HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.14.2009• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 14, 2009
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie
Schmitt.
Members absent: Cole.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be
approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley explained that Main Street Waterloo has had meetings with city officials and staff
to discuss restricting overnight on -street parking in the downtown. The main drivers for the
proposal to restrict parking is street sweeping, snowplowing and enhancing law enforcement.
Sindee Kleckner, Director of Main Street Waterloo, explained that they have been looking the
logistical things for the downtown, such as snow removal and different ways to make this happen
and whether on -street parking was a handicap. As a starting point, they talked about an
ordinance prohibiting on -street parking.
Mayor Hurley noted there has been some specific language and ideas for the east side and the
west side, but we have to be consisted. The language would prohibit on -street parking from 2:00
a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Ms. Kleckner stated that the bar owners thought 2:30 a.m. would be better. Sandie Greco and
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt came up with language for towing of the vehicles. Ms. Kleckner
explained that one of the things they proposed was a ticket process, not towing. They looked at
ticketing as a way to educate people and let them know that we are doing this for clean streets,
sidewalks and curb lines and to make them aware there is parking in the ramps. Main Street
Waterloo heard from several bar owners. The concern is that there are more businesses,
restaurants and bars downtown, and we are suppose to be user friendly and limiting parking
every night could turn people away from the downtown and suggest they go to a different
downtown. Main Street was interested in cleanliness and snow removal. They would suggest no
on -street parking 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday nights to allow the street sweepers. As far as
snow removal, Main Street would like the city to enforce the snow removal emergency
downtown so that the streets would have to be evacuated.
Main Street Waterloo noted that the proposal to prohibit on -street parking on the Westside from
2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. came up last week. Main Street does not want towing, but they are
interested in have tickets written, which would be a more friendly enforcement. Both sides need
to come to an agreement. In listening to bar owners, they are concerned with what could happen
to their business with no parking every night.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated that with no on -street parking from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
with towing, once the ticket is written it would probably be 2:30 a.m. before the vehicle would
be towed.
Buck Clark stated that the businesses are trying very hard to get customers, and if we start a
towing policy the customers are going to hear their cars will be towed. When the bars are
opened to 2:00 a.m., there will be people who can't get out of the bars by 2:00 a.m. as the last
call is 1:45 a.m. Mr. Clark stated he feels it is a bad message to customer. The customer could
leave the vehicle downtown overnight for various reasons.
Mayor Hurley stated he would hate to hear from the same group a year from now that the city
isn't plowing the streets and the street is filling up with snow in front of the stores.
Mr. Clark stated that the streets are mostly swept on Sunday nights, so on -street parking could be
prohibited from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday nights. We are talking about enforcement 365
days per year when snow removal only happens in the winter. Mr. Clark stated he would not
have a problem with notifying people that a snow emergency is effect and letting them know the
time frame.
Council Work Session
September 14, 2009
Page 2
Councilperson Getty noted there is a problem in the downtown. The plows move the snow in the
downtown, people shovel snow towards the parking meters and then blame it on the city.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Hart, seconded by Welper that the
meeting be adjourned at 4:46 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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