City Council Minutes September 14, 2010

Minutes
North Liberty City Council
September 14, 2010
Regular Session

Call to order. At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the September 14, 2010 regular session of the North Liberty City Council to order.  Council members present: Chipman, Hoffman, Kuhl, Wayson; absent – Donahue.

Others present: Ryan Heiar, Tracey Mulcahey, Scott Peterson, Dean Wheatley, Kevin Trom, Erika Harper, Mark Norman, Gary Knorr, Steve Gordon, Steve McCoy, Tim Linden, Karen Fesler, Dave Sidwell and other interested citizens.

Approval of the Agenda.  Chipman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was Kuhl, Chipman, Wayson, Hoffman; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda.  Hoffman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including: City Council Minutes,  Regular Meeting, August 24, 2010; the attached list of Claims; Liquor License Renewal for Johncy’s Liquor Store, Inc., Class E Liquor License with Carryout Beer, Carryout Wine and Sunday Sales endorsements; Forevergreen Road Project, Metro Pavers, Pay Request Number 3 – $242,152.22; Cherry Street Project. Advanced Electrical Services, Pay Request Number 5 – $22,796.41; Cherry Street Project, Advanced Electrical Services, Change Order Number 1 – $23,501.45; Highway 965, Phase 1, Metro Pavers, Pay Request Number 5 – $113,453.14. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wayson, Kuhl, Hoffman, Chipman; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Public Comment.  
Mark Norman and Gary Knorr who reside at Goose Lake Development reported on Devmont Court parking problems. They requested replacement of the no parking signs and addition of a stop sign at the end of Devmont Court. Mr. Knorr stated that no maintenance of Goose Lake was performed by the Parks Department this year. He wants Council to require staff to maintain the park.

Steve Gordon, 605 Grandview Court, Iowa City, spoke about the purchase and sale of property to University of Iowa Community Credit Union.  He acknowledged that he does not necessarily know everything relating to the transaction, but hopes to learn more. Mr. Gordon expressed his concerns about the price of the land, the quantity of land, the jobs that will be created versus retained, and competing against other local communities.   Mayor Salm reported that he has offered to put a work session together relating to this issue, air all of the concerns, and answer questions of the community.  Gordon likes this idea.

Steve McCoy asked about the Parks pickup.  He requested the amount paid, the specifications, and bids received for the truck.  Heiar indicated he would contact Mr. McCoy tomorrow to set up the conveyance of that information.   

Tim Linden, ASI Sheet Metal, expressed concern with the purchase of 64 acres for the Credit Union Project. He also expressed concern about the financial condition of businesses in the community.

Karen Fesler,1524 Forest Road, Coralville, stated that she has met with Ryan, mayor and three council members on behalf of Concerned Taxpayers for North Liberty.  The group is working to ensure that the necessary public input is received and that all procedural steps are followed. To this point, it appears it has been. She welcomes public work session and requested additional information prior to the session.

Dave Sidwell offered information about TIF funds and their usage. He offered information from his research for Council’s use.

City Attorney Report.  City Attorney Peterson spoke about the reimbursement agreement with new police officer and requiring council to act on the contract. He reported that there may be other ways to handle it and asked for suggestions from Council.

City Engineer Report.  City Engineer Trom reported on the following projects:
•    Forevergreen Road is getting closer to completion. The drives and sidewalks are done. He expects to see the project coming together in the next few weeks. The contractor is still well within the contract.
Upcoming projects:
•    The plans for the Golfview Drive connection are almost done to make the connection across the railroad. Permit applications have been submitted. It is planned to bid this winter and start construction in the spring.
•    Shive Hattery is working on the Jones Boulevard project, the Penn street widening project and the  Dubuque Street trail project.  The County is planning to construct the second section of trail along Dubuque in the spring. When this is complete, a trail will exist from Cedar Springs to the Iowa City water treatment plant on Dubuque.

Councilor Chipman asked how Jones Boulevard will be leveled off at Forevergreen Road. Trom stated that the transition will be from asphalt to the concrete.

Councilor Kuhl complimented Trom & Shive-Hattery on how good the Forevergreen Road project is starting to look.

Councilor Wayson thanked Trom for getting the contractor to move the excavators to work out issues.

City Administrator Report. City Administrator Heiar reported on the GO 21 information in the packet.  GO 21 is a group asking for support of freight rail across the nation. The organization is requesting a resolution showing support and letters to legislators asking for their participation. Heiar asked for direction from Council regarding the issue.  Councilor Wayson stated that he thinks increasing freight rail is a good idea. He recommends that the support resolution be brought to council without the language about specific resolutions.  Councilor Kuhl likes the letter as composed, but with the inclusion of light passenger rail. Council directed that staff move ahead with the effort.

Heiar reported on the Highway 965 project. Holiday Lodge and Golfview intersection with Highway 965 was closed today.  Ashley Drive and Lyons Drive will both be closed next week. Ashley Drive will be out of use for one week. Lyons Drive will be under construction for three to four weeks.  A map to help businesses has been utilized to help with access information during the construction.

A library fundraising meeting was held today. The committee has secured $560,000 in pledges and contributions. Heiar and the fundraising consultant met with CAT/Vision Iowa on Monday to discuss the draft application and receive feedback. The application will be submitted October 1. The project will be discussed at the November Vision Iowa meeting in Cedar Rapids.  Staff is working with Linn Co REC and Iowa Area Development group for a $360,000 interest free loan. Loans of this type are generally reserved for less populated areas, but the City can save about $60,000 in interest on the loan.

Heiar reminded all that the Iowa League of Cities conference is next week in Coralville. North Liberty featured in tour of wastewater plant and part of the Vision Iowa program.  Mulcahey will be making a presentation at the Coralville library of our projects.

Councilor Wayson inquired about signage on Highway 965 for businesses. Heiar reported that signs will be placed on Highway 965, but it was cost prohibitive to list all businesses.  Councilor Kuhl asked about the listing of the medical facility on Highway 965 being signed.  Heiar reported that it is noted.

Mayor Report.  Mayor Salm reminded all about the ICAD lunch tomorrow.  The Mayor attended the Chamber 92nd Annual lunch today. He reminded council about the League of Cities Annual Conference.

Penn Street Group Midwest Disaster Area Revenue Bonds. Heiar summarized this agenda item.  Kuhl moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-129, A Resolution relating to the issuance of not to exceed $1,400,000 in aggregate principal amount of Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue Bonds (Penn Street Group II, L.C. Project) Series 2010, of City of North Liberty, Iowa; and specifically (1) declaring intent to reimburse expenditures from proceeds of said bonds; (2) fixing a date for a public hearing on the proposal to issue said bonds; (3) directing publication of notice of intention to issue said bonds; and (4) authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement.  The vote was ayes – Chipman, Wayson, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Liberty Centre Site Plan.  Wayson moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-130, A Resolution Approving the Commercial Development Site Plan for Lot 9, Liberty Centre Subdivision Part One, North Liberty, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Wayson, Kuhl, Chipman; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Riddle Ridge Subdivision.  Wayson moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-131, A Resolution recommending approval to Johnson County of the Preliminary and Final Plat of Riddle Ridge Subdivision, Johnson County, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Kuhl, Hoffman, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Officer Training Reimbursement Agreement.  Wayson moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-132, A Resolution approving agreement between the City of North Liberty and Joel H. Miller. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Wayson, Chipman, Hoffman; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Liberty Medical & Commerce.  Wayson moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-133, A Resolution Terminating a Conditional Zoning Agreement. After discussion, the vote was: ayes –  Kuhl, Hoffman, Chipman, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Golfview Drive Project.  Hoffman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-134, A Resolution approving the Services Agreement Addendum Number One between the City of North Liberty and Shive-Hattery, Inc. for services relating to Golfview Drive Improvements Project, North Liberty, Iowa.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Wayson, Kuhl, Chipman; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

2010 Bond Sales. Chipman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-135, A Resolution Setting Date for the Sale of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2010A and Authorizing the Use of a Preliminary Official Statement in Connection Therewith.  The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Hoffman, Kuhl, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Donahue. Motion carried.

Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 10-136, A Resolution Setting Date for the Sale of General Obligation Urban Renewal Bonds, Series 2010B and Authorizing the Use of a Preliminary Official Statement in Connection Therewith.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wayson, Kuhl, Hoffman, Chipman; nays – none; absent -  Donahue. Motion carried.

Old Business.  Councilor Kuhl offered a reminder of the upcoming United Way Community Needs Assessment presentation at the Community Center.

New Business.  Council discussed the proposed work session.  The meeting will be held on a date and time to be determined by Ryan Heiar and Karen Fesler. Wheatley presented that October’s Planning and Zoning meeting will be held on October 19.

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