HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-07 Transcription Page I
Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn,Harmsen, Taylor, Teague
Council Absent: Thomas
Staff Present: From,Jones,Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling,Platz, Knoche,Havel, Sovers,
Olsen,Hightshoe, Sitzman
Others Present: Zeimet(USG)Liaison,LeFevre (USG)Alternate Liaison
1. Roll Call
Teague: This is the City of Iowa City formal meeting on March 7,2023. We're going to start with roll
call,please. [Roll Call] All right.Well,we're missing one councilor tonight. That's Councilor
John Thomas. And I want to say thanks to Mayor Pro Tem for allowing me to be away last
Tuesday while I was on my honeymoon so you did a great job. I critiqued every second of
[LAUGHTER]the past council meeting.
Alter: I expect the notes afterwards.
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7. Community Comment [Items not on the Agenda (until 7pm)]
Teague: Item Number 7. is community comment. This is an opportunity for members of the community
to come and speak about anything that is not on our agenda tonight. Um,if you would like to
come forth,please come to the podium at this time. This is for anything that is not on our agenda.
And you'll be given up to three minutes,which there is a clock below.Welcome.
Grismore:Welcome. All right.Well,thanks for having me.My name is Steve Grismore. I'm a longtime
resident of Iowa City. I've been here since 1979.I live on Abbey Lane on the west side of town
and I'm here concerned about the narrowing of our street.
Goers:Mr.Mayor,I'm sorry to interrupt. That is Item 9.b on the agenda.
Teague: Yes.
Grismore: Should I sit down?
Teague: Yes. We'll be back. Yes. Thank you. Sometimes it's a little confusing.We get it.Anyone else
want to speak on an item that is not on our agenda? Seeing no one.
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9. Regular Formal Agenda
9.a. Sale of 2021 Taylor Drive
Teague: Item 9. is going to be regular formal gen-agenda Items 9.a. is the sale of 2021 Taylor Drive.
Resolution,authorizing conveyance of a single-family home located at 2021 Taylor Drive.I'm
going to open the public hearing [NOISE] and welcome Tracy Hightshoe.
Hightshoe: All right.I'm here for the conveyance of 2023,sorry,2021 Taylor Drive. As you know,we've
had the south district program for a couple of years.We have sold,well,we have rehabilitated,
we purchased six units. This represents the sale of the fifth unit to an eligible home-buyer. Um,
we have one remaining that is ready.It's been rehabilitated,it's for sale right now.We purchased
this duplex back in 2021 and you can see by the photos,you can see the bottom photo the before
photo. After rehab is the second,is the one on top. The property sustained major fire damage,so
the whole unit has been gutted and rehabilitated. Uh,the city partnered with climate action to
provide several energy efficient improvements,um,you'll see in the next slide. Um,we installed
solar panels,we added installation,we upgraded the HVAC to an air source heat pump,and we
made several other improvements. This home also benefit from a bunch of community
partnerships.We partnered with the student built house program,with the school district,and the
Home Builders Association to provide opportunities for our local high-school students to learn
about the construction trades. They built storage sheds for each home that's in the backyard of
each lot. They cited the home and then they completed some interior carpentry projects. This
home was also the site of the home improvement confidence course for women sponsored by
Kirkwood and the Home Builders Association. So it provided the opportunity for women who are
interested in learning about the construction trades to be part of the project they worked on
flooring and finished carpentry. The home will sell for$155,000.Part of this includes $25,000
through our home down payment assistance and$35,000 through our rehabilitation. It's a silent
mortgage,conditional mortgage.If the owner remains at home for 10 years,both loans are
forgiven. The buyer only needs to finance the remaining amount so to buy this home,they only
need to finance about$95,000 through a private lender. The two-bedroom home with a bathroom
and then additional living space in the basement. The buyer is a fust-time home buyer under 80%
of median income. She-they have completed the education course and counseling through
horizons.In addition,the buyer grants to see the mortgage is secure. The agreement that the home
remain owner occupied for 30 years. This is the fust resident that was not part of the
neighborhood the home was available for the neighborhood for several months,we opened it up
to anybody that was income eligible to purchase the property. I'm happy to report that we are
partnering with Horizons for intro to homeownership in order to increase the number of people
that'll be eligible either that have potentially applied and just weren't able to proceed,or are
voucher holders that can convert their vouchers into homeownership.We have our fust-class
tomorrow. We have it's a full class about 20 we had 60 others on our waiting list. So we're
working with Horizons to schedule those on a monthly basis until we meet the need that's out
there.And we still have 2129 that's available right now for$147,000 that's a three-bedroom
home.
Teague: Great. Any questions?I don't hear any. Thank you. Anyone from the public like to discuss this
topic. So come forth and there is a sign-in sheet there or you can put that on the basket there are
stickers on the back Okay. All right.Um,seeing no one in public or online,I'm going to close the
public hearing. Can I get a,get a motion to give fust to-can I get a motion to approve,please?
Taylor: So moved.
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Alter: Second.
Teague:Moved by Taylor, seconded by Alter council discussion.
Taylor: I'd like to thank you Tracy for all of your efforts especially in the south district and I'm-I'm just
so excited to-to see this in the sale of this,uh,because I know,as you know,there was a lot of
doubt in the community and amongst people about this whole project and tha-that it wouldn't
work and that there wouldn't be applicants.But obviously this shows that it was successful and it
is affordable,more affordable and 300-$400,000 home. So thank you for all that out their- effort
and congratulations to the new homeowner.
Teague: Yes. Super exciting program.Happy to see one another one,um,being sold and at a,at an
affordable rate. Truly affordable rate. All right.Roll-call,please. [Roll Call] Motion passes 6-0.
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9.b. Rohret South Trunk Sanitary Sewer
Teague: Item 9.b. is Rohret South Trunk Sanitary Sewer resolution improving project manual and
estimate of cost for the construction of the Rohret South Trunk Sanitary Sewer Project,
establishing amount of bids security to accompany each bid. Directing city clerk to pose notice to
bidders and fixing time and place for receipt of bits.I'm going to open the public hearing and
welcome.
Welter:Joe Welter with Engineering. So this project is located in the Southwest side of the city.We
analyzed four routes leading up to the selected route that we picked. Those four routes were
presented during the first and second public information meetings which were in July and May of
this last year. The route selected is shown in green on the West side of Mormon Trek Boulevard.
It follows an existing,uh,30 foot wide permanent easement,which was established with the
Mormon Trek Village in 1996.And on the east side of Mormon trek, it-it goes straight down the
middle of Abbey Lane that was selected on that side because it was the least disruptive to the
neighborhood. The project includes a 30-inch trunk sewer,which will connect the west side of
Highway 218 to the city's collection system. So it's approximately 1/2 a mile of pipe that we're
putting in.About 400 feet will be trenchless under the Highway 218. The work is within right-of-
ways and easements. Some permanent easements and some temporary construction easements.
The project will utilize an existing right-of-way and the existing 20-foot wide permanent
easement along the south side of Abbey Lane from Kiwanis Park to Mormon Trek Boulevard.
Permanent easements and temporary construction easements,and the highway right-of-way will
be used west of Mormon Trek Boulevard.Er,Abbey Lane will be reconstructed after, er,
reconnecting private services and the restoration of the street pavement,driveway aprons,
sidewalk,we'll be updating curb ramps with this project,er,and some other public utilities
including some minor water main,er,reconfiguration of valving and hydrants. The areas,um,
east of Mormon Trek Boulevard will have sodding. Some of the areas west of Mormon Trek
Boulevard will have sod. A lot of it pa-past the,um,little horseshoe there that's on the-on the
village that will have seeding,and some of that seeding will have to occur in the spring of 2024.
So one of the things that we spent a lot of time figuring out is how to accommodate the residents
and the owners in the corridor. So we have- in addition to instructing the contractor to backfill
each day and to work with residents,getting them in and out of their driveways,we're also
restricting contractor to a 500 foot limit of disruption,so they're only going to be able to pave 500
feet at a time. That's one of the biggest time periods we're going to cause a disruption to the-to
the neighborhood is when we go to repave. There's 3-7 days when the concrete needs to cure, and
so we wanted to make sure that we're not repaving the whole street all at once. So we-we are
going to put that into segments. Another really good thing for the neighborhood,it-on both sides
on Mormon Trek,is the local collection sewer that's there now will be abandoned and filled. So a
lot of the neighbors have a manhole lid in their yard. Those will be abandoned below grade and
they won't be visible to the neighborhood anymore, so that's a real nice benefit to them.Er,one of
the emphasis of this project is obviously to promote development on the west side of Highway
218 south of Rohret Road and north of Highway 1. So the-I'm just showing the southwest
district. There's nothing-nothing,particular this was presented at a different meeting for that.But
I wanted to impress upon the Council,this is from the 2011,er, sewer system master plan,that
this pipe,which is located right here on this drawing,will get extended and have collection
serving it all the way out to Kansas Avenue, so this is decades worth of development that is
contingent on us getting this sewer underneath the highway. It includes much of the future 965
corridor,which will be part of Iowa City eventually. So one of the things that happens is design is
iterative.We don't-we don't end up with the design on day 1 that we want.We work through that.
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So we tried to have informational meetings with the owners and residents and those that are
interested from the public at different milestones. So we had a 30%meeting,like I said in May
last year,and we had a 60%design meeting in July. At that time we were primarily concerned
with the route that we're going to take and how the trunk sewer was going to operate. We hadn't
gotten to all the details of how the street was going to be redesigned,how,um,how the
intersections were going to work,all those kinds of things. So those are usually details that come
later on. You don't want to spend a lot of the consultant's time putting all those details together
before you figure out where are you going to put the sewer and how that's going to work So
when it was determined last late summer that we really went to a complete reconstruction on
Abbey Lane. So there was again, four different alternatives with routes and different things that
we're analyzing throughout that time period.It became clear that we're going to take out [NOISE]
80,90%of the concrete on Abbey Lane,and so we decided in the fall to have a third public
information meeting,which was not part of our original plan,but really felt like we needed to
reach back out to the public,the owners,and the residents to tell them that we were going to have
a change in-in the sense that the standard roadway width for residential street is 28 feet wide.
And so we wanted to be able to interact with them,and so we had the meeting in late November
and then asked them to give us comments into the middle of December before we proceeded with
the final design. This,uh, standard roadway width,this is our residential- local residential
roadway width,which is 28 feet with parking on both sides,or 26 feet with parking on one side.
So an interesting thing though is that this Abbey Lane was originally named Aber Avenue.It was
36 feet wide,just like Aber is on the other side of Kiwanis Park.It was intended as an arteriole
connection between Sunset Street and Mormon Trek Boulevard.Well,obviously that never
happened.When Kiwanis Park was built the road was never connected through. So when it
became apparent that we were going to have a complete street reconstruction,we decided to go
with our normal standard residential width of 28 feet. All of the streets that connect to Abbey,
Dolan,Cae and Burry are all 28 feet wide. So this project;the sewer,as well as the reconstruction
of the corridors that we're going through,meet several strategic plan objectives in our strategic
plan. First of all,mobility to design,maintain complete streets are comfortable and safe for all
users, and from- and grow and prioritize bike and pedestrian accommodations. It also supports the
future development,as I said,on the west side of,uh,Highway 218,which is-meets one of the
economic objectives. There's other benefits to having the standard roadway width. This is not the
reason that the standard roadway width was used 28 feet is our standard,so these are just extra
ancillary things that are also beneficial for using that 28 foot width. So first is there's a lower cost
of construction when we're actually constructing it.Eight feet less of concrete. There's also a lot
of reduced maintenance over the lifecycle.Less area to plow,less area to seal,uh,less area to
maintain if the concrete has an issue. There's reduced materials and less impervious surfaces.
They'll support both goals in the Climate Action and Adaptation plan as well as the strategic plan,
as I mentioned before. We also have looked for different ways to slow traffic down, and we've
tried many different traffic calming methods around the city. One of the concepts is the fact that
narrower streets with parking on both sides is going to equate to lower vehicular-vehicular
speeds on that road.And so this standard width of the street,it supports the safety of pedestrians
and bicyclists and vehicles by promoting traffic calming and slower speeds. So one of the things
that we heard from residents ,several residents were very concerned about reducing the width of
the street. There was also residents that were very supportive of having that narrower width. and
so it's not universal across the board that all the owners and residents were in agreement about
that.Regardless,it is our standard,28 feet or 26 feet. There was several other things that we
heard-we heard a lot from the neighborhood about how important their trees are.It's a beautiful
neighborhood. Large trees shaded.It's a gorgeous corridor,and so one of the things about having
an increased parkway, four foot on each side,as the trees in the neighborhood are aging out,it's
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really going to give us a lot of opportunities to have a more diverse,er,canopy and tree selection
when we're going to plant new street trees, either on the north parkway or the south parkway.
Several of the neighbors also,uh,expressed their concern about fall leaf storage. The parkway
right now is very narrow,um,and so that extra space and the parkway is going to give more
storage for leaf storage,which often is pouring out into the street or into the sidewalk. Um,the
last thing about the increased parkway,and this supports a lot of discussions that we've had as
staff as well as your objectives that you've put into the,um,into the,um,strategic plan,as well as
our complete street's policy,is that that larger buffer space,that more parkway is going to create,
uh,more safety between the vehicles on the road and pedestrians and bicyclists that are using the
sidewalk.Really touchy. So one thing that came up,um,after we had submitted plans to the clerk
and set the public hearing,we heard a lot of concern about parking for the park and how
turnaround at the end of the park was going to work,and so we actually worked with the
consultant and changed our plans in that meantime to-to make sure that we had a transition.
We're not taking out concrete that doesn't need to be taken out.And so as you can see from this
depiction,we basically left that 36 foot wide road at the end to allow for parking and turning
around. The estimated construction cost is $3,475,000. This is funded by revenue bonds. So our
schedule,we are looking to move forward,ah,hopefully with bidding this month and awarding
early next month.We have a set start date in mid-May with a substantial completion date, ah,in
the middle of November. That would be the point where the corridor will be completely reusable
for the public. Those items that would remain for the- for the spring of'24 would be those areas
of seeding. It would be past the end of September,we can't seed, so we'd have to wait until the
following spring to do some of that seeding. That's all I have. Thanks to Strand&Associates for
their design on this project and their hard work in,ah,pivoting many times and helping us get this
design where it's at today.
Teague: Any questions? Sure.
Frain:If I can make one clarification,Mayor.Um,the-uh,we originally planned to fund this project with
revenue bonds,but we're actually going to be using,ah,wastewater fund balance to do that. So,
um,just the source of funding changed. The dollar amount is the same.
Teague: Okay.All right.
Alter: So the,um,late change or late-lack of change to the 36 foot by Kiwanis Park,that didn't impact
the project's overall budget.
Welter:No.
Alter: Just it was a matter of saying-
Welter:No.
Alter: -here's the need and we're able to. Okay.
Welter:Yeah,it really didn't change- ah,didn't change the budget that much. Um,it was a relatively small
section of the roadway. We're not installing sewer there,so we didn't need to- ah,the end of the
sewer is West of Burry so we didn't really need to be over in that area,ah,and it didn't really
make sense to-to change it.
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Alter: Thanks.
Welter:Yeah. [NOISE]
Teague: All right. Thank you.
Welter: Thank you.
Teague: Anyone from the public would like to address this topic?If so,um,you can come to the podium
at this time. There is a-yeah,this will be your time. [LAUGHTER] There is a sign-in sheet that is
on the podium that you'll need to sign. There's-there are also stickers in the back of the room that
you can fill out ahead of time as well.Um,we'll ask that you give your name and,um,the city
you're from and then we ask that you keep your-well,I'll allow up to three minutes for
comments. Welcome.
Grismore: Hi.Let's try again.
Teague: Yes.
Gismore:My name is Steve Grismore,um,resident of Iowa City. I-I have my sticker in here. Um, so I
agree with this gentleman, it's a beautiful street and it's a beautiful neighborhood.My wife and I
bought our house 12 years ago on a beautiful street in a beautiful neighborhood and the street is
36 feet wide.I'd like it to stay 36 feet wide. That's what I bought.I mean,obviously, it's the city
street,but that was the aesthetic that I liked. Plus talking about the park. The street is only two-
and-a-half blocks long and there might be some people that are afraid of speeders.I don't see it. I
live there. It's not true. It's two-and-a-half blocks,you can only go so fast,trust me.There are
some people that go up the hill that go a little fast once in a while.But overall,the street is not a
dangerous street. As a matter of fact,at 36 feet wide when you're riding your bike,which I ride a
lot in the summer,it's much safer because I don't have to worry about cars. There's plenty of room
to always pass the people on the street. So those are a couple of just basic aesthetic,ah,things
about living there that I really like. The other thing is-is I totally agree with,you know,you
placing the sewer,there's going to be a lot of convenience.My wife and I are both music people.
I'm a retired professor from the University of Iowa School of Music. I teach a lot of lessons at my
house.My wife teaches a lot of lessons at our house. Some students park in our driveway,but we
also have parking on the street. And I have- in my basement of my house,I have a big music
room where I have band rehearsals and people show up and there may be five or six cars parked
on my street,including the Mayor's.He's been in my basement. He knows what I'm talking about.
And so,you know,this is the kind of thing that we do there and it-it would just be nice to not
have to do without. Plus I don't know how it affects my taxes.I guess they're not supposed to
change anything like that,I don't know.But an extra four feet of-of parking too mow,I don't
have issues with raking my leaves on the space we have. It seems to have worked fine for my last
12 years. We've never had any problems.I mean,a few leaves in the street,I guess,I don't know.
Um, so you know,it's so-I understand the kind of idea of the 28-foot thing,but I-I just-I think
it's kind of unfair to us who have been there forever to all of a sudden have this change made.
And I understand there were some-I-I-I didn't know about this in the first run,we-we heard
about it,and then we all started talking more about it. So in fairness to the city,I think maybe
some people were trying to tell us,but,you know,how that kind of thing can-can happen. So
anyway,um-um.Yeah,those are my basic concerns.You know,it's just-it's just unfortunate and
I- and I just feel it-it'll-it'll kind of devalue what we have now. That's just my opinion.I have a
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lot of great neighbors,some of them are here.I've got to know them all.We have a great
neighborhood there. And not everybody agrees with us,but the majority of people on the street do
agree with us. Thanks.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else want to address this topic?Welcome.
Mockaitis:Welcom. Thank you.My name is Mary Mockaitis and,um,I'm also a resident of Abbey Lane.
And,um,I'll have to look at my notes because my hand-my palms are sweating. And,um,
Teague: And if you can use the mic,please.
Mockaitis: Oh,certainly. I'm here to appeal to City Council to also not narrow Abbey Lane after the
sewer reconstruction project.We,um,all agree that the sewer needs to happen. That's not the
issue.But as Steve mentioned,we bought our homes,we love our neighborhood, and we bought
into it as it is. And,um,regarding this project,I would say that there was not much transparency
as far as the street narrowing because-was concerned. We,um,received an orange postcard dated
November 21 of 2022 saying that there would be a Zoom meeting on November 30th regarding
the sewer project. There was not one word mentioned in that postcard about the street being
narrowed. Also,there were five or maybe six people that attended that Zoom meeting,and I think
it was because we had heard about the sewer project,had no idea that the sewer-that the sewer-
that the street narrowing was coming up. So the-those five or six-of those five or six people that
were there,my husband was one of them and we started talking about the street narrowing and it's
like,where's that coming from?You know,our street is unique in that at the end of our street is
Kiwanis Park. And that park is highly utilized and there is not a parking lot on-on our side of the
park. A lot of people park on the street to attend the park.And so what you're doing is taking
away parking that is used by the people that are going to the park So,um,anyway,what we have
is working for us and it's working for us well. And also,as Steve mentioned,in four weeks ago,at
your last City Council meeting,I believe in your packet,there was a petition that was signed by
20-it was either 20 or 21 people. There are 23 addresses on Abbey Lane,is my understanding. I
may have that maybe off by one or two,but 21 people had signed that petition. So obviously,the
large majority of people do not want the street narrowed.And so it's like-it looks like this is
what's happening according to those plans,but I am appealing to you and the-the fust two rows
of people that are sitting here are from Abbey Lane and are in support of the street not being
narrowed and so are the majority of the other people that aren't here. So as Steve mentioned
regarding bikes,bikes use the street to get to the trail that is always-also in Kiwanis Park And I
have 13 seconds left. So how much concrete savings will there be?Each and every driveway will
have to be elongated if the street is narrowed on both sides. So that's a lot of concrete going on
right there. So anyway,um.
Teague: Thank you-thank you-thank you. Yep.
Mockaitis:All right.
Teague: Welcome.
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Watkins: Hello.My name is Kevin Watkins.Uh,I live on Abbey Lane also. Uh,thank you very much for
the chance to speak with the Council again. Um,I'm here to talk about the Rohret south trunk
sanitary sewer project,in particular about proposed narrowing of Abbey Lane from 36 feet to 28
feet. As you've heard,most of the people on uh,our street are against that. Indeed,as Joe said,
there are uh,some people in favor of but more than 85%are against narrowing the street. So there
are some on both sides,but it's very off-balance there.Um,none of the property owners have
voiced any resistance to the proposed placement of the sewer upgrade. That's important.But we
were quite frustrated about the announcement of the change in the street dimensions at a very late
part of the planning process. I understand things change and so forth,and it's a difficult job. We
appreciate the effort of the City staff dealing with all that,but it came up November 30th,uh,
kind of a tough time a year to get things worked out with holidays and bad weather then and so
forth.But we did start to talk to people in the neighborhood and became clear that most of them
were against it.Um,we've got a lot of bike traffic there and we like the idea of a little more space
between cars and um the uh bikes and moving cars and so forth uh,getting closer to each other is
bound to lead to some troubles.Uh,we've addressed the parking at the-the uh Kiwanis Park on
the east end of Abbey Lane.And we do appreciate that at least they've changed the plan to allow-
uh to leave the street widened there.But uh there are other reasons. Those are listed in the
previous letter we sent to you four weeks ago. Um,we don't wish to delay this project at all,but
we wish you would consider our input and concerns and send out the bid without the stipulation
to narrow the street or at least investigate it further. Um now,one of our residents could not be
here this evening. He was trying to be here but has a uh,kid's event up in UNI.A couple of things
he was concerned about are-are whether this narrowing seems to be a cost-saving measure. Uh,
it's not clear to most of us if it comes out to save actual money or not.And if you take the surface
area for the driveways and so forth,that's over 20%of the eight-foot strip that would be saved by
shaving off the street. There's a lot of other concerns about that uh and whether we've shifted the
cost of taking care of that area.
Teague: Thank you. Thank you.
Watkins: Thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address this topic?
Teague: Seeing no one online or in person,I'm going to close the public hearing. All right. Could I get a
motion to approve?
Harmsen: So moved,Harmsen.
Bergus: Second,Bergus.
Teague: All right. Council discussion.
Taylor: This obviously is in my district and my neighborhood very-very close to where I live. So this is
really close to my heart and I've heard,I know a lot of the people that live on the street and I have
been on that street many times. Um,and I have a lot of concerns about this. Obviously not
concerns for the need for the new sewer line.Although I do have concerns that it was quoted that
um,it's going to promote development on the other side of Mormon Trek-the west side of
Mormon Trek.My concern is that this is a detriment to those folks in the existing neighborhood
on Abbey Lane. As-as one of the residents, eloquently spoke about how,well a couple of them
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did,that this is when they bought this home. They've lived there many years and they loved this
wide street.And I know we've heard from some of our council members about uh wide streets
leading to speed,but obviously,it's technically a dead-end street. There isn't speeding there.
These residents have not come to us and requested speed humps or a speed study. It"s not a
concern. Um, so what I'm trying to say is that I believe that it-it should be left as 30-36 feet.It
just seems absurd to me to lessen a street that's been 36 feet all these years and it has surrounding
streets where we're told that Aber Avenue is-is 36 feet, Teg Drive,which is also very close, is 36
feet. And of course,there's Mormon Trek that's very wide. I don't know how wide it is,but it's
four lanes uh wide streets around there,I just do not see the need at this time uh to uh decrease
the width. And I so I appeal to my fellow councilors to listen to these constituents.
Bergus: Thanks for your comments,Pauline,and thank you everyone for coming and for those who
submitted their letter and the petition to us last month. This is hard because it's-it's change and
everyone who lives in their neighborhood you know buys into what is there at the time that they
buy into it. And our challenge up here is to be thinking about not just those of you who are going
to be impacted right now,but the community down the road.And so the-the,both literally and
figuratively in time and in space down the road,this street will be there for decades. And we have
had a policy of consistently narrower streets in residential areas for a long time for very good
reasons. And I think what we're trying to provide here with this project is the opportunity for
brand new sidewalks,brand new driveway aprons,brand new pavement in the street itself,sod in
the additional parking area. And I think that will be an enhancement for the neighborhood,as well
as the addition of street trees,and staff,please correct me if I'm-if I'm misstating anything
because I see some heads shaking there with the residents that there's not going to be new
pavement. So Joe,is that-can you maybe clarify?
Welter:All of the sidewalk...
Fruin:Joe-Joe,you're going to have to come up to the microphone,please.
Welter: Thank you.
Bergus: Yeah.
Welter: So all of the sidewalks are not being replaced. Only those sidewalks where the services would
cross or we're redoing the curb ramps.Much of the sidewalk will remain in the exact same place
that it's in,and in the same condition that it's in so.
Bergus: So the increase in the space is coming between the sidewalk and the road?
Welter: Correct.
Bergus: Okay. Thank you. Sorry for that misunderstanding and thank you for those of you who are-who
are paying better attention. Um,I still am in favor of narrowing the street because it is,that is our
policy and it is our plan. And I think if we um want to stick with our commitment to climate
action,if we want to reduce the impact on the environment of additional impervious surfaces. If
we want to reduce the heat island effect,if we want to provide more green space that is already in
the public right-of-way. This whole project is in the public right-of-way and easements that are
already there. So I think it is also one of those times this is really tough when you know we try to
do a good thing and make sure people know what's going on. And then it's maybe you know,it-
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it's hard to know when you get a postcard,what all might be handled or discussed at that meeting.
And it's on public property.And so you know our-our obligation is not to provide maximum
parking on a public street but to comply with our plans that have been created with a lot of public
input over a lot of time and deliberation.And to try and stick with those because we have-they're
based on good, solid reasoning. I know that change is hard and I know that narrowing the street
would be difficult,but I am in favor of it.And because it is in line with our strategic plan and our
climate action plan.
Harmsen: One of the things I looked at,when I was looking at this was,because I'm new,it said that we
have a city policy of 28 feet. So I sort of tested that theory out. And indeed what I found was in
my neighborhood,neighborhoods around other parks in the city, around schools--streets were 28
feet or less. And just knowing what it's like living on my street is not a big burden.In fact,the
closest street to me that's 36 or right around that width is Scott Boulevard,which is a major
thoroughfare with very wide lanes.Even some of the other sort of like Muscatine is right around
that 28 feet. Um, so that's actually a fairly decent- decent width. So that's one of the things--and I
agree with the points that Councilor Bergus made and I get that change is not desirable and ah um
you know it can be upsetting.But-but again,the-the policy does make sense and I think if-if a
Councilor Thomas was here,if I could channel him briefly,I think he would talk about the idea of
the narrowing and the traffic calming is to prevent future problems,not necessarily always in
response to an existing problem. I think that's a fair- fair thing I've heard him say from up here
from before. So just for those reasons too I-I-while I take that into consideration everybody's
input,I think this makes sense as proposed at the 28-foot width.
Alter: The only thing that I would add is that I have been listening for the multiple times that your
advocacy you know that you've done through letters as well as here in person multiple times.And
I really have put myself in your position.What would it be like if I got a postcard and I wasn't
quite sure of what it was you know indicating or the future things that came out?I would
absolutely be upset and you're gonna hate me.But I also recognize as Councilor Harmsen and
Councilor Bergus have said,there are-there's gonna be parking on both sides still.It does go into
a park. This is not gonna be a major thoroughfare that's been narrowed so that people are going to
go speeding. Um,I think that there's many components of this that do they fit the plan. And going
from 36 feet to 28,there's still parking on both sides. And I-I I did write it down as a legitimate
question,um,which maybe staff can answer.How is-how does narrowing the street takeaway
parking if there's parking on both sides,does it?
Welter: There are many areas of the street that are restricted by code already.
Alter: Okay.
Welter: So- so where-where there's crosswalks or curb [OVERLAPPING] ramps within five feet ol�uh,
by-hydrant,there are several hydrants,uh, inside the intersections,the T intersections,you can't
park there. Those are restricted already.
Alter: They're already there.Right.
Welter: The only thing that we're assigning as no parking will be the north side of Abbey between Dolan
and Mormon Trek.And there'll be a-a small part of the first parcel,um,just east of Mormon
Trek on the south side that also be signed no parking. And the reason for that is to make sure that
people that are turning right off at Dolan and turning right off of Mormon Trek onto Abbey can
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make those movements safely. So there's,uh, a process of laying out sight triangles and figuring
out whe-where people can see. So really we're talking about two cars on the north side and not
even-not even a whole car length on the south side of Abbey,all the way on the far end by
Mormon Trek,not down by the park at all.
Alter: Okay. Thank you. Like Councilor Bergus,I appreciate the-the detailed answer. Um, anyway,I-I
think my councilors have-have-have said why I'm in favor of this.I also do very much
understand that you are not happy,that you bought the houses where you did because of the
street.But 28 feet,I-truly it-it is wide enough for parking on both sides and it goes into a dead
end.And I-and yes it's utilized because people love the park.I honestly think that this is a change
that has to happen because it fit with the rest of how Iowa City is um, looking at its paved roads,
how it has used them,how it has constructed them,and that this is in line with this.I-I fully
understand. They're not doing-they're not doing the narrowing for the sake of saying,let's get
everything uniform. It's because there's this opportunity to put it in line with the strategic plan
while also preparing for the future in the next decades by laying the sewer. So I will be in favor of
this.
Dunn:Mr.Mayor,do you have any comments?
Teague: Uh,you can go.
Dunn: Okay. This is something that,um,I-I am very conflicted on and I probably won't have a decision
until I absolutely have to make it,but I-I want to share kind of what's going through my mind.
Um,you know,I think one of the largest things that we struggle with in democracies is balancing
the interests of individuals with the needs of the community. And the more we think about it,the
more,Will our consciousness,uh,as a country and as a community develops,uh,the needs of the
planet. Um,I think that throughout this process,uh,the City has done a-a- a-a good job,doesn't
mean it couldn't be better.I think more contact and more,um, ensuring that there is a constant
line of communication and understanding on all parties about the direction of where the project is
going is important,as well as the fact that,um,we-we've taken into account or pardon me,the
staff has taken into account,um,a lot of the concerns of the staff. Has made it so that the end of
the street is going to be,uh,maintaining uh,uh,a larger footprint to account for turning and-and
more parking near the park At the same time,uh,you know,we-we have an obligation to be
stewards of our community and-and do the things that you guys want us to do.Um, so we-we
are-we-we do have a-a major conflict in that regard. Um,you have unified your neighborhood
in a-a truly commendable way,uh,to try to get something that is important to you done. Uh,and
as an organizer,I can give you nothing,uh,but commendation for that.Um,and I would ask that
regardless of what happens today,you continue that communication,uh,with the City so that you
can advocate for the goals of your neighborhood and those things can be achieved.Um,but as I
understand it,uh,our community has major goals,uh,towards addressing the climate crisis.
Concrete is,I believe the Number 1 producer of CO2 emissions in the modernized world,uh,
and-and that is a real concern of mine. Um,I-I also share a lot of the-the concerns of the,uh,
other councilors that are-are planning on voting,uh,in favor of this in terms of,uh,you know,
consistency with the rest of uh,our- our priorities,uh, as well as the rest of the city's planning
and-and the-the maintenance of the ability for folks to park.Um,but-but I am left at this-this
position of,um,major conflict,uh,in- in terms of is this the right thing to do for the community,
or is this going to,um,sort of,you know,cause a major harm to folks in the neighborhood?And,
uh,I suppose that's where I-I stand right now. It is really for me going to be something that I'm
thinking about unt-until we have to make the vote.
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Teague: Yeah. So one,this other,um,this sewer project is a major project.We're talking about$3.4
million. And I want to say thanks to everyone that's been a part ol�uh,ensuring that that process
is done in the best way possible.I think I heard,um,even the residents say that they have no
concerns about that part of the project which is a,I mean,that's the-that's what we're talking
about majority here is,uh,the sewer project.What I will say to the residents is I-I hear you loud
and clear.I heard that there's 21 people that signed the petition,um,and those unified voices do
resonate with me. Um I- like Councilor Taylor,these are our neighbors. I live on the west side. I
love the west side.Um,but from where I sit,um,I have to look at the big picture and all of other
picture. I have to hear the voices of the people that are before me,um,mainly,you know,not in
support of the narrowing of the street. Um, and I know that there are some voices out there that,
um,you know say,um,you know,go ahead and narrow it.I also have to consider,and I say this a
lot,the end in mind. Um,climate action is real. We are in a climate crisis and I understand we can
rationalize and say there's only,you know,this is just a big part of,you know,a huge city. I-I
hear that,I understand that. Um,what we're doing as a city,um,is trying to be really,really
conscientious of long-term,and not only just now how that affects,um,our generations to come.
And so it is a- it is a- it is a,um,it is a-a hard decision because when I see people before me that
are advocating for something with such a unified voice,um,and then I have to,you know, step
back and be non-biased,um,I absolutely,uh,uh,you heard Steve say I've been in his basement.
He's a great musician. I know you all already know that.Um he's a phenomenon musician and,
um,it's a great neighborhood.Absolutely. The,you know,but when I look at,uh,what is being
proposed in the narrowing of this street,when I think about the end in mind,which is generations
and generations from now,I-I can't help but to support,uh,this ro-road going down at 28,um,
from 36. So I will support this and this is not to say that I don't hear you all,I do hear you loud
and clear and I do understand your concerns.With that.Roll-call,please. [Roll Call] Motion
passes 5-1. Okay. Can I get a motion to accept correspondence?
Bergus: So moved.
Alter: Second.
Teague:Moved by Bergus,seconded by Alter. All in favor say aye. [Voice Vote]Aye. Any oppose?
Motion passes 6-0.
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9.c. Willow Creek Trail Replacement
Teague: 9.c. is Willow Creek trail replacement. This is a resolution approving project manual and
estimate of cost for the construction of the Willow Creek Trail Replacement Project,establishing
amount of bid security to accompany each bid,directing City Clerk to post notice to bidders and
fixing time and place for receipt of bids. I'm going to open the public hearing.And,um,let's see.
Welcome.
Olson: Hi.My name is Tyler Olson I'm with the City's Engineering Department.
Teague: Great.
Olson: And I'll get this presentation started. Okay. So for consid-uh, for the discussion today here,this is
the public hearing for the Willow Creek Trail Replacement Project and this is a trail replacement
for the existing Willow Creek Trail section that is running through Willow Creek Park and
Kiwanis Park for the most part.It runs from Benton Street to the north,and then runs all the way
down to Willow Creek Drive,uh,down by the cul-de-sac there. And this also-this project also
includes a spur trail that is off of Aburdeen Court. Uh, so largely this project is a remove and
replace for the existing trail. Uh,right now what's out there is an existing asphalt trail and given
its condition,it's time for replacement trial. And this trial is gonna be entirely made out of
concrete as opposed to what is now,uh,asphalt. Uh,so it'll go back nearly in the same footprint
as the existing trail. Uh,there's gonna be a couple of minor changes here and there to
accommodate,uh,new,uh,just like ADA compliance.But for the most part it's going to be
sitting in the same location,uh,to kinda keep the trail,uh,area around Willow Creek, and-uh,
Park and Kiwanis Park We're gonna be breaking this up into three major phases. So this would
be like Phase 1 would be removed the trail,replace the trail,then move on to the second phase,
and then so on, so forth as we go down. So we're trying to keep as many of the trails open as we
can,but also the connecting trails to it as well as maintain a pedestrian flow there.Um, and as
part of this project,we're also looking at the sidewalk connections that go to,uh,the Willow
Creek Trail and these are at the intersections,uh,with Teg Drive and they include three different
intersections. Uh,the first two at,uh,Flanigan Court and Woodbury Court.Uh,these two are
gonna be remove and replace and this is to facilitate ADA compliance. This is American
Disabilities Act.Uh,these curb ramps and the crosswalks are not meeting all the ADA,uh,
standards. So what we're gonna do is rem-as part of this project the-as part of the trail
connections,it'd be removed in place back in the same footprint. So we're just updating the
sidewalk and those,uh,slopes,uh, corrected. Uh,the one change there is gonna be at Aburdeen
Court. Currently there is no connection from the south side of Teg Drive that go where the trail is
located,where the spur trail is located,and to the north side where Aburdeen Court is at. So we're
going to add a sidewalk crosswalk at that location.And as part of this construction project, each
of the intersections that are going to be reconstructed will be done at half at a time. So be taken
out half the intersection,remove and replace and then go to the other side of the intersection
remove and replace. So that way we're still maintaining,uh,vehicle flow to each of those
neighborhoods. Uh,how this project relates to the strategic plan is,uh,largely with the mobility
part of the impact areas. And some of the strategies that are being addressed with this project,
there is the design to maintain a complete streets that are comfortable and safe for all users. So
again,this kind of reflects back to the improving the sidewalk connections so that way they're
ADA compliant and then also adding a street sidewalk crossing,uh,at Aburdeen Court.And then
the other strategy that applies to this project is we'll be growing and prioritizing the bike
pedestrian accommodations. So right now,this trail is fairly popular with people in the
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neighborhood. And the condition of the trail has prompted a number of complaints saying given
the condition of the trail,uh,we deem that the trail needs to be removed and replaced. Trying to
do repair work or patching is just not gonna yield the results that we're gonna be looking for.
Again,here's a little bit of financial aspects of the project. Uh,estimated,uh,construction cost is
gonna be about 720,500. And the funding is gonna be coming out of the City's capital projects
fund.Uh, for scheduling,uh,if all goes to plan,uh,we're looking at issuing bid documents
tomorrow,uh, for contractors to,uh,place bids on.We're looking at a bid opening on the end of
this month on the 28th.And then,uh,looking at a scheduling a,uh,award if the bids,uh, coming
as- as,um,we get good bids for that to be on April 4th. And overall we're all we're looking at a
construction time-frame between May and September of this year for doing all the work and then
we're looking at as a final completion date,sometimes the end of October of this year.
Teague: All right. Any questions?
Bergus: Sorry, Tyler,I did have one-one really quick clarifying question. Um,I understand,I think with
that connection that's going North to cross onto Aburdeen. I think I heard you say crosswalk. Are
these gonna be marked or just the curb ramps and like kinda direction?
Olsen: They just be curb ramps,and-and won't have the painted markings.
Bergus: Okay. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. All right.Anyone from the public who would like to address this topic? Seeing no
one online or in person,I'm gonna close the public hearing. Can I get a motion to approve,
please?
Dunn: So moved Dunn.
Taylor: Second,Taylor.
Teague: All right. Council discussion.Roll call,please. [Roll Call] Motion passes 6-0.
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9.e. Ukraine Resolution
Teague: Item 9.e.Ukraine resolution.Resolution in continued support of Ukrainian sovereignty,one year
following the illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military, calling for the
immediate withdrawal of Russian forces and for peace in ukrainian sovereign territory. Can I get
a motion to approve,please?
Dunn: So moved Dunn.
Alter: Second Alter.
Teague: All right.Moved by Dunn seconded by Alter. We're going to have comments by Councilor Dunn
at this time.
Dunn: So I'd uh-I'd first like to thank my colleagues up here uh for their work and their advocacy with
this issue ah last year passing a resolution,ah I believe was 8022,ah supporting the Ukrainian
people in their fight ah against the-the-the Russian regime. Uh and express also why this issue is
so important to me and why I-I believe that we believe ah it is important to our community in
this moment.Um over the last year,I've spent a lot of time with folks in the community ah and
paying attention to the news. And shortly after the invasion of Ukraine ah in 2022,I was
approached by a young Ukrainian woman who is asking me why certain government agencies or
other types of entities weren't speaking up about the issues. Uh this is particularly a student ah
who at the time when it was a very,very lonely time to be a Ukrainian when the world thought
that Kiev would fall in three days,ah they felt very alone and very much abandoned by lack of
voices.Ah so while this is simply a statement calling for what is just,um we do have folks in our
community who are directly affected by this,whose family have a legacy ah an-and history in
Ukraine,whose family are in Ukraine who's studied in,who grew up in Ukraine. And ensuring
that those people understand that this is an issue that we're not just going to let go by another
year,just be another tragedy um is something that I think is-is very much in line with what our
community values are. Um I think also understanding the gravity of this moment and
understanding ah the real atrocity.And I want to say a content warning right now for anyone
that's watching in the room or online about what is really happening in Ukraine ah is important.
Um rape,murder,constituting genocide,murder of civilians,prisoners of war,ah deliberate,
state-funded and sanctioned torture of children all across Ukraine. Shipping children to Siberia
into re-education camps.Regardless of how you feel about why this war began,its wrong,what's
happening there is wrong. And our community has already stood up for them once.And I believe
it's important that we continue to stand up and to show people ah across the state,across the
world and our community ah that this is not something that we will sit by on. In addition,I think
it's also important that we use this as an opportunity to understand that tragedy and the loss of
freedom and democracy is not something that can only happen in Ukraine or in other places.
While this conflict is very much about freedom and it is about democracy,um it is also a lesson,
the power democracy has to unite the world uh in the necessity of us maintaining it at home. One
of the things that I have been keeping with me for the most of this last year is a little pamphlet
that I got from ah local antique shop called Artifacts. People are probably familiar.It's called the
Documents on The Freedom Train,which is a little weird name. Um it's from 1947 from the
American Heritage Foundation.And I find that faced with a consistent rise of authoritarianism
both in our country and across the world,I think that the nine promises of a good citizen that are
on the back of this pamphlet from 1947,right after the fall of fascism in Europe.I think that
they're important to recommend or important to remember um especially in these times and I'd
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Page 18
like to share them.Um one,I will vote at all elections. I will inform myself on candidates and
issues and we'll use my greatest influence to see that honest and capable officials are elected. I
will accept public office,office when I can serve my community or my country,thereby. Two,I
will serve on a jury when asked. Three,I respect and obey the laws. I will assist public officials in
preventing crime and the courts in giving evidence.Four,and I fmd this one a little bit funny,I
will pay my taxes understandingly, if not cheerfully.Five,I will work for peace,but will dutifully
accept my responsibilities in times of war and will respect the flag. Six,in thought,expression
and action at home,at school and in all of my contacts,I will avoid any group prejudice based on
class,race,or religion. Seven,I will support our system of free public education by doing
everything I can to improve the schools in my own community. Eight,I will try to make my
community a better place in which to live.And nine,I will practice and teach the principles of
good citizenship right here in my own-my own home. And remember,freedom is everybody's
job.I think that these lessons,while maybe a little bit dated in some-in some places ah and lack
some of the more progressive uh ideas that we,we,we typically are finding ourselves in here in
our community,ah serve as an incredible reminder ah in the context of what's happening in
Ukraine and the tragedies all across the world,that protecting democracy,preserving freedom,
does come at a cost. And I would call on my-my colleagues here ah to stand together and vote
for this resolution to recognize the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people and call for the er
withdrawal of regression.
Ross: I object to this because I am a Ukrainian-American and I know what's going out there. And the U.S.
actually supported the coup in 1914. [OVERLAPPING]
Teague: One second-one second I'm gonna open up public
Ross: There are three groups of people in Ukraine,not just one. We supported the fascist group in 2014.
Teague: One second I'm gonna open up public comment.
Ross: I don't believe in this particular-this particular idea.
Teague: One-one.
Ross: I think this is hegemony. I think this is US imperialism.
Teague: One second.
Ross: And I think it has to stop. And the more we escalate,the more that we got a chance of having
nuclear war,more people in Ukraine die and you have [OVERLAPPING]
Teague: I'm gonna-I'm gonna open it up.
Ross: And I'll tell you right now there is real business right there.
Teague: I'm gonna open it up.
Ross: Is if the Russia have businesses in-in Mexico who are acutely [OVERLAPPING].
Teague: I respectfully ask you to hold off.
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Ross: In Canada.We have no business and you want to talk.
Teague: I respectfully ask you to hold off.
Ross: Authoritarian as well. He's not just a flower in the desert. I apologize for coming out here,but I
can't standby and listen to this. People out there you need to look through and see what this is all
about.I appreciate your listening to me. I know that I'm against the rules here.I'll take my slap on
the wrist.Please do not go along with this. The US is-is basically in on this.Is a fascist group
that took over Ukrainians,it's a rogue government. They overthrew a democratic-critically
elected president.We talked about voting. They voted,people in Donbass,wanted that president.
They basically chased them out with threats to his life and that's what happens. So the US is
pushing and pushing and pushing to take over Ukraine,to attack Russia. And if you don't know
this,you don't know what's going on in Ukraine. And I'm sorry for being so emotional,but this is
very close to home.
Teague: Alright.
Ross: Thank you. Council.
Teague: Any questions from council to Councilor Dunn?
Harmsen:No questions,but thank you for-for that. [OVERLAPPING].
Teague: Oh I'm sorry. I'm sorry.Yes. Questions at this time. Sorry. Yes. Alright.I'm going to open up the
public comment. Time. Anyone from the public life to address this topic? Okay,seeing no one,
council discussion.
Harmsen:Just to say thank you. I was happy to work with you on drafting this and as I was happy to work
with ah our-our former colleague,Councilor Weiner,when she was here a year ago and did such
a nice job putting together our original, eloquent um and extremely well-well done resolution.
Um I do think there is value to this,especially in a day and age where,where we do see um the
you know Kremlin propaganda and Putin-isc propaganda that does sort of creep into the
conversation. So it's- it's good to let the people of,to remind one year into this conflict,to let the
people of Ukraine know that um the different bodies around the world ah are still steadfast in
their support. So thank you.
Dunn: I guess one additional comment that I would have would be,uh,I have a- a team of,uh, students
from the University of Iowa who worked with me,uh,to put this resolution together and in a-in a
good and concise way. Um, couple of members of which are- are here,Jane Hollish and Nolan
Hansen,uh, so I'd like to extend my thanks to them for their assistance with this.
Teague: Great. Thank you. Any other comments?Roll-call,please? [Roll Call] Motion passes 6-0.
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10. Council Appointments
10.a. Airport Zoning Commission
Teague: Item number 10 is council appointments, 10a is Airport Zoning Commission,Iowa City
representative,airport.Um,there's one vacancy to fill a six-year term,January 1st,2022 through
December 31st,2027. And council discussion.
Harmsen:I think this was just one applicant.
Alter: It was just the one,but I actually quite enjoyed reading the application. It's a very well,very uh,
interesting background that um,I think,uh,the-the notion of,um,being able to apply some of
the background,uh,this candidate has,um, albeit in a slightly different,uh,I was going to say
genre that shows my background. Uh,but you know,uh,to-to be able to apply,um,thinking
about land use and whatnot,uh,in-in service of sort of the betterment of how the Airport
Commission can conduct itself,I think works well.
Teague: So it sounds like we have a majority for appointing Anthony Gentile,uh,to the Airport Zoning
Commission. Can I get a motion to,uh,appoint,please?
Harmsen: So moved Thompson.
Dun: Second Dunn.
Teague: All in favor say aye.
Council: Aye
Teague: Any oppose?Motion passes 6-0.
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13. City Council Information
Teague: and we're on to item number 13,city council information.
Taylor: I was excited to see the invitation for the south district market grand opening. I think we have a
meeting before that happens,but I thought I'd mention it now and remind people about that,uh,
March 28th. It's just so exciting that the South District,I'm so impressed with-with how far
they've come in the last few years and- and the hard work that each and every one of them ha-has
done and- and I've just really excited for this market because I've gone into the ones in the
summer where they had in the parking lot and this has developed from that. And in fact,I com-
commented to Angie Jordan at one of them that,oh, it'd be great to have-have something that's
inside.And she said,well,and here it is,and it's going to be fun as well as I'll just go ahead and
mention it. I hear that Royceann Porter is going to have one-one of the,uh,cubbyholes,one of
the vendors is going to be her and her soul food,uh,so that's uh,exciting to look forward to that
and many of the other ones that-that will be a part of that also. So congratulations to them.
Teague: Supervisor Porter will be having her,um,open house on this Saturday. And I believe that time,
that's what I was trying to look for.
Taylor: Oh,okay,yeah,I didn't see that.
Dunn: Starts at noon.
Teague: It's-it's at 12 noon. That's what I was trying to confirm when my phone went off. [LAUGHTER]
Dunn: I've got something.I got a couple of things.Uh, first,uh,Wednesday,March 8th,tomorrow,uh,
the Johnson County United Nations Association,it's going to be holding an event in my
neighborhood over by Mercer Park. Uh,the Night of 1,000 Dinners,uh,in recognition of,I-I
believe it's Women's History Month. Um,tickets are$25,$10 for students.Um,you're going to
be seeing stuff from Grow Johnson County,Field to Family,uh,and benefiting Great Plains
action and- and- and the like. Uh,so I'm going to be there,would love to see everyone else. Um,
in addition,one of the things that I spoke about when,uh,I guess I came before you during the
appointment process,was doing office hours. Uh,and so starting next week,uh,bi-weekly,I'm
going to be hosting office hours for members of the community to come in and speak with me,
um,about whatever their issues are,uh, at my office at Old Brick,uh,from about five to six
thirty,seven o'clock Uh,so folks can uh,join me there if they want to air their grievances or-or
otherwise. So would-would love to see folks.
Harmsen: Speaking of which,Councilor Bergus and I had a listening post la-is it just last week?
Bergus: Yes.
Harmsen:Yes.Just last week.Um,uh, and for the-thank you to the people that-that came out and spoke
with us.Uh, a lot of the discussion,um,revolved around affordable housing.We had a member
of the local Habitat for Humanity there. And so we got a really nice update on some ongoing and
upcoming projects. Um,and,uh, and discussing ways the,you know,the City and-and Habitat
have worked together in different projects and different upcoming things. So it was- it was a
really nice conversation,um,and those are listening posts,so I know that just kind of promoting
for my fellow councilors who are doing the upcoming ones to the public.Really nice time,I
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know we had one person come and said, So what's the agenda?And we were like,whatever you
want to talk about,that's the agenda. And so it is nice to have that sort of opportunity and-and
Councilor Bergus,uh,you probably have some more stuff to add perhaps,maybe.
Bergus: Oh,that was great-great summary. Thank you.Um,and also with the Habitat for Humanity,just
kind of following up on that,they have a open house on Thursday afternoon,uh,over on Indigo
drive,which is in the South District in Iowa City, at home that they've just completed, and there's
a dedication of that house then on Saturday um,the 11th at 10:00 A.M. So 2408 Indigo Drive is,
and we're invited to that as well,um,plan to attend.And I also just wanted to take a- a moment to
reflect and thank you all for,um,our discussions in the last couple of meetings. I feel like we've
been really respectful and-and,uh,productive. Um,the-the item we had earlier I thought was
just an example of the value of our strategic plan and the conversations that we've had around that
to kind of help us understand and acknowledge that bigger picture sometimes. So I just wanted to,
you know,acknowledge the clarity that Ibe found,I think,particularly recently with the um,
processes that we've gone through in adopting that and-and just thinking about things big picture.
So thank you all for that.
Alter: Uh,I just want to say a large shout out to successful,um,City of Literature Festival that-that was
last weekend. Um, and we have some amazing writers in the community who um,are beginning
in the first grade and going-and are not even yet in high-school.Um,I got to go to the Write Out
Loud contest,and it was incredibly cool and humbling,to tell you the truth,because I got to pass
out the awards.Um,and to listen to the kids sit there and read their work,it was awesome. That's
all I got to say is like we have a really strong community of writers,um,and- and kids who are
sort of in there to make their mark. And there were some who were like two-peats,three-peats of
having gotten recognition.And um,I think the main thing is that]the City of Literature did a
great job of saying,writing isn't just this rarefied thing,it's for everybody and so it was- it's just
amazing to-and each winner was,would the author come up. And it was just the-the respect,um,
that came from just,um,the common language of writing and of-of,um,putting it forward and
putting yourself on the page. It was really-really cool. So it was an awesome job.
Teague: Just want to say thanks for everybody that's been paying attention to everything that's happening
at the State House. Uh,there has been a lot of advocacy going on,um,and- and- and there's a lot
of things that this city also advocate for, and so thanks to our team,uh,that does that.Uh,
tomorrow uh,Deputy City Manager,Redmond and I will-will be heading to Des Moines,and so
we'll be spending most of the day there. So,um,there's a lot of work to be done,a lot of
advocacy- advocacy to be had.Also want us to take a step back and just,um,look at some of the
positive things that um,we have within our community.Because I think sometimes we can be so
boggled down with uh,some of the bad things that are happening,uh,that we don't agree with or
that we um, are really burdened by.Um,and in this moment,yes,we need to fight like hell,I'll
say it. Um,but I think and,you know,there needs to also be a little time for some self-care,and I
would just encourage people to do a little bit of that if you are feeling that you need it.
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14. Reports on Items from City Staff
Teague: Other than that,we will go to Item Number 14,reports on items from city staff,City Manager's
Office.
Fruin:Not tonight,Mayor. Thank you.
Teague: City Attorney?
Goers:Nothing from me. Thank you.
Teague: All right. And our City Clerk?
Fruehling: Yes,I have something. I just want to mention that the,um,Community Police Review Board
is going to have their,um,annual community forum on April 20th at 05:30 and it'll be held at the
library—meeting room A.
Teague: Thank you. All right.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of March 7,2023.
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This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal meeting of March 7,2023.