HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.01.2000COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 1, 2000
9:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Getty, Berry.
Members absent: Gronen.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five.
Absent: Murphy, Gronen. Motion carried.
Mayor Rooff stated that today's meeting was to discuss the Mayor and Council Goals for
2000/2001.
1. Clean Up of the Cedar River —Need to focus on the Cedar River along with the Downtown
Plan.
Mayor Rooff stated that he talked with Governor Vilsack, and he is compiling a list of names to
be appointed to the Board that will oversee the applications for the funds.
Councilperson Getty stated that he is going to be in Arizona and is going to look at the inflatable
dam.
Councilperson Anders stated that we need to talk with MidAmerica about removing the building
and superstructures from the dam. Mayor Rooff commented that he will contact MidAmerica.
2. A new RV Park - Sherwood Park --Mayor Rooff will talk to Councilperson Murphy regarding
removing this item.
3. Katoski/Martin Road --Mayor Rooff will talk to Councilperson Murphy regarding removing
this item.
4. Purchase of Auto Salvage Yard on Black Hawk Road --Continue discussions.
5. Access from San Marnan Drive to the Frontage Road —Mayor Rooff has had meetings with
Crossroads businesses. Talked about the slip ramp and a possible rear entrance to
Crossroads. We will add 6a—Rear Entrance for Crossroads.
6. Traffic Control (Mainly Crossroads Area) —Same as above.
7. Help New and Existing Business to Grow in the Area —Mayor talked with organizations that
they all need to work together and with the city
8. Tax Incentives for New Homebuilders—The city is doing this on the north side, need to
continue to develop that and try to get incentives for businesses.
9. Fiber Optics —Chamber of Commerce has a group of business representatives who are
meeting with the city, schools, MIS and the consultant. We will meet on June 21, 2000.
There is a 90 day window to complete.
10. School Sidewalk Program —Waiting for the school district to develop plan.
11. Roads -Keep Local Option Tax Alive —Completed.
12. Flood Problem at Rainbow and Hanna and Rainbow and Niagara —Not enough room to put
tile between houses. Will put in curb cut.
13. Parking on Front Yard Ordinance —We are running ads and have sent survey out to
Neighborhood Associations.
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June 1, 2000
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14. Prairie Park —HUD has taken over. Things have been quiet.
15. African American Culture Museum —Problem still on Dane Street.
16. Youth Empowerment —We have looked at requests for Mayor's Youth Initiative and are
ready to make recommendations.
17. Neighborhood Improvements —Ongoing
18. Economic Development —Working on this.
19. Community Education —Only using the radio station hasn't helped. Have appointment with
Mayor next week. Held a business breakfast which was well attended.
20. Whittier and Emerson Schools —We made a commitment, we aren't going to do anything
until he gets tax credits.
21. Waterloo Bowl -In —Can't get them to move, they won't negotiate, they think its a hot spot.
Not sure what the downtown plan will call for use of that building.
22. Highway Between River and Bluff.
23. Redevelopment of Depot —Meeting scheduled for next week. Funds seem to be in place.
24. Downtown Plan —Its off and running.
25. Repair 18th Street Bridge —Bridge has been repaired, looking for funds for new bridge.
26. School Situation —Talk with Michelle Temeyer who keeps city informed. Told school we
need a school on the Eastside. They are talking about reusing Lincoln. Need to have meeting
with School Board.
27. River Improvement —Include with No. 1.
28. Elderly Housing —Have heard a lot of concerns from elderly. They would like to move into
elderly complex. Need to try to use Community Development funds to construct elderly
complexes. This opens those homes for first-time buyers.
29. Crow Situation —Done, but could become another problem this winter unless we do
something about crows outside the downtown.
30. Encourage Businesses, Especially Mentoring and Ethanol —Have held meetings with farmers,
but they show no interest in pursing this. Need to look at using methane gas.
31. Work With Neighborhoods on Cleanup Ongoing.
32. Work on Problem With Ethnic Group and Police Relationships —Need to step this up, have
talked with Police Chief and Captains.
33. Solid Waste Management.
34. Improve Communication as a Group —Currently reviewing RFPs for cell phones, two-way
radios and pagers.
35. Hire Grant Writer/Project Manager —Nothing yet.
36. Riverfront—Add with Items 1 and 27.
37. Pavilion (Riverfront Plan) —Add with Item 23.
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June 1, 2000
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38. Millennium Plan —Has been completed, looking at comments.
39. Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau Merger —Remove from goals.
40. Budget —This is a high priority. Going to initiate a central purchasing department and look at
restructuring city departments. Fifteen percent of workforce leaving in the next few years.
Making effort to lower bonded indebtedness for downtown plan.
41. Sewer Plant—RFQs will be sent out by end of June to privatize sewer plant. Would like to
look at privatizing Young Arena and Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.
Mayor Rooff commented that regarding the budget should we be taxing every year for programs
not required, as it is hard to keep the budget in check. The School Administration is unable to
help. There is a new DARE Plus Program. Police, Fire, Streets and Youth are important.
Should we save money somewhere else and put towards these programs. We have been working
on livability, housing, youth, police, fire streets and economic development.
42. Metropolitan Transit Authority and Trolley.
43. Airport.
44. Holiday Inn/Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center —Have requested a meeting with the
owners with no response. Need to do something to upgrade whole effort.
45. Diversity —Not doing enough about diversity.
46. African/American Museum.
47. Cattle Congress Overall —Need to have joint meetings with the Board and Indians.
48. Telecommunications.
49. Review and Plan Solid Waste Management Commission for Cedar Valley -Wide Projects.
Add Item 50-Cab Service under Councilperson Getty and Anders. Set up meeting with person
interested in starting cab company.
Add Item 51-MidAmerica Energy Plan and Utility Billings—MidAmerica will review our energy
use. They will provide a full-time person and split the savings 50/50. Councilperson Anders will
be responsible for the billings and Councilperson Jordan will be responsible for the energy review.
Councilperson Anders questioned the status of Pathways. Councilperson Getty stated that he and
Councilperson Berry met with Pathways, and they feel we should fund them $40,000.00.
Pathways showed them how the money is spent.
Mayor Rooff stated that Dave Keidei will be transferred to Community Development. Chief
Magsamen has until July 1, 2000 to improve the Regional Training Center.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Murphy, Gronen. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk