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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-06-13 Council minutesS- 5,/ Informal Council Discussion June 13, 1983 Informal Council Discussion: June 13, 1983, 8:15 p.m., in the Conference Room at the Civic Center. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. Councilmember's Present: Neuhauser, McDonald, Dickson, Balmer, Lynch, Perret. Absent: Erdahl. City Staf Present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Boothroy, Hencin, Milkman, Carroll. Tape Recorded: Reel 83-17, Side 2, 11284 -end. Executive Session Moved by Perret, seconded by McDonald, to adjourn to executive session under Sec. 28A.56 Litigation to discuss strategy with counsel 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. Council returned to open session. Central Jr. High Property A compromise proposal will be presented to the City Council and the School Board at the Special Informal Council Meeting June 14. Jansen, Berlin, Neuhauser, Cannon, Cronin, and Cruise worked together on the details of the compromise. Clear Creek Investment Company Proposal Berlin explained that the Clear Creek group wants to find out the City's position on long range development of their west side property. Zoning, sewer details, and property access are details the Council expressed interest in. Berlin stated that the group is thinking of an Office Research Park and they are i interested in general in the Council's plans for Iowa City's economic growth. j Boothroy has had a preliminary look at their plans and feels that a new water main ($300,000) would have to be provided as well as a sewer line ($600,000) to the Hawkeye Lift Station. They will have a gravel frontage road along new Highway 218 which eventually would revert to the City. Neuhauser suggested state participation because of the contribution to the Hi -Tech Corridor concept. The impact on surrounding property must be considered. Berlin will reply to the jf Clear Creek group that the Council discussed this matter and staff is being asked to come up with preliminary cost estimates. McDonald noted that the commitment to spur economic growth requires spending money. Allocation of Jobs Bill Funds Balmer noted that the Emergency Shelter should be funded with the Nelson Center waiting full funding. Neuhauser said that Father Greiner and Jack Zerwas would head the group to select the Emergency Shelter site. Hencin said that the Hudson/Miller area should be considered for the remaining $15,000 of the Jobs Bill fund. That area will be requested as a designated target area soon. CCN also has requests for sidewalks. Berlin suggested excess money from the paint program could be reallocated to rehabilitation. McDonald noted that University Hospitals creates some of the transient problem. Neuhauser pointed out that Iowa City .is in a unique position among cities because of its high housing I MICROFILMEn BY ;JORM MICROLAB 'CEDAR RAPIDs•DES MOINES r I costs. McDonald suggested that maintenance would be a perpetual drain on City funds. Lynch replied that other places, such as the Spouse Abuse Shelter, do a good job of holding down costs. Dickson suggested that other community groups should be involved. Neuhauser added that less government involvement is better. Cheryl Mintle has done a study which outlines where City funded agencies can reduce costs by combining similar services. Berlin noted that the Ronald McDonald House should help and also very tight restrictions on use of a transient shelter will simplify administration and cut costs. The Council thanked CCN and staff for their fine job. Affirmative Action Task Force Report Anne Carroll summarized the history of the task force. In response to a question from Balmer, Carroll said that the Affirmative Action Task Force's position has been to incorporate women into non-traditional roles including police, fire, maintenance, and streets. She explained that the jobs traditionally held by women, such as library jobs, haven't had many male applicants. Balmer noted a feeling by many that the Finance Department is a tight knit group and perhaps diversity would make it a better department. Berlin said that there have been some very open discussions with the Finance Department on exactly that issue. Carroll added that again, few male applicants are available for consideration. Neuhauser asked about women applicants for Fire Department openings. Carroll said that minority representation among applicants for the last open firefighter position was about 10% and there are j two minority members on the civil service list. The Civil Service procedures for both fire and police are very tight and it is difficult to get any movement outside those procedures. Veteran's preference and physical ability are particular stumbling blocks. A veteran has absolute preference if she makes the qualified list. The average female must be more physically fit than the average male to pass the physical ability tests. The 10% minority applications can be compared to the 2% minority county applicants. Iowa City leads the state r in female and minority representation in the Police Department. Dickson asked about handicapped. Neuhauser said that it is difficult for the physically handicapped to be employed in the Civic Center because of architectural barriers. Tree Maintenance and Removal Berlin pointed out that Councilmembers have drafts of the policy and revisions will be forthcoming for discussion next week. Lynch noted problems with the 50% dead restriction. The forester has reviewed the policy and will accept the policy but would prefer to rely on personal judgment. Lynch had a problem with the absolute language of the policy which will be considered as a revision. The adoption of the policy will allow the forester to submit a budget and establish priorities. June 14 Meeting Tomorrow night's meeting will cover Central Junior High and zoning priorities. Meeting adjourned at 9;00 p.m. r, i• J P, t MICROFILMED BY '.JORM MICROLAB 11 CEDAR RAPIDS -DES -MOINES r J