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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal minutes of 10/17Informal Council Session October 17, 1988 Informal Council Session: October 17, 1988, 6:35 p.m., in the Council Chambers. Mayor John McDonald presiding. Councilmembers present: McDonald, Horowitz, Courtney, Larson, Ambrisco, Balmer. Staff present: Helling, Timmins, Karr, Schmeiser, Steinbach, Cain, Downer. Tape-recorded Reel 88-55, Side 2, 502-1; Reel 88-58, Side 1, 1 -All, Side 2, End -570. CONSENT CALENDAR: Reel 88-55, Side 2 Council agreed to add the Class C Liquor License for Rose & Crown Incorporated, dba The Polo Club, to the Consent Calendar. PLANNING & ZONING MATTERS: Reel 88-55, Side 2 A. B. C. D. Schmeiser explained Loos Street is a platted but not constructed street and adjacent property owners have requested the street be vacated so they purchase their proportionate share of the right-of- way. Schmeiser stated the University of Iowa Credit Union initiated this request and Council will set this item for public hearing November 1st, Soo ibovo item B. MANUfJif111AlIJ USES IN COMMERCIAL ZONj$_lil HAYL.AGSL35.9Bi�lSLi Schmelsor stated this ordinance Is to correct ail oversight In an ordinance recentlyVassed by Council to allow manufacturing uses in i the CI.1 tone, This ordinance provides for accessory uses to aanufrcturino in commoresal zones whore menulocturino is permitted, Horowitt Asked for an example of how tilts ordinance would apply, Sch"Ilor sold if there Is a manufacturing use that wants to locate 1n a t1-1 cone, they may want ofretanry war+, !yt h as porting atandarda that haye to np po!, algna then ear wish to oroct, and ufrIccs ipicr, they may scant to intimi;, Vnivis the ordinance is revliod to allow atcesaory usos with manufacturing, these uses would not ha parmittod, t Ji MINUTES INFORMAL COUNCIL SESSION OCTOBER 17, 1988 PAGE 2 E. F. Schmeiser stated there is a request to expedite consideration of this item. Schmeiser stated this is first consideration for the University laser facility. Courtney asked if the City will receive any payment from the University for vacation of the property. Schmeiser said the property will be disposed of with a City Deed/Quitclaim Deed which relinquishes the City of any rights of the property. Timmins explained the agreement is in consideration of the transfers. The University wanted a deed from the City and there Is a question as to who actually owns the underlining fee title to streets that were part of the original platting of the Original Town. McDonald said Council has followed this procedure in the past. Schmeiser referred Councilmembers to a plat map of Parcels A, B, and C of land owned by Clear Creek Investment Company. Schmeiser stated Parcel C is partially located in the County; the subdivision was approved by the City but not the County; and plans are to vacate that portion of the plat that contains Parcel C so they don't have to get County approval. Schmeiser said the portion of Camp Cardinal Road which was dedicated to the City with the subdivision will be retained by the City. In response to Horowitz, Schmeiser answered that the zoning will remain the same in Iowa City and within the two-mile fringe area. �qalqlmc t: Reel 88.65, Side 2 Pam House, Childwen's Agenda Coordinator, presented infotmatlon about the Children's Aionda. House distributed apacket of information related to the Children s Agenda meeting, scheduled Hednesday, October 19, at 4:00 p.m. House sold service provider agencies in Johnson County were asked what services and gaps in services need to be addressed when it comes to our children, House explained the suggestions received from those service 1 providara wefe pfi:pared into on agenda, theft bfe6efl (lite two parlat prPJ•cls And ta: /nrcPs, Houtr+ said the Children's Agenda CommittPP Is comprised of Carol Thompson, Bob Welsh, Silly Stutaman, and House and there Is rurrently no funding for thegyroup. Hornwiti asked if the rcumenicat group is involved. House oxpletned that meetings were first held by Pryrrrr.-J Wrlih'. congregation; Informetlnn "4 thin prevented to the 404640 fdssultstionl and the Ruewnkel Eonsultiilon said they would becoa:a involved, (louse sold the agand+ will be „resented it Nadi:aaday's 010,*Fr 4th wting, Ambtlito as,44 it 4444 will bt MINUTES INFORMAL COUNCIL SESSION OCTOBER 17, 1988 PAGE 3 requested for the City. House said the City, specific groups and church congregations may be asked for money. Ambrisco inquired about the $110 milk costs for the Domestic Violence Program. House stated the $110 milk cost is a per month cost. Council discussed the Children's Agenda. House stressed the Children's Agenda is for all children, from all socio- economic groups and from all ages of youth. IOWA -ILLINOIS GAS & ELECTRIC TRANSFORMER IN THE 100 BLOCK OF EAST WASHINGTON STREET: Reel 88-55, Side 2 Patt Cain stated the Design Review Committee made a recommendation that the transformer be placed underground and the Iowa -Illinois Gas & Electric Company has requested the opportunity to discuss this with the City Council prior to the City Council taking any formal action. Cain distributed photos showing a transformer placed in the approximate location proposed by Iowa -Illinois Gas & Electric. Cain explained the proposed transformer for the site is ten feet lower, but wider and deeper than the one shown in the photos. Tom Hoogerwerf, District Manager for Iowa -Illinois, asked Council to give favorable consideration to Iowa - Illinois Gas & Electric's request for the aboveground transformer in the 100 block of East Washington Street. Hoogerwerf stated there are currently 36 aboveground transformers in and around Iowa City's downtown area, five of which are on sidewalk areas similar to the proposed location. Hoogerwerf explained that several years ago when Iowa -Illinois i Gas & Electric Company started undergrounding electric facilities in the downtown area, the plan was that all transformers were to be aboveground and Council, at that time, concurred with that. Hoogerwerf said Iowa - Illinois Gas & Electric Company is proposing to locate the transfer in the landscaped bermed area about mid -block and said the reason for wanting an aboveground transformer as opposed to a vault is costs. A vault Installation costs approximately $62,000 and an aboveground transformer costs approximately $10,600. In response to McDonald, Hoogerwerf said the planwas that all transformers were to be aboveground and Council, at that time, concurred with the plan. Hoogerwerf stated the City agreed that the aboveground locations would be provided as they were doomed necessary. Hoogerwerf distributedphotos of the downtown area. Balmer asked if another transformer would be needed in the area. Hoogerwerf said the long-range plan is as buildings are rewired they would be served off the front transformer and rear alley facilities would be removed. in response to Balmer, M009prwerf said the Iowa -Illinois Gas & Electric Company would probably not Pied another transformer in the area. Balmer stated that the proposed transformer is in acceptable alternative to a vault. Horowitz asked how vaults are serviced. Hoogerwerf explained a grate Is Installed over the vault and can he removed to be serviced. Horowitz noted that people lend to put posters on the transformers and It creates a mess. i Cain sold the Design Review Committee has not looked at this proposal and landscaping and Cara Of the Proposed location of the transformer needs to be addressed, Catn said she did not receive a favorable recommendation from the Park$ & Recreation Department regarding pia.aeaenl of the transformer In the proposed location. Cain stated if Iowa-llitnois Gas & flactric'. prop cal ib io bv considered by Council, it theeld Ife referred bock l9 (he 9e09R Review Committee and comments should be obtained from the Parks & Recreation pgpartment, ntighbgring bysinvt�ps: and building ewPars� Rs1w+F "3tletted Information regarding history cf the problem with vaults IP the downtown area, McDonald asked If businesses along MINUTES INFORMAL COUNCIL SESSION OCTOBER 17, 1988 PAGE 4 Washington Street will be serviced with the new transformer. Hoogerwerf said as buildings are rewired, they will be serviced by the new transformer. Hoogerwerf explained two transformers on Iowa Avenue serve part of Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue, one transformer located on Iowa Avenue services part of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street, and one transformer on Dubuque Street can serve Dubuque Street and Washington Street. Hoogerwerf said the proposed transformer would serve everything in the area. In response to Larson, Hoogerwerf said Iowa -Illinois Gas & Electric would pay for landscaping the berm at the proposed location. Council referred the Iowa -Illinois Gas & Electric Company proposal to the Design Review Committee. KEGGER ORDINANCE: Reel 88-58, Side 1 McDonald stated discussions of the Kegger Ordinance will be deferred for two weeks to allow City Manager Atkins to present Council with additional information. RECRUITMENT OF ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY: Reel 88-58, Side 1 Timmins outlined recruitment of the Assistant City Attorney. Timmins stated he wants to recruit an attorney with prior municipal experience and experience in the area of planning and zoning, development control and economic development. Timmins explained he would utilize both general recruitment and direct recruitment of other municipal attorneys. Timmins asked that the Council agree to a salary in the range of $35-543,000 for someone with at least five years of legal experience and two years of municipal experience in planning and zoning. In response to McDonald, Timmins said the salary range should be comparable with other cities. In response to Horowitz, Timnins said he may try to contact former Iowa attorneys who have left the State. In response to Larson, Timmins said although there is a national flavor to municipal attorney duties and planning and zoning, the position probably does not warrant a national search. Larson suggested notification of the open position to select Midwest cities. In response to '.arson, Timmins said that if a suitable applicant applies from a direct recruitment process, he might not interview other applicants. Larson suggested spending enough lime to thoroughly consider all qualified applicants. In response to McDonald, Timmins stated that he uses the City Personnel Department for publication, application and affirmative action, Helling noted that screening is up to Timmins. In response to Courtney, Timnins said that time probably does not allow use of a professional search firm. In response to McDonald, Timmins said that he should know within two to threw weeks whether there was Interest from a direct recruitment effort. Timmins noted he will advertise for someone who was admitted to the Iowa Bar. Ambrisco suggested contacting the University of Iowa Law school Placement Offite, McDonald asked Timmins to keep Council apprised of the recruiting activities. D4!!AD AND�DMM1Si19tilIIMUJLS_POL10t Reel 88.67, Side I Reyyardioo earlier concaras oil the length of the 0/10/88 Ooard of AdJuttmcrt minute-, Karr rvptrtntd that they verr Hone by 0n lntrrn trained to do them In ihet fsthiao end a shorter version will be prvpor«a in the future. Karr referred Councilmamhors to her September 301h mvmm 7 17 MINUTES INFORMAL COUNCIL SESSION OCTOBER 17, 1988 PAGE 5 regarding minutes of meeting. Balmer noted that there were problems in the past. Karr said memos from previous mayors outline problems regarding delay in receiving minutes. Councilmembers discussed minute problems. Larson said Council could give direction regarding when minutes should be done. Karr said problems involve staffing, length of minutes, and turnaround time. Schmeiser explained minutes are handled a number of different ways. Schmeiser recommended that Council require that Board and Commission minutes be presented to Council prior to Council's discussion of any items contained in those minutes. Schmeiser noted that it does take several hours for minutes to be prepared in draft form. Schmeiser offered that minutes done by the Planning Department could be included in Council's agenda packet the second week after the meeting. Karr referred to her September 30th memo regarding minutes of meetings, item C.I. states that no action be requested of Council until receipt of appropriate Board and Commission minutes by Council, and item 4.e. recommendations to City Council 1) items should be listed as separate agenda items to distinguish them from formal receipt and filing of minutes. Council discussed the importance of receiving minutes in a timely manner. Karr said the importance of draft minutes are that they are presented to Council to give Council an idea of what was discussed. Karr Said draft minutes are also presented to Board and Commission members at their next meeting and if there are changes, they should be put into the text of the next minutes in detail to reflect those changes. Courtney said Council should receive minutes before an item is discussed by Council. Ambrisco stated the City Manager sends Councilmembers background information. Horowitz stated that If there is a split vote, the reason for the split vote should be in the minutes. Melling said that there should be a City-wide policy that if Boards and Commissions have recommendations, Council should receive those minutes as soon as possible. Horowitz suggested that important discussion by Boards and Commissions can be put into form of resolution. Reel 88.58, Side I 4ienda Item No. 3.d.1. - Notice regarding equipment purchase) mer, stated he disagrees with the requirement that the City must give notification. Larson stated the requirement encouraged cooperation of regional planning, {felling stated the City develops specifications before equipment is purchased, when items are purchased that cost greater than $50.000, the difference betweon one or two is minimal. Heliing scud the City sometimes utilizes Stele Contract for equipment burihasas. Ambrisco asked Council to schedule a discussion regarding the City's open burning policyy, Council agreed to schedule such a discussion, Horowitz said the lssua of yard refuse should also be addressed. 1100hald reminded Couhcilmembees that the Human Rights Committee Award Breakfast is seheiuled 111ur384y. Ottiuber 20, at 7:30 a.m, at the Holiday Inn. Horowitz reminded Council of the uproming Southeell Leaoue of X,iYi'tipaiitie`a ia..«iin9 scitedulwd iwwei . V .. Y .: MINUTES INFORMAL COUNCIL SESSION OCTOBER 17, 1988 PAGE 6 5. (Agenda Item No. 5) Horowitz asked if a person is going south on Keokuk, if that person can turn right on Highway 6. Helling said yes. Larson asked if Keokuk needs to be widened now that Boyrum is open. McDonald said plans to widen Keokuk have existed for over a year. APPOINTMENTS: Board of Appeals: Marcie Rogyow Jack Barrows Board of Examiners of Plumbers: James Muller Clark deVries Senior Center Commission: Reel 88-58, Side 2 Duane Means H.N. Cordier i EXECUTIVE SESSION; Reel 88-58, Side 2 Moved by Courtney, seconded by Larson, to adjourn to executive session under Section 21.5.J, Real Estate, to discuss the purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property. The minutes and the tape recording of a session closed under this paragraph shall be available for public examination when the transaction discussed is completed; and Section 20, Collective Bargaining, to discuss as a public employer, strategy regarding collective bargaining with City employee organizations; as such discussion is exempted from the Prov highs of Chapter 21 according to Chapter 20,11(s), Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, all Counciimembers present. Mayor declared motion carried. Council adjourned to executive session at B:DI p.m.