HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-17-Special MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
July 17,2017
A.Call to Order —The special meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem
Bergman at 5:35 p.m.at Waukee City Hall,230 W.Hickman Rd.
B.Roll Call —The following members were present:Council Members Anna Bergman,R.Charles
Bottenberg,Brian Harrison,Shelly Hughes,Larry R.Lyon.Absent:Mayor William F.Peard.(Mayor
Peard arrived at 5:36 p.m.)
Also in attendance:Development Services Director Brad Deets,Finance Director Linda Burkhart,Parks
and Recreation Director Matt Jermier,Fire Chief Clint Robinson,Police Chief John Quinn,City Clerk
Rebecca D.Schuett.
C.Agenda Approval —(Mayor Peard arrived at 5:36 p.m.)Council Member Lyon moved to approve the
agenda;seconded by Council Member Harrison.Results of vote:Ayes:Bergman,Bottenberg,
Harrison,Hughes,Lyon.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 —0.
D.Action Items:
1)Ordinance:Consideration of approval of an ordinance to amend Chapter 301,Zoning
Ordinance,City of Waukee,iowa,by rezoning and changing certain property therein from
PD-tIC-1A,PD-1IC-4,and C-4 to C-1,a parcel to be known as Blue Grass Commons
(second;third (final)readings)—Council Member Harrison moved to approve the second
reading of the ordinance in title only,waive the third reading,and place the ordinance on final
passage;seconded by Council Member Lyon.Development Services Director Deets reminded the
council of a request by the applicant to waive the third reading of the ordinance.Results of vote:
Ayes:Bergman,Bottenberg,Harrison,Hughes,Lyon.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 —0.
(Ordinance ¹2852)
2)Resolution:Consideration of approval of a resolution authorizing the delivery of a notice of
intent to purchase —Xenia Rural Water District (western annexation)—Council Member Lyon
moved to approve the resolution;seconded by Council Member Bottenberg.Development
Services Director Deets noted that the notice of intent to purchase was a requirement of an
existing Two-Mile Agreement between Xenia Rural Water District and the City.The water
infrastructure for purchase serves the recently annexed Waukee West properties and will be
purchased at current depreciated values.Council Member Lyon asked about Xenia's outstanding
debt;Mr.Deets replied that the Two-Mile Agreement was in place prior to Xenia's financial issues
and subsequent debt restructuring.Results of vote:Ayes:Bergman,Bottenberg,Harrison,
Hughes,Lyon.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 —0.(Resolution ¹17-335)
E.Work Session:
1)Waukee Music Festival update —Parks and Recreation Director Jermier briefly reviewed the
status of planning for the Waukee Music Festival.
2)Fireworks use ordinance review —Police Chief Quinn reviewed calls for service related to
fireworks complaints,including comparisons with such calls in other surrounding communities.
Council Member Lyon discussed his observations on the smoke,debris,and noise as a result of
fireworks use,adding that the number of complaints received on the matter lead him to favor
revisions to the ordinance.He added that he also did not want to impose rules that were overly
restrictive.Council Member Harrison echoed Council Member Lyon's comments,adding his
concerns regarding the direction in which fireworks are launched.He noted some liability
concerns,but expressed his hope that residents would accept responsibility for any damage
caused by their use of fireworks.He voiced support for limiting the number of days and times of
day for fireworks use.Council Member Bottenberg stated that the direction in which fireworks are
launched could be difficult if they are prohibited from being launched from City sidewalks,as some
properties have few flat surfaces.He advocated for use on July 3 and July 4 only,with the
allowance of launching from public sidewalks but not streets.He also noted the amount of debris
remaining following fireworks use.Council Member Harrison added that he saw no need to allow
fireworks use on New Year's Eve as is currently allowed in the City ordinance.Speaking to the
1
debris issue,Mayor Peard stated that one cannot control where such debris lands,but that the
ordinance can address allowable dates and times.Council Member Bergman spoke in favor of
modifications to the current ordinance,but speculated that such modifications may not change the
number of service calls to law enforcement.She expressed concern with the nature of the
complaints she received,noting that some were not politely worded.She added that the council
should focus on ways to make fireworks use as safe an activity as possible without imposing too
many regulations,advocating for limiting use to July 3 and July 4.Council Member Hughes
agreed that the current ordinance allowed for too many days of fireworks use,speaking in favor of
2-3 days of use until 10:00 p.m.She did not advocate for the complete repeal of fireworks use,but
voiced her approval for eliminating fireworks use on New Year's Eve.Mayor Peard agreed with a
reduction in the number of days,adding that there will still be complaints from residents.He noted
that the current ordinance was approved as a pilot program and that the council had learned much
during the 2017 holiday.Council Member Lyon spoke in favor of keeping fireworks use on New
Year's Eve as a continuation of the pilot program;Mayor Peard agreed.After additional
discussion,Council Member Harrison requested that the council consider two separate actions at
a future meeting:one approving allowed dates and times for fireworks use,and a second to
consider use on New Year's Eve.
3)Storm warning siren use policy —Fire Chief Robinson reviewed events during a recent storm
when warning sirens failed to activate,citing an equipment failure issue at Westcom.He noted
that failsafe procedures were then implemented and that after he observed that the storm system
had moved to the south,he decided against activating the sirens.
4)Existing tree policy —Development Services Director Deets reviewed the current ordinance
requirements related to existing trees,discussed tree policies in other metro communities,and
recommended certain revisions to the current policy.There was much discussion regarding tree
survey and preservation requirements for the proposed Journey Senior Living project.
F.Comments
Council Member Harrison moved to adjourn;seconded by Council Member Lyon.Ayes:All.Nays:None.
Motion carried 5 —0.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Attest:
i liam .Peard,Mayor
Rebecca D.Schuett,City Clerk