HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/13/1997CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 13, 1997
5:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Anders, Jordan, Murphy, Getty, Krizek, Mayor
Rooff.
Members absent: Collier, Mollenhoff.
Mayor Rooff introduced Randy Johnson and David Lecompte from the
Audubon Park Neighborhood Association to discuss their request for
the city to accept ownership of green space in Audubon Park.
Randy Johnson explained that the Audubon Neighborhood is one of the
most rapidly growing residential areas in the city. Currently
there are one hundred residents in the neighborhood boundaries and
seventy-five of them are dues paying members in the neighborhood
association. The residents would like to establish an area for
neighborhood picnics or children to play as the nearest city park
is one and a half miles away. The neighborhood association feels
it can easily cover the cost of maintenance for the green space and
supervision of its use. However the association would like the
city to accept ownership because they are concerned about their
ability to cover any costs associated with tax assessments,
sidewalk requirements and liability insurance on the proposed
property.
Park Superintendent Paul Huting reported that the Park Board had
been approached about this proposal approximately a year ago. The
Board was reluctant to accept the property as a new park because it
didn't feel there is adequate funding to accept additional acreage
for parks. The board proposed that if the property is designated
as a green space only, without playground equipment then it would
not need to be included in the park system. Huting stated that the
Park Board never denied the request but instead deferred the
acceptance of the property to the city council.
Jordan stated his reluctance to accept this property after the city
failed to accept the property at East Second and Mulberry for a
city park.
Huting responded that there are differences in the two request
which should be looked at. This agreement calls for no playground
equipment to be installed and the Second Street tot lot was already
in government ownership for liability coverage. The size of the
lots are vastly different. The tot lot was inadequately sized
while the Audubon Park lot is approximately two and a half acres
which is about the same size as Washington or Lincoln parks.
Mayor Rooff asked if the city has any other green areas like this
proposal. Huting stated that there are many green areas throughout
the city, near the flood control dikes, near roadways, and next to
some schools.
Getty questioned the need for drainage improvements and asked for
estimates on the needed drainage improvements. Assistant City
Engineer Dennis Gentz reported that an eighteen inch storm sewer
discharges near the property which could cause an erosion problem.
Randy Johnson explained that the association first looked at the
property for a private park but felt that the areashouldn't be
kept as a green space for children with an open storm sewer
discharging into the lot. Dennis Gentz informed the committee that
after developing a preliminary design for an underground storm
sewer connection into Caras Road, storm sewer improvements are
estimated to cost sixteen to eighteen thousand dollars.
Getty asked what liability the city would have if the deed is
accepted but no agreements are signed. Attorney James Walsh stated
that if the property is deeded to the city without any other
Council Work Session
January 13, 1997
Page 2
agreements then the city would be liable for incidents of city
negligence for the property.
Krizek asked what assurances the city would have that the
association would continue to honor their agreement. If the
association discontinues maintenance then the city would be
responsible. Randy Johnson responded that the association
understands that concern but the hope is that as the city continues
to grow in this area then the parks department will identify the
need for a park and fund its development and maintenance. The
association has estimated that it will take two to three mowings a
month and plans to contract for mowing on a like basis as the
city's contract mowing service.
Jordan stated that he supports providing parks for children but
feels unable to accept the proposal after turning down the request
of the St. Edwards Social Concerns Committee on East Second Street.
Getty is concerned about accepting the property until the drainage
problem is resolved. Randy Johnson stated that at a minimum there
needs to be some abatement of the open eighteen inch storm sewer
pipe which could be dangerous to small children. Gentz stated that
a cap for the open pipe could be purchased and placed on the pipe
inexpensively.
Anders feels it is a different issue then Second Street because it
is just a green space, he would support establishing this area for
the children.
City attorney Walsh recommended just accepting the deed without
approving the agreements.
Moved by Anders to accept the deed for the property.
Discussion was heard on the necessity to have
mowing the property. Motion by Anders was w
Johnson was asked who would seed the property.
that Paul Huting in Parks had agreed to provide
planning process to identify the seeding needs.
provide planning assistance but noted that the
wouldn't be able to assist in the actual labor.
an agreement for
ithdrawn. Randy
Johnson responded
assistance in the
Huting agreed to
Parks Department
Moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan to refer the matter to the City
Attorney to prepare the deed transfer and necessary mowing
agreement and return to council for review. Ayes: Six. Absent:
Mollenhoff. Motion carried.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Andes to adjourn the meeting at 5:40
p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Mollenhoff. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 13, 1997
6:40 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Getty, Anders, Murphy, Collier, Jordan, Krizek.
Members absent: Mollenhoff.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Krizek to approve the agenda as
proposed. Ayes: Six. Absent: Mollenhoff. Motion carried.
The Mayor and council reviewed the upcoming events in the council
schedules. The council requested that the bus trip to the
Northeast Industrial site set for Thursday, January 16 be canceled.
Krizek informed the council of a meeting on January 29, 1997 to
address the unification of the Downtown Council, Waterloo
Redevelopment Association and the Main Street program. A copy of
the meeting notice will be provided to the council in next week's
packets.
With no further discussion it was moved by Getty, seconded by
Jordan to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent:
Mollenhoff. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk