HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.21.2000COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 21, 2000
1:00 p.m.
Waterloo Airport
Members present: Mayor John Rooff, Anders, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry.
Members absent: Jordan.
Moved by Krizek, seconded by Murphy that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Jordan.
Mayor Rooff commented that the purposes of today's meeting was to discuss council's goals and
activities.
Councilperson Murphy listed the following goals for Ward 1:
1. Clean Up of the Cedar River
The Cedar River has been a main attraction over the years to the city with the clean-up
(dredging, wing dams and the fixing of the main dam). There is a potential of a $50
million annual return to the city. This would equal a major business in Waterloo.
2. A New RV Park
This would be located at the end of Sherwood Park next to the Cattle Congress. There is
room for about 500 RV spots in this area. If only 200 were put in, this would bring in
about $200,000 per season. This is using a 70 percent fill rate for the summer. There is a
lot of interest for a RV Park. Money could be raised to pay for part of its construction.
3. Katoski/Martin Road
The addition of this road would connect the north part of Waterloo with the south part.
South Waterloo would have better access to the airport, and north Waterloo would have
better access to the shopping center. Approximately 14,000 cars per day would use this
street. It would help take pressure off other streets that have reached their load limit.
4. Purchase of Auto Salvage Yard on Black Hawk Road
Purchase all or part of the salvaged yard. The land needed for this purchase is next to
Black Hawk Creek. When it floods, the water is contaminated with waste from the
salvage yard. The state has said that Black Hawk Creek is one of the most contaminated
streams in Iowa. The one parcel of land contains about 11 acres of land. This would be
used to replace land taken out of the Green Belt for Katoski/Martin Road.
5. Access from San Marnan Drive to the Frontage Road
This would be done at the corner of Shoppers Boulevard and San Marnan Drive (Sam's
Club). There are signal lights at this intersection already, so the cost would be kept down.
It would also give a more direct route to the hospital and reduce traffic.
Councilperson Anders listed the following goals for Ward 3:
1. Flood Problem at Rainbow and Hanna and Rainbow and Niagara.
Two creeks need to be addressed for storm drainage.
2. Parking on Grass Ordinance.
3. Prairie Park.
Councilperson Berry listed the following goals for Ward 4:
African American Culture Museum
What can the city do to further assist in completing project. Voice support on need for it.
Provide resources (assist with fund raising efforts, provide office, secretary, hire full time
fundraiser).
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January 21, 2000
Page 2
2. Youth Empowerment
Continue the Mayor's Youth Initiative (provided jobs for all children, how to maintain it)
encourage job training and mentoring programs for youth. Form partnerships and work
collaboratively with youth agencies. Foster community service - Youth Center. Extra-
curricular activities, i.e., after school activities, church, sports.
3. Neighborhood Improvements
Increase home ownership - the American Dream. Rehab projects, what are the barriers.
Beautification to include rehabilitation of existing buildings, business buildings (railroad,
i.e., Jones Cafe), landscaping.
4. Economic Development
Quality retail stores, encouragement of new businesses to the 4th Ward. What does the
city do to encourage businesses to invest in Waterloo (entice businesses to Logan Plaza,
develop the area, i.e., hardware store). Assist existing businesses to become part of the
mainstream business community, providing resources for them to become competitive.
Address Brownfield sites (Chamberlain, CMC, Rath).
5. Community Education
Citizen participation using neighborhood associations, study circles and community
forums. Support and utilize local media such as KBBG, Waterloo Communicator.
Councilperson Krizek listed the following goals for Ward 5:
1. Parking on Front Yard Ordinance.
2. Whittier and Emerson Schools
There will be 5 empty school buildings in the city. There will be no school buildings in her
ward. Need to do something with Whittier and Emerson Schools. Re -use West
Intermediate as Rec Center.
3. Waterloo Bowl -In.
4. Highway between River and Bluff Street
Hope CURA will help. Need to tear down two metal buildings on Bluff Street.
5. Redevelopment of Depot.
6. Downtown Plan.
7. Repair 18th Street Bridge. Seek funds for new bridge.
Councilperson Jordan listed the following goals for Ward 2:
1. Traffic Control (mainly Crossroads area).
2. Help new and existing businesses grow in the area.
3 Tax incentives for new homebuilders (tax credits for new homes that various cities do
throughout the state and various things we do for commercial businesses).
4. Fiber Optics
Would like to get fiber optics in our city for existing and new businesses.
5. School Sidewalk Program
Would like to implement a school sidewalk program to have sidewalks to all schools for
children to use as they walk to school.
6. Roads
Keep our local option tax alive, healthy and keep our roads reconstructed and overlaid as
well as we have for the past six years.
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January 21, 2000
Page 3
Councilperson Getty listed the following goals:
1. School Situation
Wherever they build new schools, it is important to the Eastside. Mayor and Council need
to discuss with School Board regarding schools, and Olympic competition pool.
2. River Improvement.
3. Elderly Housing
Build complexes for elderly.
4. Crow Situation
Councilperson Gronen listed the following goals:
1. Encourage businesses, especially mentoring and ethanol.
2. Fiber Optics.
3. Work With Neighborhoods on Cleanup.
4. Work on Problem With Ethnic Group and Police Relationships.
5. Solid Waste Management
Look at building a holding area for unknown toxic waste.
6. Improve communication as a Group
Purchase Cell Phones with message or pagers for all council members
7. Hire Grant Writer/Project Manager.
Departments to Review:
1. Building Department. Chamber wants to visit with Lou Cutwright regarding One Stop
Shopping.
2. Review Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission - Split Community Development.
3. Review Engineering Construction Inspection.
4. Review Sanitation/Recycling
Change 5 routes to 4 routes using 10 hour days
5. Review plan with SWMC for Cedar Valley -wide projects.
Mayor Rooff listed the following goals:
1. Riverfront.
2. Prairie Park.
3. Pavilion (Riverfront Plan).
4. Millennium Plan.
5. Chamber of Commerce and CVB merger.
6. Budget.
7. Sewer Plant.
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Council Work Session
January 21, 2000
Page 4
8. MET and Trolley.
9. Airport.
10. Holiday Inn/5 Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.
11. Diversity.
12. African American Museum.
13. Cattle Congress Overall.
14. Telecommunications.
Councilperson Gronen gave Mayor Rooff a copy of the council liaison list for boards and
commissions.
Councilperson Anders asked the council if they were interested in pursing the Parking on Front
Yards Ordinance, and Councilpersons Gronen, Getty and Krizek stated they wanted to pursue this
ordinance. Murphy wanted to pursue the ordinance, but carefully. Councilperson Anders
commented that Black Hawk County Health and Code Enforcement want this ordinance.
Councilperson Krizek commented that she would like to revisit the Housing Maintenance
Ordinance.
Councilperson Anders asked that RFPs be sent out for management of Young Arena, 5 Sullivan
Brothers Convention Center, and Water Pollution/Flood Control Facility.
Councilperson Anders commented that the council needs to be sure to use its discretionary funds
from the hotel/motel tax. There is currently $136,000 in discretionary funds. Councilperson
Anders asked about the money for the sewer funds.
Councilperson Anders added the following goals: stock car racing, Jr. Art Gallery, Airport,
Downtown Riverfront, dilapidated houses, and work with MidAmerica to get rid of dam.
Councilperson Murphy asked if it was necessary to continue bonding $1.5 million for streets.
Councilperson Getty asked each councilperson to put together list of streets for improvement.
Councilperson Gronen suggested sending this list of goals to other cities.
Councilperson Gronen suggested that we ask the media to emphasize the positive.
Councilperson Murphy asked about the mayor's salary. Councilperson Gronen commented that
he and Councilperson Getty are working on the mayor's salary.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Gronen, seconded by Getty to
adjourn at 2:50 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Jordan. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City (Clerk