Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.13.2002 (2). • COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 13, 2002 8:30 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Berry, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Hurley, Getty, Jordan. Moved by Berry, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Jordan. Motion carried. Jordan now present at 8:33 a.m. Don Temeyer, City Planner, reviewed the request of Schenk Engineering on behalf of Robert Smith, Sr. to rezone approximately 12.2 acres of property generally located south of Ranchero Road just east of the city limits line with Hudson Road from "A-1" Agricultural District to "R-1" Residential District for the purpose of residential development. Mr. Temeyer reported that there are homes across the street on Shaulis Road. In May 2000 the developer submitted a similar request on the same property to subdivide the property for 1.6 to 1.8 acre residential lots, and the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission recommended denial at that time. The commission denied that request in part because it would cost too much to get across Black Hawk Creek, it is agricultural land and there is no water or sanitary sewer serving the area. Mr. Temeyer reviewed the Preliminary Comprehensive Plan and a draft of the Growth Area Map and a map of the Land Use of Areas Immediately Adjacent to the Community. Mr. Temeyer stated that there are already 10 homes in this area, and the residents are opposed to Mr. Smith's request. The area is currently zoned "A-1" Agricultural District. The district requirements call for lots to be a minimum of three acres and be associated with an agricultural use. Single-family homes are not a principal permitted use in the "A-1" Agricultural District. The total area of land Mr. Smith is requesting to rezone is 531,960 square feet of 12.2 acres. The "R-1" Residence District calls for a minimum lot width of 75 feet for single-family dwellings, and 9,000 sq. ft. minimum lot areas. If the request is granted, Mr. Smith could legally develop approximately 59 lots. There is no storm or sanitary sewer to service the proposed development. The nearest public sewer is located approximately 1.5 miles east of the far western corporate boundaries. A deed restriction will be required indicating no city sewer, city water or paved streets are planned and no rural water service unless accessed. Councilperson Hurley commented on the letter from Kenneth DeNault, a Geologist, giving his professional opinion and submitted under Mr. DeNault's seal as a registered Professional Geologist. There is opposition of over 20 percent of the property owners which will require a % majority vote of the council to approve. Councilperson Hurley stated he is against this request. The city has a plan with guidelines and we seem to amend it as we go along. Mayor Rooff stated that there is a housing study which shows this area needs 800 new homes per year and we are only constructing 250 per year. Councilperson Clark stated he agrees with Councilperson Hurley to leave this area zoned as agricultural land. We know what we have. If we approve this rezoning the city will be opening up a can of worms. Councilperson Jordan stated he is split on this request. Mr. Temeyer stated the "R-1" request does not allow trailer homes, but modular homes are allowed anywhere in town. Fred Debe from Schenk Engineering stated that Black Hawk County Health requires engineering septic tanks, and there is good water supply in this area. Mr. Debe stated the city put two septic tanks on its golf courses and the church on Kimball Avenue has a septic tank. Mr. Debe stated that the geologist's letter says the current residents on the north side of Ranchero Road have an Council Work Session June 13, 2002 Page 2 • • unobstructed view of the greenbelt along Black hawk Creek. Mr. Debe stated the residents do not want anyone living across from them. Councilperson Jordan stated it is hard to say no to development as we need it to build our tax base. Councilperson Jordan stated requiring a deed restriction is the right thing to do. Councilperson Greenwood stated he is still split on this rezoning request and asked where do we draw the line. If someone on the south side of town wants to build will the city have to provide sewer and water. Councilperson Greenwood stated that 1.5 acre lots with nice homes are desirable for our residents. Councilperson Welper stated that during the election campaign the question was asked what would he do for urban sprawl, and he answered he would try to stop urban sprawl and encourage building in the city. Councilperson Welper stated there are plenty of lots within the city that could be developed. Councilperson Berry stated the city needs to be consistent, but it bothers her because people have the right to live where they want to live. The city could eventually have to install sewer and water. Councilperson Berry stated she also believes there are areas within the city where homes could be built, but she also believes the developer has a right to build where he wants to build. Mr. Debe stated there are not that many buildable lots within the city. A lot of the vacant lots are owned by citizens who want a vacant lot next to their homes, and on Donald Streets the vacant lots are owned by Allen Hospital. Mr. Debe stated that if we went back a few years without development there would not have been a Crossroads, Tower Park, etc. Mr. Debe stated he believes we need to provide options for people as some want to live in the suburbs, some want a rural atmosphere. Mr. Debe stated we need to provide options for all the citizens. Mayor Rooff asked Mr. Temeyer if this was smart growth, and Mr. Temeyer responded this pushes the limit, it is on the line. Mr. Temeyer stated Planning and Zoning always supported growth in the Crossroads area, and supports growth when city services are readily available. Mr. Temeyer stated the city will probably have to support some growth to get homes built. Mr. Temeyer reviewed the Shaulis Road development. Mayor Rooff recommended the council let the Land Use Plan be their guide and not use emotions. Councilperson Jordan asked if the city does not want to develop this area, why not de -annex the property to Black Hawk County. Mr. Temeyer responded that would not allow the city to manage the land, and the state would not want the city to create an island. Mr. Temeyer stated the city is meeting with the City of Hudson, which currently has a moratorium on building. Councilperson Getty stated he opposes this request. The council next discussed sewer and garbage rates. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, provided a chart showing sewer and garbage charges since 1980 and a survey showing water and sewer rates in 15 Iowa cities. The October 2001 survey shows that Waterloo is about in the middle for sewer charges. Garbage rates were last increased in 1993 and there was a small sewer rate increase in 1993. If the council approves increasing the sewer to match the City of Cedar Falls, Waterloo will tie with Cedar Falls to be the fourth highest rate in Iowa. Councilperson Getty stated the city swept the sewer funds a few years ago. The sewer fund always has had enough funds. Councilperson Getty asked if the council approves the rate increase will the money stay in the sewer fund. Ms. Weidner responded that the proposed rates are necessary for operations. The city did transfer funds from the sewer fund, but the other option was to raise taxes. Councilperson Getty stated he has a lot of difficulty raising sewer and garbage rates for our citizens when we are talking about the Renaissance Plan. Council Work Session June 13, 2002 Page 3 • • Ms. Weidner reviewed another option for sewer rates which would increase the fees 25 percent or $4 per month, which would increase the cost for citizens $50 per year for both sewer and garbage, or 14 cents per day. Councilperson Jordan asked what would happen if the council did not approve the proposed rate increases. Larry Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Waste Management Services, responded that if the rates are not increased, on July 1 there would have to be adjustments to personnel. The Sanitation Department decreased the number of personnel by 45 percent when the city started using automated garbage trucks. Mr. Smith stated there are other programs offered by the city which do not use automated garbage trucks. Mr. Smith stated if $750,000 is cut from the Sanitation Budget, that would leave $13,000 for personnel costs. Mayor Rooff stated if there is no increase in garbage rates, the city will need to stop the leaf pickup program, Neighborhood Cleanups, and the bulk item pickups. Mr. Smith stated that one neighborhood cleanup cost $1,875, not including landfill fees or personnel costs. Mr. Smith stated the downside would be if we don't have cleanups in the neighborhoods, we would go back to messy neighborhoods. Councilperson Getty stated he has had meetings with Waste Management Services and is ready to bring recommendations to the Public Works Committee. Ms. Weidner stated an option would be not to budget for trucks using garbage fees, but bond for them, but the Sanitation Fund is an enterprise fund and should be self-supporting. There is a fleet of seven trucks, we could borrow to purchase new trucks and pay interest. Ms. Weidner stated this fund is very close to being self-sufficient. Councilperson Hurley stated he supports the proposed rate increases, except he would like to leave the 32 gallon containers at $8.50 per month. Mr. Smith stated that a lot of the persons using small containers overfill them, and he would propose that people on fixed or low-income only be allowed to have the small containers. Mr. Smith reviewed the number of personnel paid from the Sewer Fund. Councilperson Jordan stated he would like to look at privatization and other options. Mr. Smith responded that the city could look at privatization, but a lot of the waste haulers will not provide the services provided by the city, they strictly pick up garbage. Mayor Rooff stated if we do away with free leaf pickup, neighborhood cleanups and bulky item pickup, we would not have to raise the garbage rates. Councilperson Greenwood stated that he would like to look at privatization, but we need to keep moving. Councilperson Greenwood stated he does not think the proposed rate increases would be a terrible hardship on senior citizens, and he would approve the proposed rate increases. Councilperson Welper stated he is in favor of helping the elderly and giving them a break on the fees. Councilperson Berry stated she is against privatization. For years the city has not raised the garbage and sewer rates, and we need to say these are services that somebody has to pay for. Councilperson Berry stated she does not like to raise the rates, but what are the other options. Councilperson Berry asked what city can operate on not raising taxes. Councilperson Getty stated he is against privatization. Councilperson Getty stated he understands that there needs to be an increase, but he is not happy with 30 percent increase. Councilperson Getty stated when we talk about taxes, at the time of the budget hearing everyone wanted to go lower than the final adopted levy, and yet when we talk about raising these fees 30 percent no one flinches. Councilperson Getty stated he is still waiting for the FY03 Budget figures. Councilperson Hurley stated privatization should be studied, but now is not the time. Councilperson Hurley agreed that 30 percent sounds big, but we should use the dollar figure not the percent. Councilperson Hurley stated he believes in what the council has done and the programs put in place, but now the citizens will feel like we are taking away services even though they don't pay for them. Council Work Session June 13, 2002 Page 4 • • Councilperson Clark stated he is not for or against looking at privatization. Councilperson Clark stated the costs for these services have gone up, but the fees have not been raised as they should have been. Mayor Rooff stated he feels we should look at privatization. Mayor Rooff stated in hindsight we should have been looking at small increases as we go along, and then all of sudden we would not have as large of an increase. Ms. Weidner stated the Black Hawk Solid Waste Commission has awarded a grant for FY03, but they would give it to us for FY02. If we choose to use it for FY02 Budget, then we will not have that grant to lower the general fund next year. Ms. Weidner stated the council could also decide to put those funds towards the Sanitation Fund. Mayor Rooff asked if the council approves the proposed increases for July 1 how long before we would need another increase. Ms. Weidner responded that she thinks the garbage increase could last for three years. Mayor Rooff stated we need to meet with the Black Hawk Solid Waste Commission regarding the landfill rates and the grant, look at privatization and review alternatives for leaf pickup, neighborhood cleanups and large bulky items. It was the consensus of the council to use the grant from Black Hawk Solid Waste Commission for the FY02 Budget. The proposed rates for sewer and garbage services will be placed on the June 24, 2002 council agenda. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Hurley that the meeting be adjourned at 9:57 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk