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ITEM 2. STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS — Grant Wood Elementary
Hayek: Would the students from Grant Wood please come forward!
Karr: Right up here!
Hayek: Hi, guys! How are you doing tonight? (all three respond) Good! Well we're
glad to have you here! This is City Hall, which is where the City Council meets
and I'm Mayor Hayek and this is the City Council right behind you and ... this is
the group that makes the decisions about how many police cars to have and fire
trucks to buy and ... what to do with our parks and how to fix the roads and things
like that. It's a real honor for us to have you with us, and one of the things we do
throughout the school year is invite the student leaders from the elementary
schools in Iowa City down to our meetings, and each meeting one school is
represented and ... two or three students from each school come each time and we
get to hear a little bit about you and show you off to the community a little bit,
and I also have an award for you! So I see that you each brought your piece of
paper. That's the first step! That's good! And I think what I'll do is just hand the
microphone to you and you can read your piece to us! You ready? (both talking
off mic) Do you want to hold this or do you want me to hold it? (response off
mic) All right! Put it up by your mouth!
Etuma: Okay! (Read in French)
Hayek: Do you want to read it in English too?
Etuma: Sure! (laughter)
Hayek: This is a first! Reading in ... in two languages for us!
Throgmorton: Maybe you can hold it closer to his...
Hayek: Yeah, a little bit closer to your mouth.
Etuma: Okay. Hello, I'm Gabriel Etuma. I'm a student at Grant Wood Elementary
School. I'm an athlete. For example, I played soccer in Iowa City Kickers for
three years. In Mrs. Brock's class I was a team leader. I was responsible for
giving directions to my classmate (mumbled) classroom money ... and doing jobs
in the classroom. I believe Mrs. Brock chose me for this award because I have a
positive attitu ... attitude and because I'm a good student. I don't usually get in
trouble and I follow directions. I thank Mrs. Brock for nominating me for this
award and thank you all for this award. (applause)
Sekafetz: I'm Jordan. I'm in Miss Grigsby's class. First of all I want to give a huge thanks
to Iowa City City Council for this award. It is such an honor to receive this.
What being a leader means to me is showing respect and kindness to the people
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around me. Also it means to always do the right thing and turn in all your work
on time. Some of the things I've done in my early years of school are student
council, second through sixth grade; (mumbled) star student, K through third; and
power word. Here are some activities I have done this year at school: leadership
group, a kindergarten mentor, safety patrol, art club, choir, knitting club, Jump
Rope for Heart, and I became a certified babysitter. I participate in these
activities outside of school: gymnastics for six and a half years, softball for seven
years, and volunteer at Iowa City Moose Family Center. During Christmas, I find
families in need and I get them presents and help them out. The activity I am
most proud of is the leadership group. Our name is Girl Bosses. We're working
on a project called the Hidden Book RG. It is a reading garden for the
community. On Thursday, April 23, 2015, we are going to Cedar Rapids to try to
persuade entrepreneurs to visit ... to ... to invest in our garden. We think this
garden is a fun way to read and learn. I want to thank everyone in my family for
supporting me. My coaches for always pushing me to do my best and never give
up. My parents for always being there and supporting me. I can't thank them
enough. All of my elementary teachers for pushing me to do more. Also a
special thanks to Miss Grigsby for helping me finish my last year at Grant Wood.
Once again, thanks to the Iowa City City Council. (applause)
Cookes: Hi, my name is Amari. I'm a sixth grader in Mr. Kuntz class at Grant Wood
Elementary School. I would like to thank Mr. Glenn for nominating me for this
award. At school I have jobs such as safety patrol where I take little kids to the
bus. Operation Backpack where I takes bag ... where I take bag of...bags of food
to classes, and I'm a bank officer. I'm currently in the top math and reading class
at school. I'm also in advanced band and orchestra. I have to practice 20 to 30
minutes a day, five days a week. They ma ... the band meets every Wednesday for
an hour. Orchestra meets on Tuesdays for an hour. That means I have to be very
careful in my free time and homework. Finally, I would like to thank the Iowa
City City Council and Mr. Glenn for this award. (applause)
Hayek: Well those are wonderful. You know I did safety patrol back in the day, a lot of
it! I also did Iowa City Kickers and I was terrible (laughter) but I did a lot of
those things and ... and I ... and it's so great to see you, the three of you doing
things, as well, and it's clear that you're leaders in your school. We know that
because your teachers have ... have nominated you and you're the ones who were
sent by Grant Wood down here. You know I think our last Mayor, uh, Mayor
Bailey was a Grant Wood graduate and did Terry Dickens, did he have a Grant
Wood ... anyway! So there's.... some of the ... some of the Grant Wood ... some of
the students who were at Grant Wood a long time ago have served on the City
Council and maybe you will some day as well! So we're very proud of you. I do
want to recognize your parents and your teachers and the other people who are
here, w ho have played a big role in your lives. Uh, they're... they're important
and we want to recognize them, but mostly we just want to show you off to the
community and we're very proud of you. We have an award, one for each of you,
and it reads as follows. It's called a Student Leadership Award and it reads: for
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his or her outstanding qualities of leadership with Grant Wood Elementary, as
well as the community, and for his or her sense of responsibility and helpfulness
to others, we recognize you as an Outstanding Student Leader. Your community
is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City City Council. Gabriel, I'm going to
give you yours. Jordan, here's yours! And Amari, here's yours. Let me shake
your hands, as well, to congratulate you! We're proud of you. Good job! You
can stick around and watch us, or go home and do some more homework. Your
call! (laughter) (applause) Thanks so much!
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ITEM 3. PROCLAMATIONS ITEM
3a Bicycle Month — April
Hayek: (reads proclamation)
Karr: Here to accept the proclamation representing Think Bicycles of Johnson County,
Larry Fitzpatrick (applause)
Fitzpatrick: I, um ... I just wanted to share with you a personal, uh, story about Bicycle to
Work Week. I remember, um, about eight years ago, we were having, uh... uh, a
commuter breakfast over here across the street. Had, uh, on College Street, and
uh, there was three ladies there. They were riding for the first time to work over
at the University, and um, I could tell, you know, they hadn't done it before and
their tires were a little flat and their chain needed oiled, so I worked on their bikes
and visited with `em, and mostly they were just asking me questions about how to
get through the traffic and the easiest way to get over there, and then I never seen
`em again the rest of the summer and we continued to do a commuter breakfast
every Friday morning ... or every first Friday morning at the Bicycle Library and
um ... I recognized their bikes when I was helping one, um, in September and I
look around and there's these three ladies. I wouldn't even of recognized `em,
you know. They told me they'd ridden the whole summer, and uh, they just
shared with me, you know, how much better their health was and uh, how much
they enjoyed the commute back and forth to the University, uh, instead of hatin'
driving over there and uh, that's all happened because of you, you know. If, uh,
we didn't promote bicycling and uh, have Bike to Work Week and the staff and
uh, the Council, uh, support us, um, those ladies probably would have never
would of rode. Thank you!
Hayek: Thank you for that story! (applause)
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ITEM 3. PROCLAMATIONS
Item 3c National Crime Victims' Right Week — April 19-25, 2015
Hayek: (reads proclamation)
Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Police Lt. Mike Brotherton. (applause)
Brotherton: Uh, yes I am Lt. Mike Brotherton with the Iowa City Police Department. Um, if
you haven't seen the, uh, a public awareness campaign we've initiated for the last,
uh, six or eight weeks, National Crime Victims' Rights Week with a special event
tomorrow night, uh, at the Rec Center. Urn ... here's the, uh, poster that's been
kind of publicized on City buses, on the side of buses. Also have a really big
billboard on, um, Muscatine by, uh, Walgreens. Has anybody seen it?
Payne: I have!
Brotherton: So I would like to invite Mayor... Mr. Mayor, like to invite you and the rest of
Council, and everyone here, and everyone that's watching, to the special event
tomorrow night at the Rec Center. Um... it's going to be a great, uh, program.
We've got, uh, all of the agencies and, uh ... organizations in town that are
contributed to victim services. Uh, a lot of the, uh, prof... professional services,
people are going to be there, and uh, we're going to have two guest speakers, uh,
Dan Gable. I think everybody's familiar with him, and Linda Sorenson who is
the, uh, retired victim witness coordinator for the Sixth Judicial District, and both
of them, I don't know if you're aware or not, but have had, uh, their, uh,
homicide, uh, family survivors. Both of them had their, uh, Dan had his sister
murdered and, uh, Linda had her daughter, uh, murdered when she was 17 -years -
old. That was 26 years ago. So they're going to share their stories, uh, the
struggles, the grief, the ... the ordeals, uh, things that, uh, probably most of us have
never felt and I think it'll be very, uh, encouraging and empowering for them, and
for us, to hear their stories. Uh, this event began as a ... a collaboration, a
partnership, between the Iowa City Police Department, uh, Johnson County
Attorney, Rape Victim Advocacy Program, Johnson County Sexual Assault
Response Team, and uh, the Division ... or Department of Correctional Services.
Uh, a member from each of those agencies participate on a committee and they
actually helped write the grant that we received for this project. Most of the
money — pretty much all the money — went for the public awareness campaign.
So, uh... I would encourage you to come. It's going to be a great event. I think
it's going to be very meaningful. It shows .... it brings the community together.
The theme for this year is Engaging Communities and Empowering Victims. I
think it'll be very powerful to hear the stories and then we can all talk, and
hopefully, uh, contribute, uh, to victim services in Iowa City. So thank you very
much!
Hayek: Thank you!
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Throgmorton: Mike, could you please repeat where and when the event will take place.
Brotherton: Yes! It's going to be at the Iowa City Rec Center tomorrow, beginning about
5:00, and it'll go to about 7:30. Uh, there'll be some tables and booths set up, like
I said, uh, with a lot of agencies and uh, victim services provider. Uh, then the
actual program will get underway about 5:45 and uh, we'll have some opening
remarks. Linda Sorenson and then Dan Gable will speak, so it should get over
about quarter to 7:00.
Throgmorton: Thanks!
Brotherton: Thank you very much.
Hayek: Thanks, Lieutenant.
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ITEM 4. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
Hayek: Item 4 is consider adoption of the Consent Calendar as presented or amended,
with deletion of Item 4d(3) and uh, removal of Item 4d(7) for separate
consideration.
Mims: So moved.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-0.
ITEM 4d(7) FIRST AVE. GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT - IOWA
INTERSTATE AGREEMENT AND UTILITY RELOCATION
REIMBURSEMENT - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO APPROVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR
UTILITY RELOCATIONS IN THE FIRST AVENUE GRADE
SEPARATION PROJECT.
Payne: And, Mayor, I will need to recuse myself from this item because part of that, uh,
utility reimbursements are to my employer.
Hayek: Okay.
Mims: Move the resolution.
Botchway: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion?
Dilkes: And ... and let me just note, and you specifically worked on these utility
relocations, there's gas relocations (mumbled) Okay.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 5-0, Payne recusing.
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ITEM 5. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Hayek: Okay, this brings us to Item 5, Community Comment. This is the opportunity at
each City Council meeting for members of the public to address the Council, uh,
regarding items that are not on the agenda. So if there's something that is not on
tonight's agenda that you would like to bring to our attention, we invite you to
come forward. Uh, our usual practice is to ask you to sign in, also verbally give
us your name, and to keep your comments to five minutes or less!
Knight: Hi, my name is Roger Knight. I've been here a couple times. Just trying to...
echo the same things again and again, and uh, I wasn't here for a particular
meeting, but um. ... Mr. Mayor, you seemed to be very much on the side of Mr.
Moen, which I don't know what's going on there, but ... anything Moen has got
going that he thinks is good ... is pushing people like me out of this city. Everyone
who has low-income, which is really weird when this City Council pushes for
equality. Equality for everyone! Except for if you're poor — get out! Which is
not right! How can a city... do that so quickly? Let's go for Moen! Hey, Moen's
got a great idea! He can spend our money! He can hurt the individuals of this
city who are low-income. Hey! Great idea! Then they can't cry or whatever
problems you guys have. Well (clears throat) I've said it before and I'm not
going to say exactly how much I get, just over... seven and a half, 750, a month. I
can't buy a ... I can't get a one -bedroom apartment with that! Screw food!
Electricity! Anything else I need. But ... he's got two great buildings downtown.
There's no way I'm going to live in either one of `em, and you want to give him
another building! Well the... shadow, what's been deemed `the shadow,' I
guarantee ya I ain't gonna live in there, cause I won't be able to afford it, or the
other ... the next building... that you seem to ... think is a great idea. When's this
city going to fight for everyone in this city, not just Moen? There are people who
are struggling, with everything! The cable company not being very good. Prices
of electricity. Food. Now ... I know you can't do much for food ... but electricity
and cable, they're legal monopolies to the City. You guys could fight for the
citizens! And stop doing the secret deals with Moen. That seems to hurt us.
We ... this city needs about 10,000 ... 10,000 more apartments! Not luxury
apartments! Good apartments for anyone to live in. Seems to be lately it's luxury
apartments that get built, only luxury! I don't know if it's because that's where
the money is. I'm assuming that's what it is. But we're hurting. I'm glad to see
that the sidewalks finally got fixed on the potholes. What about the other things
that have been brought up? You know, like ... not shut down the Senior Center?
Boy, you guys got real big onto that one! Let's shut it down! You know, that's
not good! We're having ol... you know, senior citizens in this city, and this
county, comin' here, spending money. Not good. Uh huh! And one thing ... is,
um, you said ... to Jim ... that, um, we don't need to get anything for personal
belongings for unfortunately the homeless downtown. They can put it into...
well, the Rec Center. When ... when was the last time you walked around the city,
Mr. Mayor, or anyone on the City Council? Because you can't do that! They
empty the locked... lockers and the ... at least men's locker room, and ... the Rec
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Center. When are you going to fight for this city? The actual citizens who live
here. Just a question! Just a few things I've brought up before, and I'm gettin'
tired of having to bring up again and again, because it's like you guys don't hear
it! You don't hear the cries of this city, what this city says about you! It's like
you guys don't even care about us, and I can tell ya... with the things that come
up, you don't! I don't know if I need to get a partition to go ... start going, to have
most of you kicked off the City Council. But at least I'm fightin' for the city!
How `bout you? Thank you!
Hayek: Thank you for your comments.
Madden: My name's Henry Madden, 1018 Marcy Street. Uh, I don't know whether I'm in
the right order or not in speaking. I could hardly understand you when you said,
uh, it's time to talk about things that won't come up tonight. Well I ... I was told
by the Press -Citizen ... that the, your vote on rezoning 20,000 square feet on the
corner of, uh, Gilbert and College was going to come up tonight, and if this is not
the time to speak on it, maybe I should, uh... uh, hold my ... but I ... I wanted to
say, and I agree with this young fella who was just talking here. (clears throat) It
appears to citizens that the Council is `downtown oriented.' Well, we all want an
active, viable, attractive downtown. Everybody in the city wants that, but uh...
and you had a request for proposal put out ... about three years ago ... for that
section of ... that 20,000 square feet. And, uh, in the ... in the request for proposal,
it said it favored affordable housing. Just exactly what this ... this man was ... was
recommending. Affordable housing. George Sherman, one of the nine that
submitted his proposal had 153 units of affordable housing. 153! Marc Moen
had 13! I guess you didn't want affordable housing! You ... you ignored the
people that put in for that. The RFP, the request for proposal, had no limit on
height, which I think meant the people should assume higher is better. You didn't
say that, but you ... you said there's no limit! Well, the ... the present zoning
limited it. Several of the nine designed five story, eight story, and 15 story
buildings. One stated that it was designed to be net -zero energy. That wasn't
important I guess! It would have probably been the first apartment building in
America that was net -zero. Iowa City probably would have been on the map for
that. The past Council ... only one of you has changed... ignored several
constituent groups. Roughly a thousand people at the Episcopal Trinity Church
were ignored. The 22,000 people that are members of New Pioneer Co -Op were
ignored, and roughly the 10,000 in the... in the, uh, College Green Park area in the
north side were ignored. Generally speaking, these people were all ... against this
20 -story building that you approved. Both the City Council request for this 10 -
block zoning change and the specific one I think you're going to vote on tonight,
for 20,000 square feet, when it was rejected for 10 -blocks and the people that
rejected it didn't want ... didn't want a 20 or 15 -story building right next to
College Green Park, right next to the ... the, uh, residential areas. But the Zoning
commission voted ... would not approve either one of `em! It appears that you're
ignoring that also. It appears also that Planning and Zoning wanted to continue
with the City plan that was already in existence. In the January 9 ... 2013 City
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Council meeting, I was here! I saw it; I heard it! Even though discussing... even
before discussing the finances — TIF, cost, etc. — Councilman Mims' first ... was
the first to speak and she stood up and said ... I see no further ... no reason for any
further discussion. I was for the Chauncey in the very beginning. You mean you
asked for nine ... you got nine RFP re ... replies? And you were for that in the
beginning? Why did you ask for ... requests for proposals if you were for it in the
beginning?
Hayek: Mr. Madden, your time is up. If you could complete your comments please!
Madden: The, uh... Senator ... or the Councilwoman Champion ... I don't think it's been five
minutes!
Hayek: It's been five minutes and 12 (both talking)
Madden: Councilwoman Champion stood up and said, yes, I agree! Let's not get into any
numbers game. Isn't that why we have a city council? To look at the numbers?
Hayek: Sir, I'm going to ask you to finish your comments. We're consistent with
community comment and anything else.
Madden: Well ... I ... I have other things to say and I ... I don't like being cut off. Five
minutes is a ... is a, uh... uh...
Hayek: Sir ... we treat you like we do anybody else. (both talking)
Madden: It would appear that this Council (both talking) I will close! I will close with this
comment: it would appear that this Council should erase the problem set up to
date on this piece of property and start all over again while listening to the
citizens and to follow the City zoning plan. I wonder whether this Council has the
moral courage and intestinal fortitude to weigh these factors and to reevaluate and
start over.
Hayek: Mr. Madden, I invite you to come back on the evening when we actually take up
this item, which will be at a future date.
Madden: Why wasn't it brought up tonight?
Hayek: It's not on (both talking)
Madden: It was on ... it was in the paper that you're bringing it up tonight!
Hayek: You're now over six minutes, so I would ask you to sit down so that others can
address (both talking)
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Madden: I'm wondering why it wasn't brought up tonight. Why are the City ... why was the
City, uh, Press -Citizen saying it was brought up tonight?
Hayek: I don't know, sir. If you have questions about how our agendas are (both talking)
Madden: You're not going to bring it up tonight, is that correct?
Hayek: It is not on tonight's agenda.
Madden: Oh, thank you!
Hayek: Thank you very much for your comments!
Dieterle: I'm Caroline Dieterle, and I ... my remarks will be much shorter. I wish I'd had a
chance to accede some of my time to Hank, because I agree with a lot of what he
was saying. However, the reason that I am speaking tonight is to express my
extreme disgust at reading in the paper that, uh, people on the Council, at least
some of you, uh, think about the Planning and Zoning Commission as being
`dysfunctional.' Um, presumably because they did not bring in the verdict that
you were hoping for. And, I think that that is a very bad attitude to have, because
I think that the Planning and Zoning Commission... was actually funch...
functioning the way a commission is supposed to! They were listening to what
citizens had to say, and weighing what they were reasoning them with, and came
up with a verdict that was an independent verdict that really, you know, mirrored
what public comment was and public opinion. That's what a commission should
do! And when you get a version of...of the ... well, you get a, um, a verdict from
your commission and you don't like it, you know it is really... really, really
annoying to hear that they think that this is a dysfunctional commission. It's
doing its job and the people who aren't doing their job is the Council! If anybody
isn't doing the ... doing their job. You know the more that I look at this situation
here with City government, and I've been watching it... for a long time now, you
know, with this ... mirage of expanding the tax base that never seems to do
anything for anybody's taxes. They've gone up consistently every year since
1968. Uh, despite the huge growth that the city has had. You know it becomes
clearer and clearer that basically the government here is existing for the sake of
the developers who are making money off the rest of us, and that the Council runs
the City as elite for the elite and they want it to be kept for the elite, and if you
don't get the version of things that you want from your commission, then you
have the temerity to say that they're dysfunctional, when actually they are trying
to do the democratic thing and I wish that you would reexamine your consciences
on this and change your attitude about the Planning and Zoning Commission.
They did the right thing! Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you for the comments. Anyone else during community comment? Okay!
Move on to Item 6, Planning and Zoning Matters.
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ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.. (In accordance with the City
Attorney's memo of 2/28/07 entitled "Rezonings, Due Process and Ex parte
communications" Council will discuss # 6a, 6b at formal meeting)
ITEM 6a REZONING NE CORNER DUBUQUE RD AND N DODGE ST —
REZONING 4.26 ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM LOW DENSITY
SINGLE FAMILY (RS -5) ZONE TO MIXED USE (MU) ZONE LOCATED
AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF DUBUQUE RD AND NORTH
DODGE STREET. (REZ15-00002)
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Any ex parte
communications to disclose? Mr. Miklo!
Miklo: Bob Miklo, Senior Planner, uh, with the Neighborhood and Development
Services Department. Uh, this, uh... um, proposal has two aspects to it. The first
of, uh, of it is a, uh, or aspect is a rezoning of the, uh, property on the, uh, east
side of Dubuque Road, uh, north of Dodge Street. (clears throat) At a later date
when you have third consideration you will also consider the subdivision of this,
uh, of this property into two lots. Uh, aerial photographs shows the, uh, the
location of the property, just as a landmark the existing Hy -Vee is just to the west
on the west side of Dubuque Road. Uh, the proposal is to, uh, rezone, um ... lot
#1, the proposed lot #1, to MU, which is our mixed use zone. It allows, uh, office
uses and light commercial uses, as well as ... as residential. Um, the second aspect
of the ... of the application, the subdivision, would create a lot #2 as well, which is
existing RS -5, or single family, uh, zoning. That zoning would stay in place,
which would allow a single family, uh, lot to be built on this ... on this property.
The, uh... uh, proposed rezoning would allow a ... a medical office, uh, to be built
on this property. In the future it could also be other, uh, light commercial or
office uses allowed in the ... in the MU zone. Uh, the Planning and Zoning
Commission considered this application at two meetings, um, and the, uh, at first
there were some concerns about the, uh, size of the parking lot and the
relationship to the single family home, uh, across the, uh... uh, Dubuque Street to
the west. Uh, after some discussion and negotiations with the, uh... uh, applicant,
the, um ... uh, Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the rezoning. Uh, the concerns about the size of the parking lot have,
uh, been addressed by a conditional zoning, uh, agreement, which would set
aside, uh, a portion of the parking lot for later development, only if it's shown, uh,
to the satisfaction of the City, uh, that it's necessary to serve the ... the needs of the
development. Uh, the other concern was addressed to the satisfaction of the
Planning and Zoning Commission by the addition of landscaping, uh, along
Dubuque Road, um, and the removal of parking in, uh, this area. The, uh, your
packet includes some additional information and a concept plan, uh, showing, uh,
what the, uh, the, uh, proposed office building may look like on ... on this
property. Uh, the mixed use zone does have a number of design standards that
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have to be met at the time of ... of site plan approval. I'd be happy to try to answer
any questions about this application.
Payne: So the, um, the screening that'll be along Dubuque Road, that's going to be S3
screening?
Miklo: Yes. Uh...
Payne: And then ... that other lot can be built as single family, is that S3 there where
you're pointing to or is it 2?
Miklo: I believe it's S3 as well.
Payne: Okay.
Miklo: Be a ... a hedge, um ... uh, 50% evergreen, as well as a mixture of deciduous trees,
over -story trees.
Dobyns: What is S2 and S3?
Miklo: Um, it's, um, requires a, um, basically a dense, uh, row of...of landscaping that
you can't see through. Um, and it ... in this case they're also proposing a berm,
which will help shield, uh, headlights or block headlights.
Dobyns: S3 being the most opaque?
Miklo: Um ... we also have a S4, which is a solid wall, uh, which we usually reserve that
for industrial -type areas.
Payne: So S...the higher the number, the denser...
Miklo: Right, right, right!
Throgmorton: So there are 232 stalls, right, 166 would be paved and the other 66 would be in
phase 2, maybe ... maybe paved later on, is that correct?
Miklo: Yeah, I believe it's ... it's less than that in this ... this iteration (both talking)
Throgmorton: So 166 and 66.
Miklo: Think that might have been in the original staff report, um, the urn ... the applicant
could address, uh, address that.
Throgmorton: Well the ... the map we have in our packet says 166 plus 66.
Miklo: (both talking) It's what shown on this plan (both talking)
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Throgmorton: What I ... first thing I was wondering is, uh, that I understand that the ... at least the
total number exceeds, uh, the number that the City would require, the number of
parking stalls the City would require for a project of this kind?
Miklo: That's true.
Throgmorton: Uh, so ... but I don't know. How many parking stalls would the City require?
What's the ... minimum that it requires?
Miklo: I don't know that. I can calculate that and report back. I...
Throgmorton: Okay, so ... set that question aside for a second. Uh, I was then wondering why
the developer thinks this number of stalls is required, rather than ... the min ... the
minimum mandated by the City?
Miklo: And I ... I believe the developer's, uh, representative can address that. That was
discussed at the Planning and Zoning Commission and ... and, uh, one thing that
was pointed out, that there is no on-stri ... on -street parking in this, uh, this area
of...being that it's Highway 1/Dodge Street, there's no on -street parking allowed
here. Uh, their concern was if they did not provide sufficient parking, it would
spill over onto Dubuque Stre... uh, Dubuque Road and into the residential, uh,
neighborhood.
Payne: I did read that too in their meeting minutes, Jim, and my thought was ... and ... I
had the same concerns — why are we putting in more than ... than what is needed.
But ... wh... I guess what my thought was was ... the building is a ... there'll be ap
...appointments so it'll be a medical clinic and there'll be appointments. Well, if
you have an appointment at 10:00 and I have one at 10:30, I'm probably going to
get there before you leave. So ... there has to be more parking spaces than it seems
like would be needed because appoint... people overlap, you know? So I can kind
of understand where they're coming from... with... with that respect.
Mims: Yeah, and my take on it was, it's more than the City requires, which ... I would
agree, I mean, I don't want to have any more paved land than we absolutely have
to have, but I also ... have absolutely no knowledge of how many parking spaces it
takes at a medical clinic ... how many offices they're going to have, how many
doctors, how many physician assistants or whatever. I ... I guess I would
somewhat defer to them to have a better understanding of what their flow (both
talking) Yeah, what the flow of people are and the needs, and I... I guess I looked
at it and thought this was at least a reasonable compromise, that they're not
paving all of it at once and then they're going to have to basically prove to the
City the need for the additional lots before that can be paved.
Hayek: So let's make sure we're asking questions and gathering information (several
talking)
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Throgmorton: ... let me follow up on the point you just made, Susan, about, uh... what ...
a ... about the developer having to prove that the other 66 units are ... or ... or
parking stalls are required. So the language in the text that I saw was `evidence of
need.' So what I'm wondering is, how would the staff measure... evidence of
need with regard to whether or not the other 66 parking stalls need to be paved?
Miklo: We've had other situations and agreements, uh, where we've had such
stipulations. And what was required, um ... um, to allow additional paving was to
show that there were ... there was spillover parking, that there was parking on the
street or that there were complaints from the neighborhood of, uh, excess parking.
Uh, I believe there might have been only one case where we ended up allowing
additional parking because they were able to ... to show that.
Throgmorton: Uh huh. That sounds pretty reasonable. Uh, could ... if I could, one last question?
Hayek: Sure!
Throgmorton: Uh, with regard to the ... paving, uh... I note that storm water run-off from the
parking lot would go through storm water pipes on north Dodge Street. So it
makes me wonder why not use permeable pavers so that the water will
filter ... would filter down into the soil rather than run off into the river.
Miklo: Um, that would be a question for the ... for the applicant. Um, this (both talking)
is in the, um ... um, watershed that's, um, handled by the, uh, regional storm water
basin in, uh, in Hickory Hill Park, and other subdivisions in this area, um, are...
are permitted to use that facility as well.
Throgmorton: 0 ... okay. So I ... I guess maybe if the developer is present, maybe....couple, at
least a couple of the questions I asked could be addressed... but maybe other
people have questions for Bob.
Hayek: No, Jim, go ahead and ask! Are there other questions for Bob at this time?
Thanks! Don't go far! Sir, could you come forward? Yeah. Jim, do you have
questions for the ... for the representative?
Throgmorton: Yeah, I ... I guess I have two specific questions. Um ... hi!
Hayek: Hi!
Harder: I'm Jason Harder with, uh, Focus Commercial. We're the applicant, uh, also
build -to -suit. Um ... the paving in the parking, this has gone through many
iterations and you bring up a lot of good points. The ... the parking is ... is a
double-edged sword. We don't want to put any more in than we ... we need, as
Bob pointed out. We also don't want to be short, and so the ... the two -phased
idea was, uh, I guess implemented. Um ... we based it on our client's estimation
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of parking needs. You bring up excellent points — there's always overlap. It's
hard to out -guess, but ... but if we fail on the wrong side of this and we're short on
parking, I feel like it's going to cause a ... a real problem as there's no immediate
parking available, adjacent to our property. So, uh, this started ... at one ... one
time we had 300 parking spaces. And then we've constantly squeezed it down
and squeezed it down, and tried to accommodate everything that ... that the P&Z,
staff, the neighbors have asked us to do, and I think we've done a great job of it.
Um ... there is a lot of parking. It's a fairly sizeable building. It's a two-story
structure. Um, there could be at different times of the season there could be
different, um, peaks and valleys in the number of, uh, clients that come and use
this facility. So, uh... this is the rendition we came up with, uh, so to answer
question #1, there's been a lot of thought and guesswork trying to go into this.
We ... we don't want to spend money just to spend money. We don't want to have
a sea of parking lot that sits empty ... any more than you do! Um ... I don't know if
that addresses it to your satisfaction, but that ... that's how we (both talking)
Throgmorton: No, thanks.... that.... that's helpful. I appreciate you describing that (both talking)
Maybe could you touch on the permeable paver part of this too?
Harder: Um ... sure! Uh... permeable paving is something that, uh... we've looked at on
other projects. Um, it's not desirable by a lot of people. A lot of clients .... uh,
for ... for different reasons. Uh, I'm not suggesting that it's not a good ... a good
way to infiltrate water into the ground. Um ... this project was not elected to go
with that, from our client's standpoint, a budgetary standpoint, the fact that this
has already been accommodated by the City in a ... in a regional storm water
retention basin. So it was planned for this area to already be accommodated
somewhere else. So ... um ... we are sticking with a traditional paving versus
coming up with a permeable paver, um ... that ... that was our decision, our client's
decision (both talking)
Throgmorton: Okay! Thanks!
Harder: Sure! And I'm happy to answer any questions. If you want me to sit down, let
other people come up and talk, I'm happy to do that. I'm...
Hayek: Any questions for the representative at this time? Okay. Thank you. This is a
public hearing. Anyone from the audience is welcome to provide input. Okay, I
don't see any interest. Uh... before I close the public hearing let me take the
temperature of Council. Are we inclined to go with the recommendation? Okay.
Looks like we are. So I will close the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel)
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Mims: Move first consideration.
Payne: Second.
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Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Throgmorton: So I see merit in rezoning the property to MU, especially given its consistency
with the Comp Plan, uh, and I think a medical clinic would be an appropriate use
of the property. So I'll vote for the rezoning. Uh, but I do have a ... a couple
concerns, or maybe one, I don't know. We'll see how this works out. Uh, that I
would like to articulate. I note that 60% of the property currently is woodland,
but only 10% is required to be preserved by our sensitive natural areas ordinance.
Basically three to four acres of woodland would be cut down to make space for a
232 -stall parking lot. The ... this disturbs me. To my mind it once again raises
questions about our sensitive natural areas ordinance, and maybe even the depth
of our commitment to sustainability. But I know that topic is not what's at hand.
I ... I just want to sort of flag it, uh... uh, for that future work session we're going
to have a... about the sensitive natural areas ordinance. I... it just concerns me
that, you know, what in fact is happening to woodland that ... has its own value.
So ... I'll vote for the rezoning though.
Mims: Yeah, I think it's a good use of this corner lot right on Highway 1. Um ... get
some more development out there and commercial. Uh, I would just quickly
comment on the trees, Jim. This is right in my neighborhood and um, I guess I
would say that ... I think there's an awful lot on the slopes that are not going to be
taken out, and an awful lot of what is there is really scrub. It ... it's not good
quality woods... woodland that you would... really, really work hard to preserve.
That's... there's an awful lot of scrub stuff in there. ... sol ...I love the woods.
I've got a lot of it myself, and I like to keep it, but I don't think this is as
detrimental as it might seem on the surface.
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. First consideration passes 6-0.
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ITEM 6c SILVER SLOPE — PARTS ONE AND TWO — RESOLUTION
APPROVING PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLATS (SUB14-0008 &
SUB15-0005)
Hayek: Can we get this on the floor?
Payne: Move the resolution.
Botchway: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Bob!
Miklo: Um (clears throat) this, uh, application is associated with the rezoning that you
just approved. Uh, it includes two parts, uh, part one, um, is, um ... uh, the
Hieronymus property, um, located on Muscatine Avenue. Part two includes 19
single family lots and one multi -family lot. The rezoning just affected this sliver
along the west and north sides of lot #20, which is the multi -family lot. And
here's an image of the subdivision showing the new street, which would intersect
with, uh, Scott Boulevard. Uh, and it would have, as I said, 19 single family lots
and one multi -family lot, which would have access to the new street, um... the uh,
part one includes the existing Hieronymus, uh, property or home, as well as outlot
A. Outlot A is being set aside as permanent open space. It contains a grove of
trees which would be permanently preserved as part of this, uh, of this
subdivision. The, uh, Planning and Zoning Commission, um, recommended
approval of the, uh, subdivision at their February 19U' meeting. It was a unan...
unanimous vote with one, uh, member absent. Um, staff has found that it, uh,
complies with our subdivision regulations and, uh, recommends approval. Be
happy to try to answer any questions.
Mims: Bob, part of this ... change in renegot ... renegotiation that's gone through here,
establishing that outlot ... outlot A, basically prevents development
along... Muscatine Avenue that would necessitate another cul-de-sac, is that (both
talking) correct?
Miklo: ...that's correct. There is the potential, uh, that these, uh, lots might be
subdivided in the future, uh, for ... for, uh, with access to Muscatine, um, Avenue,
but there would be no, um, possibility of a cul-de-sac, uh, resulting in outlot A
being subdivided.
Mims: Okay. Thank you!
Payne: Even if they came and asked to change the ... plat?
Miklo: Right. The, uh, final plat designates this and the legal papers, as well, as
permanent open space. For woodland, or for preservation of this grove.
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Payne: How ... what's the distance between the intersection of Scott Boulevard and
Muscatine to this new intersection?
Miklo: I am not sure but I believe it's well over 200 feet.
Payne: Not very far!
Miklo: Um...
Payne: And halfway down a hill!
Miklo: Our transportation planners did look at this, as well as our engineers, and were
satisfied with this, uh, intersection location. You may recall there was a previous
subdivision on this property that had a, uh, street, uh, that intersected with
Muscatine Avenue, even closer to the intersection (both talking)
Payne: Uh huh!
Miklo: ...and this was found to be actually preferable.
Payne: So be in the middle of a hill on probably a place that backs up all the way down to
the bottom of the hill, all the way to the crosswalk.
Mims: But when we get the roundabout in it won't.
Payne: (laughs) Yeah, exactly! (laughs)
Miklo: Site distance was ... was looked at closely by our, uh, traffic, uh, planners, and
they found that it was this ... this was not seen as being problematic.
Payne: Okay.
Hayek: Any other questions for Bob? Thanks! Any discussion from the audience? Coun
...Council discussion?
Payne: I do have concerns about how close that is to the intersection. And I'm not in
favor of the roundabout anyway! (laughs)
Hayek: For the record there's no roundabout (both talking)
Payne: Yet! (laughs)
Hayek: ...as part of this (both talking)
Payne: ... discussion!
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Mims: ...just had to throw it in. Sorry!
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-0.
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ITEM 7. LOT 7 NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION -
RESOLUTION APPROVING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND RONALD WADE TRUST FOR LOT 7
OF THE NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION,
AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH, AND
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 14-325
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) For the public's
information, the, uh, sale price for lot #7 is $185,000 and was recommended by
the Airport Commission. Anyone from the audience? Public hearing is closed.
(bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Payne: Move the resolution.
Dobyns: Second.
Botchway: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by ... Dobyns. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes
6-0.
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ITEM 8. 2015 LANDFILL CHEMICAL STORAGE BUILDING REPLACEMENT —
APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND
ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2015
LANDFILL CHEMICAL STORAGE BUILDING REPLACEMENT
PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO
ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH
NOTICE TO BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT
OF BIDS
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) The estimated
construction cost on this is $100,000 and will be funded with Landfill revenues.
Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Dobyns: Move the resolution.
Botchway: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Roll call, please.
Passes 6-0.
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ITEM 9. EAST HARRISON STREET RECONSTRUCTION — APPROVING
PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE
OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST HARRISON
STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT
OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY
CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND
PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Estimated
construction cost is $450,000 and will be funded with general obligation bond
proceeds. Anyone from the audience? Hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Mims: Move the resolution.
Dobyns: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dobyns. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-
0.
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ITEM 10. $6,500,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS — RESOLUTION
INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS TO TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $6,500,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Hello, Dennis!
Bockenstedt: Good evening, I'm Dennis Bockenstedt, the Finance Director for the City.
Tonight I'm going to address Items, uh, 10 through 15, which all relate to the
2015 GO bond sale. Um, there've been a series of five public hearings and six
resolutions, which are, uh, the legal process for the issuance of the general
obligation bonds. Uh, the sale date will be May 5`". Uh, the dollar amount that is
currently proposed is $7,785,000 and there is a project list included in your
packet, which, uh, was generated from this year's, uh, five-year capital
improvement program. Uh, those projects, uh, really are primarily street and park
projects. Uh, the largest project on that list relates to the First Avenue railroad
underpass, of about $3,050,000. And I'll answer any questions if you have any.
Hayek: Questions for Dennis? That list is very helpful, by the way.
Mims: Yes!
Hayek: Public hearing if anyone would like to address the Council on these items. Please
do so! Public hearing is closed. (bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Payne: Move the resolution.
Botchway: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Roll call, please. Passes
6-0.
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ITEM 15. DIRECTING BOND SALE - RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALE OF $7,785,000 (DOLLAR AMOUNT
SUBJECT TO CHANGE) GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES
2015, AND APPROVING ELECTRONIC BIDDING PROCEDURES
Mims: Move the resolution.
Botchway: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion?
Mims: I would just like to say thank you to our Finance Department and Dennis for all
the hard work they do. I know we've got great bond counsel, but you guys do all
the ... the foot work to get the stuff ready, so ... thank you very much!
Hayek: Yeah, and this goes toward, uh... so many projects that we've identified as
priorities, whether it's the railroad, uh, grade separation or park upgrades, uh...
uh, elementary school partnerships, the like. Long list! Further discussion? Roll
call, please. Passes 6-0.
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ITEM 18. FOOD TRUCK VENDING - ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9,
ENTITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 4,
ENTITLED "PARKING REGULATIONS," TO ESTABLISH
PROVISIONS FOR FOOD TRUCK VENDING ON CITY STREETS. (Pass
and adopt)
Mims: Move adoption.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Browne: Good evening, Council. Um ... based on the last two votes on this, uh....
Hayek: Could you give us your name, sir, just for the record?
Browne: Anthony Browne.
Hayek: Thank you!
Browne: Um ... based on the last two votes on this, it doesn't seem, uh, this is going to be
controversial, even though apparently, uh, food truck vending is a controversial
business model. Um, I want to thank Geoff from the City Manager's office. He
helped us, uh, we all worked together to kind of, um, get this ordinance together.
We, you know, listened to the concerns of the downtown district and the, uh,
brick and mortar restaurants around town, and that's how this all came about.
Um, I'm sure Kyle will have something to say about this also. He's the owner of
Loco Burrito and also works at the, um, Farmers Market. So I encourage, uh, all
six of you tonight to vote for it. Uh, again it looks like you will pass this and so
hopefully this is not a controversial vote, but if it is, I encourage you to vote for it.
Thank you!
Hayek: Thank you for your comments! Would anyone else like to address the Council on
this item? Council discussion? Are ... do you want to address us, Mr. Knight, on
Item 18?
Knight: (unable to hear away from mic)
Hayek: Yes, sir, 18!
Knight: Hi, I'm Roger Knight. Long time no see! Um, you know I just wanted to add one
little, uh, note to this. This says food truck vending, but I don't know if there's
some kind of loophole for party buses at night, but um ... maybe it's not. You
guys lookin' at me like I'm an idiot (laughs) so I will shut up and back away then!
(laughs) Unless there is some kind of loophole because I've noticed tho... all I
was going to say is since this came up about food trucks, there's been a lot more
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party buses at night. Um, I don't know if they come in from ... uh, Davenport or
whatever, but ... the like traveling bars or whatever they're called. Um, I don't
know if, like I said, it's some kind of loophole but they seem to be getting more
and more, um...
Hayek: I think that's unrelated to this.
Knight: Okay! I'll back away and ... I'll stop lookin' like an idiot! Thanks!
Hayek: Anyone else on Item 18? Council discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-0.
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ITEM 20. CHARTER AMENDMENTS - ORDINANCE AMENDING THE IOWA
CITY CHARTER PREAMBLE, AND ARTICLE II (CITY COUNCIL)
SECTION 2.06 (MAYOR), ARTICLE III (NOMINATION, PRIMARY
ELECTION AND REGULAR ELECTION) SECTION 3.01
(NOMINATION), ARTICLE IV (CITY MANAGER) SECTION 4.02
(ACCOUNTABILITY; REMOVAL), ARTICLE V (BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES), SECTION 5.01
(ESTABLISHMENT) AND SECTION 5.02 (APPOINTMENT; REMOVAL),
ARTICLE VI (CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES)
SECTION 6.03 (DEFINITION) AND ARTICLE VII (INITIATIVE AND
REFERENDUM) AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CHARTER REVIEW
COMMISSION. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Payne: Move first consideration.
Mims: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims. Discussion? Is there anyone from the
audience who would like to address the Council on Item 20? Council discussion?
Payne: I guess I was just going to say that the Charter Review Commission put a lot of
time and effort into this, and um ... I think that this is ... the appropriate thing to do
is pass these at this point in time.
Mims: Yeah, I'd just like to add a big thank you. I think maybe we did at our work
session when Andy Chappell presented, but ... um, a number of people put in a lot
of time at a lot of meetings, um, not only the Commission Members but uh,
getting the input from the public. Um, I think ... you know, there's a lot of
different opinions, um, some ... you know, very good I think discussion on some
of the issues where there was not, uh, unanimous agreement. Um, but people
came to consensus on these and, um ... got some changes and we move forward
and we'll do it again in 10 years!
Hayek: I thought it was very deliberate and thoughtful process, um, it was interesting to
see not only the community input, but the engagement within the Commission,
um ... which I thought was very healthy, urn ... so I'm supportive of passing this as
well.
Throgmorton: I'd like to make a couple observations. One is, I don't know if people in the
audience or on ... watching on TV know this, but ... in a ... a previous work session
— I don't know, was it two weeks ago, we talked about this briefly and we
scheduled ... we ind... we indicated that we would be discussing other possible
changes to the ... to the Charter, in a work session, and then depending on how that
discussion goes, maybe move them along in accord with the legal processes for
amending the Charter. So, that has nothing directly to do with adoption of this
particular set of amendments, but ... there is this other process that... possibly
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underway because we're going to talk about it in a work session. So I just want
people to know that, and there are various topics I know that, uh, Kingsley had in
mind, there are a couple or whatever that I had in mind, maybe y'all had some in
mind as well. So the other thing I wanted to mention though has to do with the...
the particular Char ... Charter, um, that we will be adopting tonight, so I want to
draw attention to the new Preamble. It states, we the people of Iowa City, Iowa,
pursuant to the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Iowa, and the principle of
self-determination proclaim that the government of Iowa City belongs to all its
residents... and all share the responsibility for it. So ... uh, I ... completely support
that new language. Uh, it rightly emphasizes that "the government of Iowa City
belongs to all its residents." But unless I'm mistaken, I also note that the Charter
does not explicitly account for the role of non-resident property owners and
businesses. And we all know that non-resident property owners and businesses
exercise considerable influence over City decisions. Perhaps more than residents
do. And the fact that non-resident businesses and property owners have a stake in
City decisions, I think could easily be acknowledged in the Charter. I mean I'm
not saying they don't have a .... um, a stake (laughs) in what we're doing. I'm just
saying that the Preamble makes it sound as if it's residents only and ... my
personal feeling is that residents are the people that count ... but the fact on the
ground is that non-resident businesses and property owners exert a lot of
influence.
Dobyns: You want that in the Preamble, Jim?
Throgmorton: No, in the body probably. I'm just trying to draw this ... draw attention to the gap
between the language of the Preamble about who this City government belongs
to, and who actually exerts a considerable amount of influence over City
decisions.
Dobyns: In your opinion.
Throgmorton: Pay attention!
Hayek: Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-0.
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ITEM 23. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION
Hayek: We'll start down with you... Kingsley!
Botchway: Um ... nothing! I ... I just want ... is somebody else going to bring up the Victim
Empowerment Program, because I don't have the ... I was trying to pull up my
calendar. I think it's 5:30 to 7:00 tomorrow at the Iowa City, uh, Recreation
Center. Okay! Sorry! That's what I wanted to bring up!
Hayek: Jim?
Throgmorton: Nothing!
Mims: Nothing!
Payne: I just want to make mention that tomorrow is Earth Day, and the City has several
events, uh, going on for Earth Day. Uh, if you go to icgov.org, uh, there's a
calendar of events and you can find those on that col... calendar of events.
Hayek: Um, so we had the, uh... NCAA swimming and diving championships in Iowa
City. Um, and we got a ... a nice message back from the athletic staff, uh, there
had been a survey of coaches, NCAA, uh, staff and committee and officials, um,
and the overwhelming feedback was that the experience, uh, at the NCAA
championships here in Iowa City was a very positive one, and there was one
comment in particular that was brought to my attention that I want to, uh, pass
along, that somebody who participated in the event, uh, provided, and it ... and it is
this, "My favorite memory had to have been walking around Iowa City and
feeling like I was famous. The entire city was involved and that really
contributed to a unique atmosphere. The people were extremely nice and made
me feel like I was a big deal for simply being part of the championship." Um, and
so this is coming from probably an athlete, uh, who was here competing, and I
think that's a nice feather in our cap (coughing, difficult to hear speaker)
commend U of I and, uh, CVB and ... and the City and ... and the others who were
involved in putting on, uh, a remarkable event, uh, that we can all be proud of!
So...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
regular formal meeting of April 21, 2015.