HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.16.2008• •
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
June 16, 2008
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Reggie Schmitt, Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt,
Welper.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Three. Motion carried.
The proposed changes to the Traffic Code to create odd/even parking during Snow Emergencies
was reviewed. Councilperson Getty noted that he asked that the council review this ordinance
change because of the problems with cars on the streets during snow removal. Councilperson
Getty commented that he receives many complaints that the streets are not plowed because of the
parked cars and the streets get narrower as the winter goes on.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that the proposed change could increase fuel costs because
the snowplow will go down one side of the street, then the other side of the street and then curb
it. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that it has been suggested that the city could contract
towing services for cars that do not move.
Councilperson Cole commented she has a hard time with automatic towing without a great
public relations campaign because of the sick, elderly and people who don't have access to the
media.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted that one suggestion was to have alternate parking 365 days as
it would help with plowing and street sweeping. Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted that last
year on West 5th Street there was ice on the street because the plows couldn't get through.
Councilperson Greenwood noted that there are the issues of mail and garbage services and the
number of complaints this could create.
Mayor Hurley commented that the inter city has many narrow streets and single families and he
is concerned what they will do.
Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations, reported that Main Street Waterloo and
some of the businesses think odd/even parking might work.
Councilperson Hart asked if we have looked outside to see what other cities are doing and the
growing pains during implementation of odd/even streets. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt
commented that other ordinances were reviewed.
Councilperson Welper stated he has a problem with the ordinance because we give top priority to
the priority one streets, then we don't get to the residential streets because the plows keep going
back to the priority one streets.
Ms. Greco explained that if the council approves odd/even parking, signs will have to be
purchased and posted along with "no parking" signs, and we would need thousands of signs.
Ms. Greco noted staff would need to look at how many signs are needed, manpower and funding.
It was the consensus of the council to forward the odd/even parking during snow emergencies to
staff for input and suggestions.
Council members reviewed changes to the Planning, Zoning Commission ordinance.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt explained that the proposed ordinance has seven members at large
and one member each from the Community Development Board, Human Rights Commission
and Waterloo School Board serving as ex officio members with those three members having no
voting rights.
Ordinance Committee
June 16, 2008
Page 2
Mayor Hurley explained that he talked with Eric Johnson who felt nine members would be
better, but he felt those appointed as a non -voting member would be less likely to attend
meetings. Mayor Hurley noted that the school board would like to continue as a voting member
and that David Meeks feels the Human Rights Commission's impact on the neighborhoods, and
their work to help the community is important to the Planning, Programming and Zoning
Commission. Mayor Hurley noted that he talked with Don Temeyer who was an employee when
the three boards had members appointed to the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission.
Mr. Temeyer shared that they became voting members after home rule was established because
prior to that they were regulated by state code. At that time, not many minorities were appointed
to boards. The schools were included because of neighborhood busing and neighborhood issues.
Councilperson Cole noted that she was a liaison to the Planning, Programming and Zoning
Commission and there were members who routinely abstained because they didn't want to be
involved in controversial issues even after legal wrote them explaining that when abstaining they
would have to state a reason. Councilperson Cole suggested reducing the board to nine
members, with six members at large and one each from each of the boards with voting rights for
all nine members. Councilperson Cole asked that each new member have an orientation session
with expectations laid out and the abstain vote explained to them.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted he has been a liaison for this commission for five years.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated that he feels the reason stated by Don Temeyer have
changed, and that 99 percent of the items on the PPZ agenda do not pertain to the three members
from Human Rights, Community Development and the School Board. Councilperson Reggie
Schmitt suggested the members be reduced to seven members.
Councilperson Getty stated he would agree with Councilperson Cole's proposal of nine
members, with all having voting rights.
Councilperson Hart stated he also supports Councilperson Cole's proposal. Councilperson Hart
stated members of the Human Rights Commission train and see things differently. The
Community Development member plays a huge role in development throughout the city.
Councilperson Hart noted he was on the PPZ for two years, and there were occasional folks who
abstained but in relation to their work. Councilperson Hart stated he did not see a lot of
absenteeism during regular meetings, and they always had enough voting members.
Councilperson Greenwood also supported Councilperson Cole's proposal.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt agreed with the proposed nine member commission and holding
training sessions with current and new members.
Councilperson Hart noted when he first was appointed he had a meeting with Noel Anderson and
Don Temeyer and went over the handbook and the current issues.
Councilperson Welper agreed with the proposed nine members.
The consensus of the council was to place the ordinance on the council agenda for formal
approval with the recommended nine member board all with voting rights. It was also the
consensus of the council to include language that members may be recommended for removal if
they miss more than three meetings (excused and/or unexcused).
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Cole, seconded by Hart that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk