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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-06-16 Council minutes0 • MINUTES OF OFFICIAL ACTIONS OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 16, 1976 7:30 P.M. The cost of publishing the following proceedings and claims is $ Cumulative cost to date during this calendar year for said publication is $ The Iowa City City Council met in special session on the 16th day of June, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center at 7:30 P.M. Councilmembers present: deProsse, Foster, Neuhauser, Perret, Selzer, Vevera. Absent: Balmer. Mayor Neuhauser presiding. City Clerk Abbie Stolfus noted the call of the special meeting had been signed by all Councilmembers. Moved by Perret, seconded by Foster,to adopt Resolution 0178, Authorizing Filing of an Amended Application for Federal Assistance Under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and Authorizing Assurances Under Said Act (FY 76), as recorded in Res. Book 35, page 220. Roll call: Ayes: deProsse, Foster, Neuhauser, Perret, Vevera, Selzer. Resolution adopted, 6/0, Balmer absent. Moved by Foster, seconded by deProsse to adopt Resolution ,#179, Authorizing of Amended Application for Federal Assistance under Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and Authoriz- ing Assurances under Said Act (FY 77), as recorded in Res. Bk., P. 221. Roll call: Ayes: deProsse, Foster, Neuhauser, Perret, Selzer, Vevera. Resolution adopted, 6/0, Balmer absent. Mayor Neuhauser outlined ground rules to be observed in re- ceiving comments from citizens concerning Iowa City's Urban Renewal Project. Interested citizens appearing were as follows: Francis Hamit, American Home and Land Corp., presented.a state- ment suggesting and explaining Master Developer:concept. Robert Welsh distributed statement with five recommendations for course of action including updating plan, utilizing multiple developers. Nancy Seiberling, speaking for Project Green Steering Committee, presented statement suggesting establishment of pedestrian green- ways by use of closed streets. William Dennis, Committee on Community Needs member, ex- plained their compromise suggestion concerning a Community Develop- ment Corp. Leslie Gary, from Protective Assoc. of Tenants, dis- cussed tenant -landlord problems, and the Iowa City housing mar- ket. Ed Bolden, member of Tenants United for Action, discussed effects of the current housing shortage and suggested incorpora- ting housing into downtown development. Clements Urdahl, Citizen Housing Center, outlined several costs and their ramifications that should be considered. • Page 2 Dean Oakes, businessman, stated businessmen be given a chance to buy Neff, homeowner, commented the City and build from there, incorporating housing for young and elderly. Official Actions of Special Council Meeting June 16, 1976 his concern was that small parcels and build. John should minimize losses affordable businesses and Mark Janiuk, a member of May Flower Tenant Organization, agreed with P.A.T.'s request for new housing in downtown Iowa City. Sam Whiting, member of P&Z Comm., from 1950-60, commented on the Bartholemew Comprehensive Plan. He stated that Council must have a basic set procedure and plan for development. Penny Davidsen, former Councilwoman, commented on the need for a department store. Juanita Vetter, P&Z Comm., recommended construction of a Conference Center downtown, also permanent and transient housing and a supermarket, and parking for the medical complex and University complex. Janet Shipton suggested allocating land for a transit center for all transit companies. William Dennis called attention to Old Post Office bids due June 23rd. David Vetter spoke concern- ing the needs of the University students. Mayor Neuhauser thanked everyone for coming and announced Council would have a work session on Monday concerning urban renewal. Moved by Foster, seconded by deProsse that all correspond- ence received at this meeting in addition to Item 6.a., letter from Linda Fisher regarding future of urban renewal, and Item 6.b., letter from Brad Meyers, Chairman, PUSH, UIVA, concerning use of HCDA funds, be received and filed and made part of the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Balmer absent. Moved by Selzer and seconded by Foster to adjourn. Motion carried, unanimously. 9:00 P.M. A more complete description of Council Activities is on file in the office of the City Clerk. City Clerk INFORMAL COUNCIL DISCUSSION 3a JUNE 14, 1976 1:30 P,M, The Iowa City City Council met in Informal Session on the 14th day of June, 1976, at 1:30 P.M. in the Conference Room at the Civic Center. Foster, Neuhauser City Manager's Perret, Selzer Present: Balmer, deProsse, Neuhauser presiding_ City Staff Vevera. Absent: Schreiber. present: none. Mayor Berlin, Stol£us, COUNCIL Councilman Balmer emphasized the fact that the Iowa City Munici al Water trolled treatmentrplant o Plant is the only full some discussion concerning the 7 in North c computer -con - in Davenport, Iowa g the America. There was It was stated that the Parkslandhip to Iowa city'sdforme Zoo Recreation Department zoo. ing on a proposal for incorporatin P work- dren's Museum, g a limited zoo in the C hil- Councilmembers discussed the Department of Community Development rinoMay submitted b titled An Impact Evaluation Y 21st y the va ;^n and P Packet, en - Enhancement. was st t to Neighborhood Pr thl methodology It was stated that hbo gy to be considered that could be incorporatedIs Was into the CSUItEr Phenc'ce ni that Sycamore hadad been oiled. Neuhauser mentioned she noticed wood_ S_ -et needed eCouncilman Selzer felt Kirk - Council would repairnear the Diall. Mr. Berlin stat a Funds and how bediscusthe bond issue and Road Use Tax next week. y might be utilized for street improvements Councilman Vevera called attention to undermined streets in the Friendship Street area. Councilman Selzer indicated the great responsibility Council bears concerning decisions for the direction/of Urban Renewal, w�_ Several Councilme was needed as soon as tubers felt a more professional staff decisions. Possible to help them make important the only . Berlin informed Council that Urban Renewal was y subject on the informal agenda for next week which they would receive more information on updating Renewal Plan and � before various an assessment of the pros and cons for hthe rban ways of marketing the land. Mayor Neuhauser requested Mr. Berlin to present a Council by June 21 stating how an Urban Renewal director's duties differ under various Options. memo to type of position would various P This would clarify what needed for the job. CouncilwomanldeProssee and edistributed concerning kind Of person conte g staff analysis and the City Manager's comments mre- g to Urban Renewal to be discussed at a later date. a Page 2 Council Discussion June 14, 1976 It was established that all Council members would be pre- sent for the meeting of June 22 to possibly waive lst and 2nd considerations and vote for final passage of the ordinance revising off-street parking requirements for two family dwell - is and waive 2nd consideration and vote for final passage of the ordinance to increase overtime parking fines ($1 to $2),. Mayor Neuhauser and Councilman vevera will not be present at the June 29th Council meeting. There was a decision for Mr. Berlin to arrange a Council meeting for the purpose of dis- cussing the Storm Water Detention Ordinance when Bill Lindley, from Powers-Willis,could be available to answer questions that may arise. Mr. Berlin informed Council of the State Appeals Board decision to allow the City of Iowa City $42,257 extra for the City budget. $330,000 was requested. He also stated the City should be receiving a letter stating the reasons for their de- cision in the near future. Mayor Neuhauser mentioned there would have to be a review of the City budget and possibly a reconsideration of the refuse collection ordinance. She noted Mesvinsky's office had indicated the Revenue Sharing bill might be passed by July. If this becomes effective, the City would be eligible to receive funds from the Federal Government. The City Manager was requested to prepare a recommendation with alternatives concerning the budget. FREEWAY 518 Council discussed reports in June 11 packet concerning responses to Humphrey's letter on Freeway 518 submitted by the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission's committees: Policy Committee, Technical Committee, and the Citizen Advisory Com- mittee for Transportation. Several Councilmembers felt the actions taken by the Policy Committee were too vague and would allow the Highway Commission to use them for a basis to make major decisions Council might not support. Also, if the by-pass of the Iowa City-Coralville urban area would serve travel needs of both external -through and external -local traffic, it would not only increase by-pass traffic but would greatly increase the amount of traffic on local streets. It was noted the Techni- cal Committee has proposed the use of Melrose -Avenue -and High- way Al S.W. for the by-pass intersection to provide adequate service to the urban area interchanges. Melrose, and several of the other local streets, are not ready for this kind of traffic. Concern was expressed as to the destinations of people using the by-pass. Dissatisfaction for the Technical Committee's report was expressed. It was felt they should have supplied information 0 0 Page 3 Council Discussion June 14, 1976 only on the technical aspects of the Policy Committee's actions rather than take strong stands of their own on policy. In answer to the observation that it seemed as if a couple mem- bers of the City staff were taking sides with the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission in opposition to decisions made by the City Council, Dick Plastino, Director of Public Works,, indicated he understood that any decisions made on these com-' mittees were made as an individual apart from his role on staff, and that Public Works had never been asked for recom- mendations on 518, only technical information. It was explained that normally Council would not receive a report from the Techni- cal Committee, but it was submitted in order to better under- stand the relationship between the Citizen Advisory Committee and the Policy Committee reports. Councilman Perret mentioned that the City could request the Department of Transportation to make a feasibility study to obtain a comparative analysis of economic and environmental costs and other costs between the two lane interchange and the diagonal interchange alternatives as depicted by the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission. Dick Gibson, representative from the University of Iowa, stated the effect and impact of some of these alternatives had already been studied. It was the consensus of Council to ask the Highway Commis- sion to provide information concerning traffic destinations and origins to and from the University Hospital and the Central Busi- ness District and also from the north, south, east, and west. Mr. Berlin stated that Public Works has prepared a memo regard- ing the sewer connection for the Johnson County Home which Council will be receiving in Friday's packet. Consensus determined that a letter would be sent to the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission explaining that the City Council could not attend their meeting June 16 at 7:30 P.M. due to the Urban Renewal public hearing scheduled at that time. Isabell Turner, Chairperson of the Johnson County Regional Planning Commission, mentioned that possibly discussion on this topic could be held a week later for this purpose. After the appropriate data has been received by Council and more discus- sions held, Council will be in a better position to respond to Mr. Humphrey's letter. Selzer mentioned that Council should take this opportunity to express to the various transportation -planning committees of Johnson County their desire to provide a complete belt around Iowa City to smooth the flow of traffic to the Industrial Park area. Bob Burns appeared on behalf of 75% of the Liberty Town- ship residents who had signed a petition supporting the construc- tion of a highway on the right-of-way that has already been ac- quired in that area. Page 4 Council Discussion (. June 14, 1976 The Mayor declared a short recess. Purchase of the Old Post Office indicated June 23 wouwas discussed. Mr. Berlin Mayor Neuhauser outlild be the last day bids would be taken. ned procedures that could be taken concern- ing this matter. They include: (1) proceed with the proposal which is close to the appraisal value with the bond issue, which would be outside the public bid process, (2) participate in Public bidding and bid whatever the City feels like which requires cash, or (3) not bid at all. Reasons were given why this build- ing and surrounding area would be valuable to the City. The building is not acceptable for uses that the Committee on Commu- nity Needs could consider. After discussion Council rejected alternative #2. Ed Czarnecki appeared on behalf of the Arts and npointedeout lthepotentialforthe helast Opportunity for bemadeinto suggestions, a Community Center. He supported the bonding proposal idea, and did not think it was important to determine how the space was to be used now, but to note that it would be convenient for future City expansion at a relatively inexpensive purchase price. He indicated the high degree of success Des Moines had with their bond proposal to renovate one of their old post office buildings. Councilman Selzer noted the importance of informing the public of the proposed use and total cost of any project for a bond issue. Estimates of renovation range from $300;000 -to $7501000, depending on what use is anticipated. There was some discussion concerning the use of the present Library building after the new one is built. It would be acceptable for the same uses as being talked about for the Old Post Office. The Mayor stated that the Council wished to wait and see what happened with the bids, rather than sending a letter to the Federal Government showing interest in negotiation of the purchase price if the Government did not obtain an acceptable bid. BUS PASS PROGRAM Steve Morris appeared and explained the bus pass program. He stated passes will be sold the third Monday of each month for the following month and will be available at the Civic Center and three Iowa City banks. The bus driver will not sell them. The tickets will sell for $8 which will amount to a price break of approximately 208. This price break will be most advantageous to people who ride the bus daily. Coralville Transit will accept the pass leaving downtown Iowa City in lieu of a transfer. As the program develops, tickets could possibly be sold by other means such as grocery stores or service offices, and payroll deduction systems. He mentioned that if the City was interested in a serious marketing program, he would suggest getting pro- fessional help. He further stated the State Department of Trans - Portion could assist by giving advice. Mayor Neuhauser expressed 0 Council Discussion Page 5 June 14, 1976 the Council's appreciation to Iowa State Bank, Hawkeye State_ Ban and 1st National Bank for their cooperation in selling bus passes. Present promotion procedures were outlined. Councilmembers briefly discussed the Transit Development Plan. One point brought out was that the money to finance the Replacement Plan was set aside each year in the City budget. It was stated that some of the $120,000 allocated by the State could be used to build the bus shelter. The resolution approving this plan will be voted upon June 22 and will state that the plan is a guide for continued, coordinated public transportation pro- gramming subject to annual review and update. A motion was made by deProsse and seconded by Foster to go into Executive session to discuss Urban Renewal litigation and negotiations for collective bargaining. upon roll call Balmer voted "aye". motion carried 7/0. Meeting adjourned 4:00 P.hi.