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CITY OF WATERLOO COUNCIL MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING – 136 N. MONROE STREET Thursday, February 7, 2008 [typographical corrections made 3/17/2008 by Clerk/Treasurer]
2. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 20, 2007 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES. Motion: Moved by Pieck, seconded by Van Holten to approve the December 20, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Voice Vote: Motion passed. 3. CITIZEN INPUT. None. 4. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS a. Notice Of Published Notices: (1) Voting By Absentee Ballot In The February 19, 2008 Presidential Preference Primary and Spring Primary Election; (2) Public Test Of Voting Equipment; (3) Advertisement for Bids for the 2008 Utilities Improvements – Madison Street Lift Station Force Main Replacement. Noted.
5. COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS RECOMMENDATIONS & REPORTS a. Public Safety & Health Committee i. Hiring A Full-Time Police Officer. Discussion: Springer stated that the committee had met on the matter, that the department staff had conducted an oral board, that two qualified candidates had been interviewed, and that Kyle Virchow had been recommended to be hired. Pieck and Forman confirmed that this hire brought the department to eight full-time officers. Motion: Moved by Springer, second by Van Holten to hire Kyle Virchow as a full-time officer with a one-year probationary period beginning March 1, 2008. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried. ii. Ordinance 2008-02 Allowing For The Sale Of Municipal Parking Permits For The Taylor Street Parking Lot, Located Immediately West Of 211 South Monroe Street. Discussion: Springer stated that five stalls were identified and that the Public Works Director recommended approval. Motion: Moved by Springer, second by Van Holten to approve Ordinance 2008-02 as presented. Voice Vote: Motion carried. b. Finance, Insurance & Personnel Committee i. Resolution 2008-04 Amending The 2007 Public Works Department Budget. Discussion: Hansen reviewed the amendment noting that wage expenditures for the department exceeded the budgeted amount. Motion: Moved by Forman, second by Springer to approve Resolution 2008-04 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried. ii. Resolution 2008-05 Amending The 2007 Municipal Budget. Discussion: Hansen reviewed the amendment. Motion: Moved by Forman, second by Springer to approve Resolution 2008-05 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried. c. Public Works & Property i. Resolution 2007-67 Approving Development Agreements Between The City Of Waterloo And Briess Malt & Ingredients Company. Motion: Moved by Van Holten, second by Forman to table Resolution 2007-67 until March 6, 2008. Voice Vote: Motion carried. ii. Resolution 2008-03 A Preliminary Resolution Declaring The Intent To Exercise Special Assessment Powers For Sidewalk Improvements For The 300 Block Of Peschel Street, the 400 Block Of Leschinger Street And Certain Properties On North Monroe Street. Discussion: Forman said public comment had been received at the Public Works Committee meeting earlier in the evening. Forman answered no in response to Springer’s question as to whether or not this resolution locked in the City to carry out the special assessments. Kent reviewed the procedure. Motion: Moved by Forman, second by Van Holten to approve Resolution 2008-03 as presented. Voice Vote: Motion carried. iii. Resolution #2007-52 Approving An Easement Agreement With The Property Owner At 127 East Madison Street. Motion: Moved by Van Holten, second by Forman to table Resolution 2007-52 until March 6, 2008. Voice Vote: Motion carried. d. Plan Commission i. Review Of A Comprehensive Plan Under Consideration By The Plan Commission. Discussion: Hansen distributed a handout and reviewed the plan’s implementation program. No action taken.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Council Appointment To Fill The Vacancy Created By The Resignation Of Sean Hennessy, Alderperson Ward Three. Discussion: Hansen stated that Christine Krueger of 556 Harrison Street had forwarded a letter of interest in addition to Laura Cotting. Springer noted that Hennessy had submitted a letter stating that he would resign at the end of the meeting. Springer questioned whether Hennessy voting to fill the vacancy was ethical. He compared it to an elected official voting for his/her own pay increase. Kent stated that he agreed with Springer’s description of the facts, but questioned that the actions were unethical. Hennessy stated that the Council consisted of white men; that the Council had had no diversity in over nine years; and that he felt it inappropriate that Laura Cotting had to wait so long for Council consideration to take place. He further said Laura Cotting was well qualified for the position. Hennessy stated that he would resign effective immediately to resolve any questions raised. Note: Hennessy formally resigns his position. Motion: Moved by Pieck, second by Kent to appoint Laura Cotting to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sean Hennessy, Alderperson Ward Three. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Van Holten, Forman and Kent. Noes – Springer with Hennessy not voting, having resigned. Motion carried.
Termination Of Contracts With Brooks & Christie Forestry Consultants LLC And Hanson & Leja Lumber Relating To The Harvesting Of Timber From Indian Hills Community Park. Discussion: Hansen noted the packet document from Leja & Hansen Lumber and reported that Dennis Leja had presented an offer to terminate the contract. Perry stated that he had talked with the Public Works Director and received additional information about the original intent for harvesting lumber. Perry stated that he was at fault for not bringing this to the attention of the Council earlier. Pieck stated that the cherry trees were of high value and that leaving the trees would be of greater value than the monetary value gained. John Miller suggested that the City contact the County Forester to get another opinion on the proposed harvest. Diane Hills stated that the cherry trees were of high value and invasive plants would take over where the trees would be removed. Thompson said that the City had not budgeted for the additional expense. Liz Perry stated that she would donate $1500 to the City to cover the cost of getting out of the contract. Forman stated that he supports the termination given that funds were to be donated to cover the City’s expense. Bill Dovi stated that park amenities are key to increasing the tax base and spoke in favor of terminating the contract. Motion: Moved by Pieck, second by Perry to accept the terms presented by Hansen & Leja Lumber to terminate the contract. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Van Holten, Forman and Kent. Noes – Springer with Hennessy not voting, having resigned. Motion carried. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Approval To Grant Operator’s Licenses For The Period Ending June 30, 2009
i. Dennis H. Fredrick, W8178 State Road 16/60, Lowell ii. Matthew T. Schroud, 700 E. Madison Street iii. Bryan R. Smith, W8178 State Road 16/60, Lowell iv. Theodore J. Stenberg, 1317 Oak Street v. Mark M. Zimmerman, 310 Lincoln Avenue, Reeseville vi. Scott A. Zimmermann, W1130 Weiner Road, Columbus Note: The body by consensus agreed to take items 7(a)(i-vi) together. Motion: Moved by Pieck, second by Perry to grant the operator’s licenses for the period ending June 30, 2009 for all those listed on the agenda. Voice Vote: Motion carried.
8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 9. ADJOURN. Motion: Moved by Springer, seconded by Pieck to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. Time of adjournment was approximately 8:17 p.m. Attest: Morton Hansen Clerk/Treasurer |