HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-13-Work Session MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
September 13, 2021
A. Call to Order — The work session meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by
Mayor Clarke at 5:30 p.m. at Waukee City Hall, 230 W. Hickman Rd.
B. Roll Call — The following members were present: Mayor Courtney Clarke; Council Members
Anna Bergman Pierce, R. Charles Bottenberg, Larry R. Lyon, Ben Sinclair. Absent: Council
Member Chris Crone.
Also in attendance: City Administrator Tim Moerman, Assistant City Administrator Brad Deets,
Public Works Director/City Engineer Rudy Koester, Finance Director Linda Burkhart, Human
Resources Director Michelle Lindsay, Parks & Recreation Director Matt Jermier, Assistant Parks
& Recreation Director Josh VandeKamp, Economic Development Coordinator Jennifer Brown,
City Clerk Rebecca D. Schuett, City Attorney Steve Brick.
C. Agenda Approval — Council Member Sinclair moved to approve the agenda, removing Work
Session items D9 and D15; seconded by Council Member Bottenberg. Results of vote: Ayes:
Bergman Pierce, Bottenberg, Lyon, Sinclair. Nays: None. Absent: Crone. Motion carried 4 — 0 —
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D. Work Session:
1) University Avenue Extension Project alignment — Project Engineer Nate Hardisty with
Shive-Hattery, Inc., reviewed corridor alignment considerations and recommendations, as
well as next steps in the planning process. Mayor Clarke asked about the possibility of
constructing all four lanes as part of the initial project.
2) Animal abuse/neglect ordinance — City Attorney Brick discussed both City and state laws
and regulations related to animal abuse and neglect, including penalties and the criteria for
the removal of a threatened animal. Council Member Bergman Pierce spoke in favor of a
stronger City penalty, such as a higher minimum fine. Mayor Clarke understood the impetus
behind the proposal but raised concerns regarding possible political pressure on the police
department to remove an animal and potential litigation against the City. Council Member
Bergman Pierce clarified that she would like the City to have the ability to be the prosecuting
party in certain circumstances and believed that a higher fine would show that the City does
not tolerate these types of crimes. Mr. Brick noted possible conflicts if the City's minimum
penalty is greater than the state minimum, but the matter is prosecuted by Dallas County
instead of the City. After some discussion, the Council directed Mr. Brick to draft an
ordinance to establish a $250 minimum penalty.
3) Economic development update — Economic Development Coordinator Brown reviewed a
proposed Economic Development Action Plan, including goals and measurements of
success.
4) Sustainability Plan update — City Administrator Moerman distributed documentation on
sustainability, asking the council for their review and comments for discussion at the October
work session.
5) Tax Increment Finance and Urban Renewal Plan updates review — Assistant City
Administrator Deets briefly reviewed current urban renewal plan areas and discussed
suggested updates.
6) Trails Master Plan professional services agreement — Parks & Recreation Director
Jermier discussed the scope of the project and schedule.
7) Capital equipment purchasing strategy: Triumph Park — Parks & Recreation Director
Jermier discussed funding sources, overall project budget, operating budget, and anticipated
expenditures and revenues. He added that City staff have held meetings with user groups
and that the Park Board would review park rules and regulations prior to council review and
approval.
8) GASB 87 leases — Finance Director Burkhart recommended an agreement for software to
assist the City in the management of GASB requirements.
9) REMOVED FROM AGENDA
10) West Des Moines annexation moratorium agreement — Assistant City Administrator
Deets noted that action on the agreement had been tabled by council at an earlier meeting in
response to concerns that some Napa Valley residents had shared with the City of West Des
Moines. The revised agreement states that neither city will consider annexation of Napa
Valley during the next ten years, unless there is a need to connect those residents to
municipal water or sewer systems.
11) Van Meter annexation moratorium agreement — Assistant City Administrator Deets briefly
reviewed the proposed agreement.
12) Ute Avenue and Ashworth Drive Intersection Improvements — Change Order No. 1 —
Public Works Director/City Engineer Koester discussed the proposed change order, which
would include the construction of Ashworth Dr. west of Ute Ave. as an urban instead of rural
section.
13) Road and infrastructure project updates — Public Works Director/City Engineer Koester
provided an update on various projects under construction.
14) Warrior Lane/Windfield Parkway intersection — Public Works Director/City Engineer
Koester reviewed plans to observe the intersection and traffic patterns over the next several
months to gauge if any changes are needed.
15) REMOVED FROM AGENDA
16) Waukee Betterment Foundation fundraising event — Mayor Clarke made the council
aware of a Sept. 30 event.
E. Council Liaison Reports — Report made by Council Member Sinclair.
F. Comments — Mayor Clarke updated the council on plans for the Oct. 7 visit to Waukee by Rose
Bowl representatives.
Council Member Bottenberg moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Bergman Pierce. Ayes:
All. Nays: None. Motion carried 4 — 0.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
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Courtney Clarke, Mayor
Attest:
Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk