Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.04.2008• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 4, 2008 8:00 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Getty, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt, Greenwood. Members absent: Cole. Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Cole, Greenwood. Motion carried. Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the Standing Committee agendas for meetings scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2008. Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the council agenda for Monday, September 8, 2008 and the following items were reviewed. Greenwood now present at 8:04 a.m. Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director, reported that Wallbaum Minor Plat is a small parcel of land located on the west side of Greenhill Road across from Jehovah Witnesses. They are not creating new lots, just portioning it out. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted he has received phone calls regarding extending the Enterprise Zone to the Crossroads area. Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director, reported that Census Tract 9 covers the Crossroads area from Hammond Avenue to portions of the downtown. The Whitman Point project, located on Flammang Drive behind the Factory Outlet Store, is a 55 unit multi -story building and the developer is moving forward with the project and asked that it be included in the Enterprise Zone. Mr. Anderson commented that Planning is still working on the legal description for the full Enterprise Zone expansion. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that there already is a large apartment complex behind the Factory Outlet Store. Councilperson Steve Schmitt inquired when the resolution for the rebate on permits for 2008 flood areas will be on the agenda. Mayor Hurley responded there was a work session with only four council members present and there was not a consensus as to what percent of rebate the council would approve. Mayor Hurley noted that the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors approved 100 percent rebate on building permit fees. Councilperson Getty commented that he thought at the work session council asked that a resolution be placed on the agenda regarding the rebates. Mayor Hurley stated he is willing to put the resolution on the agenda but at what percent of rebate. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated that 50 percent rebate was recommended by staff. Mayor Hurley instructed the City Clerk to put the resolution for building permit fees on the September 8, 2008 council agenda with 100 percent rebate. Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, noted that the rebate is on building permits only, not on electric or plumbing inspections. Mayor Hurley commented that some have argued that the Building Inspection Department is taking all this unexpected revenue and putting it into the General Fund, and Mayor Hurley reminded that council the city has followed that policy for years just as other cities do. Mayor Hurley commented that if council did not approve building permit revenues to go to the General Fund, the council would have to find other moneys for areas like public safety. Councilperson Welper asked that since Black Hawk County uses the city's inspectors will Black Hawk County still be required to pay the city. Mr. Cutwright responded yes they will. Mr. Cutwright noted this will be a rebate program because people think if we waive the permit fee, then they don't need to have inspections as the work is done. Mr. Cutwright stated that we will still require them to take out the permit for the work and pay the fee and when final inspection is completed, they can apply for a rebate using their FEMA form or insurance form showing the improvements were made because of the 2008 flood. Council Work Session September 4, 2008 Page 2 • • Councilperson Getty asked when will the city put in the sidewalk along Logan Avenue. Councilperson Hart noted that there was accident in this area this week. Mayor Hurley stated that installing sidewalks involves a lot of process, and the Engineering Department is short staffed. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, explained that the adjoining property owners need to be notified, and there will also need to be a retaining wall. Mr. Thorson noted that there was a request from the church and neighborhood association to include this sidewalk in the Donald Street Trail project, but because of the bids there was no extra funds for the sidewalk. Mayor Hurley stated council needs to let Mr. Thorson know if they want him to include this sidewalk in the CIP program, and then some other project would have to be removed and be reprioritized. Mr. Thorson stated engineering could get the surveying done and then look for a funding source. Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he was at the Maples Neighborhood Association meeting on Thursday and the vehicle accident was discussed. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked what can be done to reduce the 45 mph speed limit to 35 mph. Councilperson Hart stated that the problem is people don't adhere to the speed limit. The police department has paid attention to the speeding but nothing has been done. Mayor Hurley noted that the IDOT controls speed limits on state roads. Councilperson Getty reminded council that a traffic light will be installed at Heath and Highway 63 next year for the new Menards. Tom Jennings, Police Chief, noted that the police department is out on city streets every day. Mayor Hurley stated he will ask the Police Chief to do some spot attention to this area. Mayor Hurley stated he has photos he would like to show at Monday's council meeting regarding the recycling bins throughout the city and the illegal dumping. Mr. Cutwright noted that Code Enforcement found some trash at the Logan drop-off site and followed up on the illegal dumping. The lady said she thought it was just a trash drop-off site. Mr. Cutwright stated people just don't understand that these are recycling bins and maybe the city needs to do better education program. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Hart that the meeting be adjourned at 8:32 a.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk