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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-21 Transcription Page 1 Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn,Harmsen, Taylor, Thomas Council Absent: Teague Staff Present: From,Jones,Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling,Platz, Knoche,Havel, Seydell Johnson,Davies, Others Present: Zeimet(USG)Liaison,LeFevre (USG)Alternate Liaison 1. Call to Order Alter: Welcome to your City Hall. This is the formal meeting on Tuesday,February 22,here at Emma Harvat Hall. Goers: 21'. Alter: Pardon? Goers: 21st. Alter: 21st, I'm sorry, I thought I said that. So welcome. And I believe.. do we do roll-call? Yes. [Roll Call] Great. Actually, it's a wonderful way to open up our meeting tonight. We have the State of the City recording by our own mayor Teague,who is unable to be here tonight because he is on his honeymoon, so I am happy to be filling in for him. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 2 2. State of the City [Recording] Teague: Good evening, Iowa City. It is my duty,honor, and privilege to address the City Council and the community this evening in my fourth State of the City Address. I'd like to fust thank my fellow City Councilors,which are Mayor Pro Tem Megan Alter, Councilor Pauline Taylor, Councilor John Thomas, Councilor Laura Bergus, Councilor Shawn Harmsen and our recently council-appointed member, Councilor Andrew Dunn. I am humbled to serve alongside a group of such dedicated,thoughtful, and compassionate individuals and to be entrusted as your Mayor. Together, I am proud of our stewardship of this great city. I would also like to thank our more than 600 City Employees. You are the friendly faces behind our garbage trucks,the attentive caregivers of our parks,the trusted operators of our water service, and the driving force behind so many other essential daily services that contribute to our daily quality of life. Finally, I would like to thank and recognize who this address is really about tonight. All of you. The care of the Iowa City community members show for one another and our home is truly awesome and amazing. In my 29 years as an Iowa City resident, I have found pride again and again in who we are as a community and who we strive to be. And this is exactly what we tapped into when my fellow City Council members and I charted a strategic plan for the next several years. We dug deep to ask ourselves,who is Iowa City and who do we want to be?Well, fust and foremost,we are better together. Last year we joined our neighboring cities and community partners to launch Better Together 2030, our all-in regional vision for how we move forward in Johnson County. As a result,we have begun a multi-city collaboration to revitalize a recreational opportunity of the Iowa River. Soon we will be ready to announce an innovative 3D-printed affordable housing project with numerous public and private partners right here in Iowa City. And my council colleagues and I will be calling on our metro Johnson County partners to join us in imagining how our regional transit system can be better together too. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues across the county to build on this momentum towards the future. Of course,the true heart of a community is its people and more importantly, it is how we treat those people. We are a collection of culturally and racially diverse individuals and neighborhoods, each of whom brings a valuable and important perspective to the table. Now I know we're a community that still has some work to do when it comes to equity and justice for everyone. I encourage our council, staff and community to continue our commitment to dismantling systemic racism and social inequities. And at the same time, I'd like to acknowledge some of the work that we're doing. We are one of 120 cities in the nation that scored 100 points on the municipal equity index in 2022. This is our 11th straight perfect score for the inclusion of LGBTQ+people. We remain committed to a thoughtful truth and reconciliation process, one that fits our community. We offer diverse and inclusive programming with bilingual story times, and multicultural events at the Library,more inclusive and accessible play features in our parks, and transit ride voucher program to ensure a dollar is never what holds a teenager back from accessing safe, healthy recreation opportunities in our community. We provide communication, education, and training through our Equity and Human Rights Office,the Library, and the Senior Center throughout the year. We strive to infuse racial justice, social equity, and human rights into every investment we make and actions we take as a community. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 3 Because action matters. In fact,this is the slogan we've adopted for our leadership in climate action. Programs like our residential energy efficiency incentives and annual Neighborhood Energy Blitz,not only move us towards our vision for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions but also prioritize those who can benefit from this assistance the most. We have taken part in several public-private energy efficiency projects,which has meant new ways for us to advance economic development in our community while leading with climate change. Engagement in educational opportunities like the Climate Ambassador Program, Climate Resilience Corps., and the Climate Action Festival are just a few examples of the ways you can get involved and take action too. This past year,we launched a rebate program for installing electric vehicle chargers at multi-family buildings because renting shouldn't mean an electric vehicle isn't an option for you. This is one way the City is working to modernize transportation in our community. And while we prepare for the future,we must be responsible stewards of our roadway network today. We've seen inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages lead to infrastructure projects costing more and taking longer. In December, I breathed a sigh of relief when we were finally able to reopen American Legion Road. After a few more small closures this spring,this project will be on track to near completion by the end of 2023. Also in 2023, reconstruction of the intersection at Taft Avenue will round out this project. Work will continue on Rochester Avenue between First Avenue and Ralston Creek and we are slated to begin to rehabilitation of Benton street and replacement of the Gilbert Street Bridge. We are also a multi-modal community, one who envisions a future where commuters choose to walk,bike, or bus at least half of the time. To work towards this goal,we continue to advance our Bike Master Plan,recently adding bike lanes on Madison Street and a stretch on American Legion Road.Next year,we will see even more bike lane enhancements on our roadways. And in the coming year,my council colleagues and I will take up the issue of zero-fare public transit,which could be transformative for how people move in this community. According to various national ranking lists over the years,we are one of the best places to live. One of the happiest cities, and one of the top cities for entrepreneurs,working parents,retirees, and places to get a fresh start. But we are also striving to achieve a more inclusive economy. One that works just as well for business owners and entrepreneurs who are Black,Latino, immigrant, or refugee. So we are committed to acting on the inclusive economic development plan in 2023—to invest in long-term support and wealth-building opportunities for populations who haven't always felt like there is a place for them in our economy too. We have recently partnered with the University of Iowa Labor Center to offer more pre-apprenticeship opportunities and with Kirkwood Community College to give women the skills and confidence to succeed in the building and construction trades. A few months ago,the Council invested in a partnership to hire a community childcare navigator position. And I'm excited to announce that within the next year,we hope to partner in the launch of a transformative childcare wage supplement program because raising children should never be an insurmountable barrier for someone who is ready and willing to enter the workforce. We are a community that has rarely shied away from the social issues of our times. And over the past few years,we have made some important strides and how we tend to the safety and well-being of our residents. Thanks to our strong social service networks,world renowned healthcare facilities, and strong track This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 4 record of collaborative partnerships, I believe we are a national leader in mental health crisis response and care. Johnson County has been selected as one of just three regions in Iowa to pilot the integration of the 911 and 988 crisis lifeline dispatch systems. Since we were one of the fust cities in the nation to include the 988 lifeline on our police vehicles, I know our public safety departments will be good partners to the County in this effort. Last year,we invested nearly $1 million of American Rescue Plan Act Funds towards the response times and capacity of our community's,mobile crisis response service. And recently I joined my council members in approving a second mental health liaison position which puts us one step closer to our goal of having a trained mental health professional on shift and ready to respond with dispatched officers around the clock. I am also proud of the incredible work our police officers have done to prevent shootings and keep guns off the streets. Over the past three years, our officers have seized 319 guns, and gun violence has decreased by 77%. But the success of violence intervention also depend on having strong social supports in place. To date,we have partnered with over 50 agencies to provide pandemic relief to non-profits and the small business community. An effort to build local non-profit capacity through a capital grant program is also currently underway. Many of our own City departments also provide important social and community building opportunities. Our current budget includes funding to make critical improvements to the Senior Center so they can continue to focus on their mission of ending social isolation for people aged 50 plus through inclusive social health and well- being programming. This past year,we heard from many about our Recreation Master Plan,which will help make investments in our athletic fields, courts, and pools for the enjoyment of future generations to come. Because our city is a collection of authentic, vibrant neighborhoods and districts,we know that how people engage and come together with their neighbors won't look the same for everyone. This is why I'm proud of the work we have begun to rethink neighborhood associations and organizing. We are seeing renters, immigrants, and refugees become connected to and involved in their neighborhoods,many for the fust time despite having lived here nearly their entire lives. We're making space for everyone to find connection, community, and pride in the place they live. We are a community that has no choice but to focus on how we can stabilize housing as a fundamental human right for everyone. Our Housing Authority assists over 1,500 low-income families acquire and maintain safe affordable housing. Manages 86 public housing units and 16 affordable housing units and administers 1,457 housing choice vouchers to those most in need. Each year, our city administers between two million and three million in federal funds for programs such as housing rehabilitation, home air quality, aid to social service agencies,home ownership programs, and other affordable housing efforts. Just in the past couple of years, our inclusive zoning and Tax Increment Financing policies have led to the contribution of over four and a half million in affordable housing fees. Money which is then re-invested to support our broader affordable housing goals, such as the South District Home Ownership Program. Last spring,we adopted a bold new affordable housing action plan. Our work on this plan is underway. We recently removed an outdated policy that had the effect of limiting our affordable housing supply. And last month,we made a significant investment and a comprehensive pilot project targeting housing stability, eviction prevention and diversion, and landlord risk mitigation. Getting people into stable housing is difficult if This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 5 we don't have enough quality affordable housing to go around. That's why we are planning an overhaul of our comprehensive plan. This multi-year effort should make it easier to build more diverse types of residential housing like duplexes,townhomes, and smaller multi-family units. It is important for our city to grow in a way that is both sustainable and attainable for renters and home buyers. Through our upcoming budget, we again make significant investment in our water, sewer, and landfill infrastructure so that as we grow, our residents can continue to count on safe,reliable, and sustainable public utilities and services. The ways we are investing our funds,the issues we give our attention to, and the actions we take, say a lot about who we are and give us a glimpse of who we are working to become. We are a one-of-a-kind city. A community unlike any other. We are thoughtful and compassionate, innovative and brave, and yes, sometimes we are slow to figure out the answer and sometimes the problems we face feel insurmountable. But I am heartened by the reminder that we are in it together. We are the sum of our parts. We can do and be so much more together than any one of us could do on our own. Iowa City has blazed a path I am proud of and together we have charted a bold future. The state of our city is strong and I'll look forward to making it stronger together. In unity,your Mayor,Bruce Teague: Alter: I just wanna say thank you to the staff and the Mayor, and especially the community's feedback that helped engendered so many of the projects that were outlined by the Mayor,um,he's absolutely right that sometimes when you're in the middle of it, it's not feeling like there are many steps forward,but I think that-that 10,000 foot back view to be able to sort of say we've listened and we're working on it. And there's been a number of programs and accomplishments that have come from the community speaking to us and councils past who stepped-put this in motion and then my fellow councilors that's pretty amazing. And so thank you to everybody who helped put the video together,but more importantly the programs and- and the people who actually helped say we need these programs. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 6 3. Proclamations 3.a. International Women's Day and Women's History Month Alter: And with that,we are very happy to,um,have a proclamation for International Women's Day and Women's History Month, and it will be read by Councilor Taylor. Taylor: Thank you- excuse me,Mayor Pro Tem Alter. I am,uh,pleased to read this proclamation as,uh,March 8th happens to be my daughter's birthday, so this has some additional meaning to me. (reads proclamation)Accepting is our wonderful former Mayor Jim Throgmorton, and I believe also a member of the Human Rights Commission,Bijou Maliabo. Throgmorton: Thanks Pauline. My name is Jim Throgmorton. I have with me Bijou Maliabo, who is also a member of the Johnson County United Nations Association Board of Directors. So it's a real pleasure to be here with you tonight,uh,kind of a bittersweet pleasure for me as you all- all can imagine.Nonetheless it is a real treat and I want to say a few words with regard to the proclamation itself. So thank you for publicly reading JCUNA's proclamation for International Women's Day. The young intern who wrote the proclamation chose to include important information about global deforestation and womens role in reforestation. We support her attention to this topic as part of sustainable development Goal Number 15,Life on Land,but we want to emphasize as well,the important work in smallholder sustainable food production here in Johnson County and around the world. It's work often done and led by women. It's this work in particular that we will be honoring at the annual event,Night of 1,000 Dinners on March 8th. Johnson County,UNA is committed to the promotion here in our county, of not just sustainable development Goal Number 15,Life on Land,but if all 17 sustainable development goals. We would welcome working with you--and I said this to the Coralville City Council last week, so I said to them too--on use of the 17 SDGs as they're called, as a means to promote and measure your work in sustainability, social justice,no hunger, and all the objectives of the SDGs. In the meantime we would be delighted to see all of you, including city staff members, at the Night of 1,000 Dinners meeting- event on March the 8'', starts at 06:00 PM, in Iowa City's own Mercer Aquatic Center right here. Thanks so much,where-there you are Pauline thanks so much for reading that and for giving us the proclamation and put this in here. Bijou, do you wan to say a few words? Maliabo: Hi everyone my name is Bijou Maliabo and I just want to say thank you so much for acknowledging this event and for honoring this,uh, event, a moment in time. It means a lot to the community and thank you so much for all your work Alter: Thank you. Before we move on to uh the consent calendar, I just want to note um that a constituent reached out to me for a resolution for uh,Rare Disease Day,which is um, February 28, and um,we were unable to pull together a proclamation for that. However, I did want to acknowledge it and to let um, all those who have-who feel it themselves, family members, friends, loved ones that um,we will be thinking of you and honoring you on Rare Diseases Day,February 28. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 7 9. Community Comment Alter: We're now at community comment and this is a time for items not on the agenda. Please make sure that you either sign a card and put it in the basket there or you can fill a sticker out over the- and bring it up. Welcome,please state your name and city,please. Ross: I am Brandon Ross. I live in Iowa City. Uh, great to see Mayor Teague in his yearly report. Thank you so much for all your good works. I'm sorry to be here. Uh,this February it's uh- its a year after the US and Russia got heavily involved in the Ukrainian conflict,which has been going on now since 2014 uh. My family,uh,my mother's side is from Kiev. In 2014,uh,there was a violent coup where the democratically elected president was removed by right-wing fascist factions that the US unfortunately was in the cynical position of supporting. Um, after eight years,Russia did get involved. And then the US uh,put forth $100 billion of US taxpayer money to arm this group against also, which previously they had armed against the ethnic minority in Donbas,which was Russian Ukrainians. Ukraine is made up of probably at least three groups of people,not just one. There are the right wing nationalists from the West. There are the Russian Ukrainian ethnic minorities of the east. And then there's a bunch of people in the middle who consider themselves a mixture of European and also Russian. On Sunday,there was a rally in Washington,which uh,was a protest against the US arming of Ukraine. It wasn't covered by much of our corporate news because our corporate news is in lockstep with our State Department. But we are in a cynical position because the US is the one country that will not negotiate. Anthony Blincon said that negotiations are off the table. Ukrainian people are dying and the war is not popular amongst Ukrainian people. Even though Zelenski,who is now also unpopular in Ukraine,keeps saying, give us more weapons. Ukrainian people just want to go home. The greatest amount of refugees from Ukraine in the country that has the greatest amount is Russia. Okay so the US,my ask is that everybody here please call or write your congress people in the White House to end the war,to engage in negotiations, and stop arming and stop spending hundreds of billions of dollars. Please,please,please. Thank you. Alter: Is anyone online?Yeah, okay. Hello. Watkins: Hello. Uh, my name is Kevin Watkins I live at 2035 Abbey Lane. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with the members of council this evening. I'm here to represent a lot of people on our street and to follow up with a letter that we sent to the City Council a couple of weeks ago that was presented by Judy. It had to do with the Rohret South Trunk Sanitory Sewer Project. This plan to be installed under Abbey Lane. In that letter, the residents uh, of the properties of budding Abbey Lane noted their support for the initial project uh, of improving a sanitary sewer to a 30-inch pipe. The initial plans described a field survey starting in about March 2022 on the City website and that was the fust- some of the fust paperwork that we saw. Public information and meetings were held May 11th and July 28, in 2022. A third public information meeting was planned for winter or early spring of 2023. Uh, in the fall of 2022, several of us residents had an opportunity to speak with representatives of the City, including Joe Welter, one of the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 8 city engineers on our- in our front lawns,yards as they came by to check out the layout of everything and so forth. We appreciated the opportunity to speak with them in a personal discussions. But unfortunately,no one recalls any mention at that time of narrowing the street uh, at that- in the future. After that time period uh, another public information meeting was added on November 30th, 2022,the last day of November. And this was to address two issues. The second issue was the need to take up all of the concrete on Abbey Lane. And at that point,the plan was announced, as far as I can tell, to narrow the width of the street from 38 to uh- I'm sorry 26 to 28 feet. We identified our concerns about this process uh, in the previous letter. We continue to be concerned about the issues described in the letter,namely the safety uh, of children and pedestrians in the neighborhood,the numerous bicyclists that use Abbey Lane, and the adequacy of parking for those who use Kiwanis Park. The letter was signed by more than 20 people, or more than 80% of the property owners along Abbey Lane. We continue to be concerned about the recently added change in the plan to narrow the street. And it may undermine uh,with goals listed above and the impact of narrowing street may not yet be fully clarified from our perspective. Uh, furthermore,this last change does not seem to be consistent with the Good Neighbor Policy elucidated in the uh, City website and with general principles of transparency. We continue to be curious about other effects, including the appearance of the neighborhood property values and whether the driveway extensions will lead to- Alter: Thank you. Watkins: A trough for snow and water. Thank you very much. Alter: Is there anyone else who has any comments,public comment? Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 9 10. Planning& Zoning Items 10.a. Rezoning—N.Dodge St. and N. Scott Blvd. 1. Public Hearing Alter: Moving on to planning and zoning matters. We have Danielle Sitzman to talk about rezoning of North Dodge Street and North Scott Boulevard. Actually, as a point of- should I ride-read the description? Goers: Uh, oh,uh, of the agenda item? Alter: Yes. Goers: Yeah,that would be fine. And then open the public hearing,yeah. Alter: Perfect. Thank you. Uh,this is an ordinance conditionally rezoning approximately 3.87 acres of property located south of the North Dodge Street and North Scott Boulevard intersection from commercial office zone to community comm-community commercial zone with a planned development overlay for approximately 2.04 acres and to low density multi-family residential with a planned development ovelay for approximately 1.383 acres. With that, I'm going to open the public hearing. Welcome. Sitzman: Thank you,Mayor Pro Tem. Thanks for reading that. I appreciate that. We'll get right to it. So this is an-an exhibit showing that location that you just described and the two sets of acreage that are subject to the rezoning,two different zoning zones being proposed here. And the applicant in this case is Mark Holtkamp working with Axiom Consultants. The purpose of the re-request for rezoning is and the planned development overlay plan would be to allow a restaurant and mixed-use building with eight dwelling units and nine separate townhomes. Um,the plan also shows,uh,two drive-throughs which would require special exceptions to be granted by the Board of Adjustment separately, in different proceedings and the applicant has conveyed to staff that the prior- priority is to develop a coffee shop on the site within an associated drive-through. There that drive-through would be for the AT-for an ATM. Uh,this property does contain sensitive areas and a preliminary sensitive areas development plan proposes,uh,removal of critical slopes in excess of what's allowed per ordinance,uh,therefore triggering also a review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council this evening, as part of that OPD process. Uh,the applicant did conduct a Good Neighbor meeting a-in October of 2022. This exhibit shows the current zoning of the subject property, as well as the surrounding properties. Um,the surrounding land uses do include multi-family townhouse style development to the north,um,the City's Fire Station Number 4 to the east, a building used by the Iowa City Community School District as their administration building to the west, and some,uh, existing single-family homes off the cul-de-sac to the south. Um,this is a-at the intersection of two arterial streets. Uh,the-on the west side, headed northeast should be North Dodge and that also Scott Boulevard as the other This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 10 frontage of this particular par-parcel. So this property was rezoned from a-a research development park to a commercial office zoning district,which it currently holds back in 2008. The proposal at the time is what's shown here on this slide for a corporate office building and a bank. Um,there were several conditions associated that-with that rezoning. That was not an OPD rezoning. So,uh,the inclusion of a concept was,uh, something that was,um,required,just through conditions at that time. Um,the conditions related to the layout of the site,um,placing parking behind the building as much as possible,having the building in a certain orientation to the street network. In this slide, Scott Boulevard is running along the south side here. So I'm going to flip back and forth between the two different orientations. Uh,this is the proposed zoning,uh,before you today, showing in tw-two different designations. The different zoning di-districts. To the right is the more commercial,uh, of the two. The,um, and to the left is the low density multifamily district in red hash. Ah, as I said, this is an overlay zoning district. Ah, an overlay zoning district is, ah,required because of the sensitive areas, and it gets to a glimpse into-it's also required because of the mix of uses. It also gives you a glimpse into the layout of the site,which show-is shown here in this slide. Ah, the pink, ah,rectangles being the buildings, ah,to the right-hand side being the commercial buildings, including the coffee shop and the mixed-use building with housing above and to the left being the townhome units proposed. It also shows the access points and the proposed parking areas. These are details you wouldn't normally see with the rezoning,but because it's an OPD zoning there's a site plan involved. Uhm,the site plan is required,um,to eventually be ful-fulfilled through further steps in the, ah, development process. Any deviations from this-this plan, if they're substantial,would trigger a re-review. Ah,but the Planning and Zoning Commission had another rezoning hearing. In this case, ah, oftentimes, an OPD rezoning will include waivers so the base zoning standards. In this case,there are no waivers requested they're simply asking for the mix of uses. Ah, and because of the sensitive areas showing the preliminary details of site plan. With OPD rezonings we'd go through the normal rezoning criteria for consistency with comp plan and the compatibility with the existing neig-neighborhood and then also evaluate some additional, ah, criteria what we'll-which we'll walk through right now. Ah, as far as consistency with the comprehensive plan,um,the future land use map for the Iowa City 2030 plan does designate this area as appropriate for public-private open space. Uhm, it is included in the Northeast District Plan, but is not designated in that plan in any way on a future land use map. Um, so when that occurs,that's not uncommon. There are other aspects of the comprehensive plan with which we would,um,review. And those are expressed in the goals and strategies in the comprehensive plan. In this particular instance,there's several relevant goals and strategies related to land use and,um, complimentary infill, as well as providing a variety of housing types, assuring the transportati-transportation systems are for all modes of transportation and do encourage walking and biking. And then also being sensitive to environmental impacts. The comprehensive plan does also,uh,mention neighborhood design principles as a guiding principles for,uh, development. And-and how the compre-comprehensive plan can be fulfilled through design principles. In this case, it is infill development and so it's, ah, an opportunity to continue to see development within the boundaries of Iowa City and make sure that we have a-a,uh, efficient system and avoiding,um, sprawl whenever possible This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 11 routine with quality infill. Also providing for a diversity of housing types, lending to more affordable housing choices and encouraging a mix of development that's appropriate based on the context around it. The design principles also express an, ah, interest in neighborhood commercial areas providing focal points for neighborhoods. And as-as I mentioned, an emphasis on good transportation systems. Related to the OPT-OPD rezoning. There are those additional criteria that I mentioned. Some of those have to do with density and land uses. Um,the density in this case, for the base zoning districts is 15 dwelling units per acre. The proposed development is well below that at just over four dwelling units per acre. Ah,there is a commercial component to this development, of course, so it's not entirely proposed for, ah, dwelling units So that math does kind of, ahm, get diluted by that denominator changing a little bit. But even in the commercial, ah,portion of the site,there is housing units being proposed above commercial. And as I've said, ah, on the bottom half of this slide now changing orientation somewhat those would be the town home development,um,units. So, ah, it does meet the density limit, its-is anticipated to provide a commercial development located along two arterial streets, as I mentioned. And add a main entryway into Iowa City, does provide that mix of housing types as envisioned in the comprehensive plan. So we also do like it mass-scale and general layout. Um, as I said, there are no waivers being requested here. So the mass and scale of this development would be very similar under a conventional zoning district. Ah,they'll be required to meet all of their open space requirements, are not asking for any waivers to any of that. And those same features would be evaluated at additional development stages. In regards to traffic circulation,they have to access points proposed off Scott Boulevard,no access points off of North Dodge, ah,but we did have a traffic study prepared to evaluate the impact of the trips, ah, generated by this development and its impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. And there are several conditions that are proposed with this development based on the recommendations of that traffic study. And those include installing a right turn lane along Scott Boulevard, ahm, also making sure that there's a safe pedestrian crossing, including a refuge island on the south side would be to Dubuque Road and dedication of public access easements where the sidewalk, ah, network needs to,um,be on private property because of the impacts of that turn lane and a limitation on right-of-way available. Um, again,we look at the burden of the development on the existing street network and utilities. In this case,there's sewer and water available. The traffic study did indicate the need for improvements, and so those have been incorporated into the conditions. Sort of unique to this development is unlike a residential development. Ah,the commercial component of this is largely drive-by traffic that's already on the streets just choosing to stop in. So this would not be necessarily a destination retailer. It'd be more of one of convenience. Um, if you're driving by suddenly see a service or product that you would like. Um, so while there is a need for improvements, it's not quite as impactful as a completely residential development. And then evaluating the impact of the proposed development compared to comp-a conventional development. Ah,really,this development would not have any more of an impact, ah,than a conventional development primarily because of the, ah, lack of need for waivers. And then, of course,um,the provision of neighborhood, commercial uh, and additional housing meeting in the mix of uh, desire for uh,mix of housing in neighborhood meeting the need for a public interests. As I mentioned this is- does have a This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 12 sensitive features on-site. Those are uh, essentially the slopes um, shown here on the colored side. Um,they do um, impact those slopes. There's three kinds of slopes in our ordinance; steep, steeper, and steepest. Um,you're absolutely not allowed to impact the steepest slopes. In this case,they're um,proposing to impact the medium steepness, slopes,um, in a greater proportion than is normally allowed by our code. So that's why they had to prepare this exhibit and- and demonstrate what percentage would be impacted by this development. Um, generally,uh, avoiding those impacts is best,um, but needing to cluster development away from them as much as possible to still allow infill is the intent of the sensitive areas ordinance. So as far as next steps,we're here at the rezoning stage. Um,this land has already been platted once, so it would not go through preliminary plat again, it would simply go to final plat. Um,we'd-we'd review the final versions of the sensitive areas development plan and the final version of the site plan at staff when those are prepared. And then ah, on to building permits. So based on a review of the rel- relevant criteria uh,both specific and general staff did recommend approval with um, proposed- several proposed conditions. In January,the Planning and Zoning Commission met and concurred with staffs opinion,um, and also recommended those conditions. We have received a signed conditional zoning agreement tonight, and as I mentioned,they did hold that Good Neighbor meeting. So the conditions as included in that CZA, are commitment to have the landscaping plans reviewed by the City Forester, and to replace any public right-of-way trees removed during construction of the turn lanes. To dedicate easements were necessary to ensure private-to ensure public pedestrian access to the site across private property. To install the public improvements identified in the traffic studies such as that right turn lane, and the pedestrian crossing with a refuge island had to acknowledge that new driveways they'll be allowed onto North Dodge Street. That concludes my report. I'm happy to answer your questions. Alter: Just to make sure that I'm oriented correctly,that um,right turn lane on Scott,that's going South, correct? Sitzman: Correct. Alter: Okay. And there was not any, I'm assuming that because it wasn't mentioned,there's no anticipated problems with um,the fire station and the need for the trucks to get in and out. Sitzman: Correct. Alter: Okay. Bergus: Danielle,with that a higher-level um, sensitive areas review, I saw, you know,the analysis relating to all the slopes. Was there any woodland impact? Sitzman:No, it's only slopes. Bergus: Okay. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 13 Thomas: Danielle,the housing will have the townhouses and then the commercial building will have housing above? Sitzman: Right. The longer rectangle on the north part of the slide would be the mixed-use commercial building with commercial on the ground floor and eight units, I believe, above. Thomas: Would that be one additional story or two? Sitzman: Just-well, at this point it- we would only know of two. They are not asking for a height waivers, so they'd be limited to the maximum height in the district. Thomas: Would be-would be three floors. Sitzman: Thirty five feet. Bergus: And on the-just the image that's up on the screen right now,the blue lines,retaining walls,the kind of more solid... Sitzman: Yes, I think that's right. Alter: If there are no other questions,thank you. And then do I bang for public discussion. Goers:Not just yet you will wanna- excuse me,you'd like to uh,uh,welcome the developer to offer their comments if they'd like. Alter: Yes. Thank you. Boelk: Good evening, council. I'm Brian Boelk with Axiom Consultants and representing the applicant uh,Mark Holtkamp was down in Atlanta, so he's apologizes,he can't be here, probably enjoying the weather better than we will be in the next couple of days. So uh, thanks for your time and a- as always,thanks City staff uh, for working through with us to this point. Um, I think Danielle outlined everything pretty well, certainly here to answer any more questions. Uh,yeah,we feel like this is just a really good um, infill development that in- in a site that has sat for a long time. As we know,there's some challenges and difficulties with it and feel uh, like though we are impacting obviously some critical slopes,we're doing uh,the least impact as we can to the sensitive areas as a whole. And this also provides an opportunity for some nice mixed use here uh, on both commercial as well as different levels of residential. Uh, I know uh,John,you had asked about the height on that mixed building. A- and I think it's still either se-two or three store. You might even know we've just go two with one level of residential, but that commercial just-just kinda see how that-that's going in market analysis. Um,but as Danielle alluded to, certainly no more than that as that's the requirement and it has no desire to go beyond that. I should say the applicant, as mentioned, certainly accepts all This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 14 the conditions that are part of the CZA, and has been signed. Um,we went through that full traffic study,uh, and worked with traffic and engineering on that. Um, obviously adding the right turn line there, and did talk and work with fire too, and make sure there was no uh, serious conditions there which there are not. Um, and yeah. We just feel like uh,thi-this was even a better improvement from what was originally looked at in zone in terms of a larger three story building with a lot of surface parking area,um, looking to downsize as we go to the south there and mixing with the residential. Happy to answer any questions. Alter: Thank you. Boelk: Okay. Thank you. Goers: Questions from the public at this point? Alter: Thank you. Questions from the public? Okay. So now close up. Goers: Inform-uh,before you do,uh, a formal consensus. Alter: There we go. Yes. So are we inclined too?All right. Goers: Okay. Well, then you can uh, close the public hearing, and have council dis- or motion and then council discussion. Alter: Motion to get fust consideration. Goers: Yes. Alter: All right. Harmsen: So moved Harmsen. Begus: Second,Bergus. Alter: Moved Harmsen, second by uh,Bergus. Council discussion. Roll-call. Thomas: Wait. Um. Alter: I'm sorry. I thought I was gonna get one right. Thomas: I just have a few comments. Alter:No. Absolutely go. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 15 Thomas:Not many. Um,this is- this is kind of an interesting proposal with the mixed use. Um, like I don't know how-how often we see that,that it's uh, I think kind of an interesting location for this. Um, it would be nice to see the buildings,you know, a little bit more expression of what the buildings are. Uh,recently we saw a presentation,was it West Homes, I believe,where the-the building program was really fully presented. Um, I mean,we're not talking about a lot of buildings. So in that sense, it's not something I'm concerned about,but it is- it is in a very visible location. So architecture will matter on this project. Uh, traffic circulation. I- I don't- I'm not really anticipating this project having significant impact on traffic,but the traffic on Scott is problematic in my view. And- and this isn't helping. It's adding uh,the right turn lane,more movements coming from different directions um,that merge. And I always get directionally if you're- if you're coming off of Dodge and you're heading on to Scott,past the fire station. It goes pretty quickly from two lanes to one lane. And we're adding yet another lane that will also terminate and narrow. So we have narrowing occurring on both sides. Um,you know, I just kind of anecdotally coincidentally heard from a resident. He wasn't familiar with this project,but he was saying how,you know, in that section of that- of Scott, you know,there are often a lot of near misses,people merging and,you know,you're not expecting that car that might be in the turn lane for Dubuque Road to turn left,they actually keep going straight. And so you have emerging condition. Um, I do think the staff really-we really need to look at that and see,what can be done um,to improve the situation because it's that-that kind of quick merge off of- as you're coming off of Dodge. Um, seems like- it seems like we need perhaps something,uh, a turn lane,more of a pocket turn lane for Dubuque Road rather than the turn lane that just terminates. And those who were in that lane but really want to go,you know,uh, straight onto continue on Scott,um, there wouldn't be that confusion there. You'd be on a turn pocket rather than in a lane that in effect disappears. But um, again, I- I don't really think this project is the problem, it's kind of a problem that will be exacerbated by the development,but it's- I think so- some attention needs to be given to this to try to improve the traffic safety. Alter: One comment as someone who is on that road every day and has been for almost 13 years. Um,there definitely are times when somebody's like, oh, I'm in the wrong lane. But I would actually say that with the roundabout, it actually people are not coming from a dead,you know, drive there. It's- I don't think it's quite as dangerous as you're making and it's pretty clearly marked where the left turn is. And there are definitely the times Voc, oh,that person didn't see it. But because there is actually very clearly delineated like there's that,um, island in the middle,people can see that they are like, oh, I'm in the wrong spots. So at any rate, I actually can see that the right lane for getting into the new development could actually help clarify that confusion because then there's a clear there's a left lane,there's a middle lane, and there's a right line. So for what it's worth,that's more me completely as just a person who uses the road,not as an expert. Taylor: I agree with Councilor Thomas about the visual. It's kinda hard when you just-you see a rectangle and a couple of little squares to really visualize,uh,what it would look like and how it would blend in with the neighborhood. Uh,but I do see this. We-we've heard about infill or lack of infill. And I was sitting for such a long time and- and I see it as a This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 16 rather creative use of that infill space. That- that will be productive and be meaningful to the community. And I even think that,um, it could be and in the Webster's dictionary under the definition of mixed-use, I think it just really fits that-that picture. So I compliment you on that. Bergus: I'm grateful to see the buildings oriented with really heavily towards the pedestrian access on the front,um, and,you know, all the parking in the rear. I think that'll be a really nice approach from the roadway and those extra wide side paths that we have there. And I think the pedestrian island at the crosswalk and the Paris pedestrian refuge on just south of Dubuque road. I think we'll probably have some traffic calming in that area as well. So that's good. Alter: I was just gonna say additionally that though you don't think of that area as being particularly busy,um, or having a whole lot of need for commercial. In fact,the fire station,the,um,university,the Ped Center is there. Those are both walkable to where this would be so and there really isn't anywhere to go to eat or get coffee or anything like that. That is walkable other than if you're all the way up to Hy-Vee or there's press,but those- that's a stretch if you're just like out on a break. So I think that this is a great idea for this location,um, and the school district as well. So I mean,there's a lot of workers in the area who this would be a really welcome place to be able to do something like sandwich shop, coffee, stuff like that. We do have a lot of coffee in the area,but I think it's a great idea. Dunn: Or firefighters can go across the street. Alter: Yes, I was exactly, and ACT. So are we good?All right. Eric,what I do next? [Roll Call] Motion passes 5-0, 6-0, sorry. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 17 ll.a 2023 Park Renovations Alter: Okay. Item number l la 2023 Park reserve renovations. And this is a resolution. Is this mine to do or Juli, do you want to describe it? I don't. I'm not sure how much level of detail, do I just read that first part? Goers: Yeah,just the fust part. Alter: Okay,resolution approving project manual and estimate of cost for the construction of the 2023 Parks Renovations projects, establishing the amount of bid security to accompany each bid, directing city clerk to post notices,two bidders and fixing time and place for receipts of bid and,um, I'll say welcome,Juli. Seydell Johnson: Evening, Council. Juli Seydell Johnson,Director of Parks and Recreation,here to talk to you about our next round of park renovations happening this summer. Uh,there are four parks in this bid. Uh,Kiwanis Park,Hunters Run Park, Happy Hollow, and then Hickory Hill. Although please note that Hickory Hill is being is an alternate and at this point in the bids,because of just such a volatile bit environment,we want to make sure that we protect and be able to do as much as we can on the other projects. Hope to get all four done,but that gives us a little bit of, um, decision-making if that- if that doesn't happen. All four these were reviewed at the January Parks and Rec commission. They reviewed and recommended their approval of what you see in front of you. So the four parks, as I said,three H's and the K. So Hunters Run,Happy Hollow,Hickory Hill, the Conklin Street entrance, and then Kiwanis Park and we'll go through Kiwanis fust. With Kiwani-Kiwanis Park, we had two neighborhood meetings. Such a unique playground here. This is one of the natural play areas that we have,um, in the community. So we had uh- fust had our fust neighborhood meeting out on the park site. We actually had it in conjunction with the meeting for the Willow Creek trail projects. So it was really nice to have both happen at the same time. What we heard from the neighbors is they love the natural area of this particular playground. You want to keep it similar. We had some real maintenance concerns that need to be addressed. So the things that will be happening there,the shelter stays as is. And one point we thought we might replace the shelter. There's no need to do that. So the shelter remains as is. All of the wood timbres that you see throughout are being removed,the landscape and you'll return that so we have better access for ADA. You'll still have the hillsides,we'll have boulders kinda holding the slopes back. You just won't to have the wooden timbers any longer. Interestingly enough um, over the years they've pulled different boulders out of this park uh. They were all sitting down on our parks maintenance shop, so they're going to come back to the park as part of this practice,we don't have to buy new ones,we-we save them. The slides will stay in it. There'll be different slides but in the same area. Um,here's the drawing that doesn't show up so well,but I have a better rendering of it. The play area stays similar, so the main play structure is being replaced with kind of a diamond shape um rope structure. Uh,there's a smaller kids play area that will go where the sand-we had a large amount of sand play area at this park that's being reduced. There still will be some just not as much. Then there's kinda two smaller hammock areas,hangout areas,um, on either side. The This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 18 neighbors are really excited about that as a play element,kind of a swing,but as a hammock,um,the tunnel that is so popular here stays as is. We have to do a little work to the top,um,where the railing is to make it compliant,but the tunnel will stay. And then the bridge that is over on the other end will be replaced by another concrete tunnel. So the bridge will go away because it's got the wood timbers. But it will be another tunnel because we've heard the kids really,really liked to play in those. So the, uh, equipment on the top-left is the larger piece of equipment that will go in. You see the hammocks, you see the slides will still be built into the hillside. And then we have the smaller child play equipment. Interesting enough,the Parks Commission and requested that it not have a red roof. I'm not sure why,but it probably will that have a red roof. And so that's everything on Kiwanis. Do you have any questions on this one before I go on? The next one is Hunters Run Park. I believe this is our westernmost park in the city,but also one of the oldest playgrounds that we have, a playground equipment. You see the older playground equipment there. The other thing to note about Hunters Run,uh,we aren't replacing the shelter here. And this has one of our best remnant prairie areas or I should say re-established prairie areas. If you go beyond the playground in this park,there's kind of a really nice hidden oasis back there. So this is my commercial for Hunters Run Park to go out. There's a trail that walks around the praire area with a-with a shelter back there and a little water, water area. Beautiful park,really old playgrounds. So this replaces a playground. We did a neighborhood meeting for this in November. The playground area will stay similar to where it's located now. We've had some tree removals already take place,the ash trees and some other scrub trees that needed to come out. But we kept the large,um, shade-producing trees and built the playground around that area. So we keep that. Um, this is a playground the neighborhood chose,um, and it will be installed as part of the project. Any questions on Hunters Run?Happy Hollow. Happy hollow,you'll see current conditions in this project will eventually replace the playground and it will reskin the baseball field and then provide assessable paths to the,uh,basketball court and the baseball diamond. The playground,whoever is going to be installed by city staff later in the season. So in fact, either tomorrow or the next days when we will put out the public survey to the residents around Happy Hollow, it'll be- it'll be available to all residents through social media and the city website. We have six options for,uh,playgrounds. They'll get their chance to vote on that. This particular part of the project, as I said,puts in the pathway,the ADA accessible pathway, and,um,reskins the field and puts it back to Ag Lime. At one time we had talked about more drainage for that field. Um,the engineering studies show that that's just really not possible with the way it is in the basin, but by building it correctly with the Ag Lime, it should make the drainage better than it was. It still- it still won't be perfect,but it'll be better. Questions. Okay. And the final one is the north entrance,the Conklin Street entrance on Hickory Hill Park. Um, on all the other ones we've had neighborhood meetings. I forgot to mention that we'd had to on Happy Hollow. Um,Hickory Hill we did not have a neighborhood meeting because it's kind of a different,um, entrance- different area of the park. We did meet with the leadership of the Friends of Hickory Hill and talk this over. This is the-the entrance has small parking area and it has the last of our octagon,um, older shelter styles that included its own-the restroom and the shelter in one building. And what this project will do,will split that into two structures. Uh,the restroom will move. As you can see,the trail here This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 19 on the right as it comes out of the parking lot,the new restaurant will kind of sit where that bench is on the right side. So the restroom structure will be closer to the parking area. Um,we feel like that'll provide easier and better access to it. And this restroom,um, building, as you can see in this picture, it's not a real close-up,but it includes a storage area for the Friends of Hickory Hill. They currently have storage space within the current facility and we wanted to make sure to maintain that. Uh,they-they have their own equipment that they use to help maintain the park. So that's-that is maintained. The restroom facility would be similar to what we have at Court Hill or Wetherby Park. Any of the newer ones that we put in, it'll be that design. And then the shelter will be one of our Coverworx brand shelters. You see these throughout our park system now. Frauenholtz-Miller, Cardigan,Villa Park,um, quite a few have these shelters. This is about the size of what's at Fairmeadows. So it's hard to judge the differ-the size change here because you had an octagon and we're going to,um, either a square or a rectangle. Essentially the same number of picnic tables will still fit underneath it, so. Project timeline,we're at public hearing. Um,bid letting on March 15th,hope to award March 21st, and then construction this spring through next fall. Alter: That's simultaneous for all- at least three? Seydell Johnson: At least three,hopefully, all four. Yeah. Alter: [NOISE] Okay. Thank you. Goers: Any questions for Juli before Tem comes on? Alter: Are there any questions? Goers: Okay. If not,then I- I failed to prompt you to open the public hearing. We should probably do that now. Alter: I just realized that I was like there was a gavel missing. [LAUGHTER] Goers: That's alright. Alter: This is open now. Are there any,uh, is it public comment?Public- Goers: Yeah. Invite public comment and double-check there's no one online,I don't know. Alter:Nothing,nothing. Kellie, is there anyone?No?All right. Goer: We can close the public hearing. Alter: I will close the public hearing. Um,motion to- are we considering we're all in agreement on this? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 20 Goers: Well, yeah,we need a motion and a second for the resolution. Harmsen: So moved,Harmsen. Dunn: Second,Dunn. Alter: Harmsen and Dunn. And now discussion, or just- Goers: Yeah, council discussion. Yeah. Alter: Yeah. Oh, it looks fantastic,really. Bergus: Yeah, it does. Seydell-Johnson: Thank you. Alter: Okay,roll call. [Roll Call] Motion carries 6 - 0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 21 ILb Maximum Property Tax Levy Alter: Okay. We're now onto the Maximum Property Tax Levy. This is a resolution setting the maximum property tax levy for certain levies for the proposed budget ending June 30, 2024. [NOISE] Davies: I'm not seeing the PowerPoint? From: It's the blue and white striped one. Davies: Oh. Thank you, Geoff. [LAUGHTER] Got my eyes dilated this morning and I still can't see. [LAUGHTER] From:Not sure that's great for the finance director giving a budget presentation,but give it a try Nicole. Let's see how it goes. Davies: All right. So maximum prox-property tax levy. Um, I'm gonna go through this pretty briefly. This was a new requirement that was passed in 2019, so not so new anymore,but it only impacts five of the levies: our General Levy,the Transit Levy,the Tort Levy, and the Emergency and then our Employee Benefit levies. This does not impact the Debt Service,the Library, or the SSMID levies. So with this,map-maximum property tax levy that's proposed is the 55 million that you can see on the screen. Um,this is an increase of 2.28 over the fiscal year 2023 property tax levies and the primary reason that this is more is because of the increase in property tax valuation that existed when we did these forms. Um, and since this increase is greater than 2%,that requires a 2/3 majority of city council to approve. Um,the property tax rate is remaining the same with the levy as last year,the 15.633. The total property tax revenue that's currently budgeted will increase 2.42% and that includes the SSMID levies. Um, a separate public hearing will still be,uh,required to adopt the budget and this is just the next required step in the process. Any questions? Alter: Thank you. Are there questions from council?No. Goers: Yes, I'm sorry. Certainly,you can ask. Alter: Yeah, it's for them. Yeah, questions from counc- council.No. Public. Public discussion. Are there any public comments?No. Then I'm going to close the public hearing and can I get a motion to approve? "Thomas: So move, Thomas. Alter: Second? Taylor: Second, Taylor. Alter: Thomas and Taylor. Council discussion. Roll-call. [Roll Call] Motion passes 6 - 0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 22 11. c Library Parking Alter: We're onto l lc Library Parking. This is an ordinance amending Title 9, entitled Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 4, entitled Parking Regulations: To return library parking to a 20 minute limit. This is the fust consideration. Goers: Looking for a motion and a second fust. Alter: Motion to give fust consideration. Dunn: So [OVERLAPPING] moved. Harmsen: Go ahead. Dunn: So moved. Alter: Moved by Dunn, seconded by Harmsen. Staff comments. Goers: Thank you. Uh,this is, as you can imagine, a library item,uh,but they are not represented here so I've been tasked with,uh, speaking to it briefly. Um,this is at their request. Uh, they, as you know,uh, changed,um,their service levels during COVID,uh, such that they were doing drive up service and doing, of course, everything they could to continue to accommodate their patrons during a time of limited,uh, close contact. Um, and so they,uh,reduced the time limit from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. They, of course,have now reopened to the public and feel they are ready to return to their pre-COVID service levels. And for that reason,they feel that,uh,returning to the 20 minute limit would be appropriate as well. I'd be happy to answer any questions as best I can. Thank you for accommodating me by asking no questions. [LAUGHTER] Alter: Are there any questions or comments by the public? [NOISE] Seeing none, council discussion. Roll-call,please. [Roll Call] Motion passes 6 - 0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 23 1I.d Purchase of 500 Manor Dr. Alter: We are on to l Id,which is the purchase of 500 Manor Drive,this is a resolution approving a purchase agreement for 500 Manor Drive for flood mitigation. Can I get a motion to approve. Dunn: So moved. Alter: Seconded by? Bergus: Second. Alter: Second by Bergus. Again,Eric. Goers: Thank you. Um, so this is probably more for the public than for the Council who -who is already aware of what's going on here,but this is a- a home in the Parkview Terrace area from which we've been trying to buy out as many properties as possible so as to demolish them,um, so as to reduce the service levels required down there as that areas obviously heavily prone to flooding. Um,this property is owned by a woman who is getting ready to move out and she and her attorney reached out to the city and wondered if we would be interested in purchasing it. She had a private appraisal Dunn for the property that appraisal came back at 284,um, and council has directed staff to negotiate to see if we could get it for,uh, a price closer to its a- assessed value. I would note that the assess value is like all Iowa City residential property values,will likely be going up substantially this next year. So the spread between its current assess value in the appraised value,uh, is not as great as it, well, it will not be as great surely. Um,uh, City manager's office did a great job negotiating and got it to $276,000. One note that it also includes the lease for the current owner to remain for up to six months, if she wishes. As she kind of readys her affairs and ready to move on to the next stage of life for her. And so she can obviously clean out her,um,personal property from,uh,the home during that period of time. During that period of time, she'll be responsible for all sidewalk maintenance, lawn mowing, all that kind of thing, as well as obviously all utilities, um, but I think that's,uh,uh, about it. Of course, once we take possession of the property we'll be demolishing it, so we're frankly,not all that interested in how the property is maintained. Obviously, it needs to not be nice for the community that remains there,but, um, otherwise will be demolishing it in any event. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Alter: Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve? Goers: We think we've already got the motion. I think we're ready for public,uh, questions if [NOISE] questions for me if there are any and otherwise public comment. Alter: Here we go. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 24 Goers: Sure. Taylor: I don't know if this is the time or if you have the answer or Geoff has the answer, do we do an RFP for a private company demolish?And if so, about how much would that cost and what would they usually do with like the materials to dispose of the materials from this home? Fruin: That's a good question. We will,uh,try to salvage anything that we can out of the home. Uh,this home was probably recently renovated after the 2008 floods so,we will go through if there's anything that we can re -reuse in any of our other rehab projects across the city we will do that. Um, and then,uh,yes,we will do, ah,um, er, an RFP for demolition services. Um,we'll typically allow our public safety departments to do any training that they would want to do before demo, and then it would be demoed. I think that probably unexpected costs for demolition would be somewhere around 20,000- 25,000 would become my ballpark estimate. Goers: If I could just add when -when Geoff mentioned that public safety training what he largly means is it's the fire department going in there and tearing stuff up? [LAUGHTER] As they. They need to do some training, so it is a nice opportunity for them. Thomas: Any - any flood risk this coming spring? [LAUGHTER]. Goers: To this property,you mean? Thomas: Well, it's -its on the Iowa river that could threaten this property?Do we know what the projections are? Goers: I don't have any specific other than- Fruin: Yeah,with, uh, actually water levels being, er, down fairly low right now the spring outlook is pretty positive, so,um,the -the flooding risk is low but we all know that could change pretty quickly. Uh, so I think we should be okay this spring,but-but certainly we've seen, er, even after the 2008 flood,we've seen threats of significant flooding and, uh, several years that-that followed that and I think staff is - is still pretty insistent and driven by this idea of the best-the best flood protection is to move people and structures out of harm's way when possible. So we'll continue to look for these opportunities. We know we can't remove all structures from the flood way, at least in the short-term but anytime we see an opportunity like this,we'll- we'll do it. We can bring it forward to you. Alter: Okay. Taylor: Council comments now. Alter: Yeah I was gonna say, Council comments. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 25 Goers: Sure. Yeah. Dunn: Yeah. I-I want to discuss a little bit of,uh,the reasons why I'm very strongly in supportive of this. Climate scientists can correct me if any of this is incorrect. But we are seeing general destabilization of the - of the polar jet stream. And this leads to a lot of different effects. Um,when we have a meandering rather than stable jet stream,Um, places like Iowa,the upper Midwest, even Northern Europe,uh, can experience larger fluctuations of extreme weather events at weird times. Like warm weather in the middle of January, or polar vortex is like we've seen in the past. Those are both examples of climate change,human-caused climate change events, and the destabilization of the jet stream. Um, one of the things that- that also brings during particularly the wet season, is warm,moist air from the Gulf of Mexico straight into the upper Midwest, straight to where we are and when that encounters the colder air as we're closer to the jet stream,not just dumps on us. We're expected as this process continues to develop and get worse unfortunately,to actually have less of a problem with droughts in our region and much more of a problem with consistent and dangerous flooding. Uh, so as our comments were in our close session, I think it's really important that we're investing in this particular property and other properties in the area to make sure that we're not dealing with human catastrophe that we know are going to continue. Um, I really support going forward with this. I think it's a smart thing for community and it's a smart thing to prevent people from losing their-their livelihoods and potentially their lives. Taylor: I have to be honest,Um, I cringe at the thought of demolishing a home, especially one that,the this person had spent a lot of time in- in remodeling and - and it is currently suitable for occupancy obviously,because she's going to live in it potentially for six more months. Uh, so that really bothers me. Uh,but I I know I would be in the minority if I did not vote in favor of this but the arguments for it that I've heard as far as helping the environment. Thank you, Councilor Dunn for that argument,um and just the safety in that area. I know it's going to be a long process. I also thought, oh, it's just you know this green space that's just kind of in the middle of not the whole block of where we're trying to salvage the green spaces,but eventually over time it's going to be baby steps. It sounds like as other residents,property owners decide that, let's get out here, let's get out of dodge and sell this property, so I'll- I'll vote in favor of it. Alter:No more comment? Okay. Roll-call. [Roll Call] Motion passes 6-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 26 1 L Assessment Schedule Alter: And we have next up,um, l le is our assessment schedule. This is a resolution adopting an assessment schedule of unpaid mowing, cleanup of property, snow removal,sidewalk repair and stop box repair charges, and directing the clerk to certify the same to the Johnson County treasurer for collection in the same manner as property taxes.I'm going to get emotion. Is that correct? Okay. Motion to approve. "Thomas: So move, Thomas. Alter: Moved by Thomas. Second? Bergus: Second Bergus. Alter: Second by Bergus. Public discussion, are there any public?No. Seeing none council discussion. Roll-call. [Roll Call] Motion passes 6-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 27 12.a Council Committee Appointments Alter: Item 12 council committee appointments 12a is the better together 2030 board. Um,better together is seeking a representative from the City of Iowa City to serve as a board member. It is anticipated that the board will consist of 15 individuals representing local government, community and economic development organizations and the general community. Meeting frequencies and times we'll be determined after the board has been formed and the bylaws are adopted. The council may choose,uh, an appointment or ask the city manager to designate a staff representative. Um, is it possible for me to make one ad,um,may make an ad now? Goers: Are you, sure. I'm not sure. Alter: Um, I know in conversations that,um,with the city manager that there's general consensus that the preferences for a city council member. So,um,with that as well, I would. Goers: Council discussion,yeah. Alter: Council discussion. Bergus: And I'm interested in doing it. [LAUGHTER] Alter: I wasn't in fact going to suggest Laura,um, simply because one of the major components of 2030 is as,uh,the State of the City talked about was regional transit. And Laura has long advocated for it and has deep knowledge. We all know if she is interested in something, she learns everything possible about it, and also has the tenacity to influence others. So that's my call on it. Dunn: Laura, it seems we're here again. [LAUGHTER]. Bergus: Okay. Dunn: I'm also really interested in it. Uh,you know, I would say is my own personal advocacy. I'm also very interested in- in public transportation and going after those types of,uh, issues,though certainly don't have the record that you do. Um, I think another interesting perspective that I would land as both a young person and a renter here is exactly that. [LAUGHTER] Um, I want to make sure that the board does have young people in mind as well as people who are not necessarily of the highest socioeconomic rung on the ladder. Um,not saying anything about any other councilors,but just speaking for me personally, I wanted to be clear about that. Um,yeah I added to that. I'm well-connected with a lot of different organizations that are in the community,both businesses and non- profits alike, labor as well. Um, I think it would be a great opportunity for me to continue to serve. And,um,but I do agree that,uh, either of us or anyone else on the-on the council would be a great representative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 28 Harmsen: Would it be possible to have this appoint a person and then an alternative,um, an alternate,know if that's would possibly be? Goers: Sure or either formally or informally in the sense that if you had one council member who was appointed,there could be informal understanding that if that person is unavailable, the second person would go or if you want to do it in a more formal sense,you could probably do that too. I don't know if the alternative would have any bearing on the Better Together,you know,how they would view it,but-but either would be fine. Harmsen: Just throwing that out there. Yeah. Thomas: I would like to ask,um,what are you two currently serving on,you are an ICAD,right? Bergus:No. Thomas: You not. Bergus: I'm not. That's Megan. Thomas: That's Megan. So what are you? Bergus: I'm on JECSA. And,uh,the paratransit. Thomas: JESCA is the? Bergus: Formerly JECC.,the Joint Emergency Communication Systems Association. [LAUGHTER] Thomas: And Andrew what? Dunn: And then for me, aside from MPO, I'm just on the,um, graduate student organization. Taylor: You can correct me if I'm wrong Councilor Bergus,but it seems like in other meetings, you've actually brought up this Better Together group quite often, Bergus: Yeah. I mean. Taylor: s that correct? It seems like I've heard you talk about the Better Together program for quite some time. Bergus: Yeah, I was,um, I wasn't on the steering committee,that was,um, Councilor Mims,but I did have the opportunity to participate in,um, sort of the bigger visioning process and the big sort. If you all,uh, remember that activity,um, and I would say, I do believe I'm This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 29 very knowledgeable of the-the plan that all envision,uh,that the mayor mentioned in his State of the City and have strong connections with the working groups,um,for the different pillars that are in the plan. So I mean, I do think that I wasn't really expecting to have to make a pitch for myself and [LAUGHTER] in opposition to another- another council. But,um,yeah, I think I have the political connections at this point in terms of our neighboring communities and the county. Um,that would be useful to leverage. Alter: Well, how do we want to go about this?Do we want to have an informal situation where there is an alternate? I mean, I think that there is something to be said for having,you know, a breadth of knowledge of the activities of the group. Um, I'm not so sure given that this isn't ours,uh,per se, we would just be joining a board and I'm not sure that having a formal alternate really appears appropriate at the moment. Um,but I- I don't know how the rest of the council feels about doing that kind of an approach,um. Dunn: Um, I'm comfortable with whatever the body decides. And also of this,we want to do just like an informal like what are you guys thinking? I can whatever,you know. Bergus: Yeah, I mean,uh, if,uh, if you choose to appoint me to the board, I'd be glad to have Andrew fill in anytime I was unavailable and certainly,you know,uh,bring you up to speed on the activities of the organization more if that's of interest to you. Alter: I'm seeing nods of approval, so why don't we go ahead and,uh,motion to is this correct? At this point? Goers: Yeah,we'd need a motion, if I'm inheriting things right. A motion to approve a Councilor Bergus? Alter: Yes. Goers: With an informal understanding that anytime she's not available, it would be Councilor Dunn and they would meet a second for that motion and then a voice vote. Alter: Okay. So can we get a motion to appoint Councilor Bergus,with an understanding of that Councilor Dunn,will fill in when she is unavailable. And can I get a motion? Dunn: So moved. Alter: So moved Dunn. Second? Harmsen: Harmsen. Alter: Harmsen. All in favor say aye. [OVERLAPPING] Aye. [Voice vote] Motion passes, 6-0. 13. Council Appointments This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 30 13.a Senior Center Commission—Unexpired—December 31,2023 13.b Senior Center Commission—Unexpired—December 31,2024 Alter: All right, congratulations,both. Okay,we're onto,uh, council appointments. We have the Senior Center Commission,we have one vacancy to fill an- an- expired term upon appointment,uh,that is- goes through December 31st, 2023. And I need to login. Sorry, I'm logging in right now, sorry for this. Give me a minute. Taylor: Is it one male and one nun,wasn't it? Alter: I'm not sure. Goers: Right. To be clear, there's 13a and 13b both of which are Senior Center Commission. Alter: Right. Would you like me to just put them together? It is that easy enough? Goers: I think that would be most efficient. And- and of course,noting that there's a different,uh, term expiration date for those two. You'll want to make sure you pay heed to. Alter: Thank you. Dunn: Is there any sex balance here? It was one male, one nun, l believe is what it was. Alter: Yeah, correct. Thomas: Well,we get to appoint,uh,Lee McKnight to the position that's [OVERLAPPING] as the male requirement. Alter: With that, I would be okay. Harmsen: I don't have,uh, a strong opinion for the second person. I will say at a slight Theresa jumped out at me just a little bit more. Um, all three good candidates,but- Bergus: Yeah, I agree with that too. Alter: And her last name,how is that spelled? Harmsen: Messlein. Bergus: Messlein. Alter: Messlein. Dunn: M-E- S- S-L-E- I-N. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 31 Alter: Thank you. All right. So do we have a- a motion to appoint Lee McKnight?Uh, actually, does it matter? Harmsen: it probably does. Goers: Yeah, I was just trying to [OVERLAPPING] I was checking with Kellie real quick to see because I- I want to make sure that we don't as a- Alter: Do this wrong. Goers: Yeah. Fall out of compliance at the end of 2023. Um,maybe it doesn't matter. Um, do you know,uh, oh,there are-well, I see that there's,um, the fust one that, er, expires currently at the end of this year is filled presently by someone who-who looks like maybe a woman, and,uh, a male on the second one. So if you- Alter: So we could appoint opposite. Oh, sorry, appoint female fust, the first- Goers: To the fust term. Alter: Yes. Goers: The fust, yeah,the one that expires at the end of this calendar year.And then,you know, male candidate for the one that expires at the end of 24, and then you would be maintaining the gender balance. Alter: Okay. So we have a motion to appoint Theresa Messlein,um,with term expiring 12-31- 23, and,uh, also a motion to appoint Lee Knight with his term expiring 12-31-2024. Can I get a motion? Dunn: Do those have to be separate? Goers:No,you can do it together if that's- if everyone's in agreement. Taylor: So moved. Goers: Or majority. Second. Alter: Moved by Thomas, second by Dunn. All in favor say, aye. [OVERLAPPING] Aye. Motion passes 6 - 0. Goers: We should probably call just if there's any nays. I don't think there are any nay but for- Alter: Well, are there any nays? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 32 15. City Council Information Alter: We're on to item 15, city council information. Are there any activities, information that you'd like to share with the rest of us and the public? Bergus: Shawn and I are having an,uh- [LAUGHTER] Harmsen: Sorry, I was trying to think of what has happened already. Bergus: On Monday, sorry. Okay. On Monday,February 27th, from 6:00- 7:30, Councilor Harmsen and I will be at the environmental- Harmsen: East Side Recycling Center. Bergus: Build-what's that building called? Fruin: It's the Environmental Education Center, everybody. Bergus: Thank you. The Environmental Education Center,not to be confused with other structures at the site of the East side Recycling Center. Uh, for a listening post. We don't have any set agenda or topics, so invite anyone who's interested in speaking to us,uh,to please come up. Alter: I just want to take the opportunity to,uh, congratulate Ben Kueter on his fourth national- on his fourth all state championship. It,he's the 32nd,uh, Iowan to have done it,but it's a major accomplishment, and,uh,very well earned and it's good- good to see. Goers: The seventh to do it,uh,undefeated for his entire high school career. Alter: Yes, thank you. Goers: To say nothing of him being a world champion. Alter: Exactly. Goers: Under 20,yeah. Alter: So you might be following him just a little bit too. Goers: Well, yeah. And of course, I remember him coming to you for that thing,but yeah,he's a pretty amazing athlete. Of course,he's going to Iowa not only on a wrestling scholarship, but to play football too. And that's a pretty rare,uh,bird. Alter: Yeah. And then he was also national all team in football too, so. Anyway, it was a good day for City High. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023. Page 33 Goers: Yeah. Alter: And all the other,uh, state champions and,uh, finalists. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of February 21,2023.