HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-19 Transcription Page 1
Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn (via Zoom),Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague
Staff Present: From,Jones, Goers, Grace, Platz,Kilburg,Havel, Sovers,Hightshoe,
Sitzman,Bristow,VanDyke
Others Present: LeFevre,USG Liaison, Monsivais,Alternate
1. Call to Order
Teague: It is 6 p.m. and welcome to your City Hall. I'm going to call the meeting for the City of Iowa City
to order. Roll call please. [Roll Call] And Councilor Dunn is joining us via online.And again,
welcome to everyone here to your City Hall.
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2. Special Presentation—Project Green
Teague: We're going to move on to item number 2,which is special presentation about Project Green.
Welcome.
Seydell-Johnson: Hey. Good evening,Council. Juli Seydell-Johnson,Director of Parks and Recreation.
Um, fixe to be here tonight to celebrate Project Green with-with you. Uh,they're an organization
that have been integral to so many things here in Iowa city and support parks and rec in so many
different ways. Um,recently they received a$200,000 resource enhancement and protection grant
from the DNR to help make the grounds around the Net Ashton House more beautiful,add more
amenities to that.We're just super lucky to have them as a group. And I have their co-chairs here,
Diane Allen and Cindy Parsons and they have a short presentation if we could dimolate so they
could.
Teague: Welcome.
Parsons: Thank you. Thank you for having us. I'm Cindy and this is Diane and,um,we just kinda have-
we'll try to keep it really brief because I know you have a busy night.Um,but Project Green just
to tell-I'll give a little history of it and then Diane can tell you what we're doing now. But we
were founded in 1968,so this is our 56th year.And it was founded as kind of an outgrowth of the
urban renewal movement because,you know,everything was happening about the buildings and
the infrastructure. And we are three founders who wanted to make sure that the green space and
the environmental aspect of- of our city and our area didn't get overlooked. So let's see,so this-
this is our Project Green Gardens at the Ashland House.And,um,what do we do?We-
essentially,we raise money and we spend it on public-beautification of public areas. And since
1968,I think we'll have another slide that shows that,we've spent over$2.3 million and raised it
on public improvements in our town,making it more beautiful. And we think that's kind of
amazing. And we're still-we're still at it, it's hard at it. Um,the other aspect of what we do is edu-
educating the public on,you know,gardening,what-what you can do to make things more
beautiful,kind of environmental issues.Um,so Project Green is acron- Green is an acronym that
stands for Grow to Reach Environmental Excellence Now.And this just shows some of our-the
founders and some of the early days when,you know,there were newly built high-highways with
no landscaping. The medians or medians and entryways of the town had no landscaping. So that
was a definite need that our founders identified and we've carried out for 56 years. So we're proud
to be an all volunteer organization.We have no paid staff and haven't for 56 years.And these are
just some pictures of the volunteers over the years from the 1960s up to the present.And,you
know,we've probably had thousands and thousands of volunteers. Um,as I mentioned,we've
raised over$2.3 million.Um,this is,um,this can be found on our website on projectgreen.org.
But it's kind of a timeline of some of the major projects we've done since 1968,and some you
probably don't realize like College]FEB Park,um,North to Buque Street,we kind of focused on
the major entry ways of the city to make it more beautiful so people will say,hey,that community
is really somewhere I'd like to visit,somewhere I'd like to live. And that's kind of what we're all
about. So I hope you have a chance to look at the website and- and see this-some of the projects
we've done. So every year we have our major events,we have,um,we have,uh,garden forums in
the winter,they're educational. We bring in speakers,educate the public on different aspects of
gardening in the environment. Those are free to the public.We just finish those in March. Um,
we have open gardens weekend in July. And I think some of this is on the bookmarks that were
handed out to you so that our upcoming events are on there,um,and the open garden weekend is
in July. And then another thing we're proud of is the kindergarten Tree Project. We partner with
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Iowa City Landscaping and with Iowa City Community School District.And every year we
provide a tree to each kindergarten class. They can select their tree,and then they plant it
somewhere on their school grounds,and it's incorporated into their curriculum. And they're,that's
kind of a good area of education for the children. Um,that's just some pictures from our Open
Gardens weekend.And our current effort that we are focusing on is at the Ashton House,which I
hope you're all familiar with and you'll come see us this summer.But I'll have Diane talk about
that because she spearheads that effort.
Allen: All right. The Ashton House. Project Green volunteers started work in 2013 at the Project Green
Gardens. We use chainsaws,heavy gloves,and we had lots of worries about Poison Ivy. Our goal
was to clear areas to beautify with landscaping. The first year 2013 Project Green volunteers met
three times a week for a couple hours each time.Beginning in 2014 through our current year,
volunteers work each Monday morning from 9-11 beginning in May,and fmishing our efforts
late October.Memorable years include wearing masks as we worked with 2020,COVID scare,
leaving the grounds when the sky looked very stormy on August 10th,2020 and less than an hour
later a ratio came through and compiling over 1,000 hours in our efforts to beautify the gardens
this year,2023. Eleven year-years later,here are the results and they are spectacular. Project
Green's first major flower bed,The Triangle is the home of the Little Free Library. The Little
Free Library was constructed and continues to be maintained by a Project Green volunteer in the
shape of the Ashton House.Lots of books come and go from this library. The entrance pillar at
Park Road welcomes all who visit the gardens.You will hear more later about the pergola located
on the north side of the house. Pictured are annual beds,the circle to your left and the quilt to the
right. There are signs showing these locations and many others. We have fixe planters like the
children's wagon to welcome children who attend the summer recreation program at the Ashton
House.In 2015,a reap grant was awarded to Project Green in the city of Iowa City to redevelop
and restore landscaping and gardens at the Ashland House. A part of the award of$154,079 was
building a pergola.Looking carefully at the pergola shape,you can see the direction the
meandering Iowa River travels along the west boundary of the gardens. The 2023 REAP grant
awarded$200,000 to Project Green and the City of Iowa City.Many new additions will be added
to the grounds surrounding the Ashton House. Project Green's fixture will have challenges and
require adaptions while providing benefits to our community.Enjoy your Project Green
Bookmark. On the back side are listed 2024's events at the Project Green Gardens. The bookmark
is your invitation and reminder to drop by the gardens on these dates or any time.It's been Project
Green's goal to beautify the Project Green Gardens,welcoming our Iowa City,Johnson County,
and beyond citizens. Any questions,comments or suggestions for the good,please contact Cindy
or me. Thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you.
Salih: Thank you.
Harmsen: Thanks.
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3. Proclamation
3.a Save Soil Day
Teague: We're gonna move on to proclamations item Number 3 and 3.a as Save Soil Day. (reads
proclamation) and to receive this,is going to be Rami. Welcome.
Lodh: Good evening,mayor,council members,city staff,and my fellow Iowans.My name is Rami Load,
and I'm a volunteer with the Non-profit Conscious Planet. Today,I'm here to talk about soil.Most
of you are probably wondering why on earth should we be trying to save soil given that we live
on this giant mudball. Well,I had similar thoughts earlier then I realized that the experts are
talking about cultivable soil. That is the soil that is suitable to grow food in. If the organic content
and soil dies,then it essentially turns into sand and we can grow food in sand. In 2020,the United
Nations estimated that we have roughly 50-60 years of agriculture left on this planet. If we
continue to maintain the status quo,by 2045,we will be producing 40%less food than what we
are producing today while the global population is estimated to grow from eight- eight billion to
nine point three billion people. So that's food production going down and human population
going up,not a balanced equation. It is not just about the quantity but also about the quality. Our
grandparents got as much nutrition from one orange as we do today from eight oranges. The good
news is that soil crisis is reversible provided we act with a sense of urgency to increase the
organic content of soil to a minimum of 3-6%. Thank you so much for making the Safe Soil
Proclamation here today in Iowa City like many other cities across the US,including our
neighbor Coralville. I humbly request you to use your voice and available platforms to spread
awareness about saving our soil because if the people talk about it,only then will the leaders of
our nation make policy changes.My fellow Iowans can visit safesoil.org and sign up to be Earth
buddies and then spend a few minutes a day to post on social media some information about soil,
no money or donations are needed. There are various supporters,global leaders an - across the
world that support this movement.Let's see up - and I think you'll recognize some of them here,
like His Holiness the Dalai Lama,Dr.Jane Goodall,Tom Brady, and several others. While there
are many more influencers and soil experts like Dr.Rick Cruz of ISU,probably you can spot who
is missing in this picture of supporters, celebrity and influencer.Any guesses?Our own Caitlin
Clark,we need to convince her to join this movement.And as you can see,even Herky supports
Save Soil so definitely she -she should be on board. And since soil health im-impacts us all
everyone that consumes food,I had to reach across the aisle and take a picture with the -the
cyclone too. So thank you all.With that Save Soil,let's make it happen and Go Hawks.
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3.b Transgender Day of Visibility
Teague: Thank you. Item 3.b is transgender day of visibility (reads proclamation).And to receive this as
Luck from the Iowa City Pride Committee and Doug from the Human Rights Committee-
Commission, so welcome.
Kiche: Thank you for recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility.My name is Lucky Kiche,my
pronounce are he-they.I am a teacher in the Iowa City,and um,I'm also here on behalf of Iowa
City Pride. Ah,Just a new statistic,every town for Gun Safety Support Fund released a new data
on homicides of transgender and gender expansive people. In 2023,there are 35 homicides of
transgender,gender expansive people. 80%of these people-of these were with a gun black trans
women faced the bulk of this violence. In 2023, 50%of gun homicides were black women-black
trans women.Between 2017 and 2023,there were 263 homicides of transgender and gender
expansive people.From 2017-2023,70%of these people were killed with a gun. From 2017-
2023,more than six in 10 gun homicides of transgender and gender expansive people,63%were
of black trans women. One in 10 gum-gun homicides of transgender and gen expansive people of
trans Latinos. Her Latinex. According to Angela Ferrell-Zabala,it is crucial to remember that
behind every data point in this report,there is a real person whose life was cut short because they
were simply trying to live as their most authentic self. We use this day and every day to
remember, celebrate and cherish our siblings and protect trans lives. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
Kollasch: Thanks.My name's Doug Kollasch,pronounce are he-him,and I'm the chair of the Iowa City
Human Rights Commission and I'm happy to be here tonight to accept this proclamation.
Transgender Day of Visibility is of particular importance this year because of the continued
attacks on transgender friends and neighbors across the country as mentioned in the proclamation.
But this problem isn't just happening in other states,and it's not just the rhetoric and
discriminatory legislation coming out of Des Moines. Transgender folks are being targeted and
discriminated against right here in Iowa city. In the past year,several speakers have come to our
community to spread hate speech,which is exactly what this is.Make no mistake although legally
permissible,this is speech that is intended to harass,marginalize,and demonize people because
of who they are.Hundreds from our community showed up to stand up against this hatred. As a
result,seven transgender non binary individuals were singled out and arrested for refusing to be
silenced in the face of those advocating for their erasure. We must not allow the government that
represents us nor our law enforcement agencies to participate in this erasure.It is our duty to
protect-yes. It is our duty to protect and defend the rights of our fellow citizens. As a gay man,I
recognize that the rights that were hard fought and earned only recently that I enjoy, are the direct
result of a movement that began 55 years ago in New York City,when it was transgender women
of color who threw bricks at the law enforcement officers who were harassing,targeting,and
terrorizing their community. Today,we must honor their courage and commit ourselves to
continuing that fight for equal rights for all because in a true democracy,nobody is free until all
of us are free. So this year on Transgender Day of Visibility,and as I proudly accept this
proclamation,I say to our transgender siblings, friends, and neighbors,we see you,we hear you,
and we stand with you in this struggle because trans rights are human rights. Thank you.
Teague: Thanks to both of our speakers. I really appreciate you all coming today and sharing.
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4.-9. Consider Adoption of the Consent Calendar as Presented of Amended
Teague: We're going to move on to items 4-9,which is our consent agenda. Can I get a motion to
approve,please?
Harmsen: So moved,Harmsen.
Alter: Second,Alter.
Teague: All right. Anyone from the public like to address a topic that is within our consent agenda? Great.
Welcome.
Newell: Good evening,Council. Welcome to the city of Iowa Dream. I am Frederick Newell.I'm the
Executive Director at Dream City,and I'm here with my team um,as it is a big night for us, it is
our hope that you all will say yes to our Regional Hub project,where we are,uh,have three major
things that we're looking to do,acquire 611 Southgate,renovate 611 Southgate,and to be able to
provide some entrepreneur support programs to um,underrepresented entrepreneurs in our
community. So we are excited about today um,looking forward to continuing working with you
all. So thank you,all.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address this topic?
Reynen:Does that includes everything under number 7 as well?
Teague: Yes. Item number 7.
Salih:No,under item number 7.
Teague: Oh, so yes,item number 7.
Reynen:Yes. Okay. I just wanted to say,um,I-I'm here for the public comment,but I wanted to
comment also quickly on 7g,the ARPA Inclusive Economic Development for the right house of
fashion.My name is Clara. I have a theater degree from the University of Iowa. And I just wanted
to say that I think this is an awesome and super important thing that's on the agenda. Um,one of
the things I wish I had known more about when I graduated was how to be like a business person
in the entertainment and arts and,you know,everything related to arts careers.I wish I had
known more about the business side of things. So I'm really excited to see that um,some- some
money is hopefully going to be allocated to offering like related business-business programming
and workshops.And I think that's really awesome for a city that's known for its arts.
Teague: And please,Clara,what city are you from?
Reynan: Oh,I'm from Iowa City.
Teague: Great. And I know Fred Newell is from Iowa City as well.Yes. Welcome.
Jordan: Hi,my name is Angie Jordan. I'm a South District resident.I'm also the Executive Director of
South of 611,the newest self supported Municipal Improvement District,which is an
organization that ah, self taxes to make improvements. So the commercial properties self tax. And
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like,we're going to make these improvements then what's really exciting is when you're able to
create change but also help be part of improving buildings like 611,being able to partner with
those. And just real quickly, economic development,um,I'm still learning what it is. I know that
it's so deeply tied to community development. And so as you improve these buildings through the
ARPA fimding,through continued support,it not only improves our business district,our
business community,er,attracting,retaining,recruiting,all those things,but it also helps us feel
those of us that are here,that we belong. So I just want to thank the City Council for continuing to
do that work and specifically through the ARPA funding allocated to a property in the 611
business district.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else want to address this,any of the items under the consent agenda?
Welcome,please state your name and city you're from.
Walton: I am Deb Walton. Uh,I'm from Iowa City. I was born here and I've lived here now for close to
25 years. Uh,we received a letter in the mail in regards to a a-no parking proposal on the east
side of the Keswick Drive,um,like I said,I've been there for 25 years. There's never been an
issue with parking.
Teague: So yep,that is not on our consent agenda.
Walton: I thought that was on the consent agenda
Grace:Mayor,it's 9.e.
Teague: Oh it's 9.e,Okay. All right. Thank you. Sorry about that.
Walton:No,that's okay. That's a right.Hey,this is my first time doing this,so.
Teague: Welcome.
Walton: I'm-I'm open to feedback.Uh, so like I said,I've been there for 25-my husband and I have lived
there for 25 years. We've raised our children. They're now out of the house. Yeah um, and I-I just
feel it's odd that after living there for that long that this particular issue has come up. Um,I feel
like it's due to uh,one particular newer neighbor,um,that we've had some parking um,issues
with. And I don't really want to get into,um,who that is.But uh,I do feel like it's something that
maybe we should be looking at,um,not necessarily cutting off the head to cure the headache. Uh,
I think we need to look at what the problem really is. And I don't think that banning parking on
one side of the street is going to fix the issue. So what questions do you have for me,if any?
Teague: Yep,this is an opportunity for you to speak to the Council,but thank you.
Walton: Okay.
Teague: Yes.
Walton: Thank you.
Teague: Anyone else like to address any items between 4-9. Anyone online,please raise your hand. Say
no one online or in person. Council discussion.
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Salih: I was also going to talk about this parking problems. If can the staff can tell us a little bit about it.
Fruin:Uh,I'd have to go and get additional information for specifics.But this originated with staff uh,
being unable to get down the street with some of our larger service vehicles. So typically that
would be,um,do you have additional information Tracy?
Hightshoe: The issue is prompted regarding large city vehicles. So our current policy is if a street's less
than 26 feet,um,we would prohibit parking on one side. The street is 25 feet. So to approve
access for large city vehicles,that's what prompted this.
Salih: Is this like a temporary thing or.
Hightshoe:No.We would,um,we barred and we but also same-we have a prohibition on Keswick Drive
to the north of Wheaton Road as as well.
Salih: And how long we've been having this issue and suddenly we went on yet like we know the street is
25 for a long time,right?
Hightshoe: That I don't know. I'm assuming something prompted it,but I don't know.
Salih: Yeah,that's. What I want to know.
Fruin: That's where I was typically going typically,it's a garbage couldn't be picked up potentially. Or
perhaps a fire truck had trouble navigating the street on a particular call. That's typically what
prompts this type of-,um,this type of action.But if you want to know the specifics,I'd have to go
back and uh,bring those to you at a fixture meeting.
Salih:Because,you know,it's been like this for a long time.We've been picking trash and the-everything
was going normal unless something happened new. That's why-that's what I'm asking.
Alter: It does seem as if,um,some of what it may have exacerbated it was due to some of the uh,
conditions of.
Moe: Bigger trucks.
Alter: Of the larger trucks that are being parked on one of the side from a newer neighbor.
Fruin:Just,you know,a change in parking habits from any one or more households could impact our
ability to get up and down a street. So it's not too uncommon that a situation would emerge over
time.
Salih:Because now you're saying like big truck being parking there by the neighbor, like you mean this is
truck not a city thing,Right,.
Alter:Right.
Salih: Then can we do it like no certain size of vehicles can park there because I don't think the residents
of the city around it.
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Teague: I do think-I do think our comments need to remain on. This is just a correspondence that we
received.
Salih: I was trying to move this item to from the consent agenda area. We did not approve it yet.
Goers: Any council member may remove an item from the consent agenda to be voted on separately
following the uh,approval of the entire remaining consent agenda.
Salih: So I wish to do that.
Teague: Okay. Okay. So we'll consider,and which item is that?
Goers: 9.e.
Teague: 9.e for a separate consideration. Okay. All right.Any other discussion? So this will be IJM,the
approval of consent agenda Items 4 through nine,A through D. excluding D-excluding E. All
right.Roll call,please. [Roll Call]Motion passes 7 -0. All right.
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9.e Establishment of"No Parking Any Time" parking prohibition on the east side of
Keswick Drive.
Teague: And then we will go back to item Number 9.e.
Salih: Yeah. I guess I want to see if the problem is like some kind of larger vehicles like,you know,park
there making the street narrow. Can we put a sign for not like larger vehicles not park there
because,you know,there is many residents that use that parking. Especially like from the
corresponding I read, like some people,they have one garage and they have two car and most of
the household have two cars.And-and I knew that area like most of the garage is like one car
garage or something like that,so can-can we find a solution to this?
Bergus: So this is just restricting parking on one side of the street,and it's consistent with what's on the
other portion of Keswick Drive. And the correspondence that we got in the handout also spoke to
the inability of the snow plows to get through. So I do think that it's important that our streets,I
mean,I don't want to encourage people to be able to have more cars on this particular part of this
particular road.I think-I think it's appropriate to say no parking on that side of the street.
Salih:But the reality is that you do have,and this has been for a long time. You know, some people have
kids that you want to drive, some people will like.Yeah. Due to not everybody can't catch the
bus,and sometimes also a bus during certain times,there is no bus on Sundays,there is no bus.
Goers: Pardon my interruption. Sorry. I'll let you finish.
Salih: Yeah. I-I just believe that we need to do like a solution if this-because I really until now,I had the
problem that I think it was like some larger vehicles park there making the street narrow enough
for the-like emergency vehicle not to bus, if that or the trash or anything else,but if that the case,
let us just do a sign.
Goers: I don't think we've had a motion for 9.e sorry.
Teague: Okay. Yep. Could I get a motion for 9.e?
Salih: I move the motion.
Alter: What's the motion?
Harmsen: So we can discuss it.
Salih: Okay.
Teague: So so-the motion is for the approval of 9.e in the consent agenda. We'll take a vote here soon.
Bergus:Move approval.
Harmsen:We need to make a motion in second so we can actually have the discussion.
Teague: Yes.
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Harmsen:I will so move.
Teague: All right. And Harmsen has moved.
Moe: And I can second.
Teague: All right.
Moe:Now we can have a discussion.
Teague:Moe-Moe Seconded. All right. Thank you.
Harmsen: The normal course of things.
Teague: Yes.
Salih: Can you just explain what we move now?We move to accept the 9.e as it is.
Moe:Now we can vote on it or we can discuss.
Salih: Okay.
Harmsen:We just got ahead of ourselves.
Salih: Sure-sure.
Teague: I guess one of the questions I have is related to large vehicles. Uh,are there restrictions?Because
I know some vehicles you can't be there overnight or something like that. Is that the type of
situation that could occur here?If there is a or- or the bigger issue is just we need to get through
because of the narrow of the street.
Goers: Well, for what it's worth,I saw that there was an email to Council that Kellie forwarded on.Um,
well, shoot.Now I've somehow unselected it,. Oh,thank you. Uh,that came in,it looks like
yesterday.And that was accompanied by a couple of vehicles,uh,parking on uh,that side of the
street uh,and-and trailers as well. Um,an answer to your question about whether there are
limitations for how long a person can park in the street there uh,without checking,I'm not
confident of this answer but I want to say it's 48 hours. I'm looking to see if Tracy uh,sorry,I lost
you recall. I can look that up to confirm,but there are limitations for how long you can park on
the street.But of course,if you're going by and there's vehicles parked on both sides and you can't
pass by,the-the thought that that vehicle might leave 48 hours from now isn't much of a comfort,
I suppose.
Salih: Can we ask questions to them?
Teague: Are you going to ask questions to staff?
Salih: I think,not to staff.
Teague: Yeah,I mean.
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Salih: We're talking about an item and sometimes the public can comment on that item. To now it's
separate item,we treat it like any another item,right?
Teague: It's standard.We normally ask questions to staff and to um,like anyone. That's a part of the
proposals before us but.
Salih: That is part of the proposal here people who said they don't want this to happen and they send us
corresponding about this item,I think you can come and talk. Yeah,I think I think he put in his
hand and I don't know him.
Walton: Hi there,my name is Kyle Walton,I'm Deb's husband,I live at 830,Keswick Drive in Iowa City.
Um,to be more specific,and I know there is-there was an e-mail sent by-by one of our
neighbors addressing this. There's a commercial business being run out of her property that's
slated across the street. They maintained large trailers,one a dump trailer,one a work trailer.I
believe they were told to move that because they couldn't park it on the street for longer than 48
hours at a time. They've now since put those vehicles in the driveway,and are now parking their
large work trucks on the street. So the-the only time they move is if they got work to do,and
during the wintertime that's not very often. They-they-they block access to some of the
driveways where it makes it-well,it's not impossible to get out,but when the snow is there and
everything else,that makes it more difficult to get out. And they're on the west side of the street.
So the east side of the street has nothing to do with this. The issue is- is that they also maintain a
car. And it was actually I know my wife and I actually called one of the days where the actual
plow had to back out because they maintained another Sedan that was on the opposite side of the
street. So though same house had all three vehicles and actually caused the issue of the plow,
going down the street.I think what I'd like to see happen is,potentially,the-I think there needs to
be deeper look into what the actual issue is. I don't think it's the 13 houses,or 12,it's not 12 of the
13 houses on the street that are causing the issue. It's one particular house,and to me,that's a
problem. We've lived there for over 25 years, and we've never had an issue until now. We've
never had an issue with the snowplow getting down the street,we've never had issues with trash
being picked up,until now. So to me, something has changed,and I don't think it's the majority of
the people that are on the street that have lived there. Some people have lived there even longer
than we have. So I think that's what I would like to see happen.I know the neighbors to the
northeast,they were not able to be here tonight. They had a conflict.But they did send an e-mail,
to-I believe to-I think it was,I want to say Emily,I'm not-hopefully I'm saying that right. Got
the right name.But I know they send an e-mail to her,and they actually-they have actual pictures
of the issues that-that get caused when these trailers are trying to be moved in and out.It doesn't
seem appropriate that a commercial business is allowed to park these big trailers in a residential
neighborhood and then park their work vehicles out on the street,and then not be willing to move
them or be accommodating. I mean,even if they-there were times where they with the vehicles
being,or the commercial trailers,uh,being in the driveway,they don't even bother to cover up
the driveway of the trucks. They go out and park and they spread out,and they block the sides of
other people's driveways. So it's a bigger problem. I think that's what needs to be looked at.And
it feels like we're-while I understand the want for it,I get it's a small street,I understand that,and
I know there's others town that may be the case,but until now it has not been a problem on
Keswick. So that's- if anyone has any questions,I'm more than happy to try to answer them.
Salih: Thank you. I just want to like,really have more information about this.
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Teague: Thank you.
Salih: And if we-if there's a way we can defer the item,not vote on it.
Goers: Well,Council can certainly defer if it wishes.
Salih: If we just need to know,like,if the staff can bring us like more information about,is this the only,
like those vehicles are the one who causing the problem,can we address it that way, and leave the
parking or?Yes,that's a suggestion,and maybe next time if we have more information,we can
vote on this item.
Harmsen:I do have a question for staff. So as I understand it,and if I understood the conversation earlier,
we do have ordinances about parking trailers on the side of the road.Is that-
Goers: I just was looking quickly. It looks like in a residential district of which Keswick would be,
trailers, semi-trailers, and other non-motorized vehicles of any type and size shall not be parked
on any street in a residential district. The pictures that I saw,accompanied by the e-mail that was
referenced,I think were large pickup trucks which would not qualify with semi-trailers parked in
the driveway,which I-well,I'm not aware would be illegal.I did also confirm that it's 48 hours
parking on the street without having to move it at least 20 feet.
Harmsen:Right. And so-but we don't-my follow-up then was,so we have that for trailers,but do we-we
don't have any,like for passenger vehicles,pickup trucks, etc. We don't have any sort of size
limitations to width,is that correct?
Goers:Not to my knowledge.
Harmsen:I was just wondering about that, and it made me think that-that I know that one of our former
members,councilman Thomas, is probably would-has mentioned many times his unhappiness
with the increasing size of vehicles,which is another factor which,you know,may have been
different now than it was 20 years ago, 15 years ago,just like from things that he has mentioned
when he was here on the council. So,yeah,those are my questions. Thank you.
Goers: Sure.
Alter: So I don't know if this is enough information,but it does seem like there's one piece in the e-mail
that goes along with what we heard. It seems that there's two issues,right. One of them is the
congestion and then the other is about the additional,not even inconvenience,but difficulties due
to the kind of volume of larger vehicles on the street. So I'm fine deferring it so that we can talk
more,but I think it's-I just thought that the e-mail did a really nice job as well as the speakers to
say that we've got two different things going on,right?And they even said restricting parking to
the west side of the street will reduce the congestion. So that's one piece of it,right?And then it
addresses the-it doesn't address the cause of the issue which is this commercial business
operating out of a home. So like I said,I'm happy deferring this but it does seem like they're
acknowledging that maybe the reduction in congestion could actually not necessarily throw up
any blocks to the proposed thing to just reduce the traffic to one side or parking on one side. So I
just wanted off there.
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Goers: I mean,I think it-it is important that roads at all times can get a fire truck down them and a
garbage truck and snow- snow plow.And so it's unfortunate that you have a neighbor that kind of
ruined the party for everybody that we have this existing,non-compliant situation. I am curious,
and I-this is not the time to design a solution,but perhaps we could ask staff to understand,can
you paint parking lines on the side to say this is the-this is the area that you can park in, and once
you're over it,you're in the right of way that's clean.I don't know,We don't do that on our other
streets.I don't know these things,but keeping the street open is important.
Bergus: I do think this gets to a-a bit of a larger issue that relates to what our streets are intended for.And
I think,you know,our streets are intended to move traffic, allow bicyclists and-and vehicles to
pass through. And I think it's- it's lovely if people have additional cars that they have the
opportunity to park on the street.But that's not-that's not really what the street is intended for.
And I think prioritizing the passage of city vehicles, snow plows,emergency vehicles is a
reasonable thing for us to do from a policy standpoint. I agree that it's really tough when your. I
have a neighbor who has a large truck who parks immediately behind my driveway. And the only
reason I can get out is that parking is only allowed on one side of the street, so there's never going
to be a car,you know,on either end of my driveway on the-on the near side. So I'm very
sympathetic to the issue,because that didn't happen for 18 years living in my house. And I think
we have-we have the standards relating to moving vehicles and not storing trailers and that kind
of thing that can be enforced that will address the other issues.I did have a question for staff
relating to this idea of maybe a nonconforming use or some zoning code violation.I know we
enforce those on a complaint basis. How do we know if we've received that complaint?Are we
taking this as a complaint?
Goers: I'm not aware,I mean,other than receiving this e-mail yesterday.But I-I don't know what brought
this to staffs attention originally. Frankly,I'm not sure what the non-complaint or the complaint
would be. That is,at present,you may legally park on both sides of the street,including larger
pickup trucks. So I-I can't imagine what our complaint would be.
Bergus: It was to,as to the use of the-the property is what I heard from the resident. yeah.
Goers: Oh,I would have to look into that.
Salih:But my question is,can-if the large truck you said including the right vehicles,can park there too
in the sidewalk side,I'm just like if we eliminate,like parking of that,is that going to be okay for
the- for the emergency vehicle and everything to be-
Goers: Well,right. We're talking about eliminating parking on one side of the street.
Salih:No,I mean,eliminating like big trucks to park in the both side of the street.
Goers: I'm sorry.I'm not sure [OVERLAPPING] I don't understand your question.
Salih: If like-like normal car size.
Goers: Oh I see. Oversize parking. Like it's in parking ramp, compact only,or something like that.
Salih: It's still that the-the area will be still good for the-for the emergency or the trash.
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Goers: I'm not aware that the city has ever done that kind of parking for one side of the street. I am aware
that in some parking ramps,we say compact only,you know,because of tum radius and stuff like
that,but I'm not aware of the city ever doing anything like that on street parking.
Fruin: There's really-there's two solutions, and- and one is enforcement and just constant enforcement,
and that-that means observing cars and sending people up and down the street every day to look
at which cars are moving,which cars aren't,or there's eliminating the parking. I know it's not
ideal,but we can size-we can put regulations together based on a-a size of vehicle.A vehicle of
this width is okay to park A vehicle of this width is not okay to park,people park different
distances from the curb.I don't think you want staff out there measuring vehicle widths and
things of that nature.Again,you're just going to create a situation in which enforcement
expectations aren't sustainable and we're sending police or parking staff,uh,down this particular
street on a-a regular basis, and that's-that's certainly not scalable.
Teague: Does seem to me given the size of the street,we really can't-um,we can't expect residents on the
street to micromanage their neighbors or each other. And so,there's going to be a time where two
cars are crossed- are parked across from each other and they- it won't be able to get through,um,
you know, some of these safety vehicles.And so,I mean,certainly,you know,what information
can we learn from staff if we were to delay this?I'm not certain that any of that information
would inform our decision that's before us. So that's the only challenge that I have.
Salih: Yeah,when I said,you know,just deferred it,because I thought maybe the start would come up
with like a good solution,you know,the stuff I mean. I-I don't know what the solution is,I'm not
expert in that,that's the staff work. That's why I thought maybe the staff will come with creative
solutions to,you know,like,you know,just like satisfy the staff and at the same time satisfy our
residents who need that area and they've been doing it for years,you know,that's the thing.You
know,things like being like for years happening and suddenly we're changing it,you know what
happened?That's only my concern. And we just make it hard for the resident because we cannot
send the staff constantly to go there and do this.But we are really making it hard for our
residents,our taxpayer. You know,that's what I really mean.But at the end,I'm only one person,
so-
Teague: I mean,you can certainly make a motion to defer.
Salih: I did. I said that,you know,I don't know. I would like to make a motion to defer this so the staff
can like evaluate the situation and come up with like a good solution for this.
Teague: All by Salih.
Alter: Second.
Teague: Seconded by Alter. Any other discussion?Roll call,please. And this is for deferment.
Goers: And to be clear,deferred to the next meeting or?
Salih: Yeah.
Goers: Okay. [Roll Call]
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Teague:Motion passes 7-0.It'll be deferred until our April 2nd meeting.All right.We are on to-could I
get a motion to accept correspondence?
Bergus: So moved,Bergus.
Alter: Second,Alter.
Teague: All in favor say,aye. Aye. Any oppose?Motion passes 7-0.
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10. Community Comment
Teague: We're onto Item number 10 which is community comment. This is an opportunity for the public
to come and speak about any item that is not on our regular agenda. We will only allow in person
comments. And I want to get a sense of how many folks want to speak today.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Raise your hand if you want to speak.
Teague:Right. So and I'm just going to do some counting.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Is there anyone in the hallway?
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Do you mean speak at this- at this issue or the next one?
Teague: On-on this- on anything that's not on our agenda. Okay.I think I'm counting about 15 people and
we have 30 minutes for comments.And so the only way for me to do this is I'm going to have to
cut the comments down to two minutes.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Oh,come on.
Teague: And-
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Every time.
Teague: Yeah. I can-I can certainly allow for 30 minutes and then
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] We talked about a pergola for 10 minutes.
Teague: and then we cut it off at that moment. So if people want just to go 30 minutes,we can do that,
and then we just cut it off at that moment. So if that's what folks want just be conscientious of
others behind you that want to speak.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Why can't we go longer?
Teague:No,just 30 minutes.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] I can wait 45 minutes to leave this place.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Same.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Is there anybody that's opposed to besides him [inaudible]?
Teague: So we'll-we'll invite,um,individuals up,please state your name in the city you're from and we're
going to go for three minutes. Just be mindful that we have 30 minutes. We'll end at-we'll-we'll
go until 7:30,so we'll have 35 minutes.
Denney: Good evening,my name is Emma Denney,I'm sure some of you know me already. I'm a resident
of Iowa City. I live just five or six blocks from here. And I'm here today with many members of
Iowa City's trans community to speak to the fear and anger we are feeling and to demand that this
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city take action. All people have the right to live safely and without fear and Iowa City has been
failing its trans community in that respect.We've had to deal with seemingly unending legislation
from the state as well as threats of prosecution here in Johnson County should we speak up and
take action to defend and-and-to defend and support our community. I myself have personally
faced arrest. Our community needs more than simple words of support from this council,we
constantly hear messages about how we're such an important part of this diverse community.We
heard as much today.But in this climate of hostility and violence,we need real and profound
action. To this end,I demand that Iowa City adopt sanctuary city laws and policies to protect all
trans people,especially the following. First,a declaration of non enforcement of current and
fixture anti-trans laws,especially those that target trans youth.With more than 40 bills introduced
this legislative session looking to attack our fundamental right to live as ourselves and access our
healthcare and support. Trans youth have already had this stripped from them and this body
allowed that to go unchallenged. Stipends for housing and funding-and funding for travel are also
important. People are already coming to Johnson County, fleeing elsewhere in this state because
of the persecution trans people face and we need to support them.Fighting for the rights of trans
people,as this body often claims to do,means standing up to take action,even if that action has
risks and taking all of the power you have to fight back against injustice,violence,and hate,
anything less makes you complicit in our oppression.While there are many members of our
community and our allies present here,and I want to thank all of them,many are not here.I had
many young trans residents of this city reach out to me to say that they are afraid of retribution,
both by the city,its police force, and the University of Iowa police, should they speak out. We
learned just this week during Tara McGovern's trial,that UIPD watches these meetings and
targets those who speak out with unjust surveillance. The Mayor's proclamation mentioned
advocacy for trans people,but we demand action now. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
Reynen:Hi,my name is Maeve Reynen. I'm from Iowa City. We are in a unique position here in Iowa
City. While anti-trans legislation,rhetoric and terror take over the state,we can be different.
There is a large community of people here who really-really care about making change. It has
been challenging just to exist as ourselves.Even here in Iowa City,which is why me,my
colleagues,and so many of your fellow Iowa Citians want to commit to making this town a truly
safe haven for trans people. The safety and community found here cannot unfortunately be found
everywhere else. We need to empower what we already have here and make sure it stays that
way.My trans sisters,brothers,and siblings are some of the kindest,most intelligent, and most
caring people out there. This city is a reflection of the people who live here. You want Iowa City
to be a safe haven for trans people. Some of my friends have already mentioned tangible actions
we can be taking to actualize the fixture we want.Non enforcement policies and anti trans
legislation passed here in Iowa and resources towards housing for those escaping elsewhere in the
state to come here. The fact of the matter is that trans people need tangible support. One in five
trans people experience homelessness at some point in their lives. One in five trans people are
discriminated against when trying to find housing and LGBTQ youth make up 20-40%of all
homeless youth in the country. Iowa City needs to become a beacon against the trans phobia
sweeping our nation. There are a myriad of ways you,the city and we,the people can make this
happen financially. In light of the UIPD just recently brutalizing many members of our
community and stats from the Iowa City, annual police report showing nearly all forms of crime,
and especially violent crime decreasing for years.I believe the ICPD budget needs to be reduced,
and that these reductions can make way for some of these proposals. In article on Gender
Refugees in Elle Magazine details the story of a family with a trans daughter fleeing her
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hometown after facing daily harassment and discrimination,that happened here.Her hometown
was here. We have to ensure stories like these do not become the norm,and you up here
claiming-proclaiming for trans day of visibility you need to put your money where our mouths
are. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name in the city you're from.
Monalega:My name is Harry Monalega,you know me. I've been living in the city my whole life. In
2020,the people of this city-city rose up and gave this city council an ultimatum,either reduce
the police budget or the property damage protesters bought on the city would continue.In 2020,
the city Council agreed with these demands and voted to create a plan to reduce the budget of the
ICPD and since then,you have increased the police budget by millions of dollars. This is no
insignificant percentage. In 2020,an officer of the UIPD was seen engaging in unnecessarily
police brutality. This same officer was seen engaging in unnecessary police brutality at the Chloe
Cole protest last October. Additionally,UIPD has recently admitted,while under oath to illegal
surveillance of the entire Iowa City population.All of this with no consequence.All of this shows
me that not only does this city council ignore the will of the people when it comes to ICPD,but
they have no ability to prevent the University of Iowa from overreaching their jurisdiction into
the city's jurisdiction.Mr.Mayor,I'm talking to you please keep eye contact. It's almost as if the
city council is filled with university puppets.You have two options,either take real concrete
material action against UIPD,or admit that not only do you lie when you say you care about my
community but that you cannot do anything about an out of control police department. I am here
to demand that this city council take action-real action against the university and their police
department- departments and reduce the ICPD budget as you agreed two years ago.Furthermore,
how dare you use Nex Benedict's name to try and score brownie points from my community and
our allies when you support the police departments that abuse us and the landlords that push us
into homelessness. How fucking dare you Bruce Teague,you are a fraud,you are a transphobe
and you are a bitch. You do not deserve the hold public office in this city and come election day,
we will vote you out and end your political career unless you do some real shit to take care of
this.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] The Mayor is not an elected position.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Oh!
Teague: Thank you.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] He's appointed by the council.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] Oh!
Teague: Thank you.
[AUDIENCE MEMBER] There's a lot of open seats.
Teague: Welcome.
Raker: Good evening. You guys hear me?
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Teague: Yes. Welcome.
Recker: I'm Tamera Recker.I live in Iowa City. I'm here this evening to add my thoughts about the crisis.
I believe the crisis dispatch position that could potentially be added.Is that right you guys have
been discussing that at the work sessions?I've been trying to catch it as best I can with my work,
etc. Um,but I'm here today to,um, support any efforts that allow community to have better
access to crisis intervention beyond what we currently have.We do have the most-you know,we
have this outstanding community crisis and we do have social workers that are able to sometimes
go on a call with a police officer.I think someone referred to it at the work session as a ride
along.But,um,it's amazing what a difference we can have when we can have calls,triage so to
speak,by the proper person at the dispatch office. I myself work in healthcare in this community.
I work at the VA,and people who are trained to take calls and sort of sort out what's a crisis,what
needs mediation,what needs police presence,or what needs an officer. Um,I'd really like to see
funds be put towards that. Um,I don't want to see any more people end up in jail that don't need
to be put in jail. Sometimes because of the lack of time,the lack of resources,um,I think that
some people you know end up-there's only so much time an officer could mediate a situation.
Um, and I think that we can-we can do well in Iowa City with this.We can do better. We have a
mental health provider crisis in our state which leads to not being able to have enough beds.Um,
people from all over the state come here for mental healthcare for beds. So I would just like to
encourage you to get going on it.Not-not stall,not wait for data because we need it now and
people lose their jobs,they lose relationships with their families,and they end up incarcerated and
they end up with worse charges and it's heartbreaking. I can tell you that from a personal
experience with my family. And I just want to say,um,thanks for this opportunity to speak and I
think mental healthcare and what we can do affects all of us in this room. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. You'll notice people are writing their names down so there are stickers in the back.If
you wanted to pre-write your name.Please state your name.
Ross: IIi,my name is Brandon Ross.I would call attention to,uh,that 1968 Martin Luther King said that
a country that spends more money on military rather than on social benefit is heading down the
road toward spiritual death. And in 1968,Dr. King said that the United States is the most violent
country in the world and maybe the most violent country in the history of the world. Well,it
continues today. We are in countries-we are spending a trillion dollars a year on military.We can
use that money at home for all the things that we're even talking about here today.Uh,we're in-
right now,we're arming a very brutal apartheid State of Israel regarding Palestine.Right now,
we're arming a neo fascist regime in Kiev which attacked Eastern,uh,Ukraine.Uh,a half a
million people died there.We're-in Syria,we're basically arming rebels who are basically not
friends to humanity.We have attacked-we have attached Yemen,which-which is against the
War Powers Act like everything else is illegal international crime.Uh,we have also dropped
bombs on Somalia.Boy,I can go on,right? So what I'm saying to people is,I'm appealing to you
please-please-please continue to contact your government,your state government,your national
government and tell them that you want those anus pulled back. You want us out of those areas.
I'm Ukrainian American second generation okay. I will tell you this that the US is involved in
Ukraine since 2014. It basically helped overthrow a democratically elected president. Then the
US armed a bunch of fascist militias. They're coming for me,a bunch of fascist militias that
attacked Eastern Ukraine for eight years okay.In 2019,UNICEF put out a report warning that
half a million children in Eastern Ukraine were in danger for their lives. Over four million people
fled Ukraine,in Eastern Ukraine because of the Kiev regime and where did they go? They went
to Russia because they were being attacked. Over 20,000 people died in the attacks from Kiev
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regime and over 2,000 children died. Do the US or the UN do nothing?Well,we were supporting
that,we were arming them. In 2022,two years ago,over 3,000 violations-cease fire violations by
the Kiev regime ended up in Russia coming in on behalf of Eastern Ukraine okay. So basically,
we are in the wrong.Most of the world knows that the US has caused this conflict not Russia.I'm
Ukrainian.I'm telling you from what I know and I know a lot,and I've studied this for many-
many years. So I'm pleading with people,please call for your government.Withdraw arms for
Israel,withdraw arms for Ukraine,withdraw from Syria and Yemen and other countries and let's
spend that money at home where it can be made use of.
Teague: Thank you. Yep. Welcome.
One second, sorry.
Allou: One second,sorry.Hello,members of the City Council.My name is Bellona Allou. I am a resident
of Iowa City. I am a 19 year old transsexual woman. I have lived in Iowa City and surrounding
area for almost 8 years now. I did 4 years at West High.Before that I was at Northwest,and
before that I was at Wickham. I am now a student at the University of Iowa. And I am here today
to call on all of you to protect the trans community of this city,as many of my peers,my siblings
have talked to you about already. We need more from you. We need more than words.You say
we see you,we hear you,we stand with you. What are you doing to prove it?I do not want to be
forced out of this city. This city is my home. I have an amazing community here.But if I am not
safe here,I will leave.And I am not the only one,you are going to lose so many brilliant people,
so many scientists,so many musicians and artists, so many treasured people if you do not do
something to protect them.I am calling on you all implement sanctuary policies,implement non-
enforcement policies for bathroom bills and drag bans,and healthcare bans.Because if you don't,
people are going to leave.People are going to die.People will be arrested for simply being
themselves. I have PTSD from my encounters with the police of this city.I do not want that for
my siblings. I do not want that for my friends.But if there is nothing that is done by this council
to protect us,they are going to suffer and it will be your fault. So when you fly the trans flag,you
better have earned it.
Teague: Thank you. We have about 20 minutes left.I want to see a raise of hands.I think I count about
eight individuals. Um, so I'm going to ask people to speak about 2 minutes. We'll give you 3
because we want to make sure that everybody come through.Welcome.
Jorgensen:Hi,I'm Elizabeth Jorgensen.Last time I was here it was for the creek clean up thing,so I'm
going to leave a lot less trash on the ground this time. Um,I'm also transsexual and I'm also here
about the anti trans laws.Um,a lot of my friends have already left the state. And I know more
people who are planning to leave because of these laws.Um,I hope that most of you would agree
with me that this will represent a loss of diversity that will make our community worse off.Um,
I'm hoping that there is a silver lining that I can describe to you for us here in Iowa City. Um,
because the people who are fleeing Iowa aren't just my friends in Iowa city. Uh,most of them are
elsewhere in Iowa and if we take this opportunity during this particularly bad legislative session
to pass sanctuary city policies, instead of people fleeing Iowa city,we will have more people
flocking here from the rest of Iowa and our community will be better off as a result. Um,and by
sanctuary city policies,I'm talking about law enforcement.I-um,I want you not to investigate or
make arrests on the new anti trans laws. Uh,don't investigate people for going to drag shows or
arrest doctors for giving people hormones. Uh,don't take books out of our libraries if they're
banned.And keep cops out of our bathrooms,because as citizens of Iowa City,we're culpable for
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what our cops do to people to enforce this stuff.Um,so please pass a sanctuary city policy now to
make Iowa City stronger instead of weaker as a community.And that's 2 minutes.You're
welcome.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
Kula: Hi,I'm Jenny Kula,Iowa City. During the Trump presidency,officials in Minneapolis took action
to limit cooperation with federal agents tasked with detaining humans based on their
documentation status. I believe Iowa City ought to take similar action to protect undocumented
immigrants.No struggle for justice can be separated.I stand here today in response to the slew of
transphobic legislation being developed and passed in Iowa.I hope this city government will take
action to become a sanctuary for long term residents and those who have moved here after fleeing
unsafe spaces.If Minneapolis was able to make statute that went against the will of tyrannical
federal government,then I am positive the city can deny that enforcement of our fascist state
government. There may be a need for legal workarounds.But as a citizen of Iowa City,I call on
the City Council to do whatever is necessary to protect human rights.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Shoppa: Hello,I'm Vincent Shoppa.I'm a transsexual man who's lived in Iowa City his whole life.Um,
growing up here,I always thought of this as a blue bubble and a larger conservative state. This is
one of the reasons I've stayed here so long into my adult years.But as already stated,Iowa City is
targeting trans individuals as could be seen from the UIPD's targeted arrest of nearly 15 trans
individuals for protesting transphobic speakers and standing in solidarity with Pal-Palestine. The
state is trying to push transphobic legislature. If these transphobic laws continue to pass that aim
to ban transition,ban us from using our proper bathrooms,the state will tum transphobia from de
facto to dejur.Iowa City will be a city that is enforcing lawful transphobia. This isn't something
Iowa City has no control of. The council before me has a choice on whether or not this city will
enforce these laws. The council before me has a choice to make Iowa City the bubble it should be
away from the conservative hate that our trans siblings throughout the rest of the state have to
face trans people are not going to stick around if we have to face legal action from living our
lives. We will flee to other safer parts of the country. If that's the history the council wants for our
city, a history of banishing its trans population,continue to do nothing.But if we want our history
to tell a story of a thriving trans community,one that will only grow larger and bring more art,
music,and education to this town by providing a safe haven for trans individuals across the state,
then I implore my council members to declare Iowa City a sanctuary city. Free of the
enforcement of transphobic legislature.
Teague: Welcome.Please state your name and city you're from.
Reynen:Hello,my name is Clara Reynen.I'm from Iowa City,Iowa. And I just wanted to speak a bit to
the housing piece of the puzzle,um,and in the hopes that eventually we can provide and help for
folks who are moving here to avoid transphobia in the rest of the state. Uh,when my wife and I
moved back for grad school,um,we decided to buy a house which is wild.We were so lucky and
blessed to be able to afford a house and to have parents who could help us and-and I don't think I
understood until I lived in a house with my wife about what-what a privilege it is to have housing
and something that we shouldn't even need to consider a privilege. Um, everybody should be able
to live in the space that they need,in the space that they deserve.And I think a lot of times we get
really caught up in talking about transgender issues because the media and state legislature has-
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legislature has told us that we need to be scared of trans people.But to know a trans person is to
have the best friends of your life.And for those of you who don't know any trans people
personally,I feel really sorry for you.Because knowing trans people has made my life richer.It
has made my life more colorful,more fun.My trans friends and family have encouraged me to
think more deeply about what it means to be human,what it means to be in community,what it
means to be healthy,what it means to thrive,what it means to love yourself,to know trans people
is a blessing. And to make Iowa City a place where trans folks can thrive is one of the best things
we could do for our city, for our economy, for all those things,I don't really understand. I know
that making Iowa City a sanctuary city would only help. And so I would urge you to listen to all
of the trans folks who are speaking to you today because they know what they're talking about.
And once you are all able to admit that sometimes you don't know what you're talking about,it's
going to get a lot easier to do your job,um,and I think people would be a lot happier with you
too. Thanks.
Teague: Welcome.And I just want to mention,we have about 12 minutes left, so welcome.
Garner Proudie: Hello,My name is Bren Garner Proudie.I'm a resident of Iowa City. I am a lifelong
resident of Iowa. I was born in Cedar Rapids,and I have a lot of very dear family and friends that
live in this state. I moved to Iowa City last year to continue my education. And in the 8 months
I've lived here,I've grown to love this city.But Iowa itself is not a safe place for me as a
transsexual woman.In recent years,this state has lurched farther to the right. The laws passed by
the Republican held legislature have already driven scores of transgender people out of their
home states. They threaten to drive even more people away unless we do something about it.
Now,more than ever,Iowa City needs to become a sanctuary city in order to protect its
transgender residents and strengthen its community as a whole. Tonight you are hearing from
myself and others demanding action to protect transgender Iowans. We are demanding a
declaration of non enforcement of antitrans legislation and stipends,and funding for housing to
allow transgender Iowans to find refuge in Iowa City. The far right is relying on the willingness
of people to be complicit in injustice. They are powerless to carry out their own laws, and we are
the ones with the power to remind them of that. And in any genocide,there are always
conscientious objectors. There will always be people who will refuse to carry out these laws.
There will be educators who protect their trans students. There will be doctors willing to offer
lifesaving care to transgender people,including transgender youth. You have-you have the
opportunity to protect these people.A declaration of non enforcement is no more or less powerful
than the law it is striving to block We don't expect the State legislature to accept this without a
fight. It is only the beginning of the fight to stop the legislative assault on our rights. But it is one
thing that is-that is within your power to do to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community of
Iowa. Thank you.
Teague: Welcome.
Branka:Hi.Uh,my name is Stroma Branka,and my pronouns, are they,them.I work in Iowa City and
have worked in Iowa City for about the last seven years.Last year we've seen a number of
different pieces of anti-trans legislation that are having devastating impacts on our community
and this includes the back,the blue laws.As our community has been historically targeted by
police since the Stonewall uprising of 1969. With the arrests of multiple peaceful Trans protesters
and increasing descent into fascism at the state level,we are simply not safe and we are asking
you to do something about it. I am on the intake committee for the Trans Mutual Aid Fund. Each
month,I hear stories from parents asking for money to get their child over the border to
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Minnesota so they can get the lifesaving healthcare that they need,which is now banned in Iowa.
We recently got a request for someone looking for aid to permanently flee the state due to the
impact of anti-trans legislation. This is our first request of this nature. This is how bad things have
gotten. People are starting to flee. Well,it's been reported on by several major news outlets that
Tara McGovern was monitored by the police for years before they were ever arrested. Their
arrests also brought to light that the police have been monitoring multiple innocent trans citizens
in the same manner that they did Tara. They're monitoring us because we are trans,that's it. I was
also one of the individuals that has been monitored since I found at least August of 2023.I wasn't
arrested because I committed no crimes and did even less than Tara,um but I was still one of only
11 identified individuals who was part of a PowerPoint presented to the county attorney. That
night I watched officers get violent with my friends. In depositions,an officer said I was putting
myself in a dangerous position by being present when protesters voiced their dissent to the police
for getting violent with them,and I wasn't even one of the people yelling at the police.
Considering that the only people capable of creating that danger that he said I was putting myself
in was the police.It's a clear threat against me.And this is all I feel safe speaking about publicly,
but I will follow up with more details privately with members of the Council. I have so many
resources at my disposal and even I'm not safe here anymore. And while I understand that you
don't necessarily control every police division in this town,you do govern the city that they
operate in.What the trans community needs is housing material support,access to medical care,
and protection from violence,both state and interpersonal violence.I have a hunch you're not
going to be entirely receptive to my friends requests. I'm challenging you to get creative.We are
asking you to do literally anything of substance to protect us. This is why they keep passing laws
to erase us. They want us dead.We are more than happy to meet with any member of the City
Council who is interested in creating measures that would provide the protection that we need.
And while Councilwoman Bergus's Ally ship is much appreciated.
Teague: Thank you.
Branka:I'd like more of you to join us.
Teague: Thank you,thank you.Welcome.
Thirthani: Hello.My name is Vicky Thirthani and I am a resident of Iowa City.Um,I-I am a proud and
out transsexual woman of color.And,um -And first off,I'll keep this short and succinct. Um,I'm
thank-I thank you for,um,creating- for putting the-for recognizing the transgender day of
visibility.But-but I will also admit that this, sort of,recognition is symbolic and tokenistic. It is
empty without any protection for trans people. Trans people in Iowa City have been arrested and
brutalized by police. And I'm asking you to-to protect us. These-these institu-these institutions
have to stop targeting trans people.Because as sort of said in court,they have been targeting
people who disagree with them, and this is-and this is dangerous.And frankly,a- any attempt at
protecting trans lives starts with making sure the state does not hurt us. And I will keep it at that.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Kippes: Hi,my name is Izzie. Um,I live in Iowa City. Um earlier this year,I lost my friend Quinn Joy to
suicide. She lived in Des Moines.Um,about,I think three weeks ago now.Nex Benedict was
murdered uh in Osc-oh,fuck,what's the name of the city?Anyway Oklahoma. Um I just want to
say like-like trans people are under attack like everywhere,especially Red States,especially
Iowa,especially rural areas.Um and we have the power as a city to make that better. We have the
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power to offer sanctuary of these people.Um my friends before me have said a lot of things about
housing. Um I want to be clear with,like,what the issues are currently in Iowa city. Um,we deal
with a housing cartel of landlords that like control rent. They control leases. Everyone deals with
12 month lease gaps as a standard. That makes it extremely difficult to move here,um to have to
time it with the students when many people moving here aren't even students. Um,rent keeps
going up every single year for most everyone.Er if someone moves out,rent goes up$50 to
$100.Er we need measures of rent control. We need measures to change the policies regarding er
these lease gaps. These 12 month-these 12 month lease gaps are like not sustainable and I think
unprecedented for a city at this scale.Um,we have the-we have the power to like preserve trans
people are fleeing Iowa and catch them in Iowa city and like make this community better. Um,
thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Yeager:Hello. Sorry.Er,my name's Nicole Yeager.Um,I am in my 11th year here in Iowa City as a
resident. Um,I'm from small rural Iowa and I am the Political Action Chair for COGS UE Local
896,which represents around 2000 graduate students at the University of Iowa.Er we recently
wro-wrote and democratically passed this letter for our union that I'm going to read some of to
you now.Um,so we,the democratically elected leadership of UE Local 896 COGS, acknowledge
the abundant history of student activists standing for what is right,and write to you to demand
that you stand with student demonstrators and the people on the front lines of defending human
rights, social justice,and a higher standard of living for all workers and the greatest small city of
the arts.We demand a public apology and commitment to justice from the City Council,
University Police Department and Chief Dustin Listen.And that all affected demonstrators have
their charges dropped JCo 7 and Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine. Critically,we
demand that the city respond to the unnecessary justice on patrol in our community and decrease
the amount allocated to the Iowa City police budget and divert these l ands to the people. Um,I'm
going to also mention that graduate students were banned from Jessup Hall and the IMU as
further evidence that the University of Iowa is out of control.Um,the Iowa City is a UNESCO
city of literature that advertises itself as the greatest small city of the arts,yet those who drive
forward the innovative work on television and in print, et cetera,that capture the world's
attention,live in poverty,are over policed,and their rights are under attack. The city's priorities
are evident as it spends nearly 17.3 million on police force and a mere$1 million in affordable
housing each year. Currently,the Iowa City Police receives nearly 40%of Iowa City's general
funds each year,yet nearly 90%of calls logged are unjustified or unnecessary,per its own
records.Including the recent arrests of local demonstrators. We see this in those city officials who
deem it necessary to increase funding as fiscally reckless,and the silence in response to the
violence waged against a transgender diverse community is deplorable. It's gravely irresponsible
to increase funding for force,yet again,when our community-your community, faces immense
barriers to timely mental and physical healthcare,including gender affirming healthcare, safe and
affordable housing,food,security,childcare,infrastructure,and even timely snow removal.
There's more I want to say here. Uh this-this will be in your inbox if it isn't already. But I wanted
to say that our members stand for a working class movement to bring a higher standard of living
for all. We voted for you so that you would fulfill your campaign promises to fight for social,
racial and economic justice in our city. Our members and allies are watching you now to see how
you will act for the people as stewards of our public funds.And on a personal note,I know
exactly what it's like to be from a small town and watch suicidal trans individuals be arrested.I've
spoken with you about this. And what you told me was-.
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Teague: Thank you.
Yeager:What you cared about was what happened here.We need to look at-.
Teague: Thank you.
Yeager: The entire state.
Teague: Thank you. And this will be our last speaker,so welcome.
Glab: Hello,I'm John Glab. I'm a resident of Iowa City. I've been here for about two years now,and I'm
originally from Dubuque and one thing that I lacked in my first 18 years of living there was a
sense of community.And ever since nearly immediately moving to Iowa City,I have found that
and that sense of community for me and everyone else is a much needed aspect of our lives.It
allows us to be able to live happily. The laws passed by the Iowa government that are targeting
trans people,are plain and simple civil rights violations,harming my friends and the members in
our community. It is- it is very simple to solve this problem,and that is for everyone here,
everyone in the city of Iowa,to not enforce these laws.Not enforcing these laws does not harm
anyone.It is-these laws are only made to harm and target trans individuals. It's only logical to not
follow suit with these and that includes not enforce-to not enforce these laws that includes not
having police arrest trans individuals who are the primary targets,and we have seen primarily
targeted by these laws. The citizens here have spoken,and it's only morally right to support these
anti trans laws. It will allow Iowa city-the community and Iowa City to flourish and there's
basically no true city without the community that supports everyone. That's all I have to say.
Teague: Thank you,and thanks to everyone that spoke today.We actually did it within the allotted time,
so thanks to everybody for yielding some time for others to come up and speak I appreciate that.
Thank you all.
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11. Planning& Zoning Matters
11.a Rezoning 429,430,436438,405 Southgate Ave and 1916 Waterfront Dr - Ordinance
rezoning approximately 4.5 acres of property located at 429,430,436438,and 501
Southgate Avenue and 1916 Waterfront Drive from Intensive Commercial (CI-1) Zone to
Community Commercial (CC-2) Zone (REZ24-0002).
Teague: Teague: We're going to move on to Item Number 11,which is our planning and zoning matters,
and l La. We're at l La rezoning,429-430-436 through 438501 South Gate Avenue and 916
Waterfront Drive ordinance rezoning approximately 4.5 acres of property located at 429,430,436
through 438 and 501 South Gate Avenue and 1916 Waterfront Drive from intense commercial
zone to community commercial zone.And I'm going to open up the public hearing and welcome,
Danielle.
Sitzman: Thank you,Mayor. Danielle Sitzman,Neighborhood Development Services. As you introduced
this item,this is a city initiated rezoning of several properties on Southgate Avenue and
Waterfront Drive,shown here in the white outline. As you recall,in November of 2023,the City
Council did adopt some changes to our zoning code text. These amendments were intended to
improve housing choice,increase housing supply,and encourage housing affordability. The
amendments also included provisions to address potential fair housing issues,including treating
assisted group living uses more consistently with multifamily uses,and reclassifying community
service long term housing as a residential use. These two changes created some non conformities
in the area that I just indicated for you for existing uses that were already there. Specifically,the
reclassifying of existing community service long term housing as multifamily,it would
essentially no longer allow assisted group living uses in the zone in which they were located. The
purpose of the city initiated rezoning then is to address that,to correct that so that those properties
can be as conforming as possible in light of the zoning code text change. So to rezone those
properties,to a zoning classification that fits what they are doing now and also fits within their
neighborhood. To better align their zoning with the existing uses and follow those,like I said,
recent code changes. Staff did meet with all the property owners of those properties, and all
property owners have expressed their support for the rezoning. Staff did also hold a good
neighbor meeting. In analyzing which zoning district to propose the rezoning four,we did look at
the implications of all the possible choices and found that CC-2 would better align the zoning of
the existing users and make them compatible development.Without a rezoning,the sites could
have continued to operate as legal non conformities in that existing zoning district.But as I said,
this resolve some of their conflicts so that they can continue to make improvements to their
property without having to go through the added steps of resolving the nonconforming status. In
proposing rezonings,the-we do analyze two criteria. First being consistency with the
comprehensive plan. The comp-the fixture land use map of the Comp plan does identify the
subject properties as suitable for general commercial and intensive commercial. Those are general
use categories or non zoning districts,so remember that a Comp Plan has different categories than
zoning districts. The land use goals to include that and this particular area include a transition
between residential and more intensive commercial uses for the long term neighborhood health.
The Comp plan does also reference neighborhood design principles in general, for buffering
residential development from other more intense commercial or incompatible uses.Also in this
area,there's a South District Plan.It has a map as well,which also encourages commercial in this
area, and enc- encourages a mixed use and residential development in this area as well. The
rezoning therefore proposed does-is consistent with the comprehensive plan,the district plan. It
also would be compatible with the existing neighborhood in that the existing uses become more
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compatible with their zoning designation and potential redevelopment maintains a desirable
transition,as I said,between different uses. So the proposed rezoning is compatible with the
existing neighborhood.Again showing a close up of the area,the individual properties that were
met-that we met within their existing uses today.Just a quick recap. So this is a rezoning from
CI-1 to CC-2. As I mentioned,there is only one property that we know of that's interested in
building improvement. They're on hold until this rezoning occurs so that they can be considered
conforming with their zoning district and do the project that they want. So in summary,staff does
fmd that in reviewing the relevant criteria,the proposal is consistent with the required criteria.
And at their February 7,2024 meeting,the Planning and Zoning Commission concurred with
staffs opinion and recommended approval of this rezoning by a vote of 6-0. That concludes my
report,I'm happy to answer questions. Okay.
Alter: Can you tell me what the outfit is that wants to do building improvement?Just got curiosity.
Sitzman:It's- as a vestibule,it's an entryway improvement,it's nothing major.But that's what,kind of,
triggered the whole oh,
Alter: all of it.
Sitzman:We need to address this sooner rather than later so that their project doesn't get held up.
Alter: Got you. Thank you.
Teague: Here are no other questions. Thank you. Anyone from the public like to address this topic?If
you're online,please raise your hand and I'll acknowledge you.If you're on phone,press star nine
- star nine,please. Say no one in person or online,I'm going to close the public hearing. Could I
get a motion to give first consideration?
Goers: I'm sorry,Mayor.Before you close the hearing,perhaps you can look to your left and right and see
if there's an informal consensus.
Teague: Yeah. All right.
Goers: Thank you.
Teague: Great. Could I get a motion to give first consideration?
Moe: So moved.
Alter: Second.
Teague: So moved by Moe,second by Alter,council discussion?
Goers: If I may,Mayor,before we vote,I just want to make some record that Mayor Pro Tem was—
stepped out for a good portion of this,but it's a-because it's a zoning matter,I just want to make
some record that was for religious purposes.But she was tuning in and one was able to listen to
everything that was going on much like Councilor Dunn is participating electronically.
Teague:Right. Thank you.
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Alter: Thank you.
Moe: I think it's great that we bring the actual built conditions into compliance with what our zoning is.
And thanks to the staff for just making this align because it is complicated to do any kinds of
work when there's a misalignment so.
Bergus: Yeah. Thanks for asking all the property owners and having their agreement in our packet as
well.
Alter: Yes.
Teague: Alright.Roll call,please. [Roll Call]Motion passes 7-0.
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1Lb 1810,1816,and 1828 Lower Muscatine Rd- Ordinance rezoning approximately 6.25
acres of land located at 1810,1816,and 1828 Lower Muscatine Road from Neighborhood
Public Zone(P-1)zone to General Industrial (I-1)zone(REZ23-0010).
Teague: Item l Lb is rezoning 1810, 1816, and 1828 Lower Muscatine Road Ordinance rezoning
approximately 6.25 acres of land located at 1810, 1816,and 1828 Lower Muscatine Road,from
neighborhood public zone to general industrial zone and I'm gonna open up the public hearing.
Great and welcome,Danielle.
Sitzman: Thank you,Mayor. Uh,this is an application that was originally submitted by the former owner
of the site which was Kirkwood College to rezone approximately,uh, six-point acres of land as
you mentioned from Neighborhood Public to general industrial. Um,it's located Northeast of
Lower Muscatine Road and Northwest of Mall Drive in Iowa City. The property currently
contains the vacant educational buildings formula- formerly occupied by Kirkwood Community
College since the time of application and there were several co-applicants to that application. The
subject property has been purchased by Procter& Gamble and it shows under the ownership of
Oral B. Procter& Gamble currently owns East-lands to the East of the proposed rezoning and
intends to demolish the existing buildings but has ex-not shared any plans at this time to expand.
Joe Townsend,uh,the oral care engineering director,should also be available tonight to answer
questions,uh,if you have any of Procter& Gamble. This shows the current zoning of the
property in gray is the public zone,um,is surrounded by,uh,industrial zoning to the Northwest
and Southeast. Um,to the Northwest is an industrial use owned by Mid-American,and as I said
to the Southeast is Oral B,Procter& Gamble. Um,to the East and West are primarily low to
medium-density single-family zo-zoning districts and further South is additional commercial
districts. This zooms out a little bit to show again that property in the context of,um,the entire
industrial,uh,district in Iowa City. It's kind of on the Northwest end of the larger industrial area
in Iowa City. Um, it's served very well by Highway 6 and a rail spur making it a good
interconnected,uh,transportation system for industrial users. Um,the current zoning,um,
actually in 20-2002 the city most recently initiated a rezoning on a p- on a portion of this
property at 28- 1828 Lower Muscatine Road at which time,the city initiated a rezoning to the P-1
District,um,on behalf of Kirkwood Community College so that they could expand their campus
and,uh,add some buildings. Um,the neighborhood public P-1 Zone is,uh,primarily for the
purpose of housing public uses,um,uses that are under public ownership,um, such as schools,
parks,police,and fire stations. Other civic buildings that are owned or otherwise controlled by
the county city or a school district. In this case,Kirkwood Community College is a public
college,and,uh,the zoning of P-1 was appropriate for that use.Um,Kirkwood no longer
operates within this facility and as I said has sold the property.Um,if in that case,it's no longer
appropriate to hold a P-1 zoning district since anybody besides these types of users would not be
public entities so rezoning is needed. Uh,the proposed rezoning would allow for an extension of
existing neighboring uses,and as I said no specific plans for extension of- or development of the
lot has been provided. So the proposed zoning would be general industrial or I-1. Um,this is the
least intense indu-industrial zone in the city's zoning code. The purpose of general industrial is to
provide an opportunity for the development of most types of industrial firms.Um,and it does
have regulations that are intended to protect adjacent development and it is subject to site
development standards for industrial.Um,any development in the fixture on this site would be
held to the current,uh,site development standards,uh,in our- in our code. Um,just looking at the
allowed uses are highlighted in the darker gray in the,um,chart to the right. Um,primarily
technical and light manufacturing are perm-permitted uses in the zone. Um, any of the other
darker uses are permitted by right as well. Um, anything in the chart that has a PR next to it
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would be something that's allowed provisionally in the zoning code which usually means,uh,that
there's a separate section in our code that says,if you're doing these other types of uses then
there's some additional standards that you have to comply with. So those provisional conditions
would apply.And then anything marked with an S is a use that would only be allowed if a special
exception was granted by the Board of Adjustment.Um,in this case,um,heavy manufacturing
specifically,um,would be very,very limited and on-in this zone,um,by special exception the
only kind of heavy manufacturing user could be- could even be allowed is a concrete batch plant
but the provisions that go with that pretty much exclude it from being allowed on the site because
it has a distant separation from residential. So in effect,heavy manufacturing could not go on the
site. And then I think this includes the other standards,the basic,uh,standards for step x and
height. So again this is a rezoning and has two review criteria. The first being consistency with
the comprehensive plan.Um,the subject map here shows the property circled in red,and in the
comprehensive plan the fixture land use plan map does indicate this area is appropriate for public
or semi-public uses. Again those are land use categories for fixture land use planning not zoning
districts. At the time of the comprehensive plans drafting in 2013,Kirkwood Community College,
uh,was the current and longstanding user of the property. Um,over time Kirkwood had made
repeated investments in the property to develop a campus. If you look back through time you can
see,um,them adding buildings or wings to their buildings.Um,however,conditions have
recently changed with the closing of the campus and sale of the property. I think it's important to
keep in mind the comprehensive plan is a road map. It's not a blueprint for construction so over
time,um,there are multiple routes that can be taken to fmd a successful route,um,for the city
and for,um, fixture land uses and so understanding that the comprehensive plan also
expresses,um,goals and objectives,um,separate from this fixture land use plan map. So when
looking at those goals and objectives we can see that there are clearly,um,other goals and
objectives related to economic development that encourage the increase in diversity of public
property tax base by encouraging the retention and expansion of existing businesses. So this
rezoning to an industrial,uh,zone would allow the expansion of industrial use,um,from one
facility to the neighboring property and that would be consistent with the comprehensive plan.
Uh,this is-this subject property is also located in the Southwest district plan area. That was a
plan adopted in 2011.Again at the time is-of its adoption Kirkwood was a longstanding user and
as with many,um,plans we typically see that if something's been there for a while and it's not
expected to change it's usually just kind of memorialized in the fixture,uh,plan maps as well. So
that's what we see here.
Teague: Councilor Dunn hand is up. So I want to make sure if he had a question at this point that he could
ask
Dunn:No,that's just after the- after the presentation is done.I've got questions.
Teague: Got it.
Sitzman:All right. So again the map here designates the land as appropriate for essentially what was
already occurring there which is a co- community college.Again acknowledging that
circumstances have changed since the adoption of the district plan and Kirkwood has closed and
sold its campus we look to other goals and objectives in this plan as well. Um,there are some key
ones related to industrial uses in the Southeast District and preserving and expanding industrial
uses. So the expansion of existing industry aligns with the goals of the district plan as well. An
industrial zoning district would be compatible with adjacent uses. So talking a little bit about
compatibility with the existing neighborhood. As I mentioned the area surrounding the subject
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properties to the Northwest and Southeast are zoned already for industrial and do have existing
light industrial uses on them. To the North is the Iowa Interstate Railroad,separating the subject
properties from a lower-density single-family residential neighborhood on RS-5.Land to the
South is also zoned RS-5 and is separated from the subject properties by a major thoroughfare
which the Northern reaches of this neighborhood is Lower Muscatine Road. The proposed
general industrial rezoning would make the land use and access consistent across all three
adjacent properties while keeping this separated from existing residential areas by those
thoroughfares and railroad systems. So the proposed rezoning maintains an existing land use
pattern already present in the surrounding neighborhood. The next couple of slides talk about
regulatory control of industry in Iowa City,and I'm going to start with our own City Code here
first.Um,our City Code has,uh,a site development performance standard section 14-511,um,
included in it. These standards are intended to protect property from off-site impacts such as
noise,air pollutants,odor,vibrations,and storage of c- combustibles and flammable materials.
Performance standards in general are a zoning tool,that was adapted into widespread use in the
1950s.From a similar concept in the building code that regulates how land use functions after it's
built based on operations and activities actually occurring at the site. So that things that might
actually create noise or odors or vibrations. They are a supplement to use categories. So things
like just general industrial,commercial or residential. The standards are based to minimize those
public hazards and prevent the creation of nuisances and other conditions potentially harmful or
detrimental to users of property surrounding the-the use.Um,this article does apply to industrial,
and I've specifically highlighted the air quality standards for you there on the slide and it does
reference the,um emission of smoke in particulate matter or chemicals,uh,needing to comply
with,um Iowa Department of Environmental Quality,which would be Iowa DNR,and the US
Environmental Protection Agency or successors. So,uh,those are the agencies primarily
responsible for,uh,overseeing emissions in this situation.And the city would definitely work
with those agencies if a concern was expressed or we had a concern about a property. So speaking
of the EPA,the Environmental Protection Agency,the Federal Clean Air Act requires that the
EPA set National Ambient Air Quality standards,or NAAQS,for specific pollutants,to safeguard
human health in the environment. And these standards define the levels of air quality that EPA
determines are necessary to protect against the adverse impact of air pollution,based on scientific
evidence.EPA has published standards for six common pollutants,and those six common
pollutants are referred to as criteria pollutants. This slide shows those six criteria pollutants
regulated by the Clean Air Act and the EPA.Procter&Gamble's oral care facilities fall under
state and federal jurisdiction,administered again by the Iowa DNR and EPA. Their emissions are
air emissions. And under the federal program then NAAQS program P&G is classified and
regulated as a minor emitter. In that classification,they can produce up to 100 tons per year of
any air pollutant subject to the regulation by the Clean Air Act. Um,also,less than 10 tons per
year of any one hazardous air pollutant, also called HAP,or less than 25 tons per year of all
hazardous air pollutants combined. So P&G does operate three minor emitter sites in Iowa City,
um and even in total,they emit only half of any one limit. So half of the 100 tons per year. So
they all are very minor-minor emitters. The US EPA and Iowa DNR regulate other kinds of air
pollutants. Uh,they have a list of 188 of those. They also go through,um the HAP pollutants that
are under a separate program. So I mentioned the Iowa DNR. Uh,the Iowa DNR is the one that
do the actual regulation of these sites,the actual implementation. They do that through a state
permit process.Um,the Iowa DNR monitors compliance with that permit process in three
primary ways. The first is the mandatory reporting to them on a three year cycle. So minor source
emitters would have to compile inventory reports that they actually have to create by qualified
third party environmental specialists,uh,that are contracted for that work specifically,and those
reports include highly technical data on estimates of emissions based on production run times and
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the specific equipment in place at the factory. Uh,P&G they earn many emitters actually are very
cautious in their estimates of run time,um,they'd rather come in under emissions than over at any
point in time. So and what they report is actually usually a very conservative estimate. The
existing oral B side adjacent to the subject rezoning is such a low emitter actually,that under the
Iowa DNR permitting process,they're not required to report on that three year basis. The second
way Iowa DNR monitors compliance is random unannounced inspections. The third is
investigations of complaints and again,the city would communicate any complaints or concerns
we received to Iowa DNR as well. So, as far as where this action tonight falls in the process of
land use and development,we're at a rezoning stage here,referencing those previous
comprehensive plans in the previous rezoning in 2002.If the site we're to redevelop,it would,
like I said,be subject to current site plan requirements,uh,and a building permit.
Alter:May I ask a question?Really quick.I'm sorry.I would lose my question otherwise. So if there was
a complaint to the DNR,what's the-and maybe this is beyond your scope,but would then they
would investigate,would they potentially use the same like you mentioned that under mandatory
reporting they have third party contractors who are independent. So I'm assuming that,actually
I'm asking, is it a similar process if there's a complaint?Is it the DNR them?
Sitzman:I don't know the things of the Iowa DNR when they receive a complaint,they have a variety of
field offices. So the right field office.
Alter: Sure.
Sitzman:We,you know,given the information,I presume they do field investigation in house but if they
needed a third party,I'm sure they would contract for one.
Alter: Do we know if there have been any complaints to the DNR?
Sitzman:I understanding,and just checking the resources available online there are no complaints of-of
concern in the recent past.Um,I believe Sarah Gardner and our climate office actually checked a
lot of these resources and didn't fmd anything major in the recent past.
Alter: Okay. Thank you.
Sitzman:I'm sure that's a great question for P&G as well.Um,so,based on the relevant criteria, staff did
recommend approval of the proposed rezoning,and at their January 17th meeting,the Planning
and Zoning Commission concurred with staffs opinion and also recommended approval of this
rezoning by a vote of 7-0.At this point,I'm not aware that any protest petitions have been filed,
so that is not part of the action tonight.I'm happy to answer more questions.
Teague: Councilor Dunn,did you have a question?
Dunn: Uh,I have a question that's more so,maybe for Eric,if that's okay.
Goers: Yeah, sure.
Dunn: Yeah. Um,can you talk about our-our standard of review,uh,a little bit more about this,uh,the
phrase that was used in my notes was,uh the review criteria. Can you tell us in the community a
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little bit about,you know,what authority the council has to make decisions in this type of
situation things that we can weigh and things that we cannot weigh.
Goers: Sure.Well,it all comes down to compatibility with the neighborhood and compliance with the
comprehensive plan. So that's,uh the reason Danielle went through all those areas and showed
the,uh zoning and the comprehensive plan and the district plan,uh of this neighborhood.Uh,but
yeah,otherwise,it comes down to neighborhood compatibility and whether it's an appropriate
zone given the,uh area in which the property lies. Danielle also listed kind of the-the steps that
the city can take to enforce matters of,uh air quality,odors,zoning,I'm sorry,vibrations and
noise. Um,I'm not sure. Is that answering your question,Councilor Dunn?
Dunn: I was more so interested in kind of how that got to be the case,but not necessarily in terms of like a
historical perspective,but you know,what section of either state law or city code,um lends us to
that conclusion,that those are the two factors that we must and can only exclusively use,uh to
judge whether or not a decision is approved or not.
Goers: Sure. So the standards that,uh the Council must employ are contained in state code and it has to
do with health safety,welfare,uh of the community,um essentially. Um,the other ones that I was
mentioning about noise, air quality,order and vibration,and storage of flammable and
combustible materials,that kind of thing,that's all found in our city ordinance at 14-5h-4 through,
I think eight.
Dunn: Thank you.
Goers: Sure.
Teague: Any other questions for Danielle?
Bergus: Just following up on the City Code aspects that allow the um,regulation that our City Attorney
was just speaking to,the owner of the property would have to prove that they are in compliance
with Iowa DNR,and EPA standards if there was a complaint is that right?
Sitzman:If we were going to investigate a complaint under our site development performance standards,
we would do that to our satisfaction using the methods that we thought were appropriate for the
nature of the complaint.Um,I would say though,if it's an air quality standard,our code
references the state,specifically in EPA ah,as the uh,standards and the regulator that are most
directly involved in that. So I think at that point,we would simply turn item of concern over to
those agencies for investigation. Our recourse,if we find them to be in violation,is a municipal
infraction.
Bergus: That's what I was getting at thank you.
Sitzman: So that's,you know,a court citation and a Montery fine and maybe a day by day citation to
increase that fine.But that's probably not the best way to address the true violation.
Bergus:Maybe an injunction requiring compliance.
Goers: It could and I would agree with everything that Danielle just said,and I would add that City
Ordinance 14-511-3 um,requires certification by an industry,which says it's short,so I'll just read
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it.When necessary the building official may require,at the expense of the applicant,that a
registered professional engineer or other qualified person certified,that the provisions of this
article will be met. So uh,there already are significant reporting requirements for industries about
air emissions and so forth.And again,if we have reason to believe that there are problems,we
can certainly ah,bring them to the attention of the DNR.And then ah,as Danielle mentioned,we
would have the opportunity to seek municipal infractions which include or could potentially
include injunctions.
Bergus: And given that the current uses or the current zone is public and we'd be looking at at rezoning to
industrial. That wouldn't necessarily happen at this moment because it's not an industrial use.
Now,we can't ask for that certification. Do we know if that certification is something that we've
asked for before?Like is there sort of precedent for us pursuing that certification of compliance?
Goers: I don't know that.
Fruin:Not to my knowledge.
Salih: Or can we ask for that?They have a current plan doing the same thing. Can we ask for that?
Because if it's going to be the same?
Goers: I'm sorry.I'm not sure I understand you could we add.
Salih: I think Laura Bergus you said because we cannot do that testing right now because it's not
Bergus: right. It's not a use that's like—[OVERLAPPING]
Salih: It's not used.Right. They're not emitting there. [OVERLAPPING] This is another one is in use
right now. Can we test that instead of making sure this isn't.
Bergus: That's why I was asking if we'd ever asked for a certification.
Goers: I'm not aware of that. Also,I don't believe there's a conditional zoning agreement in this one that is
normally the vehicle to which we would attach conditions. And so I'm not sure where we would
include such a requirement now. That said,it is almost a certainty that P&G would need to come
back for a major site plan review given the size of what I'm sure they plan to develop there. Um,
and there is all manner of restrictions that come with that. Um,as a reminder, from the time when
we are looking at the Dane property up above the airport,similar standards apply there. It's not
necessarily that it comes to council, sorry, for a major site plan, it doesn't,but uh,it would ah,go
to P&Z if there's either a protest with sufficient numbers of signatures for that,or if the
neighborhood development services director decides that that would be appropriate. Given the
attention and the nature of the site,it seems likely that that would be the route that she would
pursue.
Bergus: So just following up on that,on Page 4 of the staff report,there's ah,reference to the plan sort of
encouraging buffering on relating to the railroad. I think it was saying that one option would be to
require or to have a buffer of trees on the north and south side of the railroad. And then it
mentions how many feet of frontage of the railroad this particular property has,which is that
narrow portion kind of on the Northeast. So if there was a requirement for buffering like that,at
what stage would something like that happen?
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Sitzman: So I think that part of the staff report is talking about buffering and concealment of outdoor
storage areas. I'm not 100%certain,but that would all occur at site plan review. All of the
standards for concealment, screening,um,having parking located behind buildings,things like
that those are all site plan development standards that are reviewed at site plan.
Bergus: When we had the property that was out on the far west side off Slothower where we put this like
300 foot buffer of additional vegetation,what stage was that?
Sitzman:It was a rezoning.
Goers: Are you talking about that was a long IW V[inaudible].
Bergus: Yes That was rezoning.
Sitzman: That was rezoning.And they also did planting,so they had to reserve that area in a conservation
area. To ensure that that happened.
Teague: Here are no more questions. Thank you. I understand that Procter&Gamble is here. Did you
want to speak?Welcome.
Townsend: Good evening council members. I appreciate the opportunity to be here this evening. I'm Joe
Townsend, Oral Care Engineering Director,and I'm speaking on behalf of Procter& Gamble.I'm
also an Iowa City resident.As shared in the previous P&Z meeting.P&G is looking for your
approval to rezone the Kirkwood community property from public to industrial to allow for the
potential expansion of our operations in Iowa City.P&G acquired the Kirkwood property on
February 28,and has been working to return the land to a green space until our fixture plans are
aligned and developed. At this time,we have no concrete plans on any fixture development. P&G
has been a member of the Iowa City community since 1956.During that time,we have strived to
be a good and responsible neighbor and that commitment continues. That includes continuing to
be a good steward of the community and the environment.Procter& Gamble employs over 1,200
people with high quality jobs accessible to individuals from all backgrounds and education levels.
Since 2017,P&G has invested more than $450 million into local facilities and added
approximately 160 high quality jobs.P&G has and continues to support economic development
organizations and many non profits in the community in the form of cash donations,health and
hygiene donations,and volunteer hours. Overall,P&G strives to go above and beyond all legal
requirements,operates per our permits,performs internal and external audits of our processes,
and has a great track record in relationship with those external organizations,such as OSHA,the
Iowa Department of Natural Resources,the Federal Railroad Association,and the Environmental
Protection Agency.P&G is committed to ensuring all our sites are good stewards to the
environment. All of our manufacturing sites within Iowa City are deemed zero manufacturing
waste to landfill sites.Meaning that no waste from our sites, from the manufacturing of our
products go to a landfill.We look forward to working with Iowa city,the City of Iowa City to
enable the proposed zoning change to allow for the potential expansion of our oral care operation
and the benefits that it could provide to the local community.P&G also wishes to thank the
community residents who provided their input into the process. P&G strives to be a good
corporate citizen in all the communities in which we operate.And hearing from those in the
community allows us to do a better job of ensuring we are able to achieve that aspiration. Thank
you.
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Teague: Thank you. Of course questions from anyone?
Bergus: Yeah.Joe,can you speak at all to I think you've seen some of the correspondence that we've
received about the um,concerns relating to emissions in the air and um,acetone in an adjacent
creek,that kind of thing. Is there any of that that you can actually speak to this evening?
Townsend:Yeah,I'll be more than happy to speak to it. Um,as you heard from staff,um,we are a minor
source admitter from an emission standpoint within the Iowa City area for all three P&G
manufacturing facilities.When you take a big picture look at Iowa City itself. There are four ah,
major sources. So greater than 100 tons and then there's 19 minor sources ah,within the city
limits. So we are three of those 23 potential sites across the City of Iowa City.As a minor source
emitter. I think as staff stated,we're under 100 tones for those individual sites.And on average
across the board when you look at all three sites,we are about 18%in total percentage of that
overall permitted amount as it relates to emissions.
Bergus: And what about,um,odors? So we've gotten,er,a number of,uh, concerns voiced to us about
that. I-I live very close to the,um,I guess it's the Beauty Care Campus just South of Highway 6
is where I live,and then,that-that campus is just North of Highway 6 and I smell fragrances
sometimes. Can you explain why would we be smelling that?What does that mean?And if you
smell bad smells,what does that mean?
Townsend:I-I can't necessarily speak to the exact fragrances and what you may or may-may not smell.
Um,we have from,like,from time to time,um,had an order complaint.Um,the-the last order
complaint that the,uh,Manual Oral Care Site had adjacent to the Kirkwood Property,was in
2006.And that came from somebody making a complaint to the,uh,City of Iowa City in which
we responded,there were no findings from that. There have been,uh a few complaints that have
came to the,uh-from the Iowa DNR from,I believe,residents as it relates to the beauty care
facility of which all of those,uh,complaints we have investigated,provided information back to
the DNR,and they have all been closed without any finding towards P&G.
Alter: One of the,uh-
Dunn: Let me ask a question about that. Um,you know,when you-when you mention no findings
towards P&G,can you- can you tell us a little bit more about what that means?The process that
goes into the investigation for those types of complaints and how they determine that stuff.
Townsend: Sure. Um, so when-when a complaint is made to the Iowa DNR,um,typically the field
office,I think it's Field Office 6 out of Washington,Iowa. A resource from that field office would
engage Procter&Gamble or would,you know,reach out to whatever site that the complaint was
made towards?Um,we would then leverage some of our HSNA resources to go investigate that
complaint and typically respond within 24 hours of whenever that complaint was provided to us.
Um, some of those things that we would provide would be,um,wind direction,what we were
producing at the time,any upsets from,uh, an operation or a process standpoint. Um, so that's
typically what we would provide back to the-the Iowa DNR and they would respond accordingly.
Um, all those,uh,most recent investigations or items in which the DNR has reached out to us,
um,we're not required to follow up with anything other than the information we provided and
they closed without finding.
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Moe: I'm gonna follow up on Councilwoman Bergus's question that I know that this acetone theme keeps
coming back. Can you speak to what exactly you-you use?And to I mean,just for full
disclosure,after speaking with people,I also went and saw the factory and wanted to see what
was going on.But if you can speak to that,it'd be helpful.
Townsend: Speaking to the-the manual care facility that's adjacent to the Kirkwood Property,we do use
acetone.We use approximately 1-2 gallons per month for cleaning the print heads on one of our
manufacturing lines. Um, so it's,uh, a processing aid to clean a print piece of equipment.We
wipe it up with a rag and it's disposed of from a hazardous waste standpoint.Um,so we have a
process in which we handle that and manage it,you know, from cradle to grave.
Moe: Thanks.
Bergus:Maybe this isn't a question for you and I don't know if anyone here knows,but you mentioned
there's,I think three major source emitters and 19 ish minor.
Townsend:Four.As of 2021,there were four major and 19 minor.
Bergus: Okay,do you know who the major source emitters are?
Townsend:I do,but,uh,it's readily available on EPA websites. I'd ask you to maybe-
Bergus: Do somebody mind?I'm-I'm just curious that we would-would know.
Dunn: I can look it up.I'll look it up.
Bergus: Okay. Great. Thanks Councilor.Not asking you to throw anyone else under the bus.
Teague: All right. Here are no other questions. Thank you.
Townsend: Thank you.
Teague:Now it's the opportunity for the public to come and speak on this matter. I wanted to get a raise
of hands to see how many individuals wanted to speak.All right. And I'll look online. There's one
person we're gonna allow 3 minutes.We ask that you,um,you gonna expedite signing in with the
stickers in the back if you wanted to pre sign that and drop it in the basket.But we,uh,welcome
you to say your name and city you're from.Welcome.
Kate: Uh,my name is Kate. I'm from Iowa City. Uh,I'm certainly not the first person to stand here and
oppose this rezoning proposal. I certainly won't be the last,but I feel I must add my voice to the
noise because of this city's frankly egregious pattern of completely ignoring the dissent of its
people,even as they stand here and shout it in your face. I've watched this room and the lobby fill
with community support while the council sits up there and debates hypotheticals like we aren't
even here.Had the planning and zoning commission listened to this community,I wouldn't be up
here speaking right now. However,despite overwhelming disapproval from the public,the
Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of this proposal. Time and again,on
every level this city fails us. The community does not want the old Kirkwood plot to be handed
over to Procter& Gamble to become yet another industrial site,to spew even more toxic
chemicals into the air Southeast side residents breathe.I know the community does not want this
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because there are almost 200 petitioners who say so.I know the community does not want this
because of more than a dozen emails published in council correspondence regarding this
rezoning,I count only one of support. The rest oppose the proposal or raise serious concerns and
obviously you can see how many people are about to speak now. It's worth noting that the only
public support for this proposal comes from Greater Iowa City Incorporated,an economic
development agency,or rather a flimsy facade to prioritize capital interests over the health and
safety of the community. Once again,this council sits on its high horse,looking down at the
people begging the system that always fails them.Not this time pleading through pragmatic
speeches,cramped desperately into their allotted three minutes.What will it take for you to
finally listen?
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
Nix: I'm Nix. I live in Iowa City.Um,if you can smell acetone in the air to the extent that it causes
massive headaches,that is not a"minor air pollution"that is a healthcare concern.These
regulations are absolute ass,this rezoning proposal is absolutely abhorrent, extremely harmful
and I'm disappointed that this council is even considering approving it given the amount of public
disapproval. This council continuously stands on the back of the most marginalized in Iowa city
to tout empty proclamations,celebrate black history and pride month,to claim that they support
these struggles so that they can get votes from their co-progressive liberal friends.How dare this
council allow this rezoning project to present when improved air quality is part of the climate
action values in your strategic plan?Climate justice is racial justice. To the zoning committee,
you should be honest about the outcomes of this project. Just say that you would rather the poor
black and brown communities in Iowa City be exploited for their hard work and die from hazard
chemical exposure under the guise that this industrial facility will bring needed jobs for folks in
our town. Shame on you and shame on the council if you approve this rezoning effort.Doing so
will only tell our most vulnerable community members that you would rather see them die than
lose profits.
Teague: Thank you and welcome.
Lenz: Okay. Yeah.My name's Perry Lenz,I'm-I'm live in Iowa City. I actually live right by Procter&
Gamble in that southeast neighborhood,and whatever it within a mile of Procter&Gamble and I
have asthma. So this issue affects me personally. I'm really concerned right now.What I've heard
is,this is from a credible sources. A person told me that-that the air pollution or air quality is 80%
worse in that area within a mile of Procter& Gamble right now. It's going to be worse if Procter
& Gamble develops that old Kirkwood Campus, air pollution will be worse,air quality will be
worse.It will harm,affect a lot of people. So I asked the City council not to rezone this property.
I don't think Procter& Gamble needs to expand.I think it would hurt too many people,not just,
and there is a large number of people of color in that neighborhood. It's a large,multi racial area,
the whole area there, and it would affect a lot of the working class families. And so I would ask
again that this area not be rezoned. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you and welcome.
Kippes: There,Izzie again,I still live in Iowa City.Um,I live maybe like an hour-it's not an hour. I live
maybe like a half mile north of this area.My partner has asthma,um, for what it's worth,um,I
feel like encroaching industrial zoning shouldn't be a reason to argue for further encroaching
industrial zoning.And I don't really trust the Iowa DNR and or EPA to like protect us here.Like
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the-I think the people advocating for this have spoken that like,people have not submitted any
complaints to those agencies.But like,I don't know how to do that.Do any of you know how to
submit a complaint to the Iowa DNR?It's like a agency that has been gutted by like further
defunding privatization and like budget shortfalls. Ibe read some report that like they're unable to
repair the$300 million worth of damages to their own like parks that we love, and we trust that
same agency to,I don't know, slap Procter& Gamble on the wrist when they pollute the air,like
in the-the neighborhoods around this proposed plant.Um,also I want to thank Alter for the
question,how can I city respond to those complaints?Because I feel like we don't really have a
way to respond to complaints if they come up.Like if people start complaining like, oh I get
headaches,I have cancer. Even like we wouldn't even know if there's like increased carcinogens.
How would we even respond to that?It's we rely on the Iowa DNR,which I fear we wouldn't be
able to rely on. Uh-futher,I feel like,if the Procter&Gamble boast that they're at half of the limit
for emissions. I feel like that's not really a boast. That's like we're already at half the limit.What
would it be like?How could it get worse as increased demand, furthers like I don't think that's a
boast so much as it is like an admission that like,we're already at half capacity. Uh-finally,I think
one of the two people before me that advocated for this mentioned that there's no protest vote,
protest petition.I saw a protest petition,I signed it. There was maybe 150 people that signed it so
far. I know it's not a huge amount of people,but I don't think a lot of people know about this.I
feel like it's worth maybe putting some feelers out to the community and seeing how do they
really feel about this. I also want to thank you,Laura Bergus for saying something about the
astone that you smell. I imagine a lot of you smell like-like chemicals in the air as you go near
these places, especially if you live in these areas. It's gross and I've heard complaints like through
social media,and also my friends and also at the City Council meeting tonight that like people
smell chemicals from these places. Uh,that's all I got to say. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome,please state your name and city you're from.
Daby:I don't know how to pull up my slides, sorry.My name is Tracy,I'm from Iowa City. Oh,I didn't
see it up there.
Platz: That's okay.
Daby: Thank you. And then where's this page down?All right. Just that down here. Okay. Hi,my name
is Tracy. Thanks for having me. Thanks for listening. I am impressed by ho-how much is on your
shoulders and I was really impressed that the theme of tonight is public safety.We've got the soil
people and the green projects and your work session beforehand, and then we've got the public
safety issue with the-the trans community trying to stay alive. This is my passion because I live
one block behind Kirkwood Community College.All right?I just have to do these slides. I'm so
nervous,I feel like the pressure is going to kill me,but I'm going to keep drying. Okay?Here we
go. It's not working,time. The buttons don't work Oh,I can use that,will scroll. Okay. Thank
you. Since I got the letter in January,I've been doing nothing but research. I have a degree in
biology. I've taken courses in graduate level environmental science.I wanted to know what was
going on. I do experience the smells,the acetone,like chemical smell might be other things
besides acetone. Just keep that in mind. I could answer all your other questions too about like,
how to compile-file complaints that there's no one to report to Iowa City that does anything with
Air. Johnson County Public Health does water and food but not air. The only way you can file a
complaint is through the EPA,and they forward it to the DNR field office number 6,and then that
guy said,hey,I walked through two years ago and it smelled like,you know, shampoo. So it was
fine,and that was the pass. Okay.Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a project called
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Community Land Use Planning and Air Quality. They say during the assessment of a project,
land use plan should-should include an evaluation of the cumulative effects of changes to air
quality caused by the combination with other past,present, and fixture community land uses.
Federal, state,and local laws detail the responsibility of local planners to protect human health
and ensure clean and safe,breathable air. I'll let you look at all that list later.Iowa law city
Zoning 414, first paragraph.For the purpose of promoting health,safety,morals,or the general
welfare of the community,any city is hereby empowered to regulate and restrict industry.414.2,
the council may divide blah-blah-blah-blah. All such regulations and restrictions shall be uniform
for each class or kind of building throughout each district.
Teague: And did they,did we give a little extra time yet?
Daby:What?I got to one slide. Okay.
Audience member: We heard so much from Planning and Zoning.I feel like this person has a lot of
information.
Teague: Did we?
Yeah. Yeah.
Daby: Oh,I didn't get extra time yet.
Grace: We got 3 minutes,but with a little.
Teague: Yes.[OVERLAPPING]
Daby: Great.
Salih: Yeah,go ahead.
Daby: Okay. Iowa Air Quality and Land Use Planning Guide is something I'd highly encourage you all to
look at. The DNR objectives are to provide recommendations on situations to avoid when citing
new residences, schools,daycare centers,playgrounds,medical related facilities,and industrial
parks. They want to communicate air quality consequences in land use decision making.
Executive order from 19-19-2023,revitalizing our nation's commitment to environmental justice
for all,which means this is also a civil rights issue.Every person must have clean air to breathe in
an environment that is healthy,sustainable,climate,resilient, and free from harmful pollution to
chemical exposure. There have been a lot of misleading statements made since the planning and
zoning meeting,and they need to be addressed because we need to know the truth,we have a
right to know. P&G continues since January 17,to withhold exposure risks and specific
hazardous chemical lists connected to their facilities.We know they exist. I have them in these
slides,I probably won't get that far,but you can go through it yourself. Townsend also denied
ever making chemicals which is patently false. The deception is contrary to federal law called
Emergency Planning Community Right-To-Know Act(EPCRA). Air quality is exactly relevant
and requisite to rezoning and land use,especially when it's near children. We know for a fact
there are seven schools within 1 mile of this facility.Environmental justice is a planning issue.
This is the EPA. The okay, so you were asking who's in charge? The EPA and the DNR both say
they're in charge,but they've been gutted and they don't actually do any enforcement. Any
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enforcement?None,just keep that in mind. So that's why Environmental Justice Department has
been developed to fall-fall in line with this,uh,executive order and to make sure that we start to
pay attention to the people who are suffering in these zones.As a public policy issue,
environmental justice is often framed and presented in the context of law,public health,waste
management,and public involvement. However,other factors contributing to the hardships are
experienced by communities with environmental justice concerns include failures in planning or
enforcing proper zoning or the incompatibility of land use. This is my home.
Teague: Thank you.
Daby: Thank you.
Teague: Welcome.Please state your name and city you're from.
DeRoo: Good evening,councilors.My name is Mckenzie DeRoo. I'm from Iowa City. And I'm here
tonight on behalf of Greater Iowa City,Inc. And I would like to express our organization's
support for the proposed rezoning of the former Kirkwood Community College campus.
Approving this rezoning allows Procter& Gamble to expand their Iowa City operations,further
embedding this important economic driver into our community. As stated before,Procter&
Gamble has been a part of our local economy since 1956,and they employ over 1,200 people
with high quality jobs. They have demonstrated investment in our community through employee
volunteer hours and financial contributions to numerous nonprofit organizations.We should not
take Procter& Gamble's presence in Iowa City for granted,as they have many options for where
to locate their operations. And only a few years ago considered leaving our community. We are
encouraged that today Procter& Gamble not only wants to stay here,but perhaps even grow here.
And this growth will create more jobs,bolster the business ecosystem that revolves around P&G,
and increase tax revenue,the city needs to fixed critical services. We understand that Kirk-wood's
departure is a significant loss,and are aware of residents concerns about additional manufacturing
in this neighborhood.However,we see this rezoning as a first step toward further investment in
the larger Sycamore Mall area. And our organization is excited by the prospect of collaborating
with city leaders,Procter&Gamble,and other area businesses,as well as residents,to create a
vision for a vibrant neighborhood, supported by strategic investment,as well as targeted incentive
programs.We respectfully ask that you allow us to begin this work by approving the proposed
rezoning. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Buchkina: Good evening,councilors.My name is Julia Buchkina. I'm a physician in Iowa City,and I
have practiced family medicine here for 15 years.And,let's see if I can get this to go. So I'm
opposed to this rezoning primarily because of the health concerns for the residents who are mere
feet away from where this new facility would be.Based on oral B current RCRA data,we know
that primarily the chemicals that are being created are volatile organic compounds or VOCs,
which are creating primarily most of the odors,heavy metals,and ignitable waste.Now,with all
the talk of odor,I just wanted to make the point that some VOCs do not have an odor. Whether
they have an odor or not, all are health hazard when airborne or in water and food.And with the
talk of creating some sort of physical boundary along the railroad or the boundary areas,there's
no physical boundary that would prevent VOCs from going airborne or into the waterways. Just
to give you an idea of some of the health conditions that can be triggered by VOCs and heavy
metals. People have talked about asthma,people have talked about cancer. Those are all valid
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concerns,but I want to bring to your attention some of these other less talked about diseases that I
see in my clinic every day. Um,auto immune diseases. There are over hundreds of these. We
know they're triggered by chemicals.Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome,chronic fatigue and
muscle activation syndrome. The primary mechanism by which these chemicals trigger auto
immunity. They are causing disregulation where the immune system gets confused and attacks
the body's self tissues. Uh,with these latter three,we're really dealing with a type of white blood
cell that gets chronically overstimulated called the mast cells.And these chemicals cause mass
cells to release inflammatory chemicals in the bloodstream called cytokines. This is a graphic just
showing the variety of immune cells that can produce these inflammatory chemicals um,among
them,mast cells. And so symptoms that residents in the surrounding area could expect to
potentially experience if they're sensitive,especially to these chemicals,would be fatigue and
malaise, flushing,itching, abdominal cramps,muscle pain,nausea and vomiting,diarrhea and low
blood pressure,just to name a few.We would not expect these to be singular acute episodes of
illness where all of a sudden somebody would get sick. This would occur gradually over months
two years,and would be a significant burden for our local healthcare system,especially primary
care providers like myself.And so we know that if this rezoning proceeds,VOCs will increase in
the groundwater and the Storm-water. A 2022 test from the DNR of Iowa City storm water
already showed elevated levels of VOCs,uh,some of which match the present RCRA list at the
oral beak current facility.We know there will be increased airborne chemicals from increased
industrial traffic,and I expect local chronic diseases among our residents will increase.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
Kraus: Hello.I'm Anne Marie Kraus. I'm a 40 year resident of the southeast side of Iowa City. Thank you
for letting me speak tonight. When Joe Townsend stood here on January 17 and said that Procter
& Gamble would-would make no chemicals. Whoops,Yeah,this is not working here.Well,all
right,uh,my bullets aren't working here.But,um,when he said that Procter& Gamble would
make no chemicals on the proposed site,he immediately set up cause for distrust. P&G's oral care
plant is registered as a small quantity generator of 20-220-2200 pounds of hazardous waste per
month. They are a tier two,uh,facility with extremely hazardous substances and other chemicals
like these.Residents would like to ask for a neighbors tour of Oral B.We have questions such as,
why would P&G spend 6 million before the places even rezoned?Did stop-did somebody in the
city reassure them of that outcome before the zoning even got established?And just to set the
record straight,there have been many complaints to the DNR,which conveniently they cannot
fmd. The city has been told that they cannot vote based on issues of health or environment
because the State of Iowa code restricts criteria to land use only.You already saw,Tracy,show
you this-this code.It's perfectly within the state code for cities to regulate buildings and industry
on the basis of health and safety. The Council is charged with making the zoning decision based
on two criteria,consistent with the comprehensive plan and compatibility with the existing
neighborhood. And I ask you what hazardous waste generator is compatible with any
neighborhood in town?When considering consistency with the comprehensive plan,the city is
clinging to only one narrow part of the comprehensive plan,which is to increase industrial
operations regardless of the welfare of the community. Here are nine other examples excerpted
from the comprehensive plan that talk about environmental quality and health and safety.Nine
other statements right there. Um,council member,three council members verified to me that if
they vote on criteria other than this abstract land use, such as health or environment,they could
be sued by Procter& Gamble,even though the state code allows for it.And I'm just wondering if
this vote will be influenced by the fear of a lawsuit rather than what's really good for the
community. There's been a long history of previous city councils who have acted to
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systematically denigrate the southeast side with placements of buildings that no residents in other
sections of the town would tolerate.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name and the city you're from.
Kubby: Good evening.My name is Karen Kubby.I live about five blocks from the site,and I think that
there is-there seems like there's such a divide and I want to suggest a process that might be more
recon-reconciling,that is more community based. Once you vote for this zoning,you don't have
as much power to do things beyond and above what-what will be looked at in the site plan
review.And so I-um,if you're inclined to vote for this,I encourage you to keep the public
hearing open and defer this for a couple of weeks. Throw it back to P&Z. I would implore the
neighbors in P&G to get together and actually listen to each other. I feel like the neighbors feel
suspicious of the company,and I also feel like the neighbors will have a hard time hearing
anything that the company says.And if there's a way to structure a good neighbor meeting that is
voluntary,that P&G chooses to do. That they can provide information about what they're using,
how they're complying,and the neighbors hopefully will listen to that. I encourage the city to
request information about places that are already zoned industrial,that are those three major
users. If we can get what's being put out in our community,what are the symptoms that people
are experiencing, and cross match them,we can maybe do ask the DNR,ask the Johnson County
Public Health Department to help us untangle all of this. Um,but again,if you-if you close the
public hearing your hands are tied. Um,if this,uh,area is going to be used for warehousing, for
example,there might be some buffering with landscaping that has to happen,but there may not be
any restrictions unless you have a conditional zoning agreement about the hours of operations of
that warehouse when deliveries are made or deliveries going out. And that can really end the
quality of life of the neighborhood. Um, if it is manufacturing,then there might be a lot of other
things that you need to know about and control on the front end that you can't know now but you
could request as a provisional,conditional zoning agreement. So the conditional zoning
agreement could be if it's warehousing,there are these topics we want to look at.If it's
manufacturing,there are these topics we want to look at. And I know that there may not be
precedent for certifying that they have met standards,but maybe this is the moment to create that
precedent through a conditional zoning agreement. So I implore you to keep the public hearing
open and get people communicating and trying to make sure we are healthy and that if-and I
think that's the best way forward. So I hope you do that.
Teague: Thank you. I do see one person on line,um,on a phone.If you would like to speak,you can
press *9 and we only allow people to speak once,ah,to the Council.
Kate: One brief comment if I may. I would like the Council to seriously consider why a P&G
representative get an unlimited amount of time but credential communities members who have
done a lot of time and effort research.
Teague: I understand. Thank you.
Kate: Get three minutes.
Teague: Thank you. All right.We are going to close the public hearing but before I do that.
Goers: Yeah.
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Teague:Before I close the public hearing.
Salih: You should ask question.
Teague: Yes. I'm gonna ask Councilor Dunn I can't see you. So I just want to know how many individuals
are inclined to,um,vote in accordance with P&Z recommendation.
Dunn: I've got a question before we close the public hearing.Are we able to discuss this item after-before
closing the public hearing?
Goers: I'm sorry,can you repeat that.
Dunn: Or-or us,so-so ah,Karen Kubby just came up and requested that we keep the public hearing
open. And so what I'm asking is,is Council able to discuss the item without closing the public
hearing?
Goers:Normally that is not how it's done procedurally. I think what ah,Miss Kubby was suggesting was
that you asked for a P&Z console which would then bring P&Z back to you and then you and
P&Z could certainly discuss the matter.I assume that that's what she was proposing.
Alter: I'm not sure though because we ran into not being able to do anything other than vote up or down
on what was before us with Dane Farm, for example,because the public hearing had been closed.
So I think that that's what Councilor Dunn is getting at. Can we discuss additional some of the
things perhaps that-that Councilor,sorry,that-that Karen Cubby was raising,that there might be
the potential for P&Z to go back and-and really look at some things and for P&G and the
neighbors to be able to have,perhaps I noticed in one of the,um, sorry, it is the slide deck here
about have a neighborhood tour,right?We were able to,I-I just think that there are ways in
which there could be more communication,um,but I think it's to the point of can we actually
discuss what that might look like with it still being open or do we have to close it which then kind
of ties our hands from being able to discuss have any possible change.
Goers:Right.I think the issue with the Dane Farm was that once you closed a public hearing,no
conditions can be added to.
Alter:Right. And I think that's why the suggestion is to keep it open so that there's the potential for some
of those perhaps nontraditional but perhaps needed things to be discussed.
Goers: I-I think that's consistent with what Miss Kubby was suggesting.
Salih: Yes. You mean we just like put a motion to continue the public hearing or what?
Teague: We'll defer?
Salih: Or defer.
Goers: You would defer and ask for a P&Z consult and leave the public hearing open at this point if
that's- if that's what Council wishes to do.
Bergus: Do we have to do a P&Z consult if we defer?
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Goers:No.
Bergus: Okay.
Goers:But just if- if the informal consensus of council is to vote against P&Z's recommendation,then
you need to-you are required to offer a consult to P&Z in that instance.And so the mayor's
question to the council at this point is,is there an informal consensus to vote in accordance with
P&Z's recommendation or-or not?
Salih:But that's difficult now for some people, for some not for me,because we-we think we need to-to
try to see if there is a benefit from continuing this. I don't know.Just why wouldn't we just like go
ahead and say instead of like ask that question,we just put a motion to defer it.How about that.
Goers: Just a straight motion to defer,is that what you mean?
Teague: And so there will be no P&Z consult?
Salih: Yes.
Bergus: I-I mean,anyone can make any motion that they wish,my request would be that we,I guess we
would discuss it after the motion is made.
Salih: Yeah.
Bergus: I don't know wha-what the plan is if we defer.
Salih: You know,and I want to ask you,I remember for any like some kind of rezoning or anything,the
developer always have like good neighbor meeting kind of.
Goers: That's not always required if that's what you're asking.
Salih: Is it required?
Goers:No.
Salih: It's not required,but it's good practice I think Yeah.
Teague: So the question is,um,I mean,is-if there's going to be a motion to defer,um,there can be
discussion after that,and then we'll take a vote. And then if it is not unanimously well majority
pass,then we'll come back to me asking if the council is inclined to vote in accordance with P&Z.
And then at that point,if a consultation with P&Z is desired,then we would say no,and then P&Z
will come have a visit with us and then we will have a discussion with them. So I just wanted to
lay out what our options are.
Salih: Then I think I will put a motion to defer it.
Teague:Move by Salih.
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Goers: In-into the next council meeting or-
Salih:No,I think the following.
Teague: April 2nd.
Salih:No,the middle of April. Every second is too soon for the people to put like meeting together,and I
think we give them at least three more week
Teague: So-
Grace: Second meeting is April 16th.
Salih: Sixteenth.
Grace: Attorney Goers,it would be to continue the public hearing and defer first consideration. Correct?
Goers: Well,we-we have not closed the public hearing, so that would remain open.
Grace: Which would be the continue.
Goers: I'm sorry.
Grace: You continue.
Goers: Continue the public hearing.
Grace: Okay.
Goers: Yeah, sure, and then yeah,we'd be deferring first consideration.
Grace: okay.
Goers: Yes, That's right.
Grace: Okay,okay.
Alter: At this point.
Goers: We're at the first consideration tonight, so that's what we'll be doing.
Teague: You've got a-a motion.
Alter: And that's too- sorry.
Goers: I'm sorry. Was there a second?
Teague: We had a motion.
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Bergus: I'll second.
Teague: Uh, seconded by Bergus. Alright,discussion.
Alter: What I would like more than anything is for the neighborhood and P&G to be able to have
communication with one another.Um,I'll be honest,and- and I do appreciate the doctor who
provided the slide deck that said that there could be things that are acetone-like but not acetone
but I, in hearing that it was,um,2-3 gallons, 1-2 gallons. Thank you. Um,I called Nail Salon
that's in Iowa City Marketplace,and they told me they go through 2-4 in a month so- and I know
that there is a website that a lot of references have been made to for,um, environmental justice
screening website.Here's why I think it's really important to have the na-to have this
conversation and to sort of come into it to say we can both learn from one another.And I'm sorry
that I sound like I'm kind of lecturing,but I'm really earnest about it. Okay?It's about leaming
from one another about what the concerns are and where there might be some mitigating factors.
This screening website is to show where there are entities,but it is that-that there may be pockets
like I know that there was complaints about,well,what about the underground pollutants?P&G
uses all of their electrical connectivity is underground. They're going to be zero emissions,carbon
emissions,and by next year,there's gas stations in that same radius that the map shows. So I just
want to point out that some of this information that seems causal is-also it's indicative of a larger
area, it's not P&G as a bright red warning sign. I just think that it would make a lot of sense for
the neighbors with a lot of concerns and P&G,who-I-I live in the area too,I live behind
Pepperwood.My kids go to Southeast,I'll shop at Lucky's every week,I go to Oyama. I'm-I'm
part of the neighborhood too and so I am not trying to dismiss concerns or latent illness,but I
think that there is sort of a-a real impasse here that if you both,outside of a council meeting
where we're sort of sitting here quasi in- in judgment,let's give you the time to talk a bit and to-
and to learn.I will say I went through P&G and among the-the first two things that I saw there
was, first of all,a seven-month-a-a- a second third-trimester pregnant worker,and then a great
big sign saying that the union workers are teamsters. This is a strong union. They are not going to
allow workers in a factory to work in an unhealthy environment. They just won't,the Teamsters.
So anyway I just-I'm just trying to say po-I'm-I'm pontificating too much but I'm trying to say
can we please,let's keep this open so that there can be some conversations.
Teague:No,I'm sorry. This is time for Council. Yes. Council deliberations. [OVERLAPPING]
Daby:You can go on tour with them and talk to them and [inaudible] but we can't say anything more than
three minutes.
Teague: I'm sorry.But this is time for-
Daby: Conversations.
Teague: This is time for Council dis—deliberations.Yes. All right.
Salih: I just want to ask Proctor&Gamble,what are you planning to do there? Straightforward.And is
that really you're going to be live to that promise or maybe it can change?
Townsend: Our desire is to—
Teague: Please step to the mic. Thank you.
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[Audience Member]:Why does he get to talk?
Salih: Yeah,because the council can ask somebody to come and talk.
[Audience Member]: [OVERLAPPING]part of the sit-the whole thing.
Salih: Yeah, Sorry.Excuse me.Yeah. Ask him about the
[Audience Member]: chemical barrels on the site.
Salih: Go ahead.
Townsend: The intent of the purchase of the Kirkwood property is to expand our oral care operations at a
point in time none-
Salih: Put the mic up a little bit.Yeah.
Townsend: Sorry. Can you hear me better now?
Salih: Yes.
Townsend: The intent of our purchase of the Kirkwood property would be to expand our oral care
operation. Once we finalize exactly what that means,we're not 100%certain we're studying lots
of options.Um,once we know that,we will come forward with a plan,share that with Council,
um,go through the full site planning process,and take all input at this point in time. That is part
of the reason we haven't done a good neighbor meeting but we don't have a whole lot of
information to share as it relates to what we are going to do.Um,so it's kind of difficult for me to
stand before people and say,hey,here's what we're gonna do and here's the plan.Right now,our
only plans is to knock it down level the building, and once we have a plan,we will engage folks
to-to talk through that.
Salih: Okay,and there is no 0%you're going to have like shampoos here like the-with the supply.
Townsend: The-you know,it was purchased by Oral B Laboratories the intent being that we expand
something from an oral care business standpoint. Uh,I can't be 100%, 100%, 100%confident that
something else might not happen but for,you know, for the intent and what we're planning on
doing is to expand our oral care operations which is,you know, adjacent to that property today.
Salih: Thank you.
Townsend:Any other questions?
Salih: Other question.
Teague: Thank you.
Townsend: Thank you.
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Teague: I see Councilor Dunn hand up.
Dunn: Yeah. So,um,I'm going to try to keep this as topical as possible because I believe our-our area of
discussion right now is-is whether to defer or not. Um, and I want to express a little bit of,um, a
bit of frustration. Um,I think that with this particular topic there is a lot ol�uh,misinformation,
um,on-on many different sides. Um,I don't think that anyone in the community or the council,
uh, should believe that the passage or failure of this item is going to affect in,uh,in any
immediate capacity,uh,and I would say,you know,in a long term capacity,um,the existing
problems that exist,that residents experience with air quality.None of that's going to change if-if
nothing else happens. Um, so that being the case,I think we're left with the decision,um,and a
path forward that has-that entails a lot of community engagement.Um,at- at this point,um,I am
comfortable moving forward with this item,um,while at the same time,um,you know,having
these broader conversations about what we can do,uh,to serve our community members,um,
you know,who are experiencing issues with pollution.Um,Ibe thought of a few different ways
that we can-we can do that,just off the cuff,um,neighborhood meetings to ensure that,um,local
companies,as well as the-as the city-the city itself,um,can get a handle on what people are
experiencing on the ground.I think there's a,uh,significant gap between what people are
experiencing and what is reported.And I think that that's kind of an intuitive thing.Um,I really
appreciate the comment from one of the community members that said,do you even know how to
report to the DNR or the EPA?Um,I would tend to agree with that.I don't know how to do that.
Um,I'm someone who could figure it out,but that's just me,not-not everyone else can do that.
So if there's something that we can do,um, as a community to either,uh,create some centralized
reporting mechanism,whether that's an email or,uh,you know, something else that we can just
spend a little bit of time on,um,to make sure that if there are problems or if there are complaints,
if they get forwarded to the necessary,um,you know, authorities,and that we can use that
information to then work with residents,um, and other stakeholders to address the concerns that
people are having,should EPA should DNR fail.Um,so,um,that's-that's where I'm at currently.
Um,I-I'm not too pressed whether or not we defer or not,but,um,I won't be vot-voting to defer
at this time.
Salih: I-I also agree that we need to defer it because first,you know,the people,by just by looking at the
people in the room right now,whether you agree to it or whether you are disagree to it,I don't see
the people who live there. I don't see that. I mean,the people who are people of color and
immigrants,low income people,that's the people who live in that area,by the way.And they
don't have time even to come to this council because either they work two jobs or they just even
received the letter and they don't know what this and they threw it on the trash because it's in
English. So that's why I think we need more time for the people to know about it and for the
people to come out here and talk about it. I remember when we moved as Center-when I was
working at the Center for Worker Justice and we moved from Gilbert Court to Forest Avenue,I
start soon,like after we moved by,like months or so,I started just having a lot of itching and I
called the landlord,I said,the carvet is not good.You have to come and change the carvet. And
they start laughing,they said,no,no,this is P&G and you will get used to it. And that's true,I got
used to it.And,you know, smell when you get used to it,you are not going to smell it anymore.
And if-and if something become chronic,I have anemia,I'm chronic anemia.But,you know,
when I go to the doctor say you're still moving and your-your blood pressure is six,because it
become chronic,you know,and I can like live with it. So I think- so if we don't smell something,
that doesn't mean it's not in the air. And I think we receive a lot ol�uh,good information from
people like Dr. Julia here and Tracy. She-she did like a lot of researches. I-I really be moved by
those details and why should the public come out if they really is not affecting them?Why you
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come out to do that? Speaking about like workforce.Yeah,there is kind of people work there.
But,do they really..?I know a lot of temp agencies staffirg,they don't get like work-they don't
even work through P&G. I don't want to go on this because this is my passion as CWJ,Former
Executive Director,and I know the complaint that I did receive from,but then that's not our point
right now. Our point is the air quality,the people get sick and-and all this. So I hope we can defer
this,more people come out,Procter&Gamble,meet with the people,and we will after that,
maybe they're going to receive to a common ground,you never know, so-
Teague: I think one of the,um, challenges that we're going to be faced with is,you know,will people
actually come together and-and have a conversation?
Salih: Why not?
Teague: At-at this point because there is no-there is no,uh,project that has been identified to go on this
site. So it sounds like the neighborhood meeting is about P&G operations, is- is what will be
happening. They will be discussing what's currently happening there now and not what plans to
go there in the fixture. So I just want to state what I see,one of the challenges being.
Salih: I think they said the-what's happening as current. Uh,they want to discuss what's going to be there
if this is a warehouse,if this just like,and what it should be done,all this.And I think maybe also
the people just like talk to the Procter&Gamble and just face-tell their stories and complain. I
don't know.
Teague:Right.And-and again,I know that zoning,when we read zone something,a plan doesn't have to
be in place.We just know that we're rezoning it to allowable uses,and,um,which some are
permitted by right, some are provisional and then some are special exceptions. So I just want to at
least bring that fact up at this moment as well.
Moe: Uh, so,um,um,I feel like I should share a little bit of how I'm thinking through this and the way
that I organize my thoughts is through my-the chronology of learning about this. And,you know,
first,when we learned that-that Kirkwood was leaving Iowa City,I was disappointed. I was just
mad. I mean, it was sad to see them leave and go to some place away from public transportation
and away from a community that embraced them. And also the employees and the workers who,
you know,ate at restaurants and-and-and-and used the-that neighborhood.Um,and I thought,
what the heck is going to go?They're sandwiched between two industrial sites. And,um,what
would you do with a building that's built to be a school,when we've already got a bunch of
schools around?And,um,at first I was incredibly excited to learn that-that P&G wanted to go
there. They are an employer who makes remarkably good jobs,uh,high paying jobs,jobs that let
people get health insurance,as well as buy a house and live down there. I mean,they are-they are
a participant in the community in really positive ways. Um,the last two or three or four weeks,
um,there's been a lot of information,um,a lot of concerns shared with us. And it has taken a lot
of time to sort of tease out what's-what does all the stuff mean and what are all of these,um,
what is the EPA screening tool?What are these complaints?What is,you know,acetone smells
versus acetone in the groundwater?And- and I had the benefit of speaking with people who are
very much opposed to this and speaking to the P&G people and seeing that,um,I-I-I-I have
taken the time to sort of think about it and feel as though I-I have a hard time fmding,um,a
reason to say no to the zoning,but I also know that I had the benefit of having more access to
information and time to research it and just sort of get up to speed,I guess,with some of the
complaints. So that's just where I'm at as far as understanding the problem and knowing that not
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everybody is-is-is- is in the same,uh,timeline of sort of understanding what the concerns are
and trying to tease out the facts. Um,because there's a lot of information that came out in the last
couple of weeks and I had to real quickly learn a lot of stuff about compliance and state law and
EPA. So-but as Mayor Teague said,um,we do have an opportunity,um,the zoning is just the
zoning and when we actually know what's proposed,is the opportunity to do this sort of
discussion about what those provisional or not allowed use-excuse me,right by development
versus provisional uses would be which would include expansion of operations. Yes. So I-I don't
know that a deferral changes that's still eventuality and they can still get information out to the
community while we go through the three vote process.
Salih: Can we just- Say something too. Josh,you know,uh,it is,um,if it's really the zoning in the zoning
and the policy is the policy and all this,why we have the planning and zoning approve it and
come to us because we at this time,we-we are the one who can listen to the public and decide.
We don't have to go all the time by what in the book or what's in the policy. That's why we have a
council here,uh,because we had the-the voice of the public residents so-and even if we have
something on the zoning,we need to change it to fulfill the need of the resident,we should do it.
But it's not everything like we have to cut like clean cut,like going with the policy. That's why I
think we should defer it,at least if we did not-even if it moved later.At least the public come
together we give the chance to come together.
Moe: A- and the goal would be to just talk about what P&G currently does.
Salih: Why-what-they didn't say that Karen Cubby said they use it-the fixture use it of for this place. So
they're gonna have good neighborhood and P&G should come and tell them what they're going to
do there.
Moe: I-I-I think the point is they don't know what they're going to do there,yeah.
Salih: Then defer it indefinitely until they find out if they are not going to do anything there and the
building will be just like that why are we zoning it now?You know,they are not needed right
now,why we are hurryng and zoning it now?
Moe: Because,um,if-if in fact that they're serious about expanding operations,that why would they
make the investment in the property and the development of plans if we're going to say no,it's a
pr-I guess it's a process.
Salih: I did not say you're going to say no. I said-you-you said we can-they-they don't have a bland
right now.If they don't have a bland right now,that means they are not going to do anything right
now,Right?
Moe: Yeah.
Salih:Because we don't have a plan.It will be if we said yes today and we did not give chance,but now
since it's a good thing that they don't have a plan right now.But we can defer it and they can
come and talk about it. So they have time,and after that we can come-it can come back to us,and
if you guys want to approve it,approve it,disapprove it,disapprove it but at least give the public
that kind of chance to come together.Why we're not want to give them even chance to come
together and talk about it?You know, it will be like two meeting later,is still-if you guys agree
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still to move this,why you don't move it,but at the same time you give your resident chance to sit
down together and talk about it that's what I think.
Teague: I want to ask.
Dunn:Mayor,may I?
Teague: Yes.
Dunn: Yeah,I-I don't think these things are mutually exclusive. Um,I'm inclined to agree with councilor
Mel that I don't see,um,the methods by which we can judge this decision changing,um,in
between now and the next two meetings but this conversation alone,um,you know coupled with
the community involvement that we've had in the community involvement that's in the room,um,
can be a great indicator for P&G as well as we could direct staff to request that you know they do
some outreach but we have to understand that's a request. Um,you know we can't change the
rules,um,you know,midway through a process.Um,and the fact of the matter is they're not
required to do,um, a good neighbor- a good neighbor meeting.And you know and whether or not
that's a question,that's not what we're-we're coming to. We're-we're trying to figure out
solutions for the community in the long term. And- and that's kind of what I go back to is the
problem here is air quality and there's nothing that's gone before me,information wise,that
indicates definitively that P&G is the cause of all-every single person's concern in this room. So
if we want to work together,um, as a community and the council supports doing this,um,we put
together an investigation or some type of task force or something like that,uh,to identify and
better address these concerns in the community.But this land use decision is not going to address
the pollution and the concerns that people have shared with today,it fimdamentally will not. Um,
so again,that's just my personal stance,um,just a little-a little deeper into that.
Bergus: On the question of deferral,I think that it always for me is what are we going to learn in the
interim?And,um,there's the question of what the community members can learn,what P&G can
learn,what we can learn. On what we call a naked rezoning,where there's not a proposal attached
to it which there doesn't have to be,um,we're looking at the compatibility with the neighborhood
and the-and the alignment with the comprehensive plan. And I think-I-I just want kind of to
premise my-I'm just going to follow councilor most sort of like how am I thinking about this?
Because a lot of what I'm hearing tonight is people who are really frustrated with the process.
And I think most folks when they come to a council meeting for the first time feel that. And when
they engage with the council on an issue that they feel passionate about,they feel that. They're
really frustrated that it's not more of a dialogue,that it's not more give and take,that it's not more
transparency.Um,that's the reality of the governmental system that we have. And-and for better
and for worse,our role is to represent every single person in this community.Mayor Protein,
thank you for pointing out that there's a lot of folks who are not represented in the room who live
in that area, and I agree with that very much. And any decision that I make takes their interests
into account,takes their vulnerabilities into account.And that- and that really is our job, and I-I
don't have sympathy for a big multinational corporation,I really don't. I'm not interested in
protecting their profits.I'm going to keep talking though. Um,we do have an obligation to
consider air quality. So the concerns that were brought forward that say,you know,uh,our hands
are tied,no,that's not true. It's very clear.It's within our code. It includes odors,it includes,um,
you know,particulates,the things that-that-that can be measured that those regulatory bodies
can- can point to. Um,I-I don't think that a lack of complaints or a lack of founded complaints
necessarily means there shouldn't be concerns.I don't believe that at all,um. And I don't-you
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know,all of that being true-all of that being true. I don't think the issue is this rezoning and I've
actually been convinced the issue is not Procter&Gamble.And I especially don't think the issue
is the Oral B plant.And that is because, as- as Councilor Moe said,we have access to information
and we- every one of us up here has taken hours listening to all different perspectives and taking
information from,you know and I know the Climate Action Commission did not give us a
recommendation,which would have been really helpful.But had talked about this at a couple of
meetings and I don't know why exactly they landed,where they-where they landed,but we got
information from our climate specialist, Sarah Gardner,as well,on some of,you know-to help us
interpret the information that we were receiving. So I really agree with Councilor Dunn that we-
we need to step back and address residents concerns that there are companies,or operators,or
whatever it is in our community that are making them ill,that is a real thing. And I don't think it's
this particular thing that's in front of us tonight. And I know that's so frustrating. I know that.I
know how frustrating that is. And that is, again,pretty-pretty consistent with people who come to
our meetings when you actually see how the process works and what this representative
democracy means. It sucks,I'm with you and yet we signed up for it and it is where we are. So
we're doing what we can to try and improve that.And I agree that I think the,um-I think the
communication between the neighbors and Proctor& Gamble needs to improve and us.Yes.And
I try-I try really hard to be accessible. I'm-I'm seeing you be frustrated with that and I apologize.
Um,but it is our-it is our prerogative to address the-what's in front of us at a particular moment.
And I think what's in front of us at this particular moment is very mismatched with,you know,
kind of,the concerns that we're hearing. And so there is-we can address those,but it's not at,you
know,I don't think waiting two meetings is actually going to address those. Yeah.
Harmsen:Kinda with the theme of the thought process. Yes.Many hours- actually,the-the-the screening
website, fascinating resource, spent many hours with that,going through all the different videos
and tools with that and it's very- it spends a lot of time also saying what it does tell you and what
it doesn't tell you. So it does not give you site specific concerns.It gives you areas that are worthy
of further looking into. Also from what I could tell from the sites. So there's actually some sites
that are defmitely of higher concern based on the different percentiles and percentages. It's a
complicated site,but again, several hours on that, several hours on the EPA and DNR websites
looking at different things,and so,you know,defmitely a lot of time and energy certainly reading
through e-mails,I think I'm about two days behind and responding.But those who got to me a
little bit earlier,I've responded to.And one of the reasons,by the way,just-just,FYI,the
responses are fairly short because I take very seriously our requirement to not make a decision
until we've had our public hearing and to keep an open mind. So- so that's why those responses
have been more along the lines of thank you,I hear you take this all into consideration and
everybody,kind of,gets that-that's what I feel is appropriate. This is a weird thing,kind of,
balancing these things out because I take these concerns seriously. Air quality is something I take
seriously.But I also have personal experience,um,you know,because I do live about just a hair
over a mile from the Oral Care plant,less than a mile from the beauty plant,just as the crow flies.
Again,it's also part of that neighborhood.I mean,my kids go to southeast but even more
importantly,when we first moved to Iowa City,they went to the daycare facility that's right
across from the P&G plant. I've spent- it is- it is coincidentally a crazy amount of time within a
block of the Oral Care plant. So not only,you know, all the time going to pick up my kids from
daycare when they were little,but also a member of the gym that's right across behind Tate High
School when I was doing my grad school.And even after that Java house there on First Avenue
was my second office. Some people know that because we've had meetings there.Ace Hardware
is where I go because I like my neighborhood hardware store all the time. All the Marketplace. Or
Sycamore Mall,back when it was marketplace,was there,the Lucky's market,the movie theater,
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the Oyama is a favorite of my family,and I say all that to say in 14 years I haven't actually
noticed a bad odor in any of those places.Now that's not saying that I don't think other people
have where they are,but my personal experience is what my personal experience is. And it's
extensive and right next door,like literally within a block,which,kind of,gets to Councilor
Bergus's thing. If there are some issues,I don't have a problem believing that,but I haven't seen
anything that leads me to believe that this facility is the side of that issue. And then further talking
with-to-to getting to Councilor Alter's point,one of the things in the air quality stuff,thank you
for the presentation on that.My wife's also an MD, so we talk about that health care issues quite a
bit,but I have to think too that those who are closest to it would be at the highest risk of long term
exposure,ill effects.And one of the things I've done in investigating is talking to people who've
worked there for many years and seeing the conditions in the plant,giving it a literal sniff test.
And it- it there is not any indication of that happening in the people who are working in that
facility for eight hour shifts,for some of them 20 years.Further and also to the point,they are a
plant that not only has a-a workplace that not only has an average wage of something like just I
think low'30s an hour,which is pretty decently paying-paying job.But they are also represented
by a union that would not stand by if the workers were coming to them and saying,hey,I have
this health care issue. I-you know,I feel this,I work there,my family has had these healthcare
issues.Just knowing,you know,the local teamsters,238,not for a heartbeat would they-would
they be okay with that or would ignore any,sort of,complaint like that. So balancing all of that
out,I'm kind of in the same place. I don't know what new thing that would make me think that
this facility was part of an air condition-air-air conditioning,air condition of the air- air problem.
But I really liked Councilor Dunn's idea about,okay,so if there is a problem,let's do more to-to
address an existing issue.But as Councilwoman Bergus said,I'm not convinced that these things
are connected to this facility at this site. So that's,kind ol�where I'm at.
Teague; So I think,um,the question again before us is deferral. That's what we're going to vote on.And if
a deferral passes,then it will be deferred until April 16th.If- if it fails,then we'll come back and
I'll ask if councilors inclined to vote along with P&Z. If the answer is no,then we will end the
conversation there and we'll have a consult with P&Z. If the- if I see at least four heads shaking
yes,then I will close the public hearing and then we'll have final deliberations at that point. Okay.
So this is a roll call for deferring this item until-until April 16th. [Roll Call] All right.Motion
fails, 5-2. So now we're going to go and I'm going to ask if people are inclined to vote in
accordance with P&Z recommendation. All right. So I am going to close the public hearing. And
then,we already have the motion-no can I get-get a motion for first consideration?
Moe: I'll move-
Teague: moved by Moe.
Bergus: Second.
Teague: Seconded by Bergus and Council discussion.
Bergus: So just,uh,uh,I-I think Councilor Dunn was the one who said,you know,we can't require
engagement at a certain level at this stage in the process. And I do understand that P&G is willing
to have conversations with people who have questions and provide more information and I hope
that they do that because I think that is really important so that people understand,um,the
information that-that we're working with in our roles,and just,um,that they can't have the
opportunity to be accountable as corporate citizens in our community.
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Alter: And I would say also as local neighbors,I mean,that-I just-I heartily second what you're saying,
but I also recognize that you are also P&G,yes they are multinational,but they are also local and
they are part of the neighborhoods,and so that would be an incredibly important and good step is
to have that communication,um, so that there can be better understanding. So,um,I just-I
second what you're saying,I know it's voluntary,but I think that that would be a really,really,
really good step.
Dunn: I don't want to,um,rehash things necessarily that I've already said,um,but I really do see this
issue in the grandest sense of things,um,in a few different ways.Um,we have a great deal of
mistrust,uh,or distrust,um,between the community,P&G, and ourselves. Um,I mean we had
quite-quite literally,uh, someone postulate whether or not we had back room conversations with
P&G guaranteeing them this rezoning decision. So um,that's a great cause for- for concern and I
think it is something that,um,needs to be,uh,addressed. And when I say that,I mean,um,there
needs to be a deliberate effort on behalf of the city,um,to continue moving forward in-in- in
addressing these community concerns in good faith,um,and in a way that is-is meaningful. Um
so,you know, like I said before,um,I think that our next steps here are,um,the most important
part. Uh,whether or not we just approve this decision and carry on,um,that could very well
entrench some of those-those,um,untrue thoughts. Um, so one of the things that I would like to,
um,propose,uh,is that we-we do create either some sort of,uh,work session item or,um, some
sort of direction,ah,on-on our part for staff to figure out a way that we can better interface with
the public on,uh,issues of air quality,um,in figuring out a way that we can be more,um,
responsive to these types of concerns,uh, as well as make sure that complaints go where they
need to go,um,and should we need to-we know we can facilitate conversations between,uh,
various stakeholders to make sure that,you know,our community is-is comfortable for everyone.
Um,because whether or not,um,you know,this particular,uh,company,Procter& Gamble is
causing these pollution concerns,I-I'm inclined to agree with Councilor Harmsen if that is not
what I have seen. Um,we do have concerns in the community that are very real,uh, and that it is
our obligation as the-the-really the first step in-in people's interactions with-with the
government,um,to-to make a good faith effort to-to address those concerns to,um,do so in a
transparent way,um,and facilitate good quality communication between all. So,um,that would
be my request. Um,it's probably a little bit late for us to,um,have a-a-a plan of direction for
staff,um,but I do think that it would be a good thing for us to have,um,on a work session item,
uh,potentially in the fixture,um,maybe even next meeting,since this is going to be a continual
thing for at least the next two meetings,um,to have a broader discussion about what we can do,
uh,to work with our community stakeholders,to work with the companies that are-are
potentially,uh,causing problems,and to interface with the community members themselves to
make sure that,when there's a problem it's properly reported,we know what's going on and we
can,um,do our best to make sure that it's-it's addressed.Um,we need to build trust between
institutions in our community,um,that being ourselves,the government,um, and companies,and
I have,um, a lot of faith that that is something that this council is-is up to doing,but,um,it will
take our direction.
Moe: I appreciate your words,Councilor Dunn and agree that we should put this on a work session in a
timely way to-to discuss air quality in this part of town and who-who-who-where can we-
where can we improve,how can we improve,and what are we measuring,and how are we
measuring it? So,I strongly support your recommendation to get that on a work session. Thank
you for bringing it up.
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Dunn: Great.
Bergus: And I do think I recall from the Climate Action Commission minutes as I was reviewing,and I
looking for this specific issue that they did say at one point.Well,if the Council wants us to look
into it,they'll tell us. So,I'm saying that I think they need to be involved because they,uh,well
they don't have regulatory authority,they have great power in helping provide information,
educate the public,connect people to resources like that EPA tool that we all looked- looked at.I
know we got really good,um,information from Sarah Gardner on that as well. So I would ask
that we engage them on this question of,uh,maybe even broader than just air quality,but how-
how we engage the community on their concerns about what's happening in the environment.
Teague: I will say,uh, for the-you know,once P&G does have something and they bring in their plans,
um,that would definitely be where I would say, let's ensure-please do a-a good neighbor
meeting. Uh,when I look at the uses,um,I believe they're going to be a provisional use, so there
will be some discussions about,um what they're doing there. So thanks to all the residents for
coming out and sharing their concerns,and,uh, e-even the ones that aren't here,because there's
quite a few that aren't here that did reach out as well.
Salih: Okay,I just want to share my thought of why I'm not approving this.While I understand the need
of economic growth and development,I have some concern about this particular proposal. First
impact on our residential area.P&G has been around for years now,but when they resume the P
& G area as industrial area,this is the end of the city after like I want to get some history. This is
just really the end of the city. Why they didn't put P& G in the downtown area?Why?Because
as a town this is,ah,a lot of residential and people live here. That's why they put P& G toward
the end of the city a long time ago. And since then,I think our city has grown a lot,especially in
the residential area nearby the,uh,current industrial zone. I think adding another factor nearby
could really in the feeling of this neighborhood and I worry about it might affect residents daily
lives. Second,quality of life issue.We have heard from the public here today and through emails,
meeting,phone calls,about all the complaints regarding the smell from the existing factory.I
think it's important to consider how adding another one might worsen the problem and impact
people's enjoyment of their home and outdoor space. Third,health and safety. There is also the
issue of health risk associated with industrial activity. A study have shown that exposure to air
pollution can have negative effect on the health,especially for vulnerable group like children and
elderly people. Thank you for the people who presented here,whether,uh,Julia and Tracy,and
they bring a lot of good information informative about the health risk.And as I said, 2022 test of
Iowa City storm water provided by the DNR show an elevated level of the multiple VOC's that
matches the Oral B RCRA facility report. I think we need to prioritize the well being of our
community members. Environmental impact. As Laura mentions,and in our city strategic
planning,we have climate actions,big one over there. And our city known for the natural beauty,
and I believe we have responsibility to protect it. Adding more industrial activity could lead to
pollution and other environmental issue that could harm our local ecosystem.And the most
important,my last point,the community input is matters.Finally,I think it is very important to
listen to the concern of the residents.Many people in this community have voiced their
opposition to this rezonig proposal and I believe we need to-to take their opinions into account
when we make decisions that affect our city fixture. In conclusion,I will be voting against this
rezoning proposal. I believe it is important to prioritize the well being of our resident,protect our
environment,and consider the long-term implication of our decision.
Teague: Okay.
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Bergus:Mayor,I just- since we're actually considering the rezoning,I didn't speak to,um,the
compatibility with the neighborhood question that we're required to consider at this stage. And I
do,um,again,my-this is my conclusion based on all the information that I have in front of me,
that this will be a place where people who live in the area can walk to work. And I notice-I think
the house I live in is one that was built so that people could walk to the what is now the beauty
care facility.And we just installed this trail along Highway 6,the portion between Fair Meadows
Drive and Hines Road. And there's even more industrial out on Hines Road with,er, additional,
uh,manufacturing industrial out there. I see people walking on that trail to work from the
quarters, from my neighborhood,from Modem Manor.Like we talk about this 15 minute city,we
talk about the need for accessible good jobs. And I-I think that this is that kind of thing much
more than it is a new polluting factory that invokes the kinds of environmental justice—
[OVERLAPPING]
[Audience Member] They could build the facility
Bergus: —concerns.
[Audience Member] down the road.Don't build it in our neighborhood.
Bergus: And it is only-it is only 6.8 acres, and I think that's important as well.But this is not. I mean,the
scale of what can occur on this property for this rezoning is very limited by the size and the shape
of the real estate itself. So,I appreciate very much,Mayor Pro Tem,your comments, and I agree
with them,and I reached a different conclusion in this case. Thank you.
Teague: I see Councilor Dunn hand.
Dunn: Yeah,I was just wondering if,um,we might be able as, ah,um,as the agenda item that,pardon
me. So sorry,um,the work session item that I was discussing earlier. If we might be able to do a
consult not specifically on this item,but on this broader conversation about industrial pollution in
this particular sector of Iowa City,if we could have them be part of-of that work session. And
simultaneously,if that directive can be given,um,to move that forward in this moment,or-or
what would we need to do,ah,in order to get the ball rolling?
Teague: So I think I understood the-the majority of council is wanting a work session to talk about air
quality in general,um,and just reach some conclusions.And who will be a part of that
conversation?Um,certainly,we can determine who will. Ah,Climate Action Commission also,
um,you know, said if- if,you know,Council wants to,ah,direct us to have that conversation,
certainly we can look into it. So I think the work session will happen,uh,because we do have a
majority of council saying-nodding yes to that. And I think during that meeting,we'll be able to
discuss,um,you know,whatever elements that we want to look at and who we want to,I guess,
have involved,um,in that-in that discussion. Hearing no other comments,roll call please. [Roll
Call] Motion passes 6 - 1. We are on to item number.
Grace:Mayor?
Goer: Could we get a motion to accept correspondence,sir?
Teague: Yes.
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Salih: So move.
Teague: I have a motion to accept correspondence?
Moe: Second.
Teague:Move ahead to Salih. Seconded by Moe.All in favor say aye. [Voice Vote] Aye. Any oppose?
Motion passes 7- 1.
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12. Regular Formal Agenda
12.a $9,300,000 General Obiligation Bonds-Resolution instituting proceedings to take
additional action for the issuance of not to exceed$9,300,000 General Obligation Bonds of
the City of Iowa City,State of Iowa (for essential corporate purposes).
Teague: We are on to item Number 12.b,which is 700,000 General Obligation bonds resolution
instituting proceedings to take additional action.
Grace: 12.a.
Teague: Alright,We're on 12.a, so 12.a is 9,300,000 general obligation bonds resolution instituting
proceedings to take additional action for the issuance of not to exceed$9,300,000 general
obligation bonds of the City of Iowa City,state of Iowa,and I'm going to open the public hearing
and we have Geoff Fruin and not our Finance director Nicole Davies before us today,so welcome
Geoff.
Fruin:Yes,thank you,Mayor and Council. Um,Nicole is not able to be with us tonight, so I'm going to
pinch it for this. You actually have four items on your agenda in succession here, 12.a through
twel- 12.d. The first three are public hearings. Uh,uh, each one will allow staff to proceed with
the bond sale,and then the fourth item is just as-a simple resolution,authorizing the G.O.Bond
pre tax levy. So um,just a little bit about uh,the,the timeline we're here on March 19th,you set
this hearing on February 20th,um, and this is what the schedule for the bond,er, sale looks like.
We would have our call with Moody's,our bond rating agency,on the 15th. You will have some
resolutions on your April 16th directing the sale,the advertisement and the sale of those bonds.
We would receive bids on May 7th,and then we would ask for you to,um,authorize issuance of
the bonds on May 21st,and we'd anticipate closing in June 4th, so you can see it's a multi-month
process. Um,uh,the 2024 G.O.bond projects you've already seen before.We reviewed these
with you during our budget work sessions,uh,earlier this year. These are the projects that are,er,
listed.Um,the last two bullet points are general corporate purpose and those are definitions
provided by the state of Iowa. So,uh,the reason that you have three public hearings are the
general corporate purpose. Items have to have separate public hearings. So your fust public
hearing is going to be,uh,all of the bullet points except for the last two,and then the last two will
get separate considerations from you. Those general purpose um,um,bonds have a limit right
now of that 700,000.Um,the others do not have a per project limit to them. Once you add up all
these,you fall a little short of the number that's provided. That's because there's bond issuance
costs and that provides that small difference between the project costs and the total amount that
we'll be asking to bond.Uh, so again,you've seen these before in your budget deliberations„uh,
and I'm happy to answer any questions. I plan to just be down here in this moment.Now,return
back there,but I won't go through a separate presentation for each of these four items unless you
have specific questions.
Bergus: I just have to ask who designed the presentation.It's a different vibe. I like it.
Fruin:Different vibe. We need to be a long meeting and you need to pick me up through.I cannot take
credit for this. This is-this was probably done in the finance.
Alter: The PowerPoint equivalent of late night latte.
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Bergus: Yeah,I noticed.
Teague: Anyone from the-any questions for Geoff.
Salih: Who designed this?I'm just joking.
Teague: And then anyone from the public like to address this topic? Seeing no one in person or online,
I'm gonna close the public hearing. Can I get a motion to approve?
Bergus: So moving,Bergus.
Salih: Second, Salih.
Teague: Council discussion.Roll call,please. [Roll Call]Motion passes 7—0.
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12.d 2024 GO Bond Pre-Levy Authorization -Resolution authorizing the issuance of
$10,200,000 General Obligation bonds,series 2024,and levying a tax for the payment
thereof.
Teague: Item 12.d is 20-2024 GO Bond Pre Levy Authorization. This is a resolution authorizing the
issuance of 10,200,000 General Obligation Dollar bonds, series 2024 and levy and a tax for the
payment thereof. Can I get a motion to approve,please?
Salih: So moved, Salih.
Bergus: Second Bergus.
Teague: All right. And then anyone from the public like to address this topic? Seeing no one in person or
online council discussion.
Salih: Yes. I wanna ask a question here.When we say Pre Levy authorization,what that means?
Fruin:You're essentially setting the tax levy that's going to be needed to pay off the debt that, -that,-that
we're planning to issue. Obviously,you haven't approved the budget yet, so that's the levy,and
we'll do a so there's a couple of variables. You haven't approved the budget and we also don't
know what the bids on those bonds will be,so we'd actually don't know the real cost of borrowing
yet. So if needed and-and typically it would be-we would do an amendment afterwards,but the
Pre Levy just recognizes that we we're-we're not yet going to be issuing that-that-that levy until
the budget's adopted.
Teague:Roll call,please. [Roll Call]Motion passes 7—0.
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12.e Sale of 1313 Sandusky Drive-Resolution authorizing conveyance of a single-family
home located at 1313 Sandusky Drive.
Teague: 12.e Sale of 1313 Sandusky Drive.Resolution authorizing conveyance of single family home
located at 1313 Sandusky Drive. I'm going to open the public hearing. And welcome Tracy
Hightshoe.
Hightshoe: Hi,Tracy Hightshoe.At this point in the night,I think all of you are familiar with the South
District program. We buy homes in the South District, Sandusky,Davis,and Taylor. We rehab
them and sell them affordable home ownership.We bought 11 duplexes. We have rehabbed four
now. This is the eighth home that we're selling. After this home,we don't have any currently
underway. We are demolishing one at the entrance of Wetherby as we had in the council packet a
few weeks ago. And then all the others have at least one unit rented. So anyone who is looking
for a down payment or home ownership,we do have a down payment assistance program,so
we'll be referring them to our lending partners for the home program that we funded for down
payment.We're selling this home for 170,000. The o-owners are eligible for 24,999 in a home
down payment. So they'll have-they'll finance this home for about 150,000. The homeowners
have completed the Horizons Home Buyer class in order to get the home funds. And this is just
for the conveyance of this property.
Salih: You mean this is co-completed our project on the sales?
Hightshoe:Not completed. As other units,we're-we're in a landlord situation now,so if one of the units
of the duplex is occupied,we continue as a landlord until they voluntarily move. And since all the
units that we have have at least one person,it's-we're-we're not doing rehab on the whole unit.
So we're in a pause until one opens up.
Salih: Sure. Okay. Get you. Thank you.
Hightshoe: This is the-we've sold-we purchased four duplexes.We've rehabilitated eight units. This is
the last-this is the eighth unit to be sold.
Salih: Sure.Yeah.
Hightshoe: Yeah.
Salih: And-and the 170 is for one of the duplex or for both?
Yeah.
Hightshoe: For one side of the duplex,we're selling it for 170,000 They'll get about 25,000 in down
payment,so they have to finance 150. It's a three bedroom,two bath.We've pretty much gutted it,
so if you look at the inside,it's pretty much all new interior. G efficiency upgrades.We do quite a
bit when we go into these homes and remodel.
Alter: I drove by it the other day.It looks phenomenal.
Salih: Yeah.Really nice.
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Hightshoe: Yeah.
Salih: I like the program.
Moe: I feel like the last several meetings we've got to see a house that has been rehabilitated and is turned
over to a member of our community. So let's have that happen at every meeting.
Hightshoe: This one went to a South District resident as well. They live on cross parks.
Salih: Thank you for all your work.
Hightshoe: You're probably just glad this is not a PowerPoint,it's just a photo.
Harmsen: Nicole has set the bar high now. Yeah.
Teague: Anyone from the public like to address this topic? Say,no one in person or on line?I'm going to
close the public hearing. Could I get a motion to approve,please?
Salih: So moved.
Alter: I'll second.
Teague:Motion by Salih, Second by Alter. Council discussion? Great. Awesome and amazing program
roll call,please. [Roll Call]Motion passes.7 -0.
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13. Appointments
13.a Board of Appeals
Teague: We're onto Item Number 13 which is Council appointments. 13.a as Board of Appeals. And we'll
take-what we'll do is-Well,yeah. We'll-we'll-well,we'll talk about 13A,and then we'll talk
about-
Harmsen: 13.c
Teague: 13.c
Salih: And 14.a.Do everything before.
Teague: Yeah. So 13a. So there was only- so it's none and it's only one applicant.
Harmsen:I have a question on that one,and this came up at the last meeting that-.
Teague: It's about the-
Harmsen:Yeah,the vacancy for an HVAC or building design professional or qualified trade
representative with experience and training. And then it says if after three months no professional
applies or is appointed,I'm not sure then what.It feels like there's a sentence part of that sentence
is missing there. I assume that means we can waive the requirement completely.
Goers: That's the idea.
Teague: Yeah.Because we've already extended that period.
Harmsen:Has it been three months?
Grace:yes. From the announcement date
Harmsen: Okay.
Salih: December.
Moe: Oh,yeah.
Harmsen:Yeah,I guess it is,isn't it?
Moe: This is maybe a procedural thing,but so we waive that requirement just for this singular
appointment,not for that position permanently.And that doesn't transfer to the next available
appointment. It's the slot is that slot we will appoint a non professional to.
Teague: right. Yeah. Somehow we may need to earmark because they're going to get that slot and then
we'll need to earmark when it comes up that they don't have that qualification. All right. So
Nicholas Yost,do I have a-
Salih: Yes.
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13.c Public Art Advisory Committee
Teague: All right, sir.All right,and then let's jump over to 13.c.And this is Public Art Advisory
Committee. And we have,um,Public Art Advisory Committee,we have one vacancy to fill an
unexpired term upon appointment through December 31,2024. And then there are-there is,uh,
no gender balance requirement. So I don't know if anyone has a recommendation.
Bergus: I thought they all looked good. How about Rachel Kinker?
Teague: Any other?
Harmsen:I'm okay with that.
Teague: Okay.Yeah. So I'm seeing Rachel Kinker as the person. All right. I do you want to take a- a
vote on-
Alter: Those two.
Teague: On those two. So this would be for 13a for the appointment to the Board of Appeals of my-
Bergus:Nicholas Yost.
Teague:Nicholas Yost.And then an appointment to the Public Art Advisory Committee,Rachel Kinker.
And so all-we're gonna just do both of those together, so all in favor say aye.
Grace:Mayor,we need a motion.
Teague: We need a motion.I did not have a motion,okay.
Dunn: So moved.
Teague :Can I get a motion to approve those?
Harmsen: So moved,Harmsen.
Salih: And I second,Mazahir Salih.
Teague: All right. All in favor say aye. [Voice Vote] Aye. Any oppose?Motion passes 7 to 0.
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13.b Charter Review Commission
Teague: All right. We're going to have Councilwoman Bergus recuse herself. So the next item is 13.b is
Charter Review Commission. There is one vacancy to fill a year term from April 1,2024 to no
later than April 1,2025. There is a,um,uh, a gender balance requirement.
Salih: Why is there a gender balance requirement?There is not.
Teague: So there is no gender balance requirement. All right.Well just cross that off of there.
Salih:Because it's not going to be like last time there is not and now there is.
Teague: It's fine.
Salih: Consistent.
Teague: Yes. All right.And then I just want to open the floor for nomi- for folks that they want to put
forth.
Dunn: Put forward,Rod Sullivan.
Salih: Okay.I put forward Riley Lynch.
Moe:Matt Hayek.
Teague: Any other nominations?All right. Hearing none,I just want to see,um, support for Rod Sullivan.
Moe: We get one voter.
Harmsen: Good question.
Teague: I mean,I guess because we're only at three individuals,um,just know that once we get to the
majority of four,it's typically where we stop,except we can continue to have conversation should
someone want to-
Moe: Sure.
Teague: You know.
Dunn:Mayor,may I ask a procedural question?
Teague: Yes.
Dunn: Um, in-in this case or-wait a minute. I'm I thinking about thing is wrong?Is the majority still
four?
Teague: Yes.Majority is still four? Okay. Got you. Yes. Okay.All right. So for Rod Sullivan,I just want
to,uh, see hands of support. Okay. And Councilor Dunn,I can't see your hand,but,oh,yeah,you
raise your head. I love it.He's got it on Zoom. He raises virtual hand. I love it.All right. Um,and
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then we have two. And for Riley? Okay.We have one. And then for Matt Hayek,we have four.
And I don't see online. Okay. So Matt Hayek is appointed to,uh,he has the majority. So let's go
ahead and do a vote.
Moe: I move Matt Hayek
Teague: Um, so could I get a motion to appoint Matt Hayek?Move by Moe.
Alter: Second.
Teague: Second by Alter. All in favor say aye. [Voice Vote] Aye.Any oppose?
Dunn: Aye.
Teague: So that's one oppose?
Alter: Yes.
Dunn: Yes.
Teague: Okay.All right. So motion passes, five to one. Can I get a motion to accept correspondence?
Moe: So moved.
Teague:Moved by Moe.
Alter: Second,Alter.
Teague: Second by Alter. All in favor say aye. [Voice Vote] Aye.Any oppose?Motion passes,6- 0. All
right.
Salih: What do you mean?
Teague: Oh,to accept correspondence.
Salih: Okay.
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16. City Council Information
Teague: We're at Item Number 16 for City Council information.
Salih: I think-I just,I want to say it is Ramadan for us as Muslim in the community,and I wish like really
happy and Ramadan Mubarak for all the Muslim people in the community.
Moe: Hear,hear.
Bergus: We've got a couple of events this week,tomorrow night,and Thursday night for the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission. Um,I had a really fantastic meeting last night at the Wright House
of Fashion,um,going over their fact finding,kind of analyzing that,and having a nice facilitated
conversation,and then Wednesday night they will be at, ah,a shoot.
Fruin:I believe it's ICOR Boxing.
Bergus: Thank you.It's ICOR Boxing tomorrow night,um,and Thursday night we'll be at the James
Theater. And both of those events start at 5:30 p.m.And those two events are truth telling events
where individuals who have been working with our facilitators,who are the professionals around
the truth telling,um,have prepared to provide their,um, stories to the community in that sort of
safe and supported environment. So I know everyone here was invited to attend,and I'd
encourage you to consider being in the audience for that. Um,but it's really great to see the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission getting to that part of their work
Teague : Great.Okay.
Salih: Where-where,the one in James Theater?
Bergus: Thursday. Thursday. From-
Salih: Thursday?
Bergus: 5:30.
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17. Reports on items from City Staff
Teague: All right. Item Number 17. One,we want to get reports on our items from city staff. We do see
someone in our-out there new,but we're going to turn it over to our City Manager's Office.
Fruin:Well,uh,I'll introduce Kirk-Kirk Lehman. You know,most of you have seen Kirk at these
meetings before.Uh,we're seeing his work come before you in packets. We're excited for Kirk to
step up and serve,ah,a new role for- for the city which is Assistant City Manager. So he's -he's
about two weeks in now,week-and-a-half or so.
Lehman:Maybe Two-and-a-half.
Fruin:We're not sure.Um,so welcome Kirk to the team,and you'll be seeing a lot more of him and
working more directly with him going forward.
Salih: Yeah. Congratulations. And he and uh,Redmond,they've done a good job while you are away-
Thank you. and welcome aboard. Thank you,and welcome back.Yeah.
Teague: Yeah. So welcome.All right. City Attorney?
Goers;Nothing for me tonight. Thank you.
Teague: City Clerk?All right.
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18. Adjournment
Teague: We are at Item Number 18. Can I get a motion to adjourn?
Alter: So moved.
Bergus: Second moved.
Teague:Move by Alter,seconded by Bergus.All in favor say aye. [Voice Vote] Aye. Aye.Any opp-
oppose?Motion passes seven to zero.We are adjourned.
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