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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-11-14 Council minutesCr COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OP COUNCIL ACTIVITIES November 14, 1983 Iowa City Council, spec. mtg., 11/14/83, 7:00 P.M., in the Civic Center. Mayor Neuhauser presiding. Councilmembers present: Balmer, Dickson, Lynch, McDonald, Neuhauser, Perret, Erdahl (7:30). Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Schmadeke. Council minutes tape recorded on Tape 83-C18, Side 1, 492 -End, and Side 2, 1-10; and Tape 83-C23, Side 2, 11-86. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Lynch, to set a public hearing for November 22, 1983, on the Wastewater Collection and Treatment Program as proposed by the Wastewater Facility Committee. Individual Councilmembers expressed concerns and requested the matter be discussed in detail. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Perret, to recess the formal meeting until after discussion of the program. The Mayor declared the motion carried, 6/0, Erdahl absent. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Perret, to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss a public employer, strategy regarding collective bargaining with City employee organizations; as such discussion is exempted from the provisions of Chapter 28A according to Chapter 20.17(3). Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Erdahl absent. The Mayor declared the motion carried and adjourned to Executive Session, 7:10 P.M. d to en fter discussion, lCouncilereturned o oaformal meeting, 79:45PP'.M. AErdahl present. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Lynch, to set a public hearing for November 22, 1983, on the Wastewater Collection and Treatment Program as proposed by the Wastewater Facility Committee. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Perret, to adjourn to informal session. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present, 10:00 P.M. urian K. Karr, City Cler Yv�w C•-v�cu.iAA.1� Ferry G�ew�auser, Mayor Li J Informal Council Discussion November 8, 1983 Informal Council Discussion: November 8, 1983, at 7:30 p.m, in the Confer- ence Room a e Civic Cen er. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. Councilmembers Present: Balmer, Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, Neuhauser, Perret, McDonald. Staffinembers Present: Berlin, Helling, Karr, Jansen, Boothroy, Schmeiser. Tape Recorded: Reel 83-C20, 111; 83-C21, Side 1, I -End. New Zoning Ordinance The Council continued consideration of the public's comments and the staff recommendations outlined in Schmeiser's October 28 memo. A8 CN -1 zone should be broader and include uses such as general office, clothing, specialty shops of every kind, etc. Also the CN -1 zone should not be limited in area, i.e. three to seven acres. Staff noted that this zone should not be construed to encourage shopping center type developments and uses drawing community -wide support Council agreed with the staff recommendations. . The B9 The expansion of the downtown - the proposed Zoning Ordinance should accommodate for expansion, e.g, the areas zoned CC -2 could be zoned CS -2. Schmeiser noted that the intensity of development is the major difference between the two zones. There's quite a bit of underdeveloped land still in the downtown area. The intent is to direct intense development downtown. Neuhauser noted that there could be complaints raised if some of the older buildings in the downtown areas were torn down and replaced with high rises. #10 High rise parking. The Council agreed that, based on yesterday's discus- sion, high rises should be required to have one parking space per unit rather than three-quarters. #11 Parking space requirements for low rise multi -family uses are too restrictive. Council agreed to go along with staff recommendations. avoid However, there could be a problem with townhouses being constructed to theore ictive henrequirementmfor an additionalsparThe king space for units of more than 1,000 square feet (page 112 of the proposed Zoning Ordinance). N12 The problems associated with the establishment of nonconformities Schmeiser noted that L. Leff raised concern about the establ shmentof nonconformities. Schmeiser referred to Pae 167 ofnance to explain the restrictions on non9conforming hlots. Although nonconformities will be created, new requirements will lessen the burden on those experiencing them. -c;� Li 2 #14 Special exceptions involve a lot of "red tape" and time involvement and there is no assurance that such uses will be approved by the Board of Adjustment. While the new Board of Adjustment procedures involve more paperwork, the Council agreed that the process is still an improvement over previous methods. In some instances a special exception may be granted in place of a variance. Jansen noted that economic hardship will not justify a variance unless the property is rendered virtually use- less. i Pyramidal versus Non -pyramidal Zoning Schmeiser said pyramidal zoning is being implemented to better implement the Comprehensive Plan and reduce the potential for incompatibilities. Fraternities and Sororities Schmeiser detailed staff recommendations based on his memo. Occupancy is based on land area as proposed. Neuhauser stated that the City can regulate the occupancy of fraternities and sororities as it does now, as apartment houses, or as rooming houses. The Council agreed that regulating them as i rooming houses is the best compromise. Future additions would have to meet the new requirements. Scheduling Schmeiser said that the proposed ordinance review should be completed by next Monday. The site specific zoning requests would follow on November 21. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. K J I 7q S O1 Informal Council Discussion November 14, 1983 Informal Council Discussion: November 14, 1983, at 7:30 p.m. in the Confer- ence Room at the Civic Center. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. Councilmembers Present: Balmer, Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, Neuhauser, Perret, McDonald. Staffinembers Present: Berlin, Melling, Knight, Karr, Schmadeke, Vitosh, Boothroy, Schmeiser, Hencin, Mintle, Kucharzak, Milkman. Tape Recorded: Reel 83-C22, All; 83-C23, All; 83-C24, Side 1, 1 -End. Wastewater Treatment Plant Lynch said that the proposed wastewater plant is a 20 year project and the largest single capital expenditure that Iowa City has ever considered. Professor Dague presented a background on the proposed plant. He conducted an independent review of the plan for the wastewater committee. His prelimi- nary review indicates that it is best to build a new plant in four stages over 20 years: 1) southeast interceptor, lift station for the southeast sewer, and use the proposed site for interim; 2) outfall sewer from the old treatment plant to the new treatment plant for stormwater diversion; 3) build the secondary portion of the new plant at the new plant site; and 4) build the primary portion of the new plant site. Dague's preliminary study did not include detailed cost estimates. Dague then worked. with Jim Kimn to get details worked out. The southeast interceptor to the downstream site would cost about $7.5 million. A satellite plant in the southeast area isn't feasible because of problems with sludge disposal and physical problems. Maintenance would also be a bigger problem with extra sites. The least costly alternative to solving the stormwater overflow is to create a holding pond. Jim Kimn said that although some sewers are in bad shape the worst sewer in town has been replaced. There is a rehabilitation program in effect to help divert stormwater from the sanitary system. This will still not stop the stormwater overflow problem. A good deal of the infiltration problem comes from residential footing drains. A holding pond is still the most effective way to handle that overflow. The University is also disconnecting roof drains from the sanitary system. Dague stated that the phase two outfall sewer would solve the stormwater overflow problem. Utilizing a screw pump lift station and effectively raising the sewer saves about $1.5 million including the cost of the lift station. The phase one southeast interceptor would solve the Rundell trunk problem. This interceptor could be finished in about two years and would eliminate the need for about three other lift stations. Jim Kinn said that the recommendation for phase one is construc- tion of the southeast interceptor sewer and the first phase of the downstream treatment facility at a cost of about $19 million. Construction could stop at the end of phase one with no wasted construction. This would relieve the load on the existing plant by about 4.3 million gallons per day at dry level flow. Phase two would allow pumping stormwater overflows from the entire city. Phase three includes expansion of the liquid stream capabilities of the downstream plant while phase four completes its sludge handling capability. Phase four would be done about 2001 and would permit closing the old plant. At any phase construction could stop with little wasted money. The present study looks at the existing plant in terms of its performance and considers some newer processes for sewage handling. Dague noted that the current treatment plant is in a bad location. Dague said that the $36,000 study he has done has funded two graduate students on a pilot study and Dague's investigation of alternatives. Dague said that the southern location remains the best site for the plant. The horseshoe trunk sewer will have to be repaired regardless of other solutions. Rehabilitation of the present site is technilogically feasible but economically unwise. The household footing drains are not the result of roof runoff. Individual foundation tile flow at a rate of 7-16 gallons per minute. Kimm will provide documentation to the Council in the next couple of days. Dague said the old plant is violating standards during wet weather conditions. It would cost $5-$10 million to rehabilitate the old plant which still wouldn't solve the overflow problem. The proposed plant would cost less than $2.00 per gallon for treatment. Iowa City won't get any cheaper treatment than that. Kim said that the solids handling capability of the new plant only adds about $1.5 million. He said that the recommended plan is the most economical in the long run. The advantage of building downstream from the old plant is the ability to phase in growth. A one plant operation is the most efficient. It would probably cost more to eliminate the Pine Street lift station. The old sand pits along Highway 6 aren't feasible for use as holding ponds. Berlin said flexibility should be maintained in funding options as well as construction options. Neuhauser noted that privatization has nothing to do with phase one. Privatization is still an option after phase one is completed. Jim Kim; explained funding options. With federal funding at a 75% level, sewer rates would go up to about $11.00 per month, assuming a $50 million facility. Work With the citizen's committee indicated sewer rates in the range of $12.50-$15.00 per month with funding up front via substantial bond issues. The committee considered one large initial rate increase from the current $3.25 minimum plus $.35 per hundred cubic feet up to about a $9.00 minimum plus $1.05 per hundred cubic feet. Then the committee considered a gradual increase by funding only the first phase initially. In the last half of the fiscal 84, the rate would be raised to $5.00 plus $.40. In fiscal 86 the rate would be $6.00 plus $.60 per hundred cubic feet. By 1987 through 1991 the average user would be paying about $12.50 per month. This avoids drastic one-time increases. The Des Moines area rates will be $14.50-$20.00 per month even with the federal grant. Neuhauser noted that Iowa City rates have been exceptionally low in the past. Dague said that immediately raising the rates to $26.00 bimonthlyshould fund all four phases. Dague said that about one-third of the excess flow is associated with the southeast side. The Proposed holding pond would divert that excess flow until rain subsided and the flow could be pumped through the treatment plant. The initial treatment would be at the sand Road satellite with just the sludge going through the existing plant. The Sand Road holding pond would cost about $800,000. Dague said the capacity of the plant is difficult to put in terms of people. It is no longer common to rate sewer plants by the number of people they can serve. The new plant should double the sewer treatment capacity for the City. There will be no discounts for high volume users of the system. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Lynch, to recess to formal Council meeting to set public hearing for the November 22, 1983, on wastewater collection and treatment program. Financial Forecast Memo This will be deferred until a later date. 1984 CDBG Program Neuhauser recommended increasing funding $5,000 for planning for human services; $14,520 for housing code enforcement; and $11,000 to complete the work on the Nelson school. She recommended getting those increases by $4,000rom Red Css, deleting f3,270 from the Cedarwood Apartments,/$5,000 fOrchard rom the n 0 theBro klandParkm, and ;3250 from Longfellow playground. Balmer agreed with the housing code enforcement, Nelson school, and human service increases but he felt that the county should get involved with the human servicesfunding. funding Balmer felt that the Brookland Park -Longfellow playground project should be continued but Neuhauser's other forsctrecommendations he oolyardequipment.The Council Erdahlsedid best ed ttosee funding items without going through excessive federal paperwork. Hencin explained that for items costing less than $10,000 there are no federal bidding requirements. Neuhauser said that the citizens group should be made aware of Commitive decisions that the ssion shouldcontinueeto look ase t asPossible esilte for said housing and report to the new Council next spring. Kucharzak said funding alterna- tives will also be presented to the new Council. He added that the weatheri- zation project has met expectations. Neuhauser reminded the Council not to forget Ralston Creek next year. Changes in the Proposed Zoning Ordinance Schmeiser said that numerous changes have been made to clarify the new ordinance. He itemized changes by page and referred to the revised pages provided to the Council. The City Attorney has reviewed the changes and noted that many of them simply promote conformity in the use of terms and clarified terminology. Schmeiser noted the substantive changes. On page 9, the definition of hotel could include transient homes. He said a transient home is a dwelling providing lodging to guests for a certain length of time necommercials ten dzones which would forbid with or without transient homesein residenls are tialrareas. The spouse abuse shelter, however, would become non -conforming; Balmer said institutional service oriented homes shouldn't be labeled the same as short term rental boarding houses such as the ones by University Hospitals. The Council agreed to allow non-profit transient shelters in RM -12 zones and up including commercial zones and require half a parking space per guest unit. The definition would be as a non-profit hotel. On page 15, the recommended definition of a street is the state's definition. A problem arises with single family residences on private streets because residents later demand public services. On page 19 Neuhauser noted that revisions in the AG zone haven't been made yet pending discussions with legal staff. Kate Head assured the Council that the campus fraternities and sororities maintain standards and consistency through alumni and University staff guidance. She said major additions wouldn't be made to houses. She said parking could be handled at the Board of Adjustment level. Neuhauser said that the Council is concerned about the potential for excessive expansion by the houses. Lynch noted that the Greek system houses must maintain consis- tency with their neighborhoods. Schmeiser noted that the occupancy level is dependent upon lot area not floor area. Meeting adjourned at 11;30 p.m. J N�1 EXECUTIVE SESSION NOVEMBER 14, 1983 EXECUTIVE SESSION: November 14, 1983, 7:14 P.M. in the Conference Room at the Civic Center. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. COUNCII14MBERS PRESENT: Balmer, Dickson, Lynch, McDonald, Neuhauser, Perret. Absent: Erdahl. STAFFMEMBERS PRESENT: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Rynecki, Carroll, Ruppert. TAPE-RECORDED ON Reel H83-EX32, Side 1, 314-451. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Perret, to adjourn to executive session under Section 20 to discuss as a public employer, strategy regarding collective bargaining with City employee organizations; as such discussion is exempted from the provisions of Chapter 28A according to Chapter 20.17(3). The affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Erdahl absent. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Moved by Perret, seconded by Dickson, to adjourn, 7:23 P.M. The Mayor declared the motion carried, 6/0, Erdahl absent.