HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-19 Transcription Page 1
Council Present: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Weiner
Staff Present: Fruin,Jones, Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling, DeLoach, Morris, Davies,
Fleagle, Knoche, Havel
Forest View Relocation Proposal Update
Teague: We're adjourned and to our work session for April 20-April 19th, 2022 and we are
going to have the first item which is Forest View Relocation Proposal Update.And
we're gonna welcome Rachel Kilburg.
Killburg: Hello, Mayor and City Council Rachel Kilburg assistant city manager. So over the
fa-past few work sessions,we've talked about plans to provide voluntary relocation
assistance to the residents of the Forest View mobile home park. Urn, I do just want
to acknowledge that that plan is the result of it probably close to a decade of work
by Forest View residents, Center for Worker Justice, city staff, City Council past and
present. So I just wanted to quickly acknowledge everyone who's gotten us to this
point. But on your council agenda tonight is the resolution that would approve that
Forest View relocation plan. So I just wanted to take a little bit of time to walk you
through that and provide u- update of where we're at. So under that plan, each
household that lived in Forest View at the time of the 2019 CZA would be eligible to
receive$15,750 in relocation assistance. This was based on a calculation that
considered the moving costs and the cost of a fair market rent for about 24 months
and a household is defined as one mobile home unit. The households who have
already moved out will be eligible to just get that full amount in one check and then
those who currently live there will receive 50 percent upfront to help with the
moving costs,the security deposit, all of that, and then 50 percent after they have
vacated no later than December 9th of 2021, I'm sorry of 2022. ARPA funds will be
used to provide relocation payments to individuals who moved out after the onset
of the pandemic in March of 2020,that is presumed eligible by per the US Treasury
and then we'll use local funds to pay those households who don't meet that
presumed eligibility criteria and as well as to compensate those households who
moved out prior to March of 2020 but lived there at the time that the 2019 CZA was
signed.As we discussed in recent work sessions,the majority of households will be
eligible under ARPA so their payments will not be taxable,they're considered
qualified disaster payments.We do expect to have a handful of households who
currently live there and then, as well as those who moved out prior to the pandemic,
who would be using local funds, in which case their payments would be taxable
income,which was a compromise we had made to-to maintain federal compliance
while also ensuring we could get relocation payments to all those households who
live there in June of 2019. So al- all of our required eligibility forms will be
translated,we're using self attestation to reduce the amount of barriers for
households and streamline the process and then the Center for Worker Justice has
also agreed to serve as a resource for the households who are receiving these
payments to assist them with finding new units, to making their way through the
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process and accessing other assistance programs as needed.We met with CWJ last
week as well as the tenants association to compile those residency records,get
ready and work out a process to get those eligible households ready to receive their
check, and barring any kind of big unexpected hiccups,we expect that we'll be able
to issue checks by the end of May. So what we planned two kind of eligibility clinics,
um,the first week of May with the Center for Worker Justice to complete those self
attestation forums, um,we scheduled those on weekend and evening hours to really
again reduce those barriers and will have the CWJ there present to help with
interpretation and translation. Once we have all that required paperwork,we just
need a couple of weeks here on the inside to internally to cut those checks and then
we expect those would be ready mid-May or towards the end of May,those first
cheques or the single check for the households that have already moved out. Um,
we're compiling some other information to- to issue with the checks that just help-
help the residents know taxability information notes from if they need to transfer
school,how to stop or transfer the utility service, all that would be translated,we
would, of course, refer them to any local agencies for any others forms of household
assistance they might be looking for but all in all kind of our focus now is just how
quickly we can get those checks issued to the eligible households so they can start
looking for new housing and move out by that December 9th date. Happy to take
any questions.
Weiner: Thank you.
Teague: Thanks, I do have one question. I know that CWJ is doing quite a bit of work and
assisting, and I remember looking at Rose Oak,um, and we had an agreement with
Shelter House to do some, um, help with the resources.Are we considering at all to
give CWJ some financial assistance for helping out the city?
Kilburg"Yeah,that's correct. I should have clarified we've been in conversation with them
about kind of what sort of additional services outside of their normal scope of work
they'll be providing and we're going to find a number to compensate for that as well.
Teague: Okay,and you won't need counseling involvement on that?
Kilburg" I believe the resolution provides all the authority that's needed.
Teague: Okay,all right,great. [BACKGROUND] I think that's all.Thank you.
Harmsen: Thank you.
Teague:Any further conversation by counsel on this?
Weiner: No, I think we'll have it- I- I think we'll have a- a chance to talk in public this
evening at the formal meeting,which is awesome.
Senior Center Masterplan
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Teague: Great.All right.We're gonna move onto the next agenda item,which is our Senior
Center master plan.And I'm gonna [NOISE] invite LaTasha up to speak with us.
Welcome.
DeLoach: Good evening Mayor, Council members. Um,well,we made it here. I'm very
excited to be here to talk to you all about the master plan, it's been in the works
since about December of 2019. So, COVID kind of threw us through a little loop. Um,
but we are here. Um, I just wanted to first,um, they don't know that I was gonna do
this,but thank the team that has been working. Urn, everything we do here at the
City is usually team call-as a collective of us working together. So I've been working
with our building- our facilities manager, Kumi Morrison, Ben Clark from
engineering as well as Redmond,and Geoff on how do we move forward with our
facility master plan. So I wanted to make sure that I- threw their names out in
[LAUGHTER] full support of the work that we've been doing. I'm very excited about
the Senior Center um, Master plan. It's gonna be a community changing opportunity
for us here at the City. Um, it will include inno- renovations that will draw more
individuals, I believe, um, into the space. It'll allow us to be able to serve our
population and populations to come in the future, and in a much more accessible
way. Uh, so we're definitely looking forward to that as well as allowing our building
that's already currently rentable, to be more rentable for- for others for- in the
community um, as well as people know a lot about the potential of the kitchen that
we have there with some of our interior design. It will open up that opportunity for
folks around the community as well to utilize that space. Um,so the Senior Center
facility Master plan is broken up into three phases.The first phase is our ex- exterior
phase,which is something that we just have to do as,you know, keepers of that
building,we own that building.There are some definite things that are more
emergent as well as there's some things they just need to be done at that building
for its up keep.Whether that's just, um, preventing water from coming through the
building, etc. So,um, the beginning part of the CIP urn, uh, dollars that we have will
be utilized to go to that first phase,which is to work on the exterior of the building.
Things get a little bit different when we get into Phase 2 and 3 because we're
looking directly at the interior of the building.And as you all know that this is just
the-the pre-planning of- of the phase of this and I know the OPN will go into that. So
we're kind of visioning what the building can and will be.And so those, those dollars
look a little different when we start looking at the interior of the building, but we'll
get into that a little bit more as we get into the design phase about what works,what
won't works.And again,we're dealing with a historic building. So we do have some-
somethings that we have to be cautious about, especially with our lobby and in
other areas of the building. So but again, OPN will get into some of those pieces. I
think it's really important that, um,there are some limits to our budget that might
not allow us to get to the level of our- of our climate goals that we want to get to um,
just due to some budgetary as well as location issues that prevent us from begoing-
becoming exactly net zero. But we'll be able to do some reductions where the plan
that you all-will be able to see and have seen already through some of the memo
and presentation has already been in the packet. So, urn, there'll be um, a overall
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budget,will be able to allow us to do quite a bit of renovations,but we definitely will
need to um, seek additional funds,whether that's through grants,whether that's
through uh, fundraising, etc. that we'll be working with Friends of The Center to do
some of that work. But we still unfortunately will fall short of the number that we're
currently looking at to do a full renovation. Um,but what we're gonna do is over the
next 6-12 months is we're really going to dig in. Urn,we have full support from City
Manager's office, obviously from you all to do what we need to do to keep the center
going and full and full of life and as vibrant as is it.We're gonna take the next 6-12
months to really explore what the dollar amount that we're looking at, urn, I think
we're urn,we gonna be about 6- 6-8 million short of the full renovation that we
really need to do. Urn, and so because of that, we need to look at where those dollars
are gonna go in the building knowing that if we continue to maintain in our current
building,there's some things that we-we won't be able to address it because of
location, etc. Uh, but we're gonna spend those months exploring. I'm gonna work
with a consultant who are really gonna dig in and talk with our stakeholder's and do
focus groups, etc, about what is it look like to be here or what is it look like to
potentially be in a different location?And so,um,the City is completely committed
to us continue- look, this is my job. So I believe that they're committed to, to-to
continuing to- continue to do everything that's necessary. We're going to keep this
center going,but we're gonna look at what options are.And it might be just a really
awesome building that's here, but it might be somewhere else,but we don't know.
But we're definitely not doing anything without our stakeholder's,without our
members, and without the community support. So, I would like to urn, introduce to
you all here in a second,Joshua Moe, excuse me,Joshua Moe from OPN.When we
first started this project,we were with a different architectural firm, urn, but they
were able to come in after some things we couldn't control with that- with that
original contract and they came in and helped us with our assessments and really
was able to finish up the master plan. So at this time, I'd like to bring so the podium
Joshua Moe from OPN to give you all an overview of the Senior Center masterplan.
Teague: Great.Welcome.
Moe: Hello. I have visual aids. [NOISE] Is there anything I need to do in addition to wait for
the warm-up?
Fruehling: It'll take a minute.Yeah.
Moe: Okay but I will just-
Teague:And council can see it up here.
Moe: Oh,you can. Okay. Great.Well,my name is Josh Moe with OPN Architects,uh, and I
had the privilege of working with LaTasha in this assessment.And also there's a
large group of people who were engaged also. So uh- uh,we had a lot of the staff, the
Senior Center, Ben, Kumi were also mentioned, the City Manager's office, we
presented to the Senior Center commission, as well as worked with Historic
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Preservation staff.And it wasn't just OPN.We also had a large team of consultants
too who worked with us on this. So thanks to everybody who was involved in that.
Urn, as LaTasha said,another firm had started this work and- we-was was unable to
finish it. So we-we be came in and we-we collected the same consultant group and
brought it to the finish line. Um, and we had a series of meetings and uh,there is a
report that uh,you guys should all have access to. It's several hundred pages, so I'll
do my best to synthesized that for you guys uh, today.We're in the very,very,very
beginning of a design process. So we'll show you some ideas of what floor plans
could look like,those are used to generate cost estimates. Um,but, um, there is a lot
of work to do,and, um,bringing, I think the project in the budget into alignment is
one of those big steps that needs to happen as well as some of the work that
LaTasha is going to engage. Um,but the first project that, um,we'll be starting is- is
the envelope work, um, and that'll be going through a full design process, and that I
think will illuminate how much money is left in the budget after they start to tear
into- um, into an old building.Ah, the building itself is a fascinating building. If you
guys, ah, remember being there for the last several council [LAUGHTER] meetings.
Um, it was actually originally constructed in 1904. There was a major major, ah,
addition added in 1931. Um,when the post-office moved to the federal building
across from the courthouse,that's when the city,um, and the Senior Center did a
major renovation of that building and that was back in- in 1981. It's listed on the
national register of historic places. It's contributing building in downtown historic-
ah, Iowa City's downtown historic district. Um,but that's the last major building, ah,
investment,was 1981. There's been some important, ah, renovation works and
important, ah,work to make it safer,to make it more accessible. But no, let's shut
down the whole building and completely re-invest for 40 years now. Urn, little fun
picture,that's the front of the building as it was in 1904, facing Washington Street.
Um,then in1931, they flipped the building 90 degrees and move it to Linn Street.
You can see the city old building there and they just build around it, kind of makes
you scared about what was in the air between 1904,and 1931? Um, for the most
part,that's what the building looks like today though. Um,you can see in this
picture, um, some key things we will talk about.There is the parking garage, and
there's a sky bridge that connects to the third floor, that's one of the main entrances
to the building.That building is- is a beautiful Beaux-Art building with, ah, a very
clear architectural entry.You just look at the building and you know where the front
door is. Unfortunately, that's up a bunch of steps, so it's not an accessible entrance.
Um,then if you look in the other side of the building on Washington Street, is where
that accessible entrance is. So setting you up for one of the big challenges of the
building is- is entry and understanding where the front door is and how do you find
your place once you've arrived in the building. Urn,there's also a really interesting
artifact we'll talk about in a second,um,you can almost see it right above the 1981,
and that's actually a piece of the building. It was carved away for the sky walk. It's
interpreting how the building is built,which leads us to some interesting challenges
for fixing the envelope of the building. Um, in meeting with the, um, Senior Center
staff, um,we learned a lot about what their needs were, accessibility,accessibility,
accessibility is key to this group. Um, the users of this group do- a lot of them have
mobility issues.There's currently one elevator that's,ah, about as much space as
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you want to devote in that size of the building. So the current plan shows just
renovating that elevator,but only one elevator that's heavily used. Um, it's also, urn,
the City's sustainability goals for, urn,both energy reduction, but potentially getting
to carbon-neutral building,was something we pushed really hard at. It is absolutely
a cost driver for the project, but we can do it. Urn,but it's something that was
important to the staff and important to us, um, and other things that I wanted to
underline too,was good.Just being able to navigate the building is making it more
user-friendly, urn, and also support the mission, um, of the Senior Center. Urn, this
building is, by the way, a beautiful historic building. It's in- it needs some attention,
but it has a lot of life left in it, and it also is a really important building to downtown
Iowa City.We always looked at this too with a lens of, it ought to look like that
building when we're done with it, and it should be vibrant, exciting, and modern, ah,
on the inside, but also retain all the historic integrity that's there. In addition to the
things we learned from LaTasha and her team,urn,just by examining the building,
we learned that the envelope has some pretty serious challenges to it, um, and we'll
show some pictures later of those issues.They can be resolved,but they need to be
addressed and they are becoming safety concerns. Urn, the other thing I said earlier
with the three main entrances is just a reality,this building, urn, and the elevator
and then the funding. So these pictures here, urn, as you imagine, old limestone
building,at one point all the joints were sealed up and over time,those joints open
up though all need to be put back together again, that's just normal building
maintenance. Um, the more challenging problem would be the very top of the
building, the ballaster across the top is leaning a little bit, um, it's not- it's really just
a masonry wall, it's not tied back to anything, urn,and it's noticeably moved, so it
needs to be deconstructed and rebuilt. That can be done,we do that all the time, um,
but at a certain point it leans so far it's dangerous.We don't believe it's there yet,
but we'd also don't know if it's done moving,so we want to fix that [LAUGHTER].
There's some water damage in the building,we believe that's probably where water
is entering the building, is at that joint between the roof and that top part of the
wall, urn, and then migrates through the building. So again, it makes sense to fix the
outside before you spend any money on interiors. Urn,the last thing to point out is
there's a really deep projecting portion of the building where there's a flat limestone
surface, and, urn, this is that thing that's sort of, I don't know if anybody really
notices it, on the side of the building as a piece of the building that was removed for
the- for the skywalk.That big long horizontal piece of limestone is actually kind of
like a teeter-totter, and it's held in place by a metal rod on the inside of the building.
We are recommending that we go look at those metal rods to make sure that that
thing, the teeter-totter tension component stays in place.Again, that's going to cause
damage to the interior,so it just makes sense to do all this outside stuff first. Urn, as
we go through the prioritized list of things,the envelope is first, urn,and then the
Senior Center staff was very clear that the kitchen was a high high priority for them,
for a community need,urn, for rental space, urn, for education space. Um,the kitchen
is not functional in its current state, urn,but could be both a revenue generator for
them,but also can really support their mission. Um,this is the part of the building
where we actually did work with the kitchen consultant and get a fairly specific
design so we could get a good cost estimate for that,we understood this would be
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towards the front end of the project.The- the next initiatives are just bubble
diagrams,urn,because we know there's a lot of work to do on getting budget
alignment and then also just understanding, urn,what-um,where this building
needs to be or where this program needs to be. Urn,these aren't any particular
prioritized order,this is just top of the building working down. Urn,we wanted to
bring the function of the building and alignment with the four pillars of the Senior
Center.So the upstairs is lifelong learning,they currently have classroom space up
there.There's some acoustical challenges because you can hear everything
happening in the next room, urn, so re- re-envisioning those classroom spaces to be
more functional, urn, and to, um,just freshen up the spaces and bring them the
technology that we all expect and need for Zoom meetings and [NOISE] sort of
hybrid in-person and digital things.Also,acknowledging that this is a main entry of
the building and having some sort of entry at that sky walk. Right now you enter and
you're just sort of arrive at somebody's office, there probably needs to be a more,
um, appropriate entry.The mezzanine floor,which was originally- not maybe
everyone has been there,that was where the postmaster resided where you could
sort of look down over the mail sorting floor, which is where you guys had your-
your council meetings. Um, tha- that space we're recommending is for
administrative functions, for the safety and wellness of the- of the staff. It makes
sense to put all of them together in an office suite where if they needed to,they
could be separate from the public, um,they could potentially collaborate even more
effectively. Right now there's some sort of public functions in their office suite so
this is an opportunity to maybe make a nice distinction for that zone.Um, the main
hall kitchen would be the major project,urn,but then that space also needs some
minor, um, upgrades. Honestly, there's some beautiful historic terrazzo floors we
recommend keeping, this beautiful woodwork we recommend keeping. Um, there's
maybe some lighting updates,but really this is sort of refinishing of existing finishes.
Then finally,the lowest level,um, is currently the grade level or ground level, and
you- this is one of the three plans that we showed to historic preservation staff. Urn,
we really liked the idea of reinventing the front door to make it accessible,but
keeping those doors there, and having a way to arrive in the building where you
look right at the elevator,you see the stairs. It's a more clear vertical circulation
diagram, so we don't need a bunch of signs, people just intuitively know when they
walk in where that is.This would be the wellness floor,so effectively gym space,
weightlifting, and cardio spaces. Um, and this is probably a much more aggressive,
clean it all out,start over,there's not a lot of historic fabric down there. Um, as a
gym space, it has a sort of different character in need anyway. [NOISE] Um,we did
show other options for this, and I think that,you know, if this pro- project
progresses forward,there's opportunities for, um, different ways to enter the
building.We don't want to disrupt the front, urn,we're showing an one option
where maybe there's an after hours meeting room or you could close the whole
building off but only have one area. But all this would happen when we have a better
sense of what the budget is and what the needs are, um, but there's options and we
have enough here to identify costs. [BACKGROUND] Um, energy and carbon
reduction is a big driver for this project,um, and we were recommending complete
replacement of heating and cooling systems to arrive at that.To move from the
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current system that's more like your house, where it's hot and cold air moving
through ducts,to decoupling fresh air and heating and cooling. Um, and that's, urn,
one of the strategies to get us down to, uh, a net-zero building. There's not a good
way to,urn, do onsite renewable energy production,but it's appropriate and actually
best for this particular situation to just buy green energy, um, or offset it somewhere
else. Urn, but that's how you would- how you would arrive at that.The roof is full of
stuff.The parking garage,we briefly looked at that, it- it seems complicated and
expensive to you could arrive at the same place and have a net-zero building. So, um,
it's possible,but it's a cost driver. Urn, if we can do a major renovation of the project,
it's the opportunity to do that now though, is to change those systems out because
they're all above a ceiling.We put an all-new lights and everything.That's the time
to do it. Um,with a smaller budget and a smaller project, there could still be a
meaningful, uh, renovation to the building, but you will, I think,miss an opportunity
to completely re-envision the heating and cooling systems which are driving the
energy,uh, use for the building.This little chart here is, uh, energy use intensity. Um,
the building is currently maybe a little higher than we'd like it to be. Urn, the middle
column is 45 percent reduction,which could be done, um, with some minimal
upgrades and changes. In the far-right column, uh, no carbon, uh, is achievable for
this building, urn,but- um, at a- at a I guess a cost.And those costs, urn, I think you
guys have seen in the- in the packet,we've broken it into three pieces. Urn, the
exterior envelope, um, is probably has the most unknowns in it because it's an old
building. We feel this as an appropriate amount.There's contingency built into this
number, urn, but, um, it's necessary for now.And that includes stone restoration, as
well as some window work and then some small roof repairs where we're
rebuilding that exterior parapet I described, the leaning part of the building. Urn, the
kitchen project,kitchens are- commercial kitchens are very expensive. House
kitchens are very expensive. [LAUGHTER] Urn,so that's project number 2.And then
you'll see the-the-the last parts of the project are-we're currently saying nine
million dollars and that's-that's in today dollars. So the report that we provided did
show escalation over five years and 10 years that,urn, I- we through larger than
normal numbers at it,but we're all in a moment we're, uh,guessing how much
things are gonna cost in 10 years is- is tricky,so I wanted to say that out loud and
it's written in the report also, um, we've projected five and 10-year costs, but, urn,
we don't know what that is.And so, um, as LaTasha said,the current design that we
have is about seven million over the allocated CIP funding in today dollars. Do you
guys have any questions?
Weiner: I mean, I'm actually really glad that you- that you addressed the question of not
knowing or not being able to know the costs going forward because that was
actually something that I was going to ask,like we've seen construction costs,
material costs just go sky high and other- and other things that people have
estimated end up being,when we get the estimate-when we take it out to bid and
get the estimates in, it's much higher than we'd, it's because who knows right now.
And I- so I think we really need to be honest about that that we just don't know.
Moe: Yeah.
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Bergus: Can you talk a little bit about the kitchen renovation and what all that number
includes as far as that kind of first floor changes that would be made concurrent
with that knowing that that's at the beginning?
Moe: Sure. So the kitchen is fortunate in that it's on its own air handling unit. So it'd be
completely new mechanical systems for that space. Um, there is, um, every surface
would be removed in- in this current plan, all the flooring, finished material,the
ceilings, the walls, and this is a complete reconfigure of this- reconfiguration of this
space.All new architectural services, surfaces and all equipment. It's kind of why we
took this plan, which actually shows equipment a little bit further than the other
stuff because we wanted to get equipment costs in there. But, urn, it's set up with a
dry storage room, an area with laundry because they will teach laundry to people. If
you've lost a spouse who's been doing your laundry your entire life,they teach that.
Um, they can teach ki- cooking for big classes, cooking for one. Um,they can also use
it just as a functional commercial kitchen too.The large walk-in cooler currently
occupies a ton of space in there and it's, uh,wildly under-utilized. So you can give
some of that space back to make this into a more of a learning-um, a learning
kitchen with 12, maybe 15 people in-person.And we would amenitize it with
technologies that allow you to broadcast. But that's- that's the whole project cost.
Bergus: Okay.Thank you.
Teague: Is there any expansion of the kitchen or just working within its current confines?
Moe: We're keeping the kitchen in its same footprint because we did not want to disrupt
the big two-story ballroom space. So, um,we eliminate one of the- one of the big
overhead doors, it's currently where there's a dishwasher area,that you may or may
not think of as part of the kitchen.There's also a dish-washing situation here on the
bottom right corner. But, urn, it would be much more open and feel like more of the
kitchen, I think. Um, there is a small office too that we're- we're taking away, but,
urn, it's- it's mostly the same footprint.
Teague: Okay.
Harmsen: You had mentioned that there was some leakage coming from the roof. Um, and
that you thought that might be the ballast rail, but is there any chance that we could
be looking at the exterior, that there might be some other issues up there. Um,what
is that? Currently,what system is up on that flat roof then?
Moe: So the roof was replaced in, Kumi is it 2008?Yes. So the- the roof appears to be in
reasonably good condition,the-the flat white part. Urn, it's where that meets the
stone part is where we're concerned.And also that stone joints, that's where two
pieces of limestone meet one another, appear to be open in a lot of places.They just
need to be sealed up. So it's- there's a lot of potential places where the water could
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be coming in and it's always tough to sort of find that one spot. So this project would
do the whole thing so-
Harmsen: Is it currently a rubber roof up there or what is it?
Moe: Uh, I believe it's a PVC,so a plastic material, but thermoset.And most of that,by the
way,we were assuming it can be reused, it can be- the new part could be patched
into it. Because we believe that it still has life into it and we don't want to throw
anything away that still has life in it.
Harmsen: Sure,thank you.
Thomas: The uh memo talks about as part of this later phases, the high-level discussion as
to whether it's prudent to consider alternative locations that may better serve the
targeted population.And this- this has already been mentioned,but I- this part of it
concerns me and is curious to me as to what-what do we- what are we really talking
about there in terms of alternative locations?Another location in the downtown or,
you know?
Moe: We didn't- it wasn't my job to study other locations. I'm pretty comfortable talking
about the program that was identified to us and how it would work in this space.
Um,but, um,there were some challenges like the single elevator and the
accessibility and the three entrances that are not resolvable. Um,and so we left at
that. This could be- this is an amazing senior center. It can continue to be an
amazing senior center here. But, um, I think everyone's just doing their due
diligence. If you're going to spend that much money, is it the perfect building for it.
Oh, sorry.Yeah,you're the one who should answer that. Sorry. [LAUGHTER]
DeLoach: Um, I think also we had some commissioners and other folks saying this is a lot of
money, this is beyond the money that we have for CIP, have we thought about
looking at other locations? So we're just gonna take a moment and look at it. But
we're completely committed to being at our current location because it's historic for
us to be there. So it's just like okay,what else could- could we,you know,and we
have some other opportunities.And we have a lot- we would have a lot to discuss
and we know there are people that are firm about being in that location, but we- it's
a do diligence thing, right? Making sure that we're just following up,knowing that
it's such a large amount of money that if there's some other options that we go
ahead and look at, and if folks are saying no and they're willing to support us doing
that, then of course-
Thomas: I understand that it's-you know, it's-you have to ask the question.
DeLoach:Absolutely.
Thomas: It's a big question. [LAUGHTER]
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DeLoach: It is a- it is a question,trust me.
Thomas:And, uh,you know,you have that Ecumenical Towers next door-
DeLoach:Absolutely.
Thomas: -and,you know, a number of things I'm sure-
DeLoach: Absolutely.
Thomas: - in terms of how one accesses bus rides and so forth
DeLoach:And that was some of the issues. [OVERLAPPING]
Thomas: What the bus routes are? It's a- it's a complicated question.
DeLoach: It's a very complicated question.And because some of the issues that are not
going to be able to be addressed even with this large renovation is parking.We can't
get a bus route closer to the door because of how the streets are fixed. So,you know-
you know,some of our commissioners and other folks were like,well, let's at least
do our due diligence and look and see if there's another option,but we're definitely
completely committed to being in our downtown location.
Taylor: Thank you, Latasha, for your compassion and your caring for this. I mean,truly is a
beautiful piece of Iowa City history,beautiful building,and I appreciate the thought
of finding somewhere else,but it just seems like in with your planning, that this level
will be for this,this level for that. I mean,you've really thought that out and I think it
would be hard to find something comparable that you could separate out those
activities, and you had mentioned in being a benefit to the community.And, I mean,
it really does,um, serve for the health and welfare of- of people and even- even
young ones, I just noticed and I think Laurel appreciates this that the Family Folk
Machine is having a concert again very soon, and that includes young people, and it's
just- it's a great thing.And that the-whether you have the concert at the Englert or if
you have a smaller one, in that I think you've called the ballroom space, uh, it really
tends well for- for that and- and people- people enjoy that. So thank you.Thank you
to you and you're-the commission and-and all the folks that have been working on
this.
Alter: This might be prognosticating in ways that are not possible to do. But how confident
do you feel you can get 6-8 million in fundraising? [LAUGHTER] I'm sorry, I know
that's a bonus round.
DeLoach: We are going to do a study. Um, Friends of the Center, which is our- our arm of
our fundraising for The Center, is going to do a study here coming up um,in our next
fiscal year to look at a feasibility study.We're not sure. Um, $6-8 million is a lot of
money. [LAUGHTER] Um, I'm not saying I'm confident that we can get to that
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number.What I hope is - is that after we do this feasibility study, after we talk to our
stakeholders and members, etc. If we decide to stay in this space, that we will be
able to refine our design study on the inside.And there are some things we're just
going to have to give up.
Alter: That was my follow-up question to sort of like,you know,when you're planning a
budget,like here's where my Cadillac, Here's my Toyota, and here's my Pinto. Right?
So I was wondering if that- if that had started- if those conversations kind of-
LeTasha: Yeah. [OVERLAPPING] but the plane before you is our platinum plan, I just
wanted to be really clear about that,but I'm not opposed to silver. I can do it kind of
looks similar.
Alter: Um, gold.
DeLoach: Right?You know, I - I think we put out- this is what would make us just were
already incredible.This will just take us over the top, right?And being able to do
these things, especially our wellness area, because it's really is one of our biggest
parts that draws people in because $40 a year versus some of the other locations,
you just can't beat it. Especially the equipment is incredible,would allow us really a
lot of that work that's going to go in that lower-level. But we wanted to invest there.
We wanted to envision what it would be like to truly serve the people that we want
to serve um, in that space.And so like I said, that's our platinum plan. But as we said,
we're in the visioning and I don't know about dreaming small. So we -we we're
dreaming big and we realized that there's some refinement that can help bring that
cost down again back to Council Member Je -Weiner are saying that you know,we
don't know the cost.We don't know what it looks like.You know,it looked like one
number when we first started this plan and now it's looking like a different number.
So we-you know,we have our fingers crossed about the platinum plan, but we -we
are okay.We can make due - let me be honest,we could make due with what we
have, but we know we deserve better.We know that our population deserves better.
And we're appreciative of the CIP dollars that have been allotted because we haven't
had a major renovation in 40 years. So we're grateful for every dollar raised, every
grant that will come in the current dollars that we have.
I just like what you said,that it's well-deserved as well. So -
Thomas: I'm a strong believer.And you know,when you create a vision and you explain
very clearly where the money is going and what the improvements will be.The fact
that our major renovation hasn't taken place in 40 - over 40 hears that often if-if the
money will appear um.
DeLoach: I'm - I'm - I'm with you, I'm going to stand in that energy,in this project.
[LAUGHTER] And I also,you know,you hope for the best and you [LAUGHTER] plan
for the worse and I know people love this.
Page 13
Thomas: It's good to have contingencies [OVERLAPPING].
DeLoach: Yes,we have contingencies.
Thomas:What's essential and what's better means that you know, if money's there-
DeLoach: Absolutely.
Thomas: We could, we could tap into them. But I'm- I'm always impressed with how when
you think in a visionary way the money will show up.
DeLoach: Well, as long as we have you all support and just know that CIP can always be
expanded. So we are open to anything that you all are able to support us in our
mission to improve services to seniors.
Taylor: I think uh, the community support too, it's been shown [OVERLAPPING]
DeLoach:Absolutely.Absolutely.
Taylor: The fundraising has been excellent for the Englert,the film scene,the -the public
library,it's been there. Our community comes out when-when we need it and.
[OVERLAPPING]
DeLoach: Yes.And -And we have sometime not a little bit,not a lot of time. [OVERLAPPING]
We need a little bit of time to - to -
Taylor: Offer that-
DeLoach: To work towards this goal.And so our hope is to, once we have this kind of
finalized,to start working on some of that to -to see if we can move the dollars
around a little bit to be able to do the best work we can and- and get things moved
around in the building.
Weiner: You mentioned grants as well, LaTasha, saw that there are -there are federal
grants,state grants, or there were...
DeLoach: We think there's all different types of grants we've been talking with our historic
preservation folks about some -some grants around there. Other grants that might
be out there.There may be even somewhere in ARPA dollars.There might be some
opportunities there. Obviously, fundraising, and I want you all to be prepared to
come to any galas and speak to other people for us that will help us to get to where
we need to to be able to do the renovations that we need to.
Taylor: I think also,the ADA has come up quite often. I think there are probably some
things with compliance for that where you could get hopefully some funding for
those items too?
Page 14
DeLoach: Yeah, absolutely. I want to be really clear that we are ADA. Its about disability,
right? It's about that's a whole different thing,that's a whole different dream.And so
we-we want to be able to have tables.They can rise up and down when we're in
that kitchen so that if you're in a wheelchair or if you're able to stand or if you prefer
to stand if you have those options when you take that class.And so most things cost
additional money rather than just a table we're rolling in there, um so we want to be
as accessible as possible because we don't want to be able to serve whoever comes
through the door.
Teague: Thank you so much.
DeLoach: Absolutely.
Teague: Yes.You're beginning with the end in mind. During the day.
DeLoach: Always.Always.
Teague: Love it, love it,love it.Any other items?
Fruin: Just to help frame- frame that conversation up. Um, in a couple of months,you'll
probably have the Rec Facilities master plan.And I think one of the things we'll be
looking at are what are the opportunities that come together with both of those,you
can expect that you'll see um,significant capital costs identified in that plan when
you look at our existing rec centers, potential fu - future rec centers, pools and
things like that So um, ah, I think we've got a really good plan here, address the
exterior, in the way that it needs to be addressed these next few- this next year.And
then we'll be able to consider kind of everything together going forward. But the-
the 3.5 million that we have and the CIP for the interior works is a great start.And
we can- I think we can stretch that along way and - and improve that facility quite a
bit. Hopefully, there's some additional funding,six to eight million in fundraising,
probably not realistic in this case,but there will definitely be some value added
fundraising that we can pursue to um, continue to make The Center of the you know,
of the attraction that it is.
Clarification of Agenda Items
Teague: All right,we will move on to Clarification of Agenda Items. Hearing nothing,we're
gonna go to info packet,April 7th.
Information Packet Discussion [April 7.April 141
Bergus: I'll just highlight IP2,which was a letter from MediaCom regarding their affordable
connectivity program,which provides a discount for internet service.And that folks
couldn't, er, sounds like there's relatively broad eligibility for that program and that
folks can register on the MediaCom website or at fcc.gov. I was gonna ask staff if you
Page 15
happen to know Geoff, if ImOn- I mean,it sounds like this federal program, are there
other ISPs participating in the same way?
Fruin: [NOISE] Yes, I think no- no matter who your service provider is,you can go to the
FCC site and many of them, including ImOn are participants.
Bergus: Great.So affordable connectivity program,just wanna promote that.
Weiner: Well-yeah- so will we also be pushing it out and promoting it or is that for the- for
the, um, providers to do.
Fruin: We-we typically have the- allow the providers to do that,but if council wishes,we
can try to get a sense of who's participating in our area and- and send that out.
Weiner: I think it's something that- I mean, I don't know if we do it or someone else does it.
I think it would be useful to have it consolidated. I also think it would be useful to
have it in at least a couple of languages if that's- if something like that is possible
because there are plenty of people who may need the services who-who- for whom
English may not be completely accessible.
Teague:And I think getting our communication team involved just to, kind of, do some
messages on Facebook and other social media sites will be great.
Fruin: Okay.
Teague: Any other items from April 7th?
Harmsen: Probably worth highlighting the-the call for volunteers for the climate action
event,this coming Earth Day. Um,sounds like a really cool program where
volunteers walk through a neighborhood in Iowa city, go door to door with packages
to help homes be more of energy-efficient, uh,something that the city has done
before.And, uh,last I knew anyway,there's still looking for volunteers to help out
two different shifts, 9:00 AM to noon and 3 to 5 on Saturday,April 23rd,this coming
Saturday.
Tegaue: Okay, alright, info packet,April 14th.
Weiner: With resp-with respect to, uh, IP4,which is pending city council work session
topics.There's somewhere in our materials,ther- there was discussion of, um, the
indigenous peoples and Indigenous Peoples Day coming up. I would- I would really-
if we- if we could get consensus, I would love to push forward at least some- at least
some version of land acknowledgment by the time we hit it- Indigenous- Indigenous
Peoples Day. I think that would be- it doesn't have to be what others are using. I fou-
1 sent the City Manager,um,what I thought was a really helpful video that someone
forwarded me that the-the university group ha- has done that it sort of explains
Page 16
different levels and what-what language you could use, and what-the- the-there
are a whole variety of ways to approach it.
Teague: I do know it's a pending work section- session so,urn, if council wants to have that
discussion,we can certainly try to figure it out before then.
Weiner: We have plenty of time, I just want- I wanted to raise it now because I thought it
would be really good if that could all, urn, come to dovetail,uh, uh,in October this
year.
Bergus: Yeah,that sounds good, thank you.
Fruin: Do you want to pick a date to schedule that or you want to staff to just work with the
Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, and figure out what that needs to be? Okay.
Teague: Any other items from April 14th?Alright,we're gonna bring up USG. So the
University of Iowa student government, welcome.
University of Iowa Student Government (USG) Updates
Miglin: Hello, council? How are you all today?
Teague: Awesome and amazing.[OVERLAPPING].
Miglin: Good to hear,urn,so USG is gonna have a new administration starting Saturday,
April 30th. The inauguration is going to be at the Old Capitol Mall, starting at 1:30,
all of you are welcome to come. Um, U Iowa is also now a B-certified campus,
reinforcing Iowa's commitment to protecting pollinators, uh, pretty cool. Urn,
sustainability actions,speaking of,ah, USG passed a anti-carbon capture bill that the,
uh, GR committee presented to Senate a couple of weeks ago.uh,we will be sending
this legislation to the Iowa utilities board,who votes on the carbon capture pipeline
that will be going through Iowa, known as the navigator CO2 pipeline. Urn, USG, uh,
changed our bylaws wording of Latinx to Latine constituency Senator for the
constituency Senator seat. Um,the U Iowa campaign to organize graduate student
COGS, uh, petitioned to divest the Teacher's Insurance, Irma-Annuity Association,
um, from it's billions of dollars from oil fracking, gas, and coal that it receives, um,
uh, or funds. Um, uh, moving past or- oh my gosh, sorry,we have a lot of
sustainability announcements today. Uh, the last one, uh, relates to, um, U Iowa
receiving$21 million as a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric A-
Administration's. Urn, 360 million consordium to improve the nation's ability to
predict water-related hazards and effectively manage water resources. Um, finally,
urn, I will be transitioning to the City Liaison position, May 3rd.And we'll, and May
3rd will be Anna's last day, um, that will also be the day that we get our new Deputy
City liaison. So we're gonna have, like, a big a little [LAUGHTER], and another big,
um, so that'll be pretty fun. Um, that's all, thank you.
Page 17
Weiner: Can I ask you a quick question?
Miglin: Oh, of course.
Weiner: Where- do you know where the, um, the rental checklists stands currently at the-
in the statehouse?
Miglin: Oh, uh, I actually don't know, but I can follow up with you after- after this meeting,
awesome.
Council u p dates on assi ed boards commissions and committees
Teague:Alright,thank you. Council updates on assigned boards, commissions, and
committees. No?
Bergus: Oh, I should mention, I'm sorry. CPRB has its forum tomorrow evening,the 20th at
I believe starting at 06:00 PM, right Kellie? Um,which is on Zoom and you can
register online to attend that.
Teague: Okay.We did have our joint entities meeting yesterday, um, and I thought that was
a pretty good meeting we had. Uh, Matt Dagner and the school superintendent, kind
of, give some updates about their facilities plan. Um,it was unfortunate that we
didn't hear from GuideLink,um, but they plan to be at our next meeting,which will
be in June, correct?Yes,and that meeting will be hosted by the City of Coralville.
Alright.Any other updates? Hearing none,we're gonna be adjourned until 06:00 PM.