HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.21.2007COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 21, 2007
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Welper, Gunderson, Greenwood, Schmitt, Getty.
Members absent: Cole.
Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Five. Absent: Getty, Cole. Motion carried.
Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, reviewed purchase of BluePrince
Community Development Software System for the permit system.
Getty now present at 5:03 p.m.
In 1990 the city purchased software known as "Permits" to service the Building Department. Its
expanded version provides address/property information as it relates to permits, inspections,
zoning, complaints, etc. on all properties in the city. To meet the needs of the citizens many
municipalities are providing web access to property information as it relates to applying for
permits, status of submitted plans for construction, status of inspection, etc. To accomplish this
through the existing permits system, the city would have to invest over $120,000.00 for the
software upgrade and increase the yearly maintenance cost to Accela (Permits) from $23,000.00
to $45,000.00. Mr. Cutwright is recommending Blue Prince Community Development Software
System as it will meet the needs of the city. The new system will support wireless interaction
from citizens and inspectors. The reporting modules will provide easy access reports for
management and contractor interface to check on inspections and plan status. BluePrince is the
only software that has been recognized by the International Code Council as an asset in Building
and Code Enforcement Departments. The installation cost for a complete new BluePrince
system, wireless support, data import onsite launch, along with training is $75,000.00. The
yearly maintenance support will be $18,000.00 per year. It was the consensus of the council that
Mr. Cutwright place the Professional Services Agreement with BluePrince at the council agenda.
David Meeks, Executive Director of Human Rights Commission, presented the background on
the Fair Housing Program, which was certified in 2001. Mr. Meeks reported the cost to maintain
the Fair Housing Coordinator position full-time is estimated at $54,000 per fiscal year. The
commission currently projects a shortfall in funding in the area of fair housing of approximately
$25,000. The commission is seeking options to remedy shortfalls, including the general fund.
The commission is requesting that the council consider assisting the commission financially in
order to maintain adequate programming. The commission has been utilizing a long-term
temporary worker to cover the fair housing area at 24 hours per week. The Department of
Housing and Urban Development requirement and expectations are that there will be full-time
coverage for the housing area in order to receive the current levels of Fair -Housing funds. These
dollars are in jeopardy of being reduced or relinquished by HUD if not corrected per the HUD
letter dated January 26, 2007. Mr. Meeks explained that Waterloo is a community with the
highest ratio of African -Americans per its population in the state of Iowa. There is a growing
Hispanic and Bosnian population, which makes the minority population for Waterloo at 12
percent. Mr. Meeks reviewed the Case Status Report for August 23, 2006 — May 2, 2007. Mr.
Meeks reported they have received 8 new cases since January, and if paid in full by HUD they
will receive $2,400 per case. Last year, the commission handled 18 cases. Mr. Meeks
commented a full time Housing Coordinator would not only handle the cases, but also be
proactive in the community. Mr. Meeks noted that the commission will receive a letter from
HUD in May, and they will have six weeks to submit the grant application.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Gunderson that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:28 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk