City Council Minutes December 18, 2007

North Liberty City Council
December 18, 2007
Number 49
Regular Session

Mayor Tom Salm called the regular session of the City of North Liberty City Council at 6:05 p.m.

Council members present: Bahl, Hoffman, Kuhl, and Wozniak. Absent: Moody.

Others present: City Administrator Ryan Heiar, Assistant City Administrator Tracey Mulcahey, City Attorney Scott Peterson, City Engineer Kevin Trom, Terry Donahue, Coleen Chipman, Bill Mausser, Adam Bohr, Leland Belding, Jennifer Winter, Lori Lindner, Michael Cloos, Beth Saxton, Dean Spina, Laura Bergus, Tommy Haines, Eric Foresman, Timothy Judd, Jennifer Richey, Brian Wayson, Jessica Doro, Deana Kerschen, Jami Maxson, Ryan Lenger, Art Chipman, Kashyap Kandoo, Shalome Tonelli, Melissa Murphy, and other interested citizens.

Agenda. Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the agenda with the recognition of outgoing council members being postponed until Councilor Moody arrived. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Wozniak, Bahl, Hoffman; nays – none; absent – Moody. Motion carried.

Newly Elected Officials. Mulcahey swore in the newly elected Council members, Coleen Chipman and Terry Donahue.

Consent Agenda. Bahl moved, Kuhl seconded to approve the consent agenda including Department Head reports, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes, Telecommunications Commission minutes, Planning and Zoning Commission minutes, Tree and Stormwater Board minutes, City Council minutes from the regular session on November 27, 2007 and the special work session on December 1, 2007. The Final Pay Application and Project Acceptance– 240th Street Reconstruction – Rathje Construction – $12,467.12, pay application for the 270th Street project, the pay application for the West Trunk Sewer Project, Pay number eight for the Waste Water Treatment Plant project, and the change order for the Waste Water treatment plant project. The attached list of bills were also included. The vote was ayes – Wozniak, Bahl, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – none; absent – Moody. Motion carried.

Public Comment. No public comment was offered.

Highway 965 Project Update. Adam Bohr and Leland Belding from McClure Engineering along with Jennifer Winter from Howard R. Green presented an update regarding the Highway 965 Master Plan. The consultants have been working with IDOT and JCCOG to create the traffic model for many of the intersecting and parallel roadways.

Leland Belding presented the traffic data and an analysis of the data. JCCOG conducted traffic counts at all the major intersections from July to September 2007. The data was received by the consultants on December 13, 2007. Belding will be reviewing three scenarios relating to Kansas and Jones Boulevard extensions.

Councilor Moody arrived at 6:15 p.m.

Belding is working with the model to create scenarios for the morning and evening rushes in year 2035. Belding presented the evening peak model for 2007 traffic counts with the existing lane geometry. The traffic illustrated in the model is based on the data received from the counts before any adjustments or balancing performed by the consultant. Bohr reported that the public meeting process for data collection is the next step. The consultant will be working with the City for gathering data through web based surveys. Bohr presented an updated schedule for the project. Public meetings will be scheduled for early January. The consultant will be developing concept plans with turn lanes and streetscapes. They expect the project to be completed in April. Bohr is confident to have some valuable information, phasing, and cost estimates for the Washington DC trip in mid February. The consultant and staff will be scheduling a meeting for the second week of 2008. The format for the meeting will be an open house. Staff with the Mayor will coordinate the process for the public meetings. Bohr reported that the public meeting will be to gather information from the public including businesses along Highway 965 for the concept and access.

Mayor Announcement – Recognition of outgoing Council Members. Mayor Salm recognized outgoing City Council members James Moody and Matt Bahl for their service on the council and presented them with a token of appreciation. Councilor Moody was recognized for four years of council service. Councilor Bahl was recognized for eight years of service.

Board and Commission Appointments. Mayor Salm reported that the Council will decide appointments at the end of the meeting. Several Board and Commission applicants presented information regarding their qualifications and interest in participating in their chosen board or commission.

City Attorney Report. City Attorney Peterson had nothing new to report at this time.

City Engineer Report. City Engineer Trom reported that the city is working with Coralville, Iowa City, University of Iowa, and University Heights to create a post construction storm water ordinance as required in MS-4 Permits. The final draft is completed. He expects it will be to council in January or February for consideration.

Trom provided an update regarding the I-380/Penn Street improvements project. Parts of the project have been forwarded to Ames for comments. Shive-Hattery is meeting with staff to review IDOT comments and the scope, schedule and cost. A spring letting is projected.

The monthly meeting for the Waste Water Treatment Plant projects was held. The generator is set. The building is enclosed and heated. Staab is showing July 1 completion with full operation in October.

City Administrator Report. City Administrator Heiar thanked Council and staff for patience and education during the transition. Heiar reported that staff is working to coordinate with Kathy Evans regarding the animal ordinance. The City has severed their relationship with RDG relating to the Parks Plan due to deficiencies in workmanship and scheduling issues. Staff has requested the document in a modifiable format. The final report will be provided to Council for discussion when appropriate.

Mayor Salm announced Heiar is now a resident of the City.

Entrepreneurial Center Funding Request. Doug Schneider presented information regarding the Entrepreneurial Development Center, Inc. located in Cedar Rapids. They serve Iowa businesses that participate in interstate commerce. EDC is requesting funds to grow their services. They are requesting whatever the City can contribute to assist with growing businesses. This item will be presented for discussion during the budget process.

Poverty Video. Media Coordinator Bergus presented information regarding the eleven minute piece focusing on homelessness in Iowa. The Telecommunications Commission has unanimously made recommendation for support of this project. NLTV is hoping for statewide distribution of the video. Bahl commented that the piece was very well done.

Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 07-218, A Resolution Authorizing NLTV’s production of Poverty Video. The vote was: ayes—Moody, Wozniak, Bahl, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – none. Resolution approved.

CJ’s Construction Site Plan. Michael Cloos, McClure Engineering, presented the application for an industrial site plan at 1320 Kennel Court (Lot 3, North Park Addition). Cloos stated that they have worked extensively with city staff to resolve outstanding issues.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with the addition of decorative lighting on the side facing 240th Street on building number two. Staff presented proposed lighting that the Commission was requesting. Cloos stated that his client is requesting that the lights not be required due to the amount of landscaping being installed along the pond between the dry detention pond and the sidewalk. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of installing lighting.

Moody moved to approve Resolution Number 07-219, A Resolution Approving the Site Plan for CJ’s Construction at 1320 Kennel Court (Lot 3, North Park Addition) with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Wozniak seconded the motion. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody; nays – Hoffman. Motion passes.

Liberty Centre, Part 1B. Moody moved, Bahl seconded to approve Resolution Number 07-220, A Resolution Approving the Agreement between the City of North Liberty and NLDC, L.C. that sets forth the terms and conditions under which Liberty Centre, Part 1B will be developed in the City of North Liberty, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Moody, Wozniak, Bahl, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Glenn Siders presented the application for final plat for Liberty Centre, Part 1B. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval. Staff had no additional comments.

Moody moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 07-221, A Resolution Approving the Final Plat for Liberty Centre, Part 1B. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Sign Ordinance Amendment. Moody moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the third consideration and adoption of Ordinance Number 07-26, An Ordinance Amending Title 17, Zoning Code, of the North Liberty Municipal Code regarding Wall Sign Requirements in the C-1-A and C-1-B Districts. The vote was: ayes – Bahl, Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman; nays—none. Ordinance adopted.

Fire Department Ordinance Amendment. Moody moved, seconded by Bahl, to approve the second consideration of Ordinance Number 07-28, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.24, “Fire Department” of the North Liberty City Code. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman, Bahl; nays—none. Motion carried.

Administration and Personnel Ordinance Amendment. Bahl moved, seconded by Hoffman, to approve the second consideration of Ordinance Number 07-29, An Ordinance Amending Certain Sections of Title 2, “Administration and Personnel. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman, Bahl, Wozniak; nays—none. Motion carried.

Parking on Penn Court. Moody moved, seconded by Bahl, to approve the second consideration of Ordinance 07-30, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.36, “Stopping, Standing and Parking. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Kuhl, Hoffman, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody; nays—none. Motion carried.

Fox Valley Subdivision. Attorney for the developer, Dean Spina, presented information regarding the Fox Valley preliminary plat extension.

Moody moved, Bahl seconded to approve Resolution Number 07-222, A Resolution Approving the Extension of Fox Valley Subdivision’s Preliminary Plat expiration date to June 26, 2009. After discussion the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Board and Commission Appointments. Kuhl moved, Moody seconded to reappoint Don Koss to the Cemetery Board. The vote was: ayes – Bahl, Hoffman, Kuhl, Moody, Wozniak; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Hoffman moved to reappoint Art Chipman to the Board of Adjustments. Kuhl seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Bahl, Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Bahl moved to appoint Thomas Stoeffler to the Tree and Stormwater Board. Moody seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman, Wozniak, Bahl; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Kuhl moved to appoint Valerie Hoffman and David Moore to the Telecommunications Commission. Wozniak seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody; nays – none. Hoffman abstained. Appointments approved.

Moody moved to appoint Kashyap Handoo and Shalome Tonelli to the Library Board. Kuhl seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Bahl, Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman; nays – none. Appointments approved.

Hoffman moved to appoint Jami Maxson to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Bahl seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman, Bahl, Wozniak; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Moody moved to appoint Natlie Wilkerson to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Bahl seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Hoffman, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Kuhl moved to appoint Eric Foresman to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Bahl seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Bahl, Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Bahl moved to appoint Jennifer Richey to the Planning and Zoning Commission to fulfill the unexpired term created by Terry Donahue. This term expires December 31, 2008. Hoffman seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Bahl, Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Hoffman moved to appoint Timothy Judd and Brian Wayson to the Tree and Stormwater Board. Wozniak seconded the motion. The vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Moody, Kuhl, Hoffman, Bahl; nays – none. Appointment approved.

Old Business. The Chamber trip to Washington DC was discussed. Three spots are available. This item will be discussed further at an upcoming Council meeting.

New Business. Councilor Bahl thanked the citizens for the opportunity to serve them for the past eight years in his exit speech. Councilor Moody thanked the citizens, also, in his closing remarks.

At 8:00 p.m. Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.