Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.   The West Burlington City Council met in Regular Session at 122 Broadway Street with Mayor Trousil presiding.  Council Members Hockett, Lees, Johnson and Pilger were present.  Council Member Riessen was absent.  City Administrator Plyman, Police Chief Walters, Public Works Director Christy and Fire Chief Astfalk were present.   Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve the Tentative Agenda with the addition of Consideration of Union Contracts under Old Business. Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried. 

    Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

    A.     Minutes Regular Council Meeting March 09, 1999

    B.     Financial Report for February

    C.     Training for Police Secretary

    D.     Training for City Clerk

    E.      Donation to West Burlington Arnold High School Post Prom Party

    F.      Payment of $1,541.65 to Cessford Construction for rip rap in Luers Park

    G.     Payment of $9,295.10 to Shive-Hattery for various projects

    H.     Spring Clean-Up for April 12th and April 19th

    I.        Claims as Presented 

    BID OPENING FOR PLEASANT MEADOW SUBDIV. LOTS - AWARD TO HIGHEST  BIDDER Mayor Trousil announced that there were no bids received.

    DISCUSS GEAR AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS – Bill Cary, Shive-Hattery Engineer – Mr. Cary explained the proposed project consists of three new signals (at Agency and the two freeway ramps) and a new lane along the west side of the street, from the college drive to the hospital main entrance.  Two new lanes would be constructed at the Agency Road intersection.  The City has applied to the Iowa Department of Transportation for USTEP grant to fund 55 percent of the cost of the signals.  The Westland Mall-Farm King signal is not eligible for this grant because it is not on the state highway system. 

    The total estimated cost for the project is $1,540,600.  The City is eligible to receive $291,500 under the USTEP grant program.  If the IDOT awards the grant, the City’s cost for the project would be $1,249,100.  Plyman said the City will need to borrow money for this project.     

    Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve the preliminary design concept for Gear Avenue interim improvements.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Lees moved, second by Hockett, to approve a Resolution approving Amendment #2 to the engineering services agreement with Shive-Hattery in the amount of $95,200.   Roll call.  Ayes:  Pilger, Hockett, Lees, Johnson.  Nay:  None.  Motion carried.

    CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES:

    NEW BUSINESS:

    Consider Proposed Engineering Services Agreement for Water Tower Improvements – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve the proposed engineering services agreement with Veenstra & Kimm for designing the water tower repainting/restoration project at a cost of $20,000.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Consider Temporary Amendment to Fire Department Residency Requirement – Mayor Trousil explained a memo was received from Fire Chief Astfalk concerning the department’s residency requirements.   He said the City limits the number of firefighters who may reside outside the corporate limits to eight.  We currently have eight active firefighters and one inactive firefighter – Jeanette Watson – who live outside West Burlington.  The use of the eight-person limit is on a first-come first-served basis. 

    Chief Astfalk explained Firefighter Watson cannot return to active status until one of the eight firefighters resigns or goes inactive or until the Council raises the limit.  The department is recommending that the non-resident limit be raised to nine on a temporary basis.  It would revert to the eight when a vacancy occurs.

    Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve increasing the Fire Department’s non-resident limit to nine on a temporary basis until a vacancy among the nine occurs.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Discuss Sites for New City Hall/Police Structure – Administrator Plyman explained he asked David Metzger to assist in reviewing alternative sites for a new City Hall facility.  Staff identified two possible sites: (1) downtown (existing city hall site expanded north to include the two Derby Furniture parcels) and (2) Pleasant Meadow Subdivision.  Mr. Metzger estimated it would cost $292,500 to purchase and prepare the downtown site for new construction.  He assumed that the City would replace the Derby’s warehouse space by building a warehouse on the lot the family owns just north of their store.  This cost is probably higher than what the family’s Broadway Street property is worth.  Dick Lowe is appraising the Derby’s property on Broadway Street.  These appraisals should be available for the April 13th Council Meeting.

    The City owns the Pleasant Meadow site.  Mr. Metzger estimated the allowance for land purchase at that site on the south side of Mt. Pleasant Street at $85,000.  He also allowed $5,000 for demolition of some existing trees. 

    Administrator Plyman said staff has received inquiries in the last few weeks from individuals interested in purchasing the commercial lots.  He suggested the Council decide as soon as possible whether Pleasant Meadow properties will be reserved for City Hall.   

    Consider Tabling Bids for Commercial Properties in Pleasant Meadow Subdivision until April 27 – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to table consideration of bids, if any, for commercial lots in Pleasant Meadow Subdivision until April 27.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.

    Set Public Hearing for Adopting the  “Municipal Code Book 1999” – Hockett moved, second by Lees, to approve Resolution No. 99-05 directing the Clerk to publish notice of hearing for April 13, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. on the adoption of the proposed “Code of Ordinances of the City of West Burlington, Iowa 1999”.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Pilger, Hockett, Johnson.  Nays:  None.   Motion carried.

    Set Public Hearing for Rezoning Sterzing and Powell Property along Agency Road – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve Resolution No. 99-06 setting a Public Hearing date for April 13, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. on the proposed ordinance amending the Land Use Plan and the Official Zoning Map for certain properties along Agency Road.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Pilger, Lees, Johnson, Hockett.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

    Set Public Hearing for Rezoning Certain Properties along West Agency Road and S. Gear Avenue – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve Resolution No. 99-07 setting a Public Hearing date for April 13, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. on the proposed ordinance amending the Land Use Plan and the Official Zoning Map for certain properties on Agency Road and Gear Avenue.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Pilger, Lees, Johnson, Hockett.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

    Set Public Hearing for Amending the Zoning Code Concerning Residential Use in a Business District   Lees moved, second by Johnson, to approve Resolution No. 99-08 setting a Public Hearing date for April 13, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. on the proposed ordinance amending the zoning code concerning residential use in a business district.  Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Pilger, Johnson.  Nays:  Hockett.  Motion carried.

    Consider Payment to City of Burlington for 1997 Agency/West Burlington Ave. Intersection Improvements – Mayor Trousil explained the Council approved an agreement with Burlington to share in the cost of improvements t the Agency Road/West Burlington Avenue intersection at a not-to-exceed cost of $110,000.  The project was completed last year under budget.  The City of Burlington has invoiced us for our portion in the amount of $78,975.81.  Plyman said the invoice appears to be in order and should be paid. 

    Plyman said the improvement is in TIF District No. 1 and as such, the City can use TIF revenues to pay for the project.  He said, however, TIF District No. 1 does not have enough cash on-hand to pay this invoice.  We will need to borrow money from the General Fund on a short-term basis to make this payment. 

    Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve Resolution No. 99-10 Approving Payment to the City of Burlington in the amount of $78,975.81 for the 1997 Agency/West Burlington Avenue Intersection in accordance with the development agreement dated April 22, 1997.  Roll call.  Ayes:   Lees, Pilger, Hockett, Johnson.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried. 

    Consider Engineering Services Agreement with Shive-Hattery for Agency Road/Broadway Street Imp. – Administrator Plyman said he asked Shive-Hattery engineer Kevin Trom to submit a proposal for designing and supervising the construction of improvements on Agency Road and Broadway Street.  On Agency Road, the project consists of adding a new lane on the north side of the street, between the West Burlington Avenue intersection and the Broadway Street intersection (ending at Altorfer’s).  This new fifth lane would allow for a center turn lane.  It would also eliminate the problem of the existing westbound lanes curving to the north to allow space for the dedicated left turn lane at Broadway Street.  The construction cost is estimated at $135,000. 

    The project also includes a new four-foot wide sidewalk, curbs and gutters and inlets on the west side of Broadway, from Precision Tools to the Wal-Mart driveway.  Plyman said Public Works will continue the sidewalk to the Agency Road intersection.  Wal-Mart will also construct a sidewalk along the north side of its driveway, from the new Broadway Street sidewalk to its parking lot. 

    Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to approve an engineering services agreement at an estimated cost of $20,000 with Shive-Hattery for Agency Road widening and Broadway Street improvements.  Voice vote.  All aye.  Motion carried.   

    OLD BUSINESS:

    Consider  Ordinance on Second Reading Concerning Surcharges on  Certain Sanitary Sewer Customers – Hockett moved, second by Pilger, to approve an ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 99 of the Municipal Code concerning special rates imposed on certain sanitary sewer customers.   Roll call.  Ayes:  Lees, Pilger, Hockett, Johnson.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

    Consideration of Union Contracts – Hockett moved, second by Johnson, to approve the Union Contracts for the Police Officers and Public Works and Office Personnel.  The Contracts are three-year contracts effective July 1, 1999 and include salary increases consisting of 4%, 3.5%, and 3.5%.  Roll call.  Ayes: Lees, Hockett, Johnson, Pilger.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried. 

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

    STREETS – Johnson said he thinks the City should consider street lights on Agency Street near Wal-Mart.  He said the street is extremely dark and is concerned about safety.  Administrator Plyman will contact Alliant for cost estimates. 

    Johnson also said two of the welcome signs the City recently purchased were put up today.  One sign is on East Mt. Pleasant Street and the other on Agency near the General Electric plant.    One more sign will be placed on South Gear Avenue near the lift station. 

    SANITATION – Plyman said we are waiting on the construction permit from the IDNR before improvements at the south lift station can begin. 

    Plyman said the League, in cooperation with a coalition of other agencies, has been working with the Environmental Protection Commission and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to address Iowa’s water quality standards – in particular, the Iowa Water Quality Based Permitting Program.  He said the coalition identified an immediate need to address the ammonia standard.  However, even if the IDNR relaxes the restrictive treatment requirements for ammonia limitations, we will still be out of compliance, and need to upgrade our wastewater treatment facility. 

    UTILITIES – Plyman said the City conducted testing last week on the swimming pool.  He said no major leaks were detected.    

    PUBLIC SAFETY – Set Work Session to Discuss Video Camera in Police Vehicles – A Work Session was set for Monday, April 5, beginning at 7:00 p.m. to discuss several police department topics and public works and City Hall staffing.   

    FINANCE – There was nothing to report.

    ADJOURN – There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m. upon motion by Hockett and second by Lees.  All aye.  Motion carried.

     

                                                                                                                           

    Approved                                                          Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

     

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