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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-14-Work Session MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 14,2006 A)Call to Order -The special workshop meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor Peard at 7:04 p.m. 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 Stanton,to approve the agenda.Roll call:Ayes:McGee,Stanton,Bailey,Mertz,Watts.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 -0. D)Open Forum. E)PRESENTATION:Mike Wagner of White Rabbit Group on image presentation-Council Member McGee presented Mike Wagner,who spoke to the Council about building a brand for the city. F)Work Session: 1.Capital Improvement Projects -Interim City Administrator John Gibson reviewed the capital improvement projects as ranked by City staff,including sanitary sewer,water mains,roadways, storm drainage,gas,parks and recreation,police,fire,city facilities and library. 2.Clive border sewering issues -City staff is still negotiating with Clive regarding sewering,and suggests a regional pump station be constructed for the proposed Fox Creek Estates in order to allow development in the area to proceed.Council Member Bailey asked if the Waukee property owners who might be annexed into Clive had been notified;John Gibson replied that a letter had been sent and responses were mixed as to City preference.The Council directed City staff to proceed with Clive negotiations and with the regional pump station. 3.University Ave.street lighting -The Council discussed the possibility of decorative street lights along the Waukee portions of University Ave.from Waco PI.westward.The City of West Des Moines has agreed to put in University Ave.street lighting within their boundaries when needed, but only those with a standard design.Council Member Stanton asked that the street lights be shielded so as to eliminate glare in residential areas.Council Member Watts stated his support for decorative lights west of Waco PI.Council Member McGee asked that the City consider decorative lights east of Waco PI.as well in order to differentiate Waukee from West Des Moines.John Gibson will discuss the lighting issue with representatives of the City of West Des Moines. 4.Koethe Development Agreement -The proposed development agreement is based on that used for Stratford Commons in Clive and includes a definition of the kind of development for which the developer could receive rebates,specifically office space.If the agreement is approved,the urban renewal area would need to be amended to include the subject property.Council Member Watts requested a specific date by which development would need to commence.Council Member Bailey asked that language be included in the agreement so that the agreement could not j. be modified after it is approved.Council Member Stanton expressed concern that the development would allow future developers to benefit from the agreement if the property were sold.City staff will consult the City Attorney on the requests and cone ems of the Council. 5.Potential sale of City-owned property -City staff has received an offer from the property owner at 1195 Westwoods Dr.to purchase the property at 14705 SE University Ave.from the City in order to improve the area along the creek bed.Council Member Stanton asked if the property would need to be sold through a sealed bid process;John Gibson replied in the affirmative.City staff will also research the surface flowage easement on the property and whether the lot is buildable.The Council directed City staff to proceed with the sale of the property. 6.Lobbying to Washington,D.C.on behalf of the City of Waukee -Council Member Stanton suggested the City contract with lobbyists at both the federal and state level.Council Member Bailey did not think a lobbyist would be very effective and was therefore unnecessary;Council Member Mertz agreed.Mayor Peard stated that the Council on its own could not lobby on the City's behalf as often as needed and that lobbyists could be effective;Council Member McGee agreed.The Council agreed to schedule a meeting with Tom Dawson the next time he was in the state to discuss the possibility of a lobbyist.Council Members Watts and Stanton felt that Mr. Dawson would be a good candidate for the City's lobbyist;Council Member McGee asked the Council to also consider other qualified candidates. JF)Comments -The Council discussed the League of Cities conference to be held in Iowa City in October and the possibility of a teambuilding session. Adjournment.Mayor Peard asked for a motion to adjourn.Motion by Council Member Mertz, seconded by Council Member Stanton.Ayes:All.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 -O. Meeting Adjourned at 9:13 p.m. R.Schuett,Deputy City Clerk Attest: ;Interim City Administrator/Clerk 2