Standing Committee Meeting

MEETING OF STANDING COMMITTEES City Hall, 220 Clay Street May 15, 2023 The meeting of Standing Committees met at City Hall at 6:20 p.m. on May 15, 2023, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Councilmembers Susan deBuhr, Kelly Dunn, Simon Harding, Daryl Kruse, Dustin Ganfield, Gil Schultz, and Dave Sires. Staff members from all City Departments and members of the community attended in person. Committee of the Whole: Chair Harding called the meeting to order and introduced the only item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, presentation on potential Emeritus program for former City elected officials and introduced Mayor Rob Green. Mayor Green provided a summary of the program and stated the voluntary program is open to any past elected official in good standing and membership would be indefinite if the member remains in good standing; participants would be goodwill ambassadors for the City, could mentor new Councilmembers, and attend City functions such as the ceremony in January for end of Council terms. Councilmembers, Mayor Green, and past elected official Paul Rider discussed that this is already happening informally; benefits of recognizing past elected officials, encouraging their participation and civic engagement; and responded to Councilmembers concerns that the program may become politicized and stated; that this group will have no decision making authority but will share experiences, wisdom, and mentoring; Mayor responded to concerns with proposed joint Council-Emeritus group work sessions and round-table discussions, and participation in goal-setting and other meetings. Mayor Green stated he would make revisions based on this discussion and release the updated policy mid-June. Public Works Committee: Chair Schultz introduced the only item on the Public Works Committee Agenda, request for no parking on portion of Bluebell Road and introduced City Engineer David Wicke. Mr. Wicke shared a presentation and overview of proposed restriction of parking on Bluebell Road following a February 6th Council referral. Mr. Wicke provided background information on the street details, sidewalks, calls for service, stakeholders, and an aerial photo of the proposed restricted areas. He stated that staff had reached out to shareholders to discuss proposed on-street parking restrictions and shared their comments. Staff recommends a motion from Council to have staff draft an ordinance for restricted parking along Bluebell Road as shown in the exhibit. Councilmembers discussed the citizens’ request prompting the referral, current zoning, street width and parking restrictions in similar areas such as the Industrial Park, traffic count and injuries, possibility of higher traffic speeds, effects of construction at Mercy One and the roundabout on parking, and allowance for temporary revocation of parking restriction for certain large events in the area. Councilmember Ganfield motioned to recommend staff draft an ordinance to restrict parking on Bluebell Road as shown in the exhibits; Councilmember Harding seconded. Councilmember Harding requested clarification if an ordinance needed to be drafted or the restricted parking added to the last; City Attorney Kevin Rogers responded to enforce parking an ordinance must be drafted. There being no public comment and no further Council comments, Chair Schultz called for a voice vote. Aye: Schultz, deBuhr, Kruse, Harding, Ganfield, Sires, Dunn; Nay: none; motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Minutes by Katie Terhune, Administrative Assistant