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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal minutes of 6/28Informal Council Discussion June 28, 1988 Informal Council Discussion: June 28, 1988 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Mayor John McDonald presiding. Council Present: Ambrisco, Courtney, Horowitz, Larson, McDonald, Strait. Council Absent: Dickson Staff Present: Atkins, Melling, Timmins, Karr, Schmeiser, Downer, Davidson and Cain. Lane Recording: Reel 88-36, Side 1, 1 -End; Side 2, End -604. Consent Calendar Additions: Reel 88-36, Side 1 Add resolutions to consent calendar approving all cigarette and dancing permits. Planning and Zoning Matters: Reel 88.36, Side 1 A. Setting a public hearing for July 12 1988 on an ordinance to vacate a portion of Maiden Lane, B. C. Schmeiser stated this item is to set public hearing and additional information will be presented to Council prior to July 12. See above item a, Schmeiser presented a diagram detailing the propoled chiller plant and water storage facility on Capitol and Bloomington streets. In response to Le_r!on, Atkins said that Patt Cain and Chuck Schmadeke represented the City in discussion with the University, Atkins added that he indltatad that although It was a Council decision he had no difficulty with that ria uest of the University to vacate Bloomington Street. tirwn staled that he felt the building could be built without closing the ctroot by either making (to building another story taller or reducing the number of thinoa in the building, tarson said that the architect told him that If the eine was reduced, the Cit 'a water tank would have to be smaller, Atkins replied that since the tank 1it iwrted in the ground it should ret be affected by the flee or the building. tarpon slid ! nuwpor nr eltiaoni have called him to toy the traffic flow would be mors; without tt�j iteoi't, Larson asked it the project can he done without elosing the street, how Bluth Rera o>y-anO ve dooi thb project pot without rIo&ing the ;frost, and da;; its City 1641: the benefit of i8. pfftj«fi, tarson T. IL informal Council Discussion June 28, 1988 Page 2 asked if a traffic count has been done and if a traffic study has been done to determine impact on the traffic flow. Strait suggested this discussion be held during Council's formal meeting so that discussion can be seen on cable TV. Atkins said that a pedestrian walkway could be accommodated and the University has told the City that they would like Capitol Street closed. Ed Moreno, Assistant Water Superintendent, stated that part of the reason the University wants the area vacated is to control the flow of pedestrians across the area. Larson said a traffic flow study should be done. Horowitz asked about fire department service to the area. Donner stated the fire department reviewed plans and recommended a fire lane and installation of a sprinkler system in the chemistry building. Timmins stated a draft of the agreement has been sent to the University. Timmins said the sprinkling of the Chemistry Building and the fire lane were conditions to the vacation of the street. Timmins explained the City has proposed to vacate the street from use and traffic, retain ownership in the City, and allow the University to make certain uses of the street by easement. The City would have ultimate control as a right-of-way and as a utility carrying cor- ridor. Timmins referred Councilmembers to a drawing of the proposed plans. Cain stated the City Engineer, Water Plant Manager, Fire Chief, Traffic Engineer, and City Manager were contacted regarding the proposed closing of the street. Larson asked if the street could ever be reopened once the project was completed. Timmins explained the street will be subject to easements and covenants with the University and a building will be located in the streets right-of- way. Courtney noted a proposed walkway will be located in the sidewalk area. Cain said the walkway was designed at the City's request to improve pedestrian flow, Larson asked if the City Traffic Engineer knew what effect the vacation of portions of Capitol and 91oom'higton Street would have on the traffic in the area. Cain stated the Traffic Engr. felt the vacation would be an improvement, McDonald asked that discuaalon be continued at the public hearing during Council'$ formol meeting. 1 le Informal Council Discussion June 28, 1988 Page 3 D. Ordinance to vacate portions of Capitol and Bloomington streets. See above item c. E. Ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance Parking requirements in the CB -1 zone. (Second Consideration) No Council comment. F. Ordinance to amend the high-rise dwelling grade and story defini tions in the Zoning Ordinance. (Pass and Adopt) Schmeiser noted Council received a memorandum concerning this matter. G. [:1! Schmeiser stated this item is ready for Council approval. No Council comment. No Council row -opt. Informal Council Discussion June 28, 1988 Page 4 J. 51 Schmeiser explained the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval subject to the amendment of the site plan to accurately reflect the building setback from the west property line and provi- sion for swasenrecommended response bcauset a McDonald, wnasubdivisnion Schmeisereissaid planned immediately to the west. Schmeiser commented that staffinember Barry Beagle prepared a memorandum concerning this item that lists seven conditions for approval of the facility. Schmeiser said that if Council takes action to approve the request it would be contrary to the Planning and Zoning commission's recommendation and a joint meeting should be held. McDonald said Council could vote in favor of the facility, minuCourtneasked deny tese recommendation, or ie at of the Planning and Zoning perr Acti0", taining aining to action tohbe item. by arson isuggestbe ed oactionobeCouncil deferredior to Amb discussion sco sreferred the to agenda Item a5 - public hearing on plans, Me, form of contract and cost estimate for the FV 9 lihdflll excavation project. firearms traininaid fa ility couldsbe deassocbet d from the FY09ated with th* lowelandfilln gexcavation project proposal. �ghww 1 Na th RISE Preicct Reel 68-36, Side 1 Council and staff discussed provisions in the cohtFatt with IDOT for RISE funded yimprovement of Higlhoar-1 Na th whiEh stat€s that the city shall and tiRiepheDcieation of 116er new OP) Jobswittw41y ars followingstems ApriltNCS12, Courtney asked if new employees from other businesses could be counted. Davidson said the creation of 115 jobs neodi to come from NCS and RBP only, in response to Strait, Davidson 001 iinod the rrrtbtnatlon of RISE. grant i and RIS[ loan ewinies is 1461,000, it IS the City's intention that the loan will trn rrreH by property awnors to the arna, inA the IDOL will not u oho .an�rmont of RISC funds to IIA)I, bavfa>bo said even if th0 City .- end. t, IWI. th8 city would :till City ao73 f.�vo to repay the RIS[ o only ba P+ Ing bof on the $1,00 lar the prejrMasked If buwrtas hive t-cen Infern;Rd 41 the onple�y«enl vqulroment. d onl. Clio said Informal Council Discussion June 28, 1988 Page 5 the companies have been contacted, NCS has already hired 100 people, but only those employees hired after April 12 can be counted towards the IDOT requirement. Cain said that NCS and RPB are still comfortable with the employment projections they gave to the City but there are no guarantees. Horowitz asked it was Cain's interpretation of the request for the proposal that City has to get them 115 employees. Cain said the job creation requirement is a statewide requirement of all RISE applications and the Community Economic and Betterment Act is now also requiring that jobs that are said to be created or retained must be created retained or there must be repayment. Horowitz asked if the requirement for the creation of 115 new jobs was placed on after the City responded to the original request for proposals. Cain said that was correct. Strait asked what the impact of a layoff would be. Cain explained the agreement only addresses the jobs created. Cain recommended the City quickly certify the 115 new jobs once the jobs have been created. Larson raised concerns that the IDOT changed RISE requirements after the proposal was submitted. Davidson said that until the City received the contract one month ago the City staff did not know the exact language of the contract. Davidson said IDOT is trying to demonstrate to the legislature that the intent of the RISE program, to create jobs, is being met. Larson asked if it is worth spending $450,000 for the protected economic development benefits. Davidson said, as planners, staff feels it is a good investment. Atkins stated that NCS and RBP have stated that they would not expand unless road improvements are made. Atkins recommended approval of the project. McDonald said City should proceed with the project. Housing Commission - readvertise. aU 4TH FIREWOXLDISPLAY Reel 88.36, Side Y City Mgr. Atkins recommended the July 4th fireworks display, sponsored by the Iowa City Jaycees be cancelled due to dry conditions, Fire Chief Donner said it wouid be too great Of a risk o allow fireworks. Atkins noted that consideration was also given to specific circumstances at City Park. Donner said spot fires on the great could occur and there is a potential for tree and shrub fires from the fireworks. Donner said wen sparklers are dangerous. Ambristo encouraged the Jaycees and City Council to consider an alternate date for the fireworks display. Councilmombors concurred with Atkins' recommendation to cancel the July 4th fireworks display. Meeting 40ournrd at 1.25 PM.