City Council to Meet on Feb. 22, 2022
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.
This meeting will be held in person and may be accessed live by the public in person or on the internet.
This meeting may be accessed live by the public in person or on the internet at at northlibertyiowa.org/live, on Facebook at facebook.com/northliberty or on YouTube at youtube.com/ northliberty. Meetings are rebroadcast on cable and available on-demand on northlibertyiowa.org/meetings.
Meeting Note
Tuesday’s meeting will be held in person as well as live streamed at Watch Meetings Live.
Consent Agenda
The following items are on the consent agenda and included in the packet:
- City Council Minutes (02/08/22)
- Claims
- Liquor License Renewal, Pancheros
- Pay Application #10, Ranshaw Way, Phase 5, Petersen Contractors , $16,228.97
FY21 Audit Report
Dustin Opatz with BerganKDV will be at Tuesday’s meeting to present the FY21 audit. The packet includes the audit and communication letter, both of which Mr. Opatz will reference in his presentation. Staff is satisfied with the findings and was pleased with the working relationship with the auditing team. The one deficiency noted, internal controls, is a comment that has been included in all previous audit reports because of the difficulty in segregating duties in an office with few employees. Staff recognizes the weakness and will continue to take all feasible steps to segregate duties. The FY21 audit is recommended for approval.
Transit Presentation
Angela McConville, the City’s Special Project Coordinator and person in charge of administering the North Liberty Transportation Assistance Program (NLTAP), will be at Tuesday’s meeting to provide an update on the program.
FY23 Budget – Maximum Levy Hearing & Resolution
Tuesday’s agenda includes a public hearing and resolution regarding the maximum levy for the FY23 budget. The published notice, which is included in the packet, compares the FY22 and proposed FY23 General Fund and Trust and Agency tax rates and revenues.
These revenues will increase by just over 6%, from $10.017 million to $10.627 million. Since revenues are increasing by more than 2%, the accompanying resolution will require a super majority vote of the City Council in order to proceed to the final approval of the FY 23 budget. Multiple staff members have reviewed the resolution in comparison to the budget model and recommend approval of the resolution.
City of North Liberty Newspaper of Record
Last week, the North Liberty Leader informed the City that they are ceasing publication effective immediately. Staff is recommending the City Council name the Cedar Rapids Gazette as the City’s newspaper of record. The Gazette has been very reliable and responsive to the City requests in the past when a publication has been needed on short notice as well as when advertising for employment opportunities.
Right of Way Acquisitions
When Christine Grant Elementary was constructed, a subdivision plat was created which identified which portions of the grounds are dedicated as public right of way. The subdivision was not necessary under the code, and was abandoned in favor of a site plan, but the land to be dedicated as right of way was never formally transferred to the City. This deed corrects that oversight. Staff recommends approval.
The Jones Boulevard Extension project requires the acquisition of several feet of right of way to create a safe corner where Jones Boulevard will extend to the north from Penn Street, from the parcel where Heart to Heart Bridal is situated. The acquisition requires the removal of two mature trees. City Staff have negotiated terms for the necessary acquisition based on the going rate for similarly situated properties along Penn Street. The negotiated cost for acquisition, easement and tree damage is $16,000. Staff recommends approval of the transaction.
Emergency Siren Contract
The City was awarded $46k in FEMA funds to upgrade the outdoor warning siren at Scales Bend Road and Pheasant Lane. The contact with FEMA requires a “work contract statement” between the City and vendor be executed. Staff recommends approval of the resolution and accompanying work contract statement between the City and Frontline Plus Fire and Rescue for the purchase of a new siren.
Assessment Resolution
The assessment resolution includes 22 properties that failed to clear snow this season. Most of these cases are complaint driven. When complaints are received and 48 hours after a snow fall, staff will send a letter giving the resident an additional few days to clear the snow. At that point, if the sidewalk is still not clear, the City hires a contractor to remove the snow. The charges being assessed on the resolution are for the costs paid by the City to the snow removal company. Staff recommends approval of the resolution.
Park Board Appointment
The Mayor is recommending Laura Olds be appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Watts Group Development (The Preserve) Rezoning, Third & Final Reading
Watts Group Development, Inc. is requesting a zoning map amendment on 3.9 acres from RS-6 Single-Unit Residence District to RD-10 Two-Unit Residence District – south side of Denison Avenue approximately 130 feet east of Brook Ridge Avenue– to facilitate development as single-unit zero lot line dwellings. The applicant indicated that the requested change will allow them to offer more affordable homes. The property abuts properties zoned RD-10 to the west so the request is compatible with the area. A good neighbor meeting was held on November 29, 2021 and no one outside of the applicant and City staff attended. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request at its December 7, 2021 meeting. Staff recommends approval as well.
Vintage Estates PAD Amendment
Vintage Estates of North Liberty is requesting an amendment to a previously approved RS-4 PAD Single-Unit Residence Planned Area Development – west side of S. Jones Blvd west of the western terminus of Cory Court – to reduce the rear yard setback from 30’ to 25’ adjacent to the north and west property lines. The applicant indicated that the request is to allow a couple of the units to have slightly larger units and/or patios. The rest of the development would remain as previously approved. Considering the style of development (age-restricted, no individual lots) a rear yard setback reduction would not be a significant impact. A good neighbor meeting was held on January 24, 2022. A few residents attended to better understand the purpose of the request. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request at its February 1 meeting. Staff recommends approval as well.
Zoning Code Ordinance Amendment, Third & Final Reading
This is a substantial amendment to the Zoning Code that City staff has been working on for approximately two years. The overarching goal was to make the Zoning Code more user-friendly and address contemporary trends and best practices. The final reading includes the sign size amendment for 4-story buildings that was made at the February 8 Council meeting. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Ordinance at its January 4, 2022 meeting. Staff recommends approval as well.
Rental Code Ordinance Amendment, Third & Final Reading
This is a companion request to the Zoning Code amendments. It is not a best practice to regulate rental housing in the Zoning Code. The Ordinance proposes relocating relevant rental housing regulations to Chapter 146 (Housing Code). Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance.
Rezoning Ordinance, Third & Final Reading
This is a companion request to the Zoning Code amendment. Three of the rezonings will allow properties to align with the proposed changes in the Zoning Code. The UIHC rezoning is to allow the Zoning Map to better reflect the actual use of the property. All property owners have been contacted and there are no objections to the request. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Ordinance at its January 4, 2022 meeting. Staff recommends approval as well.
