Minutes
North Liberty City Council
March 22, 2016
Regular Session
Call to order
Mayor Amy Nielsen called the March 22, 2016 Regular Session of the North Liberty City Council to order at 6:32 p.m. Council members present: Terry Donahue, Chris Hoffman, Annie Pollock (by phone), Jim Sayre, and Brian Wayson.
Others present: Ryan Heiar, Tracey Mulcahey, Scott Peterson, Kevin Trom, Dean Wheatley, Stefan Juran, Amy Johnson, Steve Kuhl and other interested parties.
Approval of the Agenda
Wayson moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the agenda with removal of February revenues. The vote was all ayes. Agenda approved.
Consent Agenda
Wayson requested removal of the claims list from the Consent Agenda. Donahue moved, Sayre seconded to approve the Consent Agenda including the City Council Minutes from the Regular Session on March 8, 2016; the attached list of Claims; the Liquor License Renewal for Azul Tequila, Class C Liquor License with Sunday Sales endorsement; the Liquor License Renewal for Blue Bird Café, Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales endorsements. After discussion, the vote was all ayes. Consent agenda approved.
Public Comment
Dan Skemp, 40 Pinehurst Court, spoke regarding the minimum wage. He requested that Council take no action on the minimum wage ordinance. Kurt Friese, a small business owner from Iowa City, spoke in support of the increase in the minimum wage. Pastor Anthony Smith, New Creations Church, spoke regarding the faith based community’s opinion on the minimum wage ordinance. Tracy Aubrecht spoke in support of the minimum wage increase. Patrick Wallace, Iowa City Federation of Labor president, presented information in support of the City Council doing nothing on the minimum wage ordinance. Stephanie Bales, 915 W. Zeller St, IBEW, requested to leave the wage in place. Raquishia Harrington, 70 Prairie Ridge Court, spoke in support of leaving the wage ordinance in place. Max, who spoke through his interpreter, requested the minimum wage increase. Mazahir Salih, the President for The Center for Worker Justice, asked for Council to listen to the people who are here tonight. Leticia, who spoke through an interpreter, spoke in support of leaving the minimum wage alone. Rev. John Greve, 525 Penn Court, spoke in support of the minimum wage increase. Royce Ann Porter, 136 Appanoose Court, Iowa City, spoke in support of the minimum wage increase. Jennifer Sherer, Iowa City, spoke in support of the minimum wage increase. Sherer is a part of the Iowa Policy Project. She offered Peter Fisher and the Iowa Policy Project as a resource and provided some information regarding the cost of living and what happens when wages are higher than a neighboring county. A gentleman spoke representing the Sudanese community and requested to leave the minimum wage alone. John Hostetler, Iowa City, spoke regarding leaving the minimum wage ordinance alone. Chris Wienert, Iowa City, spoke regarding leaving the minimum wage alone. Lisa Green-Douglass, rural Johnson County, spoke regarding her tenants experiences on minimum wage. Jeremy Hensley, Iowa City, Community Transportation Committee, spoke regarding the transportation proposal.
City Engineer Report
City Engineer Trom reported that trees have been cleared, house removed, started on box culvert, NL Road closed, working on temporary paving for the North Liberty Road/Dubuque Street Project. The Penn Street ICAAP preconstruction meeting is on Monday. Staff met with Heartland Express regarding the project. Alliant and Mediacom have made all their utility relocations. The Water System Update Project design meetings will be next week to review the 70% complete designs. Due to potential poor soil conditions, additional early site prep might be required. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Project is approximately 31% complete. The East Growth Utilities Project water main portion should be ready in the next few days. Substantial completion of the project is April 1. Final completion is June 1. The SRF Sponsored Project next milestone date is April 1. Council discussed the report with Trom.
City Planner Report
City Planner Wheatley reported on attendance areas for the Iowa City Schools. Staff are reviewing possible pedestrian and car scenarios due to busing changes. Police are out watching student movements to help in the planning. Council discussed the report with Wheatley.
Pollock left the meeting at 7:28 p.m.
City Attorney Report
City Attorney Peterson reported that regarding agenda item number 18, two easements have been executed by adjacent property owners. Peterson asked that Council consider condensing the traffic code readings on April 12. He presented information on the Supreme Court case, Hutchison v. Shell, regarding open meetings law. Council discussed the report with Peterson.
Assistant City Administrator Report
Assistant City Administrator Mulcahey reported on the Community Concierge Program and the final, official Census numbers. Council discussed the report with Mulcahey.
City Administrator Report
City Administrator Heiar reported that the Fire Department and Building Department are working on Code Updates. The Water Plant Project is progressing. Seventeen easements, mostly temporary are needed for the raw water lines to the plant. Two police officers are going to San Antonio in May to learn about the Crisis Intervention Team model. City offices are closed on Friday for the holiday. Council discussed the report with Heiar.
Mayor Report
Mayor Nielsen reported on providing the oath of office to the two new police officers, Bruce Sexton and Spence Madole. She attended the Fire Department banquet. Nielsen attended an affordable housing meeting with several housing representatives.
North Liberty Transit Task Force
Committee Chair Amy Johnson presented the Transit Task Force recommendations. Council discussed the report with Johnson.
Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to authorize the recommendations of the task force. After discussion, the vote was: ayes -Donahue, Hoffman, Sayre, Wayson; nays – none.
FY 2015 Audit Report
Steve Kuhl presented information regarding the FY 15 Audit. Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-27, A Resolution accepting the Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2015 as completed by Winkel, Parker & Foster CPA, PC. The vote was: ayes- Wayson, Hoffman, Donahue, Sayre; nays –none; absent – Pollock. Motion carried.
Audit Services Contract
Wayson moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-28, A Resolution approving the Audit Agreement for City Audit Services for FY 2016, FY 2017 and FY 2018 between the City of North Liberty and Winkel, Parker & Foster, CPA PC with the agreement being amended in Section 1D to include notification of elected North Liberty officials. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Donahue, Hoffman, Sayre, Wayson; nays – none; absent – Pollock. Motion carried.
At 8:30 p.m., Mayor Nielsen recessed the meeting.
At 8:36 p.m., the meeting was reconvened.
Johnson County Minimum Wage Ordinance
Council discussed the Johnson County minimum wage ordinance. Consensus was to do nothing at this time but review again before the next increase in beginning of October.
Penn Meadows Park Improvement Project
Heiar presented a summary of the project. Hoffman moved, Sayre seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-29, A Resolution accepting the bid and authorizing execution of the contract for the Penn Meadows Park Paving Improvements Project, North Liberty, Iowa. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wayson, Donahue, Sayre, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.
Dahnovan Estates
Sayre moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-30, A Resolution approving the Development Agreement between the City of North Liberty and Roller Development, LLC and Kaiser Holdings, LLC that establishes the terms and conditions under which Dahnovan Estates will be developed in the City of North Liberty, Iowa. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Sayre, Wayson, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.
Easement Agreements
Heiar presented information regarding the easement agreements. Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-31, A Resolution approving an Easement Agreement between Matthew D. Cayler and Julie A. Cayler and the City of North Liberty, Johnson County, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Sayre, Hoffman, Donahue, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.
Donahue moved, Sayre seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-35, A Resolution approving an Easement Agreement between Richard J. Langel and Carmen M. Langel and the City of North Liberty, Johnson County, Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Sayre, Hoffman, Donahue, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.
Institute of Public Affairs Services Proposal
Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-32, A Resolution Approving the Proposal for Services with the Institute of Public Affairs with the addition of discussion on forms of government and City Charter discussion. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Donahue, Sayre; nays – Wayson. Motion carried.
Shive-Hattery Service Agreements
Hoffman moved, Wayson seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-33, A Resolution approving the Services Agreement between the City of North Liberty and Shive-Hattery for services relating to the North Liberty Road Improvements Project. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Wayson, Sayre, Donahue; nays – none. Motion carried.
Donahue moved, Sayre seconded to approve Resolution Number 2016-34, A Resolution approving the Services Agreement between the City of North Liberty and Shive-Hattery for services relating to the North Liberty Penn Street Improvements Project. The vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Wayson, Donahue, Sayre; nays – none. Motion carried.
Traffic Code Ordinance
At 9:20 p.m., Mayor Nielsen opened the Public Hearing regarding the revisions to the traffic code ordinance. No oral or written comments were received. The public hearing was closed.
Wayson moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the first consideration of Ordinance Number 2016-04, an Ordinance Repealing Chapter 61, Chapter 62, Chapter 63, Chapter 64, Chapter 65, Chapter 67 and Chapter 68 in the Traffic Code of the North Liberty Code of Ordinances and Adopting New Chapters 61 and 62. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Wayson, Sayre, Hoffman; nays – Donahue. Motion carried.
E-Cigarette Ordinance
Donahue moved, Hoffman seconded to approve the second consideration of Ordinance Number 2016-03, An Ordinance amending the North Liberty Code of Ordinances by adding Chapter 48 Smoke Free Places. After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Hoffman, Sayre, Donahue, Wayson; nays – none. Motion carried.
TIF Ordinance
Donahue moved, Sayre seconded to approve the third consideration and adoption of Ordinance Number 2016-02, An Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the January, 2016 Addition to the North Liberty Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. The vote was: ayes – Sayre, Wayson, Donahue, Hoffman; nays – none. Motion carried.
Red’s Parking Agreement
Heiar presented information regarding the proposed agreement. Council discussed the parking and agreement. Wayson moved, Donahue seconded to table Resolution Number 2016-36, A Resolution approving the Agreement Leasing Real Estate Parcel for Parking between the City of North Liberty and Red’s Alehouse. The vote was: ayes – Wayson, Hoffman, Donahue, Sayre; nays – none. Motion carried.
Old Business
Councilor Wayson presented his questions regarding the list of claims. Sayre moved, Wayson seconded to approve the list of claims. The vote was all ayes. Claims approved. Mayor Nielsen asked about intent of staff facilitating Senior Dining. Staff and Council discussed the issue.
New Business
Councilor Wayson reported that due to Severe Weather Awareness Week, sirens will be tested on Thursday.
Adjournment
At 9:51 p.m., Mayor Nielsen adjourned the meeting.
CITY OF NORTH LIBERTY
By: ______________________________________
Amy Nielsen, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Tracey Mulcahey, City Clerk