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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 03/11/1999MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AMES, IOWA MARCH 11, 1999 The Ames City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on the 11th day of March, 1999, 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: Campbell, Cross, Hoffman, Parks, Quirmbach, and Wirth. JOINT MEETING WITH LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Gina Millsap, Library Director, introduced the Library Board of Trustees present: Elaine Dunn, Carol Bousquet, Sue Benson, Jackie Slaughter, Kirk Daddow, Pam Reinig, Fred Brown, and Bill Shrum. Copies of the Library’s Annual Report were distributed to the Council. Elaine Dunn presented “10 Reasons to Love Your Library.” Sue Benson explained the current issues facing the Library. Bill Shrum gave an update on the fund-raising efforts of the Library Foundation. Each Board member then shared his or her personal vision/priorities for the Library. Mike Quinn, Information Services Coordinator, demonstrated how to use the General Reference Center. PRESENTATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: Lynette Windsor, City facilitator for the Neighborhood Improvement Program, explained the application process. Frank Schill, 3104 Diamond Street, talked about the Kate Mitchell Homeowners’ Association project, i.e., the construction of a shelter house at Country Gables Park. He showed pictures taken during various stages of the project. Representing the Colonial Village Neighborhood, Phletus Williams, 2132 Friley Road, explained their project of placing house medallions on each of the 35 households and signage denoting the Village’s entryways. He told Council of the history of Colonial Village and the availability of the resident directory. CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Parks, seconded by Cross, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 1.Motion approving payment of claims 2. Motion approving minutes of Special Meetings of February 12, 16, 17, 18 and Budget Wrap- Up/Regular Meeting of February 23, 1999 3. Motion approving certification of Civil Service applicants 4. Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits and/or liquor licenses: a. Class C Beer - Fareway Stores, Inc., 619 Burnett Avenue b. Class A Liquor - BPO Elks #1626, 522 Douglas Avenue c. Class C Liquor - Cafe Beaudelaire, 2504 Lincoln Way 5. Motion directing City Attorney to prepare ordinance for extension of school bus loading zone parking restriction on Burnett Avenue by Meeker School 6. Motion directing City Attorney to prepare ordinance establishing parking restrictions on SE Third Street and SE Fifth Street 7. RESOLUTION NO. 99-61 awarding contract for purchase of truck bodies, digger derricks, and accessories 8. RESOLUTION NO. 99-62 approving plans and specifications for 1998-99 Neighborhood Curb Replacement Program; setting March 31, 1999, as bid due date and April 13, 1999, as date of public hearing and award of contract 9. RESOLUTION NO. 99-63 approving plans and specifications for Street Lighting Materials for the Main Street Redevelopment Project; setting March 31, 1999, as bid due date and April 13, 1999, as date of public hearing and award of contract 10. RESOLUTION NO. 99-64 approving contract and bond for Renovation of the Circulation and Media Departments at the Ames Public Library Project 11. RESOLUTION NO. 99-65 accepting completion of 1997-98 Annual Residential Street Low Point Drainage Improvements (Franklin Park Area) 12. RESOLUTION NO. 99-66 accepting completion of Major Inspection of Unit #7 Steam Turbine and Generator 13. RESOLUTION NO. 99-67 authorizing the repair of two feedwater heaters on Unit #7 at the Power Plant by American Power Services, Inc. 14. RESOLUTION NO. 99-68 authorizing Unit #8 precipitator repair work by Precipitator Services Group 15. RESOLUTION NO. 99-69 approving 1999 farm lease agreement for WPC Plant 16. RESOLUTION NO. 99-70 approving Main Street artwork contract with David Dahlquist 17. RESOLUTION NO. 99-71 approving abandonment of 10-foot utility easement along east side of Stange Road in Somerset Subdivision, 4th Addition 18. RESOLUTION NO. 99-72 adopting new and revised fees for rental housing regulation Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: No one came forward to speak. CLASS C BEER PERMIT FOR CAMPBELL OIL CO., (ALMOST ALWAYS OPEN), 419 LINCOLN WAY: Moved by Parks, seconded by Cross, to approve a Class C beer permit for Campbell Oil Co., (Almost Always Open) located at 419 Lincoln Way. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REQUEST FROM AMES MAIN STREET DISTRICT FOR SUSPENSION OF PARKING ENFORCEMENT FOR EASTER MAGIC CELEBRATION: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Hoffman, to approve the request from Ames Main Street District for suspension of parking enforcement in the CBD for Easter Magic celebration to be held on March 27, 1999. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REQUEST OF GREEK WEEK ORGANIZERS TO CLOSE STREETS FOR BLOCK PARTY: Council Member Campbell asked if the neighbors would be notified prior to the occurrence of this event. Adam Kapp, representing IMPACT, an ISU Greek organization, informed her that Greek Week representatives will be going door to door and flyers will be distributed to apprise the neighborhood residents. Ms. Campbell requested that particular attention be paid to picking up trash left after the event concludes. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to approve the request of Greek Week organizers to close Sunset Drive from the intersection of Ash Avenue to the adjoining intersection of Greeley and Gray for an alcohol-free Greek Block Party to be held on March 27. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 1999-2000 “ART AROUND THE CORNER” RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PUBLIC ART COMMISSION: Jane Greimann, member of the Public Art Commission, 1518 - 13th Street, showed pictures of the artwork recommended for purchase. Council Member Wirth recommended that artwork be displayed on both Fifth and Main Streets since the concrete bases are in place at both locations. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Parks, to approve the 2 selected sculptures for the 1999 “Art Around the Corner” exhibition and authorize staff to enter into contracts with the respective sculptors for exhibition of their artwork. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ISU RESEARCH PARK CORPORATION’S REQUEST TO INCREASE MAXIMUM SALE PRICE OF LOTS IN PHASE II: Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-73 waiving the lot price limit under the Research Park Phase II Development Agreement for recovery of ISU telecommunications infrastructure costs. Roll Call Vote: 5-0-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Hoffman, Quirmbach, Wirth. Voting nay: None. Abstaining: Parks. Resolution declared carried, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC HEARING ON SNOW/ICE REMOVAL ASSESSMENTS: Mayor Tedesco declared the hearing open. There being no one wishing to testify, the hearing was closed. Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-74 assessing costs of snow/ice removal to the property owner, instructing the Finance Director to prepare a spreadsheet on the assessment, and directing the City Clerk’s Office to file the assessment with the Story County Treasurer. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Mayor Tedesco requested to next discuss Item #32 on the agenda, i.e., the proposed hotel/motel tax increase, due to Council Member Parks needing to leave the meeting on or before 8:30 p.m. HOTEL/MOTEL TAX INCREASE TO 7%: Council Member Quirmbach asked for the status of negotiations between the City and the University regarding the contracts detailing the distribution of proceeds generated from the proposed tax increase. City Manager Steve Schainker stated that they had not finalized any agreements. Council Member Campbell said she believes that the contracts need to be completed before the third reading of the ordinance. Mayor Tedesco felt that Letters of Intent would suffice if the actual contracts could not be completed by the Council’s next meeting date of March 23. Council Member Quirmbach advised that he felt more discussion was needed on the alternatives for the use of the additional tax proceeds. He believes that the proceeds from the additional tax could be allocated to other projects which would better benefit the Ames community. Mr. Quirmbach does not think the costs of the improvements to Hilton Coliseum should be borne by the hotel/motel owners. Council Member Campbell stated that this issue was proposed by the University and needs to be decided upon by the voters. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to pass on second reading an ordinance increasing the hotel/motel tax to 7%. Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Hoffman, Parks, Wirth. Voting nay: Quirmbach. Motion declared carried. Moved by Parks, seconded by Cross, to table until March 23, 1999, the resolution requesting the County Auditor to set April 27, 1999, as the date for the Special Election to allow staff time to finalize the contracts regarding the distribution of the additional tax proceeds. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 3 PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 1999-2000 BUDGET: Mayor Tedesco declared the hearing open. There being no one to testify, the hearing was closed. Moved by Parks, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-75 adopting the Municipal Budget for FY 1999-2000. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC HEARING ON MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT: Mayor Tedesco declared the hearing open. There being no one wishing to testify, the hearing was closed. Mayor Tedesco brought the Council’s attention to a letter which had been received from Norm Skadburg, Branch Manager of Commercial Federal Bank, 525 Main Street. Mr. Skadburg informed the Council that the sidewalk in front of the Bank is deteriorating and its repair had been postponed pending the completion of the Main Street Project. He requested that the streetscape improvements from Clark to Grand not be eliminated. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-76 awarding a contract to VanHauen & Associates of Clive, Iowa, in the amount of $3,149,234.45 after making deducts numbered 1, 2, and 3. Steve Schainker stated that there would be an overage if the contract is approved. He gave the Council some options from which to pay for the overage, one of which was to reallocate monies from the Sanitary Sewer Fund in the amount of $207,000. Two possible sources for paying for the Streetscape improvements, the overage of which was $230,000, were to utilize available balances in the Electric Fund for the light poles and Utility Fund for the underground conduit. In addition, $103,000 originally allocated for street furniture and trees was reallocated to streetscape improvements. The additional $24,000 which still would be needed was recommended to come from hotel/motel tax proceeds (the 1% which is currently earmarked for economic development). Council Member Parks stated that he thought it was feasible to complete the Main Street Project in its entirety, i.e., including Clark to Grand. Council Member Wirth said that she believes there are a number of advantages to doing the Project in its entirety rather than leaving some things to be accomplished next year. Moved by Parks, seconded by Wirth, to amend the motion and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99- 76 awarding a contract to VanHauen & Associates of Clive, Iowa, in the amount of $3,335,524.75 to complete the Main Street Reconstruction Project in its entirety (including Clark to Grand improvements); said additional costs to be paid from the General Fund balance previously allocated to the South Dakota Interchange Project. Vote on Amendment: 5-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Hoffman, Parks, Wirth. Voting nay: Quirmbach. Motion declared carried. City Manager Schainker stated that he would feel more comfortable paying for the additional costs out of the hotel/motel tax. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to amend the amendment to change the funding source for the additional costs associated with the Clark to Grand improvements to the hotel/motel tax available balance. Vote on Amendment: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 4 Roll Call Vote on Amended Motion: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Council Member Parks left the meeting at 8:37 p.m. PURCHASE OF STREET SWEEPERS AND CHASSIS: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-77 approving award of contracts for the purchase of a Street Sweeper to Road Machinery and Supplies of Des Moines, Iowa, for $74,512 (less $30,000 for trade-in allowance) for the net amount of $44,512; and for the purchase of a Chassis to Mid-States Ford Truck Sales of Des Moines, Iowa, in the amount of $48,447. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. SALE OF STREET SWEEPER (FLEET ID #144): Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-78 authorizing staff to continue negotiations for the sale of a street sweeper (Fleet ID #144). Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. APPROPRIATION OF ADDITIONAL MONIES TO COMPLETE ARBITRATION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT DISPUTE (LINCOLN WAY SEWER PROJECT): Moved by Campbell, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-79 appropriating an additional $20,000 to complete arbitration of construction contract dispute in reference to the Lincoln Way Sewer Project. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. The meeting recessed at 8:40 p.m. It reconvened at 8:45 p.m. URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN: Brian O’Connell, Director of Planning and Housing, gave a summary of the changes being proposed. He reminded Council that in January, they had received a letter from the H. L. Munn Family requesting that their property located at 408 Duff Avenue be included in an Urban Revitalization Area (URA). Council Member Wirth asked staff to review Items 31a, 31b, and 31c separately and to allow for Council discussion following each item. Discussion of Expansion and Amendment of URA #1: Brian O’Connell explained that staff had proposed a Plan for the area to be designated as the Downtown and Historic District URA. This Area would include the previously designated URA #1 and additional area that includes all properties located inside the boundaries of the Old Town Historic District. He further stated that URA #1, as established in 1983, is actually comprised of three sub-areas: the Historic District, the Main Street area, and the area south of the Union Pacific Railroad. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Campbell, to divide Urban Revitalization Area No. 1 into three separate Urban Revitalization Areas: residential, downtown, and highway-oriented. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Council Member Campbell stated that she thinks it might be best to repeal all formerly designated URAs and set new boundaries and guidelines for what is applicable today. She 5 cited the South Duff area redevelopment as an example, which had a specific purpose, and has been very successful. Mr. O’Connell informed Council that the area north of downtown as the Plan is amended would propose that the incentive be applicable only to properties that are within the Historic District or to designated landmarks, which is more narrowly focused than in the past. Council Member Campbell stated that she could not see any rationale for having areas that are in the URA, but not eligible for tax abatement. Mr. O’Connell stated that if a property were to be designated as a landmark, it would be eligible for tax abatement. Council Member Wirth stated that there are properties which could certainly be designated as landmarks, but no one has gone through the process. Council Member Wirth suggested that the residential area be left in which is located west of the alley and down to Sixth Street; she wished to keep the western boundary and the southern boundary as it currently exists. She asked for Council to consider doing so for several reasons: (1) while those properties are not in the Historic District, they are important to the stability of the Historic District, (2) the Assessor’s report has indicated that several properties located in that particular area have received a lower rating; therefore, Council should encourage redevelopment in that area, and (3) Council has stated a goal for conserving existing housing. Mayor Tedesco asked if the boundary were at Sixth Street, what would happen to the commercial properties on the north side that are not designated as landmarks, but included in this District. Mr. O’Connell stated that they would be included in the Downtown District. Council Member Wirth suggested following the zoning boundary. Council Member Wirth clarified the boundaries for the Residential URA she was proposing as follows: Sixth Street west to Clark, then north to Seventh, over to Duff, and include approximately one-half block on E. Seventh Street. She stated that is essentially the zoning district boundary between Residential and Commercial. Ms. Wirth stated that if Council wanted to uphold their criteria for a conservation overlay, they may want to further restrict tax abatement eligibility to existing structures. She feels that this would also further Council’s goal of conserving affordable housing; to rehabilitate those structures would be less expensive than building new ones. Council Member Campbell stated that there are “pockets” of properties throughout Ames which need rehabilitation. She would be more comfortable setting the boundaries for the Residential URA concurrent with those for the Historic District. Council Member Quirmbach pointed out that the Affordable Housing Study recently completed by the City did state a need to rehabilitate older housing. Council Member Wirth stated that there may be other areas of town which Council may want to designate as an Urban Revitalization District because they want to conserve that housing. City Attorney John Klaus informed the Council that the Statement of Applicability is just as important as the boundaries. He explained that staff is proposing tax exemption be available to those properties that include the following uses: (1) the preservation and/or restoration of properties in the Old Town Historic District or (2) properties which have received a historic landmark designation. 6 Mayor Tedesco asked how many properties had received historic landmark designation within the boundaries being proposed by staff for the Old Town Historic District. Mr. O’Connell stated that there had not been any designated in the residential area. Council Member Wirth feels that if Council wanted to uphold their goal of preservation of historic properties, they could make tax abatement available to any property which was designated as a historic landmark regardless of where it was located. Mayor Tedesco asked City Attorney Klaus if an urban revitalization plan could be drafted to include landmarks outside any district. Mr. Klaus stated that there has to be an urban revitalization boundary established by ordinance; however, boundaries could be established as small as one lot. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to make the boundaries of the Residential Urban Revitalization Area the same as those designated for the Historic Preservation District. Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Hoffman, Parks, Quirmbach. Voting nay: Wirth. Motion declared carried. Steve Schainker asked Council to clarify how properties would qualify for tax abatement. Brian O’Connell pointed out that currently, it is any property within that District that is preserved or restored. Moved by Cross, seconded by Campbell, that under the “Statement of Applicability,” tax exemption would be made available to only those properties which include the following uses: the preservation and/or restoration of properties in the Old Town Historic District. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to pass a resolution proposing to establish the Old Town Historic District Urban Revitalization Area, setting the date of public hearing for May 25, 1999, and proposing a URA Plan for that area. Council Member Campbell feels that it would be better to set the date of hearing after all three URA items have been dealt with. Council Member Quirmbach moved to rescind the motion. Traditional Downtown Area. Council Member Wirth asked why the area west of Grand Avenue would be included. She feels that there are many properties in that area which have been redeveloped already. Brian O’Connell stated that there are some properties in that area that have not been redeveloped. Mayor Tedesco stated that all these properties are zoned for planned-commercial use. Council Member Wirth pointed out that if there were some residential zoning in that area, it would not fit the goals of a commercial district. Cross pointed out that Council set a goal to enhance the role of the downtown as a community focal point; therefore, the western piece being proposed by staff to be included in this URA doesn’t fit in with achieving that goal. Erik Munn, 2928 Ross Road, owner of the property located at 408 Duff Avenue requested that his family’s property be included in an urban revitalization area. He stated that they would like to renovate the property. Mr. Munn advised that the big issue for them is fairness; every property along Duff from Bandshell Park to Lincoln Way is included in an urban revitalization area except for their property. Council Member Campbell said that she sees a conflict between rehabilitation of property versus planning for future transportation needs, e.g., alternatives for the Union Pacific 7 Railroad underpass. She feels Council should not encourage redevelopment if an underpass is going to be constructed as it would make it even more expensive for the City to acquire that property; not just Munn Lumber, but other properties as well. Council Member Wirth stated that she would find it very difficult to include the Munn Lumber property at this time by expansion of the URA. She would be in favor of moving the eastern boundary to exclude other properties which staff believes would be affected by the construction of an underpass. She does not feel it is fair to include some properties, but not others; therefore, she would prefer to remove them all from tax abatement. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to set the boundaries for the Traditional Downtown Urban Revitalization Area as Grand Avenue on the north side, Sixth Street to Clark, north one block to Seventh, then east to Duff Avenue, going south on Duff Avenue to Fifth Street, then west to Douglas Avenue, south to the Union Pacific tracks, following the tracks west to Grand Avenue, then Grand Avenue on the east side north to Sixth Street. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Brian O’Connell brought the Council’s attention to the Statement of Applicability for the Downtown Area; it is not a real restrictive list. Council Member Wirth stated that she feels preservation of the historic character was left out and design criteria should be established; the design criteria has not been created yet. She feels, therefore, that this District should not be created until the design criteria is established. Ms. Wirth pointed out that if Council really wants to promote the historic character of the area, then redevelopment should not be endorsed in the interim when the criteria are not in place. Council Member Quirmbach concurred with Ms. Wirth. Council Member Wirth pointed out that this URA could be repealed at their public hearing in May. Mayor Tedesco stated that this item could be tabled indefinitely until design criteria are in place; the existing district would remain intact. City Attorney Klaus pointed out that they have now established the Old Town Historic District, which is going to impact the other areas. Council Member Wirth said that Council may establish a URA when they have criteria in place. Moved by Campbell, to table Items 31b and 31c to a future meeting. Motion died for lack of a second. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to table the discussions on Urban Revitalization to a special work session solely on that subject. Vote on Motion: 2-3. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross. Voting nay: Quirmbach, Hoffman, Wirth. Motion failed for lack of majority vote. Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Wirth, that the area previously described as Traditional Downtown Area be removed from an Urban Revitalization Area. Mayor Tedesco declared motion out of order since an ordinance had not been passed creating it. He stated that it would be appropriate for Council to consider the district currently designated as Urban Revitalization No. 1. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Quirmbach, to direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance repealing the designation of Urban Revitalization Area No. 1. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Quirmbach, to amend the motion to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-80 to simultaneously eliminate the current URA No. 1 and create the Old Town Residential 8 Historic District, setting the date of public hearing for May 25, 1999. Vote on Amendment: 6-0. Motion declared unanimously carried. Roll Call Vote on Amended Motion: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Quirmbach, to table other URA items to a separate workshop, date of which to be later determined. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON GRANT CIRCLE, WELBECK DRIVE, AND HYDE AVENUE IN BLOOMINGTON HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Cross, to pass on first reading an ordinance designating parking prohibitions on Grant Circle, Welbeck Drive, and Hyde Avenue in Bloomington Heights Subdivision. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Council Member Quirmbach stated that he would like the Council and the Ames community to think about alternative uses for the proceeds which would be generated from the proposed increase to the hotel/motel tax. Council Member Wirth recommended that Council consider following up on the visioning meeting which was proposed at their goal-setting session conducted by Tim Shields. She asked that the visioning meeting be held in the very near future in conjunction with a land-use planning meeting. Mayor Tedesco reminded Council that the Story County Board of Supervisors had requested to meet with them to discuss land-use issues and the results of the Transportation Study. He felt that when those items are discussed, it might be best to invite the Board of Supervisors to that meeting. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. ______________________________ Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor 9