HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.13.2009• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 13, 2009
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie
Schmitt.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be
approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Rod Scott, President of Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance, explained that this non-profit
organization works with communities to deal with the issue of historic preservation. They are
assisting flood damaged communities to develop a salvage barn/operation and are currently
helping Cedar Rapids and Burlington and would like to put one in the Cedar Valley area.
The spring and summer 2008 storms and floods caused substantial damage to Iowa's historic
buildings/resources. The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance (IHPA) is working with the State
Historical Society of Iowa and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to identify needs and
assist historic property owners in the affected areas within the state.
The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance salvages material such as doors, trims, and wood
flooring from flood -damaged homes and stores the material in a salvage barn/store to distribute
with special emphasis on assisting flood victims. They believe historic preservation should
include restoration first and putting the building back on the tax roll, deconstruct usable material
for rehabilitation of structures and then demolition of the property.
The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance would like to have a storage barn in the Highway
20/218 corridor to move material to and from. FEMA is willing to pay for a building and a
computerized method of architectural salvage and located in an area capable of trucking it out.
IHPA would work with the City of Waterloo to identify space, work with FEMA for funding and
work with a software company. Labor will be furnished through the Iowa Emergency Public
Jobs Program, and they would be hired for six months.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that there are ten 657A homes on tonight's council agenda
that have nothing to do with the flood. Most of the homes have been abandoned for years and
are not listed on any historic preservation list. Mr. Scott stated that if the homes are not health
and safety demolition they could assist with them, but they would rather go through the FEMA
buyout homes.
Councilperson Greenwood asked once we take possession of these homes, how long would it
take for the crew to go through the homes and gather the material to be saved. Mr. Scott
responded they would be able to put a crew together rather quickly.
Mr. Scott noted their main goal is to use the salvaged material for flooded historic homes. The
cost for old oak floors is $0.75 per linear foot.
Mayor Hurley stated the city has about 40 homes in the buyout, and he is concerned about the
city's liability with the volunteers going through the homes. Mr. Scott noted that the Iowa
Emergency Public Jobs Program will fund the program and Iowa Workforce Development will
hire them for six months.
Councilperson Welper asked if the material salvaged from a flooded home would be
contaminated. Mr. Scott replied that that all flood material is cleaned using soda blasting
material that cleans off mold and eliminates any mold issues.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt asked if they would use Hawkeye Community College for the
training program. Mr. Scott responded they hope to use Hawkeye Community College and the
Emergency Jobs Program is ready to help them.
Council Work Session
April 13, 2009
Page 2
Mr. Scott noted that he envisions a building with a size of 100' by 150' with racks. Mr. Scott
noted that FEMA will fund the cost of the warehouse and the software for inventory control.
Mayor Hurley encouraged Mr. Scott to proceed and continue working with the Planning staff
and bring back a proposal to the council.
With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Welper that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk