HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/1997COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 15, 1997
4:45 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Getty, Jordan, Krizek, Anders, Collier,
Mollenhoff.
Members absent: Murphy.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Mollenhoff that the Agenda, as
proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Murphy. Motion
carried.
A proposed Residential Handicap Parking Policy was reviewed. The
policy was developed by the A.D.A. Commission. The development of
the policy was generated from an individual in the community not
being able to access their home because no handicap parking was
available. The city provides handicap parking on public streets in
commercial districts. A survey was conducted of cities in Iowa
that provide handicap parking in residential areas. Fifty percent
have a policy and fifty percent do not. The A.D.A. Commission will
be responsible for reviewing each application for restricted
parking in residential areas as referred by either the Police
Department or Traffic Operations. If a request is approved, a work
order will be prepared and the sign and markings will be installed
at the earliest date. Each existing restricted parking stall in a
residential area will be reviewed at least annually by the A.D.A.
Commission who will determine whether or not the stall is in
compliance with standards and the maintenance of the stall is
within the guidelines established for restricted parking for
persons with disabilities. Placement of a parking stall in a
location does not imply reserved parking for any individual, but
can be used by any vehicle which properly displays the appropriate
handicapped emblem or license plate. Only one handicapped space
will be allowed for every 150 feet of curb -side parking. Moved by
Mollenhoff, seconded by Collier that the Residential Handicap
Parking Policy be placed on the council agenda for approval. Ayes:
Six. Absent: Murphy. Motion carried.
The revised Plumbing Code was reviewed. The ordinance was reviewed
by the council a few weeks ago, and there were concerns from the
plumbing industry on permit costs, etc. The Plumbing Board has
approved the fee schedule. The revised Waterloo Plumbing Code
reflects the trend in the National Plumbing Code permitting
different plumbing materials to be used while building. Moved by
Anders, seconded by Mollenhoff that the Waterloo Plumbing Code be
placed on the council agenda for approval. Ayes: Six. Absent:
Murphy. Motion carried.
A resolution supporting the city's right to maintain the use and
control of rights-of-way within the corporate city limits was
reviewed. One of the components of the Telecommunications Act of
1996 has come to be known as the Rule of 1897. Under the Act,
cities are required to treat all providers competitively neutral.
New Entrants into the telecommunications markets have asserted that
they should be treated the same as incumbent providers. May of the
incumbent providers were granted perpetual franchise courtesy of a
court ruling that stated if a phone company was in operation in a
city prior to October 1, 1897, it did not have to pay fees or
receive city permission to use the right-of-way. Because of the
implications this could have on negotiations with telecommunication
providers and potentially with other utilities, the League is
preparing a legal strategy that would hold U.S. West and other
incumbent providers to today's standards. The League of Iowa
Cities proposal to litigate Rule 1897 has met with overwhelming
success. The original goal was to accumulate a beginning balance
of $30,000 to begin proceedings. Currently, more than 110 cities
in Iowa are participating, and the litigation fund balance stands
at more than $55,000. The cost for the city's participation is
$3,323.35 based on the city's population multiplied by $0.05 per
Council Work Session
December 15, 1997
Page 2
person. The cost for the city's participation could be paid using
cable user fees or from the city's contingency fund. The
resolution is on tonight's council agenda for approval.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by
Jordan, seconded by Mollenhoff that the meeting be adjourned at
5:20 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Murphy. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk