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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.11.1998COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 11, 1998 5:15 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Getty, Murphy, Jordan, Krizek, Mollenhoff, Anders, Collier. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Mollenhoff that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The City Clerk reviewed the results of an informal survey that was conducted in the downtown area. The Clerk's office mailed out the survey to 304 business addresses and received 105 responses. Out of the 105 responding, 77 said their parking needs are being met for their employees, 67 said their parking needs were being met for their customers. A fee of $20 per month was selected the most times as the amount they consider reasonable for lease of a stall. Approximately 50 percent of the respondents preferred metered parking for their customers with a two-hour meter. Two blocks was the top vote getter as to how far they would be willing to walk if low cost or free parking were available. Councilperson Anders stated that we need a happy medium with the businesses and customers. Store owners need customers. Mayor Rooff stated that the survey was prompted by the parking situation around the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Vendors have received tickets when they are setting up their booths in the center. The Mayor suggested that the city look at drop-off zones for businesses with special needs. Councilperson Murphy stated that as the downtown develops, parking needs will change. The city needs to look at the parking situation on a yearly basis. The council will review the information presented and hold another meeting in a few weeks. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Collier that the meeting be adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 11, 1998 5:30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Murphy, Jordan, Anders, Collier, Krizek, Mollenhoff. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Collier that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The proposed Housing Code was reviewed. Mayor Rooff stated that he had a meeting with the Landlord Association. One of the items discussed was the issue of the Board of Supervisors not selling property to owners who do not keep their property up to standards, owners who are already in arrears or owners who switch title of ownership in order to avoid fines. Mayor Rooff suggested that those sections that are agreeable to the Association should be put on the council agenda for approval. We can adopt those section of the ordinance that are not dollar related. Gary Rankin, representing the Landlord Association, stated that the key issues for the landlords are the licensing fee and the whole concept of having to license rental property. At first it was basic information, now its a plague to own rental property. Mr. Rankin suggested that the ordinance state that the landlords shall register their property and those who do not will be fined_ He suggested that the word license be deleted and substitute registration. Fire Chief Frank Magsamen stated that the licensing fee is a one time fee which will generate revenue to provide personnel to enforce the ordinance. A citizen objected to the requirement that a new license application will be required for each change of management of a rental dwelling. City Attorney Jim Walsh stated that the reason for requiring a new application when there is a change of management is so that the city will have a name of a person to contact. Mr. Walsh also reiterated that without the licensing fee the city will not be able to hire staff to help with enforcement of the ordinance. Councilperson Krizek stated that there are some landlords who do not care about housing. Mr. Walsh stated that an enforceable code will help the city to deal with those types of landlords. Violation of the proposed ordinance is a municipal infraction. Cheryl Christiansen questioned what is the underlying reason for establishment of the ordinance. Is it to hire additional staff for the Fire Department. Mayor Rooff answered that the city receives an overwhelming number of telephone calls regarding the appearance of rental property. The Mayor's office receives telephone calls from Black Hawk County Health, fire department, police department and inspection department regarding nuisance property in the city. The city has been working with the landlords to get the neighborhoods cleaned up. Fire Chief Magsamen stated that the city needs to have a housing ordinance to address problems on a house -by -house basis. A meeting will be scheduled with The Public Works Committee to review the remaining issues in the ordinance that are disagreeable to the Landlord Association. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Mollenhoffthat the meeting be adjourned at 6:27 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 11, 1998 6:00 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Room, Getty, Murphy, Jordan, Collier, Krizek, Mollenhoff. Members absent: Anders. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Collier that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Anders. Motion carried. An ordinance for a telecommunications moratorium was reviewed. The ordinance places an immediate moratorium on the acceptance of applications for use permits, building permits, right- of-way use permits and franchises for telecommunications facilities. The moratorium will be in effect for a six-month period. The ordinance will allow the city adequate time to comprehensively study the new Telecommunications Act, determine whether the city's existing ordinances and codes are consistent with the Act, and develop new ordinances to amend inconsistencies and/or cover situations not addressed by existing regulations. During the term of the moratorium the city will not accept any right-of-way use permit applications or consider any franchise for telecommunications or cable services, or any building permit or use permit applications for the location, establishment or siting of telecommunications facilities in the city. If an undue hardship results from enactment of the moratorium, the company has the right to appeal to the city council. During the moratorium, city staff will develop work plans to study the issues as they relate to applications under the Zoning Ordinance and applications for the use and occupancy of city streets, rights -of -way, or other city property by telecommunications carriers, cable providers and others. The city council will hold a public hearing within 60 days after the moratorium is adoption. This ordinance is on tonight's council agenda for adoption. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 6:31 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Anders. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk