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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 12/09/1997 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AMES, IOWA DECEMBER 9, 1997 The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the 9th day of December, 1997 in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Larry R. Curtis presiding and the following Council members present: Campbell, Hoffman, Parks, Quirmbach, Tedesco, and Wirth. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 1. Motion to approve payment of claims 2. Motion to approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 25, 1997 3. Motion to approve renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses: a. Class C Liquor - Cazador Mexican Restaurant, 127 Dotson Drive b. Class B Beer - Pizza Pit, 207 ½ Welch Avenue c. Class C Liquor - The Dean's List, 2522 Chamberlain d. Class C Beer - Char's, 3100 S. Duff 4. RESOLUTION NO. 97-604 accepting bids and awarding contract for padmounted distribution transformers 5. RESOLUTION NO. 97-605 accepting bids and awarding contract for primary and secondary underground electric distribution cable 6. RESOLUTION NO. 97-606 accepting completion of 1997/98 Arterial Street Rehabilitation Program 7. RESOLUTION NO. 97-607 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 1997/98 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Program No. 1 (East Lincoln Way Frontage Road Sanitary Sewer Lining); setting January 7, 1998 as bid due date and January 13, 1998 as date of hearing and award of contract 8. RESOLUTION NO. 97-608 approving contract and bond for Colorado Ave./Wilmoth Ave. Area Sanitary Sewer Reconstruction Project 9. RESOLUTION NO. 97-609 approving contract and bond for Freel Drive Sanitary and Storm Sewer Project 10. RESOLUTION NO. 97-610 approving New Jobs and Income Program contract for Barilla America, Inc. project 11. RESOLUTION NO. 97-611 approving Iowa Rail Assistance Project funding for Barilla America, Inc. rail spur 12. RESOLUTION NO. 97-612 authorizing contract with construction law expert for Lincoln Way Sanitary Sewer Relief Project changed conditions claim 13. RESOLUTION NO. 97-613 approving request to subordinate the City's second mortgage lien for property at 5406 Frost Drive in connection with City's Phase III Affordable Housing Program 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 at this time. PRESENTATION OF DESIGN PLAN FOR FIFTH STREET STREETSCAPE BY CONSULTANTS: Planner Ray Anderson reviewed how in July 1997, the Council authorized the preparation of a “Concept Plan” for the Fifth Street Streetscape. He said a consultant team comprised of individuals from Engineering Plus, Inc., McClure Engineering, and Roseland Architects had worked with City staff for preparation of a Plan, which was then presented during a public meeting on October 23 for citizen input. He noted while BRW had initially set the stage for this proposal, the consultant team had elaborated upon it. He said Council was not being asked to take action on the Concept Plan this evening, but would be asked to do so at the 1 December 16 Council meeting when authorization to proceed with construction drawings would be requested. Paul Popelka, Engineering Plus, 612 Fifth Street, presented an overview of the proposed Concept Plan, and described how participants at the October 23 public meeting had been given a survey to assist in the prioritization of the Plan’s components. He said it was important to consider this as not only a plan for Fifth Street, but as the first step in a pattern for the whole Downtown area. He reviewed features of the proposed Plan, including construction of new sidewalks to provide a consistent pattern of 6 ft. sidewalk on Fifth Street from Grand Avenue to Duff, new curbing where needed, a band of accent paving behind the curb, replacing existing streetlights with decorative historic-style lights that cast light downward, and additional street trees. He said possible alternatives or add-ons would include accent paving at the intersections, historic- looking street furniture, and brick piers that would serve as street sign columns to accent corners and to complement the amount of brickwork Downtown. He said the components should provide a natural progression to the heart of the Downtown area. Mr. Popelka presented the Concept Plan’s proposed budget, which including a contingency of 15%, would total $600,000. He noted the $450,000 currently in the CIP would cover the priorities of street lighting, curb replacement, and new sidewalks. He said the group that put together that budget for last year’s CIP did a good job, but failed to take into account such necessities as replacing curb and providing sidewalk width consistency. He said in order not to come up with a program that was strictly maintenance work, the proposed budget was about 150% over the existing planned budget. He said however, the consultants had determined a big difference aesthetically could be made at a relatively low cost. Mr. Popelka also discussed bid alternates. He said it would be easy to add street furniture, intersection improvements for flared corners at five intersections, pedestrian lighting, banner arms, and traffic sign pole treatments. He said these items were all in the consultants’ original concept plan, but were cut when the consultants reviewed the budget for their proposal. He said they felt a good project could be constructed with the type of budget proposed. City Manager Steve Schainker said Staff will ask Council to approve the preparation of the bid package at the next meeting of December 16. PLANNED-UNIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 2418 KENT AVENUE (STERLING HOUSE, AN ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE): Motion by Quirmbach, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-614 approving Planned-Unit Development Plan for property located at 2418 Kent Avenue (Sterling House), with stipulations as recommended by Staff. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. REQUEST FROM STORY COUNTY UNIT OF AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY FOR MAIN STREET BANNER: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, to approve request from Story County Unit of American Cancer Society for banner permit for Main Street banner, January 12-February 23, 1998. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REQUEST FROM PUBLIC ART POLICY & ACQUISITION COMMISSION FOR PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF “EAGLE” SCULPTURE: Motion by Quirmbach, Second by Campbell, to approve request from Public Art Policy & Acquisition Commission for authorization to purchase "Eagle" sculpture and to install it in Stuart Smith Park. The Council members discussed whether Stuart Smith Park was the appropriate location for this artwork. There appeared to be consensus that the PAPAC be authorized the purchase the sculpture, but many Council members expressed concern about the potential for flooding in the park and how it might jeopardize the artwork. 2 Motion by Wirth, Second by Parks, to amend the Main Motion to delete the approval of installation in Stuart Smith Park, and to request that a member of the Public Art Policy and Acquisition Commission come before the Council and present more information about the proposed location. Vote on Motion to Amend: 6-0. Motion to Amend declared carried unanimously. Vote on Main Motion as Amended: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. NEW CLASS C BEER PERMIT FOR KUM & GO #113: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to approve application for new Class C Beer Permit for Kum & Go #113, 2801 E. 13th Street. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO HAP'S AIR SERVICE HANGAR LEASE: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. Bob Friedrich, Jr., Friedrich Construction, 6th and Duff, said he was representing Hap Westbrook and his business, Hap’s Air Service. He said Mr. Westbrook was wishing to expand his facility, and they have worked with City Staff to reach an agreement on the site plan and lease lines. There being no one present wishing to testify further, the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-615 approving lease of additional land for Hap's Air Service hangar lease. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-616 approving second amendment to hangar lease with Hap's Air Service. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC HEARING ON COMMUNITY CENTER SPA REMOVAL AND RENOVATION OF SPACE: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Hoffman, Second by Campbell, to accept report of no bids received, to delay project, and to direct Staff to explore other options. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ON 1997/98 ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL LOW POINT DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (FRANKLIN PARK AREA): Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-617 approving final plans and specifications and awarding contract to Van Hauen & Associates in amount of $58,495.00. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR DESIGN OF 13TH STREET AND DUFF AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AND SIGNALIZATION: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-618 approving professional services agreement with Snyder & Associates for design of 13th Street and Duff Avenue intersection improvements and signalization. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. 3 STAFF REPORT ON MAIN/KELLOGG DIAGONAL CROSSWALK: Public Works Director Paul Wiegand reviewed the Staff Report prepared in response to a November 13 Council request. He said Staff had met with the Ames Main Street District, and learned a number of individuals wish to see the diagonal crosswalk at Main and Kellogg restored. He said the diagonal crosswalk had been removed in 1993 to enhance traffic movements, particularly after 5:00 p.m. when vehicular traffic in the area increases. He noted the diagonal movement requires an all-red traffic signal and a 20 second additional delay for vehicles would result. He said restoring the diagonal crosswalk would require no cost to the City other than painting the crosswalk, as the signal just needs to be adjusted. Motion by Hoffman, Second by Wirth, to direct Staff to restore the diagonal crosswalk and subsequent signal changes at Main Street/Kellogg this spring when conditions are conducive for painting the crosswalk. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCES DESIGNATING "NO PARKING ANYTIME" IN VARIOUS NEW SUBDIVISIONS: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Wirth, to direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance designating parking prohibitions in the Bloomington Heights Subdivision (6th Addition), Wessex Subdivision, Hillside Subdivision (3rd Addition), Bentwood Subdivision (2nd Addition), and Somerset Subdivision (2nd Addition). Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCE REPEALING PROHIBITION OF BICYCLES ON GRAND AVENUE: Motion by Wirth, Second by Quirmbach, to pass on second reading an ordinance repealing prohibition of bicycles on Grand Avenue. Roll Call Vote on Motion: 4-2. Voting Aye: Hoffman, Quirmbach, Tedesco, Wirth. Voting Nay: Campbell, Parks. Motion declared carried 4-2. COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Motion by Campbell, Second by Wirth, to refer to Staff letter dated December 1, 1997 from Fox Engineering Associates, Inc. regarding vacation of 20 feet of South 16th Street right-of-way to Trickle & Stephan L.L.C. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Coun. Quirmbach noted the Council had received a letter dated November 24, 1997 from Sylvia Munsen, Founder and Conductor of the Ames Children’s Choirs (ACC) regarding funding for the Choir’s proposed trip to Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic. He said he wouldn’t want to consider the request until the upcoming budget process, but would like a presentation from the ACC Board prior to that time. Motion by Quirmbach to request that a presentation from the Ames Children’s Choirs Board members regarding their request for funding the Choir’s proposed trip to Frydek- Mistek be placed on a future Council agenda. The Motion Failed for lack of a Second. Coun. Hoffman said as the Council’s voting delegate at last week’s National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., she had attended the NLC business meeting, and would be happy to share with interested parties information regarding the discussions on electric deregulation, transportation funding, issues dealing with children, and other issues discussed. Coun. Wirth said she had received concerns that the traffic signal at the 24th/Grand intersection does not allow enough time to walk or bicycle across Grand Avenue. Motion by Wirth, Second by Parks, to request that Staff look at the timing of the signal at 24th and Grand to see if it needs to be adjusted. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Coun. Tedesco said the recent National League of Cities conference was excellent. 4 Coun. Tedesco noted at present, Council appointments to the Transit Agency Board of Trustees expire on December 31, which is in the middle of the Board’s budget process. He said when the Board was first established, Council appointments were to expire May 15, along with the GSB and ISU appointments, but the ordinance was amended in the 1980's. He asked the Council to consider an ordinance restoring the Council appointment’s term expiration date to May 15. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Wirth, to direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending the term of City Council appointees to the Transit Agency Board of Trustees to expire on May 15 so they coincide with the terms of other Board members, and to place consideration of the ordinance on the December 16, 1997 Council agenda. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Coun. Tedesco said the Housing Board of Appeals has not met for two years, and it did not appear to be likely that it would convene in the future. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Wirth, to refer to Staff the possibility of abolishing the Housing Board of Appeals and having its appeal responsibilities assumed by another existing Board, for a report back at a future Council meeting. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Motion by Campbell, Second by Parks, to ask that the Mayor write a letter to the Ames Children’s Choirs Board explaining that funding the Choir’s trip to Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic is outside of the Council’s purview for funding allocations. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: The Regular meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Sandra L. Ryan, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor 5