Pat Gingerich

The meeting commenced with the swearing in of a new Fire Chief. Key agenda items included the approval of the minutes from the December 5th city council meeting and the consent agenda, which covered communications and outstanding bills. A public hearing was held regarding a proposed amendment to an original lease for agricultural property at the Municipal Airport, which was subsequently approved. The council also considered and adopted a resolution accepting completed work and authorizing final payment for the Hershey Avenue area sanitary and storm sewer separation contract, totaling over five million dollars. Additionally, a resolution authorizing new signatures for Citi Bank accounts following the new mayor's inauguration was approved. Council members welcomed the new mayor and council members and discussed upcoming budget sessions.

The in-depth meeting focused on proposed comprehensive changes to the rental housing code. Key discussions included simplifying the rental licensing process by removing the annual registration certificate and self-inspections, transitioning to a triennial licensing fee structure, and adding the option to assess overdue fees for non-payment. Significant proposed changes to rental facility standards were presented, such as updating heating requirements to maintain 68 degrees at all times, clarifying GFCI outlet installation requirements based on electrical code, and establishing new minimum space and occupancy standards for studio and multi-room apartments. The session also addressed clarification needed regarding smoke detector placement, aligning with Iowa Administrative Code requirements for placement in sleeping areas, hallways outside sleeping areas, and in basements used for storage or laundry. Additionally, concerns were raised by a landlord association representative regarding the consistent enforcement of smoke detector placement and the current policy regarding pets in rental units.

The meeting commenced with the swearing-in of three new police officers virtually. Key discussion points included multiple public hearings regarding the First Amendment to the Fiscal Year 19-20 budget, the adoption of the new budget and certification of city taxes for Fiscal Year 2021, and plans, specifications, and cost estimates for the Municipal Airport Taxiway A project. The Council also addressed the annual application for state and federal transit funds for operating expenses. Several ordinances were adopted, including the vacation of an alley right-of-way and amendments to relocate the rental housing code. Resolutions were passed concerning property maintenance, conveying vacated right-of-way parcels, approving a $6,310,000 general obligation bond issuance, authorizing assessments for nuisance abatement costs totaling $10,038.17, and approving purchase orders for radar units ($5,848) and emergency light bars ($6,127.50). Additionally, the Council approved awarding the remainder of the five-year landfill contract after terminating the prior contractor due to specification failures, and set a public hearing for May 7, 2020, concerning the Park Avenue four-to-three lane conversion project.

The meeting focused heavily on addressing citizen concerns regarding the accessibility of handicapped parking spaces along Mississippi Drive, specifically concerning driver access versus passenger access in angled parking stalls. Staff presented research detailing compliance with ADA, PROWAG, and ABA guidelines, noting that while passenger accessibility requirements were exceeded, driver accessibility was problematic due to access aisle placement relative to the curb ramps and street traffic. Council discussed various potential solutions, including reconfiguring curb cuts and striping, which may involve sacrificing parking spaces or incurring additional construction costs. The presenter assured the Council that staff would return with proposed solutions, prioritizing lower-cost options that resolve the driver accessibility issue while maintaining overall compliance.

The meeting commenced with a roll call. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the formation of a committee to address Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) issues, specifically related to funding. The committee recommended transitioning funding from a fixed dollar amount to a percentage-based allocation, suggesting 25% of the hotel/motel tax proceeds, aligning with allocations for the library and Art Center. Other key topics included restructuring the CVB as an independent 501c3 organization with a board representing various community facets, establishing metrics for success, and outlining draft documents for an agreement, bylaws, and a job description for a new full-time position. Concerns were raised regarding the proposed size of the board, the necessity of measurable success criteria beyond revenue, and the funding stability for the new full-time employee during economic downturns, such as referencing the 2008-2009 period. The discussion also touched upon maintaining administrative synergies between the city and the CVB.