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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-31-Special MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING JULY31,2006 I A)Call to Order -The special meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor Peard at 7:02 p.m.in the Council Chambers. B)Roll Call-The following members were present:Mayor William F.Peard and Council Members Don L.Bailey,Jr.;C.Isaiah McGee;JeffV.Mertz;Darlene Stanton;Mike Watts.Absent:None. C)Agenda ApprovaL Motion by Council Member McGee,seconded by Council Member Mertz,to approve the agenda.Roll call:Ayes:McGee,Mertz,Bailey,Stanton,Watts.Nays:None.Motion carried 5-0. D)Open Forum.Larry Lyon,606 Boone Dr.,began to address the Council as a member of the West Metro Regional Airport Authority,but withdrew from the podium since motions regarding the proposed airport were on the agenda later for discussion. E)CLOSED SESSION-Motion by Council Member Bailey,seconded by Council Member Stanton,to close the regular session and open the closed session.Roll call:Ayes:Bailey,Stanton,McGee,Mertz, Watts.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 -O.The Council entered closed session at 7:06 p.m. Closed Session held pursuant to Iowa Code §21.5(1)(c)to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation -The Council came out of closed session at 7:35 p.m. F)Motion:Consideration of recommendation relative to the City's position on the location of the proposed Dallas County Regional Airport -Motion by Council Member Mertz,seconded by Council Member McGee,to approve the recommendation of sites A and C.Council Member Stanton expressed concem over the potential flight paths on site A,requesting that take-offs and landings use a westward departure and approach.Council Member Watts asked that agenda item G be considered prior to agenda item F,as he would not support the allport if a county-wide vote was not held on the matter.Terry Lutz of McClure Engineering,engineers for the proposed airport project,addressed the Council and stated that to his knowledge the matter could not be put to a county-wide vote as the airport was considered an essential corporate purpose.Council Member Stanton questioned the funding sources for the airport;Mr. Lutz described a growth model without the inclusion ofthe tax base that would equal a maximum tax levy,if used,of $0.09/$1,000.00 of taxable valuation.Council Member Bailey asked if properties in TIF districts would pay a share of the cost;Mr.Lutz replied that the matter was still being researched.Mr. Lutz further explained that the $25 million total projected cost of the airport would be paid for with $20 million from the federal government from the aviation tax fund,and that the remaining $5 million would be paid through local investments and a potential county-wide tax levy.Council Member Stanton asked if a cap could be placed on the potential tax levy;Mr.Lutz replied in the affirmative,Council Member McGee questioned if it would be more beneficial to upgrade and expand the existing Des Moines I International Airport.Council Members Bailey,Watts and McGee all stated that they did not see strong support for the airport from their constituents.Lany Lyon,606 Boone Dr.and a member of the West Metro Regional Airport Authority,addressed the Council,stating that the airport would be a tool for educational as well as economic development.Mayor Peard stated that he and Council Member Stanton would be attending the West Metro Regional Airport Authority board meeting on August 1 and would collect more information for Council review.Council Member Stanton asked ifthe airport could be funded through the cooperative sharing of fees between Dallas and Polk counties,and also expressed concern that the City might not be able to back out of a commitment to the airport if desired.Mr.Lutz responded that a cooperative agreement between counties would be too complex,and stated that if the City of Waukee becomes a member of the airport authority,the Council would help decide on the amount of tax levied.He then explained that the City could back out of the airport authority and/or the authority could disband at any time prior to the purchase of land with grant money from the federal government. Mayor Peard requested a map of the TIF districts that may potentially be affected by an airport tax levy. Council Member Watts clarified that his vote on the SUpp01tof sites A and C did not mean that he supported the airport as of yet.Mr.Lutz stated that a Council vote on the matter was not necessary,as the airport authority could not condemn any property owned by the City at site B and would proceed with site A as the favored location for the airport,Council Member Stanton suggested the City send a letter to the West Metro Regional Airport Authority stating the Council's support of sites A and C.Council Member Mertz withdrew the motion for approval;Council Member McGee withdrew the second.No action was taken on the issue. G)Motion:Consideration of request that the Airport Authority have a county-wide vote 011 approval of the Dallas County Regional Airport-Motion by Council Member Bailey,seconded by Council Member McGee,to approve the request of a county-wide vote on approval of the Dallas County Regional Airport prior to the levy of taxes.The Council directed City Attorney Steve Brick to research whether the matter can legally be put to a county-wide vote.Roll call:Ayes:Bailey,McGee,Meltz,Stanton,Watts.Nays: None.Motion carried 5 -O. Adjournment.Motion by Council Member McGee,seconded by Council Member Meltz,to adjourn. Ayes:All.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 -O. Meeting Adjourned at 8:50 p.m. R.Schuett,Deputy City Clerk Attest: John Gibs 2