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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-06-Work Session MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION MEETING December 6,2010 A)Call to Order -The work session meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor Peard at 7:11 p.m.in the Waukee City Council Chambers. B)Roll Call-The following members were present:Mayor William F.Peard;Council Members Shane Blanchard,Dan Dutcher,Casey L.Harvey,Darlene Stanton,Mike Watts.Absent:None. Also present:City Administrator/Clerk Jeffrey L.Kooistra,Assistant to the City Administrator McKinlee Gibson,Director of Finance Linda Burkhart,Director of Public Works John Gibson, Director of Development Services Brad Deets,Parks and Recreation Director Matt Jermier,Deputy City Clerk Rebecca D.Schuett. C)Agenda Approval -Council Member Stanton moved to approve the agenda;seconded by Council Member Blanchard.Results of vote:Ayes:Blanchard,Dutcher,Harvey,Stanton,Watts.Nays: None.Motion carried 5 -O. D)Work Session: 1)Copeland Recreation and Sports Complex Improvement Project,Phase I,update -Brett Douglas with Genus Architects briefly reviewed the project,including phasing,opinion of probable cost,and operations and maintenance,Council Member Watts questioned how much money the Get WYRD group had raised so far;Council Member Harvey answered that there was no real money yet,just verbal commitments.He added that there would likely be funds for Phase I-A but not likely for l-B unless there was a substantial donation made for the project. Council Member Stanton asked how the City would fund operations and maintenance;City Administrator/Clerk Kooistra answered that funding would come from the general fund unless a hotel/motel was constructed within the City and the Council committed that tax income toward O&M costs.Council Member Stanton speculated that the City would either have to raise taxes or cut other projects from the budget in order to pay the O&M costs.Mr.Kooistra clarified that the complex would not be operational until 2013 at best,giving the City time to set aside start-up funding in upcoming budgets,Council Member Harvey noted the loss of farm rental income for the 80 acres once it begins to develop.Council Member Dutcher reminded the Council of the matching funds agreement with Get WYRD,adding that the project will not move forward until that group raises their portion of funds.Parks and Recreation Director Matt Jermier stated that Get WYRD needed to know what their groups would be charged to use the facilities before they could commit to fund raising for the facility.Mayor Peard replied that it was difficult to commit to such fees at this time,not knowing what the true O&M costs would be for the facility.Council Member Harvey suggested that such fees be based on the percentage of funds raised by Get WYRD for the construction of the facility;the Council concurred with Council Member Harvey's suggestion. 2)Parks,Recreation and Open Space Master Plan update -Grant Thompson with Genus Architects briefly reviewed the project,including process and strategic goals.Mr.Thompson asked the Council for direction on the developer open space policy,referencing the City's current open space requirement of 3.1 acres per 1,000 residents and comparing it to requirements of other communities.He also noted that Waukee required site amenities in addition to dedicated acreage,but that there is no written policy regarding the selection or value of such amenities.Council Member Stanton spoke in favor of increased minimum acres per resident instead of an amenities requirement,noting that such a policy would allow neighborhoods to first be built up around open spaces and then those neighbors could have input into desired park amenities;Council Member Watts agreed.Council Member Harvey asked how amenities would be funded through this option;Mr.Kooistra replied that they would be funded through the general fund.Council Member Harvey proposed phasing out the City's current amenities requirement,or perhaps allowing developers to "trade up"amenities for more land dedication.He acknowledged not knowing the legalities of such a proposal.Director of Development Services Deets added that it was difficult to determine the best amenities for a park so early in the development of plats. E)Comments Adjournment -Council Member Watts moved to adjourn;seconded by Council Member Harvey.Ayes: All.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 -O. Meeting Adjourned at 8:19 p.m. R.Schuett,Deputy City Clerk Attest: l .Kooistra,City Administrator/Clerk 2