City Council Minutes January 8, 2008

North Liberty City Council
January 8, 2008
Number 1
Regular Session

Mayor Tom Salm called the regular session of the City of North Liberty City Council to order at 7:00 pm.
Council members present: Hoffman, Chipman, Donahue, Kuhl, Wozniak.
Others present: City Administrator Ryan Heiar, City Attorney Scott Peterson, City Engineer Kevin Trom, Bill Mausser, Lori Linder, Adam Bohr, Michael Cloos, Karla Davis, Cliff Thompson and other interested citizens.
Agenda. Hoffman moved, seconded by Kuhl, to approve the Agenda. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Hoffman Chipman, Kuhl, Donahue, Wozniak; nays—none. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Kuhl moved, seconded by Hoffman, to approve the Consent Agenda including Department Head reports, Park and Recreation Commission Minutes, Telecommunication Commission Minutes, Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes, Tree and Stormwater Board Minutes, Storytime Policy, City Council Minutes of December 18, 2007, Bills, Waste Water Treatment Plant Request Number 9-Staab Construction $1,038,488.00, November Revenues. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Hoffman, Chipman, Kuhl, Donahue, Wozniak; nays—none. Motion carried.
Public Comment. Cliff Thompson introduced himself as the new Gazette Reporter for the Council Meetings.
Board and Commission Appointment. Kuhl moved, seconded by Chipman, to reappoint Serena Piscitelli to a full term on the Park and Recreation Board. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Hoffman, Chipman, Donahue, Wozniak, Kuhl; nays—none. Motion carried.
Mayor Presentation. The Mayor introduced Mark Peterson, a North Liberty resident, to the public. Mr. Peterson was one of four men that helped a mother and her two young sons out of their car that went into the Iowa River in December. The Mayor thanked Mr. Peterson for his heroism. Mr. Peterson stated that he was glad that he was there to help out and that everything turned out great.
City Attorney Report. Peterson went over the items on the agenda for Council consideration during this meeting. This will be the third and final reading of the Fire Department Ordinance Amendment. After this final approval Peterson will meet with the City Administrator and Fire Chief for review of the By-Laws.
Peterson continues to work with Mulcahey on the Animal Ordinance.
Peterson will be meeting with Heiar and Mulcahey on the developer’s obligations.
City Engineer Report. Trom had nothing to report.
City Administrator Report. Heiar went over his new report format. He hopes that it’s more informative for the Council and urged comments from the Council on the report.
Heiar reported on the Highway 965 Public Meeting that will be held in the Gerdin Conference Center on Wednesday, January 9th at 6:30 pm. This will be an Open House format with McClure Engineering, the engineering company designing the project. The public will have a chance to visit with the consultants and city staff and provide input and suggestions.
Heiar is working on the Board and Commission Ordinance to make it a little less awkward for the appointees. This should be ready for Council consideration in the next 30 to 60 days.
The Travel and Purchasing Policies are out-dated and staff is working on updating them.
The Snow Emergency Ordinance is also being updated and staff hopes to improve the overall operations of snow removal.
Heiar met with members of the Library Expansion Committee, several city staff members and consultants from Neumann Monson regarding the proposed Library/City Hall Project. Over the course of the next several weeks, staff and committee members will be meeting to develop a concept drawing of the facility. The plan is to have something ready for Council to review later in January.
Quality Care Storage Amended Site Plan, 460 Cameron Way. Cloos presented the revised site plan for Quality Care Storage on behalf of the applicant.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Amended Site Plan.
Hoffman moved, seconded by Wozniak, to approve Resolution Number 08-01, A Resolution approving the Amended Commercial Development Site Plan for Lot Four and Outlot B of Liberty Medical and Commerce Subdivision, North Liberty, Iowa. During discussion Chipman noted that she would be abstaining from this vote due to the developer being a cousin to her husband. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Donahue, Kuhl, Wozniak, Hoffman; nays—none; abstain—Chipman. Motion carried.
Quality Care Storage Site Plan, 1085 Liberty Way. Cloos presented the Site Plan to the Council.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Site Plan with discussion by City Planner on proposed hanging sign.
The elevation drawing for this Site Plan shows a hanging sign that is not allowed in the current Zoning Ordinance. The Planning and Zoning Commission would like the City Staff to look into amending the Ordinance to allow for this type of signage under controlled situations. The developer has noted on the plat that the proposed hanging sign is not allowed by current City Code.
Kuhl questioned the applicant’s request to pay for 50% of the cost of the turn lane and have the City pay the remaining 50%. Kuhl questioned the possibility of the City recouping their 50% from the property to the north when it is developed. Trom thought it would be possible if there was another access directly across from the Quality Care Site Plan.
Trom noted that there has been discussion at the staff level, that if the Quality Care Site Plan proceeds, the city should complete the full build-out, at least past LL Pelling’s drive way, and probably all the way to South Jones Boulevard.
Kuhl moved, seconded by Hoffman, to approve Resolution Number 08-02, A Resolution Approving the Commercial Development Site Plan for Lot One of the Liberty View Subdivision, North Liberty, Iowa. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Hoffman, Kuhl, Donahue, Wozniak; nays—none; abstain—Chipman. Motion carried.
K&R Enterprises Amended Site Plan. Adam Bohr represented the developer on the slight changes to the Site Plan. The biggest reason for the change is that the developer would like to build a larger unit and be able to preserve the mature trees on the property.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of the Amended Site Plan.
Hoffman moved, seconded by Donahue, to approve Resolution Number 08-03, A Resolution Approving the Amended Residential Site Plan for Lot 8, White Pines Estates. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Donahue; nays—Kuhl. Motion carried.
Ordinance Amendment-Adding Essential Utility Uses to all Zoning Classifications. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:40 pm and there were no comments. The Public Hearing was closed.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Ordinance Amendment.
Donahue moved, seconded by Hoffman, to approve the first consideration of Ordinance Number 08-04, An Ordinance Amending Title 17, Zoning Code, of the North Liberty Municipal Code to allow Essential Utility Facilities in all Zoning Districts. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Donahue, Kuhl; nays—none. Motion carried.
Ordinance Amendment-Outdoor Eating Accessory Uses. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:43 pm and there were no comments. The Public Hearing was closed.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Ordinance Amendment.
Kuhl moved, seconded by Chipman, to approve the first consideration of Ordinance Number 08-05, An Ordinance Amending Title 17, Zoning Code, of the North Liberty Municipal Code Regarding Outdoor Eating Accessory Uses. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Donahue, Kuhl; nays—none. Motion carried.
Ordinance Amendment-Regarding Design Standards for Development. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:50 pm and there were no comments. The Public Hearing was closed.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Ordinance Amendment.
Kuhl moved, seconded by Wozniak, to approve the first consideration of Ordinance Number 08-06, An Ordinance Amending Title 17, Zoning Code, of the North Liberty Municipal Code Regarding Design Standards for Development. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Donahue, Kuhl; nays—none. Motion carried.
Fire Department Ordinance Amendment. Kuhl moved, seconded Hoffman, to approve the third consideration and adoption 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—Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Donahue, Kuhl; nays—none. Motion carried.
Administration and Personnel Ordinance Amendment. Kuhl moved, seconded by Wozniak, to approve the third consideration and adoption of Ordinance Number 07-29, An Ordinance Amending Certain Sections of Title 2, Administration and Personnel. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Donahue, Kuhl; nays—none. Motion carried.
Parking on Penn Court. Hoffman moved, seconded by Kuhl, to approve the Third Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance 07-30, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.36, Stopping, Standing and Parking. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Donahue, Kuhl; nays—none. Motion carried.
Old Business. Washington DC Trip: Salm, Wozniak and Heiar will be attending. Hoffman will be in the DC area and the consensus of the Council was to have Hoffman join the group for additional cost of approximately $700.00.
The Mayor attended a reception for newly elected officials on Monday, January 7th.
New Business. City staff was directed to order the new Municipal Leadership Handbook for the Council and Mayor.
Kuhl was presented a petition containing fifty signatures gathered on behalf of the North Liberty Express Bus. The petition asked that the JCCOG Board and JC Board of Supervisors, study a connected fixed bus route for all of Johnson County. Kuhl feels that there are many reasons for such a study and would like his prepared remarks to be included with the Minutes. (See attached)
Kuhl would like the city to consider forming a new commission to be called Public Transit Commission. The purpose of that commission would be to make recommendations to the Council on public transit issues as they relate to North Liberty.
Kuhl would also like the City to consider a second commission called the Energy Conservation Commission which would make recommendations to the Council on how our codes and Ordinances can be changed to promote wide use of energy.
The Mayor would like Council to give input to Ryan on both of those topics to come up with recommendations.
Wozniak thinks that a Work Session with the different Board and Commission Members would be helpful to determine what each of their duties is. It is possible that some of Kuhl’s request could be taken over by an existing board.
Terrance Neuzil, Johnson County Board of Supervisor will be the liaison for North Liberty.
Mayor Salm appointed Kuhl to continue as Mayor Pro-Tem.
Salm will continue on the Rural Policy Board.
Wozniak will continue on the Urban Policy Board.
Hoffman will replace Bahl on the Personnel Committee.
Chipman will Chair the Highway 965 Board.
Hoffman will be on the Library Expansion Committee.
There was a discussion on the February Council meeting in which the Mayor and two Council members will be in Washington DC. It was the consensus of the Council to have the meeting, but with a shortened agenda.
Adjournment. Kuhl moved, seconded by Chipman to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 pm. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Chipman, Hoffman, Donahue, Kuhl, Wozniak; nays—none. Motion carried.