HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.16.1998COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 16, 1998
4:45 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Murphy, Jordan, Anders,
Krizek, Collier, Mollenhoff.
Moved by Mollenhoff, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as
proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
The F.Y. 1999 Budget was reviewed. The total budget as requested
by departments is $93,632,511 compared to the FY98 amended budget
of $97,784,860. Mayor Rooff and the budget staff are formulating
two budget proposals, one of which would result in a cut in the
property tax rate to $17.26 and have a minimal impact on the
current tax bill for a 1 percent increase. To accomplish the
budgetary goals, many cuts were made to a number of departmental
budget requests and adjustments were made in several accounts where
revenues were understated. A new long-term financial strategy that
the proposed FY99 Budget would fund is the establishment of a
Citywide Capital Depreciation Reserve. This Reserve will provide
for long-term replacement of vehicles, equipment and facilities by
setting aside each year resources from every city department. The
funds set aside would be invested over a long period of time to
maximize financial return. These Reserves may be utilized only for
such uses that would be consistent with the policies of the City
Council governing the Reserve Account. The primary benefit of this
financial strategy will be to minimize the need for G.O. bonding
for vehicle and equipment replacement and facility construction.
The Reserve would also be another protective barrier from the
uncertain long term changes in tax base and rollback trends.
Another budget proposal being considered, which would not provide
for the City Capital Depreciation Reserve, would be to cut the tax
rate to $17.07, which would result in a $1 reduction in the tax
bill of a $100,000 home. The only difference in the two proposals
is the inclusion of the Capital Depreciation Reserve at the tax
rate of $17.26. The Capital Depreciation Reserve will prepare the
city for the future and help with our bond indebtedness.
A work session will be held on Monday, February 23, 1998 on the
proposed FY99 Budget.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by
Mollenhoff, seconded by Krizek that the meeting be adjourned at
5:31 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 16, 1998
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Murphy,
Krizek, Mollenhoff, Collier.
Moved by Getty, seconded by
proposed, be approved. Ayes:
carried.
Jordan, Anders,
Mollenhoff that the Agenda, as
Six. Absent: Collier. Motion
The proposed changes to the Housing Code were reviewed. Mayor
Rooff stated that there are three areas to consider: neighborhood
services, financing and how to regulate the activities. The
ordinance was revised to tighten enforcement of property in the
city. Community Development has been allocating funds for
rehabilitation of property for the past twenty years, and those
properties are not properly maintained after rehabilitation. Mayor
Rooff stated that the city needs to get the county to work with the
city. If the county is not collecting taxes from owners, they
should not allow them to purchase more property.
Fire Chief Frank Magsamen reviewed the proposed changes. The
purpose of the ordinance is the protection of the health and
welfare of the dwelling occupants and that of the general public
by: establishing minimum standards, encouraging the maintenance
and improvement of existing buildings, preventing closure and
abandonment of housing and the displacement of residents, providing
standards for the maintenance of existing housing and accessory
structures, and establishing a program of regular rental
inspections. The ordinance addresses accessories structures, which
means any structure not intended for human occupancy which is
located on residential property. Accessory structures include:
garages, carports, shed, decks, awnings, fences, trellises, flag
poles, tanks, towers, exterior stairs and walkways. A dwelling is
any building or structure, except temporary housing, which is
wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping
by human occupants. Residential rental property is any property on
which exists one or more dwelling units which are not occupied as
the principal residence of the owner.
Collier now present at 5:45 p.m.
A representative from the Landlords Association stated that there
are some good things in the proposed ordinance. It is not always
the landlord who is in violation but some times it is the tenant,
and we should stipulate fines for both. He had concerns as to how
much it will cost a good landlord to rent property in waterloo,
will the buildings be inspected every year, is it a tax on
landlords, and is an inspection fee necessary.
Chief Magsamen stated that the ordinance could be an undue hardship
on some citizens, and it will be necessary to find funding sources
for those unable to pay for improvements to be in compliance with
the code.
The Fire Chief will be authorized to enforce the provisions of the
Code along with the Black Hawk County Health Department and the
Building Official. Every owner and/or occupant will be liable for
violations of the code.
The council will review the code and another work session will be
scheduled in three weeks.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by
Mollenhoff, seconded by Murphy that the meeting be adjourned at
6:10 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk