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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-11 Transcription#3 Page 1 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #3 Page 2 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #5 Page 3 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #5 Page 4 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #5 Correia: Okay. Bailey: Try the roll call again. Item carries 7-0. Page 5 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 6 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Bailey: Sure. I just wanted to... Page 7 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 8 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 9 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 10 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 11 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? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 -Page 12 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... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 13 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 14 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 15 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 16 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 17 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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 18 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #6 Page 19 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #7 Page 20 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #7 Page 21 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #7 Page 22 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? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #7 Page 23 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... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #~ Page 24 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) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #~ Page 25 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #9 Page 26 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? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #9 Page 27 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #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 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #11 Page 29 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. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #16 ITEM 16 Bailey: Correia: Wilburn: Page 30 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... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #16 Helling: About a year. Page 31 Bailey: Yeah. Well, it looks good and it almost looks like it was worth the wait! So. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Special Formal meeting of March 11, 2008. #17 Page 32 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.