Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.26.2004• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 26, 2004 4:30 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Clark, Gunderson, Schmitt, Welper. Members absent: Greenwood. Also present: Dr. Dewitt Jones, Pam Miller, Mike Broshar. Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried. The purpose of the meeting was to review the proposed easement agreement with Waterloo Community Schools to use Prospect Boulevard for a parking lot for the Kingsley Elementary School. Dr. Dewitt Jones, Superintendent of Schools, reported that the Kingsley Elementary School project is moving along. The project is dependent on parking and a play area. Dr. Jones stated that having the school is very beneficial everyone in the area. Dr. Jones reported that Waterloo School District has first right of refusal for one property on Prospect Boulevard and two properties on Sunset. Dr. Jones asked the council for an easement to allow for more play area for the kids and parking. Mike Broshar, Invision Architects, stated the plans call for renovation of the entire school, with common area to be separated. They are proposing a new public entrance on the Prospect Boulevard side for better security. The plans include adding a gym, dedicated cafeteria and one classroom on the first floor, which will use 5,000 sq. ft. of the current play area. Mr. Broshar reported the Board reviewed three options for Kingsley School. The one most favored included development of fenced play area in the boulevard across from the triangular section, and off-street parking on the boulevard south of the crosswalk. This location includes parallel parking for nine spots and drop-off sites. The school bus drop off will be moved to Sunset. Mr. Broshar reviewed the concept drawings. The revised concept drawing shows retainage of the grass on the east side of the building and diagonal parking at 45 degree angle on both sides. The school will retain as many trees as possible. There is a fenced play area to the north. They are proposing six foot high wrought iron fence with six inches in the center. The consensus is that the neighbors would not like a lighted parking area, so they propose using ornamental lights currently on the boulevard. Councilperson Welper asked what happened to the standard of having 8 acres to build a school on, now we are trying to do this on 2 %2 acres. Dr. Jones responded the School Board approved the plan, the question is can the school use the boulevard. The decision was if it is possible to use the boulevard, they would go ahead with the plans. Councilperson Cole asked if this is a make or break deal for Kingsley. Pam Miller, President of the Waterloo School Board, responded the board has to approve the site plan, and she doesn't know if there are enough votes to approve without the parking. Dr. Jones stated that the board's intent is to stay with configuration for the schools, but consensus was made to keep Kingsley at this location. Dr. Jones reported that the current enrollment at Kingsley is 320 students. Mr. Broshar reported that cars will travel on the north and south bound lanes. A fence will limit access to the play area. Councilperson Cole asked if the board considered whether there was enough room for the play area and parking. Mr. Broshar responded the board discussed three options for Kingsley: add on to allow for 450 students, tear the building down, or move to another site. The Boundary Committee said there are enough kids in this area and Irving School that a bigger school was needed than what was proposed. Council Work Session January 26, 2004 Page 2 Mayor Hurley asked if any modifications have been made to the plan after comments were received. Mr. Dewitt responded the comments will make them consider how to handle lighting, landscaping, etc. Mayor Hurley asked if the council grants the easement, who will maintain the parking lot, play area, littering and loitering. Dr. Jones responded that school would be responsible. Dr. Jones reported the play area would be an open area, with play equipment on the triangular area. Councilperson Welper asked how we got to this point, that the city would be willing to give up the boulevard. Dr. Jones responded this is not a new concept that the city would be willing to give up the boulevard. Former Mayor Rooff called and said he would like to talk to the school board, and Dr. Jones told him he didn't need to do that at this time. Mayor Rooff was willing to talk to the school board that the city would do anything to keep Kingsley School at its present location. Don Temeyer, Community Planning and Development Director, reported that Mike Broshar brought the proposal to the city in November, and in December, the proposal was presented to the council. The council discussed the traffic and engineering. Mr. Temeyer stated that the final language of the proposed easement agreement is being reviewed by the city attorney. The easement will be placed on the February 2, 2004 council agenda to set date of hearing for February 16, 2004. Councilperson Cole asked concerning the 40 parking spots for employees, where do they park now. Mr. Broshar responded they park anywhere they can find a spot. Mr. Broshar stated this causes safety issues because the employees arrive early and park on the side streets. As the kids are dropped off or picked up, they have to go between the parked cars. With the proposed plan, the area will be posted as no parking. Dr. Jones stated this will clean up the traffic and is an opportunity to improve the parking situation for employees and improve safety for the students. Councilperson Cole asked how long will the school be adequate and viable. Mr. Broshar responded it is a solid building and as long as it is maintained it could go for a long time. The building is over 80 years now. The basic structure is strong and the improvements will add at least 50 years of life to the building. Dr. Jones stated that the final proposal has to be reviewed by the school board. Dr. Jones reported that the projected enrollment for Kingsley is 320 students. Councilperson Welper asked what happens if the council doesn't pass the easement. Ms. Miller responded there are other options: Hoover could be made bigger, the kids could be redistributed to other schools. Councilperson Gunderson stated there are kids who walk to and from school, and it is important to them that the schools stays. Councilperson Gunderson stated he talked to neighbors in the area, and a lot of them don't like the parking lot, but they would rather have the parking lot than lose their school. Mr. Temeyer stated that the neighborhood to the north would benefit the most from having the school closer. Dr. Jones stated that those kids living south of Ridgeway will no longer attend Kingsley. Dr. Jones stated the board's intent is to get the kids in schools contiguous to where they live. The population is high in this area. Dr. Jones stated there are other solutions, but this proposal cuts busing , keeps the neighborhood school, and helps with dilapidated buildings. Dr. Jones stated this is a joint effort. There will be a cost savings because of less busing. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Cole that the meeting be adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •