HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-08 Work Session MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
April 8, 2024
A. Call to Order — The work session meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor
Pro Tern Bottenberg at 5:30 p.m. at Waukee City Hall, 230 W. Hickman Rd.
B. Roll Call — The following members were present: Council Members R. Charles Bottenberg, Chris
Crone, Rob Grove, Anna Bergman Pierce, Ben Sinclair. Absent: Mayor Courtney Clarke.
Also in attendance: City Administrator Brad Deets, Assistant City Administrator Nick Osborne,
Finance Director Linda Burkhart, Community Development Director Andy Kass, Public Works
Director/City Engineer Rudy Koester, Director of Economic Development Jennifer Brown, Parks &
Recreation Director Matt Jermier, IT Director Son Le, Director of Marketing & Communications
Heather Behrens (electronically), Fire Chief Clint Robinson, Police Chief Chad McCluskey, City
Clerk Rebecca D. Schuett.
C. Agenda Approval — Council Member Pierce moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Council
Member Grove. Results of vote: Ayes: Bottenberg, Crone, Grove, Pierce, Sinclair. Nays: None.
Motion carried 5 — 0.
D. Work Session:
1) WestCom presentation — WestCom Chief Udell Mentola reviewed the WestCom strategic
plan, including vision, mission, guiding principles and five-year goals that potentially require
additional funding. He then shared statistics on Waukee calls for service. Also in attendance
was Matt McQuillen, Clive City Manager and chairperson of the WestCom committee.
2) Hickman Road Pedestrian Crossing study — Rich Voelker with Snyder & Associates
presented design concepts for overpasses and underpasses along Hickman Rd. for the Prairie
Rose and Heart of the Warrior Trails, including projected costs for all options presented.
3) Aquatic center budgeting — City Administrator Deets discussed the City's overall bond
capacity and long-term financial plan, and how those may be impacted by construction of an
aquatic center. There was general discussion on how to fund an aquatic center with as little
impact to the tax levy as possible, as well as a review of the City's limitations on promotion of
an aquatic center bond referendum.
4) Fowl in residential zoning districts — City Administrator Deets noted that a resident is
keeping pigeons in violation of City code; the resident states that the pigeons are emotional
support animals. Mr. Deets reviewed other metro area ordinances regarding pigeons. After
much discussion, the council directed City staff to research the matter further.
5) Landscape buffer easements — City Administrator Deets stated that a resident has requested
a building permit for a fence within a landscape buffer easement, which is not allowed under
City code. Community Development Director Kass reviewed the landscape buffer ordinance for
residential zoning districts, noting that the property in question abuts a minor arterial street. He
added that a property owner to the south of the subject property was allowed a fence but that
the southern property did not have a landscape buffer easement. After some discussion, the
council agreed to not allow a fence in the landscape buffer easement of the property in
question.
6) National Fitness Campaign presentation — Parks & Recreation Director Jermier discussed
the campaign to construct outdoor equipment to encourage fitness at no cost to the user; the
campaign can also incorporate public art. Mr. Jermier reviewed grant requirements and the
application process.
E. Council Liaison Reports
F. Comments
Council Member Grove moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Pierce. Ayes: All. Nays: None.
Motion carried 5 — 0.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
R. Chartgi Bottenberg, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest:
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Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk