HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes, Town Hall Meeting February 25, 2018 Town Hall Meeting
Riverdale Community Room
1 P.M. February 25, 2018
Attendance:
Mayor Bawden, Lois Kempton,Teri Stickler, Pat Fisher, Don Fisher,Jim Tucker,
Steve Townsend, Kelly Krell, Mark Griswold,Kevin Adams.
City Activities:
The group reviewed a short list of planned and possible activities in an attempt to
stimulate interest and conversation. In the case of the Summer Event/Founder's Day
Event, a small group of volunteers agreed to start working on the details to help
determine costs and what the event will entail.
Easter Eag Hunt: Organized by the Halsey's. Held at Haven's Acres Park. The
group received a quick update as to where things stand on this event and
everyone was encouraged to attend- whether they intended to hunt for eggs or
not.A request was made that a reminder be sent out to residents via email and
posted to social media in addition to the regular newsletter and community
postings.
4th of July: Lands on a Wednesday this year. The general consensus of the
community is to skip a specific city celebration this year and to try something
new,instead.
Founder's Day: Celebrate City establishment at an event to be scheduled in
June/July (possibly an Ice Cream Social). Event planning/coordinating will be
headed up by Mark Griswold.Additional volunteers to help organize the
event includes: Kelly Krell,Teri Stickler and Maggie Iverson.
Other Suggestions:
• Riverdale Night at the Ball Park: Modern Woodman Park-August
• Halloween: There was some question as to whether this would be worth
doing something or not.
• Movie Night at the Cinema(need to judge interest-possibly via email)
• Caroling: via Hayrack?To get around to all neighborhoods in one
night&to attract more participants?
Welch Farm Update:
2/22/18 Mayor Bawden sent letter to Seth Woods/Seth Woods Construction.
• Date for preliminary review of a schedule for Phase I of development
• Date for initial review of preliminary plat by P&Z
• Schedule for regular written updates to Council that can be reviewed
at regular meetings.
Questions from attendees today:
• Is that land going to be planted this year?
• Did the commercial portion of the property sell?
• Barbed wire fencing,is the developer going to take it down, maintain
it?
• Feb. 22 resident saw man dressed in camo walking in woods.
• Can residents continue to maintain "conservation land" on property?
It's clear we need to communicate with the developer to get some answers to
these questions and make sure both he and the residents whose property are
adjacent to the land are clear as to how the farm is to be maintained in the
future.
Hunting:
There have been reports of gunshots from the Welch Farm (Wood's property). Seth
Woods informed City that he has not given anyone permission to hunt the property.
Also,the developer was told to put up No Trespassing signs. These are not up yet.
Not sure Seth is clear on this. We need to reiterate the necessity for the No Trespassing
signage as we work through the other questions asked by residents about maintenance
of the land.
There were also some addition questions about what is being done to address the
coyote and deer problems. Is the City doing anything?Should we be coordinating our
efforts with Bettendorf and Eastern Iowa Community College?
Update City Website &Establish an Electronic Newsletter:
Suggestions for either:
• Get emails addresses from all residents -several of the people at the meeting
offered to help collect those addresses
• Some residents would like email correspondence more frequently than once a
month (possibly every other week).
• Put on Website:
o Directory,
o Calendar,
o Contacts Tabs,
o Address/Phone# for City Hall,
o Agendas,
o Minutes,
o Events,
o History/photos,
o way to pay sewer bill on-line,
o Obits.,
o Welcome/introductions to new residents
o committee meetings and minutes,
o Council duties
ARCONIC TIF Update:
Provided a brief overview of the upcoming TIF discussion and the fact that we have
reviewed these plans with both the school district and the county. More details will be
provided as they are confirmed by the City, but residents were informed in order to
make sure they were not taken by surprise with any announcement.
During the discussion, the following items were covered:
• The existence of the State Street Urban Renewal Plan
• The nature of the project planned by ARCONIC
• The importance of Riverdale's participation (with a TIF) in order to
help secure funding
Bike Paths:
Had hoped Joe Taylor could attend today (QC Convention and Visitors)
Working to eliminate bikers going through people's yards in Haven's Acres.
Chrissy House:
At the last Town Hall meeting, there were questions about a "deal"the City was trying
to make to acquire the Chrissy House. The Mayor confirmed there is "no deal" on the
Chrissy House.
Appreciation Event for our Fire Department:
Residents had questions about what is done to publicly acknowledge and thank the
Fire Department. More about this at next meeting. (Steak Dinner? Pancake
Breakfast?)
City/City Hall Phone Numbers:
There had been some complaints about the phone system at a previous meeting (and
in one-on-one conversations). No complaints were voiced at the Town Hall meeting.
Fiber Optic:
Councilmen Heddelsten is researching this with Geneseo Telecom/Colo Hub,
discussing ways for Riverdale Residents to get fiber optic connections for their
Internet service. The City is in the initial stages of research,so everything discussed
during the meeting was very speculative.As more information becomes available, it
will be shared with residents to get their feedback and thoughts on moving forward.
There are several providers in this area, so the City would have to bid out this
project if it ever gets that far.
Open Discussion/Suggestions:
• Mailbox/Drop Box: Kelly Krell suggested that a U.S. mail (blue mailbox) be
installed near City Hall. More secure than using individual mailboxes for
sensitive mailings.
• Mark Griswold suggested use of the City Community room, to be opened up
for people to get involved, drop in,have a coffee together,gather.
Fire Department:
There were several questions raised about the Fire Department. None of those in
attendance at the meeting are currently members of the department and only two had
served at one time(and admitted to being out of touch with how the department
operates today).
Questions included:
• What are the needs of Riverdale?
• What is the cost to run the Fire Department? A study needs to be done.
• New Air Packs must be replaced. One Fire Truck is nearing replacement.
• Is Grant Funding available for Volunteer Fire Departments?
• Funding through Appreciation Dinners or events?
Adjourn: 3:15 P.M.
CITY OF
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Memorandum
Date: February 26,2018
To: Members of the City Council
C: City Administrator
From: Mayor Mike Bawden
Subject: Notes from Mayor's Town Hall Meeting held Sunday,February 25,2018
Attached,please find notes from the Mayor's Town Hall meeting held this past Sunday in the
Community Room of City Hall.Ten people attended the meeting.
Special thanks to Teri Stickler for taking notes during the meeting.I have added to those notes with
notes of my own.My comments/notes are shown in italics.
Please let me know if any of you have any additional questions.
Our next Town Hall meeting will be on Sunday,March 25th at fpm.
MTB
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