HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.27.2006• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 27, 2006
8:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Welper, Gunderson, Greenwood, Getty, Schmitt, Kincaid.
Members absent: Greenwood.
Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five.
Absent: Kincaid, Greenwood. Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley reviewed the Standing Committee agendas for Monday, May 1, 2006.
Kincaid now present at 8:03 a.m.
Mayor Hurley reviewed the Council agenda for Monday 1, 2006 and the following items were
discussed.
The resolution requesting the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisor adopt an ordinance
which would allow the city to purchase Certificates of Tax Sale and acquire properties through
the tax foreclosure process was reviewed. Don Temeyer, Community Planning & Development
Director, noted that the Board of Supervisor has placed this item on their next agenda. Mr.
Temeyer commented that this would allow the city to purchase buildings at tax sale, which
would stop out-of-state purchasers from buying the houses and then not fixing them up. This
will allow the city to obtain the buildings and direct rehabilitation. This ordinance will put the
city in first position at a tax sale. The City of Des Moines is currently doing this and giving the
buildings to people who really fix them up.
The agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for construction and maintenance of the
recreational trail/railroad surface crossing along with needed hpermanent right-of-way easement
in conjunction with F.Y. 2006 Riverwalk Loop Trail — East 6t to 18th Streets, Contract No. 696
was reviewed. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, reported at this time we do not have the cost from
the railroad, and this item may be removed from the agenda. We hope to move along with the
project in time for a May letting.
Council members briefly discussed the LS Power proposal. The State Board of Utilities will
make the decision on granting LS Power the proper permits. The next step would be for LS
Power to execute their option to purchase the necessary land. Mayor Hurley noted it would be in
the city's interest to annex the property and collect $800,000 per year in taxes.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Gunderson, seconded by Schmitt
that the meeting be adjourned at 8:19 a.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk