City Council Minutes October 17, 2006

October 17, 2006
No. 8

Mayor Franker called the special session to order at 7:00 p.m.

Council members present: Bahl, Kuhl, Moody, Salm and Wozniak.

Also present: Brian James, Scott Peterson, Andy Kromphardt, Tracey Mulcahey, Barbara Beaumont, Larry Schroeder, Charles Swenson, Herb Loops, David Scheff, Mary K. Mitchell, Larry Pacha, Carol Woodworth, and other interested citizens.

Approval of agenda.  Moody moved, Bahl seconded to approve the agenda with the addition of item number 2A for staff and other comments.   After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Moody, Bahl, Wozniak, Kuhl, Salm; nays – none. Motion carried.

At 7:05 p.m., the meeting recessed for two minutes.  The meeting reconvened at 7:07 p.m.

Public Comment. Larry Schroeder, 14 Southview Drive, asked for the assessment formula for street and about the city of North Liberty’s ability to keep up with infrastructure demands.

Charles Swenson, 3849 County Down Lane, spoke on behalf of Citizens for Sensible Development.  He reported that 1,200 north corridor residents are a part of the group.  Their greatest concerns are traffic and safety issues.

Staff  Presentation.  City Administrator Brian James showed maps of the Coralville annexation application, of the entire Scanlon Trust owned property, and of the two superimposed.

City Attorney Scott Peterson presented information regarding the annexation process.  Mayor Franker reported that the Johnson County Board of Supervisors will be hearing a presentation regarding the Coralville annexation request at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 19.

Herb Loops, 2900 N. Liberty Road, spoke regarding the proposed annexation and the connection to the City of Coralville.
Barbara Beaumont, 2989 Naples Avenue NE, asked why the developer approached Coralville and what the former Mayor’s role was in negotiating the Fringe Area Agreement in 2001.

David Sheff, 3832 County Down Lane, spoke regarding the method of annexation by going up the public road, North Liberty Road and the precedence this may set for future changes in annexation.

Larry Schroeder, 14 Southview Drive, asked what the Coralville annexation will do to further expansion of North Liberty and Iowa City.

Mary K. Mitchell and Larry Pacha spoke on behalf of the North Liberty Development Corporation.  Mitchell offered that this is a quality of life issue for the City of North Liberty’s residents.  The residents will utilize city services with no increase in tax funds for the services.  Pacha spoke regarding his professional experience regarding quality of life issues with commercial and industrial businesses locating in a community.

Carol Woodworth, 14 Westview Acres, spoke regarding fire protection and service issues.  Her concern is that the responsibility for services could get lost.

City Administrator James reported that the strip connecting Coralville to North Liberty is approximately fifty feet for a short distance then the whole roadway to the Scanlon property.

Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Work Session.  The elected officials offered policy and ideas regarding the budget for the next fiscal year.  The ideas are summarized as follows.

Councilor Bahl would like to see police department salaries and staffing reviewed. He would also like to see the Johnson County Sheriff’s contract reviewed.

Mayor Franker is looking for police department additions; fire department equipment maintained up to date; parks and recreation acquisition of park ground, park equipment, and trail expansion; cleaning up Muddy Creek; space needs of all departments met; addition of an intermodal facility; City Hall relocation; Ranshaw house – historic preservation; transit – including bus, van pool, and train; child  care facilities, senior center, and parking.  He compared the North Liberty tax rate to other cities in the area and from around the state.

Councilor Kuhl would like to see the process modified from what has previously been done.  All departments need to budget to 95% of last year’s budget  and show what they could do differently to achieve those savings by eliminating inefficiencies.  Department heads should create three lists, “Must have,” “Nice to have,” and “Wish list.”  Kuhl wants to see all equipment reviewed in all departments for adequacy and efficiency.  Kuhl wants to see a salary review of all city positions with other cities of similar size.  An upgrade to the accounting system that has was purchased in the 1990s with all departments being integrated. He would like to see a personnel necessity assessment.  Green certification for the city to increase efficiency should be pursued.  Councilor Kuhl would like to see expanded transportation system with a survey of needs to make the transit system easier to use.

Councilor Moody offered the recommendations of increases in police pay, firefighter pay, transit study, and other requirements as necessary to keep our city moving forward.

Councilor Salm suggested money for moving ahead with Highway 965, salaries and staffing for police department, parks, trails, and park staff needs.  Salm commented about the quality of the new tennis courts.

Councilor Wozniak listed fire department and police department pay, speakers for Council chambers, transit expansion, hiring of city planner, park and park equipment funding, and green certification.

Mayor Franker summarized that Council would like see data driven decisions and processes.

Councilor Moody added that if staff additions are necessary, the budget should reflect temporary location or rental for this expansion.

Coralville Annexation Application.  At 8:00 p.m., Moody moved, Bahl seconded to move into closed session for discussion regarding the Coralville annexation application according to Iowa State Code Section 21.5(c),“To discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.”  The vote was: ayes – Salm, Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl, Bahl; nays – none. Motion carried.

At 9:00 p.m., Moody moved, Bahl seconded to return to open session. The vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Moody, Bahl, Salm, Kuhl; nays none. Motion carried.

The meeting recessed until 9:05 for television coverage.

Moody moved, Bahl seconded to approve Resolution Number 06-198, A Resolution opposing the Proposed Annexation of Property Located in North Liberty’s Future Growth Area to the City of Coralville including reasons one through four. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody, Salm; nays – none. Motion carried.

Adjournment.  Kuhl moved, Wozniak seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 pm.  All ayes. Motion carried.