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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-06 TranscriptionJuly 6, 2009 City Council July 6, 2009 City Council Special Work Session Council Present: Bailey, Champion, Correia, Hayek, O'Donnell, Wilburn, Wright Staff: Helling, Karr, Dilkes, Moran Others Present: Shipley - UISG Representative Agenda Items: Bailey/ Agenda items. Any? It's a short agenda. O'Donnell/ Very short. Wright/ Um, I just...I did have a couple questions about the cemetery. Bailey/ And it looks like Mike is here to answer those. Wright/ ...increases. Bailey/ Uh-huh. Champion/ Do you plan on using it soon? Page 1 6:15 P.M. Wright/ I...I hope to not have to use it soon. You know, if I do, I'll be in quorum. (laughter) LTh, no I was looking at the proposed and the current rates, and...I was having a hard time tracking how some of the costs in the...the proposed cost increases were arrived at (mumbled) some of the (mumbled) increases were quite large. Some of them were very minimal. I just wondered if you could... ITEM 8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A REVISED SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR INTERMENTS, LOT SALES AND OTHER SERVICES IN OAKLAND CEMETERY. ITEM 9. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR OAKLAND CEMETERY REGARDING THE RIGHTS OF LOT OWNERS, MAINTENANCE PRACTICES AND RULES FOR VISITORS. Moran/ We just went through and...and, Bob Deatsch our Cemetery Supervisor went around and compared prices around the state, and then compared them with local to see what was the norm. And since we haven't updated them, I think it's...was 2001, it's been eight or nine years, uh, we tried to just bring them up so that they were reasonable and they weren't over or they weren't under. It was just bringing it up. We probably should have raised these rates like every two years, just to maintain. We didn't do that in some areas. We This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 2 had to do higher increases than other areas, because the costs around the state or within the city have gone up most substantially. Wright/ You had some conversations with area funeral directors and they (both talking) Moran/ Yeah, we talked to...we talked to everybody, and we said if we do this, what do you think the impact would be, and none of them had any negative impact on the...on the cost of any of these increases. Wright/ Thank you. Bailey/ Any other questions for Mike, while he's up there? Hayek/ Um, any...have you run any numbers as to what you estimate this bump up will generate, in terms of overall revenue? Moran/ Uh, we did, and I can't remember what that was. It was on the budget cut scenarios. It was about $12,000 maybe, I want to guess. Helling/ That sounds close. I don't...I can get the figures for you if you (mumbled) Moran/ But that was part of the budget cut scenarios that we did, oh, about a month ago, and I think that's about what it was at, right around that. Bailey/ Other questions? Okay, thank you. Any other agenda items? All right, moving along. FBI activity in Iowa City. FBI Activity In Iowa City: Wright/ I guess the pertinent question to ask here is is anybody interested in, uh, going ahead and, um, drafting a letter. Bailey/ Do we have a majority of people who would be interested in drafting a letter and...the nature of what you would like to see in the letter? Champion/ Well, that would be my problem. I don't have any objections to writing the letter, but I don't know what the letter (both talking) Bailey/ Well, Mike, what are you proposing? Wright/ Uh, basically I'm just proposing a letter suggesting that, um, with no apparent...no obvious to us evidence of...of a credible threat, that this seemed to be kind of a chilling, um...event in terms of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Champion/ All right. I can agree with that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Bailey/ Okay. Anybody else? Page 3 Shipley/ Also perhaps...oops, excuse me. Using, uh, federal tax dollars to turn around and spy on citizens may not be the best use of monies. Bailey/ Would others be interested in sending a letter? O'Donnell/ I would really like to know what the details were. I mean, but none of us know that. Bailey/ But I'm unwilling to have our city attorney spend the kind of time that it would take to get to that level of detail. Do I have others who agree with that? O'Donnell/ I agree totally with that. Wilburn/ I would agree with that, and um...um...we don't know...we don't know what was said. We weren't at the meetings. We don't know what, if anything, brought them up on the FBI's radar and um...um...there are, um...um...you know, certain investigatory things that, um, (noise on mic) law enforcement, including the FBI, what they do in order to, um, help provide protection for, um, both the President and elected officials, and um, you know, so without...without any...any further information, again, uh, kind of a usage of time, um, now if...if a Freedom of Information Act from some of the other groups came back indicating something, then I might be willing to revisit that, but to send a letter without knowledge of...you know. Wright/ And I...that could be something we could wait and actually see what the results are from the FOIA request that was made as well. Bailey/ So are others interested in...at this time sending a letter? Okay. I'm not hearing...I'm hearing wanting more details. Hayek/ Yeah. Let me weigh in. My personal thought is that it's not the function of the City to comment on the activities of a federal agency, but even assuming it is within our purview to do that, I...I'm not comfortable taking any action whatsoever until, unless and until we got, uh, a thorough investigation that would provide facts to us, and the only way to do that is either have our City Legal department do that, or hire it out, um...and I'm not comfortable, given the current budget and other realities, expending City financial and human resources to do that. Um...and even if...if we did, I would not be comfortable with any action until we had our...our own investigation completed on the issue. Um, and again, our only two options are to do it ourselves or to pay for that to be done. Bailey/ Okay. Any other comments? All right. It seems that there's not a majority (mumbled) moving forward on this. All right. Information packet discussion. This is from the July 2nd packet. Any discussion items? Information Packet Discussion: This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 4 Hayek/ On the...on the PAULAs and the policy we passed to look at these in connection with renewal, is the renewal...how, what exactly is the timing? What 12-month period is looked at, as it relates to PAULA and um, and renewal? Dilkes/ LJh, each establishment has a renewal date that occurs a year from their last renewal date, and that's the year (both talking) Bailey/ It rotates. (mumbled) Dilkes/ Yeah. Hayek/ Okay, you look at the 12 months preceding that particular application's anniversary. Dilkes/ Right. Bailey/ Okay. Any other information packet items? Wright/ I would just say, related to the PAULA, it's nice to see, uh, a much broader group of establishments represented there as having been checked. It's clearly much more comprehensive than PAULA reports we were getting a year ago. Bailey/ I do note that 808 is up for renewal tonight on our Consent Calendar, um, I'm assuming that this being over one did not raise concerns, given the other criteria. Dilkes/ That policy does not take effect until July 1st, and just for your information, the way the policy reads is that the police chief shall recommend denial, in the event of a 1.0 or more. Bailey/ So if...if the upcoming year continues to look like this for 808, in a year we'll see...okay. Dilkes/ I expect you're going to face the issue sooner rather than later. Bailey/ Oh, I do too! Hayek/ If a....as it relates to the commencement of this policy being July 1 of 09, does that mean that an applicant who's up on July 2 of 091ooks at the 08-09 data, or...or do we only start keeping track...does the information here only start to matter from July 1 of 09 forward? Do you see the distinction? Bailey/ Yeah. Dilkes/ No. You look at the year prior to the renewal date, and we delayed the effective date of this until July 1st to provide some additional time for people to bring their PAULA rates down. Hayek/ But if somebody's up on July 2nd, let's say, then we are going to look at what's on here. Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 5 Dilkes/ You are, yes. Bailey/ Any other questions? Dilkes/ And just briefly while we're on that topic, because of the way the Police Chiefs guidelines read, um, a recommendation for denial will be coming to you, if there is...if it's over 1.0 and in the event Council chooses not to...to, um, approve that recommendation of denial, then I think you're going to have to think about what policy change that requires, because we're going to need to look at that. Bailey/ Okay. Anything else from the info packet? Champion/ Well, I guess (mumbled) those signatures on that (mumbled) (several talking) the zoning protest, is that the zoning we've already changed? Dilkes/ Yes. Champion/ Okay. Dilkes/ He's filing kind of...filing things here, um, and...and we feel an obligation to send it on to you (both talking) but the court...the court case is ongoing. Champion/ Okay, thanks. Karr/ It's a little bit...a little beyond that. Typically it would be filed and we would not see it. It would go through the normal channels here. Uh, in this particular case, he is addressing it to the City Council, so it's correspondence, so we have no choice but to forward it on to you and share that. (several responding) Yes. No. Bailey/ Anything else from the info packet? All right. Council time. Council Time: Champion/ Well, we did, you know, we did have the groundbreaking for the new Shelter House. It was really very nice. There were a lot of people there. There were 30 to 40 protestors, uh, it was very calm. They were very polite. They protested in a manner that was not offensive and the whole thing went very smoothly and I was really glad to see that. Bailey/ It was a nice event. (both talking) Nicely done. Champion/ We even gave them ice cream! (laughter) Bailey/ Any other items for Council time? All right. Any items for budget priorities? Dale, did you have any updates? Steady as she goes, I suppose. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 6 Budget Priorities: Helling/ At this point, no updates. Bailey/ Okay. Fiscal year started well. (laughter) Helling/ Every year, right at the same time. (laughter) Bailey/ Well, that is a good thing! You know, we celebrate it with fireworks, I guess that's good! Helling/ The lights are on! Schedule of Pending Discussion Items: Bailey/ Good! And I see people here, so that's good. Um, schedule of pending discussion items. This is an IP2. Um, you can see the schedule there. We are always welcome to add to it, but do not have to. Okay. Upcoming community events. Upcoming Community Events/Council Invitations: Bailey/ I do want to note that on Thursday evening at 6:30 in the McBride Auditorium there will be a community meeting regarding the location of Hancher, and the Arts Campus. I do plan to attend. I've spoken, supported...I've been supportive, um, generally about them moving it to a more downtown location, just based upon some things that have come out of the Alcohol Task Force, and I do intend to indicate that. I think it would be beneficial to us, as well, um, I mean, the downtown, but uh, wanted people to be aware of that, as well, and uh, are others planning to attend? Wright/ Unfortunately I'm going to be out of town. It's something I would have liked to be able to go to. Hayek/ So your message is going to be sort of a broad encouragement to look downtown and.. . Bailey/ I've spoken, yeah, I've spoken to President Mason as well as Provost Lowe, um, on a fairly regular basis about, as we look at alcohol concerns and diversifying the mix of people who are in our downtown area that a downtown location would help them establish some of their additional goals, as well as to help support the diversity of our downtown, and moving it south of Burlington Street, and I think generally, um, I don't know. I mean, I didn't speak on behalf of Council. I spoke...I said this as my personal opinion, um, just in being involved with this and the importance of our downtown, and our ongoing partnership, but I wanted you to all know that, that I've been...I think it would be...I do think as we move downtown, south of Burlington Street, I think it has some incredible benefits, with Amtrak and our transit-oriented development that we're thinking about down there. I think it would...it would just be amazing. And, I also speak as a grad from the music school, as well. That's a pretty, you know, it's a remote location from the rest of campus. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 7 Wilburn/ Um, I don't know how much longer we can talk about this (mumbled) subject but do you know, um, is there...the input they're requesting, is it part...does it include the school of music or is it they're just talking about Hancher itself? Bailey/ It's been my understanding that they are looking...Hancher and connecting it with the school of music. That's an important vision on their half...on their behalf. Wilburn/ Okay. Champion/ You can speak for me, Regenia. Bailey/ Okay. Champion/ Maybe you can speak for all of us, if we all feel that way. Wright/ And the south of Burlington location is still a pretty serious (both talking) Bailey/ I'm not sure! I was going to go here too and to see where they're at in this, but I'll be...I'll be happy to report back at the end of July about meeting (both talking) Wright/ ...more concerns about the, when they were considering at Gilbert and Iowa. Bailey/ Well, and I think our staff has been talking with them, as well, about this topic. Helling/ They have. They...they haven't eliminated any of those sites, but I think they're, you know, weighing some, you know, more heavily than others, and I think thafll flesh out as they go through this process. Bailey/ I also want to note, um, just as something that's coming up. July 25th, I think I have the date right, is the ADA celebration too. Helling/ I believe that's right. Saturday. Bailey/ Saturday. So, um... Champion/ what was that date? Bailey/ July 25th. And that's'the Saturday before our next Council meeting, so I wanted to let you all know. And we didn't get in a proclamation this year, so... Helling/ Um, there will be, I think. Bailey/ Okay. Helling/ I believe typically the Mayor has read that...read that at the... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 8 Bailey/ Right. Helling/ ... at the celebration. Bailey/ Sometimes we have it in the first meeting of July, sort of (mumbled). Okay, anything else coming up in the community? Hayek/ I would just note the recent information in the Press-Citizen about the Board of Supervisors ongoing work to identify and site, uh, Justice Center and Jail facilities, um, I can't remember if we took informal or formal.. . Bailey/ Oh, Connie, you're on that, right? Champion/ I'm on that. Hayek/ Oh, you're on that, that's right. Champion/ However, um, I was not able to attend last Wednesday's meeting because of the groundbreaking. And that's when the fireworks really happened I think. Uh, the meeting before that, the discussion of the Press-Citizen space came up and we ended that meeting with keeping it where it's at, which would be building a new Justice Center by the Courthouse and...and the Jail. So I was totally surprised by reading the paper also. Uh, because it was pretty clear two weeks ago, or last month, uh, that it would remain at the Justice Center. But, so, I can't really tell you what happened.. . Bailey/ Is there an intervening meeting between now and our, uh, July meeting? Champion/ No, there won't be another meeting, joint meeting, uh, there might be another meeting with the facilities people, and I'm on that committee, um, but there won't be another meeting until the first Wednesday in August, and I will be out of town. Bailey/ Oh, okay. Champion/ But, um, there probably will be a facilities meeting in between. Hayek/ I think we ought to maintain, uh, steady encouragement from this institution toward that process. It's very important, I mean, (mumbled) that facility has some of the same.. . Bailey/ Yes. Hayek/ ...considerations that...that Hancher and the arts campus would, uh, in terms of serving as an anchor and...and meeting the needs of various agencies and...and entities. Champion/ Well, there's been, there's been quite a bit of public discussion at these meetings, mostly from lawyers who want to be able to walk to the Courthouse like they do now, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 9 and I think that's a major consideration. If they decide to go with the Press-Citizen location, everybody will have to drive. Bailey/ Well, or we will see zoning requests to do more commercial development out there. For office space. Matt, are you proposing something more official or... Hayek/ I don't know. I can't (both talking) recall what if anything we decided to do as a Council. Bailey/ We knew that Connie was on, but we...we (several talking) have not taken any official action. Champion/ ...any formal action. Bailey/ ...a letter or resolution or anything. Hayek/ Do we want to consider that? Bailey/ We can put it on the work session for the end of the month, if that's something you're proposing. Are there other people who would be interested in...putting this on the work session and considering formal action? Um, a letter or some communication with the Board of Supervisors? I feel pretty strongly about its importance. Hayek/ Me too. Wilburn/ Put it on a work session and if we get more information between now and then, then we can discuss it. Bailey/ Okay. And if there's particular sorts of information you would need at that, you know, just let Dale know. Correia/ Can we get meeting minutes...from... Champion/ Oh, sure! (several talking) Bailey/ That'd be great! (several talking) Okay. Champion/ You know, um, we don't usually have, well, we do have people come to work (mumbled). Bob Elliott's kind of coordinating all this. It might not be a bad idea to ask him to come. Correia/ ...the consultant? Champion/ He's their...he can be our...he can be a consultant, um...and I'd be glad to ask him (mumbled) Bailey/ Are we interested in hearing from Bob? At that work session? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009. July 6, 2009 City Council Page 10 O'Donnell/ I don't see a problem with (several talking) Bailey/ Yeah, if he can provide the background information and people (both talking) Champion/ He coordinates everything for that now. He's their Coordinator I guess! (laughter) Bailey/ (several talking) Okay, anything else, upcoming community events? Discussion of meeting schedules. Marian, do we need to do any of that? Discussion of Meeting Schedules: Karr/ Just a reminder we'll have on the next work session the October/November/December schedule, so if there's any times you know's going to be a problem, let me know before we do the draft and we'll just streamline the discussion. Bailey/ Okay. I hate to say it, but we all should be thinking about our Thanksgiving and uh, December holiday plans. Okay. Helling/ Before you adjourn... Bailey/ Go ahead. Helling/ ...uh, Mike, is still here. Do you have all your questions answered for those...those two, uh, agenda items, the amendments to the regs and the, uh, the fees? Bailey/ Do you need Mike to stay for the formal meeting? Champion/ I don't...I don't need him to stay. O'Donnell/ No. Helling/ Okay. Bailey/ Mike, did you get all your questions answered? Wright/ Yeah. Bailey/ Okay. Thanks for being here. Helling/ He knows he's welcome to stay if he wants to. Bailey/ It's a public meeting (mumbled) (laughter) Okay, anything else? All right. Let's come back here at 7:00. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special work session meeting of July 6, 2009.