Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers December 17, 2018 The Committee of the Whole met in the Council Chambers at 5:15 p.m. on December 17, 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, Joni Krejchi Art & Culture Board member, Mark Perington from Snyder & Associates, Larry Weber from University of Iowa Hydroscience and Engineering Department and Pat Conrad from Emmons and Olivier Resources and other members of the community attended. Mayor Brown called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, Recognition of Art & Culture Board member Joni Krejchi. Mayor Brown thanked Ms. Krejchi for serving on the Art and Culture Board for nine years. He presented her with a plaque. Mayor Brown introduced the second item on the agenda Greenhill Road Traffic Study Update. Jon Resler City Engineer stated an RFP process was completed and Snyder and Associates was awarded the contract in May 2018, to perform a study of the entire corridor from Hudson Road to Cedar Heights Drive. He stated they held public information meetings on June 12, August 9 and November 1. Mr. Resler Introduced Mark Perington from Snyder and Associates. Mr. Perington reviewed each intersection along the corridor. He stated they evaluated each intersection for current and future needs; including turning lanes, intersection improvements during peak and nonpeak times, cost impact and pedestrian/bicycle accommodations. Mr. Perington stated they looked at the intersections with a signal and a roundabout and how each option would improve the intersection. He was happy with the public input meetings and the positive comments they received, especially towards roundabouts. He explained they looked at traffic and accident data. He proceeded to review each intersection which included a graphic for the additional right of way and lane modifications. Mayor Brown opened it up for Council discussion. Council voiced concerns over the extended median at South Main and Balboa causing a right in right out for those residents. They asked the consultant to review if the extended median was necessary and to see if there was another option. Mr. Resler said the sound barrier fence is being looked at in the Capital Improvement Plan, to be either restored or replaced. Mayor Brown opened it up for public comment. Penny Popp, 4805 S. Main Street, stated the residents seem to be split 50/50 on a roundabout or signal at S. Main Street. She also listed some other concerns; the sound barrier fence needs to be replaced not restored and the right in right out at Balboa is a big concern for residents taking them out of their way to go north. She wants the best options to be investigated for the residents and she hopes staff continues to ask for input throughout the process. Jim Skaine, 2215 Clay Street, commented the previous improvements at Rownd Street are working at this intersection and he would like to see signalized intersections rather than roundabouts. The Mayor introduced the third item on the agenda Middle Cedar Watershed Plan Update. David Sturch Planner III introduced tonight’s speakers, Larry Weber from University of Iowa Hydroscience and Engineering Department and Pat Conrad from Emmons and Olivier Resources. Mr. Weber stated in 2010 the Watershed Management Authorities was created, which is a cooperative effort for cities, counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other stakeholders to work together. He further explained in 2016 the Middle Cedar Watershed Management Authority was formed and awarded $8.4 million of a $1 billion HUD Disaster Resilience Grant, to help reduce flooding and advancing water quality. Mr. Weber explained the grant is a 90/10 cost sharing grant. Mr. Conrad continued to explain the watershed management planning phases: issue identification; establishment of goals; and implementation of the plan. He stated they will look at health risks and recreation impairments. He explained open houses were held for public input. Mr. Conrad reviewed estimated flood benefits to the Middle Cedar Watershed area if practices are put into place. He reviewed the next steps are to finalize the plan and have the council adopt it in the spring 2019. He stated the Iowa Watershed Approach sunsets in 2020. Mayor Brown opened it up for discussion. Sherman Lundy from Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District commented on the Dry Run Creek project and permeable alley projects of the City. Mayor Brown introduced the final item on the agenda bills and payroll. Daryl Kruse motioned to approve the bills and payroll as presented and David Wieland seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There being no further discussion Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:32 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer