Regular Council Meeting February 09, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.   The West Burlington City Council met in Regular Session at 122 Broadway Street with Mayor Pro-Tem Lees presiding.  Council Members Hockett, Riessen, Johnson and Pilger were present.  City Administrator Plyman was also present.  Hockett moved, second by Riessen, to approve the Agenda as presented.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

Riessen moved, second by Pilger, to approve the following Consent Agenda items: Voice Vote.  All aye.  Motion carried. 

A.       Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1999

B.        Financial Report for Month of January, 1999

C.        Payment to City of Burlington – County Wide Communications - $2,182.89

D.       Payment to Burlington Municipal Waterworks for water used in January - $11,110.23

E.        Payment to Loeschen & Loeschen - $1,443.00

F.        Board of Adjustment Minutes for Ed Westerman – 401 Ramsey

G.        Board of Adjustment for Vic Kruse – 727 Melville

H.       Claims as Presented 

BID OPENING FOR PLEASANT MEADOW SUBDIV. LOTS - AWARD TO HIGHEST  BIDDER

Mayor Pro-Tem Lees announced no bids were received.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES:

There were none. 

Report - South Gear Avenue Corridor Transportation Plan  - William Cary, Shive-Hattery - Shive-Hattery Engineer, Bill Cary, reviewed the Gear Avenue Corridor Plan.  He said the plan was prepared after meeting with city officials, local business owners and developers to evaluate existing roadway conditions.  He said this was helpful since it brings together key players in the growth and development of Gear Avenue and West Burlington.

The plan is proposing that Gear Avenue and Agency become a “Gateway Interchange” for the City and that improvements along the Gear Avenue corridor could add to traffic safety and even recognition of the community as a whole.  The plan includes a miniature version of the Great River Bridge over the Mississippi River that would provide pedestrian/bike access over the US 34 freeway.  The report includes photos, basic street improvement plans and a list of potential grant and revenue sources for projects.  Cost issues are not included in the report, but will come as engineers advance the design stages. 

Kathryn Henning of Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission attended the meeting to discuss the way federal TEA21 funds are allotted for regional projects.  Administrator Plyman explained because of the City’s small population, access to these funds is curtailed even though the City has many roads that serve regional transportation needs.  He said West Burlington has slipped through the cracks and this is unfair.  Henning said there are specific rules that dictate how money is allocated to communities with less than 5,000 people.  There are also new federal rules for “minor collectors” which may help West Burlington.  She said a study is now underway to define which roads meet this classification.  Henning invited City officials to attend the Regional Plan Board.

NEW BUSINESS:

Consider Request from School District for TIF Projects on School Properties – Administrator Plyman said he received a letter from West Burlington Schools Superintendent, Jim Sleister.  The school is requesting the City assist the school district with TIF projects on school properties.  Plyman will call Sleister and set up a meeting. 

Consider Adoption of a Second Set of Restrictive Covenants for Certain Lots in Pleasant Meadow Subdivision – Administrator Plyman explained a few months ago, City officials learned that an individual was thinking about purchasing a residential lot in the Pleasant Meadow subdivision so that he could move an old house onto it.  He said the City has spent a considerable amount of effort and money to demolish a number of old residential structures on this property.  The relocation would have undermined the City’s efforts to facilitate the construction of new homes in the community.  Accordingly, the Council asked the City Attorney to prepare restrictive covenants to prevent such relocations from occurring. 

Riessen moved, second by Hockett, to approve a second set of restrictive covenants to preclude lot owners from installing pre-occupied or used structures on the lots in the Pleasant Meadow Subdivision.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

Consider Appointment to Des Moines County Regional Solid Waste Commission – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve the appointment of David Plyman to the Des Moines County Regional Solid Waste Commission, and Terrie Simonson as alternate.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried. 

OLD BUSINESS:

There was none.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

UTILITIES  - There was nothing to report.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Plyman said he met with hospital officials last week to discuss the hospital’s desire to have law enforcement coverage after the hospital opens.  They will develop a job description.    

FINANCE – Hockett said the Council met before to review the FY2000 Budget.   The Budget will be presented to the public at a public hearing at the first meeting in March.

STREETS – Update on Beaverdale Interchange – Johnson said the IDOT is ready to begin the design work for the Beaverdale Interchange.  He said they want to know if the City and County are willing to split the estimated $120,000 in grading costs.  Plyman will correspond with County Supervisors to determine their interest.  

SANITATION  - Plyman said the City received notice from the IDNR concerning effluent limits which were exceeded for silver in June and July, 1998 and for cadmium in October, 1998.  He said the necessary corrections will be made.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES:  There were none.

CLOSED SESSION: 

Collective Bargaining – Riessen moved, second by Hockett, to go into
Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Union negotiations.  Roll call.  Ayes:   Johnson, Pilger, Riessen, Lees, Hockett.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m. upon motion by Riessen and second by Hockett.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

Approved                                              Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

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