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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-10-03 Council minutes1 COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF COUNCIL ACTIVITIES October 3, 1983 Iowa City, special mtg., 10/3/83, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Managers Conference Room. Councilmembers present: Balmer, Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, McDonald, Neuhauser, Perret. Absent: None. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr. Tape recorded on Tape 83-32, Side 1, 2065- 2204. A public hearing was held to consider the disposition of property interest in the Central Junior High property. No one appeared. Moved by Lynch, seconded by McDonald, to set special meeting on October 4, 1983, at 8:30 p.m. for consideration of a resolution re disposition of property. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present, and directed the City Clerk to post notice. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Perret, that the rule requiring ordinances to be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, the second consideration and vote be waived and that ORD. 83- 3147, Bk. 22, pp. 142-144, REZONING 1.6 ACRES IN THE SOUTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE INTERSECTION OF GILBERT AND PRENTISS STREETS FROM C2 TO R3A, be voted upon for final passage at this time. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Moved by Balmer, seconded by McDonald, that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Lynch, that the rule requiring ordinances to be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, the second consideration and vote be waived and that ORD. 83- 3148, Bk. 22, pp. 145-147, REZONING CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 522 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET FROM C2 TO R3B, be voted upon for final passage at this time. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Perret, that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/O, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Lynch, that the rule requiring ordinances to be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, the second consideration and vote be waived and that ORD. 83- 3149, Bk. 22, pp. 148-150, REZONING THE ENTIRE HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL (CH) ZONING DISTRICT LOCATED NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF FIRST AVENUE AND MUSCATINE AVENUE TO C2, be voted upon for final passage at this time. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Perret, that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted. Council Activities October 3, 1983 Page 2 Moved by Balmer, seconded by Dickson, to adjourn to informal session 7:40 p.m. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. MARY NLU . H4MER, MAYOR //ln4�A1D -e. tiAj) MARfAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK .1� INFORMAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION OCTOBER 3, 1983 Informal Council Discussion: October 3, 1983, at 7:30 PM, in the Conference Room at the Civic Center. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. Councilmembers present: Neuhauser, Balmer, Lynch, McDonald, Dickson, Erdahl, rerret. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Farmer, Tippe, Schmadeke, Brachtel, McGonagle, Davidson, Lundell. Tape Recorded: Reel 83-32, Side 1, 2205 -end, Side 2, 1-1927. HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING Willow Creek Neighborhood Center. Human Services Coordinator, Cheryl Mintle, present. Diane Peppertone, Executive Director of the Willow Creek Neighborhood Center, explained the types of programs available through Willow Creek including tumbling, library visits, and art workshops. She emphasized that Willow Creek is doing more focused things than in the past. Two new programs have been added, the Wednesday evening potluck and the senior citizens group. Balmer expressed appreciation to Peppertone for the improvements she has made at Willow Creek. Peppertone noted that Willow Creek's senior citizens are using the Senior Center and the Willow Creek Center more. Willow Creek has received $3,000 from United Way and has requested $2,196 from the City. The Human Services Coordinator has recommended $500. Council concurred with the $500 recommendation. United Action for Youth. Jim Swaim, Executive Director present. Council agreed to grant United Action for Youth an additional allocation of $500, of which $250 would be held until a decision is made re FICA. Process of funding. Cheryl Mintle said that Human Services wants to have only one hearing for human services funding with no follow-up hearings. The hearings would start in December with one hearing per week so each agency receiving money from a governmental unit can be heard. It appears that the County would have four meetings, Iowa City would have three and Coralville would have two and a half. An agency would apply to United Way and County Governments at the same time. Wednesday nights are proposed for the meeting nights. All members of each funding source, (City Council or Board of Supervisors) would be invited to each meeting. At the end of December, discussions on agencies would take place and agencies would get feedback about funding recommendations. McDonald noted that there would be three consecutive nights of Council business with the hearings in December. The United Way agencies would be heard in January. Erdahl pointed out that the Council uses the committee approach so attendance by the three Council members might suffice. Perret expressed concern that the meetings might turn out to be very long. Erdahl suggested scheduling the meetings on weeks without formal council meetings. Mintle asked that definite deadlines of November 11 be set for applications from Human Service agencies. The deadline should be a condition of funding. Other funding sources will be asked to take the same policy. Informal Council Discussion October 3, 1983 Page 2 Rundell Storm Sewer. Balmer said that although he supports the project, the costs have skyrocketed out of sight. Farmer explained that the 1979 plan was put together by a consultant with input from the City. He ,000 said that it was later decided to be an inappropriate plan. There was $30allocated for the storm sewer system while now $100,000 is allotted. The South Branch Dam has helped reduce the problem as far as the creek is concerned, but the problem is more acute because of the nature of the urban area. Farmer admitted that the current plan could make a problem for very small area. Perret noted that protection for a hundred year rain fall only costs about 10% more than protection for a 25 year storm sewer. Farmer said that the risk is worth saying the 10%. Approximately 50 homes are currently affected, but only one property is actually flooded when the intersection is flooded. There could still be problems if there is a power outage. Jim Hines, an area resident, said that the intakes on the neighborhood are just too small. Debris plugs the drain and water may stand for two to three days. The problem has existed since 1960 and has been getting worse. Lynch noted that homes are built in the creek bed which may be the source of the problem. Farmer said that when the creek is full the water will backup the pipe and flood the intersection. Balmer said that he would prefer to install larger pipes if possible, but Farmer said that it wouldn't help in a big storm. Hines said that management of the creek has helped but it hasn't helped the intersections. Block grants could fund the project. The project cost has increased nearly $60,000 since last spring. Erdahl noted that bids might change the actual costs. Berlin said that money must be allocated from various sources when bids are let. Neuhauser added that CCN has never been interested in the project. Farmer said that when the project is complete a 25 year flood wouldn't cause ponding on the street and water shouldn't back into basements from driveways. Hines said that he is bothered by unsanitary conditions in the wet well of the pumping station but Farmer explained that small pumps evacuate i virtually all of the water. Berlin said that the project would have to be internally funded until bonds could be sold. Balmer said that he believes projects should be funded from Block Grant money as much as possible so that the City bonding could be reserved for other uses. Farmer noted that the Tanglewood Sidewalk Project costing $93,000 was spent for 17 properties ($5,500 per property) which was assessed to the properties. Erdahl Owners,said the cost perlproperty the couldsewer stillobecconsidered. Lynch noted n't be assessed to thatethe j staff has done their work preparing estimates. Now it is up to the Council to decide the best course of action. Erdahl and Dickson said that they are in favor of the project with the increased cost above the $234,000 estimate to be split between the Block Grant and bonding funds. McDonald noted that the entire project could be funded through Block Grants if the Council desired. Tra Summi signstatnCourtlantop d Oakland have successfully limiteddtraffic on Court Streethat he feels the t and the NO RIGHT TURN ON RED is not needed. Perret and Erdahl both said that they favored retention of the NO RIGHT TURN ON RED because it does limit traffic. Consensus was to remove the NO RIGHT TURN ON RED prohibition. Downtown Transit Interchange. McDonald repeated his opposition to removal of a route thru downtown Iowa City. He said every downtown intersection is dangerous because of the heavy pedestrian trafficNeuhauser agreed, noting that barring bicycle traffic would make the situation on Jefferson and Burlington worse. 1 Informal Council Discussion October 3, 1983 Page 3 Perret disagreed, saying that Washington is a unique hazard. Lynch said the he has received a record number of phone calls to keep the street open, and would vote to keep the intersection open. Majority agreed to the interchange remaining open. COUNCIL TIME AND AGENDA 1. Downer Letter. Berlin reported that there are problems with the proposed indemnification agreement for 225 Iowa Avenue. He will talk with Downer and report back to the Council. 2. State Funding Cuts. McDonald asked if the funding cuts could be more severe. Berlin replied that only preliminary figures are available but the figures should be close. The reduction should be slightly less than stated in the Vitosh memo because the State Transit assistance won't be cut. 3. Taft Speedway. Berlin said that extension of services for the Taft Speedway area should be discussed as separate business. 4. Iowa -Illinois Franchise. Berlin said that further discussion will take place after further direction from City Council. 5. Removal of the permit parking from Capitol Street Ramp. Berlin said that the figures are accurate and the traffic counts are much higher than last year. Balmer said that he thought the situation should have been better explained in the letter to permit holders. Rates for permits have been reduced. A follow-up letter to permit holders will be sent to explain the City's action and refer to Chauncey Swan lot as alternative. i 6. Berlin reminded the Council of the 1:00 PM goal setting session on Thursday. 7. Berlin noted the Sewer Committee meeting is tentatively set for October 11. A report from the Sewer Committtee should be ready for the Council this week, complete with recommendations. 8. Dickson complained about the dumping at Steven's sandpit. Staff will investigate. 9. Neuhauser expressed concern about ponding of water at River Street and Rocky Shore Drive. 10. Karr reminded Council members to bring in their code books for updating. 11. Neuhauser reminded the Council members of local government day and the visit by the Governor, scheduled for October 4. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.