Council talks traffic issues

The Washington City Council talked about traffic issues again at its council meeting Wednesday. The council heard from Rob Negrete, who runs an eye clinic at the corner of East Third Street and North Second Avenue. Negrete proposed solutions to the traffic problems at the intersection, which had been the subject of discussion at earlier council meetings this summer.

The council talked about removing one of the parking spots on the west side of the street near the eye clinic. Councilor Merlin Hagie said there was a spot reserved for compact cars near the clinic, but he has seen many non-compact cars park in that stall. He said that was a problem for cars coming from the west because they can?t see around the large vehicles before entering the intersection.

Negrete said he would prefer turning the parking spot into a handicapped stall rather than eliminating it altogether. He also suggested putting up caution signs on East Third Street to warn motorists they were about to enter an intersection with reduced visibility. He said something could also be done about the cars that park along the street that are left there for days at a time. He suggested putting a time limit on the parking just as there is in the downtown.

Councilor Bob Shellmyer asked Negrete if his parking lot was sufficient to serve his customers. Negrete said it was.

Councilor Fred Stark said one reason to leave the parking spot there is because patients do not see well after exiting the clinic because their eyes are dilated. He said those patients shouldn?t have to walk too far to their cars. The council voted to table the ordinance on eliminating the parking stall.

The council heard from Leon Hilfman, who asked the council to put a no parking sign on the north side of Old Highway 92 (G38). He spoke on behalf of the Washington Community Center, and said parking along the highway, which is especially prevalent during the Washington County Fair, is dangerous. City Administrator Brent Hinson said there may already be an ordinance regulating parking along the highway. He said he would investigate the matter.

The council unanimously approved on a 5-0 vote the second reading of an ordinance to install stop signs on South 12

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Avenue where it intersects Taylor Street. The council also voted to waive the third reading. Councilor Russ Zieglowsky was absent.

The council agreed to apply for a Resource Enhancement and Protection Fund (REAP) grant to pave a portion of the Kewash trail west of Highway 1. Washington Economic Group Development director Ed Raber said the grant does not require a local match. Hinson said the city doesn?t know how much money it could get from the grant or how much it plans to pave. He said the city would pave as far along the trail as the money allowed. Raber said it was unlikely Washington would get funded since the state has only $500 million to distribute among cities Washington?s size. He said it was still a good idea to get in the ?queue? for funding.

The council agreed to contribute $2,000 to a LaborShed analysis through Iowa Workforce Development of the business corridor from Cedar Rapids to Washington. Raber recommended the council contribute the money since it would include a survey of the employers in Washington, which give developers a feel for the local labor market. Shepherd said he supports the LaborShed analysis because he has heard from employers who can?t fill their positions and he?s heard from people who can?t find a job.

The council agreed to apply to be an overnight stop on RAGBRAI in 2013. Hinson said RAGBRAI is great for economic growth and for attracting interest in the town. He said the only thing the town will lose is sleep.

Pedro Lujano presented a new city logo to the council. The logo features the words ?City of Washington Iowa? in a circle. In the middle of the circle is the town?s fountain with water coming out. The council approved the design as the city?s new logo. The logo is dark green to match the logos of WEDG, the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Washington.

The council unanimously approved the third reading of an ordinance calling for tax abatement known as the ?Urban Revitalization Plan.? The purpose of the plan is to improve the housing stock in the city and increase the tax base. The first $75,000 in residential improvements would be tax-free for three years under the plan, provided they increase the assessed value at least 10 percent. Commercial and industrial property are treated differently. For those two classifications, only a portion of the improved property is given a tax exemption.