City Council Minutes August 9, 2011

AGENDA
North Liberty City Council
August 9, 2011
Regular Session

Call to order.  At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Salm called the August 9, 2011 Regular Session of the North Liberty City Council to order.  Council members present: Chipman, Donahue, Kuhl, Wayson; absent – Hoffman

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

Mayor Salm reported that the Council will be paperless working with new technology at tonight’s meeting.

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

Consent Agenda.  Wayson moved, Chipman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including City Council Minutes from the Regular Meeting on July 26, 2011; City Council Minutes from the Special Meeting on July 28, 2011; City Council Minutes from the Special Meeting on August 2, 2011; the attached list of Claims; Liquor License Renewal for  Brown Bottle-Class C Liquor License with Sunday Sales and Outdoor Service endorsements contingent upon passing the fire inspection; Golfview Drive Extension Project, Pay Application #2 to Iowa Bridge & Culvert in the amount of  $282,530; Golfview Drive Extension Project, Change Order #1 to Iowa Bridge & Culvert in the amount of $8,650.95; Highway 965 Project,  Pay Application #23 to Metro Pavers, Inc. in the amount of $8,678.63; Jones Boulevard Project, Change Order #4 to Horsfield Constuction in the amount of $28,369.30; Jones Boulevard Project, Pay Application #2 to Horsfield Construction, in the amount of $317,784.21.  The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Kuhl, Chipman, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

Public Comment.  No public comment was offered.

City Attorney Report.  City Attorney Peterson offered to answer questions from Council. Councilor Chipman asked about a legislative update.  Peterson will be attending a seminar this Friday and expects the update on the next agenda.

Councilor Wayson asked about the Supreme Court ruling on cooperatives.  Peterson presented a brief update regarding the decision. He offered to provide additional information if Council desires.

City Engineer Report.  City Engineer Trom reported on City construction projects.  The contractor on the Jones Boulevard project has completed paving on two south phases. These phases should be open to traffic on Monday.  The contractor will then move on to the next phase. They are pushing to be done by winter. The contractor needs good weather and good sub grade to make that happen.  Sixty-one working days have been used.  Eighty-one remain.

The contractor on the Penn Street Project has most of the panel replacements removed and replaced. They are expecting a late September completion.  Sixty-six and one half working days have been used with fifty-six working days remaining.

Golfview Drive is about on schedule.  Trom projects completion by the end of September.

The Dubuque Street Trail contractor has completed a significant amount of work.  Grading work is done with compaction testing. The contractor is focusing in front of the school this week to make sure it is complete before school starts next week. After the work in front of the school is complete, they will be continuing paving from the south to the north end.

Councilor Wayson inquired about the tight spots on Jones Boulevard relating to school bus traffic.  Trom reported that this is the next phase that will be completely closed on Monday when the first phases reopen.  A gravel access drive will provide access for those who are in the closed section.

City Administrator Report.  City Administrator Heiar updated Council on the Highway 965 project discussion. He asked McClure Engineering to review the Fairview to Westwood and Cherry Street to Penn Street segments for estimated costs.

He has several meetings scheduled with organizations to obtain additional information regarding small business assistance in the Economic Development Strategy. He plans to bring a revised draft to Council in September.

The August 23 Council meeting will be held in the new Council Chambers.   On August 24, the City will host the Joint Meeting of Cities, Schools, and Johnson County in the new Council Chambers. A reception is planned for 4:00 p.m. with the meeting convening at 4:30 p.m.

Heair was on the Moody’s rating call this week. The rating, which we don’t expect to change, will be provided in ten days.

The ICAD Elected Officials breakfast is scheduled for August 18 at 7:00 a.m.

Councilor Kuhl asked about Ashley Court to Forevergreen Road.  Heiar will have McClure evaluate.

Mayor Report. Mayor Salm reported on the proclamation event on August 1 that included Mayors from Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Hiawatha, Iowa City, Marion and North Liberty. The Mayors joined in proclaiming September 1, 2011 as Corridor Goes Casual for Kids Day.  All businesses in the Corridor are invited to join by having a casual day on September 1 with each participant contributing $5 to a child based organization.

Mayor Salm proclaimed August 10 through August 14 as Country School Week in North Liberty.

University of Iowa Community Credit Union Commercial Development Site Plan.  Wheatley made the staff case presentation of the University of Iowa Community Credit Union Commercial Development Site Plan Application.  Staff recommends approval of the site plan. Planning Commission Chair Mausser reported that the Commission approved the application as presented.

Dick Noble of the University of Iowa Community Credit Union made the applicant’s presentation of the University of Iowa Community Credit Union Commercial Development Site Plan Application. Dwight Dobberstein of Neumann Monson Architects presented the plans for the building and the site plan including landscaping and amenities.
Councilor Kuhl asked if the proposed parking is sufficient.  Dobberstein responded that 150 people will be employed at the facility initially with 283 parking spaces. UICCU’s intent is to add parking as needed.

Chipman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-90, A Resolution Approving the Commercial Development Site Plan for the University of Iowa Community Credit Union, North Liberty, Iowa.  After discussion, the vote was:  Kuhl, Wayson, Chipman, Donahue; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

J & K Rentals Commercial Development Site Plan.  Wheatley made the staff case presentation of the J & K Rentals Commercial Development Site Plan Application.  Staff recommends approval with no conditions.  Commission Chair Mausser reported that the Commission recommends approve of the application with no conditions.

Councilor Donahue asked about fire suppression sprinkling in the building.  Wheatley indicated that it is not required because the building is divided.

Kevin Hochstedler made the applicant’s presentation of the J & K Rentals Commercial Development Site Plan Application.

Donahue moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-91, A Resolution Approving the Commercial Development Site Plan for J & K Rentals, North Liberty, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Wayson, Chipman, Donahue, Kuhl; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

Penn Meadows Addition, Part VI.  Chipman moved, Donahue seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-92, A Resolution approving the preliminary plat extension for Penn Meadows Addition, Part VI to December 31, 2011.  The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Kuhl, Donahue, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.
Fire Department Fees.  Kuhl moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-60, A Resolution establishing the Fire Department Fee Schedule in the City of North Liberty, Iowa.  The council discussed the proposed fees with Bryan Hardin, Assistant Fire Chief.  Donahue moved to defer fees on operational permits for six months, Kuhl seconded. The vote on the amendment was: ayes – Kuhl, Wayson, Donahue, Hoffman, Chipman; nays – none; absent – Hoffman.  After discussion, the vote on the resolution with the amendment was: ayes – Kuhl, Wayson, Donahue, Chipman; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

Penn Meadows Park Ball Field.  Mayor Salm opened the floor for discussion regarding a proposed additional ball field at Penn Meadows Park.

Kerry Fitzpatrick, 750 Fox Valley Drive, spoke as a member of the Park Board. He highlighted the staff analysis of the field need and location

Scott Rundell spoke on behalf of NLYBS.  NLYBS favors adding another filed, keeping fields in one location and keeping all accessory facilities like restrooms and concession stands in one area.

Carter Baldwin representing the North Liberty Knights 10U baseball team supports the location of the field.

Ron Bandy 25 N. Dubuque Street opposes the proposed location of the ball field due to the loss of park space that could be used for another sports activity. He would like to see the neighborhood notified of the intent to add an additional ball field.  He presented photos of a tournament at the facility.  He suggested that Council invest the money in other parks rather than Penn Meadows.

Mayor Salm does not support the addition of another ball diamond.

Glen Siders, the assistant coach of the Johnson County Storm supports the addition of another field.

Councilor Donahue expressed concern regarding solving the problem of one group at the expense of other sports or groups.

Rundell and Siders offered additional information on others comments.

Shelly Simpson, Recreation Director, provided information to Council about flag football and soccer.  Flag football is moving to the Coralville Sports Complex this upcoming fall season.  Soccer is through the Iowa City Kickers program at the soccer complex in Iowa City.  Simpson stated that green space within ball fields can be used for general green space for practices and park use.

Mayor Salm stated that this will affect Fun Days Car Show that is usually held in this space and the truck pull that is in this area, too.

Councilor Kuhl wants to meet with the Park Board before he considers the field addition.  He wants information about the plan for diverted activities, the cost of field maintenance, concession stand costs and revenues.

Kuhl moved to table the request until the Park Board meets with Council to come up with a plan for diverted and/or unmet needs.  Donahue seconded.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Wayson, Kuhl, Chipman; nays – none; absent – Hoffman.

2011 Bond Proceedings.  Donahue moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-93, A Resolution setting the date for the sale of General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds, Series 2011A and authorizing the use of a preliminary official statement in connection therewith.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Kuhl, Chipman, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

Chipman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-94, A Resolution setting the date for the sale of Series 2011B Bonds and authorizing the use of a preliminary official statement in connection therewith.  The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Chipman, Wayson, Donahue; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

2011 Precinct Plan. Wayson moved, Chipman seconded to approve the second consideration of Ordinance Number 11-09, An Ordinance amending Chapter 6 of the North Liberty Code of Ordinances by amending Section 6.07 “Voting Precincts.”  The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Wayson, Hoffman, Kuhl; nays – Donahue; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

Chipman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-95, Approving the Letter of Agreement between the City of North Liberty and Johnson County that sets forth the terms of combining selected North Liberty Precincts with selected Township Precincts. The vote was: ayes – Wayson,  Donahue, Kuhl, Chipman; nays – none; absent – Hoffman. Motion carried.

East Side Annexation.  Mayor Salm presented an update on the east side annexation. Heiar reported that he expects to have the agreement ready for consideration at the first September Council meeting.  Councilor Kuhl would like a definitive email from Heiar tomorrow regarding whether Coralville has or has not accepted the proposal in principal. Heiar will email council tomorrow with the update.  Peterson is working on the agreement with Coralville.

Old Business.  Peterson clarified his response to Councilor Wayson’s question. The Code Section is Ch. 499 referring to multi-family cooperatives.

New Business.  Councilor Kuhl wanted to make the public aware that the post office will have reduced window hours as of August 13. He encouraged businesses to get involved if the hour reduction is a big issue. The hours selected to be closed were the hours of the least activity. North Liberty mail will be coming from Quad Cities

Adjournment. At 8:30 p.m., Wayson moved, Donahue seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.