Committee of the Whole Meeting

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall – Council Chambers May 6, 2019 The Committee of the Whole met in the Council Chambers at 5:37 p.m. on May 6, 2019, 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 also attended as well as members of the community. Mayor Brown called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, Panther Lane No Parking Request. David Sturch, Planner III stated they received a request to investigate the parking on west side of Panther Lane from Springbrook Drive to its southern terminus. He explained city staff sent out a survey and reviewed the response results. He stated parking is allowed on both sides of the street with the exception of the north end where parking is not permitted on the east side from Starview Drive to the pedestrian bridge. Mr. Sturch stated staff reviewed the existing conditions of Panther Lane and based on this there is support to extend the parking restriction on the east side of Panther Lane to Springbrook Drive. Mayor Brown opened it up for discussion. Councilman Kruse explained the City of Dubuque uses permit parking in areas of the city where there are college campuses. Daryl Kruse made a motion for resident only permit parking along Panther Lane from Starview Drive to Springbrook Drive, Frank Darrah seconded the motion. Carol Shelton 3528 Panther Lane explained her observation is that the residents do not use their driveways to park and are blocking mail boxes. Councilman Miller stated permit parking for neighborhoods might be discussion for goal setting. The Mayor put the question on the motion. Motion failed, all voting nay. Susan deBuhr motioned for staff recommendation for a parking restriction on the east side of Panther Lane from Starview Drive to Springbrook Drive, Tom Blandford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Brown introduced item two on the agenda River Gauge and Gates. Chase Schrage, Principal Engineer reviewed the river gauge on the Cedar River which is located on the W 1st Street Bridge, this gauge is a full river gauge style. He reviewed the differences between the full river gauge and a stage only gauge. He stated the current full river gauge is operated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the annual cost of $15,200, is split with the City, 60/40. Mr. Schrage explained that placing another river gauge on the river upstream may provide minimal benefit and a location will be hard to find, since it needs to be placed out of the water and high enough to be out of the flood waters. He stated the USGS will not help support an additional gauge, the cost will be 100% the City’s responsibility. Mr. Schrage explained residents can sign up for notification of the river levels. He stated the city staff recommendation would be not to install any additional river gauges upstream. Mayor Brown opened it for discussion. Brian Heath Public Works & Parks Manager reviewed the Cedar River Dam operations and maintenance. He stated the City follows a policy approved by the DNR for opening and closing the gates. He reviewed the various challenges they may encounter, which includes debris, ice dams, and frozen gates. He reviewed the problems encountered earlier this year with the frozen gates and the ice dams. Mr. Heath stated they can modify their practice with DNR approval to help mitigate the early spring floods. He reviewed two options for winter operations of the dam gates; (1) open the gates fully prior to the fall aquatic hibernation or (2) open gates slightly to create turbulence in an effort to lessen freezing. He explained the pros and cons for each option. Mayor Brown opened it up for discussion. After council discussion Susan deBuhr motioned for the second option, to have City staff change its practice to open the gates slightly each fall, to create turbulence in an effort to lessen freezing; getting DNR necessary approvals. Tom Blanford seconded the motion. Mayor Brown allowed public to make comments. Steve Smith, 2528 Cottage Row stated placing a stage only gauge up river would help us monitor the river level and he would like to see the second option of the dam gates. The Mayor put the question on the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Rob Green motioned for no additional river gauge to be installed upstream, David Wieland seconded the motion. Mr. Schrage stated the USGS estimated the river level may have fluctuated 12-18” higher, upstream due to the ice dams. He explained the new upstream river gauge will have its own datum compared to the W. 1st Street Bridge full river gauge. Jennifer Rodenbeck, Director of Finance & Business Operations stated a stage only river gauge could be added to through the Capital Improvements Plan using capital project or bond funds and the annual maintenance may be added to the Engineering budget through the general fund. Mark Miller amended the motion to place a stage only river gauge upstream, seconded by Tom Blanford. Mr. Schrage stated he would forward the link to the USGS website to sign up for the river level notification. The amended motion carried unanimously. Mayor Brown introduced item three on the agenda Red Cedar Update. Danny Laudick stated he will give an update of the past year for the Red Cedar. He reviewed where startup companies are hitting roadblocks. He reviewed the partnerships, key findings and opportunities available. Mr. Laudick explained two large projects which will start in 2019, Founders Cohort and Co.Starters. Mayor Brown introduced the final item on the agenda, bills and payroll. Daryl Kruse moved to approve the bills as presented, Tom Blandford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There being no further discussion, Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer