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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.12.2008• ORDINANCE COMMITTEE May 12, 2008 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Mayor Hurley. Members absent: Cole. Moved by Welper, seconded by Getty that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt reviewed changes to Section 2-1-3, Composition and Membership of the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission. The current ordinance provides for 13 members, with 10 members from the city at large and one member each from the Community Development Board, Human Rights Commission and the Waterloo School Board. The proposed ordnance would change the membership to seven members from the city at large and one member from the Community Development Board, Human Rights Commission and Waterloo School Board. The members from the Community Development Board, Human Rights Commission and Waterloo School Board would serve as ex officio members, with no voting rights. Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director, explained that originally there was a Planning Commission and a Zoning Commission. When the two were combined, they included the three members from Community Development Board, Human Rights Commission and Waterloo School Board. The School Board was included so that they would be aware of what was going on in the city for land use purposes and the impact housing has on the schools. Councilperson Hart noted that the particular boards bring a certain type of expertise and suggested nine voting members, which would include seven members at large and one each from the Community Development Board and Human Rights Commission. Councilperson Getty agreed with reducing the membership to nine voting members, including one each from Community Development Board and Human Rights Commission. Councilperson Getty noted that most people would not want to be members of a board or commission, attend meetings and not be allowed to vote. Councilperson Greenwood noted that he visited with a gentleman who was member of the commission and felt 13 members was too large. Councilperson Greenwood noted he would agree with seven or nine members as it always seems like with 13 there are problems with quorums and there are always some who are not prepared. Councilperson Steve Schmitt agreed that 13 members are unmanageable as that number seems to be a challenge for a quorum. Councilperson Schmitt noted he talked with a member who would be an ex officio member who would not want to come if he could not vote. Councilperson Steve Schmitt agreed with nine voting members, which would include two from the other board and commission. Councilperson Steve Schmitt suggested that there be a change to the language regarding unexcused absences. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt noted that additional changes to the ordinance regulating the Planning and Zoning Commission will come before the council, including the unexcused absences, removing language no longer applicable, etc., just some additional minor changes. Councilperson Welper noted that there seems to be a problem with attendance, and he would agree with seven members at large, and one each from the Community Development Board, Human Rights Commission and Waterloo School Board. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt noted he has been the council liaison for four years for the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission, and that he has noticed three members regularly abstain, and one member is regularly absent. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt noted that Community Development, Human Rights Commission and the Waterloo School Board each Ordinance Committee May 12, 2008 Page 2 have their own boards, and he prefers this to be a seven voting membership. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt noted that the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission makes recommendation to the council, which are seven members so why not have the PPZ Commission a seven member board. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt reported that out of ten cities of similar size as Waterloo, five have a seven member board, Des Moines and Davenport have a 15 member board, Cedar Rapids has a nine member board, Council Bluff has a ten member board, and Waterloo has 13 members. Mayor Hurley agreed with downsizing the members of the board noting that just last week during the meeting with seven members present, one member left during the meeting so legally there was no quorum and all business conducted will have to go back to the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission. Mayor Hurley noted that he feels it is important for the schools to know what is going on in our community for enrollment purposes, that Community Development is involved with HUD, Block Grant and rehab programs. Mayor Hurley noted he had questions as to the direct relationship with the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission and the Human Rights Commission. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt noted that of the council members present, four would like nine voting members and two would like seven voting members. The ordinance will be placed on the council agenda of May 27, 2008. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt reviewed revisions to the Traffic Code to create odd/even parking during emergency snow removal. The Mayor or Street Department Supervisor can declare that a Snow Emergency is in effect on Priority One streets. When the Snow Emergency is in effect on Priority One streets on odd numbered days, no person can park, abandon or leave unattended any vehicle upon the odd number side of any Priority One Emergency Snow Route. While the Snow Emergency is in effect on even numbered days, no person can park, abandon or leave unattended any vehicle upon the even numbered side of any Priority One Emergency Snow Route. If the Mayor or Street Department Supervisor chooses to declare a Snow Removal Emergency on Priority Two and/or Priority Three streets, then the same schedule prohibiting parking, abandoning or leaving of vehicles on Priority One streets would apply in the same manner to Priority Two and/or Priority Three streets. Signage for the new ordinance would be put up on the streets before winter. Councilperson Welper expressed concerns as to how this will work in certain areas. The consensus of the council was to place the revisions to the Traffic Code on the May 27, 2008 council agenda. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Hart that the meeting be adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •