HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-10-Work Session MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
December 10,2012
A)Call to Order -The work session meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor
Pro Tem Blanchard at 5:35 p.m.at Waukee City Hall.
B)Roll Call-The following members were present:Council Members Shane Blanchard,Dan Dutcher,
Casey L.Harvey,Shelly Hughes,Mike Watts.Absent:Mayor William F.Peard.(Mayor Peard
arrived at 5:42 p.m.)
Also present:Interim City Administrator Brad Deets,Administrative Services Manager/City Clerk
McKinlee Gibson,Director of Finance Linda Burkhart,Deputy City Clerk Rebecca D.Schuett.
C)Agenda Approval -Council Member Harvey moved to approve the agenda;seconded by Council
Member Dutcher.Results of vote:Ayes:Blanchard,Dutcher,Harvey,Hughes,Watts.Nays:None.
Motion carried 5 -O.
D)Work Session:
1)Economic development -Greater Dallas County Development Alliance -Interim City
Administrator Deets noted that there was considerable discussion last year among the Council
regarding Greater Dallas County Development Alliance (GDCDA)funding,as it is based on
member city population.The Council approved funding to the GDCDA last fiscal year,but not
at the level based on 2010 Census data.Perry City Administrator Butch Neibuhr and Dallas
County Supervisor Mark Hanson,members of the GDCDA board,addressed the Council to
discuss funding for that organization,including a proposal to cap city membership fees at
$25,000.(Mayor Peard arrived at 5:42 p.m.)Mayor Peard informed the Council that he and
Mr.Deets had met previously with Mr.Neibuhr and Supervisor Hanson on the matter of
GDCDA funding.Council Member Watts expressed frustration that the GDCDA and Dallas
County Board of Supervisors did not seem to be working with Waukee on economic
development or the Alice's Road Corridor project.Supervisor Hanson listed several projects on
which the GDCDA worked recently on behalf of and with Waukee and voiced the support of the
Board of Supervisors for the GDCDA.Council Member Watts stated that the GDCDA should
offer more support and focus for those member cities that are entirely within Dallas County,as
member cities within several counties have access to more and various economic development
resources.Council Member Harvey noted his discomfort in paying a per capita fee for GDCDA
membership in light of Waukee's growing population.
There was much discussion regarding the roles of the GDCDA and the Waukee Economic
Development Corporation (WEDCO).Council Member Harvey stated that the two
organizations should maintain a positive working relationship,but added that WEDCO should
be the lead entity for Waukee economic development as their focus was solely on Waukee,
while the GDCDA services Dallas County in its entirety.Council Member Dutcher stated that
the amount of funding earmarked for both the GDCDA and WEDCO was a very small
percentage of the City's overall budget and voiced his support for Waukee's continuing GDCDA
membership.He added that the roles of the GDCDA and WEDCO required better definition in
order to avoid potential conflict.Council Member Hughes also voiced support for continuing
GDCDA membership,as well as for a full-time WEDCO executive director.Mayor Peard and
Council Member Hughes both spoke in favor of open communication and adaptability.Council
Member Blanchard spoke in favor of GDCDA membership,stating that both the GDCDA and
WEDCO will be needed once the Alice's Road Corridor is ready for development.Council
Member Watts requested regular,detailed reports on GDCDA activity;Mayor Peard suggested
a regular work session between the Council and GDCDA.
2)Sf.Francis of Assisi (West Des Moines)Private School Facility Revenue Bonds
refunding -Director of Finance Burkhart briefly reviewed the refunding request and the history
of the 2002 City Council action approving conduit financing to St.Francis of Assisi,adding that
the proposed refunding had no fiscal impact on the City.Council Member Harvey spoke
against the refunding,as St.Francis of Assisi is not located in Waukee and the proposed action
potentially sets a precedent.Mayor Peard stated that the proposed action was a goodwill
gesture on Waukee's behalf.Council Member Watts noted that he had opposed the 2002
conduit financing action,but that St.Francis of Assisi was not currently asking for additional
funds,only the opportunity to refinance and save money.
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 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R.Schuett,Deputy City Clerk
Attest:
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