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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-10/05/2015COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 5, 2015 3:45 p.m. Harold E. Getty. Council Chambers Members present: Cole, Jones, Schmitt, Lind, Morrissey, Welper, and Hart. Moved by Hart, seconded by Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. TIF Spending Discussion Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, explained the City of Waterloo -TIF districts and the uses for the districts. He explained the projects and economic growth within the districts. The blighted TIF's are urban renewal areas. Urban renewal Mr. Anderson answered questions submitted by citizens. The questions and answers are as follows: Insert Noel's notes Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained that projects cannot be individual TIF districts due to legal costs and infrastructure costs. Mr. Lind questioned if you could limit the time for a TIF District. Michelle Weidner explained that you could if you could complete all the projects within the timeframe allowed but it may not be in the best interest of the City due to the needs of that district. It was explained what happens when areas of the TIF district are released. Mr. Lind questioned if the rollback comes from the base or the increment. Michelle Weidner explained that it affects both but it generally reduces the increment. Mayor Clark questioned if the tax protests have a direct effect on the increment. Michelle Weidner explained that the minimum assessment accompanies development agreements to help the City recover the cost of the project. Mr. Schmitt questioned how the base could be impacted. Michelle Weidner explained that the base is frozen unless there is no increment available. Mr. Schmitt questioned why property owners are not responsible for downtown sidewalks. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, explained that the decision was made years ago that the City would maintain the brick portion of the downtown sidewalks. David Dryer, 3145 W. 4th Street, questioned where the money came from to establish additional TIF districts. He questioned how an expansion of a business can be covered by the TIF District. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained how TIF districts are started. Bonds are issued for projects. Generally a project is identified before debt is incurred. Noel Anderson explained that projects include retaining positions as well as. adding new positions. Don Miller, 707 Stone Quarry Road, questioned if there has ever been a report commissioned as to the effectiveness of the TIF districts. There is a report for Johnson County TIF Districts. He questioned if the project owners could sell the land after the project is complete. Page 2 Noel Anderson, explained that a study has not been performed but the amount of growth does show the success of the districts. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained that if a property.. is sold after a project is completed the City still receives the minimum taxable value from the new owner. Steve Murphy, 124 Terrace Drive, commented that taxable value in a TIF does not help the City. He asked to find a middle ground. Michelle Weidner explained that staff believes that TIF helps to grow the city. Rath and Downtown TIFs have grown significantly due to the TIF districts. Forest Dillavou, 1725 Huntington Road, expressed dissatisfaction with properties in TIF districts not contributing the full amount of their property taxes to City funds. Michelle Weidner, clarified that properties in TIF districts do pay the full amount of their taxes. Mr. Lind asked how to release value. Michelle Weidner explained that Council votes to approve TIF district debt each year. In November, the City can request a form to release money from TIFs but will need to ensure that the City can still cover its debt obligations with less money. When the State makes changes to the tax code it can negatively affect the City's TIF districts and it would still have to pay the debt even if the State takes money away. - With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Hart, seconded by Schmitt that the meetingbe adjourned at 4:53 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Suzy Scha es, CMC City Clerk/Human Resource Director COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 12, 2015 4:35 p.m. Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Members present: Cole, Jones (arrived at 5:00 p.m.) Schmitt (Arrived after roll call), Lind, Morrissey, Welper, and Hart. Moved by 'Hart, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Presentation by Middle Cedar River Watershed Management Association Vern Fish, Executive Director Black Hawk CCB Mary Beth Stevenson, Iowa -Cedar River Basin Coordinator, IDNR Mary Beth Stevenson gave an overview of the Cedar River watershed area and the Middle Cedar River Watershed. Issues being faced are flooding, water quality, and attitude. The Cedar River Watershed Coalition is a coalition focused on education of citizens; reducing flood impacts, improving water quality, and make policy recommendations. The Middle Cedar River Watershed Management Authority is a 28E agreement between the Cities, Counties, and SWCDs in the area to help plan, management, and provide education regarding the watershed. A resolution of support was requested to show support of the Middle Cedar River Watershed Authority. Mr. Schmitt questioned and it was clarified that the authority can only recommend action as they have no decision making authority. Mr. Lind questioned the structure of the organization and it was explained that a board of directors will be chosen to represent the authority and entities can join as they feel comfortable with the organization. Mr. Morrissey questioned how this authority will assist with the 16 different watersheds in Waterloo. It was explained that they can help target resources for the watersheds. Tri -City Clothing Building Discussion Dave Zellhoefer, City Attorney, explained 713 Logan Avenue fka Tri -City Clothing, explained that the owners are willing to deed the property to the City, provide the City with the $10,000 from the insurance proceeds, and pay the outstanding invoice to Frickson Excavation and then the City will have to clean up the property. Others are interested in cleaning up the property and then going after the owners for the clean-up invoice. Mr. Lind questioned why the tenants would not be liable for the personal property that was in the pile. Mr. Zellhoefer explained that the owner is the only person liable. State law requires the insurance company to withhold $10,000 from the insurance policy and that has been done. Mr. Zellhoefer asked for permission to enter into the agreement. Mr. Morrissey questioned if under the second option the rubble would stay there. Mr. Zellhoefer explained that the City can get a court order to allow us to clean it up and then go after the property owner. The difference between a 657a is that there is no one else to go after. The demolition has been bid out and the contractor is ready to proceed. The City should gefthe insurance proceeds either way. Mayor Clark explained that if the agreement is signed there will be no recourse to the property owner. Mr. Schmitt questioned and it was clarified why it took so long to get this cleaned up was that the City was waiting for the property owner to clean it up. Council directed this agreement be approved by resolution next week. Page 2 With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Schmitt, seconded by Morrissey that the meeting be adjourned at 5:13 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Suzy Sch. es, CMC City Clerk/Human Resource Director r.