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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.30.2006COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 30, 2006 8:00 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Welper, Gunderson, Greenwood, Getty, Cole, Schmitt. Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Lynn Neil from Walter Cunningham School of Excellence reviewed the Christmas Adopt -A - Family program and explained the three families that have been chosen for 2006. At 8:12 a.m. Mayor Hurley reviewed Standing Committee agendas for Monday, December 4, 2006. Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the council agenda for Monday, December 4, 2006 and the following items were discussed. The agreement with Craig Ritland to design and development prototype signs for Sullivan Park and the South Hills Golf Course. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, explained there are substandard signs at Sullivan Park and some of the parks have no signs. Leisure Services would like to replace the metal signs in the parks with nice, wooden signs. The agreement with Earth Tech to conduct a wetland delineation project at Riverview Recreation Area. The city is using grant funds for the project. The Army Corps of Engineers will not issue a permit until the study is completed to make sure we are not going through wetlands. Bob Stringer, Human Resources Director, explained the memorandum of understanding with the Waterloo Police Protective Association to give vacation credit for time served on a pro -rated basis for officers who complete service requirements in the middle of a calendar year. Stringer explained this is necessary due to a misinterpretation of the contract. This change will effect seven police officers in 2007. This only affects WPPA employees hired after January 2994. Mr. Stringer stated this would not set a precedent for other bargaining units. The request of Councilperson Kincaid to reconsider the council's decision on the plans to construct a dog park on city -owned property located near the intersection of Ansborough Avenue and Campbell Avenue. Mayor Hurley explained that the Leisure Services Commission tabled this item for a couple of months, and he is concerned if the council proceeds, they will be going around the Leisure Services Commission who are appointed in an advisory capacity. Mayor Hurley asked council to hold off on this item for a couple of months to give Leisure Services Commission time to do what they can. Councilperson Kincaid explained he asked this item to be reconsidered because a lot of his co- workers have dogs and are questioning why the city doesn't have a dog park. The council passed an ordinance with a leash law, and a dog park would allow owners to exercise their dogs. He feels the city should have a dog park, and it could be a drawing card for new residents who have dogs. He understands that the Leisure Services Commission tabled this item, but even if council approves it nothing will be done until the spring of next year. Councilperson Gunderson noted it was not an unanimous vote of the Leisure Services Commission to table this item. He said that the dog park has been talked about for over 30 months and nothing has been done because of a vocal group who are not even in this area. The people involved in the dog park project want to proceed so they can raise money so we don't have to use city funds. Pat Bowlsby will lead the funding efforts. All other areas have been looked at and there is no better place than this area. He feels council needs to proceed. Councilperson Schmitt stated we been at this for three years, and he doesn't feel the council is going around the Leisure Services Commission. We have discussed this item and visitedother sites and he feels its time to move forward. Council Work Session November 30, 2006 Page 2 • • Joe Fox, Chairperson of the Leisure Services, Commission, stated last time the Leisure Services Commission recommended approval of the site and the council voted it down. Mr. Fox explained that the Parks Committee discussed the dog park and brought it to the Leisure Services Commission. They had over an hour of discussion on the dog park with Pat Bowlsby and two or three neighbors. Councilperson Getty suggested that the commission take a little more time because the neighbors don't feel they have had enough time. Paul Huting informed the commission that no money was budgeting for the dog park, but Ms. Bowlsby said she would like to start raising funds. Everyone agreed that nothing could be done during the winter months and the commission wanted to give the neighbors time over the next few months and then the commission would make a recommendation to the council. There are meetings planned between Ms. Bowlsby and the neighbors, and the commission feels holding off for a few months will make the neighbors feel like they had a voice in the process. Mr. Fox asked the council to wait until after the commission meets in January and makes their recommendation. Councilperson Getty stated he was at the Leisure Services Commission meeting and all seem to agree five acres would be better than the 3.5 acres on the proposed site. The ideal was that in November and December both sides would like to see if they can find a better location. Councilperson Getty feels the council would be doing them a disservice if they move ahead on the dog park at this time. Councilperson Welper stated he does not see any urgency to move ahead on the dog park, although he will support the proposed site. Councilperson Welper stated he voted against the dog park last time because the residents said they could find a better location. Councilperson Greenwood stated he voted against the dog park last time because the neighbors said they would look for a different spot, but they haven't found one yet. Veterinarians in the area support this location, and they disagree with locating the dog park in Hope Martin Park. Councilperson Greenwood stated in fairness to the Leisure Services Commission and the people involved, he feels the council could hold off on a vote on the dog park until after Leisure Services Commission holds a meeting on the dog park. Councilperson Cole stated she has been astonished at the verbal assaults from both sides of the issue. She had a 45 minute phone from an opponent, and her argument was she didn't like how dog poop smells. Councilperson Cole stated the council will hear the same arguments as last time, and that the vets have said this site is absolutely the right place for a dog park. The council decided to remove this item from the agenda and delay action on the dog park until after the Leisure Services Commission meeting on the third Tuesday in January. The acquisition of properties using Iowa Code Section 657A.10A was reviewed. Don Temeyer, Community Planning & Development Director, reported the owners of the tax certificates admitted they are not taking care of the properties and they wanted the city to pay for the tax certificates and the 2 percent they feel they are due. The court denied their request, but the property owners may appeal the judge's decision. The hearing on reallocation of $175,000.00 unspent proceeds from GO Bond, Series 2003A, to provide funds for costs of repairs to the East Park Avenue ramp. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reported this is interest earned on the unspent funds. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Gunderson that the meeting be adjourned at 8:52 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk