Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 01/20/2004MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA JANUARY 20, 2004 The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:15 p.m. on the 20th day of January, 2004, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Ted Tedesco presiding and the following Council members present: Cross, Goodhue, Goodman, Mahayni, Vegge, and Wirth. Ex officio Member Johnston was absent. Mayor Tedesco announced that public input on the CIP has been changed from January 27, 2004, to February 3, 2004. The Council will break from the budget hearings at 7:00 p.m. to allow for public input on the CIP. The Mayor introduced the City’s new Human Resources Director Julie Huisman. Julie began her duties with the City on December 22, 2003. WORKSHOP ON THE 2004-2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN (CIP): Mayor Tedesco stated that tonight’s meeting would serve as a workshop for the Council members to hear staff presentations on the recommended five-year CIP. He again stated that public input is scheduled to be received at the Council’s special meeting of February 3, 2004. City Manager Steve Schainker explained that this Plan reflects expenditures of $183,119,249 from various federal, state, and local funds to accomplish major projects in our community over the next five years. He stated that, due to the economic uncertainty, City staff developed a CIP that reflects less property-tax-supported expenditures than the prior five-year Plan. He pointed out that General Obligation Bonds are traditionally issued to finance street, traffic, public safety, and storm sewer projects in the CIP, and property taxes are then used to pay back the principal and interest payments on this debt. Mr. Schainker noted that the annual average amount of borrowing anticipated in this five-year Plan is $4,986,376 as compared to $6,409,300 reflected in the previously approved Plan. He told the Council that the City was recently notified that Local Option Sales Tax revenues for 2003/04 are expected to exceed the budgeted level by $418,000. He reminded the Council that 60% of those funds are used to lower property taxes. Finance Director Duane Pitcher reviewed the City’s debt capacity. He advised that the state of Iowa statutory debt limit is 5% of total actual valuation, and the City of Ames has a policy to reserve 25% of the available debt capacity. Mr. Pitcher said the City still shows a large percentage of debt capacity available. Police Chief Loras Jaeger introduced Chuck Cychosz, Support Services Manager. Chief Jaeger explained that the Mobile Data Terminals for Police/Fire Vehicle project is being delayed to allow City staff to explore funding sources, including interagency agreements and cost-sharing. Mr. Cychosz, who is leading the discussions of a County-wide public safety network, advised that a stumbling block has been start-up and operational expenses; however, they are optimistic that Homeland Security funds could be used for that reason. Mobile Data Terminals would still be needed, so that project has remained in this CIP; however, the cost could be less if interagency cost-sharing is agreed upon. Chief Jaeger summarized a new project: Computer-Aided Dispatch Hardware/Software Upgrade slated to occur in 2004/05. The vendor is phasing out the current version of the software. Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred advised that the Fire Department plans to replace Engine 1 as a frontline apparatus and move it to reserve status at Station No. 3. In 2005/06, they plan to refurbish Reserve Engine 3. Renovations to Fire Station No. 2 are planned to be staged over a four-year period, and Station No. 1 will receive renovations over a five-year period. Mr. Kindred said that the renovation projects had been delayed one year to help cover the state’s “Reinvention” budget cuts; they are not new projects. Mr. Schainker pointed out that the renovation projects will be funded with Local Option Sales Tax. Mr. Schainker explained the Outdoor Warning System project. He said that the incremental placement of the storm sirens over the years has combined with growth in the community to leave some areas uncovered, and this capital program will allow the City to acquire larger new sirens to augment, and eventually replace, the smaller older sirens. Mr. Schainker advised that this project will be funded with Local Option Sales Tax. Public Works Director Paul Wiegand said a major project is to prepare a new Transportation Plan for the baseline year of 2005 and forecast traffic for 25 years (to 2030). Due to the City of Ames becoming a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) requires that by October 2005, a new Transportation Master Plan be prepared. Mr. Wiegand then explained the cost changes to the Bicycle Trail System and the proposed locations. Financing will be from Local Option Sales Tax and MPO/STP funds. Two new projects, the Annual Traffic Signal Program and Railroad Crossing Improvements, were explained. There is no change to the Pedestrian Walkway Program, which will continue for the next five years. Another new project explained by Mr. Wiegand was the Bi-Annual Traffic Accident Studies program, which will be used for planning future capital improvement projects that will improve safety. He went on to explain the U. S. 69 Intersection Improvements project. According to Mr. Wiegand, there is a cost change to the West Lincoln Way Intersection Improvements program. This project provides for constructing turn lanes and modifying traffic signals at the Franklin Avenue/Lincoln Way and the Dotson Drive/Lincoln Way intersections and the installation of traffic signals at the Dotson Drive/Lincoln Way intersection. The Intelligent Transportation system (ITS) Study was explained: It is a new project that will focus on examining the traffic signal system and determining how it may be improved. Mr. Wiegand further advised that there is no change to the Resource Recovery System Improvements Project. Director of Water and Pollution Control Tom Neumann explained one new project: Repainting the Bloomington Road Elevated Tank. The Water Supply Expansion project has been delayed as has the Well Replacement project. Mr. Neumann discussed the Southwest Pressure Zone project, which provided for a second pressure zone within the water distribution system. He advised that the Water Plant Equipment Replacement project has seen a cost change and has been extended. Paul Wiegand described the Water System Improvements project. He stated that the funding level for this program has increased due to the need to address older pipes in the system. Mr. Wiegand reviewed a new project: the Water Distribution System Update Study; it is to verify that the two- pressure water distribution system is operating as designed and to make updates to the existing Water Distribution System Model. He said that there is no change to the Storm Sewer Intake Rehabilitation Program, which is an annual program to replace deteriorated storm sewer intakes. 2 A reinstated project, the Storm Sewer Outlet Erosion Control, is included in this CIP. He advised that the Westbend Drive Area project is planned to commence this spring. The Annual Residential Street Low-Point Drainage Improvements project, an annual program for drainage improvements to decrease street flooding at low points in the street grade, will see a site change according to Mr. Wiegand. He said that the South Duff Area Storm Sewer Reconstruction project has been delayed due to funding prioritization. Mr. Schainker pointed out that these two projects are funded with General Obligation Bonds. Mr. Wiegand explained that the Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Program will see an increased funding level due to increased demand to maintain the sanitary sewer system. He said that the Clear Water Diversion project, which is the annual program providing for diversion of footing drain discharge from sanitary sewers to storm sewers, will see no change. Continuation of this program buys capacity at the sewage treatment facility. A new project, the Sanitary Sewer System Study, was explained. The Study will identify areas of improvements to existing infrastructure to adequately handle current conditions as well as future growth. Mr. Schainker emphasized that the Worle Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunkline is not in this CIP. Mr. Neumann explained the WPC Equipment program, which shows a need for $200,000 in 2004/05 and $225,000 in 2005/06 for roof replacements, security improvements, and raw water and trickling filter heat recovery. He described the Plant Digester Cleaning project, a new project that removes the accumulated inorganics or indigestible fats/grease, stabilizes solids, and then either landfills or land-applies them as appropriate and consistent with state and federal standards. Another new project, the Database Management System, was explained by Mr. Neumann as a project to create a system for all data generated within the Water and Pollution Control department. It will eliminate substantial manual data manipulation and improve retrieval and reporting abilities. Mr. Neumann summarized the Biosolids Storage/Thickening Program, which has been delayed to 2005/06 and 2006/07. The WPC Plant Expansion has also been delayed. The City still does not have a permit; however, during 2003, staff met with IDNR regional staff to discuss permit renewal, and that permit may be issued within the next year. Mr. Neumann stated that the extent of any improvements will not be known until a permit is issued. He said that the Wet-Weather Flow Treatment project has been delayed until 2006/07. Merlin Hove, Electric Services Director, reviewed their nine new projects in this CIP. He gave highlights of the Wide-Area Network project; Power Plant Fire Protection System; Power Plant Piping Inspection project; Pavement of the Truck Road in the Coal Yard, which may not be done if the City returns to rail delivery; Southeast 16th Street 69Kv Line Relocation, which will be necessary if improvements are made to Southeast 16th Street and bridge; Well Water Iron Removal System; Retubing of Unit 7 Condenser, which is planned for FY 2006/07, but may be moved up if the number of leaks increases; the Power Plant Heating Boiler, and the System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System Upgrade, which will replace current equipment, in FY 2007/08, that will be at the end of its useful life. Mr. Hove advised that the source of funding for all of the projects is Electric Utility Revenue. He said that the only project to be funded by Electric Revenue Bonds would be the Base Load Generating Capacity Upgrade, which 3 has been delayed until 2008/09. Mr. Schainker advised that for all of these improvements, “modeling” is used; projections for operating costs, revenues, and capital improvements for at least five years are ascertained. That allows for advance notice to be given if a rate increase should be necessary. Mr. Hove reminded the Council that a rate increase has not been necessary in the City of Ames since 1979. Paul Wiegand talked about the Transportation projects in this CIP. There will be a cost change to the East Lincoln Way Widening project (Skunk River to I-35); it is due to updated cost estimates since it was planned in 2001/02. Cost changes to Arterial Street Rehabilitation and the Southeast 16th Street Paving and Bridge Replacement projects were also explained. Council Member Mahayni expressed concern about the Southeast 16th Street projects, which continue to be added and incur cost upgrades. He is unsure how justified the projects are if there is not a lot of commercial acreage to be added. Mr. Mahayni also wanted to know what impact the proposed mall would have on this project, e.g., a lesser demand for commercial development. Council Member Wirth also pointed out that there were concerns over what impact the Southeast 16th Street project would have on the Transportation Plan. Mr. Mahayni said he continues to see a need to study the entire vicinity and how improvements to this Street will impact the other roadways. Ms. Wirth said that there is concern that the Master Transportation Plan was not updated prior to making the decision to upgrade Southeast 16th Street. Discussion ensued over the comparison of benefits of upgrading Southeast 16th Street versus SE Fifth Street. Cy-Ride Route Reconstruction and Asphalt Resurfacing projects will also see cost changes due to updated estimates and decreases in Road Use Tax funding ($200,000/year), respectively. There will be no change to the Neighborhood Curb Replacement Program, according to Mr. Wiegand. He explained the Grand Avenue (U. S. 69) Extension – Lincoln Way to South 5th Street, which will incur a change due to updated cost estimates. Council Member Cross thinks that it would be more beneficial, and less costly, to extend Grand Avenue to South 3rd Street or South 4th Street, instead of South 5th Street. Mr. Wiegand said there would be a significant cost increase, from $800/user/day to $2,300/user/day, if Grand would be pushed through all the way to South 16th Street. Mr. Wiegand pointed out that the Grand Avenue Extension is not scheduled to begin until 2005/06. Mayor Tedesco advised that for either of those possibilities, funding would need to be requested from our Congressional Delegation. Mr. Schainker reminded the Council that federal funding has already been requested for extending Grand Avenue to South 5th Street; more money would be needed to extend it all the way to South 16th Street. Mr. Wiegand advised that the Collector Street Rehabilitation Program has been delayed one year because of funding prioritization; however, the funding level increases in 2006/07 shift focus from the repair of major streets to the Collector Street Rehabilitation Program, where increased needs are being experienced. According to Mr. Wiegand, there are no changes to the West Lincoln Way Widening project (Thackeray Avenue to the west corporate limits) or to the South Dayton Avenue Realignment project, which is slated for 2006/07. He said that the South Duff Avenue Improvement Project has been delayed due to funding prioritization. There is a cost change to the Concrete Pavement Reconstruction Program. The funding increase for this project, in 2005/06, is available from shifting G. O. Bonds that were originally earmarked for the 2005/06 Collector Street Rehabilitation Program; grant funding is available for the Collector Street Rehab Program. Mr. 4 Wiegand said that they have a site change for the Seal Coat Removal/Asphalt Reconstruction Program; in 2004/05, portions of Alabama Lane, Arizona Avenue, and Alberta Avenue will be done, and in 2005/06, Toronto Street (150' west of Arizona Avenue to Garfield Avenue) will be completed. There will be no change to the Bridge Rehabilitation Program or to the Sidewalk Safety Program. The Slurry Seal Program will see a site change in 2004/05. Bob Bourne, Director of Transit Operations, explained the CyRide Building Expansion and Modernization project. He advised that, due to the low bid price, adequate funds remained in the current grant to retain an architect in the summer of 2003 to design an additional 14-bus storage area, a federal earmark for construction has been received to fund construction of the storage area, and a future earmark will provide funds for office construction. Vehicle Replacement was reviewed by Mr. Bourne. Replacement buses are subject to federal funding levels and statewide distribution of federal funds, but should be more predictable than in previous years. The Government of the Student Body (GSB) will be asked to provide the local share to replace used buses that were purchased for fare-free service. Mr. Bourne described the Vehicle Security System, where vehicle cameras are installed in buses to help identify passengers whose behaviors are unacceptable while riding. A new project, Support Equipment, was explained by Mr. Bourne. He said that the FTA urban program provides capital assistance for a variety of projects related to the capital support of operating programs; these include computer replacement, office equipment, building repairs, and non-revenue vehicles. According to Mr. Bourne, there will be no change to the Stange Road/University Village Traffic Control project or to the Resurfacing of Commuter Lots at Iowa State Center. The Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Technology project was explained. It is a new project that will enable CyRide to track the exact location of buses to give better service on both Fixed Route and Moonlight Express Routes and to improve overall security on the buses. Airport Improvements (rehabilitation and asphalt improvements to runways, aprons, and taxiways) were described by Mr. Wiegand. Nancy Carroll, Director of Parks and Recreation, recapped the new projects contained in this CIP. She highlighted the Municipal Pool Maintenance project, specifically noting that all improvements are shared 50/50 with the Ames School District. She said that with the passage of the $10 million school bond issue, the District will be renovating Ames High during the next three years. Continued discussions will be occurring with the District; however, it may be that closure of the Municipal Pool will be required periodically during the next six months. Ms. Carroll said that projects to be completed in FY 2006/07 will require closure of the Municipal Pool for possibly up to six months. She explained the electrical/lighting upgrades in the City Auditorium. Ms. Carroll described the changes to the Bandshell Building Renovation Project. She explained the progress of the Bandshell Fundraising Committee to date ($255,000 privately raised/$100,000 City). Ms. Carroll stated that it is anticipated that construction will begin in August 2004, following the Municipal Band concert season. Lastly, the Ames Skate Park Improvements project was explained; in 2005/06, a lighting system will be installed. Gina Millsap, Library Director, described the Library Building Improvements Program, which 5 provides for improving and refurbishing interior and exterior elements of the building that will deteriorate if not maintained and other improvements in response to customer comments and requests. There is no change in this project. City Hall Improvements were explained by City Manager Schainker. He said the cost change is due to decreased cost estimates of the building repairs and mechanical contingencies planned for 2004/05. Concerning the Neighborhood Improvement Program, Steve Schainker reminded the Council that the Program was originally designed to enhance the appearance of neighborhoods with the addition of permanent physical improvements and promote a greater sense of community through resident participation in neighborhood projects. Mr. Schainker advised that with the recent implementation of the Neighborhood Liaison Program, the City is committed to creating great neighborhoods with a sense of community. To complement this initiative, eligibility for these funds will be expanded beyond the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program and also include such projects as the sub-area planning elements or other support programs for neighborhood associations that are identified to bolster the development of strong neighborhoods. City Manager Schainker advised that throughout the year, the City has received several requests that could impact the CIP. Because the City Council did not have an opportunity to discuss these requests in detail or determine their impact on the overall budget, they have not been incorporated into this document. He outlined those requests, the first of which was a request for Cultural District funding. Mr. Schainker said that the Ames Main Street District has requested a reallocation of $60,000 of the $100,000 budgeted this year for the Downtown Facade Program. He said that the City’s contribution will be matched with $120,000 from private sources to fund the operations of the Cultural District for a three-year pilot program. The second request was for the Youth Sports Complex funding. Mr. Schainker advised that efforts to raise more private funding to complete the few improvements that are still planned for the facility have been less successful than the initial round of donations. The Youth Sport Complex is seeking $75,000 from the City ($25,000/year over a three-year period) – with their contribution to be a total of $57,000 over the same period – to complete walking paths, seal coat parking lots, and construct and install new playground equipment/shelters. Mr. Schainker stated that funding for this project could come from the Park Acquisition and Development program balance. The issue of the hard-surface parking requirement at the Complex was also discussed. That issue would need to be worked out; a possibility would be to permit a double-seal coating of the roadway instead of pavement. A request for Southeast Entryway funding from the South Ames Business Neighborhood for $153,000 over a two-year period to improve the entryway at Highway 30/Dayton Road Interchange has also been received. Mr. Schainker pointed out that the improvement of this Entryway is consistent with one of the goals of the LUPP and could serve as a prototype for other entryways to our community. He said that the leveraging of non-City dollars is attractive with the City contributing 34%; the IDOT, 23%; and private sources, 43%. Mr. Schainker reminded the Mayor and City Council that the City had received an offer from the property owner of 521 Fifth Street to sell that property for $135,000. He pointed out that the City has already purchased and removed the other three homes adjacent to this building. The 6 acceptance of this offer would be wise, according to Mr. Schainker, to provide for the expansion of City Hall. In the interim, surface parking, paid for from the Parking Fund, could be built there to accommodate the parking needs of downtown employees and visitors to the proposed Veterans Memorial. CLOSED SESSION: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to hold closed session as provided by Section 20.17(3), Code of Iowa, to discuss collective bargaining strategy. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to reconvene the regular meeting. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 04-014 approving the Agreement between the City of Ames and the IAFF, Local 625 (Fire Fighters). Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 04-015 approving the Agreement between the City of Ames and the IUOE, Local 234 (Power Plant). Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. _______________________________ _______________________________ Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor 7