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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-21 Council minutes I ~ j !~~;!:'t ",,-... "'D11I~ ...,..~ CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM Date: August 21, 2006 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: Council Work Session, August 21, 2006, 6:30 PM in Emma J. Harvat Hall Council: Bailey, Correia, Champion, Elliott, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilburn Staff: Atkins, Helling, Dilkes, Karr, Franklin, Davidson, Fowler, O'Brien, Ford, Boelk, Fosse, Knoche UISG Rep: Baeth Tapes: 06-63 & 06-64, Both Sides (A complete transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office) AGENDA ITEMS 1. (Agenda item # 8 - Consider an ordinance amending Title 7, ... to increase the penalties for overcrowding) Fire Chief Rocca present for discussion. Council agreed to give first consideration to the ordinance and requested HIS (Housing & Inspection Services) be present at the next work session to discuss how the occupancy calculations are done. PLANNING & ZONING ITEMS PCD Director Franklin introduced the new Economic Development Coordinator, Wendy Ford; and presented information on the following items: A. SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEPTEMBER 5 ON A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY AMENDING THE NEAR SOUTHSIDE DESIGN PLAN TO CONSIDER CENTRAL BUSINESS (CB-10) ZONING SOUTH OF BURLINGTON STREET. B. SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEPTEMBER 5 ON AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING 1.12 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 314 & 328 SOUTH CLINTON STREET FROM CENTRAL BUSINESS SUPPORT (CB-5) ZONE TO CENTRAL BUSINESS (CB-10) ZONE. (REZ06-00015) (Hieronymus Square) C. SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEPTEMBER 5 ON AN ORDINANCE VACATING THE EAST/WEST ALLEY IN BLOCK 102. (VAC06-00005) (Hieronymus Square) Council Work Session August 21, 2006 Page 2 D. SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEPTEMBER 5 ON AN ORDINANCE REZONING 9.53-ACRES OF LAND LOCATED EAST OF SOUTH GILBERT STREET AND WEST OF SANDUSKY DRIVE FROM INTERIM DEVELOPMENT SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (ID-RS) ZONE TO LOW-DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY (RS-5), (REZ06-00010) (McCollister Subdivision) E. CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 2.83 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4435/4455 MELROSE AVENUE FROM NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC (P-1) ZONE TO NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC 1 LOW DENSITY MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (P- 1/RM-12) ZONE. (REZ06-00001) (Melrose Ridge) F. REZONING 2.32-ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 2401 SCOTT BOULEVARD FROM GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (1-1) TO NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLlCIINTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (P-1/CI1) (REZ06-0016). (SECOND CONSIDERATION) (Eastside Recycling Center) Council agreed to expedite consideration and pass and adopt at the formal meeting. G. AMENDING TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, SUBSECTION 4E-8C, NONCONFORMING SIGNS, TO ALLOW FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF A NONCONFORMING SIGN BY SPECIAL EXCEPTION. (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Council agreed to expedite consideration and pass and adopt at the formal meeting. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS Historic Preservation Commission - John McCormally MID AMERICAN ENERGY FRANCHISE NEGOTIATIONS (IP2 of 8/17 Information Packet) City Atty. Dilkes present for discussion. Council agreed to retain outside counsel to negotiate an electrical franchise and have Mayor Pro tem Bailey and Council Member Vanderhoef serve on the negotiating team with staff. STAFF ACTION: Proceed as outlined. (Atkins/Dilkes) GRAND AVENUE ROUNDABOUT (CONTINUED DISCUSSION) Civil Engr. Boelk introduced University representatives Rod Lehnertz, Director of Campus and Facility Planning, and Dave Ricketts, Director of Parking and Transportation Services. Mr. Lehnertz presented information on the project and University involvement. Majority agreed to proceed. Staff action: Proceed as outlined. (Boelk) Council Work Session August 21, 2006 Page 3 CRIMESTOPPERS (IP3 of 8/17 Information Packet) Majority directed staff to proceed as a separate non profit independent organization. STAFF ACTION: Proceed as outlined. (Atkins) COMMERCIAL PARKING IN THE MIDDLE OF DUBUQUE STREET Parking & Transit Director Fowler, Parking Mgr. O'Brien, and Ass!. PCD Director Davidson present for discussion. Majority directed staff to write a letter to the Chamber stating staff was directed: a) To continue to enforce non commercial parking in the middle of Dubuque Street b) Enforce 15 minutes limit on commercial loading/unloading in the middle of Dubuque Street c) Enforce 30 minute limit on commercial vehicles parked in commercial loading zones in downtown area In addition Council directed staff to outline other options discussed and requested review and advice on each: 1) Creating two new commercial vehicle loading zones on Dubuque Street (requiring removal of four parking spaces in front of Sports Column) 2) Meter the current commercial vehicle loading zones on Iowa Avenue re replace the meters spaces lost in loading zones installed on Dubuque Street 3) Designate central business alleys as loading zones and limit loading/unloading to commercial vehicles only 4) Prohibit parking in the middle of the street to load/unload 5) Establish delivery times in the central business district STAFF ACTION: Prepare letter to Chamber for Mayor's signature. Letter sent and copy included in August 31 packet. (Fowler) AGENDA ITEMS (continued) 2. (Consent Calendar # 2f (2) .... Resolution authorizing the Mayor.... Subordinate agreement ... Dessert Coffeehouse) In response to Council Member Correia, City Atty. Dilkes explained that the lender for the business is taking a security interest in the personal property in the business, and the City doesn't see this as a risk. 3. (Agenda item # 10 - ordinance amending Title 6... "weed control" ... enforcement throughout the year) City Manager Atkins outlined the process for responding to complaints. 4. (Consent Calendar # 2g(9) - Dennis Sauegling re Mid American Energy) Council Member Vanderhoef requested that the wind and energy stuffy done a numb.er of years ago be updated, including measurement of the wind at the two sites, and potential Council Work Session August 21, 2006 Page 4 production; and that language be provided in the franchise agreement for conversion to wind power. 5. (Agenda item # 9 - Consider an ordinance amending Title 9 ....School Speed Zones) In response to Council Member Elliott, City Atty. Dilkes stated the change in the Code does not change the speed limit but rather makes the Code consistent with the posted speed. 6. (Agenda item # 11 - Consider an ordinance amending Title 3 ... Solid Waste to broaden the definition of litter) In response to Council Member O'Donnell, the City Manager stated the provision was in accordance with State law. City Atty. Dilkes stated she would research whether cigarette butts were considered litter and report back. 7. (Agenda item # 12 - Consider a resolution authorizing the Historic Preservation Commission to file an application ... Manville Heights Neighborhood) Council Member Elliott questioned whether the neighborhood was sharing in the cost, like Melrose Neighborhood did. The City Manager will follow up and report back at the formal meeting. Council questioned the notification process, deadline for applying and directed the City Atty. to review the grant application prior to the action at the formal meeting. 8. (Agenda item # 18 - Consider a resolution ... Mediacom ... basic cable services) In response to Council Member Elliott, Asst. City Manager Helling stated the only thing the City can regulate is the basic rate and that was the action being requested. 9. (Agenda item # 13 - Consider a resolution authorizing acquisition... 2006 Traffic Signal Interconnect Project) In response to Mayor Pro tern Bailey, the City Manager stated the fibre optic cable can be used for other things than just connecting traffic signals. 10. (Consent Calendar # 2g (12) - Robin Butler regarding Locked Gate at Soccer Fields) Council Member Correia asked that staff pursue locking the gate at dusk to allow greater accessibility to the trails. City Manager will follow up with Parks & Recreation Director Trueblood. 11. (Consent Calendar # 2g (5) - Christine Mullen regarding Homeless Overflow) In response to Council Member Correia, the City Manager stated the Fire Department is drafting regulations and hopefully would be on the next agenda. 12. (Consent Calendar # 2g (8) - Tim Bernemann regarding Foster Road-Dubuque Street Intersection Renovations) Mayor Pro tern Bailey inquired who was responsible for repair and maintenance of the medians in front of Mayflower. The'City Manager will follow up. 13. Mayor Pro tern Bailey reported that a transit sign had been removed for the changes in the routes by being broken off and a little nub left in the ground near Elmira Street. The City Manager will follow up. 14. Council Member Elliott noted a bus stop sign on Court Street at the crest of the hill near a dangerous intersection, staff will follow up. Council Work Session August 21, 2006 Page 5 15. (Consent Calendar # 2e (1) - Consider a resolution setting a public hearing... 938 Longfellow Place) In response to Mayor Pro tem Bailey, Council Member Correia reported that she had received an email from Housing Administrator Rackis and the tenant to ownership fund was at about $800,000, and more houses are planned in the Longfellow area. 16. (Agenda item # 16 - Consider a resolution... call to artists... Grand Avenue Roundabout Project) UISG Representative Baeth questioned whether this item would be deferred. No agreement was reached. COUNCIL TIME 1. Council Member Elliott asked if Council was interested in considering a self imposed maximum percent for TIF's. Council Member Vanderhoef requested the matter be referred to the Economic Development Committee and requested updated statistics. 2. Council Member Elliott noted Brown Street had been rebricked and questioned spending five times the cost of other streets and the fairness factor. 3. Council Member Champion reported that in the past city licenses were issued by the veterinarian after their shots, and she was recently informed that the now a citizen has to take the veterinarian certificate to the Animal Shelter for the license. She requested staff follow up, noting the advantages of the veterinarian doing the licensing. 4. Council Member Champion said that skateboards and bicyclists are back, and asked for heightened enforcement in the downtown area to remind new residents of the regulations and dangers. 5. Council Member Champion asked for enforcement regarding city regulation on parking across sidewalks, and on lawns. Mayor Pro tem Bailey stated that enforcement is often done on a complaint basis. 6. Council Member Vanderhoef reported on the increased number of mopeds and scooters in the downtown area. City Manager Atkins stated that mopeds can be on the street, scooters can not; scooters fit into bike rack and mopeds do not because of the tire width. Council agreed to provide information on city regulations concerning parking, and use of downtown sidewalks. City Manager reported that scooters are being ticketed. 7. Council Member O'Donnell reported on the success of the Dog Wash last week-end, and stated they had raised over $3,000. 8. Mayor Pro tem Bailey asked if there was interest in reviewing rules and regulations regarding taxi operations. Majority agreed to review. City Clerk Karr will provide information at the next work session. Council Work Session August 21, 2006 Page 6 9. Mayor Pro tern Bailey asked staff to talk with bicyclists regarding improvements to Burlington Streets and making it more accessible to bicyclists. 10. Mayor Pro tern Bailey noted the Council retreat a year ago and the development of goals; and asked that those goals be reviewed at an upcoming work session. Staff will follow up. 11. Council Member Vanderhoef asked staff to research with DOT to route Highway 1 traffic straight through to Gilbert and then Burlington (rather than turning on Riverside and again on Burlington). Mayor Pro tern Bailey questioned the impact on the Burlington Street Improvements (median) Project. Staff will follow up and prepare memo. 12. Council MemberCorreia provided an update of the Youth Advisory Board, election of officers, speakers, and projects. SCHEDULE OF PENDING DISCUSSION ITEMS Mayor Wilburn noted the earlier request from Mayor Pro tern Bailey to review goals identified at the Council goal setting session last year. FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE Council agreed to: :>> Special formal for final reading of the Melrose Ridge ordinance for 8:00 AM on Friday, August 25 :>> Special work session and tour of the Fire Station # 2 project for 3:30 PM, Wednesday, August 30 :>> Special meeting with local legislators for either 5:00 PM on Monday, November13 (prior to work session) OR 5:30 PM on Thursday, November 9. First choice was November 13 date. STAFF ACTION: Prepare agenda and posting for special meetings on August 25 and 30. Notify legislators on legislative meeting. (Karr) Meeting adjourned 9:25 PM.