City Council Minutes September 27, 2011

Minutes
North Liberty City Council
September 27, 2011
Regular Session

Call to order.  At 6:30 p.m., Mayor Salm called the September 27, 2011 North Liberty City Council meeting to order.  Council members present: Chipman, Donahue, Hoffman, Kuhl, Wayson.

Others present: Ryan Heiar, Scott Peterson, Tracey Mulcahey, Dean Wheatley, Kevin Trom, Erika Harper, Jim Warkentin, John Yapp, Duane Musser, Dean Moore, Mike Bails, Jeff Mekota, Glenn Siders and other interested parties.

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

Work Session – MPOJC – speed limit discussion.  John Yapp from the MPO of Johnson County presented  the speed studies for Front Street and Highway 965.  MPOJC recommends 30 miles per hour on the entire Front Street corridor with school zone speeds from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 pm. On Highway 965, the MPOJC recommends maintaining the speed limits as they are currently with further review when additional development occurs. Council discussed protected left hand turns with Yapp.

Kuhl moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-111, A resolution approving special speed limits in the City of North Liberty, Iowa.  Wayson moved, Hoffman seconded to amend the resolution to school zone speed limits being from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in all school zones. The vote on the amendment was: ayes – Wayson, Donahue, Chipman, Kuhl, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.  After discussion, the vote on the resolution was: ayes – Donahue, Chipman, Kuhl, Hoffman, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.

Yapp updated Council on the grant application for Sustainable Communities Planning. ECICOG is applying for grant on behalf of 6 county region. The grant will fund up to 3 million dollars in funds to create a regional sustainability plan including housing, transportation, water basin management, and regional economic development.

Consent Agenda.  Chipman moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including City Council Minutes from the Regular Meeting on September 13, 2011, the attached list of Claims and August Revenues.  The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Kuhl, Hoffman, Chipman, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.

Public Comment.  No public comment was offered.

City Attorney Report.  City Attorney Peterson had no report.

City Engineer Report. City Engineer Trom reported on the city’s ongoing projects. The Dubuque Street Trail Project is pretty close to complete.  The Golfview Drive project is moving along. The contractor has paved the street on both sides and installed the brick cross walk for the bike path.  Work outstanding includes pervious concrete, installing stone on the culvert, backfilling walks and seeding as well as some sodding. The CRANDIC is planning to install their signals the second week in October.   The Jones Boulevard project contractor expects to hydroseed the south end of the project this week. All of the subgrade is treated up to the church driveway.  The contractor expects to be paving next Monday morning.  The Penn Street project is fairly complete. The final walk through is coming soon. Trom responded to the Council’s questions regarding the projects.

City Administrator Report. City Administrator Heiar reported that he is meeting with Debi Durham in the morning from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.  The Library Groundbreaking is scheduled for Friday, September 30 at 4 p.m.  The Joint Meeting with the Parks & Recreation Board will be held next Thursday at 6:30. The materials will be coming out this week.  Heiar responded to the Council’s question regarding the development of the Economic Development Policy.

Mayor Report.  Mayor Salm reported on the Iowa League of Cities convention and invited Councilors that attended to present any information they would like to share.  Councilor Chipman, Councilor Donahue, and Councilor Kuhl presented information they learned at the League conference.

Golf Cart Ordinance.  Wayson moved, Chipman seconded to table the second consideration of Ordinance Number 11-11, An Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of North Liberty, Iowa, by adding a new chapter pertaining to the operation of golf carts on city streets with a city issued permit.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes –Chipman, Wayson, Hoffman; nays – Kuhl, Donahue. Motion carried.
Alcohol Consumption Ordinance. Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve the second consideration of Ordinance Number 11-12, An Ordinance amending sections of the Code of Ordinances of the City of North Liberty, Iowa, 2011, by amending provisions pertaining to alcohol consumption and intoxication.  The vote was: ayes – Chipman, Hoffman, Wayson, Donahue, Kuhl; nays – none. Motion carried.

Cameron Way Partners Rezoning.  At 7:36 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding the proposed Cameron Way Partners Rezoning.  No oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.

Wheatley presented the application for a mixed use development that incorporates commercial and residential uses.  The Planning Commission recommended approval with the condition that the required site plan be consistent with the number of units and general commercial area as shown in the concept plan.

Mike Bails and Jeff Mekota presented the application for rezoning to C-2-A PAD for Liberty Commerce Executive Rental and Office Suites. Council asked about commercial uses and rent.

Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve the first consideration of Ordinance Number 11-13, an Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to change the use regulations on property owned by Jeff Mekota located in North Liberty, Iowa to those set forth in the North Liberty Municipal Code for the C-2-A Planned Area Development District.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Hoffman, Wayson, Chipman; nays – Kuhl. Motion carried.

Moore Rezoning.  At 8:05 p.m., Mayor Salm opened the Public Hearing regarding the Moore rezoning application. No oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.

Wheatley presented the request for rezoning for Dean Moore. The Planning Commission recommended approval with the following recommendations:
1.    That a statement approved by the City Planner is recorded by the owner prior to publication of the rezoning or with final plat documents including the following:
a.    Informing future buyers of the existence and operating characteristics of the LL Pelling operations.
b.    Informing future buyers that a substantial landscaped berm or other visual screening feature along the boundary with LL Pelling will be required by the city as part of any construction or site plans.
2.    That the concept plan submitted with the application is generally followed; however, the city reserves the right to approve more or fewer units than shown.

Duane Musser from MMS Consultants provided information regarding the application of Dean Moore for rezoning of specific property. The owner has no issues with the recommendations of the Commission.  Council discussed the particulars of the application with the project representative.

Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the first consideration of Ordinance Number 11-14, an Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to change the use regulations on property owned by Dean Moore located in North Liberty, Iowa to those set forth in the North Liberty Municipal Code for the RM-12 Mutifamily and RD-10 Duplex Residential Districts.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes –Wayson, Chipman, Hoffman, Donahue; nays – Kuhl. Motion carried.

Police Department Vehicle Purchase  Chief Warkentin and City Administrator Heiar provided an update to Council on the proposed police vehicle purchase.  Chief Warkentin is proposing the purchase of a Dodge Ram pickup truck at the cost of $23,738.00.

Chipman moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the purchase of the Dodge Ram pickup truck for $23,738.00. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wayson, Hoffman, Chipman, Kuhl; nays – Donahue. Motion carried.

Transit Committee Recommendations.  Glenn Siders presented the work of the Transit Committee including the recommendations for the future of transit in North Liberty.  The recommendations include:
•    Retain the current transit budget.
•    Retain the current fare structure.
•    Research a new small loop route with the Coralville Transit Director to implement this fall, which will create additional stops and public access.
•    Publicize the transit service (NLTV, Council meeting banners, etc.)
•    Continue to monitor ridership and cost statistics.
•    Consider adding bus pull-off areas to Highway 965 design plans.
•    Call the committee to meet again approximately six months are the initiation of the loop route, to review and follow up if necessary.

Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to accept and implement the Transit Committee’s recommendations.  The vote was: ayes – Donahue, Chipman, Kuhl, Hoffman, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.

Hazard Mitigation Grant.  Chipman moved, Kuhl seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-112, A Resolution approving the grant application and local match for backup generation at the Fire Department.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Chipman, Kuhl, Hoffman, Wayson, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.

Assessment Resolution.  Kuhl moved, Donahue seconded to approve Resolution Number 11-113, A Resolution authorizing the Assessment of Delinquent amounts owed to the City of North Liberty, Iowa, to individual property taxes. The vote was: ayes – Kuhl, Wayson, Donahue, Hoffman, Chipman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Adjournment.  At 8:47 p.m., Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.