HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-02/09/2009February 9, 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, February 9, 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: Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations.
128515 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt
that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, February 9,
2009, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
128516 Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt
that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Regular Session on
2009, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven.
CONSENT AGENDA
128517 - Reggie Schmitt/Steve Schmitt
Monday, February
Motion carried.
that the following items on the consent agenda be received, placed on
approved:
a. Resolutions to approve the following:
1.
2,
file and
Resolution approving Schedule AP642, pp. 1-63, dated February 9, 2009, in
the amount of $760,974.99, 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. 2009-81.
2. Communication from City Clerk transmitting request of Executive Director
of Waterloo Commission on Human Rights transmitting request for a variance
to the Noise Ordinance on June 19, 2009 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. in
conjunction with Summer Harmony Day 4 to be held in Lincoln Park, together
with recommendation of approval of Police Chief.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-82.
b. Motion -to approve the following:
1. Communication from Mayor Hurley
reappointment of the following to the
expiration date of December 31, 2011:
Legion Post 730; Randy Miller and
Amvets Post 19; Michael Dennis and
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil
Robert Tabor Jr., representing Rolling
transmitting recommendation of
Memorial Hall Commission, with term
Craig White, representing American
alternate Tom Broell, representing
alternate Mel Wittwer, representing
War; Marilyn Robinson and alternate
Thunder Iowa Chapter 1.
2. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, to attend American Public Works Association
Iowa Chapter 2009 Spring Conference in West Des Moines, Iowa on March 11-
13, 2009, with costs not to exceed $442.00, including use of city vehicle.
3. Matt Vlasak, Signal Technician Foreman; Kevin McKenzie and Roger Wooden,
Maintenance Electricians; to attend Brown Traffic Products Annual Training
Seminar in Davenport, Iowa on February 10-12, 2009, with costs not to
exceed $690.00, including use of city vehicle.
c. Beer/Liquor License Permit Application
Class C
National Dairy Cattle Congress, 250 Ansborough Avenue (Renewal) (Expires
2/28/10) (Includes Sunday Sales)
Babes Tap, 210 Division Street (Renewal) (Expires 3/14/10) (Includes Sunday
Sales)
Grand Cafe Bar, 1402 Black Hawk Street (New) (Expires 2/9/10) (Includes
Sunday Sales)
d. Cigarette/Tobacco Permit Application
XO Food and Liquor, 428 Franklin Street
February 9, 2009 Page 2
Consent Agenda continued
Ayes: Seven, with Councilperson Steve Schmitt abstaining on PV in the amount of
$130.00 for work performed by Schmitt Telecom Partners, Inc. Motion carried.
HEARINGS & BIDS
128518 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on F.Y. 2009. Asphalt
Overlay Program, Contract No. 754, as published in the Waterloo Courier on
January 23, 2009, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion
carried.
128519 - This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written
and oral objections and there were none.
Mayor Hurley inquired as to how many bids were sent out. Eric Thorson, City
Engineer, responded they don't actually send out bids. A notification is put in
the paper and sometime they will call local contractors. Mr. Thorson reported
one bid was received today. Mr. Thorson stated that it appears that only one
prime contractor took out plans and several subcontractors took out plans.
Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that the hearing be closed and oral comments be received and placed on file.
Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
128520 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "Resolution confirming approval of plans, specifications, form of contract,
etc. in conjunction with F.Y. 2009 Asphalt Overlay Program, Contract No. 754",
be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-83.
128521 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "Resolution ordering construction in conjunction with above project", be
adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-84.
128522 Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
to receive, file and instruct City Clerk to open and read bids and refer to City
Engineer for review:
Bidder Bid Bond Bid Amount
Aspro, Inc., Waterloo, IA 5W $2,799,775.53
Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
HEARINGS
128523 - This being the time and place of public hearing for Mustang Bar, 1927 Jefferson
Street, on the violation of Waterloo Code of Ordinances, Sale of tobacco,
tobacco products or cigarettes to any person under eighteen years of age, the
Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none.
Getty/Hart
that the hearing be closed. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
128524 - Getty/Hart
that "Resolution assessing $300.00 penalty for said violation", be adopted and
Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-85.
• •
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February 9, 2009 Page 3
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
128525 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that communication from Leisure Services Director transmitting recommendation of
award of contract in the amount of $15,850.00 to LNS Builders, Inc. of Waterloo,
Iowa in conjunction with 2008 W.S.A. Restroom Block Work Project, Portion II, 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. 2009-86.
DOCUMENTS
128526 Hart/Welper
that communication from Community Development Director transmitting agreement
with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Economic Development
Improvements Special Project grant in the amount of $343,000.00, with no
required local match, to be used for neighborhood revitalization, be received,
placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and
Community Development Coordinator be authorized registered representative.
Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-87.
128527 - Hart/Welper
that communication from Community Development Director transmitting agreement
with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Economic Development
Improvements Special Project grant in the amount of $343,000.00, with no
required local match, to be used for the Chamberlain site demolition, be
received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted
and authorize Community Development Coordinator be authorized registered
representative. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-88.
128528 Hart/Welper
that communication from Community Development Director transmitting agreement
with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Economic Development
Improvements Special Project grant in the amount of $196,000.00, with no
required local match, to be used for the Cedar Valley TechWorks facility, be
received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted
and authorize Community Development Coordinator be authorized registered
representative.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Rudy Jones, Community Development Director, explained that the Economic
Development Improvements Special Project funds have been secured from the annual
Cedar Valley Coalition Washington, D.C. trip and used for specific projects.
The 343,000.00 grant for the Rath neighborhood will be used for stabilization of
the housing stock, which could be for a number of things such as roof repairs,
water service lines, porch repairs, anything that is needed in that area. The
other $343,000.00 grant is for the continued work at the Chamberlain site for
demolition which has no need for local match. The $196,000.00 grant for the
Cedar Valley TechWorks facility is to help them continue the renovation,
construction and build out of that facility.
Councilperson Greenwood stated we have spent about $350,000.00 to $400,000.00
already to get the Chamberlain building down, and he asked how much farther will
this get us in the demolition. Mr. Jones replied he is not exactly sure. When
the project was started the city looked for multiple sources of funds to get
that structure down, and this is another avenue. Mr. Jones stated he is not
sure what the total cost of the demolition is as it depends on the type of
development that will occur on the remaining structures on site.
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. 2009-89.
February 9, 2009 Page 4
Documents continued
128529 - Getty/Cole
that communication from Building Official/Maintenance Administrator transmitting
Contracts, Bonds and Certificates of Insurance in the amount of $561,547.92 with
WBC Mechanical, Inc. of Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with Installation of
Chiller Plant and Upgrade of Air Handling Units at Center For The Arts, 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. 2009-90.
128530 Getty/Cole
that communication from Associate Engineer transmitting Cooperation Agreement
with United States of America, Right -of -Entry to United States of America, and
Attorney's Certificate as to Right -of -Way to allow U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
to make repairs to the levee system on the Cedar River along River Road from
Black Hawk Creek to Conger Street and removal of sand and silt from the 50 -year
by-pass channel located in the Riverview Recreational Area and replacement of
two closure panels, 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. 2009-91.
Councilperson Getty stated a couple of weeks ago he brought up the topic of
dredging the Cedar River, and he didn't seem to get any interest. Councilperson
Getty noted he will bring it up again when we are done with the budget process
this year. If its good enough for the Army Corp of Engineers to do Black Hawk
Creek, he is sure we can get something done with the Cedar River.
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, reported these are for repairs to the existing
system that happened because of the flood last year. The work along River Road
from Black Hawk Creek to Conger is riprap that washed out along the riverbank
that needs to be replaced and repaired. The removal of sand and silt is in the
river recreational area, where there is a large cut along the bank of the river
that if you follow Hawthorne and across the levee its just a little bit further
east or downstream on the river, an area where the river goes across. When it
gets high enough, that is known as the bypass channel and a lot of sand and silt
was deposited in the drainage channel and also in the Riverview area. Mr.
Thorson reported the closure panels are for the railroad bridge that collapsed,
as there are closure structures on each end of the bridge that were damaged.
Mr. Thorson stated that the Corp is basically repairing damage in the levee
system that was the result of last year's flood.
128531 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt
that communication from Associate Engineer transmitting Amendment No. 5 to
agreement with Waterloo Development Corporation and Craig Ritland Landscape
Architects for additional construction related services at a cost of $48,000.00
in conjunction with F.Y. 2007 Riverloop Exposition Plaza, Phase 1, Contract No.
721, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be
adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked if this was flood related and if there is an
opportunity to recoup some of this expense.
Mayor Hurley responded it is not flood related. This was a matter of getting
into the Expo and Public Market project and finding out more of what is
underground. Mayor Hurley noted this project is funded about 58 percent with
gaming money coordinated through the WDC, 22 percent funded with the State
Community Attraction Tourism grant, the city is contributing approximately 17
percent, the county is putting in one half percent, and additional miscellaneous
funds bring it up to 100 percent. Mayor Hurley stated that some people ask why
doesn't the city use the $48,000.00 to fill pot holes or do something else and
it just doesn't work that way. Mayor Hurley stated its not a matter of could
we, we can't.
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•
February 9, 2009
Documents continued
Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director, stated some of it was
flood related in terms of some of their services being extended because they had
to essentially wait for the area to de -flood. There were some changes in the
scope of the development of the area in terms of the electrical and there were
some underground foundations that were found that caused some extra work.
Page 5
Doug Schindel, Earth Tech AECOM, reported this was not flood related because
this is a construction review services project, and this basically has to do
with their field staff which includes survey and field review personnel. Mr.
Schindel reported there was some additional work, including the electrical work
and the public market building that included the tie -ends to the Expo loop area,
which extended the schedule. Originally, everyone was hoping to have this done
in 2008, but because of some relocation delays that didn't happen and then some
utility relocations that got delayed in 2008, the contract is being carried over
into 2009 and the big push will be to finish it before My Waterloo Days. Mr.
Schindel stated this is because of the additional work involved and the
additional items in the Expo area and due to the complications during
construction and the additional work that was required during construction.
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. 2009-92.
128532 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Police Chief transmitting agreement with Helping
Services of Northeast Iowa, Inc. to perform alcohol compliance checks and
special event monitoring, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving
said agreement", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-93.
128533 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Assistant City Engineer transmitting Acceptance of Plat
Improvements of Country Club Business Center Addition, be received, placed on
file and "Resolution approving said improvements", be adopted and two year
maintenance bond from Cardinal Construction, Inc. be received and placed on
file. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-94.
128534 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Planner II transmitting request of Coretta Crawley for
tax exemptions on improvements totaling $123,086.00 for property located at 509
Anthony Street 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. 2009-95.
128535 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Planner II transmitting request of Willie and Janie
Zanders for tax exemptions on improvements totaling $18,930.00 for property
located at 1302 Newell Street 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. 2009-96.
February 9, 2009 Page 6
Documents continued
128536 Steve Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Planner II transmitting request of Bernice Richard for
tax exemptions on improvements totaling $56,598.00 for property located at 535
Warren Drive 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. 2009-97.
128537 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Planner II transmitting request of Mark & Tami Aspenson
for tax exemptions on improvements totaling $36,000.00 for property located at
621 Evergreen 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. 2009-98.
128538 - Steve Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Leisure Services Director transmitting Memorandum of
Understanding with the Iowa Department of Transportation to allow access across
the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail as needed for flood -related repairs to US 218
Bridge Over the Cedar River, be received, placed on file and "Resolution
approving said Memorandum of Understanding", be adopted and Mayor authorized to
execute same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-99.
128539 Reggie Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Community Development Director transmitting 1st amendment
to STATE Jumpstart Housing Assistance Program with Iowa Finance Authority for
additional award of $820,786.43 to assist eligible residents whose homes were
damaged following the disasters of 2008, 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.
Rudy Jones, Community Development Director, reported these are additional funds
from the State which was passed last week by the House and Senate to continue to
help the 2008 flood victims. There are a few special conditions to these funds.
The first one being their intent is to assist those with a family income of
equal or less than 150 percent of the area median income. Mr. Jones stated they
are seeking to help those who didn't receive any assistance in the first round
of funds, so they will probably go back and try to grant assistance to those who
may not have been eligible for those funds because the funds were gone or there
just wasn't enough time to get that accomplished. They are also seeking to help
those who may not have had enough assistance on the first round, so they would
go back through that list. Mr. Jones noted these will be for forgivable loans
up to $24,999.00. Mr. Jones stated they will alert citizens through a press
release and also make calls to those individuals who already have applications
on file. They will continue to work those into the ones they are already
working with through the Jumpstart Federal Fund Program, so they will just roll
this activity back in with the current activities.
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. 2009-100.
1
• •
February 9, 2009
Documents continued
Page 7
128540 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Assistant City Attorney transmitting
Acknowledgement/Settlement Agreement in the amount of $300.00 with All Stop
Convenience, 2424 Ranchero Road, for sale of tobacco, tobacco products or
cigarettes to persons 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. 2009-101.
128541 - Reggie Schmitt/Welper
that communication from Assistant City Attorney transmitting
Acknowledgement/Settlement Agreement in the amount of $300.00 with Guppy's On
The Go, 1615 Bishop Avenue, for sale of tobacco, tobacco products or cigarettes
to persons 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. 2009-102.
128542 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt
that communication from Community Planning & Development Director
Professional Services Agreement with Vandewalle & Associates at a
exceed $25,000.00 to provide Wayfinding Development Services for
downtown signage locations and development of downtown strategies,
placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted
authorized to execute same.
transmitting
cost not to
creation of
be received,
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
and Mayor
Councilperson Greenwood noted this agreement is for development of the signage,
the signage itself will be additional.
James Walsh, City Attorney, stated he had a conversation with Mr. Vandewalle
about the signage issue downtown and one of the things that we are interested in
is providing opportunities for a display of local events and display of things
that are happening in our community. Mr. Walsh stated that MidAmerican is now
under the gun to get their transformers elevated downtown, to get them up out of
the underground caverns they are now in and there is going to have to be some
kind of street structure put in where these transformers are. Vandewalle is
going to look at the alternatives that might be available and help MidAmerican
make the right choice in terms of what structures to put in our downtown that
will include things that would help people wayfind and know what events are
going on downtown.
Councilperson Hart asked if this is monies that council already approved as he
remembers conversations about the hotel motel tax. Councilperson Hart asked if
this is money that has already been allocated, and if it is he didn't know that
it would have to come back again before council. Mayor Hurley stated that
tonight we are approving the Professional Services Agreement. Mr. Walsh stated
it is the agreement that needs to be approved.
Councilperson Hart stated that taking a look at the information council had
during the September 15, 2008 meeting, and the information council received for
the October meeting when they had this discussion taking a look at several
elements of the work. Element one was the Riverloop Expo and Public Market.
Two was Riverloop experience and three the downtown development plan. Also
looking at the information that was placed on December 30, 2008 for the
$10,000.00 and then information from December 22, 2008 for the wayfinding. Its
shifted a little bit, its almost trying to put your finger on something, and it
looks like it keeps moving a little bit. Councilperson Hart stated he is not
seeing some of the information that the council did approve, so he is wondering
if its shaking a little bit and shifting.
Mayor Hurley stated we are not necessarily shifting, we are taking from a long
standing master plan idea of how Vandewalle would work for us and we are honing
it down now and getting very specific. Mayor Hurley used Dubuque to explain
wayfinding as you drive in on highway 20 from the west to the east there are
color coordinated signs directing you to different districts, etc.
February 9, 2009
Documents continued
Page 8
Mayor Hurley explained that in Waterloo we have the Expo, the Public Market,
Grout, Dan Gable Museum, the TechWorks, new trails, the government district,
hospitality entertainment district, and recreation, and we are just trying to
bring that all together and make some sense so everybody isn't putting up signs.
Mayor Hurley commented that regarding the brochure there are a multitude of
organizations that we need the same sort of coordination. This is going to be
designed to go to the outside to create new interest, new investment and new
visitors to downtown. We have the Chamber, the Cedar Valley Alliance, Main
Street, and CVB all kind of doing this sort of communication.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director, stated from the very
beginning what we have been doing in the downtown master plan is first they laid
out the different districts that they thought were appropriate in the downtown
based on the strength of existing businesses, existing public uses as well as
available redevelopment blocks and spaces. From there, we have gone down to a
block by block analysis of what buildings could go in place. What types or more
specific type uses should go in there to compliment some of the projects that
are being not only developed by the city and the riverfront renaissance plan but
by the interest we are seeing from private developers in coming into downtown
Waterloo. The wayfinding one is further broken down into exactly what they
think it will take to create the proper signage plan in terms of how you
transition from the hospitality to the entertainment district to the sports
district and also looking at some new features that have come into place since
the original conception. Such as we are going to have a new entrance coming in
on the Commercial Street extension and the correlation between downtown Waterloo
and the TechWorks facility. Mr. Anderson stated as you look through the
contract they talk about needing to analyze the existing patterns and new
patterns that will be developed selecting the locations of signage. Then
determining a hierarchy of signage and types of signage. Developing cost
estimates, phasing and funding sources and then putting that all together in a
plan to document the rational. The themes, the strategies, the locations and
then why they went with the certain types of designs.
Councilperson Hart stated he applauds the wayfinding effort because traveling
around the state and seeing what some of the different cities are doing with
their downtown just part of like the great places initiative. This is a huge
part of what they are doing to try to help people to be able to access the
resources that they have in the different entertainment districts and downtown
districts. Councilperson Hart stated that looking at September 15, 2008
downtown Riverloop wayfinding the recommendations that we had was $12,500.00 for
the downtown Riverloop wayfinding study and today it reads $25,000.00. Mayor
Hurley responded that council is approving a contract, but we are splitting that
cost. We took $12,500.00 out of hotel/motel and the other portion is coming
from WDC.
Councilperson Hart stated that the brochure, which is a good thing, was around
$18,000.00 in September and now $10,000.00 so that is always a good thing if the
cost goes down. Mayor Hurley responded that he recommended $18,000.00 be used
from discretionary hotel/motel fund but council only approved $10,000.00, and
WDC is paying for the printing.
Councilperson Hart stated this is exactly what the council approved as far as
the discretionary hotel/motel grant recommendations. Mayor Hurley stated that
when council did the discretionary hotel/motel funds, he new $18,000.00 is what
the cost would be for the brochure and now Vandewalle is saying this is what
they will provide and now we are asking council to authorize the agreement.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he thinks part of the sense is it seems like
$25,000.00 is a pretty good chunk of money for a conceptual bit of work that is
not going to involve the actual making or installing of the signs.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he thinks the signs are a great idea and they
look real nice in Dubuque and some other cities. Councilperson Steve Schmitt
asked if this is all part of the whole plan with Vandewalle, so this portion
couldn't have gone out for an RFP or proposal. Its just all of the grand master
plan that when they are the ones taking it from start to finish we are really
kind of locked into that situation.
Mayor Hurley responded that he thinks we could fragment this and break it down
but we would possibly endanger ourselves with an as is end product, fragmented
and broken down. Mayor Hurley stated that Vandewalle has been with the city a
long time when creating a master plan, the vision of the downtown redevelopment
was just an idea. It was schematics when we presented it to the Vision Iowa
Board and it got more and more and more definitive.
•
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February 9, 2009 Page 9
Documents continued
Mr. Walsh stated that we could go to new service providers for these things but
its a little bit like picking a doctor, engineer or lawyer, you wouldn't want to
go with low bid. There is always someone who will low bid and has no idea of
what they are doing. Vandewalle has done successful projects. If you lose
confidence in him or think he is overcharging, you should switch. But you
should switch entirely not just the wayfinding as that is just a little part of
this whole overall scheme. He knows where every corner is, where every turn
point decision. He has done that for years and it wouldn't make sense to change
the wayfinding part of this. We do squeeze him, we have squeezed him at WDC
meetings when he says $25,000.00 that doesn't necessarily get him $25,000.00.
For instance the last contract he said something like $60,000.00 and he got
$40,000.00. Its a question of how much could be afforded, how much WDC can chip
in, how much the city can pay. If council has a confidence problem with them
either price wise or service wise, it is a good idea to stop in those meetings
to talk with him because its hard to judge without face to face with the guy
providing the services as much as it is with any professional.
Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following
result. Ayes: Six. Nays: Hart.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-103.
128543 - Welper/Reggie Schmitt
that communication from Community Planning & Development Director transmitting
Professional Services Agreement with Vandewalle & Associates at a cost not to
exceed $10,000.00 to provide Design Services for a Waterloo Anew Brochure, be
received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted
and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Six. Nays: Hart.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-104.
RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED
128544 Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "Resolution setting date of hearing as Monday, March 9, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
in the City Hall Council Chambers on FYE 2010 Budget", be adopted and City Clerk
instructed to publish notice of same. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-105.
128545 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "Resolution approving an advance of not to exceed $275,000.00 from the
General Fund for repayment from the Rath Area Urban Renewal Tax Increment
Revenue Fund to pay costs for asbestos removal services provided by Advanced
Environmental at the former Rath Administration Building", be adopted. Ayes:
Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-106.
128546 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "Resolution dedicating public easements generally located in the Shadow
Creek Crossing residential development east of Hammond Avenue, north of San
Marnan Drive", be adopted. Ayes: Seven.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-107.
128547 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that communication from Mayor Tim Hurley transmit request for authorization to
pay cost for city's new website using unspent funds, 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 Steve Schmitt stated he thought when this was originally talked
about, there was discussion that it seemed to be a fairly strong price.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he is a little bit confused about how we got
to this point without going out for RFPs, should we have gone out for RFPs and
is it too late to do that now.
February 9, 2009 Page 10
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
Mayor Hurley responded that probably the RFPs should have happened. Mayor
Hurley explained that a couple of years ago, the Waterloo Industrial Development
Association (WIDA), of which the city is a member, wanted to create a Waterloo
Economic Development website and do that through city hosting. The city had
membership on that committee and they worked for some time to develop that
website. Its up and running and its an excellent website and has received a lot
of accolades. In that process, WIDA did an RFP internally and went out to seven
companies. WIDA did a lot of discernment and they didn't necessarily chose the
lowest bidder. They interviewed each and every one of them, and at the end of
the day, the committee decided to go with Butz Creative. After WIDA's site was
up and running, Mayor Hurley visited with WIDA representatives who said they
liked the Economic Development site so well they would be willing to participate
in the cost of upgrading the city's website. Mayor Hurley stated that what he
heard was they would take care of it, that WIDA would take care of it through
private donations, which was wrong. Mayor Hurley's understanding was that they
were going to do it, so he told them to go ahead. Mayor Hurley stated they went
down the path with him thinking its going to be taken care of by the private
sector and them thinking they were going to need some partial help from the
city. Mayor Hurley stated the work is done, its almost ready to launch, and he
thinks the city has an ethical responsibility to the work that was done.
Councilperson Hart stated that from the presentation we had a while ago, he
believes its an excellent product. Councilperson Hart stated he feels it puts
him a precarious position because for $22,500.00 he thinks we could almost have
a part-time webmaster to come in and create a web page for the city and then be
able to even host it for a year. Councilperson Hart stated now it would be a
challenge with all they work they have already done, and it doesn't really give
us much choice.
Councilperson Getty stated he feels its one of those things that Mayor Hurley
got involved with, and as the Mayor he made a decision. Councilperson Getty
stated that he and Mayor Hurley don't always agree on everything and probably
never will, but he supports Mayor Hurley 100 percent on this because of the fact
as Mayor he made the decision and he feels council should approve this.
Mayor Hurley stated that he is not going to make this mistake again and will
listen better. Mayor Hurley stated he really doesn't want to use the word
mistake because he thinks when the day is done, we all will be delighted and so
will our citizens. Mayor Hurley stated this will allow us to send out warnings,
we can instruct citizens on what we are doing and why we are doing it, we can
get interactive maps, citizens can contact us about things such as a street
light is out or there is a stop sign down.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he agrees with everything that has been said,
and he is one of the biggest proponents of updating the city's website. We
really don't have a good handle on our Boards and Commissions on what seats are
available, and he knows this is going to improve that and its going to improve a
lot of other things. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated his primary concern is
not directed at Mayor Hurley, but his primary concern about this when we talk
about the ethicalness is are we getting into a questionable area as far as
approving something beyond a certain dollar amount that didn't go out for RFP.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he appreciates the fact that WIDA did go out
for RFP, but his biggest concern is he doesn't want this to come back.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he has nothing against Butz Advertising.
James Walsh, City Attorney, stated this is a services situation so we would not
have to have competitive bidding. Mr. Walsh stated council adopted some rules
about expending a certain amount, but he thinks this under that and subject to
council's discretion as to whether or not to pay it. WIDA paid some money on
this to help get it started, but this is a good example of being sure how much
its going to cost in the end. Mr. Walsh stated the city may want to look at the
continuation of this situation to make sure we have a handle on the price going
forward. Mr. Walsh stated we can argue whether we have a legal obligation, but
the work is done and if its going to benefit the city he doesn't disagree that
we should probably pay it, and we would not violate our own rules if we did.
Mayor Hurley noted that he did request funding from the Black Hawk County Gaming
Association last quarter for the website, but they don't fund projects that the
work has already been done.
Following comments a
result. Ayes: Five.
Resolution adopted and
•
vote was taken on the
Nays: Cole, Hart.
above motion with the following
upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-108.
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February 9, 2009 Page 11
Resolutions to be Adopted continued
128548 - Greenwood/Steve Schmitt
that "Resolution supporting financially and philosophically the work of Main
Street Waterloo", be adopted.
Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard.
Mayor Hurley reported that currently and for a number of years the city has used
$30,000.00 from the TIF to support services Main Street provides for the
downtown. Mayor Hurley stated that he may propose additional funding for them
in the 2010 Budget. Mayor Hurley stated that the resolution just says that the
city supports financially and philosophically what Main Street is doing Main
Street needs that in order to be recertified by the Iowa Department of Economic
Development.
Councilperson Cole stated that philosophically she supports Main Street.
Councilperson Cole stated her concern is with the financial part because if
council is in the budget process and looking at not funding some extras, she
doesn't know how she would feel about supporting Main Street financially.
Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following
result. Ayes: Six. Nays: Cole.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2009-109.
NEW BUSINESS
128549 Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt
to instruct Leisure Services Director to prepare plans, specifications, form of
contract, etc. in conjunction with 2009 Riverfront Stadium Locker Room
Renovation -Phases I & II, be received, placed on file and approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
128550 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt
that plans, specifications, form of contract, etc. in conjunction with 2009
Riverfront Stadium Locker Room Renovation -Phases I & II, be received and placed
on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
128551 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt
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. 2009-110.
128552 - Steve Schmitt/Reggie Schmitt
that "Resolution setting date of hearing on plans, specifications, form of
contract, etc. as March 2, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers
and taking of 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. 2009-111.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
128553 Sindee Kleckner, Executive Director for Main Street Waterloo, introduced herself
as the new director and stated that she is excited to be here and to be working
with everyone in the city in the future. Ms. Kleckner stated she looks at the
downtown as the heart of the city, and she looks at what council has done
tonight as some of the exercises that they do to strengthen their hearts. Maybe
not something you look forward to such as going down the stair stepper all the
time, but you do know that it strengthens your heart and you do know that it
helps your longevity, and it does make a healthier environment.
Forrest Dillavou, 1725 Huntington Road, stated that several years ago when the
state was auditing the books of the City of Waterloo they suggested that we need
to look more towards concrete rather than just asphalt especially for
reconstruction of our streets, stating the fact that there was not much
competition.
February 9, 2009 Page 12
Oral Presentations continued
Mr. Dillavou stated again tonight we see that there is no competition for
asphalt overlay which leaves us vulnerable because there is not another bidder.
Mr. Dillavou stated he thinks on reconstruction of our city streets we should
look more towards concrete as asphalt settles, mushes out. Mr. Dillavou stated
he thinks we need to look at concrete for our reconstruction so we can get
competitive bids and perhaps get a better price and a better street for the
citizens of Waterloo.
Mayor Hurley explained we have two contracts, one is for reconstruction which is
tear up the whole thing and its weeks at a time. That is when we get down into
the infrastructure and repair that if necessary and replace piping and things.
The other contract is overlay, and we have not been very successful for concrete
for overlay. That technology is not perfected for the upper Midwest yet.
Concrete as an overlay over other concrete, existing concrete doesn't work so
well. The industry is working on it so that's why we typically end up with
asphalt on our overlay.
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, stated the city does bid alternatives on
reconstruction. There is a concrete alternative where you have concrete curb
and gutter and concrete paving in-between. We also have an asphalt alternative
where its concrete curbs and gutter and then asphalt in-between. The asphalt
section is bid at 7% inches of asphalt and 7% inch curb & gutters as opposed to
6 inches of concrete they believe to be an equivalent section and we get as much
life out of that as we do the concrete section. Mr. Thorson recommended staying
with bidding alternatives on the reconstruction contract as he feels we get
equal products. Mr. Thorson noted that concrete certainly has its issues. You
can drive by any of the city's old concrete streets and see lots of cracking at
the joints, which typically leads to overlays. Mr. Thorson stated its the
recommendation of the Engineering Department that we stay with bidding the
alternatives as that is a way to get competition. There were years in the past
when all we would receive is one concrete bid, so the council directed staff to
come up with a method to get some competition in the reconstruction project and
the way we did that was by bidding equivalent sections and that includes an
asphalt alternative.
Getty/Reggie Schmitt
that the above oral comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
128554 - Reggie Schmitt/Greenwood
that the Council adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
'Nev--tAs
Nancy Eckert, CMC
City Clerk
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