City Council Minutes November 24, 2009

Minutes
North Liberty City Council
November 24, 2009
Regular Session

Call to order. At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the November 24, 2009 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; Kevin Trom, City Engineer; Dean Wheatley, City Planner; Tracey Mulcahey, Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk; Corrine Lemmage; Brian Wayson; Lori Lindner; Chris Merrill; Josh Schamberger and other interested citizens.

Approval of the Agenda. Chipman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve the agenda as presented. The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Wozniak, Hoffman, Chipman, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Hoffman moved, Wozniak seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including: City Council Minutes, Regular Meeting, November 10, 2009; ASR Well Bid Pack #2, Pay Application Number 3, WRH, Inc. – $397,178.41; the attached list of Claims; and October Revenues. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Kuhl, Chipman, Wozniak, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

Public Comment. No public comment was recieved.

City Attorney Report. City Attorney Peterson offered to answer any questions councilors might have.

City Engineer Report. City Engineer Trom reported on the following:
• The ASR Well Construction progress meeting was held on November 12. The building is up. Subcontractors are working on the building now. Several issues with equipment arose that have all been remedied. The project is expected to be complete latter part of December. Another construction progress meeting is scheduled for December 10.
• Staff is working on an IJOBS Grant application for a Stormwater Quality Project.
• The draft of the Safety Study is being reviewed by staff.
• Trom attended Municipal Streets Conference in Ames.

The Council inquired about painting lines on streets. Staff will investigate.

City Administrator Report. City Administrator Heiar provided information about the following:
• Telecommunications Commission is not meeting in December
• On Monday, November 30, Council will hold a work session regarding the Library expansion project. Heiar will email room schedule.
• On Tuesday, December 8, Council will hold a work session with the Ranshaw House group at 6 p.m.
• Last meeting, Council approved a resolution to sell retired gas pumps. The only bid received was for $1,400.
• Heiar is a member of the Iowa City School Redistricting Committee. The committee is a group of 30 working with consultant to provide options to school board.
• Heiar reminded all that City offices are closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Council asked if one meeting or two would be held in December. Discussion was that there will be two.

Mayor Report. Mayor Salm reported on the Joint Emergency Communications Center. The building is essentially complete. A ribbon cutting for the building will be held in the spring. July 1 is the deadline for getting the towers installed. Anyone wishing to tour the facility should let Mayor Salm know. Councilor Kuhl suggested a work session to tour. Heiar will facilitate.

UNESCO Presentation. Josh Schamberger and Chris Merrill presented information regarding the UNESCO project. They are here to request that North Liberty consider investing in the UNESCO organization with a $10,000 contribution over the next three years. Schamberger reported that this amount represents ½ of 1% of the collection of hotel/motel tax. The return for the City and residents includes: 1- Having a Council member on the Board to assure the return on investment, 2- Available programming opportunities, 3- Great Places designation for the City of North Liberty, and 4- For the public libraries, the Community Reads Initiative. Merrill spoke regarding the Creative Cities network. UNESCO viewed the Iowa application as a model for other communities. This budget request is for FY 11.

Councilor Wozniak reported that this provides an explanation for citizens if the contribution is budgeted. This is an economic development tool that is not just giving funds to business. This project will attract visitors and attract potential residents. He stated that it is important to find funding for this.

Councilor Chipman requested a brief summary of meetings to see if additional ideas can be gathered for implementation of the program for the greatest impact to the citizens of North Liberty.

Coralville 28E Agreement. Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-126, A Resolution Approving the Agreement between the City of North Liberty, Iowa and Coralville, Iowa concerning Building Code and Zoning Authority for Parkview Church Property. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Wozniak, Donahue, Hoffman, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.

2009 Annual Financial Report. Chipman moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-132, A Resolution Approving the Annual Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009 for the City of North Liberty, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Hoffman, Chipman, Donahue, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Annual Appropriations. Hoffman moved, Wozniak seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-133, A Resolution Obligating funds from the Urban Renewal Tax Revenue Fund for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation tax increment financed obligations which shall come due in the next succeeding fiscal year (Energy Mizer). The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Kuhl, Donahue, Hoffman, Wozniak; nays – none. Motion carried.

Hoffman moved, Chipman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-134, A Resolution Obligating funds from the Urban Renewal Tax Revenue Fund for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation tax increment financed obligations which shall come due in the next succeeding fiscal year (JM Swank). The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Wozniak, Hoffman, Kuhl, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-135, A Resolution Obligating funds from the Urban Renewal Tax Revenue Fund for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation tax increment financed obligations which shall come due in the next succeeding fiscal year (North Liberty Hospitality). The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Chipman, Kuhl, Wozniak, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

Hoffman moved, Wozniak seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-136, A Resolution Obligating funds from the Urban Renewal Tax Revenue Fund for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation tax increment financed obligations which shall come due in the next succeeding fiscal year (Heartland Express). The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Donahue, Wozniak, Chipman, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Chipman moved, Wozniak seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-137, A Resolution Obligating funds from the Urban Renewal Tax Revenue Fund for appropriation to the payment of annual appropriation tax increment financed obligations which shall come due in the next succeeding fiscal year (Maytag). The vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Hoffman, Chipman, Donahue, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Autumn Ridge 1st Addition Streetlights. Hoffman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-138, A Resolution Approving the installation of street lights in Autumn Ridge, 1st Addition, according to the terms set forth in the existing street light contract. The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Kuhl, Hoffman, Donahue, Wozniak; nays – none. Motion carried.

Old Business. Councilor Hoffman thanked Southslope and INS for grants to the North Liberty Unity Coalition, Optimists Club, and the North Liberty Library. Hoffman thanked NCJH for local elected officials’ day. He reported that Mulcahey provided a tour of Ranshaw House and encouraged other council members who have not toured house to visit it before the work session.

New Business. Councilor Donahue reported on the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The draft is available for review and comment at City Hall, Library, and online from December 1 to January 15.

Wheatley stated that Planning and Zoning Commission packets are on the table.

Police Bargaining Unit. At 7:35 p.m. Hoffman moved, Wozniak seconded to move into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3) to discuss strategy relating to police bargaining unit and negotiations with Brian Wayson being included. The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Wozniak, Hoffman, Kuhl, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.

At 8:13 p.m., Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to return to open session. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Kuhl, Chipman, Wozniak, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

Adjourn. At 8:13 p.m., Hoffman moved, Wozniak seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.