1. BRAVO: A revised membership proposal was not received this week although their executive board was to review it on Tuesday. MD Isley asked for additional information on Wednesday the 7th so it may still need further consideration. The item will be placed on a future agenda when received.
2. NORTH Y PROJECT: The project is complete and final acceptance will be on the April 19 agenda.
Costs are as follows:
Engineer’s Estimate* Contract Bid Actual Cost*
$1,146,801 $926,801.00 $1,146,460.00
*Includes construction $923,900, engineering $207,580, legal $6,000 and administrative $8,980,
Project revenues are: Federal Stimulus $ 495,000.00
STP $ 260,283.45
Assessments $ 307,762.48
City $ 83,414.07
Total $1,146,460.00
Based on the above, V&K’s Jeremy Enano estimates the assessments at about $40-$45/ft. His earlier estimate in the $55 range did not include the Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. Also, the assessment costs do not include sidewalks since they were not part of the project.
FYI—The W Euclid assessments were about $85/ft ($75 for paving and $10 for sidewalks) and did not include Federal Stimulus funding.
3. TRAIL: TK began paving the trail from the water tower south to the Memorial Pool parking lot. Depending on weather, next week they plan to pave east of the water tower area along Girard.
4. LINCOLN RIDGE PLAT: Community Development Director Chuck Burgin reports that a 35-duplex subdivision (same as current subdivision already in Lincoln Ridge) plat is being considered on the northeast portion of Lincoln Ridge (see map). However, the developer only wants to extend paving south from N 9th and not continue thru to existing paving. Chuck and I discussed a couple options including :
• Deny the plat unless the developer paves the entire street
• City pave the southern 400’ and the property owner accepts a voluntary assessment. Since the 400’ is surrounded by ag land a deferral could cost the city up to $4,000 annually in interest plus the principal. When the property develops (future), the city would receive the principal but the interest paid would be lost.
We spoke with the property owner and she is very reluctant to accept an assessment and not defer payment. She indicates it would delay or end the project.
A third option is a voluntary assessment where the property owner agrees to pay the annual interest on the assessment, and, then pays the principal/interest when the property develops. This compromise has the following advantages:
• The project will move forward
• The street will be paved so there will be north/south access and greater traffic flow
• The city does not lose interest payments
• 35 duplexes with an approximate $7 million value
• Affordable housing
The disadvantages are:
• The city makes a principal payment of about $10,000 until the property develops
I am working with Eric Boehlert of the Ahlers Law Firm to determine whether the voluntary assessment can be structured in this way. If so, I will bring a recommendation to committee for consideration.
3. PARK DEDICATION: In the packet is a revised Land Dedication ordinance by Ivan Webber. The changes include removing the monetary option part and changing section 171.2 to reflect city authority per Iowa Code and city home rule. Charles Becker was not interested in meeting and said that the Home Builders Association is opposed to all land dedication ordinances. He went on to say that the Home Builders believe Iowa Code section 354.8 which authorizes cities to require public improvements as a condition of platting is unconstitutional. However, Mr. Becker added that they have not decided to take the issue to court.
The ordinance will be placed on the May 10 committee agenda for review.
4. SHARED SERVICES: Supt Dan Miers and crew have located over 30 shared services in recent weeks. Many are easy fixes and some are quite difficult.
In the packet are maps showing North 1st and East Iowa shared services and the proposed solutions. Supt Miers hopes to schedule meetings next week with each of the neighborhood groups to discuss options. Any resolutions will be brought to council for consideration.
5. W 1ST AVENUE: I have had conversations with a resident on 1st and H Street about paving 1st between G and H Streets. The resident expressed interest and asked about costs and assessments. I provided some ballpark estimates and offered to meet with the neighborhood about the process.
6. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT: Chuck Burgin and I met with local business people who expressed an interest in developing land east of 15th and north of Iowa Ave. Though very preliminary today, there is potential for an industrial park expansion.
7. DRIVEWAYS: The PD or Street Dept get occasional complaints about vehicles parked too close to a driveway entrance making ingress/egress difficult. The request is usually for the city to paint the curb yellow for 5-10’ on either side of the drive. However, the city normally resists because there are over 3,000 driveways in the community.
Steve Bonnett suggested an ordinance that limits parking within 8-10’ of a driveway so it is consistent throughout the city. He will work with John Hoyman and a recommendation may be brought to council.
8. CITY HALL SIGN: After the last meeting, Chuck Burgin suggests the existing sign at city hall (on Hwy 65/69) be removed per council request. It will be done once the new LED message board is in place.
The message board should be installed by May 10, subject to weather, according to John Parker.
