HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.06.2003•
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 6, 2003
8:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty, Kincaid.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Kincaid. Motion carried.
Agenda items that have been placed on the council agenda of Monday, November 10, 2003 were
reviewed with Department Heads who have items on the agenda.
Kincaid now present at 8:04 a.m.
Items discussed:
The agreement with U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing
Services for Homeland Security Overtime Program. Police Chief Jennings reported that
the grant covers overtime costs because of loss of officers to military duty, overtime for
training and overtime for security at the Waterloo Airport. The city's required match of
$24,984.00 cannot come from any line item currently designated for law enforcement,
and the money would have to come from undesignated General Fund balance.
2. Agreement with Endeavor Group to provide professional services for the redevelopment
of the Logan Plaza Shopping Center. Mayor Rooff reported that there have been ongoing
discussions with Mr. Rapapport. Hy-Vee would like to build a 37,000 sq. fit store with a
convenience store and gas station. Rapapport is asking $5 million for 20 acres of
property. The city has approached Allen Hospital about property they own. In addition,
Mr. Rapapport has property north of McDonalds he is willing to sell. Don Temeyer,
Director of Community Planning and Development, stated that the city could designate
the area as a TIF, and the bond funds could be used which would be paid back with the
new taxes generated by the development plan.
3. The request of the Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau to suspend the hotel/motel tax
grant program for one fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. Martha
Place, Director of WCVB, reported that this is being proposed in order to build reserves
for the grant program. Currently, the city estimates the amount of funds that will be
received. Grant recipients can only receive quarterly payments because the city does not
know how much they will receive for the year, which increases the bookkeeping process
for the city's Finance Department. Ms. Place stated that the biggest challenge would be
that postponing the grants for one year could hurt some organizations as they will have to
find alternate funds. Cammie Scully, Director of Cultural & Arts Commission, stated she
understands the reason for the change, but she believes it will impact community
organizations, which are already facing reduced budgets and cutbacks from local and
state governments and corporate support. Councilperson Welper suggested that 30
percent be held for three years to build the reserves.
4. Extending the six month moratorium an additional four months on the construction,
development, redevelopment, remodeling or new construction within the Vision Iowa
Project area. Don Temeyer, Community Planning and Development Director, stated he
will continue working with those companies that have indicated improvements to their
buildings. Councilperson Clark stated he understands the reason for the moratorium, but
asked why extend the moratorium if we are going to make exceptions to it.
5. Councilperson Hurley asked the status on the dog park. Bill Bachman, Assistant Leisure
Services Director, reported that they met with residents within the neighbor of the
proposed site.
With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Kincaid
that the meeting be adjourned at 8:39 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk