HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01/22/2019COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 22, 2019
3:55 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Morrissey, Feuss, Klein, and Amos. Absent: Jacobs, Schmitt, and Juon.
Amos/Klein
to appoint Mr. Morrissey as chair for the Work Session meeting. Roll call vote—Ayes: Four.
Motion carried.
Moved by Amos seconded by Klein that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote
Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Objective: Review fireworks zoning ordinance amendment.
Aric Schroeder, City Planner, provided an overview of the changes to the zoning ordinance and
explained that it was unanimously recommended for approval by the commission.
Mrs. Klein questioned if tents would be allowed on the site.
Aric Schroeder explained that no tents on the property would be allowed.
Mr. Amos requested clarification of how this change would affect any businesses already
established.
Aric Schroeder explained that one business would be grandfathered that they know of, which is
Crossroads Fireworks.
Mr. Morrissey requested an overview of the setback requirements.
Mrs. Juon arrived at 4:02 p.m.
Aric Schroeder provided an explanation of the setback requirements for both C-2 and M-1 areas.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the ordinance change would address tents set up throughout
shopping centers.
Aric Schroeder confirmed.
Mr. Morrissey questioned how the ordinance would be enforced.
Aric Schroeder explained that the locations have to get a license from the state and the city
approves sites for fireworks sales.
Objective: Review fireworks code amendment.
Aric Schroeder provided an overview of changes to the ordinance. The ordinance would allow
fireworks to be set off on July 3, 4, and 5 of each year between the hours of noon and 11 p.m. on
July 4 and between the hours of noon and 10 p.m. on July 3 and July 5. The ordinance also
increases the violation fine from $250 to $375.
Mrs. Juon questioned if a state Fire Marshal fund is available.
Aric Schroeder explained that to his knowledge no dollars have been allocated to that fund.
Mr. Schmitt arrived at 4:12 p.m.
Mr. Morrissey suggested that the ordinance language change from may to shall in section G.
Major Leibold cautioned the council on changing the language to shall due to the legal
implications it may impose, and recommended consulting with the City Attorney.
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Mrs. Klein questioned how much revenue was collected through fines.
Aric Schroeder commented that he is unaware of any fines collected.
Mrs. Klein questioned how effective these ordinance changes will be.
Aric Schroeder commented that the changes would allow those who want shoot off fireworks do
so legally. He explained that the Police Department has had issues with pinpointing who is
shooting off fireworks.
Mr. Morrissey commented that section G would cause the citation to go to the property as a
nuisance property and not the individual.
Mrs. Juon questioned if this change is going to be enforced.
Major Leibold explained that the department tries their best to enforce the ordinance.
Mr. Schmitt commented that the ordinance seems to be a compromise between all of the Cedar
Valley communities.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if a grant was awarded, would it allow for additional resources to
assist with enforcement.
Major Leibold confirmed it could if the grant application included the appropriate wording.
Objective: Review of an ordinance to increase Storm Water Fees.
Jamie Knutson, City Engineer, provided an overview of the changes to the ordinance. He
explained that Waterloo has not changed their storm water fees for several years and has the
second lowest fees of all of the largest cities in Iowa. He stated that the city would need to look
to increase fees or increase the amount of money bonded each year to pay for projects in the
future. The ordinance would increase the fee to $4.00 effective April 1, and the dollar amount
would increase by .25 cents per year for five years after adoption. He further mapped out storm
water projects over the next ten years and an estimated cost for each project.
Mrs. Juon questioned if the top three projects were the ones that had the most difficulty from the
heavy rains in the fall.
Jamie Knutson confirmed and noted that part of why the projects will take several years is due to
design work and acquiring property to then do construction.
Mrs. Juon commented that nothing was in the pipeline prior to the 2019 projections.
Jamie Knutson confirmed and explained that the project have been identified in the Capital
Improvements Program and have never risen to the point to be funded through bonds.
Mrs. Juon questioned if this would allow to do the projects without depending on CIP funding.
Jamie Knutson confirmed this is the hope, but it does not mean that some money from the CIP
would not be used to get started and explained there won't be enough monies in the CIP to
complete construction in 2019.
Mrs. Juon questioned if some of the funds in the attachment are just for CIP funds.
Jamie Knutson explained that the projections are just based on storm water revenue.
Mrs. Klein commented that she is in support of the ordinance and that she is glad to see future
planning to address storm water issues.
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Mrs. Juon questioned if this will help address the waste water backups in basements from the
fall.
Jamie Knutson explained that these issues will only address storm water issues. Waste
Management will need to address sanitary sewer backup issues.
Mrs. Klein asked if the issues were an unexpected result of the disconnect program.
Jamie Knutson explained that he was not directly involved in those talks at the time.
Mr. Morrissey questioned which No Name Creek is being addressed.
Jamie Knutson stated that it is No Name Creek from Airline Hwy south.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the Virden Creek concerns would be addressed.
Jamie Knutson described the area and explained the delay is due to future development.
Mr. Morrissey commented that the people who live there have been wanting to see change for
years and that people in his Ward will be very unhappy and asked that the project be moved up
as soon as the timetable will allow. He stated that a resident asked if the increase will go to
salaries and how will residents actually be able to see what the fees will be used for.
Jamie Knutson explained that part of the fees will have to go to pay salaries and that it will create
funds to execute projects but it will take several years before construction will take place.
Mrs. Juon questioned how the projects were prioritized.
Jamie Knutson explained that the first projects were those that were hit the hardest during the fall
rains and that were the most densely populated neighborhoods. He added that if a development
comes up in an area that is not prioritized then the city would need to shift course.
Mr. Morrissey commented that residents who live in the Virden Creek watershed area are aware
that other people are not moving into the area because of the problem and that failure to correct
the issue ultimately retards any future development. He also questioned whether the monies
gained through fee increases would be used to hire additional people to speed up the progress of
the projects.
Jamie Knutson explained that the projects will need to be designed by outside firms.
Mrs. Juon questioned if approving the fee also means approving the timeline.
Jamie Knutson explained that the table was to demonstrate a plan going forward but that the
council would not have to approve the plan.
Mrs. Klein commented that the fees should have been increased over time but thanked the
Engineering Department for their forward thinking.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Morrissey seconded by Juon that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Leiiey Felchle
City Clerk