Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-03-11 minutes MINUTES JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING COMMITTEE John G. Christy Municipal Building 320 East McCarty Street Council Chambers and Virtual March 11, 2021 Committee Members Present: Attendance Ron Fitzwater 9 of 9 Ken Hussey 9 of 9 David Kemna 7 of 9 Mike Lester 9 of 9 Mark Schreiber 8 of 9 Staff Present: Matt Morasch, Director of Public Works Britt Smith, Operations Division Director David Bange, City Engineer Mark Mehmert, Transit Division Director (virtual attendee) Eric Seaman, Wastewater Division Director Don Fontana, Stormwater Engineer Rachel Senzee, Neighborhood Services Supervisor Matt Kreyling, Building Official Dave Helmick, Housing/Property Supervisor Katrina Williams, Planner II Sonny Sanders, Director of Planning and Protective Services Ryan Moehlman, City Counselor Dustin Birch, Associate City Counselor Steve Crowell, City Administrator Brenda Wunderlich, Administrative Supervisor Chairman Hussey called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. A quorum was present at this time. The following guests attended the meeting: Cathy Coil, 1214 LeCar Dr.; Gaspare Calvaruso, Capital Region; Arthur Brown, 714 Clark Ave.; and Phil Freeman, 1324 Roseview Dr. The following guest attended virtually: Mayor Carrie Tergin; Glover Brown; Eric Landwehr, and Michael Shine with News Tribune. 1. Introductions No introductions were made at this time. 2. Approval of the February 11, 2021 Committee meeting minutes Councilman Kemna moved and Councilman Lester seconded to approve the February 11, 2021 minutes, motion carried. 3. New Business 1. Airport Advisory Committee Membership (Britt Smith) Mr. Smith requested the Committee’s approval of a proposed code amendment clarifying that the member of the Airport Advisory Committee representing the fixed base operator (FBO) be exempt from term limits. Mr. Moehlman explained this is not the elimination of term limits but keeps the FBO on at all times. Minutes/Jefferson City Public Works and Planning Committee March 11, 2021 2 Councilman Schreiber moved and Councilman Fitzwater seconded to refer the code amendment to the City Council with recommendation to approve, motion carried. 2. Discussion of Future Sales Tax Projects (Matt Morasch/Sonny Sanders) Mr. Morasch explained the staff recommendations related to sales tax projects in the upcoming Sales Tax H (2022-2027) that are road and bridge related and typically funded in cooperation with Cole County. There was discussion among Committee members, staff, and those present regarding the High Street viaduct, Ohio Street bridge, Stadium corridor including Stadium/Southwest intersection, Edgewood roundabouts, Satinwood roundabout and box culverts, Myrtle Street roundabout, Truman/Scott Station intersection, Seven Hills/Bald Hills intersection, Ellis Boulevard /Greenberry intersection, Monroe Street corridor, Truman interchange, Ellis interchange, Southwest Boulevard and Route C, Highway 179/Truman/Industrial, County Club/Rainbow, Clark interchange, and new roads for future development. Mr. Calvaruso and Mr. Freeman advocated for a two-way street the entire length of Monroe Street due to emergency access to Capital Region Medical Center and due to the High School sports complex coming. Mr. Glover Brown inquired about what a developer would need to do to use the economic development funds. Mr. Moehlman explained there would have to be a money commitment to complete the project or help with the infrastructure which would be in the form of a development agreement. Mr. Sanders explained the City has 10 dangerous properties which are ready to demolish for an estimated cost of $340,000.00 and 11 more dangerous buildings will complete the process within this fiscal year. Staff recommends including up to $1,750,000 of Sales Tax H CIP funds to be considered for demolitions and acquisitions, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. 3. Wastewater Rates (Matt Morasch) Mr. Morasch explained the last sewer rate change was done in 2017. Staff is recommending incremental increases to the sewer rates to fund bond issuance and acquisition of low interest loan money and also reduce the delinquency charge from 5% to 1.5% which is more appropriate to reflect actual delinquency cost to the utility. There was discussion among Committee members and staff regarding raising the rates but not reducing the late charge fee. Councilman Fitzwater moved and Councilman Schreiber seconded to refer the amendment to the City Council with recommendation to approve but removing the late penalty charge decrease, motion carried. 4. Transit Grant Application (Mark Mehmert) Mr. Mehmert explained staff is requesting the Committee to endorse a resolution which would appear on the next Council agenda in order to apply for grants to purchase up to eight replacement Handwheel buses. Councilman Lester moved and Councilman Fitzwater seconded to refer the resolution to the City Council with recommendation to approve, motion carried. Minutes/Jefferson City Public Works and Planning Committee March 11, 2021 3 5. Parking Garage Update (Britt Smith) Mr. Smith explained the Downtown parking study was done to evaluate the existing parking supply. In late 2016, Rich and Associates updated the study originally done in 1999 and updated by City staff in 2004-2005. In early 2018 a contract amendment was issued to conduct a garage feasibility study of five potential sites. Staff is negotiating with property owners at this time. There was discussion among Committee members and staff regarding the current needs of the existing Madison Street garage, the design concept of the new garage, and the best site for the new garage. Mr. Morasch explained the purchase of the properties would be on an April City Council agenda. 6. Housing and Property Inspection Update (Dave Helmick) Mr. Helmick explained Code Enforcement began inspection of the exterior of all known rental properties within Jefferson City in 2020 with a proactive approach using SmartGov mobile inspect software. Staff has increased the efficiency of inspections using the new software. Citizens may also submit violations through the City website citizen portal. Mr. Sanders commented regarding savings from implementation of SmartGov module resulting in maintenance agreement cost savings of approximately $4,000. 7. 2018 Building Code Review Process Update (Matt Kreyling) Mr. Kreyling explained last February the Council passed a resolution creating an Ad Hoc Committee to review the 2018 ICC model codes and make recommendations. Due to COVID-19 and several staff changes the meetings were suspended. Staff is reaching out to the volunteers to schedule meetings to re-start the review process. 8. Mechanical Inspector Position (Matt Kreyling) Mr. Kreyling explained the Plans Examiner position was vacated last October. As part of his duties he was tasked with enforcing the recently adopted Mechanical Code. Without an inspector with specialized training and expertise, these are is not being inspected to a level of detail to ensure the safety of the users of the facility. The most efficient and effective use of staffing resources at this time would be to transition the Plans Examiner position to a Mechanical Inspector position, which would save some salary funds. 9. Mechanical Examiners and Review Board (Matt Kreyling) Mr. Kreyling asked this item to be removed from the agenda at this time. 10. SmartGov Permitting Implementation Update (Matt Kreyling) Mr. Kreyling explained the SmartGov permitting process. He explained the vendor will build out a customized version of their software for building inspection use. Expected changes include the ability to view the status of reviews from multiple departments at once, customized inspection workflows, and mobile inspection reporting. Mr. Sanders explained the project will include the CDBG program and the Food Restaurant inspections. Minutes/Jefferson City Public Works and Planning Committee March 11, 2021 4 11. Scooters in Right-of-way (Ryan Moehlman) Mr. Moehlman explained the City has been approached by Bird Scooters inquiring as to the requirement to start their scooter ridesharing business in Jefferson City. He stated the City Council would need to decide on whether it wants to allow for a single scooter ridesharing business to operate int eh City’s right-of-way with and exclusive agreement or to allow all interested business to operate within the rights-of-way upon execution of a simple license agreement. There was discussion among Committee members and staff regarding concerns with scooters being left in certain places, riding scooters on sidewalks, and Committee members more interested in the open agreement. Mr. Moehlman stated he would have this on a future City Council agenda. 12. MS4 Permit Renewal (Don Fontana) Mr. Fontana explained staff is in the process of the MS4 permit renewal, which includes the process of public notice comment. The new permit will require additional inspection and more staff training. 4. Citizen opportunity to address Council/Staff on Stormwater and Other Public Works Issues • Ms. Coil stated she had lived at 1211 W . McCarty and the City barricaded a sink hole and she cannot get her two vehicles out of the garage. The owner of the property, William Patterson, has told her she will not get her deposit back due to the vehicles being left in the garage. There was discussion among Committee members, staff and Ms. Coil regarding the issue of the sink hole, the vehicles, the property owner being offered assessor value from the City with no return contact from the former owner, and no exterior deterioration of the building. Mr. Crowell explained the sinkhole problem at 1205/1209 W. McCarty was a private property issue, not the responsibility of the City. • Councilman Fitzwater requested an update on the activities on the Bald Hill Road properties which flooded. Mr. Moehlman explained the City received a notice of potential claim process but have not received anything in regards to suing the City. • Chairman Hussey stated there seems to be more trash around the City lately, possibly due to the Bulky Item Pick Up coming up in April. Ms. Senzee stated the dates for the 2021 Spring Clean Up Event is scheduled for west of Hwy. 54 on April 12 and east of Hwy. 54 on April 19. She also stated the City does have an adopt a street program for cleaning up trash in neighborhoods. 5. Adjourn Chairman Hussey adjourned the meeting at this time (9:51 a.m.).