City Council Minutes December 22, 2009

MINUTES
North Liberty City Council
December 22, 2009
Regular Session

Call to order. At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the December 22, 2009 regular session of the North Liberty City Council to order.  Council members present:  Chipman, Donahue, Kuhl, Hoffman, Wozniak; absent – none.

Others present:  Ryan Heiar, Scott Peterson, Dean Wheatley, Tracey Mulcahey, Corinne Lemmage, Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek, Police Chief Jim Warkentin, Adam Bohr, Lori Lindner, Brian Wayson and other interested parties.

Official Swearing In Ceremony.  Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk Tracey Mulcahey swore in newly elected officers; Councilor Brian Wayson, Councilor Gerry Kuhl, and Mayor Tom Salm.

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

Consent Agenda.  Wozniak moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including City Council Minutes from the regular meeting on December 8, 2009, the attached list of claims, November revenues, and the Liquor License Renewal for Red’s Alehouse.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Kuhl, Chipman, Wozniak, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Public Comment.  No public comment was offered.

City Attorney Report.  City Attorney Peterson reported that he has been working closely with the police department on their review of policies and the recodification process.

City Administrator Report.  City Administrator Heiar reported on the following items:
•    Quality Care will not be going through with flood bonds. After further consultation, Dean Moore decided not to use the flood bonds.
•    With regards to TARP funds, Heiar has exchanged emails with Richard Bender.  House passed bill to redirect $75 billion to projects.  Harkin would like to get something passed in the Senate.  
•    The City is expecting snowfall over Christmas holiday. The city will be declaring snow emergencies if necessary. Heiar encouraged residents to get visitors’ cars off street.
•    The Planning Commission meeting has been rescheduled to January 6.
•    The Goal Setting session will be held on Wednesday, January 27 from 4-8 p.m.  Paperwork for this session is due by end of the month.
•    City offices are closed December 24, 25, and 31 and January 1except for Streets and Police.

Mayor Report. Mayor Salm wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Johnson County Sheriff.  Sheriff Pulkrabek spoke regarding his annual visit to the City.  The contract as required is being exceeded with the amount of service hours provided. He offered compliments to the police department for providing back up to the Sheriff’s Office in instances where necessary.  He estimates we are one-half to one fiscal year away from ending the dispatch contract. Along with Chief Warkentin he offered to answer questions Council might have about the Sheriff contract.

Councilor Hoffman asked what will happen with the Joint Communications Center opening.  Pulkrabek reported that this is a serious upgrade to the system.  This will help NLPD in staying in communication with other departments. He offered the example of a suspect fleeing from Iowa City PD through North Liberty.

Chipman asked about the upgrade’s impact on disaster response. Pulkrabek reported that it would be nothing but positive.
Relocation Agreements – Highway 965 Project.  Hoffman moved, Chipman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-142, A Resolution Approving the Residential Moving Expense Reimbursement Agreement between the City of North Liberty and Charyn and Connie Deaton.  The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Wozniak, Chipman, Hoffman, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

Kuhl moved, Chipman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-143, A Resolution Approving the Residential Moving Expense Reimbursement Agreement between the City of North Liberty and Cory and Mary Barta.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Donahue, Chipman, Wozniak, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

City Hall Relocation.  At 7:19 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the public hearing regarding proposed lease for City Hall relocation. No oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.

Hoffman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-144, A Resolution Approving and authorizing a Lease Agreement with rent payments in the aggregate amount of $185,000 and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same. Councilor Donahue asked for negotiation on first right of refusal for purchase of the property.  Staff will provide an amendment or addendum to the agreement after that is negotiated. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Chipman, Kuhl, Wozniak, Donahue, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Autumn Ridge.  At 7:24 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the public hearing regarding vacation and termination of easement in Autumn Ridge, Part 1.  No oral or written comments were received.  The public hearing was closed.

Chipman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-145, A Resolution vacating and terminating a sanitary sewer easement within proposed subdivision called Autumn Ridge Part 1, North Liberty, Iowa.  The vote was: ayes – Wozniak, Hoffman, Kuhl, Donahue, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Highway 965 – Cherry Street Project. Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 09-146, A resolution setting the public hearing date regarding the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the Highway 965-Cherry Street Signalization Project. Heiar clarified that there are two Highway 965 project, the Cherry Street intersection and the bigger overall project. After discussion, the vote was: ayes- Hoffman, Kuhl, Donahue, Chipman, Wozniak; nays – none. Motion carried.

Old Business.   Councilor Kuhl talked about the Mediacom/Sinclair dispute.  He reported that Mediacom representative Grassley is urging citizens to write to the Federal Communications Commission.  He eEncouraged residents to contact FCC and requested that the address to be published on NLTV.

Councilor Kuhl thanked Councilor Wozniak for his service on the Council.

Councilor Hoffman provided an update on most recent UNESCO board meeting.  The group is working on an IPhone application, a documentary on the City of Literature and hiring an Executive Director.

New Business.  
Councilor Wozniak offered some comments regarding his term as this is his last meeting as a North Liberty City Council member.  He thanked many for their support and efforts during his term including staff, co-elected officials – current and past, and the citizens of the community.

Adjourn.  At 7:37 p.m., Wozniak moved, Kuhl seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.