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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-05 Transcription February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 1 February 5, 2007 Council: U1SG: Staff: City Council Work Session 7:15PM Bailey, Champion, Correia, Elliott, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilburn Baeth Atkins, Dilkes, Ford, Franklin, Helling, Karr, O'Malley TAPE: 07:18 Sides I and 2 Planninl! and Zoninl! Wilburn: Karin Franklin. Franklin: Ok. Planning and Zoning stuff. This will be easy in comparison to your last task. Wilburn: Knock on wood. Bailey: Knock on wood, yeah. Vanderhoef: I'm standing outside - it's awfully windy - thinking we have time. Franklin: Franklin: Correia: Franklin: Correia: Franklin: a) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 20, 2007, TO CONSIDER THE CONVEYANCE OF THE PORTION OF MCLEAN STREET LOCATED BETWEEN LEXINGTON AVENUE AND HUTCHINSON AVENUE IN MANVILLE HEIGHTS ADDITION, TO ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS. First is to consider a resolution setting a public hearing for February 20ti' to consider. conveyance of a portion of McLean Street. This relates to the item c, which is the actual vacation of McLean, between Hutchinson and Lexington Avenue. So this will enable you to have the final reading on the ordinance to vacate and then have the public hearing and resolution on the conveyance the same night. Item b is amending, is a public hearing- Oh - [just had a quick question. Oh, I'm sorry. To go back, but, are these, these resolutions. This is just setting the public hearing, but it talks in here about the compensation. At what point we will vote on this contract for this purchase? That would, typically what we do is we set the public hearing and then we have the resolution authorizing conveyance on the same agenda which you can decide that night whether or not you want to go forward with that resolution or not. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 2 Correia: Franklin: Elliott: Franklin: Elliott: Dilkes: Franklin: Dilkes: Franklin: Champion: Franklin: Franklin: Ok. Ok. So that would all happen on the 20'h Yeah, yeah. So one sets the compensation, the other does the job. Is that what you're saying? Well, no, the public hearing is on the, the conveyance to these entities for an amount which will be in your packet the night of the public hearing. Ok. Ok. Actually it's in the, it's in the comment of 6a. Is it? Oh, I see it, yes. Total of$37,100.00, which is consistent with the assessed values of the adjacent properties extrapolated. I think the offer being made for compensation is very consistent with what our policy has been in the past. b) AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 06-4245, WHICH AMENDS CERTAIN SPECIFIC PROVISIONS WITHIN TITLE 14, ZONING CODE, CHAPTER 2, BASE ZONES; CHAPTER 3, OVERLAY ZONES; CHAPTER 4, USE REGULATIONS; CHAPTER 5, SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS; CHAPTER 7, ADMINISTRATION; CHAPTER 8, REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES; CHAPTER 9, DEFINITIONS. Ok? Moving onto b. This is a public hearing on those amendments that we need to make to the zoning ordinance to clean it up to put back in the sections that we took out that we didn't mean to. Get that? Ok. c) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF MCLEAN STREET BETWEEN HUTCHINSON AVENUE AND LEXINGTON AVENUE. (VAC06-00006) (SECOND CONSIDERATION) And item c is the vacation of McLean, second consideration. d) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE 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-1) (REZ06-00021) (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Item d is second consideration on the rezoning of 17.75 acres on Mormon Trek Boulevard extended from CI-I to CO-I. I, we are still working on the inventory for you for the CI-I land in order to get that mapped, but I wanted to give you some preliminary This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 3 figures that we have compiled that need to be verified, so don't hold me to these in terms of absolute numbers. But in the CC-2 zone at this point we have 370 total acres, with 81 acres vacant. And this will all be coming to you in written form too. In commercial intensive, or the CI-I zone, we have 395 acres, with 127 of them vacant, so there's more vacant land in CI-I than CC-2. This rezoning is from CI-I to CO-I. 1 don't have the CO numbers for you, that wasn't what you keyed in on, but with the final report that 1 give you I'll have the CO-I numbers also. So this is second consideration on this item. Vanderhoef: And you want to expedite it? Franklin: Franklin: Bailey: Franklin: Bailey: Franklin: Bailey: Franklin: e) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE J, FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE RE-FORMATTED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP. (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Yes, they do want it expedited. Thanks for pointing that out, Dee. Item e is the amendment to the flood plain management ordinance to adopt the reformatted flood insurance rate map. Again, this was a housekeeping sort of thing. It will not change the rates for flood insurance or who needs flood insurance, and staff is requesting expedited consideration on this one. f) CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 20 ON AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE APPROXIMATELY 12,200 SQUARE FEET OF PROPERTY FROM LOW DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY (RS-5) TO COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO-1), LOCATED WEST OF DIANA STREET AND SOUTH OF KIRKWOOD AVENUE (REZ06- 00027). Then you had an insert, item f is setting a public hearing for February 20th on an ordinance to rezone approximately 12,200 square feet of property from RS-5 to CO-I. This is west of Diane Street and south of Kirkwood Avenue and is being applied for by Lensing Funeral and Cremation Services. Just setting a public hearing on that? This is setting the public hearing, yes, for the 20th. So you'll bring maps then? I'll bring maps on the 20th, lots of maps. That'll be helpful. g) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF STONE BRIDGE ESTATES, PART FIVE, IOWA CITY, IOWA (SUB06- 00016). Item g is a resolution approving the final plat of Stone Bridge Estates part 5. And, as the plat shows, 1 just want to point out, Ever, Eversaw Lane, which is this area right in here. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 4 You may have noticed that, in the packet that went to the Planning and Zoning Commission, there was concern about connecting Eversaw Lane, and as this went through the approval process, the developer decided to go ahead and make that connection rather than putting in temporary turnarounds, and so as a consequence there's two more lots in this than the original application that came in. This is a final plat which is consistent with the preliminary plat that you have already approved. This will be the start of Arlington coming, Arlington comes from the south through Windsor and actually these two line up here. This - yeah, that wouldn't be good. So these two actually line up and then Arlington will proceed and go on up to Lower West Branch Road. Just to show you also the trail systems. What you see on this slide is Windsor to the south with the trails that are there. And what's shown in the kind ofteal color is the 8-foot sidewalks. There is an 8-foot sidewalk on the south side of Court Street and in this new development there will be a sidewalk that will come - of course there will be the 4-foot all along here. The 8-foot will come from Arlington on the north side also and continue up along the drainage way through this development up to Lower West Branch and connect with the 8-foot sidewalk that will be part of the Lower West Branch Road project. So this whole area is kind of developing out nicely with the connections being made. Ok? h) CONSIDER A LETTER TO THE JOHNSON COUNTY SUPERVISORS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A PHOTO STUDIO BUSINESS ON APPROXIMATELY 40 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3104 CHARLES DRIVE, NE IN FRINGE AREA A. Franklin: And then item h, the last item, is a letter to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors recommending approval of a conditional use permit. This is to operate a photo studio business on Charles Drive, which is off of Rapid Creek Road. And we, under the County zoning ordinance, whenever there's a conditional use permit, we have the opportunity to comment on that. The staff recommendation and the recommendation of Planning and Zoning is to recommend approval. If this were to happen in the City, no approval would even be necessary. Al!enda Items Vanderhoef: Can I ask her a quick question? Wilburn: Go ahead. Vanderhoef: Karin - Franklin: Yeah - Consent Calendar 4(02 Assistant TransDortation Planner CorresDondence Vanderhoef: Since Jeff isn't here, maybe you know. We have correspondence about changing parking and so forth in the 100 block of South Capitol, or Capitol Street, and it doesn't say whether it's north or south Capitol, and I don't, I don't understand. I didn't drive down there to look but I think it has to be south Capitol, so I'm thinking it's beside Capitol Mall and the Engineering Building? Am I thinking right, folks? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 5 Franklin: Um- Vanderhoef: That's Capitol. Bailey: That's Capitol. Elliott: That's- Helling: Yeah, across the street. Bailey: The VI Public Safety Office - I can't envision that. Elliott: Oh that's the alley-type street that runs between the Mall and the Engineering Building. Vanderhoef: Well, that's Capitol Street, and then it stops because of the apartments. Franklin: I'm looking for the item in my- Bailey: Item 4, F2. Franklin: F2. Elliott: It's a sad street if it's a street. Franklin: I had to get past all the marijuana and everything. Bailey: Hard to get past that. Correia: It's just a small street. Franklin: Oh, yeah. It would be - how to describe it. It's where the garage used to be that isjust, it's on the east side of Capitol, obviously, where the Mall is and it isjust north of the parking ramp exits. Bailey: Oh. Vanderhoef: Ok. Franklin: And it's where the University Public Safety Office is going to be. Vanderhoef: Ok. I figured it had to be along there, but I could not picture that. Wilburn: Any other questions on the Planning and Zoning items? Correia: I have a question about a Planning and Zoning, an item that's not on this agenda. Can I ask? Franklin: Well, I don't know. Try and see if Eleanor stops you. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 6 (laughter) Correia: Dilkes: Wilburn: Correia: Wilburn: Correia: Franklin: Correia: Champion: Bailey: Elliott: Correia: Wilburn: Council Time Correia: Franklin: Correia: Franklin: Dilkes: Wilburn: Urn. Is it related to anything on this agenda? If it's not, then that answers your question right there. It's related to- Perhaps you can propose it during your Council time, you can pose the question and then. Is Karin going to be here? I will if you would like me to. I would. I could move that we allow Council time now so she could go home. I'd be, I'd be fine with that if this is a Council time item that you need Karin to answer, I'd be fine with that. Yeah. Ok. Ok. Because that's what this- Go ahead. The Planning and Zoning Commission was considering the CC2 rezoning application on Broadway last Thursday. Yes. What was their, can you share what their? It was a 5 to 2 vote in favor. However, the conditions of the approval were I think for the more limited buffer. That's the part - Wally can you help me at all? You'd have to come up. Since I haven't seen the conditions of the ordinance yet, I'm not sure- You know, I hate to tell you, but I don't think this is a good idea. This, this is not a Council time, this is a Planning and Zoning item that's been debated in front of Planning and Zoning and it's not on our agenda. Ok. In the mean time I guess I would recommend you follow-up with staff sometime at your convenience during the week. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. City Council Work Session February 5, 2007 Elliott: Dilkes: Wilburn: Bailey: Champion: Bailey: Page 7 The legal muscle has spoken. Ijust think that's a bad (can't hear) Does Council want to continue on with Council time or? Let's go back to the agenda. Let's go back to the agenda. I'll be too confused otherwise. Economic DeveloDment Policv Wilburn: Bailey: Wilburn: Franklin: Wilburn: Ah, economic development policy, and I have a question before we - are you making this, Wendy are you making this presentation? Wendy is. My question is for Eleanor and Marian and I apologize I didn't get this question to you before tonight's meeting. When we set the economic development policies originally, I don't remember if we separated the strategy related to the amount ofCDBG funds used to assist new businesses from the rest of the policy, voted on that separate so I could vote on all the policies or not. Maybe it's something you could look up for me tomorrow and let me know. Because strategy - Strategy - Yeah, under #3, assisting in the development of entrepreneurial businesses in Iowa City, one strategy sets an amount for CDBG - Elliott: What book is that in please? Bailey: Your agenda packet. Dilkes: We'll look at it tomorrow. Wilburn: Oh, thank you. Bailey: Agenda packet item 7. Elliott: Yeah, but what date? Correia: Today. I got it in today's - Bailey: Today. Champion: I'm sure we can separate it. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 8 Elliott: Oh yes, I went over that this afternoon. There we go. Champion: Hope you went over it long before then. Bailey: Yeah - you voted on this already. Elliott: I remembered it being at the first of the book. Wilburn: Ok, Wendy, go ahead. ITEM 7. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 95-258 AND ADOPTING NEW "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE CITY OF IOWA CITY." Ford: Ok. The Economic Development Committee then is recommending your approval of the document "The Economic Development Policies and Strategies for the City of Iowa City 2007-2008," which is actually the outline ofa 2-year program of work for economic development activities in the City. The reason for the policies and strategies document and the exercise in updating it is simple, actually. Economic development means a lot of things to a lot of people, and given that the City has dedicated one full-time person, yours truly, to the job, the Committee and I wanted to make sure that we are directing efforts where they are doing the most good for the benefit of the City. The policies are largely those that were set forth in 1995 - what - ok - Bailey: I just looked up - Ford: With one minor exception. And they, and they read - I'll read them if you like, but if you had your packet and looked over them, you could see that they involve, first of all, diversifYing and increasing the property tax base by two things. One, encouraging retention and expansion of existing industry and two, attracting new business and industry that have growth potential that are compatible with Iowa City. The second one is to develop an available workforce consistent with the needs of employment opportunities. And you'll note that in our Economic Development Committee meeting there was some discussion about changing that policy which originally had to do with attracting businesses that fit our workforce here in the community. But we feel it's more important actually to fit our workforce to the businesses that we'd be attracting to the community. So this really focuses on the people here. The third policy is to provide and protect areas suitable for future industrial and commercial development. The fourth, to continue to cooperate with existing local and regional organizations to promote economic development within Iowa City. The fifth is to improve the environmental and economic health of the community through the efficient use of our resources, and sixth and final, to consider financial incentives and programs to facilitate achieving the above policies. Ok. Those are the policies. But with the policies in place and discussed, the, and still applicable, actually, from 12 years ago, the Committee next focused its view on the horizon, that is, the future of Iowa City. To do that they looked as far into the future as they could, and they talked about what they felt Iowa City should aspire to - a stretch goal, if you will, or a vision statement, as you'll hear planners talk about. To ensure that This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 9 the activities of economic development are conducted with an eye on the future then, the vision statement reads: Iowa City aspires to be a global community defined by creativity, diversity and innovation of its citizens and businesses. Global, because the world is smaller and we are evermore connected to people, resources and businesses around the world. Creativity, because of the energy, vitality and interests derived by a community of creative people and businesses. Diversity because we are increasingly a reflection of the whole planet and we need to embrace, share and cultivate those differences. And innovation, because we need to foster the entrepreneurial among us. The backbone of this country, as you know, is built on small businesses and we need to focus on the ability of our community to provide a safe place and a good place for small businesses to grow. So, with a vision as a big picture, the committee then wrote a mission or a goal statement, and determined four areas of focus, or objectives, to be used as an outline for a plan of work. The mission was simply and I think quite eloquently put, to achieve a vibrant local economy. Then the four objectives that support that mission statement, which then also supports the vision, are to one, foster the retention and expansion of primary sector businesses and attract new businesses to Iowa City. The second of the objectives is to support the development of downtown to ensure a healthy mix of retail, services, entertainment, office, residential, lodging, and nightlife. The third, to assist in the development of entrepreneurial businesses in Iowa City and the fourth, to develop our local workforce to meet the needs of jobs in our market. So those are the four areas of focus that the Economic Development Committee chose to expand upon and where they'll put efforts and hope that I direct my energies as well. In those four areas offocus there are several strategies in each that have been developed, and I thought I would highlight just a couple in each of the four areas for you. For example, in the objective to foster and retain businesses who are here and to bring new businesses in, one of those strategies would be for us to have an ability to respond as needed to infrastructure needs. So we need to be able to plan and budget for economic development infrastructure in our capital improvement plan. That would include space, roads, utilities, and telecommunications, etc.: the needs of the business community that we're hoping to attract. Another strategy as an example would be, in that first area, to market new and existing land for development and redevelopment. And one of the ways that we do that is in partnership with the Iowa City Area Development Group, through the use of the location one information system, a web-based database of all properties in the state but one that we're participating in and puts us on a competitive or level playing field with our neighbors who are also seeking to attract new businesses to their community. In the second area of focus, to support the development of downtown, one of our strategies is to facilitate a market niche analysis for downtown. As we all know, our downtown is changing significantly, especially with the addition of the new and upscale residential, and we want to make sure that the efforts that we do in economic development are aligned with actually how those changes are impacting our town, and make the best of those changes and capitalize on the changes that are happening. Another example of fostering the downtown would be to explore the development of a creative business incubator, and that is something that has been talked about in economic development for some time, and something I wanted to point out to you because This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 10 economic development, and I remind p~ople every time I speak to them, is not just going after the big business. It's not evenjustgoing after the big business. It's helping the small businesses find a way to work in our community. And creating a place for them to start and resources for them to start, is one very important component of economic development that I'm especially interested in, and so is your committee, thankfully. The third area offocus had to do with the entrepreneurial businesses. I feel like I'm a little out of order here. But in order to foster these entrepreneurial businesses, one of the things that we can do is to market the financial assistance programs that we have available through bankers, the web, and other community outreach that we can do. I just had a request from the Chamber of Commerce, for example, to come and speak to the Chamber about all of the financial incentives or opportunities there are available for small businesses. And that's, they're asking about not only the cities but also what do I know about resources in the State and private resources that businesses in the community might be able to tap into as well. So, that's an example of that. Another one in, within the entrepreneurial business focus is to use, and this was the question from earlier, the amount we noted here was $250,000.00 a year in community development block grant funds to assist new businesses in getting off the ground. And in that fourth area of focus, workforce development, a couple of the strategies there would be to encourage and advocate the local industry's use of the University ofIowa's Career Center Expo, which is a web, again, a web-based database of jobs that are seeking the new graduates of the University ofIowa. And this is a system I'm intimately familiar with, having been on the committee that selected the provider of this database. But it's also a system that lists 2500 jobs from companies all over the United States. And I'd be willing to bet that not enough of the companies in Iowa City know that this is a resource that they can use as well, to list their internships, part-time and full-time opportunities, for the students who have already come to love our community and who might just want to stay here and work as well. And also, in the workforce development category, we'd like to create some kind of recognition program for those good employers and good stewards of employment in Iowa City. And it seems as though something could come out of the economic development department in that vein would be quite appropriate. Well, those are some ofthe strategies that our, that you'll find under each area offocus. But the strategies were written with an idea to be able to measure our success as well, and within each strategy the committee came up with 2 or 3 or 4 measurables that we can use, especially this first time around, as a benchmark for noting how well we did and figuring out what we might do to better tune our efforts at meeting some of these goals. So we put measurables on and each year we'll be looking at where we are in the scope of a two-year program of work that will be an outcome or a further detail description under each of the strategies that we have in the document. So that's, in a nutshell, how the committee got to the list of the four areas of focus. What, a few of the strategies were under there, under each of those, and then how again we plan to measure our success in each of those. And I'd be happy to answer any questions, if there were any. Elliott: I've got a couple questions. For instance, under #3e, it says use $250,000.00 a year. I'd like for that to be up to $250,000.00 a year. It appears we'd be required to use $250,000.00 a year. So I'd like that up to. On the first strategy, under g, we list you know, develop an active involvement and presence with a number of places, but it isn't This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page II Correia: Bailey: Elliott: Champion: Correia: Elliott: Correia: Elliott: Ford: Elliott: Ford: Elliott: Correia: Ford: mentioned - Home Builder's Association, it doesn't mention Development Council there at all, so, you know, and you mention it in your comments. I know of at least one angel financing group - there are several of those private groups. I don't know that they're- they're very loosely organized but they do, it would be well for us to be involved with them, 'cause they have quite a bit of money to spread around. Should this g be saying such as, and not be so prescriptive? Mmm hmm. Right. Yes. Because I mean, wouldn't want to limit it to what we list in case something, and not worry about listing every single potential - Yeah. Because we have Professional Developers of Iowa, is that - no, ok. But anyway, I was just wondering including or such as. I think you run the, for instance, I was concerned and I was persuaded that in the policies that industry was used to reflect, to be interpreted in the broadest terms, because when you say businesses and industries, you seem to be separating business from industry and then when you say industrial and commercial, you seem to be again separating those two. And just so we understand, industry in the broadest terms. That work in both these uses, I'm thinking. In other words, we don't just mean assembly lines, we mean industry in the broadest terms. So is it clear enough, written the way it is, as long as there's that general understanding? So long as we understand that and that understanding is passed along. I have a question on objectives one, just the way it - so would foster the retention and expansion of primary sector existing businesses and attract new businesses. That's been related (can't hear) any kind of business and not just primary sector. Or does that mean primary sector? That would also mean primary sector. If we were making, if we were making choices on businesses to recruit to the area, because we have a limited amount oftime, we would go after those listed on the primary sectors list, which is actually the final page of the document. And that also is a carryover and still applicable from, I think it was actually adopted in 1996 after the policies had been in place for a year. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 12 Vanderhoef: I had a thought on a strategy and I' II let you talk about it in the Economic Development Committee and see how it works. But as we give incentives to businesses for expansion and for new construction, how about connecting that to OIT or to internships, those kinds of things, in our original contract. And why I, I, job shadow is another piece of that and what I would like to see is that we have young people in the community that are in our grant program through CDBG for beginning, learning, pre-employment skills, and then trying to get into OIT or internships or job shadows or whatever. And that this might be a place that we could request whatever is appropriate for that business. One of those, that they would open their doors to make that available to young people. Ford: Are you thinking for TIF financing only, or? Vanderhoef: Any, anything where we are contracting for certain kinds of results in exchange for some sort of abatement or? Correia: They would participate in some sort of youth? Bailey: So you want us to add that to sort of our negotiations tool box, a workforce development piece that may connect with our Youth Consortium. Vanderhoef: It might. Bailey: Or we could ask, just generally, for some information about using interns. Correia: No, because you know, there's- Vanderhoef: Interns may be the last step of it. It might be more OIT. I don't know. Bailey: On the job training. Vanderhoef: But we know that we've got work keys going in this community and we have workplace learning going in the community that helps with it, but when I have talked to VA Y their biggest problem is finding locations to get young people out to see actually what's there. Bailey: Part of that is because they have to do their own finding, finding job locations. Part of that is the challenge of just working with employers, I think. Vanderhoef: And we know that for the new company, they can come in and they can do a TIF with, through Kirkwood for job training, for new business jobs or, or re-outfitting of present businesses. Bailey: Right. And so obviously this is not going to be applicable to every incentive that we have Vanderhoef: Right. Bailey: I think, I think it makes sense to add it to a possible negotiating item, don't, what do you think? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 13 Champion: I don't have any, it doesn't need to be part of this policy, but we've talked about adding other things to negotiations. Bailey: Could we just make a note of that, because it's kind of neat. Vanderhoef: Mmm hmm. Ford: Kind of. Bailey: Interesting. I think it's an innovative approach to working with business expansion and new businesses, which would maybe make them more connected to the community, potentially. Ford: Ok. Add it to a list. Bailey: I don't know that it needs - I agree with Connie- Champion: No, it doesn't- Bailey: I don't know that it needs to be here, but I think bringing it up and being aware of it, and then also when these things come in front of Council or we're getting these kinds of discussions, reminding Economic Development Committee that that could be, maybe this is a good fit for a particular business. Wilburn: I think it's a great idea. I, for example, because you don't know what may be out there. For example, I forget his name, but one of Bob Burns' sons has brought that company here that makes the software for like PlayStation or things like that. Bailey: Right, right. Wilburn: And I think they were gonna start bringing some kids in now like for a demonstration but for art and graphic type things, so. Bailey: Yeah, so- Vanderhoef: Make them aware up front. Of some of the things. Bailey: Connect the business and the community much more quickly, potentially. Vanderhoef: Mmm hmm. Mmm hmm. Elliott: It seems to me, and Wendy I really like what you've done on this, it seems to me whether it would be helpful for a letter of understanding to go along with it, this is not meant to be a limiting document. It is meant to be a document that draws attention to that which we are striving to address, and there are many things that won't be involved, won't be written down here, that we'll want to do. This is not meant to be limiting, it is meant to be highlighting. Correia: But it's also, it's meant to be focusing. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 14 Bailey: But it is meant to be focusing Wendy's, Wendy's work, because otherwise it would be an overwhelming job. Ok - it's overwhelming enough. Ford: It does beg the question though for me though, of whether or not you want to have a seventh policy in the front that would address attracting youth to stay and work in Iowa City. Bailey: I think so many other organizations are working on that. Perhaps we can re-evaluate that when we - Elliott: Is? Isn't there? Didn't I remember reading somewhere in there talking about workplace development and that sort of thing? Champion: Yes. Bailey: Yes. Elliott: It generally addresses that, and that would be something that would be more specific in that area. Vanderhoef: I'm really pleased that you've turned that around on workforce and how you fit it in. Truthfully, when it was first written, some of the committee members were not even sure that we should be mentioning jobs and workplace connections in that routine. Ford: It goes to Bob on that one. Elliott: What did I do now? Champion: A battle all the way uphill. (laughter) Champion: And he won. And it was right. He was right. Wilburn: Any other questions for Wendy? Thank you. Elliott: Good. Correia: Thank you. Al!enda Items Wilburn: Agenda items. O'Donnell: Very short agenda. Vanderhoef: Yeah. We should be out in record time tomorrow night I think. I think I got my only one answered when I - This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 15 ITEM 8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL STAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. Correia: Well, Ijust had a question on item 8. There's such a large difference in the bids that we received on this project. I just wondered, is there anything we attribute that to? I mean- Wilburn: I didn't think that was that large of a range. Bailey: I didn't think 22 was out of line. Elliott: 250 to 272. Correia: No, no, not from what we estimated, from 2 I I to 272, just among the- Champion: We've had lots of bids this past year like that, with huge, which I consider more of a 10 or 20% difference. Correia: Do you know if the firms use union labor? I mean, do we have any sense of why? Champion: I don't know. They're an awfully good construction firm. That's all I know. Vanderhoef: Rick has told us sometimes, it depends on how much work they've got lined up at the present time and how interested. In some respects this is a small job for some of them, whereas it's a large job- Bailey: It's a very visible job though. Vanderhoef: Mmm hmm. Correia: This is the, what, the rest rooms, the? Atkins: Lights, sidewalks, rest rooms, that, yeah. We haven't had I I bids on an item in some time, so. Bailey: I think it's a visible job. It'd be nice to have in your portfolio if you're an Iowa City company. Correia: Have your name on - Atkins: And I, I think there is an element of that. It's going to be something that photographs very well for somebody. Bailey: Yes, quite. Vanderhoef: That (can't hear) was a great bid. Champion: Are they gonna have cameras inside the bathrooms? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 16 Elliott: (laughter) Wilburn: Atkins: Bailey: Wilburn: O'Donnell: Bailey: Karr: Bailey: Karr: Bailey: Karr: Bailey: Elliott: Karr: Bailey: Elliott: Karr: Bailey: Absolutely. That was a joke for anyone who - For the record that was a joke. No, that would be a higher bid. Other agenda items? That's it. That's it. I don't know if mine is an agenda item or a council time. I'll just stick it in. Why not? In our work session minutes from, 4a2, and it's on page 4 on January 22nd. I think you'll get a revised one tomorrow. Ok, so. I've got an important word. Not. Not. Thank you. I was very confused, like woah! I wasn't listening. Thank you. Boy, that was quick. I, I caught it. Well she even knew what I was talking about so- Yeah. We caught it today. Thank you. Budl!et Discussion Wilburn: Atkins: Budget discussion. We included this on the agenda tonight in case there were any loose ends out there. Or Steve, I didn't know, can you give usjust an update on any of those loose items that we had out there. I know you mentioned to Andy. Andy, yeah. I've already spoken with Andy and we've started an outline on the various options we thought would be available. Within our recurring projects there were monies This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 17 O'Donnell: Atkins: Bailey: Atkins: Bailey: Wilburn: Atkins: Bailey: Wilburn: Atkins: Bailey: Elliott: Atkins: Bailey: Atkins: Bailey: Elliott: from a previous bond issue that we had identified so that would allow you to substantially do the design work for a fourth fire station if you wanted to, that's budgeted. I didn't hear that Steve. What was that? In, under scheduled projects we have monies that were set aside at the purchase of the property and so it, it in effect, I think, satisfies your position do we have some money available if we chose to initiate a design of the fourth fire station. The answer is yes we do. Let's see - In that fire, fire station discussion, we had discussion about use of paraprofessionals. Yes, that's - And somebody asked me to distinguish what a paraprofessional or the difference between paraprofessional and what we also refer to as, or volunteer - can you do that? The implication, and maybe Steve can correct me, but my understanding at least, the distinct, what distinguishes volunteer from paraprofessional is just a certain level of training. Yes. Ok. And that's - with paraprofessional, volunteers may receive training but if there's - for example, at the Crisis Center we sometimes describe the people that staffthe crisis line or do some of the support group work as paraprofessionals because the work that they are doing is really closely related to someone who has a degree or more detailed training in a particular area. And that, that's fine - Ok, that's just the only distinction, right? Is levels oftraining. Or perhaps - I think the easiest distinction is a paraprofessional might be trained in basic fire fighting responsibilities. Our firefighters, however, are, have fire fighting, but they also have to have an EMT as well. Right. So that's what we mean by it. I just wanted to make sure I was saying- But when you say paraprofessional are you talking about volunteer? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 18 Atkins: Champion: Elliott: Atkins: Elliott: Atkins: Elliott: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Champion: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Bailey: Atkins: Bailey: Atkins: Bailey: Atkins: Champion: Atkins: No. No. Because that reminds me You're talking about both. You could talk about something significantly lower pay for something like an apprentice, as in electricians, when you become an apprentice and then a journeyman. What we want to be able to provide you is as many options as we can. Good. And you may have an option that has paraprofessionals, you may have one with volunteers, you may have one of a combination, that's kind of the idea. But a, well, what I think your question is, a paraprofessional is unpaid. No. Not necessarily. No, not necessarily. Oh. One of the concepts that's used by, particularly in smaller communities, is the paid on- eall. That is, someone is actually paid to be able to be paged from their home. Ok. That's, not - not, from their home. It's not a location - That's correct. So when we begin to have these discussions, will we, can we have definitions so we're all talking about the same thing? Oh yeah. And I think there was just some confusion in that discussion, at least from the questions I got from public, so. We'll get you that. Are we willing to have a volunteer fire department where people are paged from home? I'm not sure I'm willing to do that. I think that they stay at the fire station. Yeah- This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 19 Bailey: That's what I heard you say, you called those paraprofessionals and they were located at the fire station and I wondered if that was an additional distinction. Ok. All right. Thank you. O'Donnell: You know, and the distinction of volunteer firemen today. Bailey: Fighters. O'Donnell: What was that? Bailey: Fire fighters. O'Donnell: Oh. We're being p.c. These fire people today that volunteer are trained and licensed the EMTs now. Champion: Oh, yes. O'Donnell: Many of them are, and it's really a highly, highly talented professional group today. Some of them have been firemen for 20 and 30 years. I think we'd really be surprised by them. Champion: Well I think (can't hear) Atkins: Well we hope to put together a package of options, work through them, and you see something that appeals to, send us back for more, more information. Ok. Back to the original list. Napoleon Park, you asked that that be put in, the rest rooms. You didn't mention the concessions. Champion: Well, at least the women's rest rooms. Atkins: Yes. Yes. Bailey: With extra stalls. Atkins: I think that was about it. I'm sorry, I didn't bring my notes with me. Bailey: Dubuque and Church - we talked about Dubuque and Church. Vanderhoef: And the holding place. Atkins: Holding place for trails, yeah. No, I think that's it. Elliott: When is our next discussion about the budget? Champion: We're done I think. Atkins: Really anytime you want. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 20 Elliott: Atkins: Champion: Elliott: Bailey: Correia: Champion: Atkins: Bailey: Elliott: Atkins: Elliott: Atkins: Elliot: O'Donnell: Bailey: Correia: Elliott: Atkins: Elliott: Atkins: Wilburn: Well, we've never gone back to our original discussion as to whether or not we will increase taxes. Yeah. No. That's - I want that to be discusses at some point, and I don't want to find out that, no - Well, we're setting the public hearing tomorrow night, so we should probably discuss it right now. We should discuss it (can't hear) Well that's just the amount of money. We can always back down from it. You can go down. You can, but, I mean you rapid - I mean, you also publish a budget that has raised taxes in it. I mean, is that your intent, I guess? See, I'd like to, I'd like to know how much money it would take from the year-end balance to assure that taxes would not increase? A million thirty eight thousand. I gave you that number, I think, I forgot - A million dollars. A million. It was in the paper. And remember, we can't ensure that taxes wouldn't increase, we can only insure that, assure that our tax rate won't go up. Our tax rate. Right. And remember last year, because of the, you remember last year because of the significant increase in assessed values for residential property. We lowered the anticipated increase last year. Correct. That's what you did. And you could do that again if you would so choose. I thought the (can't hear) taxing bodies did not. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 21 Bailey: Yes, we did not. Elliott: Yes. Wilburn: And we got the blame. Vanderhoef: And we what? Wilburn: And we got the blame. Bailey: We need better press releases. Atkins: Ok. Correia: So do you want to have a discussion about that Bob? Elliott: Yes. I would like not to increase - Correia: So you would like to keep - Elliott: Whatever it takes for us to do to not increase the taxes we are asking. Correia: Ok. Champion: The other thing you could do is cut out some capital improvement projects. That would also keep the tax - Wilburn: Lower the debt burden. Champion: Not the tax rate but the- Bailey: Debt, debt service - Champion: The property tax. O'Donnell: And that's the only way you can do it, is determine what, what we're willing to cut. Correia: Or - Champion: Or - Correia: If we go into our reserve to cover the difference. Elliott: Mmm hmm. So I'm, I'm willing to, if, ifthe City Manager would like to put forth a suggestion of combining cuts in other areas with using some of the year end reserve I'd be happy to consider that. At the present time I just, I do not want to raise taxes, or the City's portion of them. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 22 Correia: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Champion: Atkins: Champion: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Champion: Atkins: Elliott: And the, looking at the history of past years estimation of what, even of receipts and expenditures, in '06 we were over receipts from our estimate by 1.5 million and we were under expenditures by a million. Mmm hmm. So even if we said we want to take that million three or whatever, million thirty eight thou - whatever it is, from our end of year balance, there may be a likelihood that we're not, we don't end up changing our - It's a risk you choose. Yeah, it's a risk, but I mean I think even historically if we look back at three years that- I looked at the historical trends that I provided you of the 2% between receipts and expenditures over the last oh, 9 or 10 years. Trends are important. How much did we take last year in receipts? $600,000.00. $600,000.00. Yes. Your tax rate over the last 4 or 5 years has not changed dramatically - it's been 17.5, 17.6, 17.7 (can't hear - sound dropout) We're dealing strictly with tax rates right now. Mmm hmm. I can prepare a little - if you're telling me there's interest in doing this, I'd rather sit, have a sit down and have in front of you a list of options. Right. I mean, we could do the Bob Elliott proposal, which is, and I can show you that number, and I can show you numbers in between. But I'd have to, we have to go back and prepare that. That doesn't effect calling the public hearing on the 20th. When you mention that trends are important, the information I carne up with is for the , 07 estimate, it was originally estimated that the year-end balance would be II million, the next year the estimate was IS million, the following year the estimate was 17 million, the following the estimate was 18 million, then take a (cut off - end of tape) Elliott: Champion: Plenty offunds in there. Well, I'm certainly interested in a way of keeping people's property tax the same level that it is now. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 23 Bailey: I am too. Correia: I am to. Champion: I'm willing to cut out capital projects to do it. Atkins: If you're interested in that. Bailey: Well, and we- O'Donnell: There's not one of us that wants to raise taxes. Elliott: No. Nobody - whether this is, whether you agree with me or not, I understand that nobody wants to raise. Bailey: Well and didn't we take some capital projects out? That should affect our debt service a little bit, right? Champion: I thought we did. Atkins: A little bit. Bailey: I mean yeah, not, we're going from- Champion: A 1.3 million dollar bridge. Bailey: Going from 3.8 to 4.5. Atkins: All you did is move that to fiscal II. Bailey: Right. O'Donnell: 3.1. 1.3. Elliot: 1.3. O'Donnell: The footbridge. Champion: We moved it and the bathroom. Vanderhoef: But we used as a placehold and that was, my suggestion list was, do we want to spend some of that in this year, because we've got the placehold there, and I even put a cutoff in there. Maybe do these and don't do these kind of thing if you want to lower taxes. Atkins: And so - Champion: Is that also in the capital improvements, does that include the money for the Sand Lake, or whatever we call it - This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 24 Atkins: Champion: Atkins: Elliott: Correia: Atkins: Correia: O'Donnell: Bailey: O'Donnell: Bailey: Atkins: Bailey: O'Donnell: Bailey: (laughter) Bailey: Champion: Bailey Wilburn: There's money in there for Sand Lake. That includes that. So, if we don't get any grant money or help with that, I'm not willing to spend that money. Now, remember these are budgets. Yeah. Well, and then, there's - And then secondly, you also have a 30% policy. The budget as we propose it, I believe is 32. We can bring that back down to 30, and that does give you a little tax relief, but it does not take you all the way to last year's tax rate. The money - oh - Do you think it's wise though to maybe have another meeting and have Steve look into the budget, find out exactly what we have to do to accomplish what we want to do. I want to see some - I want to see it in black and white. Yeah, I'd be interested in scenarios. Ok, and I'd be happy to prepare this. And my suggestion about the trails, I mean, I know that you're much more up to speed than I consider myself about the trail and the trail connectors. Thank you. Was not to program - I was talking to Dee, not you Mike. Not to program any of these until we take a comprehensive look and then roll them out next year. Yeah. Because I think that, I think that that can, we can make that make more sense at least from my perspective. Yeah, I think that was pretty clear from the other night. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 25 Bailey: So, that, once again, if that's our capital projects, I would think, I mean they're placeholders. Vanderhoef: But it isn't that big a deal to bring it back out as long as we have a placeholder. We can always not spend it. You know, that would be the choice when we vote the budget. Bailey: But how does that affect then the debt service levy rate that we set? Vanderhoef: We don't borrow until we get ready to use it. Bailey: Right. Atkins: And we don't really borrow it - just as Dee said, we don't borrow it until we get ready to use it. That's not a tax; if you were choosing to lower the tax rate what I would probably suggest to you is once you settle on a number we would reduce the employee benefit levy and charge some ofthose benefits against the 8.10 levy. So therefore you, one of the rates comes down. We might do that with tort liability. We have, we have some flexibility in there. Transit you have some flexibility. Champion: Yeah, we've got a little bit. Atkins: Those are the kind ofthings, yeah, you can reduce a number of them, you can reduce one. The big issue is you want a tax rate number. What does it cost to get to that number? And I can, I'd have to calculate that for you. Bailey: I'd rather not mess with transit if we have the opportunity of improving our transit service this year. O'Donnell: But we have to look at it, we have to look at everything. Bailey: Right, right. Atkins: And my instincts are the same as yours. I wouldn't think we'd want to fool with transit. You can switch any of those rates, I mean substantially switch any of them to the 8.10 levy. We just simply don't have the room within the 8.10. Correia: Well but, I was just gonna say where would we get the, I thought the 8.10 levy funds were - Atkins: Yeah. It's fixed. Correia: I mean, I know it's fixed, but I mean it's. Vanderhoef: Tight. Correia: Well it's already been. Atkins: Because you're gonna pay for it with cash. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 Correia: Atkins: Champion: Atkins: Correia: Champion: Bailey: Atkins: Champion: Karr: Bailey: Karr: Atkins: Elliott: Champion: Elliott: Atkins: O'Donnell: Champion: Bailey: Champion: O'Donnell: City Council Work Session Page 26 I understand that, but I mean it's already been applied in other departments for other things. Mmm hmm. You'd use the cash. You use the cash reserve. The bottom line is you buy, you buy your reduction and- Oh, fine, that's what you're talking about. But it's not using the 8.10 levy that you're saying, it's using the reserve. Ok. I, we, yes, do we want to schedule sometime to talk about this? Well, I'm trying to get a sense of how long it would take. Oh, we can put this together, what do you think, Kev, just a couple of days - this shouldn't take long to put together. Hour. We need, we need - No, I'm just asking. We've got to publish on Friday. Yeah, we're ok, go ahead and publish. There's not a problem there. It's what you adopt, and it's going to be less and we're ok. Yes. And I was the one that brought it up, but I would be happy - No, we all brought it up. I would be happy Steve to have you and Kevin provide multiple scenarios. And I'm ok with that. We need a few days to do that, but we can get that done fairly quickly. I would be really interested in seeing that. And so when will we meet to discuss it? The next work session? But that's on the same day as our meeting, because of the holiday. Oh. When could, when could? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 27 Vanderhoef: Unless we could - Atkins: Well, if you send us back tomorrow, we'll go to work on it right away to get it done, you've just got to give us a day. Champion: Have it done by 5 o'clock tomorrow! No, I'm just teasing. I'mjust teasing. Bailey: We'll come in early to meet. Atkins: That's PM you're talking about. Elliott: I think we need to meet whenever we need to meet. Atkins: I do believe that, if you want to do this you ought to go over some options and you ought to schedule a meeting. Champion: Better plan a time now. Atkins: Just - it may not be a protracted discussion. Champion: I don't think it will be. Atkins: I mean, I think I understand what -there's interest in reducing the tax rate. What that's going to be is yet decided. Bailey: With a good press release. Atkins: And then - Bailey: With a good press release, right. Wilburn: We can. Correia: Friday morning. Vanderhoef: Friday morning is employee service awards. O'Donnell: Friday evening. Vanderhoef: Ah- O'Donnell: 6 o'clock Friday evening? Karr: Employee service awards are the 23,d Atkins: 23"', yeah. Bailey: But we have economic development Friday morning, unless - This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription ofthe Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5,2007 Karr: O'Donnell: Champion: Bailey: Champion: Elliott: Champion: O'Donnell: Correia: Bailey: O'Donnell: Bailey: O'Donnell: Bailey: (laughter) O'Donnell: Atkins: Bailey: O'Donnell: Champion: (laughter) Bailey: Wilburn: O'Donnell: City Council Work Session Page 28 Yeah. How about Thursday evening? We could change that I bet, because we're just going to be discussing those. I think though that we have Chamber and ICAD coming for - Oh right, right - of course. What do people have free? Can anybody, it's, 'cause I can do it. I have a dental appointment at I o'clock tomorrow. And a 9:30 Economic Development Committee meeting on Friday. How about Thursday evening for an hour? Can't. At all. I can't. How about Friday evening for an hour? Poker. Poker? I'm not missing that, man. You need to get priorities. I'm sorry - No, that is a priority. Rather play poker than reduce taxes - imagine - I hope - that's good press release! (can't hear) How about Saturday? Saturday would work. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 29 Bailey: Can't. I'm in a workshop all day, planning workshop. Baeth: How about this time Monday? Vanderhoef: Thursday or Friday mornings at 8? Does that work? O'Donnell: That's a little bit early, Dee. Bailey: I have an 8 o'clock on Thursday. I don't have an 8 o'clock on Friday. Champion: Oh, we have (can't hear) Elliott: Something every morning. Bailey: We could, we could do, aren't we at 9:00 on Friday? Champion: 9:30 I think. Correia: I could do 8:00 on Friday. O'Donnell: I can't do 8:00. Bailey: I think our meeting is at 9:00. Champion: You can too. O'Donnell: I can not do 8:00. Champion: Yes you can. O'Donnell: No I can't. Bailey: Oh, so you'd rather sleep in than reduce taxes. O'Donnell: I'm playing poker Connie. Champion: You don't have to get up and greet us happily. Bailey: We can meet Friday afternoon. O'Donnell: How about Friday at lunch? We can have- Bailey: I have a lunch meeting already. O'Donnell: Then how about Thursday lunch? Wilburn: From II o'clock until- Bailey: I have a Thursday lunch meeting. I can do Friday afternoon. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5,2007 Wilburn: Champion: Wilburn: Correia: Champion: Bailey: O'Donnell: Champion: Atkins: Karr; Champion; Bailey: Karr; Elliott: Atkins: Champion: Karr: Bailey; Elliott: Champion: Bailey: O'Donnell: Champion: City Council Work Session Page 30 From 11 o'clock until 3:30 on Friday I can not leave work. You can meet without me, but I can't. Not meeting without you, but could you come at 8:30, 8:00 in the morning. I could come at 8 o'clock in the morning. 8 o'clock. See Mike. Which morning? When is it? Friday? Friday morning at 8:00. Friday the 9th at 8 o'clock. 8 am? You'll be out of here by 9:30 at the latest. We should check what time that Economic Development - I thought, I have it down for 9 o'clock. Economic Development? I think, I recall it 9;30. I think so. 9:30. I don't have, I don't have that here with me. Somebody told me. I, I think that I noticed it's 9;30 - it made an impression because it's unusually. On the agenda, the agenda says 9:30. Ok. Good. Why, why don't, can we do 8:30 Friday morning? So we have an hour. 8:15. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 31 O'Donnell: No, 8:30. I can do it at 8:30. Champion: We can do an hour. We can, you know, we'll talk about it long enough to meet the time that we have available. Correia: So it's 8:30? O'Donnell: 8:30 would be much better, 'cause I have- Karr: 8:30. Bailey: What time is the Economic Development? Karr: I thought Connie said it was 9:30. I was going to go check. It's posted, should be right around the comer. Bailey: Ok. Elliott: Good. Atkins: Usually 9:00 is your time. Bailey: That's why I wondered ifIjust cut and paste, and that's why it's in here as 9:00. Vanderhoef: 8: 15 would work best then so that you've got that break time and you can start promptly at 8:30. O'Donnell: I will not- Bailey: 9:30 - ok. O'Donnell: So 1 :30 sounds great for everybody, doesn't it? Bailey: 8:30. Wilburn: 8:30. Baeth: It's pretty early. Karr: 8:30 the 9th. Wilburn: Yes. Champion: 8:15 might- 8:30 is fine. O'Donnell: Listen, I have stuff I have to do Friday morning. I've got to go and get some medication (can't hear) I will be up, I will be up. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 32 Atkins: 8:30 on the 9th. We'll try and get this done in the next day or so, so we can get a handout for you before the meeting. O'Donnell: (can't hear) poker and quit worrying. Champion: Oh that would be great. Atkins: We'll try to get you something beforehand. Vanderhoef: I'll pick up packets Thursday afternoon. Elliott: Yeah. Atkins: I want to get you something ahead of time so you can think about it. Elliott: That would be good. Wilburn: Council time. Champion: I have one more budget thing. Correia: I have one more budget thing. Champion: This is really off the wall. !tjust dawned on me like, actually, while I was sleeping. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this. Atkins: Whew. Vanderhoef: Wow - dim the lights. Champion: In the future years, what do you call those, the out years? Atkins: Mmm hmm. Champion: We have a think about making the City Park a water park. I thought we all decided that if we were going to have a water park it would have to be a new pool somewhere. I mean, we weren't going to mess with City Park. O'Donnell: I don't, I don't think we have to think like that. Vanderhoef: I think that's right. Bailey: I think that's right. Correia: I think that's right too. Champion: So I'd like that changed to a water park pool, but not City Park. I mean, not the City Park pool. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 Correia: Atkins: Bailey: Correia: Atkins: Champion: Atkins: Champion: Correia: Atkins: Correia: Bailey: O'Donnell: Champion: Correia: Champion: O'Donnell: Champion: Correia: Atkins: Wilburn: Correia: City Council Work Session Page 33 Do we, is that even - You want a new one? It's on an unfunded. I know, but I mean, would you want that even on there? A water park? Pick a spot and build one. Yeah. We don't want City Park- I think it's unfunded. I think we have it listed as unfunded. I know. It is. But I want. You're saying it specifies City Park pool as a water park. And you don't want that. You want a water park and City Park. You want City Park to just stay. It doesn't even need to be - it's already there. That's going to up your dollar amount. For goodness sakes, we do not want anything at City Park that will attract kids. Oh my gosh, City Park pool is so well used. There's so many kids that go to City Park. And people use it because it's so family friendly. Well used? Well used? You can go there anytime you want. I live by that park and I watch it all the time. It's not used like it should be. People go there. It's packed from like I to 3. Ok. Got it Steve? Next. Amy, you said you had something? Well, I, I still am interested in trying to fund some firefighters. I think as we're, I think it's a shock to a budget to try and do all nine in one year. I think there's probably some benefits to incrementally increase. And I had a question in the, in the budget for the police department we have $260,000.00 for purchases, purchasing vehicles. And I, I went back and looked at last year. We spent $200,000.00 for vehicles. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 34 Atkins: Right. Correia: Is there a reason why that comes out of general fund? Atkins: We do not depreciate the lease vehicles like we do our other vehicles, and the reason why is we chew them up so fast. And we, so we budget, you'll see that number year after year in the budget. And we replace anywhere from 10 or 12 units a year. Correia: Right. I know. But I'm wondering why, you know, there are other things that we have reoccurring every year in our capital improvement. Atkins: Right. Correia: Housing rehab, the public art. I'm wondering if there's a way to move those out of general fund to have that yearly? Atkins: Not really, because they wouldn't meet the definition of a capital project. Correia: Really? Atkins: They're only good for - usually it's 60,000 miles, 18 months, thereabouts that we trade off a unit. I mean, we get a good price for it, and we also kind of share officer safety. But we simply don't depreciate them. They just, we chew them up too fast. Correia: Doesn't, there's no way it can go? Atkins: No. It doesn't really. t, there's always a way, but I've never seen an effective way. Bailey: More like (can't hear) supplies. Vanderhoef: It outdates faster than computers. Atkins: Oh, easy. Yeah. And remember, we strip them all off, the lightbars and everything comes off and is transferred to the new unit. We don't purchase those every year. We replace those every 6 or 8 years. Correia: Oh, I see what you're saying. Atkins: The computer, for example, that comes out and gets put in the new unit. Correia: Right. Elliott: Quick question. Are those stock cars? Atkins: It's a police package automobile, and it's usually part of a statewide bid and we participate in the statewide bid. The state will bid x number of units, get a bidder, and then we buy from that as opposed to - Elliott: It's a little more muscular than a stock. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 35 O'Donnell: Atkins: Elliott: Atkins: Bailey: Correia: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Correia: Atkins: Bailey: Champion: Bailey: Champion: Atkins: Correia: The motor. It's heavy-duty suspension, it's got a little more engine in it, yeah. Suspension is the big thing. Because remember, when one officer comes off, another one is in the same car. I shouldn't say stock, because now stock cars are not stock either. These are, again, it's a police package, just refer to- So can we see a scenario that involves bringing on firefighters? I also wondered if we looked at our contingency policy. Ifwe changed that to, right now it's 3/4 of a %. Yes, 3/4 of 1%. That's your policy. 3/4 of 1%. So if we change it to 1/2 of I %? It buys you about one hundred thousand dollars. Yeah. A hundred and twenty three. Yeah. Which is almost two firefighters. I'm sure there's ten thousand somewhere. We didn't allocate all of our - $60,000.00 each is a firefighter cost, conditionally. Sixty six. Yeah. Yeah. I think we should look at a scenario. Where are we gonna get that money for next year? I think your point is well taken about the sort of a sticker shock of bringing on what, nine? No, you wouldn't do that and you wouldn't- My question is why do you want to hire now when you've instructed us to go do a study on something else. We know we need them. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 36 Atkins: Well, but that's assuming that you've already made the decision that you'll go with the full time and not look at other options. Vanderhoef: The paid. Atkins: Or some sort of a blend. Bailey: Just an estimate - it's a budget. Atkins: Absolutely - you're right. Wilburn: I also - Vanderhoef: But if you can't put it out for continuing years - if you had add two this year, you've gotta have it in a four-year, five-year plan. Correia: Yeah, well, if you, I mean, if the contingency policy. Bailey: But, but if we approach it as we're gonna study, it's just an estimate, it's a budget, it's a whole, it's a placeholder that this could happen in the nest year, recognizing that we're still looking at options. Wilburn: There are some placeholders that are more real and have more repercussions then. Bailey: Right. I know. Recurring staff expenses. I agree, but. Vanderhoef: I would rather have it- Wilburn: But I mean in terms of, if that goes in there, then the expectation in-house and the community is that it will happen. And that placeholder is more political is what I'm getting at. And I would also ask Council to consider in doing something like that and saying I want to go ahead and just hire firefighters, doing that in combination with saying you're going to buy down the tax rate or not raise taxes, I - Bailey: Well that's why I asked to see it in a scenario. Because, I mean, if we have one objective which is to buy down the tax rate and yet we have these other interests, I mean, I think we need to weight those off against one another and see the, I mean - Correia: Ifwe don't buy down the tax rate but are able to add firefighters on line I think we'd be able to explain that. I think we could sell that. Champion: The firefighters would have to come out of our general fund. Elliott: Mmm hmm. Champion: And we simply, I mean Steve has told us time and time again, that we can not afford those firefighters out of the general fund. So, but when we buy down the tax rate it's not going to be out of the general fund. Unless we use that - This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 37 Correia: Well, but I'm saying- Wilburn: I also, we also asked for, we asked for, and Steve directed Andy to put forth something for us to take a look at. So, I feel that was sort of a compromise and so I'm asking you in the spirit of that compromise, can you at least hold off on what you're asking for? Bailey: Can I clarify then how you're, how you're reading the compromise? So that means that we're not moving on any personnel until FY '09. Is that your understanding? Or we would do a budget amendment if we, if this body had a decision mid-year that we were gonna move on it? Champion: Well sure you could do that. Bailey: I mean, well I guess - Wilburn: Well, the station wouldn't be- Bailey: I know. Wilburn: built then, so yeah. Atkins: My reading is that, that you're not moving on personnel until '09. Nothing in '08. Bailey: So what are the implications for Council once a station is up and running, and having to staff it all that particular year? That seems, like Amy called it, sticker shock. Champion: I don't think you could do it. You couldn't do it. It takes nine. Correia: And that's, and that's - a proposal of our looking at our contingency policy, that would be one strategy for supporting two firefighters. Champion: Am I wrong, Steve, but isn't, if you use that contingency'fund, that money's not going to be there next year. Atkins: It's gone, yeah. Champion: It's gone. Vanderhoef: Gone. Atkins: Just- Champion: So that's like using the cash reserve. Correia: No, it's not. It's not. Bailey: You raise x number of dollars a year. Right now we're putting 3/4 of a percent of those dollars we raise each year from revenue into contingency. What Amy's suggesting is we raise the same amount that we raise every year, but only half of one percent- This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 38 Correia: Half of a percent instead of three-quarters of a percent. Bailey: Yes, your reserve would be decreased because you're not putting as much into it. Correia: Except - Bailey: But the inflows remain the same. Correia: Right. The inflows remain the same. Except that, the average, if we only expend about 98% of what we budgeted for that's nine hundred, essentially nine hundred thousand dollars that ends up going into that reserve at the end of the year. Well, nine hundred and ninety one or something that I looked up online. Atkins: I would just again caution you. Remember, our receipts to expenditures swing is 2% and you're talking fifty million dollars. Something could happen. I just, I really have to tell you to be cautious about that. Bailey: But since we are tasked with thinking of the future, I think we need to, as we discuss this if not now, I mean I think - you've tried to communicate this perhaps, but maybe. What are, what are the implications for going ahead and staffing in one or two years? It'sjust going to be a huge bump in the budget. Atkins: It will be a huge bump, yes. Bailey: So we have to start thinking about how we're going to do that. Atkins: If you plan to proceed, yes, that's correct. Bailey: And so this is one suggestion to moving ahead without a huge bump. Vanderhoef: I think it would be better to look at the whole thing after we've seen the scenarios that Andy brings to us. Bailey: And the other things we're looking at. Vanderhoef: And the other things we're looking at. To, to try and carve out just one piece because we're concerned about sticker shock, it's going to happen no matter what we do. So we might as well make sure we've looked at all of the package before we start talking about carving out and borrowing from contingencies. Bailey: As long as we're open to a potential budget amendment- Champion: Oh, everybody's open to a budget amendment. Vanderhoef: We can always do- Bailey: Ok. Ijust- This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 39 Elliott: One of the things, one of the things that might come out from, if Steve and Andy do, are able to come up with multiple scenarios about volunteer, Atkins: That's the plan. Paraprofessionals, on-call- Elliott: Paraprofessional, apprentice - it seems to me it would be made to order to have one apprentice firefighter at a very low salary serve, as part of the training, serve for three years at a low salary. One of the three members of any shift at any, any fire station. And that would certainly be one of the things that I would think of, and that's a way of moving gradually into acquiring nine more full time firefighters. That would be over a period of multiple years. Vanderhoef: With the exception of the training costs that come into the department. That they have, that are away school, school shall we say. They are not the OJT type. Elliott: Well anyway. O'Donnell: One of those youth. Elliott: I'm wanting us not to lose sight of the need to acquire over a period of years nine people. O'Donnell: I agree. Elliott: And I will be interested if Steve and Andy come up with some kind of thought on volunteer, apprentice, paraprofessional, and I'll be interested in the scenarios they come up with, the balanced budget, no increase. Bailey: And finding other dollars in our budget. Elliott: Yes. O'Donnell: That we can agree on. Bailey: Oh, (can't hear) miracle. Wilburn: Any other budget- Elliott: Other than that Steve, what are you planning to do? Atkins: I'll work on this. Elliott: We appreciate your work. Council Time Wilburn: Council time. O'Donnell: Just one quick thing. I walked into a house the other day and I saw these strange things on the back of the television. They were sitting right on top. They were rabbit ears. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 40 Elliott: Rabbit ears. O'Donnell: And I hadn't seen those since the late 50's and early 60's. Champion: Oh my gosh. Bailey: And you don't need them anymore. O'Donnell: And now you don't need them anymore. I'm wondering what kind of recycling nightmare we're going to go through with all ofthese rabbit years that were handed out and put on the televisions. I mean where, are they going to end up in the landfills? Elliott: Mike, I think this is a harbinger ofthings to come perhaps, because I, Dale, I don't know what you think, but I think there are a number of changes that are going to take place in, with the FCC within and without, and the cable, impacting the cable industry. O'Donnell: That should be after this. That really should be. Elliott: Yeah. Helling: The rabbit ears, if you just have a radio with a low antenna hookup, sometimes they improve your FM reception. Bailey: Oh. O'Donnell: But you run into them- Helling: That's right. Bailey: You'll poke your eye out. Vanderhoef: Put it under the bed. O'Donnell: I'm just glad that it was resolved, and I'm glad I didn't get rabbit ears. Wilburn: Ok. Dee? Bailey: I have a question. Wilburn: Dee. Bailey: Oh. Sorry. Vanderhoef: This can be Council time or schedule a pending discussion. I would like to bring back up onto the table the Johnson County Foundation, community foundation, and get, se where we are on that and how - Wilburn: You want a report from them, or? What is it that you want? This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007. February 5, 2007 City Council Work Session Page 41 Vanderhoef: We as a city have not joined. We do not - Bailey: We don't have a fund within the Johnson County Community Foundation. Correct. Vanderhoef: That's correct. And] still am interested in that and it sort of has gotten dropped here for quite awhile and I'd like to bring it back up and get it going. After being at the luncheon and seeing the recipients and the membership in the Foundation, we're one of the few cities in Johnson County that has not gotten an account there. I think it's time we do. Wilburn: Are there two more who would like to see that on (can't hear) Champion: Oh, sure. I don't have any problems with it. Bailey: Sure. I'll talk about it. Ijust want to know what, to what end. Wilburn: Anyone else Council time? Bailey; Yes. How many jobs at Cub Foods? Correia: That was my question! Champion: That was only 75. Only 75 - it was 75. Correia: 75 jobs. Bailey: All full time? Champion: ] don't know. It said - Wilburn: I think that, they had more a few years ago, but I think 75 was what- Champion: They had originally 120 wasn't it? Elliott: I'm not even sure that 75 FTE is it? Champion: No, they didn't say. Elliott: ]' II bet it's a total. Atkins: We received a very- Elliott; Terse- Atkins: Curt, terse, to the point - Bailey: ] saw the letter. Atkins: This is it, end of conversation. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5, 2007 Correia: Champion: Correia: Champion: Bailey: Correia: Champion: Bailey: O'Donnell: Champion: O'Donnell: Wilburn: O'Donnell: Elliott: Bailey: O'Donnell: Correia: Champion: Bailey: Correia: Champion: Bailey: Wilburn: City Council Work Session Page 42 Is there any way the City can participate in helping coordinate some type of, I don't know, workforce, uh. Any way to communicate with the current employees, help transition into other employment if there's? Cub Food said they were gonna do that. Oh they did? I thought they just said they were- No. How are you getting all this information? I didn't see that in the letter. It was in the paper. Oh. The Press Citizen. It was actually in The Press Citizen. It might have been The Gazette. The Press Citizen I read. Anyone else Council time? It's a shame anytime we lose a business like this. I have a suggestion. Regenia, read the paper. Mike, say very slowly firefighters. I did read the paper. But I didn't see that article. And I did say firefighters. So, do we think Cub Foods is helping the current employees find other jobs. Yes they were. They would actually move some to their other locations. That's not what their letter said. That not, that's not what the letter said. I didn't read the letter. Well, that's what I'm taking my information from is the packet. Steve, could Wendy give Cub Foods a call to find out (can't hear)- This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5,2007. February 5,2007 City Council Work Session Page 43 Correia: Bailey: Atkins: Elliott: Atkins: Bailey: Elliott: Wilburn: Atkins: Champion: Elliott: Thank you. That would be great. Yeah. We'll check that out. I'm with Connie. I think I read something about it, but I, when I read it, you know, it's like being a freelance writer. There are freelance writers and then there are freelance writers. And saying you're going to help with out-placement is one thing and the quality of the out-placement that takes place- Yeah. It seems to me that if that were the case it would have been indicated in the letter that they sent to the City. I would have. I don't know. This is Council time. And we're getting close to having discussions on items that are not on tonight's agenda. So, I (can't hear) We'll call. Eleanor didn't yell at us yet. Thank you. This represents only a reasonable accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 5, 2007.