HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-21 Transcription#2a Page 1
ITEM NO. 2a OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
Lemme Elementary: Katherine Bird, Martin Fox
Lehman: Item two on the agenda is recognition of outstanding students. If the
folks from Lemme would come up first please. Have you guys ever
watched us do this before? This is the most fun that we have at the
whole Council Meeting. Now last Friday I went to Knoxville, Illinois
- I have a couple of grandkids - and I spoke to three third grade
classes. And they give citizenship awards too which I think is really
cool. And I told them what we do and we're very proud of this and we
think it's a lot of fun. So, if you would read your name and then tell us
why you've been nominated.
Katherine Bird: I'm Katherine Bird. And Martin is reading my speech and I'm reading
his.
Lehman: Why don't you read his as long as we're here?
Bird: Martin Fox is a good citizen because he is kind, caring, and he
volunteers often when somebody needs help. Martin is a Patrol
captain who substitutes often and willingly. He substitutes often for
lunch duty as well. He is a good leader because he handles problems
carefully and quickly. He is in the extended learning program and the
free algebra class. He played the lead character in the school musical
production. He is the lead clarinet in the East Elementary Advanced
Band. He won a gold ribbon in the honor's solo festival for his
clarinet skills. Martin is a good person because he has lots of friends.
If someone has a problem he'll stop and straighten it out. Some of his
assignments are late and he never swears.
Lehman: That is something.
Martin Fox: Katherine wrote about herselfi Katherine Bird is an example of a good
citizen because she cares about others, respects her parents and
teachers and she tries to do her best. Katherine is one of the Safety
Patrol captains at Lemme which requires her to go to school early in
the morning and to contact others that will be on patrol. She also subs
for people if they do not show up. Some activities that Katherine has
been involved in include playing soccer every year since second grade
and playing on a basketball team since third grade. Katherine is also
involved in activities at her church including youth group and the
AWANA program. Katherine plays the trumpet in the Eastside
Advanced Band. She also played a trumpet solo in the solo festival.
She played taps at her school's veteran's day ceremony. She was also
in her school's musical production. Katherine also is a good
representative of her school because she follows direction, uses good
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language, completes her work on time, and is involved in a variety of
school activities.
Lehman: I'm going to read the award we're giving: For outstanding qualities of
leadership within Lemme Elementary as well as the community, and
for sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others, we recognize
these students as outstanding student citizens. Your community is
proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City Council, May 2002.
Katherine. Martin. Let's give them a hand.
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ITEM NO. 2b Longfellow Elementary: Kendra Halter, Janna Ozzello, April
Ramsey
Lehman: Okay and now we want the folks from Longfellow. You see how easy
that was. It was kind of like a dress rehearsal. You know exactly how
it's going to go. So, if you would give your name and then why you
have been nominated.
Kendra Halter: My name is Kendra and I sometimes babysit for my neighbor. And I
also volunteer at the animal shelter and I do things like play with the
cats and sometimes walk the dogs. I was in Girl Scouts up until the
fifth grade and I won many patches in citizenship and friendship. I
volunteer my time after school helping kids cross the street safely. I'm
also in orchestra and I play the viola for three years and every Tuesday
I go to City High to practice for (can't hear). Every winter I help
shovel my grandma's sidewalks. I never do these things because I
have to; I do them because I want to.
April Ramsey: Hello. My name is April Ramsey. I am in sixth grade at Longfellow
Elementary. I think I am a good citizen because I do a lot to help the
community. I babysit, read to first and second graders, volunteer work
and help clean up at school and other places. I go to rallies about
(can't hear). And a few weeks ago I went to the Take Back the Night
rally. I have also been doing jump-rope for heart for about three years.
In school five girls and me are in a group with our school guidance
councilor, Mrs. Williams. In our group we have bake sales to help
raise money for animal shelter, puppet shows to show what the
younger kids should do if they're in trouble. I like doing...helping out
other people and having fun at the same time.
Janna Ozzello: Hi. I'm Janna Ozzello. Some things that I do to help my community I
serve on safety patrol so I go to school early and stay after school to
help kids cross the streets safely. Another thing I do is I'm in
orchestra. I have played the cello for three years. And I go to school
on Friday morning at 7:45 and I go every Tuesday after school to City
High to practice with other eastside schools. I also babysit and walk
kids home from school. I was in Girl Scouts up to fifth grade. I
volunteer at church as an alter server and I help support a little girl
from India so that she can have the things that she needs.
Lehman: You know in addition to the council and the council is very, very
proud of you folks as good citizens, but there is another group of
people that are probably a lot prouder than we are and they're known
as parents and grandparents. Especially grandparents. If there are any
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grandparents here believe me they know it. The award reads the same:
for outstanding qualities and leadership within Longfellow
Elementary, as well as the community, and for sense of responsibility
and helpfulness to others, we recognize these as outstanding student
citizens. Your community is proud of you. Janna, April, and Kendra.
Thank you very much.
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ITEM NO. 3 CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
Lehman: Item number three is consider adoption of the consent calendar as
presented or amended.
Champion: Move adoption.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Vanderhoef.
Kanner: Couple things. One we were asked to remove item from the consent
calendar and defer it. So, I would like to move that ....
Lehman: We don't need a motion. Just ask to remove d...
Kanner: No, no this is to defer it.
Lehman: Well, we need to remove it and then act on it separately.
Kanner: Okay. Well remove number four...item 3 where are we at here?
Vanderhoef: 3 D 3.
Kanner: 3 D 3. I'd like that to be removed. Then I had a comment on one of the
items here. We had minutes, this was 3 D 5 from our civil service and
we had a list of recommended candidates for police officer from our
civil service commission and you'll see I got a list from our Human
Resources Director listing candidates by race and gender starting off
with 147 and going down to the final twelve that were recommended.
And I have some concern that only 20 out of the 147 were female and I
was wondering if we could have a work session to talk about some of
those figures. There could be good explanations. We could...I'm sure
that our human resources department is doing a good job in trying to
recruit, but maybe there are better ways that we could do that to see if
we could get that number higher for women and possibly for other
minorities in our community. I'd like to ask our council to consider a
work session on this issue.
Lehman: Well, what's the level of interest?
Champion: Steve, I'm sure the Police Chief keeps in mind gender equity and
minority equity when police people are hired?
Atkins: Yes.
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Champion: And I guess I have problems with trying to set like quotas because I
think people should be hired on merit and not...
Kanner: Can I interrupt? Connie, it's not a matter of quotas. We're not allowed
to do quotas. This is a matter of trying to bump up the number of
recruitments so that the Police Chief....this is the list that the Police
Chief has to choose from. He has a choice of one female among 13 and
we cannot do affirmative action we've been told. But, we can see if we
can up our recruitment efforts in different areas and perhaps reach out to
the community and say how can we do a better job of this for recruiting
more women and minorities. And I think it merits a work session on
this to look into this to see if we can do a better job.
Wilbum: Didn't we do this in a work session or get some information about this a
year an a half ago? Doesn't this sound familiar? I remember talking
about it.
Atkins: I don't recall that.
Wilburn: Okay.
Atkins: I do recall you visited about it once rather informally, but you never
directed a work session about the matter.
Wilburn: It seems like we got some information about where, I think it was
specifically with Police at the time, they advertised a recruit or
something like that.
Atkins: I'm looking at the summary for the first time this evening and I do know
that Sylvia, our personnel administrator, she does reasonable extensive
advertising in particularly sending out our recruitment brochure to
colleges and universities if there is...I'11 be very candid with you...if
there is a better way to do this - other ways to reach out - we're
certainly open to that. Please keep in mind the civil service
commissioner are your appointees. That's the organization that
represents your interest.
Wilburn: I guess I don't have a problem with having a work session on it, but if
the work session is going to not be very...I guess I'd rather - if there is
some specific areas or places where Council feels that we should be
advertising or recruiting from that we should pass those on to the
personnel manager to make sure those areas are being hit. Otherwise, if
there is specific questions about the process then I suppose that's fine to
have a work session. But, if it's just where are you advertising, I'd
rather just send a list; make sure you, you know, recruit here. So, I
don't know what it is you had in mind. Is it the process that the
application through the different test than the interviewing and hiring?
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Or it just where?
Kanner: Well, I think it leans mom toward how we're doing it and I agree with
you that we can just pass on things. But, I think if we do it in a systemic
fashion talking about it, that's a better way to do it instead of saying that
one of us goes up and says why don't you do that. As we've discussed
in the past, in many ways that's not a proper way for us to deal with the
Staff and the City. It's better if we could do it as a Council and talk
about what we're doing. And the other thing is that when we talk about
this in a more public way, in a systemic way as a Council, the
community might come up with more ideas and be more involved. I
mean I have one idea off the top of my head; maybe we want to work
with Women's Resource in Action that are here in town. And maybe
we need to do more of that in surrounding towns. But, I'm sure there's
a lot more ideas of what we can do. And I just think that it's better if we
do it as a council instead of as individuals going to Sylvia and saying
why don't you advertise here, advertise there. I don't think that's the
effective way to do it.
O'Donnell: I'm looking here at all the areas that we did advertise and see the
Omaha World Herald, the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the Waterloo
Courier, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Iowa City Press Citizen, Quad City
Times, Des Moines Register, 911 Hot Jobs...it looks like they're doing
an incredible job. I don't know what we can do as far as getting in and
trying to recruit more people. Steven, I think everything is being done
that can be done. I'm comfortable with the way it's being done.
Kanner: I think we need to do better.
Vanderhoef: I would just suggest that if anyone has any ideas to put it in a memo and
send it to the Council and if we see there is enough there that we want to
have a work session, we can. And otherwise, we'll just pass those on
and know what others have passed on to the human resource office.
Champion: And I have another idea too. If we would like to see more women
recruited by the Police Department...I mean I don't think we should
micromanage and tell them how to do it...but if we feel that we need
more women on our Police Fome then I think we can do some sort of a
statement or a policy as a...and ask the City Manager to ask the Police
Chief what he's doing and does he think there is more he could do. I
don't think it's really up to me to tell the Police Department how to
recruit. I think that's micromanaging and I'm not going to do it.
Dilkes: I think that issue is...that Steven has identified is whether sufficient
advertising is being done to get the people notice of the vacancies who
then will apply and have the opportunity to get on the eligible list.
That's really where you're equal opportunity efforts need to be focused
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because the list controls who can be hired.
Lehman: (can't hear) suggestion...
Dilkes: But, you probably just need to decide if you're going to put it on a work
session or what you're going to do with it.
Lehman: Well, I guess what I'd suggest Steven is this is...I would like these
concerns to be conveyed to Sylvia and get a response from her and
based from that response I think maybe we could discuss it.
Atkins: May I suggest you would like Sylvia to respond it's fine, but as you
recall you have a civil service commission appointed by you. If want to
see policy change.
Lehman: Then express the same concerns to the civil service commission. Let's
get some rhetoric going.
Atkins: We recruit trader their guidance.
Lehman: What's your pleasure folks?
Kanner: Maybe the first step is to ask the civil service...or concurrent with Sylvia
at the same time...
Atkins: I'm fine with that.
Kanner: for a response.
Lehman: Could we just convey our concerns to those two folks and see what kind
of response we get? Other discussion of the consent calendar?
O'Donnell: Number three has been removed?
Lehman: Correct.
O'Donnell: Okay.
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. Do we have motion to address item number
three?
Champion: Move to defer.
Dilkes: Indefinitely?
Champion: Indefinitely.
Kanner: Second.
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Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Kanner to defer indefinitely. All in
favor? [All ayes]. Opposed? Motion carries.
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ITEM NO. 4 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Lehman: Item four is public discussion. This is the time reserved on the agenda for
folks to address Council on items that do not otherwise appear on the
agenda. You're invited to sign in, give your name, and limit your
comments to five minutes or less.
Alaina Welsh: Good evening. My name is Alaina Welsh of 319 East Washington Street.
Two weeks ago I stood here in this stop and requested that the Council
consider a designation of an enterprise zone for Emerson Point, an
affordable assisted living development for low-income, frail elderly in our
community. I asked for the opportunity be provided for discussion on the
topic. That we would be able to have an opportunity for an open dialogue
to discuss the potential benefits to our community that enterprise zone has
to offer. At that time you agreed to place the discussion on the enterprise
zone on your May 20thwork session agenda. It was mentioned at the
public meeting two weeks ago that the public is not permitted to speak
during the work session and that would prevent the opportunity for those
representing the frail elderly to speak about this topic with you. I was told
at the last Council meeting that an exception would be made. That one
City Staff member and myself would be permitted to speak. Last night
City Staff spoke. I was not afforded the same opportunity. So, I'm here
tonight to respond to some of the comments that were made last night.
Mr. Pfab, I appreciate your efforts last night to promote this opportunity
for our community. I only wish that we had the opportunity to advocate
jointly for this. Mr. Kanner, you questioned whether the benefits of the
enterprise zone would have gone to the tenants or to the developer. I want
to assure you that not a dime on enterprise zone benefits would have gone
to the developer. The entire amount would have benefited the tenants.
The State permits developers to personally benefit from enterprise zone
benefits because the intention is to provide an incentive for people to do
things such as economic development and housing development.
However, we were choosing to use this for rental assistance, not for
ourselves. Again, because I was not permitted to talk last night we did not
have the opportunity to address your concerns or your questions. Ms.
Vanderhoef you stated that you did not feel that any part of Iowa City
qualified as an enterprise zone despite what the State has decided. You
stated that you felt the City would not have such a low capita income if
students were excluded. You said that students should be excluded from
these census figures when making these decisions. How can you say that
nearly 30,000 people who live in this community should be excluded?
Students substantially contribute to the economic vitality of this
community. They buy goods and services here. They rent apartments
here that pay a substantial amount of property tax that benefits this
community. They are the reason why we have such a large and vital
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employer - The University of Iowa. They are also a reason why Iowa
City is a cultural and arts center. Yet for...yet when including students in
census data that then provides the City with an opportunity for an
additional tool for economic development. We shouldn't count them?
You of all people, Ms. Vanderhoef, should understand the financial and
other benefits that students offer this community. Mr. O'Donnell, you
stated that you were opposed to using enterprise zone because it was too
much like spot zoning. How is designating an enterprise zone more like
spot zoning than designating a small number of acres as an urban renewal
zone? Enterprise zone provides State benefits for economic development
that occurs within that zone. An urban renewal zone provides benefits for
economic development as well, but that is a cost to the City through a
reduced property tax collection. How is the City giving their blessing to
ACT to sell educational bonds appropriate? But the City providing an
opportunity for us to apply to the State for additional benefits for low-
income elderly not okay? What is spot zoning? What is it about spot
zoning that you're opposed to? Is it the diversity that is created through
spot zoning that bothers you? Ms. Champion, you stated that it was places
like Waterloo where enterprise zone was intended to be used, not places
like Iowa City. Apparently, the State of Iowa does not share your view.
Not every city in Iowa is provided the opportunity to use enterprise zones.
The State of Iowa decided that Iowa City was an appropriate place for
such benefits. And where on the continuum between Iowa City and
Waterloo does it become appropriate to begin using enterprise zone
benefits? Is it something you'll just know when you see? What about
utilizing the tools that have been given us to prevent such circumstances
from coming about? Mr. Lehman, you expressed concern over having
other people ask for enterprise zone designation. You gave the
unfortunate example of requesting enterprise zone benefits to re-side your
own home. What would be so bad about someone else asking for
enterprise zone benefits? Wouldn't that imply that someone else was
trying to do something good for our community? Trying to provide
economic development or housing opportunities in our com~nunity? What
is it about granted an enterprise zone for Emerson Point that implies that
you would have to grant it someone else? I know this Council knows how
to say no. Then there is the absurd example of your house. Residing an
individual home is not a permitted use under the State code governing
enterprise zones. Not only that, but you, just like any other applicant
would have to apply to the local enterprise zone commission and the Iowa
Department of Economic Development. I'm sure that both entities would
deny your application to re-side your home with state tax credits. Your
example v~as poor at best, detracted from the real issue and made light ora
benefit that would have kept dozens and dozens of low-income elderly
from unnecessary and early institutionalization in a nursing home. I'm
tremendously distraught by the fact that you have denied the benefit of
rental assistance to our community's low-income, frail elderly. However,
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there are two other things that make me even more upset. The Council's
unwillingness to provide an opportunity for public discussion on this
issue. Despite specifically being asked, and supposedly agreeing, to an
open dialogue. And I'm upset because for me personally I feel
disillusioned and disappointed in myself for believing or thinking I could
expect something more from my Council. Winston Churchill once said,
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees
opportunity in every difficulty." It is clear to me now which you have
chosen to be.
Lehman: Thank you.
Bob Bums: My name is Bob Burns. 319 East Washington Street. I'm an associate
of Alaina Welsh and we're very proud of Alaina Welsh. And she
certainly speaks from the heart and has the experience of dealing with
the cliental that we're planning to serve at Emerson Point. Perhaps, if
you had the experiences that she had she be able to...you'd be able to
understand how she feels. I think we judge a community by how well
it helps the people who need the help the most. And I think the
Council made a decision last night that affected the health and welfare
of the frail, elderly of Iowa City to their detriment. And we'd like to
suggest you reconsider that decision last night and move forward with
establishing an enterprise zone. As Alaina did, I listened to your
discussion last night and you seem to place a great deal of credibility
to designating the site on the issue of blight and the definition of blight
and what constitutes blight. And there is a Supreme Court case in
Iowa which we researched. The Council has a great deal of discretion
in that regard and what the Council decides is blight is acceptable and
it's based on usually challenges where someone objects to being
declared a blighted area, but time after time the court has upheld that
the City and it is a blighted area unless the decision was arbitrary and
capricious. So to that end we are proposing to you tonight to expand
the enterprise zone site to include a site that would be south and
adjacent to the Emerson Point site which contains at least four
blighted, deteriorating buildings. In additionally, the Emerson Point
site is suffering from soil erosion which would be stopped as soon as
we could start construction which as you know we can't do until the
enterprise zone is established. Both of these criteria meet the
definition of 403.17 with respect to a blighted area. I have a map to
show you where those areas are and some photographs. Do you want
me to pass them out? These are reproductions from the auditor's
office at the Johnson County Courthouse and the area that I have
circled or highlighted in yellow constitutes a blighted area of at least
four deteriorated buildings. It's directly south of the Emerson Point
site. You'll notice Rohert Road running east and west just above the
highlighted area. This map that I'm going to pass out now will show
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you the two Emerson Point site lots and the relationship of the first
map which would be just south of the second map.
Champion: This is Rohert Road up here?
Bums: Yes. If you look at the first map and the second map you can see the
highlighted area they show as white areas. They are the white...they
are the roofs of the buildings and there is a barn that is hidden because
of the trees. But, I did take photographs this afternoon and had them
developed so that you could get a picture of what they looked like. I
have a letter that will give you a legal description expanding the
enterprise zone area and an explanation of how it meets the blighted
characteristics and it specifically requests that you reconsider utilizing
the enterprise zone in light of this new information.
Champion: Thank you.
Bums: We'd be glad to answer any questions, either Alaina or myself. Thank
you very much.
Lehman: Thank you, Bob.
Voparil: Motion to accept correspondence.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: Second by Vanderhoefto accept correspondence. All in favor? [All
ayes]. Opposed? Motion carries.
James Thomas: Good evening. My name is James Thomas 131 North First Avenue
and I've lived in this community for 18 years. And for the last couple
of weeks I've been sort of troubled with what I've seen and what I've
heard coming from this Council primarily because it's reminiscent of
things that happened years and years and years ago for me in the
South. And rather than talk about that I just want to share this with
you. One of my heroes once said, "If you continue to think, if you
continue to think the way you've always thought you bound to get
what you've always got." The question which you've got to ask
yourselves is if that's good enough. Is it good enough in terms of
looking and sort of closing one's mind to opportunity to change the
status of a small, but significant, part of this population? The other
part that I'm having trouble with is understanding what a definition is
of public servant and public service administrators means when my
thinking loosely of a public servant of public service is one that
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operates to construct the will or can'y out the will of the people. And
is that body in fact doing that when it is so difficult just for some
people to get an audience to even be heard. Another question I raise
because there's only one minority member of the Council and because
of his critical role on the Council there's a constituency that he
represents and his area, his district that has absolutely no way, no
voice because of that involvement. And it's something that should be
considered from the standpoint of where does one then pose the
question when it is absolutely not possible which is understandable the
Councilman Wilbum cannot speak when there are issues that pertain to
decisions that he has to make as a Councilman. But, we know how all
of the other Council people vote and feel on issues because you've
made it really plain and clear. And I would like to know Mr. Wilbum
how you process the activities surrounding the community (can't hear)
block grant and if we can't dialogue here at some other time because
the voters need to know. I was at the work study meeting last night
and quite frankly it was an abomination. And it was disappointing to
think that an offer to be heard along with Staffon the issue with
Emerson - and I have no attachment with Emerson - was promised and
that promise was not kept. And then Mr. Mayor you read from 403.17
about blight and that Iowa City does not want to entertain something
that's going to designate an area blighted, but yet still on the agenda is
Lower Muscatine and Industrial Park which is an urban renewal
project. And a Councilman said last night well they're very different.
They're different because they operate under different aspects of
Federal and State law. But, if you permit me to read urban renewal, I
want to share something with you.
Lehman: Mr. Thomas we know that and you're time is about up and I would
hate to have your time wasted reading.
Thomas: Well, may I just have one minute?
Lehman: Sure, go right ahead.
Thomas: Thank you. Well we know that the definition of blight, but in looking
at urban renewal, urban renewal area means a slum area, blighted area,
economic development area or a combination of areas where the local
governing body designates an appropriate...as appropriate for an urban
renewal project. That's 403.23. 24? Urban renewal plan means a
plan for the development, redevelopment, improvement or
rehabilitation ora designated urban renewal area as it exists from time
to time. The plan shall meet the following requirements. I won't read
those, but they come out of the same definition of enterprise zone that
pertains to blight and economic development process called enterprise
zone. Urban renewal comes out of the same definition.
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Pfab: Mr. Thomas?
Thomas: Yes.
Pfab: I believe Councilman Wilbum wanted to respond and I don't think he
got his cue. Is that correct or not?
Wilbum: Actually, I was just curious, were you referring to my not being able to
speak because of the conflict of interest I have with....okay. I just
wanted to clarify what he was saying.
Thomas: Yes sir. And no disrespect, but just the fact that it must be a very
difficult position for you to be in.
Wilburn: It's frustrating at time for you may refer to my status as an African
American, but also has a human services professional, it can be
frustrating at times to not be able to have input into something because
I'm...the organization I'm with is also an applicant and yes that is
frustrating.
Thomas: Thank you for your time.
Lehman: Thank you.
Kanner: Mr. Thomas, please feel free to comment later at our agenda items on
urban renewal.
Thomas: Thank you.
Lehman: Anyone else wish to address the Council during public discussion?
Sarah Walls: My name is Sarah Walls. I live at 1830 Morningside Drive. I'm here
on behalf of friends of Hickory Hill Park. You received a letter asking
us...asking you to ask us to your agenda. So, I'm here requesting that
we be added to the agenda of the next meeting. In the letter that we
sent we talked about how over the course of the next 12 months we're
going to be doing some fundraising through grant writing and other
means and that we're in negotiation with land owners around the park
to see if we can purchase land. And our goad is that if any land that
we would purchase we would want to donate to the City to have
designated as official parkland. So, I'm just here to request.
Lehman: Were you asking that we support your REAP grant proposal?
Walls: That as well, yes.
Lehman: We talked about that last night and it is going to be on the agenda.
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Walls: Okay. And just one other thing I wanted to first thank the City
Council for the trail work that is being done. I walk in the park every
morning and I've bumped into quite a few people - in fact I bumped
into one woman this morning that said she didn't think she would like
this trail, but she finds herself really loving it. So, I do think that it
makes the park accessible to a lot of people that maybe couldn't make
it through the park anyways and as an environmentalist I think that's
very important. And I also wanted to let you know about two
upcoming events real briefly. The first one is on June 1st and Friends
of Hickory Hill Park will be hosting - if you can call it hosting - an
event to pull garlic mustard. And as I was on my way in, not even a
block from here I found this - if people are watching - you may have
this in your flower beds if you live along the stream, the creek. You
probably have it in your backyard if you live on some of the sorority
houses on Washington your yard is full of it. And this is an invasive
species from Europe that's crowding out native wild flowers and it is
really a bear to get rid of especially by natural means. But, that's what
we're going to be doing out in the park on June 1st from 8:00 in the
morning until noon. And anybody who volunteers will get a free copy
of Mark Mueller's guide to woodland plants. And then on June 5th
we're going to have another event that we're cosponsoring with
Environmental Advocates it's at 7:00 in the evening on June 5th and
it's an event that a man named Dr. Kamar (can't hear) who works up
in Cedar Falls and Waterloo an integrated pest management for city
parks to reduce spraying both for the health benefits by reducing
spraying and to save the city and other agencies money. So that might
be something that you all will want to come to. Anyway. Thank you.
Lehman: Thank you, Sarah. Any other public discussion?
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#5c Page 17
ITEM NO. 5c PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 14-6K-2
OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE, FLOODPLAIN
MANAGEMENT, IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE
REQUIREMENT FOR FILL BEYOND THE AREA OF A
STRUCTURE, UPDATE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS AND
REFERENCES, AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEW FLOOD
INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Lehman: Item C: Consider an ordinance to amend Section 14-6K-2 of the
Zoning Ordinance, Floodplain Management, in order to remove the
requirement for fill beyond the area ora structure, update various
definitions and references, and to acknowledge the new Flood
Insurance Rate Map. First Consideration.
Wilburn: First consideration.
Lehman: Moved by Ross Wilburu.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Kanner: I've thought about this and although it's a little thing I think I'm going
to vote no because I feel that we have to do all we can to discourage
building in flood plains. I think that leads to a lot of environmental
damage in the long run as we saw in the '93 flood and I feel that we
need to make it difficult when you're building or adding on in flood
zone plains like this.
Wilbum: And I'll support it. I think some of the neighbors in this particular area
and one particular house where this came up they were looking to add
a deck, I believe. Is that correct, Steve?
Atkins: Yes.
Wilbum: Yeah, they were looking to add a deck onto their existing home. And
so just in terms of...I believe this also puts it consistent with State and
Federal regs. I think just to support that. To support some of the
neighbors and what they want to do with their home. I fully support
this.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 6-1. Karmer voting the
negative.
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#5g Page 18
ITEM NO. 5g CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CLEAR
CREEK MASTER PLAN MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING
(Side 2, Tape #02-49)
Lehman: Item g: Consider a resolution endorsing the Clear Creek Master Plan
Memorandum of Understanding.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Kanner: I think there are some things mirrored in here, but it's clear that
construction and upon completion date of our close to 2 million dollar
commitment is set for fiscal year '03 as mentioned in this
memorandum of understanding. There is...there's a chart here and I
think that we've been told all along that at first this was in the
unfunded years, but it's being pushed up tremendously. Here's the
chart that lists the schedule that's part of the memorandum for
understanding and the purple part down here talks about completion
date and ribbon cutting actually. This is in 2003. We have severe
budget short falls we're being told and I don't think this should be a
priority at this time. There's some things that need further public
discussion and because of that and the extreme cost of this - close to 2
million - and question of whether or not we'll even make that back in
additional tax revenue from the future 3,000 plus units that are being
planned there. Because of all that I'm going to vote no against this
and hopefully we'll consider this at a later time.
Vanderhoef: Eleanor, it was my understanding last night that until we sign the 28-E
agreement that that date is not written in stone that this is an intent, but
not necessarily to that timeline. Is that correct?
Dilkes: This resolution endorses a plan. Additional legislative action will be
necessary to bind you.
Lehman: Irvin.
Pfab: I can't understand why the plan can't be more timed to what we
discussed when it was first brought to us. If it's anything why don't
we just.., if we can move everything around, why don't we just
approve a blank sheet of paper if we can move everything around. I
believe that this is a way to commit the City in a way that we as
Council have decided we didn't want to do, especially in the
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#5g Page 19
timeframe. That's the general part. The other part is there's some
grandiose ways of how this is a partnership, but I'll tell you the City
sure comes out on the short end of the stick of this partnership.
Kanner: Dee, would you accept an amendment then to remove this if you say...
Vanderhoef: Remove the timeline?
Kanner: Yeah.
Vanderhoef: Uh huh.
Kanner: Okay. Do you want to offer an amendment then for that?
Vanderhoef: Go ahead.
Karmer: Well, I'll offer an amendment that attachment J timeline be removed
from the memorandum of understanding.
Lehman: Is there a second to that amendment?
Pfab: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Mr. Pfab. Discussion of the amendment? Mr. Siders is
here from Southgate who is making this proposal. Would you care to
speak to this because my understanding or... my understanding is that
this memo is an indication from the City that we concur in the concept
for this 462 acre piece of property? That we do not necessary concur
with the details, but that the overall concept is acceptable.
Teresa Morrow: I'm Teresa Morrow. I'm with Southgate Development. And I think
you're absolutely right. We left the timeline the same as it was
originally submitted. It's already been passed by the City of
Coralville. Our understanding was specific timing would be handled
in the 28E agreement. That you would discuss with yourselves and the
City of Coralville.
Champion: We're not obligated to that timeline if we approve this.
Lehman: We don't have an obligation to the timeline anyway.
Morrow: No. Our understanding is the funding would be in fiscal '05.
Champion: Sure.
Pfab: Why isn't that...why didn't you change that before you came to us?
Champion: Why?
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#Sg Page 20
Morrow: There were so many things that were going to be more detailed and
more understood in the 28E that we didn't see any reason to go back
and change the memorandum of understanding.
Pfab: Well, why didn't you make it less detailed if it was just a
memorandum of understanding? I mean there's a lot of details in here
that in a sense you start walking the City down the path and you'll
come back to us and say well you agreed to this and this has been done
before. And we've been burned.
Lehman: Irvin let me speak to that issue for just a moment. We get criticized
forever for accepting plans with no details and vague concepts. I
appreciate very much the detail and the incredible amount of work that
you folks have put into this project. This is a 462 acre project
completely planned prior to turning the first spade or pushing the first
shovel or whatever. We have never seen anything like this. And I am
very proud to be in a community where something like this can be
developed. And I applaud the details that you have knowing full well
they all have to be approved later with future agreements with the
City, but I thank you for those details showing us what a truly
worthwhile project this could be.
Pfab: But then...okay. May I speak?
Lehman: Go right ahead.
Pfab: But then why do we call it a concept plan when it's a detailed plan?
You know it's one or the other, but I don't know if we can have it both
at the same time. When it's convenient it's called...when it's
convenient to move maybe not in the City's best wishes it's a concept
plan, but when it's against the City's best interest then it's a detailed
plan.
O'Donnell: I don't know whether it's a detailed concept, Irvin. I support the plan.
Pfab: I do too, but...
O'Donnell: It's a great plan. I think it's visionary. I think it accomplishes things
that need to be accomplished. Deer Creek Road is a very dangerous
road and we have many young people traveling on this road on a daily
basis. This allows an opportunity, and a joint opportunity between
Coralville, Iowa City and the developer, and I believe that our costs to
this is going to be 15% as well as Coralville's. This is an opportunity
to do a needy joint project and correct some very, very dangerous
roads and I look at it as a wonderful opportunity to develop a great
area. I think it's very well planned out.
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#5g Page 21
Morrow: Thank you.
Champion: I agree with you, Mike and we're agreeing to a concept. You know a
detailed concept I'll agree with that, but I think it's a good one and I'm
not going to...I'm not going to not vote for it because it's got some
date I don't like because you know we have to decide that date later.
Lehman: Well, the amendment is to remove the date from the plan. What's
your...do you have a feeling on that one one way or the other?
Morrow: We don't...that wouldn't really make any difference. We assume that
that date would be in the 28E agreement anyway and we've already
suggested that it be in the '05 fiscal year so that doesn't make any
difference to us.
Lehman: I don't see that it's relevant.
O'Donnell: I don't see any need to remove it.
Lehman: Thank you, Terry.
Vanderhoefi I just want to clarify one thing you said our cost is 15%; it's not of the
whole project. 15% of the road.
O'Donnell: Offthe road.
Vanderhoef: I didn't want anybody to think we're doing the whole thing.
O'Donnell: Dee, I knew you knew that.
Vanderhoef: Oh gosh.
Lehman: Good. Further discussion of the amendment to remove the date - the
flow chart with the dates on it. All in favor of the amendment to
remove the date chart raise their right hand. Well we're going to have
a 5-2 vote and the amendment passes. The date chart will be removed
although it appears it doesn't really make any difference. All right
discussion of the motion as amended.
Vanderhoef: Well, I too just echo what others have said up here this is a wonderful
opportunity for a collaboration with our sister city. It is a wonderful
collaboration with a developer who has worked very hard to bring
something that will enhance our City and also give us some growth in
our commercial as well as our housing. So, I fully plan to support this
as we go through the process.
Pfab: (can't hear). Okay. As long as when we come to the 28E agreement
we start with a blank sheet and we don't come back and say but we
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#5g Page 22
approved it here or we approved this in the concept plan I'm for it. I
think it's a great plan, but I want to start even when we start working
on the 28E.
Lehman: Well, I think it's fair to say that when we start on the 28E agreement
we aren't staring from scratch. We are saying here that we agree with
the concept. Now there may be details that we are not going to worry
about needing to be changed, but overall we are saying that this
concept plan is agreeable to us.
Pfab: I think it's a great plan. Yeah. That's why I'm voting for it.
Lehman: Okay.
Pfab: But, at the same time I don't wish to be reminded that we already
voted for it and it's a detail in here.
Champion: We'll vote for it, Irvin.
Kanner: I'm not sure...I think I'm going to vote for this because the timeline
was taken out and pushing it back...my hope is that we'll push it back
to at least 2005 if not further back so I think that's a good thing to push
it back that far. So thank you for agreeing to put that 2005 at the
earliest. It seems to be the agreement and I appreciate that and we can
work with that. I am leery about the cost - it's close to 2 million. My
understanding for just the road structure that we're being committed
for not only 15% of one part, but 100% of further south - close to
100% is my understanding which adds up to 1.946 million dollars of
the 6.739 million dollar cost. I don't think includes all the
infrastructure either. So it will be more cost. And there's always the
question that I brought up before are we going to get our dollars back
for all the services we provide. Most studies show that we don't
usually get that back. And...but we can fill in the details later as
you're saying, Ernie. I'll hold you to that.
Lehman: Well, the details will get filled in later. There's not question about
that.
Kanner: Well...
Lehman: This funding proposal applies - and you're right, Steven - it applies
only to the road. There is no other portion of it. But, I think that the
memorandum does go into sewer and water and those sort of things.
But, I think that this is a kind of a brilliant way...well one of the
biggest problems that cities have is when things occur and they say
why didn't you plan this, why didn't you plan that. Here is a puzzle
with all of the pieces in place and we know what we can reasonable
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#5g Page 23
expect to occur there. I think that's a real benefit to the City, to the
developer, and to people to potentially would want to build there. Roll
call. Thank you 7-0.
O'Donnell: When did that happen last?
Lehman: I don't know.
Kanner: Our previous vote.
O'Donnell: That's right.
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#6b Page 24
ITEM NO. 6b EXECUTION OF THE IOWA CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
AMENDED SECTION 8 ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN TO
INCLUDE HOMEOWNERSHIP. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
ADOPTING AND AUTHORIZING
Lehman: Do we have a motion?
O'Donnell: So moved.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. Discussion?
Kanner: This is a program I've been waiting for for a couple of years since the
Feds announced this and I look forward to people getting Section 8
vouchers being able to pumhase homes in the community in Iowa City
and the surrounding area.
Lehman: I think this is huge because in the past Section 8 vouchers have been
used available only for rental assistance. This program will enable
folks who were receiving Section 8 vouchers if they are otherwise
qualify to use that Section 8 voucher money as payment on a
mortgage. And with the...this is limited to no more than 3% which is
presently have 1,086 Section 8 vouchers, no more than 3% of those
can be converted in any given year to home ownership, but this is, I
think, a marvelous opportunity for folks who are presently using
assistance for rental property to be able to, in fact, own their own
property. This is a huge step for HUD. Other discussion? Roll call.
Motion can'ies.
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#8a Page 25
ITEM NO. 8a THE CITY'S INTENT TO PROCEED WITH AND
AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS
FOR THE MORMON TREK BOULEVARD EXTENSION
PROJECT.
PUBLIC HEARING
Lehman: Item 8 is the City's intent to proceed with and authorizing the
acquisition of property rights for the Mormon Trek Boulevard
extension project. This is a public hearing. Public heating is open. If
you wish to address the Council, give your name, address, and limit
your comments to five minutes or less.
George Dane: Guess you want a new sticker thing on here don't ya? George Dane.
715 Benton Court. There is some material that I don't know if it got
handed out to you or not.
Lehman: Yes, George we have it.
Dane: What I'm going to say is very close to what was in your packet, but
it's a little bit different and I gave you a map so you can follow along
with it if you so like. First of all I just want to say that I got thinking
back over the last three years or so and the discussions of the
Southside arterial came up and I realized how far we've come and how
much has been done. And I want to express our appreciation for the
work and consideration or both the P & Z and the Council and we
really do thank you. These remarks tonight are focused not on the
alignment. I wanted to be more specifically on how Mormon Trek
extension will connect with Dane Road. We're concerned about time,
distance and safety. Now if you'll look at map one which I think you
probably have a copy of it marked. You will see a black triangular
piece near the middle of the bottom of the page with an orange or
maybe it's more brown as it came out line next to it. Now this was the
original proposed extension connection with Dane Road. You are well
aware that north end of Dane Road will be closed when the airport
extends this north-east, south-west 624 runway. Now this means our
access to Highway 1 in Iowa City instead of following the blue line
some 3/10 of a mile, will take that round about more brown than
orange route. The majority of traffic and visitors to our homes and
farms comes from Iowa City. They will have to travel southwest on
Highway 1, then come southeast on Mormon Trek, then back north on
what will then be a dead end of Dane Road. Very little of our traffic
comes from the south. It occurred to me that there ought to be a better
and more efficient way and direct way to connect us with the Mormon
Trek extension and Highway 1. Now if you turn to map 2, you'll see
there are two possibilities. Option A goes directly west from the
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meeting of May 21, 2002
#8a Page 26
mailboxes at the end of John Dane Lane, follows the fence which is
the boundary line between the John Dane and the Davis properties and
finally curves southwest at an appropriate place to connect with
Mormon Trek at a right angle. This would serve and give access to
both Davis and the Dane tracks. Option B is somewhat similar, but it
is not direct. It has two right angle tums, connects with Dane Road at
or near the top of a hill and accesses only the Dane/Davis property.
We're concerned about how much of the hill would be destroyed in
order to obtain safe sight distances at the upper comer of B and to
match its grade with Dane Road. Both option A and option B are
shorter than the temporary access the airport was obligated to build.
The need and expense for that temporary access was eliminated by the
accelerated construction of the Mormon Trek extension. The
governing factors for options are three. First, what will be the final
grades for this area after the Mormon Trek extension is built. Second,
is how the adjacent properties are served and the third is safety.
Winters in Iowa are known to produce a lot of snow. The final
alignment and grading should be such that the accumulation of snow
will be minimized. Until the surrounding areas are developed, the
Dane homes and the farm will be alone at the end of dead end road.
Presently, the county does a good job of keeping Dane Road open and
the plows pass by frequently. Whether this same level of service will
be available after the extension is built is a matter of conjecture. I can
envision someone coming from town at night, getting stuck and
stranded and it is too far to walk to the farm in a storm. We know the
snow pattern for the present route. We have equipment and snow
fences to cope with that problem. To be exposed and to have to travel
a great distance than we do presently over terrain we do not control
with the possibility of two right angle comers would be hazardous.
We are concerned about the response times of emergency vehicles.
Ninety degree comers slow response times and trap snow. Your
attention to these safety factors as you make the final selection will be
appreciated. Our preference is option A which comes directly west
from the John Dane Lane which serve both the Dane and Davis
properties and maybe some others. It also has the gentlest slopes and
is the safest. Our traditional traffic pattern and access to our homes
and farm is being taken away. Ail we ask is that is what we get back
will be as close as possible to what we are losing. If you have any
questions, give me a call 354-3901. Anybody have any questions?
Pfab: Is there any figures as cost of the construction on either map one or
option A?
Dane: I have no cost and I don't know whether they have been computed.
The only cost...I'm not even sure there was a cost one time for the
temporary arterial or the temporary bypass road.
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#Sa Page 27
Pfab: Are you saying...where are you saying that the cost would be
reduced? What...you're presenting the positive points o£your plan
and I think you're doing reasonable good, John. And I should say
George (can't hear). But anyway, if you don't know the cost if it goes
to option A, but you were saying that there are savings by going with
option A. What were those savings?
Dane: Savings to go to both option A and option B over what originally the
airport had to build.
Pfab: Right. But, not over...
Dane: But, I don't make a cost comparison between A and B.
Pfab: This looks like an awful simple way to solve a lot of problems and that
what's I'm saying is try to sell me or sell the other people that make
this decision on why we want the rest of this stuff in here.
Champion: Well, they have access. That's why they want it.
Pfab: It looks to me like it makes them a lot more complicated, and I think
you're going to...
Dane: Which more complicated, Irvin?
P£ab: A, section A.
Dane: That's the most direct way to get us to the Highway 1 intersection.
Pfab: Right. It might be, but I think there...that you are...there's no
question that you're going to get this road is going to be beneficial to
you in the overall scheme of things. And I think it would appear to me
that this...the one that they are describing here would be a relatively
small inconvenience for the benefits that you receive.
Dane: It's the shortest way to the arterial, perhaps. But, a long way around
Robinhood's barn for us to get anyplace.
Pfab: Well, but you're on an arterial awfully fast, but you wouldn't be other
ways. And if another piece of road £or the County or the City to
const~ct and maintain.
Dane: Well, you wouldn't have to put that intersection in that I'm talking
about there that's...you wouldn't have to build that intersection. You
would delete that.
Pfab: Okay. Have you had any comments from the engineers? ! mean,
you've talked to a lot of people and what are the engineering people
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of May 21, 2002
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#8a Page 29
Vanderhoef: FAA on their part of the project typically pays 90% and we pay 10.
Pfab: But, this isn't their project (can't hear).
Vanderhoef: But, well we're going to have the money that they would have spent
on the temporary road.
Pfab: But my point is how do the numbers come out without... George is
telling me he doesn't have a cost of this road and at this point we don't
know where this is. Are we asked to make a decision on this now?
Lehman: We're talking about tonight you'll notice that option A and option B.
Option A the road is probably not quite twice as long as option B.
But, the topography is different and...
Pfab: What are we asking...what are we asked to do tonight?
Champion: It's a public hearing.
Lehman: Well, we're taking the proposed route as you see it on map number
two. The black portion is the proposed route of the arterial street.
Pfab: Okay.
Lehman: There is an intersection that where the word delete is that will would
go north at that point and service the Dane properties. The street
labeled B, if I'm not mistaken, is one that is envisioned will also be
built through the Davis property - actually wouldn't be quite bisecting
it, but it would go through that property.
JeffDavidson: Just to clarify a couple of things. What you're being asked to
authorize tonight is property acquisition that includes the alignment
that Mr. Dane has identified as alignment B on map 2 that is part that
was not what was initially went to the City Clerk's office. It was
subsequent to...what went to the City Clerk's office is this one map 1.
Subsequent to the alignment that Mr. Dane has labeled map 1 here a
determination was made that the intersection of the relocated Dane
Road just wasn't working. The...we were bringing the two ends in
which left an offset which was going to create a traffic problem.
That's when the decision was made to basically construct a new
alignment approximately of the same length as what we were now not
going to be constructing and that is what Mr. Dane has identified as
alignment B. We are in the process of incorporating that into our cost
estimates subject to you telling us you are interested in another
alignment.
Champion: Thank you.
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meeting of May 21, 2002
#8a Page 30
Davidson: What we don't have any cost estimate for the alignment that Mr. Dane
has identified as option A and I guess you can say has been advocating
for. We have no cost estimate for that. That is a road that in our
discussions with the Danes and the Davis could very well be built.
Right now we're projecting that to be built through the private
development process. The road that Mr. Dane has identified as
alignment B we would build as part of the relocation of Dane Road.
Lehman: Jeff, one question for you on this map 2 where it shows the word
delete is it at the original proposal...
Davidson: Which map are you on, Emie? Oh, okay right.
Lehman: Map number 2.
Davidson: Yeah.
Lehman: Are we...the proposal we're talking about does not have an
intersection between Dane Road and Mormon Trek?
Davidson: Well, the intersection would be along the alignment B alignment. That
would be only one. Where the delete is there that would come down
in some form and cul-de-sac or have some kind of turn around that the
fire department could use.
Lehman: But, would not be an intersection?
Davidson: That would not be an intersection there, no.
Lehman: So the word delete is correct on the intersection?
Davidson: That is correct. And basically where that new alignment intersects and
then where Dane Road comes up from the south would give us an off-
set of about 400 feet which is like a city block and would be a much
cleaner situation design wise.
Pfab: You're saying B is a much cleaner?
Davidson: B is, yes. A would be too from that standpoint, but what we're asking
you to authorize tonight is the alignment what Mr. Dane has identified
as option B.
Pfab: And Mr. Dane is saying don't do it, do A?
Lehman: Right.
Davidson: I believe that is what Mr. Dane is asking.
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Kanner: What I hear is that he wasn't aware that option B was now the City
preference and he was advocating either one it seems like with a
heavier preference towards A, but he apparently didn't know that B is
now the City preference.
Davidson: I believe that Mr. Dane is aware that B is what the City proposal is
right now, is that right George?
Dane: B is what is on the City map at the present time. It is the shorter of the
new construction, but also you have to remember the north leg of that
would also be a street or something - it would still be maintained and
would eventually be a street or something and it would have to be
plowed. It would have to have the cost and the maintenance on it and
everything else. So, while the east-west section of B is shorter in
construction think the total length of road that the City would be
responsible for is both legs of B and so that's...you might end up with
more to look after.
Pfab: So, you're saying ifA was chosen all the yellow on map 2 would not
have to be done.
Dane: We don't need it.
Pfab: Okay. And that brings up one other question - I think it was answered
but I'm not sure - would there be no intersection work done where it
says delete now. Would that just be road?
Dane: That won't be there.
Pfab: No intersection for any other reason?
Dane: No you won't have that intersection, you won't have that cost.
Pfab: Okay. So, what about the road going south then?
Dane: That's off the map there is a connection coming from the south which
is one half of that intersection.
Pfab: So, it's still a half an intersection.
Dane: Yeah, still a half an intersection.
Pfab: Okay. This says...okay.
Dane: But, you don't...you have the south half of it to get onto...people
getting on the south to get onto the arterial. You know. But, you don't
have the north half where it says delete.
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Pfab: I see it.
Dane: See? So what money you were going to spend on that you can spend
on someplace else. Okay.
Pfab: I guess I would like to know a little more numbers and take another...
Lehman: Well, let's get some more input here at the public hearing and then we
Dane: Well like I say when you get to the engineering then you can get that.
Dilkes: I need to clarify one thing if you'll recall when we set the public
heating required by the State code to give notice to all those property
owners from whom we may be acquiring property. If you change to A
which requires an acquisition from the Danes as well as the Davis
family we're going to have to renotice that. And we're going to have
to defer this resolution.
Lehman: Right. Okay. Thank you.
Champion: Jeff, I'd like to ask a quick question. You see A as being completed as
that area develops is that correct?
Davidson: In our discussions, Connie, we've stated that it is certainly possible. It
looked like an alignment that might make some sense. We would need
to evaluate it with the development proposal.
Champion: Sure. Right. Okay.
Lehman: Thanks, Jeff.
Pfab: And also, Jeff is that an intersection of A and Mormon Trek, I guess, is
that a...how close is that to a 100% ideal location...intersection.
Davidson: When we look at that intersection, Irvin, as I said we'd want to
evaluate it with the development plan, but what our...what we would
try to do there is a couple of things: pull it back as far as we could
from the big intersection there with Highway 1 which it looks like it's
back about 400 feet which is pretty good.
Pfab: Is that pretty good?
Davidson: That's pretty good, yeah. And the other thing we would want to do is
across the street align it with the driveway that would access both the
Rock's Roadhouse property and the Davis property as well. So, that
we'd have a nice, clean 90 degree intersection there.
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Pfab: So, there's no construction negatives by having that intersection.
Davidson: At this very preliminary point no there's not.
Pfab: Right. Not that you're aware of.
Lehman: Thanks, Jeff.
John Dane: My name is John Dane. I live at 4082 Dane Road SE, Iowa City.
You've heard some comments from my brother about the location of
an access road connecting to Dane Road Southeast to accommodate
the George Dane and might say Francis and Janet Driscoll residents
and John Dane residences. I'd like to throw a wrench in the works and
point out that we have a perfectly good access road fight now which is
heavily traveled and connects with Highway 1 at a wide, open and
well established T-intersection. That is Dane Road Southeast and I
submit that it should remain open to through traffic and not be forced
to close by the Iowa City airport. There are two ways which this could
be done. The first way is to maintain the runways in their present
configuration and not allow them to be extended. These airport
runways do accommodate most general aviation aircraft in most
weather conditions in their existing lengths. But, the best way to keep
Dane Road open is to close the Iowa City airport. I submit that it has
outlived it usefulness and should be shut down as soon as possible. It
is really sad to think about doing this because the airport has a long
history of benefit to the community. Iowa City was a main stop of the
original trans-continental airmail route. I remember as a boy seeing
the gigantic search light at the airport waving to and fro so that and
overdue pilot could land safely. This gave way to a main stop for the
United Airlines at the Iowa City airport and the big steel hanger that is
still down there and the ticket office was built. It was a great sight to
see the big United th-motor taxi inside the hanger and the passenger
disembark under shelter. The airport was expanded and the runways
paved during World War II and Paul Shawl had a civilian pilot training
program using over twenty plans for quite some time down there.
After the war the new municipal terminal was built even with a
restaurant upstairs. United gave way to Ozark and the airport
remained busy with many veterans learning to fly on the GI bill.
When Ozark decided to fly all jets, Iowa City lost its commercial
airline service and it never will return. The airport then became a
general aviation airport used by private pilots and business aircraft.
Business was good for awhile, but it has been steadily declining. PNS
Air, the fixed base operator in recent years, could not survive and they
left owing the airport a lot of money. Then came September 11 which
has changed all our lives including general aviation. We've all seen
the increase security at large airports. And the FAA wants more
security at general aviation airports too. We have already seen one
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stolen Cessna crash into a building in Florida and the space agency is
very concerned about a private plane attack on the space shuttle.
Increasing regulations will be expense and difficult for private pilots
and airport operators. I think it's time for the Iowa City based private
pilots to pack up and take their planes to Cedar Rapids. If allowed to
expand to accommodate the few people and businesses that benefit the
airport the cost will continue to rise. If the airport is allowed to close
Dane Road, how long do you think it will be before they will want to
close Riverside Drive? The runway is immediately adjacent to that
four-lane highway. The City spent thousands of dollars at the request
of the airport to remove part of the north-south nmway 1735 to open a
street for commercial development. Have you seen any development
down there? No. I do not see it being used at all. The University
likes to have an airport close by, but is worded that a plane might hit
University Hospitals which is directly in the flight path of runway 35.
The FAA says it will fund the maintenance in only two of the three
existing runways and indeed 17 and 35 will be closed if624 is allowed '
to be extended. All pilots recognize the proximity of residential
developments and many will not take off over highly congested areas.
I think it's time to take a long, hard look at the Iowa City airport
before millions of dollars are spent in trying to sustain a dying
enterprise. When the benefit to the community is exceeded by the cost
to the public, I think it should be shut down. We need to concenO'ate
and support flying activities at regional airports and close the ones that
are money drain to smaller communities. Don't talk about relocating
the airport like you did a few years ago. Just close it and see what
kind of opportunities you will have in all that area down there.
Respectfully submitted, John Dane.
Champion: Thank you, John.
Lehman: Thank you, John.
Tom Williams: I am Tom Williams. 4146 Dane Road. I am the residents direct in
paths of this proposed street. I've lived there for an excess of 40 years,
worked the dirt with my family. I'm a third generation farmer. And
when they told me that yes, but the barn and the grain bin would stay I
stay that's just like an automobile without an engine. The rodents or
the vandals will take over. It is very difficult for me to even consider
what I have seen on the plat. And then I have attended most all of the
southwest corddor meetings which were several years ago. I tried to
attend all of the Mormon Trek extension meetings that I knew about. I
attended meetings that the staff called me in to talk with them, but not
one person asked me if they could survey it. So, the winter went
through...through the winter with cars driving in and out, heather and
skether, steel posts put in our crop field. Only one person asked and
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that was the person doing the ecological study. And we visited a little
bit and I figured he'd be there for an hour or so. He spent a week in
that field. Not only that, on the other end which is the Davis property I
see a tract going up across the hill about that deep - this is in March
and April - we have it rented for crop ground. Then I drive down to
my lane and I look at my yard and there's a stake - says core drilling.
I looked at that, I looked at my LP tank; I looked at my grain bin - yes,
that's where the LP line is. I go into my house, I look out there's
another stake - core drilling. Right there in my grass yard. I looked at
that, I look where my well is, I looked at my basement entrance, my
water line is there. I look out across the field there's stake after stake
after stake and there's a rut, at least that deep, all the way across. I call
this criminal trespass and they've done it without asking any
permission let alone the threat of dislocating me. I don't know what
other plan, but at the southwest corridor or program it was never
mentioned that this would be at this location. And at this time you had
other locations for this road. But, it was chosen by this Commission
that about a year ago when they gave the Staff the authority to locate
it, it was stated by somebody on this Commission that that's what
condemnation proceedings are for. So, that indicated to me that the
people, the land doesn't count and I thank you.
Kanner: Tom, your property is it the southwest of the airport?
Williams: Yes. I am southwest of the airport and I've been there for 40 plus
years.
Lehman: Anyone else like to speak to this issue?
Dilkes: If you want to keep open the option of alignment A.
Lehman: And we do not close public discussion.
Dilkes And you need to continue the public heating and defer the resolution
probably to July 2na because we're going to need a 30 day notice
period.
Lehman: Are there...well I guess need to poll ourselves. Are there four people
who would consider the option A as proposed by George Dane instead
of option B as proposed by the City? Option B is the one that we have
sent notices out for the public hearing. Option A would require the
setting of a new public hearing and that's no problem.
Dilkes: Well, technically, it's the option B was not the one at the time of the
public hearing. It's the one that has been changed with the approval of
the property owner as I understand it.
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Lehman: Oh okay, I'm sorry.
Dilkes: So, but same result.
Lehman: So, is there interest on the part of the majority of the Council to
consider option A as presented by George?
Pfab: I would like to see as many options as we have there and as of now
I'm not finding any objection- or I'm not aware of any objection to
doing that. Now, maybe there's something I'm missing hem, but it
looks to me it would be to our interest to look at what options we have.
And as a result keeping this open. So we can do that.
Vanderhoef: How soon would we have cost estimate...rough cost estimate for A
and B?
Davidson: That is something that if you would like to direct us to do that we can
direct our consultant to prepare that. We have not done anything
whatsoever with what's being called alignment A, so we'd have to
kind of...
Vanderhoef: Is B completed?
Davidson: Pardon?
Vanderhoef: Has B been completed? Cost estimate?
(End of tape #02-49, beginning of tape #02-50)
Kanner: We would have to identify the properties for the A option.
Lehman: Right.
Kanner: You haven't done that yet?
Davidson: There's two property owners there, Steven, and I mean if you...you
know, according to what George has put on the map it's fairly
straightforward we would give that to our consultant and say we want,
you know, basically Council has asked for some further information so
they can compare the two alternatives.
Kanner: Doesn't seem too difficult.
Vanderhoef: Can we proceed with the Mormon Trek piece of it.
Davidson: Yeah, I don't believe, Dee, that there's any...it doesn't change the
alignment of the arterial under either scenario.
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Vanderhoefi Right. So, we could go ahead and start our construction even if we
took a little bit longer time to at least investigate the A and B.
Davidson: Yeah. And remember this is not for this current construction season,
but for next year. We do have to go through the DOT letting process.
Is Ross here? Ross, are you aware with respect to the DOT letting
schedule if took another month or six weeks here to evaluate this
probably not a big deal is it? Okay.
Lehman: Jeff, let me ask you this. And you have obviously seen these maps.
Staff recommendation is the one that is presented to Council which is
B.
Davidson: Yes.
Lehman: That is the one that you and the engineers would recommend.
Davidson: It is the one that we are recommending, yes. If there is a majority of
Council that would like us to pursue...there are no fatal flaws
associated with alignment A other than the fact that it at least looks to
us, with very little analysis, like it would be more expensive. But, if
there is with respect actually engineering it and doing it there don't
look to be fatal flaws that would lead us to recolnmend against that
option. It's that what we tried to propose is something that we feel
works. We have worked it out with the property owner such that the
property owner is in agreement that it is a good option. That's why we
have presented it to you. The...as I stated earlier, the...what's being
called option A is one that we feel is realistic for the subsequent
redevelopment for that property, it's just we have considered that more
of something that the private sector would develop rather than the
public sector because it looks more expensive than what we're
proposing to you.
Kanner: Just like you were saying that to expect A to have been privately
developed. If we were to choose A as the road to go with, would you
expect then B option perhaps to be privately developed (can't hear)?
Davidson: Yes. There's something along that. You know the property owner has
indicated to us that the alignment B would work well with respect to
the subsequent redevelopment of that property. And remember we're
trying to accomplish both things here: put in a traffic facility that
serves the traffic in the area, but then also allows the adjacent property
to redevelop and go on the tax roles. So, the alignment B does do that
with respect to that parcel of property.
Wilbum: I'd be willing to take a look at a cost estimate.
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Champion: I would too since it won't really delay anything.
Vanderhoefi Uh huh. That I think it behooves us to at least take a look at cost.
Kanner: I'm in.
Lehman: You know the only thing that I see is option A if you enter option A
from Mormon Trek you have a dead end that goes all the way along
the north portion of that and all the way down to south of the Dane
property and I don't know how long that is, but that is a pretty good
length dead end road. If option B is not there that is a pretty long dead
end. Now we talk about...
Davidson: When you say dead end, Mr. Mayor, I mean it...one end would
terminate at the arterial and the other end would terminate at Dane
Road.
Lehman: No, but option A would not terminate at Mormon Trek. My
understanding is it would be...that intersection would be deleted.
Davidson: No, alignment A would have an intersection with Mormon Trek.
Lehman: On both ends?
Vanderhoef: Yeah, yeah.
Champion: (can't hear)
Davidson: No, just so ifI may hold up my diagram.
Lehman: Please do.
O'Donnell: Well, we're just going to have to (can't hear).
Davidson: It would be an intersection here with Mormon Trek.
Lehman: Right.
Davidson: Intersection here with Dane Road.
Lehman: Right, but then it goes...but there would be no intersection with Dane
Road and Mormon Trek.
Vanderhoef: That's right.
Davidson: That is correct.
Lehman: So, you have a very long stretch of road that is dead end.
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Davidson: No intersection. Oh, I see. You're talking about this stretch, right?
Lehman: That's right. It connects to option A and there is a significant length
there of dead end road.
Davidson: That is true although with alignment B there would simply be basically
a cul-de-sac extending from either end of the alignment B intersection
to a hammer head or something like that on either end of Dane Road.
Lehman: Both are significantly shorter.
Davidson: Yes.
Lehman: Than option A which is a very long dead end.
Davidson: Yeah as someone was just saying, I can't remember if it was Ross or
maybe it was Steven, that if the City were to build option A as
the...basically the way the Danes would have access to Mormon Trek
and lieu of what they have now, chances are that something along the
lines of aligmnent B would be constructed probably by the private
sector to provide access to the Davis property.
Lehman: Or vice versa.
Davidson: Yeah.
Vanderhoefi And it wouldn't necessarily intersect with Dane Road. It could be...
Davidson: It could. It would not necessarily that is true.
Lehman: It probably would.
Vanderhoefi It could be either way.
Davidson: It could just be an internal access road to serve the Davis property
that's true.
Vanderhoefi Depending on how the developer wanted it, but obviously that they
would get one...
Davidson: Yeah. Once the Danes have their access by one or the other, then the
developer is basically free to propose whatever they want and we
would all evaluate that like we do any development project.
Dane: Ernie's point that is a long dead end road...
Davidson: Right and he's talking about this being the dead end road, George.
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Vanderhoef: This piece would be dead ended.
Dane: If this is a long dead end road, this at the moment is a long dead end
road.
Davidson: Right from either direction.
Lehman: Well, folks. If...
Pfab: Before you go...
Lehman: What do you have, Irvin?
Pfab: Okay. My understanding was - now if this is...if you went to road...if
you went on option A it would end and there was no...Dane Road
would be gone?
Davidson: No, under option A there would be an intersection with Dane Road.
Pfab: I thought that's where they go into...that would be the access for the
Dane property.
Davidson: Yeah. Remember that the option A aligmnent would provide access to
both the Dane property to the north and the Davis property to the
south.
Kanner: Jeff...
Pfab: Right because it goes along it right?
Davidson: That's right it goes along the property line.
Pfab: So, there's...when it got to as I see the intersection here orA and Dane
Road it would dead end.
Lehman: No, it goes south.
Champion: It goes south.
Davidson: Dane Road would then go south, yes.
Pfab: Oh, it still has to go south. Oh, I'm not near as interested in that then.
Lehman: I'm not either.
Davidson: Steven, did you have something?
Kanner: If we went with option A and Dane Road would dead end on the south.
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Davidson: Yes.
Kanner: How far is it from that intersection of option A street Dane Road down
to the southern?
Davidson: It's hard to say exactly, Steven, but it looks like it's probably in the
range of 500 to 800 feet maybe. That's roughly two to three blocks
roughly. Would you say that's about right? Roughly
O'Donnell: How long, Jeff.
Kanner: Maybe a little bit more than a quarter mile or a little less than a quarter
mile.
Davidson: Around a quarter mile. Yeah, something like that. Mr. Mayor was
there a majority to have us do that cost estimate for option A?
Lehman: Well, folks I guess what my perception of this if we had cost estimates
on both of these projects right now - both option A and option B - in
my personal opinion there's one of those two options that is really
superior to the other and I feel that is B because there is not nearly as
much dead end space. Even though the convenience on A is certainly
better for George and John, the overall development of that property I
think would be facilitated more by the use of option B. And there's
also less dead end. Now if the Council wants to proceed with cost
estimates on A I think they need to be prepared to...if that's an option
that we're willing to accept then we go ahead and get the cost estimate,
but if it isn't an alignment that we're interested in why do we go to the
expense of getting the estimate?
Pfab: Okay. Okay just between you and...since we're both looking at the
map here, B is here up to here, but you say A comes in and goes down
to here.
Lehman: That's right. But, B is then gone.
Pfab: Okay, so you eliminate this, but I was thinking we eliminated this
yellow part here.
Lehman: No. He eliminated that.
O'Donnell: That's going to dead end, Irvin.
Lehman: That stays irregardless. The Dane Road has to (can't hear).
Pfab: What is...oh that's to get to here to this site. Is that why that road
comes...?
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O'Donnell: The road going south dead ends.
Pfab: But to...why is it that long?
Lehman: Because there will be a cul-de-sac or something built at the end of that
road.
Pfab: What does the road...what does it serve? Why is it there?
Lehman: It goes up to the Dane property. You can't get to their...
Pfab: No, no I'm sorry if it comes down this way.
Lehman: Well it's going to serve property on both sides of that road. Davis
property and Dane property.
Champion: Yeah.
Pfab: Okay.
Davidson: And that's an existing public street.
Lehman: It's an existing road, it's there now.
Pfab: But, it needs a tremendous amount of work in it right?
Davidson: Well, it's at an acceptable standard for what it serves right now.
Pfab: So, minimal work on that?
Davidson: Yes, I would imagine if we close it at the south end it would not
change unless the property redeveloped.
Kanner: Well, you say that's an existing street, but isn't the plan to take away
some of the existing street?
Davidson: The plan is only, Steven, to take away the access to the new arterial,
because we feel that it's not safe. But, the rest of the road could go
through a vacation proceeding. You see those all the time. Those are
typically initiated for a particular reason and if one was initiated for
this we'd entertain it. We don't feel the need to vacate it.
Lehman: So, the question is do we want to go through the process to determine
the cost of option A. Is that an option that we feel is worthy of our
consideration or are we more comfortable with B? If we want to do A
we will continue the public heating, renotify folks, get an estimate,
have a public hearing in July. But, I think we have to be prepared ifA
is not a reasonable option then I see no point in pursuing it. If it is
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then let's go forward.
Kanner: Well, let's find out if it's reasonable and let's get a cost estimate.
Lehman: You can see the aligmnent right now, do you find it reasonable?
Kanner: Well, I want to know the cost.
Lehman: Irregardless of cost, if you look at the amount of dead end, the amount
of area serviced, is that acceptable to you?
Kanner: I think it's acceptable...
Lehman: Okay that's fine, so we have one who'd like to go after this. How
many others would like to... ?
Karmer: Not necessarily that A would be the final option I want to determine
the cost analysis.
Davidson: We'll bring the pros and cons to each back to you if you direct us to do
that.
Lehman: Are there four people who would like to...?
Dilkes: We need a motion to continue the public hearing if that's what
somebody wants to do.
Lehman: Well, we need to do...if we have four people who wish to get the cost
estimate on A. If we do not we can close the public heating and
proceed.
Dilkes: Right.
Lehman: Are there four people who want to get cost estimates on A?
Wilburn: Yes.
Vanderhoef: Yes.
Lehman: We have one, two, three, four. Okay. Can I have motion to continue
the public hearing to...?
O'Donnell: So, moved.
Dilkes: July 2nd.
Lehman: ...to July 2ha. Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Wilbum. All in
favor? Opposed? Motion carries. We also need a motion to defer the
resolution.
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Champion: Move to defer.
Lehman: To July 2nd.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. Ail in favor?
Opposed? Motion carries.
Champion: Do we need to accept this correspondence?
Lehman: We will notify the property owners, get the estimates and continue the
public hearing on July 2nd.
O'Donnell: Do we need to accept correspondence?
Lehman: Do we need a motion to accept correspondence?
Voparil: Yes.
O'Donnell: I would love to move that.
Champion: I'll second that.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, second by Champion to accept correspondence.
All in favor? (All ayes). Opposed? Motion carries.
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# Item 9 Page 45
ITEM NO. 9 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN IOWA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
AGREEMENT FOR THE MORMON TREK BOULEVARD
PROJECT STP-U-3175(620)--70-52.
Lehman: Item 9: Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign and the
City Clerk to attest an Iowa Department of Transportation funding
agreement for the Mormon Trek Boulevard project.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Lehman: Moved by Champion.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Kanner: This is for number nine?
Lehman: project.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Lehman: Moved by Champion.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by O'Dormell. Discussion?
Karmer: This is for number nine?
Lehman: Yes.
Kanner: Yeah. Again I don't think it's needed. I think actually John had a
good idea. I think the best thing for economic development would be
to shut the airport. It's a drain on our economy. I have a letter from
the author of the study that was quoted in the paper - David Swinson -
saying that most of the money that the airport says the 17 million
that's impacting the economy is not necessarily from the airport per se,
but from ticket purchases and from cargo - airfreight cargo - that
comes in from other airports. I think its effect is minimal and it is time
to shut down the airport and we don't need Mormon Trek extension at
this time. We haven't had a clear picture that it's going to help traffic
and Federal money should be spent elsewhere.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call.
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# Item 9 Page 46
Pfab: I'm going to vote no. I think the airport is...shutting down the airport
is something we need to take a look at.
Lehman: Motion carries 5-2. Kanner and Pfab in the negative.
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# Items 10 & 11 Page 47
ITEM NO. 10 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FIXING TIME, DATE AND
PLACE FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY OF
$300.00 AGAINST THE SANCTUARY RESTAURANT AND
PUB.
Lehman: Item number 10 is revised (reads item) Do we have a motion?
Vanderhoef: Move to set the public hearing.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Wilbum: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Wilbum. All in favor. (All ayes) Opposed? Motion
carried.
ITEM NO. 11 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FIXING TIME, DATE AND
PLACE FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED CIVIL PENALTY OF
$300.00 AGAINST THE OLD MARKET PLACE.
Lehman: Item #11, also revised (reads item)
Dilkes: I am sorry...No. 10 was a resolution.
Champion: Yea, number 10 was a resolution
Pfab: Somebody is wrong...I don't know what's going on.
Lehman: Oh, I'm sorry, roll call on #10. Roll call on #10...
Pfab: Just a minute...we're voting on 107
Lehman: We're voting on number 10. It's been replaced
Pfab: So this is really 11 ?
Lehman: We are voting on 10 and 11 replaced on a hand out we got tonight.
Pfab: OK, I missed that.
Kanner: To set a public hearing instead of having the hearing tonight.
Dilkes: As we discussed last night, notice was not given properly so we are
tonight setting the hearing instead of holding the hearing.
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# Items 10 & 11 Page 48
Pfab: Sorry I got off that time.
Lehman: Roll call on number 10. Motion carries (all ayes). Item number 11
(reads item)
Vanderhoefi Move to set the public hearing.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Champion. Discussion. Roll call. (all ayes)
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#12 Page 49
ITEM NO. 12 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE
TITLE 10, "PUBLIC WAYS," CHAPTER 3, "COMMERCIAL
USE OF SIDEWALKS," SECTION 3, "USE OF SIDEWALK
CAFES" TO ALLOW SIDEWALK CAFES TO OPERATE
UNTIL 12:00 MIDNIGHT. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Lehman: Item number 12: Consider an ordinance amending the City Code Title
10, "Public Ways," Chapter 3, "Commercial Use of Sidewalks,"
Section 3, "Use of Sidewalk Cafes" to allow sidewalk cafes to operate
until 12:00 midnight. This is first consideration.
Champion: Move first consideration.
Pfab: Seconded.
Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Pfab. Discussion? I have a
question for you relative to... how many permits have.., how many
application for permits for sidewalk cafes have been taken out?
Voparil: There have been approximately about ten applications taken out.
However, we only know of three that are in the works right now. A lot
of time people take out papers and we never see them back again.
There currently are four sidewalk cafes that are permitted and there's
three pending. I know they're working on them right now.
Lehman: So we have four in place, three that are pending which if that's all we
get that will be seven outdoor bars...pardon outdoor cafes.
O'Donnell: Slip of the tongue.
Lehman: Obviously I have a problem with this. I think them is way too many
opportunities to over indulge the way it is, so I will not support this.
Other discussion?
Champion: There are a lot of opportunities. I don't think this is going to be one of
the major ones.
Lehman: Well we're making it easier.
Kanner: Julie, do you know if those three have alcohol licenses that are
pending, offhand?
Voparil: The three that are pending, yes they do all have alcohol licenses.
Champion: Great.
Lehman: They're bars.
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Julie: The four that we have right now, three of them have alcohol licenses.
One of them does not.
Wilburn: A question ifa Council Member knows I don't have the smart to flip
to it. The way it's currently written in order to stay open late there's
an item in there about the kitchen staying open.
Lehman: Right.
Wilbum: Okay.
Lehman: It has to stay open.
Wilbum: Is it within our power, Eleanor, to tie it to food being ordered. We had
a conversation at the work session about, you know, in other words if
you're out you can...is it possible to say you can keep it open to
midnight as long there's...that them are food orders being taken or is
that not with in?
Champion: That was our point of having the kitchen open.
Dilkes: I think the kitchen open it attempting to accomplish that. Yeah, I think
that you would have the power to do that. The issues I see about that
are enforceability.
Wilburn: Enforcement. Yeah. Okay. And I'm trying to remember, did we
include a sunset clause on this?
Dilkes: There is a sunset clause - December 2003 - and we moved it to that
point because we wanted it to coincide...we didn't want it in the
middle of a...it was our recommendation that it not be in the middle of
the season when these cafes are open.
Wilbum: Okay.
Vanderhoef: So, when is your start date? Not this summer, but the following
summer?
Dilkes: Whenever the ordinance readings are completed.
Vanderhoef: So we would have the better part of two years before it would sunset.
Lehman: Well, not really...
Dilkes: Well they're not open during the...
Lehman: Winter.
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Dilkes: You know, the winter.
Kanner: Two seasons essentially.
Vanderhoef: Pretty much two seasons.
Pfab: Following up on these questions, when can we expect in practical
terms that this permit...these people would be able to use this permit?
How soon...how much of a timeline before they can start doing this?
Dilkes: Once you give it third reading of the ordinance.
Pfab: So, it would go into effect immediately?
Champion: Yes.
Dilkes: It will upon publication, but pretty much immediately.
Pfab: So the next 30 days or 45 days.
Dilkes: Well, you got a meeting on June 11th and you've got a meeting on July
2nd. Unless you expedite, it would be July 2nd.
Pfab: Okay.
Wilburn: One final question, if...we talked about the sunsetting as an
opportunity to...there's a chance to create the opportunity, but to also
evaluate whether or not they were being abused in some of the
concerns that Emie had brought up. That we could be able to take a
look at this if we saw that there were some abuses occurring would it
just take another resolution to repeal.
Dilkes: It would take another ordinance. You don't have to wait until the time
it sunsets.
Wilbum: All right. In that case I'm willing to give it a try and we'll take a look
at...be willing to propose that repealing it. So if there's abuses of it.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. The motion passes 4-3. O'Donnell,
Lehman and Vanderhoef voting in the negative.
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ITEM NO. 14 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST TO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN CSHQA AND THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN OF
PHASE TWO OF THE VOICE SYSTEM UPGRADE.
Lehman: Okay. Item 14: Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign
and the City Clerk to attest to an agreement between CSHQA and the
City of Iowa City for consulting services for the design of phase two
of the voice system upgrade.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell. Seconded by Champion. Discussion?
Kanner: I had a couple of questions. One, why can't we do this consulting in
house with our folks in technology services. And two, again
it's...we've been told it's tough times for the budget; why not put this
off another year.
Atkins: First one is that in talking to our IT people, they felt far more
comfortable with having someone who has professional expertise in
the whole voice communication system and I deferred to their
judgment on that. Secondly, when we use the term internal service
funds what we have done and what this project will ultimately do is
create a new centralized telephone system and other information
systems within all the City properties. We currently have 21 sites
where we do City business: water plants, sewer plants, recreation
centers. At those 21 sites, we have apparently 16 different switching
mechanisms and 7 different manufacturers. Much of our equipment is
12 years old or older and our current costs to maintain our telephone
system - you're impressed that I know all of this stuff aren't you?
Champion: I am.
Atkins: They give me good notes. I'll admit to that. Our current costs for our
telephone voice services is $192,000 a year. With the implementation
of this plan that will be reduced to $56,000 a year. So what we have
done is over the last five or six years in effect in accumulating monies
for replacement of equipment. That's what the budget is that we spend
now monies we have...it's somewhat similar to a depreciation account
why we don't bring back each and every equipment purchase - we set
aside monies over. And we're also going to, I think, virtually all of
our equipment - all of our remote sites will be fiber connected through
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#14 Page 53
the whole City will be set up.
Lehman: This is consulting services, this is not the system?
Atkins: This is to pay the person to put the system together. The system in
itself is about a $600,000 expense when it's all said and done. We
expect to recoup our costs in four years or less.
Lehman: I was going to say $700,000 expense will be recouping approximately
$140,000 a year.
Atkins: And we do have the money set aside. What we would likely have to
do, for example, you have the authority you could take that account
put it somewhere else, but then we'd have nothing to replace our
equipment with and again it's a good bit of our telephone equipment is
12 years old.
Lehman: Okay. Other...
Pfab: Yes, a question. If we do this are we going to be upgrading to the
latest technology available?
Atkins: Absolutely. That's the intent, Irvin.
Pfab: And them is...you had mentioned, but you didn't say all will be fiber
optic.
Atkins: There's a couple remote locations that simply didn't justify the
expense given the kind of activity. But, the intent is to do...I asked the
word "all" is it everything and them was a couple and I have forgotten
which ones they were. We do have 350 telephones that we will
ultimately be replacing.
Pfab: So, you're saying everything will be fiber optic except where there is
just no way to justify it?
Atkins: Certain select ones, yeah.
Pfab: There's just no way to justify it.
Atkins: Yeah I think that's the best way to describe it and this fiber optic cable
is going to help us with our GIS systems and other services with fiber
are helpful to. But, it is a voice communication system we want a
centralized one vendor, one everything so it will be a lot easier for us
to maintain inventory replacement equipment too.
Kanner: So, fiber optics can you do video also along with the audio?
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Atkins: You know I knew somebody would ask me that and I...that isn't in my
notes.
Vanderhoefi Cheat sheet (can't hear).
Helling: No, I don't know the answer to that for sure it depends on how many
fibers are in the line, but certainly fiber is much more conducive to that
then a twisted pair which you use for most voice communications.
Atkins: And it was to help our GIS system so it got to believe, Steven, that that
capability is built into the system because that's mapping and it would
need some of it.
Champion: yeah.
Karmer: Thanks.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries.
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//15 Page 55
ITEM NO. 15 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING DISTRIBUTION
OF THE "PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS"
(PIN) GRANT FUNDS.
Lehman: Item number 15: Consider a resolution approving distribution of the
"Program for Improving Neighborhoods" These are the PIN grant
funds.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Vanderhoefi Second.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoefi
O'Donnell: S~conded by everybody.
Champion: Seconded by everybody.
Lehman: Everybody seconded. Discussion? Jerry.
Jerry Hansen: My name is Jerry Hansen and I'm chairman of Weatherby Friends and
Neighbors and I'm very proud to be here tonight representing the
neighborhood council in our annual asking for our funds for our
applications. And this year there was eight associations and 15
applications totaling over $46,000. And as you know the fund was cut
from 25 to 15, so the PIN grants this year were a very spirited process
and I think we arrived at some amicable solutions to things. And we
brought it down to six associations and nine applications for a total of
$18,500. And that extra $3500 comes from one P1N grant application
in the past that was not able to be done so it was put back into the pot.
We're going to go in the order I think that you have tonight you've got
Weatherby Friends and Neighbors, Northside, Longfellow,
Bluffwood-Momingside, Friendship and Weeber-Harlocke. So
Weatherby Friends and Neighbors first application is for Saturday
night drive-in for $600 and we had to up the ante a little bit this year
on these we're still going to have two of them. And the reason we had
to go up a bit was because our first one last year was about 100 people
and our second one was about 300 people and we're expecting even
more for these this year.
O'Donnell: Jerry, have you decided what movies you're going to show this year?
Hansen: Boy, you know, I got asked that last year too and nobody wanted to
come up with anything. So, but no we don't know.
O'Donnell: Okay.
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Hansen: Our next one is for Take-Back-The-Night which we did last year also
and that was a voluntary reduction in this one from $5,000 to $2500 to
get these applications in so everybody could have something. It's not
that we feel it's not needed, believe me. But, this will take us through
fall of this year and hopefully things will happen between now and
then that will make an even bigger difference in things. The last one
was for park benches for Weatherby Park and the benches that we
would like to see put out there are the same ones that are in College
Green - the kind of wrought iron with the wood slate deck. And those
are the three that we have. So, Northside will be next.
Champion: Thank you.
Lehman: Thank you, Jerry.
Champion: It was nice (can't hear) applications this year actually.
DeLayne Williamson: I'm DeLayne Williamson from 830 Ronalds Street and I'm
representing the Northside Neighborhood. We have two applications
pending approval tonight. The first project a Northside Neighborhood
packet contains information on City ordinances, bus routes, recycling,
local businesses and more to be distributed to residents of the
Northside. Work on this project has already begun and we've seen
support from many of the Northside businesses in the form of coupons
or discounts. By providing information to those who have recently
settled n our neighborhood as well as people who have lived there for
a long time and have either forgotten that services existed or never
knew that there were opportunities for them and resources available.
We hope to foster a sense of community and increase the support
network of the many diverse populations that live in our neighborhood
- elderly, young people who might be on their own for the first time,
or other disadvantaged people who might be in our neighborhood. The
second project - a neighborhood walking tour brochure promotes
awareness of the unique historic treasures on the Northside. This can
also serve as an educational tool for adults and child in architectural
history. This brochure has been successfully completed and
distributed in the past, but we feel it needs to be updated for
redistribution to neighborhood residents, local libraries, the convention
and visitors' bureau, schools, etc. Work on this project has also
already begun including solicitation of neighbors for ideas on new
properties to be included in this printing. On behalf of the Northside
Neighborhood thank you to the neighborhood council for
recommending these applications for approval.
Lehman: Thank you.
O'Donnell: Thank you.
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Michael Wright: Good evening. I'm Michael Wright from the Longfellow
Neighborhood, 815 Roosevelt Street. We have one proposal to present
this evening. That is for the completion ora split rail fence in the
Longfellow...along the Longfellow nature trail at the end of Grant
Street. This would actually complete a fence project that was started
last year. We ran out of money. We got 110 feet of fencing that we
were not able to get completed last year. The contractor that was
doing that was, I think, hopeful that we might be able to get funding
for it this year. He bought the remaining stock that we would need for
this at Payless Cashways going out of business sale.
Vanderhoef: Good for him.
Wright: So the result is that we're getting a really good deal on our fencing.
The request is for $770. He agreed to hold that for up to 7 months
until we could find a source of funding.
Champion: That's great.
Wright: This would be both a safety and an aesthetic value. It would enhance
the view that folks have going through the park and it would also as it
runs along the trail keep people from taking a tumble some of those
deep sections of the bank. Thank you for your consideration.
Lehman: Thank you.
Claire Whiteman: Good evening. I'm Claire Whiteman, 845 Cypress Court, representing
the Bluffwood neighborhood and my compatriot Rich Titus is here
representing the Momingside neighborhood. I'll speak and he can add
as needed. I'm here to represent the Hoover playground project.
Hoover Elementary School this year is beginning the replace
playground equipment due to both safety and accessibility issues. The
P1N grant funds that we're requesting are to help fund the poured in
place rubber surfacing which will go underneath and around onto the
play...the main play structure on our lower playground. You're
probably familiar with this surfacing from the project at the public
library. It's a type of surfacing that allows for maximum accessibility.
It's easy to walk on. It's easy to wheel a wheelchair on. You can
crawl on it. You can sit on it. It's the type of surface that a child
would love to be on. Whether they're able bodied or whether they
have a special need. Our belief is that all children benefit from a
playground with this type of accessibility because it really promotes
opportanities for integrated play between child with disabilities and
those who are able-bodied. And we're excited about the opportunity
that we think our playground will offer to not just our Hoover students,
but because this is a gathering area, for the five surrounding
neighborhoods we would offer it to them as well. And I think it will
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serve as a model for accessibility in the Iowa City area. So, we
appreciate you consideration. Thank you.
Champion: Thank you.
Lehman: This is in cooperation with the school district as well is it not?
Whiteman: It is. They are...
Lehman: They are a tremendous partnership.
Whiteman: They have made in-kind contributions already. In fact, I'd like to say
publicly that this has been in cooperation with many, many comers of
the whole Iowa City community who have really whole-heartedly
supported this project. It's been wonderful.
Kanner: I had a question also. I think it's a good project. A good
collaboration. If someone had a preschool child they were in home
with, could they come in the middle of the day to the school and use
that equipment?
Whiteman: Yes. Our principal has made it clear that she's more than happy to
welcome anyone who would like...any child who would like to be on
the playground.
Kanner: Great. Thank you.
Lehman: Good. Thank you.
Tess Judge-Ellis: Hi. My name is Tess Judge-Ellis and I live at 53 Norwood Cimle and
I represent the Friendship neighborhood association. Our PIN grant
application aims to enhance the Court Hill playground area. About
two to three years ago swing sets and a merry-go-round and a slide
were removed from the Court Hill Park due to age and some safety
concerns. A small to medium size climber is what remains. The PIN
grant will give the neighborhood an opportunity to partner with the
Park and Recreation Department to put in place a new four-place
swing set and we'd like to also put in two gliders. What is felt by the
neighborhood that swing sets were the most universal thing to begin
with right now. In addition we're going to tap into some of the
landscaping and gardening expertise in the volunteers we have in the
neighborhood and enhance some of the plantings around these areas.
So actually the whole neighborhood is looking forward to working
with the Park and Recs Department. Terry Tmeblood has been helpful
already on the project in helping us do some planning. We're also
looking forward to increasing the neighborhood ownership to the park
with some of ideas including a neighborhood day where we could put
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in some plantings and things like that. So, thanks already for you
support on these PIN grants and also for your consideration of this
one.
Lebanan: Thank you.
Champion: Thank you.
Vanderhoe£: Have you, by any chance, had any conversations with Project Green
about working with you on your design for the playground?
Judge-Ellis: The expert that we have in our neighborhood is in involved with
Project Green. So, not with the organization directly, but with their
folks that are experts there yes.
Vanderhoef: And they might also have some grant money available to assist with
that.
Judge-Ellis: That...we've gone through the grant application. That's one nice
thing you get to learn about other resources in the area. And we
haven't approached them about this right now, but it certainly is
something was brought up. So.
Vanderhoef: Good.
Judge-Ellis: Thanks.
Kanner: Tess, is any of that equipment, the swings or the glider, specifically
going to be designed to be accessible to children with disabilities?
Judge-Ellis: There are special...we hadn't designed it...no. At this point we don't
have like special seats that you can get on the swings for people with
disabilities. We hadn't earmarked that specifically.
Kanner: Do you plan to look into that? Or have you already picked out your
designs for that?
Judge-Ellis: We've picked it out, but we haven't committed ourselves to one
particular design.
Kanner: Will you consider that then?
Judge-Ellis: You know I think it is a consideration. It would be...the input that
we've had from the community when we've sent out our newsletters
and things haven't been from people with disabilities. They're not the
ones to come forth. Thankfully, our neighborhood is actually
contiguous with the Hoover School system, so that would be able to
take advantage of that. But, yes we'll consider it. Definitely.
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Kanner: There is a group that advocates for people with disabilities. And I ask
you to please talk with them. Johnson County Coalition for Persons
with Disability.
Judge-Ellis: Sure. Good idea. Thanks.
Kanner: And people (can't hear) in your neck of the woods. (Can't hear).
Judge-Ellis: Sounds good. Anything else?
Lehman: Thank you.
Marcia Klingaman: I'm Marcia Klingaman. I'm representing the Weeber-Harlocke
application for the planting of seed...well leveling about a half an acre
of parkland that is associated with the Southgate development that's
located on Harlocke Street. And the neighborhood has applied for
$1,995 to level the property and provide the park mixture grass seed
which is a higher quality that's normally required of developers when
they transfer property to the City. And then the neighborhood intends
to take care of it and make sure that the grass grows. This will
probably all happen sometime this fall after the apartment
development project is completed. Any questions?
Lehman: Very good. Thank you folks. Discussion from...I'm sorry. Go ahead,
Jerry.
Hansen: Emie, I'd just like, on behalf of the Neighborhood Council, to say
thank you for continuing this program. I don't know if you understand
how critical that this is becoming to neighborhoods. I mean this just
isn't a beautification effort. I mean it's a safety effort in
neighborhoods. These grants allow other monies to be leveraged.
They involve people in voluntarism. They, you know, it's a way to
draw people together in a society that is just continually being
fragmented. So, I hope at your earliest convenience this program can
be restored to full funding.
Pfab: Can I make a comment? I'd like to take this time to thank you, Jerry,
and a lot of other people a lot of work into doing this because and I
know you're personal...you personally and others are hoping to make
neighborhoods a lot safer and help develop networking amongst the
neighbors and neighborliness. I support you and I wish you well.
Hansen: Thank you.
O'Donnell: See you at the movies, Jen'y.
Champion: Yeah.
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Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM NO. 16 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ON UNCLASSIFIED SALARY
COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003 FOR THE CITY
MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, AND CITY CLERK AND
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR AND CITY
CLERK TO EXECUTE AMENDMENTS TO THE
CONTRACTS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY
ATTORNEY.
Lehman: Item 16: consider a resolution on unclassified salary compensation for
fiscal year 2003 for the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk
and authorizing and directing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
amendments to the contracts of the City Manager and city Attorney.
Vanderhoef: Move the resolution.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Kanner: I'd like to offer an amendment that I passed out. Proposed amendment
to fiscal year '03 salary compensation for the three Council employees
resolution. That the City Clerk, City Manager and City Attorney for
fiscal year '03 shall receive a salary increase in the amount of $1,899.
Lehman: Do you have a second to that amendment?
Pfab: I'll second it for discussion.
Lehman: Motion and second. Discussion?
Kanner: I'm offering this for a few reasons. One, the average salary increase -
and that's staff increases and cost-of-living combined in actual dollars
for all Iowa City permanent employees that's approximately 591 FTEs
that excludes the three employees and City Council is equal to that
$1,899 the actual cash value. And I'm also would like to see the
Council make this move because I believe it's a progressive and just
salary system that gives greater percentage raises to those making less
money - those on the lower end of the pay scale. And finally, the third
reason is that numerous departments throughout the city of Iowa City
are being asked to make budget cuts or raise fees and we should have
some of our highest compensated employees - the Clerk, City
Manager and City Attorney - to share in the belt tightening. And
that's why I'm moving the amendment.
Lehman: Further discussion? All in favor of the amendment signify by raising
your right hand. Those who are opposed raise your right hand. The
motion is defeated 6-1. Kanner voting in the affirmative. Other
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discussion? I would just like to say I am proud to support this. I feel
that the resolution fairly reflects...well maybe not totally fairly - I
think in periods that we have right now with difficult times financially
with the City it is more important than its ever been to have absolutely
the best people that we can possibly find for those jobs. And I think
that we are very fortunate to have three of the best people and these
folks have been very religious I believe in acquiring the finest people
that they can working under them and that's one of the reasons I think
we enjoy the financial stability and the (can't hear) that we do and I'm
proud to support this resolution.
O'Donnell: I agree.
Champion: Good job.
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries 5-2, Kanner and Pfab in the negative.
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ITEM NO. 17 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FEES FOR
SPECIFIC POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVICES.
Lehman: Item 17: Consider a resolution establishing fees for specific Police
Department services.
Vanderhoef: Move the resolution.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Dormell. Discussion?
Kanner: I think overall it looks good. I have one concern. It's seems the most
vulnerable in the population would be making use of trying to get
police records to make a case perhaps in court. And I understand the
rational. I think this is one area that should be subsidized and keep it
(Tape #02-50, Side 2)
Kanner: Perhaps raise rates on another end. I was thinking about who might
use this...who might make use of services the most and with some of
the other fees. And this is the one I think that the lower income
population would probably have more use of and we'd want to keep it
lower.
Champion: Explain that to me, Steven. Why would they have more use of it?
Kanner: And I could be way off base, it's just a feeling that of all the services
that we're charging for that this is one that has the broadest appeal
perhaps of use. And so included in that would then be, almost by
definition, more lower income people than some of the other services
of Police Records. So, I don't have factual evidence that that is the
case. I just have a feeling that that's the case and I'd want to keep this
low and perhaps raise some of the others a couple dollars.
Pfab: Can I offer amendment to this resolution?
Lehman: Certainly.
Pfab: That we keep the present fees for those who qualify under the same
way...under the same criteria that we use to allow people to pay
reduced rates for water and sewer. And that we keep this and raise
it...
Champion: For park and recreational fees?
Pfab: Right. I think it's probably...they're pretty similar, but I can speak...I
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know the criteria for the lower rates for water and sewer. And that
point then keep these rates or increase them, but have a second
schedule that is as they are now for those people that qualify for that.
Champion: That might become an administrative nightmare. The way the Parks
and Recs to it, Irvin, is they don't...they just have to say it. They
don't have a big bio of people who qualify.
Pfab: That' s fine.
Lehman: Just a minute, Eleanor?
Dilkes: Well, remember we have an obligation under the public records law to
provide these records. We can charge for actual cost, but I do see that
as an administrative difficulty if we have to go through some kind of
evaluation process before we know what to charge them in order to
give them the documents. That's very different from someone who
seeks a reduced rate for a service.
Pfab: What about the way we use it for the Parks and Rec?
Champion: No. That's just what Eleanor is saying. Because they just have to go
in there once and they get reduced rates for I don't know how long, but
people don't usually use the Police Department like every week or
every Sunday take their kids (can't hear). So, a lot of different people
would be coming in there and how would you...? I think it's an
administrative nightmare. I don't think you can do it.
Lehman: Well, let's, let's...is there a second to the amendment?
Kanner: I'll second for discussion.
Lehman: Okay we have a second. Now we'll discuss it.
Kanner: It might be tough and we can discuss that a little more. One way to
work with it though is it could be an after the fact reimbursement
perhaps. I think it might be easier just to keep a couple of them lower.
Perhaps this one. My question is this $3...is the Police record request
the one that's most often requested of all these services?
Atkins: I would think so, Steven. That's the foot traffic in and out of the
building where people are picking up accident reports and other...I'd
say so.
Kanner: That's my impression.
Atkins: Yeah.
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Kanner: We actually have new office hours for records over the last year
because to let more people have access.
Atkins: Yep.
Kanner: So, Irvin, I don't know how gung-ho you are on this. Maybe offer
another amendment to...
Pfab: Well, what I was going to suggest then is there...is it possible that we
could defer this until the next Council meeting and look at other
options available?
Vanderhoef: Do you have a suggestion?
Pfab: Well, I made one. And that was...seems to be too complicated.
Connie brought up another one just as a way as Parks and Rec do
which is a second. And I'm sure there's other ones out there whether I
don't know what they are. But...
Lehman: Let's vote on the amendment and then we'll go back to the motion
(can't hear). All those in favor of the amendment as proposed by Irvin
and seconded by Steven raise your fight hand. Opposed right hand. I
don't see you voting.
Kanner: I'll abstain on this.
Lehman: We have five affirmative, one abstention, and one negative vote. And
according to our rules that is 6 opposed and one in favor. And the
amendment fails. Now, discussion of the...
Wilburn: When was the last time these fees were, refresh my memory, and
(can't hear)
Vanderhoefi '927
Champion: ' 847
Dilkes: The memo says August of '94.
Champion: ' 94.
Wilbum: Health cover costs, even the Parks and Rec's fees get a schedule of
increases to help cover costs and even though your suggestion about,
you know, trying to offer some sort of sliding scale or reduced fee it's
still based - even that amount gradually gets increased because we do
schedule increases to cover costs. So, I will go ahead and support this.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 6-1, Pfab voting in the
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negative.
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ITEM NO. 18 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING AREA OF THE
CITY TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA AND
THAT THE REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION,
REDEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OR A COMBINATION
THEREOF, OF SUCH AREA IS NECESSARY IN THE
INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR
WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY;
DESIGNATING SUCH AREA AS APPROPRIATE FOR AN
URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT; AND ADOPTING THE
LOWER MUSCATINE ROAD & HIGHWAY 6 URBAN
RENEWAL PLAN THEREFOR.
Lehman: Item number 18: Consider a resolution determining area of the City to
be an economic development ama and that the rehabilitation,
conservation, redevelopment, development or a combination thereof,
of such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or
welfare of the residents of the City; designating such area as
appropriate for an urban renewal project; and adopting the Lower
Muscatine Road and highway 6 urban renewal plan therefore.
Vanderhoefi Move the resolution.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Dormell. Discussion?
Kanner: Yeah I had a question. In it it's quoted saying provision of resolution
of necessity which determines that the proposed urban renewal project
area is in need of economic development because certain conditions
exist which effectively hinder development. What are those
conditions?
Atkins: As I read this, this is enabling legislation. It actually puts in place a
mechanism that allows you to exemise the option of providing the tax
incentives and the other types of public support that these economic
development projects may propose. Beyond that it would be my
judgment of knowing the area that all three of these perspective areas
are generally in good shape. And the intent is if there is some slippage
some time a vacancy occurs and a manufacturing plant however you
might describe it that you have an economic tool available to you that
you can exercise. You do understand you put this in place that still
does not...that does not limit you from a particular project coming that
you don't agree with and saying no.
Kanner: Well...
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Lehman: I'm sorry go ahead, Steven.
Kanner: Well once something is there I would say there's more...there's a
certain type of pressure to want to use that.
Atkins: I understand that.
Kanner: You have a car, there's more pressure to a car than walk a couple
blocks. Take the car - it's more likely. And I...again it gets back to
what we discussed earlier. I don't see the difference between this one
the other project except the potential on the Emerson Point project is
that it would help lower income people. This one seems to help upper
income people. And I don't think it's needed now and if we could
look at it on a case by case basis I don't see the need for the rash to get
it to save a couple months for someone for this important issue. And it
seems to me that we ought to defeat it and when someone comes to us
with a proposal we look at the merits for that case and then establish
the area and then look and see if we want to give any TIF. I'll be
voting no against this.
Lehman: Other discussion?
Vanderhoef: This is one of those cases that we also know that when new businesses
come in that we will have the possibility of having to change our
infrastructure and so this is a way of us generating some dollars also
for the City for infrastructure kind of activities that may appear only
because of expansion or new development. So, I think it's a tool. It
doesn't mean that I'll approve every one that comes before us. Each
one will have its own set of needs. And I'm real comfortable having
this as a tool available to us. And I'm okay with voting up or down on
individual projects.
Lehman: Any other discussion?
Champion: It is a really good tool and do you know I think the best way we can
continue to help low income people and people who need assistance in
this community is to provide a strong economic background and I'm
certainly going to support this.
Vanderhoef: That tax base is very important. You're right, Connie.
Wilbum: I think we also spend time talking about the marketing of the area for
those jobs and recruiting businesses to come to area. And it's
important to have a awareness about that package and marketing the
area to try to recruit your (can't hear) of the area so I'll be supporting
it.
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Lehman: This also tells the...I think tells the community what our attitude it
toward economic development. It doesn't say that we're going to give
anybody anything. It just says we...I think it says that we welcome
economic development and qualified projects will certainly be
considered by the Council. And I think this is certainly a very positive
thing when our economic developments folks work with potential new
folks. Whether or not they use it, it indicates an attitude on the part of
the City towards development. So, I will support it. Roll call.
Pfab: Wait just a minute. This puts me in a great dilemma here because you
talk about this as an attitude. I go back to what we were trying to do to
get this enterprise zone through and I don't find any support there.
Lehman: We're talking about the urban renewal project; we're not talking about
the enterprise zone. Okay.
Pfab: I know, but I agree with you. That tells...you say this states our
attitude. Well, our attitude is different in one sense this is a chance for
us to do something positive and here we say we might do it. You
know our actions speak pretty loud here.
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries 5-2, Kanner and Pfab voting in the negative.
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ITEM NO. 19 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING THAT GENERAL
PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED EACH YEAR
ON ALL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE LOWER
MUSCATINE ROAD & HIGHWAY 6 URBAN RENEWAL
PROJECT AREA, IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF
JOHNSON, STATE OF IOWA, BY AND FOR THE BENEFIT
OF THE STATE OF IOWA, CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY
OF JOHNSON, IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT AND OTHER TAXING DISTRICTS, BE PAID TO A
SPECIAL FUND FOR PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND
INTEREST ON LOANS, MONIES ADVANCED TO AND
INDEBTEDNESS, INCLUDING BONDS ISSUED OR TO BE
ISSUED, INCURRED BY SAID CITY IN CONNECTION WITH
SAID URBAN RENEWAL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
(FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Lehman: Item 19: Consider an ordinance providing that general property taxes
levied and collected each year on all property located within the Lower
Muscatine Road and Highway 6 urban renewal project area, in the City
of Iowa City, County of Johnson, State of Iowa, by and for the benefit
of the State of Iowa, City of Iowa City, County of Johnson, Iowa City
Community School District and other taxing districts be paid to a
special fund for payment of principal and interest on loans, monies
advanced to and indebtedness, including bonds issued or to be issued,
incurred by said city in connection with said urban renewal
redevelopment project. This is first consideration.
Champion: Move first consideration.
Vanderhoefi Second.
Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion.
Kanner: We were talking again about blighted areas and something not being
appropriate for Iowa City even though the State might allow such as an
enterprise zone might qualify. TIFs, my understanding is TIFs were
only for blighted areas and I think that would be a good use of it. And
I think it has gone way beyond what it would be good for and it goes
not to help just blighted areas but so called economic development
which I think is just putting money in rich people's pockets that's not
needed. As numerous studies have shown we had an article that
showed the same thing tax abatements are low on the priority of why
businesses expand. If we use the TIF perhaps for infrastructure, that's
one thing. We tend not to do that. We use it for abatement or refunds.
And I think that's a bad history we have and I think we ought to not
designate TIF districts in these areas. So, I'll be voting no.
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Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 5-2, Kanner and Pfab the
negative.
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ITEM NO. 23 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING THAT GENERAL
PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED EACH YEAR
ON ALL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE HEINZ ROAD
URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT AREA, IN THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY, COUNTY OF JOHNSON, STATE OF IOWA, BY AND
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OF IOWA, CITY OF
IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF JOHNSON, IOWA CITY
COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OTHER TAXING
DISTRICTS, BE PAID TO A SPECIAL FUND FOR PAYMENT
OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON LOANS, MONIES
ADVANCED TO AND INDEBTEDNESS, INCLUDING BONDS
ISSUED OR TO BE ISSUED, INCURRED BY SAID CITY IN
CONNECTION WITH SAID URBAN RENEWAL
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Lehman: Item number 23: Consider an ordinance providing that general
property taxes levied and collected each year on all property located
within the Heinz Road urban renewal project area, in the City of Iowa
city, County of Johnson, State of Iowa, by and for the benefit of the
State of Iowa, City of Iowa City, County of Johnson, Iowa City
Community School District and other taxing districts be paid to a
special fund for payment of principal and interest on loans, monies
advanced to and indebtedness, including bonds issued or to be issued,
incurred by said city in connection with said urban renewal
redevelopment project.
Champion: Move first consideration.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion.
Vanderhoef: I'd just like to say for everybody, this is the BDI industrial park that
has been in Iowa City for many, many years. We are just making three
sections in it, so that there are three TIF districts rather than making
the whole big BDI one industrial park...or one TIF district. So, it's
confusing in some respects, but it will be easier for us to administer.
Champion: I knew our economic committee understood all this.
Vanderhoefi Yes.
O'Donnell: I wasn't sure.
Lehman: I'm not too sure and I'm on it. Roll call. Motion carries 5-2, Kanner
and Pfab the negative.
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ITEM NO. 28 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION
Lehman: City Council information. Irvin?
Pfab: I'm going to either move or propose or whatever is necessary that we
have a special Council meeting to reevaluate or look at enterprise
zones and have the meeting as soon as possible.
Lehman: Is that a motion?
Pfab: If that's required, it's a motion.
Dilkes: We can't have any action.
Lehman: Oh. Okay.
Dilkes: I think you just need to talk about it and decide whether you want to
have a meeting.
Pfab: Right. That's what I meant.
Lehman: I guess is there interest in having a special meeting to discuss the
enterprise zones?
Kanner: I'm very much interested.
Lehman: Alright we have you and we have Irvin. Is there anyone else who is
interested?
Wilbum: Are you talking specific to that project? During the break you had
mentioned specific to that project or are you talking about the concept
of enterprise zones without any project in mind?
Pfab: Well, either way. Okay in this case enterprise zones in particular it'
that will help you support it. But the problem at hand is the one that is
time sensitive.
Champion: I can't support part of the reason it's time sensitive because the July
31st they have to use the new census data.
Pfab: No, no that's not the reason.
Lehman: I don't think we can get into that discussion. We can determine
whether or not there's interest on the part of enough of the Council
members to have a special meeting. And I've heard two people who
would like to have a special meeting. Do I hear any others?
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Dilkes: It makes a difference because Ross when he talked to Irvin it makes a
difference whether you're talking about Emerson Point specifically on
which Ross is conflicted or if you're talking about enterprise zones in
general. Discussion about enterprise zones in general Ross can
participate.
Lehman: Right.
Kanner: I'd like to speak to Emerson Point in specific and that means that you
won't be able to...
Lehman: Alright. There are two, I believe, who are interested in speaking to
Emerson Point in specific that have indicated that. Ross is prohibited
from discussing that. Are there anyone else who wants to address that
issue?
Pfab: Well...
Lehman: There are not, Irvin. Do you have anything else for Council time?
Pfab: Okay. As two Council members can call a special meeting.
Lehman: That's correct and you've done that in the past.
Pfab: And maybe this is the time to do it again.
Lehman: Fine. You make that decision. Do you have anything else under
Council time?
Pfab: No.
Lehman: Connie?
Champion: No, thank you.
Lehman: Mike?
O'Donnell: Not tonight.
Lehman: Dee?
Vanderhoefi Not a thing.
Lehman: Ross?
Wilbum: No.
Lehman: Steven?
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Kanner: Two things. One, I at the Latino conference, Latino/Latina conference
I talked to one of the leadership winners - Iowa City resident William
DeSouza who won the...who got an award for business leadership.
And we were talking about skateboarding and -not that I'm going to
be skateboarding, but hopefully our City Manager will get out there in
the new one. He's the owner of a skateboard park, but he mentioned
some things that he asked that I'd bring up. I hope that when the new
one opens up that we still keep Mercer. I think that's a good one and I
think it's a good location and a good place. And if we do keep it that
we do a little upkeep there. He mentioned a surface similar to tennis
courts. It's really rough there. He's seen people get injured because
of the rough surface. Kids, he says, are telling up their bodies on the
falls. And...
Atkins: So, you want me to do it?
Lehman: Do we have a second to that.
Kanner: And he also asked about lighting for the old one at Mercer and the new
one and also maybe fencing because he's worried about older kids
perhaps getting in the face of some younger kids there and that fencing
might help - some sort of fencing to delineate the area at Mercer. So,
I'm asking that we have a discussion or maybe a memo would be
appropriate that we ask Steve to give us a memo about the future of
Mercer and if it's possible to keep that and one might be needed.
Atkins: I think I'd like to send it to the Commission.
Vanderhoef: Yep. That's what I was going to say.
Atkins: It's fine with me that I'll send it to them.
Vanderhoef: Send it to them and see what they think about it and how it fits into
their budget and so forth.
Kanner: That would be fine with me if you mention those concerns that were
brought up.
Atkins: Yep. I think I've got them in your notes here.
Kanner: Is that alright with the rest?
Atkins: Fencing, lighting, keeping it open, doing some repair work. Is there
anything else you wanted done?
Kanner: Okay. Thank you. And I just wanted to apologize to Mr. Bums and
Ms. Welsh because they were not able to speak there and I think that
was not a good move on our part as a Council as we have to correct
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that in the future.
Lehman: One thing. Monday is Memorial Day and as has been the tradition in
this community, along with most communities around this cotmtry,
there are memorial services being held in Oakland Cemetery in Iowa
City also in Memorial Gardens. In case of rain, I believe it's at the
Armory. And I will be in attendance and certainly would encourage
anyone else to be in attendance. Certainly this is one of our more
treasured holidays and I would certainly encourage folks to be a part of
it.
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ITEM NO 29b REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
CITY CLERK
Lehman: Julie?
Vopadl: I just wanted to say that we have an announcement in the City Clerk's
office. And that's that our fellow employee, Kellie Tuttle, had twins
on Sunday. A girl and a boy and it sounds like they're all doing very
well and we're very happy for them and also for Kellie's husband,
Cory.
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