HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-08/03/2009• •
August 3, 2009
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, August 3, 2009. Mayor Timothy J.
Hurley in the Chair. Roll Call: Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper,
Reggie Schmitt.
Moment of Silence.
Pledge of Allegiance: Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer.
129568 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt
that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, August 3, 2009,
at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
129569 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt
that the Minutes, as amended, for the Regular Session on Monday, July 27, 2009,
at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley read a Proclamation declaring August 4, 2009 as National Night Out.
The following received 2009 Player and Coach of the Year Awards: Chris Black,
Marty Stoakes, Zach Wutzke, Rob Duncan, Dan Rousselow, Aubrey Duncan, Hope
Runge, Jon Champion, Brad Schneider, Jason Krizek, Mike McNamee, Isaiah McNamee,
Josh Almaraz, Kalvin Matlock, Robin Lund, Jaclyn Spencer, Chris McFarland, Kevin
Fittro, Brian Latusick, Adam Dehl, Dwight Dehl.
CONSENT AGENDA
129570 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt
that the following items on the consent agenda be received, placed on file and
approved:
a. Resolution to approve the following:
1. Resolution approving Schedule AP642, pp. 1-57, dated August 3, 2009, in
the amount of $2,334,895.16, 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. 2009-760.
b. Motion to approve the following:
1. S. Maureen Newbill, Visitor Services Manager, to attend three Arts
Festivals in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 7-9, 2009, with costs not to
exceed $380.00.
2. Shawn Bram and Tom Sullivan, Police Officers; to attend Driving Instructor
School on August 3-7, 2009, with costs not to exceed $1,319.00, including
use of city vehicle.
c. Beer/Liquor License Permit Application
Class C
Narey's 19th Hole, 2073 Logan
Sunday Sales)
d. Beer License
Class C
Prime Mart,
Sales)
e. Wine License
Class B
Prime Mart,
Sales)
Permit Application
Avenue (Renewal) (Expires 8/22/10 (Includes
3535 Marigold Drive (Renewal) (Expires 8/8/10) (Includes Sunday
Permit Application
3535 Marigold Drive (Renewal) (Expires 8/8/10) (Includes Sunday
f. Outdoor Service Area Application
Narey's 19th Hole, 2073 Logan Avenue
Isle Casino Hotel, 777 Isle of Capri Boulevard
August 3, 2009 Page 2
Consent Agenda continued
g. Solicitation Application
Waterloo Amvets #19, 32 Lafayette Street
Ayes: Seven, with Councilperson Steve Schmitt abstaining on payment in the
amount of $130.00 to Schmitt Telecom Partners, Inc. Motion carried.
HEARINGS
129571 - Hart/Getty
that proof of publication of notice
Enterprises, Inc. for
District for a 14,400
Wash and 3,000 sq. ft.
on July 24, 2009, be
carried.
of public hearing on request of Veteran
a Site Plan Amendment to the "M -2,P" Planned Industrial
sq. ft. Truck Wash and future 4,400 sq. ft. Food Grade
Fuel Station/Store, as published in the Waterloo Courier
received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion
129572 - This being the time and place of public
and oral objections and there were none.
Hart/Getty
that the hearing be
Programming and Zoning
Motion carried.
129573 - Hart/Getty
hearing, the Mayor called for written
closed and recommendation of approval of Planning,
Commission be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven.
that "Resolution approving
said site plan amendment", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-761.
PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC
129574 - Getty/Reggie Schmitt
that communication from City Planner transmitting request of Landmark Commons
for a minor Site Plan Amendment to the R -4,R -P" Planned Residence District for
5,097 sq. ft. addition for a pool facility on their property located at 1400
Maxhelen Boulevard, 1A mile east of Hammond Avenue, just south of Highway 20, be
received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said request", be adopted.
Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-762.
REPORTS
129575 - Getty/Hart
that Waterloo Water Works 2008 Annual Audit Report, be received and placed on
file.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Dennis Clark, Waterloo Water Works General Manager, reported that the Water
Works ended the year with assets less liabilities of $20.6 million. The Water
Works had operating revenue last year of $774,000.00. The Water Works had
total assets of $24.6 million and liabilities at just under $4 million. They
had a small cash increase at the end of the year, and expenses at the end of
the year were under budget. There were no findings in the 2008 Audit.
Mayor Hurley noted that some people are often confused that the Water Works is a
city department, but it is its own legal entity. The city formally approves the
Water Works Audit and appoints members to the Water Works Board of Trustees.
Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following
result. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
• •
• •
August 3, 2009 Page 3
DOCUMENTS
129576 - Welper/Steve Schmitt
that communication from Building Official/Maintenance Administrator transmitting
Change Order No. 2 for a net decrease in the amount of $12,125.00 for work
performed by Failor Hurley Construction of Hudson, Iowa in conjunction with
Commercial Street Parking Garage Repair, Phase I, be received, placed on file
and approved and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Motion
carried.
129577 - Welper/Steve Schmitt
that communication from Superintendent of Waste Management Services transmitting
Change Order No. 2 for a net increase in the amount of $7,460.60 for work
performed by Prairie Construction Company, Inc. of Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction
with Waterloo Water Pollution Control Facility Storage Building, be received,
placed on file and approved and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
129578 - Welper/Steve Schmitt
that communication from Associate Engineer transmitting Professional Services
Agreement with AECOM of Waterloo, Iowa at a cost of $20,000.00 for the
Riverfront Stadium Flood Control Feasibility Study, be received, placed on file
and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor authorized to
execute same.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Councilperson Greenwood asked if FEMA is mandating that the city have come type
of plan in place at Riverfront Stadium.
Mayor Hurley responded they are not mandating it, but he and staff would like to
after last year's damage and the investment at Riverfront Stadium. Mayor Hurley
noted that we would be paying somebody to do a study as to what we could do, but
there is no guarantee that the DNR or Corp of Engineers will allow the city to
do anything.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director, stated these are grant
funds that we put into an application in House File 64 for this purpose. Mayor
Hurley noted that this is not property tax money.
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. 2009-763.
129579 - Welper/Steve Schmitt
that communication from Leisure Services Facility Manager transmitting
Contracts, Bonds, and Certificates of Insurance at a cost of $79,830.00 with
Pries Roofing of LaPorte City, Iowa in conjunction with 2009 Gates Park Pro Shop
Reroofing Project, 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. 2009-764.
129580 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt
that communication from City Planner transmitting agreement with Iowa Homeland
Security and Emergency Management Division for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
1763 Structural Acquisition (Buy Out) funds in the amount of $5,715,669.00, with
federal share not to exceed $4,286,751.00, state share of $571,566.00 and city's
share of $857,352.00 to be funded by the Community Development Block Grant
Program, to acquire on a voluntary basis structures damaged or destroyed by the
2008 floods, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said
agreement", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same.
August 3, 2009 Page 4
Documents continued
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Mayor Hurley explained that this is the
million plus comes from federal funds, 15
typically a match from the municipality.
paid via state Block Grant funds.
Following comments a vote was taken on
result. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-765.
129581 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
buyout, and that
percent from state
In this case, the
the above motion
75 percent of $5.7
funds and there is
city match will be
with the following
that communication from City Planner transmitting Administrative Plan for the
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) 1763 Structural Acquisition program to
acquire on a voluntary basis structures damaged or destroyed by the 2008 floods,
be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said Administrative Plan",
be adopted.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Mayor Hurley noted that council received a drat copy of the Plan in their
packets, but there are a few changes.
Aric Schroeder, City Planner, explained that the State of Iowa requires that the
city adopt an Administrative Plan that creates a policy document to help guide
the buyout program. It sets forth general requirements and procedures that will
be followed to go through the buyout program. Staff is proposing one minor
change and that is in regards to owner -occupied relocation assistance. There
are two types of relocation assistance that owners -occupants are eligible for:
replacement housing benefit and a moving expense. Under the moving expense we
were proposing to do a flat payment that we would payout. The state indicated
that we would not be able to do it exactly as a flat fee. That it would have to
be a reimbursement program. But they did note that under the URA, the
relocation assistance act that governs this type of assistance, that there is
essentially a flat fee that we can use, so we just had to change our wording a
little bit that will effectively utilize a flat fee that they will be eligible
for based on the number of rooms in their house. It will pay up to an $850.00
moving expense fee assuming they are eligible under the URA guidelines.
Mayor Hurley noted that by doing it this way we are able to offer a little bit
more than what we were originally talking about in a flat fee. Compared to the
other alternatives presented to us during the day this one is the best
compromise in terms of the dollars that can be out there and the paperwork that
would have been demanded of us from the other alternative.
Councilperson Welper asked if there is a minimum amount.
Mr. Schroeder responded that the one we will adopt is called a Fixed Residential
Moving Cost Schedule. Under that schedule if they have only one room they would
only be eligible for $550.00. If they have two rooms, they would be eligible
for $700.00. If they have three rooms they would be eligible for $800.00. If
they have four or more they would be eligible for the full $850.00. It does not
specify just bedrooms, it says rooms with furniture, so he would think if not
all almost all will probably be eligible for the $850.00 payment.
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. 2009-766.
129582 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Leisure Services Director transmitting application with
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Great Places Program for development of a
trail from Mullan Avenue to 6th Street as part of the River Renaissance Project,
with city pledging $79,837.00, be received, placed on file and "Resolution
approving said application", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to
execute same.
• •
August 3, 2009 Page 5
Documents continued
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the
Councilperson Hart explained that right
selection process on the state level he
state board.
following comments were heard.
now until everything goes through the
is going to abstain since he is on the
Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, explained that the city's funds are
bond monies that are designated for these projects, and they are not asking for
a specific amount at this time. We are asking for two things: that we want to
participate in achieving designation for the Great Places Program for Waterloo
Cedar Falls areas and we will be asking for some assistance with these two
projects.
Councilperson Greenwood noted that council has not voted to proceed on the
boathouse.
Mr. Huting stated that they are in the planning phase, and they are working with
FEMA, who is considering some additional support above and beyond what they
initially gave. The city has also submitted an application with provisional
approval to the Gaming Association. For purposes of this document, we are
looking at some additional improvements at the boathouse for parking, riverbank,
etc. that are not specifically in the smaller boathouse project with FEMA.
Mayor Hurley asked when we might know whether the Cedar Valley application is
accepted.
Councilperson Hart responded he thinks the applications are due late August.
The state board will drive around the state to see exactly who they are going to
accept, and he thinks it would be September or October when we find out.
Mr. Huting noted they hope to get started on the structure this fall.
Councilperson Hart stated that the Great Places designation will be a great
designation for the City of Waterloo and Cedar Falls. The local communities
have to generate dollars, create their own visions of what they would like to
see happen, and then Great Places would finish out some of those projects
monetary wise with a little bit of help and offer technical assistance and
eliminate a little bit of the red tape with tapping into state dollars.
Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following
result. Ayes: Six. Abstain. Hart.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-767.
129583 Reggie Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Leisure Services Director transmitting application with
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Great Places Program for development of the
Cedar River Boat House, with city pledging $43,000.00, be received, placed on
file and "Resolution approving said application", be adopted and Mayor and City
Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Six. Abstain: Hart.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-768.
RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED
129584 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that communication from Manager of National Cattle Congress requesting that
discretionary hotel/motel funds of $2,400.00 awarded for a new digital sign for
the Electric Park Ballroom be transferred for purchase of eight ViAge Handheld
I.D. Readers to be used for various venues on the grounds, be received, placed
on file and "Resolution approving said request", be adopted.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated this came out of the council's discretionary
funds for hotel/motel. if the money was not used for the project that we
designated the money, he feels that the money should come back to the
discretionary fund. The National Cattle Congress will then need to make an
application for the ViAge Handheld I.D. Readers just to see if there may be
other projects that are a lot more qualified and put more heads on beds then
these readers do. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated he doesn't think we
should be switching projects after an award.
August 3, 2009 Page 6
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
Councilperson Getty asked with is a ViAge Handheld I.D. Reader.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated it reads your driver's license.
Mayor Hurley explained that its quick electronics that can scan a driver's
license or i.d. Events where tons of people are coming up to the bar or the keg
and buying, they can just read them with this electronic reader, and it gets
things going faster.
Councilperson Hart stated he has questions in regards to heads on beds, the
intent of the grant and the change of the usage of the money. Councilperson
Hart stated he will probably say no right now, leave the opportunity to table
until later.
Councilperson Greenwood stated he would support this request. Through the many
different events that they have, they do put heads on beds, and this will help
them stay in compliance with the rules and regulations that they have to deal
with and be able to better serve the people that they have to serve at the
different events that they have.
Councilperson Welper stated he agrees with Councilperson Reggie Schmitt. For
years, the Cattle Congress has been asking for money for this sign and now they
are switching their request. This isn't the proper way to do this, and he
thinks they need to come back to council and request it in the proper way.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he agrees with Councilperson Greenwood that
if the Cattle Congress through the wisdom of their operations decided this money
is better utilized for the handheld i.d. readers than the digital sign, he would
respect that. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated that maybe it would make sense
to table this motion and allow somebody from the National Cattle Congress to be
present.
Mayor Hurley noted that the National Cattle Congress has asked for large chunks
of money which the city just couldn't do. Mayor Hurley stated he thinks what
they are trying to do at the National Cattle Congress is admirable, and if he
had a vote, he would probably go with this and get on with it. Mayor Hurley
stated he is hearing from some council members that its a matter of process. If
council awards the funds for one project and they are not going to use it, then
they need to reapply.
Councilperson Welper stated he thinks council would be setting a bad precedence
if they start allowing people to switch their decision on how they use the funds
and we could be heading for trouble.
Mayor Hurley stated he doesn't think they allow that over at the Convention &
Visitors Bureau.
Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following
result. Ayes: Three. Nays: Cole, Hart Welper, Reggie Schmitt. Motion
failed.
129585 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that "Resolution calling for a public referendum to be held on November 3, 2009
to authorize the imposition of a Local Sales and Service Tax in the City of
Waterloo, Iowa, at the rate of one percent to be effective on January 1, 2011",
be adopted and City Clerk is directed to notify the Black Hawk County Elections
Commissioner and the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors of same.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Bernie McKinley, 28 Silver Lake Drive, explained that in January 1986 when he
became Mayor of Waterloo the Rath Packing Company had just closed and went for
public auction, 10,000 people were laid off at John Deere, people were leaving
this town in groves, houses opened up, our savings and loans all went busted and
we had weeds growing up in all these vacant lots. Besides that we had the
federal government in here asking us to match funds to put in a road system.
City staff told them that we had a nearly failed street system in this city.
Previous councils and mayors had put up $1 million dollars per year and that was
like a spit in the bucket, it didn't even touch it. Where would we get the
funds. We come up with the idea of the one cent sales tax.
• •
• •
August 3, 2009 Page 7
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
Mr. McKinley noted that he gave mayor and council an article that explains very
well what a problem potholes are. At that time the city had so many potholes we
had to designate telephone operators to answer the calls. It was horrible
because we had so many failed streets, and a failed street is where you get your
potholes. So we went together with the City of Cedar Falls to pass the sales
tax, which we did much to the effort of Jon Crews in Cedar Falls who sent
assessments out to 25 percent of the City of Cedar Falls and telling them if the
option tax passed they wouldn't have to pay the assessment and that they might
tell their neighbors because their neighbors were next. Obviously, Cedar Falls
passed it, but Waterloo still failed. Mr. McKinley stated he made hundreds of
phone calls on this and the biggest response he got was people didn't trust the
city would use the tax for the streets. So in order to get it passed the city
put in a five year limit and also appointed a committee. At that time the city
guaranteed them we would continue with the million dollars that we were
spending, and it passed much to the help of Cedar Falls. This city has received
between $7 and $9 million every year for 20 years, and we are not there yet. If
you read the article, you will realize that if a failed street can keep from
becoming a failed street by timely overlays and maintenance we can save
ourselves a lot of money. Mr. McKinley stated the last time this came up for
vote we put in the matching grants for supposedly RISE, which he opposed. Since
that time we spent $1.2 million on RISE grants, and we could use that on the
streets. The thing is accelerating. He understands there is another near
million dollars for a project that is going on right now that has been approved.
The city has been talking about using matching funds for Shaulis, and now there
is talk about the possibility of using it for widening streets perhaps or
turning lanes. This fund cannot afford that kind of stuff if we want to have
the road system that we want and that we need in this city. We are not free of
potholes yet, we are not free of failed streets yet. We need to keep this fund
as it is. Harold Getty had the best suggestion at council's last meeting. Use
this fund for the maintenance and care of our current streets and the
reconstruction of the failed streets. Mr. McKinley encouraged the council not
to add anything else to this and preferably that council would remove what was
put in last time for matching grants because what happens is we just keep
sneaking into it. If a project is going to be a match street it should stand on
its own merit and you bond the money for it. This fund should be left the way
it was.
Mayor Hurley stated that in all due respect to former Mayor McKinley and
Councilperson Harold Getty, he still thinks we need to at least listen to how we
have used that money. Mayor Hurley noted that the 1983 article from Mr.
McKinley talked about seal coating and stuff to keep the moisture out, etc. We
haven't used the seal coating process as a maintenance item for quite a while.
We use road use tax funds when we have maintenance like pothole repair and
removal. The local option sales tax has been for the repair and the
reconstruction of existing streets and new streets if we have a match. Mayor
Hurley noted that heading east on San Marnan going past Tower Park and down to
Kimball is an example of how he would like to use this money in the improvement
aspect. If you go on Kimball to the new Sonic or if you want to get back to the
gas station or over to the bank or down the street to one of the big box stores
your going to turn right on Kimball. There is a turning lane there that is
short. We just overlaid that this year and if we had this provision in that
would have been where we would have used some money possibly to design and put
in the improvement of a longer, wider genuine turn lane to keep traffic moving
at that busy intersection. A couple of years ago we saw the need to do some
things on West Ridgeway to accommodate better traffic flow, turning lanes, etc.
for the Mauer complex. Those are the kind of things that as our community
changes and we are hitting on the right cylinders, our economy is perking along
and we have traffic conditions, or safety conditions or development additions
that we have some money that we don't have to bond for. You know that million
dollars by the time we pay it back is probably a million in a half or better.
Mayor Hurley explained the reasoning behind broadening the match. Five years
ago we approved using it for new streets if there was a match. In the last
three years, we have used $2.2 million match money of the probably $25 to $28
million collected over that time period. We used $2.2 million match money for
the VGM road, MidPort, Geraldine Road, Cyclone/Titan Drive, West Shaulis Road
Extension and Commercial Street extension. Mayor Hurley explained that every
one of those can be tied to investment, economic development, whether real or
potential, the West Commercial extension right in front of the TechWorks or the
front door to the John Deere facility downtown and the back door to the
TechWorks. These are things that drive our tax base and drive the local option
sales tax in a way because it brings people in, gets them around faster and
safer and generally contributes to the economic health of the city. Mayor
Hurley explained the other change is five years versus seven years.
August 3, 2009 Page 8
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
Mayor Hurley stated he got together with Mayor Crews and they were in
consultation with the mayors of the other four contiguous cities and talked
about five years or ten years. They didn't think it prudent at this time for
ten years, but as people develop trust in what we are doing and can see results
we thought seven years was a good compromise. It times it properly so that we
can, like this year, fold on top of an election and not have to have a special
one. W have to be careful because Waterloo can't do five years and Cedar Falls
or Hudson do seven or nine years. We all have to be the same.
Councilperson Greenwood stated some of the comments he has received are they are
okay with it if people have an idea how much of that fund is going to be
potentially used to match a RISE or federal fund. They want to have the nut
stay the same. They want to make sure they we are going to have $7 million or
$6 million earmarked for reconstruction and overlay. That not all of the local
tax money would be used as match. If we did the Shaulis Road project that is
going to require $4 million dollar worth of matching funds, they don't want us
to put $4 million of matching funds to do that project, that it would be capped
off somewhere. What he is hearing Mayor Hurley say is that we have used about
10 percent of the sales tax money for matching funds. Mayor Hurley responded
about 5 percent.
Councilperson Welper stated he doesn't feel council is changing the words all
that much, and he likes seven years versus five years. The word he approves the
most is "improvement" because many of the streets in our town will never see
reconstruction. They will probably never see an overlay surface put on their
streets. We really don't repair them or replace them. Its an improvement to
those streets.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he would agree with Councilperson Greenwood.
If there is a way of changing the wording to put in some kind of a maximum
percentage or maximum dollar amount. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he has
huge respect for what Mayor McKinley had to say and it doesn't seem like it was
20 years ago. He thinks trust used to be a real issue with certain governmental
bodies, but he doesn't think its that way anymore. He is concerned if people
think we are trying to do a little wiggle here to get some things done that
maybe they might not support. This year, for example, the city did receive
additional federal money because of some of the stimulus funds. We actually
should have more money this year than we would have otherwise because of that,
and he keeps reading that only 10 percent of that money has been released. The
potential of getting even more of that in the next few years would be greater
rather than less. Obviously, there is no guarantees on that, but he would be
opened to continue to discuss this and maybe fine tune it a little bit.
Councilperson Hart stated he received only about four phone calls today in
regards to this, and the biggest comments were don't touch anything, this is
what we voted for, this is what we want, so he is kind of caught in between the
history of 1986 to our current uses and necessary uses for today. Councilperson
Hart stated he doesn't necessarily have a problem with "improvement", but one of
the things that a couple of folks could absolutely not deal with and that was
the wording of matching funds. The state and federal they felt as if that was
already a push, and the usage of matching funds was way off of what they
believed in.
Councilperson Cole stated she received no phone calls and no e-mails about this.
She remembers very distinctly what it was like here in 1986, and she thanked
Bernie McKinley for serving as mayor. Councilperson Cole stated she thinks
times have changed drastically in terms of certainly the condition of our
streets, and it is because our citizens have approved this every five years.
She supports the idea of the "improvements" in there because there are a number
of areas in our community that could use turn lanes for example because it is an
issue of safety. If we are looking at the growing areas of our city we have to
be able to accommodate increased traffic, which is not a bad thing. Increased
traffic means people are out there shopping and doing things.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated that it is totally up to the voters.
Council is crafting the language on how is going to be on the referendum.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated he supports the addition of the word
"improvements", the turn lanes and anything we can do to expedite the flow of
traffic. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated he also agrees with crossing off
state or federal and changing it to matching funds. He doesn't think there is
anything wrong with only spending $2.2 million dollars and getting $4.4 million
worth of brand new roads in this city to foster economic development. We only
have to pay half and we don't know what the matching funds are going to be in
the next seven years.
• •
• •
August 3, 2009 Page 9
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
In addition to state and federal, we can also have stimulus funds, gaming fund
and funds that we don't know about today. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated
he agrees with it if we say we are going to spend for new roads only when we
have matching funds available, that is economic development.
Forrest Dillavou stated that not long ago we had a vote here in Waterloo about
taking away 50 percent of the option tax for roads to use for the river
renaissance, and the voters spoke loud and clear than that they did not want the
city to take away their road repair money. The city is again taking away some
of that road repair money even though they are saying its for roads, they are
still taking it away. Those same people that voted against it, most of them are
on this side of the river, said my street has not been repaired yet, and if you
drive around today some of them are saying the same thing. Quentin has probably
heard it. Mr. Dillavou stated his street is not up to par yet. It was in the
paper just the other day that the ones that are repaired or were repaired early
in the program are now needing it again. So every dollar that you take out to
try to help a business or try and help a development your taking away from the
residents who want their streets repaired and deserve to have their streets
repaired. You are probably gambling with the fact that they may say if we don't
get it we don't need it. You continually say we don't need all of that money.
The city said we don't need all that revenue going in there, we can use half of
it for River Renaissance.
Mayor Hurley stated that many residents and others spoke loudly and clearly.
That was a very narrow defeat though, it wasn't a landslide. As far as the
Westside thing, Mayor Hurley stated he does not want the perception left that
there is favoritism. Engineering does everything they can to split that money
equitably amongst the wards. And there are three wards on the east side and two
on the west, and the $9.5 million is spent as equitably as possible between the
wards and maybe it shouldn't be. Maybe it shouldn't be but it is so that we
don't have that. Some of the roads have been done over again. Eric Thorson
told everyone last week at the work session that some of these roads we were
talking seal coating have been done 3% times.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that we have a five year schedule of what roads
are going to be overlaid or reconstructed so we have a pretty good idea of what
our schedule is going to be for the next five years. We are going to fund that
and then if we have money left over we can fund the matching funds. In the last
couple of years since we have had this in place have we used bond money for
streets. Councilperson Greenwood stated what he is hearing and seeing the city
do or staff has done is very selectively use the monies out of the local option
sales tax fund to use for matching funds in projects to the extent of 5.8
percent or something, and he would be comfortable continuing to do that.
Councilperson Greenwood stated he thinks most people would think that we would
be good stewards of the money if we can say we are not going to use more than 10
percent of our local option money to use as matching funds, and that there is a
schedule and these projects are going to proceed as scheduled.
Councilperson Getty stated he is totally against changing this at all. We
talked about item number 1 plus item number 2. Item 1 is the only thing we
should be concerned about, which is repair and reconstruction of existing
streets. We talked about adding language about using it for a little bit of
this and a little bit of that last week. Councilperson Getty stated he heard
someone say lets do the sidewalks from the edge of the private property to the
private property across the street. Lets put in sidewalks. if we go down the
street and there are no sidewalks we will put them in. That's crazy talk. Why
would you put sidewalks in with local option money that voters have voted on for
street repair and reconstruction. That is the only language that should be
there because he doesn't care what you say and how we feel here tonight or how
you will feel two years from now, because a year from now, three years from now
somebody is going to sit here and they are going to construe what that little
bit of language says. We can use a little bit of this here and we can use a
little bit of this there, and the next thing you know its blown out of
proportion and not used what the voters intended it to be, which is repair and
reconstruction of existing streets. Councilperson Getty stated that is all it
should say and he urged council to support that, and if it passes the other way
it will go to the voters and he really hope the voters know what they are going
to vote for come November.
August 3, 2009 Page 10
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
Mayor Hurley stated we had a minor flurry five years ago when this came up.
Being a new mayor, he found funds for a survey of our citizens to see what they
might want to do this time around. Where were they thinking. We got a top
attack, it was anonymous, it was very well funded, and it got everybody off the
mark and headed in the wrong direction about how we were going to use this
money. We came back with the idea of the matching funds and that was the change
last time. That language was approved by a 75 plus margin of the voters five
years ago. We went out on the road, we went to the service clubs and we went to
the neighborhood associations and talked about it in this room. Mayor Hurley
stated he thinks folks got it and understood that we were being good stewards of
the local option sales tax dollars, 30 something percent of which comes from
outside our own city. Mayor Hurley suggested council add language that no more
than 10 percent or whatever percent council wants to put in there shall be
expended on new or improved matching projects or portions thereof. We put a cap
in there of some percentage.
Councilperson Cole stated she would support a cap.
Councilperson Greenwood stated he would support a cap.
Councilperson Getty stated that according to Michelle Weidner's letter the last
two fiscal years exceeded $9 million. Approximately double the amount received
the first year the tax was collected. If this thing keeps going and going the
more money they are taking away from this to do our streets.
Mayor Hurley noted that the part for the recon and the repair of streets is
growing just as fast. We have collected in the last three fiscal years $27.1
million and if we spent $2.2 million matching on new streets that is about 8
percent.
Councilperson Greenwood stated the other alternative is to do like Mayor
McKinley says to go out and bond for it instead of trying to use some of our
local option monies to help from getting into more bonded debt.
Councilperson Getty asked are we talking that this is just for streets or are we
talking sewers, landscaping.
Mayor Hurley responded no its just streets. Mayor Hurley read what is on the
proposed resolution. "That revenues from the sales and service tax are to be
allocated in the City of Waterloo as follows effective January 1, 2011: zero
percent of said local option sales and service taxes to be used for property tax
relief. One hundred percent of the revenue generated will be designated for (1)
the reconstruction, repair, replacement and improvement of existing streets,
curbs, structures, storm sewers." Mayor Hurley noted that our friends in Cedar
Falls are thinking of adding bridges, lights, and structures would include
bridges. The second use was for "the construction and improvements of streets,
but only for projects for which matching funds available." We struck the words
federal or state. We are limited in our things being concrete or asphalt to
storm sewers, catch basins, curbs, storm gutters and that sort of thing.
Councilperson Getty stated he agrees with that 100 percent.
Mayor Hurley noted we don't do fiber optic cable conduit, we don't do water, we
don't do sanitary. Although a lot of times when we have a street open, it would
be nice to be able to do that.
Councilperson Welper stated he is not real crazy about the bonding part of it
because that means then the Waterloo taxpayer is paying the bill on this when we
have all of our surrounding communities who come here and use our streets. He
would rather see that one percent tax help pay for this not just the Waterloo
taxpayers.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated its way better that we have the money
available for 50 percent matching program than paying 50 percent interest over
15 years when we bond. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated he can support a 10
percent cap but personally he would like to see it stay wide open. But a 10
percent cap is pretty close to what we spent the last three years, and as that
local option sales tax grows there is more money available to repair all of the
old streets as well as more money available for 50 percent match when projects
come up.
Councilperson Hart asked if the 50 percent matching funds is a written in rule
or is that just what was decided five years ago.
• •
• •
August 3, 2009 Page 11
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt responded it depends upon the project and where the
matching funds are coming from. Most of them are 60/40 or 50/50.
Mayor Hurley stated that RISE funds are typically 80/20. Mayor Hurley asked
Councilperson Getty if he has trouble with the word "improvement".
Councilperson Getty responded no as long as its an existing street.
Councilperson Getty stated we should have a period after number one and that
would be the end of it.
Councilperson Hart noted in regards to some of the economic development
initiatives: VGM, Geraldine Road, MidPort, Cyclone, West Shaulis, and West
Commercial Street, and when we take a look at the proportion of the funding
being utilized for particular neighborhoods. Mr. Dillavou made a comment about
some of the folks that we talk to on a regular basis and then the question was
asked about two particular wards on one side. Not to get into a ward issue, but
when we take a look at the economic development monies that have been used, and
he thinks six of those projects were south side, west side projects.
Councilperson Hart asked if we go ahead and we put in the information for
matching funds and we go ahead and put a 10 percent cap what assurances would
the folks he represent have in regards to making sure that if there are five
wards that 2 percent of that economic development monies are able to go directly
into the coffers where they pay taxes too.
Mayor Hurley stated that if we were in full control and said okay business A, B,
C you have to go over here, and we could get away with that then we would be
fine. But there are so many other things. Where are the railroads? Where are
the highways? Where is the residential growth? Where are like businesses? The
companies that are out there that are coming in, they are the ones that are
coming to us and saying tell me what kind of programs you have because we want
to go here. We pitch the industrial parks, and he thinks we probably spend more
time at MidPort and now SouthPort and Northeast Industrial sites in terms of
energy then we have anyplace else in the city. But a company that has money to
spend and is going to invest their stockholders or their owners funds they say
where they are going to go, we don't. Mayor Hurley stated his guess is that
there are a lot of families in the other parts of the city that are supportive
because a family member has a job there that we brought into town because we
played the economic development game. But if we could say okay we are going to
do 10 percent but we're going to divide it up only 2 percent per ward. Mayor
Hurley stated it boils down to how much control we have and the trust factor is
that people who don't see lots of action and big buildings and huge warehouses.
They are not remembering everything that is going on and they don't appreciate
the hard work that staff and elected officials do to try to get economic
development and jobs and retail around the city.
Councilperson Hart stated there was an 8 percent that went to economic
development. Now we are talking about the possibility of a cap to 10 percent
economic development. And that is 2 more percent that could possibly not go
back to folks that may need some of their streets done.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, stated she used 5.8 percent because
she looked at the actual $1.2 million paid out. She is not using contracts
committed to the future, just cash spent in fiscal 2007, 2008 and 2009, so its
really only three years.
Mr. McKinley stated that if council takes out economic development they are
going to satisfy more people. Economic development should stand on its own
merit. If its so great and going to create so many jobs that the tax base is
raised that development should pay off the bond. What your doing by adding this
in is opening the door to diminishing a great program. We aren't there yet, we
don't have a street program at top notch yet.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that we are not adding anything in, it was
already there, it was passed by the voters last time. All we are doing is
putting a cap on it. If we have only spent 5 percent that is because of the
projects that have come before council. The TIF requests and the development
deals that had to be cut to entice a business to come to Waterloo is part of
what this money is being used for, and we have used about 5 percent. If we
change the language that is already there to say we are going to take advantage
of matching funds up to 10 percent to complete a project.
August 3, 2009 Page 12
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
Councilperson Cole stated we have used 5 percent in three years why don't we go
with the language that is suggested in this resolution which includes
improvement. Councilperson Cole stated she thinks people would have a hard time
arguing against improvements so that they can get to work faster or they can be
safer. Vote it up or down.
Councilperson Welper asked if Councilperson Cole would leave in the seven years.
Councilperson Cole responded yes. Mayor Hurley asked if we would leave in state
or federal. Councilperson Cole responded no just the words "matching funds".
Mayor Hurley noted that we are open to the possibility that we can petition
gaming funds to come our way and a developer could say we'll go in at this
amount.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that he thinks you can predict the city's
performance on our past record, that the city has been very prudent about using
the local option sales tax at the 5 percent, 6 percent level. If we do have a
bigger project, we need to bond for it. Councilperson Greenwood stated going
forward he doesn't' see the city's policy changing a whole lot, so he could go
along with Councilperson Cole and strike the words state or federal, just put in
matching funds and improvements.
Mayor Hurley suggested that after listening to council that they put in some
sort of number, a hard cap that helps future councils avoid the controversy.
Councilperson Cole stated she does not want to obligate future councils, and if
future councils overstep their bounds, they won't be sitting in their chairs.
Councilperson Hart stated that council has talked a cap or no cap, but the thing
is without a cap a developer comes in and says they have a 50/50 match for a
particular area. That 50 percent from a program that was proportionally
equitable across the entire city may have more revenues taken out of it to
support areas that probably are developing a little faster than other areas.
This program gave us an opportunity regardless of where you come from within
Waterloo, you get an opportunity based upon your tax dollars to fix up your
streets. If we have 95 percent and then 5 percent for economic development then
all of a sudden that shifts to 10 percent to economic development, and he is all
for jobs, then that is 90 percent or 5 percent less that we have for existing
streets for areas that may not develop as quickly as other areas. It has him in
a cross between do we support a cap or do we not support it at all, but he feels
council needs to do something because he believes that is disproportionate.
Mayor Hurley stated that it could be the fact that we would allow some money for
the economic development projects that might be just the thing to get more
development in the areas of the city that don't seem to be getting it.
Councilperson Hart stated that Councilperson Greenwood pointed out a little bit
earlier that the past sometimes talks about the direction that we are headed in.
He is optimistic about the future, if he wasn't he would not be here.
Cole/Reggie Schmitt
that debate be closed. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
129586 - A vote was taken on the original motion to adopt the resolution with the
following result. Ayes: Four. Nays: Getty, Hart, Steve Schmitt.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-769.
129587 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution accepting and approving acquisition of property generally
located at 515 Elm Street, as granted by court order pursuant to Section 657A of
the Iowa Code", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-770.
129588 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution accepting and approving acquisition of property generally
located at 706 Cottage Street, as granted by court order pursuant to Section
657A of the Iowa Code", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-771.
• •
August 3, 2009
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
129589 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
Page 13
that "Resolution accepting and approving acquisition of property generally
located at 1203 Beech Street, as granted by court order pursuant to Section 657A
of the Iowa Code", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-772.
129590 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution accepting and approving acquisition of property generally
located at 408 Fowler Street, as granted by court order pursuant to Section 657A
of the Iowa Code", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-773.
129591 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution accepting and approving acquisition of property generally
located at 1333 Leavitt Street, as granted by court order pursuant to Section
657A of the Iowa Code", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-774.
ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED
129592 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "an Ordinance amending the 2008 Traffic Code by repealing Subsection (125)
Water of Section 553, No Parking Here to Corner; and enacting in lieu thereof a
new Subsection (125) Water of Section 553, No Parking Here to Corner (no parking
on the north side of Water Street where it intersects with E. 6th Street) ", be
received, placed on file, considered and passed for the first time. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
129593 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that rules requiring ordinances to be considered and voted for passage at two
prior meetings be suspended. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
129594 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "an Ordinance amending the 2008 Traffic Code by repealing Subsection (125)
Water of Section 553, No Parking Here to Corner; and enacting in lieu thereof a
new Subsection (125) Water of Section 553, No Parking Here to Corner (no parking
on the north side of Water Street where it intersects with E. 6th Street)", be
considered and passed for the second and third times and adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Ordinance adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 4952.
NEW BUSINESS
129595 - Getty/Hart
that communication from General Manager of Waterloo Water Works transmitting
request to certify the amount of $795.18 for work performed by the Water Works
at 2228 Rainbow Drive, together with recommendation of approval of Board of
Trustees of the Waterloo Water Works, be received, placed on file and
"Resolution approving said request", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to
notify Black Hawk County Treasurer of same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-775.
129596 - Getty/Hart
that communication from General Manager of Waterloo Water Works transmitting
request to certify the amount of $950.00 for work performed by the Water Works
at 424 Florence Street, together with recommendation of approval of Board of
Trustees of the Waterloo Water Works, be received, placed on file and
"Resolution approving said request", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to
notify Black Hawk County Treasurer of same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-776.
August 3, 2009
New Business continued
129597 - Getty/Hart
Page 14
that communication from General Manager of Waterloo Water Works transmitting
request to certify the amount of $985.00 for work performed by the Water Works
at 2026 Plainview Street, together with recommendation of approval of Board of
Trustees of the Waterloo Water Works, be received, placed on file and
"Resolution approving said request", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to
notify Black Hawk County Treasurer of same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-777.
129598 - Getty/Hart
that communication from General Manager of Waterloo Water Works transmitting
request to certify the amount of $1,800.00 for work performed by the Water Works
at 926 Independence Avenue, together with recommendation of approval of Board of
Trustees of the Waterloo Water Works, be received, placed on file and
"Resolution approving said request", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to
notify Black Hawk County Treasurer of same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-778.
129599 Getty/Hart
that communication from Superintendent of Central Garage transmitting request to
purchase 2007 Log Loader Truck at a cost of $168,817.00 from V&H Trucks Inc. of
Marshfield, Wisconsin, be received, placed on file and "Resolution setting date
of hearing as August 17, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on
the above described purchase", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to publish
notice of same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-779.
129600 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that "Preliminary Resolution approving construction of sidewalk improvements in
conjunction with the F.Y. 2010 Sidewalk Repair Assessment Program - Zone 9,
Contract No. 765", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-780.
129601 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that "Resolution fixing value of lots in conjunction with the F.Y. 2010 Sidewalk
Repair Assessment Program - Zone 9, Contract No. 765", be adopted. Ayes:
Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-781.
129602 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that "Resolution adopting preliminary plat and schedule of assessments and
estimate of costs in conjunction with the F.Y. 2010 Sidewalk Repair Assessment
Program - Zone 9, Contract No. 765", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-782.
129603 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that "Resolution of Necessity (Proposed) setting date of hearing as August 24,
2009, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on F.Y. 2010 Sidewalk
Repair Assessment Program - Zone 9, Contract No. 765", be adopted and City Clerk
instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-783.
129604 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
to instruct City Engineer to prepare plans, specifications, form of contract,
etc. in conjunction with F.Y. 2010 Sidewalk Repair Assessment Program - Zone 9,
Contract No. 765, be received, placed on file and approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
• •
• •
August 3, 2009
New Business continued
129605 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
Page 15
that plans, specifications, form of contract, etc. in conjunction with F.Y. 2010
Sidewalk Repair Assessment Program - Zone 9, Contract No. 765, be received and
placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
129606 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution preliminarily approving plans, specifications, form of
contract, etc. in conjunction with the above described project", be adopted.
Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-784.
129607 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution setting date of hearing on plans, specifications, form of
contract, etc. and taking of bids as August 24, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in the City
Hall Council Chambers 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. 2009-785.
129608 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
to instruct City Engineer to prepare plans, specifications, form of contract,
etc. in conjunction with F.Y. 2010 Sidewalk Repair Block Grant Program - Zone 9,
Contract No. 766, be received, placed on file and approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
129609 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that plans, specifications, form of contract, etc. in conjunction with F.Y. 2010
Sidewalk Repair Block Grant Program - Zone 9, Contract No. 766, be received and
placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
129610 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution preliminarily approving plans, specifications, form of
contract, etc. in conjunction with the above described project", be adopted.
Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-786.
129611 - Hart/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution setting date of hearing on plans, specifications, form of
contract, etc. and taking of bids as August 24, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in the City
Hall Council Chambers 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. 2009-787.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
129612 - Mayor Hurley noted that an e-mail was received from Brian Burton.
Mayor Hurley stated he has been a proponent, as well as council, over the years
of the Youth Pavilion and the things that the Center for the Arts and our other
quality of life departments do. He has been watching the success of the Center
for the Arts, particularly the Phelps Youth Pavilion. Mayor Hurley explained
that the Youth Pavilion had 44,000 total patrons in the first year. In the last
6 months, they have had 15,500 to the Youth Pavilion alone, which is an average
of about 2,600 monthly. The previous six months they had an average of about
2,450 to 2,475 per month so the numbers are up. They projected $47,500.00 in
revenue and received $78,330.00. They projected $5,000.00 for birthday parties
and are at just under the $10,000.00 level. They have had sponsorships from
Allen Hospital, Cedar Valley Promise and the McElroy Trust for various portions
of getting the kids to the Youth Pavilion. They received $90,000.00 in grant
revenue over that. Room rental was projected at $50,000.00 and so far they have
received $62,500.00. Mayor Hurley noted the Center For The Arts approved budget
for FY09 came in almost $88,000.00 less than what we said we needed to support
their operations.
August 3, 2009 Page 16
Oral Presentations continued
Councilperson Cole thanked the organizers of the Irish Fest who did an
absolutely magnificent job. They had great music, perfect weather and nearly
20,000 people attended.
Welper/Steve Schmitt
that the above oral comments be received and placed on file and the Council
adjourn at 7:29 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
L'I'\01dykt 15L41.432. --
Nancy Eckirt, CMC
City Clerk
• •