HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-06 Transcription
#2
ITEM 2
Wilburn:
Karr:
Mitchell:
Wilburn:
Page 1
PROCLAMATION.
a) Sertoma's Freedom Week: February 11,2007
(reads proclamation)
Here to accept the proclamation is Sertoma President Dennis Mitchell.
(applause)
On behalf of the Sertoma Clubs of Iowa City and Coralville, we appreciate
your support through this proclamation. We have a luncheon that has
been scheduled for February 15 that will honor the finalists from each
junior high school that participated in our essay contest. I know Mayor
Wilburn is planning to attend, and we look forward to that. It's a great
opportunity to recognize students for some of their academic
achievements. So, again, we appreciate your support. Thank you.
Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
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#3
ITEM 3
Wilburn:
Karr:
Wilburn:
Ledger:
Wilburn:
Koepnick:
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OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS - HOOVER
ELEMENTARY
Could the students from Hoover Elementary please come forward.
And here to assist in the presentation, Sarah Ziegenhorn, representing the
Youth Advisory Commission.
Well, good evening, and I want to thank the three of you for being here
tonight, and welcome your families down. This is a real exciting time for
us on Council. Are you nervous? (laughter and talking) Relax. I get
nervous up here too. This is a special time for us because we're not aware
of the things that you've been up to in your school, your neighborhood, or
your faith community - wherever it may be that you've been doing your
activities, but we get real excited to hear about what it is you've been up
to. I'm going to hand you the microphone. You can go ahead and tell us
your first and last name, and then go ahead and read your statement. All
right?
My name is Alex Ledger and this is my statement. The characteristics of a
good citizen are respect for others, caring for those around you, the
courage to try new things, taking responsibility for your actions, and
honesty in all that you do. To me, being a good citizen means that you are
someone people can depend on and trust. It's being someone who helps
others that are in need without wanting recognition for it. This may mean
turning in an assignment on time or helping someone with a project.
When you show that you care, it encourages others to do the same for
someone else. Good citizenship makes the world a better place to live,
and I'm glad to be a part of that. Thank you for recognizing my efforts.
(app lause )
Goodjob! I'm going to pass this behind you to Emily.
Okay, I am Emily Koepnick. I'd first like to thank the City Council for
recognizing me as a good citizen. I think that a good citizen should be a
Hoover Star. Being a Hoover Star means that you are respectful,
responsible, honest, and have courage. A good citizen should be
cooperative with others or show leadership in sports, at horne, or at school.
A good citizen should also take part in activities in their community. I try
to be a good citizen by volunteering for the school Safety Patrol,
participating in community activities like Jump Rope for Heart, showing
leadership in the classroom through my actions, and being a Hoover Star.
Thank you. (applause)
Lubecki- Wild: Before I begin, I would also like to thank Mayor Wilburn and the City
Council for this recognition, and I would also like to thank Mrs. Wertz and
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
#3
Wilburn:
Page 3
the Principal of Hoover School and my teachers, especially Mrs.
Whittington. Urn, my name is Francesca Lubecki- Wild. I started at
Hoover a year late in first grade. This was the only time in my life when I
truly felt like the new kid. It seemed everyone was one step ahead of me,
and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't catch up. I didn't know
anybody in my class and it seemed like nobody would be my friend. My
class was filing into P.E. for the first time that year and I had no clue what
the gym teacher's name was. Embarrassed, I turned to the girl next to me
and asked the teacher's name. The kind way the girl told me boosted my
confidence throughout the rest of the class. She was my first example of a
Hoover citizen. I think a good citizen is a person who does kind things
when no one is looking, actions so small you might not even know you are
making an impact affect people. I see acts of good citizenship every day
at Hoover. Kids loaning each other glue sticks, recycling paper, even if
the garbage can is closer; and participating in classroom discussions, even
if they are the only ones to raise their hand. I guess I'm trying to say that
good citizenship comes in two forms. It can be big, like donating millions
of dollars to an organization, or it can be a lot smaller, like telling a new
kid what the teacher's name is. I think the small form of citizenship
makes just as much of an impact. (applause)
Well, thank you very much, and it's nice to have three Hoover Stars over
here. Urn, I've got certificates.. . for you.. .I'm going to read off one.
They all say the same thing, except it has your own name on it, and you'll
get to take these home with you, but thanks again for coming down
tonight. For his outstanding qualities ofleadership within Hoover
Elementary, as well as the community, and for his sense of responsibility
and helpfulness to others, we recognize Alex Ledger as an Outstanding
Student Citizen. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa
City City Council. Congratulations! (applause) And Francesca Lubecki-
Wild, did I say that right? (laughter and talking) I guess I couldn't be a
Hoover Star (laughter) and this last one...you look like a softball player.
Are you a softball player? Who do you play softball for? (student talking)
All right! And who's your favorite baseball team? (student talking) That
guy right over there would really like to talk to you after the meeting, so
good job, Emily. Congratulations! (applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
~ P~4
ITEM 4 CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
Vanderhoef: Move adoption.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Point out that
there is a public hearing, within the Consent Calendar, on February 20th.
This is for an ordinance to allow utility deposits to be billed instead of
paying it in advance with proper payment history, and.. .I'm getting there!
And, we are also...a resolution setting a public hearing for February 20th
on the Operating Budget - proposed Operating Budget - for Fiscal Year
2008; the proposed Three-year Financial Plan; and also the Multi-year
Capital Improvements Program through Fiscal Year 2011. Roll call. Item
carries 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
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ITEM 5 COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NO ON THE AGENDA).
Wilburn: This is the time reserved for the public to address the Council on an item
that does not appear in tonight's agenda. If you'd like to address the
Council, please step forward, state your name for the record, and limit
your comment to five minutes or less.
Ziegenhorn: Hello, my name is Sarah Ziegenhorn. I'm a senior at City High and a
member of the Youth Advisory Commission. The Youth Advisory
Commission is urging you, the City Council, to support the establishment
of a new late-night bus route. In light of the string of assaults that have
occurred in the past few months, expanded pubic transit would provide a
safer option. Based upon the proposal of University ofIowa's Student
Government/City Council Liaisan, Austin Baeth, the bus service would
run on Friday and Saturday nights from 9:30 P.M. until 2:30 A.M. It
would run for 28 weeks of the year, coinciding with the academic
calendars of the local schools and the University. The route would run
along a northern border of Market and Church Street, eastern border of
Summit or Governor Streets, southern border of Bowery Street, and
western border of Clinton Street. This encompasses some of the most
densely populated neighborhoods. It would essentially provide a safe
means for people to return to their homes after enjoying the many
offerings our downtown has to offer. Naturally, the price ofthis service
must be considered. According to Baeth's estimates, the service would
cost the City approximately $34,000 annually. This cost could be
defrayed by charging for the service, either the standard 75 cents or $1.00
per ride. However, the hidden cost of people not visiting downtown due
to fears for their safety must not be forgotten. By providing a safe
alternative to walking or driving, more people could frequent the many
businesses that make this City special. We urge you to consider and
implement this proposal. Thank you for your time.
Wilburn: Thank you for your comments. Would anyone else care to address the
Council on an item not on tonight's agenda?
Gould: Hi, my name's Dave Gould. I'm on the Senior Center Commission and
just had two items that I wanted to update the Council on. The first one is
a document that was prepared by a Julie Seal who's the Program Specialist
at the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, and it looks at the
educational programming that's gone on from June 2006 to December
2006. I made copies for you ofthis, but it's essentially listed by headings,
divided by categories. Two items I'd like to point out - number one, 58
different instructors, lecturers, presenters were used during this period for
the programming, and 60 of these educational programs were open to the
adult public. The second item I'd like to bring to your attention, is a joint
initiative between the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center and
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
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University ofIowa Leisure Studies Program and the Press-Citizen, and
what it is, is it's called the Legacy Letter Project where we are asking,
soliciting letters from people age 50 and older, containing stories, advice,
wisdom, directed towards undergraduate students. The idea is to not only
share wisdom across generations, but we believe there's a lot of
community activity that can come from that experience, and I made a copy
of... the Press-Citizen helped us launch it. This is, Friday was the web site
launching but Saturday it was in the paper. I think there's an editorial
today, as well. So, thank you.
Wilburn: Thank you.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
O'Donnell: So moved.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef to accept correspondence.
All those in favor say aye. Carries 7-0. Would anyone else care to
address the Council on an item not on tonight's agenda?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
~ P.7
ITEM 7 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION
NO. 95-258 AND ADOPTING NEW "ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE CITY
OF IOWA CITY."
Wilburn: I will be abstaining due to a conflict of interest. This... these policies and
strategies contain a strategy that awards funding related to Community
Development Block Grants and I have a conflict of interest with that, due
to my employer having received those funds in the past.
Bailey: (reads Item 7)
Champion: Move the resolution.
Correia: Second.
Bailey: Moved by Champion, seconded by Correia. Discussion?
Vanderhoef: I was just going to say, many of these are the same as what we did back in
95. They have been, many things have been completed at this time, but
there's a real good effort on the part of our Economic Development
Committee. I'd like to thank them for their work on this. I'm
wholeheartedly in favor of the new strategies that are out there, and I think
they will push our city even further and faster in economic development.
Bailey: Thanks!
Vanderhoef: You're welcome!
Bailey: Roll call. Item carries 6-0, with Wilburn abstaining due to conflict of
interest.
This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
~ P.8
ITEM 8 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE
RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL STAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT.
Wilburn: Engineer's...or consultant's estimate was $250,250. Staff recommends
awarding the contract to Selzer Werderitsch Associates for $211,200.
Vanderhoef: Move the resolution.
Bailey: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Roll call.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
#11 Page 9
ITEM 11 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Wilburn: Bob?
Elliott: Nothing, other than I'm terribly disappointed tonight that there was
nothing against which I can rail tonight (laughter). This is a very easy
agenda.
Wilburn: Regenia?
Bailey: We have a meeting later this week. (laughter and several talking) When
we had the Citizenship Awards up here, I was just wondering ifthere
might be some way that we could get parts of their statements posted on
our web site. Some of them are so inspiring and I think it would add a
nice component to the City's web site, because we do these Citizenship
Awards on a regular basis. So, is that something we could look into?
Atkins: I was going to say, I think if the kids are willing to, we can ask them at the
time to bring a copy with them.
Bailey: I mean, most of them look like they do it on a computer anyway.
Atkins: Yeah, we'll ask them.
Bailey: I think it could be...
Karr: ...transcribe it anyway.
Atkins: Oh, that's right.
Bailey: Oh, true, so... but it would be nice to post some ofthose quotes and maybe
feature them.
Elliott: Good idea. I like that.
Bailey: And then Ijust wanted to remind everybody of the First Annual Johnson
County Local Food Summit. It's going to be tomorrow, February 7th,
from 2:30 to 6:00 P.M. in Meeting Room A at the Iowa City Public
Library and Agricultural Economist and Community Development experts
is how they're billing them. Ken Meter will be doing the keynote. So, I
plan to attend and will bring information from that to the Economic
Development Committee for sure, and the Council.
Vanderhoef: And I'd just like to remind Council and let our citizens know that next
Wednesday, Valentine's Day, we're going to take a Valentine to the State
House and League of Cities will be there, lobbying for city issues and also
This represents only a reasonably accnrate transcription of the Iowa City City
Conncil meeting of February 6, 2007.
#11
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having an opportunity to look at tabletop displays on best practices and
proj ects that have been completed throughout the state, and our staff is
doing one of those tabletops in the Rotunda, and I hope you other
Councilors that are not going on the lobbying trip to D.C. will come to
Des Moines on Wednesday.
Bailey: What's our presentation?
Vanderhoef: It is on Economic Development, and the...how we do our TIF's and...
Atkins: TIF's, right.
Bailey: Great!
Atkins: .. .some handouts, and I'll get those to you in a couple days hopefully,
ahead of time.
Wilburn: Mike?
O'Donnell: I have nothing to say tonight. I'm so shocked by Bob's comment
(laughter).
Champion: I hope you take a very big Valentine to Des Moines because we need some
help, and I'd like to remind people to vote in the school election for the
I % sales tax for, be good for 10 years, and the State's going to impose it
anyway, so please remember to vote, and I'm going to vote yes, and I
hope you will too.
Wilburn: Maybe I should take a Valentine to Washington D.C. with us next week
for presentations looking for funding for three of our capital projects.
Going with the Corridor Chamber Alliance and other local elected
officials, with Mayor Pro Tern Regenia Bailey. So, wish us luck! And, I
guess the only other thing is if your car's parked downtown tonight after
2:00 A.M., you might want to move it or it's going to be towed so they
can shovel snow out of the downtown area. Other than that. . .
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.
#12 Page 11
ITEM 12 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
Wilburn: City Manager?
Atkins: Nothing, sir.
Wilburn: City Attorney? City Clerk?
Karr: Just a reminder, we've got the special work session on budget for 8:30
Friday morning.
Wilburn: 8:30 Friday morning. All right. Entertain a motion to adjourn.
Bailey: So moved.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Wilburn: Moved by Bailey, seconded by Vanderhoef. All those in favor say aye.
Opposed same sign. (pounds gavel) We are adjourned.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of February 6, 2007.