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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01/08/2001• • January 8, 2001 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Regular Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, January 8, 2001. Mayor John R. Rooff in the Chair. Roll Call: Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry. Invocation by: Reverend David Rainey, Gift of Life Ministries Church. Pledge of Allegiance: Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations. ORAL PRESENTATIONS 114692 - Donna Epps, 1721 Franklin Street, asked what would it take to have the city plow the alleys. Ms. Epps stated that there is no place to park on her street and cars and buses get stuck in the alley. Ms. Epps stated that it cost $30 to $35 to hire a private contractor to plow her portion of the alley. Ms. Epps stated she drives a school bus and pays another person $20 to park her bus on their property, but she cannot get into the alley. Ms. Epps stated she has talked to several people and one said that the graders cannot get into the alleys, but the same graders that grade the gravel and dirt in the alleys push the snow. Mayor Rooff stated that the city received 3411 inches of snow in December, and the first priority is to clean the streets. The temperature reached 40 degrees and fluffed up the snow and the graders had to plow the snow again making it hard for the graders to keep up with the plowing. Mayor Rooff stated that the city has about 450 miles of streets and about 80 miles of alleys. Mayor Roof commented that perhaps the city could look at alleys where the only access to the home is through the alley. Mayor Rooff stated he will talk with the Street Department regarding the city's availability to plow alleys. Gronen/Murphy that the above oral comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 114693 - Jordan/Murphy that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, January 8, 2001, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 114694 - Murphy/Gronen that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Tuesday, January 2, 2001, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff read a proclamation recognizing 2001 as the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of Green Scene of Black Hawk County. Presentation by Dr. Jerry Domatob of the book entitled "African Americans: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - the Waterloo Experience - An Historical Perspective and Profile - 1900-2001". HEARINGS 114695 - Anders/Jordan that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on request of Roger T. & Janice E. Kalsem for a "R -3,R -P" site plan amendment for the Maricle Farm Planned Urban Development to allow development of four large residential lots, as published in the Waterloo Courier on December 27, 2000, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 114696 - This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none. Jordan/Murphy that the hearing be closed and recommendation of approval of the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission and oral and written comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 114697 - Berry/Murphy that "Resolution approving said site plan amendment", be adopted. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-7. January 8, 2001 Page 2 HEARINGS CONTINUED 114698 - Jordan/Murphy that proof of publication of notice of public hearing on the request of Nick Courbat to sell and convey property generally located at the southerly intersection of Acker and Eldora Roads for $450.00, as published in the Waterloo Courier on December 27, 2000, be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 114699 - This being the time and place of public hearing, the Mayor called for written and oral objections and there were none. Getty/Gronen that the hearing be closed and oral and written comments be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 114700 - Jordan/Gronen that "Resolution authorizing said sale and conveyance", be adopted and City Attorney instructed to prepare and deliver deed accordingly. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-8. 114701 - Anders/Jordan that the public hearing on the request of Gene and Marcia Meyer to sell and convey 2.0 acres of property generally located south of Ranchero Road for $1,000.00 and swap of 0.02 acres of property in conjunction with Sergeant Road/Cedar Prairie Trail Connection Project be cancelled. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. REPORTS 114702 - Krizek/Jordan that'communication from City Clerk transmitting December 2000 Financial Report, with total revenues in the amount of $5,652,745.24 and total expenditures in the amount of $8,357,629.09 be received and placed on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. DOCUMENTS 114703 - Krizek/Jordan that communication from Assistant City Engineer transmitting Contracts, Bonds and Certificates of Insurance in the amount of $247,245.00 from Peterson Contractors, Inc., of Reinbeck, Iowa, in conjunction with F.Y. 2001 Rath Vertical Kill Building Demolition, Contract No. 628, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said documents", be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-9. 114704 - Krizek/Jordan that communication from Assistant City Planner transmitting Final Plat of Kalsem's First Addition, together with Staff Report, Engineering Department's review letter, Deed of Dedication and Engineer's Certificate of Survey, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said Final Plat", be adopted. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-10. 114705 - Krizek/Jordan that communication from Associate Planner transmitting application for James C. Grandon for tax exemptions on improvements totaling $16,093.00 for property located at 306 Brees Street in the Consolidated Urban Revitalization Area Plan be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said application", be adopted and City Clerk instructed to forward said application to the Black Hawk County Assessor. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-11. January 8, 2001 • DOCUMENTS CONTINUED 114706 - Krizek/Jordan Page 3 that communication from City Clerk transmitting an agreement with SFT Consulting Engineers for consulting services at a cost of $43,700.00 in conjunction with establishment of a fiber optic telecommunications network be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Councilperson Anders asked where the $43,700 will come from to pay the consultant and if there will be any other charges. Mayor Rooff responded that the city will use GO Bonds that should be recaptured with revenue received when we lease the fiber. Mayor Rooff stated that we do not expect other charges at this time. Councilperson Anders stated he noticed that the fiber backbone is geared toward businesses, government entities and schools. Councilperson Anders stated that he would feel better if the survey had been conducted by telephone rather than by mail. Mayor Rooff responded that at this time we are looking at high speed data access for businesses, and the businesses stand ready to pay for it. Mayor Rooff stated that once the fiber is strung and the nodes are in place, we should have a competitive system. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-12. 114707 - Krizek/Jordan that communication from Assistant City Planner transmitting Physical Infrastructure Assistance Program (PIAP) agreement with Iowa Department of Economic Development for a forgivable loan in the amount of $2,200,000 to aid in site remediation in conjunction with the downtown John Deere Waterloo Works Project be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-13. 114708 - Krizek/Jordan that communication from Assistant City Planner transmitting an application with Iowa Department of Economic Development for New Jobs and Income Program (NJIP) in conjunction with construction of a 400,000 sq. ft. industrial building at the Westfield Avenue site, with an initial investment of $130 million which will create 87 new full-time positions within five years with a median starting wage of $13.19 per hour and a benefits package including health, dental, and pension/retirement, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement" be adopted and Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-14. 114709 - Krizek/Jordan that communication from Assistant City Planner transmitting an agreement with the Iowa Emergency Management Division for a grant in the amount of $5,100.00 to prepare a Hazard Mitigation Plan, with a required local match of $1,700.00, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-15. 114710 - Krizek/Jordan that communication from Assistant City Planner transmitting an agreement with the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) to provide technical and professional services in preparation of a Hazard Mitigation Plan be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said agreement", be adopted and Mayor authorized to execute same. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-16. January 8, 2001 RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED 114711 - Getty/Berry Page 4 that communication from City Clerk transmitting authorization to seek Request for Qualifications from telecommunications providers interested in partnering with the City to provide a telecommunications network be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said request", be adopted. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Gary Chambers, Chairperson of the Telecommunications Task Force, stated that the Task Force was put together by the Mayor in April to study the problem of not having high speed data access all over the community. Mr. Chambers stated that the Task Force felt it was imperative to move forward. The Task Force mailed out over 400 surveys to businesses and 17 percent responded with an overwhelming interest in high speed data. The Task Force worked with SFT Consulting Engineers who prepared a preliminary study for the city and has completed a conceptual design for the project. Mr. Chambers stated that the backbone will have 144 strands of fiber, with 54 of the strands reserved for governmental, educational and city use. On January 9, 2001, the city will mail out Requests for Qualifications to over 40 companies informing them of what we would like for the city. There will a meeting with all interested parties in late January to review the project and all Requests for Qualifications must be received by the city by February 14, 2001. The Task Force will review all proposals received and will meet with three or four of the companies submitting the best proposals. The fiber backbone will cost approximately $3.3 million, and the city will need $610,000 in revenue per year over 15 years to pay back the cost of construction of the fiber. Mr. Chambers commented that we are not proposing the city manage the system, just construct the infrastructure. Councilperson Getty stated that after the fiber backbone is built, there could be a possibility of cable television and also smaller communities could be interested in connecting with our system. Councilperson Jordan stated that he supports this project, and he asked if the city has had any other costs associated with broadband communications. Mayor Rooff responded that the city spent some funds when we first started meeting with Stanley Consultants for professional help to see if this would be a viable project for the city. Mayor Rooff stated that the $43,700 cost for the contract with SFT Consulting Engineer is for consulting services to prepare an Executive Summary, the conceptual fiber backbone design, develop project cost estimates, develop the Requests for Qualifications document and evaluate all proposals received and to help through the referendum, if necessary. Mayor Rooff stated that this is a $3.3 million fiber backbone that businesses have said they will support, and it will not cost the taxpayers any money. Mayor Rooff stated that the loop was designed not just for businesses but for all the schools. Mayor Rooff stated that we do not know at this time the outcome of the RFQs, but the city will be in control. Mayor Rooff stated that we will not know if we have to go to a referendum until all the proposals are reviewed and we have negotiated with the companies. Mr. Chambers stated that we will not go forward unless we can pay for the backbone with revenues generated and maybe even raise additional revenue. Mr. Chambers stated that some companies have cherry picked areas, but they will not provide service in other areas. Mr. Chambers stated that the city may not have to build the backbone because the company may want to own the fiber backbone. Mr. Chambers stated that $3.3 million is the cost for construction of the fiber backbone throughout the entire city, and that there is no cost for operations by the city. There is some fiber already in place that could be used, and the RFQ is being sent to companies stating that we want all areas to have access to high speed data, Internet access, remote monitoring, video conferencing and telephony services. Mayor Rooff stated that we know the costs for fiber per mile and what other companies charge per mile. If the city owns the fiber backbone and leases it to other companies we will receive revenue. Mayor Rooff stated that there is demand and interest for the fiber optic network. Jim Walsh, City Attorney, stated that he has stayed out of the fiber optics project because of a potential conflict of interest because of VGM Management LTD and its relationship with the Forbin Group. Mr. Walsh stated that the city is using counsel out of Des Moines for the project. Mayor Rooff stated that we are hoping to be able to tell the citizens in June or July that this network is fully funded by the fiber optics backbone, and to be able to say Waterloo will be wired for the Internet and high speed data. • • January 8, 2001 • • RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED CONTINUED Page 5 Carl Adrian, President of Cedar Valley Economic Development Corporation, stated that this issue comes up frequently, and that the city's lack of high speed data access for businesses is an impediment to economic development. Local businesses say that we need this to compete in today's market. Councilperson Gronen stated that it should be pointed out that several surrounding communities already have this, such as Jesup and Waverly. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-17. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED 114712 - Getty/Murphy that "an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, by repealing Chapter 34, Alarm Systems; and enacting in lieu thereof a new Chapter 34, Alarm Systems (increasing false alarm fees and penalties for violation)", be received, placed on file, considered and passed for the first time. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Councilperson Getty stated that the proposed amendments include a $50.00 fee for the first false alarm and $75.00 for each subsequent false alarm. All alarm users will be granted two careless use alarm without a fee charge during each fiscal year. Police Chief Tom Jennings stated that all alarm users will be granted two false alarm fees each fiscal year which are caused by human error. Chief Jennings stated that Cedar Rapids offers two free false alarms per year, with fees ranging from $15.00 to $60.00, Des Moines offers three free false alarm calls per year with a $25.00 fee thereafter, West Des Moines offers three free calls per year with fees ranging from $50.0 to $200.00 and Cedar Falls' ordinance was last updated in 1991 and they charge $25.00 per false alarm. Chief Jennings stated that this ordinance targets only a minority of businesses that continuously have false alarms. Fire Chief Frank Magsamen stated that he will be bringing before the council a proposed change to the Fire Alarm Ordinance that will remove the section regarding monitoring of calls as the Dispatch Center will be taking over those duties. Chief Magsamen stated there will be no change to the fee structure. Following comments a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. BILLS PAYMENTS 114713 - Krizek that "Resolution approving Schedule AP640, pp. 1-62, dated January 8, 2001, in the amount of $591,093.09, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office", be adopted, together with recommendation of approval of the Finance Committee. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-18. NEW BUSINESS 114714 - Anders/Jordan that communication from Airport Board transmitting recommendation of acceptance of Option 3 in conjunction with renovation of the Waterloo Airport Terminal at an estimated cost of $4,955,580.00, with the city to provide funding in the amount of $2,035,569.00, be received, placed on file and "Resolution approving said Option 3", be adopted. Prior to a vote on the above motion, the following comments were heard. Mayor Rooff stated that the Waterloo Airport Board has approved a $4.9 million renovation of the Airport Terminal using PFC, FAA and IDOT funds. They have also asked the city to contribute $2,035,569 for the project. January 8, 2001 Page 6 NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED Fred Debe, Chairperson of the Waterloo Airport Board, stated that the project is in the conceptual design stage and is ready to be submitted to the FAA along with council's approval. The city will meet with the FAA in March or April and receive their recommendation. Mr. Debe stated that the project will probably start in FY 2002 with completion in FY 2004, and design costs may have to be paid in FY 2002. Mayor Rooff stated that both senators have shown solid support for the project, and the FAA has indicated they will contribute funding. Mr. Debe stated that a meeting will be set up with air carrier staff, and the conceptual plan will be mailed to all carriers. Councilperson Jordan asked if any other cities are helping with the project, and Mayor Rooff responded no, but they have been invited. Councilperson Anders asked what affect John Deere's announcement will have on the FAA's decision, and Mr. Debe responded that he believes Deere's announcement will have a positive affect on the FAA's decision. Mr. Debe commented that John Deere has indicated that they would like to have jet service here. Mayor Rooff stated that John Deere brings in many visitors each year, and the city needs a terminal that can service jets and regional jets. Following discussion a vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Seven. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-19. TRAVEL REQUESTS 114715 - Gronen/Berry that the following travel requests, with expenses not to exceed amount shown, be received, placed on file and approved: 1. Todd Derifield, City Forester, to attend 55th Annual Conference of the Midwestern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on February 20 - 23, 2001, with costs not to exceed $225.00. 2. Ethel Washington, Waterloo Housing Authority Director, to attend Public Housing Management Certification training in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 3 - 9, 2001, with costs not to exceed $1,880.00. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried MISCELLANEOUS 114716 - Getty/Murphy that the following beer and liquor license permit applications be received, placed on file and approved and endorsed applications forwarded to the Iowa Beer and Liquor Control Department: 1. Beer/Liquor License Permit Application Class C Greyhound Lounge, 708 Jefferson Street (Renewal) (Expires 1/3/02) (Includes Sunday Sales) 2. Beer License Permit Application Class C Fareway Stores, Inc., 40 West San Marnan Drive (Renewal) (Expires 2/14/02) 3. Wine License Permit Application Class B Fareway Stores, Inc., 40 West San Marnan Drive (Renewal) (Expires 2/14/02) Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT 114717 - Jordan/Berry that the Council adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk •