HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Excerpt from minutes of November 10, 2009 meeting the winter months when it gets dark during normal shift hours. Standard lighting methods are
inadequate for illuminating the top of the coal pile, and workers run the risk of driving off the edge
of the pile in a bulldozer in the darkness. The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, the City's
Workplace Safety Advisor, had recommended that additional lighting be added. In its
recommendation,the relevant OSHA regulations requiring employers to provide a worksite free of
hazards were cited.
Mr.Kom stated that the flood lights needed will exceed the 18001umens limitation specified in the
City's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance, and there is a possibility that some light will reach residences
located south of the coal yard. Director Kom emphasized that every effort will be made to follow
the guidelines set out in the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance to control the glare, while still providing
safe working conditions for the equipment operators.He said that the lights will be illuminated only
when work is being done in the coal yard, which is normally only in the early evening hours. The
lights will be aimed towards the coal pile with shields installed to ensure down-lighting and reduce
light pollution.It was noted by Mr.Kom that the City's current Ordinance provides for an exception
for hazard warning luminaries required by federal regulatory agencies; in this case, OSHA.
SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS: Planning and Housing Director Steve
Osguthorpe advised that text amendments were needed to the Municipal Code pertaining to
subdivisions, and in particular, related to required turnarounds for fire trucks and plat amendment
procedures. Mr. Osguthorpe noted that the development community was asked for input initially,
but the final proposal was not discussed with those persons prior to it coming before the City
Council for approval. Director Osguthorpe asked that the item be postponed until staff has had a
chance to review the final proposal with those persons.
Moved by Goodman, seconded by Popken, to table until staff has an opportunity to discuss the
proposed text amendments with the development community.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
City Attorney Doug Marek explained that several ordinances were recently enacted that amended
parts of the subdivision chapter of the Municipal Code. Those new ordinances added several new
definitions, and they now need to be put into the proper alphabetical and numerical sequences.
According to Mr. Marek, the proposed ordinance makes no substantive changes, but just provides
definitions in the correct order,both alphabetically and numerically.
Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Doll, to pass on first reading an ordinance renumbering
definitions.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS PERTAINING TO MECHANICAL UNITS:
Director Osguthorpe advised that mechanical units are defined in Section 29.201(116)as"a climate
control device and/or piece of hardware used for the delivery or measurement of utilities,"and the
Municipal Code requires visual screening of such units. According to Mr. Osguthorpe, screening
of mechanical units is described in various sections of the Code,with varying requirements,which
results in both redundancy and inconsistency among standards.Mr. Osguthorpe also acknowledged
that enforcement of the standards had not been consistent.
Mr. Osguthorpe presented pictures of various projects and how screening of mechanical units had
been handled. He pointed out the practical difficulties in applying the existing standards, i.e., the
requirement to screen mechanical units as seen from any abutting property is difficult because
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