Regular Council Meeting January 27, 2003– 5:30 P.M. The West Burlington City Council met in Regular Session at 118 W. Wheeler Street with Mayor Trousil presiding. Council Members Johnson, Hockett, Pilger, Lees and Crowner were present. City Administrator Mandsager, Public Works Director Fry, and Police Chief Walters were also present. Lees moved, second by Crowner, to approve the Agenda as presented. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Lees moved, second by Pilger, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

A.  Minutes of Regular Council Meeting – January 13, 2003

B.  Training for Reserve Police Officers

C.  Purchase of Refrigerator for Composite Sampler - $1,255.00

D.  Payment to Sunset Transmission – Rebuild Transmission – Police Vehicle - $1,804.75

E.  Payment to Municipal Supply, Inc. – Water Meters - $6,606.50

F.  Payment to Des Moines County Auditor – GIS Coordinator - $2,396.16

G.  Payment to Quad City Water Treatment Co. – Wastewater analysis - $,1115.00

H.  Payment of Claims as Presented

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES:

Randy Carlson, 413 Longmeadow, said he was representing residents on Longmeadow concerning the street project. He presented a petition bearing 36 names stating they protest the narrowing of Longmeadow Street during the reconstruction project planned for this spring. He said they understand the street is to be narrowed from 35’ to 27’. He said they appreciate the fact that the street is one of the widest in town, however, there are no alleys in this area that would allow for garages in the back and vehicles must be parked in driveways or on the street. He said narrowing would eliminate parking on at least one side of the street.

Mayor Trousil explained Longmeadow Street was one of the streets listed in the 5 year plan for improvements. He said it was originally scheduled for resurfacing (milling 2" and placing 4" hot mix asphalt) in two years, however, in an attempt to move projects along the street was moved to this year. During a field review of Longmeadow Street the engineer expressed concern that the street base is in poor condition and may not hold up well. He said during the review it was determined the best solution for improving the street was to remove the existing curb and gutter and sealcoat/aggregate and reconstruct the street 27’ back-to-back with 6" reinforced PCC pavement on 6" modified, aggregate sub base. Mayor Trousil said parking will not be any different on the narrowed street than any other street in town. Longmeadow Street is the only 35’ wide street in town.

The following residents spoke against the narrowing of Longmeadow Street and questioned the need for sidewalks:

Janet Ryner, 206 Longmeadow

Ruth Gall, 410 Longmeadow

David Rothlauf, 434 Longmeadow

Anita Renteria, 422 Longmeadow

Chuck Gall, 410 Longmeadow

Jeri Kalb, 430 Longmeadow

Bill Kalb, 430 Longmeadow

Donna and Jim Wilt, 401 Longmeadow

Dean Robinson, 601 Swam, said he can see both sides of the issue.

Residents also asked the Council to take a look at storm sewer when doing the street construction. They blame the storm sewer for sewer back-up they experience when there is a heavy rainfall.

The Council Members agreed reducing the street to the same width as all other streets in town would not cause a parking problem for the residents. They agreed to consider a street width other than 27’ and the need for sidewalks. They also agreed to have the engineer investigate the storm sewers.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

UTILITIES – There was nothing to report.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Police Chief Walters asked the Council if they had any questions about his Annual Crime Report for the Police Department. He said the report includes ‘pin maps’ which designate crash history. This is a report generated by the State based on information provided to them by the new Tracs Program being used by law enforcement agencies around the state. However, Chief Walters said his department is the first community to ask for the map. The Council Members agreed the report provides them with very useful information.

FINANCE – Administrator Mandsager said Pat Callahan with Ruan Securities will be at a Work Session on Tuesday, February 4, at 5:30 to discuss financing for Street Projects.

STREETS – Administrator Mandsager said he did not receive any bids for constructing the concession stand in Community Park. He said some may still arrive.

Council Member Johnson said the street light is still out on North Gear Avenue by the railroad tracks.

Council Member Hockett reported he has observed when driving underneath a street light it sometimes goes off. He thinks something might be malfunctioning with the sensors.

SANITATION – Council Member Hockett suggested starting a map marking the locations of sewer backups. He also stated he wants names and addresses of where sewer backups occur.

NEW BUSINESS:

Consider Amendment to Engineering Services Agreement for 2003 Street Improvement Program –Crowner moved, second by Hockett, to approve an amendment to the Engineering Services Agreement with French-Reneker for the 2003 Street Improvement Program. The amendment involves removing Longmeadow Street (Swan Street to Van Weiss Street) from the resurfacing portion of the project and moving it to reconstruction. This action results in an increase in the amount of $25,800. The revised agreement will be in the amount of $99,000. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

Administrator Mandsager stated it was his understanding the engineering agreement amount will not change whether the street is 27’ or 30’. The Council agreed to take a look at sanitary sewers in the area at the time of the street construction.

Consider Payment to Metzger Johnson for Design of New City Hall – Pilger moved, second by Crowner, to approve payment in the amount of $18,389.22 to Metzger-Johnson for design of the new City Hall. Voice vote. All ayes except Hockett who voted nay.

Consider Payment to French-Reneker-Associates for Engineering Services – Crowner moved, second by Pilger, to approve payment in the amount of $28,653.66 to French-Reneker for various engineering projects. Voice vote. All ayes except Hockett who voted nay.

Crowner suggested placing invoices for controversial projects such as the Shottenkirk Development and Park Place West Estates Development on different memorandums. This would allow someone to vote no for particular projects instead of voting no for all of them.

Consider Engineering Services Agreement for Mt. Pleasant Street and Gear Avenue – Johnson moved, second by Hockett, to approve an engineering services agreement with Snyder & Associates to engineer signal and radius improvements to the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Street and Gear Avenue. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried. The agreement covers design services for a lump sum of $22,000 with construction services to be agreed upon following the bid letting. Administrator Mandsager said Snyder has had the opportunity to review the work completed to date by Shive-Hattery.

OLD BUSINESS:

Consider Second Consideration of an Ordinance Providing for Industrial Tax Exemption – Crowner moved, second by Pilger, to approve the second reading of an ordinance providing for partial exemption from property taxation for Sherwood Company located at 1302 Broadway Street. Council Member Johnson said he would like to see a clause added to the Ordinance stating the construction must be completed in a particular time frame or the exemption will not be granted. Mandsager said this would require a change to the Ordinance allowing for Industrial Property Tax Exemptions.

Council Member Hockett said he would like to see the same thing allowed to residential property owners who make improvements to their homes. He thinks it is a fundamental fairness to allow the tax exemption to home owners as well a commercial property. He said he will only vote no because of the unfairness.

Council Members Lees and Crowner said they think is a shame some Council Members vote no for this exemption when our code clearly allows it. They agreed the Council Members should support the ordinances we have on the books.

Roll call. Ayes: Pilger, Crowner and Lees. Nays: Hockett and Johnson. Motion carried.

Consider Revised Cobo Int’l Agreement and Minimum Assessment Agreement – Administrator Mandsager presented a revised Development Agreement from Cobo’s attorney. The revisions ensure that Cobo must maintain 43 employees for a period of 60 month or 5 years. He also presented the Minimum Assessment Agreement that ensures a minimum assessment of $1.3 million for 10 years. He said we estimated originally that it would take around 8 years to recoup our funding.

Hockett moved, second by Crowner, to approve the revised Cobo International Agreement and Minimum Assessment Agreement. Voice vote. All ayes. Motion carried.

CITIZEN’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

MAYOR’S INQUIRIES: There were none.

ADJOURN – There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. upon motion by Lees, and second by Crowner. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Approved Terrie L. Simonson, City Clerk

 

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