Published: July 08, 2008 11:57 am            

Council to vote on bonding

CLINTON — The Clinton City Council could vote to bond $5.9 million to fund city projects during the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. today in Clinton City Hall council chambers.

Four of five public hearings to be held at the beginning of the council meeting involve the issuance of general obligation bonds or general obligation capital loan notes. One public hearing will be held concerning the issuance of $4,640,000 general obligation bonds for “essential corporate purposes of paying costs of street improvements and improvements to parks already owned (marina improvements).” During the June 10 Committee of the Whole meeting, City Administrator Gary Boden said $2.6 million of the bond would be used for the marina dock and amenities building. Another public hearing will be held regarding the issuance of $230,000 in general obligation capital loan notes for the purpose of “paying costs of the marina amenities building.”

Also during the June 10 meeting, Boden explained that $2,255,000 of the bond would be utilized to “finish up” street improvement projects currently under design, including $1.5 million to expedite the widening of Manufacturing Drive, $340,000 for street improvements to Prospect Avenue, $175,000 for improvements to South 14th Street and $220,000 for other street reconstruction projects. He remarked that $225,000 of the bond would restore funds advanced for the purchase of the new Community Development Department building at 110 Fifth Ave. South. On March 18, the council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of 110 Fifth Ave. South from Ribs Realty, LLC for a price not to exceed $225,000.

During a public hearing tonight, the council will hear comments regarding the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $400,000 for the purpose of “paying costs of aiding in the planning, undertaking and carrying out of urban renewal projects.” The funds will be used to purchase a parking lot in the 300 block of Eighth Avenue South for future economic development/urban renewal.

A public hearing will concern the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $630,000 to “provide funds to pay costs of improvements to city buildings, site improvements and land acquisition therefore, and construction of a recreational trail.” The bond is expected to include $265,000 for the Mississippi River Trail Project and $140,000 for repairs to the Central Fire Station on Third Avenue South.

During the June 10 meeting, Boden said he expects the bonds to be structured over 15 to 18 years and should not have a negative impact on local taxes.

A resolution on the Consent Agenda will rescind resolution No. 08-270, which fixed the date for a meeting on the proposition of the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $600,000. The bond is to be used to “pay costs of construction of railport improvements.” In a recent council meeting, Boden advised the council $500,000 was needed for construction design for the Lincolnway Railport industrial park to be located west of Clinton and south of U.S. 30.

According to the new resolution, a referendum passed by voters in 1995 authorized the city to issue bonds not exceeding $5 million for the purpose of paying costs of carrying out economic development activities, including the providing of financial assistance to aid in the creation of new jobs or the retention of existing jobs.

“As a result of said authority from the referendum a public hearing is not necessary at this time to proceed with the issuance of a not-to-exceed $600,000 General Obligation Bond to provide funds to pay costs of construction of railport improvements,” the resolution states.

An initial public hearing will concern awarding the contract for phase one of the LaMetta Wynn Drive construction project. According to the resolution, three bids were received and the contract will be awarded to Clinton Engineering Co. at a cost of $231,080, the lowest of the three bids.

The council could approve several ordinance amendments dealing with restructuring of city departments tonight. Two ordinance amendments delete current ordinance Chapters 23 “Public Works Department” and Chapter 21 “Department of Parks and Recreation” and replace them with new chapters, changing the name of Chapter 21 to “Department of Recreation.” A third ordinance amendment deletes chapter 24 “Transportation Department.” A fourth ordinance amendment repeals the Board of Housing Standards and Appeals and establishes a Housing Board of Appeals.

The council will consider a proposed amendment to Chapter 165, zoning regulations, that deletes the words “Code of Iowa” and replaces it with “Iowa Administrative Code” and an ordinance amending city code section 36.14, “First Class Firefighter Requirements.” The council could approve the second and third consideration of the amendments and adopt the ordinances. The first consideration of the amendments were approved June 24.

The council also could approve resolutions and motions:

• approving an amendment to a lease agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Willow Island and Joyce Island authorizing the city to restrict camping up to a maximum of five days during any 15-consecutive-day period on Willow Island, restricting persons from camping within 100 feet of the Discovery Trail or the gazebo on Willow Island, disallowing camping on Joyce Island and authorizing the city to enforce the restrictions;

• accepting a one-year collective bargaining agreement with the Clinton Police Department Bargaining Unit;

• approving the bid and awarding the project for emergency replacement of the City Hall roof;

• approving the purchase of the parking lot south of 332 Eighth Ave. South from the Felix Adler Memorial Association, Inc. for $400,000;

• authorizing the installation of stop signs at 23rd Avenue North and 10th Street;

• establishing a new council procedure which allows city ordinances to proceed directly to the regular council agenda without review by the Committee of the Whole; and

• approving mayoral appointments to boards and commissions.

Following the regular council meeting, the Committee of the Whole is to consider budget modifications for the police and fire departments. The Clinton Fire Department is requesting $5,200 from response reimbursement funds to replaced damaged HazMat protective equipment and absorbent material. The Clinton Police Department is requesting $413 from the Tobacco Compliance Fund to purchase child identification kits for National Night Out.

Finally, Boden will give his city administrator’s report.

        

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