HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-30-Special MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
January 30,2012
A)Call to Order -The special meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro
Tem Blanchard at 5:31 p.m.in the Waukee City Council Chambers.
B)Roll Call-The following members were present:Council Members Shane Blanchard,Dan Dutcher,
Casey L.Harvey.Absent:Mayor William F.Peard;Council Members Shelly Hughes,Mike Watts.
(Mayor Peard arrived at 6:07 p.m.)
Also in attendance: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,Deputy City Clerk Rebecca D.Schuett,City Engineer
Forrest Aldrich,City Attorney Steve Brick.
C)Agenda Approval-Council Member Harvey moved to approve the agenda;seconded by Council
Member Dutcher.Results of vote:Ayes:Blanchard,Dutcher,Harvey.Nays:None.Absent:
Hughes,Watts.Motion carried 3 -0 -2.
0)Work Session:Overview of Corridor Planning -Patrick Kueter with Foth Infrastructure &
Environment,LLC,reviewed general design specifications for the Alice's Road Corridor,Ashworth
Road to University Avenue.During initial construction,the full section will be graded but only the
three northbound lanes will be paved and opened to two-way traffic.The remaining southbound
lanes will be constructed when warranted by traffic levels.Alice's Road intersections with Ashworth
Road and Westown Parkway will be built in full.Mr.Kueter also reviewed the proposed greenbelt
area drainage plan,which will take advantage of low-lying areas for detention.Council Member
Harvey asked where the greenbelt area would drain;Mr.Kueter replied that it would flow toward
Waco Place along a natural drainageway.He added that construction of the greenbelt area would
permit the lowering of the Alice's Road surface,allowing for culverts and pedestrian crossing under
Alice's Road.Council Member Harvey asked if there were any grants available to help the City pay
for the greenbelt area improvements;Mr.Kueter answered that he would research the matter.
Council Member Dutcher stated that the greenbelt area could be an excellent marketing tool for
development,but questioned the size of the right-of-way;Mr.Kueter responded that the proposed
right-of-way would be too crowded with infrastructure if it were smaller.
E)Closed Session:Pursuant to Code of Iowa §21.5(1)aJ to discuss the purchase of particular
real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the
price the governmental body would have to pay for that property -Council Member Harvey
moved to close the regular session and enter closed session pursuant to Iowa Code §21.5(1 )0);
seconded by Council Member Dutcher.Results of vote:Ayes:Blanchard,Dutcher,Harvey.Nays:
None.Absent:Hughes,Watts.Motion carried 3 -0 -2.Council entered closed session at 5:46
p.m.
CLOSED SESSION (Mayor Peard arrived at 6:07 p.m.)
Council entered regular session at 6:25 p.m.
F)Work Session:Project financial policy -At the direction of the City Council at the 12/15/2011
special meeting,City Engineer Aldrich presented several percentage scenarios for street
assessment,specifically for Bel Aire Drive,Waukee Avenue,and 3rd Street,then briefly reviewed the
street assessment policies of other metro area communities.Mr.Aldrich noted that the proposed
costs for Waukee were calculated defining "new"as replacement of a rural section of street with no
existing curb and gutter,and "reconstruction"as the replacement of an urban section of street with
existing curb and gutter.City Administrator/Clerk Kooistra stated that the City could not afford to
make all necessary street improvements at once and that the City did not want to force street
improvements unless a majority of affected property owners petition in favor of improvements.
Council Member Blanchard replied that he did not want the quality of streets to become poor in
anticipation of petitions for improvements,adding that the City should be proactive in the matter.
Council Member Harvey agreed with Council Member Blanchard,adding that the cost scenarios
proposed for the three streets in Corene Acres still seemed high;Mr.Aldrich noted that affected
property owners had the option to spread out payment of the assessment over 10-15 years.There
was much discussion about the definitions of "new"and "reconstruction,"with Mr.Aldrich stating that
the definitions were a policy matter for the City Council.Council Member Harvey suggested a 100%
assessment for "new"roads where there were none previously,90%for street improvements for
existing "new"roads,and 45%or 50%for "reconstructed"roads.Council Member Blanchard spoke
in favor of 45%assessment for "reconstruction."
G)Comments
Adjournment -Council Member Harvey moved to adjourn;seconded by Council Member Dutcher.
Ayes:All.Nays:None.Motion carried 3 -O.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R.Schuett,Deputy City Clerk
Attest:
ooistra,City Administrator/Clerk
2