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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.31.22 Regular Session MinutesJanuary 31, 2022 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in a Planning Session at Harold E. Getty Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, January 31, 2022. Mayor Quentin Hart in the Chair. Roll Call: Boesen, Nichols, Amos, Chiles, Grieder, Wilder and Feuss. Prayer or Moment of Silence. Pledge of Allegiance: Kelley Felchle, City Clerk 106903 - Grieder/Chiles that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 5:30 p.m., be accepted and approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 106904 - Grieder/Chiles that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Work Session and Regular Session on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, be accepted and approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA 106905 - Feuss/Amos that the following items on the consent agenda be received, placed on file and approved: a. Resolutions to approve the following: 1. 1. Resolution approving Finance Committee Invoice Summary Report, dated January 24, 2022, in the amount of $1,660,929.01, and January 31, 2022, in the amount $3,193,315.44, 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. 2022-042. 2. Resolution approving cancellation of sidewalk assessment for property located at 88 Gable Street, in the amount of $1,698.33; 629 Ankeny Street in the amount of $622.01; and 74 Gable Street in the amount of $1,988.68, and authorize the City Clerk to notify Black Hawk County Treasurer of said cancellation. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2022-043. 3. Resolution setting date of public hearing as February 7, 2022 to approve a five-year Lease Agreement with Ruby Abebe for the westerly 50 feet of Lot 14 of the Northeast Industrial Park Plat No 3, in the amount of $100.00 per year, to place small green house structures for growing vegetables and produce, as a part of a grant for helping minorities learn farming and produce growing methods, and authorizing the City Clerk to publish notice. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2022-044. b. Motion to approve the following: a. Travel Requests Name & Title of Personnel Class/Meeting Destination Date(s) Amount not to Exceed Sgt. Rasmussen Less Lethal/OC(Pepper Spray)/ Chemical/ Diversionary Device Instructor Recertification Waterloo, IA February 2, 2022 $300.00 2. Recommendation of appointment of Melissa Tobin to the position of EMS Administrative Assistant in the Waterloo Fire Department effective February 21, 2022. January 31, 2022 Page 2 3. Recommendation of Michael Ott, from the current Civil Service List, to the position of Garage Mechanic in the Central Garage/Public Works Division, pending completion of psychical and drug testing, effective February 8, 2022. Roll call vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Topic: Discussion of LaPorte Road reconstruction. Michelle Sweeney, AECOM, explained that they would provide an overview of the project study, existing conditions, and funding. The existing roadway covers 218 down to the intersection with former Hess Road and Shaulis Road. The roadway does not have any accommodations for pedestrians, numerous utilities with infrastructure here and considerations need to be given to environmental wetlands and drainage. The project goals include providing pedestrian access and adding a bike trail from Shaulis Road to the Highway 218 slip ramp, repairing the roadway, enhancing the appearance of the corridor, and improving utilities. Mr. Amos questioned and Michelle Sweeney confirmed that the intersections throughout the LaPorte Road corridor would be repaired. Michelle Sweeney explained that some right-of-way would need to be acquired in order to execute the project. The frontage road would be removed which will minimize the cost of the project. Utility poles would be buried to help clean up the appearance of the corridor. The enhancements here are not proposed to be as much as University Avenue but the impact of just burying the lines will greatly improve the corridor. The traffic study reveals that 133 crashes have happened on this roadway in the last five years and the majority happen at the intersection with Mitchell. The traffic study also revealed that the most significant traffic delays occurred at the intersection with San Marnan. A roundabout is proposed at the slip ramp with Highway 218 as it would help slow exiting traffic to transition to slower speeds on Ridgeway. A stakeholder meeting would occur in February, a public information meeting is scheduled for March; Phase 1 construction is projected to start in Fall 2022 & Summer 2023, with Phase 2 construction in Fall 2024 & Summer 2025. Mr. Boesen questioned how access to amenities would be maintained for those driving motorhomes and pulling large trailers and the waterpark maintenance drive. Michelle Sweeney shared the planned traffic staging for the project. Jamie Knutson shared that it is something they would have to discuss with the Bertch Family. Mr. Grieder questioned if this was an opportunity zone and what the impact this project may have on the area. Noel Anderson confirmed and that staff has received many questions about the corridor and that an opportunity zone is a very interesting thing for many developers. Topic: Discussion of the Aquatics Master Plan and Gates Park Master Plan. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, shared that Gates Park and Byrnes Park are the hallmarks of the city park system and the pools have sparked discussion on how to transform both of these locations. He shared that members of the Leisure Services Commission and community focus group are present to hear the results of the plans. Darrin Bar, Ballard*King & Associates, provided an overview of the aquatics master plan. The current condition of the pools is that they are failing and that we are beyond the life expectancy for both. He shared market participation for the Waterloo pools. Adult swimming is strong in our area, with 447,102 visits per year. The survey showed that people want open swim and recreational swimming, community lifeguard training, and group swim lessons. If these changes are made, 68% of the participants said they would use the pool more. The survey also showed that they did not get enough participation from around Gates Park, so they created a community focus group. January 31, 2022 Page 3 Felicia Smith-Nalls, Neighborhood Services Director, shared that Leisure Services did a great job asking and listening to the people that actually use Gates Park. They also asked people what they want to see at Gates Park. The biggest want is that people in the neighborhood want something that will be used and used a lot. People feel like the park has been forgotten and there needs to be a transformation of that park. Darin Barr explained that future direction shows that the population will support one indoor aquatic center and one and a half outdoor aquatic centers. Mark Ritland, Ritland+Kuiper Landscape Architects, provided an overview of the plan for Gates Park improvements. Mr. Amos questioned if the sculpture park area would be the former Chamberlains factor site. Mark Ritland confirmed. Ms. Wilder thanked Mr. Barr and everyone for the thought and input they put into corning up with a new vision for Gates Park. Mr. Barr stated that the plan will not come without hard choices but the vision speaks to what the community really wants to see. Mr. Amos thanked community members for participating and trying to make their neighborhood a better place. Mr. Grieder questioned if transportation equity has been considered for the master plans. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, commented that they are working on some sort of tram or trolley to give access to the amenities in both parks. Mark Gallagher, Recreation Services Manager, shared that they have a great partnership the Waterloo Schools to bus kids to indoor aquatic facilities, where basic drowning prevention is taught, especially how to be safe around the Cedar River. With two-way transportation service between the parks, kids could realistically have something to do all day long. Mr. Boesen emphasized that the trolley will be important because basketball courts would be removed from Byrnes Park. Paul Huting added that the next step will be to get approval on the plans from the Leisure Services Commission and the City Council. That will help with fundraising in the future. He also recognized Joel Shepard for his work to keep the pools running Mayor Hart commented on all of the efforts made to improve this particular area of Waterloo and this project will definitely increase the chance for continued growth. Topic: Discussion of the FYE 2023 budget. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained a proposed timeline for completing the budget process. Council members will need to turn in requests by February 7. A special council meeting will be scheduled for 5:30 pm, March 24, 2022 for the final budget hearing and vote. Mr. Amos questioned the number of meetings that might be needed. Michelle Weidner explained that the amount of meetings we have is up to the city council. Mr. Amos stated that he is in favor of having fewer meetings outside of council meetings. Mayor Hart shared that they are also having departments add accomplishments to the city website. He added that they would set 20-30 minute work sessions on council meeting dates. Mr. Boesen questioned the timeline given for council to submit suggestions. January 31, 2022 Page 4 Michelle Weidner explained the requirements placed on the city by the state legislature. She then provided an overview of property tax valuations, how taxes are calculated, how tax funds are spent by percentage of the budget, our number of employees, and the base budget highlights. The current taxable rate with increases and decreases provided by departments is $18.60191, which is an increase of 2.57% for residential property, 6.01% for commercial property, and a decrease of 3.58% for multi - residential properties. Mr. Feuss questioned what it would cost to increase the tax rate by one cent. Michelle Weidner commented it would be approximately $22,500. Mr. Feuss clarified that for every $22,500 requested to add to the budget, it adds one cent to our tax rate. Mr. Boesen questioned how likely it is that the state could eliminate the Local Option Sales Tax. Michelle Weidner explained that it is likely and that the proposed legislation would have the state give one cent of Local Option Sales Tax back to the cities. Then down the road, fifty percent of that one cent would have to be directed to property tax relief. Topic: Discussion of a resolution establishing a task force on gun violence in Waterloo. Mr. Grieder explained that at the last council meeting he called for a task force on gun violence and shared the reasoning behind why he believes the task force is warranted. Mr. Amos commended Mr. Grieder for his efforts to address the issue and stated that each council member received a letter from a citizen who wrote this being about black on black crime. He said he was disturbed when he read it and wanted to make it clear, that it is not about that, it is about addressing a systemic problem in our community, not about a group of individuals or a particular race. Mr. Boesen questioned if the task force will address funding for some of the recommendations. Mr. Grieder commented that it would be helpful to have everything on the table and the task force should bring any funding needs to council so that it may be considered for future budget talks. Mr. Boesen stated that several years ago he attended Urban Potential with Ms. Weems and C.T. Vivian. He learned that the systemic problems from birth to kindergarten has to be addressed so that the children have stable households and that literacy rates are where they need to be. He questioned if the task force will be looking at these things. Mr. Grieder confirmed and suggested the task force may work with other groups that are already addressing these issues. Mr. Chiles agrees that this needs to be community focused and suggested that calling this a task force seems to be an aggressive term and perhaps the group could be titled as a focus group. Something more positive that talks about the opportunities to bring together the many groups that are already working on these things. Mr. Grieder shared that he is open to changing the resolution to make it fit what the vision of the council would like it to be. Mr. Nichols questioned the next steps to move this forward. Mayor Hart shared that edits should be sent to Mr. Grieder then it could come to council for a vote. Ms. Wilder commented that she agrees with changing this from a task force to a focus group so that we can figure out what programs are currently available and how we might better support them and their mission. ADJOURNMENT 106906 - Feuss/Boesen January 31, 2022 Page 5 that the Council adjourn at 7:53 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. xeOEey rFe(cht Kelley Felchle City Clerk