HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/20/1997COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 20, 1997
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Jordan, Murphy, Anders,
Collier, Mollenhoff.
Members absent: Krizek.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Mollenhoff that the Agenda, as
proposed, be approved. Ayes: Two. Absent: Krizek. Motion
carried.
The Mayor/Council's Goals Numbers 12 through 23 were reviewed.
Item 12 --Reorganize the building inspection functions, consolidate
all inspections. Councilperson Getty has been working with the
Building Official and Fire Chief on an ongoing basis. He also met
with Rich Earles of Community Development for information on the
services provided. Mayor Rooff is putting together a Neighborhood
Services department. Councilperson Anders stated that he feels the
inspections could include junk cars, dilapidated buildings, etc.
that the Health Department currently performs for the city.
Item 13 --Continue directing funds for youth programming. This is
an ongoing project with yearly budget review and project
recommendations to the Mayor and Council.
Item 14 --Continue to work on the strong street programs and include
unimproved streets in the Third and Fourth Wards. The Local Option
Sales Tax Committee has approved the use of local option sales tax
funds for sealcoating. The city has received approval to use
slurry seals on older asphalt roads.
Item 15 --Plans for Highway 20 and Ansborough interchange. A rise
grant application has been submitted to the Iowa Department of
Transportation.
Item 16 --Keep building trust with neighborhood groups. Stockard
Engler is preparing the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
report. Mayor Rooff has met with staff regarding the organization
of Neighborhood Services and announcement will be made in a few
weeks regarding the department.
Item 17 --Continue to develop industrial parks--MidPort projects are
proceeding. Streets are being constructed, railroad and sewer are
being installed and the Hunt -Wesson facility is on schedule.
Signage for Hunt -Wesson will be placed by the Big River Equipment
Co. and will be constructed out of limestone. Marketing material
is being developed for the Northeast Industrial site. Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive is open to Idaho Street. Martin Luther King
Jr. Drive road has been changed to come out at N. Elk Run Road.
Item 18 --Improve the image of the downtown corridor and continue
cleanup efforts annually. Mike Hahn, Executive Director of Main
Street Waterloo, stated that the maximums on loan programs has been
increased from $8,000 to $16,000 on 20 foot fronts and. from $16,000
to $32,000 on total projects. To date in 1997 six property owners
have utilized the loan program and a total of $110,000 has been
loaned. Main Street is developing a target grant program for
problem properties which will target a specific block each year.
A tax rebate program is in place and marketed as one of the
financial incentive programs for the downtown. Main Street is also
utilizing trustee labor form the Black Hawk County Sheriff's
Department in coordinating district wide clean-up on a bimonthly
basis.
Item 19 --Focus economic development efforts to provide appropriate
incentives to attract quality business and retain existing firms.
The Enterprise Zone and rebate programs for the downtown are some
Council Work Session
October 20, 1997
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of the tools that will be used. Cedar Valley will conduct a
business retention study in the near future.
Item 20 --Continue directing funds for housing rehabilitation --
Continue targeted neighborhood programs and investigate programs
for market driven rehabilitation with Stockard Engler.
Item 21 --Entrance signs/Welcome signs --Seven areas have been
identified for the welcome signs. The first sign to be constructed
will be placed coming in on Highway 218 South. Craig Ritland is
helping with the design of the signs and limestone will be used for
the base. There has been interest from outside groups to help with
financing of the signs. It is estimated that the signs for the
freeway will cost $30,000 and $10,000 to $15,000 in the other
areas. Hotel/Motel Tax funds could be used to help with the costs.
Councilperson Collier suggested using bricks for the base of the
signs.
Item 22 --Provide job opportunities and support for small
businesses. This is an ongoing project. Existing businesses will
be visited bi-annually. Incentives need to be available for
existing businesses that expand.
Item 23 --Provide affordable housing to citizens. Strategies will
be developed after the city receives the report from Stockard
Engler along with the Neighborhood Services.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by
Mollenhoff, seconded by Murphy that the meeting be adjourned at
5:57 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Krizek. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk