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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-24 Transcription#1 Page 1 ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL (Laughter) Lehman: For those of you that think the Council meeting got kinda rough and I needed this for protection that (can't hear), and also I'm not a Cyclone fan. We had a bet, I had a bet with the Mayor of Ames, Ted Tedesco, and we bet whoever lost the game would wear the opposing team shirt at the next Council meeting. O'Donnell: So who won? (Laughter) Lehman: I was actually going to skip this meeting and fly to Ames and give it to him in person and they're meeting tonight by the way as well. However, I get the shirt. And you know really I really felt I could trust the Council to handle this for me. You know I left town the Friday before the game. I come back on Thursday and find out that we lost so I'm wearing the shirt and I have to say I wish the Cyclones absolutely the best luck in the world and I hope they beat Nebraska bad and i hope they have a great season and I hope I never have to wear this again. Champion: I've never seen you look better. Lehman: This is what is known as equal time. O'Donnell: I didn't really get to see the shirt. Why don't you stand up? (Laughter) Lehman: Would you like to wear it next meeting Mike? O'Donnell: Yea, if they have it in a larger size. Letunan: This is extra large. I don't know how big Ted thinks I am. Okay. Item 2 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #2 Page 2 ITEM 2. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Lehman: (Reads item). Champion: Move adoption. O'Dormell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion and seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Wilburn: I'd like to request that item 2e(3) be removed from the consent calendar and voted on for individual consideration. Lehman: Okay. Other discussion? Karmer: Yes I'd like to point out something in resolutions. We are mandated to make a yearly report to the DOT. This is number f(4). The report from Streets and Parking to the Iowa Department of Transportation and make note there's a lot of money being spent on that. Often times people say it's cars pay for it, but studies show that significant amount of property tax goes into it. And even though this doesn't show the total cost that we put into streets and parking I think that police traffic enforcement is not included which is a significant amount. It does show that while we do get...we spend about 4.4 million...4,5 million of road tax money we also spend close to 4 million in property tax money according to these figures here. And so I think it's quite significant and should be kept in mind when looking at the total cost of the roads that we build. Thank you. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. Do we have a motion to consider item number 3? Champion: So moved 2e(3). Wilburn: I'll be abstaining due a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest due to my employment with an organization which receives CDBG home funds. Do I need to...? Dilkes: That's fine. O'Donnell: I'll second it. Lehman: Motion by Champion. Champion: Champion. Lehman: Seconded by...I know Connie. I may be in an Iowa State shirt, but I This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #2 Page 3 still know who you are. Champion: You called me Vanderhoef last meeting. Lehman: I did? Champion: Yeah. Lehman: You're taller than that. Motion by Champion, seconded by O'Dormell to approve item three. Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 6-0. Ross abstaining. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #3 Page 4 ITEM 3 PUBLIC DISCUSSION Lehman: Item three is public discussion. This is a time reserved on the agenda for discussion of items that do not otherwise appear on the agenda. If you wish to address the Council please sign in, give us your name, address, and limit your comments to five minutes or less. Alan Ellis: Good evening Mayor Lehman and members of the City Council. I'm Alan Ellis. I live in Iowa City. I'm a member of the Airport Commission. Rick Mascari: And I am Rick Mascari also a member of the Airport Commission. Ellis: Just wanted to give you an update real quick as to what was going on out at the airport. First thing would be the strategic planning we talked about at the last joint meeting we had with you. We have tentatively selected one February for the date that would be done with the strategic planning. We're collecting, talking and focus points from the Commission members right now. We are communicating with some facilitators that have done strategic planning with airports in the past and so they'll probably be able to help us in guiding along that way. We have not yet developed a protocol for who and how many should be on the team for strategic planning at this point. We know we want members from the Commission of course, political leaders, business leaders, and members from the coinmunity at large. We're also inviting people from the Iowa...from the Cedar Rapids Airport and we'll probably go to the smaller communities around Iowa City and see if they want representation also. We'll keep you informed and involved in this. We'll be looking forward to you being involved. And tentatively we have the Airport Manager working with the Finance Director as selecting November 1 as the date that all of our billing cycles turn over to the City for billing for the hangar rents. So you know we're going with that. Lehman: A question - are you going to have for example University Hospital University involved in this strategic plan? Ellis: Yes. They're big users of the airport so we'll certainly invite them. Now it's their choice, of course, if they want to participate. Mascari: I just wanted to mention that I hope you all had an opportunity to attend the pancake breakfast that we had. Did you go? Lehman: Of course. Mascari: A great turnout. We had beautiful weather, lots of airplanes, lots of This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #3 Page 5 people, lots of activities. I hope you all had a chance to come. The hangar leases are due October 1st. They've all been sent out and they're slowly coming in. And I don't know whether you all had an opportunity to...I think you got the copy of a letter that was sent out I think on the e-mail address or the City's website regarding and incident that happened here at the airport whereas a private flyer... Champion: We got that. Mascari: Did you get a chance to read that? Champion: Yes. Mascari: Wasn't that a touching story. Champion: Yes it was. Lehman: We brought it up - you really need to tell the public what the letter said because I think it is very good. Mascari: Alrighty. Let me skim through my notes here. Hold on just a second here where go. Basically what happened was a private flyer was contacted by a family member to go down to somewhere in Missouri to pick up a young man whose mother was terminally ill and brought her to the Iowa City Airport and brought him to the Iowa City Airport. And through the efforts of our Airport Manager and our FBO was able to bring the fellow to the University Hospitals just in time to meet his mother before she passed away. And he wrote a letter thanking both the Iowa City Airport and FBO staff and he wanted to let...to make sure the City Council knew what happened. So I just thought it would be a good idea to bring that up. Anybody have any questions? Ellis: Subject to your questions we won't take anymore of your time. Champion: Thank you for coming. Lehman: Thank you. Ellis: Good evening. Mascari: Thank you. Loft Benz: Good evening. My name is Lori Benz. I'm the City's representative to the Senior Center Commission and I wanted to give you an update on some of the activities of the Commission. You're very aware of the fact that the Senior Center is facing a deficit in its fiscal year '04 budget because of a decision by the Board of Supervisors at this time not to continue its support for the Senior Center. That's going to mean This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #3 Page 6 about $137,000 deficit which is a real concern to the Senior Center and took up quite a bit of our discussion at the last session. One of the decisions that was made at that time was that we asked to be placed on the agenda for the upcoming joint meeting that you also know about on September 25th and at that time Jay Honohan will be describing the Senior Center's participants, benefits, and need for continued support. So you will be hearing from us at that time. We also have planned three sessions in November to review the Center's strategic plan. Again because of the budget shortfall in fiscal year '04 and at that time we'll be considering the response from the Board of Supervisors as well as the other city entities and what options the Center might have to continue the quality and level of its programming. I also want to let you know that there is some interesting programs coming up in October. Specifically there are three forums scheduled that will be addressing senior housing choices. Another one on access to prescription drug discounts and the third one on...that addresses health issues for women over 40 as well as many others that you see regularly scheduled at the Center. And finally I wanted to extend an invitation to all of you to attend the October 8th dedication of the landscaping project which is named for Bill Kelly - a former Commissioner. The project was headed up by his wife, Betty Kelly, and is complete. It's the landscaping that is along the Lirm Street entrance of the Center. And that will be held October 8th from 3:30 to 4:30. So we hope you can attend. Thank you very much. Lehman: Thank you. Dawn Mueller: Good evening Council. Pfab: Good evening. Mueller: My name is Dawn Mueller. I reside at 1220 Village Road. And tonight I would like just to briefly address the issue that has recently raised with respect to JCCOG's and some concern about representation of the City on JCCOG's. I feel very strongly that each Councilor here has a lot to contribute to the City. I really admire all of your talents. I think that each of you has a good deal of experience to bring into the issues and I like the diversity that we have on our City Council. We know at times we can be a little contentious, but I really feel that it is important to try to remain focused on the need for Council cohesion in order for us to be able to work forward towards the good of the City. So I have a plea tonight for all of you. I have taken the time to review all the documents with respect to this issue - and there's quite a book of them. I have seen this issue developing over the past several months and I would really like to encourage us to take a route that is a little less contentious for the sake of the City and for the sake of us all being able to work together on projects that are This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #3 Page 7 good for all the citizens. I have determined from looking through the documents that I, from my perspective, I am not seeing any overt attempt by any City Council member here to try to undermine the process of representation on JCCOG's. I hope that we are not trying to use this issue politically to try to create or enhance any divide on the Council. I'd like to see us try to maintain good communications amongst each other. We really all need to work together on very important issues for the City. So this is my plea to you: I have placed by each one of your seats there a flower and I'd like to try to develop a sense of Council solidarity here. I am going to, from the bottom of my heart, ask that while I understand that each one of you has very good reasons for arguing the matter the way you do, in the best interest of the City and the citizens I'm going to ask if we could put that issue aside and instead try to come together and continue to try to work with each other and see ways that we can overcome the differences amongst Council members. So this is what I'd like to ask, and I understand you may not follow through, but this is my plea: I would ask you to reconsider you positions about going forward with what I feel is contentious analysis of an issue where I think we could better spend our time looking at other issues that the City needs to address. Please reconsider and if you find that it would be in the best interest of the City to set this issue aside so that we can try to enhance communications amongst the City Councilors in a show of Council solidarity I'm going to leave this cup up here and it has a little water in it for flowers. It has in a humorous vane some what is called the top ten rules for meeting and if you read them you might get a kick out of them. They might be reflective of what sometimes happens on our Council. If you could in a show of solidarity reconsider and place your flower into this cup as a sign to the City that we can work together as a Council I'd really appreciate that. So I'll leave that here. Lehman: Thank you Dawn. Mueller: Thank you. Anna Buss: Anna Buss, 830 Miller Avenue. It's my understanding that the issue that the previous lady spoke about is going to be in the October...set for one of the October... O'Donnell: October 8th. Buss: ...meetings. October 8th. And to that note - I was here at the meeting last night by dropping in. I just happened to be here. Andlwould invite anybody who sits on the other side of this issue to come to the work sessions and see what happens at those work sessions and what they often deteriorate to and who is or who is not responsible for those. What happens when something gets voted against and it is a very This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #3 Page 8 decisive vote it's my understanding that this issue was brought about and established with the City because of one individual person and it was to be that when the Council voted all together in their sessions that the person that represented them at these meetings was to vote the way the Council had instructed them to vote. And I feel that people really and truthfully really need to come to the work sessions. That will say everything in and of itself. So yes I say vote your conscious because you have to put up with all of it. And I thank you for your time. Lehman: Is there any other public discussion? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4b Page 9 ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. b. Public hearing on a resolution amending the Comprehensive Plan to adopt the Southwest District Plan for the area located generally south of Melrose Avenue, west of the Iowa River, north of Highway 1 West and east of the Iowa City Landfill. Lehman: (Reads item). The public heating is open. William Knabe: That red shirt caught me off guard. Lehman: Me too. Knabe: My name is William Knabe. My wife and I reside at 1101 Weeber Circle. As a Southwest District property owner and member of the Weeber-Harlocke Association I wish to commend the City planning staff and my neighbors for setting forth such an excellent plan. As you well know considerable effort has been put into this document. The plan is not perfect nor does it provide all that we would like to see if provide, but the Southwest District Plan does represent an honest effort by all parties to look at the future for this area and to address many of the concerns that need to be addressed. But our work is not done, it has just begun. In the next few months as issues come before you that pertain to this area I would ask that you be extra sensitive to the phmary force that motivates many of us who are long time residents of this district. Most of us really like where we live. And therefore we are interested in doing whatever is necessary to preserve the integrity of our neighborhoods. I ask that as you face future decisions regarding zoning changes, traffic and safety issues in this district that you be very mindful of our needs, especially in the Benton hill area where density of people is an every day occurrence. Therefore I urge you accept the Southwest District Plan as presented to you. Thank you. Champion: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you Bill. Judith Klink: My name is Judith Klink. I live on Harlocke Street in Iowa City. I want to add to what Bill Knabe has said. City Staff has done a great job in preparing the Southwest District Plan. They really listen to the residents and citizens and made a real courageous effort to pull it all together in this...in this result. So speaking for the residents in our area including Robin Schrader who could not be here tonight I want to thank the Staff for their effort this result. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4b Page 10 Lehman: Thank you. Tom Waters: My name is Tom Waters. I live at 906 Harlocke Street and I have some information that Karen Howard mailed to me about the zoning. And I'd really like to thank them -the Planning and Zoning - for mailing me this and especially for all the information that helped out a lot. If you want to look at it later on you're welcome to look at it. Lehman: Have you seen the completed plan as it has been presented to the Council? Waters: Let's see what a map...? Lehman: It's this plan. My suspicion is that it incorporates what you have in your hand. Waters: I'm...okay this tells me all about the information about what's going on and no. Okay. Thank you. No. Lehman: I believe what you have there is incorporated in the...this is a complete plan that's made up, I believe, of four sub-sections that were addressed individually. Waters: I didn't have this. Lehman: Okay. Waters: But I can let you look at this. Champion: Can you leave it with our Clerk? Lehman: Hand it to the Clerk. Kanner: John did you generally like what you saw? Lehman: You need to speak in the mic, John. Waters: Yeah. Yeah I looked at it and it was helpful and interesting and helped our a lot for what's going on and after I started reading it for about the property and then it started making sense. I think that's about all that I have to say for now. Kanner: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Champion: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4b Page 11 Lehman: Public hearing is closed. Karr: We have a motion to accept correspondence. O'Donnell: So moved. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell. Kanner: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Kanner to accept correspondence. All in favor? Opposed? (Motion passes). Let me just say there is an incredible amount of time put in on this not only our Staff, but countless neighbors. In fact in the back of this plan is a listing - I believe I saw it in here - of I don't know how many citizens who helped put together what ended up being in the plan. So this was a tremendous amount of work and it almost seems inappropriate to have a public hearing that takes five minutes to go to all that work. But certainly thank you folks for coming. I suspect the next Council meeting will be first consideration. Champion: I think also it's important to point out that there were problems in this area and have been problems in the past. I think it's pretty amazing that the Staff and the neighborhood were able to pull together and produce a document that seems to make everybody thoroughly happy. Karr: Mr. Mayor just to clarify it is a resolution, not an ordinance so it will be scheduled for your action. Lehman: First and last consideration in the same meeting. Kart: Correct. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4c Page 12 ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS c. Public hearing on a ordinance changing the zoning designation from 1) High Density Multi-Family Residential, RM-44, to Medium Density Multi-Family Residential, RM-20 with a Conditional Zoning Agreement, for an 8.69-acre property located north of Highway 1 and west of Miller Avenue; 2) Community Commercial, CC-2, to Medium Density Multi- Family Residential, RM-20 with a Conditional Zoning Agreement, for a 1.45-acre property located north of Highway 1 and west of Miller Avenue; and 3) Medium Density Single- Family Residential, RS-8, to Community Commercial, CC-2, for a 1.45-acre property located north of Highway 1 and west of Miller Avenue. (REZ02-00013) Lehman: (Reads item). Public hearing is open. Judith Klink: Once again Judith Klink. Again I would like to commend the Staff for proposing this rezoning as part.., as a consequence really of the preparing of the Southwest District Plan. As a neighborhood we are especially concerned that the elements of the zoning proposal and the elements of the conditional zoning agreements are preserved when the time comes that an actual development is proposed for this area. So I'd like to emphasize the points that we consider very essential to be preserved when a development comes before Planning and Zoning and subsequently before the Council. First of all no more traffic on Harlocke Street. We've seen extensive development on this street in the last year and the allowed traffic limits are already slightly exceeded. I live on Harlocke Street. We have a lot of traffic on this street now. We want Harlocke Street not to be extended into the new development. The second point - and there are four of these I want to mention - we want to be assured there will be a buffer of natural vegetation between the higher density zoning and the residential neighborhood adjacent to it. A buffer is needed as these two developments of different densities will be in close proximity. Number three, in addition buildings in the new development should be of appropriate size and scale to be in close to the residential neighborhood. This is needed. This is necessary. Finally, there is a tremendous amount of traffic on Benton Street. Our neighborhood needs a non-Benton Street access to the park which is further east on Benton Street. We would like a trail between our neighborhood and that park which is going to be developed. This is part of the Plan for the Southwest District. We consider this very important. From what we've seen so far the conditional zoning agreements seem to support these four points. We just want to go on record as repeating how important they are to us. Again we wish to thank the Staff who've This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4c Page 13 tried to involve everyone - the all parties - the property owner, the developer, the neighborhood. And they've taken a leadership role in making everything work out amicable and thank you again. Lehman: Thank you. Vanderhoef:: Judith, is there a consensus of the neighborhood that the RS-20 is okay as long as the CZA is there? Klink: As long as the CZA are...yes. Vanderhoef: Otherwise you still would request the RS-12? Klink: Umm... Dilkes: You mean RM? Vanderhoefi RM. Klink: We're...we are supporting the change of zoning which the Staff has asked for and part of the change is these conditional zoning agreements. And as we understand them they support the four items that I mentioned. Lehman: Right. That's what we're talking about. Vanderhoef: They do. Lehman: Do we have a signed CZA? We do have. Cool. Okay. Any other discussion? O'Donnell: Ernie, I don't believe... Lehman: Karin I really appreciate...you know this for folks who don't appreciate it this area has been an area of some discussion for years and years and years and this is certainly a milestone. If there's no one else who wish to speak that Karin wishes to speak to this. Karin Franklin: Well as long as we're saying thanks all around a thank you goes to Chuck Meardon for negotiating with the Ruppert family in getting this done. Lehman: And certainly the Staff. This really is a...this is a big step for us. Public hearing is closed. Vanderhoefi There's just one other thing that in this case I'm pleased that the moratorium worked out for this area and that it gave the proper time and push to all of the citizens to get in there and work hard and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4c Page 14 develop something that I am convinced will be very good for our City. Lehman: Almost makes wearing an Iowa State shirt tolerable. Vanderhoefi You got it. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4d Page 15 ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS d. Public hearing on an ordinance vacating portions of the Harrison Street and Prentiss Street rights-of-way and an adjoining alleyway, west of Madison Street. (VAC02-00004) Lehman: (Reads item). Public heating is open. Steve Laughlin: Good evening. My name is Steve Laughlin and I'm with Shoemaker and Haaland Engineers and we've been working with the University of Iowa on two projects that are in the neighborhood of the requested street and alley vacations. And I kind of feel like maybe I started that ball rolling and ought to come up here and fess up a little bit about what we were thinking about when we suggested to our client that they ask the City to vacate those streets and the alley between them. We've been working on two projects down in that neighborhood. One is the one we call the Lot 64 parking lot improvement which extends from Harrison Street on the north to Prentiss Street on the south and even goes a little further south around the motor pool facility there and it extends all around the west side of the Cambus garage. Also we've been working with the power plant group on a new security fencing project around their area. And also developing new access in the Harrison Street corridor for their primary access for their delivery trucks. We'd like to see it...the University would like to see it move from Court south to Harrison Street. A little bit about the Lot 64 project that will give us 155 new permit parking spaces for staff of the University of Iowa. We will also enlarge the Cambus plaza and parking area west of their facility so they can be offthe street more and have a place to cue their vehicles. We're also going to add improvements to the motor pool parking area down there. As that project developed we said to the University really the best concept that was kind of shaking out for that improvement was going to be constructed across that alley so we said we're going to have to go and ask the City about vacating that. Also we're making improvements for access roads on Prentiss and Harrison into that facility. All of the land now is owned by the University around that area. And we said maybe it would make sense to ask them that you take over the ownership, operation and maintenance of those right-of-ways. The City's got thousands of miles of those to deal with. They might like to have a few less feet to contend with. So we made that suggestion. For the power plant project we also again bringing that access on Harrison Street felt that that would be...this would be a time also to ask for a vacation from the City to the University for that. A couple other things I wanted to mention we're working with the campus planning committee to do some beautification and green space buffering along the west side of Lot 64 to dress that up so that when you do view that This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4d Page 16 from the west side of the river it has a nice look to it. We're also working with the power plant folks to do the same thing all along their frontage. There are trees...mature trees along there, but we'd like to supplement that a little bit more so that it's well screened and looks good down in there. Really other than that I wanted to be a resource here to the Council tonight. Ask...have you ask any question you like and I'll try to answer as best I can. Vanderhoefi Is this the same area that in the future is being considered for the parking ramp? Laughlin: No it is not. No. Vanderhoefi Can you tell me where that is then? Laughlin: I can. Vanderhoef: Thank you. Laughlin: And Larry Wilson can perhaps help me speak to that. We've got a handout for the Council. This is from the south campus plan. Larry Wilson: Hello. I'm Larry Wilson from the University of Iowa representing the University. And what you have just passed out to you is a master plan. I'll emphasize master plan because the detail aren't worked out by any means. That was prepared in January 1997. So we've had it a while. It was incorporated into the campus planning framework that I handed out to you last night so it's a piece of that. Pfab: A point of information where is 64? Which one is 64? Wilson: 64 is not shown on this, but it's the area between see where it says (can't hear) on here and the railroad tracks. Pfab: So that little... Wilson: It's in this area in here. Pfab: The pink or the white? Wilson: It's the white. Pfab: Okay. Wilson: We didn't...at the time the plan...at the time this plan was done we didn't own that. And this plan is silent on anything around the railroad because it was presumed it would be there a long time so we did no planning for that area. Essentially it has three components. The pink, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4d Page 17 if you will, is future academic or research buildings. We don't know at this time. And then at the south end would be a consolidation of our scattered University Services building into one consolidated location. And we've already begun that by constructed the University Services building. So that's part of it. The rest is the Chiller Plant that wouldn't be needed until the development occurs here. And then a parking ramp to serve not only this area, but also over by the library. Any questions on that? Vanderhoef: This is helpful. Thank you. Kanner: Is this the line that goes up by where you built the new overpass? These railroad lines where you built the new overpass over Highway 6 going into Coralville? Is that the same railroad line? Lehman: CRANDIC. Wilson: This is CRANDIC. Lehman: Right. Kanner: So you built that bridge with the idea that perhaps someday there might be railroad service that might let off there. That's what Dave Ricketts told us at JCCOG's. Are you thinking that that railroad service might come down here someday? Wilson: I don't know whether or not it will happen or not. I'd certainly like to happen. I have a vision that when and if we get around to building a parking structure for instance it might also be a stop for train and that we would have light rail connected from main campus to Oakdale. There's not a whole lot speaking in that favor right now, but it's certainly on our long-term thinking that we'd like to do it. Kanner: It's something that, I think, we need to talk about together and plan That's why I'm somewhat reluctant to vote in favor of this at this time because I think we need to do some more planning before we're ready to give this up and even those there's some easements that are talked about I think we need to be part of the planning for the riverfront and possible rail service and parking down here. Wilson: I should point out that we don't own the railroad. That's up to the railroad what they do with it. We'll respond to it if ,you know, they have any overtures and use of connective rail. As far as between the railroad and the river it's a difficult area to develop as it is. It was all...the whole bank was riprap with rock - large rock - after the flood of'93 so it's not friendly to being used. Unfortunately that happened before we had our new strategy for river banks. But it's still at this This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4d Page 18 point we have no particular plans for it except it's strongly influenced by the power plant and its operations. Pfab: I believe there's a representative...somebody representing the railroad here in the audience. Maybe they would want to speak to something? Susan Hense: Good evening. My name is Susan Hense. I'm the attorney for CRANDIC railroad here this evening. And I appreciate Steven and Larry's comments and I'm a little frightened as I'm up here talking about the rail service. I did not come prepared to speak to rail service in that area this evening. But I could certainly get with my clients and get some more information to you about that. Karmer: Well I think that's...the point isn't that we have to talk right now about rail service although I personally would like to I don't know how the rest of the Council feels, but this is something that needs to be part of the planning process in my opinion before we start talking about vacating. What's going to happen here in 5, 10, 20 years? What can we do to encourage if we want rail service here? And how does the parking ramp and other access to that area how does that all fit in? And that's something that I as a Council member don't feel that we've been a part of that planning process. Hense: Well I think certainly CRANDIC considers itself a neighbor and a good neighbor and a partner with the University of Iowa and with the City of Iowa City and I know they have engaged in just a number of transactions over the years in terms of development, keeping an eye on community development. And this is frankly one area that we'd like to have resolved is the vacation of these...what we're talking about are little slivers and actually what I'm here to discuss is I think it's item f...or yes item f which is in concert really what the University is requesting. We're requesting vacation of small slivers of property essentially because there was much confusion in the title that stems back decades with regard to Front Street in particular. What I think we're trying to do is certainly work with the University not only with the sale of this property a number of the projects that they have been referenced tonight by these gentlemen involved property that was sold to the University by CRANDIC so that enabled that sort of development to occur. And CRANDIC is very mindful of that of additional sales that may occur between the with University of Iowa and with the City of Iowa City and I certainly think it's open to any sort of discussion that you would have any concerns you have, any future looking developments that you may anticipate use of rail service and so forth. So we're not at all opposed to discussing that and being a partner at the table to that. But in terms of the vacation requests I think what we're looking at are simply clearing title in the particular matter of fthat is before you and then also taking...while it's difficult This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4d Page 19 to predict the future, but taking a look at certainly what's happening now with the history of that area has been which is purely residential...I'm sorry purely industrial. ! know you've got concerns about pedestrian access. I think those have been preserved with the easements with the blanket easement that has been proposed as part of this vacational process. I know also that with respect to a disposition of this property CRANDIC again is not interested in having the property disposed of to itself to CRANDIC, but in (can't hear) but would in fact prefer that if that property is vacated that it simply be disposed of to the University to promote the continued development in that area. So I can't speak to a larger, broader...I understand you may be wanting to have conversations about, you know, we'll vacate this area if we can talk about a rail service in the future. But I think the vacation of this area is important to the development that's on the table, that's been on the table to promote a more...a cleaner use of that area, I guess, and to help encourage the University's plan for that area. CRANDIC that's the only interest that we have in this is simply to promote the current project that the University has. Lehman: Thank you. Pfab: I have one question. We had talked about the chances of CRANDIC abandoning that line. You want to make a comment on that? Hense: I can certainly. I guess I would also...I would encourage you to go down and visit this area if you haven't been down there and been down there recently to see what I'm speaking of with regard to it being an industrial area. I think that Karin had made some very relevant comments last night with regard to perhaps some liability issues or some concern with would you really want to at least now with it as it is develop that area further encourage pedestrian traffic down there with there being a rail line and with all of the Cambus and the other vehicle storage and parking that's in that area. So I would encourage you to go down and visit that area. But what we have, and I don't know if you have a map handy at all, but in this area we're talking about between...on Front Street between Burlington miming itself along the river up sort of paralleling Harrison there or perpendicular to Harrison there are actually several...there have been several rail lines in that area. There's what we call a sort of main line that crosses over...yep and I don't.,, Lehman: I think we have.,. Champion: We can see it on here. Hense: Okay you can see it on there. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4d Page 20 Pfab: I think some...I think you're going to get a copy. Hense: Oh. Thanks. Yep that's it. You can see the main line is the one that comes south, crosses Burlington, and then it continues on south along the river and then bending east. That main line there is...there's no intention, no plan to abandon that at this time. There are a number of other rail lines depicted on here that you can see which we referred to as spur...spur tracks, loading and unloading, the moving and shuffling of cars and those have in fact been officially and formally abandoned this past year. And I think much of that traffic has been removed certainly as a result and in response to the sale of that property. So as far as the main line is concerned... (End of Tape #02-73, Beginning of Tape #02-76) Lehman: The main line is also the line that services Hills and Wellman and whatever... Hense: Right. Lehman: Right which is a significant amount... Hense: Correct. Lehman: ...of freight goes on (can't hear). Hense: Correct. Lehman: So any chance of that being discontinued in the near future is pretty remote. Hense: That' s correct. Lehman: Okay. Thank you. Wilson: I didn't finish one point and that is I'd like to submit that we have plan for the advent of a rail service if it occurs. Now we can't plan for something we don't own, have no control over. But we would when and if we build a parking structure we would allow for those things to be incorporated if there's a need. We've already allowed for that on the bridge over Highway 6 near west (can't hear). We've allowed for a train stop there. We didn't build it, but there's room for it. So if it ever happens then we're ready to take advantage of it. Champion: Good. Pfab: Is there ever any chance that it would come into Iowa City anywhere along here that you would have another stop? Is there any place...is This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4d Page 21 there any place thought of in that idea? Wilson: Well that's a railroad question, but I think that we would try to have the stops as convenient to our folks as possible and try to work it would with the railroad. Of course they have schedules to meet and so many stops they can make. Pfab: But in the sense is there...will there be any place along the track where there would be space to build some kind of a passenger... Wilson: You mean in this area? Pfab: Yeah. Wilson: Absolutely. Pfab: Okay. Champion: Thanks. Lehman: Thank you Larry. O'Donnell: Thank you. Wilson: Any other questions? Lehman: Thank you. Public hearing is closed. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 22 ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS e. Public hearing on an ordinance vacating Grand Avenue Court from Melrose Avenue to a line 295 feet to the north of Melrose Avenue. (VAC02-00003) Lehman: (Reads item). Public heating is open. Jean Walker: Hi. My name is Jean Walker. I'm on Lucon Drive - 335. I'm going to read from this and I have a copy here if you would like it. (Reads statement). Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Kanner: Jean what street did you say you lived on? Walker: Lucon Drive. Any questions? O'Donnell: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Kanner: Is there a fence there in the street? Pfab: There's a steel gate. Lehman: Construction. Pfab: 8 foot...6-8 high steel gate shutting off Grand Avenue on the south end. Michael Maharry: Along a similar vane my name is... Lehman: Name. Maharry: I'm sorry my name is Michael Maharry. I live at 903 East College Street. I'm the chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission at the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission and am speaking along the same lines in regards to University responsibility and citizenship. I am here representing the house - the historic Cannon Gay house which is along the east side of Grand Avenue Court along Melrose Avenue. Vacation of this area would allow unhindered developments along the north side all along the east west avenue north side of Melrose. And there is little doubt and great concern regarding the future of this house once the vacation occurs. Current University plans show no Cannon Gay House there in the future. There has been...the houses that were demolished there a month ago were This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 23 deemed unable to be moved and so this house is right across the street from those meaning if they are not going to move the house most likely it will be demolished. This State does not have to...as a State owned property the State does not have to adhere to the local City historic preservation guidelines nor the Department of Interior guidelines which were placed on the house. The W.D. Cannon was the first European settler born in Johnson County. That's why the Department of Interior and the Iowa City Historic Preservation through the City Council have deemed it a historically significant structure. And so there's a lot of discussion about what the future of the possible vacation is, but the position of the Historic Preservation Commission that any agreement with the City should be...any agreement with the University should include a standard to have them adhere to the Historic Preservation Guidelines. Thanks. Lehman: Thank you. Rod Lehnertz: Good evening. Rod Lehnertz, architect with the University of Iowa, born and raised in Iowa City. I first just wanted to very briefly review the fact that we wanted first of all to thank you for letting us present the project that really created the need for this partial vacation of Grand Avenue Court and each of the Council members should have the sheet that shows the graphics of the building as well as the site. Correct? And I just wanted to allow you to ask any questions related specifically to the project. We do have a temporary construction right- of-way for construction of the project and as a bit of reiteration from last night in the work session during the design process for this project the Athletic Learning Center we did meet with City Engineer Rick Fosse about some of the logistics related to the construction of the project as some elevation changes would be needed to make grades work between the building and the street. It was suggested by Mr. Fosse that the best solution to that would be a partial vacation of Grand Avenue Court and I just wanted to bring that up again as we had reviewed it last night. As already been seen Larry Wilson is here again tonight here again tonight as well and can address some of the issues related to the master planning for that part of campus as well as some of the issues related to the historic preservation of the Gay- Cannon House and other structures on campus as well. So Larry if you want to come up and again I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have related to the project itself and the vacation for construction of that project. Kanner: Rod...Rod is it? Lehnertz: Yes. Kanner: You said Rick Fosse recommended the vacation as the best solution to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 24 the problem? Lehnertz: Correct. When we met we met at the offices of Shive-Hattery with Rick as well as Shive and the designers for the project - OPN Architects. It was discussed that for access for construction vehicles and for staging for the project there would be need for the temporary right-of-way, but for elevation changes to the west side of the street, for elevations for the building we would need to make some elevation changes to that south end of Grand Avenue Court still allowing it to be passable, but would need to make those. That requires a City Council approval for that work and it was suggested that as all but one property is University owned on that street and that property is north of the proposed vacation that a logical step would be to actually vacate this portion of Grand Avenue Court allowing for those elevation changes to occur. The only...the only building or facility that would enter or would be effected by that access on Grand Avenue Court where the elevation changes would occur would be the Athletic Learning Center. All of the other facilities and all of the other buildings and one residence that are located on that street are located north of any elevation changes as well as north of the proposed vacation. Pfab: I would like to make a comment. Something that Dee brought up here last night is if this street is abandoned or will be abandoned and it sounds like that's already been decided and now the City Council is finding out about it. Lehman: Why don't we let...let's have the public hearing before we do... Pfab: No, no I mean... Lehman: If you have a question. But Larry, I think, has some comments about...at least Rod indicated you might have some comments about traffic flow. Larry Wilson: I'm Larry Wilson and I've already signed in. First I would like to comment that the arterial system in that area is a paired street system with Grand Avenue and Melrose. And the Grand Avenue Court is the connected between them. And we have a neighborhood to I'd like to suggest. We don't like people cutting through our neighborhood for shortcuts either, especially when we're trying to develop a long-range precinct for students. And Grand Avenue Court is a convenient cut- through for some, but it's not a necessary part of the arterial system. And I'd like to make several points about the whole project. And that is first of all we believe we have a reasonable request, but we also want to work with the Council to try to get this to work out to everybody's satisfaction. But we also think that this is a short street only one block long and it's narrow. It goes nowhere and does not This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 25 connect up through any other through street except it's intersected. The University owns all the property on either...on both sides of the portion we're asking to be vacated at this time. The street is already closed by fence during construction and it shows that it has not been a traffic problem and so that we think the traffic implications of the street are independent of the arterial street system. We don't think the Athletic Learning Center should have any effect on the surrounding street system. The existing learning center is already in Quad - it's right in the area just about a block away. And about 70% of the student-athletes come are from the west campus residents' halls where they live. So it's a lot of walk-in access. And Melrose was improved a few years ago with the understanding that the alignment that it currently is in would continue to be improved. That's the way the improvements were based. As far as the Cannon-Gay House we don't think that it should be linked to the street closing. It has no access from Grand Avenue Court. The University owns that house so nobody else is affected. The University intends to preserve the original part of the house in some way, but we want to keep the option open of relocating the house if it makes sense as things develop. And I think the development of the area has not been fully determined yet. But if some large building which is likely were built such as a residence house then it would dwarf the house and not be a good setting. This happened over by Daum Hall where the Shambaugh House was located. And I think we did quite a fine job of relocating the Shambaugh House. We spent $250,000 doing it. We're protecting the Dye House and we're spending $300,000 plus an addition in doing that. So I think we've shown some good faith that we will handle things appropriately. What we want to do is keep the option open to move it if it makes sense as we move along. And we'd be willing to write a letter that our intent is to protect the original portion of the house in some way if that would be helpful. Again we believe this is a reasonable request. And we believe the closing of Grand Avenue Court should be separate from these other issues and not link to them for your consideration. Any questions? Pfab: I think that when you look at this house that we're trying to preserve here it's obviously it's not on your master plan. I think at that point the City of Iowa City has absolutely no bargaining power once we give up the...once we abandon that and I believe there's a strong interest in the City and a lot of citizens really want that house preserved. Now I think that if we're going to abandon that I think they should be tied together with some kind of an agreement. That's just offthe top of my head. I haven't sat and talked...thought a lot about that, but I think the bargaining power gets awfully...I think we have nothing to bargain with. Also you're talking about eventually attempting to close Grand Avenue I just drove...spent some time in the area of Byington - is that This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 26 it? - 4-lane or 3-lane...I think you want to go 3-lane because I cannot imagine how you're going to get four lanes in that area and make it somewhat easy to maneuver a heavy flow of traffic which coming down Melrose Avenue and all the activities that are generated there farther west. That is just...it looks like you're trying to squeeze an elephant through a household door. Champion: I don't think they're going to do four lanes. They're thinking of three lanes. Pfab: But three lanes look awfully busy for...that's two ways. Champion: But they're going onto a two lane street. I mean it wouldn't do any good to make it four lanes. Wilson: Well actually we're not thinking three, four at this time. We're thinking that we'll build whatever road would be required to serve the traffic and if it's four lanes it's four lanes, if it's three lanes, it's three lanes. Pfab: And I think that the fact that the historical preservation people and us as City Council people have an obligation to look down the road for people. It's an awful lot of historical buildings have bit the dust and I think it's time we have to really push awful hard to protect what's left. Wilson: With that understanding is why we would be willing to preserve the original portion of the house in some way. One way would be in a fashion of the Shambaugh House. There might be others. But we want to keep our options open with how we do it. Pfab: I think the City wants to keep their options open too. I think it's a good time to sit down and negotiate our way through it and I think this might be a good time because we have a little bit of bargaining power from the City's point of view because I don't see the University making any gmat statement saying we will do this. You're talking about an original portion. I don't know how big the original portion was, but I'm suspecting that it's a lot smaller than what's there now. Wilson: Yeah there are additions that would not be included. But I said that we would be willing to write a letter and that's... Pfab: If you're willing to write a letter would you be willing to sign an agreement? Wilson: What agreement is that? Pfab: Whatever the historical people want...would like to have. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 27 Dilkes: We have...my staff has been approaching this as there is a need for an agreement or a need for a restrictive covenant and we're currently exploring that with the General Counsel's Office. Wilson: The answer is then we would not be willing to sign a covenant. Champion: It's being explored already. Dilkes: Yeah. It's good to have that answer. Vanderhoefi If there aren't any other questions I have a suggestion. As I spoke last night I'm concerned about the traffic and the transportation system for the City of Iowa City. And Larry and I visited this afternoon and it seems like there's a lot of questions, there's a lot ofify's. I'm not ready to vacate anything in that area until I have a complete plan and I would suggest that after we close the public hearing that we take a six month time period here and get together and design the transportation center and get an agreement in place so that we will all be comfortable' with how it works. What we all really want is we want safe, good plan - pedestrian and vehicular traffic in that area and I think we can do it all together if we work together for the next six months then put an agreement together. Wilson: I tried to express our feeling that we can do both and still proceed with the vacation. Lehman: Larry let me ask you, do you see any reason why the...your planners and our planners couldn't put together a concept plan for the alignment of Byington and Melrose and the intersection of Riverside Drive within the next six months? Is that reasonable to ask that? Wilson: I think it is reasonable. We'd be willing to do that, In fact I would suggest that maybe we would write a letter that we would be agreeable to doing that in the advent that we ever wanted to pursue closing Grand Avenue - we're not even sure we want to do that - but in the advent that we would want to that we would have a plan worked out. And I would like to suggest that we write a letter stating our intention about the Cannon House, our intention about getting together with City Staff and working it out - a signed letter - and based on that could go ahead with the closing - the vacation. Lehman: I tend to concur. I agree with Dee obviously the traffic circulation in that area is a vital importance to the City just as it is the University. And I guess the workings that we have had with the University in the time that I've been on the Council have been stellar whether we're talking about Mormon Trek or Iowa Avenue or the water plant or the Tower Place I think you folks have been incredibly easy to work with This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 28 and I hope we have been to. Wilson: Well I think we have the same objectives basically. Lehman: I believe that we do and I have every confidence that we can work out this traffic thing. And I do agree that this particular vacation probably doesn't have any impact on the traffic flow in that area. I also understand that you are not required by law to do anything with that historic building. But if you're willing to, and certainly the University's track record in preserving historic things, I think, has been very, very good. I guess I personally don't have a problem with what you're proposing. But I do concur with Dee and I think the rest of the Council and you as well that this traffic thing needs to be addressed and looked at so that you know and we know we're all on the same sheet of paper as to what we can expect to occur over there because no matter what occurs it is not going to be pretty over there. Wilson: I do think we'd be quite willing to work with the City to try to come up to some sort of mutual understanding of what could be the solution. Champion: Well I think it's also important to add that we do have to have some long term plan for traffic over there, but it isn't just important to the City. It's just as important to the University. Wilson: Of course. Wilbum: What would be helpful for us to work on Council at the time were this transportation area was done and I know you had that conversation last night about Melrose diagonal and that precedes (can't hear) even precedes you. Lehman: Yeah even me. Wilbum: In order to be able to make comfortable to know to be able to say yes vacation may or may not affect that. It would be a more comfortable to be able to... Wilson: Well personally we'd like to see it tied down to something more specific anyway. Wilbum: I understand that, but from our point of view it would be more comfortable. Wilson: Sure. Pfab: I think we want to tied down too otherwise we kind of get the feel we're like the victim of a boa constrictor every time we (can't hear) gets a little tighter and pretty soon we're gone. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 29 Wilson: Well you know I've said preliminary studies have indicated that it can be worked out reasonably, but I think maybe it's time to show that it can. Pfab: I think that...I would certainly be...like to see you agree with what Dee proposed and just step back for a couple.., five, six months and see what we can put together on the long term - a little bit longer term. Wilson: Thank you. Vanderhoef: Thank you Larry. Lehman: Thank you Larry. Maharry: A quick point of information. Michael Maharry again - I signed in earlier. The historic preservation guidelines through the Secretary of Interior do allow for the moving of an historic structure so if they are planning to move that structure there doesn't seem to be a contra indication for them to abide by the agreement that they abide from the historic preservation standards. Champion: That is (can't hear). But also you're not obligated to protect additions. Isn't that correct? It's only the main part of the house - the original house that is actually under the historic preservation covenant - or whatever you want to call it. Maharry: Right. Lehman: Thank you. Walker: I'm Jean Walker and I've signed in already. I would just request that representatives of the people who actually live in the area be included in the discussions about this area. Thank you. O'Doimell: Okay. Lehman: Thank you. Any other...I'm sorry. Dilkes: I would ask before you leave this item that we get some direction about whether to continue to pursue the terms of the disposition with the University. Lehman: The disposition? Are you referring to... Dilkes: Sale of the property, restrictive covenant, etc. Lehman: Oh you mean relative to the historic... ? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 30 Dilkes: Whether you are going to proceed on this item and therefore you want my office to continue to negotiate on the terms of the transfer of the property or not. Champion: Oh okay. You can just go down the line. Pfab: Which which... Lehman: No I think that's a fair question because we're going to close the public hearing. At the next meeting we're going to be asked to vote on the vacating of this property. What you're asking is if we're going to ask for a vacation with stipulations you want to know that now. Dilkes: What I have been doing is proceeding based on the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Wilson said tonight that they were not agreeable to a restrictive covenant. That kind of changes things and I need to know if you want me to proceed as if you are going to vacate and dispose of this property or stop and wait and see if you vacate on the first reading. Vanderhoef: I would rather see the whole issue be deferred until we have the transportation plan in place. Pfab: I would support that. O'Donnell: But I don't think this particular one block street with a gate on it enters into that though Dee. Vanderhoef: I'm not sure. That's why I... O'Dormell: I'm pretty sure if there's a gate in that this doesn't enter into it. Dilkes: Are there four of you who want me to continue to negotiate with the University on the terms of the transfer of this property? Lehman: The only thing that obviously if they are...if there is not interest in the finding the - what did you call it? Dilkes: A covenant. Lehman: A covenant... Dilkes: That runs with the property that's recorded. Lehman: ...(can't hear) that's relative to the historic property? Dilkes: Right. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 31 Lehman: We could tell you that a letter from the University was acceptable as Larry suggested. Is that correct? Dilkes: Yes you could tell me that. Lehman: I would be supportive of that proposal. Champion: I would be supportive of it too except protection for the historic house there and a letter from the University stating their intentions of that would meet that. Pfab: If we believe that they are going to do it, why don't we get a covenant? Dilkes: Are there four of you who want to see something...wait a minute... Lehman: Are there four folks who are willing... Dilkes: Wait a minute. Vanderhoefi I'm confused. Lehman: Let Eleanor. Dilkes: Can I just ask a question? Are there four of you how would not be willing to disclose of this property absent a covenant that showed up on the title of the property? In other words are there four of you who find a letter from the University expressing their intentions with respect to this property to be acceptable? Lehman: I find that acceptable. O'Dormell: I do. Champion: I do. Pfab: I don't. Dilkes: Are there...I see three. Wilbum: Would our conversations about the transportation issues be part of such a covenant or not? Dilkes: No this is separate. This is the historic preservation issue. Vanderhoef: This is only the historic preservation. That was where I was confused. Dilkes: That's what we're talking about. Lehman: Larry's indicated... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Conncil meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 32 Pfab: Do I understand correctly that's just a...I think you're asking is: am there four people on the Council that would accept a letter stating versus a covenant. Dilkes: Right. Pfab: And I would not support a letter. Karmer: Well I think another way it could be asked is do we want to wait some time and talk about all these issues further and get some agreements down before we begin the vacation process and you continue your legal work. So I would put it a slightly different way than you're putting it Eleanor. Dilkes: Okay. How about this we've got three ordinance readings for a vacation. I'm going to put the disposition issues on hold and see what happens at the first reading of the vacation. Lehman: Okay. Alright. Kart: Motion to accept correspondence. Vanderhoef: So moved. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. All in favor? Champion: I just have another question for Eleanor. If you aren't proceeding than we probably won't get a letter about their intentions of the house. If that...? Dilkes: Well I can...we can ask for the letter and you can decide if that's acceptable. Champion: And then I also would like a letter stating that they're willing to get together with our City Staff to discuss the future transportation problems in that area and I'm sure they'll do that. I trust they're going to do these things because we've had positive working relationship with the University and I consider them a major player in town and I also consider them a major resource. So with those two things I wouldn't have any problem voting for the vacation so I would hate to see you quit working on those things. Dilkes: The planning staff in conjunction with my staff can continue to work on getting those kind of letters. Champion: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4e Page 33 Lehman: Okay. Dilkes: I'm just going to put the rest of it on hold. Pfab: I would even propose that we just...propose that we postpone this until after we sit down and put together... Lehman: You're going to have that opportunity in two weeks. Public hearing is closed. Larry would you please forward a letter to the City relative to our discussions here tonight about the transportation study and our...the plan that we can get together and I also think the neighbors have expressed an interest in having some involvement. If you could forward that letter to us along with a letter relative to the historic house between now and two weeks from now it would be very helpful. Thank you very much. Vanderhoef: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #4f Page 34 ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS f Public hearing on an ordinance vacating portions of Front Street and Prentiss Street generally located south of Burlington Street and west of Madison Street. (¥AC02-00002) Lehman: (Reads item). Public hearing is open. Public hearing is...oh I'm sorry. Susan Hense: My stealth appearance to the podium. Lehman: It's the Iowa State shirt. Hense: I've signed in previously - attorney for CRANDIC railway. I just wanted - I know I had come up and spoke to you with regard to item d and I just wanted to make certain that...determine if you had any questions with regard to item f. And I also, I guess, wanted clarifications that your moratorium on vacation or the transportation plan that you're working out with the University would not necessarily affect the vacation... Lehman: Not relative at all. Champion: Nope. Hense: Okay. That was my concern. Any questions about it? Lehman: No. O'Donnell: Thank you. Champion: It was our understanding... Lehman: You just missed me closing the heating. Champion: You're fine. O'Donnell: Thank you. Lehman: Now the public hearing is closed. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #41 Page 35 ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS I. Consider a resolution approving the final plat of Village Green, Part XXII, a 9.31-acre, 24~1ot residential subdivision located north of Wellington Road and west of Scott Boulevard. Lehman: (Reads item). Dilkes: We need a request or a motion to defer we're waiting for the legal papers. Champion: Move to defer. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: We have a motion to defer to... Dilkes: October 8th. Lehman: ...October 8th. Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #5b Page 36 ITEM 5 A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOR THE OLD WATER PLANT PROPERTY LOCATED ON MADISON STREET IN IOWA CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST ANY DOCUMENT OF CONVEYANCE REQUIRED BY SAID AGREEMENT. b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING Lehman: (Reads item). Pfab: Move the resolution. Lehman: Moved by Pfab. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Just by way of information this, I think, is the last piece of an agreement that we worked out with the University relative to the Iowa Avenue project, the Tower Place project and the old water plant and one of those agreements that I think worked out in the best interest of both the City and the University and this is for a purchase price of 1.1 million dollars. Atkins: I recall Emie I believe the discussions on this began in 1994. Lehman: Right. Atkins: So we're not rushing into this. Lehman: No, but I think this is an example of the kind of cooperation that has been indicative of the way the City works with the University. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24~ 2002 #6 Page37 ITEM 6 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TITLE 14, ENTITLED, "UNIFORM DEVELOPMENT CODE," CHAPTER FIVE, ENTITLED, "BUILDING AND HOUSING," ARTICLE E, ENTITLED, "HOUSING CODE" TO REQUIRE THAT ALL LANDLORDS AND TENANTS EXECUTE A LEASE ADDENDUM AND BY DELETING THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE CITY PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF HOUSING VIOLATIONS BEFORE ISSUING A MUNICIPAL INFRACTION. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Lehman: (Reads item). Vanderhoef: Move first consideration. Pfab: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Pfab. Discussion? Kanner: Steve or possibly Eleanor can you tell me how this would work with the verbal notification as opposed to written. What's a scenario? What are the legal ramifications for that of not getting written notice? Could that be used in a court of law? Dilkcs: The State Code which kinds of includes the procedure and mechanism for issuing a municipal infraction or a violation of the City Code does not require a written notification prior to the issuance of the actual municipal infraction which is and ofitselfa notification. Our housing code...the City housing code includes a provision which requires a 30- day written notice. That is something that we routinely give, but you don't find that provision in some of our other codes - building codes, etc. And this was one of the...allowing for oral notification not that it will be used all the time, but it will be used in appropriate circumstances where, for instance, you get a call in ora complaint. The inspector goes out, looks, talks to the person and then notifies them of there being a problem and then can determine whether it's been fixed without giving that 30-day notification before they move to a municipal infraction. Wilbum: Wasn't an example of that the example of the trash...someone has a party and trash is all over the yard, It's a temporary nature, but because of the wind it might be detrimental to the rest of the neighborhood. Dilkes: Yeah I mean I think that was one of the examples. Hillary is here and she can speak mom to that if you want, but I think that was one the blowing trash was an example that was used, but in that situation if the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #6 Page 38 housing inspector gets a complaint from the...from a neighbor lets say goes out and actually talks to the owner of the property tells them this is a problem, this needs to be fixed up. They don't then have to come back, send the written notice (can't hear) period of time, etc. Wilburn: Right. Lehman: Further discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #9 Page 39 ITEM 9 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRANSIT RE-ROOFING PROJECT. Lehman: (Reads item). We received what six bids. The Engineer's estimate was $147,000. The low bid was from Dryspace, Inc. in Cedar Rapids for $112,228. Public works recommends awarding the contract to Dryspace. Is there a motion to that? Vanderhoefi Move the resolution. Pfab: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Pfab. Discussion? Champion: I just have a general question and I'm sure I know the answer to it, but somebody asked me today and I wasn't told how we actually do assure that the job is...that these people are capable of doing the job. Can somebody answer that question for me? If we always take the low bid how do... Atkins: We have bid bond. Lehman: Lowest responsible... Atkins: Lowest responsible bid a matter o£1aw, but we have bid bond. If they don't perform then we go after the bond. (End of Side 1, Tape #02-76, Beginning of Side 2) Dilkes: I don't do this, but the letting department does, but they get references, they check on those that kind of stuff. Lehman: I think the key is lowest responsible bid. Champion: Oh okay. Pfab: Before those bids are accepted there's a lot of checking on these. Lehman: We had a contract... Pfab: Not that it works 100%, but 99%. Atkins: No, it does not work 100% of the time. Our experience is generally pretty good. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #9 Page 40 Lehman: We had a contract in the not too distant past where we did not take the lowest bid because the lowest bid was not responsible. Atkins: The references did not check out. Lehman: That's correct. Atkins: Right. Lehman: So that does happen. Champion: This just came up in conversation because of the University rejecting the one bid... Atkins: Oh I'm not sure what the reasoning was behind their rejection of the (can't hear) they won a contract or had experience o£that particular work. We can do that. Lehman: Okay. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #10 Page 41 ITEM 10 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2002 CURB RAMP PROJECT. Lehman: (Reads item). Engineer's estimate was on the alternate was $68,168. Two bids were received. The low bid was $58,554. The Public Works and Engineer recommends using the alternate bid and recommending the contract go to Knish Corporation from Lonsdale Minnesota. Champion: Move the resolution. Pfab: Second it. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Pfab. This is quite a bit lower...this is what we sent back out for rebid. Atkins: Yes. That's correct. Lehman: And this is a lot lower than the first one. Atkins: Yes. Lehman: Okay. Discussion? Vanderhoefi Can somebody tell me what this new process is on the grinding of the curb versus the... Atkins: I can try. Janet's in the audience. Can she do better than me on this one? Lehman: Grind the concrete off instead of tearing it offand pour in new. Isn't that what you do? Atkins: You just cut the concrete out as opposed to (can't hear) and pouring new. It's a process that the engineers tell me that it might even be a better product. Lehman: We grind streets when they get... Atkins: Oh yeah. Vanderhoef: Oh yeah. Atkins: It' s something new. Vanderhoef: We do. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #10 Page 42 Pfab: It's not only grinding, but cutting right? Cutting it out? Atkins: No I don't think so. I think it's strictly grinding. Lehman: Grinding. Pfab: Just grinding. Okay. Vanderhoef: Total grinding. Atkins: Yeah. Lehman: Okay. We're going to take a grinding vote. Vanderhoef: We're going to try it and see how it works. Atkins: Try it and see how it works. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #11 Page 43 ITEM 11 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, CHAPTER 7, SMOKING IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, SECTION 5, EXCEPTION, TO CLARIFY THAT EACH ESTABLISHMENT SHALL BE ALLOWED ONLY ONE TEMPORARY ONE-YEAR EXCEPTION. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Lehman: (Reads item). Vanderhoef: Move first consideration. Pfab: Second it. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Pfab. Does Council know the relevance of this ordinance? Champion: I think so. Lehman: Okay. Any discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 6-1. O'Dormell voting in the negative. Champion: We didn't have any discussion. But I would support this ordinance because the smoking ordinance was passed by a majority of Council supporting having a one-year exception and I think if we grant another year exemption there could be another year asked for and I think it's good to get it rolling. O'Donnell: Well and I voted no because I know there are businesses out there trying to get their selves in order and I think we should give them more time. But obviously I'm outvoted. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #12 Page 44 ITEM 12 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 01-353 AND THEREBY TERMINATING THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING RELATIONS TASK FORCE. Lehman: (Reads item). Champion: Move the resolution. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Vanderhoefi I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank Hillary Sales who chaired this committee and unfortunately she left a little bit ago and all the other participants in the committee. It was hard work. It was not easy to come to consensus and I'm very satisfied with the report that they've brought to us. And I think we're all pretty much in agreement tha~ we will support as best we can all the things they recommended. O'Donnell: Well said. Lehman: I'll second that. Roll call. (Motion carries). This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #13 Page 45 ITEM 13 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGETED POSITIONS IN THE LIBRARY BY DELETING ONE SENIOR LIBRARIAN POSITION AND ADDING ONE LIBRARY SYSTEMS MANAGER POSITION AND AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PAY PLAN BY ADDING THE POSITION OF LIBRARY SYSTEMS MANAGER. Lehman: (Reads item). Champion: Move the resolution. Pfab: Second it. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by Pfab. Discussion? Kanner: Steve just to reaffirm if we want to keep (can't hear) if we want to keep this position this is a State law or administrative ruling that we have to change designation from to a management position. Helling: Right that was petitioned to the Public and Employment Relations Board. There was a hearing on it and they declared that it is a supervisory position and not.., it's exempt from the bargaining unit. Kanner: When you say petition is this someone contested their... ? Helling: No the City petitioned. We felt that it met the definition of an administrative position and the PERB agreed with us. Karmer: So this has State wide implications? Helling: No, no, no this one position in our library is the only one that's affected by this. This is internal to the City of Iowa City. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #14 Page 46 ITEM 14 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGETED POSITIONS IN THE RECREATION AND CEMETERY DIVISIONS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE AFSCME AND ADMINISTRATIVE PAY PLANS BY DELETING THE POSITIONS OF SENIOR MAINTENANCE WORKER - RECREATION AND SENIOR MAINTENANCE WORKER - CEMETERY AND ADDING THE POSITIONS OF RECREATION MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR AND CEMETERY SUPERVISOR. Lehman: (Reads item). Vanderhoefi Move the resolution. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Wilburn. Discussion? Pfab: What prompted this or why is...what's the big change here? Helling: Same thing Irvin. These...all these positions were brought up. We had not taken anything to PERB to take out the bargaining unit for probably close to 20 years. We were reviewing the positions and we found a number of them who we thought were clearly supervisory and these were among them and the PERB these are the ones the PERB agreed with. Pfab: Okay. Kanner: Was it contested at all by the union? Helling: Yes. There was a hearing in Des Moines before the hearing officer of PERB. Kanner: And that's as far as it goes or did they have the opportunity to appeal that decision? Helling: They could appeal to the full board, but they did not. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #16a Page 47 ITEM 16a CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING MCC IOWA, INC.'S REQUESTED RATE INCREASE AND ESTABLISHING MAXIMUM PERMITTED RATES FOR BASIC CABLE SERVICE. Lehman: (Reads item). Do we have a motion? Champion: Nobody wants to... O'Donnell: I begrudgingly move this. Lehman: We have one grudgingly motion. Do we have a grudgingly second? Vanderhoef: Yes. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Before we start... Wilbum: This is the point Dale tells us that... O'Donnell: We don't have a choice do we? Helling: Yeah this is the point where I tell you do this every year. Champion: What would happen though if we didn't move the resolution? O'Donnell: We don't have a choice. Lehman: Eleanor would probably have us in court. Helling: You wouldn't establish a maximum permitted rate really in the City's interest to do that. Lehman: Well but I do believe is this not correct that the rates that the cable companies charge are those that are provided for in the contracts by law that the only reason we're acting on this is to verify their computations that they are in keeping with their contract? Helling: This is to verify that they're within the regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission and this is only the basic service rate. All other rates are deregulated. Lehman: Right but what I'm saying is that the Iowa City City Council is not raising cable rates. Champion: No. Helling: No. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #16a Page 48 Lehman: Thank you. Helling: As a matter of fact with this resolution you're approving their basic rate, but disapproving a $1.08 add on fee for some facilities improvements that we believe have not been properly included. And so if we prevail it will probably lower the rate a little bit. Wilbum: Is that an accomplishment? Small battle, small victory. Pfab: Dale, you're saying this is approving a range? Helling: This is approving a maximum permitted rate. This is a number above which they cannot go for basic service. O'Donnell: Which is the basic rate. Pfab: I thought if we were putting a range we're probably keeping it from going too low. Helling: Well the range is $0 to whatever this number is. Pfab: Okay. Lehman: IfI remember correctly a year ago when we did this I made a comment to the press that the next day somebody from the press would say that last night the Council raised the rates and it was in fact the headline in the paper the next day even though we explained it fully the night that we voted on it that we did not raise the rates it was the headline. O'Donnell: Emie it's just hard to take you seriously. Lehman: When I'm wearing an Iowa State shirt. Iowa State shirts don't lie. Pfab: Emie ! think isn't there a saying you don't want to argue with people that buy ink by the barrel. Lehman: I think you're probably right. Roll call. (Motion carries). Kart: Motion to accept correspondence. O'Donnell: So moved. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef to accept correspondence and the motion did carry and we did not raise the rate. We just verified the calculation. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #20 Page 49 ITEM 18 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. a. Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment: One appointment to fill an unexpired term ending December 31, 2003 (3 males and 0 females currently serve.) b. Airport Zoning Commission: Two appointments to fill unexpired terms. One ending December 31, 2003 and the other ending December 31, 2005. (2 males and 1 female currently serve. Lehman: (Reads items). These applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 2nd. And certainly an opportunity for Iowa and Iowa State fans to apply and serve the City of Iowa City. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #20 Page 50 ITEM 20 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION Lehman: City Council information. Irvin? Connie? Champion: I'd just like to say that I would encourage anyone in Iowa City who was thinking of donating money to the Englert to do it now - that they do need to have quite a bit of money in hand to get the $800,000 from Vision Iowa. And I feel that all the rest of the money for that kind of not a match, but the money that needs to be raised will have to be raised privately. So please if you're thinking of giving money to the Englert now is the time to do it. Lehman: Mike? O'Donnell: Just a reminder tomorrow is our joint meeting in Coralville at 4:30... Lehman: Is it 4:30 or 4:00? O'Donnell: 4:30 Pfab: 4:00 O'Donnell: I thought I mad on my sheet 4:30. Well it's a good thing I reminded everybody. Vanderhoef: And I'll remind you I won't be there. Lehman: Yes. O'Donnell: I stand corrected, but don't be snide. And I understand there's a tremendous carp fisherman on that Council so we'll probably be getting smoked carp tomorrow. Lehman: Okay. Dee? Vanderhoefi Nothing. Lehman: Ross? Wilbum: Just condolences go out to Representative Vicki Lensing. My understanding is her grandmother died. Lehman: Oh dear I didn't know that. Wilbum: Sorry to hear that and I mention it because she gives so much to folks through her business Lensing Funeral & Cremation Services. Just nice to try to give her some support. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #20 Page 51 Lehman: You're right. Steven? Kanner: A few things. One is I'd like people to come to an open house for Iowa City car coop is you're interested in sharing a car and cutting your expenses and hopefully working to preserve some environmental features. You're welcome to come to this. It's actually it's Thursday, September 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library. That's Thursday, September 26th at 7:00 p.m. for the Iowa City car coop. And I would like to announce also my office hours this Saturday. People are welcome to come to that to talk and schmooze a little bit. And that's from 10:00 to 12:00 noon here at the Civic Center. This Saturday the 28th I believe that is - the 28th. I went to the State League meeting. I tended for 1 ½ days on this past Wednesday and Thursday at the State League of Cities. Dee also went and Steve Atkins a board member whose term ended. So thank you for serving on the board there. Hopefully I'll be able to write up a quick...a summary of this and put it in our packet, but a couple things that struck me was one was I sat at lunch with some folks from Indianola who have a municipal electric power for a number years - for 80 years or so. And we certainly won't get these rates, but they don't have their own generating plant. They do generate for peak power. And so they buy mostly wholesale from MidAmerican actually and they're paying 4.5 cents a kilowatt hour and my understanding is that we pay close to...here in Iowa City MidAmerican we pay about 9.5 cents or so a kilowatt hour. So that's half the cost. And if we come anywhere close to that with a municipal electric we'd be doing pretty well for the City. Another thing I found interesting was learning about housing tips which I was not familiar with which is allowed under State law. And there's certain requirements with developing housing that a little bit different from developing economic development through other things. And something that maybe we can talk about down the road - establishing tips for housing. And so that was very interesting. And also wanted to announce this Friday is Critical Mass a bicycle rally at 4:59 at the Ped Mall Washington and Dubuque. Be there or be square. It should be fun. And then finally on a serious note I have great concern about our nation's posturing for war in Iraq and I'm using this opportunity as a leader in the community again that this is of the utmost importance that we contact oar U.S. Representatives, Senators Harkin and Grassley and Representative Leach. If you are opposed to this we need to speak up now. A vote seems to be imminent. I agree with Iowans for Peace - a local group here in Iowa City that now is not the time for...now is the time for diplomacy and constructive engagement and we should not be expanding the war on purism by invading Iraq. So please do contact those U.S. Representatives if you want them to say no to this war. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #20 Page 52 Lehman: Just one thing. Human Rights breakfast is Thursday morning and I would bet 7:30 at the Union I believe? Atkins: 7:30 at the IMU. Lehman: Right. And certainly encourage all Council folks or public that can be there. It's always a really, really wonderful wonderful breakfast honoring some very, very special people. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #21 Page 53 ITEM 21 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF c. City Manager. Lehman: Steven? Atkins: Nice to be recognized. I've got some good news. In fact late this afternoon the State Department of Natural Resources called and we are the recipient this year of the Iowa Municipal Recycling Program of the Year. Lehman: Cool. Champion: Oh good. Atkins: Our recycling center. But we did good. Lehman: Good. Atkins: Good project. We'll get an award sometime next month. Kanner: It will be recycled Steven. Atkins: Absolutely. Lehman: I forgot one item. We were asked in the agenda (can't hear) to appoint two folks to serve on the Committee for Community Needs which is where recommendations are made to Council. I've had two Council people approach me to serve on that committee. One is Dee Vanderhoef and one is Connie Champion. I'd like the concurrence of Council to appoint those two folks to that committee. O'Dormell: Absolutely. Great. Lehman: You can't comment. Wilbum: I can't comment due to a conflict of interest. Lehman: And you folks have indicated you will do it. Champion: l'd be happy to do it. Lehman: Alright. Champion: It's a very good thing to do. Vanderhoef: And one other thing. Happy birthday to Councilor Wilbum as of the 21st. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002 #21 Page 54 Wilbum: 38. Vanderhoef: 38. O'Donnell: Really? Champion: Are you lying? Wilburn: What's that? Champion: Are you lying about your age already? Wilbum: No, I'm (can't hear). Lehman: You don't start that until you get past 40. O'Donnell: One final thing. I hope I never have to see that shirt again. Lehman: I really hope that you don't either. I do wish Iowa State the best. Vanderhoef: I suggest you send it over to the Field house. Lehman: No, I'm not going. I'm just going to save this as a reminder of me not to bet this (can't hear) in Ames anymore. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of September 24, 2002