HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.11.2000COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 11, 2000
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Gronen that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
The proposed Fire Lane Ordinance was reviewed. Fire Chief Frank Magsamen stated that he was
directed to gather information from other cities, and the following cities have fire lane ordinances:
Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Iowa City and Sioux City. The ordinances for these cities
are similar to the ordinance being proposed for Waterloo. Chief Magsamen recommended that
our ordinance be similar to the ordinance enforced in Cedar Falls. Chief Magsamen reported that
the agencies writing the tickets vary between police and fire departments, and that in some cities
only the police departments write tickets. In the above cities, the fee ranges from a simple
misdemeanor, which is $5.00, to the City of Cedar Falls which charges $30.00. Chief Magsamen
reported that Hy-Vee at Crossroads and the Harley Davidson Store contacted him supporting the
fire lane ordinance, and one citizen opposing the ordinance. Chief Magsamen stated that he
would like the ordinance to be on a voluntary basis for businesses that request the fire lane.
Mayor Rooff stated that there are people unwilling to park in a parking space because they want
to get as close as they can to the building. Mayor Rooff stated that these vehicles could put a
victim at risk if there is an emergency. Mayor Rooff stated that stores are concerned.
Chief Magsamen stated that the stores that generate a lot of business, such as the superstores, will
need the fire lanes because they will have thousands of cars.
Councilperson Jordan asked if the ordinance will include the authority to tow cars and asked if
this is a safety issue. Chief Magsamen responded that the fire lane is for safety reasons, and that
the ordinance allows violators' cars to be towed. Councilperson Jordan stated he thinks the
ordinance is a good idea, but he would want it to be blanket throughout the city because it would
be easier for the Police Department to enforce.
Councilperson Getty commented that some areas, such as downtown, would not have the fire
lanes because of meters, etc. Councilperson Getty stated that the ordinance would be used at the
malls and the superstores.
Councilperson Anders stated that areas that the Fire Chief deems to be a problem could be
directed to have the fire lanes. Mayor Rooff stated that several businesses want this ordinance,
and that the city needs to research and make sure businesses are on-line with this ordinance.
Councilperson Gronen suggested calling it an emergency vehicle lane.
Councilperson Berry asked how the ordinance would affect Logan Plaza. Chief Magsamen
reported that some of the businesses have put in handicap parking where there could be a fire
lane.
Chief Magsamen stated that he will bring the ordinance back in October. Mayor Rooff asked the
council to talk to businesses in their wards and ask for their input and bring the information to the
October meeting.
Sang-Ki Han, Assistant City Attorney, stated that if the city adopts the ordinance, we must
enforce it uniformly.
In answer to a question, Chief Magsamen stated that he feels both the Fire Department and Police
Department should be allowed to write tickets for violation of the ordinance.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:14 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk