HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07/16/2018 COUNCIL WORK SESSION
July 16, 2018
3:35 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Jacobs, Morrissey, Klein, Amos, and Juon. Absent: Shimp and Schmitt.
Moved by Amos seconded by Jacobs that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice vote-
Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
Objective: Discussion of building homes on Newell with Hawkeye Community College
Craig Clark, Hawkeye Community College, provided an overview of the agreement between
Hawkeye Community College and the City of Waterloo to have students build homes on the
property. On the council agenda tonight is action to approve a home design and development
agreement with the city in the amount of $137,000. The home is a four bedroom with two
bedrooms on the main level and two in the basement.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, explained the partnership
between Hawkeye Community College and the City and that the program will develop
construction skills for students in the future.
Craig Clark explained Hawkeye has a continuing education program that can do HVAC and
electrical work but that the college cannot undertake work of that nature. He further provided an
overview of the materials estimate summary for the project.
Ron Welper, former city council member, explained the risks of building homes on lots that have
been vacant for some number of years.
Mrs. Klein questioned if the city would be losing money and if there are comparable sales in the
neighborhood.
Mr. Welper clarified the city would not lose money but likely just break even.
Mrs. Juon questioned if this property will be eligible for the CLURA or CUBA.
Noel Anderson confirmed and explained appraisals that have come back for new, infill housing
projects in the city.
Mr. Welper commented that numerous businesses are willing to participate in the program to
help with the cost of the project.
Mr. Morrissey thanked the representatives from Hawkeye Community College and Mr. Welper
for their efforts and persistence in moving this project forward.
Mrs. Klein questioned if the project has protection with federal funds.
Noel Anderson explained there are no federal dollars available for this project at this time.
Mr. Jacobs commented that the city needs to find a way to reduce the cost as most houses have
sold in the area for $30-$40,000 and that the city needs to set people up for success instead of
failure for trying to finance a new home.
Objective: Ordinance review for billing through Fire Recovery USA
Pat Treloar, Fire Chief, explained that this is a follow up work session to review an agreement
with Fire Recovery USA and an ordinance to allow for charging insurance companies for
accident clean-up. He explained changes negotiated to the agreement and emphasized that the
insurance will be billed directly and that the agreement is written as residents and non-residents
would receive a bill to their insurance company directly and users would not receive direct bills.
Mr. Jacobs questioned what percent of calls do not have insurance.
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Pat Treloar explained that 150 fire calls were billed for fluid clean up and received 90 payments
and 19 of the 90 were paid by insurance companies. He further rexplained that they always try
to bill the person at fault as it may not have been listed in the police report.
Mr. Jacobs questioned what information is collected in order to bill.
Pat Treloar explained that they would need to get a police report to get insurance information,
driver's license, which party is at fault, etc.
Mrs. Juon questioned if he has done projections on whether or not this program will generate
revenue.
Pat Treloar anticipates that it revenue would increase and billing would be done in a manner that
is much more fair and the department would be able to collect for extrications.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if there are any limitations in the law for charging these additional
fees.
Pat Treloar explained that four cities in the state utilize this program and that they are happy with
the service. In addition, Mr. Wendland reviewed the fees and believed that they were fair for the
service provided by the department.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if there are other communities that do not utilize this type of fee
structure.
Pat Treloar confirmed that Dubuque, Iowa City, and Des Moines currently do not bill for these
type of services.
Objective: Update on Pay by Phone initiative from Republic Parking_
Jon Rouse, General Manager with Republic Parking, provided an overview of implementing a
new pay by phone initiative in downtown Waterloo. He explained that this would allow users to
pay for parking utilizing their mobile device. Republic Parking will begin implementing the
service provided by Passport Parking and explained how the service works. Marketing to
educate the public will include street signs, meter stickers, flyers, social media, stock photos, and
a press release. Staff has been fully trained on how to use the software so that they can provide
customer service on city streets. He noted that cities that have implemented the software have
seen an increase in revenue. Users would be charged a 25 cent convenience fee for one time use
but the application has a wallet setting where they can pre-load funds.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if users would be able to utilize meters and pay-by-phone.
Jon Rouse confirmed and explained that an occupancy study will be undertaken in the fall to help
provide further guidance on parking needs and changes downtown.
Objective: Proposed changes to Memorial Hall Commission Constitution and By-Laws.
Craig White, Memorial Hall Commission, explained that the commission has had difficulty
finding new members and proposed various changes to their By-Laws which would allow for a
wider group of individuals to be appointed. He also requested to lower the quorum from six to
five and to allow voting by proxy. He also requested that the council look into allowing
Memorial Hall to receive a stipend from the Grout Museum funds to help with operation and
maintenance costs for Memorial Hall.
Mrs. Juon commented she is unsure if the Grout Museum funds are exclusive to them.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Morrissey seconded by Amos that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:39 p.m. Voice-vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
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Kelley Fel We
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