HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal minutes of 11/29Informal Council Discussion
November 29, 1988
Informal Council Discussion: November 29, 1988 at 6:35 p.m. in the
Council Chambers in the Civic Center. Mayor John McDonald presiding.
Council Present: McDonald, Ambrisco, Horowitz, Larson, Balmer; Courtney
(7:10 p.m.).
Staff Present: Atkins, Timmins, Helling, Karr, Smith, Schmeiser,
Schmadeke, Delong.
Tape Recording: Reel 88-61, Side 2, 337-1, Reel 88-63, Side 1, 1-571,
Planning & Zoning Matters: Reel 88-61, Side 2
A.
B.
C,
D.
Schmeiser said that the City owns 50 feet of right-of-way in front of
Robe Car Wash that was initially meant for the frontage road which
would have been the extension of Hollywood Boulevard. A similar
right-of-way was abandoned for the construction of Hy -Vee. Schmeiser
said more information will be available at the next Council meeting.
Schmeiser said that Highway N1 improvements at the Intersection of
the drive into the new Press -Citizen facility has been reviewed by
the resident engineer of the IDOT and a review by the Ames IDOT
should be completed within a few days, Schmeiser reported plans
include a right turn taper into the sight. Horowitz asked If the
City has asked about reducing the speed limit, Atkins said the
request has already been made. Schmeiser sold the Press -Citizen will
be requesting expedited consideration of the rezonino.
Sea above item b,
In respnnee to Balmer, Schmeiser said that Marlene Perrin's concerns
w i i i,..edr..*.d et the time of di±pE±11!LN7 c! thr prnperty by
acla6itctraanF
and retention of easements.
T ?e
ra
E. Ordinance t
to permit m
(Second Con
No comment.
F. Resolution
property to
Street.
No comment.
Solid Waste Management Issues: Reel 88-61, Side 2
McDonald noted that Councilmembers received memos from Councilmember
Horowitz and City Manager Steve Atkins in the 11/23 packet. Horowitz
explained that the State and Federal EPA have set out a hierarchy: (1)
Horowitz stated that volume reduction at the source is addressed through
public education by the media. People often buy toxic or non -
biodegradable products. The second hierarchy is recycling or reusing,
which includes composting, and can be encouraged by public education and
developing markets. The third hierarchy is waste energy, refuse derived
fuel production. The fourth hierarchy is combustion of refuse for volume
reduction. The fifth hierarchy is mono -fill landfills. Horowitz stressed
that hierarchy should be considered in terms of its impact on Iowa City.
Horowitz stated that Iowa City is responding to the Department of Natural
Resources and stated that a consultant has been hired by the East Central
Iowa Council of Governments. Plans are to have three options from the
consultant in about six months. Horowitz stated that she will continue to
provide information to Councilmembers.
Atkins stated he would like to develop a landfill usage agreement with all
users of the landfill, Atkins stated currently there are approximately
150 business and governmental agencies that have charge accounts at the
landfill. The agreement would outline landfill hours, costs, policies,
and what would be accepted and rejected. Atkins stated Iowa City landfill
costs are currently near the lowest in the state and those costs are going
to go up, Atkins stated the atats's per -ton landfill tax will drive up
the cost dramatically in the next three to four years. In response to
McDonald, Atkins stated an agreement with the charge account customers
would minimize the shock when foes begin to soar.
Horowitz stated that she would like to see the City use recyclable paper
and construction companies use biodegradable packaging to help control the
landfill, Aalmer suggested making any landfill agreement simple and easy
to understand, Atkins explained that the current draft agreement opeile
out curfen[ toles witAgut draawttcelly changing the service. Atkins said
the agreement would provide a uniferal way to change policy in accord with
state mandates and provide Increased public awareness. Atkles and
Horowitz stressed the .air ut the redera) government. In raspanse to
t.srson, Atkins said tits prnposeA study by XCOG would initiate a f"West
of ehan3r. P�ItrM. NntaA Mat It ja yfry in,gr Unt to aatadllah a
roIationshl"p wilt, i6: ar lvi..iity. Ia Fatpanii to LaFioa, Attin: is d tt;
$tate law cuetently teeluiree the elty to take car# of Its own pasta end
joAt a ragianal auihz- it.y zould bs zreated to rem sevsFal landfills.
Ambrisco stated that last summer, an incorrect rumor circulated about
kitchen appliances no longer being legally recycled. Ambrisco added that
more restrictive rules could result in more roadside trash. Atkins stated
that one day each week a City crew collects irresponsibly dumped garbage.
Horowitz said positive incentives must exist for cooperation. Atkins
noted the importance of letting legislators know about unique problems
such as the University's medical waste and its need for an incinerator.
Horowitz said the University is asking for public response to site
selection for an incinerator. Atkins said that someone in Public Works
discovered that many businesses that used to accept waste automobile oil
no longer do so. Atkins proposed establishing a waste oil reclamation
point at the Public Works yard. Horowitz said that she has received
requests for a glass recycling point for non-refundable bottles.
McDonald directed Atkins to proceed with necessary contractual agreements
for the landfill and establishment of a waste oil reclamation shed.
Council Time/Agenda: Reel 88-63, Side 1
1. (Agenda Item R2.B.4. - Riverfront Commission minutes) Balmer noted
that in the minutes of the Riverfront Commission meeting of October
19, 1988, fishing access easements by the old sewage plant were
discussed. Balmer said that the City Council should inform the
Riverfront Commission about the difficulty of obtaining access.
Atkins noted that a strip of land owned by Southgate Development on
the west side of the River might be an access route. Atkins said
that until EPA test results are done on possible leakage from the old
landfill, no action should be taken. Balmer recommended staying away
from the area. Courtney noted that the University closed access
around the physical plant below the dam.
2. Horowitz requested that City Council candidates get a briefing after
the primary election as a courtesy. McDonald said something could be
Put together right after the primary election.
3. ilorowitz said that through the JCCOG Technical Advisory Committee she
has received four alternatives to the current federal transit
assistance allocation formula from Jeff Davidson. She said that all
Councilslembers need to see the alternatives before they are discussed
by JLctiG. Horowitz stated that she and tareon will not be able to
attend the December 5, 1986, meeting of the Technical Advisors
Committee. Horowita noted that JCCOG hes discussed the changed
allocation and will 9lscusa it further at their December 14 meeting:
Larson sold that JCCOG needs to know the entire Council's feelings
about the funding formula. Schmetaer sold Davidson will present his
four &Iternativee but the decision could he orad& later, tareon sold
the Councilaembers need to understand such Issues before voting on in
taaua that toprosahti the will of the city.
4. Larson noted discustion at Council's Goal Setting Session re Cliff
Aperlwnts on Dubuque Street. Attie %tared he would follow-up on
EI1eN-YN-
ointment*; Reel 88-63, Cid@ I
Board of lranlners of Pluertzers - Mike Drv,iwdn
I it
m
Meeting Schedule: Reel 88-63, Side 1
McDonald noted that the joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors will
be rescheduled. Councilmembers agreed that there will be no informal
December 12. An informal Council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. before
the formal Council meeting on December 13, 1988.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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