HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-01-22 Council minutesCOMPLETE DESCRIPTION P2 CODUN8CIL ACTIVITIES
January
Iowa City Council, special mtg., 1/22/85, at 6:30 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers of the Civic Center. Mayor McDonald presiding. Council -
members present: Ambrisco, Baker, Dickson, McDonald, Strait, Zuber. Absent:
Erdahl. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Smith. Tape
recorded on Tape 85-C9; Side 1, 405-479.
Moved by Zuber, seconded by Ambrisco, to adopt RES. 85-17, Bk. 85, p. 37,
i I AUTHORIZING AILD DIRECTING THE SOLICITATION OF OFFERS AND RECEIPT OF BIDS TO
PURCHASE CERTAIN LAND FOR PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENT, KNOWN AS PARCEL "A-1"
i LOCATED IN THE LOWER RALSTON CREEK AREA OF IOWA CITY; SETTING A PUBLIC
HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 26, 1985, ON THE PROPOSED SALE AND CONVEYANCE OF SAID
I I LAND; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO PUBLIC NOTICE OF SUCH ACTIONS. Council
discussed inclusion of a provision in the disposition agreement to develop in
two years or revert back to the City. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous,
I 6/0, Erdahl absent. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted.
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Moved by Ambrisco, seconded by Dickson, that ORD. 85-3222, Bk. 25, pp.
10-14, ESTABLISH PARTIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY, be
passed and adopted. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted, 5/1, with the
following division of roll call vote: Ayes: Dickson, McDonald, Strait,
Zuber, Ambrisco. Nays: Baker. Absent: Erdahl.
Moved by Strait, seconded by Ambrisco, approving Class C Beer Permit and
Sundayoration dba 6/0,QErdahlp25 West Burlington.
absent.
Moved by Strait, seconded by Zuber, to adjourn 6:35 p.m. The Mayor
declared the motion carried unanimously, 6/0, Erdahl absent.
N MCDO ALD, MAYOR
MARFAN K. KAM, CITY CLERK
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Informal Council Discussion
January 22, 1985
Informal Council Discussion: January 22, 1985, at 6:35 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at the Civic Center. Mayor John McDonald presiding.
Councilmembers Present: McDonald, Ambrisco, Baker, Zuber, Strait, Dickson,
Erdah 5 p.m. .
Staff Present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Franklin, Hencin, Schmadeke,
Cain, Boyle, Mintle, Miller.
Vie -recorded: Reel 85-C8, Side 2, 15 -End; Reel 85-C12, all; Reel 85-C13,
Side 1, 1-530.
CORALVILLE MILLDAM PROJECT: Reel 85-C8, Side 2
Tom Hayden, Engineer for Shive-Hattery Engineers, presented information about
the Coralville milldam project. Hayden stated that Iowa City can benefit
from the project by reducing dependency on coal, oil, gas and nuclear
sources; provide long-term stable rates; long life and low operating costs of
the plant. The City of Coggon did not pursue the Coralville milldam project
because it would not produce the amount of power wanted and problems with
cost accounting with the various utilities involved. Iowa City would be able
to utilize all of the power in their water and wastewater treatment plant by
using a cost accounting procedure with Iowa -Illinois Gas & Electric Company.
The plant would be located on the east side of the dam. Hayden reviewed the
procedure to bid the turbines and generators for the project. Hayden said
the average annual output would be 5.1 million kilowatt hours, estimated life
more than 50 years, and estimated cost benefit ratios to be 1.4 to 1.7/1.0. A
major component of the cost of the p•oject is the principal and interest of
bonds used to fund the project.
Hayden suggested the City of Iowa City submit a preliminary permit applica-
tion which will give Iowa City the right to develop the site. Senergics Inc.
has also applied for a preliminary permit. The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission has set the following priorities to determine who gets the
preliminary permit: 1) owner of the dam, 2) municipalities that file for a
permit, and 3) private developers. After receiving a preliminary permit, the
feasibility study should be done to determine if a FEC license application
should be prepared. A license is issued by the FEC if the application is
accepted and the City would then complete financing and begin construction of
the plant. Shive-Hattery is currently completing a list of reasons why the
Iowa City application for a preliminary permit should be accepted by the FEC.
Hayden noted that the Johnson County Conservation Board has access easements
through the property, is concerned about development of the dam, and wants to
file for a preliminary permit from the FEC if Iowa City does not construct
the project. Federal law requires Iowa City to negotiate a long-term lease
or ownership if Iowa City constructs the project.
In response to McDonald, Hayden said it would take three years until power is
generated from the plant and power may cost more than power from Iowa -
Illinois Gas & Electric Company during the first three or four years of
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Informal Council Discu;00r,
January 22, 1985
Page 2
operation. Hayden said Coggon has spent $16,000 for a feasibility study and
wants reimbursement for the use of the study. A feasibility study for Iowa
Cit$17y000u1dncost responseOt EZu,ber0and , Haydencense said itrwouldtion takewould cost three to five years
after the plant was built for Iowa City to equal the cost of buying power
from the current supplier, depending upon certain financial variables. Strait
inquired about the possibility of producing more kilowatt hours and water
flow problems. Hayden explained that the facility would be designed to
optimize the maximum number of kilowatt hours for the minimum amount of cost
and flooding stops the plant from producing. In response to Ambrisco, Hayden
said the hydroelectric plant operation is non-polluting.
OLD DUBUQUE ROAD/BRISTOL DRIVE INTERSECTION: Reel B5 -C12, Side 1
Councilmembers reviewed alternatives for the Old Dubuque Road/Bristol Drive
intersection as outlined in the January 18, 1985, memo from Karin Franklin.
Franklin said a meeting was held with property owners and residents of
Bristol Drive. Franklin said if development occurred north of Oakes' current
development, Old Dubuque Road would have to be improved to the east. Alterna
tive N1 mandates that Old Dubuque Road be improved. Alternative N5 would
eliminate the possibility of a left-hand turn from Old Dubuque Road onto
Foster Road. Franklin said the median proposed in Alternative R5 would need
to be removed in the future if traffic increases in the area. Alternative A6
cuts cul -def acBYlBerlinrnoted thatrive to dthebcul de -sac would ocr ate safetyue Roaand Fster Road ends in problems.
a
p oblems.
Councilmembers discussed alternative designs for the area. Ambrisco re-
quested a recommendation from the Traffic Engineer. Franklin said Alterna-
tive it would be best for traffic flow. Erdahl said the design should allow
traffic flow on Foster Road but not encourage traffic on Old Dubuque Road and
Bristol Drive. Franklin said Alternative 01 is costly and the alignment is
closest to a beltway alignment.
Dean Oakes explained that he has an option to purchase property from the
Ackersons to construct a second access to the development he proposes off of
Quincent. He stated he would willing to have a single access to the
development off Quincent Street. Franklin explained that the extension off
be
Quincent and the addition of 22 single-family dwellings would require
secondary access for that development.
Toni Cilek, Nick Cilek, Marlene Johnson, Bristol Drive residents, raised
concerns about the Old Dubuque Road conditions and narrowness; the amount of
traffic flow on Bristol Drive and Old Dubuque; water pressure problems;
pedestrian safety; the intersection creating traffic hazards; assessment for
street repairs; limiting access to the area; and the extent of notification
to area residents about the proposal.
Franklin noted that the CIP includes a program to improve Old Dubuqe Road
odain
1989 by increasing the width to 28 feet and installing curbs, gutters
nd
storm sewers. Franklin noted it is the City's policy to notify residents at
Council's discretion.
Erdahl requested staff send summary and background information to Council for
review and schedule another discussion of this issue.
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Informal CounriI Disrussior;
January 22, 1985
Page 3
Dean Oakes informed Councilmembers that it will never be financially feasible
for him to extend Foster Road to Prairie du Chien unless the area is zoned
multiple hi -rise.
BEER/LIQUOR PERMIT SUSPENSION POLICY: Reel 85-C12, Side 2
McDonald said that State Code states that upon conviction, notification of
that conviction is sent to the City or Director of the Beer and Liquor
Commission. McDonald said the City should not be involved and the State
should handle suspensions. Jansen said he talked with Mr. Armstrong, legal
counsel to the State Beer and Liquor Commission, who said they have no
procedure for suspension unless they receive notification. Generally the
local authority will notify the State that there has been a conviction - a
certified copy of the charges and disposition has to be sent to the State,
coming from either the City or Clerk of Court. Jansen said a procedure needs
to be established to ensure the State offices receive notification and the
City needs to request that action be taken. Erdahl said it should be the re-
sponsibility of the County Clerk of Court or prosecuting agent or court to
forward the disposition to the licensing authority and/or to the City; the
City Attorney and Police Chief should cooperate with the Clerk of Court to
make sure the City finds out about convictions; the State should handle the
suspensions; and the Legislative Committee should work with area legislators
to resolve the problem. Berlin said staff will prepare a resolution as
discussed.
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: Reel 85-C12, Side 2
John Balmer, Chair of the Charter Review Commission, reviewed the ballot
issue and recommended changes to the Charter. Balmer noted the ballot issue
is not a recommendation from the Charter Review Commission and the City
Council needs to review Charter Section 8.02 to clarify the function of the
Charter Review Commission.
Balmer explained that changes in Section 7.03.8 and 7.04.0 would allow a
person who has moved within Iowa City to still be considered ar eligible
elector. Balmer said name and address is mandatory. Erdahl suggested the
petition form include space for printing a signature. Karr stated that
birthdate would not be required in the present proposal. Berlin stated
Council should receive input from the City Clerk prior to voting on the
matter.
In reference to Charter Section 8.02, Balmer stated the proposed changes
would allow the City Council to receive recommendations directly from the
Charter Review Commission.
Council received minutes of the Charter Review Commission December 10, 1984,
meeting that included discussions of proposed changes in Article 6: changing
"shall" to "may" and deleting "all." Balmer said the City is currently in
violation of Charter Section 6.02 and the proposed changes satisfies the
intent to require disclosure. Baker said the campaign contribution issue
should be scheduled at another informal Council discussion meeting. Berlin
said another discussion will be scheduled.
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Informal Council Discussion
January 22, 1985
Page 4
Charter Review Commission member Joel Mintzer emphasized the need for full
disclosure in Section 6.02.
HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING: Reel 85-C13, Side 1
Mintle said the Joint Human Services Funding Committee is meeting January 28,
1985. McDonald requested input from Councilmembers about the funding of
human services.
Zuber said that a lot of the services could be handled by one full-time
position working for all agencies, there should be a standard reporting form
for accounts and expenditures, and staff requests are unreasonable. Erdahl
said there needs to be more efficiency if there is to be any expansion of
services. In response to Strait, Erdahl said there is a general policy not
to increase funding to the established agencies and not to accept any new
agencies. Baker raised concerns about increases in RVAP, Domestic Violence,
and ESA agency salaries.
Berlin stated Mintle has prepared a draft of her funding recommendations and
noted the editorial in tonight's Press -Citizen.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Moved by Ambrisco, seconded by Dickson, to adjourn to executive session under
Section 28A.5.b. litigation to discuss strategy with Council in matters that
are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its
disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of
governmental body in that litigation; Section 28A.5.H strategy - non-union
employees to discuss strategy in matters relating to employment conditions of
employees who are not covered by collective bargaining agreement under
Section 20; 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 provisions of Chapter 28A
according to Chapter 20.17(3). Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0,
all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the motion carried and
adjourned to Executive Session, 9:35 p.m.
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