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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-19 Transcription#2 Page 1 ITEM 2. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS - Hoover Elementary Jeremy Krueger, David Kusner, Thomas Whittington Lehman: Item 2 are Outstanding Student Citizenship Awards and if the Hoover folks would come up please. And then we need to keep the doorways open for the fire codes. If you'd like to just step along side. If you don't the City Manager chastises me and calls the Fire Chief and we get in all kinds oftrouble. Atkins: Now it's my fault. Lehman: Well as the Council knows and you soon will this is my favorite time of the Council meeting. This is a time when the Council recognizes outstanding student citizens and I'm sure you folks are really, really proud of the award you're going to get, but you aren't half as proud as your parents and especially - that's true - and especially your grandparents. Your parents don't even know how proud grandparents are, but I do. So what I'd like you to do is if you'd give us your name and then tell us why you were nominated. Jeremy Krueger: I'm Jeremy Krueger and.,. Lehman: Sure. Krueger: This award was made possible by the City Council and the Mayor. Thank you for presenting it to me. Citizenship means to me following the five points of the Hoover Star. The Hoover Star is a guide for making the right choices. The points represent honesty, respect, responsibility, courage and caring. Also I think a good citizen is one who helps in the local community and in the world community. I feel it is important to be respected, but also to respect other people in the U.S.A. and the world. The people who have helped me to be a good citizen are Mrs. Wirtz, the Hoover teachers, my parents, sisters, grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. At Hoover we use the five points of the star as much as we can. I hope you will follow the five points of respect, responsibility, caring, courage and honesty to be the best you can be. Thank you for choosing me. David Kusner: To me a good citizen is a person who is responsible, caring, helps out in group and community activities and does their homework on time. At home you should help out with chores, be respectful to your parents and pick up after yourself. Being a good citizen now as a young student will help me my whole life because I will be respectful with my peers at a job and will be a leader in the community. I would like to thank my parents, grandparents, brothers, sister and relatives for influencing my life. I would also like to thank my teachers and Mrs. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #2 Page 2 Wirtz. Thank you our City Council for all you do in the community and thank you for inviting me. Thomas Whittington: First of all I would like to thank the City Council for allowing me to be here. I would also like to thank my teachers and Mrs. Wirtz for choosing me for this honor. Before I begin my speech I would like to remind everyone that ! like Jeremy and David represent Hoover School. I believe that there are three kinds of citizenship: citizenship in the community, citizenship in the nation, and citizenship in the world. At Hoover we try to be citizens in all three ways. We have had can drives for the Iowa City Crisis Center. We have collected school supplies for Native American reservations. And we are currently in the middle of collecting clothes and school supplies for underprivileged children in Seoul, South Korea. I think I was chosen because I am interested in the problems of the world. Almost two weeks ago I attended the Human Rights Conference for students at the University. Once again I would like to thank my parents, grandmother, teachers and Mrs. Wirtz for helping me all the time and the City Council for allowing me to represent Hoover School. Champion: Wow. Lehman: And you told us everything except who you are. Whittington: Oh, I'm Thomas Whittington. Lehman: You know I think most of us up here and I bet most of you out there wish you could have read the same thing and meant what you said, So we're very proud of you. I want to read what it says on the certificates which we're going to give you: "For outstanding qualities of leadership within Hoover Elementary as well as the community and for sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others we recognize these as Outstanding Student Citizens. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City City Council." That's not for me, that's for you. And did you notice that they mention the grandparents in every single one. I did not put them up to that. Thank yon folks. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #3 Page 3 ITEM 3 MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION. · Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week: November 17 - 23 Lehman: Item 3 is the Mayor's proclamation. (Reads proclamation). Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Crissy Canganelli. Crissy Canganelli:Thank you. I'd like to speak for a moment as a representative of the Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board and as the Executive Director of the Emergency Housing Project. Hunger and homelessness remains one of our nation's most pressing domestic issues and it is an increasing concern for our own community and we are struggling with it. EHP shelter house is Johnson County's only general use homeless shelter providing emergency and short term transitional shelter to men, women and children, the disabled and elderly under one roof. As you know our capacity is limited to 30 persons as set by fire code. In 2001 we provided shelter and support of services to 725 men, women and children. We mn at capacity most every night. Capacity for us memos that couches become beds, sleeping mats go on floors and the house is used as wall to wall sleeping area. We're open and staffed 24 hours a day Monday thru Friday and closed from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only. Clients in crisis come to us and call at all times of the day and night in search of shelter or assistance with other basic needs. From June thru August of this year EHP staffed the night shelter to 294 men, women and children who are homeless in our community due to lack of shelter staff. There are no other shelter options in the County. People are faced with sleeping in parking ramps, behind dumpsters, under bridges, waiting areas in hospitals or in cars if they're lucky. Again the current facility is a single family home. We're seeing increased number of families with small children coming through the shelter. From 1980 to 2000 the population of this County increased by 35%. During that same period we experienced a real loss of shelter beds of 25%. Our community is in desperate need of increased shelter capacity most especially for families. The Board of EHP is committed to achieving this objective. This past spring we received an anonymous gift of $25,000 to fund the feasibility study. The Board has hosted focus groups during this past fall and I thank everyone who participated in those discussions. The results from the focus group discussions will be used to further develop our concept plan and vision and also to further galvanize support throughout the community. We hope to be in a position to formally launch a campaign next spring. We continue to make good progress in stabilizing our internal program resources. To that end we're pleased to announce that in September we were approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a comprehensive housing This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #3 Page 4 counseling agency. We believe that this will be a vehicle that will further assist those in need throughout our community to maintain and/or achieve stable, affordable housing. In Johnson County we have a serious shortage of affordable housing. It is a primary concern for our community. Lack of affordable housing in a community can and does exacerbate citizens experiences with hunger and homelessness. When income is limited people must make impossible decisions between food, shelter and other basic needs. The median price of a single family home in Iowa City in 2000 was $131,500. This ranks Iowa City among the highest cost single family housing markets in the State. Rental costs in Iowa City and its immediate surrounding communities are very high relative to the rest of the State and very low vacancy rates persist. 54% of all Iowa City renters pay more than 30% of their household income on gross rent and are thereby considered cost burdened by Federal standards. Johnson County is the most cost burdened county in Iowa. This burden is felt most by those least able to compete in the private housing market - the low- and very low- income households. I believe that any one person's homelessness diminishes us all and that life is no less valuable when it's accompanied by physical or mental illness, by weakness, hunger or poverty. I do witness and bear witness to homelessness daily. I can tell you that being homeless impacts you profoundly - that it is soul killing and dignity killing. It is soul killing to know and comprehend that this is the reality of hundreds of thousands of our nation's youth. And that homelessness is become the reality lived by so many of our own children in this community bringing with it longitudinal negative effects that compromise our children's health and education in many instances permanently. In so much that these children have access to resources as provided by our organization and others in this community their state of homelessness may be dramatically reduced ultimately reducing the negative impacts. Homelessness is a social and public ill that must be bom on the shoulders of the public in parmership with the private. We seem to be paralyzed in a way and our paralyze stems from a sophisticated ability to vicariate ourselves so that there is the rational thinking self that looks to the economic soundness and immediate expense of public policy and then there is the humanitarian, spiritual, moral and ethical self. This aspect of self finds it reprehensible to deny access to care, medical care and basic shelter to those in need. To reconcile these two mindsets presents a serious challenge, but a challenge well worth the fight. Our work is good and the need is great. We're a grassroots organization and continue to struggle to meet the needs ofhomelessness as manifest in our community. Overall we have limited resources, but I believe we do good work and are good stewards of the resources made available to us. We're working with a diverse group of people their reasons for coming to us...their reasons for being homeless are just as diverse as This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #3 Page 5 they themselves are. In coming to you tonight I ask you to continue to support us and when possible to increase your support. I've come to you tonight to let you know with confidence that through your support and the support of our community that together we make a difference in the lives of hundreds of men, women and children, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, members of this community each year. We're all stakeholders in this. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Canganelli: And I have some handouts from the Local Homeless Coordinating Board that I'd like to share with you that draw attention to issues here in Johnson County regarding housing and affordability. Pfab: I have a question. What kind of activities are you doing this week as Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week? Canganelli: The Board of Directors from Emergency Housing Project and volunteers from the Iowa City Area Association of Realtors are working through a phone-a-thon to raise funds - operational funds - for emergency housing project. We're currently faced with a deficit of $18,000 so our goal is $45,000 just so we can come out of this year prepared to meet the first quarter's expenses next year. We're trying to organize additional efforts through the Local Homeless Coordinating Board partnering together for next year's week. In Davenport we just went to visit the community there and to participate in the Mayor's Hunger Luncheon that they have each year. 1 think it's annually occurred for 10 years? They've had this for 10 years. Different providers come together and leaders from throughout the community come together and have a meal and present information on homelessness and it's just a great opportunity to have communication with one another. So we're considering at looking at having some sort of event like that this next year. Pfab: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Canganelli: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #4 Page 6 ITEM 4 CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Lehman: (Reads item). Champion: Move adoption. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Kanner: Yeah I have a few things, Ernie. The first thing is in the consent calendar number a- City Council minutes for 11/5 page 22 on our...in our package, but I guess page 5. It says all Council Members present. I don't know if Irvin came back or not after that, but the previous resolution Irvin it says he was absent and I think he might have been absent for that one also. It was just a small thing. Karr: I'll check it. Lehman: Okay. Kanner: And then I did want to make a not that there is a public hearing that we're setting for December l0th in regards to Section 8 administration plan - that's our voucher program for housing for people of low- and moderate-income. And there am three points here that hopefully people will look at and if they have any comments bring to us at the heating on December l0th. One of the major points is that a preference system is changed to give preference to the elderly or disabled or families with children under 18. And then there's other things about the change the Section 8 home ownership which is a new Federal program which is pretty exciting. And then a definition of family change according to HUD requirements to include single persons. It sounds like a step in the right direction. So if you have some comments please submit them to us or come at our next Council meeting. And one other announcement I found this interesting. People have asked questions in the community about the pedestrian bridges over Highway 6 and in our consent resolution we are making an agreement with the University and ID OT that they'll be joint responsibilities for the Burlington and Iowa bridges and they're not going to fall down. They're in good shape. But we will continue to do maintenance. UI will be responsible for...IDOT- Department of Transportation - will be responsible for major repair costs and for the new bridge to the Health Science Bridge building. UI has total responsibility for that. And then the last thing - perhaps people are going to speak to this, but we did get 90 postcards apparently about affordable housing. And so it is a big issue in the community and people are talking about it. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November t9, 2002. #4 Page 7 Lehman: Okay. Any other discussion? Roll call. (Motion carries). This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #5 Page 8 ITEM 5 PUBLIC DISCUSSION Lehman: Item 5 is public discussion. This is a time reserved on the agenda for folks who would like to address the Council on issues that do not otherwise appear on the agenda. If you wish to address the Council please sign in, give your name, and limit your comments to five minutes or less. Wanda Daniel: Good evening. Philip Daniel: Good evening. Wanda Daniel: Fist of all we'd like to give... Lehman: You need to give your name first. Wanda Daniel: Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Wanda Daniel and this is my husband Phillip Daniel. I'm sorry. First of all we'd like to give Mrs. Karr, the City Clerk, some paperwork to be put in record please. Okay. (Reads statement). At this time I'd like to thank Councilman Pfab for taking the time to come out and seeing our situation for himself. I'd like to thank Councilman Ross Wilbum for coming out and getting in touch with my landlord so that we can communicate. Now it is time for some action concerning our losses and damages. Although the work is not fully completed - at this time when I wrote the letter it wasn't completed, but now the toilet has been completed. The window was put in yesterday. Phillip Daniel: Yes it was. Wanda Daniel: Yeah. Okay. Alrighty. (Continues to read statement). Now I received the letter from the City stating in so many words that this is between our landlord which is Saratoga Springs and GIIIP which is Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship, but I beg to differ. I am involved with the City Section 8 program - have been for years. I'm also involved with the self-sufficiency program as well. I understand that the government used monies for where I live at - at 2519 Clearwater Court. I've talked to work about Robin Butler. I've talked to Steven Law concerning this situation and they listen, but I felt like no one wants to help. So can somebody tell me where's my protection? We deserve again safe housing, safe, adequate housing - fair housing. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Karr: Move to accept correspondence. O'Dormell: So moved. Wilbum: So moved, second. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #5 Page 9 Lehman: Moved by O'Donnei1, seconded by Wilburn. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries Claire Heger: Hi. My name is Claire Heger. I am not affiliated with any special group or organization. I am just a member of this community who has recently heard or learned about the Emergency Housing Project, As Chrissy has explained earlier the Emergency Housing Project is the only general homeless shelter in this County. I find it very disturbing that the City is not doing anything about this issue. I am not the only one who feels this way. Here is a collection of over 1200 signatures of people in this community who have expressed their concern about the lack of shelter space. These people support that the City looks more closely at this issue and that action is taken. I have a quick story to share with you. I was walking home the other night and I was outside - right outside here on the corner at the streetlight and I met a man. It was very cold outside. I asked him if he had a place to sleep tonight and he replied that he was just going to sleep under the bridge - this is the bridge just a few blocks down the street. I asked him ifI could show him where the shelter was and he replied that he knew where the shelter was, however, he knew it was full and that he would rather give his spot to a woman or child and that he would try to survive out here. This unselfishness is just one example of the human faces that are behind the homeless. Mary Tiedeman: Hi. My name is Mary Tiedeman. I, too recently became aware of the services that the Emergency Housing provides for our community. However, I have also learned how incredibly inadequate the shelter space is. While talking to people - getting them to sign this petition - they were really shocked as well as how insufficient our current situation is. Many of them couldn't believe that Johnson County has one general purpose homeless shelter. I really hope you take this time to realize how important this housing problem is in Iowa City. Housing is a basic necessity and there are people in this community who face struggles in their lives when they can't afford the rent for a period of time. I, along with the more than I200 people that signed this petition, hope that you closely examine this issue in our community. In a recent Daily Iowan article Mr. Wilburn you said that it's really unfortunate that there aren't more options. And so I just urge you to examine this problem and work to create more options for the homeless and transitional population in our community. Thank yoll. Lehman: Thank you. Tiedeman: I'm going to go ahead and pass this around if you guys would like. Karr: Motion to accept petition. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #5 Page 10 Wilburn: So moved. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Vanderhoef. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Champion: Will we get copies of that Marian? Karr: Yes it will be in the next packet. It will be scanned in your next packet. Champion: Okay. Kanner: Will we just get - for the packet itself we just get the top copy and the rest is available... Kart: For the initial packet, as was the postcards, you'll get one and the total. But when it's finalized you'll get every page of it. Just like you'll get all the postcards. Rene Paine: Hi. My name is Rene Paine and I'm the Director at Public Access Television in Iowa City. I'm here tonight to invite the Council and the Iowa City community at large to Public Access Television's annual meeting. The annual meeting will be this Thursday, November 21st from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Public Access Television which is located at 206 Lafayette Street. At this meeting we'll honor our volunteer, we'll elect a new member to the Public Access Television Board of Directors. And this year as part of the contract renewal process with the City of Iowa City we will be incorporating a public comment segment into the annual meeting. So if you have any comments regarding PATV's performance over the last three years we invite you to come to PATV between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. and share your cormnents. Again we're located at 206 Lafayette Street between the tracks just off of South Dubuque Street and we hope to see you there. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Baron Thrower: Yes. Good evening. My name is Baron Thrower and I am the newest member of the Iowa City Airport Commission. And this evening I'd like to share and engage the Iowa City Council on a couple of items that I think are a mutual interest. First of all we were honored in our last meeting at which we were visited upon by the individuals of the Civil Air Patrol, an organization that has a distinguished past in history and a very prominent role in our community especially since some of th the items that occurred since September 11 . Our friends in the Civil Air Patrol are faced with a very serious issue at hand. They are currently located in the Des Moines area Air Martial Guard facility and due to the heightened security issues that are faced our Country This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #5 Page 11 these days the Air National Guard has asked them to leave that facility. We've had some interesting conversations with the Civil Air Patrol and I'm excited to offer to the City Council that they're seriously considering coming to Iowa City and making this the headquarters for their wing which will mean they will be basing aircraft and also headquartering all of their regional activities in areas of homeland security, first and second level responders and also emergency support functions that they provide in concert with the American Red Cross. So really excited about that opportunity. And in the next couple of weeks we'll be sharing more information with you as we finalize our relationship with the Civil Air Patrol. Also I wanted to share with the City Council an upcoming meeting that the Iowa City Airport Commission is having with the Federal Aviation Commission in Kansas City on December the 4th. A small delegation of our Connnission members and other members of the City and the region will be going to Kansas City to share with the FAA our airport layout plan which speaks to how we are managing the airport in regards to infrastructure and services as well as we will be discussing items that are specifically related to Iowa City in the sense that we'll be talking about the opportunity and the proposed benefits of the extension of the Mormon Trek Expressway in talking about how that will benefit our community and seeking their support in making facilities available on the airport to make that road connection a success. Also we're going to be sharing with the FAA something that is uniquely important to all of us as we look at how we manage the airport going forward. As many of you know we have the airport aviation commerce park. We're going to be seeking a waiver from the FAA which will allow us to make that property available both for lease and also for purchase so that we can expand the economic development opportunities that we seek to get out that very prominent location within the City of Iowa City and we're very excited about that as well. Another item I'd like to share with the Commission actually has to deal with and speaks to a commitment that was made by the Iowa City Airport Commission to the Iowa City Council in regards to us improving, if you will upgrading as I like to think, the management of the airport and the way that the Commission leads that organization is regards to how it provides services to our community. A few months back a commitment was made by the Iowa City Airport Commission to deliver to the City Council a strategic plan that lays out and speaks to how we will manage and operate our facilities. How we would utilize that resource in the community not just as an Iowa City resource, but as an eastern Iowan regional asset and how we seek to make that our organization economically viable as we support and participate in future economic development of Iowa City as a whole. Our citizens should be very committed and excited as we are about the airport as part of the elements of the strategic plan. We're really focused on This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #5 Page 12 literally on how Iowa City, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors and the Iowa City Council can work together along with our private sector partners and really getting the real economic value that that regional asset has to offer. We will be submitting to the Iowa City Council a request for funding that will cover the expense associated with the strategic planning efforts that we've committed to and we will hope that the City Council will find favor with our request and we'll be able to move forward in improving the management style and the capability and the regional appropriateness of that most viable and important regional asset. We'll be providing a letter to the City Council within the next couple days. Are there any questions? Yes sir? Pfab: I'm going to thank you for a very impressive report. Thrower: Thank you, Sir, my pleasure. Lehman: I would second that. That was very, very well. Thrower: Thank you. Good night. Champion: Kind of exciting isn't it? Holly Berkowitz: My name is Holly Berkowitz and I don't have quite a prepared report and I have somewhat more serious of a concern. I'm going to bring forward some things that I have discovered that are very, very serious and I want you to take action as a City. First if the Bush administration threatened the Taliban with a carpet of gold or a carpet of bombs before 9/11 when the Taliban refused the United States to build oil pipeline through Afghanistan if President Bush was a beneficial on the Board of the Union Bank before 1942 when it funded the rise of Hitler and if John Ashcroft and the Judicial Department have pushed through a total information awareness program which authorizes the government to dig into every detail of our lives. I didn't read the article today yet or yesterday when about Ashcroft. I don't know what that article was, but it better not have been this program. Then we as a City are in danger because of some people at the Federal government who do not consider that government is here to protect us. I'm asking you to make a motion to come up with a proclamation, do whatever you can to say these people do not have to go to war if these cases are tree. Do you have the question? Champion: Thank you, Holly. O'Donnell: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Holly. Berkowitz: Well, I'd like to response. Lehman: Well, it is inappropriate for us to respond at this point. This is the time This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #5 Page 13 for you to speak to us. This isn't the time we engage you. This is the time we take comments from the public and we have received your comments and we thank you. Berkowitz: Okay. And...there are a number of cities in the United States who are taking action against the war in Iraq. I would like you to take action against the preemptive strike against Iraq please. Lehman: We hear you. Thank you. Berkowitz: Could you please do that? Thank you. Lehman: Other public discussion? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #6e Page 14 ITEM 6e. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. e. Public hearing on an ordinance amending Title 14, Chapter 6, Article K, the Sensitive Areas Ordinance, regarding requirements for Sensitive Areas Overlay Rezonings and Sensitive Areas Site Plans. Lehman: (Reads item). Public hearing is open and Karin I apologize for not having spoken to you earlier, but if you would give us a thumbnail sketch. This isn't quite as complicated as it seems. But if you could tell the public what this amendment does? Karin Franklin: Yes, I'd like to clarify some of the things we talked about last night too. What this ordinance is about is about the process we use to address applications for development when those developments are in areas which have sensitive features. Currently, our ordinance has a two-tiered approach in which there is administrative review for some sensitive features and for others it requires a rezoning process before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. What the amendment before you does is it shifts more of those incidences into the administrative review and retains within the rezoning process those projects in which there is some variation that's being sought from the regulations - the technical regulations that are in the ordinance or there is some discretion or judgment that is needed to address the particular issue. And there's one part of that that I want to clarify as I say what I just said that one of the areas in which it would still require a rezoning is disturbance of critical slopes...a disturbance of any critical slopes in which a project is going to disturb 35% or more of those critical slopes. In those incidences those projects will come before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. However, the projects that are less than 35% - that are still reviewed at an administrative level there is some discretion still within the Code because there is language about minimizing the disturbance to critical slopes which is retained in the Code such that if we had a project let's say for instance was disturbing slopes up to 25% and we were able in the site plan review process to look at that project and see a way in which that project could be accomplished without disturbing 25% of the slopes - maybe disturbing 15% of the slopes - we would have the authority under the ordinance as the Staffto require that the developer only disturb the 15% rather than the 25%. And l just wanted to make that clear as you were considering this ordinance. Champion: Karin, would that be like heights requirements and... Franklin: No. If there's a height requirement...it is only with this particular provision relating to slopes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #6e Page 15 Champion: Okay. Franklin: Because there's specific language in the Code that says we are to minimize disturbance of slopes - of the critical slopes - and so it's only in that one portion of it and as you know this covers a number of different sensitive features. Pfab: A question. Why do we need any number in where we have 35%? Franklin: Well this is a judgment call for the Council in making your decision about going forward with this. We have done this and it has gone through the Planning and Zoning Commission at the direction of the City Council to make this ordinance - which is a very technical ordinance - one in which we have administrative review in those technical situations since it's very frustrating for everyone - for the Council as well as for the public if they come before you and try to make changes in the rezoning process which are not being addressed by the sensitive features. So the effort was to try to remove some of that frustration, to deal with those things administratively that are largely technical in nature. You can make the decision, obviously, as to whether you adopt this or not, but also as to what that number is - whether it's 35% or 25% or 50%. The 35% was arrived at because it is an averaging of what we have seen as these types of cases have come to us in the past under the existing ordinance. That is if you looked at all of those cases in which critical slopes were an issue, on average it's about 35% that was being disturbed. Most cases are less than that - are between 2% and 10% disturbance. There are some that were between 45 and 50% disturbance. So this is an averaging. But the judgment that we made in bringing this forward that is the Staff and that the Planning and Zoning Commission has accepted it has been to go with the 35%. If you want to go with a different number there should be some rational behind it, but you can choose the number. Pfab: It appears to me that the number is arbitrary. Franklin: I wouldn't say...I think arbitrary is probably going a little bit far. There is a rational behind it. You may not agree with that particular rational or have another perspective on it, but it's not just arbitrary. ]?fab: Also I think that it's a political decision involving the people in the neighborhood and is there...does this address the good neighbor policy or whatever that... Franklin: Okay. This ordinance is about protecting sensitive features with certain technical requirements that in some cases allows variations. When those variations are being requested it goes through the whole rezoning process, but it is still about those specific variations. It is not This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #6e Page 16 about the whole bundle of things that you might look at when you're looking at land use. Sensitive areas is not about density, it's not about permitted uses. It's about how you build in certain areas of the community where there are sensitive features. And that's all it is about. Pfab: Well, I would be a lot more supportive if there was no number there. Franklin: You may debate that amongst yourselves. Pfab: Well we will. Franklin: That's your decision. Lehman: Thank you, Karin. WilliamKnabe: My name is William Knabe and l reside at 1101 WeeberCircle. I wish to express briefly my concerns about the adoption of this amendment to the Sensitive Area's Ordinance. It has been publicly acknowledged that the Southgate Development project on the east side of Harlocke Street is the impetus for this amendment. I do not wish to rehash or debate the decisions that were made regarding this project. It's full impact on surrounding properties in the Weeber-Harlocke neighborhood will not be known until the winter snows and the spring rains. Nevertheless, since the Weeber-Harlocke Southgate project is the cause for action on this amendment I think it is important to focus on the consequences of the public discussion on that project because it points up a major problem with the passage of this amendment. The issue which concerns me most is that of public notification and the subsequent democratic process that takes place. This amendment clearly eliminates public notification and subsequently public discussion on all properties that meet minimum code requirements in the Sensitive Areas Ordinance. This would apply to all properties including those in which the zoning has been questioned or contested for various environmental or density related issues. With regards to the Southgate- Harlocke development if this amendment had been in effect there would have been no public notification of area property owners, no posting of signs on property. The development would have been...the developer would have applied to the City Planning Department for the necessary permits and the City Planning Staff would have approved the project without public notification or discussion because the Staff would say the project met minimum SOA requirements. The first notification surrounding property owners would receive then would be the sound of bulldozers and dump trucks rumbling down Harlocke Street, There would be no public input. There would be no incentive for the developer to consult and work with other area owners to resolve problems which might result in the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #6e Page 17 development. What is so disturbing about this scenario is that without public notification there is no public debate. Hence the democratic process is replaced by a mom totalitarian course of action. The administrative or Staff approval of a project if it meets Code without benefit of public input. (End of Tape #02-87, Beginning of Tape 02-89) Knabe: Traffic, parking, safety, environmental, architecture impact on the neighborhood were not relevant because the applicant satisfied the minimum Code requirements. But I ask you under the proposed amendment when would such issues be discussed or more specifically how will citizens be given notification of an impending development so that concerns and opinions can be properly addressed? Or is it the goal, an objective of Council, by adopting this amendment to place further restrictions on public input. Finally, I wish to make a statement about the continued use of the Weeber-Harlocke Southgate development project as the impetus of this amendment. I would argue to the contrary. It is because of the public discussion on the Weeber- Harlocke project that other more positive action has resulted. Consider the following events that have taken a place as a result of public discussion on the Weeber-Harlocke development: work on the Southwest District plan was assigned priority by the Council, a moratorium was declared on further development of property in the area until after completion of the Southwest District Plan, a Southwest District Plan that included and addressed many of the public concerns in this area was developed and adopted, a conditional zoning agreement that speaks to some of the concerns raised in the District plans specific to this area was prepared and signed by the Ruppert family and the City, and last but not least a major development - 198 apartments with 555 beds on the Ruppert property is presently making its way to Council with the approval of many neighbors who were notified and involved in the planning process from the very beginning. This is what public notification and the democratic process can be all about. To paraphrase the words of Interim UI President Sandy Boyd and I quote, "I've always said that people, not structures, make great universities" to which I would substitute the word communities. It is important to hear people and work with them. Therefore, I ask you not to approve this amendment until you can provide some guarantee that in the future development of environmentally sensitive and controversially zoned properties the public will continue to be notified and given ample opportunity to be heard. It is the democratic process. Please don't take that right away from us. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Bill. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #6e Page 18 Dilkes: Excuse me, Emie, if I could just note a couple things about notification. Lehman: Yes. Dilkes: A sensitive area site plan is defined as a major site plan and major site plans do require that there be a sign posted on the property notifying members of the public about a site plan review. Lehman: That's whether or not it's handled administratively or if it is handled as it goes now. Dilkes: Correct. Lehman: So that the notification requirement will still be there. Dilkes: There will still be a notification requirement. In addition, for major site plans 20% or more.., owners of 20% or more of the property located within 200 feet of the boundaries of the proposed development may request a review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission would apply the same standards that the administrative staff had been required to apply. Lehman: Then I have a question for you, this amendment would not change that requirement that if20% of the neighbors objected to a project it would still be required to go through the same process? Dilkes: No, it goes to the Planning and Zoning Commission. It does not them come to the Council. Lehman: To us. Okay. Alright. Thank you. Vanderhoef: And with their notification are we still sending letters besides the posting of the sign to the neighbors within the boundary? Dilkes: I don't know the answer to that. I suspect no, Lehman: I don't think so. Dilkes: It's not...this doesn't make it a rezoning. And it's different because the standards that guide the Planning and Zoning Commission in a case of site plan review are not...they can't just substitute their judgment because they think they have a better result. They have to look at the same standards that would govern the...the same design standards that would govern the administrative staff. Lehman: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #6e Page 19 Kanner: So this is one instance where P&Z is not just an advisory body, they would have the final decision making power of approval or denial which then could be appealed to the Board of Adjustments? Dilkes: No, you would not appeal a decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission in that instance to the Board of Adjustments? Kanner: Who would it go to? The Council? Dilkes: No, I think the Planning and Zoning Commission makes the final decision on the site plan review. Kmmer: So, then it would have to go to court if you wish to...if one of the sides wished to appeal that? Dilkes: That would likely be what would happen. Pfab: Is this the time for comment? Lehman: Well, is there anyone else from the public who'd like to speak? Dilkes: I just didn't want there to be a misperception that there was no notification. Lehman: Okay. Is there anyone else like to speak to this? Berkowitz: Holly Berkowitz again. I'd like to second William's comments about the importance of the democratic process and I'd like to add that the so-called erosion protectors in the new development in Hickory Hill Park are grossly inadequate in the heavy rain. Lehman: Okay. Thank you, Holly. Pfab: I make this comment. Lehman: Well, let's see if we have anymore public comment. We apparently do not. Public hearing is closed. Would you like to make a comment? Then we will have a discussion and a first vote at the next meeting. Pfab: Okay. My...the point I'd like to make is this - I believe there's a similarity here between this and the si~ ordinance. Is that right Madam Attorney? Dilkes: I'm sorry. A similarity between this... Pfab: It's an oversight I think somewhat similar, but a lot greater weight and the City Council having final approval of sign ordinances. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #6e Page 20 Dilkes: Are you talking about the design review issue? Pfab: Right. We, as a Council, made a decision not to allow the Staff to make final decisions on signs. Lehman: That was design review. Pfab: Or design review. Dilkes: 1 don't think that's a legal issue, I think that's a judgment you may choose to make. Pfab: Right. But, no it's not a legal point, but the point is if we feel that we should have a democratic process in the sign review I think planning these whole developments are a lot more....a greater responsibility to the democratic process and from the point of view from the City Council than that. So I think this is...I think to take this away is a definite step in the wrong direction. Lehman: Okay. We will have the discussion among the Council and the first vote at our December l0th meeting. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council Of November 19, 2002. #6f Page 21 ITEM 6f. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS f. Consider an ordinance amending Title 14 Entitled 'Unified Development Code,' Chapter 6, Entitled 'Zoning,' Article U, entitled 'Administration and Enforcement,' Section 7 Entitled 'Violations and Penalties' to Increase the Municipal Infraction Civil Fines for Violating the Zoning Code. (Second Consideration) Lehman: (Reads item). This is one of the recommendations that was made by the Neighborhood Task Force. O'Donnell: Move second consideration. Vanderhoefi I move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered on and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended, that the second consideration and vote be waived and the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time. Pfab: Second that. Lehman: Okay moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Pfab, for expedited consideration. Is there discussion? Roll call. Motion carries, 6-1, Kanner voting the negative. Vanderhoef: I move that the ordinance be finally adopted at this time. Pfab: I second that. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Pfab, that the ordinance be adopted. Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries, 6-1, Kanner voting in the negative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #7b Page 22 ITEM 7b CONVEYANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 200 SQUARE FEET OF BENTON STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY TO KATHLEEN A. STEVE. b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING Lehman: Do we have a motion? Pfab: Move the resolution. Lehman: Moved by Pfab. Champion: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Champion. Discussion? Kanner: What's the price we're getting? Dilkes: It's an exchange of property for...we're getting a little more than we're giving. Vanderhoef: I think this is one of the examples that we can be proud of that we are working with property owners and making things happen that work for everyone and to increase the economic development viability of this property. Pfab: I think this is a case where we commend the property owner for being willing to work it out with the City too. Lehman: A nice partnership. Any other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #9 Page 23 ITEM 9 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT (CLG) GRANT TO OBTAIN FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREPARING FOUR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NOMINATIONS FOR THE PROPOSED NORTH LINN STREET, NORTH GILBERT STREET, EAST JEFFERSON STREET AND EAST RONALDS STREET HISTORIC DISTRICTS, LOCATED IN THE NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD. Lehman: (Reads item). Pfab: I would move the resolution. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by Pfab, seconded by Champion. Karmer: I believe there needs to be a slight correction in that the grant we're applying for from my understanding after reading this is $7,000. The CLG grant on page 130 it says we're applying for $7,000, we're matching it with $4,795 which brings us up to that $11,000, but we're not applying for the whole $11,000. Vanderhoef: I think that's correct. Kanner: So we need to make a...I don't know how we would correct that in the motion. Vanderhoef: The amount isn't in the motion. Champion: The amount isn't in the motion. Kanner: It's not. Oh. Wasn't it in... Dilkes: Well it's in the resolution. I'm just looking at it right now. Kanner: We could amend that. Dilkes: I think we can change that. It's merely a typo or you can amend it on the floor. Karmer: I'd like to amend that to say the grant is for $7,000. Champion: Second. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #9 Page 24 Lehman: We have a motion and a second to amend the grant to correct it. Is there a discussion on the corrected amendment? All in favor? Opposed? The amendment carries. Is there further discussion on the resolution? Kanner: One aspect that I just wanted to point out is that neighborhood meetings will happen as I'm sure most the people in the north side neighborhood know, but just to further point it out that there will be a process of discussion of what should be historic and as has been happening and what possible conservation district could be established which is the aim of this motion. Pfab: I think this is a really good move here and I really support it. Vanderhoef: The only comment that I have that concerns me a little bit is the fact that we have identified four historic districts and in the fine print, shall we say, it says that we may well try to connect some of these depending on what they find in the survey and because of past problems of getting enough people on historic preservation to represent each district I will be encouraging any collapsing of these into fewer than four districts. Champion: Our districts are very small and that's part of the problem. Vanderhoef: And that is a huge problem. And the other thing that I find sometimes is if the guidelines for each district are not almost identical it leads to confusion so if we can get them into smaller districts or into one bigger district and fewer districts I would be more apt to support all of it. Pfab: I think those are very good comments. I appreciate them. Lehman: Roll call. (Motion carries.) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #10 Page 25 ITEM 10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING FUNDING FOR REVOLT SKATEBOARD SHOP FROM IOWA CITY'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. Lehman: Are you going? Wilburn: I will be abstaining on item 10 due to a conflict of interest or the appearance ora conflict of interest as I am employed by an agency that receives funding from the Community Development Block Grant funds. Lelunan: Okay. Wilbum: Thanks for reminding me. Lehman: (Reads item). Pfab: I would move the resolution. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by Pfab, seconded by Champion. Discussion? Kanner: I like the letter from the young person in the packet and I'm encouraging giving this grant out. Vanderhocf: I'm very impressed with his writing skills and I think it's great when the young people to take a look and take a stand on issues. Which brings up one of the things that I had mentioned when Emie and I met in the economic development committee meeting that certainly this is a small business that needs support, but I see not only the economic development possibilities for this for our City, but I also see that this has some social responsibility to our young folks. We have always got people coming to our podium asking for more activities for young people that are safe and secure and non-alcoholic and this meets all of those kinds of things and I think we are adding something to our community by supporting this grant. Pfab: I have a question, are you putting safe in parenthesis? Vanderhoef: Safe, secure location. Pfab: Okay, but I was thinking safe activities. I think that might be a relative This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #10 Page 26 terlTl. Vanderhoef: I'm not going to get on a skateboard and say it's safe. O'Donnell: I can see that. Vanderhoefi Wouldn't that be a sight. Lehman: I'd like to just bring...the application for to the economic development committee was for $35,000 grant. This person is also applying to the State for, I believe, a $25,000 loan. And we saw the paperwork and we saw the business plan I don't think there's any question that this is the sort of endeavor that CDBG funds were designed to assist with. I don't think this project in a million years would be able to qualify in going to a bank, but yet this young person's enthusiasm and his plan and also the actual increase in business that he's experienced this year has been somewhat dramatic. And our recommendation of the $12,500 which is only about a third of what he asked for was basically to see how well things progress during the first year. And certainly would invite him to return to us at the end of that year if business is going in the direction that he anticipates and that we anticipate that he would certainly be welcome to come back and ask for continued support. Pfab: I would say this was one of the highest energy projects I've seen especially when you couple it with the new skateboard park. Now it's beyond my ability to get very energized about the activity, but until we stand back and observe it's just like dynamo - the whole project. Lehman: But I do think Council needs to understand this is a long shot. We're kind of....we're kind of giving a helping hand here to a project that just might go. So other comments from Council? Pfab: If this don't go there's a lot of other (can't hear). Lehman: I beg your pardon? Pfab: If this one doesn't go there's a lot o£others ones that are going to be in trouble. Lehman: There'll be a lot of others ones in trouble whether or not this one goes. Pfab: No, I think this is a great project. Lehman: ...the economy...so anyway. Roll call. Motion carries. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #10 Page 27 Pfab: So moved. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: We have a motion to accept correspondence form Pfab, seconded by Vanderhoef. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #11 Page 28 ITEM 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGETED POSITIONS IN THE BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS DIVISION BY ADDING ONE ~A TIME SPECIAL PROJECTS ASSISTANT - CABLE TV, AND AMENDING THE AFSCME PAY PLAN BY ADDING THE POSITION OF SPECIAL PROJECTS ASSISTANT - CABLE TV. Lehman: (Reads item). O'Donnell: So moved. Pfab: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Dormell, seconded by Pfab. Discussion? Kanner: Could this money be used to pay off for instance the any capital debt that might be incurred in regards to this division? Drew Shaffer: In regards to the cable division? Kanner: Yeah. Shaffer: I suppose it could. There isn't any capital debt though to pay off. Kam~er: What about...it's an internal transfer for their space in the condominium. Shaffer: No, that was paid, that was paid. Kmmer: That was paid with cash? Shaffer: Yes. Kanner: And we had this discussion awhile ago when this came up and we did talk about were there other options that this money could be used for that would help our total financial picture. Shaffer: The money...this is money from the franchise fee that you get from Mediacom. Council has had a long standing policy that that money would go to support the administration of the franchise and to support local access T.V. and that money would not be used for other things outside of that division. On the other hand the Council has also had...along with that has been a policy that no other tax dollars would go into funding that. But, yes if you want to change that policy you certainly could and you could use a franchise fee revenues for your general fund. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #11 Page 29 Pfab: I have a comment. Lehman: Yes. Pfab: I'm really pleased that how this division here is growing and the quality of programs and the work that's being done by these people. If this is what they need to make work I'd certainly be willing to support. Lehman: Well, you're going to have a chance here in just a second. Is there any more comment. Roll call. Sorry. Kanner: Drew, could you explain a little bit about the we have a whereas that's sort of job description variety of programming production techniques, designs and types involved with these initiatives require special communication talents, skills and abilities - what is this person going to do in regards to these needs? Shaffer: The purpose of this position is to...this person would be a host, scriptwriter, do research and work with organizations and people that would be on the live show be it interactive live show that would be a series. The first show that we hope will be up and running would be one with the Englert December 9th. This is a target date. This show we don't have what we would hope would be 30 days in advance kind of work update because it's a date that they picked because they are kind of under the gun, you might say. Champion: Under the gun. Shaffer: So they picked the date. They said we'd like to do a December 9th, So we don't have as much time to put it together, but that's kind of the job description if that helps a little bit. Kanner: So we have a community programming person and the people, non- profit organizations can go to them. Will this new person work with them also in some of the things you're talking about? Groups can come to this new person and work for putting on programming? Shaffer: The person that we're talking about here would be involved in a full production shoot that would involve all of our permanent staff and all of our temporary/part-time staff. We've been doing practice shoots that involve all of those people that I've talked about. It's about 14 people all together behind the scenes. So it's as large a production shoot that we've ever been involved in. It takes a lot ofpeople. So the person that you're referring to - the community programmer or the CTS person - is one of the people. He's fulfilled the function of what you might call a graphics person in that production, but he's involved as well yes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #11 Page 30 Kanner: But groups can come to suggest programs through this new person and other people? Shaffer: One of the things we hope to do in this program is to ask the viewers what kinds of shows they'd like to see in future programs so we'd get input from the community as to what kinds of programs they'd like to see produced. So if there's interest from other organizations out there we'd get their ideas too. Lehman: Irvin? Pfab: I understand...I know you made some really major upgrades in some of your equipment just recently and is this a way that you're going to make better use of that equipment? Shaffer: Yes. It takes just about every piece of equipment we've got to do these practice shoots that we've been doing. We've employed just about every piece of that equipment. Yes. Pfab: I happened to by there when you were doing some of the practice runs and I watched you use some of the amazing technology that you have available there. Shaffer Thank you. Pfab: And I wish you well. Shaffer: Thank you. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #13 Page 31 ITEM 13. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. Lehman: Item 13 are Council appointment. The Animal Care & Adoption Center Advisory Board. Last night we selected Tammara Meester. Board of Adjustment - we had no application. Board ofAppeals - Two vacancies. We appointed John Roffman and Gary Haman. Human Rights Commission had three vacancies and the names were selected Billie Townsend, David Shorr, and Nick Klenske. Parks and Recreation Commission had three vacancies. Those three folks were Craig Gustaveson, Sarah Walz and Judith Klink. Public Art Advisory Committee - Charles Felling and James Hemsley. Senior Center Commission - Two vacancies Lori Benz and Charity Rowley. Can I have a motion to appoint those folks? O'Donnell: So moved. Vanderhoef: So moved. Pfab: So moved. Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell, seconded by Vanderhoef. All in favor? Opposed? (Motion carries). And I need to announce some vacancies, but I want to say before we announce the vacancies anyone should feel encourag.ed to apply for Boards and Commissions. It is tree that sometimes people are reappointed to Boards and Commissions, but many times that is not the case and may time people who are on Boards and Commissions choose not to reapply or for whatever reason they are not reappointed. So, because someone is reapplying for a Board or Commission should not be a reason that anyone would be reluctant to submit their application. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 32 ITEM 15 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Lehman: Council time. Irvin? Pfab: Again I just mentioned last night the person from the Northside mentioned how they're having some concern as people come out of alleys both from the north...from the east and from the west on different alleys where they have yotmg children. They're concerned that people kind of come breezing out there and not realizing that there can be pedestrians just right around the comer of the building. I don't know what...he was concerned and I don't know what the answer is so if this is a chance anyone wants to speak up. O'Donnell: Stop, look and listen. Lehman: Great Kanner: Well and we've been advised that stop signs perhaps are not appropriate at this place, but neighborhood councils could apply for PIN grants for warning signs of some sort. That might be appropriate for them to look for a grant from the City. Pfab: Is there any markings either in the alley or on the sidewalk that are appropriate? I don't know? Atkins: I don't have an answer for you. Pfab: Okay. I mean I'm looking. I don't know. Atkins: You can stop cars, the only thing that comes to mind when you think of (can't hear) on the roadway. Pfab: Is this an accident somewhere is waiting to happen? Champion: Well you could say that about every alley in town. Pfab: No, no, but I mean every alley may be an accident... Lehman: Well but every alley in town...I mean there's alleys downtown, there's alleys all over. State law requires you to stop exiting an alley. I don't know what we're going to change by... Pfab: The question when I mentioned that to this person was where do you stop? After you cross the sidewalk? Or before you enter the street or what? Lehman: Well, that person a sign is not going to do any good for. Do you have This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 33 anything else? Pfab: Okay, yes. One other thing again the...it was brought to my attention that people coming...going east and west on Rochester up by the Scott Boulevard both the north and south, he's concerned that some people are not aware that some of their neighbors might be trying to get onto Rochester and they kind of hurry through there and they' re wondering if those people attempting to get on are to cross Rochester are taking their life in their hands. So he was suggesting that there at least be stop signs put there. Champion: Okay. Lehman: Just - that is being looking at. We mentioned that last night. The traffic folks are looking at both that intersection and the one at First Avenue and Scott. Pfab: I would say if it's possible that a trend is showing - it's kind of like those experiments once they find out that things are...that the experiment is the right thing to do you just stop it and do it. Lehman: Well, they're working on it. Connie? Champion: Well, I have a couple things. I really was pleased to read the praise about our new skateboard park and how popular it is and that it's being used regularly. I've been meaning to get over there to watch the kids, but I haven't made it yet. The other thing as a Council we did receive a memo from Steven Kanner about the incident about the police officer and I wondered as a Council how we're going to address this memo. Do we want to put this on a work session? Do we not want to discuss it at all? Lehman: Is there...are there three people who'd be interested in putting it on a work session? Pfab: I would like to put it on a work session. Champion: Yeah. I would too. Lehman: Steve, can you put that on the next work session? Atkins: Yes. On the schedule. Sure. Lehman: Okay. Anything else, Connie? Champion: That's it. Lehman: Mike. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 34 O'Donnell: Nothing this evening, Ernie. Lehman: Dee? Vanderhoef: An announcement: Tuesday, November 26th the ECICOG the ISAC County group from our six county region - Linn, Jones, Benton, Iowa, Johnson and Washington County - all 25 State legislators have been invited to come to a public forum to discuss issues. This is an opportunity for City and our citizens to meet with our legislators and give them a heads up of what we are interested in for this coming legislative session. This is being also supported by our State legislative policy committee from the Iowa League of Cities. Pfab: And where's that going to be? Vanderhoef: Coralville City Hall November 26th 4:00 - 6:00. Lehman: That's an annual meeting. Vanderhoef: It started out four years ago just at the COG and through the State legislative committee and working with groups we are putting together larger group. Lehman: Right. And it had been horribly attended so it's a good one... Vanderhoefi No, this isn't the one that was at City Hall. Atkins: This is not City Hall Day. Vanderhoefi This is not the City Hall Day. Lehman: Oh, that's the one. Atkins: That's the one that was horribly attended. Lehman: Alright. I was just trying to help attendance. I'm sorry. Vanderhoef: No, we've had better attendance at the ECICOG meetings on that. And then on a personal note and a lighter note Alia Vanderhoefjoined our family on Saturday afternoon and her father said she'd had her priorities right she waited until 15 after the Iowa football game was over so everybody was happy. Lehman: That is the birth of a granddaughter - right? Vanderhoef: Granddaughter number four for me. Pfab: I congratulate everyone, but again could you restate the time and place This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 35 of that meeting. Vanderhoef: Tuesday, the 26th at... Pfab: What time? Champion: 4:00 to 6:00. Vanderhoef: 4:00 to 6:00. Pfab: Thank you. Vanderhoef: Coralville City Hall. Wilbum: I'd just like to thank the Local Homeless Coordination Board for their work year around addressing hunger, homelessness and housing issues in attention to goveramental bodies helping address those issues with funding. I would just like to remind the community it's an opportunity and really a chance for you to make a big impact on these issues and problems. One good way to do that that you can do now is through the United Way. They're still in their campaign and they're approaching their goal, but could use some help there. A reminder to everyone if you know someone who could benefit from some assistance during the holiday season that several of the faith based organizations and community agencies are having different dinners and assistance with food, toys and you can keep your eye on the paper please let folks know that you might note that they can get some help if they need it. They can also call the Crisis Center at 351-0140 and get information about those type of events. And a reminder that Project Holiday is coming up with the Salvation An'ny, the Crisis Center, the Elder Services, and the Visiting Nurse Association at December 18th and 19th and you can call anyone of those organizations and sign up for that distribution. And also with the holidays please support your local economy in addition to going elsewhere please remember downtown, our Northside neighborhoods... Lehman: Thank you, thank you. Wilbum: ... Sycamore mall and some of our other specialty shops and consignment shops. So please do that. Lehman: Steven? Karmer: A few things. Dale and the City Manager's office thanks for the memo on the issue with the Daniels. I appreciate the work that the Staff did in looking into those things. ! have a question, what oversight does Section 8 our Staff have over Section 8 properties? Do This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 36 we have...we were questioned about that - do we have any further oversight? Helling: I can't really speak authoritatively to that, but just in general, I think, the Housing Authority has a responsibility to make sure the housing provided under Section 8 is safe and sanitary. Beyond that those vouchers are given to the individual to go out and rent their own property, sign their own lease and then the agreement is on what percentage or what portion of that rent will be paid by the Housing Authority. But the lease is between the tenant and the landlord. Kanner: Okay. Thank you. I was able, as I mentioned yesterday, I toured some of our facilities and I urge folks to do that. I'm sure a lot of people on Council do that. I got to see the water plant which is quite impressive. One thing that was interesting is that it was built with the idea that it would be open - it's in a big public space - our biggest park and that people would be invited in. But after September 11th things changed and it's not going to be quite as accessible in certain ways. And in fact the EPA and perhaps this new Homeland Security Office is requiring that we have a written response a year from now as to how we're defending in essence our water plant. And it was very interesting. But aside from that it's quite a facility and hats off to Shawn our project manager and to Ed Moreno and the rest of the folks out there. (Can't hear). They said it still might be a few months until it opens up. Atkins: You'll be getting a memo, I believe, in either this packet or the next packet summarizing our public information process that - I hate these words - we're starting the debugging of the plant making sure - I don't know what else to call it - to make sure it works. That's - we'll be doing that for the next several months. Kanner: And our water should be better, but one thing they did point out is we still have in place 100-year-old distribution system that going to affect the quality of the water. Champion: We all certainly hope so. Kanner: But, that's kind of neat. And also went to the Rec Centers and one thing that seemed a great event that happened. There were 500 plus youth at a teen dance at the Rec Center at the east side at the Mercer Scanlon Gym and they're having that kind of turn out there. Champion: Wow. Kanner: So again hats off to Parks & Rec, to Matt out there and other folks that are involved with that. I did want to remind people we did get a notice about December 3rd as a deadline for applying for Iowa City This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 37 coaununity events planning. We do support different community events like the Iowa City Art Festival and the Jazz Festival. And money is tight as it usually is, but other people are welcome to apply for that and then we'll be considering that during our budget hearing and the deadline again is December 3rd for groups and organizations that wish to apply for that. I did want to mention that I went to an international conference on local democracy in Madison, Wisconsin with a couple other folks. And it was quite interesting. We had a representative from Port a Legre in Brazil and they talked about participatory budget decision making which is a grassroots approach to allocating part of the budget - really going deep into the neighborhoods and getting them involved in that and something that perhaps could be a goal for ours. What's real impressive is that 20 years ago Brazil had a dictatorship and they've come out of it and look forward to what's happening there and other places and I think they can be a model for us. And wanted to also announce that there's going to be a concert. Iowans for Peace is putting on a benefit concert and that's going to be December 2na from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Mill Restaurant and it will be smoke free for the benefit. And it's going to benefit a couple of peace groups. An Iowan will be joining an Iraqi peace team through Voices in the Wilderness. It will also benefit the group School of Americas Watch and it will benefit our local Emergency Housing Project. The concert is trying to make the connection - and I think Holly was trying to get at that - there's a connection between what we spend on the national and international level and the lack of funding for local social service needs like our Emergency Housing Project and more funds for affordable housing. So I hope folks will come out to that. That's December 2nd at the Mill Restaurant 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Thank you. Lehman: I've got several things - which is unusual. One was an article in the paper last week as I recall. I'm going to quote a very short part of this - it says "when it comes to accommodating people with disabilities the Iowa City area is leading the way. The community is home to three of the nine people honored statewide by a Governor appointed commission recognizing contribution to the employment and empowerment oflowans with disabilities. President of commission of persons with disabilities annually honors Iowans who contribute blah, blah, blah. Doug Boothroy of the City's Department of Housing and Inspection Services and Shelley McCafferty Associate City Planner received the best assessable design award." Those are folks on our staff. In keeping with that on Thursday - and I'm sure Council is well aware of this - Thursday at I think we should be there at 11:30 we have an employee appreciation luncheon. Now, we are very blessed in this community to have a tremendous group of folks who work for us - and by us I don't just mean the City Council - people who live in This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 38 this community. And this is one day when our employees are hosted by Department heads, City Council folks and whatever and we have a very enjoyable lunch. And 11:30 is that right? Atkins: We would prefer if you really want to work if you're there by 11:00. Lehman: I'll be there at 11:00. Okay. But that's really a tremendous event and I would certainly encourage Council folk... Atkins: 11:30 is okay. Lehman: Alright. I'll be there. Don't worry. Kanner: If you get there at 11:00 you can get Trueblood off the potato. Atkins: There you go. No you can't. O'Donnell: Steve, are we again this year keeping Ernie away from anything that breaks? Atkins: (Can't hear). Lehman: I buss tables. Okay. Now there is an event that will occur after that luncheon that I would really encourage every Council person to attend at 1:30 on the peninsula project there is going to be a ground breaking for the first building on that project. Champion: I wish I could be there. Lehman: Ross is going to be there. I'm hopeful Steve that a number of City Staff folks can be there. But this is a project that we have straggled with for a long, long time. It's a project I think that a lot of people really, really believe in. It's on that's encountered some difficulties. It is off and running and them will be a backhoe there and they will start digging the first basement Thursday at 1:30 on the peninsula project. So I certainly would encourage you to be there. A couple three other things. We saw the lights that were put up downtown and Steve thank you for the Parks and Recreation folks and MidAmerican Energy trucks and some of their folks helped for two days put those lights up downtown and certainly that is appreciated by the cormmunity. And I can't...you have to mention the Hawks. If you're not proud of the Hawks this year you're never going to be. What a tremendous group of young men and a great coach and you got to be...I think we've always been proud to be Hawkeyes, but boy this is one year when you're especially proud. And lastly a week from Thursday is Thanksgiving. That's a day that I think a lot of folks kind of skip over and to me that's probably one of the greatest holidays of the entire This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002. #15 Page 39 year. We spend most of our time wishing and wondering about what we don't have and complaining about what we don't have. And for one day I think it would behoove all of us just to sit down and give thanks for those wonderful things that we have especially in this community. Champion: Especially mashed potatoes and gravy. Lehman: And turkey and all of those great things. We have so much more to be thankful for than we do to complain about. But that isn't the way it always works. Steve? Atkins: Nothing, Sir. Champion: I think... Steve, I just wanted to thank you in the paper for extending the leaf pickup. I wanted to make sure everybody knows that we are going to extend the leaf pickup because... Atkins: It's a very practical decision - they're just falling late. Lehman: I think we've turned a new leaf. Atkins: Turned a new leaf. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council of November 19, 2002.