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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-25 Info Packet~ - i ~~..:.®~r,,~ ~m11i. ~ ~W~~~ CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET October 25, 2007 MISCELLANEOUS IP1 Tentative Council Meetings and Work Session Agenda IP2 Memorandum from the Interim City Manager: FY09 Rollback IP3 Memorandum from the Chief of Police: Staffing Report IP4 Memorandum from the City Attorney: Absence - IMLA Conference IP5 Memorandum from the City Clerk: Orientation 2007/2008 City Councils IP6 E-mail from Rachel Leist: Transit Service for Proctor and Gamble Employees [staff response included] IP7 Invitation: Sign Dedication -Stephen Atkins Drive October 31, 2007 IP8 Invitation: Homelessness Summit October 30, 2007 IP9 Invitation: First Annual S.E.E.D Conference 2007 IP10 Agenda Packet: Economic Development Committee October 25, 2007 DRAFT MINUTES IP11 Airport Commission: October 11, 2007 ~ - i ~~®~'~ _,,,~ City Council Meeting Schedule and CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas October 25, zoos www.icgov.org TENTATIVE FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Emma J. Warvat Hall TBA Council Work Session 7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Veterans' Day -Offices closed • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Thanksgiving Day -Offices closed • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Thanksgiving Day Holiday -Offices closed • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Emma J. Harvat Hall 5:30p Legislative Meeting 6:30p Special Council Work Session • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 6:30p Special Council Work Session • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 4:30p Joint Meeting • MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Holiday -Offices closed Emma J. Harvat Hall Emma J. Harvat Hall Emma J. Harvat Hall Coralville • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day- Offices closed • TUESDAY,JANUARY1 New Year's Day -Offices closed ~,!r-~ CITY C}F I~JWA CITY 1P2 ~~.® ~ ~E Date: October 24, 2007 To: City Council From: Dale Helling, Interim City Manager Re: FY09 Rollback Attached is a copy of a media release from the Iowa Department of Revenue indicating the rollback factors to be applied to the various categories of taxable real estate for FY09. Note that the residential rollback drops from the current 45.5596% to 44.0803%. In addition, there is a slight reduction in the commercial rate as well, while no adjustments are ordered for industrial and utility properties. Once we receive firm figures regarding property valuations we will be able to determine more precisely what this means in terms of reduced revenue. I will keep you advised. Iowa Property Tax -Iowa Department of Revenue ~~ ~ ~. °~ IDR Horn. Page 1 of 2 Pr_ot~erty Tax Main Menu 2007 ASSESSMENT LIMITATIONS ORDER (ROLLBACK) Media contact: Dale Hyman Property Tax Administrator Iowa Department of Revenue 515/281-3362 dale.hXman a~iowa_._goy On October 24, 2007 ,the Iowa Department of Revenue issued an assessment limitations order in compliance with Iowa Code Section 441.21. It has percentages to be applied by county auditors to the 2007 assessed values of agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, railroad and utility property for computing the taxable values used for property taxes. These adjustments in value are necessary to comply with the state law that allows no more than a 4% increase in taxable values from 2006 to 2007 for each class of property except utility property, which is limited to an 8% annual growth. The taxable value of residential realty will be 44.0803% of the assessed value. This percentage also applies to farm dwellings. Commercial and railroad property will be limited to 99.7312% of the assessed value. No adjustments are being ordered for industrial and utility property because there were not sufficient increases in values to qualify for reductions. These properties are assessed on the basis of their market value. Agricultural property will be limited to 90.1023% of the assessed value. Agricultural property, excluding agricultural dwellings, is assessed according to its productivity value. The effect of this action is a reduction of actual assessments of residential realty including farm dwellings from approximately $125.4 billion to $55.3 billion. Agricultural values will be reduced from $25.5 billion to $23.0 billion; commercial values will be reduced from $32.7 billion to $32.6 billion, and railroad values will be reduced from $842.6 million to $840.3 million. Specific tax liabilities based on these reduced assessments and payable in fiscal year 2008-09 cannot be determined until local taxing bodies establish their property tax needs early next year. Assessment limitations began when legislation was enacted in 1978 to limit the impact of inflation on agricultural and residential property values by restricting their statewide annual http://www.state.ia.us/government/drf/locgov/07Rol1backPressRelease.html 10/24/2007 Iowa Property Tax -Iowa Department of Revenue growth in taxable values to 6%. For 1979, the assessment limitations were extended to include commercial, industrial, utility, and railroad properties. For 1980 and subsequent years, the assessment limitation allowable annual growth was reduced from 10% to 8% for utility properties and from 6% to 4% for the other classes of property. Page 2 of 2 http://www.state.ia.us/government/drf/locgov/07Ro11backPressRelease.html 10/24/2007 TO: Mr. Dale Helling DEPARTMENT MEMO FROM: Chief Sam Hargadine RE: Staffing Report DATE: October 23, 2007 Several weeks back Mr. Elliott asked for a staffing recommendation report for the Iowa City Police Department. Attached is that report. IP3 Utilizing three different staffing models based on national averages, mid-west regional and the top 10 Iowa cities we have taken the lowest recommendation and justified what we would do with staffing based on the lowest model. We have included School Resource Officers (SRO) as a possibility however they are not included in the stafFng recommendation for a couple of reasons. While we feel that they are necessary there are funding mechanisms in place such as the Cops In Schools grant program. Additionally there is no agreement in place or discussion of SRO's ongoing with the school system. The recommended staffing for sworn officers in this report is in priority order. We also have non-sworn needs that will be created by the loss of communications personnel when the new dispatch center is operational. We are requesting Front Desk personnel for the 4th quarter of the FY2009 budget year. We are also planning on a new computer system and doing away with the scanning of handwritten reports. This will increase our need for clerk typists. Document Services cannot handle the increased work load that is anticipated that will be created when the entire department starts dictating reports. Because of the increase in civilian personnel it is recommended that funding that presently goes towards communications personnel not be diverted back to general revenue until these needs are met. It is realized that the increase in sworn officer positions to these recommended levels has significant budgetary impact. It may be prudent to develop a plan where these levels are achieved over a multiple year process. NOTE: Memo from Police Chief dated October 23 (and contained in the October 25, 2007 information packet) differs from the memo dated October 5 (and distributed at the January 8, 2008 budget work session) per ICM Helling. MKK 1-11-08 POPULATION AND PER CAPITA The City's current staffing ranking among other Iowa cities law enforcement agencies illustrates the low number of officers per resident grouping. The following information is taken from the 2007 National Directory of Law Enforcement Administrators (43rd Edition). CITIES POPULATION OFFICERS OFC PER 1000 Des Moines 198,000 374 1.89 Cedar Rapids 120,000 202 1.68 Davenport 98,226 159 1.62 Sioux City 80,505 124 1.54 Waterloo 68,000 117 1.72 Iowa City 63,000 73 1.16 Dubuque 57,546 93 1.62 Council Bluffs 57,082 116 2.03 Ames 53,284 51 .96 West Des Moines 50,000 63 1.26 Avg.=1.5 UNIVERSITIES POPULATION OFFICERS OFC PER 1000 University of Iowa 40,000 31 .78 Iowa State Univ. 25,263 33 1.31 Avg. _ .98 The average number of officers for police departments in communities with populations of 50,000 to 99,999 in the West North Central region (includes Iowa) of the U.S. is 1.4 officers per 1,000 population. The sample is from 411 cities. This information is taken from the 2005 Crime in the United States, published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations. The 2006 report should be released soon. The average number of officers for police departments in communities of 50,000 to 99,999 nationwide is 1.8 per thousand. Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. CRIMINAL ACTIVITY In several of the major categories of criminal event classification, Iowa City has experienced a significant increase over the last three years. In response, should staffing be increased, additional personnel should be directed to the Investigative and Street Crime unit to respond to these increased case loads. Source: Uniform Crime Report (UCR), normal calendar year. 2 Sexual Assault Child sex offenses Drug offenses Domestic Assaults Calendar Year 2004 2005 2006 59 65 89 11 10 15 374 466 641 255 278 305 SWORN OFFICER NEEDS PRESENTLY NOT MET Currently, the Iowa City Police Department operates without resources with which to directly and sufficiently address several areas of need, as identified through staff studies, citizen input, and current trends. This affects our ability to be a "Full Service Department" Should resources be added to the department, it is our recommendation that they be added to the following sections of the Field Operations division. Patrol: Present staffing reflects inadequate resources to drive down call stack and call response times for calls for service which are sent to uniform patrol units for resolution. Recommend adding three officers for an overlap 7:OOPM to 3:OOAM watch. Total 3 officers Crime Prevention Unit: Present community relations functions are being staffed minimally with beat officers assigned to whatever beat in which the event is occurring. Attendance is dependant on call volume and watch staffing levels. This unit would be responsible for: • Neighborhood Watch & Revitalization programs • Attendance at neighborhood functions • Safety promotions and fairs • Neighborhood Response and Problem Solving • Programs for Seniors • CPTED Programs (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) ^ Home and Business Security Inspections • Identity Theft Prevention Programs • Landlord and Rental Property Training • School requests for programs & speakers Total 2 officers, one sergeant Street Crime Unit: SCAT presently has three officers and one sergeant permanently assigned to investigate street level gangs and narcotics. Given the increase in case load and arrest rates (up 19% from 1st six months of '06 to first six months of `07), and related to increased numbers of drug cases, we recommend adding one officer which would increase their officer strength to four and a sergeant. Total 1 officer 3 Investigative Unit: As reflection of increased rates of crimes specifically investigated by Investigations section (up approximately 23% from 2005 to 2006), recommend adding investigators to the following areas: Juvenile Crime, 1 investigator to work with School Resource Officer Computer Crime/Identity Theft, 1 investigator Add one Sergeant to supervise Investigative Unit under existing Lieutenant (present Investigative Sergeant has been re-deployed to oversee Street Crime Unit) The Computer Crime/Identity Theft investigator will be a member of the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Total 2 officers, one sergeant Traffic Enforcement Unit: These officers would be dedicated to OWI and traffic enforcement, and specialize in motor vehicle crash investigations and reconstruction. This unit would be supervised by the Crime Prevention Unit sergeant and the officers would not be assigned to permanent watches. They would be targeting high crash intersections during the peak crash times and OWI detection. They also would be utilized to supplement Patrol during major incidents. Total 2 officers Canine Unit: Add one canine and handler to total two dogs and two handlers. As outlined in the ICPD Strategic Plan it is necessary to purchase a Police K-9 every three years so that there will always be a young dog and always be a senior dog. Police dogs are usually at least two years old before they are deployed fully trained. Presently when a dog is retired it takes too long to deploy a replacement leaving the department and community without the benefits of K-9 coverage for 18 months or longer. Total 1 officer School Resource Officers (SRO): The following is a breakdown of calls for service for a period of three years in the two primary high schools, the alternative school, and the junior high school. Given the amount of time spent at each school, it makes strategic sense to deploy officers in a SRO capacity to address the needs of the schools, promote safety, inspire positive communication, and serve as a resource for the student body. 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 City High 198 192 138 West High 133 152 164 Tate 4(new construction) 21 66 SEJH 152 175 109 4 Our recommendation is to open discussions with the Iowa City Community School District Administration regarding placement of one SRO in each high school and one in the junior high, splitting time with the alternative school. A variety of funding strategies exist for funding these spots, including the utilization of federal grant monies. Total 3 officers Total recommended addition (not including SRO's): 13 officers, 2 Sergeants This addition to the current authorized strength would result in a departmental strength of 88 sworn personnel. Using West North Central average of 1.4 per 1000 would have PD at 88 sworn. Using 10 largest Iowa cities average of 1.5 per 1000 would have PD at 95 officers Utilizing the national average of 1.8 per thousand for cities our size would have PD at 114. OStaffing Levels Regionally and Nationally 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 114 - _ ~5 88 ICPD present staffing West North Central 10 Largest Iowa Cities Avg. National Average Average Based on per capita averages for cities with a population of 50,000 to 99,999 5 NON-SWORN NEEDS Clerk Typists: Presently officers hand write their incident reports and these documents are scanned in to a records database. Some investigators dictate documents which are typed by Document Services on the 3~d floor. There is no clerical support within the department that can type sensitive reports or Internal Affairs/Disciplinary reports. In consultation with Document Services they are unable to handle the future work load of patrol officers and investigators dictating reports, which is a goal outlined in the ICPD Strategic Plan. Proposed is one full time clerk typist to be assigned to the Investigative Unit. Additionally we are asking for two part-time clerk typists for dictation data entry to be assigned to the Records Unit. Total 1 full time Clerk Typist, Two P/T Clerk Typists Front Desk Station Masters: The proposed Joint Communications Center target date for opening is July 1, 2009 (FY2010). Ten full time and two part time dispatchers that presently work for ICPD will be transferred to the new center. This will leave a vacuum of professionally trained employees that run the front desk and greet walk in business. The department will need 5 full time Community Service Officers (CSO's) to run the front desk 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. It is anticipated that these Station Masters will answer the main phone number, transfer calls, type reports and enter warrants during their down times when there is no walk in business. This newly created position is a high priority given that the Police Department is a "Safe Haven" for the public. Some departments shut down their front desk after 5:00 PM and an officer must be dispatched to contact someone in the lobby. This option is not recommended. Total 5 Community Service Officers (CSO's) 6 ~~®~ CITY OF 14WR CITY IP4 ~~~~~ RA ~ D ~ ~ ~E~~ ~~ Date: October 23, 2007 To: City Council From: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorney Re: Absence - IMLA conference I will be attending the International Municipal Lawyer's Association annual conference in Nashville from October 27-31. My staff will know how to reach me. cc: Dale Helling Marian Karr _~ r ~~,~~ CITY OF IOWA CITY IP5 MEMORANDUM DATE: October 25, 2007 TO: Mayor and City Council; City Council Candidates FROM: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk~~-- RE: Orientation - 2007/2008 City Councils The special work session and City Council orientation scheduled for November 8 has been cancelled due to a conflict in the schedule for a candidate. It is imperative that a session be rescheduled soon after the November 6 election to allow for discussion of the 2008 meetings, and scheduling of budget work sessions in January. More information will be forthcoming. Originial distributed to Council October 16 Marian Karr - From: Ron Logsden ' P6 Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 4:17 PM To: 'Rachel Leist'; Council Cc: quintela.cf@pg.com; tsheldon; Dale Helling; Joe Fowler Subject: RE: Ms. Leist, We have reviewed your request for additional bus service both earlier in the mornings and later at night to service the Proctor and Gamble plant on Lower Muscatine Road. In order to accommodate your request utilizing our fixed route bus system, we would need to begin service on all of our routes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours earlier than we currently do to bring people into our downtown interchange to transfer to a 5:30 a.m. Mall bus to take them to the Proctor and Gamble plant to start work at 6:00 a.m.. Likewise at night we would need to run the Mall bus later to pick up the workers at Proctor and Gamble and then have all of the other buses continue running later to take the workers to their respective neighborhoods throughout Iowa City. This would be a cost prohibitive option for us at this time. However, an efficient and affordable option for us which would also be very convenient for your employees will soon be available. We applied for and were awarded a Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) Grant and we are in the process of sending out a Request For Interest to local cab companies. This program will allow residents of Iowa City to sign-up to participate in a program in which they can schedule a cab to pick them up and take them to and/or from work when their work shift is outside our normal fixed route bus schedule including Sunday. They will receive a voucher from us that will pay for half the cost of their cab ride. This program has a budget of $40,000 and is funded 50% by the federal government and 50% by the City of Iowa City. We are realistically a couple of months away from getting the program up and running and I will keep you apprized of our progress so you can get your clients signed up to participate from day one of the program. Your need is exactly what we envisioned when we applied for the JARC Grant. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. Sincerely, Ron Logsden Transit Manager Iowa City Transit 356-5154 -----Original Message----- From: Rachel Leist [mailto:rleistc~staffmanagement.com] Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 2:55 PM To: Council Cc: Ron Logsden; quintela.cfC~pg.com; tsheldon Subject: Dear City Council Members, My name is Rachel Dolezal Leist, and I am native to Iowa City and have been the Senior Account Manager for Staff Management in Iowa City for the last five years. My client is Procter & Gamble and we employ and manage about 500 contract associates on site at P&G's Beauty Care plant on Lower Muscatine Road. I am sure you are aware of the extremely low unemployment rates within the city and the surrounding counties, so we struggle daily to hire a sufficient number of associates to maintain the headcount we need. Our client's business is expanding here locally and we are being asked to increase our headcount on all shifts to accommodate this new business. In addition to hiring, we are pursuing all avenues to expand the availability of the 1 current workforce. One obstacle for our associates is the lack of adequate public transportation available to get people to work for the P&G shift start times. I have spoken with Ron Logsden from Iowa City Transit. We discussed my concerns and he recommended that I contact you for help. We run the production lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More than half of our associates are full time, but in order to accommodate part time workers we break up the 1st and 2nd shifts into 4-hour blocks and then have a separate block to cover breaks. The shifts break out in the following fashion: 1st Shift: Gam - loam, loam - 2pm lam - 12:30pm 2nd Shift: 2pm - 6pm, 6pm - lOpm 4pm - 9:30pm 3rd Shift: lOpm - Gam 12am - 5:50am We have a constant shortage of people for the Gam - loam block because there are no busses that provide service prior to lam. We also have problems when the lines need to run even a half an hour past lOpm, because many of our workers have to catch the last bus right after lOpm or they are not able to get home. The weekends, particularly Sundays are also difficult for us because we cannot count on anyone who rides the bus, since they do not operate on Sundays. I am hoping you can offer some suggestions to help us provide workers for P&G. The next several months we will be working to increase our headcount to around 600 and with the current market conditions and the public transportation concerns, I am apprehensive about our ability to be successful. I am available to discuss any ideas or questions you may have for me and appreciate any help or assistance you can provide. Sincerely, Rachel Leist Senior Account Manager, Office: 319-339-2364 Fax: 319-339-2773 Staff Management Office #11 Procter & Gamble, Iowa City, Iowa 2 IP7 Please join us as we recognize former City Manager Steve Atkins by dedicating the entry driveway to the Iowa City Water Treatment Plant, "Stephen Atkins Drive" ^ Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 ^ Place: Iowa City Water Treatment Plant (North Dubuque Street) ^ Time: 10:00 a, m. Dedication remarks will be presented by Mayor Ross Wilburn. This event is open to the public. Nature Marian Karr From: Ross Wilburn Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 1:21 PM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: October 30 Homelessness Summit Please pass on to council. I cannot attend. Ross From: Davros, Lorna L. [mailto:LLDavros@dmgov.org] Sent: Man 10/22/2007 12:52 PM To: Ross Wilburn Subject: RE: October 30 Homelessness Summit Mayor Wiburn: Page 1 of 2 IP8 Thank you for returning the email. Please feel free to pass this along to a city council member if you like. Thank you, Lorna L. Davros, CP5 Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and Council (515} 283-4944 (515} 237-1645 (Fax "HumanKind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourse/ves. AI! things are bound together. All things connect. " Chief Seattle, 1855 __ __ From: Ross Wilburn [mailto:Ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.arg] Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 12:22 PM To: Davros, Lorna L. Subject: RE: October 30 Homelessness Summit Lorna, please thank Mayor Cownie for the invitation. I have a candidate forum at a University of Iowa local politics course at that time and will not be available to attend. Ross Wilburn Mayor Iowa City From: Davros, Lorna L. [mailto:LLDavros@dmgov.org] Sent: Wed 10/17/2007 4:52 PM To: bobanncamp@aol.com; cberenstein@berensteiniawfirm.com; ctm@ci.davenport:ia.us; Dale Helling; ewinborn@ci.davenport.ia.us; jpomeranz@wdm-ia.com; citymanager@cedar-rapids.org; mayor@cedar- rapids.org; ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org; Pauleckert@siouxcity.org; Ross Wilburn; rdbuol@cityofdubuque.org; sschainker@city.ames.ia.us; sgaer@wdm-ia.com; hanafanl@cb.omhcoxmail.com; mayor@waterloo-ia.org Subject: October 30 Homelessness Summit 10/22/2007 Nature ~;~:_: We hope you can join Mayor Cownie at this event. Page 2 of 2 Lorna L. Davros, CPS Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and Council (515) 283-4944 (515} 237-1645 (Fax "HumanKind has not woven the web of Gfe. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All fhings are bound together, All Things connect." Chief Seaft/e, 1855 10/22/2007 FROM DSMiMAY0Ri000NCILiCLERK PHONE N0. 515 237 1645 C1iV OQ D@S I1W~ / 1 Oct. 25 2007 09:14AM P1 Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie Co-Chair of the U. S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness cordially invites you to the Mayor's Homelessness Summit Tuesday, October 30, 2007 2:00 - X1:00 p.m. Des Moines Central Library 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (Refreshments wil/ be provided) Featuring Philip F. Mangano Executive Director, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Roseanne Haggerty President of the New York-based non-profit organization Common Ground Sam Tsemberis, Ph.D. Executive Director, Pathways to Housing SPECIAL INVITATION TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE TEN LARGEST CITIES IN IOWA You are also invited to join the Mayor and our special guests on a tour of local service provider agencies. The tour will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be followed by a complimentary lunch before the keynote event. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. at the Des Moines Central Library. RSVP to the Mayor's Office at lldavrosCa?dmgov.org or (515) 283-4944 by Friday, October 26th. Please include your name, email address, phone number, affiliation and events you will attend (tour, luncheon, and keynote). Co-Sponsored by the Downtown Community Alliance and United Way of Central Iowa. IP9 Marian Karr From: Soyawax@aol.com Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 12:36 PM To: info@hooverassociation.org; annette.wetteland@lib.state.ia.us; info@hacap.org; info@crma.org; info@friendsof theimmigrant.org; mstoffregen@iowacityarea.com; Council; churchesunited@yahoo.com; welcome@chsfs.org; Janet@freedomfestival.com; civilrights@cedar- rapids.org; chamber@cedarrapids.org; catherinemcauley@quest.net; wjohnso@dhs.state.ia.us; president@accessiowa.org; lavrenzr@trinity.org; brmanard@solon.k12.ia.us; cilavely@regina.pvt.k12.ia.usnhobbs@marion.k12.ia.us; tmcgraw@aea10.k12.ia.us; Itiemann@gwaea.org; dwhitehead@ccs.k12.ia.us; pvincent@cc-amana.k12.ia.us; dmarkward@cr.k12.ia.us; jbrady@cr-cath.pvt.k12.ia.us; linsey-abbot@uiowa.edu; marcella- david@uiaowa.edu; info@kirkwoood.cc.ia.us; benesh1@iastate.edu Subject: Re: a SEED is planted in IOWA Come to New Bohemia in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on October 26, 27, 28 to help us build; 1. Re-localized, restorative agriculture to replace environmentally devastating mono-crop petrochemical systems now ravaging our land and water. Learn to love this land. 2. Intelligent communities that live as a diverse human ecology based on conscious Ecotecture. 3. Real renewable energy; not the extractive, environmentally destructive special interest-subsidized sham now being rushed into action without whole systems science and an ecological impact perspective. 4. Governance based on responsiveness to citizens rather than our present special interest kleptocracy. Revitalize an active citizen base that respects our Constitution and provides for future generations. Trillions of dollars of debt, climate chaos, devastated land and toxic water is not a legacy that your children deserve. We have been on the wrong path for many years. SEED is blazing a new trail. 5. Ecological and sustainable economic structures that restore and nurture, rather than extract and damage 6. An ethical/spiritual foundation for resource stewardship, social justice and planetcare; 24/7 real world spirituality. If you have children, then you actually have a responsibility to show up at S.E.E.D., 2007. This is a multi- generational learning experience, so bring the kids and grandparents along too. If SEED does not resonate with you, then take your own action. Start your own movement in your own backyard... for your children's sake, do something! There is nothing special about S.E.E.D..We are one humble, human effort that is taking action. SEED is an infant organization. Like all infants, we learn by doing and trying. Life has a feedback loop called learning. We take a step. We fall. We get up. We move again. If we encounter a barrier, we find a way around it. If we encounter a problem, we find a solution. This is how human beings have evolved from stone tools to mechanical marvels and scientific wonders. We're technological by nature. We are now at a barrier, where some of our technology is threatening our survival. Our very progress, now threatens our survival. Climate chaos is the direct result of human technology. We now must have the intelligence to differentiate which technology will destroy us and which technology can heal and help us. Here is a test; if technology connects us to life, it is productive. If technology divides us from life and each other, it is destructive. The internet, telecommunications connect us... so that is a tool to preserve and expand. (I am connecting with you this very moment with this miracle of technology. Petrochemical/factory farming 10/22/2007 Page 2 of 9 disconnects us from the reality of natural cycles, life, land, air and water. Our present agricultural technology is thus destructive and at a dead end. Diplomacy and non-violent conflict resolution is a technology that connects us. War is a technology that disconnects us. Revitalization of an urban core connects us. Suburban sprawl disconnects us. This intelligent differentiation of connection/disconnection is a tool, a directional device... it points us in the direction of positive movement and human activity. The root word of religion is "religio", which simply means reconnect. S.E.E.D. is dedicated to building an intelligent, techno-agrarian culture that connects us to each other, to our land and to our cosmos with an integrated sacred science. In a sustainable society, the sacred and the profane merge into an integrated culture of ecological life support systems. Our work with S.E.E.D. is to build a culture where all life is held in deep respect. This connection with life will lead to a community ethic where violence against each other and our planet is unconcievable. With this consciousness, we can finally build human civilization. As long as violence is a norm for nations, we cannot claim to be anything but savage and ignorant. This first annual S.E.E.D. conference is a first step to come together as a community to discover and develop those technologies that connect us and to dismantle those technologies that now divide and destroy us. SEED is inclusive. We welcome all individuals and organizations as allies. We'll see you there. P.S., you'll also experience a lot of fun and joy by joining in our celebration of life. A sustainable community is a happy and healthy community. We are ready for an historic paradigm shift. ee there as we plant the seeds of change To register for the conference or to set up an exhibit table, call 319 363 1774 or send an a mail to; postpetrol @ aol. com or, register day of conference at P-3 Union Hall. 1st Street and 14th Ave. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We are making a one generation commitment to make the paradigm shift into a sustainable community in Iowa. This is the first annual conference in a 20 year series. With global warming, resource depletion and a serious leadership vacuum, the human community is at an historic crossroads. We need a local information and guidance system in Iowa to make the major transition into a healthy sustainable society. During this conference, we will invite all panel members and conference participants to meet on the first Sunday of each and every month at 2 pm. at the Matyk Building in New Bohemia/Cedar Rapids for follow up and an ongoing process of community education. (No one is expected to come to every session, but this open Sunday session will take place every month of the year.) This conference is a call to action. Without follow up systemic change and long term commitment, none of this really works. We are defining our place in an historic stage of human history. Participate! You are welcome to sent this e mail on out to all interested organizations and individuals. We invite you to participate in a very exciting event; SUSTAINABLE LIVING, RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND THE FUTURE Of IOWA OCTOBER 26,27,28. New Bohemia Art and Cultural District, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If you need further information send a mail to: postpetrol@aol.com or phone toll free 888 511 5177 A map of the Conference Campus in New Bohemia is available at our website; WEB SITE: http~//www resourcesforlife.com/groups/seed-iowa/ CONFERENCE PRESENTERS Track I: Sustainable Food, Health and Wellness 1. Denise Obrien, 2006 CANDIDATE, IOWA SECT. OF AGRICULTURE Founder; Women and Agriculture Network 2. Fred Meyer/ Environmental Advocates/Backyard Abundance 3. Susan Jutz/President, Practical Farmers of Iowa and CSA producer 4. Laura Krouse, Iowa Policy Project/Local Food Study 10/22/2007 Page 3 of 9 5. Janet Coester ,International Advocate for Peace and a Sustainable Society 6. Ken Meter; President/Crossroads Resource (local food/local economics expert) 7. Steve Smith; President/lowa Network for Community Agriculture 8. Wendy Wasserman, Publisher, Iowa Edible River Valley Track II: Integrating Shelter and the Environment: Community Ecotecture 1. Lonnie Gamble, Coalition for Sustainable Living, Abundance EcoVillage 2. Don Otto, Green Construction Expert ;Center for Sustainable Communities 3. Martha Norbeck, Iowa City Architect, Principles of Green Design 4. Greg Johnson ,Small House Movement/Resources for Life 5. Karen Brook ;Trees Forever; Green Infrastructure in Sustainable Community 6. Wayne Petersen , NCRS, water-quality, a key issue for sustainability Track III; Renewable Energy, Conservation, Efficient Transportation 1. Martin Smith, Iowa Renewable Energy Association 2. Taavi McMahon; Wisconsin Attorney/founding member of PrairieFire Biofuel Co-oP PrairieFire is a coop in the Madison, Wisconsin. 3. Charlie Kress, Retired Electrical Engineer and Treasurer/Spokesman, wastenotlOWA, Inc. WastenotlOWA is non-profit 501(C)(3) corporation promoting plasma gasification/vitrification and subsequent energy generation in treatment of solid waste. , Kress s topic is Converting Waste to Energy using plasma gasification/vitrification." 4. Rick Sanborn and Mark Garvey and The Iowa City Bike Library 50% of all gasoline is burned within 3 miles of our homes. Bike and walk for effective energy conservation within bicycle/pedestrian friendly Iowa towns. 5. Art Bike Rally leader, Scott Anderson 6. Steve Fugate; Founder, Green World Biofuels/The Ester Machine 7. Ed Williams, Biomass energy systems Track IV: Community Building, Education and Civic Action/Political Process (building amulti-generational community learning process) 1. Lynette Richards, Metro High School (Teacher and Counselor) 2. Ed Fallon- Iowa State Legislator/Lynn Heuss ;Founders I'm for Iowa 3. Steve Cooperman-Brightfire, lifelong learning/intentional community 4. Alisa Meggitt, Educator, Community Organizer Track V: Ecological Economic Development/Jobs for Seven Generations 1. Michael Richards, Founder of Soyawax International, a Cedar Rapids company that supplies bulk soybean wax to manufacturers in all 50 states and 20 nations. Author; SUSTAINABLE OPERATING SYSTEMS/THE POST PETROL PARADIGM 2. Frank Cicela, founder; SUSTAINABLE INDIANA, The Indiana Energy Conference, Project Manager; Earthwatch/Costa Rica and, welcome to Iowa... newly appointed engineer with Clipper Wind Energy Systems 3. Shari Martinez; Cedar Rapids Women for Peace 4. Molly Cantrell-Kraig, President, MCK Products, Candidate for Alderman at Large for the City of Muscatine, Family Resources Advisory Board, Muscatine County Habitat for Humanity and the Domestic Abuse Shelter Committee, Muscatine Historic Preservation Group 5. Kimberly Dickey Environmental sustainability Manager Frontier Natural Products Co-op 6. Ivan Yoder; Amish tradition, sustainable technology; Techno-Agrarian response Track VI: Earth Centered Spirituality; A Moral, Religious, Ethical and Philosophical Foundation for Land and Resource Stewardship in a Sustainable Society 1. Dr. Maynard Kauffman University of Chicago, Western Michigan University, Author; Adapting to the End of Oil; Toward an Earth Centered Spirituality 2. Travis Cox, B.A in Philosophy from Central College and his M.A. in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness from the California Institute of Integral Studies. PhD at Iowa State Sustainable Agriculture, his dissertation is on the intersection of spirituality and agriculture. 3. Angela Clark; Founder/CEO enrgPATH -Iowa's only resource directory for holistic and 10/22/2007 Page 4 of 9 sustainable businesses. Also a Reiki Master/Teacher and healing arts practitioner. 4. Blair Frank, United Methodist Pastor and Organic Gardener; Land Stewardship in the Christian Tradition We are keying this event accessible with a $25 participant donation ($10 students) $100 for exhibitors. We presently have a long list of exhibitors that includes; Physicians for Social Responsibility, Iowa Renewable Energy, Prairiewoods, Trees Forever, Iowa State University, Mir Valley, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Network for Community Agriculture, New Bohemia Group, Green World Biofuels, Heartland Heat/Biobased Energy and Soyawax International. All exhibits are in the African American Museum. CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Friday Evening October 26, 2007 Opening Session/community building at P-3 Union Hall~lst St./14th AVE. SE 6:30 p.m. Welcome and Conference Opening Invocation 6:35 p.m. Keynote presentation by Ken Meter; President/Crossroads Resource Center (local food/local economics expert) Ken has also served on the staff of the Kennedy Policy Center at Harvard and at U of M. 8:00 p.m. Community Celebration: All Ages Harvest Moon Dance Party; We'll have a house band, but the main event will be a community jam session. Bring your instruments and be ready to sing and dance. Everyone from 8 to 88 can Rock and Roll! Saturda October 27 2007 Core Educational Conference P-3 Hall and African American Museum 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Core Session I (choose one track for a two hour seminar and open discussion) Each seminar track will be led by a panel of expert moderators Track I: Sustainable Food, Health and Wellness Track II: Integrating Shelter and the Environment: Community Ecotecture Track III; Renewable Energy, Conservation, Efficient Transportation Track IV: Community Building, Education and Civic Action/Political Process Track V Ecological Economic Development/Jobs for Seven Generations Track VI: Earth Centered Spirituality; A Moral, Religious, Ethical and Philosophical Foundation for Land and Resource Stewardship in a Sustainable Society. 10 am to 12 noon Core Session II (choose one track for a two hour seminar and open discussion) Each seminar track will be led by a panel of expert moderators Track I, Track II, Track III, Track IV,Track V, Track VI all repeat as noted above. Noon; A community potluck , bring a dish made with local food and your own table service. *All food should be dropped off in the P-3 Union Hall 14th Ave./1st Street/New Bohemia. If you have ever felt compelled to be a keynote speaker, go for it; Open Mic after lunch. 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Core Session III (choose one track for a two hour seminar and open discussion) Each seminar track will be led by a panel of expert moderators Track I, Track II, Track III, Track IV,Track V, Track VI all repeat as noted above. 3:30 to 5;00 Art Bike Rally, Kid's Bike Rodeo led by Scott Anderson 3:30 to 5:00 Alternate Event: If you've been dozing off in your conference chair, get on up to CSPS for Dance Lessons and an afternoon SALSA DANCE PARTY! 5:30 to 7 pm. Total Community GatheringNision Quest: facilitated group process Our ancestors built deep intergenerational community connections around a central campfire as stories and visions were shared. At this event any citizen of any age can come up to the microphone on the stage to share a story, a vision, a dream or share their insights from this groundbreaking Conference. This conference will be both informational and transformational. 7:00 to 8; Dinner on your own with family, old friends, new friends or an interest group for discussion. There are about 35 restaurants within one mile of the conference location. Some are easy walking distance. Listed on Bulletin Board in the Matyk Building at 1029 Third Street S.E. in the New Bohemia walking campus. 8:30 The Prairie Fire Authors Circle; Dan Armstrong founder of Mud City Press in Eugene Oregon, William Kottke, Author of Garden Planet and Michael Richards founder of Innovation Press will convene a 10/22/2007 Page 5 of 9 town hall meeting with several noted authors from around the USA that are experts on the Environment, Eco Villages and Sustainable Living. Eco-Architect Phil Hawes will pull his chair up to the roundtable. 8:00 Alternate Event; If you're already on information overload from the afternoon and want diversion rather than discussion, then it's time climb the stairs to the Performance Space at "CSPS for "OUT OF BOUNDS" This is a diverse and uncensored art event. Some presentations may be offensive or raise challenging questions without easy answers. (A nominal theatre ticket of $5 is requested at the door) 10 to ? Downtown Party Night; Walking to Party is putting "sustainable living." into practice! Sunday October 28, 2007 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 Community Convocation at CSPS; Local leaders of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian faiths will share the common spiritual threads that provide the moral and ethical foundation for Sustainable Earth, Air, Water and Land Stewardship. Lunch on your own/open community networking sessions until 3 pm at the Matyk Building/New Bohemia To register for the conference or to set up an exhibit table, call 319 363 1774 or send an a mail to; postpetrol @ aol. com or, register day of conference at 1029 Third Street S.E., Cedar Rapids 52401 Conference to provide forum for sustainability thinking By David DeWitte The Gazette CEDAR RAPIDS -Organizers of a statewide sustainability conference in Cedar Rapids' New Bohemia District this month want the event to become a catalyst for along-term change in thinking about resources. Planning for the conference, "Sustainable Living, Renewable Resources and the Future," began more than a year ago. The conference will be held Oct. 26 through Oct. 28 in locations throughout the New Bohemia District. "It's really agrass-roots citizens' effort to identify what a sustainable society is," said organizer Michael Richards of Cedar Rapids. While the conference hopes to address many of the same global concerns as other conferences - concerns such as climate change and petroleum depletion - it hopes to do so from a holistic, community-based perspective. Almost all of the speakers will be from Iowa. Topics will include community- building, earth-centered spirituality, renewable energy, sustainable food, and integrating shelter and the environment."The need we're filling is to look across the inter-related systems of agriculture, energy, the built environment and the community and political structures that are the underlying structures for allowing sustainability to work," Richards said. The conference has no corporate sponsors, Richards said, allowing for a free cross-pollination of ideas from many per spectives. Virtually all of the resources, including meeting and exhibition spaces, have been provided as in- kind contributions. Among the few speakers from outside of Iowa will be Taavi McMahon, an attorney and co-founder of the PrairieFire BioFuel co-op in Madison, Wis., and Ken Meter, a local foods expert who is president of the Crossroads Resource Center in Minnesota. Well-known Iowans expected to speak include State Rep. Ed Fallon, D-Des 10/22/2007 Page 6 of 9 Moines, and Greg Johnson of Iowa City, a leader in the small house movement. Among the overarching themes of the conference, Richards says, will be "relocalization." The concept refers to building community-based sources for food, energy and goods. Richardson said New Bohemia is a good site for the conference because it demonstrates the importance of reclaiming urban centers. All the event locations will be within walking distance, Richards said. The African-American Historical Museum & Cultural Center will host the exhibition area for the conference, which is expected to include exhibits from the Physicians for Social Responsibility, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Trees Forever, the Practical Farmers of Iowa and others. Richards operates a business in New Bohemia and is founder of Sustainable Ecological Economic Development (S.E.E.D.) which is organizing the event. S.E.E.D. is an Iowa not-forprofit educational organization. ;s A review of Michael Richards book: SUSTAINABLE OPERATING SYSTEMS can be read at:http://www.mudcitypress.com/sos.html Michael Richards Founder of S.E.E.D. PRESS RELEASE; For Immediate Release; STATEWIDE CONFERENCE; IOWA Contact Person; Michael Richards/Conference Convener; Phone 319-363-1774 email; so~wax a aolcom The next event in New Bohemia; A timely Conference that's getting national attention; SUSTAINABLE LIVING, RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND THE FUTURE OF IOWA OCTOBER 26,27,28. New Bohemia Art and Cultural District, Cedar Rapids, IOWA We invite you to join in with hundreds of your fellow Iowans to explore the integrated elements of building a sustainable community; local food sources, green building, renewable energy, community education and economic-political organizing. Re-localization is an important aspect of a sustainable society, so our focus is Iowa... however the word is out on this exciting event, so we have visitors coming in from all over the USA. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends; Welcome to the first annual SEED Conference. One Generation will now meet for the next 20 Harvests. This conference will continue as an annual event during the last weekend of October. We're gathering together as a vital community to do what Iowans have done for generations. We 10/22/2007 Page 7 of 9 are here to plant seeds, nurture those seeds and grow a sustainable society for future generations. Some of us are new immigrants. Many have elders that arrived here generations ago. Our forebears came here as stewards of the land. We are gathering during the Harvest of 2007 to decide how we can best carry that sacred responsibility forward. Thus far, in a strict biological sense, human beings are the most successful species on earth. We've populated every far corner of this beautiful green planet. We know that we have a major impact on all of the living systems of the earth. It is for all us at this Conference to decide if that impact is creative or destructive. We are at a major crossroads. It is time to choose a clear path into our future. Our ancestors that settled between the two great Missouri and Mississippi rivers came here to honor this land and to provide a legacy of healthy land, water and life support for their descendants. We have a responsibility to keep this chain of life healthy. Human work and creativity is the most important renewable energy that we have. We can choose to use that energy to chop down decaying old trees or to find a clearing and plant new seeds. Sometimes we have to do some of each as good stewards of the land. The purpose of this conference is to look across this land between two rivers and find the clearing, if necessary to make the clearing to plant the new seeds of a sustainable society. Some of the old trees that have grown here are in the process of decay and breakdown. With problems like global resource wars, petroleum depletion, environmental degradation, polar ice melt and mortgage melt downs, we know that many of the structures put in place by human effort are no longer working. At the root causal level, all of these crises are hard wired into the industrial/mass consumer society. Solutions are thus only activated through a systemic paradigm shift. As Albert Einstein noted; "We cannot solve problems with the way of thinking that created the problems." This conference is all about a new way of thinking. We are convening this Conference to imagine the new seeds that we must plant so that our grandchildren will look back and thank us, rather than look back and curse us for how we have managed this land, water and climate that is shared by all generations. This is an inter- generational community learning event. Bring your entire family, your associate, staff and neighbors. This conference is all inclusive; its about community. In our present cultural paradigm, elected officials have a short term perspective, as they answer to special interest groups and act on their own self-interest for re-election in the next 2 to 4 year electoral cycle. A sustainable society, our next generations are not even on the political agenda. Corporate entities plan for the next quarter of profit with extremely short term tunnel vision, within an illusory economic structure that does not measure ecological and social costs. Those huge hidden costs are very real and are now coming due. Large academic institutions receive major funding from pharmaceutical, petrochemical and agribusiness sectors, so challenging the present paradigm is not encouraged, it is even actively curtailed. This leaves a huge leadership vacuum; very few leaders look at long term sustainability issues and very few step forward with the courage to ask the hardest questions. S.E.E.D., the educational group that is presenting this Iowa event, is a "cultural outpost". SEED is a leading edge human capital resource for advance cultural intelligence. S.E.E.D. provides a whole systems/sustainability perspective for our community. You are that resource, so be it, know it, use it, and grow the SEED. Many of our present leadership are asleep at the wheel, and in fact, are not even on the right road. You may notice that there is not governmental, academic or corporate sponsorship of this important Conference. That's on purpose; historic new paradigms emerge outside of current structures. While National Candidates simply spout shallow sound-bites, you can engage with real leaders at this conference on a substantive level. This conference is providing a space for critical thinking and visionary action, activated from the grassroots. All growth in living systems takes place at "the edge" at the roots, sprouts and the leaves. 10/22/2007 Page 8 of 9 We will let this gathering open a new clearing on this land that is free of the past assumptions and vested interests. We are working together as conscious stewards of the land to plant the seeds of a sustainable future. You are invited to assemble with us to dream, to imagine our shared future, and then to take decisive action. We are standing at the edge of an historic cultural shift. Take a stand forward. Michael Richards, S.E.E.D. Founder Conference Convener/2007 Sustainable Ecological Economic Development (S.E.E.D.) is an Iowa not for profit educational organization. A VISIONARY CALL TO ACTION "Without Vision, a People will Perish".... Book of Proverbs Visionary Allies, Stewards of the Land; Do you feel it? It's moving, its growing. A visionary seed has been planted. It has germinated. Deep prairie roots are sinking into the Iowa earth, leaves are reaching into all other lands and branches are stretching up to the sun. You can take this SEED and freely throw it out into the Winds of Change; simply copy this timely message and send it on out by a mail to friends, family associates and emerging agents of life's vital new message. Send it out freely with joy and a prayer for the unborn, the coming generations that will live in a healthy and free Earth. We are their elders, and we now lay the foundation for their future. We plant for their harvest. A positive Tornado is taking on rotation on the Prairie, a living revolution is turning and rising. It only takes one spark to light a Prairie Fire. From Austin to Akron. From Minneapolis to Memphis. New York to LA, a new creative culture is rising us above the Violent Mire. A visionary society is here now. If you feel the draw, carpool and drive to Cedar Rapids Iowa to feed the fire. If you cannot make the journey, then merge with our effort in spirit and speak out on these issues in your own backyard. We stand at the edge of history, lets move forward with courage and love. Are you ready to define and build a diverse and ecologically sustainable community and economy? It is a scientific fact that the more diverse any ecological system becomes, then the stronger and healthy that ecology is. This is especially true of human ecology/communities and cities. Building a sustainable society is a goal that unifies every age, gender, political affiliation,race and economic group to work together. There are no borders or social divisions in the Global Biosphere. We are in this together! You are invited to set up an exhibit at this Conference, get on the podium and speak orjoin in very lively discussion. This is an interactive convergence of our community to define a sustainable future. Welcome to the first annual SEED Conference You are welcome to sent this a mail on out to all interested organizations and individuals 10/22/2007 Page 9 of 9 Iowa Event gains national attention Re: a SEED is planted in IOWA __ See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL_Your._Homepage. 10/22/2007 IP10 AGENDA City of Iowa City City Council Economic Development Committee Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:30 a.m. Lobby Conference Room Iowa City City Hall 1. Call to Order 2. Consider approval of October 1, 2007 Economic Development Committee meeting minutes 3. Discussion/action on Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center Tax Increment Financing Request 4. Staff time 5. Committee time 6. Adjournment ~~®~ CITY C.)F [CJ WA CITY ~ ~~~~~~~ ,~~,~~ RAC D ~ ~ ~E~~ Date: October 18, 2007 To: City Council Economic Development Committee ..~--_ From: Jeff Davidson, Director of Planning and Community Development '`~ ' f Re: Agenda item #3: Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center TIF request At the October 15, 2007 Iowa City City Council work session, Council requested that the Economic Development Committee reconsider the Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center TIF request. I have contacted Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center representatives to see if they have any revised or additional information to present. If anything is received prior to Thursday, will forward it to you. Otherwise the Thursday meeting is intended to be an opportunity for the applicant to present any revised or additional information. The Economic Development Committee can then discuss the proposal and decide if it wishes to take any further action. Let me know if there are any questions. ppddir/mem/ecodevcomm.doc MINUTES Preliminary CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OCTOBER 1, 2007 CITY HALL, LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM Members Present: Regenia Bailey, Connie Champion, Bob Elliott Members Absent: none Staff Present: Wendy Ford, Jeff Davidson. Others Present: Michael Heinrich and Kelly Durian, Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center, Gary Sanders. RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL Elliott moved to support the application for Tax Increment Financing from Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center, Bailey seconded. Motion failed, 2-1 (Bailey and Champion against). CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chairperson Regenia Bailey called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. IOWA CITY AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER TAX INCREMENT FINANCING APPLICATION Ford provided a review of points about the Agreement that had been called in to question just previous to and during the meeting of September 13, 2007. 1) Dates. The applicant had requested date changes that would have resulted in delaying rebates by a full year. Upon explanation about what changing the dates would do to the rebate schedule, they were fine with the original date of certifying completion on May 1, 2009. 2) Defaults and Remedies in Article X, Section 10.1. Applicant desired to delete clause (e), which defined one of the "default events" to include the event that the holder of any mortgage on the development property or any improvements thereon, or any portion thereof, commences foreclosure proceedings as a result of any default under the applicable mortgage documents. City attorney disagreed with their desire and said (e) shall remain. Upon discussion with applicant, they were agreeable. In Section 10.2 Remedies on Default, applicant desired to strike (e) which says the city shall be entitled to recover from the developer, and the developer shall repay to the city an amount equal to the most recent economic development grant made as a remedy to default. City attorney disagreed with their desire saying this a clawback provision that acts a penalty for failure to meet economic development goals throughout the period of the contract. Upon discussion with applicant, they were agreeable. 3) Article III, Section 3.1. Regarding language about the jobs in the application and definition of average vs minimum number and wages. Applicant had stated in their application that they would employ 20 people at a minimum wage of $20 per hour. Upon closer review, applicant restates that they will employ 17 FTEs at a minimum of $21 per hour or and 27 at an average of $21.65, not including the Executive Director or the physician's salaries. 4) Article III, Section 3.2. Discussion with the architects brought to light two problems with Section 3.2; 1) that health care facilities have more difficulty achieving LEED points due to the higher standards of air quality and sterility that require higher energy use. This fact has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council who has initiated the development of LEED standards for health care facilities, but have not yet implemented the standards; and 2) that it is virtually impossible to obtain LEED certification upon completion of the building because the certification process can take months after the completion of a building. A workable solution could be to change the Agreement that the developer shall build the building to attain the necessary points and pursue LEED certification upon completion. The applicant has indicated that instead of LEED, they would like to attain another energy efficiency standard, such as one offered by Mid American Energy. Economic Development Committee October 1, 2007 Page 2 Bailey asked about possibility of the applicant delivering low income care. She noted that she wanted to see a higher benefit to the community and that perhaps that could come in the form of the expertise of the developer -surgical services for people with low income. Champion inquired about the occupancy rate of operating rooms. She noted she was supportive at first when she felt this project would keep the hospital from expanding into the Northside neighborhood, but said she now feels differently because they would be a for profit entity, not anon-profit. Her other concern was that the new facility would take jobs away from Mercy. Heinrich said the center would be owned 70% by Mercy and 30% by the physicians. Regarding operating room occupancy, he noted Mercy will have occupancy problems by 2010, and would have to do something by then to expand, either at the hospital or with a new facility. He noted that the center will be an excellent physician recruiting tool for the community and that this type of business does not exist in Iowa City and does in many other communities. Further, he stated that one of their toughest business decisions involved going from non-profit to a for- profit entity and thus, having to pay property tax. The group noted early in its planning that TIF might be a way of mitigating some of that change, especially since they desired to locate in the Northgate Corporate Park, a designated Urban Renewal Area. Elliott asked if they needed to expand their surgery space. Heinrich confirmed they do, saying outpatient surgeries are on the increase. Often times these outpatient procedures get bumped off schedules because the longer, more involved operations take longer than expected. Elliott asked of the new jobs, how may will be coming from Mercy. Heinrich noted there are no plans to reduce the number of FTEs in the surgical unit at Mercy. Bailey referenced the chart distributed by Heinrich and Durian and noted the difference between the Agreement, which stated they would employ 20 FTEs at $20 per hour minimum, and the new information showing only FTEs making $20 or higher. Bailey noted that the average of the jobs is $20/hr, not the minimum, which would be preferred. Durian concurred noting 27 FTEs will average $21.65 per hour, not including the Executive Director or the physician's salaries. He also noted the benefits are competitive and the same as Mercy. Bailey asked where discussion of low income care went. Heinrich explained that the center will extend Mercy's policy that serves people of low income. Financial assistance cases are done in house, as opposed to follow up on insured patients, which is outsourced. Heinrich said they were very comfortable putting in the agreement that the facility would provide the same services for low income folks that the hospital does. Bailey pressed on how to quantify that in order to hold them accountable for it. Heinrich said many surgery centers choose not to put in policies like this, and will even go so far as to "cherry pick" their patients. The Iowa City Area Surgical Center group felt strongly that they would be an extension of Mercy and provide charitable care with the same policy. Champion suggested because Mercy is anon-profit, and owns 70%, she would be willing to go with a 70% rebate. Bailey said she wanted the more in terms of community benefit; she likes the project, says it is a good economic development driver, but is not sure we need to incent it because it is happening anyway. Elliott said he would be in favor of the TIF, but not at the 100% level. He added the upside is that the project adds to the tax base. Public comments. Gary Sanders complimented Mercy's great work, but said that the project would happen regardless of TIF, and thus, doesn't merit it. He said the City should save tax rebating for new companies or companies that wouldn't expand without it. He said it would be the wrong message to the average person. Bailey asked for further discussion. Elliott said he was surprised that it was going to be afor-profit entity. He would like to see an encouragement for the new tax paying entity and doesn't like the level of the proposed TIF. He would rather have a smaller percentage. He noted again that he likes the non-profit going for profit and paying taxes, and would favor it. Champion said she would not support it because it Economic Development Committee October 1, 2007 Page 3 will happen anyway. Bailey said she is glad it is happening, but does not feel it needs incentives, and needs to show additional community benefit. Elliott moved to support the application for Tax Increment Financing from Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center, Bailey seconded to move it forward. Motion failed, 2-1 Bailey and Champion against). Staff time. No report. Committee time. No report. Adjourn. Motion and second by Elliott and Champion to adjourn. Motion carried. Next meeting, Oct. 9, 2007. Annual report from ICAD O U C a~ E a 0 a~ a~i U O c 0 U w ti 0 O N ~ ~ o ~ Oa d E 0 v~ c ~ ~ O E ~ o ~ O C N ~~ c ~a v W v c 7 0 r o X X X M X X X as N x X X ti 0 X X X ti N X X X m M X X Q7 N X X X N X X X m c X X X N X X X M ~ X X X M ti N X X X N O N X X X N c X X X N M N X X X r ~ ~ ~ N N O O O E '~ L Q O O O \ N X ~ W \ ~- O \ r O r O $+ C ~ O O . a~ ~= W ~ 'c E ~ ~ e~ d O Ot Z ~ m m U V N U X +, W ~ ~ ~ c ~ ~ ~ ~ Q Q II 11 II >+ _W YXOO N U X W C N Q IP11 MINUTES DRAFT Iowa City Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Iowa City Airport Terminal - 5:45 PM Members Present: Howard Horan, Chair; Randy Hartwig; Greg Farris; Janelle Rettig, John Staley Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Michael Tharp Others Present: Jay Honeck, David Hughes, Phillip Woolford, John Yeomans, Terry Edmonds, Joe Merschman, Turk Regennitter DETERMINE QUORUM: The meeting was called to order at 5:45 P.M. by Horan. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 13 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 MEETINGS: Hartwig stated that on the September 24th minutes, page 2, about a quarter of the way down - it states "Screening for the dumpsters so they are not visible to taxing aircraft," should read "taxiing" aircraft. Rettig noted that on the September 13th minutes, she abstained from the vote for the approval of minutes from August 9 and 13 and September 5 meetings. Hartwig moved to accept the September 13 and 24, 2007 minutes as amended; seconded by Farris. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. Aviation Commerce Park - Dulek noted that she did not contact those involved, and therefore, no one attended tonight's meeting. She will contact them prior to next month's meeting. b. Farmers National Company -John Yeomans was present to address the Commission regarding the farm ground at the Airport. He stated that since the last meeting he has been thinking about what he could do for the Airport property to improve the income, and possibly get more positive exposure for the Airport. With Yeomans were Joe Merschman and Turk Regennitter, who Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 2 of 9 gave a presentation to the Commission. Regennitter addressed the Commission, and stated that in talking to Yeomans they came up with some various ideas for the land. Merschman addressed the Commission next, giving the Members an overview of Merschman Seed Company and explaining the company's background and mission. Merschman stated that they are interested in 20 to 25 acres where they could showcase some of the new technology in seeds. He continued, stating that they could have their meetings in Iowa City, when farmers from other areas come to see what Merschman has to offer in new technologies. He also stated that aerial tours are a growing area, as well, for farmers to view their farmland from above. Regennitter and Merschman continued, giving the Members information on their company and their goals. They stressed the importance of getting the new technologies to the farmers in this area, and to be able to continue with research and development, such as the new Omega-3 soybeans. The discussion continued on the various emerging developments in the agricultural field, and how these affect consumers. Discussions continued, with Merschman showing the Members pictures of various field day setups that they have held in the past. He talked about the changes in the various seeds, and how they are aiding farmers in keeping pest problems under control. He then talked specifically about the south end of runway 36, where they would need an entrance put in, at their cost, so they could access this area of farmland without interruption to the runway or to the Airport. They would also be interested in being able to utilize a conference room, when needed, in order to meet with some of the farmers and others that would come to visit this site. Members then asked questions about the proposed farming arrangement, and Merschman and Regennitter responded. They further explained how the plots are "miniaturized" for this type of layout. Rettig then stated that she is taken off guard by tonight's presentation, as she was not prepared for this. She stated that she will have questions for Merschman and Regennitter, but needs time to review this. Hartwig stated that he is in favor of adding this topic to their upcoming agenda, so they can discuss it further. He added that it is very interesting, and that he is sure others would like to be a part of this discussion. Rettig added that she would like to see the Members funnel their questions to Tharp, and to have him then contact Merschman and Regennitter for more information. This would give the Commission time to see how this would fit into the overall plans for the Airport. Merschman and Regennitter reiterated that they are flexible in their plans, and that they would like very much to discuss this further with the Commission. c. Hangar #56 -Terry Edmonds -Farris and Hartwig recused themselves, due to conflict of interest. Terry Edmonds was present to address the Commission. Horan noted that Terry's letter was part of their info packets for Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 3 of 9 this meeting. Rettig stated that hangar 56 is a "hangar," and not a "garage." Edmonds noted that part of this hangar is not large enough for an aircraft though. Staley then asked what the FAA's rules are on this issue -having non-aircraft items in hangars. Horan explained that the Airport has a "fair market value obligation" in running the Airport, under the FAA regulations. He explained how he called around to see what area storage facilities charge for storing vehicles, in order to give the Airport a better understanding of this issue. It was stated that the FAA does not state that vehicles cannot be stored, but that the Airport has a "fair market value" obligation to charge accordingly. Rettig addressed Edmonds, asking if he was subleasing his space for the car storage, and noting that doing so would be a violation of his lease. Edmonds said that he did not think that he was subleasing because there is no written agreement with the car's owner, but that the car does not belong to him and the owner contributes to the hangar rent. Edmonds explained to the Commission that this portion of his hangar has an actual garage door on it, and not a hangar door. Staley asked for some clarification on this particular hangar. Edmonds reiterated that all he wants is a hangar space for his plane, but since this hangar is larger and costs more, he feels he should be able to use this space. Rettig stated that she is not in favor of storing cars in the hangars, that this is not a storage facility. She is not in favor of this, and feels that Edmonds has been in violation of his lease. Staley questioned why this hangar was built this way to begin with. Rettig said that if they are going to allow storage then they need to charge accordingly for storage. Horan stated that he does agree that this could foster storage problems, but that he goes back to his concept of the value of the storage space. Staley asked what the fairgrounds charge for wintertime storage. Edmonds suggested that they mark off the extra space in his hangar, and that he use just the hangar portion -and pay a lease accordingly. Rettig again noted that he signed a lease that said he could not sublease, and that he has been in violation of this. She feels they need to enforce the leases and the rules, and she feels this is wrong. Staley agreed with Edmonds, stating that they could put in a fence to block this area off, and then they could rent the T-hangar area at T-hangar rates, as was suggested by Edmonds. Staley asked Tharp what the rates are. It would be a difference from $304 to about $168 per month. Another option that was discussed, per Tharp, was a private hangar, shaped specifically for this type of aircraft. Rettig stated that she feels there could be liability issues if they don't put up a secure wall and entry on hangar #56. The discussion continued, with Staley asking if they would have any uses for this smaller portion, if it were to be walled in. Dulek stated that in regards to the liability issue, if Edmonds would agree to this arrangement, he could agree to take full responsibility for anything in this hangar space. Members then asked about other possible hangar space for Edmonds' aircraft. Staley asked that Tharp look into this, and to see what they can do to help Edmonds find hangar space. Staley and Horan both agreed that they feel the storage isn't an issue -the issue is the fair market value and what they need to charge. The discussion continued, with Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 4 of 9 Members asking if there are other aircraft that would make better use of this particular hangar. Jay Honeck suggested the Commission consult an attorney who specialises in FAA matters. He stated that there is no enforcement of these types of things, that it is up to the Commission to decide if they want to allow storage or not. Staley asked Dulek if the Commission could state that they do allow this storage to happen. Dulek suggested adding the wording that he can maintain his current arrangement, until the issue is resolved. Tharp stated that they do need to decide if they will or will not allow storage in the hangar areas. Staley moved to lease Hangar #56 to Mr. Edmonds for $304 per month and that Edmonds request from the Airport Commission permission to sublease his space, but that Edmonds can keep the cars in the hangar until the November meeting at which the sublease issue will be discussed seconded by Horan. Carried 2-1; Rettig in the negative; Hartwig and Farris recused themselves due to conflict of interest. Rettig asked Tharp to pull names from the waiting list and to see who could possibly use this hangar space. d. FAA/IDOT Projects -Earth Tech -David Hughes i. Runway 7/25 -The project is going well, per Hughes' report. He stated that they met with the contractor today, and he is planning to start placing concrete soon, depending on the weather. ii. South Aviation Development Study - no changes. Rettig asked for a copy of the draft report, and Hughes stated that he will get this for her iii. South Taxilane Rehab - no changes. . iv. Hangar A & B Doors -this is complete and adjustments have been made, per Hughes' report. He said they will need to make adjustments as the doors are used. 1. Consider a Resolution Accepting Hangar A & B Door as Complete -Consider Resolution #A07-29 accepting Hangar A & B Door -moved by Hartwig, seconded by Rettig. Motion carried 5-0. v. Jet A Fuel System / AvGas Upgrade -Hughes reported that they have received bids. The grant will be amended to offset the shortage, due to the higher than expected costs. vi. Terminal Apron Rehab -The contractor on this job hopes to start next week, again dependent on the weather, according to Hughes. vii. Obstruction Mitigation -Hughes noted that since the last discussion, they have discussed this with the FAA and they have received a new finding on the proposed light poles and are ready to move forward with Mid American's relocations. Hartwig asked about timelines, and asked how they impact the opening of the Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 5 of 9 runway extension. Hughes also mentioned the booklet, and stated that they are getting ready to get that to the printer. Horan asked about the United hangar, and when this project will begin. Hughes stated that it is an obstruction to the runway. Horan asked if they wouldn't need 60 days or so to bring this hangar to the ground. Hughes stated that they do need to finalize plans for the FAA's comments before they could begin. Hughes asked for some guidance on when the Members would like this done. Horan said they could time it around the lights, as the concrete will be in place before the lighting. Rettig asked if there was any storage spaice at the new Sand Lake facility that the City purchased recently. She added that it's a shame they have to tear down this hangar, but that they have no choice right now. e. Airport "Operations": Strategic Plan-Implementation; Budget; and Airport Management -Rettig asked about two overhead door repairs on the monthly budget. Tharp explained that they had two reports from the same building of doors not working correctly, and the repair was to replace frayed cables... Tharp further explained, with Rettig questioning why he proceeded with this repair without the Commission's approval. She noted that these are non- budgeted items. Farris stated that this brings up having a maintenance contract for these types of repairs. Staley noted that he sees frayed cables as a safety risk, and that it should be replaced immediately. Rettig asked for more clarification on this item, noting that Tharp authorized this for $2,500 artd that this is in violation of a resolution giving Tharp such approval. The discussion continued, with Rettig continuing to question this. Dulek gave some insight to the discussion, stating that the issue is not a legal one, but perhaps a personnel issue. Hartwig noted that Rettig's point is well taken. Rettig stated that they must remember to get multiple bids, and that Tharp must follow the resolution as set forth on his spending limits. Members continued to discuss this particular issue, noting that often times it is impossible to get multiple bids. Rettig then brought up page 5, under Miscellaneous Computer Hardware, the camera, and that it should be moved to the correct line. Then on page 7, Rettig noted that this is another item where Tharp purchased something for more than the $2,000 allowed amount, noting that there are now two incidents of this happening. She added that getting a bike rack is not an emergency situation. i. Hangar G Roof Repair -Tharp stated that he failed to report this repair, as well, and that Stanley Overheads did the repairs, arad they were the only bidder at the time. He stated that he and several Commission Members were witnesses to the leak and the need for immediate repair. The discussion continued, with Members giving their input. Rettig asked for a specific date on when Tharp was notified of the leak, in conjunction with their meeting. Rettig voiced her concerns regarding this roof repair bill, stating that they Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 6 of 9 u. passed a resolution in 2006, stating that Tharp has now violated this resolution three times. Farris stated that he agrees that the $2,000 mark is there so immediate things can be taken care of, and that they cannot have this happening. Rettig noted that $11,000 plus ofnon-budgeted items has been paid for, but now they hiave to take this amount from other items, such as training sessions. Staley asked to see a copy of this resolution, which Rettig provided. Farris stated that he agrees that they probably would have agreed to these items, but that they need to move forwaxd now and make sure that this does not happen again. Horan agreed with this. Rettig noted that she will not vote in favor of this, end briefly explained her protest vote reasons. Staley stated that perhaps they should reconsider this resolution, that when there is a needed repair such as these, that they may need to have emergency meetings or phone conferences in order to address them sooner than once per month. He suggested they amend this resolution that states Tharp must have approval before any emergency repait~s take place. Staley moved to approve these repairs as billed; seconded by Farris. Motion carried 4-1; Rettig in the negative. Dulek asked if the Commission would like this item on next month's agenda, with some possible solutions. FY2009 Operations Budget -Horan asked if they shouldn't $et up a strategic planning meeting, noting that the proposed farm opportunity needs to be discussed, as well. He asked if they couldn't set a time now for this planning meeting. Hartwig stated that he thought they were awaiting the Willow Creek study first. Horan agreed. Tharp stated that he had one more item to share, the mower. He discussed the equipment replacement plan, and funds from this can be used to purchase the needed mower for $16,906. Rettig asked for clarification on this State program and how it works. Tharp explained this and the various equipment items in the budget. Rettig moved the expenditure fora 20' mower of $16,906, and in turn they extend out the vehicle replacement to cover this; seconded by Hartwig. Motion carried 5-0. Rettig noted that the budget subcommittee has met twice, and they have also met with Dale Helling, the Interim City Manager, to get some clarification. She stated that with the sale of Lot #5, they lost around $5,000 from the two leases on this land. She discussed "operating subsidy" and how this is arrived at. She gave the Members some background on the economic development charge in the budget and what the budget subcommittee is considering. She said that they are proposing that some of the leftover mdnies, from the easement sale and land sale, be used to move up some of Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 7 of 9 the project phases. The extra money left over could be used to cover budget deficits, or have it be carried over into a "savings" account. Rettig stated that the asphalt project would be the first one they would propose moving up to this fiscal year. She briefly explained some changes that have been made to the FY09 budget proposal. Farris spoke to a maintenance budget. Members turned the discussion back to the economic development charge, noting that they need to say something to the City about this charge. Horan asked when they present this to the Council, and if Rettig would be interested in presenting the budget this year. Rettig also proposed obtaining State grants to cover a new hangar, and briefly explained the subcommittee's goals. Farris moved to accept the FY2009 budget as proposed; seconded by Staley. Motion carried 5-0. £ FBO Staff Report - Woolford stated that the construction of the ramp is going well. He said the helicopter operations are coming in and out, with some above normal activity due to the Hospital's pad being closed. He further stated that on November 1St they will have a new shop mechanic, bringing their total to seven. He also spoke briefly to the possible farming of the Airport land. g. Subcommittees' Reports -Horan noted that the Southend subcommitteemet with Wendy Ford, Bob Miklo, Jeff Davidson and Dale Helling to go over the draft report that they have. He said they stated that the Willow Creek sttidy is what is impeding any further development. Tharp spoke about the viewing area and the progress there. h. Commission Members' Reports -Rettig noted that the primary took place recently, and that there are four candidates running for two City Council., seats. She encouraged everyone to attend one of the upcoming forums and to ask questions of the candidates. Hartwig noted that when he was at JetAir recently, he noticed there was some new aircraft there. Rettig stated that she would like to know how much use tax they have generated in Johnson County. Staff Report -Tharp noted the FY2009 FAA applications are due back to the state December 14, and he briefly explained what they will be putting in this. He also noted that they had a small fly-in gathering at the beginning of the month, and they received one complaint on this regarding flying over residential areas versus farmland. He also mentioned the FAA conference and his attendance at this. Tharp also mentioned the University expansion acid that this issue is on the Council's agenda for this coming week. Dulek noted that she met with Andy Chappell of the County recently, to discuss the county adopting an updated airport zoning code. Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 8 of 9 SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR: November 8, 2007 at 5:45 P.M. ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M. Airport Commission October 11, 2007 Page 9 of 9 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2007 (Meeting Datel NAME TERM EXP. 1/11 2/8 3/8 3/28 4/12 5/10 5/15 6/7 6/8 6/28 7/9 7/19 Randy Hartwig 3/1/09 X X X X X X O X X X X X Greg Farris 3/1/13 O/E X X O/E X X X X O/ E X X X John Staley 3/1/10 X X X X X X O X O/ E O/~ X X Howard Horan 3/1/08 X X X X X X X X X X X X Janelle Rettig 3/1/12 X X X X X X X X X X O/E O/E NAME TERM EXP. 8/1 8/9 8/13 9/5 9/13 9/24 10/11 11/8 Randy Hartwig 3/1/09 X X X X X X X Greg Farris 3/1/13 X X X X X X X John Staley 3/1/10 O/E X O/E O/E O/E O/E X Howard Horan 3/1/08 X X X X X X X Janelle Rettig 3/1/12 O/E X O/E O/E X X X KEY: X =Present O =Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting --- = Not a Member