HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.27.2020.council minutesJuly 27, 2020
The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Regular Session at Harold E. Getty Council Chambers,
Waterloo, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, July 27, 2020. Mayor Quentin Hart in the Chair. Roll Call: Boesen,
Amos, Morrissey, Feuss, Grieder, Juon joined the meeting by telephone. Mrs. Klein was present.
Prayer or Moment of Silence.
Pledge of Allegiance: Tavis Hall, Director, Experience Waterloo
158918 - Juon/Grieder
that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, July 27, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., be
accepted and approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
158919 - Juon/Grieder
that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, July 20, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., be
accepted and approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Todd Obadal, 124 Amity Drive, thanked the police chief for attending the Back the Blue rally. He
commented that he was very pleased to hear that a council member two meetings ago stated that this
is an act of engineering and not an act of god but heard nothing at the last meeting. He speculated
that the executive session last week was about sewer backups. He reminded council that executive
session is not to cover up matters. Anyone doing so is taking part in a cover up. He stated that it
would not be appropriate if an insurance company were to tell members of council that they would
be financially responsible for legal damages that would come from the city acting outside the law.
Forest Dillavou, 1725 Huntington Road, he encouraged the city to come up with educational
materials for residents so that they understand how sewer back flows work and how to prevent water
problems in a basement.
Mayor Hart clarified if Mr. Dillavou was asking for information put in the water bill about how to
prevent water and sewer backups in basements.
Mr. Dillavou confirmed.
Lynette Risse, 733 Reber Avenue, commented that she has had water in her basement three times
this year and has lost many of her possessions and asked if the mayor has been in touch with the
insurance company on what they're going to do for the citizens.
Mayor Hart commented that the insurance company is reviewing each claim individually.
Jessica Rucker, Director of Main Street Waterloo, explained that they have a survey on their website,
www.mainstreetwaterloo.org, for community feedback on what people are looking for in the
development of downtown Waterloo.
Mr. Grieder explained that he is going to bring a resolution to a work session to propose a public
mask mandate.
Mr. Amos stated that he was concerned with the length of the Republic Parking contract and items
within it, so he is giving mayor and council notice that he is going to rescind the contract with
Republic Parking. He will be coming next week with a different contract and believes the city can
have a better contract that better meets the needs of everyone.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if a motion to reconsider would be a better action to take.
Mr. Amos commented that he would like to eliminate the contract they voted on and come forward
with a new contract next week.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the leaky waterlines at the convention center have been replaced. He
commented that he has heard the central garage is down a couple mechanics and questioned when
they will be replaced. He commented that there are frost boils on Conger between Broadway and
July 27, 2020 Page 2
Burton that need to be repaired. In addition, sunken manholes have not been repaired throughout the
city. He looks forward to a mask mandate resolution as proposed by Mr. Grieder. He stressed the
importance of continuing the discussion on removing the meters in certain areas of downtown
Waterloo to both promote new business and support our current businesses. He stated that he
continues to receive census reminders and questioned how they know if their census information was
received. He further stated that the city would be putting policies in place that are stricter than what
the state has mandated and believes it should be legal.
Randy Bennett, Public Works Division Manager, explained that they had an individual retire and
will be filling that position. He further explained that staff is currently working to correct the
potholes on the list as provided by Mr. Morrissey.
Mayor Hart questioned if Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Boesen are in favor of eliminating meters in
downtown waterloo.
Mr. Morrissey confirmed.
Mr. Boesen commented that he would be in favor of removing meters on E. 4th Street from Franklin
to Washington.
Mayor Hart provided an update on Waterloo's census numbers. As of July 26th, Waterloo is at 65.8%
self -reporting compared to Iowa's rate of 68.5%. He provided an overview of efforts the city is
undertaking to encourage people to participate in the census.
Mrs. Juon commented on an article in the Waterloo Courier about the excellent condition of
Waterloo's roads and commended staff for their work on improving the city infrastructure.
Mayor Hart congratulated the Planning Department, Finance Department and other city staff for their
combined efforts to continue to promote new projects and construction for the development of
Waterloo.
Mr. Boesen commented that the new pothole -filling machine leaves a lot of gravel on the road. He
questioned if the Public Works department could coordinate efforts to fill more regularly, sweep after
filling pot holes, then paint the streets.
158920 - Juon/Grieder
that the above oral comments be received and placed on file. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion
carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
158921- Juon/Feuss
that the following items on the consent agenda be received, placed on file and approved:
a. Resolutions to approve the following:
1. Resolution approving Finance Committee Invoice Summary Report, dated July 27, 2020, in
the amount of $2,201,965.66, 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. 2020-561.
2. Resolution approving Variance to Noise Ordinance request from Dawn Lee, in conjunction
with a birthday party to be held August 1, 2020, from noon to 9:00 p.m., at 499 Columbia,
including closure of the 400 block of Columbia Street, with City barricades, music and use of
a PA system.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-562.
3. Resolution approving preliminary specifications, form of contract, etc., setting date of bid
opening as August 13, 2020 and public hearing as August 17, 2020, in conjunction with the 5
July 27, 2020 Page 3
Sullivan Brothers Convention Center Addition and Lobby Renovation Project, and instruct
the City Clerk to publish said notice.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-563.
4. Motion approving Final Quantity Summary for a net increase of $24,748.81 in conjunction
with the FY 2018 Ansborough Avenue Improvements from US 20 to San Marnan Drive,
Contract No. 942, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute said document.
5. Resolution approving Completion of Project and Recommendation of Acceptance of Work,
for work performed by K. Cunningham Construction Co., Inc., of Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the
amount of $795,555.06, in conjunction with the FY 2018 Ansborough Avenue Improvements
from US 20 to San Marnan Drive, Contract No. 942, and receive and file a two-year
maintenance bond.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-564.
6. Resolution approving award of bid to Vieth Construction Corporation, of Cedar Falls, Iowa,
in the amount of $82,489.50, and approving the contract, bonds and certificate of insurance,
in conjunction with the FY 2021 Lowell Elementary Sanitary Sewer Reconstruction Project,
Contract No. 1026, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute said documents.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-565.
b. Motion to approve the following:
3. Motion to approve a Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor application for Eagle Petroleum Corp. DBA
Speedy Mart, located at 926 Linn Street.
Roll call vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
158922 - Morrissey/Grieder
that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on the request by the City of Waterloo to vacate
a 20 foot -wide sanitary sewer easement, approximately 1.4 acres located south of 4550 Hess Road,
and rescinding Ordinance No. 5545, as published in the Waterloo Courier on July 17, 2020, be
received and placed on file. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral comments and
there were none.
158923 - Morrissey/Grieder
that the hearing be closed, and recommendation of approval of the Planning, Programming and
Zoning Commission, be received and placed on file. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
158924 - Morrissey/Grieder
that "an ordinance approving a request by the City of Waterloo to vacate a 20-foot-wide sanitary sewer
easement, approximately 1.4 acres located south of 4550 Hess Road, and rescinding Ordinance No.
5545", be received, placed on file, considered and passed for the first time. Roll call vote -Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
158925 - Morrissey/Grieder
that rules requiring ordinances to be considered and voted for passage at two prior meetings be
suspended. Roll call vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
158926 - Morrissey/Grieder
July 27, 2020 Page 4
that "an ordinance approving a request by the City of Waterloo to vacate a 20-foot-wide sanitary sewer
easement, approximately 1.4 acres located south of 4550 Hess Road, and rescinding Ordinance No.
5545", be considered and passed for the second and third times and adopted. Roll call vote -Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Ordinance adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 5567.
RESOLUTIONS
158927 - Klein/Feuss
that "Resolution approving a Hotel/Motel Mini Grant application to the Waterloo Convention and
Visitors Bureau in the amount of $3,000, to fund the three-day 2020 Midwest Un-Fair Horse Show,
and authorizing the Mayor to execute said documents", be adopted. Roll call vote -Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Tavis Hall, Experience Waterloo, provided an overview of the request.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-566.
158928 - Klein/Feuss
that "Resolution approving a Debit Request Application to the Black Hawk Mitigation Bank, in the
amount of $99,000, to purchase 2.2 acres worth of wetland credits, in conjunction with the proposed
Con-Trol Site, and authorize the City Engineer to execute said document", be adopted. Roll call vote -
Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-567.
158929 - Klein/Feuss
that "Resolution approving an amendment to the CARES Act Grant 3-19-0094-0048-2020 from the
U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of
$798,305, for a revised total of $1,098,305, via the CARES Act and Public Law 116-136 for future
reimbursement to the City of Waterloo for FAA approved projects at Waterloo Regional Airport, and
authorizing the Mayor and City Attorney to execute said document", be adopted. Roll call vote -Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-568.
158930 - Amos/Feuss
that "Resolution authorizing DOT Traffic Safety Improvement Grant application, in the amount of
$385,000, for traffic safety improvement at the intersection of W. 9th Street and South Street,
committing to maintaining improvements for a minimum of five (5) years, and authorizing the Mayor
to execute said document", be adopted. Roll call vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Mr. Boesen questioned what portion of the project the $385,000 covers and questioned how a
roundabout would affect the traffic that backs up on 9th Street.
Mohammad Elahi, Traffic Engineer, commented that the $385,000 covers the construction costs. He
explained that the engineering costs would be the responsibility of the city, and estimates
approximately $70,000 for engineering, out of which $40,000 would be for a roundabout design.
He further explained that the consultant does not believe there will be a traffic backup issue.
Todd Obadal, 124 Amity Drive, questioned if the study will address entrance and exit issues for
businesses located at W. 9th and Washington.
Mohammad Elahi commented that they know that there is a lot of business going in and out of Kwik
Star. The roundabout would slow the speed of traffic to help, but no specific study was done on
helping businesses. The study was conducted strictly for traffic safety, and stated that almost all of
the accidents at that intersection are right angle accidents.
July 27, 2020 Page 5
Mayor Hart clarified that they analyzed where the number of traffic accidents were coming from and
neutralized on that particular intersection.
Mohammad Elahi confirmed.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-569.
158931 - Amos/Feuss
that "Resolution approving temporary parking prohibited signs on the south side of the 100 block of
Walker Street on weekends when softball tournaments are scheduled at the Hoing-Rice Complex", be
adopted. Roll call vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Mr. Boesen questioned who would be placing the temporary signage.
Sandie Greco, Traffic Operations Superintendent, explained that the softball association will be
responsible for the placement and removal of signs.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-570.
158932 - Amos/Feuss
that "Resolution approving the General Services Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collection System
Operations Consulting Agreement with Strand Associates of Madison, Wisconsin, in an amount not
to exceed $20,000, in conjunction with the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collection System
Operations Consulting, and authorizing the Mayor to execute said document", be adopted. Roll call
vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2020-571.
ADJOURNMENT
158933 - Juon/Grieder
that the Council adjourn at 6:16 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Kellett Felchle
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk