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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-03-08 Council minutesCOMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF COUNCIL ACTIVITIES March 8, 1982 Iowa City Council, special mtg., March 8, 1982, 4:30 P.M., at the Civic Center. Councilmembers present: Balmer, Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, Neuhauser, McDonald, Perret. Absent: none. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Schmadeke, Brachtel, Schmeiser, Vitosh, Lundell, Karr. Tape-recorded on Tape 82-6, Side 1, 290-638. Moved by Perret, seconded by McDonald, to adopt RES. 82-50, Bk. 72, pp. 343-364, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO A CONTRACT FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND ZUCHELLI, HUNTER & ASSOCIATES. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted. Moved by Perret, seconded by Dickson, to adopt RES. 82-51, Bk. 72, pp. 365- 366, ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1983. Councilmember Balmer stated his displeasure with the Council's lack of transit Policy and his intention not to vote for the resolution. Individual Councilmembers expressed their views re the budget and their intention to vote for the resolution. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted, 6/1, with the following division of roll call vote: Ayes: Erdahl, Lynch, McDonald, Neuhauser, Perret, Dickson. Nays: Balmer. Moved by Perret, seconded by Dickson, to appoint Mickey Lauria, 1106 E. Washington St, and re -appoint William Whitlow, 15 Gleason Drive, to the Committee on Community Needs for terms ending March 1, 1984. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. i i The Mayor announced the appointment of A. Russell Schmeiser, 18 Forest Glen, to the Airport Commission for a six-year term ending 3/1/88. The majority of the Council concurred. Moved by Balmer', seconded by Perret, to re -appoint Robert Pepper, 311 Woolf Avenue and Jen Madsen, 1315 Whiting Avenue, to the Broadband Telecommunications Commission for three-year terms ending 3/13/85. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. i The Mayor announced two vacancies for unexpired terms ending 5/1/83 on the Housing Commission. These appointments will be made at the Apri1 13 meeting of j the City Council. Mayor Neuhauser announced the appointment of John McDonald and David Perret as City Council representatives to the Department Store/Hotel Coordinating Committee. There were no objections. Moved by Balmer, seconded by Perret, to set a public hearing for 3/16/82 on a proposed resolution declaring that public convenience and necessity require the proposed resolution declaring that public convenience and necessity require the proposed additional taxicab service applied for by Hawkeye Cab Company, Finley owner. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. 11� � K - AT . _n . .cn _. urn ov i ' ... "JORM- MICR46LAO .J CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MDINES i _y J� Council Activities March 8, 1982 Page 2 Moved by Balmer, seconded by McDonald, to amend the color scheme (green and orange with white letters) and authorize name change for City Cab Company to Yellow and City Cab Company. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. Moved by Perret, seconded by McDonald, to adjourn to informal session, 5:08 P.M. The Mayor declared the motion carried unanimously, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. MARIAN K. KARR, DEPUTY CITY CLERK Mme, C 4 MARY C. RBUHAUSER, MAYOR r-- — J 1r F • % - uvoncn ucn or J '"JORM.�`�MIC Rf�-AB--- 1 CEDAR RAI' DS DES MDI YES r�-- h7� 1 INFORMAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION March 3, 1982 INFORMAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION: March 3, 1982, 7:30 P.M., in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center. Mayor Neuhauser presiding. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Balmer, Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, McDonald, Neuhauser, Perret. Absent: none. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Hayek, Hauer, Boothroy, Karr. GUESTS PRESENT: Ted Strader and Donald Zuchelli (Zuchelli, Hunter & Associates) and others as indicated for discussion. TAPE-RECORDED on Reel V82-6, Side 2, 1186 -End and Side 1, 1-290. HOTEL/DEPARTMENT STORE REPORT Ted Strader and Don Zuchelli presented Council with two possible alternatives, one with the hotel sitting on the west side of the parcel and the department store on the east, and the second, with the hotel and department store switch- ing places. Strader indicated that both alternatives deal with the basic blocks of space rather than architectural details. Zuchelli stressed that both offered that City the availability to proceed with one portion of the development at a time. Alternate B - (presented first) The hotel rises a maximum of six stories and offers 140-180 rooms, large banquet hall, and a restaurant. Zuchelli noted the hotel would be highly visible and offer visitors an impressive view of the City. An arcade would connect the hotel to Bushnell's Turtle at the level of the present Dubuque Street mall. Visitors would drive up the south end of the arcade and would would experience "a real courtyard sense of arrival". Adjoining the hotel from the east would be a two-level, 75,000 square foot department store, about 17,500 square feet of small shops, covered by a glass arcade would be just opposite the public library. Cars would utilize the Linn Street entrance. Zuchelli noted that the shopper entrance, jutting onto the pedestrian mall, may deter potential developers by its small size and greater distance from Old Capitol Mall. Alternate A - The hotel entrance would be on Linn Street, with the department store ttchd to s less small shop space,aupatoe 7000 squarelfeet Tistallotted sinethene Dubuque Street arcade. Cars would not be able to drive directly to the store entrance but that entrance would be closer to the Old Capitol Mall. Strader pointed out that this design would probably appeal to department store bidders because it would be attachedto the rest of the downtown area regardless of whether the hotel is built. Square footage for the department store and hotel are similar John Hughes, representing the Chamber of,:Commerce, read a statement urging the Council to proceed as rapidly as possible with plans and also asked that non -department store space be kept to a minimum. Ed Zastrow, Bushnell's Turtle, was also present for discussion. j "-JORM MICRt LA9 CEDAR RAPIDS DES MDIRES ..I _�N w Councilmembers raised concerns re protential traffic problems or jams at the Dubuque Street parking ramp with the hotel entrance as designed in Alternate B. Questions arose re the amount of blank wall encroaching on the pedestrial mall. Several members wanted the softer angular lines of Alternate A combined with the placement of the department store/hotel of Alternate B. Strader and Zuchelli will design a third alternate based on these concerns. Zuchelli distributed copies of the proposed third amendment to the contract between the City and Zuchelli, Hunter & Associates for technical services. He explained if all goes well with the proposed hotel/department store pro- ject the city would spend $42,000 in fees. The firm will charge a total of $125,000 for the project. The city's share would be 33%, hotel 44%, and the department store and small shops the remaining 23%. If the city's three- month search for developers is fruitless, it could spend up to $65,000. Also distributed where copies of the proposed work program and schedule for the City and Zuchelli, Hunter and Associates. Zuchelli explained the im- portance of moving quickly and keeping on schedule. By mid-March a committee consisting of two councilmembers, two Design Review members, and two staff members should be in place to oversee the project. Council agreed one staff member should be the City Manager. The two councilmembers will be selected at the next formal council meeting. Meeting adjorned, 9:30 P.M. I_JORM^V MICR#L:A9 CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MONE5 _V 1 r _z7_ Z/ INFORMAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION MARCH 8, 1982 INFORMAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION: March 8, 1982, 5:10 P.M. in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Balmer, Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, Neuhauser, McDonald Perret. Absent: None. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Schmadeke, Brachtel, Schmeiser, Vitosh, Lundell. TAPE-RECORDED ON Reel N82-6, Side 1, 640-2695. BENTON/RIVERSIDE DRIVE IMPROVEMENT'PROJECT 640-2695 Public Works Dir. Schmadeke introduced Bob Henley, District Engineer from Cedar Rapids, Iowa Department of Transportation. Henley reviewed briefly how the project got started. An April 1980 court stipulation stated that the City and IDOT would split the cost 50/50 for the improvement of the Benton/Riverside intersection. The scope of the project was shown on a map. The median on Riverside would go north approximately to the car dealership. Minimum left -turn storage lanes would be developed for northbound traffic on Riverside for the two businesses on the left side. IDOT proposes to widen Benton Street to four lanes on the east, three lanes on the west and resurfacing the existing City street remaining. The center would be resurfaced with asphalt. City Manager Berlin pointed out that this is an issue of contention with IDOT, the City believes the agreement clearly states that the project will be of cement construction, and has so notified IDOT. The $20,000 cost difference for concrete would be split 50/50. Berlin commented that the City would pursue its options. Henley pointed out a change made in the basic design after meeting with property f owners, the median would be shortened 20' to 30' to allow access into Linder Tire on the south and the Gas Station on the north. He stated that if the property owners want it, and the City desires it, IDOT could leave space on ' Benton for the Muffler Shop and McDonalds. An East-West public alley could serve for circulation of traffic. Henley explained the difference in exper- ience between 4 -lane and 5 -lane concepts and, numbers of accidents. Improving accident rate on Riverside cannot be done without the median. A new traffic signal at Benton/Riverside, with a pedestrian phasing will be installed. Differences in the traffic volume projections from 1979 to 1983 were explained. The number of accidents reported in several areas for different years were reported. Henley indicated that if it was.the desire of the Council, IDOT would consider an entrance opposite McDonald's entrance to come in off Benton to serve the Muffler Shop and Linder Tire. Dickson called attention to bottlenecks on Riverside Drive caused by left -turners. Perret questioned whether or not more problems were being caused by construction of the raised median. Henley explain- ed, and then stated that if there is a change -regarding the median, after both staffs had recommended the median, and if accidents happen, both agencies would be subject to tort liability. Schmadeke asked that Staff be able to take a look at the proposed access off Benton. Councilmembers discussed how pedestrian phasing signal would work, stopping traffic in all directions, including the right turn on red, and other options. The raised median, four feet wide, could be a refuge for pedestrians, Henley said. Eleanor Trummel stated that she didn't feel that DOT was concerned with pedestrian cross- ings. Henley indicated that he and the City Traffic Engineer would look at the F - � mrnnru urn n l "JORM MICRbLAB- _J 1 I CEDAR RAPT OS • DES Id01VES I _y Page 2 Informal Council March 8, 1982 feasibility of providing a full individual pedestrian phase, stopping traffic in all four directions. Neuhasuer advised Trummel that she would be informed of the next discussion. Atty. Jay Honohan appeared representing O'Brien/McDon- alds, and also in behalf of several others who were opposed to the median strip on Riverside, noting that up to 50% of the traffic to the businesses would be cut off by the proposed median, as estimated by a former IDOT appraiser, Eldon Yoder. Businesses could appeal to the Board of Appeals. He stated that there were more accidents at streets with median strips and storage lanes that at those without median strips, and suggested installing a fifth lane at the intersection and appropriate traffic signalization to alleviate the problems. The fifth lane left turn would be for both north and south traffic. Traffic jams because of the bridge on Benton were noted. Accident statistics should be clarified. John Hagg, Sinclair Station noted loss of one pump and one driveway for right-of- way acquisition by DOT. He will be compensated only for loss of the access and for the land, but not for the loss of business. The letter from Linder Tire re- quested a center turning lane on Riverside Drive instead of the median. Dave Hartwig expressed concerns regarding the median and its cost, and noted their loss of car display area. Balmer requested looking at a shorter median strip. Kevin O'Brien suggested opening 84518 first, then see if there are traffic problems. Possibility of U-turns was noted by Hartwig. Neuhauser summarized further action -as follows: 1) getting information on short- ening the median and getting an estimate of cost for the fifth lane concept, 2) investigating the possibility of adding the median at a later date, how much the cost would be at that time and how costs would be shared, 3) investigating more about volumes for pedestrian light, and 4) that the City would pursue installation of concrete paving, not asphalt. Councilmembers agreed. Henley urged Council to expedite the tasks given to staff. Meeting adjourned, 7:25 P.M. u,ronru urn ov 1 "JORM-MICR#LAB'- CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES ' I j R oil _y 1 J EXECUTIVE SESSION MARCH 8, 1982 EXECUTIVE SESSION: March 8, 1982, 7:25 P.M., in the Conference Room at the Civic Center. Mayor Mary Neuhauser presiding. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Balmer, Erdahl, Dickson, Lynch, Neuhauser, McDonald, Perret. Absent: None. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Helling, Karr, Jansen, Schmadeke, Schmeiser, Hauer. TAPE-RECORDED on Reel N25, Side 1, 1239-1645. Moved by Erdahl, seconded by Perret to adjourn to executive session under Section 28A.5.b of the State Code 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 28A.5.g to discuss the purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the govenrmental body would have to pay for that property. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 7/0, all Councilmembers present. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Moved by Perret, seconded by Erdahl to adjourn, 8:05 P.M. The Mayor declared the motion carried, 7/0. a,n vonni yarn av J —'DORM"""MIC R¢CA B' 1 CEDAR RAPIDS • DES M0111ES I '