City Council Minutes April 28, 2009

North Liberty City Council
April 28, 2009
Regular Session

At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the Regular Session of the North Liberty City Council to order.
Council members present: Chipman, Donahue, Hoffman, Kuhl, Wozniak.
Others present: Ryan Heiar, City Administrator; Scott Peterson, City Attorney; Dean Wheatley, City Planner; Tracey Mulcahey, City Clerk; Cheryle Caplinger, Media Coordinator; Tionna Pooler, PFM; Corinne Lemmage; Lori Lindner; Marissa Keeney; and other interested parties.
Approval of the Agenda. Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Kuhl, Wozniak, Hoffman, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Donahue moved, Kuhl seconded to approve the consent agenda including: City Council Minutes– Regular Meeting– April 14, 2009, the attached list of claims, March Revenues, and a Liquor License Renewal for LD Express — Class C Carryout Wine Sunday Sales. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Wozniak, Kuhl, Chipman, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

Public Comment. Marissa Keeney, 320 Fox Run, requested support of City Council regarding a third high school in the North Corridor. One suggestion is for coordination with municipalities for athletic facilities and shared spaces. A petition is being circulated online and in a paper version. The Committee already has 400 signatures. Keeney asked council to take a position on building a new high school in the north corridor. The High School Enrollment Task Force will be providing recommendations within the next 30 days. Keeney presented information regarding the situation with school needs and attendance. Mayor Salm stated that this could be an agenda item in the near future. Administrator Heiar provided additional information regarding the Task Force and their first meeting. The Task Force is a sixteen member board. Heiar will keep council informed on the committee’s actions as it moves forward.

City Administrator Report. City Administrator Heiar reported on the following items:
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Heiar and Mulcahey attended the ARRA Grant workshop on Monday in Grimes. Senator Harkin and Governor Culver were in attendance. Staff will be monitoring funding available through stimulus programs.
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Heiar has been working on completing reauthorization request forms for transportation funding. Heiar expects to have the forms to legislators by the end of the week.
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Heiar will be meeting with the Building Department and the Homebuilder’s Association tomorrow regarding outstanding issues.
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Staff has been working on the Parks Plan as time allows. The Park Board is reviewing the draft. A trails plan will be completed as a component of the Parks Plan as well.
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Heiar reported that May 5 is the Local Option Sales Tax election. Early voting is available at the Recreation Center all this week and Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Council inquired why staff was not applying for more of the Highway 965 project than just phase 2. Council encouraged staff to include as many projects to the greatest extent allowable in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization requests.
Mayor Report. Mayor Salm reported that he attended the Lions Club International meeting on Saturday. They are looking for members. Anyone that is interested can contact Mayor Salm.

Conditional Use Ordinance Amendment. Donahue moved, Chipman seconded to approve the third consideration and adoption of Ordinance Number 09-04, An Ordinance Amending Sections 2003 and 2004, Title 17, Zoning Code of the North Liberty Municipal Code Regarding Conditional Use Permit Process Requirements. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Chipman, Hoffman, Donahue, Wozniak; nays – none. Motion carried.

Telecommunications Commission Appointment. Kuhl moved, Wozniak seconded to approve the appointment of Glen Cox to the Telecommunications Commission. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Chipman, Donahue, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Bond Sale. Tionna Pooler from Public Financial Management presented information regarding today’s bond sale. Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-38, A Resolution Awarding $2,425,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2009A. The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Hoffman, Wozniak, Kuhl, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

ASR Well Bid Package 2. At 7:23 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the ASR Well Project Bid Package 2. Councilor Kuhl inquired about the thirty percent increase in the cost of the structure. Heiar reported that costs of equipment and components have gone up. Fox Engineering makes the assumption of estimate of cost based on other bids received. Kuhl expressed concerns regarding water rate increases. Salm reported that bids have been coming in favorably. Hoffman inquired about the sharp increases in a short amount of time. Heiar will have Fox Engineering and Kevin Trom put together a response. After substantial discussion with council, the public hearing was closed.
Wozniak moved, Chipman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-39, A Resolution Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the ASR Well Project Bid Package 2. The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Wozniak, Kuhl, Hoffman, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.

FY 08 Audit Report. City Administrator Heiar presented information regarding the FY 08 Audit report. Donahue moved, Chipman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-32, A Resolution Accepting the Audit Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2008. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Chipman, Wozniak, Donahue, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Liberty Centre Blues/BBQ. Hoffman moved, Wozniak seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-40, A Resolution Authorizing the Use of Liberty Centre Park and City Equipment for Liberty Centre Blues and BBQ and Authorizing a Temporary Street Closing for the Event. After discussion the vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Wozniak, Donahue, Chipman, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Local Option Sales Tax. The City Council discussed the Local Option Sales Tax issue. Council offered information regarding the expenditures of Local Option Sales Tax funds. Council offered the following comments relating to the tax. The ballot language states that the funds will be expended for transportation projects specifically Highway 965. Tax will sunset in four years. Residents will have choice to vote on it again in four years. Johnson County is the only county in Iowa that does not have this sales tax. This is the opportunity to have those who use our roads, but don’t live here, help fund it. The only other option to make improvements to Highway 965 is to raise taxes. Those who don’t own property in town have the chance to assist in funding the project. Heiar reported that North Liberty will receive an estimated $925,000 each year over four years. The tax will end in four years without another election. Funds received can be spent on construction and improvement of city streets including Highway 965. The tax does not apply to groceries, prescriptions, etc. About 21% of taxes collected in Johnson County would be from residents from outside of Johnson County. Mayor Salm encouraged all to get out and vote.

New Business. Councilor Kuhl reported on attending a ribbon cutting for Johnson County Human Services Building. He reported that the building cost was $135 per finished square foot.

Adjourn. At 7:42 p.m., Wozniak moved, Hoffman seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.