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Home My WebLink About1983-12-12 Council minutesCOMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF COUNCIL ACTIVITIES DECEMBER 12, 1983 Iowa City Council, special mtg., 12/12/83, at 9:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers. Mayor Neuhauser presiding. Council.members present: Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, McDonald, Neuhauser, Perret. Absent: Balmer. Staff -members present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Hauer, Schmeiser, Hayek. Tape recorded on 83-C40, Side 2, 277 -End. Recommendations of the Design Review Committee that the Design Review Comm. to approve the Preliminary Design Plans for Urban Renewal Parcel 64-1b (hotel site) as presented by the developer, noted. Recommendations of the Hotel Steering Committee that the Hotel Steering Comm. approve the Preliminary Design Plans for Urban Renewal Parcel 64-1b (hotel site) subject to the following provisions: (1) The height of the interior walkway be at least 18 feet in height. (2) The width of the interior walkway be between 30 to 35 feet. (3) The exterior walkway between the hotel and the College Block Building be covered. (4) All abutting Property owners are to be signatories to any change(s) proposed in the operation of the interior and exterior pedestrian ease- ments. (5) The Design Review Committee must approve the final plans for the appearance and configuration of the interior public space in the hotel, noted. Recommendations of the Design Review Committee and the Hotel Steering Committee regarding the Hotel project design changes, Urban Renewal Parcel 64-1b, be apprised in writing of all (major and minor) design changes in the hotel design by the developer, noted. Moved by Lynch, Seconded by Dickson, to adopt RES. 83-390, Bk. 80, pp. 1190-1195, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE OLD CAPIROL HOSTS LITIGATION SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted. Ebved by McDonald, seconded by Perret, to adopt RES. 83-391, Bk. 80, Pp. 1196-1198, AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH NORTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted. Moved by Perret, seconded by McDonald, to adopt RES.83-392, Bk. 80, pp. 1199-1214, AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE CONTRPCT REQUIRED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE UDAG AGREEMENT. It was noted that the parking agreement was separate and not included with this resolution. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted. Moved by Erdahl, seconded by McDonald, to defer until 12/20/83 consideration of a resolution authorizing an access easement for Urban Renewal Parcel 64-1b (hotel site). Reservations were expressed re air rights for future development. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 6/0, Balmer absent. Moved by Perret, seconded by McDonald, to adopt RES. 83-393, Bk. 80, 4 � . ... �..•x'-X1,_1•:' I _...141CROULMED.m'i.. JORM MICR+LAO i I CEDAR R0! DS • DE: !401NES ! + I Council Activities December 12, 1983 Page 2 PP. 1215-1220, AUTHORIZING EXECUPION OF AN ACCESS EASEnOIT FOR INTERIOR WALKWAY PUBLIC RIGHT -OF -My AND AN EXTERIOR PEDESTRIAN PUBLIC RSGHT-0F-MY ON URBAN RI'NEWAL PARCEL 64-1b (HOTEL SITE) BENTWEEN THE CITY OF IOWk CITY AND DR. HARRY A. JOHNSON, JR., DOING BUSINESS AS MID -CITY HOTEL ASSOCI- ATES -IOWA CITY. It was noted that the developer would be responsible for maintenance of both the exterior and interior walkways. AfEirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the resolu- tion adopted. Moved by Perret, seconded by Dickson, to adopt RES. 83-394, Bk. 80, pp. 1221-1222, APPROVING PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR URRAN RF2dEWAL PARCEL 64-1b (HOTEL SITE). Individual Councilmenbers expressed their views re the design. General consensus was that the design was acceptable and revi- sions to plans have considerably lessened concerns. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the resolu- tion adopted. Moved by Lynch, seconded by McDonald, that the ORDINANCE REPFALING APPENDIX A OF THE IOWA CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES AND ESTABLISHING A NEW CHAPTER 36 BNPITLED "ZONDNG", be given second vote for passage. Affirma- tive roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Moved by Erdahl, seconded by Perret, to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litiga- tion or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure could be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in thatng crollec- litigation and to discuss as a public employer, strategy regardi tive bargaining with City employee organizations; as such discussion exempted from the provisions of Chapter 28A accossion is rding to Chapter 2 ). ss Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the motion carried and adjourned to Executive Session, 9_45 P.M. �', I9ICRDFILBED DY_.. ._r. _ JORM MICR/ L.AB 1 { CEDAR PODS - DE; MOMES - I '1�4 Z-97 Informal Council Discussion Minutes December 12, 1983 Informal Council Discussion: December 12, 1983, at 7:35 p.m. in the Council C am ers at a Civic Cen er. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. Councilmembers Present: Neuhauser, Dickson, Lynch, Perret, McDonald, Erdahl. Absent: Balmer. Staff Present: Berlin, Helling, Karr, Jansen, Hauer, Schmeiser, Hayek. Tape Recorded: Reel #83-42, Side 1 and Side 2, 1 -End; Reel #83-C43, Side 1, 1-157. Agenda. Neuhauser said that Shamrock/Arbor area storm drainage scheduled for 9:00 will be deferred until next Monday. Hotel Agreement. Dr. Harry Johnson, the hotel developer, showed the Council design changes and modifications from last week's presentation, including 1) widening of the pedestrian walkway to at least 27 feet, 2) heightening of the pedestrian walkway to 17 feet, 3) recessing the entrances and provision of two pocket doors, and 4) covering of the ten foot exterior walkway with glass. These changes meet the Hotel Steering Committee's concerns. The hotel is not a Holiday Inn International because this name is limited to areas near major international airports and are hotels with 400 rooms or more. Johnson stated this hotel will surpass most Holiday Inns in quality. Holiday Inn was selected because of its superior reservation referral system. the overnor Lucas Johnson to look through person sglass-enclosed lobby fountain and see Burlington Street. In n answer to a question from the public, Neuhauser explained the hotel lot was designed to allow separate development of the hotel and the proposed depart- ment store. Richard Hansen (Hansen Lind Meyer Architects) said the hotel will decrease the value of Plaza Centre One because of a loss of visual and functional amenities. He estimated the loss at $2 million. Hansen complained the process of approving the construction of the hotel has ignored many important points: blockage of Dubuque Street, lack of access to a major pedestrian element to the downtown, shading of City Plaza, reduction of the value of the property to the east of the hotel, and the undesirability of stucco for the hotel. Joyce Summerwill said the public and the Council haven't had suffi- cient information or time to approve this hotel design. John Hayek said that because of pending legislation, IRB funding for this project will be difficult or impossible after December 31, 1983. The UDAG grant to the City could also be threatened by undue delays. Hayek said the entire financing of the project would change if there is a delay past the end of December. Hayek said that the contract with UDAG requires construction of . MICROFILMED BY JORM MICR+LAI 4 i CEDAR RAPIDS • DEL MOVIES 1 i 1 H 2 a specific number of hotel rooms, etc. Hansen said that he was told that line items contained in the UDAG could not be changed. Hauer responded that problems occur when line items are changed. She said line item changes are not prohibited but could affect the grant amount. Additional costs would have to be borne entirely by the developer. Erdahl said the hotel is in a good location. The developer's architect noted in Minneapolis and St. Paul that stucco exteriors stand up to the elements in spite of the great variations in temperature. He said commercial uses of the stucco did not have the settling problems associated with residential stucco use. Stucco also allows for a lighterweight building exterior. The Hotel Steering Committee felt that a change from brick used in many downtown buildings was appropriate for a major addition to downtown. An access easement east of the hotel parcel will be provided and will also be used by the parcel adjacent to the hotel. It will be the developer's responsibility to maintain the exterior walkway to the west. The developer's .architect reviewed the pedestrian exterior and interior walkway design plans. Perret said he believes the hotel will be a great success. Erdahl said while he is not satisfied with every detail of the design, he will vote for the hotel as a whole. Lynch asked Hansen if a substantial portion of his complaint about the hotel stemmed from the limitations to access to parking. Hansen admitted that it is a big issue. Lynch said in spite of long-term parking problems in Iowa City, a new hotel will make a better downtown. Council adjourned to formal session at 9:35 p.m. ` 1 r NV MICROFW4ED BY _I. _. JDRM MICR+LAB i r -CEDAR ROIDS • DES MOINES Jj I 74,_..MICROFILMED RY.._._.._l� t JORM MICR( LAB 1 { CEDAR RAPIDS r DEC MOINES 3 I r Te r +N E X E C U T I V E S E S S I O N ' DECEMBER, 1 2, 19 83 EXECUTIVE SESSION: December 12, 1983, 10:00 P.M. in the Conference Room ! at the Civic Center. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, McDonald, Neuhauser, Perret. Absent: Balmer. STAFRSMERS PRESENT: Berlin, Jansen, Helling, Karr, Hayek. TAPE-RECORDED ON Reel N83-EX33, Side 1, 208 -End, Side 2, 1 -End and over r to Reel H83-EX34, Side 2, 1-61. Moved by Erdahl, seconded by Perret to adjourn to executive session under I Section 28A.5(b) 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 the governmental body in that litigation and under Section 20.17(3), 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, Balmer absent. The Mayor declared the motion carried. 1 d Moved by Perret, seconded by Dickson to adjourn, 11:20 P.M. The Mayor declared the motion carried, 6/0, Balmer absent. j ! r � ,o I. i, f i i i ! 74,_..MICROFILMED RY.._._.._l� t JORM MICR( LAB 1 { CEDAR RAPIDS r DEC MOINES 3 I r