HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-16 Bd Comm minutes Item Number: 4.a.
CITY OF OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: March 18
Attachments: Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: March 18
March 18,2024
Approved Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Wright House of Fashion
Commissioners present: Louis Tassinary, Chad Simmons,Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity
Dillard,Lauren Merritt, Wangui Gathua.
Commissioners not present: Sikowis Nobiss.
Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 5:57 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Merritt read the Land Acknowledgement.
Data Collected on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and What it May Reveal about Racial
Injustice in Iowa City: Larry Schooler started with a review of the commission's agreements and
considerations.The presentation referenced other TRCs and their work including Greensboro's
TRC and their research strategies, Canada's TRC work related to indigenous people. Scheeler then
passed writing pads out for individuals to write down their thoughts on what a fact-finding
standard may be. The responses were read out loud and discussed amongst the commission. Slides
from the previous meeting were reviewed to give context for the information presented in this
meeting. New information presented included, ICPD traffic stops by race in the year of 2022 and
2023,a breakdown of the type of call for police service, and an additional potentially relevant case
regarding racial profiling by police in Iowa City. Commissioners were given time to ask questions
and have an open discussion concerning the data in the presentation and request additional
information. Some of which included,additional information on disproportionate stops,
individualized data on traffic stops, additional organizations doing similar work, fact-finding
survey sources, case investigations (unsolved suspicious deaths by race),police budgeting and
public safety funding.
The discussion was followed by an additional writing activity that invited commissioners to write
down their conclusions based on the data they have received from the presentations.
Preliminary Consensus on What to Include in a Future Final Report: Main conclusions shared
included there is missing data that would help to better understand the ways in which the police
protect the community, the ICPD is making an effort to improve their policing of all communities
and reduce bias, a desire to see more detailed information on missing data, disproportionality in
stops, locations, arrests and equity, and inadequacy in diversity on the police force and within
diversity training.Additional conclusions found were a need for greater funding of health/health
impacts and more data on discretionary and non-discretionary stops. Community data was also
mentioned as a direction to move in.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM. To view the recording or listen to the audio of this meeting,
visit this link.
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Item Number: 4.b.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: March 20
Attachments: Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: March 20
March 20,2024
Approved Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC}Minutes
Iowa City Coralville Boxing Club
Commissioners present: Louis Tassinary, Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard, Lauren
Merritt, Wangui Gathua, Sikowis Nobiss.
Commissioners not present: Chad Simmons.
Staff present: Redmond Jones.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: Approximately 6:00 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Dillard read.
Truth Telling: Community Member A(No name given)spoke about experiences they have had
with police and how it affected not only themselves but also their family.
Commissioner Johnson spoke as a truth teller and shared his experiences interacting with police
throughout his life. Commissioner Johnson shared his experience with police officers in his home
city, Philadelphia. He also spoke about his experience observing Iowa City police officers
operating in his neighborhood, where he observed discrimination towards particular demographics
more often than others. He then shared a story in which he had a direct interaction with ICPD
resulting in his arrest for what he recognized as racial profiling. Commissioner Johnson also spoke
on behalf of members of his gym (ICOR Boxing) who experienced interactions with the police
following them to the gym and insisting on lowering the volume of their music and making them
feel uncomfortable during their time spent at the facility.
Commissioner Johnson was thanked for speaking about his experiences. A discussion followed
Commissioner Johnson's truth telling regarding the culture of police mistreatment and white
privilege.
Katie Christensen spoke on being a member of the trans community. As a transgender athlete,
Katie has meant discrimination with USA boxing regarding its guidelines and rules for official and
unofficial athlete membership status. After Katie's truth telling the floor was opened up to
discussion and questions from other participants.
Commissioner Kiche asked how discrimination affected people's businesses, specifically minority-
owned businesses.Commissioner Johnson answered the question with his own experience as a
local business owner and the reality of the challenges he and gym members face on a regular basis.
Commissioner Johnson also spoke on the need for change at a local level. Community Member A
spoke about their experience as a business owner and the importance of having support from the
city, and the lack of city support going towards minority communities and businesses.
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Commissioner Gathua spoke about her experience working with the local Sudanese community
and the challenges faced by many African immigrants and refugees who were forced to leave their
neighborhoods and communities within Iowa City.
The Native Partners and the evening's truth tellers took a moment to recognize and honor the
stories told. A recognition/honor song was performed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
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Item Number: 4.c.
CITY OF OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: March 21
Attachments: Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: March 21
March 21,2024
Approved Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)Minutes
The James Theater
Commissioners present: Louis Tassinary, Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard, Lauren
Merritt, Wangui Gathua, Sikowis Nobiss, Chad Simmons.
Commissioners not present: None.
Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: Approximately: 6:09 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Dillard read the land acknowledgements.
Truth Telling:
The meeting began with a video documenting the aftermath of George Floyd's death that then
influenced the creation and role of the TRC. The Native Partners then an opening ceremony.
Melinda Salazar and David Ragland spoke on behalf of Think Peace.
David Ragland acknowledged the date of March 2"a being the International Day of the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination and spoke on his work with the Truth Telling movement. David spoke on
the work of the Truth Telling movement and acknowledged/thanked those speaking for the night.
Melinda read the agreements. Commissioner Dillard introduced the Truth Telling portion of the
meeting with background and expectations of the event. Community member Hanadi Elshazali
spoke on her and her's son experiences with the judicial system as a Sudanese immigrant.
Hanadi stated she felt that her and her son had no support from the legal system despite various
attempts to reach out for clarification, information,and attempts at clear communication
throughout the legal battle. Hanadi son was sent to prison despite her efforts to lessen his sentence
and understand the charges. She shared she has since found a lawyer willing to help and work on
her son's case that may help clarify earlier concerns.This also has led her to believe the legal
system failed her and her son due to racial discrimination and stereotypes. Hanadi then accepted
questions from the group.Hanadi stated that it is her hope to change the way immigrants are seen
in the community.
Hanadi continued to share her experience as an immigrant in Iowa City and what it is like adjusting
to a new way of life and a new community. Commissioner Kiche discussed the topic of mental
health with Hanadi and how it factored into her son's situation. Commissioner Tassinary
recommended reaching out to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Commissioner Simmons came to the front as the next Truth-Teller. Simmons shared his experience
as a 15-year-old when he experienced police officers pulling a gun on him and falsely accusing
himself and his friends of being involved in gang activity while playing basketball. Simmons
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introduced his friend"Big City"who served as a police officer. Big City shared his experience of
being a police officer in Chicago for 27 years.
Big City stated there have been changes in the police force due to pushes from the community,
including improved training efforts for officers. It was stated that it is important to make these
institutions feel uncomfortable in order to enact change. Big City also shared his belief that it is
important for communities to hold each other accountable and that there is a need for systemic
change. Commissioner Simmons then asked Big City about his experience being an officer as a
black man.
Big City shared the difficulties he faced as an officer along with some positive experiences he
gained from the job. An audience member asked Big City when he retired which he answered
2020. This led to a follow up question of what the police force was like before vs.after George
Floyd's death. Big City said the event caused a rift in the police department and the community as
a whole.
Commissioner Simmons commented on the challenges of the system that uphold these acts of
violence and the need to create an environment capable of change. Commissioner Johnson asked
Big City how the system manages people who speak out against it. Big City said it comes with
challenges due to legal barriers put in place however there are opportunities for people to come
forward and speak on their experiences.
Discussion with Big City about his experience on the Chicago Police Department and working
with the Chicago community continued. There was an interruption to the truth-telling event that
that was followed up with a Healing Circle lead by the Native Partners.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.
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Item Number: 4.d.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Airport Commission: February 8
Attachments: Airport Commission: February 8
MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
February 08, 2024—6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Judy Pfohl, Ryan Story, Hellecktra Orozco, Warren Bishop
Members Absent: Chris Lawrence
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath
Others Present: Dick Blum, Nancee Blum, Carl Byers, Matt Wolford, Megan Petkewec
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
None
DETERMINE QUORUM
A quorum was determined at 6:00 pm and Orozco called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Pfohl moved to accept the minutes of January 18, 2024, seconded by Story. Motion carried 4-0
(Lawrence absent)
PUBLIC COMMENT - Tharp introduced Dick Blum to the Commission. Blum said that he was a
long time pilot and former member of the Airport Commission, Blum stated that he also spent
some time working with Carl Byers. Blum stated that while he was a member of the aviation
community he was also a member of an advisory commission tasked to promote aviation among
the state of Iowa. Blum stated they started the Iowa Aviation Fairwhich would be known as the
Fly Iowa. Blum stated that he volunteered to bring it to Iowa City, Blum described the effort to
organize the event and bring in supporters. Blum stated that he was donating the shirt he wore
during the event to the Airport Commission and presented the shirt to the Commission. Members
thanked Blum for the presentation and donation.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION
a. Airport Construction Projects:
1. FAA grant projects
1. Runway 12130 Displaced Threshold/Relocation —Tharp stated
they had a meeting with the contractor planneil For later in the month
and once they had a better idea of the construction schedule he
would share that with everyone. Bishop asked how many
contractors were involved in the project. Byers responded that there
4 or 5 companies involved.
2. Terminal Area Study— Tharp stated they were doing a little bit of
"back and forth"with comments from the FAA and getting the report
Airport Commission
February 8,2024
Page 2 of 4
updated. Bishop asked if that was a good sign. Tharp stated that
at least there were keeping it on the top of the pile.
3. Solar Power Project — Tharp stated that he had forwarded the
notice of funding award for the project and that he spent a couple of
days talking to reporters for stories. Tharp stated that they still
needed a special meeting on March 41h in order to set a public
hearing to be held at the regular meeting on the 141. Members
discussed the schedule and confirmed the special meeting would
work. Tharp stated he would let CMT know that's the date to be
ready for. Tharp also noted that he's had a number of contractors
that have reached out as well.
it. Iowa DOT grant projects
1. FY23 Program
a. Terminal Building Improvements — Tharp stated that this
project wasjust waiting for consistent warm weather and the
contractor might be waiting for some final supplies. Orozco
asked about how it was being funded, to which Tharp replied
that it was being funded through a state grant.
b. Airport"Operations"
1. Budget—Tharp stated he had the budget meetings with City Council. Tharp
noted that he had communicated with the group that there was some
concern with the plan to demolish the current terminal. Tharp stated that
there had been some follow up conversations and it appeared that those
concerns had been resolved and that the Council was anticipated to approve
the budget as had been presented by the City Manager.
ii. Management—Tharp noted that there was a item to enter executive session
for his annual evaluation, but it appeared that that would be deferred for a
month for everyone to have an opportunity to give comments to Orozco.
Tharp noted the Iowa Aviation Conference was coming up April 16 & 171h.
Tharp noted that there was budgeted dollars for others to attend if desired.
Tharp stated there was 1 day that was better scheduled for anyone else to
attend. Tharp stated that he could send agenda information to the group.
Members discussed attending with some noting they had been to otherones.
Orozco signaled interest in attending. Tharp stated that he was planning
some extended weekend in May and June.
iii. Events—Tharp stated they are starting to populate the calendar with events.
He stated the autocross group had reached out for dates,and that he would
be reaching out to Summer of the Arts and the EAA Chapter for Young
Eagles day soon.
c. FBO t Flight Training Reports
I. Jet Air—Wolford stated there wasn't a lot on their end. Wolford noted that
they had a farmer with a snow thrower come in and help throw snow farther.
Wolford stated that after the snowstorms they had an entire side of the
runway that its lights were buried. Wolford stated that they had him move
snow from several areas around the airport. Wolford noted they had dosed
the runways a couple of times when the weather was really bad.
d. Commission Members'Reports—none
e, Staff Report—none.
Airport Commission
February 9,2024
Page 3 of 4
Consider a motion to go into executive session under Section 21.5(1)(1)of the Iowa Code to
evaluate the professional competency of individuals whose appointment, hiring, performance or
discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that
individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session. Motion to defer to March
meeting by Bishop,seconded Pfohl. Motion carried 4.0(Lawrence absent)
I. Evaluation of Airport Manager
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING— Members set the next meeting for March 14th, 2024 at
6:OOpm. A special meeting is set for March 4t1 at bpm.
ADJOURN
Story moved to adjourn,seconded by Bishop. Motion carried 4-0(Lawrence absent). Meeting
adjourned at 6:36pm.
317-S -Z-Oa-4
CHAT PERSON DATE
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Airport Commission
February 8,2024
Page 404
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
TERM0 0 0 l
w w a F4 0- g-+
p
r1;03c w wt m m w o A m to a m m
NAME EXP. wy w w w w w w w w w w w A NA
Warren 06/30126
Bishop ,YX X X X x X X X X X O/E .K. .. X O/E X
Scott Clair 06130123 X X X 01E 0/E WE OIE Not a member
Christopher 06130/25 OIE X OIE X X X X X X X X X X X OIE
Lawrence
Heileci
ktra 06130124
Orozco X XIE OIE O/E O/E r X X X X X X X X OIE X
Orozco
Judy Pfohl 06/30126 X X X X X X X x X X x x X x X
Ryan Story 06130/27 Not a member X O/E X 0/E X X X X
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
0 = Absent
0/E =AbsentlExcused
NM = Not a Member at this time
X/S = Present for subcommittee meeting
O/S =Absent, not a member of the subcommittee
Item Number: 4.e.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Airport Commission: March 4
Attachments: Airport Commission: March 4
MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
March 4, 2024—8:00 P.M,
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Judy Pfohl, Chris Lawrence, Ryan Story, Hellecktra Orozco, Warren
Bishop
Members Absent: ,
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath
Others Present: Travis Strait
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
i
None
DETERMINE QUORUM
A quorum was determined at 6:01 pm and Orozco called the meeting to order.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION I ACTION
a. Consider a resolution setting a public hearing on the plans, specifications, and
form of contract for the Construct Airside Ground Mount Solar Array project—Lawrence moved
resolution A24-04,seconded by Bishop. Motion carried 5-0
b. Consider a resolution setting a public hearing for a 5-year agreement with the
National Museum of the United States Air Force for the display of the F-86 jet. Lawrence moved
resolution A24.05, seconded by Bishop. Motion carried 5-0
ADJOURN
Lawrence moved to adjourn, seconded by Bishop. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:03
pm.
CHAIR ERSON DATE i
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Airport Commission
March 4,2024
Page 2 of 2
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023.2024
TERM
O N .i O + O •+ i y -� i � i O O
NAME EXP. NN N N N 1V A~f A`t N N hit N N N
ta W W W W W W W W W W W A A P
Warren 06/30/26
Bishop X X X X X X X X X O1E X X OJE X X
Scott Clair 06130123 X X 01E WE WE OIE Not a member
Christopher 06/30125 X OtE X X X X X X X X X X X OtE X
Lawrence
Hellecktra 06130/24 Xt OIE OIE OtE X X X X X X X X OIE X X
Orozco E
Judy Pfohl 06130126 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Ryan Story 06130127 Not a member X OIE X OIE X X X X X
Key.
X = Present
XtE= Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E =Absent/Excused }.
NM - Not a1Z�be{at this time
`pfd' tib :.a4
XIS �•I�e�er7 rs committee meeting
O/S =Absent, not a member of the subcommittee ? !
4
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Item Number: 4.f.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Climate Action Commission: March 4
Attachments: Climate Action Commission: March 4
MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
MARCH 4, 2024 -3:30 PM — FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVART HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Anderson, Michel Eynon-Lynch, John Fraser, Jamie
Gade, Zach Haralson, Wim Murray, Brinda Shetty, Michelle
Sillman, Angie Smith, Gabriel Sturdevant
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ben Grimm
STAFF PRESENT: Sarah Walz, Daniel Bissell, Sarah Gardner, Diane Platte
OTHERS PRESENT:
CALL TO ORDER:
Sturdevant called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 5. 2024 MINUTES:
Fraser moved to approve the minutes from February 5, 2024. Shetty seconded the motion, a
vote was taken, and the motion passed 10-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Action Items from last meeting (Staff):
• Staff contacted Tyler Baird, city forester, who will present at the May meeting
• Staff contacted Sarah Walz, transportation planner, who will present at this meeting
Upcoming Events:
• P&G presentation to City Council (March 19)
• Local Government Sustainability Efforts (AmeriCorps, March 16)
• Earth Expo (AmeriCorps, April 6)
• Neighborhood Energy Blitz (April 20)
• Shetty noted the UI Office of Sustainability website hosts an Earth Month Hub for events
UNFINISHED/ONGOING BUSINESS:
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
• Gardner summarized new updates since October 2023 and noted a change to the
spreadsheet: the elimination of the column for actionable items for commissioners.
• Sturdevant asked for details about the Midwest Air Source Heat Pump Collaborative.
Climate Action Commission
April 3 2023
Page 2 of 4
Gardner described the contractor training for all of eastern Iowa that is occurring at
Kirkwood's Cedar Rapids campus in April.
Eynon-Lynch asked about TR-2 "Require climate change analysis for new subdivisions
and rezoning." Gardner described reaching out to the original authors of the Accelerated
Actions document to discern the intention. Fraser filled in some details. Eynon-Lynch
noted potential for digging deeper into building equity into new neighborhoods. Gardner
offered to return to this topic in future discussions.
• Sillman asked about the heat pump "Get Pumped" campaign. Gardner described the
targeted messaging campaign aimed at residents and also businesses. A February
survey gathered information about heat pump related questions.
Haralson asked for details about the online solar dashboard for the Public Works
building. Gardner noted ideas in the works: installing a sign with QR code along the trail
in front of Public Works and replicating the dashboard for the Airport solar project.
• Sturdevant asked if there are changes to the Climate Ambassador program. Gardner
described the new in-person format for the next training and the changes to the
curriculum, including the activity borrowed from the Climate Resilience Corps program.
• Gade asked for details about Resilience Hubs. Gardner described partnering for the
Phase One planning process with Empowered Solutions, which was founded by the
former sustainability manager for Linn County who had helped establish two resilience
hubs in Cedar Rapids. Depending on pilot program success and funding, other partners
for resilience hubs will be engaged in year two or three.
• Fraser asked about the Strategic Communications Plan (SLPP-2). Gardner described
the "What R You?" insulation campaign, past and future, as well as other communication
messages.
• Sturdevant asked for updates about the Root for Trees program. Gardner summarized
its ongoing success.
• Shetty asked about Neighborhood and Population Outreach (AP-4). Gardner noted that
the Amy Colbert with Tippe College of Business is compiling a toolkit for equitable
outreach for the six-county area participating in the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
planning process. Gage asked if this toolkit would be able to be applied City-wide across
departments and divisions. Gardner said the hope is that it will be written in such a way
that other departments can draw portions from it to use in their own outreach.
• Gardner noted ICAAR has invited the Green Designations trainer back to do another
training, and that the trainer herself has written a grant to enable her to cover her own
fees. Fraser noted this indicated the training has become self-sustaining.
• Sturdevant asked for details about the Sustainability Operations Guide for Iowa City
organizations. Gardner provided context and noted a convening of Purchasing Officers
for cities across Iowa that will take place in May. Fraser emphasized the need, in
communications efforts, to understand audience.
• Sillman asked about the collaboration with Iowa City Public Library for native plantings
on the Ped Mall. Gardner described the work in progress, noting the signage will connect
with Spot the Hot efforts.
Visioning indicators of success in climate action
• Commissioners discussed prioritization and potential metrics from the 2018 Climate
Action and Adaptation Plan summary of actions.
• Eynon-Lynch noted the rationale for devising metrics: many actions summarized in
CRAP updates will likely not be reflected in measurable GHG community emissions, but
some way of measuring or reflecting these successes would help assign value to them.
2
Climate Action Commission
April 3 2023
Page 3 of 4
• Commissioners reviewed the list of actions from the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
and each shared what they felt to be the top priorities. Collectively, these were: compact
and contiguous development(2.4), on-site renewable energy systems and electrification
(1.4), and tree canopy (4.6), which all received four to five votes
o Other prioritized actions receiving two to three votes included: community solar
projects (1.5), funding mechanisms (5.4), energy efficiency in residences (1.1),
public transit (2.1), community gardens and access to healthy, local foods (5.2),
local products and responsible purchasing (5.3).
o Other actions receiving a single vote included: energy benchmarking (1.6),
emerging technologies (2.2), bicycle and pedestrian transportation (2.3),
commuter options/passenger rail (2.5), recycling at multi-family properties (3.1)
composting (3.2), reducing consumption (3.3), communications and outreach to
connect with vulnerable populations (4.2), and public health especially as it
relates to heat (4.3).
• Metrics ideas offered:
o number of people biking
o square foot per resident (home size) or square footage of pavement per capita
o tons of waste in the landfill
o dollars invested in climate initiatives
o dollars saved through community solar
o survey on the health impacts of trees, particularly mental health
• Other ideas mentioned:
o The shift to "electrify everything" is reflected in 1.4 and 1.5.
o Funding mechanisms are seen to impact everything else. Policy change can also
be a lever.
o Routes, Sunday busses, and a more regional transit plan all support equity.
o Adding storage (battery)to 1.4 will help load-leveling and resilience of the grid.
o Community gardens may benefit from an educational component.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion of Bicycle Master Plan
• Sarah Walz from Johnson County MPO presented on the Bicycle Master Plan, as
summarized in the slides in the agenda packet. Due to lack of time for discussion,
commissioners will send questions to Climate Action staff and Walz will return to a future
meeting.
RECAP:
• Confirmation of next meeting time and location:
o Monday, April 1, 3:30-5 p.m., Emma J. Harvat Hall
• Actionable items for commission, working groups, and staff:
o Invite Sarah Walz back.
ADJOURNMENT:
Eynon-Lynch moved to adjourn, Smith seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion
passed 10-0. Meeting adjourned 5:05.
3
Climate Action Commission
April 3 2023
Page 4 of 4
CLIMATE ACTION
COMM ISSIONATTENDANCE
RECORD
2023-2024
NAME TERM EXP. w w w N ti N a
w w w w W
Michael 12/31/2025 NM O/E X
Anderson
Michel Eynon- 12/3112024 X X NM X X X X X X NM X X
Lynch
Elizabeth 12131/2025 X X NM O/E X
Fitzsimmons
John Fraser 12/31/2024 X 0/E NM X O/E X X X NM X X
Jamie Gade 12/3112025 X O/E NM X X X 0/ X X NM X X
E
Ben Grimm 1013112023 X X NM X O/E X X X X NM X 0/E
Zach Haralson 12/31/2025 NM X X
Matt Krieger 12/31/2023 X X NM X O/E X 0/ X O/E
E
Jesse Leckband MidAmerican X X NM X
Rep
Wim Murray MidAmerican X X X X X NM X X
Rep
Michelle Sillman 12/31/20025 O/E O/E NM X X X X X X NM O/E X
Brinda Shetty UI Rep X X NM X 01E X X X O/E NM X X
Angie Smith 12131/2025 X X NM X X
Gabe Sturdevant 12/31/2024 X X NM X X X X O/E X NM X X
Matt Walter 12/31/2023 O/E X NM X X X X 0/E X
KEY:X= Present
0 =Absent
O/E =Absent/Excused
NM= No Meeting
* No longer on Commission
4
Item Number: 4.g.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Community Police Review Board: March 12
Attachments: Community Police Review Board: March 12
FINAUAPPROVED
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES — MARCH 12, 2024
CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Ricky Downing called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ricky Downing, Jessica Hobart, Saul Mekies, Orville Townsend
MEMBERS ABSENT: Melissa Jensen, Jam MacConnell, Amanda Remington
STAFF PRESENT: Staff Tammy Neumann, Legal Counsel Patrick Ford, Kellie Grace
OTHERS PRESENT: ICPD Lt. Jeff Fink
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Remington, seconded by Hobart, to adopt the consent calendar as presented.
Minutes of the meeting on 02/13/24
• Updated member roster
• ICPD Use of Force Review/Report - October 2023
ICPD Use of Force Review/Report— November 2023
ICPD Use of Force Review/Report— December 2023
Motion carried 4/0. Jensen, MacConnell, Remington absent.
NEW BUSINESS
Recognition of Iowa City Police Department—Townsend asked Lt. Fink if there is a recognition
program to award officers for a job well done. Fink reported that there is an awards program within the
Department only. Townsend suggested that the Board discuss the idea of creating a recognition
program within the CPRB Board for Iowa City Police Officers. This item will be added to Old Business
on the April 2024 agenda for continued discussion.
OLD BUSINESS
Report of Public Participation in CPRB Streamed &Zoomed Meetings —Staff provided a requested a
report from Communications/Cable TV showing the number of community members participating in the
live stream and Zoom services for CP-RB meetings since beginning the service in August of 2023. The
report was included in the meeting packet for the meeting. In summary, the report showed very little
participation, and, in most cases, it was staff attending during the set-up process. Townsend
suggested that the service be discontinued with the option that if a situation arose that warranted these
services, they would be offered at that time. Staff reminded the Board that in-person members are
always invited to attend all CPRE meetings. Staff also reminded the Board that all City commission
meetings are recorded and made available for viewing within a few days of the live meeting.
CPRB
March 12, 2024
Page 2
Motion by Townsend, seconded by Downing, to discontinue live stream and Zoom services for the
Community Police Review Board meetings.
Motion carried 4/0. Jensen, MacConnell, Remington absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
No public comment.
BOARD INFORMATION
Mekies requested the Police Department share the protocol used when determining when a mental
health liaison/social worker is called to assist an officer during a call. This item will be added to New
Business on the April 2024 agenda.
STAFF INFORMATION
Neumann announced that this evening was her last meeting as she is retiring from the City on April 5,
2024. She shared that Connie McCurdy has been hired for this position and will begin with the City
Clerk's office on March 25 and will be present at the April meeting.
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE and FUTURE AGENDAS fsubiect to chancel
• May 14, 2024, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Room
• June 11, 2024, 5:30 PM., Helling Conference Room
• July 9, 2024, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Room
• August 13, 2024, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Room
The Board agreed no changes are necessary to the existing meeting schedule.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Townsend, seconded by Mekies, to adjourn into Executive Session based on Section
21.5(1)(a)of the Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or
federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for that government body's
possession or continued receipt of federal funds, and 22.7(11) personal information in confidential
personnel records of public bodies including but not limited to cities, boards of supervisors and school
districts, and 22-7(5) police officer investigative reports, except where disclosure is authorized
elsewhere in the Code; and 22.7(18) Communications not required by law, rule or procedure that are
made to a government body or to any of its employees by identified persons outside of government, to
the extent that the government body receiving those communications from such persons outside of
government could reasonably believe that those persons would be discouraged from making them to
that government body if they were available for general public examination.
Motion carried 4/0. Jensen, MacConnell, Remington Absent.
Open session adjourned 5:51 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
Returned to open session at 5:53 p.m.
CPRB
March 12, 2024
Page 3
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Townsend, seconded by Hobart to adjourn-
Motion carried 410. Jensen, MacConnell, Remington absent.
Meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.
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Item Number: 4.11h.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Historic Preservation Commission: February 8
Attachments: Historic Preservation Commission: February 8
MINUTES APPROVED
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FEBRUARY B, 2O24 -5:3UPM — FORMAL MEETING
E&YyWAJ. HAR\6ATHALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Deanna Thomann, Andrew Lewis, Margaret Beck, Jordan Ge||erQren'
Nicole Villanueva, Frank Wagner, Christina\Ne|U-Reynn|ds. Noah Stork
MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Brown
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow
OTHERS PRESENT: Gary Skanda' {;iMa|ieSwaim, Bob Wise, Phil Beck, Susan Futrell, Nancy
Carlson, Tom Curtis, Ma0/bmthS|onneger. Lou Taaeinory. Lisa
8ucknninster
CALL TO ORDER:
Se||ergr8ncalled the meeting toorder mt5:3Up.am
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
Public Hearing- Discuss Landmark designation for 302-316 East Bloomington Street (Slezak�
Bristow firstnoted the report that was included inthe agenda packet had 8map that has since been
switched out, originally included was the one that states it is the local Northside Historic District but
since the whole report is from the perspective of the National Register it was switched out with the
Gilbert/Linn Street Historic District that's listed in the National Register. The packet that goes on to
Planning &Zoning and City Council will have the corrected map. Bristow also want to point out that
she has received numerous emails about this agenda item and has emailed them to the Commission.
Those emails will be added to the packet that goes on to City Council. Anything that came in after noon
today or after this meeting will just move on to the Planning &Zoning meetings.
Bristow began by showing a map of all the historic districts and conservation districts in Iowa City as
well as the local landmarks. She pointed out the location of the subject building in the North
Marketplace, the north part of downtown Iowa City. Bristow stated she would talk very briefly about the
building and not cover the whole history as it's all in the report. The property is agroup 0fconnected
buildings that were begun in or about 1875 and built out by about 1880. They include the large S|ezak
Hall, it had a dance hall on the upper floor and two grocery stores on the lower floor, the uses in the
back portion changed over time, sometimes it was a saloon and sometimes a dining hall. The building
is an Italianate structure with brackets and a wide eave overhang. She noted a lot of the details on the
building as well as the tall windows with the brick hood molds. With Italianate architecture there are tall
arched windows, but the top part was filled in when Joseph Holub remodeled that portion of the building
around 183Oand made the hall into apartments. Onthe Linn Street fagade there have been very few
changes since the 1A3U$, the entrance area that might have been tmthe saloon and dining hall has
been filled, with the cornice and brackets remaining and another window was filled in too. The
apartment entrance behind the three-story |te|ianate structure has more elaborate hood molds and mn
elaborate cornice that includes not only the brackets but triglyphs and metopes. In the back is a lower
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 2 of 12
two-story building that was a carriage house and laundry and had sleeping quarters over time. It was
remodeled into apartments with mid-century windows and doors. The Laundromat and the main hall
building both have an ornate baroque pediment that reflects the Eastern European origins of this family
as immigrants. The laundry building was a stable and a feed barn at one point in time and also a
garage. Bristow showed a picture of the back of this building where there was a sliding stable door and
an upper door to potentially a hay mound or something like one would see with a stable or a barn.
Bristow next reviewed the history of the process being discussed this evening. The Commission has
long considered this building to be a potential local landmark. In 1996 when they designated the first
landmarks, they were already thinking about what the next group of landmarks would be and this
building was on that list. Nothing really happened with that list over time and in 2015 the Commission
reviewed potential landmarks in Iowa City and again this building was prominently on that list. At that
time they did not proceed with landmarks because of a major City Council change over that was
happening at the same time. Now after years of being owned by the same family the building went up
for sale and there were former commissioners, former staff members and members of the public who
addressed the Commission to proceed with a local landmark designation.
The Commission is charged with determining whether or not the property meets conditions for local
landmark eligibility. In order to be a local landmark in Iowa City a property must be significant to the
community architecturally or through its use, it must then also have integrity which always means that
its original or historic materials are still intact. In addition, aligning with National Register criteria, it must
meet one of the following four criteria.
1. That it's associated with events that are important to Iowa City's history (C).
2. It could be associated with a significant person in the past (D).
3. It could also be significant because of a specific architectural style or a specific architect or
engineer(E).
4. It could be significant because of archaeology and what it tells about the history and prehistory
(F).
Once the Commission determined that they would proceed with local landmark designation the Friends
of Historic Preservation hired historian Jennifer Price to write the report, and she determined that the
property is eligible both in the category of events and for its architecture. The report summarizes the
cultural importance of the building to the Iowa City community because it is associated with both the
ethnic and commercial history of Iowa City's Northside Neighborhood. Price continues that the complex
of brick Italianate style commercial buildings at the corner of East Bloomington and North Linn Streets
was a one-stop shopping, dining, lodging, entertainment and cultural center for the ever-growing
Bohemian American community in Iowa City and northern Johnson County. The National Hall on the
second floor was home to Iowa City's many Bohemian fraternal and community organizations that used
the hall for their meetings and housed a comprehensive cultural library. Even by 1900 the building was
considered one of the landmarks of the City. Additionally, Price details in the report a very complex
history, all owned by one family. For instance, Joseph Slezak ran it for 25 years and then passed it on
to his son Joseph Holub. Joseph remodeled it again and as the National Hall wasn't being used
anymore, it became apartments and he was running the boarding house in the back, the three-story
building, as a hotel by 1920. The former stable garage became the laundromat in 1958 and Pagliai's,
originally called Pizza Palace, moved in in 1969. In addition to being significant as an event, the fact
that this was used by the Bohemian immigrants and brought in others throughout the County to all of
the uses within the building it is also significant for its architecture because it is such a pristine example
of commercial Italianate architecture. One of the last remodels was 55 years ago when Pagliai's came
in.
Bristow and Sellergren were able to visit the inside of this building and even though the interior is not
part of how they evaluate local landmarks, it has enormous integrity on the interior as well and has
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 3 of 12
been very well cared for over time. So based on the architecture and the fact that it's significant for
events, staff finds that it not only meets that criterion, A and B, but also C and E.
Staffs recommended motion is to move forward with the local landmark based on the fact that it meets
criteria A B, C and E.
Gary Skarda(owner of the building and apartments) is the fifth-generation owner and his daughter,
Victoria, is the sixth generation. Skarda grew up in the business, he worked for his father helping with
all the maintenance that had to be done at the building. He has no siblings, so it was really upon him to
take over the business. He has worked for the government and has a degree in economics, but he was
meant to come back to manage the building. He grew up getting apartments ready and cleaning out the
furnace, he was a small boy and would crawl into the small furnace door and sweep out the debris.
Obviously, this building has been a big part of his life and he pointed out to the council that the
apartment building is privately owned, it's not owned by the City, it's a private business and one of the
reasons why he had not put the building on the historic registry is because it would reduce the
marketability of the building. Skarda figured that one day when he obviously would be unable to do the
things he used to do he would need to sell. His father had opportunities to sell the building early on but
Skarda said he would operate it. He has people now helping, he has a maintenance man on the
premise and another man who collects the rent and so on. Skarda stated he doesn't even make a dime
off of the building anymore since the pandemic, he had a squatter in one of the apartments who was a
drug addict and almost destroyed that apartment, so Skarda had to refurbish that apartment. Skarda
noted since the building is private owned, again it's been in his family for five generations, he doesn't
think it's fair since he had not registered the building himself, that the City does. His offer to the City is
if they'd like to keep it the way it is they can buy it from him and then have their landmark here in Iowa
City. Skarda agrees it is a landmark certainly, but it does take a lot of maintenance. The University
could purchase the building because they have a need for one-bedroom apartments. Skarda
acknowledged he'd like to see whoever buys the building to keep it the way it is but for the City to tell
him he is unable to develop that area is wrong. Obviously, Skarda has talked to a couple of
developers, and they said it's doable in terms of developing in that area, as it's half a square block, so
certainly that would be an alternative. He would rather have somebody take it over and keep it the way
it is but it's a building and it takes a terrific amount of maintenance and unfortunately, he is unable to do
what he once was able to do. It is certainly a landmark of Iowa City, but it's still private property and he
should make the ultimate decision in terms of what would happen to the building. Again, if the City
would like to buy it that would be perfectly fine with him and then they can keep it as a landmark. He
has not registered the building because he knew that would reduce the marketability of the building.
Sellergren acknowledged Skarda for being such a wonderful steward of the building noting it's truly one
of the most beautiful buildings in town and everybody is quite appreciative of the work he has done.
Bristow stated she should explain what a landmark designation means. The local landmark designation
is a zoning overlay that makes it subject to review of exterior changes, not interior changes, to the
property by the Commission or staff. It also makes it eligible for repair funding through the Historic
Preservation Fund and eligible for state tax credits for repair work. It would prevent the demolition of the
building and prevent changes that are not be approved by the Commission. Bristow noted that
Sellergren had asked the planning staff to come up with a development proposal as to what's possible
on the site and the site is limited because of parking. In fact, right now, it's grandfathered in as it doesn't
have enough parking for the apartments that it has currently, so adding more building to the lot wouldn't
be possible because of lack of parking. If the whole thing was taken down, of course it could be
redeveloped, but not likely as large as the building that's a block to the south because there would not
be enough room on the site.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 4 of 12
Ginalle Swaim (Friends of Historic Preservation) began by thanking the Commission for doing the
important work that they do all the way from doors and porches to things like districts and landmarks.
She also thanked Mr. Skarda for the incredible stewardship of this building, they have all admired this
building so much and for so long because of the work that his family and he has done in the last many
years. Swaim would like to venture tonight to say that this building represents more aspects of Iowa
City's local history than any other single building in Iowa City. Swain addressed criteria, the events that
have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. That broad pattern being
immigration, ethnicity and assimilation. One could substitute any ethnic group that has come to the US
and see these steps. In this case, they're talking about the Bohemian immigrants who left Austria and
Habsburg Empire in the 1850s and by the 1870s many had put down roots between Iowa City and
Cedar Rapids and by 1912 Bohemians were one fifth of Iowa City's population, the other two larger
ethnic groups being Irish and German.
A major part of that broad pattern is ethnic identity, the identity in Joseph Slezak's Hotel quickly
became"the recognized headquarters for his nationality. Bohemian and social aid societies met there
in the upstairs hall."These kinds of societies were a national phenomenon, they were meant to aid and
assist immigrants coming to Iowa City as one of our Iowa City favorite Bohemian's, Shimek said, "the
dangers that confronted a stranger in a strange land". So even if they are coming to a place where
other people of their ethnic group were already living, there still were so many unknowns and having a
social aid society being there to welcome them and help them was very helpful. It could teach them
about the new customs and the new laws and offer aid during illnesses and death and certainly
celebrate their ethnic roots. One example of that kind of celebration is when in the social hall there was
a play and a dance held to benefit the Herzegovina rebels, a Serbian uprising against the Ottoman
Empire, so already it's very clear that this is a part of the Bohemian culture and history and they're
proud of it. Now they're part of that broad pattern language to huge part of ethnic culture and everyday
life and persisted in Iowa City for a long time. East of Slezak Hall was Goosetown, a Bohemian
enclave, that Goosetown historian Marybeth Slonneger calls "a neighborhood of close ties held
together by their native language". She writes that it took about three generations to lose the Bohemian
language. By the 1880s Iowa City had four newspapers and one was Bohemian which gives a sense of
how important that language was to the identity of Bohemian immigrants. Even into the 20th century
Bohemian language resonated, when Joseph Slezak's grave marker was put up in 1912 in Old St.
Joseph's Catholic cemetery the carving was all done in Bohemian. The top of the sign outside the
Bloomington building still said into 1912 narodni sin which translates National Hall and affection for the
language persisted for decades, especially the phrase narodni sin. When Irving Weber wrote in 1981
about the building, readers contacted him because he had misspelled narodni sin so this identity with
this custom and language persisted. Even today you still see dozens and dozens of the same
surnames in Iowa City.
Another part of this broad pattern is becoming part of the social fabric, the social hall upstairs was used
for entertainment and for music. In 1878 the City directory called it a place to trip the light fantastic toe.
There was stage, stage scenery lights, chairs, occasionally decorations, fireman's balls were held in the
social hall. This was the era of community bands and there are actually laws allowing towns to have
community bands and the union band in Iowa City, all eight members were Bohemian. Well into the
20th century, the Jolly Club met there which was comprised of"German and Bohemian families having
weekly dances, costume parties, private parties". So even though there are changes coming,they're
still hanging on to this identity and that is characteristic of the patterns of immigration. Another part is
becoming part of the local commerce. Iowa City was a market town and drew farmers from outlying
villages, Mr. Slezak knew what Bohemian farmers needed and if they were coming from Swisher or
Shueyville they probably needed a place to stay overnight, a place to park their buggies and their
horses, and a place to do their shopping. There was a reason he called it a farmer's hotel and
advertised it early as the popular farmers stopping place. One could buy foodstuffs there certainly but
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8,2024
Page 5 of 12
also crockery, tin, machine oils, nails. Grocery stores held far more than what is today, so it was a place
to stock up. His son-in-law, Joseph Holub followed this pattern to commercial success. In 1901 when
he became the proprietor, he'd become a local clerk at a store that apparently had made lots of friends
according to the paper, and then became the proprietor of"The National Hall, the Farmers Home, the
grocery store and all the other business ventures entered in the Slezak Hall". Holub had "a fine outlook
for prosperity and fortune". So this happy trajectory of the immigrant coming, making a stake and
making great success is seen in this story.
Then the final part of immigration is often, not always, assimilation and transition. In the history of this
building we see that in even simple things like the residential transitions, it's no longer hotel rooms now
it's apartments for university students, meaning when it became no longer needed as a hotel there was
a need for workers who wanted to walk to their jobs downtown because perhaps they didn't own a car,
then a transition in transportation caused the livery stables to become a garage, which was a very
common change from places that help service needs of the horse rider. Like many blacksmith shops
turned in to car mechanics shops so seeing this livery stable become a heated garage is also another
typical trait. The social transitions in the building were fun to watch. They're no longer having local
ethnic events but were having a 1925 basketball and dance between Williamsburg and the National
Guard at the hall. In 1930s they have seen the great hallmarks of American mainstream society, that
being a self-service grocery store that sold Jello in 1950s and a coin operated Laundromat that by the
1960s is the mother lode of American mainstream culture, a pizza place that also sold T shirts. This
was not unique in Iowa City. In 1879 there were at least 11 other hotels, there were dozens of saloons,
dozens of grocery stores, other social halls, even other ethnic social halls. There were other livery
stables, other commercial successes, but what's unique in that this building served all of these
purposes. This one building follows the broad sweep of immigration and ethnic history in the US. This
building holds so many stories and so much meaning as a major part of American history and of local
Iowa City history.
Bob Wise stated he investigated the property and certainly respects Mr. Skarda's position in where he's
at and what has taken place in his life. Wise was born in Iowa City in 1950 and stayed here until 1972
when he moved to Minnesota. He moved back in 2008 and has watched a lot of changes downtown.
He's watched Iowa City lose a lot of buildings. He went to school here and high school here. He doesn't
know how many people on the Commission were around in 1965 when this City Hall building was built
and as he will call it, destroyed the Town Hall and the original fire station which sat on Washington and
Linn. In looking at this property in question tonight, and certainly with everything that Swaim mentioned
he didn't know growing up in Iowa City Washington and College and Iowa Avenue wasn't the original
plot. The original plot sets the north end being where this building is at. Although looking at it on the
map it didn't really come into that area until the Linn/Dubuque corridor was added. Taking the
architecture of that building, and the area that's around it, and look at what's now vacant, the parking lot
between George's and the Bluebird Caf6, the large structure which has been built where the Pearson
drugstore was when he was growing up, it really kind of looks like a sore thumb. So historically, if they
can keep some of those buildings landmarked as historical buildings connected to not only the culture
of the area, but the history of the area that's something that he thinks that they have to consider. If they
lose this building, they can put up a plaque and he's seen it done throughout Minnesota towns where
he lived and left but then they'll have the Union Brewery, have John's Grocery and in all possibility with
the University having purchased Mercy that may get expanded and take over a larger area and what
was known as the original City plot will be lost to commercialization and the history will be forgotten, the
nationality will go away. Wise acknowledged the Commission has a hard decision to make but he
hopes it will be to consider this as a landmark property of historical value to the City.
Phil Beck has lived in Iowa City since 1975 and wants to thank the Commission for bringing this
proposal up for consideration. He is in great support of the idea of giving this property local historic
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 6 of 12
landmark status. It is a beautiful building and it's already been a landmark in the Northside
Neighborhood for a century and a half. It anchors that whole neighborhood on its northern side and to
tear it down would diminish the beauty and historic character of the entire block. Its architectural style
very well matches the strip of buildings on the east side of Linn Street. In addition, its past use as a
gathering place for the Bohemian and Czech community in Iowa City makes it a very important
monument to the diverse ethnic history of the City. As someone with Czech heritage in his own family
that is very meaningful to him. Finally, the fact that for the past 60 some years it's housed one of Iowa's
City's most popular and iconic restaurants, Pagliai's ensures that this building, Slezak Hall, is important
not simply for its age, or its architectural character, but because it continues to serve as a vital part of
the business and cultural life of Iowa City. Wise thinks it must be preserved and enthusiastically
supports designating it a local historic landmark.
Susan Futrell lives in the Northside Neighborhood in Iowa City is a member of the Friends of Historic
Preservation and agrees with the arguments on behalf of this property on a historical basis and this
Commission's charge of stewarding those resources seems pretty clear. She just wanted to add some
perspective about how she has been thinking about this building in terms of the future rather than the
past. A couple of other people have spoken in reference to the fact that having a building with this
beautiful architecture and the scale as well as the history is part of what makes all of the surrounding
parts of our town desirable and valuable and have character and Futrell thinks the City always has a
tough job to balance the places where development in the sense of tearing something down and putting
something new is appropriate. But there there's another path to building economic value in a piece of
property and developing it in a creative way that doesn't have to mean tearing down what was there
before. She can point to lots of places in Iowa City and other towns like the Englert Theater and the
brewery building where the James Theatre went, that was some creative thinking about how to develop
that property for the future and doing so here could really add value to all of the residential and
business properties in the surrounding area, including the downtown and really do justice to the
stewardship of the Skarda family and how beautifully they've taken care of that building. It would be an
opportunity to leave that legacy for future use and she just wants to encourage some future thinking as
well.
Nancy Carlson lives on Jefferson Street and came here in 1965 to go to school and never left. The
people who built this building and helped build Iowa City are gone. This building is an
acknowledgement of their existence and their contribution to Iowa City and by preserving this building
the City is acknowledging and honoring their contribution.
Tom Curtis wanted to just say this building should be saved. He has been in and out of Iowa City for 80
years and his wife and he just moved back to Iowa City from San Diego. People ask why they ever
would want to leave San Diego, it's paradise out there, but there's a charm in Iowa City. He was born
here and loves this community but what he's seen is a creeping ugliness of buildings being torn down.
The thing that got him upset is the development aspect, Curtis really admires the stewardship of this
building and acknowledged it's a real difficult decision to make, but once the building is gone
developers are just looking at how much money they can make from a property. Curtis hopes there's
some resolution that this gentleman can be awarded the financial settlement that he deserves.
Marybeth Slonneger stated every time she goes by this building she has to recall the 1990s when she
started interviewing elders from the Goosetown community that eventually led into a book she wrote
called Small, But Ours. She interviewed Marge Hayek and they had some wonderful visits together
and one of the things that she just brought up was her remembrance of all the wonderful evenings, the
dances, and social events that took part in this building. Hayek even brought out her collection of dance
programs and she was just delightfully reminiscent about the evenings in this building. So Slonneger
always thinks of Hayek and these people that were part of that community and how much they enjoyed
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 7 of 12
it. Slonneger also noted that at one time the Holubs were offering meals for 25 cents in this building,
and those 25 cent meals would have been cooked by Bohemian women that were known to be good
cooks. They also got a beer with each meal. They've lost that opportunity but hopefully they can save
this beautiful, beautiful building.
Lou Tessinary stated he wanted to offer a slightly different perspective. Looking at that building, he
doesn't see just a historic structure, he sees an incredible amount of embodied energy and an icon of
adaptive reuse. To him that's almost enough. Regardless of what the criteria are they have to just be
thinking about that. The way that building over this stretch of time it's been around has served multiple
different functions sort of demonstrates that it can continue to serve multiple different functions and
should continue to serve multiple different functions. A challenge to the Commission is that with every
benefit, there's a cost and the current owner said he didn't designate it because it was going to reduce
the value. Tassinary personally doesn't agree with that but does agree that it is incumbent upon them if
they're going to designate something as a landmark, that part of their charge is to help the owner find
the right buyer who values what that building is and doesn't just see it as a potential blank slate, but
sees it is more than that, and is therefore willing to pay the fair and appropriate price for the structure.
Lisa Buckminster has been a resident of Iowa City since she was born and is of Czech heritage. Her
mother would tell her stories about things that would go on at that building and when they would visit
Pagliai's it was just such a great memorable experience to do that with her family. Buckminster feels
like they have lost a lot already, originally the plan was to try to keep buildings under a certain limit to
not affect the skyline and that sort of thing, but lately the builders are just out of control with the vision of
what was really originally wanted as a community. This building is so important, and she wishes that
they would try to take into consideration the historical aspect and try to save more of Iowa City rather
than just flattening it and building more sterile looking buildings.
Sellergren closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Wagner moves to approve the designation of 302-316 East Bloomington Street
(Slezak-Holub-Skarda Building) as a local historic landmark based on the following criteria for
local designation criteria,A, B, C, and E. Villanueva seconds the motion.
Thomann stated she lives a few blocks from this beautiful building and it is an important landmark
already within the Northside community. She appreciates having a community that has opinions about
historic preservation and appreciates everyone coming out and sharing those thoughts. She again
thanked Mr. Skarda for his stewardship of the beautiful building. They have criteria here and it's very
clear that this building fits those criteria. It makes sense to say yes and to have this progress. As noted,
this will have to then go through Planning &Zoning and City Council so the ability to have open
discussion will continue and hopefully maybe find some arrangement that works for Mr. Skarda and his
family. But just thinking about the criteria, it fits and for this Commission it's very clear what they need
to do. She does like this idea of thinking about the future, particularly with the Northside. They are
seeing so many changes within the downtown, they're seeing tall buildings and perhaps the
community's beginning to realize that tall buildings maybe don't belong everywhere within the City.
There is a quaintness to the Northside and this is giving a message as a community about how to move
forward with that bit of space. Maybe it isn't a space for the modern buildings and as also noted they
need to think about keeping these materials from the landfill and thinking about how to repurpose a
building so that it makes sense.
Sellergren noted she was born in Burlington, Iowa, which she thinks is one of the most beautiful cities in
the state. It is fairly well preserved but there's also a lot of beautiful old buildings that are neglected and
falling apart and may never be rebuilt again. She moved to Cedar Rapids when she was an elementary
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 8 of 12
school and witnessed St. Luke's just clear out a lot of the neighborhoods that are north of downtown,
and then saw the derecho destroy properties and trees which are as precious as buildings, a 150-year-
old tree can take a while to regrow. Then in Iowa City, she sees hungry developers scooping up what
they can and opportunistically taking down what they can and putting up spaces that do not embody the
same kind of historic spirit and don't serve the community in the same way, and they remain empty. To
some degree they provide housing but the spaces on the ground floor are empty and if they're not
empty now they might be empty in a year and stay that way for a year. She works at Little Village and
the building that went across the street from there where the Civil War era cottages were has never had
the ground floor level inhabited and that went up in 2018. She joined the commission because she
wanted to do one thing and that is to prevent developers from removing the history as it's very
important. Designating this space as a landmark will not reduce its value, it increases its value and it
increases the value of the City and the community.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-0.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:
HPC23-0083: 709 Oakland Avenue— Longfellow Historic District {front stoop and step replacement and
expansion):
Bristow began the staff report noting this house is in the Longfellow Historic District located on the
corner of Seymour and Oakland Avenues. It is a little cottage that might be a catalog home. The
project is to remove the existing stoop and step and to replace it with a new one. Bristow showed a
historic photo noting it shows that originally this house had a masonry brick and concrete stoop that
was removed by the current owner at some point in time. She noted some history in this property in the
fact that a few years ago the owner wanted to look into potentially putting a ramp because he is
sometimes in a wheelchair and sometimes with a walker and unfortunately the property lines are close
enough to the house that he does not actually have property to put a ramp in, partly because the house
is really high out of the ground. It is also not possible to put a ramp in the back as the kitchen steps
down to a landing to the door and then that has steps to go out. The proposal is to build a 7'x10' entry
stoop. Bristow shared the drawings submitted and noted a few things, for instance it talks about the
decking being synthetic woodgrain and paintable, it talks about the new balustrade and handrails also
being a synthetic material with woodgrain.
Normally staff would review a front stoop and step replacement, but it must have a landing restricted to
approximately 5'x5'. Staff would have always recommended that it aligned with the brackets if it was
replaced with wood but if it was replaced with brick and concrete it would be configured similar to the
original, but with wood it would align with the brackets and that means that it was always going to be
about 10"/z' wide. They have proposed to make it 7' deep. The canopies are probably about 3' or so
which is typical, staff review can go with five feet but the owner wanted seven because while it won't
provide the owner with accessibility to grade because it's not a ramp, it will provide him with an area
that he can get to by himself and be outside. There are other things that are in the front stoop and steps
guidelines such as the stoop will be supported on posts and piers that align with the corner posts in the
railing. There would be porch skirting for any exposed area underneath because it's on the front. All
wood elements are painted on the balustrades and handrails.
In section 4.14 it talks about handrails and how they can substitute materials for wood, and it is
disallowed to substitute material in place of wood that does not retain the appearance,function and
paint ability of original wood. It has been the practice to not approve synthetic materials with fake
woodgrain because historic wood on a house would be highly finished and smooth. The joints are
smooth so they're not as apparent and they have only approved smooth products. The drawings talked
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 9 of 12
about having a fake woodgrain as one thing that staff would recommend not approving. They do
propose to use a synthetic material for the floor like Trex and Trex mostly comes with a fake woodgrain
however it is also horizontal to the ground surface and only those who step on it would notice. Staff
has approved Trex-type material on some of those locations. Also in talking about porches, it talks
about leaving the support piers exposed below the columns and adding skirting so that those piers are
exposed. So the staff recommendation is to approve this project at the 10'x7' dimension with the
following conditions: any composite material other than the floor has a smooth finish, the balustrade
skirting skirt board and risers are constructed of wood and the outer piers are revised to align with the
balustrade posts above and are exposed. Bristow noted the applicant has stated they accept all the
conditions.
Motion: Beck moves to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 709 Oakland
Avenue as presented in the application with the following conditions:
• Any composite material other than the floor has a smooth finish.
• The balustrade, skirting, skirt board, and risers are constructed of wood.
• The outer piers are revised to align with the balustrade posts above and are exposed.
Welu-Reynolds seconds.
A vote was taken and the motion carried on a vote of 8-0.
DISCUSSION OF COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN'
Bristow and Sellergren drafted the revised Annual Work Plan and the goals that are supposed to guide
their work. Bristow highlighted the three priorities discussed at the last meeting, the first was even
though the planning for Oak Grove Park is a few years out, the Commission wanted to get started on
working on that type of project and what it might mean. This would be something where presumably a
subcommittee would be involved. The second one was having a landmark district subcommittee and
that not only has to do with finding any potential individual landmarks such as what was discussed
earlier today, but also working towards whether or not there is ever going to be a local downtown
district to protect the downtown buildings. The third one was engaging with the public and City Council
and learning more about what the other City Commissions are doing. Maybe that's attending meetings
or it might just be that someone decides that they are assigning themselves to check up on the
agendas for a certain commission or something like that.
Next Bristow took the things that are ongoing and listed them separately. There are the Historic
Preservation Committee awards which will be in seven months so they need to start working on those
and identifying projects and properties. Other goals are the Historic Preservation Fund and the Summit
Street monument.
Motion: Wagner moves to approve the 2024 Historic Preservation Work Plan. Beck seconded
the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-0.
REVIEW OF THE CLG ANNUAL REPORT:
Bristow reviewed the annual report noting it's a requirement to present it to City Council which she did
on Tuesday. The report is an online form and they've already added a category that they hadn't had in
the past so she will need to make revisions to the annual report. The recommendation is to basically
allow the final report to be approved by Commission Chair or staff. Bristow will distribute a copy of the
final report to everyone, the mayor signs it and it goes into the City Council information packet. Bristow
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 10 of 12
stated it's important to note that the annual report comes from the State and the State's biggest purview
is the National Register of Historic Places so they ask about National Register properties. Those are
the historic districts and some landmarks. They do ask about local designations and also some of the
local landmarks and then the conservation districts.
The general information required is the Commission consists of 12 seats, they had 12 meetings last
year, the budget mostly comes out of the City's Neighborhood Development Services Department, the
budget is$450 for the annual mailing that is sent out every spring and then about$750 for training and
other expenses. Then there is the Historic Preservation Fund which is in a different part of the budget
and that had increased by $2,000 this year. The report asked about all of the National Register listed
properties that were altered, which is taken from what the Commission has reviewed. They do not
include certificates of no material effect or non-contributing garages, and that kind of stuff. There were
34 properties that were altered during this year. Of the locally designated properties, those in
conservation districts,there were 23 that were not just a certificate of no material effect. Then they
asked about any new local designations, and the City had one this past year when they locally
designated the Emma Goldman Clinic.
They asked about assistance provided on preservation projects and the staff work which Bristow
provides technical and design assistance to anybody who applies. Bristow also keeps track of how
many individual inquiries each year, they've had 241 inquiries this calendar year, that's on individual
different properties that resulted in 85 applications. Bristow also works with other areas of the City and
preserving their buildings, such as working with the Senior Center staff on figuring out how to do the
extensive exterior rehabilitation. The other assistance is the Preservation Fund, the City provides
$5,000 matching grants or no interest loans and to date they have funded 54 projects on 43 properties,
$165,000 worth of mostly grants, a few loans, and the total project costs were $404,000. Then it talks
about public education and outreach, this year it was mostly the awards and interviews every once in a
while. Issues, challenges and successes, are reported, as this Commission knows the rash of work
without a permit has been horrible. It has been not only without a building permit and historic review,
but sometimes just without historic review, but most often without both. Staff has done things with
internal processes to help make it not happen as much.
Sellergren noted regarding community outreach, getting education for contractors in the trades is a big
thing that they need to do because of the shortage of contractors.
Bristow stated other issues, challenges are the open positions on the commission occasionally make it
hard to meet quorum and if they had more positions filled, it would be better. The lack of available
contractors or even drafters for applicants, it also an issue. One good success is the fact that the barn
that used to be owned by the Wagner family at 1025 Woodlawn is getting a new foundation which it's
needed it for many years. One challenge is the fact that no work has proceeded yet on the house at
1011 Woodlawn.
Next are partnerships formed or continued. Bristow stated staff worked with The Housing Fellowship
and their architect to come up with a design that was then approved by the Commission. The
Commission had both the Climate Outreach Coordinator and Parks and Rec Director come to the
Commission to talk about their different areas, and as mentioned earlier working with the Senior Center
staff. Bristow stated if anyone has any suggestions or edits to the report to email her in the next week
or so.
Motion: Thomann moves to approve the 2023 CLG Annual Report for revisions to be approved
by staff and chair. Villanueva seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-
0.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 8, 2024
Page 11 of 12
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Certificate of No Material Effect-Chair and Staff review
HPC24-0001: 722 Oakland Avenue —Longfellow Historic District (rangehood vent installation):
Bristow stated this one is installing a new rangehood that was going into a wall in the back of the house
on an addition.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR JANUARY 11, 2024:
MOTION: Wagner moves to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's
January 11, 2024, meeting. Villanueva seconded the motion.The motion carried on a vote of 8-0.
COMMISSION INFORMATION:
Bristow noted the Preserve Iowa's Summit is June 6 through June 8 and it'll be in Mount Pleasant this
year. The City won't necessarily be able to afford to send Commissioners but if interested let her know
and she'll find out. Otherwise, she encourages anyone who can do it on their own to attend. Typically,
they have what they call a CLG round table at some point during the summit and it's where they can
learn from other commissioners in other communities, and the State can talk directly about things that
they want.
Lastly, Bristow reminded everyone they rescheduled the March meeting to March 21, the third
Thursday.
ADJOURNMENT:
Wagner moved to adjourn the meeting. Welu-Reynolds seconded.The motion carried on a vote
Of 8-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 pm.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
TERM 3/22 4/13 5/11 618 7/13 8/10 9/14 10112 11/9 12/14 1/11 2/8
NAME EXP.
BECK, 6/30/24 X X X O/E X X X O/E X X X X
MARGARET
BOYD, KEVIN 6/30/23 X O/E X X
BROWN, 6/30126 X X O/E X X O/E X X O/E X O/E O/E
CARL
LEWIS, 6/30/26 _ — — X X X X X X X X
ANDREW
SELLERGREN, 6/30125 O/E X X O/E X X X X X X X X
JORDAN
STORK, NOAH 6130124 X O/E X X X X X X X X O/E X
THOMANN, 6/30/26 X X X X X X X X X X X X
DEANNA
VILLANUEVA, 6/30/25 X X X X X X X O/E X X X X
NICOLE
WAGNER, 6/30/26 X X X X OIE X X X X X X X
FRANK
WELU- 6130125 X X O/E X O/E X X X X X X X
REYNOLDS,
CHRISTINA
KEY; X = Present
O =Absent
O/E=Absent/Excused
-- = Not a member
Item Number: 4.i.
CITY OF OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Library Board of Trustees: February 22
Attachments: Library Board of Trustees: February 22
,AWA IOWA CITY
rjW PUBLIC LIBRARY
Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
February 22, 2024
11' Floor— Meeting Room D
Regular Meeting - S:00 PM
FINAL
Tom Rocklin - President Joseph Massa John Raeburn
DJ Johnk— Vice President Claire Matthews Dan Stevenson
Hannah Shultz-Secretary Robin Paetzold
Members Present:Joseph Massa, Claire Matthews,Robin Paetzold,John Raeburn,Tom Rocklin,Hannah
Shultz, Dan Stevenson.
Members Absent: DJ Johnk.
Staff Present: Elsworth Carman,Sam Helmick,Anne Mangano,Brent Palmer,Jason Paulios,Angie
Pilkington,Katie Roche,Jen Royer.
Guests Present: None.
Call Meeting to Order. Rocklin called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.A quorum was present.
Approval of February 22, 2024 Board Meeting Agenda. Shultz made a motion to approve the
February 22,2024 Board Meeting Agenda.Raeburn seconded. Motion passed 610.
Public Discussion. None.
Items to be Discussed.
Director Evaluation.Carman presented a letter to the Board requesting his evaluation be conducted in a
closed session.Stevenson made a motion to adjourn the meeting pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5.1.i for
the purposes of evaluating the Library Director.Shultz seconded. Motion passed 6f0.
The meeting closed at 5:03 pm.Massa entered the closed session.
Rocklin reconvened the meeting at 5:44 PM.The evaluation committee recommended increasing Carman's
salary by 3.25%.Stevenson made a motion to approve the salary increase.Massa seconded. Motion passed 710.
Policy Review:601 Collection Development.Mangano noted a small change to the policy and clarified the
policy will keep to its regular review schedule.Mangano said this small and impactful change and will help
staff be more upfront about what donations are accepted.Shultz asked how many gifts the library accepts.
Mangano said several a week.Roche said many of the donations unfortunately cannot be accepted and staff
would like to be respectful to donors.
Ifyou will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contact len Royer,Iowa City
Public Library,at 379-887-6003 or iennder-royeroknl.ora, Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
OWA CITY
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Matthews exited at 5:45 pm.
Rocklin clarified that books would still be accepted for the Friends Foundation but not for the collection.Roche
agreed and shared books would still be accepted for the bookstore.Raeburn asked why an exception was
needed in the policy language. Mangano shared the goal of building up the world languages collection,which
is hard to do with current vendors.Mangano wishes to be able to communicate specific collection needs to
ICPL Development staff who could then look for those donations. Roche said we will be able to build special
relationships and pathways for this development.
Shultz made a motion to approve the changes to policy 601 Collection Development.Raeburn seconded.
Motion passed 6/0.
Policy Review:812 Hours of Service.Raeburn expressed amazement at the number of times the policy has
changed.Rocklin noted the requested revisions were to the policy history only.Stevenson made a motion to
approve policy 812 Hours of Service.Shultz seconded.Motion passed 6/0.
Set Calendar for Next Fiscal Year.Paetzold asked if the Block Party should be included.Pilkington said this
was in the calendar the first year of the Block Party but in the past few hours haven't been extended.The past
few years Carman,Palmer, Royer,and a few hourly staff have kept only the lobby open.The first year the
library was kept open attendance was much lower than anticipated.
Matthews entered at 5:50 pm.
Paetzold asked if any union concerns were expected.Carman said no,in the past three years the library didn't
stay open except for air conditioning,bathrooms,the lobby,and meeting rooms.Union staff are not expected
to work.Matthews asked why the building sometimes closes at 4,5,or 6 pm and noted Veterans Day. Carman
said the Library has defined holiday hours as 10-6,City holiday hours are 10-5,and closing at 4 pm on
Christmas Eve has been done historically. Paulios said there would be an impact if we extended hours to 10-6
as we would need additional staffing hours.Paetzold made a motion to approve the FY25 Building Calendar.
Shultz seconded.Motion passed 7/0.
Review Draft of Advocacy Committee Letter.Matthews noted the draft of the letter had become outdated
quickly.Paetzold said the outdating is a bigger issue in itself. Matthews said this is an extensive draft and the
spirit of it is still important.Matthews noted the length of the letter was too long and welcomed editing from
Raeburn.Stevenson said the length of the letter was fair at one page.Paetzold asked how comfortable others
were with the context of the letter.Paetzold said a challenge of the committee was they had pressing needs
but in the time available to get the Board together to sign off,the letter became irrelevant.Paetzold said when
the letter is reviewed the process of making a statement needs to be taken into consideration.The committee
can't send an email to everyone because it would violate Open Meeting laws.Paetzold felt it was hard to let
the issue sit and fizzle when the issue at hand was the existence of Library Boards. Paetzold requested input
from Trustees on the letter and the feedback process.Shultz expressed comfort in emergency meetings.Massa
agreed.Stevenson said Trustees only need 24 hours and a quorum for a special meeting.Paetzold asked if
emergency meetings could be held via Zoom.Shultz said this was covered in the Bylaws review. Paetzold felt
the issue at hand was not over and is an issue about local control in which the Board needs to take a stand.
Paetzold shared Helmick can speak to this issue in detail.
Massa asked if the bill would be dropped.Matthews said it was paused in the House, it had been voted in
subcommittee and was paused in addendums,before going to the full committee. Matthews said there is
another one in the Senate which is similar.Both are about who is in control of banning books and in response
to Pella,IA.Paetzold said the context the ILA is taking is to avoid the book banning issue and focusing on local
control and allocation of funding.Paetzold said ILA Lobby Day is on March 5th and there will be opportunity to
speak with legislators.Matthews shared that Helmick said the pause is for more communication after March Stn
I{you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contact len Royer,Iowa City
Public Library,at 379-887-6003 or iennifer-roverPicol.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
,Oftt IOWA CITY
�gJ2�,PUBLIC LIBRARY
when ILA has met with legislators.Paetzold noted anyone can add comments to bills online.People were
stunned to see the outcry across the state influence the stall of SSB 3168 and HSB 678.Massa noted Iowa City
Council is not on the list of cities opposed to these bills and asked if any of the Council Members had said
anything.Paetzold said the City Council Consortium is a little mixed but there are other City leaders saying
don't do this. Paetzold noted Iowa City has been silent and believes there has been a fear of retribution.
Carman said Redmond Jones frequently works with lobbyists and is in conversation about these bills.Carman
sent Redmond Jones,Geoff Fruin,and Bruce Teague a message to make sure the legislation was on their radar
and were aware of actions they could take with the petition.Carman suggested they could reach out to the
City of Iowa City's Lobbyist or the League of Cities.Massa noted Iowa City,Cedar Rapids,and Des Moines were
not on the list of cities opposed.Paetzold said one thing cities could be thinking is that if there are no longer
designated funds at their discretion to do what they want with they might feel it is appropriate with their own
city budget being decreased.Paetzold said if they want to increase their police force,funds that could have
been designated to the Library previously could start going into those structures.However,that is not how the
funds are generally voted on. Rocklin said he would imagine larger cities would be more comfortable with a
semiautonomous Board. Rocklin said on the other hand when he worked at the University,bills would bubble
up and there would be thousands of things they wanted lobbyist on,and the University would rightly focus on
two of them.Rocklin said maybe that is the city's attitude too. Paetzold said libraries are different because they
focus on intellectual freedom and protecting part of the democratic base.Matthews wondered if cities were
interested in not having to have a public vote to utilize the money.Paetzold said the work of the Library Board
would fall on City staff who are already heavily tasked if the bills go through.Shultz said in the past when Iowa
City has signed petitions legislators have intentionally gone after the legislation and by not signing this the
city is making a bigger statement.Rocklin suggested editing the letter in a more general way so future
changes could be accommodated.Rocklin suggested publishing before March 5'h. Matthews noted a special
meeting would be required.Paetzold clarified this was a great deadline so it was ready before Lobby Day on
March 511.Matthews felt the purpose of the letter was to encourage others to make a one-line statement on
the bill in opposition.Rocklin said the intent was to share there is a great system in place with Library Boards
being stewards of precious community resources and giving this to city councils will put these resources at
risk.Paetzold clarified the ending paragraph should be a call to action and Rocklin agreed.Stevenson agreed
with the letter and suggested more general language.Massa was surprised that conservative Iowans were
wanting to centralize this,knowing they like local control.Rocklin said right now a community can have a
referendum to vote.Matthews said currently City Council appoints Library Trustees;they have a say.Paetzold
noted two communities have already have Advisory Boards.Rocklin suggested Trustees contribute editorial
thoughts to Paetzold and Matthews who could then schedule a special meeting.
Staff Reports.
Director's Report.Carman gave huge credit to the number of library staff who are paying attention and up to
date on fast moving legislation.Carman gave a brief CIP update.Going into the project staff believed the
Boardroom table was solid wood and learned that it was not,there is a visible mar on the table.Carman is
carrying on with the project and hopes to make good use of the resources available.
Carman noted the details of the Board vacancy.For gender balance the vacant spot does need to be a female-
identified person.Carman noted gender balance on Boards is also being discussed in legislation. Rocklin urged
Trustees to encourage others to apply.Paetzold acknowledged the value and leadership Lucy Santos Green
brought to the Library Board.
Departmental Reports:Children's Services.None.
Collection.Paetzold said Mangano's report had been shared across the state in multiple places. Rocklin
I{you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contact./en Royer,Iowa City
Public Library,of 379-887-6003 or iennifer-rovei@irytora. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
Ad&IOWA CITY
J%W PUBLIC LIBRARY
thanked Mangano.
IT.None.
Development Report.Rocklin said Roche was ahead on fundraising goals.Roche noted advocacy on
upcoming ticket sales would be appreciated and was thankful for Rocklin and Barb McFadden's advocacy.
Miscellaneous:News Articles.None.
President's Report.
Appoint Nominating Committee.Matthews, Raeburn,and Stevenson served on the committee and will
present a slate of officers at the April meeting.
Rocklin encouraged Trustees to attend Looking Forward fundraisers with authors Dave Eggers and Ilyon Woo.
Rocklin encouraged Trustees to consider making a donation to the Friends Foundation.
Announcements from Members. Paetzold thanked staff for their time and energy on legislative
issues;they've demonstrated tremendous leadership. Matthews agreed and thanked staff for their comments
and viewpoints.Paetzold said the ALA presidency election is coming up and everyone should look at the
candidates as Helmick is on the ballot.Paetzold noted Trustee ALA membership is supported by the Library
and that trustees should speak with Royer if interested in joining.
Committee Reports. Raeburn said the Finance committee met and will review finances after each
quarter on the Thursday before the Board meeting at 5 pm.They aim to consult and advise the Library Director
if he feels a need for it.The Finance Committee will share quarterly reports.
Raeburn is on the Friends Committee and said money is coming in.
Communications. None.
Consent Agenda.Shultz noticed an error in the minutes and noted the Consent Agenda vote should be
8t0 and not 8/10.Shultz made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the proposed edit.Matthews
seconded.Motion passed 710.
Set Agenda Order for March Meeting. Rocklin shared the Community Relations policy, Library
Programs policy,and departmental reports will be reviewed in March.
Adjournment.Rocklin adjourned the meeting at 6:27 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jen Royer
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contact len Royer,Iowa City
Public Library,at 379-887-6003 or Jennifer-royer@icol ara. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
/ . . . , . , . 1 . .
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Item Number: 4.j.
CITY OF OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Library Board of Trustees: February 29
Attachments: Library Board of Trustees: February 29
AW,*IOWA CITY
04WPUBLIC LIBRARY
Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
February 29, 2024
11t Floor- Storytime Room
Special Meeting - 5:00 PM
FINAL
Tom Rocklin - President Joseph Massa John Raeburn
DJ Johnk-Vice President Claire Matthews Dan Stevenson
Hannah Shultz-Secretary Robin Paetzold
Members Present: DJ Johnk,Claire Matthews,Robin Paetzold,John Raeburn,Tom Rocklin, Hannah
Shultz,Dan Stevenson.
Members Absent:Joseph Massa.
Staff Present: Elsworth Carman,Sam Helmick,Angie Pilkington,Jen Royer.
Guests Present: None.
Call Meeting to Order. Rocklin called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.A quorum was present.
Approval of February 29, 2024 Board Meeting Agenda.
Public Discussion. None.
Items to be Discussed.
Discuss Advocacy Letter on HSB678.Rocklin asked Trustees to read the drafted letter.
Helmick entered 5:03 pm.
Matthews said the committee is hoping to get the letter out by March 511.Paetzold said it should be published
in the next day,so it is ready for Legislative Day.
Rocklin requested a motion to endorse the letter as representing the sentiment of the ICPL Board of Trustees
and to direct the director to disseminate it through appropriate channels.Johnk made a motion to approve.
Stevenson and Shultz seconded.There was discussion about disseminating the letter. Motion passed 7/0.
Adjournment. Rocklin adjourned the meeting at 5:09 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jen Royer
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting,please contact len Royer,Iowa City
Public Library,at 319-887-6003 or_rennifer-raver@icplorg Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
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Item Number: 4.k.
CITY OF OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Planning & Zoning Commission: February 21 [See Recommendation]
Attachments: Planning & Zoning Commission: February 21 [See Recommendation]
- .® CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 4, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anne Russett, Senior Planner
Re: Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission
At its February 21, 2024 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission have the following
recommendations to the City Council:
By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends approval of CREZ24-0001 and application for a
County conditional use permit to allow a telecommunications tower for property located at 355
street and east of Kansas Avenue in unincorporated Johnson County.
By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends approval of CREZ24-0002, an application for a
County conditional use permit for a temporary asphalt and concrete recycling use.
By a vote of 6-1 (Wade dissenting) the Commission recommends approval of REZ24- 0001, an
application to rezone 302-316 E. Bloomington Street from Central Business Service (CB-2)
zone to CB-2 with a Historic District Overlay OHD(CB-2) zone in order to designate it as a Local
Historic Landmark.
Additional action (check one)
No further action needed
Board or Commission is requesting Council direction
_X_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action
MINUTES FINAL
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 21, 2024 —6:00 PM—FORMAL MEETING
E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Craig, Maggie Elliott, Mike Hensch, Maria Padron, Scott
Quellhorst, Billie Townsend, Chad Wade
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Madison Conley, Sara Hektoen,Anne Russett, Parker Walsh
OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Huizenga, Josh Entler, Jordan Sellergren, Ginalie Swaim,
Deanna Thomann, Kevin Boyd, Tomas Agran, Bob Wise, Sharon
DeGraw, Missy Moreton
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends approval of CREZ24-0001 and application for a
County conditional use permit to allow a telecommunications tower for property located at 355
street and east of Kansas Avenue in unincorporated Johnson County.
By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends approval of CREZ24-0002, an application for a
County conditional use permit for a temporary asphalt and concrete recycling use.
By a vote of 6-1 (Wade dissenting)the Commission recommends approval of REZ24-0001, an
application to rezone 302-316 E. Bloomington Street from Central Business Service(CB-2)zone
to CB-2 with a Historic District Overlay OHDtCB-2)zone in order to designate it as a Local
Historic Landmark.
CALL TO ORDER:
Hensch called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
CASE NO. CREZ24-0001
Location: South of 355 St and East of Kansas Ave SW, Unincorporated Johnson County
An application for a County conditional use permit to allow a telecommunications tower on land
zoned County Agricultural (A)in unincorporated Johnson County.
Walsh began the staff report showing a map of the property located south of 355 Street and east
of Kansas Avenue SW, in unincorporated Johnson County and then also the zoning map and
stated this is a conditional use permit to allow a telecommunications tower on land zoned County
Agricultural. Most of the land in the area is currently agricultural with some residential zoned
property north of 355 Street. Next Walsh shared the Fringe Area Map and noted this property is
outside of the County/City fringe area and is not likely to be annexed into the City but the
County's Unified Development Code does have a requirement that all conditional use permits go
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 2 of 14
to any City within two miles of the property and that is why they are going over this application
tonight.
The proposal will put a 180 feet tall tower on the property and the tower will be fully fenced with
barbed wire for security and safety reasons. It will be screened with plantings that are native
species that have a minimum mature height of 60 feet and they will be planted arranged between
five and six feet. The tower will need to meet the Johnson County Unified Development Code
standards and that review will be done by the County. Some of the approval criteria would
include a specific height for the security fence and screening.
Staff recommends approval of application CREZ24-0001 for a County conditional use permit to
allow a telecommunications tower for property located at 355 Street and east of Kansas Avenue
in unincorporated Johnson County.
Upon recommendation from the Commission this application will go to City Council on March 19.
Following City Council's recommendation it will be heard by the Johnson County Board of
Adjustment but that meeting has not been set yet.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Mike Huizenga(GSS, Inc.) is representing the applicant, US Cellular, along with Sean
Hempstead as it relates to the 180 foot self-support telecommunication tower that they're
proposing by way of a conditional use permit off 355 Street within Johnson County's jurisdiction.
Huizenga noted they do meet all Johnson County zoning requirements but one of the
requirements that Johnson County has from their zoning ordinance is that they are to receive
official comment from any city located within a two-mile radius of where they're proposing their
tower and obviously Iowa City falls into that category. Huizenga stated the reason they are
proposing this tower is there are currently two towers located approximately a half mile northeast
of where they're proposing this new tower but both of those towers are scheduled to be
decommissioned. One of those towers US Cellular is currently on and so the hope is to maintain
current coverage and capacity in the area with the construction of the new tower.
Hensch noted since the other towers are being decommissioned, what's the planned life of this
particular tower. Huizenga replied the lease timeline they are targeting is somewhere around 95
years but that's not necessarily indicative of how long the tower is going to be up. From US
Cellular's standpoint is to have leases that extend that long to secure the land to make it
available for them to use for a tower long into the future.
Elliott asked what happens to the decommissioned tower. Huizenga stated in his experience
working through US Cellular leases they have very specific language on their leases for removal
of improvements so the towers come down and then they're usually removed to below grade, a
minimum of a foot to 36 inches, depending on the negotiations that took place when the tower
originally went up.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Towsend moved to approve CREZ24-0001 and application for a County conditional use
permit to allow a telecommunications tower for property located at 355 Street and east of
Kansas Avenue in unincorporated Johnson County.
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 3 of 14
Elliott second the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0.
CASE NO. CREZ24-0002
Location: South of IWV Rd SW and West of Kansas Ave SW, Unincorporated Johnson County
An application for a County conditional use permit to allow a temporary concrete and asphalt
recycling use on land zoned County Agriculture (A) in unincorporated Johnson County outside
the City's growth area.
Russett began the staff report with the aerial map showing that the property is located west of
Kansas Avenue SW and then the zoning map. Russett noted the land is zoned County
Agriculture and there's a few parcels of land to the north that are zoned residential and then to
the east is land zoned P (Public)for the City of Iowa City's landfill. Russett stated this land is in
the City's fringe area but is outside the growth area and not anticipated to be annexed by the
City. However, as Parker mentioned the County's Zoning Code requires review by cities within
two miles and that's why this is before the Commission tonight.
Asphalt and concrete recycling plants are allowed by conditional use permit in the County
Agriculture zone. Their proposal is temporary asphalt and concrete recycling and they anticipate
the use would last for one year. Access to the site would be from an existing field entrance off of
Kansas Avenue SW. Russett noted there are specific use criteria that need to be met for these
types of concrete recycling uses and the County will ensure that those are met as part of their
review.
Staff is recommending approval of CREZ24-0002, an application for a County conditional use
permit for a temporary asphalt and concrete recycling use.
Hensch asked if conditional use permits have a time limit or do they go forever with the property.
Russett is unsure how the County handles those permits.
Craig is curious that this is temporary because if they are tearing up a road out someplace will
they take this stuff to recycle it or is this a common thing that they would do for a year and then
go someplace else. Russett noted the applicant could answer those questions.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Josh End (Concise Earth Construction) is here representing the applicant, the landowner, as
the prospective contractor that would be doing the crushing. He stated this is temporary, the
timespan they are requesting is one year, which is part of the requirement in the Code for them
to go to the Board of Adjustment for the County. They are asking for a one-year window just
because it takes time to find all their operators to make it work and need to have a 12 month
window of when this permit would be valid. He stated it's like $30,000 a month to rent this
crusher so they've also agreed to a 60-to-90-day operational window of when they will have a
pile of material on site that they would like to give a new life and recycle.
Hensch noted he has seen these before many times around big road projects and they are
typically always done on a temporary basis, the crushing operation is set up and then the next
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 4 of 14
time one drives by it's gone. Entler stated yes usually they have a pile that's somewhat localized,
they recycle that material, and then they move on to the next project.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Elliott moved to recommend approval of CREZ24-0002, an application for a County
conditional use permit for a temporary asphalt and concrete recycling use.
Craig seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0.
CASE NO. REZ24-0001
Location: 302-316 E. Bloomington St
An application initiated by the Historic Preservation Commission for a rezoning of approximately
0.45 acres of land from Central Business Service (CB-2)zone to CB-2 with a Historic District
Overlay(OHD/CB-2)zone to designate the property as an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
Conley began the staff report showing an aerial map of the property for the proposed rezoning.
The property is located north of East Bloomington Street and to the east of North Linn Street.
She next shared the zoning map which shows to the west there's the RNS-12 zone, to the east is
CB-2 and to the south is CB-2 as well.
For some background for the property in question, Conley stated on the date October 9, 2023,
the Historic Preservation Commission recommended moving forward with the local landmark
designation. Then on October 30, 2023, a letter was sent to the property owner that explained
the Historic Preservation Commission's interest in landmarking the property as well as requested
a meeting. On December 4, 2023, staff and the Historic Preservation Commission Chair met
with the property owner and then on February 8,2024, the Historic Preservation Commission
recommended approval of the local landmark designation. The Historic Preservation
Commission found that this property is significant for its role in the ethnic and commercial history
of Iowa City's Northside Neighborhood. They found that the building is a well-preserved example
of Italianate architecture and found that the property met the following local landmark criteria. (A)
it is significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology and culture. (B) it
possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship. (C)it is associated
with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Iowa City history.
And lastly, (E) it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a tight period or method of
construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values or represents a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
Currently the property is zoned CB-2 and the purpose of this zone is to serve as a transition
between intense land uses in the Central Business Service District and adjoining areas. The
proposed zoning is to the OHD/CB-2 zone and the purpose of the OHD zone is to designate
local historic landmarks and historic districts. The OHD zone requires exterior building
modifications, ones that require regulated permit, to go through the historic review process, and it
supports the continued use of historic buildings through regulatory and financial incentives.
These incentives include special exception eligibility in which it would allow the Board of
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 5 of 14
Adjustment to waive or modify certain zoning requirements. Additionally, the property would be
eligible for the Iowa City Historic Preservation Fund and additional tax credits.
Conley next showed some photos of the 302-316 East Bloomington Street property.
Conley then reviewed the rezoning criteria and how the proposed development fits in with the
policy vision of the City. The landmark designation is a zoning overlay and therefore requires
recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to the City Council. It's the
Commission's role to review the proposed designation based on its relation to the
Comprehensive Plan and the proposed public improvements and plans for the renewal of the
area involved. In this case, they would need to analyze the IC 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the
Central District Plan and the Historic Preservation Plan, which are all relevant to the proposed
rezoning. To start the IC 2030 Plan includes principle goals and strategies that are in support of
the local landmark rezoning. There's a neighborhood design principle which states to preserve
historic resources and reinvest in established neighborhoods. The intent of this principle is to
ensure the stability and livability of the City's historic neighborhoods to preserve culture, history
and the identity of the City. The land use section of the Plan includes the following "will continue
to protect our community's historical, environmental, and aesthetic assets"and the strategy that
supports this goal includes "developing strategies to encourage the protection of natural areas
and historic features and support the enhancement of areas to continue support for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Plan". The plan also mentions how Historic Preservation policies have
helped to save Iowa City's most historic buildings and have preserved the distinctive architecture
of entire neighborhoods. The housing section of the Plan includes the following goal "preserve
the integrity of existing neighborhoods and the historic nature of older neighborhoods'. Included
as a strategy is "aim to support the Historic Preservation Commission's efforts to meet its goals".
Conley next reviewed the Central District Plan which includes goals and objectives that are also
in support of the local landmark rezoning and emphasize the historic character of the
neighborhood. The Central District Plan notes that the City has been successful in protecting
historic resources in the Central District through the adoption of historic district and conservation
district overlay zones and by bestowing historic landmark status on the area's most significant
buildings and properties. The Plan also states that although some redevelopment of the area is
likely there's a strong desire to maintain the historic main street character and the property that
helps maintain the distinct identity and scale of the area. Additionally, many community members
indicated that the historic character of the Northside Marketplace is one of its greatest assets.
The Central District Plan includes the goal "preserve and promote the unique aspects of the
Northside Marketplace" and that is followed by the supporting objectives. First, established
policies and regulations that will preserve the existing scale and main street commercial
character of the Northside Marketplace and second, protect historic buildings as an integral part
of the Northside Marketplace. Overall, the designation of the property as a local historic landmark
will achieve the objective related to protecting historic buildings.
Lastly, the Historic Preservation Plan contains a mission statement that states"Iowa City and its
citizens seek to identify, protect and preserve the community's historic resources in order to
enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of current and future generations". This Plan
includes the following goal "identify historic resources to Iowa City's past" and this goal is here to
help promote the mission statement. This goal is supported through the following objectives,
continuing to research and evaluate historic resources through the systematic and prioritize
completion of neighborhood and thematic based historical and architectural surveys, have the
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 6 of 14
Historic Preservation Commission set designation priorities for historic districts, have landmarks
that emphasize the most important or threatened resources first, and encourage the local
landmark designations by the Historic Preservation Commission by continuing to nominate
individual properties in historic districts to the National Register of Historic Places, and when
appropriate pursue local designation as landmarks in historic districts for the National Register
properties. The Historic Preservation Plan also includes the Gilbert/Linn Street Historic District
and this section is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The locally designated
District is referred to as the Northside Historic District and although the subject property is not
located in either of these districts since they are residential, this section of the Plan discusses the
importance of various properties both in and outside of these Districts. The Gilbert/Linn Street
Historic District includes the following objective,to incorporate historic preservation efforts in
planning for the Northside Marketplace retail district, which is intersecting blocks at Market, Linn,
Gilbert and Bloomington Streets. The importance of the subject property is discussed within this
objective because it's specifically discussed as promoting the preservation of architectural
elements such as this Slezak Building National Hall.
Staff has also received correspondence which has been forwarded to the Commission and hard
copies have been provided at the meeting. Staff received 43 letters in support of the proposed
rezoning which was included in the agenda packet and seven additional pieces of
correspondence were received in support of the rezoning after packet publication. Conley noted
the property only owner, Gary Skarda, stated he did not support the proposed rezoning at the
Historic Preservation Commission meeting.
Staff recommends approval of REZ24-0001, an application to rezone 302-316 East Bloomington
Street from Central Business Service(CB-2)zone to CB-2 with a Historic District Overlay
(OHD/CB-2)zone in order to designate it as a Local Historic Landmark.
Next steps, since the landmark designation was voted unanimously by the Historic Preservation
Commission, upon P&Z recommendation City Council will set the date of the public hearing for
the property for 302-316 East Bloomington Street.
Hench asked if for a rezoning it's not necessary for the property owner to consent to the
rezoning. Conley confirmed that was correct.
Quellhorst asked if staff took into account that property owner's objections to rezoning at all and
the cost that might be imposed by the imposition of that historic overlay. Russett replied their
role was to review the rezoning in the context of the policies in the Comprehensive Plan. There
are specific criteria in the zoning code that speak to the criteria that are supposed to be
considered as part of this rezoning and cost is not part of the consideration. Quellhorst asked if it
is considered anywhere in the process and Russett stated City Council could consider it.
Craig asked generally speaking with this designation what can and can't the property owner do
to this property. Russett replied the biggest thing is that the property could not be demolished.
The other things that would be regulated by the historic review process are any exterior
modifications that require a building permit or mechanical permit, so things like changing the
roofing or siding or any masonry work,windows, doors, and those types of things, anything on
the exterior would be regulated.
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 7 of 14
Elliott asked why the owner did not want to agree with this and Russett replied they can't speak
for the owner.
Hekteon noted if the owner files a petition at the City Council level that would trigger a
supermajority vote for the City Council and that's how the owners voice is factored in.
Elliott asked if it was just the Pagliai's building or also the laundromat. Russett replied it is all of
the buildings on the property which includes the laundromat and the original structure at the
southwest corner of the property and the additions.
Wade noted looking at Des Moines code, it looks like the Des Moines code has a trigger that if
somebody searches for a demolition permit it automatically looks at the age of the building and
goes through a Historic Preservation Commission type process and does Iowa City have a
similar process in place. Russett replied Iowa City does not, if it's within a local historic district,
local conservation district or a local landmark district,then the demolition needs to go through the
historic review process but if it's outside of those areas it is just reviewed by the building
inspection staff.
Padron asked if something new could be built in that area of the parking lot. Russett replied she
supposes that's a possibility. They had a recent landmark designation within the Ped Mall on
East College Street where the historic structures were landmarked and there was a new building
that was built behind it that was approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. So new
structures are something that would be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Padron just wants to be clear that none of these buildings would be able to be demolished
without going through the Historic Preservation Commission and then it they build something
new that would also have to go through historic review. Russett confirmed that was correct.
Wade asked what's the line in the sand as far as the age of the building. For example, the front
of the building was remodeled in the 1960s so it wouldn't fit to the original model of the building
and if they're going to redo windows or something what age or part of the building is the deciding
factor. Russett replied that's more of a historic review question, but they would have to just
review any proposals on a case-by-case basis and any changes to the exterior would have to be
reviewed to the guidelines. It could potentially be approved by staff, but for more major
alterations they have to go to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Jordan Selleraren (Chair, Historic Preservation Commission)stated the Historic Preservation
Commission's role is to determine whether the property meets the criteria for designation and
they did find that the Slezak7HolubiSkarda building represents the broad patterns of the history in
Iowa City. It tells the story of the immigrants who helped build the City, as well as clearly meeting
historic architectural criteria. The Commission voted unanimously in favor of the designation.
Planning and Zoning staff, as they just heard, did recommend that the landmark rezoning of 302
- 316 East Bloomington is consistent with Iowa City's Comprehensive Plan, which includes the
Central District Plan and the Historic Preservation Plan, and encourages pursuing local landmark
designations when appropriate to provide protection for important historic resources. The Central
District Plan specifically calls out this property as an important historic building that should be
preserved. The building size and uses are consistent with the main street character that is the
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 8 of 14
vision of the Comprehensive Plan for North Linn and Bloomington Streets. Additionally, the City's
climate policies encourage sustainable practices also support the retention of the valuable
resources of the building, rather than sending them to the landfill. Iowa City Zoning Code states
that the Planning and Zoning Commission's role is to determine whether a local landmark
designation meets the Comprehensive Plan and in this case it very much does. So once this
Commission votes, it becomes City Council's role to consider the politics and weigh the
recommendations of the Commission's as well as the property owner's concerns. Sellergren
thanked the Commission for hearing the remarks tonight.
Wade noted listening to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting it sounds like they have
somebody that goes in the building or takes a look at the building so as part of that do they also
evaluate the mechanicals and all the details of the building in the interior. Sellergren stated they
are primarily focused on exterior updates.
Ginalie Swaim (Friends of Historic Preservation)stated they strongly support the designation of
this important building. As they have all heard the Comprehensive Plan speaks to the historic
character of the Northside Marketplace and this is one of the key buildings in this marketplace.
Swaim wanted to share how this sprawling building speaks to more aspects of the local history
than any other single building in Iowa City. It holds a one story of American immigration, in this
case Bohemian immigrants, today they probably would have been known as Czechs, but they
could substitute other ethnic groups with similar trajectories in their move to America and
engagement with American society. In the 1850s Bohemians were starting to arrive in Iowa
having fled Europe because of revolutions and economic depressions. By the 1870s Bohemians
had put down roots in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City and in the farming villages and on the farms
in-between. The Slezak's building connects with immigrants history as first the building
reinforced an ethnic identity. Bohumil Shimek, whose name they will recognize because of his
role in Iowa City history, and himself of Bohemian ethnicity, knew of"the dangers that confronted
a stranger in a strange land" and Joseph Slezak's hotel quickly became "the recognized
headquarters of this nationality', ethnic social and aid societies for Bohemians met there and
these ethnic aid societies were a phenomenon of American culture during the great immigration
periods. Because of this being a stranger in a strange land, they would offer newcomers
assistance. If someone became ill or died that aid society would step in and try to be helpful,
basically, on how to navigate the new culture, but also how to keep their native culture alive. For
example, the Slezak National Hall at one time had a benefit, a play and a dance, to benefit the
Herzegovinian rebels, which was a Serb uprising against the Ottoman Empire. So even though
people were living in Iowa City, putting their roots down, beginning businesses, having jobs, they
still had a yearning to support their fellow people back in the old country. Second, the Slezak
Building, like some parts of Iowa City, long resonated with the Bohemian language. In the 1880s
there were four newspapers to choose from and one was in Bohemian. Just east of the Slezak
Building was the residents of Goosetown which was largely a Bohemian neighborhood and
spoke their native language for three generations. In 1912 when Joseph Slezak died the grave
marker at Old St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery was carved all in Bohemian language and on the
top of the building sign, the Bohemian words Narodni sin appeared and below that was
translated to National Hall, In 1981 local historian Irving Weber wrote about this building and
when he wrote about it using the words Narodni sin apparently he made a spelling error because
readers contacted him. So even in 1981 there is still a resonance for the Bohemian language in
this community and even today the Czech and Bohemian ethnicity is still loud and strong in this
community. Another reason this building was part of the social fabric is the upstairs hall was the
site for plays and parties and dances in this"spacious and elegant hall in which to trip the light
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 9 of 14
fantastic toe". Perhaps the eight-member union band played there, each musician was Bohemian
and well into the 20th century a group called the Jolly Club played their routine there. This club
comprised of German and Bohemian families far from the immigrant experience but still hanging
on to their ethnic roots. Fifth, the building was part of local commerce there was a reason Joseph
Slezak advertised it as "the popular farmers stopping place". Farmers coming into town stayed
overnight at the hotel and stabled their horses in the attached livery. The building housed several
endeavors, including the National Hall, the farmers hotel, the grocery store, and "all the other
business ventures centered there". The proprietor had "a fine outlook for prosperity and fortune,
well a part of the local commerce". And finally, the Slezak building's long history shows
transitions into mainstream American society, from a livery stable for horses to a garage for
automobiles,from hotel rooms for Bohemian farmers, to apartments for college students and
downtown workers. More signs of this transition are that the hall was once the site of ethnic
meetings also hosted in 1925 a dance and basketball game between Williamsburg and the
National Guard. Then in the 1930s its grocery stores advertising the all-American product of Jello
and the garage becomes a current coin operated Laundromat and in the tate 1960s the building
reaches perhaps the epitome of American society as the Pizza Palace that also sold T shirts.
Many other businesses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries met Iowa City's needs and
wants, there were dozens in that period of saloons, groceries, hotels, stables, social halls, even
other ethnic social halls, and other buildings symbolizing commercial success. What's unique
and significant about this sprawling building is this one building served all of those needs. So
landmarking this one building honors and preserves one story of American immigration in Iowa
City.
Deanna Thomann (Member, Historic Preservation Commission) represents the Northside
Neighborhood on the Historic Preservation Commission but tonight is speaking as a citizen from
the northside. Several meetings ago she introduced herself to this Planning and Zoning
Commission but to remind them she and her sister Live at 208 Fairchild Street in a house that
once belonged to her great great grandparents and then to her great grandparents. Her great
great grandmother's parents, the Louis's, immigrated to Iowa City from Germany and her great
great grandfather CK Lake ran a lumberyard on this very site where the City offices are today. So
in experiencing the northside and the downtown she often tries to see places through her
ancestors eyes, and sometimes it takes a lot of imagination, but there is no imagining with this
Slezak/HolubtSkarda building. Construction on that monumental complex started just one year
before her ancestor's house on Fairchild Street was built. The Slezak/Holub/Skarda building was
part of her ancestor's everyday experience, either on foot or by horse. Great, great grandpa
would have passed the building on his way to work at the lumberyard and maybe on his way
home from work he occasionally stopped in the building saloon for a beer. That's something she
likes to imagine. Thomann does know that her Aunt Linda would stay at the house on 208
Fairchild Street and attend summer bible camp and she remembers shopping with grandma at
Tweedie's grocery store, she said it was a really big grocery store for that time. Today Pagliai's is
in that space and she eats at Pagliai's and many of her out of town relatives traveled to eat at
Pagliai's too. These relatives, though they live on farms, when she sees them at family reunions
they ask about her house in town and they ask where it is again, when she answers on Fairchild
Street they don't know what that means or where that is but if she says it's just a couple blocks
from Pagliai's they all know where that is. They acknowledge that's the best restaurant in Iowa
City. So in some ways this building is still bringing farmers to it like it was with the farmer's hotel
back in the day. This Slezak/HolubtSkarda building is a landmark to her and her family, it was a
landmark to her ancestors and it's part of the community's history and cultural heritage. Thomann
asks that the Commission take the next steps to make this Slezak/Holub/Skarda building a
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 10 of 14
formal landmark.
Kevin Bovd noted he sent an email because there were some visuals he wanted to share but he
also wishes to speak. Boyd stated local landmarks are designed to preserve buildings, physical
structures, that help tell the unique history. They help connect us both with the past by honoring
what the civic ancestors built, the city they created, but it also connects them to the future and
says they value this history and they want future Iowa Citians to be able to experience this
heritage site. Boyd shared some family photos of this building with the Commission in advance.
His grandfather, Paul Boyd, came to Iowa City when he was just 18, immediately after he
graduated from high school in the early part of the Depression. His parents and siblings had
already moved here because the family farm had been taken from the bank due to the
Depression. Paul got a part time job at Mercy Hospital as an elevator operator hand cranking it
and that is where he met Boyd's grandmother, a nursing student from West Liberty. By 1938 they
had gotten married and adopted an orphan nephew and had their first child together. They
rented half of the duplex across the street at 228 Bloomington Street. A few years ago Boyd
acquired an old disorganized family photo album with nearly 90 year old photos and news
clippings of his great grandfather becoming the manager of the newly remodeled self-serve
grocery store in Slezak Hall where they took the two commercial units and put them into one
pristine and organized one. To Boyd that was an important moment in his grandparents history, it
was a moment their economic fortunes began to turn. Paul was hired to manage the newly
remodeled self-serve grocery store in the Slezak Building. A generation later in the 1970s after a
pizza date, Boyd's parents accidentally unplugged the change machine in the laundromat and it
triggered an alarm and the police arrived. This story was told by his parents nearly every time
they were waiting to pick up Pagliai's, which was a lot growing up. When Boyd's partner Kelly
first came to visit Iowa City, a city he'd heard Boyd rave about for months,they went to Pagliai's
and he was as impressed with the building as he was with the pizza. Boyd shares these personal
stories because generations of Iowa Citians have their own. Some that have been forgotten to
others that can be remembered. The stories of this building,from the parties upstairs, Narodni
sin, the meeting spot for first generation immigrants, the comer grocery store being the first self-
serve then Tweedie's, police getting called to a laundromat after a pizza date, preserving this
building honors those stories and the shared history and it celebrates the history of the
community. This building is a heritage building. The rezoning aligns with the Comprehensive
Plan, and it deserves local landmarking and Boyd encourages them to pass it as it honors both
the past and it honors the future.
Tomas Agran lives in the Northside Neighborhood and served as its Historic Preservation
Commission representative for seven years. So he can speak from that perspective but now with
extra candor since he's not on the Commission anymore, including that controversially he
doesn't like Pagliai's Pizza. Agran noted there's a property that recently came on the market, an
amazing development opportunity for a cool $5 million and being well more than 50 years old the
building is definitely about qualifying vintage for historic designation, but it would be controversial
and political to try to do that, especially if the owner bulked. He isn't talking about the Pagliai's
building he is referring to City Electric building on Prentiss Street. He does agree it is a
development opportunity and also agrees it's probably not ultimately a strong case for historic
designation. But they aren't talking about that building, or speculating on Tracy Barkalow's
intentions, they aren't talking about landmarking a property as a stretch of the imagination.
They're talking about a core property in Iowa City's past, present and future inextricable from the
story of Iowa City and the north end as they've heard tonight. Iowa City's always lamenting the
loss of so much historic building inventory during those urban renewal days of yore, but as far as
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 11 of 14
he can tell, since moving here in 2009, urban renewal is alive and well as developers and
accountants pencil Iowa City's history, texture and unique flavor out of existence in favor of
cheap builds, and balance sheets. When they leave the meeting tonight, he urges them to look
east at the memorable and evocative three over one across from the co-op. Or choose to avert
their gaze looking west where a giant hole in the ground stands as a monument to one Iowa City
family's bank account. Or maybe they parked just to the north where the historic U Church was
leveraged and now sits abandoned and overwhelmed to line the silky pockets of another private
developer. Don't forget the increasingly dilapidated historic 410 North Clinton held hostage for
development handouts from the City to try to tear down and over build the neighboring
properties, or the charming piles of civil war era bricks they woke up to on Christmas morning
after a spirited visit from a bulldozer on South Dubuque Street, and inevitability they should not
forget tacitly and patiently awaits the vast majority of the still unprotected downtown. When a
property owner disagrees with the historic designation of a building, it feels like a fraught process
and it feels political, and it is awkward but as fate would have it anticipation at these exact
circumstances had the City come up with systems and protocols. The City has a Comprehensive
Plan, they have standards that historic properties must meet and have a process of community
representatives at three levels, Planning &Zoning being one of them, who makes sure that those
guiding documents and standards are applied apolitically so that when the community's history
comes under threat, there is an established and agreed way as a democratic community to
protect those irreplaceable and to further prevent our historic assets being emotionally leveraged
against us for private gain. Agran noted it's not difficult to imagine this property being used as a
sacrificial pawn in the development game for all the neighboring losses around it. This
Commission is tasked with putting process over politics and as a result have a very simple non-
emotional decision in front of them tonight and he trusts they will fulfill their duties and do what's
right for Iowa City that belongs not to one but to all of us.
Bob Wise noted what's interesting about this that nobody has pointed out is if they go back and
dig through the maps from around the 1870s the two lots that the building sits on was not part of
the original plot of Iowa City. The original Iowa City plot was going from Franklin Street down to
Jefferson and going from Linn to maybe past Van Buren. All that is left in the 18 and a half block
area of the original site of Iowa City area is the Slezak building, the Union Brewery building and
John's grocery. An example is the Pearson Drugstore corner, Pearson's Drug was really great, it
had a drive-thru, but watching the old building that was taken down from there and looking at the
structure which had been put in that place if the same thing happens to this, then the original plot
of Iowa City, the original town, shrinks, and shrinks, and eventually will disappear and they lose
a tremendous amount of history with that. He has watched it happen in other communities
where he's lived. Iowa City used to have a beautiful fire station that he went to in first grade that
sat on Linn Street and Washington that was torn down in 1965 to make room for this City Hall
building and the fire station that now sits here. That was a beautiful building that was lost to
urban renewal along with many others. Wise encourages the Commission to strongly consider
making this historic landmark for Iowa City and the preservation of the original part of Iowa City,
as it was established back in the 1870s. The Graph house was built in 1872 and the Slezak
building, Pagliai's building, was built about six years later. This was the dance hall in the hotel
and there was a restaurant that was in that building. There were obviously rooms which are
maybe now part of the 16 apartments upstairs. At the back of the small building where there's an
archway, that was probably a hayloft to take care of what was the carriage house and what was
the livery. A livery may have been where the horses were kept to draw the beer wagons to run
around the town and deliver beer, even the fire department had their own horses back in that
period of time.
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 12 of 14
Sharon DeGraw stated she lives in the Northside Neighborhood and is on the steering committee
for the Northside Neighborhood Association. She looked at the packet and the task looks pretty
straightforward. The IC 2030 Comprehensive Plan includes the goal to preserve historic
resources and invest in the established neighborhoods. She thinks that's how they're supposed
to be thinking about this and the land use section includes a goal to protect the community's
historical environment and aesthetic assets. Therefore,the Planning and Zoning commissioners
would be answering the question of is this building suitable according to those goals and she
hopes they think yes. DeGraw noticed that it's one of the oldest buildings, from 1875, it's
relatively tall, three stories, for that point in time and it also had an incredible number of functions
which they've heard about, a hotel, a saloon, dance hall, grocery store, a meeting hall for the
Czech and Bohemian immigrant community, and a stable which she thinks is incredible that the
the Bloomington laundry mat was once a stable and it's still standing. So after contemplating this
DeGraw hopes that the Commission will agree that it's the right time to vote in favor of a historic
preservation overlay for that parcel.
Missy Moreton stated she is representing as a person who lives in the Northside Neighborhood.
As a disclosure she was on the Iowa City Friends of Historic Preservation Board for probably 10
years but it's been a while. Her personal thoughts on this is she has lived in the Northside
Neighborhood since 1996. Personally, she loves the aesthetic of the close-in historic area and
the way the Pagliai's building serves as a transition between the residential and business areas,
she really feels that it contributes to the quality of life in the neighborhood. She appreciates the
owner's position, from what she's read the owner was not just a good landlord, but a great
steward of the property. This proposal brings to mind two buildings that were eventually
preserved by the new owners after the public brought to the attention their historic significance.
First, the Carnegie Library, which had served as the Iowa City Public Library, and the Tate Arms,
which was the first rooming house built for black students owned by black landlords. Moreton
realizes that there are buyers that can purchase this location and don't have the same feelings
about history and architecture and community that she does so she would like to be more
proactive about taking an inventory of the remaining buildings that fit the local landmark
designation and acting on them before they are up for sale. She hopes that it's not too late for
this building.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Craig moved to recommend approval of REZ24-0001, an application to rezone 302-316 E.
Bloomington Street from Central Business Service (CB-2)zone to CB-2 with a Historic
District Overlay OHD/CB-2) zone in order to designate it as a Local Historic Landmark.
Quellhorst seconded the motion.
Craig noted she was very pleased that the Historic Preservation Commission was willing to do
the work and bring this forward, she had concerns when the property went up for sale. She has
lived in Iowa City close to 50 years and always had a very special feeling about this particular
piece of property and it felt like old Iowa City and the more she's learned about the history of it is
100% why these things were put in the Comprehensive Plan and she is 100% behind it.
Quellhorst stated he agrees with that, he thinks this is a wonderful building with a rich history and
meets the criteria for a landmark designation. He appreciates that cost isn't one of the rezoning
considerations but does think it's important and would recommend that City Council consider the
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 21,2024
Page 13 of 14
costs that the application could impose on the property owner in making its decision.
Hensch noted their first obligation is does it meet the criteria and consistently with the
Comprehensive Plan and he thinks it clearly does. Also on an emotional level when he also saw
it was for sale his very first thought was please don't tear that building down. It's just pretty
dramatic standing there, the three-story building for that age and it's been so well kept. Kudos to
the owners of that building, it is a rare gem that they cannot let go away so he supports this.
Elliott supports this and thinks it's clear that it meets that criteria. She does have concerns about
the owner not wanting to landmark the property but that's not for them to decide.
Townsend just want to say she wasn't born and raised in Iowa but everyone that she's talked to
that came to school here or that has been here always talks about Pagliai's. This is the first time
she's heard about the history of that area so in her opinion it is something that should be
preserved.
Wade stated this one is a little bit more challenging for him, there is a lot of history with the
Pagliai's building, or the SlezaktHolubtSkarda building but this is the first time that he's been
through the experience without an owner's consent. He's looking at this rezoning similar to an
involuntary annex so this one's a little bit problematic from not getting the owner's buy-in to get
the overlay or historic landmark nomination. Wade noted regardless of his decision, he knows
he's in the minority, but this one,just from a private ownership standpoint they need the buy-in.
Wade agreed he would love to see the building maintained or continued on, it's been in the
family for 125 years but now they're looking at making a change without the family consent.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-1 (Wade dissenting).
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: FEBRUARY 7. 2024:
Padron moved to approve the meeting minutes from February 7, 2024. Craig seconded the
motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0.
PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Townsend moved to adjourn, Quellhorst seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
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Item Number: 4.1.
CITY OF OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
April 16, 2024
Senior Center Commission: February 15
Attachments: Senior Center Commission: February 15
Approved Minutes
February 15, 2024
MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
February 15, 2024
Assembly Room, Iowa City Senior Center
Members Present: Lee McKnight, Nancy Ostrognai, Angela McConville, Jay
Gilchrist
Members Absent: Tasha Lard, Warren Paris
Staff Present: Kristin Kromray, LaTasha DeLoach
Others Present:
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Gilchrist at 4:05 PM,
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 21. 2023. MEETING:
Motion: To accept the minutes from the December 21, 2023. Motion carried
on a vote of 410. McKnight/McConville
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW:
DeLoach reported the annual report for last year had been finalized and was
available. The March/April program guide will be out next week. The Black
History Ball was held on February 31". The ball was a partnership between
Sankofa Outreach and the Senior Center's Original Mature Groovers. US Bank
was a sponsor. One goal of the ball was to showcase the Senior Center's space.
The ball generated a lot of positive press. Additionally, the ball raised funds for
each organization, in particular an Underground Railroad trip planned for later
this year. Gilchrist and McKnight volunteered at the event and commented that
they thought the event was very successful.
The exterior facility work is currently underway. A city representative will be
invited to the next commission meeting for an update. The current phase of
1
Approved Minutes
February 15, 2024
construction should be finished by May or June. The second phase, replacing
windows and doors, will begin after that. Interior design work will start next year.
DeLoach noted that as a City department the Senior Center can request to use
other city facilities for programming.
DeLoach noted the role of commissioners and stated that they are advisory
board that staff can use as a sounding board as well as communicating with City
Council via the minutes each month, memos for specific items, and going to
public comment at City Council meetings.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
McConville has been working on pulling together a presentation for the Johnson
County Board of Supervisors. She showed the presentation to the group and
asked for feedback. The presentation will be next Wednesday at 9 AM at the
Health and Human Services building. McConville will send a link of the
presentation to other commission members. Gilchrist and McKnight are planning
on attending the board meeting as well.
McKnight passed along that more computers have been requested for the lobby.
Additionally, he would like commissioner name badges to wear while at events.
Meeting Adjourned.
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