HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-11 Transcription#3
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ITEM 3 COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
Bailey: This is a time for people to speak to items that are not on tonight's agenda.
If you would like to speak to the Council, please approach the podium,
state your name, um, for the record, and limit your comments to five
minutes or less.
Volland: Hi everybody. I'm Abbie Volland, obviously. I'm the City Council
Liaison. I just wanted to let you know that with the City Manager search,
I greatly appreciate you allowing me to be part of the process, and
allowing students to be involved. Because my position ends on May lsc,
I'm going to step down from being involved in that process from this point
forward because I don't think it's fair to me, to you, or to the candidates to
start out with my involvement and not continue all the way through. So, if
you have any questions or concerns, let me know, but I'd like to thank you
very much for making students, and me, such a great priority in the
process, and I hope you continue to do that.
Bailey: ...participation, Abbie.
Wright: Well, actually, you had some good insights!
Volland: Thank you.
Hayek: You represented your student body well.
Bailey: Other members for Community Comment? Okay. Randy?
Hartwig: I want to take a brief minute here. Randy Hartwig, uh, I just want to share
a couple thoughts. I...I'm starting my sixth year on the Airport
Commission here next Thursday, and uh, during my early tenure I
remember that, um, I remember talking with the City Manager, the Mayor,
uh, Members of the City Council, some of which are, uh, still here
(laughter) and uh, one of the...one of the constants I got from those
discussions was the need for better communication with...with the Airport
Commission that, uh, sometimes the only time they heard from us or from
the Commission was when there was a problem, and uh, I just wanted to
bring up, I guess, in response to...to last week's, uh, motion by some to
reduce the budget on the, of the Airport, that, you know, I certainly
recognize and...and uh, that that's your right and that's your...but my
point is I guess communication's atwo-way street, and that, uh, you know,
we look forward to being part of a discussion about that, if...if the, I think
the firefighter issue was, um, presented there. Um, and I just wanted to
state too that I think, particularly in the last four years, I've personally I
think tried to, um, get the Commission to sort of think in the big picture of
things. In other words, uh, looking at things that help the city grow, in
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essence helps the Airport too. One of those items, I think, is on the agenda
later with Aviation Commerce Park, and uh, I guess I think we've been
successful in that. I think there's a number of things in the last few years
that we...we've, uh, done that's, uh, for instance, Mormon Trek extension
that, uh, didn't quite jive with the runway extension, which we obviously
saw a need to continue the...the road at, uh, for the good of the city,
instead of waiting for the runway to be extended. Uh, that led to a closure
of the runway earlier than some of the Airport supporters, um, think
should have happened, but in essence I think that was still a good thing to
do, um, this last year we sold a portion of, uh, land which now houses a
commercial enterprise, which obviously is paying taxes on that land now.
And, um, other things, but I just wanted to make that point, and if
discussions along those lines, uh, want to go forward, we look forward to
that. Thanks.
Bailey: Thanks, Randy, and thanks for your service on the Airport Commission.
Other comments? Okay.
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ITEM 5 APPROVING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY AND ITC MIDWEST LLC FOR LOTS 2, 3
AND 4 AND OUTLOTS 2A, 3A AND 4A OF THE NORTH
AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION PART TWO AND
AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE IN ACCORDANCE
THEREWITH.
a) PUBLIC HEARING
Bailey: This is a public hearing. Public hearing is open. (pounds gavel) Public
hearing is closed. (pounds gavel)
b) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
O'Donnell: Move the resolution.
Champion: Second.
Bailey: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. Discussion? (several
talking)
Correia: This is big news! We've been trying to sell these lots on this plot for quite
a while. (several talking)
Ford: Hi, oh, well, I sort of expected that, uh, perhaps Randy Miller or Peggy
Slaughter would jump up, but your public hearing was closed so quickly,
they did not! (laughter and several talking) Well, I'm Wendy Ford,
Economic Development Director, or Coordinator, for the City and we are
very pleased that this offer has come in for these six lots in Aviation
Commerce Park. Um, the company, whose representatives are here
tonight, I think...I believe Randy, and that's probably Jessica next to him,
are here and I would welcome their comments as well, but suffice it to say
that on behalf of the Economic Development division in the City of Iowa
City, we are very pleased with the offer that is coming in, and look
forward to ITC's doing business down in, um, Aviation Commerce Park.
They have made an offer of $1.6 million for more than half of the
remaining property that is for sale, uh, in Aviation Commerce Park, and
their business would fit beautifully in that area, as well. Um, they're...not
only do they bring, uh, somewhere between 30 and 40 jobs when they are
completely outfitted and ready to go, uh, but they will also bring most
likely (can't hear) business to the same area, as well, and I, uh, I have
heard rumors that those (can't hear) businesses have been in town very
recently looking at lots that would place them very close, as well, um, to
ITC Midwest. Um, one of the most appealing aspects of the offer, I
believe, and um, I think others would believe too is that we have competed
to locate this company in the Iowa City area without using any
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development agreements or any other incentives, uh, but rather the pricing
on the land, which we feel is competitive and will bring a good company
in, as well. So those are the extent of my comments.
Champion: Could we have just a little, um, short version of what ITC actually does,
for the public?
Ford: That might be better actually coming from representatives of ITC. Randy
perhaps?
Book: My name is Randy Book, um, I'm from Detroit, Michigan. ITC, uh, has
just completed in January the, buying the transmission lines from Alliance.
Basically what we do is we make sure that the electricity that is in your
offices here and across the state are kept up and maintained to a standard
that, uh, potentially could be better than what they have been in the past.
Um, and that's our expertise. That's our area of...of what we do, and we
do a very, very good job at it. And, um, the young lady that spoke earlier
is correct, that there will be quite a few other jobs that will follow this, um,
with hopefully the approval of tonight's board. So, hopefully that's given
you some idea. Um, ITC was started approximately three and a half years
ago, four years ago, with about 36 employees and uh, they're growing
leaps and bounds, and they're very, very successful. It's a New York
traded stock and uh, they've been very, very successful with what they've
done, and their policies on how they get their work done. It's an amazing
company to work with. So...thank you very much.
Champion: Thank you.
O'Donnell: Thank you.
Bailey: Further discussion?
Wright: I think this is terrific. We're very pleased with it.
Wilburn: Welcome to town!
Bailey: Roll call.
Correia: No, I just wanted to do a reminder for the public on the money that goes,
that we receive from the sale of this land goes to pay down Airport debt.
Can you give a...
Helling: This will, uh, pay back most of our cost of, development cost for the
infrastructure that we put in to Aviation Commerce Park. This along with
the previous revenue that we've received.
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Correia: Okay.
Bailey: Try the roll call again. Item carries 7-0.
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ITEM 6 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, ENTITLED
"POLICE REGULATIONS," CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED
"MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES," SECTION 2, ENTITLED
"BEGGING," TO PROHIBIT SOLICITING FOR MONEY IN
LIMITED AREAS, AT CERTAIN TIMES, AND IN AN
AGGRESSIVE MANNER. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
O'Donnell: Move first consideration.
Champion: Second.
Bailey: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Champion. Discussion?
Drum: Hi, I'm Christine Drum. I'm an Outreach Worker here in Iowa City, and I
don't know, we sent out Len from Vets Helping Vets sent this out to all of
you. I don't know if you've had a chance to look at it, um, we've talked
about this. We've been kicking it around, um, and I just have some
concerns, um, one of them is that, well, in here, in this hundred and
something page thing, one of the things that I pulled out is that it says,
"Whether or not you emphasize enforcement of laws that regulate
panhandling, it is important that the laws be able to serve by legal
challenge. Police should have valid enforcement authority, um, to bolster
other responses they use, including issuing warnings to panhandles. Laws
that prohibit aggressive panhandling or panhandling in specified areas are
more likely to survive legal challenge than those that prohibit all
panhandling." Um, if we put a ban on...on panhandling, L ..there was a
couple of concerns I've had. One is, um, and I know these aren't the
people that tend to commit other crimes, panhandlers, but I just have a
concern -will other crimes go up for the people who are doing the
panhandling to support their substance abuse? There's...there's several
different people that panhandle.
Bailey: Can I make a clarification about this ordinance?
Drum: Certainly!
Bailey: Um, it will not prohibit panhandling, but limit it to certain areas,
particularly downtown.
Drum: Okay.
Bailey: So, it's not a ban.
Drum: Okay. Well, I didn't know how the ordinance was going to read, so these
were just some of my thoughts. Thank you.
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Bailey: Sure. I just wanted to...
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Drum: And then that brings me to another thought that we kicked around is if we
have aten-foot ban, are we going to end up with a whole bunch of
panhandlers in that area, the common area? And what is that going to be
like? And then, I guess, for us, something that I've thought about was,
um, having to...having people to have to get a permit, just like what Amy
was talking about. You know, the lady who sells over there on the card
table, and um, she has to have a permit. If...if we could think maybe...I
didn't realize how far the process has already gone, that you already had
the ordinance drawn up, so I'm probably a little bit behind, but I thought
that if there was a permit, it would do several things. Um, the majority of
people who have warrants and um, are substance abusers are not going to
come in and ask for a permit, so they would be breaking the ordinance.
Um, uh, and...and also too for, uh, community education, which I think is
a huge, huge, huge piece of this, and we were talking about vouchers and
all, first of all I'm concerned about people that own the businesses, that
ten-foot rule, who...are the people who own the businesses going to have
to...I mean, how...how does that work? If you own a store and
someone's out in front panhandling, do you, you know, do you have a sign
in your window that says "no panhandling within 10 feet?" Do you go
outside and hand them a resource guide that says, you know, here are the
resources you can call? And then on that same note, for the people who
feel like they do want to contribute to people who are panhandling, um,
would it be possible to let them buy vouchers from some of the agencies
and give those vouchers, as opposed to money? The money is generally,
not always, but in many cases, spent on self-medication, um, is there a
way they could buy vouchers from some of the agencies and give that
person a voucher, or they could get one of the resource guides for free and
hand them the resource guide, and I think that would take some of
the...because I just, I feel like, you know, the people who do own those
businesses, I don't know how they're going to come out looking okay and
feeling okay, you know, do you know what I mean? You're looking at me
like, kind of like....
Bailey: Well, we're going to discuss the vouchers and the other sort of community
programs, I guess, is what you're referring to at a work session, but it's
not necessarily part of the ordinance, but I think you bring up a valid
concern, that...that we discussed briefly at the work session.
Drum: Thank you. That's what, that was my intent. Thank you.
Hayek: We should remind her of when that work session's going to be scheduled
and maybe have a communication so that input we can receive (several
talking) incorporated into what we discuss.
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Wilburn: Dale's got his pen moving right now.
Hayek: Thanks, Dale!
Bailey: Linda can communicate with her on this...
Karr: You do have in your correspondence tonight the guide that she talked
about, the web link to it. You don't have the 100-page document, but you
have the letter on the web site.
Bailey: Okay.
Gustaveson: Hi, my name's Craig Gustaveson. I'm President of the Downtown
Association, and I'd like to start off by thanking the City Council for
tackling such a difficult ordinance. Um, you know we all realize this is
quite a balancing act between the rights of people downtown, their rights
to panhandle, uh, the rights of the store owners to be able to conduct
business in a manner that's conducive to doing business without their
patrons being harassed, uh, coming into the business, and to the rights of
the people that come downtown that shop and eat and live downtown, to
be able to come down and enjoy our downtown without being, uh, afraid
of being harassed and uh, you know, just being an environment that's
conducive to coming downtown and enjoying it in afamily-friendly
manner. And I really want to thank Eleanor and her staff for doing such a
thorough job and researching this and coming up with such an ordinance
that we were very thrilled to see, that's more inclusive than we had ever
imagined, so again, I'd like to thank all of you for the work that's been put
into this ordinance. And to address the woman who was just here about,
you know, how do we feel as, uh, merchants, sometimes coming out
against people that are panhandling. As I told one reporter, you feel kind
of like Ebenezer Scrooge when you come out and you...you come out
against people that are maybe looking for some type of assistance to get
some of the necessities they need, but also, um, the rights of us that are
trying to conduct business and stay in business when a lot of times is this
element that is, uh, in a lot of ways, I hate to use the word "destroying,"
but with, the only way I can think of it is destroying the downtown,
because it is having an adverse affect on a lot of our businesses downtown
and it's inhibiting a lot of people from the free flow of traffic into some of
these stores. Uh, I thought it was interesting in the packet that Eleanor
handed out that even, if I read this correctly, even a couple of the area
agencies that work with these people do not encourage people to give
them money. A lot of them are on subsidies. Some of them have
disabilities, and...and I agree with them when they say, in the long run it
actually has an adverse affect on these agencies, because when our
business goes down, and we have less money as a store owner, a lot of
these profits that we get from our patrons, and that money goes down, a lot
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of times that's the money that we give to area agencies and organizations,
and I can tell you, being in business for 35 years, um, when your business
goes down, and the first thing you cut, a lot of times are your donations
you give to area agencies. So, in a way it's counterproductive. Um, the
importance of this ordinance, as we look forward and as Eleanor has so
eloquently put it in your packet, there's been millions of dollars invested
in our downtown over the last 35 years, with a revitalization of the
downtown Plaza, the Englert Theater, um, we're looking at, uh,
Hieronymus Square being built. The Moen Group looking at building
another high-rise apartment, and as the southside continues to grow, the
only way these ventures are going to work is if we have an environment
that's conducive to doing business, and is going to encourage people to
coming downtown.. We're in the middle of a marketing niche study to see
what we can do to bring more business downtown, more retailers
downtown, and again, the only way it's going to work is if they feel like
they have an environment that's conducive to business. Um, so we really
encourage the...the adoption of this ordinance. As the Downtown
Association and our...and our issues group have discussed, the only
variance we'd like to see in it is the distance between the entrance to a
business, uh, it's at 10-feet. A lot of us feel that's not nearly far enough.
We'd like to see it expanded to 20-feet. In front of Herteen and Stocker,
the distance from their front door on Dubuque Street over to the limestone
planters is 17' 3". Uh, that, by going to the 20-feet, that would effectively
keep that walkway open. In most businesses, that 20-feet would keep, uh,
the flow of traffic free from people standing out there panhandling. And if
I may, I'd like to give just a little demonstration of what 10-feet is because
(away from mic, unable to hear)
Bailey: You can't talk unless you're by the mic.
Gustaveson: (away from mic) This is basically 10-feet, which is not very far. If you're
coming out of a business...
Correia: There's a microphone right there, yeah.
Gustaveson: Um, the distance I demonstrated is 10-feet. Now, I'd like to have you take
off your hats as City Councilors and start thinking as a patron downtown
or a business owner. When you walk out of a business and you see
somebody 10 feet in front of you, that's a pretty comfortable distance just
to chat. If you're coming out of a business or going into a business, that
can be pretty intimidating to go into the business, if you see somebody
signing or aggressively asking for money. If you're sitting at a cafe and
you're eating, 10 feet is pretty close. So I know talking to Eleanor, I know
there's some issues with the distance. It's something we'd like to consider
to look at, um, we feel like it's the only objection we have on that, but I
think it's an important one, that we make sure that people feel a free to go
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into businesses and leave businesses without being, um, confronted with
somebody almost on an eye-to-eye, nose-to-nose basis. So, again, I'd like
to thank everybody for the work that's done on this. I think this is a great
step in improving our downtown, and really encourage you to consider
this and pass this ordinance. Thank you.
Bailey: Thank you. Eleanor, how did you come up with 10 feet, versus something
perhaps larger?
Dilkes: Um, remember as I said in the memo, and as I told you when we first
talked about this at the work session, these restrictions need to be viewed
in the context of the First Amendment framework, that looks at what the
government interest is, and whether the, um, restriction that's put in place
is narrowly tailored to promote that interest. And so with respect to the
place restrictions, the 10-feet distances, um, the interest that we've
identified is, uh, the fact that harassment and intimidation can increase
when someone is put in a confined space. That kind of, um, captive
audience idea, and so that's the interest that we're identifying. That and
the movement of pedestrians. And so, um, you have to keep those
interests in mind as you're looking at how you're...at what the distance is
going to be. So I started, we started looking at the map of downtown, and
the Ped Mall, um, and Zone 1 in the Ped Mall is defined as the 10-feet,
and has been defined for years, um, in our ordinances, as the 10-feet, um,
from the building faces. Um, and that has been an area that has been, um,
intentionally left open for pedestrian movement, um, and you find the
benches and the landscaping beyond that 10-foot area. Um, in the Plaza, if
you go beyond Zone 1, you're going to start getting into bench areas. Um,
and I think that, um, in areas where, you know, sitting, uh, whatever
you're doing, is encouraged.
Bailey: Uh-huh.
Dilkes: And so I think that's...I think that's problematic. Um, and remember too,
we're talking about, we've defined solicitation to include non-verbal
solicitation, um, so we're prohibiting aggressive panhandling. So that's,
we're not dealing with that anymore. If you adopt the second ordinance,
you're clearing the lanes for pedestrian traffic. So we're...we're talking
about someone who's standing and passively panhandling now, with these
place restrictions, and because of the 10-foot in Zone 1, um, that's what
I'm comfortable with. I think when you start going beyond that, I think
it's harder to defend the ordinance. Um, the ATM is 20-feet because the,
a lot of cases look at ATM's and banks differently because there's money
there, and so I've even seen restrictions up to 80-feet from ATM's. Um, a
lot of...a lot of, um, ordinances you see do not prohibit passive, or do not
prohibit non-verbal, you know, signing. Um, and I think when you're
trying to regulate non-verbal signing, um, then I think, um, those distances
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shrink, because there is less intimidation. There's less of an intimidation
factor. So, that's kind of all how I came up with the 10-feet.
Bailey: Okay, thank you. That was helpful.
Hiltrop: Hi guys, I'm Travis Hiltrop and I'm representing the University of Iowa
Dance Marathon, and I am the, um, business director for this coming year
and this past year I was the caning chair, which involves in a lot of...every
Thursday, Friday, Saturday night from 11:30 unti12:00, um, canning
downtown for raising money for Dance Marathon, which is an
organization that raises money for kids with cancer and their families at
the Hospital, and we were wondering...it was kind of unclear, it wasn't
really, the ordinance wasn't really targeted towards, um, organizations as a
whole. It seemed more it was just kind of general, and we were just
wondering as to what ramifications this could have on us, seeing as we
raise maybe $20,000, $30,000 from October to February, uh, canning
downtown.
Correia: 11:30 A.M.?
Hiltrop: P.M.
Correia: 11:30 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. (several talking) It would be prohibited under
this ordinance.
Dilkes: It...the ordinance would apply to you, if you're asking for an immediate
donation of money, which it sounds like you are. Um, obviously it only
applies in the places, um, the prohibitions exist. Um, if you're in, for
instance, if you go into bars, I mean, that's private property and...
Hiltrop: We can't go into bars and...
Dilkes: But, yes.
Correia: Our ordinance restricts from, I mean, from dusk to dawn, or from a
different time, so...
Dilkes: 10:00 P.M. I think is what you talked about.
Correia: Yeah, and so that would prohibit.
Dilkes: Yep.
Correia: What was your thinking about adding the time factor into it?
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Dilkes: Well, and that's certainly something you can eliminate, if you don't see
that as an issue. Um...
Correia: I haven't heard of that as...
Dilkes: It's a fairly common thing that you find in, um, ordinances that regulate
solicitation, and I think it fits into the whole idea of, um, trying to prevent
intimidation, harassment because at nighttime there's...it's spookier!
Maybe downtown, you know, maybe in your judgment, downtown is not
that kind of environment, it's light enough or whatever, um, you certainly
can take it out. Um, but that was my thinking.
Bailey: And if we took it out, then, um, people could ask for donations, or
panhandle, within the areas that we've already specified, but it would
continue to be prohibited in the 10-foot area.
Dilkes: Right, right, and aggressively. All the other prohibitions would still apply.
Yeah.
Bailey: Okay.
Hiltrop: Okay, and is there any way if it doesn't get passed or whatever and we can
still do that, that we can get clearly defined, um, of what aggressive is, so
we don't break any of those rules.
Bailey: It's in the ordinance.
Hiltrop: I saw that. It just seems fairly vague for the most part, I mean, as far as
aggressive goes. I know it's in front of, behind, to the side of. Um, no
blocking passageways, no blocking movement, that kind of stuff. Is that
pretty much the gist of it? And then, if you get caught doing that then...
Bailey: Following, obscene comments, which I'm...
Hiltrop: Yeah.
Correia: ...sure that you don't do! (laughter)
Hiltrop: Okay. Thank you.
Bailey: Thank you.
Dilkes: Well, and he's also going to have to be careful about the place restrictions
too, because it's not just the aggressive. You've got the place restrictions
you're going to have to...
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Correia: Do we have a map?
Wright: Yeah, there's a map in the.. .
Correia: There's a map in here, but that might be something to make available,
especially to organizations that are soliciting at different times of the year,
um, that they would be able to have access to that, so they would know
where the places are that they couldn't be.
Bailey: Well, a warning too, or comments, I mean, a warning could move a person
to an appropriate place to, that was allowed. I mean, that's part of the
built in.
Dilkes: If you stay in the middle of the Ped Mall, you'll be just fine.
Hiltrop: One more question for you too, sorry. Um, when is this decided on?
Bailey: It's first reading tonight. It takes three readings to pass an ordinance.
Hiltrop: Okay. Thank you.
Hayek: And also to address the concern about, uh, falling into the trap of...of
aggressive solicitation, that would still be a complaint-based offense,
right? So, um, I mean, you wouldn't...someone would have to complain
about what you're doing, as opposed to you violating something just by
virtue of being close to a structure.
Hiltrop: Okay.
Hayek: That's a, that's something that's already in the books.
Hiltrop: Okay, I thank you.
Dilkes: Unless you were observed, I mean, if a police officer observed you in...in
a manner that...that he or she thought was aggressive, as defined in the
ordinance, you could be charged.
McClellan: Good evening, Len McClellan, and I just, uh, come up here in support of
what Christine's saying that maybe we need to look at an alternative. I
know you have this ordinance drafted. I'm not sure it's going to, uh, have
the effect you'd like it to have. First of all, I can tell you talking to some
panhandlers today, they've already got 10-foot measured out. They know
exactly where it is, and I don't know how many people are going to be
comfortable walking down the Ped Mall with a line of guys standing there
with signs, glaring at `em, but it seems like we're just shoving them into a
smaller area and it's just going to happen. And, you know, a lot of the
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funds raised this way are not used properly, and you know that, so I...I
would urge you to read that Federal report. I was able to get it sent by
email to most of you, and uh, maybe reconsider a strategy, because I just
don't think it's going to be as effective as you'd like it to be. If I can be of
any help to Council, well I certainly would be. Thank you.
Bailey: Thank you.
O'Donnell: Thank you.
Dilkes: If I can just make one comment about the pushing them into other areas.
mean, I think that is something that the Council needs to consider, but,
um, you know, one response to that might be that you just simply prohibit
it everywhere and that's what we cannot...that's what we can't do, um,
because we have to leave places available for that type of communication.
So...
Wilburn: And we had actually had that discussion out at the work session.
Canganelli: Good evening, my name is Crissy Canganelli and I'm Executive Director
of Shelter House. I'm also Co-Chair of the Local Homeless Coordinating
Board, um, and I think the Council Members received a copy of the
minutes from the most recent meeting, and as you can tell from those
minutes, the discuss was pretty broad, um, with respect to the issues of
panhandling or signing. Um, I just want to reinforce the comments made
by the gentleman from the Downtown Business Association is that, uh, as
a member of this community, um, as leader of a local non-profit
organization, and a member of the Local Homeless Coordinating Board,
we all know that we do rely on a very vibrant downtown community and
downtown businesses. Um, we rely on a strong partnership with those
downtown businesses and want them to be successful. Um, I want that as
a citizen as much as I want it for any other reason. Um, so I commend the
City Council and the staff on, um, what I think is a very sensitive analysis
of this issue and thoughtful discussion. I know that you're, um, very
concerned about weighing this very delicate issue, and um, you'll make
the right decisions. Uh, but again, uh, we do support anything that will
reinforce that vibrant downtown community, and an area that is
welcoming to all people. So, thank you.
O'Donnell: Thank you.
Volland: Abbie Volland, the University of Iowa City Council Liaison. I'm going to
recommend, based on Dance Marathon's discussion, that I don't think
students necessarily always understand local government as well, so on
behalf of him, I'd like to recommend that you eliminate the time period, so
that they are still able to contribute that vast amount of money and
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resources to the community, and continue, excuse me, continue with that
in their efforts, and I think that's a huge part of what they do, and I don't
think it should be completely eliminated. Thank you.
Bailey: Thank you. Further comments from the public, or discussion by Council?
Correia: Well, I appreciate, um, taking this issue to the local Homeless
Coordinating Board, um, that's something that when we were first
discussing this in a work session, I wanted to get input and feedback from
the group, um, that does work with the, um, with homeless and low-
income populations. Um, I o think that with this ordinance, we are
balancing the interests, um, in the downtown, the interests of the
community, um, to be a place where all people, um, as well as responding
to some of the issues that have come up in our downtown market niche
analysis, which I think is an important thing, um, for us as a body...we did
commission that study, and we want to see, um, a vibrant downtown, um, I
do...we are planning to, um, speak in a work session about some of the
other issues or other ways that we can perhaps deter persons from
panhandling by trying to raise, uh, additional dollars or give people
another way of giving to services. There's some, um, innovative programs
that, um, other cities are doing. The city of Denver, putting in public art
meters, allowing people to give money through meters that go to local
non-profits. I think some of the other ideas that came up this evening, um,
having vouchers available, um, so that persons who want to, um, have
compassion and provide something to persons that are panhandling, so I
think that there are other opportunities that we have to address what the
issue is, trying to provide for needs of persons in our community, while
balancing interests of a vibrant downtown. Um, I would like to see that
we take out the time restriction, and so after further discussion I can make
an amendment to that effect.
Hayek: I'm going to support this, um, I think it is a delicate approach to a difficult
situation, and one that has been thought through, uh, with a lot of
deliberation, and I give a lot of credit to our Legal office, uh, in that
regard, um, I'm an attorney. I believe very strongly in the First
Amendment. I have studied it in-depth, um, and I...and I think this
proposed ordinance, um, meets the Constitution required protections
that...that the Constitution affords all people regardless of their socio-
economic or other situation, uh, and I think we've crafted something that
would withstand a challenge, and that's important to me because I don't
want to run into a situation where we're expending considerable City
funds to defend against an ordinance like this, and I think this
accomplishes that, uh, I know that the business community...there's some
in the business community would like a....a more aggressive or a broader,
uh, reaching ordinance, and while I appreciate that, I think, uh, that will
run into the legal challenges that we've talked about tonight, and there's
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also a political reality to what can actually be implemented in Iowa City. I
think this is a compromise, um, and uh, I will support it.
O'Donnell: Well, I too am going to support it, um, it's not about passive panhandling.
This is about aggressive harassment. Um, people have a right to be
downtown and walk on the sidewalk and go shopping without being
harassed. Um, if somebody was simply standing there holding a sign, I
don't think we would be here doing this right now. Um, I also would like
to say that the businesses should not be the heavy on this, because they are
addressing the concerns of their customers that came in and complained
about it. So I will be supporting this, and uh, I think it was crafted in a
manner by our staff that, um, that is sensitive and still, um, understands
panhandling, but not aggressive panhandling.
Champion: Well, I disagree with you a little bit, Mike, because (both talking) I don't
think all panhandling downtown was aggressive. For instance, a lot of
people with signs were just sitting by the doorways of businesses. They
weren't aggressive, but it made customers very uncomfortable about going
inside. There was, there is some aggressive panhandling, but a lot of it
was not aggressive, but very uncomfortable for people to enter a business
with somebody sitting right by the door, on the sidewalk, holding a sign.
So, it...it accomplishes...it won't accomplish everything everybody
wants, but it will accomplish something.
Wilburn: I agree with, uh, Connie. You know, my...this has come up a couple
times in the past, and um, I agree that, uh, I acknowledge that there is
some aggressive panhandling, but my experience is most is with our
community's and our individual discomfort with poverty and
homelessness issues, and that's part of what...and uh, blame or you know,
why aren't you out getting a job, working, those type of, you know, deep
down tough issues that we all wrestle with is part of that discomfort. Uh,
some people...also at the time I had said, uh, and some people don't feel
this is, was relevant at the time, uh, you know, the time the lawsuit related
to, um, Shelter House, and I'm just thinking, you know, in terms of
alternatives or places to go for resources, that type of thing, uh, and a
concern about, uh, and I made this statement before, people wouldn't
panhandle if people wouldn't, weren't giving money, um, and so I want to
thank the Council for their willingness to hear some of the concerns too
from, um, the Local Homeless Coordination Board and, uh, and um, you
know, we had the conversation here and at the work session about the
possibility of, whether it's the parking meter, ways to get resources, um,
and again, that's not going to eliminate, solve, resolve, um, but, um, I'm
willing to go ahead and go forward with this, given the concern that I
heard from the Council, that you're willing to consider and look at some
of those other alternatives. It would be helpful too, if... and Downtown
Association, I don't know what conversations you've had with, uh, you
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know, some of your colleagues downtown, your peers, um, but you know,
the headlines may or may not, or the TV blip may, presuming this passes
three readings, say that, uh, you know, panhandling is banned in Iowa
City. Well, as you've heard tonight, it's not a complete ban. We cannot
do that. Anything you can do to help us educate your peers, that it's you
know, I thought there was no, you know. Enough said, just to help get the
word out would be appreciated by us.
Wright: (several talking) um, this is one of those issues I've ended up putting an
awful lot of thought and a tremendous amount of consideration. Um, I
think when it comes right down to it, it's a behavior issue that we're most
concerned about, and particularly it's the aggressive part of the
panhandling. Um, and I think probably if it stopped at the aggressive
panhandling part I'd have...I'd have fewer problems. I'd have fewer
problems if we'd thought about alternatives earlier, um, we're coming to
alternatives, alternative approaches, to try to address the problem of
panhandling and after the fact of legislation, and I think that's kind of the
wrong order. Uh, we're going to be talking about some...some, hopefully
some positive fixes, if you will, at work sessions coming up, but if the
concern is actually about panhandling, I really don't think this ordinance is
going to do a lot to help, other than to say move things out a few feet, um,
the, of course and as Ross pointed out, the simplest way to...to deter
panhandling is for folks to not give to panhandlers. LTh, but barring that
education, I don't think we're going to see any substantial changes
downtown. Um, if the only thing you want to do is move panhandlers
from business entrances, I expect this ordinance is going to work just fine,
um, but I don't think it's going to do much else. It's certainly...I don't
think it's going to do much to change, um, the environment downtown,
um, it's...it's going to be a much longer issue. It's community education.
It's, uh, going to be a bit more outreach involved. I think this, the Federal
report that Len was mentioning, um, is 70, 80, I forget how many pages
of, uh, making some very good points about how communities need to
deal with panhandling, or recognizing ways for communities to deal with
panhandling, um, and an ordinance is just a tiny piece of it, and I don't
think we have all of the pieces together. I'm not prepared to support this
at this time.
Wilburn: I've got just one other comment. Um, Mayor, I think the other thing too,
and uh, I think there would be broad support on Council for this too just to
highly emphasize, you know, my comment with people wouldn't
panhandle if people weren't giving, but I think the overall emphasis
should be, you know, we should be supporting organizations that are
working with the homeless in terms of resources, volunteering time, um,
dollars, that type of thing, um, and so I...I hope the message, a similar
message to the public goes out that, uh, we...we all should be
uncomfortable with these type of issues, but we should, we have resources
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in the community, uh, people willing to give time, um, to, um, work on
these issues and encourage you to support them with your dollars.
Wright: Absolutely! Absolutely!
Bailey: Well, I appreciate Eleanor's drafting of this ordinance that balances
interests. I think that this is pretty representative of what our city is, is a
constant balancing act between interests and concerns, and, Mike, you're
probably right that it won't do a lot to "stop" panhandling, but the concern
really that was brought from businesses is...is the disturbance that it
creates with their customers so close to their stores, and I think that this
will achieve that concern, while, um, balancing the interests and allowing
people their First Amendment rights to continue to, um, participate in this
behavior. So, I'm very comfortable with this. I thank Eleanor for her
drafting of a very sensitive ordinance, and I thank the Local Homeless
Coordinating Council for taking on this difficult issue, and providing us
with some guidance. I thought that discussion was very helpful, and so
thanks to Linda Severson for working on that and providing the memo in
our packet. Amy, you wanted to make an amendment to this.
Correia: Right. I move to amend the ordinance as presented to delete Section 1,
Number B.7.
Bailey: So, what you're essentially suggesting for the amendment is to take out
the time restriction, and um, okay. Motion on the floor - is there a second
to remove the time restriction?
Wright: Second.
Bailey: Seconded by Wright. All right, discussion on the amendment to remove
the time restriction?
Hayek: So this would keep in place the distance prohibitions.
Correia: Everything else, it's my understanding that everything else would be the
same, in the downtown it is illegal to solicit Items 1 through 6, that would
be maintained 24 hours a day.
Dilkes: The nighttime one was astand-alone one so...
Correia: Right.
Wright: Yeah, but I actually (unable to understand) confusion you and I have
discussed earlier this evening.
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Bailey: Okay, further discussion on the amendment? Roll call, or motion...the
amendment. All those in favor of the amendment say aye. Those opposed
same sign. Motion carries. So, now we are voting on the ordinance
without the time restriction. Is there any more.. .
Dilkes: Can I get you to make another, um, amendment?
Hayek: Is it about the exit?
Dilkes: (laughter) Yeah, I need you for B.3., I need a motion to add "entrance to
or exit from" and then because of the concern about the way B is worded,
um, I would suggest that we change that to "in the downtown, it is illegal:
1. to solicit in an aggressive manner; 2. to solicit within 10-feet, etc., etc."
Champion:
Wilburn:
So moved.
Second.
Bailey: Moved by Champion, seconded by Wilburn. Discussion on this
amendment? All those in favor of this amendment say aye. Those
opposed same sign. Motion carries. Okay, further discussion on the
ordinance as amended? Okay. Roll call. Item carries 6-1; Wright voting
in the negative.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence.
Wilburn: Move to accept correspondence.
Champion: So moved, or second. Whatever!
Bailey: (laughter) Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Champion. All those in favor
say aye. Motion carries. All right.
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ITEM 7 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, ENTITLED
"POLICE REGULATIONS," CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED
"MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES," BY ADDING A NEW SECTION
10, ENTITLED "SITTING AND LYING ON SIDEWALKS" TO
PROHIBIT SITTING AND LYING ON PUBLIC SIDEWALKS IN
THE DOWNTOWN AND IN ZONE 1 OF CITY PLAZA. (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
Champion: Move first consideration.
O'Donnell: Second.
Bailey: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion?
Correia: So can I just get clarification on, it says in the ordinance, "No person shall
sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk in the downtown, or in Zone 1 of
City Plaza." So, what is a public sidewalk in the downtown? All of the
areas where people walk?
Dilkes: Uh, the sidewalk is, the right-of--way extends from building face to
building face, and that, the sidewalk, is the part on which pedestrians
travel.
Correia: So, essentially, in the area between...
Dilkes: The street and the building face.
Correia: So, when I'm in the Ped Mall.
Dilkes: No, no, no, not in the Ped Mall. We're talking about Zone...we're talking
about Zone 1 in the Ped Mall. So you need to separate the Plaza, which
is...
Correia: Well, I guess because it says "public sidewalk or in Zone 1" I'm trying to
figure out what...
Bailey: There are no sidewalks, necessarily. It's Zone 1 in the Plaza.
Dilkes: A public sidewalk in the downtown, or in Zone 1 of City Plaza.
Correia: Oh, okay. (several talking)
Wright: Zone 1 of the Plaza is basically the sidewalk along with the buildings,
correct?
Dilkes: What we have traditionally recognized as the sidewalk in the Plaza.
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Correia: Okay. So in the area, so I'm just going to say in the area around where
you have Marco's Grilled Cheese stand, you know, kind of in between, in
the City Plaza, you know, where there's benches, there's bricks, people
are sitting...
Dilkes: Right, that's not covered.
Correia: That's, okay. So, we're essentially saying...okay.
Dilkes: I'm saying, the 10-foot area next to the buildings in the Plaza. And foot
out from the buildings.
Correia: And then the public sidewalks.
Dilkes: And then the sidewalks in the rest of downtown. Now, I thought about
doing 10-feet on the sidewalks in the rest of downtown, but that didn't
seem logical to me, because the sidewalks in the rest of downtown are for
pedestrian movement, and there's exceptions for benches and that kind of
thing.
Correia: Uh-huh.
Wright: What about some of the planters, uh, on Washington Street there're a
couple of planter areas, by the Post Office, um.. .
Correia: Well, you know, and like outside of Whitey's where there's planters, and
people sit on the little...
Wright: Yeah, but there's also the planter like...I'm thinking there's...right in
front of the Post Office, by Herteen and Stocker, um, there's a planter. Is
that.. .
Champion: Well, people sit on the edge of those all the time.
Correia: Right, so is that allowed? (several talking)
Wright: ...inside it all the time.
Dilkes: Okay. We need to...we need to distinguish between the Plaza. The Plaza
is the part to the, um, east of Herteen and Stocker (several responding)
Wright: I'm talking about to the north.
Dilkes: To the north.
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Correia: On Washington Street.
Wright: On Washington Street.
Dilkes: We do not have, I don't believe, an exception for...we have an exception
for a person sitting or lying on a bench. We do not have one for a planter.
Wright: Would the planters be considered...
Bailey: Are the planters farther than 10-feet out?
Dilkes: No, we're talking about the public, the sidewalks now, in the rest of
downtown.
Champion: That's a sidewalk in front of Herteen (several talking)
Wright: You consider the planter sidewalk, in other words?
Champion: Yeah, that's sidewalk.
Dilkes: Well, if you want to make an exception for those planters, sitting on those
planters, we would have to add it to this current ordinance. In...
Wright: Whether we want to accept it or not, it's not...those in particular are not
going to be very clear.
O'Donnell: Aren't we talking specifically of sidewalks? That's what we're talking
about. Sidewalks. You can't sit down or lay down on a sidewalk.
Dilkes: What you need to tell me is, setting aside the Plaza for now, on the rest of
the sidewalks in downtown, we...this ordinance as written prohibits
people from sitting or lying on those sidewalks, unless there's an
exception here. One of those exceptions is for a bench. If you want to add
planters, we can certainly do that.
Correia: Because I'm thinking...I'll be across the street, outside Whitey's. There's
all those planters. People sit, get their ice cream and come out and sit
along those planters all the time. (several talking) There are benches
there (several talking) I know, but obviously they can sit on the bench, but
I'm just saying that people sit on those.
Bailey: We could add planters to the list of shall not apply to, a person sitting or
lying on a bench affixed to a public sidewalk, a person sitting or lying on a
planter affixed to a public sidewalk. Is that what you're saying?
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Dilkes: If you want people to be able to sit on those planters, it's an easy thing just
to add planters to...
Correia: They do it already, and I think we should let them.
Hayek: We could add that, or, I mean, look at it closer. I think it's a matter of
interpretation. You, under this ordinance you cannot sit upon a sidewalk.
I draw a distinction between sitting on a sidewalk and sitting on a planter.
I don't oppose carve out for this, but I think actually as written, it...it's
clear to me.
Dilkes: Well, except the reason that I did, I drafted it that way, instead of just
saying, "Upon a public sidewalk," because I didn't want arguments about
there being a blanket or a chair or stool or any other object between the
person and the sidewalk, and so I agree with you that somebody could
argue that doesn't include planter, but the intent was to get everything,
but, um (several talking)
Gustaveson: Can I make a point that you've already brought up? The...the benches,
the planters that you're all talking about are outside that 10-foot walkway.
The, the benches you're talking about in front of Whitey's, sit further out
than the 10-feet, so...
Dilkes: We're not talking about 10-feet. We're talking about the whole sidewalk.
(several talking)
Gustaveson: Okay, well, even those benches, the ones in front of Whitey's, don't face
into the businesses. They're actually perpendicular to, so it's really not
even in the sidewalk, so I think a lot of things here, you're making this
thing much more difficult than it needs to be.
Dilkes: But I think the problem we're having is that the way the ordinance is
currently drafted, it covers that entire area from the building face to the
street, and so we can do one of...if you want, we can narrow that area.
We can make it 10-feet, or, but if we're going to include the entire
sidewalk, then people want to make sure that people can still sit on the
planters.
Bailey: So, what would this group like to do? Include the entire sidewalk with
planters? Without planters?
Champion: I mean, it's...I think we should just leave it alone. It's going to be on a
complaint-basis anyway.
Correia: No...
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Dilkes: I want to add, I want to fix the planter thing. (several talking)
Correia: I think, you know, some people might complain about certain people
sitting on planters, and some people might not complain about others, and
that's not, yes, I move that we amend the ordinance to allow, or include
planters in allowable sitting...(several talking)
Bailey: Was that a second?
Wright: I'll second.
Bailey: All right. Moved by Correia, seconded by Wright to amend this ordinance
to add planters. Discussion on the amendment?
O'Donnell: I really think the distinction is the sidewalk and the planter or bench. I
don't think there's anything in the world wrong with sitting on the planter
and eating an ice cream cone. (several responding)
Dilkes: But you could make the same argument about the bench, and we're
making an exception for the bench. So if we're going to, if we're not
going to add planter as an exception, then we have to delete E. and re-
write the definition of "sitting or lying on a public sidewalk." And I can
do either.
Bailey: Further discussion on the amendment of including planters in the
prohibition shall not apply to? All right. Um, all those in favor of this
amendment say aye. Those opposed same sign. Motion carries. Okay,
further discussion on the ordinance as amended? Roll call. Item carries 7-
0.
Champion: Can I...'cause I didn't think about it. Linda?
Bailey: Connie, let's talk about it...
Champion: ...since she's here. Remember used to have those little packets that you
would hand to people. Are those still, can we have some on our work
session when we discuss this?
Bailey: Linda, we can't hear you if you're not a mic. Sorry.
Champion: She nodded her head "yes."
Bailey: Okay, Linda says yes, those will be available. Thank you. Thank you.
O'Donnell: Don't sit on any benches! (laughter)
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Karr: Can I have a motion to accept correspondence?
Correia: So moved.
Wright: Second.
Bailey: Moved by Correia, seconded by Wright. All those in favor say aye.
Carries.
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ITEM 9 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE SAND LAKE
RECREATION AREA PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO SIGN A GRANT APPLICATION TO BE SUBMITTED
TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT.
Wilburn: Move adoption of the resolution.
Correia: Second.
Bailey: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Correia. Discussion? Terry, did you
want to just give us a little bit of information on camera about this...since
you're here.
Trueblood: Sure. Just briefly, uh, what this will enable us to do, of course, is to go
forth to the VISION Iowa Board and apply for a grant in the...a
Community Attraction and Tourism Grant in the amount of $2 million.
Uh, just briefly I know you're aware of it, but others may not be. The
Sand Lake recreation area is the old S&G Materials site, which was a sand
and gravel operation, just at the south edge of Iowa City on Sand Road.
LTh, right now it comprises about 158 acres, including a 95-acre lake, uh,
soon will have another 30 acres added to that, stretching it over to the
Iowa River, and at that time, at least briefly, it will become the City's
largest park. Uh, we have what we think is a great conceptual plan
already, uh, completed, which, uh, takes, uh, both environmental and
recreation concerns, uh, into consideration, uh, it'll have several park
shelters, several fishing piers, trail all the way around the lake, a lot of, uh,
plantings, uh, dryland natural plantings, as well as wetland natural
plantings. A couple of small beach, uh, beach areas, and of course the
parking that's necessary for it. And a variety of other things. But, uh,
essentially it's a $7.6 million project, uh, the City purchased it last year,
and that $7.6 million stretches over asix-year period, dating back to last
year, uh, the City Council has approved $4,850,000 -this $2 million grant
if successful will take us up to $6,850,000, and then the other $750,000
would come from variety of other sources, including contributions, in-kind
services, and other grant opportunities. That's it in a nutshell!
O'Donnell: Great, thank you!
Bailey: And I know how hard these VISION Iowa grant applications are, so thank
you for working on that. Um, as many of you know, I serve on the
VISION Iowa Board. I, my conflict of interest will come on voting on this
project, should it come, or when it comes before the Board, and I checked
with Eleanor and there's not a conflict here, but I just wanted to make you
all aware of that, because many of you know I serve on that Board.
Just...further discussion on this?
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Correia: I think this is a great opportunity, um, to get some State funds, to get this
project moving, and get this ready for local consumption, as well as tourist
activities. I'm excited about the possibility!
Bailey: Roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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#11 Page 28
ITEM 11 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PURCHASE
AGREEMENT AND LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE FORMER
ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH HALL AND
PARHING LOT, LOCATED AT 435 SOUTH LINN STREET,
IOWA CITY, JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Wright: Move the resolution.
Bailey: Moved by Champion, seconded by Wright. Discussion? Jeff, did you
have any comments about this item? Questions?
Correia: Could you, um, discuss the parking impact that, um, issues for the CB-10,
the fees that we've collected that will go into purchasing and...
Davidson: Yes, I think the way we'll structure this, Amy, is we have some parking
impact fees available currently. There are also some parking assets, um,
some houses that we own that we're in the process of evaluating, possibly
selling those, uh, all of those things, as well as the impact fees that we are
slated to receive over the next two or three years, some of those are in
hand already, some of those we know are going to come on line, others are
a little bit more speculative, but we...we think that over the next two,
three, four years, we'll be in good shape to pay off what will be an internal
loan, uh, that will, uh, enable us to purchase the property.
Bailey: Can you talk a little bit about the timing of this? I know that we're going
to continue to lease the parish hall and um, parking spaces?
Davidson: Right, we've worked out an arrangement with St. Patrick's Church that
while they are building their new church in east Iowa City, they will
continue to occupy the parish hall. We will own it. We will lease it to
them for a dollar a year. Um, they will basically be a tenant of the City in
that building then, and they will, uh, continue to have mass and funerals
and other, uh, parish services out of there during the duration of time,
which they estimate to be 15 to 18 months, uh, while the new church is
under construction, uh, once they are finished then at the end of the lease
period, which is 18 months then, it could be extended if for some reason
that, uh, their project ran long, um, we would, uh, tear down the parish hall
and then commence. What we will be doing during that 18 month period
is the...the planning, and we're going to be very deliberate and careful and
come back to the City Council several times, have it be a very open, public
process -like the other projects that we've had, the Tower Place and
Court Street Transportation Center projects. As you know, we're
incorporating some, couple of really exciting things into that project,
besides the parking element, so it's going to, the 18 months works very
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well with our schedule for planning and design, and then getting
construction documents ready and all that, so we think by the end of that
18-month period, we'll be in pretty good shape to begin construction of
the project, that we'll have under construction for 18 to 24 months.
Correia: And one of those exciting aspects of it is the workforce housing.
Davidson: You bet! That's probably...since it's something we haven't done before,
that's probably the most exciting aspect. Uh, I will tell you that I am
already having developers contacting us who are interested in partnering
with us in that aspect of the project, so, uh, it'll be a very exciting thing!
Correia: I mean, I think this project aligns both with our downtown market niche
analysis, as well as the affordable, um, market...housing market analysis
that we just had done. So...(several talking)...it really is (several talking)
so thank you.
Bailey: Okay, roll call. Item carries 7-0.
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Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008.
#16
ITEM 16
Bailey:
Correia:
Wilburn:
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CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Let's start with Amy.
Well, I just want to say congratulations to Shelter House, and to the City
for a favorable, um...
Ruling.
Correia: Ruling, from the Supreme Court. That's going to allow Shelter House to
move into the, uh, the location that they purchased on Waterfront Drive,
so congratulations. Um, I know we're all looking forward to working with
Shelter House to get their facility up and running, the greatly needed
service, so congratulations!
Hayek: I have nothing, other than to congratulate City High. Uh, back to back,
uh, incredible accomplishments!
Wilburn: And just add a congratulations both to, uh, City High girls and boys, uh, I
think only one other time has it happened that one, uh, at least Division 4A
that, uh, in the same year they both captured the titles.
Bailey: Mike?
O'Donnell: Just pile on the congratulations to City High.
Bailey: Connie?
Champion: Nothing.
Wright: Um, we also have congratulations to the Summer of the Arts, the, uh, I had
the privilege of attending a press conference where they announced the
bands, the headliner bands for the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and it's going
to be one heck of a festival, July 4th through the 6t". We've got, actually
some pretty famous acts: Medeski Martin and Wood who are just terrific.
I have several of their CD's, uh, John Scofield, the Joshua Redman Trio,
um, we got local stages. It's...it's going to be just an absolutely fantastic
festival this summer. I can't wait! It's going to be warm then! (laughter)
Bailey: And maybe the snow will be gone! Maybe. Um, I want to also echo the
congratulations to the City High boys' team. I actually watched the game,
that's a rare occurrence in our house, but we...we couldn't resist that, so
nice job, and I'd like to say that the new City web site looks tremendous.
Uh, it really is asharp-looking web site, and um, congratulations to staff.
I know that that was along-time coming, so...
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#16
Helling: About a year.
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Bailey: Yeah. Well, it looks good and it almost looks like it was worth the wait!
So.
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ITEM 17 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager
Bailey: City Manager?
Helling: Just one thing, a bit of good news, um, despite the rather miserable
weather we've had this winter, uh, you may recall the ice storm we had
December 10th and 11 `", uh, we were able to make application through
FEMA for some Federal and State assistance, and we've been
preliminarily approved anyway for $93,827.87. Um, $59,378 will go to
the road use tax balance, and about, just under $35,000 to the, uh, General
Fund balance. In a year when we're about a quarter, or about, yeah, about
a quarter of a million dollars over our budget on snow and ice removal,
this is a welcome, uh (several responding)
Champion: Quarter of a million!
Bailey: All right!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008.