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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal minutes of 10/11Council Goal -Setting Session October 11, 1988 COUNCIL PRESENT: Courtney, Larson, McDonald, Ambrisco, Horowitz, Balmer. STAFF PRESENT: Atkins, Karr, Timmins, Helling. TAPE-RECORDING: Reel 88-56, Side 1, 1 -All, Side 2, 1 -All; Reel 88-57, Side 1, 1 -All McDonald called the meeting to order at 4:30 and stated this goal -setting session was scheduled to allow Council to discuss ideas, exchange opinions, brainstorm, and give staff direction in some areas. DEVELOPER IMPACT FEES FOR SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT: Ambrisco cautioned Councilmembers that costs associated with imposing an impact fee would be passed on to the consumer purchasing a home. Horowitz noted upper level income houses are being developed in the subdivisions. Horowitz said if the developer does not pay the impact fee then the rest of the city pays for the city services that serve the subdivision. Ambrisco said entry level houses are being built in the County and there is potential for more property to be developed within Iowa City once the south wastewater treatment plant is built. Larson said there may be more middle income development. Larson said he would be uncomfortable with an impact fee that was designed to generate fees for some other project such as housing for the homeless or rehabilitation programs. Councilmembers discussed impact fees and development costs. Atkins said off-site expenses caused by development, such as the need for traffic Improvements, should be considered. Atkins asked if the development should contribute to a cost they caused to the general taxpayer. Atkins said development does cost off-site expenses. Atkins asked if Iowa City's growth rate justifies the City imposing impact fees and if the City's financial position requires the City to pursue this type of program. Atkins said the developer and homeowner should have the responsibility to pay something, but the city's growth rate may not justify It. Horowitz said that a developer, Bruce Glasgow, has a study from the National Homebuilders Association that proves that property tax does support services that are extended out to a new subdivision. McDonald asked the City ManaVer ifproperty taxes are supporting services extending to subdivisions. Atkins stated no. Atkins noted that new State and Federal regulations will impact on the cost of water, sewer and refuse Cervices, Horowitz asked if the County will be able to continue to provide the City with the same level o�f services such as public health services. Horowitz asked if the City would contribute into a regional support for tervitet now offered by and paid for by the County. Atkins suggested that Council consider a large lot policy to attract persons that aro considering building in the County. Atkins and Council discuffai a large lot policy. Council agreed to refer review of a large lot policy to the Planning and Ioning Commission. McDonald stated there is not the Council support to pursue developer lapart feat, x le MINUTES COUNCIL GOAL -SETTING SESSION OCTOBER 11, 1988 PAGE 2 REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS: McDonald stated the Council did adopt an Environmental Policy Statement recommendation by the Urban Environmental Ad Hoc Committee. McDonald asked Councilmembers if more stringent environmental regulations should be adopted. Larson said that if developers are going to be held responsible for environmental consequences ofdevelopment, there should be environmental regulation in the Code. Larson said the environmental standards are needed. Atkins said addressing environmental concerns create a political dilemma and the issue is two -fold: 1) to protect and preserve certain areas, or 2) to allow development. Councilmembers discussed environmental regulations and development in Iowa City. Horowitz said that definitions for environmental policies can be written as incentives for large lot development. Atkins said most of the City's environmental issues are based on infill. Atkins said other cities have used planned urban development - zoning certain parcels as environmentally sensitive areas and requiring certain design criteria. In response to Council, Timmins said for the Nottingham case, there were no environmental regulations and traffic considerations were at issue. Timmins said certain areas in the community may be more appropriate for large lot j development and the Planning and Zoning Commission should examine density issues. Timmins said zoning is a point in time when the City decides what type of density of housing is suitable for the area and subdivision is merely an administrative act. Larson asked if the City can do anything about the erosion problems occurring behind the Cliffs. Timmins said if there is a nuisance and danger to adjoining property, the City could exercise their nuisance abatement authority. Larson asked staff to address the problems. Larson said the erosion occurring behind the Cliffs is an eyesore, a terrible example to other developers, and lack of concern for adjoining property owners. Atkins asked Council if they wanted to address the environmental regulations by establishing new regulations as a part of the subdivision process or with the toning. Councilmembers agreed that environmental regulations should be tied in with toning. Timmins noted there is other vacant land recentl� proposed for development in which zoning should be looked at. Horow tz said clear definitions will be needed for the environmental policies: Horowitz asked if the environmental policies son serve as guidelines for the toning of identified fragile areas, Atkins said the City can identify environmental areas. Council asked staff to establish more stringent environmental guidelines through toning. Horowitz asked how the City is going to deal with entranceways into Iowa City. Atkins said ontrsncaways un be handled with toning. Councilmembers discussed development of the entranceways Into Iowa City. Balmer asked when the Planning and Zoning Commission will address enviromoontal policies as it relates to zoning. McDonald said the Planning and toning Coeml*sten plenned to complete work on 11e Cemprehen!ive Plan anWo by January lit. MINUTES COUNCIL GOAL -SETTING SESSION OCTOBER 11, 1988 PAGE 3 STREET PROJECTS -_FIRST AVENUE EXTENDED, SCOTT BOULEVARD EXTENDED, HIGHWAY 1 NORTH: Ambrisco said First Avenue extended is critical and should be accelerated. Atkins explained ACT owns the 220 acres immediately east and ACT has been told the City has not made any public commitment to pay for the road. Atkins said ACT is considered establishing an office park on the north portion of the property and single-family development for the rest of the property. Ambrisco said a coordinated planning effort is needed for the area. Atkins said a report is being prepared by ACT. Courtney said secondary access is an issue. In response to Larson, Atkins said First Avenue could be used for secondary access. Horowitz said Dodge Street improvements also need to be looked at. Atkins said major street projects can use up the City's capital capabilities quickly and Iowa City streets are currently in good shape. Atkins said there are times the Council may need to consider a public investment to cause development to occur. McDonald asked about Scott Boulevard. Atkins said extension of Scott Boulevard would depend somewhat on what ACT does. McDonald said there is not pressure to extend Scott Boulevard now that Local Road has been improved. Courtney inquired about Foster Road. Timmins said Public Works has worked on plans and appraisals have been done. Atkins noted that Highway 1 North plans are proceeding along. CITY MANAGER'S GOAL STATEMENT: Atkins said the City Manager's Goal Statement articulates what he believes to be the guiding principles of the City's organization and a demonstration of commitment. Atkins said the Goal Statement outlines what he will continue to do and influences decisions he makes. Balmer said maintaining the AAA bond rating is important. Ambrisco said Council's Dosition on economic development is an integral part of the City's goals. Horowitz asked if Councilmembers should take the lead on promoting economic development. Ambrisco said one of the ways Council promotes economic development is by demonstrating support for ICAD. In response to Horowitz, Ambrisco said people involvad with economic development understand the community is not interested in the heavy smokestack industry, Atkins said most economic development activity that is going to occur within Iowa City is going to be something that meets the Council's and community's interest, Atkins said companies locating in Iowa City will probably employ 100.150 people and will probably buy manufactured gooes and assemble them here and ship them out: Horowitz asked if the company that reuses stored waste would be considered. Atkins said yes. Atkins said Iowa City has a bright economic future. Atkins said he has been in contact with two different companies that are interested in locating in Iowa City. Atkins said he has been in contact with area businesses to obtain profiles of employees, Atkins said many people that work In Iowa City do not live in Iowa City. Morowitz askod about the region&) aspects of solid waste trestaant, amargency care, etc. Atkins sold regarding regionalism, Iowa his archaic tax laws and regionalism is ,wl 11++ Panacea that prople consider It to be. Atkins said that there are cortain services that can bo reginnallfag, 04I<in! noted that Iowa City hot good services and area communities may ba 1ntoP6 004 in ming some of those services. Atkins said in economic development goal statement could be added. McDonald :ilii Council needs to diseuss what Counii)'a econofiie _f J! MINUTES COUNCIL GOAL -SETTING SESSION OCTOBER 11, 1988 PAGE 4 development policy position is. Courtney stated he is not happy with the extent of economic development activities within Iowa City. Courtney said Iowa City needs more direct benefits from ICAD's economic development efforts. Council discussed ICAD and economic development activities within Iowa City. McDonald asked staff to schedule a discussion regarding economic development. CIMIC CENTER IMPROVEMENT: Atkins presented plans for the Civic Center Expansion Project. Atkins said a City staff architect, Jim Schoenfelder, has prepared preliminary plans to expand the Civic Center over a period of years that will satisfy the City's building and office needs well into the future and allow Public Works and Planning to move out of their rented space and back into the Civic Center, Atkins reviewed a three-phase plan that would affect the Police Department, Fire Department and the courtyard area. Atkins said the project would cost an estimated $2.2 million and $50,000 in architectural fees could be saved by using the City staff architect. Atkins asked that the Phase 1 - Police Department Modernization - be included in the upcoming budget. Atkins said the Civic Center Expansion Project will be financed over a three-year period using approximately $1.2 million of in -housing financing and certificates of participation. Atkins said the Police Department needs some immediate work. Courtney asked if the Police are satisfied with the proposed access to the police cars. Atkins showed Councilmembers the proposed layout of the Police Department plans, Larson asked if the proposed Police Department modernization plans are more important to Police Department efficiency than significant increase in police staff. Atkins said if the physical environment is Improved, the department will become more efficient and almost 5,000 hours of uniformed officers time presentlyy used for clerking purposes could be better utilized. In response to Larson, Atkins said a physical environment is Important to attract a quality Police Chief and quality Police. Councilmembers discussed the Civic Center renovation plans. Atkins said the proposed plans offer a lot of flexibility and will meet the City's needs well into the future. Morowitz asked how the Civic Center renovation project can be Justified when the City is cutting back on the $tracts Program, Atkins said trade-offs have to be made. Council omeed to the Civic Center renovation plans as proposed. Council directed s ff to Incorporate the Phase i - Police Department Modernization In the upeOming LuRget. Councilmembers and :tiff disEussed methods of financing for the proposed project. SLSQUICENT [NN19LMEOP -114Bi Nornwitz said the SesqutcentanAial Celebfillbe Ii coming up. Balmer said private volunteers should ho used, Atklna said Qppartment directors have bean encouraged to make plans, Balser said efforts should be coordinated with the Chamber of Canvnorce volunlseri, Morowitz sold citizens could brremr involved with City affairs, MINUTES COUNCIL GOAL -SETTING SESSION OCTOBER 11, 1988 PAGE 5 BDI PROPERTY Atkins said the City will probably receive pressure from banks and the BDI Board of Directors to sell the land cheaper. Courtney said a concentrated effort to market the BDI property is needed. Councilmembers discussed marketing of the BDI property. Karr noted that the Iowa City/Johnson County Joint Meeting is tentatively scheduled for December 1 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. L i/