily by property taxes, How Are Debt Service Funds Used, General Fund - funded primarily by property taxes. Ms. Weidner noted that 73 percent of the General Fund is used for police and fire. Other areas in the General Fund include: Building Inspections, Animal Control, Public Works, Parking Ramps and Lots, Airport, Central Garage, Public Bus Transportation, Human Rights Commission, Mayor's Youth Programming, Library, Parks, Recreation (golf, sports, Young Arena, Center For The Arts, Youth Pavilion), Planning & Zoning, Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, Mayor and Council, City Clerk/Finance, Facilities Maintenance, Management Information Services, Property and Liability Insurance, City Attorney, Human Resources, Memorial Hall. Ms. Weidner noted that in FY08 the city budgeted for 506 employees with 400 of those employees paid through the General Fund. Ms. Weidner reviewed What Activities are General Fund Property Tax Dollars Used For which showed that 73 percent of the General Fund property tax dollars goes to police, fire and building inspection; 15 percent for Library, Leisure Services, Center for The Arts, Youth Pavilion; 1 percent for Planning, Economic Development; 1 percent for Road Use Tax Employee Benefits; 3.5 percent for Airport, Parking and MET bus service; 1 percent for Human Rights; and 5.5 percent for Administration, City Facilities. In reviewing What Types of Things Does The City Pay For Withy My General Fund Property Tax Dollar, Ms. Weidner noted that 70 percent is devoted to personnel costs, including benefits. Ms. Weidner reviewed What Is My Total Property Tax Dollar Used For, What Types of Things Does the City Pay For With My Total Property Tax Dollar (including Debt Payments). Ms. Weidner reviewed the Valuation Trends for the City of Waterloo and reported that the city has $3.47 Billion assessed property value, but due to the 44 percent rollback figure, the city has $1.99 Billion taxable property value, representing 3.11 new growth in total assessed value and 3.65 percent new growth in taxable value for FYE09. Ms. Weidner reviewed Items Impacting The FYE09 General Fund Budget which included three new employees, costs and operating revenues were projected using a three-year actual average in most cases, personnel (pay increases, health insurance increase, GASB 45 post - employment health insurance, Police & Fire pension decrease and decreased retirement payments), which makes for $891,853 increase in personnel costs. March 10, 2008 Hearings continued Ms. Weidner explained GASB 45 are the new Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements for governments to recognize costs for providing post - employment health benefits while still employed. We have been booking this as an expense. Private industries began booking these liabilities a couple of years ago. The city provides post -employment health insurance on a graduated scale for those hired prior to July 1, 1990. The actuary hired by the city has estimated the cost to be $25.5 million. State law requires that retirees be allowed to purchase health insurance at the same cost as active employee. The actuary assumes the city's subsidy at $9.5 million for a total $35.4 million. The total does not need to be booked all at once and we have a period of years to pick up the liability. The actuary indicated the city would need to book $512,000 for FYE09, with a General Fund share of $399,000. Ms. Weidner noted that the police and fire pension decreased from 25.48 percent of gross payroll to 18.75 percent of gross payroll, which is a 26.41 percent decrease. Page 6 Ms Weidner reviewed significant revenue changes impacting the FYE09 General Fund Budget include: increased gaming revenue, increased airport fees, increased building inspection fees, decreased police court fines revenue, and elimination of retirement payout borrowing for a net significant revenue change of $16,336. Ms. Weidner explained the other significant non -personnel changes include: funding a portion of road use tax employee benefits using the benefit levy, increase forestry right-of-way funded by the general fund, increase in self- funded workers' compensation insurance, increase in anticipated fuel costs, increase in facilities maintenance expenses due to Facilities Maintenance plan not adopted in FYE08, add expenses for Downtown Maintenance, including RiverLoop Expo Public Market, add MyEntreNet funding, add city newsletter and other expenses and revenues. Ms. Weidner explained the property taxes required to support the FYE09 Budget. The property tax will increase 5.54 percent, with a proposed levy rate of $18.366687. Residential property will see 1.32 percent tax increase, commercial property tax will increase 6.39 percent and industrial property tax will decrease 2.13 percent. Ms. Weidner noted commercial tax is affected more because they did not have as large as a roll back and received a larger equalization order set by the State of Iowa. Ms. Weidner commented that if you have been reading the newspaper, Black Hawk County's property tax increased 6.01 percent and Cedar Falls' property tax increased 5.56 percent. Ms. Weidner noted the full presentation will be put on the city's website. She thanked Joyce Schroeder, the Finance Department staff, Mayor Hurley, city council and all city departments for their work on the budget. Mayor Hurley thanked Michelle Weidner, the Finance Department and all department heads as they did a good job falling his guidelines. Mayor Hurley clarified that the garbage and sewer departments are funded with user fees; the Road Use Tax which funds snow removal, pothole repairs, traffic signals and streets, is funded by state fuel taxes collected on a per capita basis on fuel, car registrations, new car purchases, etc.; that road reconstruction and overlay are funded with the Local Option Sales Tax and not property taxes; that Community Development and Housing funds come from the federal government. Mayor Hurley noted that items such as debt service and all general fund items are paid with property taxes Mayor Hurley commented that he feels overall this is a very fair and balanced budget that represents a strategy/policy that says we are not going to change programming or services, that keeps the workforce stable to maintain services and keep a competitive workforce. This is a budget that will be challenging for staff and the mayor to carry out. This budget includes an amount to close the gap in non -bargaining salaries. Mayor Hurley noted that with the $512,000 required by GASB 45, he suggested a policy change for retiree insurance coverage that would have asked employees hired prior to July 1990 to contribute, but that was pulled from the table. Mayor Hurley commented that his plan was premature and did not give enough notice, so he is addressing GASB 45 another way in the budget. Mayor Hurley stated he is looking forward to closing this budget out, and we are addressing challenges. Mayor noted that the presentation by Ms. Weidner will be posted on the city's website and copies will be available in the City Clerk's office. • • • • March 10, 2008 Hearings continued Reggie Schmitt/Cole Page 7 that the hearing be closed and oral and written comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 126747 - Councilperson Getty commented that the presentation showed an increase of $115,000 for fuel and asked how much per gallon was used to arrive at this figure. Mayor Hurley responded that $3.15 per gallon for unleaded and $3.40 for diesel, and it was based on U.S. Department of Energy projections. Councilperson Welper stated that Waterloo has the distinction of having one of the highest tax rates in the state. Councilperson Welper noted that this is his seventh year and each year the rate has declined. Councilperson Welper thanked Mayor Hurley, the Finance Department and all departments for moving our rate backwards. Mayor Hurley noted that this reflects back to the department heads and the people who work for them. We are dealing with the cards dealt to us and maintaining services. Mayor Hurley noted that he felt it would be irresponsible if more were cut from this budget because we would have had to cut into personnel. Mayor Hurley commented that the assessed value and taxable value shows some real growth of 3.5 percent in the tax base. Cole/Reggie Schmitt that "Resolution approving FYE09 Budget at a levy rate of $18.36687", be adopted. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Councilperson Steve Schmitt commented that last Thursday morning there was mention of a retiree health insurance contribution, and based on phone calls and conversations, he wished to apologize to current employees and retirees for all the anxiety that was caused by misinformation and some retirees even thought the city was pulling their insurance. Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted that during his campaign last fall there were concerns about the city's tax rate. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he feels the city is moving in the right direction, but a 5.5 percent increase is not right. Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted he appreciates Ms. Weidner's comments about the state's equalization order and rollback factor, but it involves getting a handle on our spending locally, and it comes down to making hard decisions. Councilperson Steve Schmitt commented that he was looking at the numbers proposed by Mayor Hurley for city departments after the retiree health insurance was pulled from the table, which includes reductions in overtime and vehicle replacement for the fire department, and reductions for travel/training and fuel in the police department, and he asked if these are expected to be real numbers. Mayor Hurley responded he will refer back to the $512,000 that we have to recognize as an obligation this year because of the new standards. Taxpayers are going to pay for all of this cost, which is $0.25 on the levy. Mayor Hurley explained he proportioned the cost using a formula across the board to come up with $188,000 of the $512,000, with $188,000 equally 9.2 percent. Mayor Hurley noted that the Fire and Police Chiefs have the freedom to make line amendments. In the Fire Department budget if they don't want to use overtime, then you could start looking at closing fire stations. If Police Chief Jennings doesn't want to use overtime, he can use another line item. Mayor Hurley commented that he did not touch the revenue side, just the expense side. Councilperson Steve Schmitt commented his sense is the vast majority of the budget is people and benefits to the people and the answer is reduction of people through attrition and expanded sharing of services. Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted that he was a member of a Blue Ribbon Committee for Black Hawk County that came up with 19 recommendations. Councilperson Steve Schmitt commented he has been attending meetings with Frank Magsamen at Black Hawk County, and there has been a change in department heads on the idea of merging with other departments and merging with the city, and he feels now is the time to work with Black Hawk County. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he knows Mayor Hurley has been involved with talks about sharing services, but he senses that it is not progressing. Councilperson Steve Schmitt recommended that the council have meetings to cut this budget, or revert back to last year's budget. March 10, 2008 Hearings continued Councilperson Greenwood noted that this is his seventh budget going back several chiefs. What he hears is most important is response time, and that police officers and fire rescue time is most important to our citizens. Councilperson Greenwood commented that 73 percent of the general fund budget goes to public safety and their benefits, and he doesn't think now is the time to change that policy as it is a quality of life issue because we are properly staffed. Councilperson Greenwood commented that the city has 28E agreements with other entities who are not properly staffed, and we have the Haz Mat that covers the Cedar Valley, and we have the proper staff and equipment to be there. Councilperson Greenwood stated he feels that we have done due diligence and he will support this budget. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that the council lowered the levy rate this year. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt explained that the $22,000 proposed by Mayor Hurley is less than M percent of the Fire Department's $10 million budget. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated this budget keeps the services the citizens deserve, we have a balanced budget and the levy rate is going down. Mayor Hurley stated that he attended a Future Steering Committee meeting this morning focusing on expanded sharing services. Mayor Hurley stated the city has a good dialogue going with Black Hawk County, and the city has been at the table or at the door at their invitation every time. Mayor Hurley noted that there were talks about when Dick King retires could our City Engineer take over, but that was not a good fit, but he believes that some day we will make a break thru. Will we have a Black Hawk County public safety, he doesn't know. Mayor Hurley noted we currently share services for our Library, MIS, Leisure Services, Building Maintenance, Streets and Central Garage. Mayor Hurley guessed the city would need a $18.16 levy to have a budget where our taxpayers would be writing a smaller check, and he doesn't know how we could do that without shutting fire stations, closing the library or the Center For The Arts. Councilperson Cole stated she does not want to leave our citizens with the impression that we are on a slippery slope. Councilperson Cole noted this is her fifth budget, and it has gotten easier and it is on the right track. The city has contractual obligations with a 4 percent salary increase, and our health insurance costs goes up. Councilperson Cole stated she feels we are managing very responsibly and taxpayers need to recognize that, and she doesn't want to leave them with any anxiety. Page 8 Councilperson Hart commented that this is his first budget process. It is never an easy decision to increase or decrease or find where to cut. Councilperson Hart commented that he can't say that everything he hoped for happened, but this has been an interesting process, and it is easier to sit on the outside. Councilperson Hart stated he has serious concerns about all the work the department heads do on a daily basis, and he takes his hat off to all department heads, it's not easy. Mayor Hurley commented it a series of tough decisions, but this is a responsible, good budget, and we can make it work. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Six. Nays: Steve Schmitt. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2008-188. Cole now absent at 7:00 p.m. ORAL PRESENTATIONS 126748 - Ryan Madison, 650 Dawson Street, addressed the council regarding the gentleman's request before the council last week to reevaluate the parking, and the city told him to work around the parking. Mr. Madison noted that he has called the city several times when the church on Burton and Dawson blocks him from getting through. Mr. Madison stated when citizens call about the train blocking traffic, they are told to go around. Mr. Madison noted that there are not very many minority businesses and then the city told the gentleman to work around the new parking, and there aren't any houses on that street. There already is a lack of minority businesses. Last week the gentleman asked how wide does the street need to be for the fire department to get through, and the city could have answered him. Mr. Madison stated that he thinks downtown Waterloo is nothing but taverns, and we need to make it more family friendly. Mr. Madison stated it seems to him that the city is smothering small minority businesses. • • March 10, 2008 Oral Presentations continued Mayor Hurley responded he does not think that is what the city is doing, and he will ask the traffic department to look at Dawson and Burton when the church has services. Page 9 Getty/Reggie Schmitt that the above oral comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT 126749 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper that the Council adjourn at 7:03 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. �\ z'cA\._12 Nancy ckert, CMC City Clerk