HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-13 Transcription
#2
ITEM 2
Wilburn:
Karr:
Miller:
Wilburn:
Miller:
Wilburn:
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PROCLAMATION.
a) Homeownership Month - June 2006
(reads proclamation)
Here to accept the proclamation is Fair Housing Ambassadors of the Iowa
City Association of Realtors, Deanne Miller and Leanne Tyson; the
Executive Director ofthe Iowa City Association of Realtors, Cheryl
Nelson; and representing the Housing Authority, Deb Briggs. (applause)
In accepting this proclamation on behalf of the Iowa City Area
Association of Realtors, we want to thank all of our public and private
partnerships that led to our success of our homeownership program. This
program has led to a very prestigious honor of being selected as one of
only six associations across the country to receive Ambassadors to city
designation. The ceremony to honor us, I'm not a good public speaker.
I'm a good realtor though! (laughter)
You're doing just fine!
The ceremony will be held on Monday, June 19,2:00 P.M. at Chauncey
Square Park. Representatives ofthe National Association of Realtors and
the U.S. Conference of Mayors will be presenting us the award. We
encourage each of you to become a part of all of our efforts to give
everyone a chance at the American dream: homeownership! Thank you!
Thank you. (applause)
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Council meeting of June 13, 2006.
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ITEM 2
Wilburn:
Karr:
Niece:
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Niece:
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PROCLAMATION.
b. Pride Month - June 2006
(reads proclamation)
Here to accept the proclamation is Michael Niece. (applause)
On behalf of the Iowa City Area Pride Committee, I'd like to accept this
proclamation and thank the City for their continued support in gay,
lesbian, bisexual and trans gender issues around the City and around the
State of Iowa. We have a lot of events planned for this month. The
highlights would be the Pride Parade, which will be this coming Saturday,
just right around this area, and we welcome you aU to come out and be a
part of it. We're going to have a lot of really good floats and really good
time, and then we'U have a festival from I :00 to 4:00 P.M. Another
highlight of this week's, or this month's activities would be the 25th
anniversary of A.I.D.S. It has greatly devastated our community and we
are commemorating the passing of time of25 years since this epidemic
started, by having a service at Trinity Episcopal Church at 7:00 P.M. on
the 25th of June, and we would welcome you aU to be a part of that. Thank
you very much.
TraditionaUy.. . read the proclamation, I've done it a few times at the
celebration at College Green Park. I won't know until probably Thursday
if! can make it to read the proclamation. If! can, one of the Council
Members will... .(unable to hear).
I'm planning to attend.
Okay, so, good, if! can't make it, Regenia will be there.
Thank you very much.
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~ P.3
ITEM 3 PRESENTATION.
a) Public Library Friends Foundation
Wilburn: We have a special presentation from the Public Library Friends
Foundation.
Karr: Here to make the presentation is Duke McGrath, President of the Iowa
City Public Library Friends Foundation and Patty McCarthy,
Development Director.
McGrath: Thank you. It's my great pleasure as President of the Friends Foundation
to present a check for $100,000 to the City of Iowa City, part of our
pledge repayment program, and Patty McCarthy here, the Development
Director at the Library, and we'd like to ask President Wilburn, or Mayor
(laughter and several talking) Wilburn if you would come forward and
accept the check.
Elliott: Duke, we have a tough enough time getting him (laughter and several
talking).
Champion: Terrific!
Wilburn: (several talking away from mic) ...ifwe don't have the microphone.
McCarthy: This represents $700,000 that we have now paid towards our $1 million
pledge and we'll be back next year, and maybe just one more year. We're
hoping to make a big payment. . .
Wilburn: Well, I certainly want to thank the Foundation, and certainly thank the
public for your contributions to the Foundation. It's a treasure, the Library
is, and it's a very grand building that we have there now.
McCarthy: We appreciate all of your support!
Wilburn: Thank you. (applause) Am I supposed to give this to the City Manager
now? Okay...(laughter).
Champion: I think I'd give it to Marian! (laughter)
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ITEM 4 CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
d. Setting a Public Hearing.
4. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO
APPROVE A THIRD AMENDMENT TO A PURCHASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY
AND WAL-MART REAL ESTATE BUSINESS TRUST
FOR APPROXIMATELY 21.76 ACRES OF PROPERTY
LYING WITHIN LOTS 10 THROUGH 17 OF NORTH
AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION AND LOTS
2, THROUGH 4 OF THE NORTH AIRPORT
DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION - PART TWO, AND
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 27, 2006.
Champion: Can we make a motion to disapprove this resolution, or does...?
Dilkes: No, do it in the affirmative. Just make the motion to approve it and get a
second and get it on the floor.
Wilburn: And then you try and defeat it. Is that correct, Eleanor? Yes?
Elliott: This is a motion to set a public hearing, correct? (several respond in the
affirmative) So moved.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: It's been moved by Elliott and seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Correia: So the item is considering a resolution of intent to approve a third
amendment, and set a public hearing. There's two parts to that. Correct?
Dilkes: Correct.
Bailey: And what we're doing... the proposal is to provide additional 1.5 acres to
Wal-Mart.
Correia: Right.
Wilburn: End of discussion? Roll call. Resolution carries 4 to 3; Correia,
Champion, and Bailey in the negative. Is that correct? Okay. And that
was... .Item 5 is the second one, correct?
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~ p.s
ITEM 4 CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
d. Setting a Public Hearing.
5. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO
APPROVE A FOURTH AMENDMENT TO A
PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
IOWA CITY AND WAL-MART REAL ESTATE
BUSINESS TRUST FOR APPROXIMATELY 21.76
ACRES OF PROPERTY LYING WITHIN LOTS 10
THROUGH 17 OF NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT
SUBDIVISION AND LOTS 2, THROUGH 4 OF THE
NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION -
PART TWO, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR
JUNE 27, 2006.
Elliott: And this also is a motion would be to hold a public hearing to discuss this.
Is that correct?
Dilkes: Correct.
Elliott: Okay.
Champion: It's also...
Elliott: I so move.
O'Donnell: Second.
Wilburn: Then...
Champion: ...they're also...
Wilburn: Hold on a second, Connie, moved by Elliott, seconded by O'Donnell.
Now, Connie.
Champion: It also thinks that you intend to approve the amendment. Ifwe vote this
down, there won't be a public hearing because there won't be any reason
to do it.
Bailey: Because we would be holding Wal-Mart to the...
Champion: Original contract.
Bailey: .. . July 31 st is the purchase deadline.
Wilburn: So this one is for the extension.
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Bailey: The indefinite extension.
Wilburn: Indefinite extension, correct?
Atkins: Yes. Well, indefinite I think is too strong. It was, the exact words were
"non-appealable decision ofthe Courts."
Bailey: But we have no date.
Atkins: No.
Bailey: It's contingent upon court decisions and...the quality ofthe decision that's
non-appealable.
Atkins: Gary, before you comment, I'd like to give you some, an update because it
may be pertinent to your comments. We received a telephone call this
afternoon from representatives from Wal-Mart and they were asking
whether we intended to proceed with the calling of a public hearing, and I
said, I'll tell you what I said to them, that I couldn't imagine why we
would not. They're aware of our staff recommendation on this extension,
and I was left with the clear message that I believe you will see another
proposal on an extension about the time ofthe public hearing on the 27th.
Champion: But if we vote this down, Steve, we wouldn't have the public hearing.
Atkins: If you vote this down, there is no public hearing.
Champion: Isn't it your recommendation that we not grant the extension?
Atkins: My recommendation was not to grant this extension. Yeah. It's too open.
They may come back with another proposal...
Wilburn: Which may trigger another public, request for a public hearing.
Atkins: That's what I'm saying. I think if you can...am I talking you into having a
public hearing? (laughter) I think it gives you the greatest flexibility in
dealing with this issue.
Dilkes: If you have no interest in talking about any type of extension, then it
would be reasonable to vote no. If you want to consider the extension
request and possible modifications to such an extension request, then you
should vote yes.
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Bailey: And so if we have no interest in an extension, July 31 5t is the date and they
can choose to move forward or not, and that indicates whether the land
would be up for resale or purchased by Wal-Mart, right?
Champion: It could still be purchased by Wal-Mart, but we're not...
Dilkes: Yeah, it would...the...
Bailey: If they don't close by then, ifthey choose not...
Dilkes: Typically the setting of a public hearing, as you all know, is a very routine
matter. This is a procedure that we have to go through because the State
Code requires that we have a public hearing any time we're going to make
a disposition or sale of land, and it has been our process to do that at the
time of the purchase agreement, rather than the time of the deed. So, this
is just to g~t it set for discussion, essentially.
Bailey: But it also indicates some level of intent because the, right, consider the
intent to approve.
Dilkes: It does, but it is not binding at all.
Bailey: To set a public hearing, does the resolution have to include an intent to
approve? Can it be a resolution to hold a public hearing to consider a
request?
Dilkes: I think we word it that way because ofthe language ofthe Statute. It says
something...I don't have it in front of me. It's 364.7, but it's something
about, you know, note your proposal and have a public hearing on it.
Something to that effect, and so this is the language we always use
because of that statutory language.
Wilburn: Gary, did you want to...
Sanders: Thank you. My name is Gary Sanders. I'll be very brief. I wanted to
applaud Steve on the memo, trying to put Wal-Mart's feet to the fire. I'm
going to make a wager that you will vote to have this public hearing and
that on the night of the public hearing, you vote to get them to pay up or
not pay up, and I would like to warn people not to be fooled by anyone
who has been voting for 15 months for this to suddenly say, 'Put up or
shut up,' because the majority here still wants to go ahead with the deal,
selling the public land to Wal-Mart for a Supercenter. I don't believe
that's going to change. So, I hope you do set July 31 5t as the drop-dead
date, after the public hearing on the 27th, but I also, as I said, realize that
no one has woken up and said, 'Wal-Mart is the number one predator
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Wilburn:
Downer:
Wilburn:
Downer:
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Page 8
corporation in this country,' and that's why you're doing that. So, thank
you very much.
Thank you for your comments.
Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, I am Bob Downer. I am here this
evening representing Wal-Mart and would just state briefly that I have
great respect for the opinion of the City Attorney, and if she indicates that
the intent statement is necessary in this resolution, I would certainly accept
that, but would also assure the Council on behalfofWal-Mart that this
would not be anything that at any point in the future would be used as an
indication of the Council's intentions with respect to the requested
extension that the manager recommended against granting on those terms.
I do think that there will be another proposal that will come prior to that
time, as I indicated to Steve this afternoon. Whether that'll be acceptable
or not remains to be seen, but we clearly understand the recommendation
with respect to approval ofthe present extension, and ifthe public hearing
is voted in the affirmative, we would certainly not take any action that
would read more into that than I think the sentiment may be at this time,
and if there are any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. We would
very much hope that this resolution would be adopted for reasons that
have been expressed by others here this evening, but with the
understanding that the intent language in there is more meeting a legal
requirement and not manifesting particular intent on the part ofthe
Council.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Comments?
Well, I would just like people to consider that we do need to move Wal-
Mart forward. I mean, I know that some of the delay has not been their
own making, but this has been property that's been off the rolls and
unavailable to other people who would be interested in it, for fifteen
months, and so if they come forward with another proposal that has a
specific date, once again we could do the same sort of thing, but we can
vote this down tonight, indicating that we're interested in moving forward
on this. I'm still.. .I'm going to vote against it, as I've voted against this
entire project, but I implore those of you who are interested in seeing Wal-
Mart and the community, let's move on this, and indicate that it has to
move or some decisions have to be made.
Any other comments?
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O'Donnell: Well, I'm not interested in a purchase agreement that doesn't have a date
on it. I am going to support this, and unless we set the hearing, we're not
going to know what the new request is.
Bailey: They can bring forward anew. . .
O'Donnell: I... I'm going to support this and I (unable to hear).
Champion: I'm not going to support it. I would like to see us, I would like not to see
Wal-Mart there and I would like to see either they stick to the deadline or
we can resell the property for some better endeavor.
Elliott: I'll be obviously supporting it. I think that's the least we should do is hold
a public hearing. I'll have more to say at that time obviously, because I
feel rather strongly about this, so I hope that it does, the Council does
approve this, and we do hold the public hearing.
Vanderhoef: I'll be supporting it tonight. I came here thinking I wasn't going to
support it, but with the possibility of different offer, I'm willing to listen.
We've spent a lot of time in this already so another couple weeks, and
then having a public hearing and a new offer, I'm still willing to listen.
Bailey: Voting this down does not mean we are not open to a new offer. Am I
correct?
Dilkes: That's right, it's just... there may be timing issues before the 31 st.
Bailey: Right, but we do have a couple meetings before that date.
Wilburn: What type oftiming issues are you referring to, Eleanor?
Dilkes: Well, it always takes two meetings to get something on the agenda for
discussion. You've got to have a meeting to set the public hearing and
you have to have a meeting to hold the public hearing, so...
Vanderhoef: So moving forward with the public hearing in two weeks...
Dilkes: If you voted this down, we would have...and we did get another proposal,
then we would set it the 27'\ and the next meeting is.. . July 18th. It's just
crunching up against the existing closing date.
Wilburn: Okay. Let's see. Item...in my mind there's nothing...this isn't so
dramatic as holding anyone's feet to the fire, and I said in the past, I'm not
recruiting Wal-Mart. It's selling a piece of property and it's a real estate
transaction. I'm not going to support this, but I would take a look at
another, another request, resolution intent, with a specific date on it, so
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that we can, again, this is a real estate transaction, and take a look at that
and deal with it as it comes, this comes forward, and wanted to move
forward with the sale of the land and it hasn't been about who it is. It's
about just the sale of the land, as I've discussed in the past.
Elliott:
But, I would ask why you would not vote to have a public hearing then.
Wilburn:
I don't feel that that.. .the request can still come forward. It would trigger
it again, that time line is not that significant for me, coming up on the
deadline, in my opinion. Okay? Roll call. The resolution fails with
O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, and Elliott in the affirmative.
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#5
ITEM 5
Wilburn:
Engle:
Wilburn:
Engle:
Page 11
COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
This is for items not on the agenda. Anyone who wishes to address the
public, please approach the podium, state your name.. . (unable to
hear).. . five minutes, please.
I'm Bob Engle, 725 Bradley Street, and I'm one of your new
Commissions to the Senior Center, and it's my turn to address the Council,
and I'm glad to do that tonight. I want to say that as I was appointed by
you to this Commission, I have been an active member ofthe Senior
Center, but had no idea until I became a member of the Commission just
how complex that operation is and how many things go on there, and it's
been an interesting experience in the last few months. For example, I was
amazed to discover that in the first nine months of the fiscal year that
we're in, that the attendance at the Center totaled 41,888 with an average
daily attendance of 229. I see a lot of people around there when I go, but I
go for the things that I'm interested in and I'm not around there all the
time. So, I was quite amazed at the number of people that participate at
the Center, and I'm sure you know all these figures. Like at the Senior
Dining, over the first ten months served 67,045 units. That amazed me
even more. We do have the annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on
June 30th to recognize the many volunteers who serve at the Center. You
didn't tell me when you appointed me to the Commission that
Commissioners are supposed to work in the kitchen and help serve the
breakfast, but that'll be a lot of fun (laughter) and I'm looking forward to
doing that on the 30th.
Other duties as assigned.
Yeah, that's right, and I, we can eat the leftovers too if we want, sO...some
ofthose people will be recognized, by the way, for long service to the
Senior Center during that breakfast. When I came to report tonight, and
I'm about through with my report, I asked myself, 'What is it that the
Commission would like to hear? And is there something jazzy every
month to report to the Council,' I should say, and of course there isn't
something jazzy every month, I think, to report. The Commission, like a
lot of the agencies we know about, works day in and day out to get the
wash out, as we used to say, and to do that we have organized ourselves
into three committees, working committees, so we can do a little more in-
depth and efficient study when we have our Commission meetings, and
those committees are Finance, Promotion and Community Relations, and
Outreach. I know that probably each of you received the copy of the Post,
and with everything else you have to read, you have no particular reason
to look at it, but I would say this, that there will come a time when most of
you probably will be very interested in what's happening at the Center,
beyond your official capacity here, and in just closing I would like to say
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as I looked through the current Post for the summer, I noticed, I counted
70 classes or activities that are being offered just during the summer at the
Senior Center, and they range from some single sessions to some ongoing,
multiple session classes, ranging from paper folding or origami to fitness,
dealing with literature or real estate, real estate for retired people, dealing
with Islam and Celtic culture, hiking, model railroads - you got it. So,
you can look forward to that. It's my pleasure to report to you this month.
Thank you.
Champion: Thank you and welcome to the Commission.
Wilburn: Anyone else care to address the Council on an item that is not on tonight's
agenda?
Sanders: Hi, I'll just be real fast here. This is not on the agenda. I just want to alert
everybody that tomorrow evening the saga continues. It's not on
television and there often isn't very much press there, but the Board of
Adjustment is going to meet tomorrow, starting at 5:00 P.M. By the time
we get to the hot item on the agenda, it'll be about 6:00, and even though
God made it a flood plain where Wal-Mart wants to build, I guess they
figure with 10 acres of fill dirt and the help of some governmental
agencies it won't be a flood plain anymore. So, folks, I hope to see you
tomorrow night for some public input on that. Thank you very much!
Wilburn: Thank you.
Perez: My name is Kevin Perez. I live at 161 Columbia Drive. What I came to
talk about is I have, I work at 126 downtown and in the last couple months
we've had trouble with the people who provided our garbage removal and
since that happened, I kind of switched how we did things and now we're
recycling everything and our garbage has probably gone down by about
75%, and as, you know, you look around downtown, it's probably should
be something that the City should take care of, like have recycling center
there because I usually come down around 6:00 in the morning so I can
get my trailer out and move everything out, but it would be much more
effective, I mean, I think, if we got rid of all the private garbage cans.
You know, any of you who've been down there, you obviously know it's a
problem, and it just, I mean, I do it every other day and it's an amazing,
it's amazing how much I take down to the recycling center, and it's
something that I think should be addressed because I think you could
eventually save money for everybody with the amount of garbage that
goes out to the, you know, between all ofthe different companies that
come downtown and remove garbage, and for anything to really work, you
know, it has to be easy and there has to be enough recycling places
downtown. I think there really are in those alleys, we have the right-of-
way to it. So, I mean, I think you could come up with a plan or try to
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come up with a plan where we could have recycling and it's, you know, I
was just really, really amazed at how much stuffthere is, that gets thrown
away, and then, but...a few of the companies offer cardboard, but there's
so much more to do besides that, and I don't know. I was very pissed at
my garbage company, but hopefully something good comes out of it
because, I mean, it should be something to look at. That's it!
Wilburn:
Thank you, and thanks for participating in the recycling program. Anyone
else care to address the Council on an item that's not on tonight's agenda?
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ITEM 6
PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
c. CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR
JUNE 27 01'1 AN ORDINANCE REZONING 20.79 ACRES OF
PROPERTY LOCATED ON LOWER WEST BRANCH ROAD,
WEST OF TAFT AVENUE FROM INTERIM DEVELOPMENT
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (ID-RS) ZONE TO LOW
DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS-5) ZONE.
(REZ06-00013)
Vanderhoef: Move to set the public hearing.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Champion: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Champion to set the public hearing.
Elliott: I will just say before we vote that there's a couple words in here that are a
red flag to me, when it says future subdivisions will comply with
neighborhood design policies. That's a red flag for me, but go ahead.
We're going to vote for public hearing.
Wilburn: All those in favor say "aye." Opposed same sign. Carries 7-0.
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ITEM 6 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
i. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CONDITION ALL Y
REZONING 11.36 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED EAST OF
SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE FROM GENERAL
INDUSTRIAL (1-1) TO HEAVY INDUSTRIAL (1-2) (REZ05-
00005) (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
O'Donnell: Move second consideration.
Karr: Mr. Mayor, expedited action is requested on this.
Wilburn: Would you like to withdraw that motion? Okay. (unable to hear; several
talking at once)
Vanderhoef: I move that the rule requiring the ordinance must be considered and voted
on for passage at two Council meetings, prior to the meeting at which it is
to be finally passed, be suspended; that the second consideration and vote
be waived; and that the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this
time.
Champion: Second.
Wilburn: .. .to expedite by Vanderhoef; seconded by Champion. Discussion? Roll
call. Expediting passes 6-1 with Vanderhoef in the negative.
Vanderhoef: I move that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef.
O'Donnell: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Vanderhoef: I will not be supporting this, as I didn't last time. I don't think that this is
the right time to reward a citizen who was out of compliance in their
business for a number of years, and then when they wanted something
new added, that they came and finally came under compliance. So I'll
vote no on this and I also have some concerns about the screening and so
forth on properties along the river, that the screening needs to be inclusive
of cleaning the water and so forth, so I have asked Council to consider in
the future to look at adding poplars to the screening composition along the
river side, just to help us clean our rivers.
Correia: Did we.. .at the last meeting when we were discussing this, include
regular, wanting to have regular visits to make sure.. .you know, at six
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months, eight months, 12 months, 18 months just to insure that they stay
in compliance because of the history. So will that be. . .
Atkins: Yes, that will be in the tickler file, yeah.
Elliott: 1 don't know what has gone on in the past, but I do think that the people
who own and operate on this property want to make it look better. The
City would like to have it, make it look better. I think this is a good thing
for everyone, and I would like to see this situation with the recycling
operation proceed.
O'Donnell: I'm also going to support it. Key word there is compliance or in
compliance. I'd rather look at this thing on a positive note, and it is an
improvement to the City, and I think is going to be.. . clean up an area and
look real nice down there.
Bailey: Well, I reluctantly supported this last time, simply because we are going to
do a little bit more focused contact with this property, and I think that
that's really critical, for not only this property, but I think that when
people aren't in compliance, I think we have to do a little bit more to bring
people into compliance.
Wilburn: Roll call. Ordinance carries 6-1, Vanderhoef in the negative.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Wilburn: Been moved to...
Champion: So moved.
Wilburn: .. . moved by Champion.
Correia: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Correia to accept correspondence. All those in favor say
"aye." Opposed same sign. Carries 7-0.
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ITEM 6 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
j. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTIES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA TO
INSTITUTIONAL PUBLIC (PS). (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Wilburn: I can't remember. Do I have to read all these? Okay, thank you.
Bailey: Move second consideration.
Champion: No, we want to expedite this.
Bailey: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and
voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at
which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the second consideration
and vote be waived, and that the ordinance be voted on for final passage at
this time.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey to expedite.
Champion: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Champion. Discussion? Roll call. Item carries 7-0 to
expedite.
Bailey: I move that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey.
Champion: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Champion. Discussion? Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 6 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
o. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE JOHNSON
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR APPROVAL OF
REZONING OF 4.34 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN
FRINGE AREA A ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LINDER ROAD
NE FROM R, RESIDENTIAL COUNTY A, AGRICULTURAL.
(CZ06-00001)
Champion: Move the recommendation.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion?
Vanderhoef: Just as a note for the public, we are asking that they put in a few more
parking spaces, since the road up there is fairly narrow and hard to
accommodate very many cars.
Bailey: And that's for the Agudas Achim Cemetery?
Wilburn: Yes. Ahbh, is this the motion? I didn't see the "M" word up there.
(laughter) All those in favor of this recommendation say "aye." Opposed
same sign. Carries 7-0.
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ITEM 7
AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOME
LOCATED AT 2667 INDIGO COURT TO A PUBLIC HOUSING
PROGRAM TENANT.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Wilburn:
(pounds gavel) Public hearing is open. Is there someone who'd like to
address the Council in public hearing on this item. (unable to hear person
in audience) Okay. Public hearing is closed. (pounds gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
O'Donnell: Move the resolution.
Wilburn: Moved by O'Donnell.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion?
Correia: Well, I think this is a great program.. . for a public housing tenant to owner
program.
Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 8
Wilburn:
Bailey:
Wilburn:
Correia:
Wilburn:
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AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF A SINGLE F AMIL Y HOME
LOCATED AT 617 BROOKSIDE DRIVE TO A PUBLIC HOUSING
PROGRAM TENANT.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
(pounds gavel) Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. (pounds
gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Move the resolution.
Moved by Bailey.
Second.
Seconded by Correia. Discussion? Does Amy still support (laughter and
several talking at once). Roll call. (TAPE ENDS)
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ITEM 10
AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE LEASE OF
THE BUILDING LOCATED AT 2401 SCOTT BOULEVARD TO
IOWA V ALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Wilburn:
(pounds gavel) Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. (pounds
gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Champion: Move the resolution.
Correia: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion; seconded by Correia. Discussion?
Bailey: It's my understanding that the words "at least" will be in 7, to talk about
the days and the hours that this. will be in operation, and that would
suffice, right?
Champion: So move the resolution as amended.
Dilkes: Just move it with that is fine.
Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 11
APPROVING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY AND WESTSIDE AUTOMOTIVE L.L.c.
FOR AN UNDEVELOPED .95 ACRE PARCEL OF PROPERTY
LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 1 WEST
BETWEEN THE MORMON TREK BOULEVARD AND DANE
ROAD INTERSECTIONS, AND DISPOSAL OF SAID PARCEL IN
ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Wilburn:
(pounds gavel) Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed (pounds
gavel).
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Bailey: Move the resolution.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Correia: So, with this sale, does that have a, will that... because the money will go
the Airport. . .
Atkins: Yes.
Correia: Does that decrease, will that decrease the General Fund? That they need?
Our goal was to try and decrease General Fund support of the Airport.
Will this help decrease that?
Atkins: The monies must be used for Airport purposes.
Correia: Right.
Atkins: ...as determined by the Commission. I have informally encouraged them
to see what they could do, in order that the subsidy could be reduced, but
it's their call.
Correia: But, I mean, we know that they have the funds so we can reduce our
subsidy really.
Atkins: Yes you could. Yes you could. (several talking at once, laughter)
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Bailey:
Dilkes:
Bailey:
Atkins:
Bailey:
Correia:
Atkins:
Correia:
Wilburn:
Page 23
In the meeting minutes, they did talk about doing some repairs, I noted,
and they did not talk about that reduction in the meeting minutes.
Well, and I know there are some F.A.A. restrictions on how the money
can be used. So, those have to be examined.
Will we get some kind of indication of how they chose to use the money?
I will ask for that. Okay?
Okay, uh-huh.
And so then this will go onto the property tax rolls, the land, I mean,
they're.. .
Yes, this is being purchased by a private individual, commercial.
. . . commercial property taxes.
Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 12 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, ENTITLED
"MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 4, ENTITLED
"PARKING REGULATIONS," SECTION 15, ENTITLED
"LIBRARY PARKING" TO REQUIRE LIBRARY PATRON
PARKING SIGNAGE TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER THAT THE
LIBRARY HOURS ARE POSTED ON THE LIBRARY DOOR.
(FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Champion: Move first consideration.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion.
Correia: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Correia. Discussion?
Champion: These are great Library parking spaces and the turnover is really rapid and
really convenient for people to use these, and I hope this doesn't (unable
to hear) if they have to go and look at what time the Library's open, but I
guess (unable to hear). They should (laughter and several talking), or one
would hope, right!
Bailey: I'll be interested to see how that works.
Elliott: This is one decision regarding signs that I think is a good one. (laughter)
Wilburn: Not going to request a smiley face on this one?
Elliott: No!
Wilburn: Okay, all right.
Bailey: Save some money so we don't have to change them all the time.
Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 13 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, ENTITLED
"MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 4, ENTITLED
"PARKING REGULATIONS," AND CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED
"PARKING METER ZONES AND PARKING LOTS" TO LIMIT
PARKING IN STREETS AND RAMPS FOR THEIR INTENDED
PURPOSE. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Bailey: Move first consideration.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Champion: Long overdue!
Bailey: Yes, I agree, and have these businesses been notified, some who use
parking for food vending?
Helling: We don't even know who they are. They just appear down there.
Bailey: When the police... will they start to, they'll let them know to move?
Atkins: Shoo them along. Yep.
Wilburn: For the benefit ofthe audience, this is an ordinance that would increase the
regulation of parking by prohibiting people from engaging in commercial
activities in their vehicles, such as selling food, while parked on a City
street or in a City ramp lot for longer than 10 minutes, and I believe this
excludes activities like the Farmer's Market and.. .it's not.. . and ice cream
trucks. (several talking at once)
Vanderhoef: But this includes loading zones.
Dilkes: Yeah, it would include...it actually includes any street.
Vanderhoef: ...anything on the street.
Correia: Using a parking space for vending subverts the process of renting the
space in the Ped Mall and knowing that the vendor is up to health safety
standards.
Wilburn: And it also excludes the Arts Festival, Jazz Festival. Yeah, I'm just saying
that (several talking at once).
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Bailey:
Well, and additionally, I think that there were some complaints from
sidewalk cafes and other patrons of other businesses, because of
the... there are many grills downtown in spaces (several talking at once).
Helling:
Just as a correction, we do know who one of them is, and everybody who
has come in and asked about it, we've told them the ordinance doesn't
prohibit it, but we suggested to them not to invest a lot of money and
equipment because it's something that might be dealt with ifit became
more prolific, which it certainly has.
Bailey:
And so we are.
Helling:
So we are!
Wilburn:
Okay. Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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#15 Page 27
ITEM 15 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION EST ABLISHING DAILY FEES FOR
THE THORNBERRY OFF-LEASH DOG PARK.
Vanderhoef: Move the resolution.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion?
Vanderhoef: Can we be updated on how that $5.00 fee is being collected?
Wilburn:
Is that why you're here, Terry?
Vanderhoef: Where you get the tickets and so forth. I think it's good...(several talking
at once)
Wilburn: Could you restate the question, please?
Shields: I'll just give you any answer! No, what was the question - I'm sorry.
Vanderhoef: The question was, how are you collecting the daily fees and giving out the
tags?
Wilburn: And could you please state your name for the...
Shields: Oh sure, Beth Shields.
Wilburn: Thank you.
Shields: Urn, so the way that we will collect the fees is we have ordered a security
box, similar to the ones that you have out here. In fact, I think they're the
same makers, where you have utility payments and things dropped. There
will be an envelope box with envelopes that have written on them places
for people to fill out specific information, including their name, address,
their dog's name, a description of their dog, their veterinarian's name and
ail of that kind of standard information. There'll be a place for them to
sign, attesting that their dog is current on its rabies vaccination, which is
what we're requiring on a regular permit. Then, there will be part of that
envelope - it's a special envelope - they'll be able to tear it off and keep
that with them for the day, and by the way, they'll have to put the date on
the pass and then put their $5.00 into the envelope, put the envelope into
the safety box. It's an honor system. Some people use it and some people
won't. So, that's what they do in Cedar Rapids. I've asked them.
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Bailey:
Shields:
Dilkes:
Shields:
Elliott:
Shields:
Elliott:
Wilburn:
Page 28
They're pretty happy with the system and so that's what we're going with
too.
And they feel that there's pretty high compliance in Cedar Rapids. I
mean, what you could expect.
Yeah, I mean, it's hard to know who is not complying. They do go out
and do some checks, and you know, if you go out and you get checked and
you don't have a pass, you know, you could be subject to a fee, I suppose.
At least that's the way they have it worked in Cedar Rapids. I don't know
that there's anything that we've asked to be added to our Code or anything
like that.
Well, the way we wrote the dog-off-leash is that they could be charged
with "dog off leash" if they didn't have...
Well, there you go, and that's not.. .nobody likes that. That's expensive,
I've heard! (laughter) I don't know personally, but I've heard that it's
expensive. So, right, and this is another thing, you know, this is where
DogPAC volunteers will come in. We'll be having periodic checks, you
know, to make sure that people have annual passes. If you don't have an
annual pass, well gosh, did you stop and pick up a day pass? No, I didn't
know I could do that. So, these, you know, we hope that it will be used,
but... .thank you.
And the dog has to have a name.
You know, I was out there the other day and there was a guy and he had a
Brittany, and I said, 'What's your dog's name?' and he said, "Brittany."
(laughter) I said there ya go then! So any way...
A bit of information the Council will find astonishing. In the movie
"Hondo," John Wayne had a dog that had no name. He called it "Dog."
Roll call. (laughter)
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ITEM 21 CONSIDER RESOLUTION DIRECTING SALE OF $6,265,000
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2006A.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion; seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Atkins: We got great bids!
Wilburn: Good.
Atkins: Yeah.
Vanderhoef: Why the wide range on those? I thought...
Atkins: Between that, remember the one's a taxable.
Vanderhoef: Oh, okay.
Atkins: And there's going to be probably 200 base points, 2% difference between
that and... because the $6.2 million you could put your thumb over the...I
think it was 388, which we got, and 393 was high so we did very well on
that, but the other's a taxable issue. That's our share of Camp Cardinal,
but the developer (unable to hear) taxable bond.
Wilburn: Helps the cause!
Atkins: Yeah it does.
Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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m ~~
ITEM 25 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK
TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2006
ASPHALT OVERLAY PROJECT.
Atkins: I'd like to recommend that we approve the contract in the amount of
$351,000 to L.L. Pelling.
Bailey: And you've removed...
Atkins: And we've removed one project, Taft Speedway, between No Name Road
and Dubuque Street.
Wilburn: Okay.
Atkins: No Name is the name ofthe road.
Champion: Move to award the contract (unable to hear).
Wilburn: Moved by Champion.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion?
Dilkes: I'm not familiar...is it an addendum, was it bid as an addendum or...
Atkins: We have a list of projects we were going to approve. In order for us to
continue to proceed with this asphalt, we checked with the Pelling folks
and I don't want to postpone street improvements if we can avoid it, so
we've chosen to drop a project.
Wilburn: And they were the lone bidder?
Atkins: Yeah. Is there a. . .
Dilkes: Yeah.
Atkins: I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you said.
Dilkes: Normally we would award it and we would do, drop the project by Change
Order, because we can't really award a project we haven't bid (several
talking at once).
Atkins: Okay, I'm okay with that. Award it and we can drop, do the Change
Order. I'm okay with that. Sure. If that's...
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Champion: I'll withdraw my motion.
Elliott: And I'll move it as previously indicated.
Atkins: Yeah, I'm fine with that. That's okay. Sure.
Wilburn: Moved by Elliott; seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Roll call. Item
carries 7-0.
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ITEM 26 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN ASSESSMENT
SCHEDULE OF UNPAID MOWING, CLEAN-UP 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.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion?
Correia: I have a question. Is there, is there something we can do like sending
these bills to collection agencies?
Atkins: We do all of our, substantially do all of our own work.
Correia: What?
Atkins: We make the contacts.
Correia: Right, but...but, so when they haven't responded, we're going to send it to
the Treasurer to collect, as if it was unpaid. So I'm just wondering... the
pros and cons of sending it to collection.
Atkins: Urn...
Dilkes: Actually, this is, this is, I mean, taxes have priority over just about
everything else, and there are consequences for not paying your taxes.
This is a very good mechanism. And we'd have to pay a collection
agency a percentage ofthe bill. So, not for things we can assess as
property taxes. Perhaps for other. . .
Champion: (unable to hear)
Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 27 CONSIDER A MOTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF
AUSTIN BAETH AS THE STUDENT LIAISON AND ABIGAIL
VOLLAND AS THE ALTERNATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
IOWA STUDENT GOVERNMENT (UlSG) TO THE CITY
COUNCIL JUNE 13,2006 UNTIL MAY 1, 2007.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Wilburn: Moved by O'Donnell.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Correia: Welcome aboard!
Elliott: Austin, Texas and Abbey Lane, happy to have you aboard!
Bailey: Thanks for your willingness to do this!
Champion: They're being paid! Didn't you know that? They're being paid to do this.
Yeah, they told me they're getting paid now! (laughter and several talking
at once)
Baeth: I'd like to address the Council, Mr....is it Wilburn? Is that how you
(laughter). I would just like to tell you it was a pleasure working with you
this past year as the alternate liaison and I look forward to another year.
Hopefully it'll be successful, making some improvements, for both the
Iowa City community and the University of Iowa, and I would like to
introduce Abbey here as the new alternate liaison.
Volland: Hi. Thanks for the opportunity. I don't....! look forward to getting to
know you all better and work with you.
Champion: Great!
Wilburn: Thank you. All those in favor say "aye." Opposed same sign. Carries 7-
O.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Vanderhoef: So moved.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Bailey: Second.
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Wilburn:
Seconded by Bailey to accept correspondence. All those in favor say
"aye." Opposed same sign. Carries 7-0.
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ITEM 31 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Wilburn: Bob?
Elliott: I will ask Council Members to remember as we discuss more about Wal-
Mart in the coming weeks that while there are dozens, probably even
hundreds, who oppose Wal-Mart coming here, there are thousands who
have indicated by their feet and by a referendum in the recent past who
want Wal-Mart here and I think that we need to keep in mind that what the
majority of our population wants Wal-Mart here. Secondly, signs. I had a
friend tell me by telephone this afternoon that I had a bug in my butt, and I
do about signs. We had a sign announcing vacation bible school at a local
church that had to come down. We have Dairy Queen that's wanting to
put up a sign similar, if not exactly as they had before, which was
damaged by the tornado. This is crazy that people have to go through all
these things. Within the past year or so we had a local bank that was
developing some property we really wanted developed at the, at a
shopping area. They had to wait six months to have their electronic sign
approved. It... the sign ordinance either needs to become realistic, or get
rid of the dam thing. Next, the soft side of Bob Elliott. (laughter)
Champion: I thought that was the soft side! (laughter)
Bailey: I thought that was as soft as it gets!
Elliott: The other night, I answered the door and there was my neighbor, Chase,
who said we're celebrating my 8th birthday and I brought you a piece of
birthday cake, and his older brother, Travis, was right behind him, and I
thought, 'How neat they brought the neighbors their birthday cake!' That
was terrific, and just to point out that these are very, not only nice guys,
but very intelligent. They indicated they're Cardinal fans! Next.
(laughter and several talking)
Bailey: I have a question about dog pooh bags.
Champion: About what?
Bailey: Dog pooh bags. We have those bag dispensers in parks, mutt mitt, yes,
thank you. I like that. And I've noticed one in North Market Square has
been empty for quite some time. How often do we check those? Who
checks those, and how often do we fill them? I can bring a whole bunch
of paper, plastic bags...
Atkins: North Market Square?
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Bailey: .. .if you need dog pooh bags, I've got em! But, how often do we restock
those?
Atkins: I have no idea.
Bailey: I mean, is that you, Terry?
Trueblood: Not directly, no. (laughter) I've been called worse! They are supposed to
be restocked as needed, and we don't have a mutt mitt patrol going
around, but the people who are performing maintenance at the parks
wherever these are located are supposed to check them, and then let
whomever needs to know in the Parks Division that they're empty and
need to be refilled.
Bailey: Okay. I noticed North Market Square. It could be just a lot of demand.
There's lots of dogs in the neighborhood. So, which is good, because then
they're not leaving their stuff behind.
Elliott: Are these special bags? When I walk our daughter's dog, a big dog, I use
the plastic bags that we get from the grocery store. They're perfect for
that, and they're free because everybody gets groceries. (several talking at
once)
Trueblood: Many people do that, and those who do, we appreciate it. We appreciate it
even more if they take it back home with them. Some of our garbage bags
become very, very heavy, or our garbage cans, I mean, but most ofthem,
like out at the dog park, those and I believe the other ones, but I know the
ones at the dog park are biodegradable, so when we have that septic tank,
for lack of a better term, that they're supposed to put them down there and
they are biodegradable because eventually it goes to the sewer pipe.
Bailey: More than I needed to know about mutt mitts, but thanks!
Trueblood: My pleasure!
Wilburn: Is that it, Regenia?
Bailey: Yeah, I think that's enough, isn't it?
Wilburn: Okay, I think so. Dee?
Vanderhoef: I mentioned earlier the poplars. Just a total discussion on water quality
and beautifying river banks, but we had a project going at one point in
time that was the poplars on top of the landfill and they were growing so
well that they were breaking the caps and so the D.N.R. made us take
them off. So, since Terry is here, I would love, love to try growing some
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poplars down on Mesquakie, and just see if they will grow, and if that
would help us clear some of the contaminants that are down in that old
landfill.
Atkins: So you don't do a lot of...I asked Rick the same question. I just don't
have an answer yet.
Trueblood: .. .oh, okay, I know they have plated them out in the landfill and I'll
certainly check into Mesquakie, see what we can do.
Vanderhoef: Any of our public land along the river if we can help clean up with that, I
would like it. And then on a happy note is I have a new grandson, River
Charles, a couple weeks ago, and he is handsome as can be!
Wilburn: Congratulations. Mike?
O'Donnell: Well, Bob, that was well said on Wal-Mart and I agree with it. I agree
with most of what you said on the sign ordinance, and that's highly
unusual for me to agree with you. (laughter) Also, I would like to see us,
Dean Thornberry made such a wonderful donation to the off-leash dog
park and I would like to see Dean's dog, Boulder, have a life-time
exemption to paying this fee. We could of course charge Dean (laughter),
but I would really like to see Dean get a free pass for his dog. I think that
would be very appropriate.
Bailey: That's a good idea.
Vanderhoef: I think that's a great idea.
Champion: Are you going to pay for it?
O'Donnell: I could!
Champion: Good. (laughter)
Wilburn: Connie?
Champion: I have a couple things. I'm wondering if, as a City, and this is just really
offthe wall so, but like all these businesses that were struck by the tornado
are going to rebuild and they're going to improve their property and
they're using it as an opportunity to make their business bigger and better
and more attractive, because that certainly, that was not very attractive
when the tornado hit. So I mean, it's too bad it did, but on the other hand
it might improve the looks of Riverside Drive. And I'm wondering if as a
City we can do something to help them, like I don't know what. Can we
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give them a TIF on...a small TIF on improvements above their old
valuation? Because they're insurance is not going to cover...
Wilburn: Just so you're aware, the Chamber...
Champion: I know.
Wilburn: Okay.
Champion: I know, but I'mjust...I think we should think about it. I don't know if it's
even possible, but I'm only talking about a small TIF, I don't know if you
can even call it a TIP, on improvements to the property beyond their old
evaluation. Have we ever talked about doing something like that?
Bailey: We could talk about that in Economic Development. If you think that
would be...
Champion: Could we do that?
Wilburn: So the Economic Development will take a look at it.
Champion: Is it totally possible, I mean, it's not illegal or anything like that.
Atkins: Establishing a TIF district is the most complex thing because. . .
Champion: Well, can we call it something else then?
Atkins: I think you could probably...
Dilkes: You can talk about it without committing...
Champion: Okay. (laughter and several talking at once) We can invite you to our
Economic Development meeting.
Atkins: Okay.
Champion: The other thing I wanted to talk about - we talked one time and you
actually did some research, on the City taking over trash and recycling
downtown.
Atkins: Yes we did.
Champion: And what was decided about that? Not possible? Would work?
Atkins: No, it wasn't a matter of being impossible. We simply chose that we
would work with the existing haulers and collectors, that we would require
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them to clean up the place. They have to have a tag, a sticker, placed on
their dumpsters now. There was some sensitivity about if we took it over
they go out of business. We also discussed an option of us contracting, of
setting up one district where the City ran the district and contracted with
private haulers. Yeah, we've played that out, and we settled on the one
that we have now.
Champion: Okay.
Atkins: It's not unusual to have a municipal pickup for commercial businesses.
Champion: Well, because it is a constant problem, it's still a constant problem, despite
our rules and regulations about locking the dumpsters. They're not always
locked. There's still lots of trash on top of the dumpsters. There isn't any
really good general recycling place downtown. I mean, it's easier for
me.. .my recycling is just cardboard at Cathy's, but it seems to me that we,
that it's a valid point this person made tonight that the trash pickup, the
private trash pickup downtown, is inadequate. And it's expensive.
Atkins: Yes it is.
Champion: It ought to be better. And so maybe, I don't know...
Atkins: Our difficulty, I think, another one was who do you bill. Yeah, but does
that dumpster belong to that business owner or that. . ..
Champion: Oh, you mean for the problems.
Atkins: Right. Yeah.
Champion: Well that should be easy to find out.
Atkins: I don't think it was". I can't tell you why, but if you wish...
Dilkes: You wouldn't believe how complicated dumpsters are! (laughter) But
maybe we should talk about it if you want to, or give you a memo or
something.
B.l h.'. ?
al ey: . .. ow It s gomg.
Atkins: Yeah, that's a good idea. We'll start with that. We'll do an update on
how we're doing. Then take it from there.
Champion: One more thing... sorry. I don't always have anything, but you know, I
love this tenant to ownership thing that we do. I think it's really terrific,
but I was thinking last night when we were going through those things,
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of June 13, 2006.
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that we're not doing anything to replace those houses that the City owns,
because the idea was at one time that the Council wanted to get rid of any
City-owned housing. That's the reason this program came into effect.
Have we ever thought about rolling that money to pay back into other
houses that could be dealt with in the same way?
Vanderhoef: We do that all the time.
Atkins: Particularly the new construction.
Champion: I'm talking about our rental houses that we sell.
Atkins: I understood the policy to be owner leased over the last eight to ten years,
that we had an inventory of approximately 100 units, and that we would
gradually work that down, and we've probably done 20 of these. We have
not replaced that housing.
Correia: So is that something we could (several talking at once).
Wilburn: . . . add that to the housing discussion. Amy?
Correia: Well, I want to, I wasn't going to bring this up but I was reminded by the
gentleman who spoke and then when you were talking about, I'm
interested in exploring recycling options for apartments and condos. I
think there are other communities that have that. If you have done that,
there's recycling available to apartment dwellers, and there's some
samples we could look at. So...
Atkins: We've done it on a couple of occasions. In fact, we tried to work with a
student group two or three years ago, and this isn't your fault, but it fell
flat on its face, you know. It'll be your fault later on. (laughter) And
we've, I'm sure we've done some research on the thing - why it failed and
why it didn't.
Correia: Then maybe you could look at other programs and what characters they
have...
Atkins: .. . multiple family units need some type of recycling program.
Correia: And especially as we have more condos coming online too. I mean, I
think there may be more interest, especially (unable to hear). The other
thing I have is last Thursday I attended the Diversity and Inclusion
Initiative that was put on by Diversity Focus, which is an organization
that's located up in Cedar Rapids, but it's really designed to be a quarter-
wide initiative. It's in the founding sponsors ofthe organization came
together wanting to look at issues related to diversity in terms of trying to
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of June 13, 2006.
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Wilburn:
Correia:
Wilburn:
Champion:
Wilburn:
Elliott:
Wilburn:
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get a diverse work force and keep a diverse work force and as we've
talked about, creative economy, that being an important initiative, and
they held this event, brought together about 160 people from across the
corridor in different sectors. They targeted government, faith-based,
community organizations, education, I'm sure I'm forgetting something-
to start to have conversations about diversity in the corridor, what's our
vision related to culture and diversity, what are some behaviors that would
show we're an inclusive community that supports diversity and all of these
small group discussions were scribed. There was a facilitator and they're
going to take that information to small planning groups and do something
with it on a bigger fashion. So, that was a great event. I'd like to see the
City get more actively involved with Diversity Focus. It's a really good
initiative to be involved in.
That it?
Uh-huh.
I'd like to congratulate the Mormon Trek Heritage Society of Iowa City
for hosting the Iowa City Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the
Mormon Handcart launching, and I was pleased, it was my honor to speak
with the group, and with Sandy Boyd, former University President, with
the group. There were folks from all over who came to participate in the
presentations. It was a good day of activities and it was good. Another
one of those good economic development pieces and historical pieces that
people treasure, and it's a boom for the economy. I want to reiterate in
inviting folks to attend the Pride Festival celebration this coming Saturday
and activities at College Green Park, and the entire month of activities. I
also want to say Happy Father's Day Sunday to all the father's out there.
You didn't wish mothers a happy Mother's Day on Mother's Day.
You know, I didn't, and I should have. (laughter) I should have.
You stepped in it now!
There you go. It wouldn't be the first time.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of June 13, 2006.