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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-23 TranscriptionMarch 23, 2009 City Council Page 1 March 23, 2009 City Council Special Work Session 6:35 P.M. Council Present: Bailey, Champion, Correia, Hayek, O'Donnell, Wilburn, Wright Staff: Lombardo, Helling, Karr, Dilkes, Davidson, Long, Fosse, Purdy, O'Brien, Boothroy, Knoche, Bollinger, Lang, Dulek, Smith Others Present: Gunn - UISG Representative Council Appointments: Bailey/ Historic Preservation, Telecommunications, and I think Youth Advisory. Shall we start with Historic Preservation? Wright/ Yeah, um, I'd...I basically just know who Kevin Burford is. I don't know him particularly well. His wife is very active in historic preservation (mumbled) house up here (mumbled). Um, and my only concern with Kevin is that, and this may be a false concern or...or anon-issue, but his wife Helen is the Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, which works closely with the, uh (mumbled) Friends of Historic Preservation, which of course works closely with the commission. Champion/ Well, L . . Wright/ That may not be an issue. Bailey/ Is that a problem? Champion/ I don't think that's an issue. (several talking) (mumbled) support Pam. She's just serving an unexpired term and certainly it's been our policy, unless somebody's not showing up for meetings, and I did check the attendance thing and she has been coming to meetings. O'Donnell/ (mumbled) Champion/ (mumbled) Bailey/ So do we have Kevin...I'm interested in Kevin. Wright/ (mumbled) concern I'd go with Kevin. Hayek/ I, uh, I'd be happy with either one, although I do identify with our informal policy, those who are serving an unexpired term (several talking) Bailey/ Okay, so that's three for Kevin. Are there four for Pam then? (several talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Wilburn/ I'm sorry, we...uh.... Bailey/ We're at Historic Preservation. Wilburn/ Yeah, how many for...how many were there for Pam? Bailey/ It's three and three. You're the...you're the tie-breaker. (several talking) (laughter) Wilburn/ Uh, and these are three year, um, how many years on the unexpired term has she served...Pam? Champion/ I'm not sure. Wilburn/ Do we know that? Page 2 Karr/ I don't know how many on the unexpired. I'd have to check it. It is an unexpired, not a full. Wilburn/ I guess I would, uh...I would go ahead with, uh, Pam then. Bailey/ Okay. Telecommunications (both talking) Wilburn/ ...unexpired term. Bailey/ Telecommunications Commission, we have, uh, two vacancies, three applicants -Saul Mekies, Laura Bergus, and Brett Gordon. O'Donnell/ Saul has done a great job! Champion/ I know it. He has done such a great job. Correia/ Well, I know Laura Bergus. She was, um, worked for North Liberty (mumbled) telecommunications department, um, I mean, I think Saul has done a great job... Bailey/ I'm having a hard time hearing you, Amy. Correia/ Oh! Sorry! Bailey/ That's okay. Correia/ I mean, I think Saul's done a great job. He's, you know, in a second three-year term, so will have served for six years, I mean, I think there are no women on that commission; given Laura's experience in telecommunications, I'd like to see her appointed. Wilburn/ I would support Laura for the gender balance. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 3 Champion/ I would too. Bailey/ Okay. Do we have four for Laura? Wright/ I think Saul Mekies has done a tremendous job, and if he wasn't finishing his second third-year term, I would wholeheartedly support (several talking) Bailey/ Well, we have two vacancies -three applicants. O'Donnell/ So we going to support Saul? Bailey/ So we can support Saul and Laura, if that's (several talking) Champion/ And Saul has served two terms, that's six years, even though...I think he's done a terrific job. I'm really tempted to support him, but I think new blood is always good in giving more people the right to be involved. Wright/ I'd like to see Laura for the gender balance, and.. . Bailey/Okay, so we have agreement on Laura. We just need another one. Correia/ And Brett since he's serving an unexpired term. Bailey/ Brett? Champion/ Brett. Bailey/ Brett...(several talking). Okay. Um, Youth Advisory Commission. Looks like... Wilburn/ I'm going to ask the Council, I know this is not, uh, traditional, I'm going to ask the Council if, uh, I know we make the formal appointments tomorrow, but um, with spring break in there, and I was out of town the latter part, I did not get an opportunity to meet with Jerry, yet I know of him, but I would feel better...the process is that there will be an interview, uh, I could catch up with him tomorrow... Champion/ We can defer it. Wilburn/ So can we just wait till tomorrow to make that? Okay. Bailey/ Are we comfortable (several talking) deferring? Okay. All right. Wilburn/ The only...the only other issue is, it is another West High student, but it is an at-large spot, so...but, uh, just to kind of stick to our process I'd like to be able to catch up with him. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 4 Bailey/ All right. Agenda Items. Agenda Items: ITEM 8. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 10 OF THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED "USE OF PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY," CHAPTER 11, ENTITLED "FARMER'S MARKET," TO ALLOW THE FARMERS MARKET TO TAKE PLACE AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN CHAUNCEY SWAN PARKING RAMP AND CHAUNCEY SWAN PARK. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Champion/ Well, I would like to discuss a little bit about the, uh, Farmers Market. Should I just wait until tomorrow night? Bailey/ Um... Lombardo/ I can add a little bit. I think that the ordinance change enables this is to happen, but we're still planning an April 9th meeting, my understanding is, I've got to touch base with staff, but meeting with the vendors. There's some details to work out, and we were planning to come to you with a formal presentation following that. So, L ..I think the initial public hearing... Hayek/ Michael, I think you go to get your mic on! Lombardo/ Ah! I...I think there are multiple readings on this. I...I think that you can proceed tomorrow night, but um, there's some additional work staff is performing, and some additional questions, uh, a contingency plan in the event of rain, uh, just a lot of the details that we're hoping to work through with the vendors on the 9th, and then present to you as part of a...part of a formal presentation at a work session, subsequent to that. Um, so it's entirely up to you if you want to at least get it moving forward tomorrow night, you certainly can do that, but, um... Correia/ And the ordinance allows but doesn't require. Lombardo/ Right. I...it's somewhat odd to me anyway to have an ordinance dictating where you hold events or not. Um, in terms of the ramp, but...so I don't have a good history on how that came to be an ordinance. I don't think...actually you need an ordinance to...to compel you to use that or anything else, but be that as it may, that's how it stands right now and so the ability to offer it any number of days as a special event outside of the ramp, you would need to change that, because the ordinance is in place. Dilkes/ Let me just give you the background I have on this. Um, there was a press release that came out May 3rd, I believe, announcing the new...new location of the...of the Farmers Market. Um, my office saw that and knew that there would be an ordinance change required because, um, the...the current ordinance defines it as being at the Chauncey Swan ramp. Um, and so all this ordinance does is eliminate the references to Chauncey This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 5 Swan and enable, um, it to be wherever it's determined it should be. Um, so it's really a very...you know, nothing of an ordinance. Wright/But the ordinance doesn't specify any change of location at all. It just... Dilkes/ No, no. Wright/ ...the possibility of other locations. Dilkes/ (several talking) It just...it removes the restriction. Bailey/ Okay. Hayek/ I would...yeah, and I guess that makes me feel somewhat better, I mean, all things equal, I would rather forestall the formal action required to move it, or give the authority to move it, until we've gotten input that we have yet to get, um, and we're getting some pretty serious feedback, um, a lot of it negative, in part because that input has not been collected, uh, yet, um, so if it were to...if it were to direct it in a particular direction, I think thafd be a more difficult situation. If all we're doing is giving flexibility, uh, and no decisions have been made and really the process to collect information and make decisions based on that information hasn't been started, that's another thing. Champion/ Yeah. It's not, cause people think it's pretty definite...out there, and there's a lot of people against moving it... Bailey/ ...press release was...more in the definite court than an indefinite court. Champion/ Right, right! Yeah, it was very definite. Bailey/ Yeah! Champion/ And, okay, so it's not really going to be, I mean, this is just...gives the right to have it somewhere else. That's all. Bailey/ And, actually, I don't know...it seems like a logical ordinance change to make broadly. It doesn't specify a location for the Farmers Market. It leaves us a little bit open. Doesn't specify that it has to change. So, I would be inclined to start the process, period, cause I don't think this is a bad ordinance change. So... Wright/ Yeah, I agree with that. It just basically allows a little more flexibility and strikes the limitation to Chauncey Swan ramp, um, but I would...I would be very definitely interested in hearing more from the staff about the proposal to move this, which I understand (mumbled) and also the...the feedback and conversations back and forth between vendors and staff on this. Lombardo/ There's been a broad committee that has been working on the details... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 6 Bailey/ And I'd like to do more of that tomorrow night, because I think there will be people specifically interested in that, but if...if others would like to discuss it, I mean, if...if we want to hear it tonight and tomorrow night, that's fine too. O'Donnell/ Just as long as it's clearly explained tomorrow night...that, that this just gives you the options. Correia/ There was also some confusion that in the newspaper article....cause Ihad acall from somebody who thought we were only going to have the Farmers Market once a month. Bailey/ Oh! Correia/ That's how they read it in the paper, and I said....I didn't see that article, so I don't know how it was written, but that's what they.. . Champion/ And then also I think...people have felt that what's going to be one Saturday somewhere else, people'll never know where the Farmers Market is at then. I mean, I think there's some real problems with what's going on out beside these walls. (mumbled) Farmers Market. O'Donnell/ Lot of problems inside these walls! (laughter) Hayek/ I think it's important to distinguish between the strictly procedural aspect of this, which is giving the City the freedom, if it chooses, to experiment or move or whatever, and the merits of moving it or modifying it. And we need to keep those distinct. Bailey/ Well, and we also need to talk a little bit, it seems like there's concern about what the process has been, which you'll walk us through tomorrow night, and so we have a broader understanding.. . Lombardo/ Yeah, I'm not prepared to present on the process for the...I prefer to wait until the April work session when I can have the members of that committee come and... and be present. I don't have, I mean, they're working on the details as we speak. I recently got a request to attend the meeting April 9th to meet with the vendors to...to take it the next step further, and discuss the details, so I'm not...I'm not prepared tonight, or tomorrow night, to discuss the details of the move. I'd rather wait and do that in April when I have the committee members here and...who can talk about the process (several talking) Champion/ ...let people know you're going to be meeting with groups, or the (several talking) Bailey/ But I also think it's important...that something went out, and so there has been process up to this point for people to understand what process occurred to get to that point, and yet what process has to occur. I mean, I think that that's...we are aprocess-focused community, and so I think that's important for people to understand. So, if you could just walk us through that tomorrow I think that would be great (both talking) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Lombardo/ (mumbled) Dilkes/ You know, if I can...I think something needs to go out, then, to counter this press release, because the press release says it is a done deal. O'Donnell/ Yes it does! Bailey/ Yeah, I looked.. Dilkes/ So we at least need to send something out to the public to say that's not the case. Wright/ Yeah, I think that would be important. Page 7 O'Donnell/ Yeah, I would be comfortable deferring this tomorrow night because I think any positive action moving it forward will...will feed to that thought. Bailey/ But Matt's point about distinguishing what we're doing procedurally to open up the opportunity, and yet that there is process yet to occur about this discussion. I think...I think that keeping those two things separate is an important distinction. This is not a bad ordinance change. Hayek/ I'm not an advocate for keeping it on tomorrow agenda. I'm...I'm okay with it because I distinguish it from the merits, but if the perception is going to blur those two issues, um... Wilburn/ Along...along those lines...um, however it got out and whatever mistakes happened as part of the press release, it's already mopped up, and so if...if um, my...my inclination would be either to defer it or remove it from tomorrow, to...when your committee comes out to kind of roll the whole package out, um, so that there's...so that we can kind of control the message about what is happening, what isn't happening, so just to kind of package it all together would make sense to me. Bailey/ Well, see my inclination is to keep it on tomorrow night because people, I don't think we could get that news out. People expect to speak to it, and then if there is a motion on the floor to defer or whatever happens, but I think we need to leave it on the agenda, allow people to speak to it, and... Wilburn/ (both talking) somebody's going to show up and...give them a chance to say whatever it is they wish to say and then to defer. (both talking) Bailey/ They'll have the opportunity to hear more, and it's one venue that we can start.. . Wilburn/ Yeah, I agree with that. I agree with that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 8 Bailey/ Okay (several talking) okay. We can...if after that discussion or what we come to, we can defer it. Other agenda items? ITEM 9. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR TEMPORARY USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN THE CITY INVESTMENTS LLC, D/B/A VITO'S, FOR A SIDEWALK CAFE. Hayek/ Is...Item 9 is the, uh, sidewalk cafe application from Vito's. Is that just a standard sidewalk cafe? Karr/ I'm sorry, which one, Matt? Hayek/ I'm sorry, Item 9, the sidewalk cafe application... Bailey/ It's not on the Consent Calendar. Is this a new one? Karr/ It is a new one. That's the only difference. If they're renewals...it's anew owner. Hayek/ Okay, okay. (several talking) Karr/ It's the same configuration. Hayek/ For a moment I thought it was a request to move into the... Karr/ No ! Hayek/ Whatever you call it area, off the side...okay! Garden variety! ITEM 2. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. g) Correspondence. 6. Dorothy Whiston: Shelter Overflow Interim Project Bailey/ Other agenda items? I just wanted to...this is in correspondence. It's 2.g)6. It's, um, a letter from the Consultation of Religious Communities, um, about overflow shelter. I spoke with Amy about this earlier today, because I thought she was probably, um, up to speed on this, but I do think that we probably should address this request, or be on top of this request. Um, the letter, as you can see, um, is asking that Johnson County Municipal and County governments work together to provide staff assistance to coordinate this overflow housing project, and I know that there's a meeting... Correia/ ...Linda Severson and I both went to a meeting, so I mean I was wearing my other hat, but certainly, um, went to a meeting on 13th, so prior to the Consultation of Religious Communities meeting, that had representatives from the churches that...representatives This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 9 from the churches that have been providing overflow, and those church managers, as well as the two women who have been coordinating the whole thing. Both of those coordinators will not be coordinate...available to coordinate next year. Champion/ They won't be here. Correia/ One will not be here, and one is, um, has, um, needs to attend to other...other things, so um, there was conversation about how to work within the churches to decentralize the coordination. Um, I did...United Way was invited. Representatives weren't able to attend because they were at a flood meeting in Cedar Rapids, but (mumbled) initiate a conversation with Patty Fields at United Way about, uh, the possibility of utilizing a Vista that they're going to have next year that will be doing some volunteer coordination, as well as a volunteer action center, to help with that. So there is another meeting scheduled on April 2nd to do more of that planning. Now at the meeting that I was at on the 13th, prior to the Consultation, there wasn't like discussion about not using church sites, so that's sort of a new...coming out of the Consultations. So wonder if that will be affirm churches feel like they can't use their space, um, while we explore the possibility of other space. I think that (noise on mic) process. Bailey/ I j ust think that we need to stay on top of this so we don't come into a fall sort of request for, um, variances on capacity for buildings or you know just bump into it in the fall. So that's why I wanted to bring it to people's attention. Correia/ I mean, I think Linda from JCCOG Human Services Planning to be involved, um, I certainly am so I can keep you updated on it. Bailey/ Okay. I just...I think that's helpful, cause I don't want (several talking) when we're talking about (both talking) Champion/ ...about the coordinating position, because that does take a lot of coordination. Correia/ Yeah, it does. Bailey/ Thank you. Kind of nice that you wear two hats. (both talking) Sometimes! Other agenda items? Anything else? Okay, if not we're moving on to flood response and mitigation update from the Info Packet, item 2. (laughter and several talking) Flood Response and Mitigation Update (IP2 of 3/9/09): Davidson/ What Rick and I would like to do, uh, with you...is uh, step through some opportunities that we have, uh, in terms of some flood recovery funding programs, uh, both state and federal funds, but they're administered by the state. Uh, we'd like to step through each program and explain what it can be used for and then explain based on our research and discussing with the Administrators at the state level of the program what our recommendations are for, uh, specific use of the program here locally. Uh, and...and then also have you...you have received information showing the...the various This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 10 possibilities for the programs, and if you have some other ideas, let's definitely discuss those and...and get those on the table in terms of how we might proceed. Uh, there are various imperatives with the five programs, uh, one of'em, the Governor's bonding program, hasn't even been enacted by the Legislature yet, so we're, you know, really just talking in generalities about that program. Some of the other ones do have the specific administrative rules in place, and there are a couple of deadlines. Program #2 especially has the deadline of April 1st that we need to be very aware of. Uh, and we have had the Executive Session on that too, so that...that will hopefully go pretty quickly. Program #l, um, has a, uh, a deadline that is approaching fairly soon. So we do need to get some general guidance from you, uh, in terms of how you'd like us to proceed. Real quickly, before we get into the specific programs, we do want to reiterate because I think there's been some, um, well, confusion or lack of clarity about our overall strategy for flood recovery. LJh, you know, our program hasn't been as glitzy as what some of the other communities have come up with, and so I think maybe there's been maybe a lack of awareness of what our...our strategy is. What we've tried to do is adapt the guidance that you gave us for the HMGP buyout program to these five programs, and try and be consistent with that overall strategy for flood recovery. Our...our number one priority remains, uh, purchasing property and eliminating risk in the 100-year flood plain, and...and the information that we're going to present to you in the five programs is consistent, um, with that. We feel that's overall the best strategy that we have in terms of, uh, reducing the amount of property that we're going to have to sandbag around or we're going to have to rescue people from, or we're going to have to evacuate people from is by buying out that, uh, the 100-year, uh, flood plain or...or getting it reduced to open space by one, um, means or another. For the remainder of the neighborhoods then, and of course our flood impacted neighborhoods -Idyllwild and uh the Taft Speedway area and Parkview Terrace -for the remainder of those neighborhoods in the 500-year flood plain, we want to try and introduce, uh, measures to, uh, get those neighborhoods back to viable status, uh, and then protect them, to the degree that we can, but certainly that strategy of, uh, reducing the risk in the 100-year flood plain and protecting the 500-year flood plain, that...that's our overall strategy as reflected in the programs that Rick and I are going to present tonight. We have a couple of...very, uh, significant public infrastructure, uh, program, uh, projects. They are the focus of our, uh, sales tax, local option sales tax effort. We have economic development administration grant applications, and also want to address them through these five projects. It will take a combination of funding sources, and I think that's something that, uh, many of us have had to clarify already, in terms of the sales tax effort. The sales tax effort alone will not be enough for the elevation of Park Road bridge, elevation of Dubuque Street, and relocation of the north wastewater treatment plant. We're going to need a variety of resources, and again, we're going to address those with you quickly tonight. Um, and then we have also been stating that as a somewhat lower priority, but certainly one that we...we haven't forgotten about, to the degree that we're able to secure the funding that would be required, and it would be substantial, we are not, uh, opposed to at least a consideration of flood walls or levees, uh, the type (mumbled) big ticket items, in terms of Parkview Terrace and Idyllwild, uh, as well as Stevens Drive, Baculis, and Thatcher, and we're going to address those with you, uh, as well this evening. So, before Rick and I proceed, any questions about the overall strategy? Okay, great! Let's get right into program one then. This is the one This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 11 remaining H&GP, uh, program of the five that we're going to present, and so the...many of the administrative rules will be very familiar to you because we used those with the residential buyout program that we're already in the process of...of accessing. Um, we were discussing this at the staff level. In terms of the name there, it's a little bit confusing because you'll notice, HMGP Non-Acquisition, and then the second bullet refers to "acquisition." I think a more appropriate name for this would be HMGP Non-Buyout. In other words we're trying to do things other than what we're doing already with the buyout program. Um, we will have to go through the steps of...of calculating the benefit cost ratios for each project that we, uh, apply for. And you can see in the five bullets there the types of projects that this funding is intended for. Um, the Notice of Interest, again, that'll be familiar to everybody because we had to file one of those for the residential program, is due September 15th and the application is due November 15, 2009, so we...we do need to get moving on this. What our recommended projects are, and these are not in priority order. These are simply the elements of how we would like to structure, uh, an application, uh, would be the first bullet there is tornado shelters combined with restrooms at Napoleon Park, Hickory Park...Hickory Hill Park, and City Park. These were restroom facilities that were scheduled for replacement anyway, and so we would be taking advantage and making, uh, the uh, the tornado shelters, in conjunction with those projects. Uh, the second bullet then is storm sewer backflow devices in Parkview Terrace, Idyllwild, Rocky Shore Drive, South Gilbert, and Thatcher neighborhoods. Um, and again, this is part of our strategy of attempting to pre....um, protect the remainder of those neighborhoods. Uh, the...the final three projects I'm going to have Rick go through quickly. Fosse/ Sure. I'll touch also on those backflow preventers, as well. Those...those are really, uh, helpful for us in our flood response. One of the things we really struggled with in the Normandy neighborhood is keeping the water from backing through there, so by themselves they're good for flood response, and they're certainly a prerequisite for any levees that would go in, because you need to be able to control that backflow through the storm sewers. Uh, the modification to the Arts Campus, uh, pump station and piping systems necessary in that, um, what we observed during the flood is...is the surcharge we anticipated in there was even higher than we anticipated is what I meant to say, and uh, we had water getting out through the pipe joints and through some of the manholes and that needs to be secured so that that works better up to its design capacity, and uh, that was the project that we did jointly with the University over a period of...of two years. Modification of Highway 6, uh, Rocky Shore Drive lift station. That's one that we'll want to work with Coralville on as part of the broader strategy for that entire area over there, of which we've got a small portion. We've got three businesses over there, and uh, the struggle we had there - we had the...we had the backflow valves in place, but...but um, having the pumping capacity there is what was difficult. And then the water well protection. Of course our...our water plant is high on a hill, but the water sources by their very nature are down in the flood plain. And uh, so what we want to do is be able to provide better protection for those. We lost over half of our ability to...to get water and get it to our plant, and we want to...to have a...a higher degree of protection in the future on that. And this is...this is pretty much upper limit of what we expect down there, what we hope to be able to do is provide a lot of that protection within the structure of those This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 12 existing well houses, rather than surrounding them with a flood wall. Right now they're really a nice amenity to the park down there, but one of the more difficult items will be protecting the power supply for those. That's a real challenge down there. Davidson/ We've attempted to hang some dollar amounts on these, just for the purposes of the application, so you guys have a...a notion of what kind of money we're...we're talking about. Um, if you authorize us to proceed with these projects, uh, what we...the next step would be, and we haven't determined if we'll do it in-house or hire it done, but to calculate the benefit cost ratio, uh, that's a requirement to the projects, so that would be our next step, um, oh, and I have mentioned that, uh, David Purdy, who you all know by how, our Flood Recovery Specialist, he...he does have some time for these applications now, prior to getting busy with, uh, some of the HMGP negotiations. So, uh, we'll use David's resources for these. Correia/ So... Davidson/ Questions? Excuse me, Amy. Correia/ So the total requested, on this estimated list, is the 3.85...is that, do we know how much...are we eligible for a certain amount or is it just a 100% competitive, I mean, do we need to prioritize? Davidson/ Steve, do you want to come forward and, or David, and just kind o£ . . Purdy/ Yeah, actually...City of Iowa City, or excuse me, when the State of Iowa... Bailey/ You need to use the mic. Purdy/ ...HMGP funding, um, they receive a huge amount that covers both the buyout and the non-buyout, and we've been told, uh, that um, the buyout amount will be for the state roughly $120 million, and the total amount they've received is $120, or is $240 million, so there's a $120 million difference that, um, the various, uh, entities around the state can apply for...for non-buyouts. So... Correia/ Okay, so there's the...it will be competitive, but there's an additional $120 million for Presidential disaster counties, I mean, that's... Purdy/ Exactly, and...and they, um, the Iowa Homeland Security is strongly encouraging us to apply for these because they...if we, if the state in general does not use the money then it, it goes back to, um, FEMA. Correia/ Right. Lombardo/ And certainly the cost benefit analysis will play into their decision-making, about how to fund projects and what priorities. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 13 Bailey/ And, I'm assuming that once we do the cost benefit analysis, that will determine the shape of our grant application, if something doesn't merit...okay. Champion/ Can any of this money be used, um, I guess moving our sewer plant is way too expensive (mumbled) Davidson/ We do have a strategy in here that we feel is maybe (mumbled) Connie. Correia/ So is there a reason why...is there a formula, I mean, how...should we ask for other additional projects to add, to ask for, I mean, it's a competitive grant. Davidson/ We did...we did try and come up with projects that we felt were good candidates for the, having not calculated the benefit cost ratio (both talking) we at least felt like would be...good possibilities of that. Correia/ Okay. Davidson/ You know, some of the ones...some others that we might have considered are a little bit more of a stretch and so we're likely not to be able to apply for those either. That's the one constraint of the HMGP program, is you've got to meet that 1.0. Bailey/ So, is it realistic, I mean, do you want a priority, or is it realistic to say run all of these through the cost benefit and see what... Davidson/ We intend to do them, unless you direct us otherwise. Obviously the most important thing for you to do is, if there's a project you don't want us to apply for, pull it out...tonight, and we won't (mumbled) Bailey/ So let's start there. Is there something we should pull from this list? I'm really interested in seeing the water, the wells get protected and the backflow devices. Correia/ Yep! Bailey/ But (several talking) but L ..I would like to run all of these through. Correial Right. I mean, I would say the priorities would be the last four with the tornado shelter being the lowest priority at the, I mean, we have programmed those in. Davidson/ Yeah. Do we have to prioritize them, David? We don't, do we. We don't have to prioritize (several talking) Wilburn/ Then I would say not. (several commenting) Because I've been out on the softball fields when (several talking) Correia/ No, no, I'm not saying that I didn't think that (laughing) but I mean since (mumbled) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 14 Bailey/ If we don't have to prioritize (both talking) Correia/ ...it said not in (both talking) Bailey/ ...but it would be good to know if something doesn't cost...come through the cost benefit analysis well, it would be just good to know, you know, how that all worked out. Yeah. Davidson/ Yeah, I should have clarified, Amy, that was my fault. The...the not in priority order was just so you didn't think they were in priority order. Correia) Oh, okay. Davidson/ That's why we...we put that there. (laughter) Correia/ We assumed we had to put... Lombardo/ In the weekly flood update, we'll...we'll certainly let you know if something doesn't cost benefit out then we'll...we'll indicate to you what projects are...are going to be in the grant application or not. Bailey/ Yeah, these memos are really helpful, just to keep on track (several talking). Yeah, okay. So...moving on. Should we keep... Davidson/ Um, Madame Mayor, for program two shall I just go down sort of what was agreed to in the Executive Session? Bailey/ Yeah, let's get some confirmation and see if there were.. . Davidson/ Yeah, and definitely correct me if...if (several talking and laughing) This is the community disaster grant program, of which we expect to receive $2.4 million from the state. It was created by the state legislature. There's no local match required for this, uh, this program. Um, the critical thing is the...the due date of April 1, 2009, and because we have a number of projects, which I'll outline here in a second, that pertain to property acquisition and...and acquisition of, uh, buildings that we will need to move immediately to, um, be negotiating these prior to the April 1 deadline. Uh, what you told us to pursue was the acquisition of the property owned by, uh, Parkview Church, uh, between Taft Speedway and the river, between Terrell Mill Park and the Trimble property; um, the two building sites at Idyllwild that are not yet built on, uh, that are in the 100-year flood plain; the 105 Taft Speedway property, which is in the, um, 100-year flood plain but was elevated such that it did...was not damaged extensively, and therefore not eligible for HMGP funds; the 612 Normandy, uh, property, which again did not meet the requirements of the HMGP buyout program, but is in the 100-year flood plain; uh, the most substantial amount, but we don't have it exactly pegged yet, will be for housing rehabilitation and elevation of structures in our flood-impacted neighborhoods; um, reimbursing the City's General Fund, uh, for um, flood response costs that were not reimbursable through FEMA, and we estimate to be about $120,000 for that; reimbursing This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 15 the Idyllwild Homeowners Association for the, um, the money that they were out for people who, uh, walked from their, uh, flood, excuse me, their mold, um, mitigation efforts there, about $108,000 approximately; and that was all, I believe. Did I get everything? Bailey/ Okay. Let's go on. Davidson/ Program three then is the public, that's the key word here, public infrastructure, non- FEMA, which would be funded through CDBG, uh, these are for projects that FEMA will not fund, but are critical to flood recovery, and benefit low, uh, moderate income residents. Uh, the recommended projects...oh, you can see there, there's $53 million allocated statewide of which we are proposing to apply for $11.13 million. The recommended projects which we would apply for would be to elevate Foster Road, adjacent to the Idyllwild neighborhood. This is the portion that went under water and caused the whole Peninsula to have to be evacuated. Champion/ (mumbled) was there access to that trailer park? Fosse/ That is one of the things thafll be examined with this project, that the best solution might be a northern route, rather than elevating this one. Bailey/ Oh, okay. Davidson/ Thanks for that clarification, Rick. Fosse/ Uh-huh. Davidson/ Um, elevating the Normandy Drive/Manor Drive intersection, again, part of the protection of the remainder of that neighborhood in the 500-year flood plain. Uh, eliminating that issue with this intersection, such that the neighborhood would not have to be evacuated because we'd be able to maintain access to it. Uh, elevation of the Park Road bridge, obviously a substantial amount there - $5 million. This would go to the approximately $31, $32 million estimated, uh, total cost of the elevation of Park Road bridge and Dubuque Street. Rocky Shore Drive flood gate is part of a strategy that Rick referred to earlier with that...that pump station, uh, that is part of a strategy actually developed by the City of Coralville, but the tail end of it is in Iowa City, and so this is an expense that would basically put gates on the opening that is created by the railroad overpass going over Rocky Shore Drive. It would put gates that could be closed, uh, on there and maintain, well basically keep the river from going out onto Highway 6 then. Um, and then the final two we're really pleased to be able to bring to you because they haven't really...we haven't done a lot of things down there. We've been a little bit frustrated by what to do, uh, down in the, uh, south Gilbert Street, Stevens Drive area, and then the Baculis, Thatcher, Commercial Drive area. Um, in looking at those numbers we think those might be a little light, um, we're going to reexamine those. If you, uh, authorize us to go ahead with these projects, then those may go up a little but what we're looking for, and again, these are not in priority order. We would intend to apply for all of This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 16 these. Um, and...and uh, basically is for you to authorize not the specific dollar amounts, but just the notion of going ahead. We're going to refine those dollar amounts before we make the applications. Um, any discussion of these projects? Wright/ I'm really pleased to se something for a levee construction at Baculis and Thatcher. That's.. . Fosse/ Yeah, I might add that, before those last two bullet points, we've not taken the preliminary design to a level of detail that we have for Parkview Terrace and Idyllwild. So these are...these are very preliminary numbers, and then also for the second bullet point on elevating the Normandy/Manor intersection, that would be effective for your moderate floods, up to perhaps what we experienced in 93, but...but there's, it's not possible to elevate that to a point where it's going to remain functional in an event like we had last summer. So I don't want to create unrealistic expectations with that project. Hayek/ Good clarification. Correia/ So...well, just, you know, so these are CDBG funds available statewide without a deadline. Is it kind of a (several talking) yeah, are they just going to be awarding as they come in and so really the priority would be to try and get these in as soon as.. . Davidson/ David is nodding yes. Bailey/ So...I also see that local match is beneficial on this project (coughing, unable to hear) I think that that's something we should talk about, um, and then I wonder...with these two that haven't been designed to any level, how much would we need to invest and I'm assuming that could be counted as a local match. Is that... Correia/ Is staff time considered local match? (several talking) Well, I mean, all of the work that everybody's doing that have put these projects together and... Fosse/ And that's something we'd likely subcontract out, for design, excuse me, design services. Correia/ In advance of applying? Davidson/ I mean, unless you're going to direct us otherwise, we would assume that it would be in kind type local match, that you.. . Champion/ Right, right. Bailey/ Sure. Champion/ ...big money pot somewhere! Davidson/ ...assumption (mumbled) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 17 Bailey/ Right. I just want to make sure that we're... Correia/ I mean, I think, honestly a lot of the communities applying for this are going to have a hardship in coming up with local match, as well, I mean (both talking) in the similar budgetary constraints, so I mean, I don't know that... Bailey/ Michael, you had a comment? Lombardo/ In terms of elevating Park Road bridge, certainly if the sales tax passes that could be counted as a local match. Bailey/ Oh, yes, absolutely! Um, just going to these levees, how...how much, I mean, how much design, how much time, how far out are we from actually putting these in a project application, I mean... Fosse/ Got a feel for that, Ron? Knoche/ The, uh, Baculis and Thatcher levees, both of those mobile home parks are actually pursuing, um, to be able to leave in place the levees that they put in, uh, last summer for protection, uh, so they have done some design on those already, um, our intent would be to rebuild them completely, where they are looking at just trying to modify what's in place. Um, I would guess as far as design, we would be probably six months out before we'd be able to have, you know, anything finalized. Davidson/ And you know, we really have struggled in terms of an overall strategy for those two neighborhoods, uh, it's just what do you do, you know, very, you know, quite a few units of...of, uh, you know, low income housing down there that really, you know, rehabbing them and elevating them is just...there's just not a lot of good strategies down there, so we do feel like the levee strategy is one that, at least for now, will work and is acceptable. Wilburn/ If you're going to do a levee, you might as well do it right. Bailey/ Uh-huh. Davidson/ So any further discussion of these? Do we have concurrence for going ahead with all of these then? Okay. LTh, program four is.. . Correia/ I'm sorry, I had one other question. Davidson/ Oh, sure. Correia/ So are they all separate applications? Okay. Bailey/ So is it...okay. So we would start just applying with those projects that are good, are ready to go right now? I mean, that we have information about, or.. . This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 18 Davidson/ Correct me if I'm wrong, we may make application before all the final design work is done, just based off of an estimate of expense. Bailey/ Right. Lombardo/ And...and it's important to note, there's going to be additional funding opportunities coming down the road and so conceivably, you know, other projects or if a project doesn't get funded through this round, we maybe able to come back at a later date and have more specific information. Bailey/ Okay, so we're good on moving ahead on all of these? Okay. All right. Davidson/ Let's go on to program four then, which is housing buyouts, non-FEMA, uh, so pretty specific program in terms of what it's used for. This is funded through CDBG then. Um, we...we kind of struggled with making a proposal to you for this. We initially had something that was a lot more structured and specific, and we decided to back off of that because we really...we don't have administrative rules for this program yet, so we don't know exactly what it's going to be. Um, but we know generally what it's supposed to be. I mean, it's basically a program, um, certainly I think they had Cedar Rapids in mind when they were designing this program, for...for homes that have been condemned, to buyout those homes. Um, this is a program then that gives you more flexibility in terms of HMGP, in terms of what the property you're buying out can be used for, and so it's a...appealing in that respect. We've...we've asked for consideration of damaged up to a certain percentage. As far as we're aware, we don't have any homes that have been condemned in any of our flood impacted neighborhoods. But we do have some that have been pretty substantially damaged, and these would generally be homes that had...had been extensively damaged and not been rehabbed. If the house has been rehabbed, then it's probably not going to apply...going to, this program is not going to apply for it, but we do have some that have been damaged substantially and gutted and then they're just sitting there, and...and we do feel, we would like to at least try to get some buyout funds for those homes. Um, this is a program, probably one of the most significant things for you to consider is this has the potential of going beyond your agreed to policy of buying out the 100-year flood plain. It could go beyond that, because we're aware that some of these substantially damaged houses are in the 500-year flood plain, so but you would have the option of removing the flood damaged home and...and building a new home on it. I mean, you would have that flexibility with...with this program, so um, what it would basically do is get the heavily damaged home out. Um, we...we did also want to point out to you that, you know, the negative aspect of this is removing homes in the 500-year flood plain, uh, from the property tax rolls. We...we do have a program that we're real excited about that looks like it will enable us to build 15 to 17 new affordable single- family residence, uh, residences in Iowa City, uh, CD Division is working with builders right now. We hope to scatter these throughout Iowa City, and they don't have to be...they don't have to be people who were impacted by the flood then living in them. They just simply have to meet the affordable housing.. . Champion/ That's great! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 19 Davidson/ ...in terms of accessibility and that sort of thing. So that will mitigate some of the impact of...of taking homes off the property tax rolls. We don't even have a specific number of houses. What we'd like to do is, uh, maybe apply for $3.5 million and take it as far as we can, in terms of trying to access, uh.. . Bailey/ Why wouldn't we apply for the...I'm going to be greedy here. Why wouldn't we apply for the...no single award can exceed $5 million...why wouldn't we apply for the top end? Long/ Yeah, we can definitely apply for the full $5 million. Uh, there's only a $10 million pot and we're guessing Cedar Rapids will take half of it, and then the rest of it will be divided. Bailey/ Sure. Okay, so hedging the bets. Okay, thanks. Davidson/ So what do you think? Bailey/ What do you think? Hayek/ So what, so we would be buying damaged structures...floods, structures damaged by the floods... Davidson/ Substantially damaged. (several talking) Hayek/ But then potentially putting new structures on those sites. Davidson/ Don't have to commit to that now, Matt. You can, I mean...remember, our overall strategy now is to create a neighborhood and protect it in the 500-year flood plain. Obviously we know from the past summer that the 500-year flood plain does have some exposure, in terms of flood damage, so you could...you could demolish the homes and... and leave it vacant, uh, but you would have that ability to build a structure on it. You know, in particular if we ended up, the next program we're going to discuss with you may lead to the large-scale levees or flood walls, and if that happens, then...you would have a much.. . Champion/ And a lot of those homes that were damaged in the 500-year flood plain were damaged because all their utilities and things were in the ground floor of the basement and if we build houses in those things with all that stuff up, that would have prevented a huge.. . Fosse/ That's a good point, Connie, in that by protecting the remaining neighborhood doesn't necessarily mean a levee. It can mean modifying the homes by having funds available to elevate them or reconstructing on these lots at a higher elevation so that they have a higher degree of protection. They're not invincible, but...and...and you aren't invincible with a levee either. You need... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 Ciry Council Page 20 Lombardo/ The flood plain maps too are being redrawn, and so, I mean, we could be proceeding now thinking that some are in the flood...the 500-year flood plain ultimately may end up in the 100-year flood plain. Right now it's just, there's a lot of questions, uh, this is somewhat hedging and taking the program as far as we can. Bailey/ Steve, you had a comment? Long/ I...I just don't want to get too hung up...we do not know the rules yet, and I work enough with federal money that...don't get too hung up on whether or not you can build after we...after we've purchased because...possibly might not be able to. (several talking) Davidson/ That's a good point. Bailey/ Okay. So, move ahead once we know the rules and go for it? O'Donnell/ Of course. (several responding) Bailey/ Okay. Money. Davidson/ The final...the final program, we...we even hesitated even to bring to you, because I mean, if you've been reading papers and watching television, it's very speculative at this time, but it does appear that the Governor is very intent on the state bonding program. Uh, the other thing that was encouraging, uh, for us was that when the Governor was here at the Old Capitol he...he did indicate and the City Manager and I, and the Assistant City Manager were present, along with the Mayor, that we should apply for this program, and so I... certainly we want to take the Governor, uh, at his word and... and um, attempt to do that, if it's something that will work for us. Um, again, very speculative. The governor has indicated that his intent is for those three bullets to be what the program is...is used for. Um, we feel like the north waste water treatment plant, uh, and then the construction of levees in Parkview Terrace and Idyllwild neighborhoods, if they can be engineered, um, are...are projects that could possibly come out of this program. Uh, and we don't want to also give up on the elevation of Park Road bridge and Dubuque Street as...as possibly being, you know, once the program does get through the Legislature and get established, and we know exactly what their intentions are, we'll have a much better idea on...on, uh, what we have the best chance for getting. Bailey/ Yes? O'Donnell/ Good. Bailey/ Yeah! (several responding) Okay. Do you have what you need? Thank you. (several talking) Keep going? Okay. Um, Info Packet, uh, discussion, Info Packets from 3/12 and 3/19. Anything? Information Packet Discussion (3/12 and 3/19): This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 21 Hayek/ The, uh, IP3 from the March 19 packet references the, um, the joint meeting with the School District and everybody else. Bailey/ Which is...we also have that as a separate work session (coughing, unable to hear) Hayek/ Okay. So I...oh... Bailey/ It's down here later. Hayek/ I'll be damned! Yep. Bailey/ Okay. Other Info Packet, um (several talking) Correia/ I just had...where's the memo from...J000G? Oh, the II'8 on March 19th. Bailey/ Uh-huh? Correia/ Um, so when might this...Dubuque Street intersection, Jefferson be...started? Davidson/ Told John I'd cover this, since I was going to be here. Uh, if you, unless you disagree, is how the memo (both talking) proceed immediately with that. Correia/ Okay. Bailey/ So, looking at IP8, any disagreement with that step proceeding? Okay. Correia/ So we agree. Davidson/ Okay...with the conclusion of (mumbled) Correia/ Oh...okay, yeah, never mind. Okay, yeah. Well, this says the City will not pursue an all red phase or a left-turn prohibition at Church Street, yes, I'm in agreement with that. Bailey/ Okay. Anything else? Hayek/ Not on that, but on.. . Bailey/ Okay. Hayek/ ...IP4, the...the letter you wrote to the downtown business owners on cigarette butts. Bailey/ You're going to correct my grammar? Hayek/ No, um (laughter) I'm glad, apparently they can do that, or do we have to change something for that to be a permissible thing to place in your.. . This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 22 Bailey/ We may at some locations. I've talked to Eleanor about that. I've also talked to some downtown business owners, and I've encouraged them...they're pursuing, um, some you know, getting some ash...ashtrays I guess, for lack of a better word, and they may have to talk to us about being able to put those in the right-of--way, and I think we are open to that possibility. (several responding) So, I was going to, um, follow up with Craig Gustaveson as pursuing that. I also indicated to some, uh, to Leah Cohen that we want to be cognizant of the streetscape work we've done down there, so something that is, uh, worthy of our downtown, not just plastic buckets with sand in it, would be of interest, and that's what Craig is pursuing, you know, something that's similar and safe and not easily vandalized. So they're working on it, and Dale said he was going to go to the DTA meeting in April and... Helling/ Yeah, it's been a subject of ongoing discussion at DTA board meetings, and...and I'm sure it will come up again. The last time Craig just introduced the concept of trying to find something uniform for cigarette butt disposal. Bailey/ So I think probably in April we'll be hearing from them if they need permission. Hayek/ You have any problems with Leah, remind her that we sweep up her cigarette butts every morning (laughter) Champion/ Well, you know, it amazes me the amount of cigarette butts downtown, and I just got back from spring break and very busy cities and very busy places and nobody throws their cigarette butt on the ground. You know? You don't see one. I don't understand the philosophy in this town to throw your trash on the ground! And I think because it's there it allows you to do it. Bailey/ I think once something's there, other people do it. I think...yeah. Champion/ It really makes me mad! Okay. Bailey/ Other Info Packet items? Correia/ Congratulations on the Public Library... Champion/ Oh right! Correia/ ...Innovation Grant award. That's very exciting. Champion/ They were very excited about that. Correia/ I think the paper had it listed as $500,000, when I first read the press release, and I was like...what? $500,000 (mumbled) Bailey/ That would be nice! (several talking) I have something on IP9 where, in this packet, where it's the community event program funding. Um, it's IP9 in the 19th. I am hopeful This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 23 that we can actually do this next year, by an interactive Adobe file, pdf, that they could actually fill it out online so it's legible and easily copied, um, and then print it off to sign it or whatever, but I think we've got enough lead time and I think we've got the technology. We do that with other forms, that I think that would be helpful and helpful to the organization, since...was wondering if we could just check into that. Hayek/ Good idea. Champion/ Could be done. Bailey/ I've filled out enough...I actually had to drag out a typewriter for a governmental entity application the other day, and I don't think we should be doing that to people. Good! Hayek/ Well, we're the ones who suffer when we have to read illegible.. . Bailey/ ...handwriting! Yeah. Correia/ Well, they suffer too if we can't read what they wrote (laughter and several commenting) Bailey/ It is in everybody's best interest (laughter) Okay. Anything else on the Info Packets? Hayek/ Um, IP3 from the uh March 12 Info Packet, that's the City budget amendment. Bailey/ Uh-huh. Hayek/ Is there, could somebody just get me, uh, some dollar amounts that attach to those various.. . Lombardo/ On the next page. Hayek/ Well, yeah, except that...they're categorized in a way that's different from how they're listed, and I understand why that would be, but it would help me just to see what the amendments of revenue and expenditures, uh.. . Lombardo/ Can I just provide a simple summary tomorrow night? Hayek/ Yeah, thafd be...and I don't need it in a, by the meeting or anything. I just, you know... Lombardo/ Okay. Bailey/ Actually I think it's good at the meeting to...to walk through, because you're right. Our categories don't agree with the state, or they don't mess very well with the state forms. Okay. Wright/ (mumbled) backtracking if you want to sort that one out. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 24 Bailey/ Yes. Hayek/ Thank you. That's all I have. Bailey/ Okay, anything else? Okay, I think we've pretty much covered those. All right, Council time. Council Time: Champion/ I got an interesting mailing...I'm going to write down the name, um, oh, that's the wrong thing. I bought the wrong thing. This is for, well anyway, I...I'll tell you what it is. It's from the Solon Library, they have a... Bailey/ I have that. I was going to announce the list. I have that. I'll show it to you, and you can do your little thing. Champion/ I have Amy's thing here for tomorrow. Yeah! But I think we ought to...I think we ought to do something like this, cause the, um, did all of you get a copy of this? (several responding) About the Solon Library? Bailey/ They have a display at the Solon Library. Champion/ It's about the Drollinger family, ran the City Park things for years. Correial Oh! Champion/ And they want us to go and see it, but they also suggest that we maybe want to bring a (mumbled). So, I was going to drop that stuff off at the library.. . Bailey/ And I was going to announce it in Council time tomorrow, so people were aware, but yeah, that's a good idea. Champion/ And we all know the Drollingers. Those of us who have lived here long enough. Correia/ I don't know the Drollingers, but I know the (several talking) Champion/ If you took your kids down to the rides, you know the Drollingers! Cause they were there until the City bought 'em. Okay, well, you have this. That's fine. Yeah, but I think it sounds very interesting. Bailey/ (both talking) to the Library. Good. Okay. Other Council time? Wilburn/ I was asked by the Governor's office to, um, consider, uh, an appointment to the Commission on Community Action Agencies, and I agreed to that. It's subject to... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 25 Champion/ I'm sorry, Ross. I couldn't understand you. Wilburn/ Oh, I'm sorry, I was asked by the Governor's office to, uh, consider being one of the elected appointments to the Commission on, um, Community Action Agencies, uh, I think there's two of the, yeah, two of the spots are for elected, someone is, uh, finishing a term. It's subject to, uh, Senate approval, but I...I went ahead and agreed, and so they've made me the designee, and I'll find out shortly. Champion/ Good! (several commenting) Bailey/ Congratulations! Wilburn/ Uh, several...there'll be more money that's going to be allocated for some of the weatherization, winterization stuff so it would (mumbled) Bailey/ That'll be good to have (mumbled) able to serve. Anything else, Council time? Let's move on to joint meeting agenda items. Matt? Joint Meeting Agenda Items (IP3): Hayek/ Well, what are we going to do? Wilburn/ Until I get a opinion from the City Attorney on the...I'm going to opt out of this discussion. Bailey/ Okay. Wilburn/ Related to my request for opinion about potential conflict of interest, uh, with actions by the City. Correia/ I'm not available that day. Champion/ We're talking about a joint meeting... Bailey/ Yeah, with the School District. Champion/ Oh, okay, all right. Well, I think...I would like to see, I want the information from them on the District facility plans, and I also think we should present our Comprehensive Plan, as far as neighborhoods go. I mean, I think that's...I just think we need to have an interaction with them about these things. Hayek/ Is this the place to do it? You know, you've got other government entities that are, really don't have a dog in that fight. Correia/ I thought the purpose of...of calling the meeting was to talk about...this. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 26 Hayek/ You know...I know...but I didn't realize there'd be these other, I don't have a problem with it, but when you have North Liberty and some of these other entities. I suppose they, I mean, that's part of the School District, so... Champion/ You're right, Matt. I thought it was just going to be us. Helling/ There maybe some confusion. There's two different meetings (both talking) you wanted to have a meeting with the School District. Champion/ Right. And that's scheduled too, isn't it? Helling/ And that's what this was about, and then you also had this joint meeting with all the, that comes up periodically and that's what the, uh, I think Marian's memo was. Karr/ Okay, then, when is the first meeting then? Helling/ First meeting's not been scheduled yet. Bailey/ Oh. Correia/ Oh, I thought that's what this... Bailey/ I thought that's what this was. Karr/ I didn't...okay. Bailey/ I actually think that it's not bad, that we have information to present, even if there are other communities. I believe that they will bring their materials, as well. I think we should be prepared to um, state our position pretty clearly, which is our Comprehensive Plan, and listen to what their intents are, and then also, um, you know, we understand that many community members are...are concerned about this, and maybe broadly talk about how we can all communicate together on a more regular basis cause that's another thing that we've heard. So... Hayek/ What if we do this at this meeting, what do we do about this other yet to be scheduled meeting? O'Donnell/ Well, don't think you'd need to have it. (several commenting) Bailey/ Well...they will be making decisions, specifically the decisions that they will be making will effect specifically some Iowa City schools, so it maybe necessary down the road. I do have an email into Toni, just to...we were going to get together anyway, and this came up...up as well, and so perhaps we can talk a little bit further about their objectives with the meetings...the meeting. But, this is going to be an ongoing process, so I don't think it would be unwise. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 27 Correia/ Right, I mean, I guess I saw the meeting as being a chance to discuss, you know, where is the School District on this, on their facility planning process, and communicate back that, you know, why the City Council, why the City is invested in having safe and vibrant schools in neighborhoods and not necessarily to be for the City about we want to keep specific schools, but about this sort of... Bailey/ Yeah, our Comprehensive Plan. Correia/ ...Comprehensive Plan about how do we, you know, contribute with all the factors that contribute to vibrant neighborhoods that include safe and viable schools, and I think, I mean, I think the idea is to hear the perspective of where the School District is coming from, what...the things they are considering, that they're doing planning with schools. Bailey/ And another opportunity too is as an entitlement city we should be asking them where are there opportunities to partner, if for example, ADA-accessibility is a barrier at these particularly old schools, but yet they might be driven or...or whatever it is, I mean, there are partnership opportunities that we have people on staff we can...we can check into actually partnering with funding, and that discussion may be...doesn't need to happen here, but it could happen at a later date. Hayek/ Yeah, that makes sense. I think we should decide though at what point does the discussion go beyond something that really is worth having Johnson County or North Liberty present for.. . Champion/ Right, that's a very good point. Baileyl I think we'll... Champion/ ...and maybe our discussion (mumbled) where we're (mumbled). North Liberty and Coralville don't want to hear our arguments. But, I think we should comment if we see it's to our advantage to comment at that time. Bailey/ Right. I think we should be prepared to comment from our Comprehensive, um, Plan perspective and then determine if there are further items for discussion. I think that we'll all have a sense of that. I'm out of town this day and coming back, but I will make every attempt to get back by 4:00. It's a little dicey. Hayek/ Well, we need to know who and...who's presenting for the City, what the essential message is... Champion/ Vice Chair or whatever you call it. Hayek/ Yeah (several commenting) Wright/ Mayor Pro Tem. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 28 Bailey/ Yeah, I mean... Correia/ Would we have Jeff present on our Comprehensive Plan though? Bailey/ We could have Jeff (several talking) Wright/ I think that'd be a good idea. Bailey/ Actually (mumbled) Champion/ Uh-huh. Bailey/ And we want to focus broadly on our Comprehensive Plan. Your point was not to focus just on the Central District Plan that was just recently done. Okay. Are there any agenda items that we would like to add? Any, I mean, I think that they did address our concerns about, um, the playgrounds. Are we seeing anything else? I didn't notice in the CDBG...in the Housing and Community Development, I didn't notice any applications or concerns or...I am interested in what we can do more to partner on the schools, but that might be a discussion for another day. Correia/ Did we...did you want to bring up the topic of crossing guards? Bailey/ I did not. I thought Michael was going to do that. Correia/ Oh (laughter) Lombardo/ When time would allow for that discussion to be had. (both talking) The ice cream cone is beginning to teeter at the top with, uh, items that we're dealing with, um, I think sometime over the course of the summer would be...if it's possible, but... Champion/ Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. Lombardo/ No, I just...taking that on between now and April is...is a little bit much. Champion/ I would like to hear from Coralville what their flood plans are. I mean, you know, you read it in the paper, but you never really hear it from them. Bailey/ So, should we suggest an agenda item that we have flood updates? Is that what you're suggesting? Champion/ Yeah, I would like to hear what...what they're doing. Besides what I read in the paper. Bailey/ Oh, do we...it's a joint meeting. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 29 Hayek/ Yeah, I mean, I would like that. Whether it's at this meeting or in some other forum is fine, and I think...I think that's appropriate because what I understand the flood plans to be (mumbled) um, include a...an extensive levee which, and I would like to hear the hydrological, uh, considerations of...of that, and I know that the entities - University of Iowa and Iowa City and Coralville -have pledged to coordinate, but at some point... Bailey/ Have they modeled that yet? Lombardo/ Yeah, we've not started entering data and projects into the model, but I think hearing about what their plans are in a little bit more detail is, would be advisable. Bailey/ So, we'll ask them for a flood update agenda item from all the entities, and...I'm curious, I mean, we know that there was an impact to the School District because they had to do some things with, uh, summer school. So... Karr/ And then do we also want the broad Comp Plan, neighborhood plan, presentation? Bailey/ Yes. Um... Champion/ I think that'd be enough. Hayek/ Who sets this agenda? Is it... Bailey/ The host... Karr/ The School District. Bailey/Yeah, they gather the items for the agenda on this. Karr/ We submit items all of us and then they (several talking) Hayek/ ...North Liberty has something they can put it on and... Bailey/ And would you express our interest, I mean, I'll say this and then speak if you disagree with me, but we do not want this particular joint meeting cancelled. It's not an ideal time, and it sounds like some people can't be there, but um, the last one was cancelled. And so we would like to meet. Correia/ Well, I think it was cancelled cause there were no agenda items, right? Bailey/ Right, but I mean, or...or there were few agenda...we don't know if there were none, or a few. I mean, you know what I'm saying? Wright/ I think it's important for it to go forward, even if there are a few agenda items. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 30 Bailey/ Right. We are willing to meet even if there are two agenda items, the presentation to the Schools and the flood update, well, and ours so...three. Okay. Matt, does that cover that you...okay. Uh, schedule of pending discussion items - I think we're pretty pended out, aren't we? (several responding) Upcoming community events, Council invitations. Upcoming Community Events/Council Invitations: Bailey/ Um, I'll just...on discussion of meeting schedule, I am attending JCCOG for Amy. Is there anybody else who will not be at the JCCOG meeting on Wednesday? (several responding) It's at like 4:00, right? Wilburn/ Is it the same time of the month as it usually is? Correia/ Yeah, but a half hour earlier. Bailey/ It's a half hour earlier because of the United Way, um, celebration. Champion/ What time is it? Correia/ 4:00. Bailey/ And I think it's here, right? (several responding) Hayek/ I think I can attend. Wilburn/ ...is that 4:00? I have another... Bailey/ Michael, can you be an alternate then, cause you're the next... O'Donnell/ Is it this Wednesday (several talking) Bailey/ It's this Wednesday. Okay, and Matt, if you can't attend our other alternate choices are Eleanor and Marian. Lombardo/ (unable to hear, away from mic) Bailey/ I think their remarks are starting at 5:00, and that's why we scheduled the JCCOG meeting at 4:00. It's here. Karr/ Yes, it's here. Bailey/ Okay, so...(mumbled) marching orders. Everybody else...okay. All right. Lombardo/ (unable to hear, away from mic) Bailey/ And then on April 7th, I will not be able to be at the Council meeting. Mike, is that... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009 City Council Page 31 O'Donnell/ You know, I think normally that'd be fine, but there's, uh, the development (mumbled) I would like to have seven people (mumbled) Correia/ The what? O'Donnell/ (several talking) Champion/ Oh yes, yes, yes! O'Donnell/ So I think ifd be wise to combine two meetings. Champion/ Yeah, I agree, I think everybody needs to be there. Bailey/ Are we open to that? I...I'm willing to be gone, but if that's the feeling I'll.... Karr/ Combining the 7th to the 6th? Champion/ Uh-huh. I think it's important that we have everybody here for that. Correial For some reason I already have that combined on my calendar. I don't know why. Bailey/ The 20th is combined. Correia/ The 20th is...huh. Bailey/ Just combine it and then (both talking) sometimes I do that. Okay, so...can we make that change? Karr/ We'll want to note that on the agenda then you're setting a number of public hearings. We'll want to switch those to the 6th. O'Donnell/ Right. Bailey/ (several talking) Okay. All right, thank you. All right. Sorry about that. I was (several talking) Hayek/ But a reminder to all of us when we have these combined meetings, you know, get your questions to staff before the work session, cause (several talking) Bailey/ There's little time, yeah. That's a good point. Hayek/ ...unavoidable in some circumstances, but it makes it a little tougher. Bailey/ Any other meeting schedule concerns? Okay. All right. We, um, are done with the work session. We need to go back into the Executive Session. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of March 23, 2009.