City Council Minutes April 12, 2011

Minutes
North Liberty City Council
April 12, 2011
Regular Session

Call to Order.  At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the April 12, 2011 Regular Session of the North Liberty City Council to order. Council members present: Donahue, Hoffman, Kuhl, Wayson; absent – Chipman.

Others present: Ryan Heiar, Scott Peterson, Tracey Mulcahey, Dean Wheatley, Kevin Trom, Erika Harper and other interested parties.

Approval of the Agenda.  Kuhl moved, Wayson seconded to approve the agenda with removal of item number 12C, the agreement with ITC from the agenda. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Wayson, Kuhl, Donahue; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda.  Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including the City Council Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 22, 2011 and the attached list of Claims. The vote was: ayes – Wayson, Donahue, Kuhl, Hoffman; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

Public Comment. Glen Mullikin, 1862 Goose Lake Circle, requested that Council consider allowing golf carts to be street legal in North Liberty with gas prices. Councilor Kuhl asked about allowing on sidewalks versus streets.  Mayor Salm stated that staff would be asked to look at what other cities are doing regarding golf cart regulations.

City Attorney Report. City Attorney Peterson reported that he and the Mayor met with ITC last week regarding the agreement. Peterson recommended deleting agenda item 12c since no draft or response was received from ITC. He had hoped to have something from them by today for Council consideration. All other agreements are in order for the Golfview Connection Project.

With regards to the Closed Session agenda item, Peterson does not have anything new to report unless Council would like to go into the session for questions or concerns.

City Engineer Report.  City Engineer Trom reported on the City’s construction projects.

The Jones Boulevard has started. Horsfield Construction, the contractor, started on Monday at the south end of Jones Boulevard. It is estimated that the road closures will start in five weeks and will be closed in phases.

The Penn Street Project preconstruction meeting was held today.  The general contractor, Metro Pavers, is planning to begin construction on Monday.
The Golfview Drive connection project plans and specifications have been issues. The bids will be received next Tuesday.  All agreements are executed except the ITC agreement.

The contractor for the Penn Meadows Rain Garden project started April 4. The project is progressing well with a July estimated completion date.

The Dubuque Street Trail project will be bid in Ames next Tuesday.

The project open house on March 24 was a great success with good attendance and public participation.

Council discussed speed limits in construction areas, signage and detours. Mayor Salm stated this is going to be a busy construction season and encouraged all to be patient with it.

City Administrator Report.  City Administrator Heiar reported that with Jones Boulevard closings will be communicated with a direct mailing, a website, and through the press release distribution list.

The Project Forum went very well. Many people signed up for the press release distribution list.

The Library Board meeting is April 18.  North Liberty Development is hosting a breakfast mixer on April 19.

Heiar presented to a group of commercial realtors today at lunch. He spoke regarding commercial development, upcoming/ongoing projects including the sanitary sewer study and the upcoming discussion on land use.

Staff has met a few times regarding the Street Maintenance Facility.   An option for Council to consider will be coming forward soon.

Heiar participated in negotiations with Vision Iowa today.  The outcome looks favorable, but the City will not have a final decision until tomorrow.

Brian Crawford from McClure Engineering presented an update on Highway 965 construction. The signals at Ashley will be in flash mode by the end of this week and fully operational by the end of next week. Pavement markings are expected to be completed by next Friday as well.

Harvest Estates II, Preliminary Plat Agreement.  City Attorney Peterson reported on the amended language in the resolution. Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-27, A Resolution approving the Revised Preliminary Plat agreement between the City of North Liberty and Glynmor, L.L.C. that establishes the terms and conditions under which Harvest Estates II will be developed in the City of North Liberty, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Hoffman, Donahue, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-35, A Resolution approving the Temporary Construction Easement Agreement for the Jones Boulevard Improvement Project between a property owner and the City of North Liberty, Johnson County, Iowa. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Wayson, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

Fire Truck Purchase.  Dan Madsen presented information regarding the rescue fire truck that is proposed to be purchased. Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-36, A Resolution accepting the bid from Pierce Manufacturing for the Fire Rescue Truck. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Hoffman, Wayson, Donahue; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

Golfview Drive Connection Project.  At 7:33 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding the Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the Golfview Drive Connection Project.  No oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.

Hoffman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-37, A Resolution approving the Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the Golfview Drive Connection Project. After discussion, the vote was: ayes –Wayson, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – Donahue; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

Dubuque Street Trail Project.  At 7:34 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding the Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the Dubuque Street Trail Project. No oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.

Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-39, A Resolution approving the Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the Dubuque Street Trail Project. After discussion, the vote was: Kuhl, Wayson, Hoffman; nays – Donahue; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

City Hall Property Purchase. Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-40, A Resolution approving and ratifying the purchase of Parcel Number 0612411004 from Ken & Cindy Heaton.  The vote was: ayes – Wayson, Donahue, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

Wayson moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-41, A Resolution approving a Dwelling Unit Rental Agreement for 345 N. Dubuque Street between Ken & Cindy Heaton and the City of North Liberty, Iowa.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes –Hoffman, Donahue, Kuhl, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

North Liberty Hospitality Group.  At 7:38 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the public hearing regarding the amendment to the agreement with North Liberty Hotel Group, LLC.  No oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.

Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-42, A Resolution Approving the Amendment to the Development Agreement with the North Liberty Hotel Group, LLC authorizing Tax Increment payments and pledging certain tax increment revenues to the payment of the agreement.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes –Wayson, Donahue, Kuhl, Hoffman; nays – none; absent – Chipman. Motion carried.

New Business.  Councilor Hoffman reported that the City of Literature private artist kickoff event is April 28. Anyone interested in the City of Literature Bookmarks program should visit the City of Literature website or contact Jennie Garner at the North Liberty Library. Sponsorships are available ranging from $1,500 to $6,000.  The public kick off will be held on June 23.

Adjournment.  At 7:52 p.m., Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to adjourn with removal of the closed session. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.