HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-23 Transcription
#2
Page I
ITEM 2
PROCLAMATION.
a) Women's Right to Choose Week - January 22-23, 2007
Wilburn:
(reads proclamation)
Karr:
Here to accept the proclamation is Toni Serio, Executive Assistant, Emma
Goldman Clinic. (applause)
Serio:
Just quickly, on behalf of the Emma Goldman Clinic, I would like to thank
Mayor Wilburn and the Iowa City Council for the proclamation, and to
help celebrate Women's Right to Choose Week, we would like to invite
all of you to join in our annual choice dinner, which will be this Saturday
at the IMD, in the main ballroom. Thank you.
Wilburn:
Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
,.._--.-._-,----_._--~--_._-_.------ ..-.....----..........------..,.--.--..-.-.--------.----,--,-~._--,_.._-_.",._----,,_._---_._----_.._~_.. - -~----_."----~
#3
ITEM 3
Wilburn:
Young:
Wilburn:
Hubing:
Wilburn:
Page 2
OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS - LUCAS
ELEMENTARY
Will Elizabeth and Ryan please come forward? You guys nervous? Not
really? Okay, that's good. I always am up here. This is a really special
time for us as a Council because we get to hear what you all have been up
to and the good work that you've been doing in the community, and
whether that's in your school, your neighborhood, your faith community-
wherever that may be. So it's just a great opportunity for us to hear, both
young people and adults, to hear the activities that you've been up to. So,
I will give you the microphone to read your statement.
For the last few years, I have raised money on my own for UNICEF by
putting boxes at businesses and getting my school involved. This year, I
have raised over $1,000. I enjoy helping people and can't wait to helping
people in the future. (applause)
You know, my other job I've got to raise $360,000 so I can get money
from the City ofIowa City, so I might give you a call to give us some
help. (laughter)
Hi, my name is Elizabeth Hubing. I am in 6th grade at Robert Lucas
Elementary School. I would like to thank my teachers Mr. V onhar and
Miss Stostil, along with my Prinicipal, Mr. Lehman, for selecting me to
get this award. I'd also like to thank my mom and dad for being such
good parents. At school I'm involved in Student Council, Safety Patrol,
Reading Buddies, and Reading Mentors. Outside of school I participate in
4-H, Band, and both the City Recreation League and Iowa City Slammers'
Softball. I feel that I am a productive member of my class, school, and
community and I am very thankful for being selected as an Outstanding
Student Citizen. Thank you. (applause)
Well, thanks again, and nice job both of you. I'm going to read off one of
the certificates, and it's always good to see Iowa City Slammer up here - I
like to see that! Urn, I'll read off one of the certificates, but they both say
the same thing except has your own name on it, and I'm going to clip this
on.. . maybe. For her outstanding qualities ofleadership with Lucas
Elementary, as well as the community and for her sense of responsibility
and helpfulness to others, we recognize Elizabeth Hubing as an
Outstanding Student Citizen. Your community is proud of you. This is
presented by the Iowa City City Council. (applause) I'm one of the
coaches for one of the Slammers' teams in case you were wondering why
I brought that up.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
-_.__..~----~-~---_._-,--_.._.__.~-,--"..._-,.._~.---_..---,,-----
#5
ITEM 5
Wilburn:
Numberg:
Page 3
COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NO ON THE AGENDA).
This is the time for the public to address the Council and the community
on items that do not appear on tonight's agenda. If you wish to address
the Council, please approach the podium, state your name for the record,
please limit your comments to five minutes or less.
Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Members of the Council. My name is Eric
Nurnberg at, I'm the President of the International Association of
Firefighters Local 610, and as many of you know, as President of Local
610, I represent all Iowa City firefighters and fire lieutenants and fire
captains. As I've been doing for the past four plus years, I come before
you this evening to voice my organization's concern that we lack the
appropriate number of fire stations and personnel to effectively protect the
citizens ofIowa City. In times past, I've worked closely with many of you
to help you understand what sort of a job it is that an Iowa City firefighter
has. We've discussed how it is that we deploy resources during
emergencies, and we've discussed the precautions and the risks that
firefighters take when we struggle to mitigate emergencies, and we've
talked about standards and laws and policies that govern how we do our
job, and I've shared with all of you that every Iowa City firefighter has an
unswerving commitment to the people who live and work in Iowa City.
Tonight I've been asked by the members of Local 610 to talk to you about
our disappointment that today in 2007, we still deploy from the same
number of fire stations with virtually the same number of firefighters that
we did in the early 1970's. In 1975, folks, when Iowa City firefighters
responded to fires only, there were 498 calls for service, three engine
companies, and one ladder truck company responded to those calls from
three fire stations. In 2006, you asked your firefighters to be the experts
not only in structural firefighting, but also in the emergency medical
services, hazardous materials, swift water rescue, ice, high angle, confined
space rescue, natural gas emergencies, automobile extrications, structural
collapse, and of course the list goes on and on. Last year, your firefighters
responded to more than 3,600 calls for service from three fire stations with
three engine companies, one ladder truck company, and that's an increase
in an operational tempo of 700%. I've quoted you the growth statistics so
many times before and so tonight I'll just summarize the problem, and that
is that Iowa City has experienced three and one-half decades of growth;
the Iowa City Fire Department, unfortunately, has not kept pace. Our
population has nearly doubled. The geographic area has doubled. The
emergencies that occur within the City are more severe; they're far more
frequent; and they're further away from our fire stations. Iowa City
firefighters must arrive on the scene of emergencies very quickly in order
to do our jobs effectively and efficiently. Many medical emergencies
grow exponentially worse as seconds tick away and only a few minutes
really can mean the difference between a small waste basket fire and a
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#5
Page 4
home that becomes engulfed in flame. And because of this, as you all
know, Chief Rocca has tasked the Department with arriving at the scene of
an emergency no later than six minutes after we've received the dispatch
for service in our stations, and we certainly strive to arrive as quickly as
we are able to do in every instance. But, we are becoming increasingly
unable to meet that benchmark. A citizen that lives in the northeastern
neighborhoods that dials 9-1-1 this evening can expect a response time of
eight to ten minutes from the fire units that respond from Fire Station #1,
and they may expect a longer response time. If Fire Station #4 were built
and staffed to protect those residents and businesses in that area, they may
summon help and have a well-trained engine company at their house
within four to six minutes, or even less. I've shared with you before that
fires can double in size every thirty seconds, so that means that an early
arrival may mean the difference between a small kitchen fire and a house
that's ablaze, and in cardiac arrest cases, a person's chances of survival
decrease by 12% for every minute that defibrillation is withheld. So an
extra five minutes saved in response time could translate to a 60% increase
in the changes of survival. Only a few minutes can mean the difference
between a fire being quickly extinguished and a group of firefighters being
seriously injured, or even worse, in a terrible fire. You know, the business
of providing emergency services is labor intensive and it always has been
and it always will be. We appreciate the new apparatus that you give us.
We appreciate the new fire fighting gear and the rebuilds and the
remodeled fire stations, but it still takes fire fighters to perform the critical
tasks necessary to contain and extinguish fires or rescue trapped occupants
from a burning structure, provide EMS and rescue services, and when
staffing levels and deployment configurations fall below acceptable levels,
as they are now, service will also fall below acceptable levels. And as
many of you know, I'll never let an opportunity pass, even as I probably
run across my five minute limit, to tell the citizens of Iowa City that they
have the finest fire fighters in the State ofIowa. The men and women that
staff our stations are professional. They're well trained. They're
experienced and intelligent. They're very good at what they do. And
while the fire companies are on duty, even this evening, possess a
superlative level of commitment, they know that not every citizen is
receiving the protection that they deserve. (noise on mic) I didn't do that!
(laughter)
O'Donnell: I didn't do it.
Champion: I didn't do it.
Nurnberg: So I stand before you tonight, folks, and with all due respect, I just say that
Station #4 is far too long overdue. It's the opinion of Local 610 that the
level of service that residents and businesses receive in the northwest
corner is unsatisfactory. I respectfully request that you demonstrate to the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#5
Page 5
citizens that their safety is your highest priority by designating funding to
staff that fire house, and that you implement an aggressive plan to open
that fire station, and please remember too, the growth in the southwest
corner ofIowa City will soon require a fire station and staffing to serve it,
as well. So every day that the Station #4 is postponed, likely delays the
Fire Department's strategic plan to protect a city that is growing very
quickly. I close in saying that every Iowa City fire fighter has sworn an
oath to protect the citizens and we all take that oath very, very seriously.
We have no hidden agenda. We just only ask that you provide the
resources that allow us to protect every taxpayer in this community, and
the resources will allow us to protect each other, as well. Thank you very
much for the time. I appreciate it.
Wilburn:
Thank you for your comments and thank you for your work. Would
anyone else care to address the Council on an item that is not on tonight's
agenda?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
~ P~6
ITEM 6 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
b) CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR
FEBRUARY 6, 2007, ON AN ORDINANCE REZONING 0.91-
ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 1902 AND 1906 BROADWAY
STREET FROM COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO-I) TO
COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC-2) (REZ06-00028)
Champion: Move to set the public hearing.
Correia: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion, seconded by Correia. Is this the one (several talking
at once).
Correia: .. . amend the motion to set this public hearing for February 20th, as we
indicated last night.
Champion: Yes.
Wilburn: Okay. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed same sign.
Motion carries 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#6
Page 7
ITEM 6
PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
d) REZONING 17.75-ACRES OF LAND LOCATED EAST OF
MORMON TREK BOULEVARD AT EAGLE VIEW DRIVE
AND GRACE DRIVE FROM INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL CI-
1) TO OFFICE COMMERCIAL (CO-I) (REZ06-0002I)
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Wilburn:
This is a public hearing. (pounds gavel) Public hearing is open. (pounds
gavel) Public hearing is closed.
b. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
Champion: Move first consideration.
Wilburn: Moved by Champion.
O'Donnell: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Bailey: Ijust want to put out there that we need to continually be aware of having
enough intensive commercial zoned, commercially zoned land, and so I'm
looking forward to seeing that inventory ofRC-l zoned locations, because
we continually rezone these areas and we really need to think about areas
in which we can have small manufacturing and a diversification of
businesses in our community, and so Ijust want to keep that in the
forefront of our minds as we move forward - our collective mind, as we
move forward.
Vanderhoef: I'll second that! No, I'm seconding what she said.
Wilburn: Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#6
Page 8
ITEM 6
PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
e) AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE J, FLOOD
PLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE RE-
FORMATTED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Wilburn:
This is a public hearing. (pounds gavel) Public hearing is open. (pounds
gavel) Public hearing is closed.
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
O'Donnell: Move first consideration.
Wilburn: Moved by O'Donnell.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Vanderhoef: This is just a re-formatting. It doesn't change anybody's insurance rates
or anything that is or wasn't in the flood plain before, so it's a technicality
that we have to do. Don't get excited about lower insurance rates!
(laughter)
Wilburn: Roll call. (several talking) Connie? Oh, okay, sorry. Item, or motion,
item carries 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#6 Page 9
ITEM 6 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
t) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY PLAN FOR THE PENINSULA
NEIGHBORHOOD. (REZ05-00025/SUB06-00020) (SECOND
CONSIDERA nON)
Bailey: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and
voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at
which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the second consideration
and vote be waived, and that the ordinance be voted on for final passage at
this time.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey to expedite.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Elliott: I've not been a fan of the Peninsula since 1995 when the ground was
purchased, but I am in favor of this because I'm in favor of anything that
makes that project more attractive to development and moves it along
more quickly. So, I'll be supporting this.
Bailey: Well, I like what's happening out there. I think that we are moving along,
and it's a nice, developing into a nice neighborhood, I think.
Wilburn: Can I get a roll call on expediting? Carries 7-0.
Bailey: I move that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time.
Correia: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Correia. Discussion? Roll call. Item
carries 7-0.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Wilburn: Moved by O'Donnell.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey to accept correspondence. All those in favor say aye.
Opposed same sign. Carries 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#7 Page 10
ITEM 7 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 4, ENTITLED,
"ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES," CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED,
"PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS," SECTION 4,
ENTITLED, "REGULATION OF PERSONS UNDER LEGAL AGE"
TO PROVIDE THAT SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE
VIOLATIONS MAY BE BASED ON A PRIOR CONVICTION
UNDER AN ORDINANCE FROM ANOTHER CITY OR COUNTY
IN IOWA. (SECOND CONSIDERATION)
Vanderhoef: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and
voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at
which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the second consideration
and vote be waived, and that the ordinance be voted for final passage at
this time.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef to expedite.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion on the expedition? Roll call. Item
carries 7-0.
Vanderhoef: I move that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion on the ordinance?
Correia: I was just noticing that it says that they may be based on a prior
conviction. It's not a shall be, because... will that be up to the officer
who...
Dilkes: No, I don't think (several talking)
Correia: So it will be?
Dilkes: If we're aware of the previous conviction, it won't matter whether it's a
City conviction, another city's conviction, a County conviction, or a State
conviction.
Wilburn: And it's not the officer that makes that decision, correct?
Dilkes: Typically, the officer doesn't have that information when he or she writes
the charge. We check them when we get them and amend them.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of tbe Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#7
Page 11
Elliott:
I think it's important to point out that our discussion the other day,
especially with Austin, the Student Liaison, that we are looking for other
things to make these situations not, not so much more painful financially,
but also more meaningful and more productive to the individual who is
guilty of the infraction.
Wilburn:
Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#8 Page 12
ITEM 8 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION
FOR A $48,000 GRANT FROM THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR BlOW A.
Bailey: Move the resolution.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey.
Champion: Second.
Wilburn: Seconded by Champion. Discussion?
Champion: Did we need to amend it?
Bailey: I think that we (unable to hear) Economic Development Committee
meeting that this grant amount is $25,000. So, 1'd like to amend the
motion for supporting an application for a $25,000 grant from the Iowa
Department of Economic Development.
Wilburn: That okay with you, Connie. All right. Discussion on the...
.
Bailey: .. . and when he's here, if you all would like to hear more, we talked about
it in Economic Development Committee a couple oftimes. I know that
few have read those minutes, but...
Vanderhoef: Was this a cutback by the State, or was it just our error to begin with?
Bailey: Can you explain that, Mike?
Ott: My name is Mike Ott. I run BlOW A. Yes, the State awarded us $25,000,
not the $48,000 that we requested. So... we took what they gave us.
Elliott: And it is still a meaningful amount to you?
Ott: Oh, absolutely!
Elliott: Good!
Vanderhoef: And how will it affect the productivity of the project?
Ott: It's going to be little slower to get started and we'll have to raise a little
more money. So, we'll...I literally heard about it two days ago. So...
Vanderhoef: Okay, so you're trying to get it up to the full amount so that you can...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#8 Page 13
Ott: Yep, we'll have company sponsors that will come in for cash for what's
needed.
Vanderhoef: Okay. Thank you.
Otto Thank you.
Wilburn: Thank you. Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#9 Page 14
ITEM 9 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY INTERESTS NECESSARY FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHWAY 6 & GILBERT STREET
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. (DEFERRED
FROM 1/9)
Bailey: Move the resolution.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? If anyone from
the public would like to address this, please step forward.
Reilly: Thank yOU, Ross. My name is Roger Reilly with Hills Bank and Trust
Company, and as you recall I was here a couple weeks ago to tell you
about our concerns on the proj ect as it affects our property at south Gilbert
Street. Won't go into a lot of detail, but there are three issues. One, the
closing of our entrance. Another the fact that we feel there's a need for a
traffic signal at the exit, and the median that's designed because of the
dual turning lanes is rather long. We think that could be shortened up.
With that, we have run out and hired a company, actually, to help us with
this, and to help the City figure out a solution, and tonight I'd like to
introduce Janet Anderson. Janet's with ARC Design and Resources from
Rockford, Illinois, and Janet's a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer,
so she may have some questions, or at least some comments, for the
Council. So, Janet...
Anderson: Good evening. Thank you for letting me speak with, to you this evening.
As Roger said, my company, ARC Design Resources, has been hired by
Hills Bank to review the traffic implications of the proposed changes to
the bank property. I need to tell you, I've just come into this project very
recently, so I haven't done, while I am an engineer and I deal in numbers
and analysis, I have not had a chance to collect the data yet, and do a lot of
the hard analysis that will probably be required for this, but based on my
experience in working with different properties, 1...1 have some grave
concerns about how the bank property will function if that entrance is
closed, and both entrances...both the entrance and exit are put onto a
street, the street that will intersect with Gilbert Street. 1.. . one of the things
I question is why the north entrance would even need to be closed. With
the construction of the raised median on Gilbert Street, their existing
entrance would basically function as a right-in, possibly a right-out, which
would have very little effect on the Gilbert Street traffic. I understand the
project's intent is to improve the traffic flow on Gilbert Street, but leaving
the bank's entrance there would...would not negatively impact the goal of
that project. Further, the proposed entrance to the bank, located off of the
new side street, is extremely close to the Gilbert Street, to Gilbert Street
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#9
Wilburn:
Anderson:
Wilburn:
Dilkes:
Okerlund:
Page 15
itself. It's kind of a, it's a fundamental of traffic engineering that we don't
put intersections that close together, because it confuses drivers and
increases the potential for crashes at that location. So, that is another
concern that we'll be investigating. And I...those are my concerns in
looking at the plan, and I have some questions that I don't think have been
adequately...again, I just came into this project, but there are some
questions that I don't think have been adequately answered, at least to the
bank's satisfaction, such as what are the projected levels of service for the
revised roadway? Certainly there's been some traffic projections done. I
would like to see that information. And I'd like to know, for the bank's
sake, and the bank would like to know, what is... what has that analysis
shown? It looks to me like there's really some questions about how that's
going to work for the bank. So, we'll work through the regular channels
with the City, but I would like to review the traffic volume data, whatever
counts have been taken, the projections, urn, any capacity analysis that's
been done. I would assume that with the planning, plan of this nature,
that's probably been done, but you know, I'd like to take a look at that and
review it with the bank. Make sure that it reflects, that it reflects the
reality of their situation. So, I hope to review the data that's, that you have
already produced and incorporate that into our site traffic study, and I'll
probably be talking to you again at some point. So, thank you very much.
Thank you, and I would encourage you to give a call to our Plarming staff
and feel free to ask questions regarding. . . so that they could provide you
with the information then.
Thank you.
If they are able to.
It's my understanding in my latest conversation with Sarah Okerlund,
who's the Project Engineer and is here to night that. . . well, first of all, staff
is well aware of the bank's concern about that north entrance and the other
concerns that they've talked about. Sarah has been looking at that from an
engineering perspective, and I think...it appears at least presently that
while there's a few details that need to be worked out, the north entrance
can be addressed and likely kept open. I mean, we can't guarantee that at
present, but that's what I understand to be the case. Is that right?
I'm Sarah Okerlund with Engineering Department, and yeah, essentially,
it's one of those things where I don't want to make a promise I can't keep.
So, but we're looking into it and if I had to go one way or the other, I
don't know that's...there's some huge concerns with it right now. We're
just looking at geometries and safety and stufflike that, so we have to
work out a few more details before we can actually pin it down and say
yes or not. So..
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
-~-_._---,._--------,_.__._-",-~----_.,_.- .----_._--_....,..-_.-_._,,-~_..._.,---~
#9 Page 16
Correia: So this would be right in...
Okerlund: This would be.. . yeah, right now Hills Bank, their north entrance which is
closest to the intersection, that is an entrance only. With the raised median
it would become a right-in, possibly right-out, depending on they do their
circulation, and their second driveway, which is right now an exit only,
would become a fully functioning driveway of inward and outward.
Correia: So there's a possibility of a signal at that?
Okerlund: Yeah. We're looking into that, as well, which I believe Janet kind of
referenced, and Janet, I'd be happy to get you any information that you
needed. So...
Champion: ... people heading south would be able to enter by making a right-hand
turn, and people coming from the north...
Okerlund: Ifwe put that north entrance...
Champion: . ..new, to the exit, to get.. . current exit, I'm sorry.
Bailey: At the north entrance then in what you've looked at now is far away
enough from the intersection to maintain the traffic flow that is our goal,
yet potentially enable it to, I mean...
Okerlund: Right, and it's some of the things we're kind of looking at is kind of the
proximity and more than anything, it's that turn, I mean, you're making
kind of a 180 degree turn in order to go through their drive-through, and
because we're widening the roadway, we kind of have to look at the
geometries and make sure that's still physically possible. So, it's just a
minor kind of safety geometric issue we're looking at.
Vanderhoef: The driveway could be redesigned as the other grading and so forth is
going in at that location?
Okerlund: Yeah, that's kind of something we're looking at, to try to optimize it.
We're certainly working with Hills on all that stuff, so...
Vanderhoef: Good.
Wilburn: And I would continue to urge, not only Hills Bank or any other company
that mayor may not hire some type of advocate, for them to contact you at
the City, and so we don't spend time designing new intersection here in
the Council meeting.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
-------------~.~----.-._-~...__._--_._,._-.-_._- ." ".--.-------..----.----...-
#9 Page 17
Okerlund: That sounds great! (several talking at once)
Wilburn: Would anyone else care to address the Council on this item? ".Council
discretion?
Bailey: Well, I'm going to support this. It's moving ahead of discussion, and 1
think as we discussed last night, the procedure, this authorizes the
acquisition of property, but the discussion continues, and I think that
generally this City does a good job talking to businesses, and working out
these kinds of details, and I'm confident in our staff that they've heard
concerns and that they're looking at geometrics and I really appreciate that
that kind of work that you do with the public, and 1.. . the volume warrants
it at this intersection. I mean, we can't always improve the time that
somebody spends at an intersection, but this volume is very, very high for
a community, and I think it's only going to increase. I mean, I can't quote
the numbers exactly, but I believe it's only going to increase. So, I'm
going to support moving ahead on this project.
Vanderhoef: I too will be supporting this, this project, both for, for safety because it's
becoming a crash corner with the high volumes that we have there. We're
having more and more incidents in that area. With the growth south of
Highway 6, we're going to continue to get more traffic up Gilbert Street,
and before all of that is developed further south, I think it behooves us to
get this one done so we don't end up with a bottleneck, trying to redesign
it with even that much more traffic. The other thinking that I have on this
particular corner, is that these are two major areas for our transportation
system for Iowa City, and when you look at the total needs for the City,
and the businesses that are on wheels, as we put it, whether it be UPS,
whether it's delivery trucks, whether it's the florist, whether it is a service
provider in the way of plumbing and heating and all those folks that work
out of their vehicles, time is money to those business people also in our
community, and if they have delays at a severely congested intersection
that totals up to maybe 20 or 30 minutes over the course of their
workweek, that's lost time and money for them. So, we are looking
forward to get this done before we have more traffic; however, we've
already got the traffic there now, and it needs to go forward.
Elliott: I expressed serious concerns about this before we ever heard from Hills
Bank. Those concerns continue and as a matter of fact, based on what we
heard tonight, that there may possibly be changes in the configuration of
the design. I think there is too much at stake here to move forward at this
time. I would ask that we defer this until we find a confirmation as to
whether there will be a different configuration, or whether there won't. if
there won't be, I would not be supportive. Ifthere is a difference in
configuration, especially in the median that goes south, I would be happy
to support that.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#9 Page 18
Wilburn: Is that a motion to defer?
Elliott: Please.
Wilburn: And until when?
Elliott: Until at least the next meeting. I think there's more to be heard.
Wilburn: It's been moved to defer to the next, you mean regular Council meeting, or
the next...
Elliott: Yes.
Karr: The 6th.
O'Donnell: I will second that. I also have concerns. I share the concerns that Bob
has. One of mine is I've not seen the traffic pattern, showing how this is
going to work. I travel that area quite a bit during the day and I have seen
problems at 8, 12, and 5. The balance of the day, I think it's like any other
intersection. I would like to see the schematics. I'd like to know about
the north driveway, and I'm not prepared to support this until we get some
further answers on...
Bailey: Eleanor, would you outline exactly what we're doing tonight, and the
process, because we haven't seen final design, and shouldn't expect to see
final design with this kind of resolution. Am I correct?
Dilkes: This resolution, we're, and Sarah can give you a better idea of what stage
we are at in the design stage, but I mean, it is, this is a typical stage at
which we do a resolution authorizing acquisition. We cannot begin the
actual formal process of acquiring property until we have a final plat that
shows exactly what property we are going to need to acquire. Not that
discussions cannot go on in the interim, and can go on about design and
that kind of thing, but that's when we start the formal process of
acquisition. I think, as Karin expressed last night, one of the, one. . . you
don't have to pass this resolution tonight. You could wait. There's
nothing that requires you to pass this tonight. We certainly don't have
plats on our desks to start the acquisition process, but I think that the
concern that Karin expressed last night is that property, there's
been... there's been a lot of kind of back and forth about this project in
past years, and I think there may be some desire on the part of property
owners to get an answer about whether the project is going forward or not.
Elliott: Regenia, I agree with you. I... if! said final, final plan, I misspoke,
because my intent is to say that the preliminary concept has been
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#9
Wilburn:
Correia:
Dilkes:
Page 19
presented to us at this time is just unacceptable to me, with the extent of
the median going south. So, not until the final plan, but until we... I see
whether or not there is any significant change in the preliminary concept.
I think it's...I think it's important to give an indication that we, the City,
would like to see improvements in this intersection, and from our
conversations with, not only some of the businesses in the area, but the
general public, that it's been no secret that this is going to (unable to hear)
for some time and nothing has been done because there hasn't been an
agreement or an onus to go forward with a plan. If I'm not mistaken, I
think we heard the other night that just about the entire population's worth
ofIowa City passes through this intersection in one day, and there has
been conversation with area property owners over the course of the last
year, and so it's not a surprise that the Council's looking at it. This again
is not our of the ordinary for the process where we would be authorizing
acquisition of property, and... urn, well, and as was indicated earlier, it's
not untypical for the City to try and work with both the public and people
in the area of immediate concern to try and make some modifications, if
possible, to come up with a solution that's going to benefit the City as a
whole, since just about the entire population's worth of the City goes
through this intersection. So, what I'd like is to continue to move forward
with this, and I'll not be supporting deferring. Amy, you had a comment
you wanted to add?
I'm not going to support deferring either. I mean, I think that this is a very
busy intersection. I travel on it often at various times of the day, and I
think it's warranted. I feel like the, our staff have been very proactive in
meeting with and open to meeting with property owners that will be
affected by this, and trying to make it work, maybe not best case scenario
on the part of what everybody might want in the, if they could get
everything that they want, but I feel confident that we're going to be able
to get something that's going to work for the property owners, and as
Steve said, there's development planned south on Gilbert, both residential
and recreational, so we're only going to get busier in this intersection and I
think we should take care of it. What we were presented with was what's
the proposed design, where we are right now. That doesn't mean we're
not going to have the opportunity to make some changes as we continue
on with the design. So...
We're certainly aware of Hills Bank's concerns and as Sarah said, she's
looking at those, so I don't see any reason why she can't give you an
update on where we end up on those when we get there. In addition, you
have, although we've sent out notice to all the property owners about this
meeting, as well as your budget hearing, while we might resolve some of,
we might resolve Hill's concerns or tell you what we can or cannot do
about those concerns, but I think it's inevitable that we're going to have
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#9
Page 20
other design issues with other property owners that we're going to have to
address.
Bailey: And I don't think any of us minimize the importance ofthese businesses
to our community. This is an important commercial comer. My hope
would be that it would improve it for the businesses, as well, and their
customers, and their customers will appreciate a more smoothly flowing
traffic to their businesses, and that would be my goal and I think that that's
the City's goal. We certainly don't have any motivation to make it
difficult for people to reach these businesses. I think we all understand
how important they are.
Wilburn: The question on the table is deferral. All those in favor of deferral signify
by saying aye. All those opposed same sign. Urn, on the opinion of the
Chair, it is defeated - Elliott, Champion, and O'Donnell in the affirmative.
So, back to the main motion, which...
Champion: ...I don't know if! can make a comment, but I never supported this
project. I have real problems widening roads that affect businesses. I'm a
believer that it doesn't make any difference to me at 10:00 at night,
whether it takes me two minutes or five minutes to get home, and I think
we're talking about small potatoes when we're talking about Iowa City
traffic. And so I'm not going to support any of this.
Wilburn: Any other discussion on the resolution, authorizing acquisition of
property? Roll call. Item carries 4 to 3 - Champion, O'Donnell, and
Elliott in the negative.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#10 Page 21
ITEM 10 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING, AUTHORIZING AND
DIRECTING MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND THE CITY CLERK TO
ATTEST AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF
IOWA CITY AND JOHN COYNE TO PROVIDE CONSULTANT
SERVICES FOR THE LOWER WEST BRANCH ROAD PLACARD
PROJECT.
Bailey: Move the resolution.
Correia: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Correia. Discussion?
Elliott: I'll not support this. We just heard from Eric Nurnberg about the need for
firefighters to staff. This amount of money would come close to paying
for the wage of one firefighter. We continue to spend money on things
like this. For instance, $35,000 for a sign to the entrance of the Benton
Hill Park. Hiring consultants to design the Benton Hill Park and the
Melrose Park, when we could do that internally. It might take longer, but
we could do it. We could include University classes in that situation. I
think we have to start looking at what we need and differentiating it from
what we would like to have. So, I'll not support this.
Vanderhoef: I'll not be supporting this one either, and it's slightly different reasons
than Bob's. Bob has a good idea about firefighters, but this will be a
bonding situation, so that would not be available for firefighting hiring,
but we do have a line-item budget for $50,000 a year for Public Art, and
this is definitely a public art project, and I think it should be paid for out of
that $50,000, and not put out for more bonding that increases taxes in this
city, so I'll be voting no.
Bailey: I'll be supporting this. We build cities for decades and a sense of place is
really important to the community, and when Rick talked about this
project, talked about making it, this particular area, distinctive, and I think
that that's important. It's an important part of who we are as a
community. (TAPE ENDS) .. . and this project, I think, is important. Not
this nice, but necessary.
Champion: Thank you, Regenia.
Correia: I also think it's important, we talk about we are supportive of the arts as
individuals, who are consumers of the arts, but this is supporting artists,
and that's important to our community, as well. It's part of the flavor of
our community that we have artists in residence and artists can do their
work because there's a market, and so we're creating a market. I think
that it's, again, part of the flavor of our community and what makes our
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#10
Page 22
community unique by incorporating art into various aspects is important.
Other communities would have to fly in an art consultant, imagine that,
Bob.
Elliott:
It's based on what's needed and what you'd like to have. We do that with
our own personal budgets all the time.
Wilburn:
Roll call. Passes 5-2 - Elliott and Vanderhoef in the negative.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#14 Page 23
ITEM 14 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.
a) Housing and Community Development Commission
Wilburn: This appointment involves one to the Housing and Community
Development Commission. This Commission makes decisions on
Community Development Block Grants and HOME Funds, which the
organization I work for has been a recipient and is an applicant. So, I have
a conflict of interest and will not be voting.
Karr: Mr. Mayor, before you go, could we go back. We have an addition. The
Airport Commission vacancy notice. There's one vacancy to fill a 6-year
term, March 1,2007 to March 1,2013, to be added to the vacancies.
Wilburn: Applications must be received by 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 28,
2007.
Elliott: Well said, Ross!
O'Donnell: Great team work!
Bailey: Item 14, Council Appointments, the Housing and Community
Development Commission. Last night at our informal meeting, Council
agreed to appoint Charlotte Walker to this Commission. Do I have a
motion?
Elliott: So moved.
O'Donnell: Second.
Bailey: Moved by Elliott, seconded by O'Donnell. Any discussion? Roll call.
Motion? Okay. All those in favor say aye. Okay, motion carries 6-0 -
Wilburn abstaining due to conflict of interest.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#16 Page 24
ITEM 16 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Wilburn: Urn, I think I started with Bob last time. So, Amy?
Correia: I had the opportunity over the last couple weeks to meet with two separate
groups of young people in our community, working on various projects. I
met to have lunch with the Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership
Program on the 15th, with the, what Chamber leaders call Direction
Setters. So I sat at a table with Kelly Hayworth and had small groups of
youth that have been participating, juniors in high school, from different
school districts in the county, been participating all year, and they met
with us to just ask questions about our public service, but also questions
about projects that they're interested as a class in pursuing recycling in
school districts. So they just talked about different recycling programs,
asked questions that the City was involved in. I shared with them that the
Iowa City Youth Advisory Commission is interested, as well, in recycling,
and our hope to have some recycling in the Youth Soccer, and sports parks
coming up this next sport's season. I also met with the City High Dems
Club, Democrat Club, yesterday, and they had lots of different questions
to ask about city government and what we do here, and they're interested
in an effort to get 17-year-olds the ability to vote in school board elections.
So, they're going to be working with that at the Legislative level on that.
So, I really enjoyed meeting with the young people in the community.
Elliott: Amy, I really appreciate the work you do with the young people. I think
that's important.
Wilburn: Connie? Mike?
O'Donnell: Nothing tonight.
Vanderhoef: Nothing.
Wilburn: Regenia?
Bailey: I just wanted to let you know that in the Info Packets there will be a
summary of our discussion about Shelter House funding and the STAR
Program, just recapping what we discussed and some ofthe options with
the numbers, and Linda, Connie, and I will be meeting with Chrissy
tomorrow to talk a little bit more about that, so when we have our
discussion on Tuesday with the budget, we can bring more information.
Elliott: Good, good.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#16 Page 25
Bailey: And I'd also like to welcome the newest northside neighborhood resident,
Tommie June who is 2-days old, and I welcome her to the neighborhood
and look forward to officially meeting her.
Elliott: Do you suppose she's watching?
Bailey: I'm sure she's watching. I know she's going to be a little politician.
Elliott: I just think it's important to note that Connie's voice sounds even better
tonight. You have the deep resonant voice of a gospel singer. It just
sounds great! (laughter)
Wilburn: Okay. I think at our...I won't ask Connie to speak here, but our work
session last night, it looks like there was going to be an issue for her to
make our February...
Karr: March 19 and 20.
Wilburn: I'm sorry. March 19 meeting, so I guess I would ask the Council by, by
our meeting next Monday, if you could get, take a look at your calendars,
see if it would be possible to meet the following week. I think...
Karr: 26'h, 27th.
Wilburn: 26th, 27th
Karr: That'd be 25, 26...
Elliott: This is March, move the 19th to the following week?
Wilburn: One week later. Just look at your calendars and get that information to
Marian.
Champion: I appreciate that.
Karr: And, as long as we're doing it, Ross, why don't we take a look, if any of
you.. . April, May, June.. . because I've heard from a couple of you there
may be some other issues out there. We might as well take a look at the
whole scheduling issue - if you know some absences, we can make it
work.
Correia: I say we all bring our calendars to the work session.
Wilburn: If you could get the dates to Marian before that meeting so that coming
into that meeting we're not struggling, trying to set the meeting.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
#17 Page 26
ITEM 17 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
Wilburn: Other than that, City Manager?
Atkins: Nothing, sir.
Wilburn: City Attorney? City Clerk?
Karr: Yes. At the request of Council, your discussion on Tuesday the 16th on
your Capital Improvements Projects was taped for broadcast on our cable
station, and cable is right now working with programming these 7-hour
meeting into their schedule. They've broken it down into roughly 2-hour
segments. Some of them being a little longer - the longest I believe is 2
hours and 30 minutes or so. They've...they've broken it down into
categories, as you had discussed, parking, landfill, airport, streets, and
bridges will be part 1, and that started televising this evening. Part 2 will
be parks/rec, public safety, your recurring projects. The question and
answer period at the end were two separate parts in and of itself. It started
broadcasting on channel 4 today. Channel 5 will start on the 26th and that,
Channel 5 is video on demand, so you can literally dial in and select the
budget item you want to hear, ifby any chance you didn't want to have the
all 7 hours of your discussion.
Bailey: Like a mini-series!
Karr: It is, it is. So, citizens will have the ability to look on cable, to look on the
web site. The transcriptions will be up later this week, all with the
intention then of your discussion on the budget public hearing later in
February.
O'Donnell: I'm sure this will be very highly rated! (laughter and several talking)
Elliott: You know, we're all nice folks, I think, and we get along well with our
differences, but anybody who watches all 7 hours of that, I would
seriously question. (laughter)
Wilburn: I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
Elliott: So moved.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Wilburn: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Elliott. All those in favor aye.
Opposed same sign. (pounds gavel) We are adjourned.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of January 23, 2007.
---"_._""._"----~~----~----~----,..._._.~--~------"-'_..--_._-"._-_....__..__._-~-_..._._---~..__._.__...._"._--~.__._,-~_._--_._---_._-_._------_._-