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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-19 Info PacketIP9 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule MISCELLANEOUS IP2 Memo form the Administrative Analyst: 2093 National Citizen Survey IP3 Memo from Asst. to the City Manager: Update on the Chicago to Iowa City Passenger Rail Project IP4 Memo from City Clerk: KXIC Radio Show (December — January) IP5 Letter from United Stated Postal Service to Congressman Loebsack: Proposed relocation of the Iowa City Post Office IP6 Email from Public Works Dir. to City Manager: Hancher — Multiple Shift Plan IP7 Article from City Manager: Why walkable places are preferred IP8 Article from City Manager: Cedar Falls may ban converting homes to apartments IP9 Article from City Manager: Movie series in Iowa City breaks down barriers for LGBT senior citizens IP90 Civil Service Entrance Examination: Mass Transit Operator IP99 College of Law Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Keynote, January 30 DRAFT MINUTES IP92 Planning and Zoning Commission: December 5 (formal) IP1 Council Tentative Meeting Schedule MISCELLANEOUS I132 Memo form the Adm istrative Analyst: 2013 National Citizen Survey IP3 Memo from Asst. to the 'ty Manager: Update on the Cl�(cago to Iowa City Passenger Rail Project IP4 Memo from City Clerk: KXIC R to Show (De IP5 Letter from United Stated Postal Se ice to C of the Iowa City Post Office — January) man Loebsack: Proposed relocation IP6 Email from Public Works Dir. to City Mana r: ancher — Multiple Shift Plan IP7 Article from City Manager: Why walkable a s are preferred IP8 Article from City Manager: Cedar Fails ay ban nverting homes to apartments IP9 Article from City Manager: Movie eries in Iowa ity breaks down barriers for LGBT senior citizens IP10 Civil Service Entrance Examinati n: Mass Transit Operat IP11 College of Law Dr. Martin L ther King, Jr. Human Rights; January 30 DRAFT MINUTES IP12 Planning and Zoni g Commission: Nove4nbaF 4-(formal) �. 22-524q II CITY OF IOWA CITY Date 12-19- 13 City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule IP1 Subject to change December 19, 2013 Time Meeting Location Saturday, January 4, 2014 8AM -5PM Spec. Formal (Organizational Mtg.) Emma J. Harvat Hall Special BUDGET Work Session Meeting (Department presentations) Monday, January 6, 2014 1:00- 7:OOPM Special BUDGET Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall (CIP presentations) a� oji ION Tuesday, January 7, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting VIA" A Tuesday, January 14, 2014 5:00 PM Special BUDGET Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall IF- Tuesday, January 21, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Monday, January 27, 2014 4:30 PM 1 Joint Meeting /Work Session TBA / Coralville Tuesday, February 4, 2014 5:00 PM City Conference Board Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall Work Session Meeting 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Special Formal Meeting Tuesday, April 1, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, April 15, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting u Tuesday, May 6, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, May 20, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 5:00 PM 7:00 PM Formal Meeting 7:00 PM Formal Meeting I .. I I " i Tuesday, June 3, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 5:00 PM 7:00 PM Formal Meeting 111 0 ; Tuesday, June 17, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, August 5, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeti 7:00 PM Formal Meeting Tuesday, October 21, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeting I Tuesday, November 4, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall , 7:00 PM I Formal Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 2014 5:00 PM Work Session Meeting Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:00 PM Formal Meeti r -- t p,,�r CITY OF IOWA CITY 1P2 ,� :all pq� MEMORANDUM Date: December 19, 2013 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Simon Andrew, Administrative Analyst Re: 2013 National Citizen SurveyTM This memo is in regards to the Iowa City 2013 National Citizen SurveyTm and the rationale behind using utility accounts as the basis for the sampling frame. First it is important to recognize that because this survey sampled only utility account households, it is not meant to be, nor was it used as, a definitive snapshot of the perceptions of Iowa Citians as a whole. Rather, it is one piece of a large puzzle that includes, but is of course not limited to, input from boards and commissions, the ad hoc diversity committee recommendations, neighborhood and community organizations, various planning documents, Council meeting public comments, staff, and other department - specific surveys. Each of the sampling frames staff considered had advantages and drawbacks. Many of the same addresses that were left out of the utility account sampling frame were also not included in the USPS mailing list. These include dormitories, assisted living facilities, and other group living quarters. Mobile home parks, with the exception of Baculis, have individual utility accounts and thus were represented in both sampling frames. Similarly, the vast majority of multifamily units have individual utility accounts and were also included in the sampling frame. Furthermore, the large number of questions in the survey that are specific to City utility services made utility account - holding households a logical frame to consider. Given the number of dormitory/group living quarters represented in neither frame, utility accounts were deemed more useful. Registered voter roles and telephone lists are also frequently used as sampling frames; both are also prone to selection bias. The 2011 Iowa City survey used a telephone sampling method. Another factor that was considered was the overall response rate. The timing of the survey's distribution gave rise to the concern that the potentially large number of empty student apartments would drive down the response rate to the point that the survey would be neither a useful assessment of utility account holders nor the City as a whole. Using utility accounts allowed the minimization of vacant addresses. The large number of Iowa Citians that aren't represented in any of the sampling frames considered made demographic weighting undesirable. Even using a USPS mailing list that excludes dormitories /group living quarters could make the sampling frame deviate from census data substantially, making weighted results questionable. Rather than attempting to generate a survey that manipulates statistical data in order to broadly characterize the City as a whole, staff thought it better to present a more specific survey of utility account holders. Ultimately, while the survey does not characterize the perceptions of the City as a whole, it does represent the opinions of over 500 utility customers in an identical format simultaneously. Though not used to represent the City in its totality, staff believes that it is useful as a piece of public input to be considered as one among many. CITY OF IOWA CITY 1P3 MEMORANDUM Date: December 18, 2013 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Geoff Fruin, Assistant to the City Manager Re: Update on the Chicago to Iowa City Passenger Rail Project On December 12, 2013 the Iowa Department of Transportation (IaDOT) hosted a meeting of the Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC) in Des Moines. I attended the meeting on behalf of Iowa City and this memo is intended to update you on the latest information that was released by the IaDOT. You will recall that the original federal grant application for Chicago to Iowa City corridor was jointly submitted by the State of Illinois and the State of Iowa. However, after the grant was awarded the political climate in Iowa shifted and concerns were raised by state leaders about the 20% local match and potential ongoing operational commitments. As a result, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) split the project into two phases: Chicago to the Quad Cities (phase 1) and Quad Cities to Iowa City (phase 2). Illinois immediately began work on phase 1 of the project and Iowa has spent the last two years conducting additional environmental and feasibility studies on the full build out of the corridor extending through Iowa City to Council Bluffs / Omaha. The decision not to proceed with the Iowa portion of the project (phase 2) has delayed the project several years. This delay has had a significant impact on the initial capital costs needed to ready the corridor for passenger rail service. Specifically, the capital costs for the State of Iowa have now increased from the original 20% match of $21.8 million to an estimated $72 million. The reasons provided by the IaDOT staff for this increase included the following: • Inflationary costs directly attributed to the decision to delay the project • Subsequent changes in FRA policy that now require a higher level of infrastructure upgrades, which would not have been required if the project adhered to the original schedule • A re- allocation of approximately $18 million in federal grant dollars, which were originally identified for Iowa, but were subsequently allocated to the State of Illinois for unanticipated project costs in phase 1 of the project. • The need to develop a train layover facility in Illinois, due to the fact that the Iowa City service was delayed (Iowa City was the original planned location for the single layover facility). • Additional infrastructure improvements needed to accommodate freight rail growth on Iowa Interstate Railroad that has occurred since the grant was awarded. All of these additional cost factors can be attributed to Iowa's decision to delay implementation of this project. Unfortunately, the FRA grant was a maximum award and will not increase to cover a proportional share of these additional costs. Therefore, the once 80/20 federal to state cost share has shifted to approximately a 42/58 federal to state ratio. The increase in costs will undoubtedly make the project an even tougher sell to the State Legislature in 2014. However, it also underscores the tremendous cost of delay and further illustrates that if the State truly wants to diversify its transportation network and become connected to the fastest growing mode of transportation in the country then it needs to act immediately in order to achieve the greatest remaining return. The rapid expansion of passenger rail service across the country in the last decade coupled with shrinking federal December 18, 2013 Page 2 budgets has created a hyper- competitive environment for federal rail dollars. It is unlikely that if Iowa passes up this opportunity that it will be given a similar financial opportunity in the next several decades. IaDOT officials have confirmed that they expect the FRA will recapture Iowa's grant if the Legislature does not commit to the project during the 2014 session. In addition to the upfront capital costs, Iowa must commit to annual operating subsidies that may be needed to operate the service. Originally, the conservative estimate for this annual subsidy was $3 million for Iowa's share of the project. Revised numbers from the IaDOT show that the number is projected to be closer to $600,000, subject to ongoing negotiations with the State of Illinois. IaDOT officials have stated that they do not believe that annual appropriations will be needed by the Legislature. This positive news eliminates a large political hurdle that has plagued the project in recent years. It appears that the 2014 legislative session will be the final opportunity for the State of Iowa to capitalize on this opportunity. The cost of inaction has resulted in an upfront capital cost increase from $21.8 to $72 million, while the annual operating subsidy has become a moot issue as it shrank down to a level that does not require annual legislative appropriations. The trends in the transportation industry in this country are undeniable and clearly point to a shift to a more diversified transportation network. While $72 million is certainly not an insignificant dollar figure, it fails to rival the hundreds of millions that are routinely spent annually on highway projects in Iowa, which are increasingly proving to be unsustainable investments that we struggle to maintain in good repair. It does not appear that the IaDOT will actively advocate for the passenger rail project. In a recent email to legislators, Director Paul Trombino stated "Iowa DOT supports expanding regional passenger rail service but also recognizes that the significant increase in capital costs are difficult to consider with our ongoing transportation funding needs." Despite the soft statement of support, the IaDOT has not made a formal budget request and could not articulate any strategy for trying to justify the project benefits to the Legislature despite the looming FRA deadline. Rather, it appears they are simply content publishing the basic project facts and allowing the Legislature to debate the project merits. I have expressed my opinion to the IaDOT staff that I believe a project of this scope, magnitude and potential statewide impact merits a recommendation from the transportation professionals that have studied the project in context with all other state transportation needs for the past several years. I personally feel that the decision not to make a formal recommendation is more politically driven than one that is in the best interest of the citizens of Iowa. I would rather see the IaDOT take a firm position on the project (support or rejection) rather than to see it flounder at a political level for yet another year. The latter situation casts a dysfunctional light on the entire state, including project advocates and opponents. Iowa City will continue to advocate for this project in 2014. However, without the overt support of the transportation professionals at the IaDOT, I believe the project has little chance to overcome the mounting political hurdles that will be heightened in a gubernatorial election year. More information on the project can be accessed on the IaDOT website at http: / /www.iowadot.gov /iowarail /passenger /proposedrail.html. Please let me know if you have any questions about the status of this project. ARM • wr ® "�i - •a..i._ CITY OF IOWA CITY IP4 MEMORANDUM 1 Date: December 19, 2013 To: Mayor and City Council From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk Re: KXIC Radio Show At your December 17 work session meeting Council Members agreed to the following schedule: December 18 — Champion December 25 — Holiday January 1 - Holiday January 8 — Hayek January 15 — Dickens January 22 — Payne January 29 - Dobyns Future commitments: March 19 - Dobyns April 30 - Dobyns June 18 - Dobyns U:radioshowappts.doc M1 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UNITED STATES I POSTAL SERVICE December 6, 2013 The Honorable Dave Loebsack House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 -4202 Dear Congressman Loebsack: This is in response to your November 20 letter to Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe regarding the proposed relocation of the Iowa City Post Office. Thank you for sharing your comments and concerns. To be of assistance, we contacted Hawkeye District postal officials who report that the Postal Service worked with CBRE commercial real estate services to locate an acceptable commercial space. I understand a local broker was engaged in this search. At this time, they have been unable to locate a downtown space that meets their needs and specifications (i.e. - space, parking, and rent). Additionally, and in response to community comments, they also explored the River Walk Crossing area, but were unable to find a location suitable. District officials assure us that they will continue to explore other location options throughout this process. If I may be of assistance in other postal matters, please let me know. Sincerely, (?4 4eO?/L— Jeryi M. Weaver Government Relations Representative 475 L'ENFAmT PW1 SW WAs"N eToN DC 2'7260-3500 mm.UsPs.00M Marian Karr From: Tom Markus Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 12:26 PM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: Hancher - Multiple Shift Plan Please place in info packet. From: Rick Fosse Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 12:16 PM To: Kim Sandberg; Jann Ream; Shannon McMahon; Simon Andrew Cc: Tom Markus; Geoff Fruin; Ron Knoche Subject: FW: Hancher - Multiple Shift Plan FYI just in case you get complaints about noise. Note that the U of I does not need to abide by our noise ordinance. If anyone needs a contact, please use: Joe Troness, LEED AP Project Manager Mortenson Construction: Building what's next. phone 763.287.3625 cell 612.269.0732 www.mortenson.com Thanks, Rick From: Joe.Troness @mortenson.com [ mailto :Joe.Troness @mortenson.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 4:24 PM To: dave -visin @uiowa.edu; McAvoy, Bruce T; Rick Fosse Cc: Otto, Steven J; Randy.Clarahan @mortenson.com; Randy.Schnieders @Mortenson.com Subject: Fw: Hancher - Multiple Shift Plan Importance: High Hi all, Starting tomorrow, construction crews will be working 24 hours a day, starting on Monday at 3am until Saturday at noon, for the next few months. The work occurring in the evening will not be noise intensive, only using the tower crane (running on electricity), and will not require concrete pours unless otherwise needed. This work shift has been discussed with UI and we wanted to make sure everyone on this email was appraised of the work hours as well. There will be a crew of approximately 16 people working on the night shift and Mortenson will have supervision at all hours that crews are working on site. If there are any questions or complaints, please call my cell phone: 612.269.0732. Much of this coordination is to ensure steel erection (starting in a few weeks and needing to occur during the day) is able to operate simultaneously with the concrete structure completion. We greatly appreciate your willingness to work with everyone to make sure the project is a success. Take care! Joe Joe Troness, LEED AP ' Project Manager Mortenson Mortenson Construction: Building what's next. awatructim phone 763.287.3625 cell 612.269.0732 www.mortenson.com NA Please consider your responsibility to the environment before printing this e-mail. - - -- Forwarded by Joe Troness /Mortenson on 12/17/2013 04:17 PM From: "Bill Knapp" <bill.knappCaawbci.us> To: <Joe.TronessCcDmortenson.com >, Cc: <David.DeGrootO- mortenson.com >, <Lee.Gatlin(&mortenson.com >, "'Joe Williams "' <loewOwbci.us >, <ted(a)wbci.us >, <clehmanda)crbconcrete.com >, Matthew Hemminger "' <mhemminaer(&crbconcrete.com >, "'Bill Ruhlow "' <billr(ZDcrbconcrete.com> Date: 12/17/201311:58 AM Subject: Hancher - Multiple Shift Plan Joe, As we have been discussing over the past week, we are proposing to begin multiple shifts for CRB's wall crews starting on Wednesday December 18th. IRS will still plan to work their normal hours until the need arises for them to add different shifts (once steel is being set in the auditorium). WBCI will have supervision and safety personnel on -site for all shifts. The plan is to work these expanded shifts Monday - Friday of each week with only an 8 hour shift on Saturday (4:00- 12:OOPM). Below is a list of information about the schedule, work to be completed, and crew makeup for the multiple crews that will hopefully maximize the crane utilization and then in turn increase the number of pours made each week: 1st Shift 3:OOAM- 12:OOPM CRB Contact - Casey Carpenters - 15 Laborers - 6 TOTAL CRB - 21 Mainly stripping and setting forms from 3- 7:00AM and continuing to button up and prep for wall pours from 7- 12:OOPM 2nd Shift 11:00AM- 8:00PM CRB Contact - George Carpenters - 15 Laborers - 10 Finishers - 6 (depending on need) TOTAL CRB - 25 Mainly pouring walls, building forms will tie up a large amount of crane 3rd Shift 7:OOPM- 4:OOAM CRB Contact - Jarred Carpenters - 11 Laborers - 6 TOTAL CRB - 17 Mainly stripping Crane Schedule Tower Crane - 2 888 Crawler - 1 and box outs, and prep work since IRS time. and setting forms due to 100% tower crane availability. - 12hr shifts (4 -4) - 12 hr shift 2 Link Belt - 1 shift (depends on need) Upcoming Holiday Hours 12/24 - TBD - Only work until mid afternoon 12/25 - NO WORK 12/26 - Hours listed above 12/31 - TBD - Only work until mid afternoon 1/1/14 - NO WORK 1/2/14 - Hours listed above Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you, Bill Knapp Project Manager Williams Brothers Construction Inc. Ph: 309 - 688 -0416 Fax: 309 - 688 -0891 Cell: 309 - 265 -8529 bill.knapp @wbci.us 3 From the City Manager IP7 Why walkable places are preferred Robert Steuteville, Better! Cities & Towns Note: This article is published in the December 2013 issue of Better! Cities & Towns. Just more than half of Americans (52 percent), say they want a detached house with a large yard — compared to a house with a small yard or no yard at all, according to the latest poll of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), released in October. Does that mean that Americans want more of what the housing industry has been providing for the better part of three generations —spread -out subdivisions with drive -to shopping centers and office parks? The desire for the house with the big yard has fueled suburban growth since the end of World War II and was a major force behind the American suburban dream of the last half of the 20th Century. But the statistic could be compared to your favorite ice cream. Question: Would you like a single scoop or a two - gallon tub of your favorite ice cream? A yard is appealing. A big yard is more appealing. Put that way, I'll take the big yard and the two - gallon tub. But that's not how people navigate the difficult choice of where to live. The decision involves trade -offs on many factors, many of them conflicting. Americans overwhelmingly want a short commute (or no commute at all). They want easy access to the things they need (60 percent favor a neighborhood with a mix of houses and stores and other businesses within walking distance, NAR says). Fifty -nine percent want public transportation within an easy walk of their home, the survey reports. They want choice in how to get around (driving, walking, biking, public transportation), and they want easy access to culture and parks, preferably within walking distance. Sometimes home buyers simply fall in love with the charm of a community (the vast majority of respondents, 78 percent, say that the neighborhood is more important than the house in choosing where to live, NAR reports). When Americans today are given a choice involving these trade -offs, the option of a walkable, compact, mixed -use community comes out consistently ahead of conventional, drive -only places, the NAR survey shows (by a margin of 60135 to 50/45, depending on how the question is phrased). oversupply of drive -only suburbs The concept of drive -to- where - you -live suburbia was rational and appealing to the majority of households, policymakers, and industry when it was new in the middle of the last century. Commutes were short, open space was plentiful, and the demand for mass- produced subdivisions was huge. We subsidized this new growth and enacted policies — single -use zoning, setback and parking requirements, street standards, finance controls — that made building traditional neighborhoods illegal. Predictably, over seven decades, we have overbuilt the drive -only suburban option. Researchers such as Arthur Nelson and Christopher Leinberger —whose work is featured in this issue —have confirmed this oversupply. As traffic congestion, longer commutes, more expensive driving, and loss of open space has eroded the advantages of conventional suburban communities, the virtues of your grandparents' communities are once again widely recognized. For the public and private sectors, walkable places create a ton of value. It's not just the higher density, but the way that density is arranged in cities and towns that generates economic and social value not available in drive -only suburbs. Smart growth allows for creation of quality public space, proximity to culture and civic amenities, and the connection to nature that is accessible on foot. It allows for transportation choice and the ability to reduce household automobile costs. It's simply a more efficient way to build. Combine these qualities with current undersupply and a strong ongoing demand for walkable places, reflected in research reported throughout this issue, is inevitable. Cedar Falls may ban converting homes to apartments I Iowa City Press Citizen I press - citi... Page 1 of 1 From the CIty Manager Im Cedar Falls may ban converting homes to apartments Written by Associated Press Dec. 13, 2013 12:44 PM I press - citizen.com CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Falls officials are considering banning property owners from converting single - family houses into multi -unit apartment buildings. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission may draft an ordinance to stop such conversions in an effort to beautify neighborhoods and meet residents' concerns, the Waterloo -Cedar Falls Courier reported Friday. "I don't think we have a big problem," City Planner Marty Ryan said. "But we do have conversions that happen and when they do, I tell you what, neighbors aren't happy." Ryan said complaints center on a perception that conversions hurt a neighborhood's appearance and cause parking problems. At a meeting where the issue was discussed, some landlords objected to the proposal. They said some houses up for sale are too big for most families and that if splitting them into apartments isn't allowed, the houses would be allowed to deteriorate. Landlord Daryl Kruse said some big houses have little value other than as apartments. "If you don't allow more than four people in those or convert them to something that's usable, you condemn them to be dilapidated because there's not a lot of motivation to buy them," Kruse said. Property owner Chris Wernimont said he doesn't see a problem with splitting an unused rental home into duplexes. Without that option, he said it doesn't make sense for him to buy a house. Despite those arguments, Ryan seemed adamant that a change was needed. "Our experience demonstrates that landlords have taken great liberties in neighborhoods all over the city, and the City Council is finished with it," Ryan said. Ryan said planners will begin working on an ordinance that would need City Council approval before becoming law. http://www.press-citizen.com/viewart/20131213NEWSOI/131213010/ 12/13/2013 From the City Manager MIP9 j Movie series in Iowa City breaks down barriers for LGBT senior citizens Series, senior citizen center aims to educate, end discrimination of gay seniors amongst service providers When Elsie Gauley Vega was growing up on farm north of Sheffield in the 1930s and `40s, she knew she was different from many of her peers, but she didn't have a word for why. Except for a single clandestine high school relationship with another girl, she didn't have anyone to talk to about the fact that she was attracted to women instead of men. Elsie Gauley Vega shows off her collection of LGBT - themed books in her Iowa City apartment. (Alison Gowans /The Gazette) She married a man, with whom she had four children, but eventually divorced him because she felt she wasn't being fair to either of them. Now 85- years -old, she's spent the last several years making up for those years of silence. Gauley Vega has become a vocal activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. She broke up with a partner because the other woman wanted to keep their relationship private, and Gauley Vega said she didn't want that life anymore. "There was work to do, and I couldn't do it from a closet," she said. So after moving to Iowa City, Gauley Vega started a LGBT movie series at the Iowa City /Johnson County Senior Center about three years ago. She also hosts a public access television show, "Neighbors and Friends" through the senior center. The show, which airs about once a month, features interviews with local clergy and community members about LGBT - related topics. Being an openly lesbian senior citizen carries unique challenges. Emily Light, community outreach specialist at the senior center, said it is common for LGBT people who had been living openly to go back into the closet as they age. Many fear of discrimination from service providers, she said. That's one reason the senior center prominently displays the movie series in its programming guide. "It's really important to us that people know the Senior Center is open and welcoming to all," Light said. "We hope this sends that message." It sent that message to Larry Rogers, 70, a gay man who took over the movie series from Gauley Vega about two years ago after she had a health scare. He had been living in Minneapolis and was considering moving to Iowa to be closer to family. But he wasn't sure he would be accepted if he left the city. Reading about the movie series convinced him to give Iowa City a chance. "We need exposure," he said. "A lot of gay people have felt there's no place for them." He said he knows gay couples who weren't allowed to be together when they moved into nursing homes. Others spent their whole lives hiding who they were or faced persecution when they tried to come out. Gauley Vega said she sees much greater acceptance among young people than within older generations. A 2013 Pew Research poll found 36 percent of respondents born before 1945 favored gay marriage, compared with 66 percent of respondents born after 1981. Gauley Vega and Rogers both live in Ecumenical Towers, an apartment building next to the senior center, which is reserved for people over age 62. "There are several people in the building who don't approve," she said. "But that's their problem." It just means her work isn't done yet. If you go: • What: Gay- Straight Alliance Movie Series • Where: Room 208, Johnson County /Iowa City Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St., Iowa City • When: Sundays at 1 p.m. • Cost: Free and open to all. Throughout December, in honor of World AIDS Day, the series will focus on HIV /AIDS. A full schedule of upcoming movies can be found in the senior center's guide, available online and at the center. CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356 -5000 (319) 356 -5009 FAX www.icgov.org December 16, 2013 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination — Mass Transit Operator Under the authority of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, I do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Mass Transit Operator. Navi Kaleka Fernando Urdaneta Chuck Vargason IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Lyra b. Dickerson, Chair From: Stefanie Bowers Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 9:47 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: [DEC] SAVE THE DATE: January 30, 2014 -- College of Law Dr. MLK, Jr., Human Rights Keynote Speaker -- Kingsley Botchway II From: Finnerty, Diane L [ mailto:diane- finnerty @uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 9:40 AM Subject: FW: [DEC] SAVE THE DATE: January 30, 2014 -- College of Law Dr. MLK, Jr., Human Rights Keynote Speaker -- Kingsley Botchway II Please help spread the word! Diane From: Diversity Events Collaborative [ mailto: DIVERSITYEVENTSCOLLABORATIVE @LIST.UIOWA.EDU] On Behalf Of Sandler, Leonard Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 9:32 AM To: DIVERSITYEVENTSCOLLABORATIVE @LIST.UIOWA.EDU Subject: [DEC] SAVE THE DATE: January 30, 2014 -- College of Law Dr. MLK, Jr., Human Rights Keynote Speaker -- Kingsley Botchway II The College of Law is pleased to announce that Kingsley Botchway II, Class of 2010, is going to deliver the Dr. MLK, Jr. Human Rights Keynote address on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 12:40 p.m. in the Boyd Law Building. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in the law school's atrium. Kingsley Botchway II was recently swom in as the newest member of the Iowa City City Council after running a campaign whose theme was establishing a "connected community." A vibrant force and voice in community affairs, Mr. Botchway is the former chair of the city's Ad Hoc Diversity Committee; he has been in the forefront of efforts to identify and eliminate public policies and practices that disadvantage people of color and promote race equity. He has served on the Police Citizens Review Board and other boards and organizations, taught GED classes, mentored youth, coached youth basketball, and been actively involved in other civic engagement efforts, all while serving as the Johnson County Deputy Auditor of Elections. Additional information will be provided soon. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Professor Len Sandler by sending an email to leonard-sandler@uiowa.edu or by calling 319.335.9030. We look forward to meeting you and honoring Dr. King's legacy together on January 30th. Regards, Len Sandler Clinical Professor of Law Director, Law and Policy In Action Projects University of Iowa College of Law Clinical Law Programs 380F Boyd Law Building Iowa City, Iowa 52242 -1113 319 - 335 -9030 (phone) 319 - 353 -5445 (fax) www.uiowa.edu/le alg clinic Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. M IP12 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PRELIMINARY DECEMBER 5, — 7:00 PM — FORMAL EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Carolyn Dyer, Charlie Eastham, Anne Freerks, Paula Swygard, Jodie Theobald, John Thomas MEMBERS ABSENT: Phoebe Martin STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo, Eric Goers OTHERS PRESENT: Josh Entler, Beverly Johnson, Marcia Akin, Wynn Johnson, Sharon Sorensen RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: The Commission voted 5 -1 ( Eastham opposed /Martin absent)) to recommend approval of SUB13- 00023, a request for preliminary plat approval of General Quarters Part Two, a 59- lot, 15.54 -acre residential subdivision located east of Sycamore Street subject to review by the City Engineer. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: There was none. Subdivision Item SUB13 -00023 Discussion of an application submitted by Build to Suit, Inc. for a preliminary plat of General Quarters Part Two, a 59 -lot, 15.54 -acre residential subdivision located east of Sycamore Street, south of Sherman Drive. Miklo said the subject property was given the zoning designation in 2004 of low- density single family (RS -5) and at the same time, the plat for General Quarters Part I was approved. He said the applicant is now seeking approval for the remainder of the property, which is Part Two. He showed an aerial photograph of the property. He said the proposed subdivision would include the extension of existing streets within Part One, which were platted in 2008 and don't meet the City's current subdivision design standards of a sixty foot right -of -way He said those streets would be continued at the previous standard of a fifty foot right -of -way until they intersect with Dickerson Drive where the streets widen to meet the current standards. Miklo said the rezoning for this property did have conditions, including a requirement that there be some public access or frontage on the Sycamore Greenway. He said this design more than meets that condition with a single loaded street. He said the applicant has agreed to put in an Planning and Zoning Commission December 6, 2013 - Formal Page 2 of 8 eight foot trail in the Greenway area, and the City will pay for the extra size cost. Miklo said all the lots in the proposed subdivision meet the minimum size standard of 8,000 square feet, sixty foot wide lots. He said some of the lots along Sycamore Street are larger to accommodate the required forty foot buffer and twenty foot landscaping in that area. Miklo showed photographs of the subject property. He said requirements that will have to be addressed in the final plat include payment of fees toward storm water management, which is detailed in the staff report along with the other requirements. Miklo said the plat is in order, and the City Engineer has signed off on the revised plat. Eastham said the South District land use map shows two areas designated for apartments at Sherman Street. Miklo said the District Plan talks about the possibility of small scale multifamily at the intersections of collector and arterial streets. He said staff discussed with the applicant that if they wanted to seek rezoning, there was the possibility of a higher density. Freerks opened public discussion. Josh Entler of Hall and Hall Engineers, representing the applicant, thanked City staff for accommodating the applicant's request to move forward on this proposal quickly. Beverly Johnson, who lives in the area of the subject property, asked if the development will be apartments or single family homes. Freerks said the plat is for detached single family lots. Miklo added that it would require rezoning to introduce multi - family units. Entler said the intent of the developer is single family detached housing. He said they have no intent or desire to do apartments. Marcia Akin of Sherman Drive asked if there are long -term plans for apartments, as they were promised when they moved in that all the homes in the subdivision would be single family. She also asked about the specifications and quality of the planned houses. Miklo reiterated that any proposal for multi - family would require rezoning, which would have to come before the Commission and be approved by City Council. He said the Zoning Ordinance does not address the appearance or quality of homes. Akin asked how they can get any information about what kinds of homes will be built. Miklo responded that the City Zoning Ordinance does not regulate single family homes to that extent. He said that some subdivisions have covenants that have design standards. Akin asked if the old covenants would still apply. Miklo said that would be up to the developer. The City does not get involved with convenants. Wynn Johnson of Sherman Drive said at the time they purchased their house, the developer was not the current developer. He said they were told what the developer's vision for the neighborhood and the phases of the subdivision were. He said now he's concerned if that vision will be carried out as conveyed to them and if they will be notified of any applications to rezone. Miklo said the current zoning allows only single family homes in this subdivision, and the subdivision as designed only permits single family homes. He explained that if there was a proposal to change zoning, any property owners within 300 feet would receive a letter notifying them of that. He said the City would also post signs on the property. He said the only changes in Planning and Zoning Commission December 6, 2013 - Formal Page 3 of 8 the subdivision design from the concept plan of 2004 were the elimination of a cul -de -sac in favor of a through street and the slight increase in the width of the streets to sixty feet. Johnson said the homeowners who purchased under the former developer would appreciate being kept informed of what's going on, and he sees that as the responsibility of the current developer and Hall & Hall. Entler offered to meet with the homeowners after this meeting. Miklo said this will be going before City Council on December 17 and suggested that it would be beneficial for the homeowners to meet with the developer before then. Freerks said it's not clear from the application if the developer used the Good Neighbor Policy, but the Commission would like to see that as something that has to happen with an application. She said it would be nice if there could be some sort of gathering prior to the Council meeting. Akin asked if the Commission is at all concerned about this developer primarily being a commercial developer. Freerks said that would probably not have any implication for the vote the Commission makes. Miklo said it's not unusual for a commercial developer to have members on their team who have been involved in residential development. He said Build to Suit has made proposals for residential development in other parts of Iowa City. Eastham said the Commission is in large part required in making decisions to follow the provisions that are in the City's Comprehensive Plan, in which there is nothing that talks about developer experience or other qualities. Sharon Sorensen of 26 Amber Lane said that a concern for her is the cul -de -sacs that go through the residential areas. She said it makes it difficult for fire trucks to get through. Miklo said that on a street like Sycamore, they try to minimize the intersections because it's an arterial street designed to carry more traffic. He said what will be helpful, unlike in the earlier subdivision, there will Dickenson Lane will provide an access point back to Sycamore for emergency vehicles and the public. Sorensen asked if the houses will be low- income or subsidized. Freerks said the Commission has no say on a preliminary plat about that possibility. Sorensen said because this was a wetland, a former developer was going to put in a park and wanted to know what changed that idea. Miklo said the wetland was actually to the east of the Greenway, and there are no wetlands on the subject property. Wynn Johnson said he thinks the issue of cul -de -sacs is something someone should be looking at closely because he frequently sees City trucks that can't negotiate the circle. He also said the homeowners would very much appreciate a Good Neighbor Meeting with the current developer to get some information. He said he knows it's difficult with the developer to come in after the former developer left town without keeping the promises he made, but he thinks Build to Suit owes it to the homeowners to have a meeting with them. Freerks said the applicant has not indicated if they have used the Good Neighbor Policy. She said the Commission has asked City Council to make these meetings mandatory, but so far, the Council has decided not to do that. She said some of the issues raised tonight could have been worked out through a Good Neighbor meeting, and she said that shows that having some conversation with neighbors prior to a Commission meeting can be helpful. Planning and Zoning Commission December 6, 2013 - Formal Page 4 of 8 Freerks closed public discussion. Thomas moved to recommend approval of SUB13- 00023, a request for preliminary plat approval of General Quarters Part Two, a 59 -lot, 15.54 -acre residential subdivision located east of Sycamore Street subject to review by the City Engineer. Swygard seconded. Eastham said this application along with the School District's decision to build an elementary school nearby brings to light a number of issues that he would like the Commission to deal with openly in the future. He said the Land Use Map show this area to be suitable for apartments. He said he thinks this Commission and others have not followed the Comprehensive Plan principles of mixed use, mixed density and mixed income as well as they should be followed. He said he did not think the rezoning followed the provisions of the Comprehensive Plan so he does not think the current zoning is appropriate. He thinks some part of it needs to be higher density multifamily. Freerks said she would like to make it clear for the audience that these are not mandatory labels on the maps. She said they are suggestions, and stated that, for instance, they like to have higher densities at intersections. Eastham said in this case the areas for higher density could just be moved to either side of Sherman Drive. He said it's possible to move the shaded areas on the maps around to more appropriate locations, but he thinks that most of the time, they simply eliminate them. He said he is sympathetic to homeowners who had conversations with the former developer. He said he doesn't think that developer was totally candid in what the future could be for the area in terms of multifamily dwellings built there. Eastham said all developers have access to the same Comprehensive Plan maps he has and all developers can be frank and honest with potential home buyers. Eastham said City Council had a vigorous discussion at its recent meeting about whether or not the provisions in the Comprehensive Plan are being followed in terms of creating walkable neighborhoods throughout the community and whether or not the neighborhoods that are being created are exactly like the neighborhoods that are already here. He said the RS -5 and RS -8 zones on both sides of Sycamore Street are essentially an extensive single family, detached lot development. He said as they go south into the area that Council has annexed for the school they will be challenged to follow the land uses suggested by the Comprehensive Plan, which is mixed townhome, apartment and single family detached. He said the preliminary plat before the Commission does comply with current zoning, but he doesn't think the current zoning complies with the Comprehensive Plan. Freerks said the Commission has approved so many apartment buildings in the community that she doesn't feel that the city is at a loss for that type of housing. She said she does think this preliminary plat complies with the Comprehensive Plan. She said the Commission has always viewed the maps as living documents that can be altered, so the areas on them are just suggestions. Swygard said she agrees with Freerks. She said what the Commission has before it is not a rezoning, so they have to deal with the current zoning. Thomas said what the Commission has before it doesn't require too much discussion but the Planning and Zoning Commission December 6, 2013 - Formal Page 5 of 8 question of the larger vision, driven mainly by the fact of a new elementary school, will and should require a more comprehensive plan toward the area to the south that is currently zoned Interim. He said he's been very concerned with what he sees as the negative image and impression that multifamily housing has in Iowa City that is in part because of the way it's been integrated into communities unsuccessfully. He said one exception would be The Peninsula. He said as this part of the city develops, he will be urging a much more creative and comprehensive approach to how residential uses mix and how they are designed with respect to the commercial development. He said he agrees with Eastham in that the Comprehensive Plan Update says to ..."encourage a diversity of housing options in all neighborhoods for households of all types and for people of all incomes." He said he thinks that can be done without this fear that is generated every time they move away from single family residential, but it will require a more imaginative and creative vision for how the various housing types integrate. Freerks said with the annexation of a large parcel of land to the south there will be lots of opportunities, and it's something that needs to be looked at. She said the application before the Commission does comply with the Comprehensive Plan with the subdivision code and will be a nice addition to this area, as there is a need for smaller lot single family homes like this as well. Theobald said she will also be voting in favor of the application, but she thinks Eastham has brought up a very valuable point that Thomas expanded on nicely. She said she remembers at one of her first meetings that Thomas brought up the subject of value and how to add that, and she thinks that's key to being able to integrate other housing types within single family. Freerks says she thinks they will need to have some successful scenarios in order for the public to see in terms of integrating apartment complexes into neighborhoods. Miklo said the Comprehensive Plan does show another future arterial street just to the south of this subdivision, and it shows a mixed use neighborhood there. He said here, where there are going to be rezonings and further annexations, the City has much more say in the shape of that area, he thinks that is where the mixed used neighborhood will develop based on the Comprehensive Plan. Eastham said he is hopeful that the area to the south will much more fully comply with provisions of the Comprehensive Plan. He said the Commission often gets a rezoning request that is much less than the Comprehensive Plan calls for in terms of including all housing types and income groups. Swygard said she would really encourage the Good Neighborhood Policy for this applicant. She said she knows the current developer can't address what the previous developer may have promised but the neighbors do have a lot of insight about the area and their comments can be very helpful for the new development. A vote was taken and the motion carried 5 -1 with Eastham opposed. Consideration of Meeting Minutes: November 7 and November 21, 2013 Dyer moved to approve meeting minutes of November 7 and November 21, 2013. Theobald seconded. A vote was taken and the motion carried 6 -0. Planning and Zoning Commission December 6, 2013 - Formal Page 6 of 8 OTHER Thomas said what he thinks needs more development is how the City can better accomplish the goals of the Comprehensive Plan than the current Zoning Code allows. He said he would like to see the City develop an area plan for the property just south of the subject property of tonight's Commission meeting that shows how the commercial, residential, open space and all the pieces of development fit together. He talked about how walkable neighborhoods are not being developed around the new elementary school and in areas where the Commission is approving preliminary plats. Eastham said he agreed with Thomas. He added that no developer will not want to build something radically different if the zoning regulations won't support it. He said that what would be helpful is a clearer understanding on the part of the developers about what the City's planning apparatus is interested in achieving and a commitment to carry that out by adoption of appropriate land use regulations. Thomas said in order to achieve integration of varying land uses and residential land types you need a certain amount of space, and that's why this is an opportunity. Miklo explained that the new subdivision regulations were adopted in 2008 and some of the ideas from that are starting to be seen in the newer subdivisions, like more interconnected street patterns and fewer cul -de -sacs. He said many existing subdivisions where approved before these standards went into place. Freerks said she does think there's a need in Iowa City for the kind of housing the Commission approved tonight, small lot, single family homes, but as development goes farther south, it's an opportunity to do other things. She said that the Commission relies on a very small staff, and she doesn't know that there's a lot of time for them to address this issue. Miklo said when they met with school district and property owner they made sure that the school site was positioned such that the vision of the South Plan could be implemented, that there was room to incorporate some townhouses around the school and the possibility of a commercial center in the area. Eastham said he knows there isn't enough planning staff now. Freerks said she can't say that enough. Thomas suggested that they could bring in a consultant. Eastham said the City could do more proactive zoning. Miklo said when they annexed the area adjacent to the new school site, they specifically zoned it Interim (ID) so it wasn't zoned single family and would have to come before the Commission where they would have to work on a mixed use neighborhood. Eastham said he doesn't know about the consultant. Freerks said the City is laying people off and there isn't a lot of money to do that. Miklo said that staff has statutory requirements to review zonings and subdivisions in a certain time frame, and when they have time they do district plans and special projects like Riverfront Crossings. Freerks said that there will be even more of a financial squeeze when the State tax changes go into effect. Eastham said he doesn't want the financial situation to effect what Iowa City looks like in thirty years, and Freerks agreed. Planning and Zoning Commission December 6, 2013 - Formal Page 7 of 8 Swygard asked if it's possible to apply a form -based code to a part of town other than Riverfront Crossings. Miklo said that it's possible but they want to get some experience with it in Riverfront Crossings before applying it to other parts of town. He said that our code currently has some form based elements in existing districts. Thomas said the City's Zoning Code does not compose the City's planning, ending up with developers who do not have an overall vision and manifesting certain sprawl qualities where there is a kind of pod development of different housing types stuck to each other. He said he thinks that's part of what contributes to the negative image of multifamily, and they should make a better case for it, and in order to do that, it has to be thoughtfully placed and developed in relation to the other land uses. The Commission agreed that when you go with higher density, there should be a higher quality rather than a lower one. ADJOURNMENT: Eastham moved to adjourn. Thomas seconded. 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