Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-10/22/2018 COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 22, 2018 3:45 p.m. Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Members present: Morrissey, Klein, Amos, and Juon. Mr. Schmitt arrived at 3:57 p.m. and Mr. Jacobs arrived at 5:04 p.m. Moved by Morrissey seconded by Amos that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice-vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Objective: Discussion regarding Replacement Concepts for Outdoor Pools. Mark Gallagher, Recreation Services Manager, thanked the council for the opportunity to discuss the idea of pool replacement, and commented that the pools were built in 1980 with an anticipated lifespan of 20-25 years. He introduced Dave Schwartz of Water's Edge and explained that following the presentation, he hopes to learn what the community can support, the cost to get there and what the project will look like. Dave Schwartz, Water's Edge Aquatic Design, provided an overview of replacement concepts for Byrnes and Gates pool facilities. The recommendations are to remove both Gates and Byrnes pool facilities and then build a spray pad, park area and sled hill at Gates Park and build a multi- feature pool at Byrnes Park. The proposed project cost for Gates Park would be $2,200,000 and Byrnes Park would be $9,000,000. The reasons to replace the pools include low attendance, 30 years old, buckled floors, undersized pool water treatment facility, and corroded aluminum in- ground pool. He then explained the proposed features of each replacement project. Mr. Schmitt arrived at 3:57 p.m. Mrs. Juon questioned the comparisons between this proposal and the pool in Cedar Falls. Dave Schwartz explained that his company designed the slide in Cedar Falls and explained how this proposal compares to the existing pool. He then explained that the next steps are to share the recommendations with the public, refine layouts and select specific features, create drawings, develop a detailed budget, support funding efforts, and set a project schedule. He stated that the city would most likely need to do a referendum to support financing the project and that his company can help complete marketing for the project. Construction would most likely take a year and a half to complete. Mr. Morrissey questioned if the two projects would run at the same time or if they would be constructed one at a time. Dave Schwartz explained that Gates could be replaced first and then Byrnes Park the following year. Mrs. Juon questioned if this surface is different from Mark's Park. Paul Huting explained that Mark's Park has a rubberized surface that has already been replaced once. Mrs. Juon commented that the community should give input first. Paul Huting explained that public input sessions are planned at the SportsPlex to gather input. Mrs. Juon questioned why a referendum is needed. Paul Huting explained that the project is approximately 12 million dollars and that they believe they could raise at least 6 million through donations and grants. The other 6 million would need to come from the CIP process or a referendum. He stated that the success rate for a referendum in other communities has been high. Page 2 Mrs. Juon questioned if the pools broke even would that mean admission prices would stay level or decrease. Dave Schwartz explained that the city should stay open to the idea of raising rates to break even. Paul Huting noted that if they can reduce staffing it would help the pool to break even as they would not need a full lifeguard staff and boilers at two pools. Mrs. Klein stated that her concern is the Bertch complex that brings busloads of kids into town and questioned if two splash pads have been considered, with improvements made to the SportPlex pool instead. Dave Schwartz stated that the business set up at Lost Island is different from the city pools. The public pool is designed to not compete with Lost Island and will be equipped to offer swim lessons and recreation opportunities at a lower rate. Mrs. Klein commented that she supports Lost Island and does not believe the city should compete with them. Dave Schwartz stated that the lower rate at a public pool would allow kids to go to the pool every day at an inexpensive rate. Mark Gallagher explained that there is logic to have two spray pads but if the city wants to replace a pool he recommends to make it an attraction. Mr. Amos questioned if providing the splash pads at no cost makes sense when the city would be subsidizing the cost of the project. Paul Huting commented that they would bring to council the option to charge for a splash pad at Gates Park. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained that a referendum may be necessary depending on the amount of the city's investment into the project. State limits the amount of available bond money per project to $700,000. Mrs. Klein asked for clarification on the amount of money that could be raised for a pool and a splash pad or two splash pads. Paul Huting explained that grant fund matching is mandated and is typically half of a project cost. Mr. Schmitt requested clarification at which site the project begin. Dave Schwartz explained that beginning at Gates would provide a positive momentum to the whole project. Paul Huting explained that it would be tight but a portion of the needs could be met by the SportsPlex. Mr. Schmitt questioned the timeframe to get the project completed. Dave Schwartz explained that it takes 4-6 months to design the project and a year and a half to build. Mr. Morrissey commented that he supports the idea of replacing the pools to help improve the quality of life. He further stated that he believes that other locations should be looked at for these projects as well. Mayor Hart questioned if discussion occurred regarding other sites for the Gates Park facility. Page 3 Paul Huting noted that the benefit to building at the existing Gates Park site is that the infrastructure is currently in place. Mayor Hart commented on the improvements made to the parks to create a connected recreation facility between all of the park features. Paul Huting asked that the council support Leisure Services moving forward with public discussions. Objective: Update on residential infill projects. John Rooff, Black Hawk Contracting, provided an overview of infill housing projects they have completed over the last twelve years. He stated that they have followed schools that received improvements and built around those. He explained that the houses have added approximately $500,000 to the tax rolls. Many of these homes have been built with funding partnership with Community Development. They have entered into five developments with the city and provided an overview of the projects. He explained that he and Jim Ellis, started Residential Development Partners, which dissolved within 30 days of signing the agreement. He explained how the area was split, and that three lots remain that are owned by Lincoln Savings Bank. The bank has paid Black Hawk Contracting to install the infrastructure in this location and the council will have to decide if tax credits are issued to build homes on the lots. He further explained that there are properties yet to be developed that are still owned by the city and have never been deeded. These are located at Tiller Park and the old Lafayette School site and gave an overview of the cost to develop there. He stated that the homes have been built thanks to investment tax credits but the legislature has stopped funding the program. Four communities have been approved to receive extended completion dates and Waterloo was one of the recipients of the extension. He believes that decision is a credit to how the City has approached tax credits over the past years. He further stated that a review should be done on Tiller, Lafayette and the back 16 lots on Baltimore field to determine if and how they can be developed and what incentives might be available for infrastructure. Mr. Jacobs arrived at 5:04 p.m. Mrs. Juon requested a paper copy of the information provided. John Roof confirmed. With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Morrissey seconded by Amos that the meeting be adjourned at 5:06 p.m. Voice-vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried. yu" Kelley Felc City Clerk