HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-14-Work Session MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
April 14,2014
A.Call to Order -The work session meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor
Peard at 5:35 p.m.in the Council Chambers at Waukee City Hall,230 W.Hickman Rd.
B.Roll Call -The following members were present:Mayor William F.Peard;Council Members Shane
Blanchard,Brian Harrison,Casey L.Harvey,Shelly Hughes.Absent:Council Member Rick
Peterson.
Also in attendance:City Administrator Tim Moerman,Director of Finance Linda Burkhart,Director of
Development Services Brad Deets,Senior Planner Ben Landhauser,Planner II Andy Kass,Director
of Public Works John Gibson,Director of Community and Economic Development Dan Dutcher,
Parks and Recreation Director Matt Jermier,City Clerk Rebecca D.Schuett.
C.Agenda Approval -Council Member Hughes moved to approve the agenda;seconded by Council
Member Blanchard.Results of vote:Ayes:Blanchard,Harrison,Harvey,Hughes.Nays:None.
Absent:Peterson.Motion carried 4 -0 -1.
D.Work Session:
1)Emerald Ash Borer update -Shane Donegan with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR)and Parks and Recreation Director Jermier presented on Emerald Ash Borer infestation
status and Waukee's public tree inventory.Mr.Jermier noted that the highest concentration of
ash trees on City property is in Corene Acres,followed by SE Legacy Pointe Blvd.and SE
Waco PI.,and Centennial Park.City staff is working with IDNR to establish a management plan
and disposal policy,provide educational opportunities and encourage greater diversity in
plantings.Mayor Peard asked if property owners would be forced to remove ash trees;Mr.
Jermier replied that staff would likely propose a policy that would encourage immediate
removal.Council Member Blanchard asked if the state regulates private property ash tree
removal;Director of Public Works Gibson replied in the negative,clarifying that the state only
regulates the disposal of such trees.Council Member Hughes expressed concern with the
neighborhood impact of such an extensive tree removal in Corene Acres.Council Member
Harvey questioned if proposed tree varieties were being reviewed during site plan approval;
Director of Development Services Deets replied in the affirmative,adding that staff promotes
the use of a greater variety of plantings as part of the site plan review.
2)Wastwater Reclamation Authority (WRA)Amended 2BE Agreement review -City
Administrator Moerman briefly reviewed the original agreement and the proposed amendments,
including clarity on projects and payments,a new limit on outstanding debt,equal partnership in
project financing for all participating members,and an early surcharge payment option.Mr.
Moerman also introduced Bob Veenstra with Veenstra &Kimm,Inc.,who helped conduct the
analysis behind the proposed amendment.Council Member Harvey asked for clarification on
the WRA executive committee membership;Mr.Veenstra discussed the matter,adding that an
executive director would be appointed through concurrence of the executive board and the City
of Des Moines city manager.
3)Kirkham Michael Supplemental Agreement -Director of Public Works Gibson briefly
reviewed the scope of the initial Kirkham Michael agreement and subsequent supplements
related to the Alice's Road 1-80 interchange project,then reviewed a proposed Supplement No.
5.Fees for certain aspects of the project will be shared equally with the City of West Des
Moines.Council Member Blanchard asked if the change to the diverging diamond interchange
design saved on overall costs;Mr.Gibson noted that the interchange design required less land
purchased from abutting property owners.Council Member Harvey expressed concern over
the additional costs;Mr.Gibson replied that the additional work and meetings associated with
the cost increase helped to move the project ahead of schedule.
4)Action Team report:Enhancing Waukee's regional presence -City Administrator Moerman
reviewed the proposed strategy,including regular information sheets to the mayor and council
on current City projects.
5)Action Team report:Hickman Road Corridor -Director of Development Services Deets
presented the proposed plan,which addresses traffic counts,existing and future land use,
sanitary sewer capacity,open space considerations,business park planning,pedestrian access
issues,downtown reinvestment and Hickman Road Corridor enhancements.
6)Action Team report:Future parkland development -Director of Development Services
Deets presented the proposed plan,including service area criteria,potential areas for parkland,
minimum park amenity standards,crime prevention through enviromental design,master trails
plan and the need to identify financing resources.
E.Comments -City Administrator Moerman noted an earlier conversation with members of the Nizzi
family regarding plans for the Alice's Road Corridor,both north and south of Hickman Road.
Adjournment -Council Member Harvey moved to adjourn;seconded by Council Member Harrison.
Ayes:All.Nays:None.Motion carried 4 -O.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Attest:
Rebecca D.Schuett,City Clerk
2