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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.07.2023 Council Work Session MinutesAugust 7, 2023 COUNCIL WORK SESSION Harold E. Getty Council Chambers 4:10 p.m. Roll CaII. Boesen/Wilder to nominate Jonathan Grieder to chair the meeting. Voice vote - Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, announced the need to reverse the order of the agenda items. Members present: Mr. Boesen, Mr. Nichols, Ms. Creighton -Smith, and Mr. Grieder and Ms. Wilder. Absent: Mr. Chiles and Mr. Feuss. Agenda, as proposed or amended. Boesen/Creighton-Smith that the agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Approval of minutes of the July 17, 2023 Council Work Session. Boesen/Creighton-Smith that the minutes of the July 17, 2023, Council Work Session, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Discussion on Parklet Ordinance and Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance. Boesen/Grieder to recess until council member Chiles arrives. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Nichols/Boesen to resume the open session at 4:48 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Mr. Chiles provided an overview of the proposed sidewalk cafe ordinance and parklet ordinance. He explained that the sidewalk cafe program has been in existence for some time, by resolution. He explained that Ms. Felchle has drafted the wording into ordinance form and that not much has changed, except for solidifying the rules in our code for the sidewalk cafes. What is new, and what he is proposing, are the parklets and he asked for council's questions and concerns. Mr. Boesen clarified that the ordinance proposes sidewalk cafes and parklets in the entertainment district, which is east and west 4th Street, Franklin to Washington. He questioned if the sidewalk cafes already in existence and outside this boundary are permitted and if they will continue to be permitted since the ordinance wording is specific to the entertainment district. Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, explained that those mentioned are currently permitted and it would be up to council to decide if the area should be expanded. Page 1 of 3 Mr. Boesen questioned if a sidewalk cafe permit is needed to have a parklet. Mr. Boesen questioned the specific number allowed within a block. Kelley Felchle commented that the ordinance does provide for council to limit by resolution. Ms. Creighton -Smith questioned if the specifications for the sidewalk cafes are the same as those in the business district. Mr. Chiles confirmed. Mr. Nichols questioned the current average square footage of a parking space and is there a limit to how many parking spaces may be taken up. Mr. Chiles commented he does not know the average square footage, but that the maximum would be two parking spaces. Jessica Rucker, Main Street Waterloo, explained that the parklet doesn't go all the way out to the edge of the parking space and there are structural requirements for safety. Ms. Wilder commented that when she went out of town she saw a lot of parklets and she believes it would give really good energy for downtown Waterloo. She questioned if a sidewalk cafe application would be needed if there is already sufficient space in front of a business that is not city sidewalk. Kelley Felchle commented that the council does have the flexibility to set boundaries for different areas. Dave Boesen questioned the timing to approve these ordinances. Mr. Chiles commented that he would like to see the first reading on these ordinances on the next agenda. Council discussed the expansion of sidewalk cafes to the entertainment district and other important steps that would need to take place before the implementation. Chiles/Creighton-Smith to place the Parklet and Sidewalk Cafe Ordinances on the August 21, 2023 Regular Council Meeting agenda. Roll Call vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Discussion of Inter -facility Transfers. Bill Beck, Fire Chief, provided an overview of the Waterloo Fire Rescue and its plan for growth on the North End. Levi Hubka, Secretary for Local 66 and paramedic, shared that the bargaining group is very supportive of this proposal because they are not currently set up with equipment and personnel to handle the call volume if the SAFER Grant expires. Page 2 of 3 Mr. Boesen commented that it is important to understand that Critical Care Medics are important because some transports require a higher level of care than what a standard Paramedic can provide. Chief Beck shared that it is a tiered level skill set. Mr. Nichols questioned if Unity Point is limited to Mayo and Iowa City. Chief Beck commented that they would look at going to Des Moines as well, but that they would avoid places like Omaha. He added that there is not a contract that would be signed with Unity Point. Ms. Wilder clarified that the funds to fully man Station 3 would come from the work done with Allen. Chief Beck commented that the additional funding gained through that revenue would go toward staffing so that they could hire four more staff. Ms. Wilder thanked Chief Beck for coming up with a solution to the problem. Ms. Creighton -Smith expressed her gratitude to Mr. Beck for figuring out this dilemma. Chief Beck commented that he lives in Ward 4, his entire assigned career has been at Station 1, so he understands a lot of the needs of the North End and he is extremely excited about this project and their ability to do well. Mr. Boesen commented that the busiest ambulance is 331 which serves downtown. But the important thing is to have a fully staffed Station 3 ambulance takes a lot of that load off of 331. Chief Beck commented that Station 6 is prone to brown -outs due to overtime problems and these additional personnel will help assure that it does not happen. Mr. Grieder commented that the SAFER Grant was fundamental to getting staff on board. He expressed his excitement to continue this conversation moving forward and believes it is what Waterloo needs. ADJOURNMENT Boesen/Grieder that the meeting adjourn at 5:08 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Fe[ch[e Kelley Felchle City Clerk Page 3 of 3