HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.13.2005• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 13, 2005
8:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Kincaid, Cole, Clark, Schmitt, Gunderson, Welper.
Members absent: Greenwood.
Moved by Gunderson, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Mayor Pro Tem Welper reviewed the Standing Committee agendas scheduled for Monday,
October 17, 2005.
Mayor Pro Tem Welper reviewed agenda items that have been placed on the council agenda for
Monday, October 17, 2005 with Department Heads who have items on the agenda.
Items discussed:
1. Encroachment agreement with David Leonhart to allow a 2.5 foot tall wrought iron fence
along an existing row of hedges located along Frederic Avenue and Maryland Avenue
within the public right-of-way is on the Building & Grounds Committee agenda. Mr.
Leonhart will place the fence posts into receivers driven into the ground allowing the
fence to be easily removed. The Engineering Department has indicated their objection to
the request because encroachments into public streets are against the city code and would
set a precedent for other encroachments. There are concerns on the liability exposure for
the city due to any mishaps involving a fence within a street right-of-way on land owned
by the city. The request was denied by Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission.
Councilperson Welper noted that he visited with the Leonharts and asked the council to
visit the area prior to Monday's meeting.
2. Don Temeyer, Community Planning and Development Director, explained the item on
the council agenda is to discuss and review establishment of criteria for housing tax credit
endorsement application requirements. Councilperson Clark inquired about the
developers for the project on Martin Luther King and asked if they would come back for
tax credit approval, and Mr. Temeyer responded staff has not heard from the developers.
3. The final plat of Deer Creek Plat No. 1 was discussed. Councilperson Clark reported he
talked with staff regarding requiring sidewalks to be installed by the developers.
Councilperson Clark stated he feels the council needs to take a hard look at the
requirement because approving the final plat without sidewalks is going against staff's
recommendation for sidewalks. Don Temeyer, Community Planning and Development,
suggested that the plat could be approved by the council subject to installation of
sidewalk be required in the deed of dedication. Mr. Temeyer noted that a recreational
trail is located at the intersection of Ridgeway Avenue and that the developer is going to
put in a convenience store, which could be a designation for people using Gold's Gym
and the bike trail. Councilperson Clark stated he feels it makes sense to require
sidewalks on this commercial property or people will be required to walk in the road.
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, stated they receive many calls from citizens concerned that
sidewalks are not required in every area of the city, and concerned about the gaps in the
city where there are no sidewalks. Mr. Thorson noted with all the recreational trails in
the city more people use them for bicycling, jogging, exercising, etc. and having
sidewalks to all the trails would help everyone. It was the consensus of the council to
make it part of the motion to approve the final plat for Deer Creek Plat No. 1 subject to
installation of sidewalk be required in the deed of dedication.
4. Police Chief Tom Jennings explained the Request for Public Agency Designation form
with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This would allow
emergency personnel access to the Iowa Communications Network in the event of a state
disaster emergency or a homeland security event. One of the closet city buildings hooked
Council Work Session • •
October 13, 2005
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up to the ICN is the library. The Police Department could hook up through a wireless
communications. Emergency Management could possibly fund the project.
5. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, spoke on the request of Leisure Services to create
a $250.00 per team fee for the new indoor soccer program for 3rd grade through high
school students. The Leisure Services Commission approved the proposed fee. The
indoor program will allow about 40 teams to play soccer indoors during the winter.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Gunderson that
the meeting be adjourned at 8:31 a.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk