City Council to Meet Sept. 8, 2020

Included in each City Council information packet is a memo from the City Administrator offering a summary and context of items appearing on the agenda. We will begin publishing these memos here in our news feed to make them more accessible. You can sign up to be notified of news items, agendas and more by email.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health and safety concerns require City of North Liberty public meetings to be held electronically, so as to limit the spread of the virus. The public is invited to submit questions and comments in advance of the meeting for consideration submitting them to the City Clerk Tracey Mulcahey via email at [email protected].

This meeting may be accessed live by the public on the internet at northlibertyiowa.org/live.

Meeting Note

Tuesday’s meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and live streamed at Watch Meetings Live as well as available on the City’s Facebook Page. Councilors, staff and other meeting participants will log into the meeting in order to conduct business while the public will be able to watch the debate and decisions being made.

Consent Agenda

The following items are on the consent agenda and included in the packet:

• City Council Minutes (08/25/20)
• Claims
• Pay Application #1, Aquatic Center HVAC Project, Apex Construction, $400,067.80
• Liquor License Renewals
  • Mirabito’s Italian
  • Zio Johno’s

Cherry Pig LLC Subdivision Preliminary & Final Plat

This request is to approve a preliminary and final plat for a two lot subdivision at 135 West Cherry Street. The subdivision would allow the existing residence to remain on the west lot, while permitting a new residence to be constructed on the east lot. Both lots would meet minimum requirements for the RS-8 District. Notably, the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designates the Cherry Street corridor as “Commercial”. Staff will be re-examining this land use designation as the built environment has and will be changing. Additionally, any land use discussion should incorporate the recommendations contained in the Community Branding and Visioning report. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the site plan at its September 1, 2020 meeting. Staff recommends the City Council approve the site plan as well.

Casey’s Marketing Company Site Plan

Casey’s Marketing Company is requesting approval of a site plan to redevelop the existing Liberty Motors and Moxie Solar properties with a 4,160 square foot convenience
store with 12 fueling stations and associated infrastructure. The exterior of the building would be brick with hardi-shingles on the gable ends. City staff requested and Casey’s agreed to provide some additional design features such as windows on the south building elevation facing Westwood Drive and the use of two brick colors to provide visual interest. Brick would be repeated on the canopy supports and the monument sign. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the site plan at its September 1, 2020 meeting. Staff also recommends approval the site plan.

Ranshaw House, Phase 2

Bids were opened on Wednesday, August 19 for Phase 2 of the Ranshaw House project. The low bid was submitted by Wolfe Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $420,000, approximately $77k higher than the architect’s estimate of $343,672.

Since the bid opening, staff and Shive-Hattery have been working with the contractor to reduce the cost of the project. After comparing the project specifications with the bid and further discussion with the contractor, certain scopes have been adjusted, resulting in a $32k cost reduction. A summary of the cost savings are included in the packet. Staff recommends awarding the contractor to Wolfe Contracting, Inc. to include the cost reductions as noted in the letter submitted by Mr. Brian Wolfe.

Contractor: Bid
Wolfe Contracting, Inc.: $420,000.00
McComas-Lacina Construction, L.C.: $527,000.00
Tricon General Construction, Inc.: $561,000.00

Doran Rezoning Request, Second Reading

Tyler and Jennifer Doran are requesting a zoning map amendment at 1475 S. Jones Blvd. to allow the future subdivision of their one-acre parcel into two lots. Once a future subdivision plat is approved, a new residence would be constructed on the western lot adjacent to Chipman Lane. A good neighbor meeting was held on June 9, 2020. No objections to the request have been received. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request at its August 4, 2020 meeting. Staff recommends the City Council approve the request as well.

LJP Rezoning Request, Second Reading

LJP Management, LLC is requesting a zoning map amendment at 205 W. Penn St. to allow the residence to be occupied as a professional office (financial advisor). This does not qualify as a home occupation because the business owner would not reside at the property. The RS-O District is very restrictive and only allows a residence to be used as a professional office, prohibits business signage and limits a maximum of seven employees. This is designed to protect existing neighborhoods and not introduce new commercial zoning to an area. Staff views the RS-O District as being compatible in this location due to the mentioned restrictions and the proximity to the intersection of two arterial streets. A good neighbor meeting was held on June 9, 2020. No objections to the request have been received. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request at its August 4, 2020 meeting. Staff also recommends approval of this zoning change request.

Assessment Resolution

Several properties within the community have failed to maintain their lawns and after attempting to resolve the issue through direct contact with the owners, staff ordered the work done. The resolution, which is recommended for approval by staff, is assessing the property owners for the cost of the lawn service.
Southwest Growth Area Utility Project
Curtis Bowman is a farm tenant for two properties which were affected by the Southwest Growth Area Utility project. City Staff and Mr. Bowman have reached an agreement concerning the fair value of compensation to which he is entitled for crop damages. The agreement states that the City impacted just less than four acres of crop land and as a result will reimburse Mr. Bowman $1,161. The submitted agreement is recommended for approval.

Strategic Goals Report

In February, the City Council held a strategic planning and goal setting session where Elizabeth Hanson with Midwest Municipal Consulting assisted the City Council in developing goals for the next two years. With the pandemic picking up full steam just after the session, the construction of the final presentation document was delayed. That document, which identifies recently completed and on-going projects, trends, concerns and opportunities within local government and the organization, as well as the City Council’s top goals for the next two years, is now complete and included in the packet. Staff recommends approval of the document, solidifying the 2020 -2022 goals. Staff will present regular updates as progress is made on these priority programs and projects.

Fire Service Mutual Aid Agreement

The Tiffin Fire Association (TFA) has agreed to provide the City of North Liberty with assistance for building fires occurring within Madison Township. The TFA and NLFD have memorialized that commitment in writing and staff recommends approval of the proposed agreement.

Pumper Agreement

The City of Coralville has generously offered to loan the City of North Liberty one of their Fire Department’s apparatuses while a North Liberty fire engine is being serviced. The agreement requires the City to take responsibility for any damages that may occur while using Coralville’s fire engine. Additionally, Coralville has been added as an additional insured on the City’s insurance policy while the fire engine is in North Liberty’s care. The Fire Chief anticipates borrowing the apparatus from September 12 through September 17. Staff recommends approval of the agreement.

Parks & Recreation Board Appointment

The Parks and Recreation Commission has a vacancy as one its members moved out of town. Mayor Donahue is recommending the appointment of Jeremy Parrish to fill the vacancy.