Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers May 21, 2018 The Committee of the Whole met in the Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. on May 21, 2018, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Jim Brown, Tom Blanford, Frank Darrah, Susan deBuhr, Rob Green, Daryl Kruse, Mark Miller, and David Wieland. Staff members attended from all City Departments. Tom Nelson with the Waterloo Courier, MaraBeth Soneson and other members of the community attended. Mayor Brown called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda of Utilities Board of Trustee Interview – MaraBeth Soneson. Mayor Brown stated the administrative interview of Ms. Soneson was held on April 19, 2018. Ms. Soneson stated this is a reappointment and she has served six years. She answered questions with regards to solar energy expansion and overhead to underground utilities. Mayor Brown introduced the second item on the agenda Visitor and Tourism Initiatives/Updates. Kim Manning, Visitor & Tourism/Cultural Program Manager, stated this is the 30th anniversary of Visitor and Tourism and, in 2000, it became a city division. She reviewed the revenues and expenditures over the past 10 years. She stated they continue partnerships with other entities and strongly use a network of volunteers. Ms. Manning stated they did a re-branding with ZLR Ignition; We Know How To Weekend. She said they use social media and internet to advertise as well as visitor guides. She stated they provide $70,000 in grant funding annually. Ms. Manning said the V&T Center is open 362 days a year thanks to volunteers and said in addition to herself there are four permanent part-time employees and usually one intern from the university. A brief discussion was held. Mayor Brown introduced the third item on the agenda Speed Limit on South Main Street – University Avenue to Greenhill Road. Chase Schrage, CIP Projects Supervisor, reviewed the history of the corridor and the posted speed limits. He stated the speed limit from Greenhill Road to 12th Street is 35 mph, except the from University Avenue to Orchard Drive is 30 mph and then from 12th Street to 6th Street is 25 mph. He said this corridor was reviewed during the construction of the Aquatic Center in 2005 and the limit was lowered at that time due to additional pedestrian traffic. He stated there were traffic studies done in 2010 and 2014 which had the 85% at 37 mph and 36 mph respectively. He said the 85% is the speed used in engineering studies and the majority of drivers feel is a safe traveling speed for the roadway. He stated staff recommendation is to keep the speed limit at 30 mph from University Avenue to Orchard Drive. Mayor Brown opened it up for discussion. Mr. Schrage stated drivers will drive approximately 5 mph over the posted speed limit. Curt Olson, 3707 S. Main Street, said he would like to see a better police presence especially during peak times during the day. Rosemary Beach, 5018 Sage Road, would like the speed limit the same from the Western Home Community to University Avenue at 35 mph. Mike Halverson, 3627 S. Main Street, would like the speed limit along S. Main Street to be 30 mph. Jeff Olson, Public Safety Services Director/Police Chief, stated the speed trailers do not do a traffic count or issue tickets, it will just inform drivers of their speed and what the posted speed is. He also stated there are only a few spots they can park to patrol the roadway. Officers will do more patrolling and the radar trailer will be placed on South Main. Mayor Brown introduced the final item on the agenda bills and payroll. Rob Green moved to approve the bills as presented and Daryl Kruse seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There being no further discussion Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer