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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-15 TranscriptionPage 1 ITEM 3. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA). Hayek: This is the opportunity at each City Council meeting for members of the audience to address the Council on items that are not on the agenda. So if there's something that's not on tonight's agenda that you would like to bring to our attention, we invite you to come forward. Our standard practice is to ask you to sign in, to verbally give us your name, and to keep your comments to five minutes or less. Gravitt: Looks like I'm the only one. I'll sign in. My name is Mary Gravitt and I'm here about a few items, and uh... see ... I want to ... (noises on mic) I'm here about two things. One thing I'm here about is the bus shelters on the outbound Towncrest bus line. There's no bus shelters on the outbound Towncrest route. And because of Autumn Park, we have a lot of disabled people. They're on walkers and a few on wheelchairs, so that the Towncrest bus makes more pickups of wheelchairs than any ... any other bus route. And I'm here too about a bus shelter at Gilbert and Kirkwood, on both sides, because it a public disgrace to have people sitting on grass when there is available shelters, some place in a warehouse or wherever it is. And, uh... and I'm ... and I'm here about the cross, uh, walk ramps. Now I...1, uh, read that my recommendation was turned down. That ... I'm having a problem with that and I rode the ... the mall bus today. The mall bus stops not midway in the block, cause I got on the other street... side of the street and looked. The mall bus stops closer to Sycamore and Lower Muscatine where there's a ... a traffic light. So that when one group of that traffic stops, Sycamore Drive or Sycamore Avenue, which... whatever it is, it turns into it. I noticed the students got off the bus, cross the street in front of the bus. You're not supposed to cross the street in front of the bus, but the only way they could guarantee to get to the other side was that the bus block some of the traffic and some of the drivers had enough sense not to try to get around. Now said that, um ... I got the ... I got the message from Mr., uh, Simon Andrews, uh, excuse me ... yes, Simon Andrews and, uh, it ... it, and the very reason it was turned down was the reason that it should have been passed! Because people are in danger and ... the street should have been widened at Deforest, not in the middle of the block! Because Deforest has had that ramp there for years and ... and when you get off at Deforest, you stand a better chance of getting to cross the street. You're further away from ... from Sycamore and Lower Muscatine, and the traffic is coming up from the mall side. So ... it'll slow down and you can run. And that is the way you get across the street to Kirkwood Community College. And, uh ... furthermore, the ... the drivers have been told that they're forbidden to stop at Deforest. Now, if Deforest has the only ramp to get across the street, and according to the letter I got, that it's a 100 -yards or 100 -feet or whatever to come up to the ramp, so why not put everybody off at the corner of Deforest instead of so-called middle ... mid -block? That's more than mid -block. That's a block and a quarter or block and a half, which should be illegal. And... there ... it said there were 16 ... 1,600 feet of new sidewalk. How come planning wasn't done? Suppose you decide you want to cross the street... before you get to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 2 the end of the 16....600, you have right to cross the street and you should have a ramp so you can get across the street. Public transportation is made for the public, and furthermore, for ... for my personal stuff, I submitted my medical bills from falling in the Library, and I've asked the ... that you hire a maintenance person to walk that building for safety of the patrons. I go ... I go back into the Library. They're still putting those runners down with little humps of pockets, so that a person's foot can go into it. Now, I want my bills paid because it's not fair! That was the first time in 50 years I had ever been in an emergency room. And ... this is ... is serious. You cannot run that Library on $10...10 -week people. $10 now for 10 weeks won't do, and I want somebody to go out on Lower Muscatine between Deforest and Sycamore and see what I'm talking about and stop depending on Google maps! You know ... see, I don't even have a cell phone. I guess that's why I can see what's going on around me. I don't send out any Google! Hayek: Miss Gravitt, you're... you're at five minutes. We'll need you to wrap up, please. Gravitt: Okay! My thing is, I want my hospital bills paid and I want somebody, a human being who can possibly see, and .... go out there and see what's happening and I want you to remember what happened to Cedar Rapids. Maybe you need to pay out some fines. Thank you! Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Landry: Good evening. -Mayor, Council. Doyle Landry, Positive Vision Ministries. (clears throat) June ... July I5th ... meeting I referenced the on the record discrimination that I received that it appears in the last two months people thought that it wasn't that big of an issue, and the email that you have been reminded of, in terms of the copies that you have, it is a result of asking for data, and people say we want to include African Americans and we're concerned; then for many of us it's just happy talk. It's not legitimate. It's not taken for real, and ... it's not until there's an issue when African Americans show up in large... quantity that people feel threatened or feel like it's going to be a riot and ... at the end of the day, black lives matter and it's not just a slogan. It's a life. I cannot begin to tell you the email that you have, how much that has enraged people in this state because it was a request for data. It was a request to simply ask for accountability in relation to the business community here and African American inclusion. People got bothered by the tone as if. ... as an African American Marine Corps veteran, who has served this country, I'm supposed to talk in a way that, uh, makes white people comfortable. Nobody tells me when and where I enter, especially if I've laid my life down for this country. I can ... I'm a lot calmer than when I was before, um, when I came on July 15a' because 30 minutes that way in the last week a 14 -year-old was killed and what reference, what relevance does that have to do with here in Iowa City? It's unfortunate that lives have to be lost before people really get it, that there's a disconnect... for those who feel like they are out of the margin. So ... that generation just ends the conversation, picks up a gun, ends the conversation and has ... a lot to do with feeling like you're not being heard This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 3 or represented. So for me, you all know how I am about birthdays, I ... shouldn't be in my 45�h year and made to feel like I don't matter. When I'm told that I am no longer welcome. When I'm told that, um ... (clears throat) ... um ... I think about those in this city who learn that their life doesn't matter. I ... think about those in this city who are shown by their behavior that they need to go back where they came from. I see it daily. So in your work session, the lies that were told ... in the work session that preceded this session, um, when are we going to be about truth and transparency? There was a direct question asked and I thank you again, Council Thork... Thorkem... Thorgum... Throgmorton for asking that direct question about race. African American and Latino. And it was evaded, and that's what we continue to do (coughing, difficult to hear speaker) direct questions because... again, why should I have to answer that? My life matters. I have privilege. I have power. So ... um ... why should I even have to answer it, and it was evaded right in your face. So in this city, particularly, I think about those who are... biracial, who have to navigate two worlds, which they didn't ask to be a part of, and in this city where we continue to be disrespectful, continue to show that, um ... if you are of color, you don't matter. And it was just ... done in the work session. Right in our faces. So where do we go from here? Because I'm not the super savior. Our... ministries have never been funded by federal or state, um, funds anywhere. So we're going to continue to do what we do, but if there's bloodshed here in Iowa City because someone in that age range figures you're not listening to me, I'm going to make my point, we created it .... with our silence. We created it with our ... um, phoniness. We created it with our ... um, smiling grin and maybe he or she or they will go away. This is our Iowa City that we pretend to be apart of. So ... you have a copy of the email and the reason why you have the accompanying, uh, article about the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. Again, it's time for a national discussion and Reverend Jackson's no stranger to Iowa City. Thank you very much. Hayek: Thank you for your comments. Karr: May I have a motion to accept correspondence from Miss Gravitt and Mr. Landry both? Throgmorton: (both talking) Botchway: Second! Hayek: Moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries. Anyone else during Community Comment? Okay! We will move on to Item 4, Planning and Zoning Matters. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 4 ITEM 4. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. ITEM 4a REZONING BENTON ST / RIVERSIDE DRIVE — ORDINANCE REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.45 ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC -2) TO RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS - WEST RIVERFRONT (RFC -WR) ZONE LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF BENTON STREET AND RIVERSIDE DRIVE (REZ15-00015) PUBLIC HEARING Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is, uh, reopened. (bangs gavel) Any ex parte communications to disclose? Okay. John! Yapp: Uh, staff gave a presentation on this, uh, property at your last meeting, so I'll be brief. The proposal is to rezone the property from Community Commercial to, uh, the West Riverfront subdistrict of Riverfront Crossings, at the corner of Benton Street and Riverside Drive. Uh, the proposed project is a Kum n' Go gas station and convenience store. Uh, since your last meeting, the applicant has signed the Conditional Zoning Agreement. Uh, and has submitted a site plan, which, uh, shows one access point on Riverside Drive. No access points on Benton Street, and one access point onto Orchard Street. Uh, this is a view of the Riverside Drive frontage of the ... the current condition of the property and this is the Orchard Street, uh, frontage, uh, and elevations of the proposed, uh, convenience store. Uh, the conditions as recommended by staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission include, uh, dedication of 10 -feet of land along Benton Street and Riverside Drive for, uh, right-of-way. Uh, the need for this is generated by the City's desire to improve the streetscapes along Benton Street and Riverside Drive, uh, and the City is currently in a preliminary design process for what those streetscapes, uh, will look like. Uh, closure of the curb cut onto Benton Street, closure of the curb cuts on Riverside Drive, and a single new access point being established, uh, as far from the Benton/Riverside intersection, uh, as possible, and closure of the multiple curb cuts on Orchard Street, uh, and a single new access point being established on Orchard Street. Uh, both staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission, uh, have recommended approval. Be glad to take any questions. Hayek: Questions for John? Payne: So why did we eliminate the ... right -in only off of Benton? Yapp: There's a ... let me see if it shows up on the aerial photo ... a little bit. Uh, there's a left, a westbound left turn lane on Benton Street for traffic turning left onto Orchard Street. Uh... with traffic slowing down in that left turn lane, waiting, uh, to turn, uh, we felt there would be a conflict with traffic also turning right into the site. Uh, the other reason is ... is for the improvement of the streetscape ... along that This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 5 frontage. Uh, that's been something important, both in the Riverfront Crossings plan and important to the neighborhood, uh, to have pedestrian -oriented streetscapes as much as possible. And part of that is eliminating access points, reducing access points, uh, because every access point is a conflict with pedestrians. Payne: I guess my concern is now for people to use the ... the entrance off of Riverside that are going north on Riverside, they're going to stop traffic going north on Riverside to try to make a left in. And with that other entrance, you know, it would be more likely that someone have ... maybe have turned onto Benton and used the right -in rather than a left -in. So I think it's going to hurt traffic flow on Riverside. Yapp: I think it is a much better situation than it is currently, uh, and the access point off of Riverside is pulled back from the intersection as much as possible. Payne: Yeah, it looks like it's 150 -feet as ... to the ... to the edge anyway. Hayek: Other questions for John? Okay, thank you. Yapp: Thank you. Hayek: So this is a public hearing. Would anyone from the audience like to address us? Harmon: Good evening, I'm Shavon Harmon with Kum n' Go. We did a full presentation, um, at the last meeting, but I am here if there's any questions that we can answer. Hayek: I think to ... just to clarify for ... for Council what ... the thing that hung this up, uh, that was a hang up at our last meeting was this issue of the right turn in and ... so we deferred, uh (both talking) that item but subsequently Kum n' Go's decided to drop that and just push forward with what was proposed by staff. Harmon: Yes (both talking) that's correct. Hayek: Okay. Any other questions for the representative? Okay. Thank you. Harmon: Okay, thanks! Hayek: Anyone else? Okay, are we, uh, inclined to go with the P&Z recommendation? Okay, I'm going to close the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel) 2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Mims: Move first consideration. Dickens: Second. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 6 Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? I just want ... one clarification. There is a request for expedited action, but we would take that up at the second reading and collapse second and third readings at the next meeting and tonight would simply be the first reading of this ordinance. Throgmorton: You know a few weeks ago we got an email from Paula Swigart who lives in the Miller -Orchard Neighborhood, or a letter — I'm not sure which, but it was in our communications and ... and the gist of Paula's comment was the site's basically been blighted for several years and that this project would improve the area, uh, and I ... I also observed that the form based code design requirements also improve what it ... would otherwise be built. So ... I'm fully on board with this. Dobyns: And I'm excited about it too. There was ... about two years ago where some, uh, Miller -Orchard, uh... residents, together with a lot of City staff, walked the area, um, and we envisioned these changes that we're seeing with the property immediately to the north of this, um, as far as the development. It's just really nice to see this, uh, like Jim said, blighted area start to turn around. This is really great for the west side. Payne: I think it's a great thing too and it's definitely improved... improving a blighted area, but I don't think our goal should be just to improve what's there. It should be to improve it for the future, not to just make it this much better. Let's make it this much better, and I think we're creating a traffic -flow problem on a four -lane road. I'm not going to vote against it because of that, but I just think we're ... we're being shortsighted. Botchway: I ... I think for me that, um, you know, it's unfortunate that we don't have the ... do we get the presentation from correspondence standpoint in the packet? Karr: It was in the last ... in the last packet, yes. Botchway: Okay. Um ... so individuals that missed it can look at the last packet, but um, just the ... the discussion that centered around, um, this being kind of more than just kind of what regularly Kum n' Go has been before, and maybe I'm wrong. I mean help me if I'm (several talking) discussion around it'll be bigger, kind of more ... uh, help me, more cafe kind of convenience store kind of feel that, um, that I think would be great for that area, um, especially so I ... I'm really excited about it. Hayek: I'm supportive. This has unanimous P&Z support. It's got staff recommendation. Kum n' Go's comfortable with it, and it's an appropriate project for the area and ... excited to see it go forward. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 7 Mims: Well and I think as we're working on this area and getting more, um ... easement for the City so we can do more in terms of the curb appeal is also a real positive, both with this property and the property to the north as well. Hayek: Any further discussion? Roll call, please. First consideration passes 7-0. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence. Botchway: So moved. Dickens: Second. Hayek: Moved by Botchway, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 8 ITEM 4b ANNEXATION HERBERT HOOVER HIGHWAY — RESOLUTION FOR A VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 18.66 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF HERBERT HOOVER HIGHWAY (ANN15-00001 / REZ15-00014) 1. PUBLIC HEARING Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Any ex parte communications to disclose? Okay. John! Yapp: Uh, this property is on the south side of Herbert Hoover Highway. Some landmarks, um, about three-quarters of a mile west is the Olde Towne Village, uh, neighborhood and just to the south of this property is St. Patrick's Church. Uh... last fall the City annexed and approved a preliminary plat of the, uh, Churchill Subdivision, which is just to the east. Uh, this property is to the west of the Churchill, uh, development and is proposed to be developed by the same developer. Uh, under our annexation policy, we do consider voluntary annexation requests positively. Uh, this is within the City's growth area. Uh, the City does have a policy that for properties within the City growth area it is appropriate they be annexed and developed with, uh, City design standards. Uh, would you like me to get into the zoning discussion, which is the next item on your agenda? Hayek: You know, you might as well! Um ... we'll ... we'll hold a separate public hearing for that, but I think you ought to push all the information out there (both talking) Yapp: Okay. Hayek: (both talking) Yapp: Uh, regarding the zoning, the prop ... the majority of the property is proposed to be zoned, uh, RS -5 single-family residential. Uh, that ... that is Iowa City's, uh, main single-family zone. Uh, that zone also allows, uh, duplexes and zero lot line structures on corner lots, uh, and allows some other institutional uses such as religious institutions by a special exception within that zone. Uh, the Northeast District Plan, uh, states that the, uh, predominant land use in this part of the city, uh, will be single-family residential. Uh, the Northeast District Plan also identifies higher density development, uh, townhouses or low density multi- family on the south side of Herbert Hoover Highway. Uh, the applicant has proposed low density multi -family zoning along the Herbert Hoover Highway frontage, uh, consistent with the Churchill, uh, development to the east. Uh, this is a ... a concept plan for the eventual platting of the property, uh, with streets extended, uh, from the east into this property, as well as streets abutting to the south property line and west property line for future extensions onto adjacent properties. Uh, staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission, uh, recommend approval of the, uh, zoning, subject to the developer responsible for sewer and water service to the property. Uh, approval of a development plan for the multi - This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 9 family, uh, parcel, including landscaping and building design. Uh, payment of fees toward the future upgrade of Herbert Hoover Highway. Uh, and construction of a sidewalk along the south side of Herbert Hoover Highway to connect to the Olde Towne Village area. Uh, that's to ... because this development is a little bit out of...sequence, uh, in that the properties to the west are not within Iowa City yet, uh, staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission felt that sidewalk extension was important, uh, for pedestrian accessibility to the nearest commercial area. Hayek: Thanks, John. Questions for John? Dickens: Was there any concern about the main entrance? I know it's preliminary plat, coming on that corner? I realize it abuts up to a street across the street from it. Is that the reasoning behind that or... any consideration? Yapp: Uh, there... there's a driveway just to the west for a, uh, cell tower. Are you talking about the northwest corner of the ... the property, Terry? Dickens: Right. Yapp: Yeah, there's a driveway just to the west for a cell tower that's a very low-volume, uh, driveway. Uh, when you receive the preliminary plat proposal you'll see that it's a little bit different than on the concept. Dickens: Thank you. Payne: How much sidewalk are they extending... beyond their property? Along Herbert Hoover Highway. Yapp: Uh, I would guess about half a mile. Duane? Approximately half a mile of sidewalk. Hayek: Any other questions for John? Throgmorton: Yeah, John, uh... how many residential units would be included? It looks to me like maybe 65 or thereabouts. Yapp: Or thereabouts, and again, this is just the concept plan, but the preliminary plat will, uh, reach you soon. Throgmorton: Right. So what percentage of them would be affordable to households, at or below 80 or even 60% of area median ... area median income? Yapp: Uh, I don't have information on the sale price of the ... of the structures. Throgmorton: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 10 Hayek: Thanks, John. This is a hearing. Anyone from the audience? Okay, I'll take... actually I'm not going to take ... I don't have to take the Council's temp. This is a, uh, annexation. So I will close the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel) 2. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION Mims: Move the resolution. Botchway: Second. Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Throgmorton: Yeah. I asked my question, uh, for the same reason I asked a, uh, a similar question with regard to the annexation of the property just to the east, uh, several months ago. I know that our annexation policy... identifies three particular criteria that have to be met and one of'em ... and none of 'em have anything to do with a ... affordability of the housing. However, as I've stated many, many times before, I strongly think that any residential annexation should be required as a condition ... uh, of annexation, to contain a specified minimum percentage of housing units that are affordable to house... households, at or below, I don't know ... 80% or 60% of area median income. If we don't do that, then we're not really serious about increasing the supply of affordable housing, and we're not really serious about insuring that affordable housing is disbursed throughout the community and hence, uh, eases the School District's challenges with regard to balancing FRL rates in its elementary schools. So, uh, I ... I think we need to change the policy — that's the first thing, and the second is, I can't support an annexation that does not explicitly include some, uh, specified percentage of affordable units. Payne: I have two things, Jim. I ... I don't ... I don't necessarily disagree with you, that that's probably a way that we could get more affordable housing, but ... I think then what would happen is they wouldn't annex. So that would be a detriment, and the second thing is, in order to get them to ... do that, they have to have an incentive, just like we talked about at our last work session. What is their incentive to do that? Because they don't have to annex. Botchway: To that point, Michelle, have we had the conversation? I mean, my ... so my issue is is it kind of goes back to Jim's point because I think I remember how I voted on this before, but ... you know, again, we have an opportunity. One of the consistent themes that has come up when we're talking about affordable housing is the lack of land to do anything with. And so now that we have an opportunity to talk about it from this standpoint, I think we're passing... passing the buck onto councils in the future that are ... we're literally building, I mean the issue that we have now, and so can we have that conversation? Have we had that conversation, I guess first, I guess I should ask — sorry! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page I 1 Payne: And I think (both talking) at one of the work sessions that we had where we talked about our proposal that the three of us had regarding affordable housing, my comment was put your money where your mouth is, and I don't know that we actually have done either one of those at this point. You know (both talking) Botchway: ...that's my question... Payne: But people aren't... people do developments to make money. They're gonna want to maximize their investment. And doing that minimizes part of that, or lessens that ... profit they're gonna receive. They're gonna have to have some kind of incentive to do that. Botchway: And I don't disagree. I just think that, you know, and this is I guess a question for maybe John or, uh, whoever was ... was on top of this, but um ... you know, have we had that conversation with the developer? Um, cause I mean, I ... I would want to, I'd like to. (mumbled) Dilkes: I don't think it's a question about having the conversation with the developer. I think it's a question about the Council choosing whether they want to have that conversation among themselves, in terms of. ... you know... Botchway: Well I guess first, if it's already happened, I guess I don't ... I want to know about what was the discussion, but yeah I guess... Dilkes: I ... I don't remember that the Council has had that discussion, so you certainly can have that discussion if you want to have that discussion. Throgmorton: Think of it as a process over time, where property's continually being annexed into the city and that property ... if it's being developed residentially, is not required to have, uh, some minimum percentage of affordable units, then the periphery of the city, at least with regard to lots of new development, will be ... uh, will contain no affordable units, and therefore be more (several talking) Dilkes: But, Jim, when you bring this issue up, you bring it up in connection with an application, and that's not the time at which it should be (both talking) I ... I, then ... then propose to have a work session about it and put it on a work session agenda. Dobyns: Jim, Kingsley, what I was thinking when I looked at this is that I ... I do get a little bit concerned when I see plats being developed and annexed in parts of the town where we have really very low FRL rates for the ... all the reasons that you mentioned. Let's take a look ... we've talked about it. We want ... if there's any place we're going to put affordable housing, it's in new developments. We've talked about that. We've talked about Riverfront Crossing. I would recommend that we, you know, look forward. Um, use this as a point of discussion, uh, don't This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 12 make this held hostage to our concerns and go ahead and pass it, but I think, you know, take a look at this collaborative group that we have meeting regarding the Riverfront Crossing, where it had a whole range of people from the community who came together, and I..put some ideas that brought in some needed incentives, um, that, uh, would bring in affordable housing in Riverfront Crossing. How can we go from that and apply it to future plats, like this? Um, at the end of the day, if we decide as a council these sorts of things are worthwhile, we're going to have to put the taxpayer's money where our mouth is, if we find plats like this. Um, whatever ways that we have to do it. Um, you know, it...it isn't magic and I think if we truly, uh, think that affordable housing has to go in, I don't think we can just assume the business community's going to develop places like this, unless we sort of meet in the middle, and we've done that in Riverfront Crossing. I think we should look forward, uh, with future discussions, um, but not this one. Botchway: That's what we said last time. I guess that's my ... that's my issue. Hayek: What you guys are doing though is you're trying to get into a ... a policy discussion in the context of a ... of a specific application. Dobyns: Guilty! Botchway: It was ... but it was talked about, Matt, it was talked about last time as far as having the conversation. Mims: Then bring ... like Eleanor said, then bring it up at a work session and ask to have it put on as a work session agenda. Botchway: We did at the time! Markus: No, you didn't! It wasn't asked to bring up at a work session. (both talking) ...work session (both talking) you bring it up. Botchway: Great point! So then I did bring it up from a standpoint of when we talked about the Riverfront Crossings District, I said can we apply this to the entire city, and I was ... it was said no. And so I've ... I feel like I've tried to talk about it from that standpoint, as far as ... when can we have that conversation. Markus: But, Kingsley, you're ... this evening you're talking about a very specific proposal but you're also talking about a division in how this would apply, because what I'm hearing you discuss tonight is that you wish to discuss this relative to annexations, which I think is a different level of discussion versus the inclusionary zoning in an existing area that's already annexed to the community. Because when we had that conversation, we were taking that as a trial. We were going to see how that played out, before that would be applied to other parts of the community. That's the specific recollection I call ... recall, and this time you're talking about annexations. That should be a policy discussion... precedent to all of these people This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 13 coming forward, asking for this to be considered on an individual basis, and by the time it hits the table, quite frankly it's ... it's too late! I mean, it...it seems awkward to be, you know, almost trying to extricate that kind of provision from somebody when they've gone this far in the process. Back it up ... direct staff to, uh, bring this to a work session, have that discussion, so that when annexations occur, we can have that kind of...uh, provision in place, but I agree with some of the other Councilors who indicate that that's a City policy and if you're going to impose that kind of City policy on annexations to the community, I think you need to be ready to step up and use City resources to achieve that policy. It's pretty clear what the developer's purpose in life is. They're in business. They're in business to make money. To make this work on an annexation basis, we're gonna have to come with money to the table, in my opinion, based on what I've observed over the years. So, so that we don't run into this conflict again, my suggestion to you is, at some point, maybe later on in this agenda this evening you give Council direction ... or staff direction to place this on an upcoming, uh, work session, just as Eleanor has suggested, so that we can get ahead of future annexations, but to do this to somebody that's now in the pipeline with an annexation seems inherently unfair to me. Throgmorton: So I would agree we should schedule a work session, so ... no disagreement about that at all, but I would say ... I did bring this up the last time we had an annexation and I didn't sense any interest in ... I don't know, maybe one or two people, I don't know the number, but the Council as a whole did not display any interest in discussing the topic further. So ... and then this is the first annexation we've had since (both talking) Markus: And ... and Councilor, the way this works and the policy that this Council has adopted is that yes you can bring those ideas up, but if they don't catch the interest of at least, what is it? Two other Members of Council, then it isn't going to go anywhere because it isn't going to be put on the work session. So what you need to do is convince those other Members of Council that this is something you wish to consider. It seems to me ... just representing the staff perspective on this, we're very willing to have this discussion, and I think ... I think we learned a lot by what we achieved with the inclusionary zoning in Riverfront Crossings. We built a collaborative model. We got developers interested. There was a quid pro quo. We came up with numbers (both talking) Throgmorton: (mumbled) Markus: You ... you acknowledge that as well. Throgmorton: Absolutely! Markus: And so I think the same type of approach, if that model worked there ... this, that model can work here. And, you know, I'm not hearing a whole lot of reluctance This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 14 from the other Councilors, but that's up to the other Councilors to kind of give us direction to proceed in that fashion. Dobyns: I would not want this discussion to diminish what's going to be a very nice development. I don't want to send that message to the developer. This is about future considerations in the... Hayek: I would say, um ... first of all, we ... what I'm hearing is an interest in extending, uh, the inclusionary zoning pilot project citywide. That pilot project is ... two weeks old? I mean it just went into effect and we haven't even seen ... we have no data, um, and when we went into it, there was a recognition that we wanted to see how it went, and there was a recognition that what's good in one area, or what works in one area might or might not work in other areas. That's a conversation for staff and Council to have, I think, at a future time. Um, you know, Jim, to your point... Throgmorton: Yeah. Hayek: ...I can think of examples of RS -5, uh... uh, rezonings, and I know we're on the annexation right now, but we're kinda mixing this all together, um, where you have ... you have supported, uh, single-family zoning, um, applications with lots larger that ... than this and without the sort of multi -family across the top that you see across the top of this. So ... consistency isn't a concern, but as ... as it relates to this particular annexation, you know, what we have is a long-range ... we have a Comprehensive Plan. That provides the criteria against which we gauge or ... or ... or, uh, assess, uh, these applications. Uh, the staff, uh... uh, memo calls out why it's consistent with those criteria. Um, the annexation was supported on a 6-0 basis, and .... and to the issue of...of, uh... uh, of. ... of affordability, you know, this is actually in close proximity, both in terms of what's to the west and to the south (mumbled) a lot of multi -family. There is a lot of multi -family on the far east end, uh, of the community, and as it relates to the issue of...of, uh, poverty rates within the schools, this ... this area, this geographic area feeds schools, uh, that are actually higher, um, and in ... in terms of...of poverty rates, and I think ... I think one of the ways the School District can organically resolve some of the imbalance it faces is through, uh ... development like this. That's my ... that's how I look at it, but what our job is is to decide whether the annexation of this particular plot of land is appropriate. I think it is. Further discussion? Roll call, please. Okay, so 4b passes 5-2, Throgmorton and Botchway in the negative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 15 ITEM 4c REZONING HERBERT HOOVER HIGHWAY — ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 18.66 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF HERBERT HOOVER HIGHWAY, FROM COUNTY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RMF) TO 16.75 ACRES LOW DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY (RS5) AND 1.91 ACRES MULTIFAMILY (RM -12) (REZ15-00014 / ANN15-00001) 1. PUBLIC HEARING Hayek: This is a public hearing. The hearing is open. (bangs gavel) Any ex parte communications? Okay. Anyone else? John ... staff made its presentation and I don't think it needs .... it feels it needs to get back up. Anyone from the audience? Okay. Uh, before I close the public hearing, are we inclined .... is ... is the majority inclined to go with the Planning and Zoning vote? Okay, well I see at least ... I'm seeing five nodding heads. Okay. I'm going to close the public hearing at this time. (bangs gavel) 2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Dickens: Move the first consideration. Dobyns: Second. Hayek: Moved by Dickens, seconded by Dobyns. Discussion? Throgmorton: Given the fact that it's .... the property has been annexed, I don't see any compelling reason to vote against the proposed rezoning. Hayek: Any further discussion? Roll call, please. First consideration passes 6-1, Botchway in the negative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 16 ITEM 4e REZONING COLE'S MOBILE HOME PARK — ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY REZONING TO APPROVE A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (OPD) PLAN FOR A MANUFACTURED HOUSING PARK TO ADD 38 -UNITS ON APPROXIMATELY 14.36 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED EAST OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND NORTH OF MCCOLLISTER BOULEVARD (REZ15-00017) (COLE'S MOBILE HOME PARK) (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Hayek: This is second consideration but there's a request for expedited action. Mims: I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the second consideration and vote be waived, and that the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time. Payne: Second. Hayek: Motion to collapse from Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Any ex parte from the last? Anyone from the audience? Council discussion? Dickens: I think it's a great project. Botchway: I think I ... I will say I was concerned initially, but I think our conversation at the last meeting kind of helped. I can't remember your comments, Susan, yeah about the (mumbled) I think the comments about making sure that it was built ... making sure that the, uh, the first, what is it? The first floor was built to... Mims: Yeah, they're elevated (both talking) Botchway: Yeah I think it ... that helped me have a better perspective on it, so... Payne: And we did have information in our packet on (several talking) what the levee protects and (several talking) two years! Two feet above the 500 -year. Did I read that, understand that ... (several talking) Three feet above the 100, which is two feet above the ... 500. (several talking) Hayek: Thanks for that memo, John. Throgmorton: Yeah, so it seems like the risk of, uh, flood damage, uh, is minimal. Uh, it is always possible that the levee would be overtopped or that it would, um, give way, depending on the severity of the flood. Uh, but otherwise, you know, it's, uh, it's good for, you know, one in 500 kind of event plus a foot or two or whatever, so ... I ... I think we need to go ahead with this. Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. I think that was a motion to collapse (several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 17 Mims: Move final adoption at this time. Payne: Second. Hayek: Moved by, uh, Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Throgmorton: She's collapsing! Hayek: Yeah (laughter) Roll call, please. Passes 7-0. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence. Botchway: So moved. Payne: Second. Hayek: Moved by Botchway, seconded by Payne. Discussion? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 18 ITEM 4g ROOFTOP SERVICE AREAS — ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14: ZONING TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR "ROOFTOP SERVICE AREAS" AND ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR SUCH USES. (PASS AND ADOPT) Dobyns: Move adoption. Payne: Second. Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by ... Payne. Discussion (laughs) Anyone from the audience? Council? Mims: Just glad to see this moving forward. Botchway: I think this is big. Pretty excited, I mean ... think we should just have a rooftop type of gathering (laughter and several talking) hop (mumbled) Throgmorton: Okay, you organize it! (laughter) Botchway: Tom! Hayek: Roll call! Passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 19 ITEM 4i ST. ANDREW CHURCH — RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF ST. ANDREW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — PART ONE, IOWA CITY, IOWA. (SUB15-00019) Dobyns: Move resolution. Botchway: Second. Hayek: Moved by Dobyns, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Staffl Yapp: Uh, this is the property for which the, uh, sensitive areas development plan, uh, was just passed on the north side of Camp Cardinal, uh, Boulevard. Uh, this is a graphic ... it's a little bit fuzzy on the overhead, uh, but as ... as, uh, dictated in the Conditional Zoning Agreement, Camp Cardinal Road will be reconstructed about 430 feet to the north of Camp Cardinal Boulevard at which point a new street, uh, Elder Drive, will extend into the property and abut to the north property line. Uh, the St. Andrew Church will be constructed near the, uh, center of the property. Uh, and there's another, uh, lot on the south side of Elder Drive and an outlot on the north side of Elder Drive, uh, as a part of this plat. The specific uses for those, uh, two lots are as yet undetermined. Be glad to take any questions. Hayek: Questions for John? Thank you. Yapp: Thank you. Hayek: Anyone from the audience? Santee: Good evening, my name is Jason Santee with Hall & Hall Engineers and I'm here to answer any other questions. Hayek: May not be any for ya! (laughter) Throgmorton: Well done! Hayek: Thanks for coming up! Council discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 20 ITEM 4j RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS DISTRICT BONUS HEIGHT — RESOLUTION APPROVING A HEIGHT BONUS FOR "THE RISE," A PROPOSED BUILDING AT 435 S. LINN STREET IN THE RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS — SOUTH DOWNTOWN (RFC -SD) ZONE (LEVEL II DESIGN REVIEW). Mims: Move the resolution. Payne: Second. Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Karen! Howard Um, this is not a P&Z item, but it is, uh, a development item. Uh, this is through the height bonus provisions in the Riverfront Crossings (clears throat) Excuse me! I should have drank some water before I came up here tonight. Um, to approve a bi... height bonus for, um ... uh, The Rise project. Uh, as a reminder up to two stories of bonus height may be approved by the Design... staff Design Review Committee. A bonus height above this level has to be approved by the City Council. Urn ... The Rise is requesting seven stories of bonus height for a proposed 15 -story mixed-use building located at the southwest corner of east Court and south Linn Streets in the South Downtown subdistrict of Riverfront Crossings. Um, and they're requesting it under the provision, uh, for high-quality hotel space, uh, the provision in the Riverfront Crossings' code is for each floor of high-quality hotel space, one additional bonus floor may be requested. The bonus floors, um, may be used for additional hotel space or for some other use allowed in that zone. Uh, the additional seven stories in this particular case will be used as hotel space and for residential apartments. Uh, the staff findings with regard to meeting the approval criteria for bonus height, in this particular case the project must demonstrate excellence in building and height design, um, through the use of high-quality building materials, architectural detailing, building amenities, landscaping, and streetscaping elements. Um, staff found that this project meets those criteria by using, um, steel and concrete high-rise construction, um, it's going to be clad in, uh, contrasting colors of porcelain tile, heavy -gauge, um, metal panels, and has extensive window coverage. Um, they are meeting all the landscaping and streetscaping, uh, requirements of the Riverfront Crossings District, um, and providing, uh, interior courtyard space and amenity space, um, for the ... for the hotel. (clears throat) Excuse me! (clears throat) Um ... it also meets all the Riverfront Crossings' building design standards and the hotel does have extensive amenities. It will include a kitchen and dining facility, outdoor seating, lounge areas, upper floor conference space, and a fitness area. There will also be additional retail/restaurant space, uh, provided in the building at the corner of Court and Linn. (clears throat) Now to the ... to the pretty pictures of the building. Um, this is an elevation on the east ... of the east facade of a fairly large building. It has three stories of underground parking. It has two towers above that parking, which makes it just one building, um, maybe a little confusing, as two towers on the one pedestal of parking. On the north side of the building This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 21 facing Court Street, that's where the hotel will be located. That is a, um, 13 - stories above, um ... uh, the ground level floor and the south side of that particular tower will face an interior courtyard. The north and south facades of the south tower, which is going to be primarily residential, um, this is ... these are the facades. So this particular, um, building... this faces the courtyard toward the hotel and this facade on the south side faces that passageway that ... that goes up to and meets Harrison Street. This is, um, a better view, a perspective view of the building from the air, showing the hotel building... facing Court Street. Uh, the retail space on the corner. The interior courtyard between the two towers, and this is the residential building on the south side of the property. Uh, this is another perspective drawing which I believe you've seen before (clears throat) It's essentially the same as, uh, it was originally proposed to the Council (mumbled) substantially changed, uh, since you've seen it last. Staff recommends, uh, based on these findings that you approve seven stories of bonus height for The Rise 15 - story, mixed-use building located at 435 S. Linn Street. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Payne: Can you go back to the aerial kind of view? I'm going to sneeze too! (laughs) Yes! Thank you. Urn ... I think that, I mean I like what it looks like but that courtyard ... my initial thought when I looked in it is I ... I wish there was less concrete and more grass. Howard: Um, one thing you do have to kind of remember is it's on top of the parking garage. Um, so, uh... um ... recognizing that they can build planters into ... on top of the parking garage but... Payne: But not real grass ... not grass like it's on the earth? Howard: Right. Payne: Okay. Well that kind of gives a perspective on, I mean, my just thought was ... was I wish there was more grass... cause it's a courtyard, but ... okay! Throgmorton: Karen, do I see directly that there's a change in materials on the Linn Street side, uh, for the ... between the first five stories and the top 10 stories? That's what it looks like on that particular image. Howard: Right. So the bottom ... the bottom base of the building is basically two different colors of porcelain tile. Urn ... there's cladding on...on... on the concrete, uh, base. Above that is all, um ... metal, uh, panels of two different colors, on the upper stories, and I believe ... I'm not an expert on high-rise construction, um, but I believe the type of, uh, the on the ground level floor can only go up a certain number of stories and above that it has to have a different type of material. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 22 Throgmorton: And, uh, and my ... in that previous drawing it ... or rendering or bird's eye view, uh, it...it appeared as though the setback occurred at the ... at the fifth floor. Would that be correct? Howard: Right. You can see here, this is the fifth story here. This is actually I believe the hotel side. This is the Court Street side. You can see it more on this particular building. Um, this is the fifth level floor. They carried it through to the other building, as well. Throgmorton: Yeah, I ask those two questions because, uh, you know, when I first looked at this black and white image, uh, you know, uh, frankly my first reaction was, oh my god ... but the...the bird's eye view, that one, presents a very different perspective because it displays that difference in, uh, materials and also the setback, which the setbacks which are really crucial for any large structure like that, and likewise the courtyard, which breaks up the mass of what would otherwise be there, so ... and two courtyards, I guess actually, or what .... what is it, the other one is shaped like a U or is that just the top portion that's shaped kinda like a U? Howard: Well, unfortunately I don't have a bird's eye view from, um ... from the other side, but on the west side of the residential tower, on the second level, there will be an amenity courtyard for the residents of the building. Throgmorton: Yeah, that's what I was remembering (both talking) Howard: ...so that will be fairly extensive of...as well, so there'll be this exterior courtyard which will be more shared between the two spaces, and this is the accessible route then through... through the hotel building, um, into the courtyard. So it could be used for all these different buildings. The amenity space on the residential tower's intended for the tenants of that particular building. Throgmorton: Yeah, so all those features, I think, really enhance the quality of design, which is a very good thing and it's the purpose of the form based code and this particular aspect of the form based code. Howard: I ... I would also note that this building does, I mean, they did contribute toward affordable housing — a million dollars toward affordable housing — and are reserving 10% of the units, um ... for affordable housing in the building itself, and also have, uh, several floors of speculative office space, as well. We only analyzed the things that they needed to ... to gain the bonus height, but I do want to acknowledge those. Hayek: Is it correct that the developer agreement we signed with them, not too long ago, contemplated an application for a height bonus? Howard: That's correct. So we knew this was coming. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 23 Howard: Right. Hayek: Thank you! Anyone from the audience? So we have a couple of people. Landry: Doyle Landry again. This time you have precedence and I'm combining of the next two items so I don't have to get up twice. There was nothing on the record that was made present prior to this meeting with regard to subcontractors from businesses that are owned by people of color or women with regard to ... this was brought up previously with regard to the Hyatt project, and so we're all for economic development and ... people making money, but ... where's the list of subcontractors in terms of businesses owned by people of color or women for both this, um, item agenda and the next one? And we've already discussed this in a previous meeting, so there's precedence. I trust this will be (both talking) Hayek: ...appreciate your ... (both talking) Landry: This'll be another example of...how the year started with regard to talking about race and inclusion, and here we are in September going back to things as normal. If we're going to be fair ... it's about... walking our talk and these are two major developments where ... there are definitely businesses owned — can't speak for women — but there are definitely businesses owned by people of color here in the state who should be included in these projects. It's about time for accountability, wouldn't you think? Hayek: Thank you for the comments. Holthaus: Hello, my name's Eric Holthaus. Urn ... I haven't addressed Council before (mumbled) give my address as well, 930 E. Bloomington Street. (mumbled) Um, I just wanted to make a comment. I realize that this is maybe just a small portion of what this project entails. Uh, but just a comment about growing grass in that courtyard area. Uh, I work alongside a lot of folks in planning, design, and construction at the University. Um, I know that the new Children's Hospital, if you're aware of the Children's Hospital, has four yards, uh, four stories of parking underground. Um, they've got a large park that is all grass and other plantings that's on top of it. If you look at the roof right there, um, you'll notice grass. That has a lot of stories of building underneath it and what's required to, urn ... build on top of parking underneath is very different than what's required to build on top of a roof. You can do more on top of parking compared to a roof. So I just want to point that out. Hayek: Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else from the audience? Council discussion? Mims: I'm excited to see this moving forward. We started, gosh, I don't know how many years ago when we put out the first request for proposal and did not get, urn ... either any responses (laughs) or not any that we were ... thought were This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 24 particularly, um, acceptable and with this round we got, um, a number of applicants who responded to that RFP, uh, which I think made for a good process in terms of the City looking at those, uh, candidates and narrowing it down to two developers, um, who we asked to, as Tom Markus would say, sharpen their pencils to come back and give us the best possible, um, project and numbers, etc., for the City and ... as people might recall, this is a parcel that the City owned. We came into possession of this after the tornado, um ... so we've actually been able to I think make some profit off from this in terms of returning funds to our Transit fund, which was actually used to purchase it. Um, as Karen mentioned, the affordable housing, uh, so just a lot of things that are here. It's going to bring a lot of people, a lot of good amenities, um, I'm excited about the office space that's going to be in there as well. We keep talking about the sort... shortage of class -A office space in the community, um, so we've got a great project and look forward to it moving forward. Throgmorton: If...if I remember rightly, this is our second level two design review, uh, in the Riverfront Crossings. Uh, and ... it's interesting to go through this, uh, another iteration of that review. The main thing I think is that this is clearly a major project in an important site and a real key test of how well our form based code will be working, and we've already voted on the developer agreement and I'm fully on board with that. I think it's a ... it's a really good agreement. Uh, but you know we'll ... it's a ... in the end, it's a ... it's a test (laughs) It's an experiment and we'll see how it goes. Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 25 ITEM 4k RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS DISTRICT BONUS HEIGHT — RESOLUTION APPROVING A HEIGHT BONUS FOR THE HILTON GARDEN INN LOCATED IN THE RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS — SOUTH DOWNTOWN (RFC -SD) ZONE AT 328 S. CLINTON STREET (LEVEL II DESIGN REVIEW). Mims: Move the resolution. Botchway: Second. Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Karen! Howard: Um, this is almost the same review. A very different building in a different location, but also in the South Downtown, uh, subdistrict of Riverfront Crossings. This is also a bonus height request, um, for Hilton Garden Inn. Uh, the request this time is for four stories of bonus height for a proposed 12 -story hotel located at 328 S. Clinton Street. Uh, the hotel will be located directly adjacent to the future University of Iowa Museum of Art, at the corner of Burlington and Clinton Street, and across the street from the new University of Iowa School of Music. So it's an important site. Um, for each floor of high-quality hotel space, um, one additional bonus floor may be requested. In this case, they are requesting an additional four stories. These four stories will be used for additional hotel space. Once again staff, uh, reviewed the building design, uh, for ... to demonstrate excellence in building design and site design, the same criteria that we reviewed, um, the previous project. Um, find that the building materials proposed for the hotel — steel and high-rise concrete construction. The base is clad in a travertine style manufactured stone. The middle floors will consis... consist of a smooth - faced, uh, nichiha, which is a high quality cement board, um, panel and the upper floors will be clad in heavy -gauge metal panels in two different contrasting colors. Uh, the various panels and materials will be applied in a contrasting horizontal and vertical pattern, uh, not only with the contrasting colors, which will create a greater visual interest and articulation of the building. There's also quite generous window coverage on the hotel on all four sides of the building. With regard to landscape and streetscape, um, we find that the high-quality storefront design, um, is ... will be implemented along Clinton Street with a wide sidewalk, the drop-off for the hotel, street trees, and with the vehicular drive designed as a courtyard between the hotel and the UI Museum of Art. Um, it meets the Riverfront Crossings' code building design standards, um, to create visually cohesive and interesting facade. The amenities in the hotel will be similar to the other hotel, and include a kitchen and dining facility and out ... outdoor rooftop and sidewalk cafe seating, lounge areas, upper floor meeting and conference space, and a swimming pool and fitness area, which are in the basement of the hotel. Um, I should, uh, distinguish this from the other hotel. It will have quite, uh, an interesting outdoor rooftop amenity on the partic... on this particular hotel. We haven't seen the specific designs for that, um, but that will be an exciting part of this hotel. This gives you a sense of the site plan concepts. This hasn't been fully, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 26 um, developed yet so it's a ... still in the concept stage, but basically gives you an idea where the ... where the hotel will be located. This is Clinton Street, um, this is the ... the alley way, um, between where the future University of Iowa Museum of Art and the hotel. This will be additional drop-off space for the hotel, and will be designed with pavers that will be ... coincide with, uh, an idea of a plaza space, uh, between the museum and the hotel. So it won't look like a typical alley way. Um ... here's some perspective drawings from ... from the appli... applicant. Uh, this is a view from the northwest. Obviously you're not seeing ... the Museum of Art will be in this location here but they wanted to give you a view of the hotel in its entirety. Uh, this is a view from the southwest, viewing it toward the front of the hotel along Clinton Street. And a view from the southeast. This is the City's parking facility of course and a ... and a lower -scale, multi -family building. And ... uh, this is probably only a view that you would get if you're standing on top of the parking garage, but it's a view from ... looking, uh, on the east facade of the hotel. So based on the findings, staff Design Review Committee recommends approval of a four-story bonus height for the Hilton Garden Inn, a 12 -story hotel located at 328 S. Clinton Street. I would be happy to answer any questions. Payne: Will ... will there be like a walking, like a ... what do I want to say? Walkway. Hayek: A connection. Payne: A connection, thank you! Between (laughs) the parking garage and the hotel. don't remember reading that. Howard: Yeah, there's... there is a planned connection between, um ... about in this location. I believe (both talking) Payne: I thought we talked about it...be...at a prior meeting, but I don't remember seeing it in ... when I read this. Howard: Right, it's not ... (both talking) Payne: ...done away with? Howard: ...not been fully designed yet but there'll be a connection between the parking garage and the ... and the hotel, so people can park in the garage and then go over to the hotel. Payne: Thanks! Botchway: And this is another ... what about the conference area space? I wanted to ask about the last one but forgot, but ... um ... never mind. Never mind. I'm thinking about something else. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 27 Howard: The applicant is here so they can answer (both talking) I believe there's some, uh, part of the team is here tonight so (mumbled) any questions. Hayek:, Thanks, Karen! Anyone from the audience? Kinseth: Ben Kinseth with Kinseth Hospitality. I can take any questions (mumbled) Botchway: I had a question about the conference space, you know, how big is that conference space, you know, what ... I mean I know obviously you might not be planning on any type of events, but I just wanted to know how big that space is. Kinseth: About 3,000 square feet. Botchway: So what would that hold? Kinseth: Um, almost 300, about 15 -square feet per person usually is the count we look at, so a little less than 300. And the rooftop, uh, destination will also have some, uh, facets where we can break it out and that would be meeting space, well, kind of meeting space, lounge space, uh, for additional meetings maybe during the day. Hayek: Thank you, sir. Kinseth: Yep! Hayek: Anyone else from the audience? Council discussion? Botchway: I'm excited about this. Um, I didn't necessarily talk about it in the last, uh... discussion, but you know just the need for hotels in the Iowa City area. I think it's huge. Um ... but also just the need for, you know, conference space as well for a lot of the different events. In my prior job that was one of the things that was talked about, not ... and there ... you have the Sheraton and you have some other places, but you know just having more I think, you know, as to the diversity of choices that you have, and so ... I'm ... thoroughly excited about this. Like through the roof, so ... keep it comin'! Not like a whole bunch of hotels, but I just mean (laughter) keep it coming (laughter and several talking) Hayek: Further discussion? Mims: Another good project for south of Burlington. (several talking) Throgmorton: Matt, we, uh, when did we approve the TIF for this? The Council as a whole. It's like, I don't know, three months ago or something like that. I don't know. It was approved (both talking) Dilkes: Little longer (both talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 28 Throgmorton: All right, so, um, as I said back then, I think this is a perfect location for a ... a very good hotel and for a tall building. Uh, it's a prime location, obviously. I think maybe that corner's the most important corner in Iowa City. My only objection was to the TIF. So I voted against the TIF, but I do not object to the density bonus for this particular project, so I'm going to vote for it. Hayek: Roll call, please. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 29 ITEM 5. WILLOW CREEK / KIWANIS PARK RENOVATION PROJECT — APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE WILLOW CREEK / KIWANIS PARK RENOVATION PROJECT. DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO BIDDERS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS. b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION Payne: Move the resolution. Botchway: Second. Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Botchway. Discussion? Dobyns: Um, I had a question about this. Um ... it's a problem that I had, um ... Mike, you want to talk to this? Now the question I had, Mike, is it as awesome as I think it is to devote your entire career to helping people play? (laughter) Moran: Yes! (laughter) Dobyns: Thank you, Michael. Thanks for your service to the city! (laughter) Moran: Thank you. Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7-0. Hey, Moran, will you come up here for a second please? (laughter) So you know we can't you slink into history here. Moran: I was just gettin' ready to leave! Hayek: (laughter) So the audience and the viewing audience, uh... uh, may or may not know that Mike Moran, our Parks and Recreation Director, is retiring this month, uh, after 32 years of service with the City of Iowa City and we can't let you, uh, slip away without reading a ... a proclamation that just happened to fall out of the ceiling into my hands, um, and ... and it regards Mike Moran Day. I'm going to read it. It's a City of Iowa City proclamation. Reads as follows: (reads proclamation) (applause) Moran: Thank you very much! Thanks! It's been a lot of fun. (laughter) And we did have two Super Bowl victories, so you forgot to mention those! (laughter) Hayek: Well I must be my reading's off. Didn't get mentioned in here! (laughter) Moran: Thank you! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 30 Hayek: Yeah. Mike, here ... I want to hand this to ya! Botchway: Gonna do a speech? (laughter and several talking) Do like a 'Mike' chant as you walk away! (laughter and several talking) Slow Mike chant .... like Mike, Mike (several talking) Moran: Can I leave now? (laughter) Dobyns: I have no more questions! (laughs) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 31 ITEM 6. ITEM 7. ITEM 8. KUM & GO TOBACCO PENALTY - ASSESSING $300.00 CIVIL PENALTY AGAINST KUM & GO NO. 53 , PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.22(2) (2015) HARTIG DRUG TOBACCO PENALTY - ASSESSING $300.00 CIVIL PENALTY AGAINST HARTIG DRUG, PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.22(2) (2015) HARTIG DRUG TOBACCO PENALTY - ASSESSING $1500.00 CIVIL PENALTY OR A THIRTY DAY RETAIL CIGARETTE PERMIT SUSPENSION AGAINST HARTIG DRUG, PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.22(2) (2015) ITEM 9. WALGREEN TOBACCO PENALTY - ASSESSING $300.00 CIVIL PENALTY AGAINST WALGREEN, PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.22(2) (2015) Hayek: Okay, so Items 6, 7, 8, and 9 are, uh, civil penalties against several establishments relating to the sale, uh, of cigarettes and we have ... um, resolutions for all of those, uh, in hand and so as a matter of efficiency we're ... what I'm going to do is just put on the table a motion, uh, or propose a motion, uh, that, um ... the resolutions for Items 6, 7, 8, and 9 be adopted by the Council. Mims: So moved. Payne: Second. Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? (mumbled) the audience? (several talking) Council? Botchway: I like this efficiency. Hayek: Roll call, please. Passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 32 ITEM 10. THE DEN TOBACCO PENALTY - ASSESSING $1500.00 CIVIL PENALTY AND THIRTY DAY RETAIL CIGARETTE PERMIT SUSPENSION AGAINST THE DEN, PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.22(2) (2015) ITEM 11. THE DEN TOBACCO PENALTY - ASSESSING (ANOTHER) $1500.00 CIVIL PENALTY AND THIRTY DAY RETAIL CIGARETTE PERMIT SUSPENSION AGAINST THE DEN, PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.22(2) (2015) a. CONDUCT HEARING Hayek: So that brings us to Item 10, um, which regards The Den. Uh, it's assessing a $1,500 civil penalty and a 30 -day retail cigarette permit suspension against The Den, pursuant to Iowa Code Section 453A.22(2). Um, this is a hearing which we will commence at this time and per usual we hear from the County Attorney, Andrew Chappell. Chappell: Thank you, uh, with that extreme efficiency that leaves us with two hearings on civil penalties for sale or providing tobacco to minors, both related to The Den, both as strange as it may seem, third violations. Uh, they're based on looking back, that specific time period — these are both a third violation within a three- year time period. Um, and ... if...if it's all right, I can take them together. The first occurred on September 15, 2014, um ... as you fail and ... and your employee ... as you fail of checking your employee sales or provides tobacco to a minor, you get a recheck. Unfortunately for The Den, um, they also failed the recheck several months later, which was in, uh... on April 22, 2015. Based on the prior, when their prior violations occurred, those are both third... violations within three years. Both of those then dictate a civil penalty of $1,500 and a 30 -day suspension. As we've discussed before, um ... while the code dictates what the actual civil penalty is, the Council does have flexibility if it wants to utilize it as to timing, how long will those folks get to pay once those penalties... when those suspensions may be served. My understanding is that, um, and ... and I'll back up because I ... I did have a ... we haven't had, uh, too many thirds before you, especially not two in a row. I did have some contact with The Den to let them know if they get another one before January 21" of, uh, 2016, instead of being a fourth that'll be a fifth and that's... that's a revocation. I believe that they have taken some steps to make sure that doesn't happen, and I suspect you may hear about that tonight. Um, I also believe that you may hear, uh, that they're requesting some accommodation perhaps as to the timing of, uh... perhaps payment of the penalties and maybe service of the suspensions. As I indicated, that's entirely up to your discretion. The code doesn't indicate one way or another, uh, when those need to be taken care of. It does, however, indicate that the civil penalty should be assessed, uh, again, that's $1,500 and 30 -days for each of the violations. And with that I'd try to answer any questions you may have. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 33 Payne: So the total is $3,000 and 60 -days? Chappell: Yes! Payne: Okay. Botchway: And it can be split? I'm not necessarily as concerned about the ... penalty. I'm not saying I'm not concerned, but ... for this question. I'm more focused on the days. mean the days can be split or they have to be ... I mean (both talking) Chappell: ...two separate 30 -day... penalties. So to the extent the Council wants to let them serve 30 days now ... have 30 days with a permit, serve 30 days later or ... something of that ilk. I don't know of anything in the code that would prohibit that. Hayek: Maybe we should hear from The Den, um, before we ... entertain further discussion on this. Thank you. Davis: Um, my name is Jefferson Davis. I'm the General Manager at The Den. Um ... I just wanted to say since, um, we have received information on these penalties, um, we have ... we have definitely taken steps to I guess remedy is ... remedy this. It was recommended that we take the I Pledge course, um, for all of our employees and I do have, uh, certificates of com... completion from those employees. Um, and uh... and we've also made it policy that any new employees must complete it before they can start any shifts, um, and things like that. We also have, um, paperwork that we have all of our employees sign, uh, as far as new hire paperwork when they sign their things like W4s and tax forms, um, stating that they are, um, responsible for carding people for, uh, tobacco sales. So I guess, um, if you have any questions for me I can answer them. Botchway: I guess my question, and I ... my question is ... can we ask questions about the nature of the actual penalty? Dilkes: The code gives you very little discretion. The question is whether there was a conviction and if there was, then the penalty is assessed. The circumstances are not (mumbled) Throgmorton: But we do have discretion about (several talking) the particular things, right? Dilkes: If...if you think that is somehow relevant to whether you allow them to serve the suspension at a particular time then you (mumbled) Botchway: Okay, okay, that's what ... okay (both talking) Hayek: Mr. Chappell alluded to what might be a request to the Council regarding the timing of...the suspension and the ... and the fines. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 34 Davis: Yeah, anything (both talking) Hayek: ...speak to that? Davis: Yeah, any flex ... I guess any flexibility you guys would have as far as serving the suspension, um, would be gladly accepted. Just (mumbled) two 30 -day periods are (mumbled) or 60 days of...uh, us having no tobacco sales could be pretty detrimental to the business. Urn ... you know, it's not probably the largest department, but it is a large part of our business, so... Botchway: My only ... I guess my, oh, go ahead, Matt! Hayek: Well I was just going to say, you mean do you have a sense of what that flexibility should entail? Davis: I mean (both talking) Hayek: ...in terms of timing, etc.? Davis: I mean ... I guess what I could say is, um, right now in our ... the fall season is our busiest season. I honestly like, um, the winter ... the winter season, we kind of rely on a good fall in order to make it through the winter cause it slows down quite a bit, and so if we were able to either have those suspensions served sometime later in the year or beginning of the coming year, um, that way we can still have our ... our license in our kind of busiest part of the year, um, that would be great, or if we can split it up and like he had mentioned, um, 30 days and 30 days with the license and another 30 days or something like that. Botchway: So my only question though, I guess kinda going back to ... the con ... the consideration of whether or not we should provide flexibility is ... you know, and make sure I'm saying this right, Andy, you know, there was a third violation... were the steps that you are taking now ... after the third or after the fourth? Davis: Um, well I mean I guess technically it would be...it would be after the fourth. We had, um, we had ... at the time we had recommended that the employees take the I Pledge course, but after ... after all this we have, uh, required it. So I mean I guess it was ... it was stated that it should be taken, but we didn't require it for them. Um, but as far as like the paperwork that they sign, um, stating that they're responsible for, um, checking I.D.s and things like that, that's always been a part of our new hire paperwork every si... for years so ... um, there, I mean, we have taken steps, but I guess since this final violation, or this latest violation, um, definitely have taken serious req ... like required steps to making sure it doesn't happen for a fifth time. Throgmorton: But December and February. (several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 35 Dickens: December 15`h through February 15`" (mumbled) $500 a month for six months. Throgmorton: Yeah (mumbled) as a proposal. Davis: (mumbled) Dobyns: I think The Den has shown through its business practices that it deserves the full force of the penalty and its timing as stated. Throgmorton: Well they're going to get the full force of the penalty, right? It's just the (both talking) Dobyns: ...but the timing is stated. Payne: What state.... state, what do you mean? It is stated. Dobyns: Well in terms of the, uh, what's recommended in terms of the timing of the payment. Hayek: I don't think ... but I don't think it ... timing is recommended. Dilkes: This is the standard timing that we use, but you do have discretion for that. There's ... the code does not require... Hayek: No, but the timing of payment, is that ... is this to be read as 30 days? Karr: That is ... that is (both talking) the recommendation in the current one, yes. Dilkes: Right. Botchway: Oh, okay! Hayek: Yeah, I don't see that in there so that's... all right. At least in the comments. Karr: And then 30 days from the resolution, adoption, to deliver to the Clerk is the body right now. Dilkes: That those are ... that's just ... that would be the default if you didn't do anything. If you didn't change that. You have discretion to change either the payment date or the service of the suspension (both talking) Throgmorton: So is what Terry stated... acceptable from a legal point of view? Dilkes: Yes! And it was ... can I, December 15'h through January 10, right? Is that what ... (several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 36 Dickens: He could do it for two months in a row during the slowest times of the year. Payne: You said December (both talking) Dickens: ...February. Payne: ...February 15th. Karr: Whatever the (both talking) Dilkes: Oh, you want to do it ... 60 days all at once, from January 15th to February (both talking) Dickens: Spread out the payments, $500 a month for six months. Botchway: I ... I'm not necessarily as concerned with the payments possibly, but I do feel like we could, um, achieve some type of balance between ... I think that it would start effective, the one 30 -day suspension would start effective from the resolution, and then maybe we'd consider the 30 -day for December or February. I just ... and ... and I understand your, um, you know, your, uh... uh, man! Train of thought! Your, uh, reasoning for, you know, why the requirement change may be after the fourth violation, um ... I ... I just feel like we're ... I mean, and I hate punitive things at times but I just feel like we're allowing for ... I don't know, I just feel like we're kind of lessening the ... the nature of the charge. I mean it's ... it's (mumbled) there for a reason. Payne: I ... my thought is that... it's... it's almost, and it is because they have multiple violations, but it's like a double penalty, you know? Because if you ... if they have to serve their 60 -days and pay the fine at the same time, it's kinda like a double penalty. To me. Throgmorton: Plus reduced sales. Payne: Yes! You have reduced sales, plus you're paying this large fine. So ... I ... what if we ... if we did the thing with ... like Terry suggested with the days, but had them pay the fine before December 15th. So the fine has to be paid before December 15th. Botchway: I have no problem with the fine. I just disagree with the, I mean, I disagree with the fact that it is ... you could see it as a double payment.... yeah, double penalty, and I agree with that, but I think that's built in for the fact (both talking) deterrent. Payne: I ... I totally dis... agree with that, that it is intended to be that way. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 37 Botchway: So I mean I ... like I said, I'm ... I think it should start ... from the resolution, as it would normally, but then I ... again, I would be okay with the kind of condition ... as far ... as this is my first one (mumbled) so I guess I'm feeling (several talking) Dilkes: It sounds like what you're proposing it that the ... the initial 30 -day period on the first one would be as written in the resolution (both talking) Botchway: Correct. Dilkes: ...i.e., they have to sus ... they have to deliver it within 30 days of the resolution, their permit, and then you're proposing that the second one be... Botchway: Be whatever (both talking) Dilkes: ...December. Botchway: Or February. Karr: But I think Michelle perhaps maybe is suggesting a full payment of the fine up front, and (both talking) Botchway: Oh (both talking) Karr: ...delayed.. . Payne: Yes! Karr: ...um, suspension to be the December to February. Payne: Yes. That's exactly what I was suggesting. Dilkes: And you can do any combination (laughter and several talking) So just, you know, you just have to decide. Throgmorton: I support what Terry's suggested. Hayek: I think I'm with... with... with Kingsley on this. I, you know ... I mean I ... I think the ... the corrective action really didn't kick into high gear until after the fourth violation, um, and ... and um ... I think I'd be open with a front end, um, suspension with the second ... and I could accommodate on the second piece to a point maybe more in the winter time, and ... what I would suggest is we just give them a number of days by which to pay the fine and let them determine what kind of schedule to follow (both talking) Botchway: ...yeah... . This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 38 Hayek: ...as long as they do so by the drop -dead date. And then ... it's splitting the middle in some respects between the original and ... and the ... and the other perspective on this. Dickens: And if they have another one, they lose it completely. So... Payne: The upside is is they won't be able to sell within 60 of those days up to January 21" so... Hayek: If then. Payne: You won't have a violation cause you won't be (laughs) I ... I'm okay with Matt's suggestion. Dilkes: Okay, so you want the fine paid by what date? Botchway: That can be by ... by the last or the last day of the suspension. So if it's December... second suspension, correct! So if that's December 15 ... or whatever... Payne: We didn't say what that was going to be though. Hayek: Just give 'em to a date certain, you know. In the calendar year or... Dilkes: Okay. And then you want the first 30 days now and ... the second 30 days in December. (several talking) Okay. We'll change the resolution. Davis: Thank you. Hayek: Yep, thank you! Anything further, Mr. Chappell? Chappell: Not for me. b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION Hayek: Okay. Thank you. Um ... and so ... why don't we take up ... we need a, uh, a resolution I guess, uh, for... Karr: A motion as amended. Hayek: Yeah. Payne: So moved! Karr: You going to do for 10 and 11 both at the same time? Hayek: Combine, yeah. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 39 Mims: Second. Hayek: Moved by Payne, seconded by Mims to amend the resolutions to, um ... (laughs) to ... to, yeah, what you said (several talking) Eleanor. No, to do ... to do a 30 -day suspension up front and a second day 30 ... second 30 -day suspension... when was it? Dilkes: December to January. Hayek: December to January, um, with payment of the full $3,000 covering both items 10 and 11 by... Dilkes: The end of the second suspension. Hayek: By the end of the second suspension. That's what's on the floor. Further discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 6-1, uh, Dobyns in the negative. And that goes for both Items 10 and 11. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 40 ITEM 12. TASTING EVENTS - ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 4, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, CHAPTER 5, PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, SECTION 7 LIMITATIONS ON SALES, SUBSECTION B, TO CLARIFY INAPPLICABILITY TO TASTING EVENTS. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Mims: (both talking) Move first consideration. Payne: Second! (laughs) Hayek: Moved by ... Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Audience? Council? Botchway: I think it's a big deal. I mean... Hayek: Yeah. (several talking) Botchway: No I think it is a big deal. I think it's good we're (several talking) Sorry, yeah, I think it's a good thing we're doing this (several talking and laughing) Yeah! Hayek: Roll call, please. Passes 7-0. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 41 ITEM 16. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Hayek: We'll start down with the good Doctor! Dobyns: Nothing. Payne: Uh, I just wanted to remind people that this Friday night is the ... last Friday Night Concert Series of the year, held in combination with the Linn Street Block Party. Um, and ... for people that want to know what's going on in Iowa City, you can go to the Iowa City web site at icgov.org and there is a calendar button and you can put in dates and see what's going on within those dates. Dickens: They're also going to have something on the ped mall and (mumbled) the cheerleaders and the bands are supposedly playing, uh, the same night, as well, so... Mims: Nothing. Throgmorton: I wanted to report that on, uh, on September the 8`" I had the opportunity to tour, uh, the additions and renovations that have been conducted, made, at Twain Elementary. I did that with Principal Mary Bontrager, uh, and they've done superb work out there. It really has enhanced, uh... the school itself. Enhanced the possibilities for very high-quality education, and I think improved the neighborhood as a result. So, bravo to Mary, bravo to, uh, the School Board, bravo to the Superintendent, and Mary, if you're watching, I apologize. I know you mentioned a ... a resident who's been a spearhead of that, uh, effort. So, um, I can't remember his name, but anyhow, bravo to him too! Botchway: Um ... Saturday I think from 9:00 to 12:00 is the Farmers Market kid's day so be there. I'll be there, hangin' out, so you can talk to me (both talking) Yeah! I am, yeah, and I'll bring my son, but yeah! (laughter) I will be there trying to put that small t -shirt on as well. Um ... and .... I think that was it. I thought there was something else. There's just a ... oh, I mean, there's a lot of information, um, I was just thinking of you, Susan, um, Susan's helpful sometimes because you quickly kind of...help correct some of my Facebook posts that aren't necessarily correct as I tweet 'em or Facebook 'em out, which has been good. Um, but it goes back to the point of, you know, again, we always talk about access to information. I've talked about this many times and so I'm probably going to tweet about it tonight if I remember, but making sure that you sign up for that, uh... um (both talking) the email correspondence. I mean I literally get a lot of information all the time, and so when I made that comment during the work session about it literally being so much information, there's so much stuff to do, it is the case. I mean I've never had a weekend or a day where there wasn't something, just because of the email correspondence. I'm literally trying to make sure ... I'm trying to say no to events because it's just been busy, but ... um, the information's out there, so hopefully if you have smart phones and you spend a lot of time on your phone texting and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 42 other things, you know, you would want to get that email correspondence as well, and I'll try to continue to tweet out as much as I can. Mims: I would just piggyback on that. I think today ... in midst of taking a break from work, I think I found like four emails I had gotten, had been put out by the communications staff for the City on various things going on and posted all of those to, uh, Facebook and stuff so people can find those, but, yeah, if they just sign up for them, they can get 'em directly. Hayek: Thanks! Uh, three, uh, congratulations I want to throw out. First to Oaknoll, which held a ribbon cutting for its new facility off of George Street, uh, last ... late last week. It is a phenomenal project. It's just beautiful. It's a nice shot in the arm for that neighborhood, and turned out really, really well. Uh, second congrats to the, um, newly elected members of the School Board. Uh, unlike (coughing, difficult to hear speaker) elected members of City Council who have a little bit of time before they assume office, the School Board members go right down there, uh, to ... to ... to get into it. (laughs) (mumbled) ....my mom's not watching, uh, in which is like the only meeting in eight years she hasn't watched, uh... uh, she was on the School Bo ... School Board back in the day and the one and only speed ti ... speeding ticket she ever got in her life was on the morning after she was elected to the School Board and she was racing down (laughs) to Central Administration to get signed in and got pulled over for moving too fast (laughter) She'll love it that I brought that up! (laughs) But, uh, we look forward to working with the School Board members, uh, and ... and wish them well as they learn, uh, the positions. And finally I want to congratulate the University's new President, Bruce Harreld, who assumes the post sometime later this fall, I think around, uh... uh, or arrives in town on a full-time basis, sometime in another month, month and a half, um ... uh, Tom Markus and I had a good interaction with him the other day and as we have enjoyed strong relations with, um, with University's ... with the University Administration in years past on a host of issues, whether economic development or safety or housing or neighborhoods or land use planning, uh, we anticipate having the same kind of strong relationship with the new administration. We congratulate President Harreld and look forward to working with him. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015. Page 43 ITEM 17. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF. a) City Manager. Hayek: Tom? Markus: Uh, ICAD's annual meeting is Thursday night, 4:30, and I think it runs till 8:00 and it's at our local Airport. So, you're all invited to attend, even if you haven't registered yet, go ahead. They'll catch ya and they'll send me the bill. Please go! Payne: Supposed to wear a t -shirt (several talking) Markus: Oh yeah! Payne: With your town, with whatever you're representing. Markus: yeah, it's usually casual, but it's a nice mixer. It gets everybody together, and talks to each other throughout the whole ICAD service area, so it should be a lot of fun. Please come out, even if you just stay for a half hour. Botchway: Do we have an Iowa City shirt? Markus: Uh, yeah, we do! (several responding) You have to be here two years to get one! (laughter) Throgmorton: You can borrow mine! (laughter and several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular formal meeting of September 15, 2015.