City Council Minutes July 26, 2011

Minutes
North Liberty City Council
July 26, 2011
Regular Session

Call to order.  At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the July 26, 2011 Regular Session of the North Liberty City Council to order.  Council members present:  Chipman, Donahue, Hoffman, Kuhl, Wayson.

Others present: Ryan Heiar, Tracey Mulcahey, Scott Peterson, Dean Wheatley, Erika Harper, Lori Lindner, Steve McCoy, Greg Hankins and other interested parties.

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

Consent Agenda.  Hoffman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including: City Council Minutes from the Regular Meeting on July 12, 2011; the attached list of Claims; June Revenues; Pay Request Number 3 for the Cedar Springs Lift Station Project to Wendler Engineering & Construction in the amount of $15,260.00; the Liquor License Renewal for Caseys #2758, Class E Liquor License, Class B Beer Permit with carryout sales and Sunday sales endorsements; the Liquor License Renewal for DC’s North Liberty, Class C Liquor License with Sunday Sales endorsement; Pay Request Number 3, for the Penn Street Project to Metro Pavers in the amount of $403,506.73; and Pay Request Number 22 for the Highway 965 Project to Metro Pavers in the amount of $38,328.64. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Chipman, Wayson, Donahue, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.

NLFD Report.  Greg Hankins, Captain from the North Liberty Fire Department, provided an update on the report presented on Channel 2 and Fox News on July 21. He was training rookie with an apparatus regarding hoses, pressures and apparatus function.  A neighbor that was upset with him or the city took pictures of the training and sent it to the media. Neighborhood children received public education and up close views of the equipment. He apologized for the negative view provided to the city of North Liberty.  He went on to say that North Liberty is a small area with few areas for training. He did not want to disrupt the crops in fields with the water.  He explained that this was public education and training that got turned quite around.  Mayor Salm stated that with eight new recruits being trained, all opportunities must be used.  He recommended public outreach in all neighborhoods for a public education campaign. He expressed his support for the act. Councilor Hoffman asked why that residence was selected. Hankins indicated it is his home, and he knew his neighbors were home in case of issues. He didn’t think about an individual’s perception.  He trained another recruit that same evening with the same equipment and flushed the water into the storm drains.  Councilor Donahue reminded Captain Hankins that public perception is important and that people are going to talk.  Even though there was not malicious intent, he should be careful in the future. Councilor Wayson commented that nothing else must have been going on in the world to dedicate time to this issue.  Mayor Salm encouraged the Fire Department to get everyone trained just in case they are needed.
Public Comment.  Steve McCoy commented that the New York Times reported that Jefferson County Alabama is going into bankruptcy due to bad bond deals, interest rate swaps and adjustable rate mortgages.  He cautioned council to look at the bonding companies and rates.  Mr. McCoy asked about the agreement for Red’s Alehouse to use city owned property for parking.  He is opposed to giving another restaurant or business free use of ground. He commented on the cost of the property including demolition and engineering being too high when bare ground should have been purchased. He stated that allowing use of city property is not fair.

City Attorney Report.  City Attorney Peterson reported on the amendments to the open records policy and forms.  He will be attending the Iowa League of Cities webinars regarding open meetings, open records, and relating to the media  Councilor Chipman stated that this is open to all council members.

City Engineer Report.  Heiar reported that City Engineer Trom’s father unexpectedly passed away yesterday.  Street Superintendent Don Colony updated the Council on current projects.  The culvert on the Golfview Drive project is three-fourths complete.  Colony and his staff are working on an experiment to drain ground water from around sanitary sewer lines in the project area.  The contractor has started removal of the middle of Golfview Drive on the west side. The project is estimated to be complete in mid-September.

Colony updated council on the number of working days.  The contractor and staff are marking pavement sections that need to be replaced.  Several panels have failed.  All are reviewing options to move forward with the panel replacement.

The contractor on the Jones Boulevard project has 93 working days remaining.  The contractor will be in this week to prep for paving next week.  The part of the street at St. Andrews is expected to be open before school starts.

Councilor Hoffman asked for additional information regarding the experimental drainage project.  Council discussed storm water infiltration and inflow (I & I).

City Administrator Report. City Administrator Heiar reported that City staff will be meeting with the owners of the golf course this week to hopefully resolve the access issue.  Heiar reminded Council of the work session scheduled on Thursday, July 28, at 4:30 p.m. featuring tours of the Police and Fire Departments. The next joint meeting with the Planning Commission is scheduled for August 2 starting at 7 p.m.  Heiar met with Dennis Tallman of the North Liberty Development organization and Kurt Nelson from the EDC.  Both provided input and ideas.  Heiar visited with numerous cities regarding economic development policies at the state City Manager conference last week. Heiar will be working with PFM to look at long term business plan for utilities. Mulcahey updated Council on the Hometown Rewards Kickoff Celebration scheduled for September 11, from 11a.m. – 2 p.m. in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market. The event will be called Taste of North Liberty and will feature local businesses serving local foods.

Councilor Kuhl announced that the City of North Liberty will be awarded $1.125 million in federal funds in Federal FY 13. Kuhl asked for a discussion as what the plan should look like for Highway 965 while the project holds for federal funds. Several suggestions for projects were made.  Mayor Salm recommended that staff come up suggestions relating to the Highway 965 study and the needs.

Mayor Report.  Mayor Salm proclaimed July 25 – 29, 2011 as Americans with Disabilities Week in North Liberty.
He reported that Blues and BBQ was successful and that the event will continue.

Street Maintenance Facility.  Council discussed the proposed Street Maintenance Facility.  Heiar presented the three options: 1. Put project on hold.; 2. Fund with Road Use Tax as a revenue bond.; 3. Fund with a General Obligation bond which would require a referendum.
Donahue moved, Kuhl seconded to direct the City Attorney to put the issue on the November 8 ballot as a $2.3 million referendum for voter consideration. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Kuhl; nays – Hoffman, Wayson, Chipman. Motion failed.

Hoffman moved, Chipman seconded to direct staff to move forward with issuing a Road Use Tax Revenue bond for $1.6 million with a fifteen year amortization.  After discussion, the vote was; ayes – Chipman, Wayson, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – Donahue. Motion carried.

2011 Bond Proceedings.  At 8:02 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding the 2011 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds, Series 2011.  Heiar presented information regarding the bond sales including the projects and amounts being borrowed. The public hearing was closed.

Chipman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-83, A Resolution taking additional action to enter into a Loan Agreement and setting the date for the sale of General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds, Series 2011. Donahue moved to amend the motion to remove the North Dubuque Street project from the bonding in the amount of $225,000.  After discussion, the vote on the amendment was: ayes – Chipman, Donahue, Wayson, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried. The vote on the motion regarding the resolution was: ayes – Donahue, Wayson, Hoffman, Kuhl, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.

At 8:11 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding the 2011 Urban Renewal Loan Agreement. Heiar presented information about the projects being funded. No other oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.

Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-84, A Resolution taking additional action to enter into Loan Agreements.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wayson, Kuhl, Hoffman, Chipman, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

Street Department Equipment Purchase.  Kuhl moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-85, A Resolution accepting the bid from International with Henderson equipment for the Streets Department dump trucks. Street Superintendent Colony clarified that the low bidder was not being used to their not fulfilling all the specifications. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Chipman, Hoffman, Kuhl, Donahue, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.

Wastewater Treatment Disposal of Property.  Donahue moved, Chipman seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-86, A Resolution authorizing the disposal of property owned by the City of North Liberty.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Kuhl, Hoffman, Wayson, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.
2011 Precinct Plan.   At 8:22 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding the 2011 Precinct Plan for the City of North Liberty.  No oral or written comments were received.  The public hearing was closed.

Chipman moved, Wayson seconded to approve the First consideration of Ordinance Number 11-10, An Ordinance amending Chapter 6 of the North Liberty Code of Ordinances by amending Section 6.07 “Voting Precincts.” The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Wayson, Chipman, Kuhl; nays – Donahue. Motion carried.

Open Records Policy and Forms.  City Attorney Peterson presented the revised open records policy and forms.  The Council discussed the proposed policy.

_ moved, _ seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-87, A Resolution approving the Open Records Policy with the proposed amendments relating to City Attorney communication “city attorney communications that are protected by State or Federal law”  and the references to guarantee of accuracy and completeness for the City of North Liberty, Iowa.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Donahue, Hoffman; nays – Wayson, Chipman. Motion carried.

Red’s Parking Lot Agreement.  Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-88 A Resolution approving the agreement between the City of North Liberty and Red’s Alehouse regarding the use of City owned property for parking.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wayson, Hoffman, Chipman, Kuhl; nays – none; present – Donahue. Motion carried.

East Side Annexation.  Heiar presented information regarding the proposed annexation map with Coralville. Council discussed the proposed map. The consensus for the deadline on this matter was the first Council meeting in August.

Donahue moved, Kuhl that this will be the final proposal with the easement through the Pratt property, not allowing anything North of Dubuque Street, and Coralville is required to have an agreement with all of the rural residents.   After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Chipman, Donahue, Wayson, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Ward Petition Election.  Chipman moved, Donahue seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-89, A Resolution authorizing measure for consideration to be included on the November 8, 2011 regular City election ballot regarding changing the Council Representation Plan. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Chipman, Kuhl, Hoffman, Donahue, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.

Old Business.  Councilor Kuhl reported on the Focus on Hunger community forum at Methodist Church that he attended.

New Business.  Councilor Donahue thanked the Council for the active, interested discussion on subjects. Councilor Wayson commented on the quality of Blues and BBQ.

Adjournment.  At 9:31 p.m., Wayson moved, Kuhl seconded to adjourn.  All ayes. Meeting adjourned.