HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.23.2004COUNCIL WORK SESSION
August 23, 2004
4:15 p.m.
Council Chambers
Mayor Hurley called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Greenwood, Clark, Schmitt, Gunderson, Welper,
Kincaid.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Gunderson that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Six. Absent: Kincaid. Motion carried.
Kincaid now present at 4:31 p.m.
Doug Schindel, Task Project Manager at Earth Tech, updated the council, on the Cedar Valley
River Renaissance Plan. Mr. Schindel reviewed maps of the 18th Street Bridge, River Road
Recreational Trail, Tech Works and Deere Revitalization, Downtown Master Plan, US 63 Study,
Hy-Vee Development, Center for the Arts Expansion, Grout Museum Improvements, Rath
Brownfield Development, Ferguson Distribution Center and River Renaissance.
Mr. Schindel presented the following history on the Cedar Valley River Renaissance Plan:
1. November 8, 2002, leaders of the Cedar Valley community submitted the Cedar
Valley River Renaissance projects to the Vision Iowa Board for funding approval.
2. January 8, 2003, the Vision Iowa Board awarded the City of Waterloo $7.3
million Vision Iowa grant.
3. September 2003, the city council approved a design contract with Earth Tech to
proceed with preliminary design of Vision Iowa projects.
4. Currently awaiting funding to be released from lawsuit regarding project in Page
County located in Southwest Iowa.
On November 20 a public information and input meeting was held. Citizens and stakeholders
Advisory Committee formed and additional subcommittee for performance area.
Mr. Schindel reviewed the three major project elements of the Cedar Valley River Renaissance
Plan: Riverwalk Loop, Cedar River Dam Improvements, and Plaza and Amphitheatre.
The downtown loop is on Mullan Avenue to 6th Street, 6th Street to 18th Street, the north side of
the River on Mullan Avenue to Cedar Bend Park and on the south side of the river on Mullan
Avenue to River Road.
The major findings of the preliminary study of the Cedar River Dam Improvements include:
1. Estimated costs range from $2.4 to $2.6 Million.
2. An upstream cofferdam to elevation 842.50 required to protect construction site
(5-year event).
3. Bridgestone rubber dam bladders can control pool to within 9 inches. Obemeyer
gates can control within 2 inches.
4. An emergency closure gate system would add $40,000 to the cost. This would
allow repairs while maintaining pool elevation.
5. Sedimentation study required to properly size gate to help flush upstream
sediment.
6. Kayak run would more easily be accommodated on the North bank. Construction
would take one year or two 6-month construction seasons.
The conclusion and recommendations for the Cedar River Dam are as follows:
1. Raising existing dam 4 feet is feasible.
2. Two types of rubber bladders are anticipated to be bid.
3. Review future Kayak Run on the North Side of the River.
Council Work Session
August 23, 2004
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4. Gates will be operated in the deflated position during winter months and times of
major flooding events.
5. Review of construction staging will be required with the dam improvements and
construction of the Plaza/Amphitheatre.
6. Sedimentation study required during final design to access feasibility of sediment
flushing and size crest gate.
Mr. Schindel reviewed the Cedar River Plaza and Amphitheatre. The design criteria includes:
lighting, sound amplification, retractable screen, power source, support services, acoustics, safety
of performers and audience and canopy for facility to be multi -purposed. The Cedar River Plaza
and Amphitheater will reconnect downtown Waterloo, both visually and physically, to the Cedar
River. The Plaza will include a 44,000 square foot promenade connecting the Waterloo Center
For The Arts, the Library and the River as well as a 15,000 square foot amphitheater at the Cedar
River's edge.
Projects were scheduled to complete all Vision Iowa projects by Fall 2007, with the Loop from
6th to 18th Streets completed by Fall 2005, the Amphitheatre completed by Fall 2006. All
schedules are subject to Vision Iowa funding release.
Funding sources for the project are as follows:
Vision Iowa Grant
City GO Bonds
County
Federal Grant
Total
$ 7.30 Million
$ 8.61 Million
$ 1.02 Million
$ 1.21 Million
$18.14 Million
Current Project Cost Estimates are as follows:
Riverwalk Loop $ 9.85 Million
Cedar River Dam $ 4.76 Million
Amphitheatre & Plaza$ 5.48 Million
Total $20.09 Million
Meetings will continue with Citizen and Stakeholders. Completion date of the Preliminary
Design Report is October 2004. They would like to begin the Final Design upon completion of
the Preliminary Design Report.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Gunderson
that the meeting be adjourned at 5:24 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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