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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.27.1998COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 27, 1998 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Murphy, Jordan, Anders, Krizek. Absent: Collier. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Anders that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff updated the council on the trip to Washington. Mayor Rooff stated that when applying for federal funds, the city needs to not only have a plan of needs but also needs to have a contingency plan for any funds that are available. During the trip, the group met with the Justice Department, and funding is available from the Justice Department. They met with the Department of Education to speak about English as a second language. A meeting was held with the Army Corp. of Engineers. The Corp told the city we could dredge the Cedar River. A meeting was held with the FFA. The city reported that TWE is not a safe airline, and that they do not have regular flights. They met with representatives from Northwest and TWA Airlines. Further meetings will be held with TWA and TWE. The group met with the Department of Transportation and learned what T21 is all about A meeting was held with HUD. The city will need 1,225 units of housing between now and the Year 2000. The group met the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and invited them to Waterloo. A meeting was held at the White House with Lynn Cutler and Health and Human Services. Ms. Cutler distributed a list of everyone in federal governmental offices. Meetings were held with Senators Grassley and Harkin. Mayor Rooff stated that the group went to Washington representing the Cedar Valley. Federal funds flow more readily if you show you are cooperating with others. Councilperson Anders stated that the city has a problem with dilapidated houses versus $250,000 homes. The city needs more medium sized homes. Mayor Rooff stated that Habitat for Homes and Operation Threshold are helpful in that area. The problem is banks do not want to loan money in many of those areas. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:29 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 27, 1998 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Murphy, Jordan, Anders, Krizek, Collier. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Murphy that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Collier. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff reviewed the proposed Housing Code Ordinance. Mayor Rooff stated that he did not want to talk about the fees, but that he wanted to get to the heart of the ordinance. He would rather leave the fees where they are and try to get the money from the federal government. Mayor Rooff reported that the landlords are already paying inspection fees. The Mayor stated that there were many meetings with the Landlords Association and now people are saying they don't know what's going on. Mayor Rooff stated that 1,225 housing units will be needed between now and the Year 2001. There is a shortage of housing due to the influx of Bosnians and the deterioration of housing stock. Gary Rankin stated that he thinks everyone needs a clear knowledge of the current Housing Code and a copy of the updated version. Mr. Rankin stated that the landlords would like to see owner/occupant included in the ordinance. Mayor Rooff reported that owner/occupant is included in the ordinance. In answer to a question on how the city will enforce the ordinance, Mayor Rooff responded that this administration wants to clean up the city, raise standards all over the city and be fair to everyone. The question was asked if the city will do inspections on all homes in the city. Mayor Rooff stated that owner/occupant homes will be inspected on a complaint basis. The mayor reported that the State Enterprise Zone will assist the city with funding for neighborhoods. It was suggested that many homes are not assessed high enough to get loans for the cost of the improvements. Mayor Rooff reviewed the proposed changes to the Housing Code page by page Collier now present at 6:05 p.m. It was suggested that the city reinstate the free pick up of garbage and large items. Mayor Rooff responded that many neighborhood associations schedule clean ups in their neighborhoods and schedule the Sanitation Department to pick up the garbage. Those not involved in organized neighborhood cleanups can arrange to have the Sanitation Department pick up items at a cost of ten items for $10. Mayor Rooff stated that the city needs to improve its housing stock. We should all look at the proposed ordinance as a working document. The review of the proposed changes stopped at page 13. Another meeting will be scheduled for Monday, August 3, 1998 at 5:00 p.m. Copies of the proposed and current Housing Code will be available at the City Clerk's office. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 6:22 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk