HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-10 Bd Comm minutesItem Number: 5.a.
a
CITY OF IOWA CITY
"QF T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: November 7
Attachments: Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission: November 7
November 7, 2024
Approved Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma Harvat Hall
Commissioners present: Amos Kiche, Chastity Dillard, Lou Tassinary.
Commissioners on Zoom: Chad Simmons, Lubna Mohamed.
Commissioners not present: Kayla Rossi, Wangui Gathua, Cliff Johnson, Lauren Merritt.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 7:17 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgment: Dillard read the Land Acknowledgment.
Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: No.
Approval of the Minutes from October 17, 2024: Dillard moved and Tassinary seconded, motion
passed 5-0.
Final Report: Kiche presented a draft of an agreement for the report writer. Kiche requested that
the commission review the agreement together and make any necessary changes. Dillard thanked
Kiche for his work and stated she had read through the document and had no changes. Tassinary
shared he has reservations with Section 3: Obligations of Party A and Deliverables. Tassinary was
under the impression the work with consultants had covered this area and rather than repeating
that aspect the commission can refer to the original report made by the consultants. Dillard agreed
with Tassinary and his idea to consolidate the information of section 3 to highlight their main
takeaways from the original report. Specific areas of the report Tassinary was referring to include
History of the TRC in Relation to George Floyd's Murder, The Results of Community
Negotiations, The Charter, The Mission, and Other TRC Worldwide in the U.S. Kiche understood
Tassinary's concerns and shared he wants to be sure all aspects of the work the TRC has done are
documented in their final report.
Simmons proposed some questions to be considered by the commission in relation to both the
report made by the consultants and the pending report to be written. The first question was, where
will the report address the challenges and overall experiences of the commission. Dillard agreed
that should be an additional section to the report due to the fact it was not included in the draft.
Simmons suggested making it the main framework of the report to highlight how the commission
operated during those challenges. Some challenges mentioned by Simmons include commissioner
turnover raters, commissioner relationships (within the commission), inconsistencies in promises
and delivery, challenges working with the City, etc. Kiche agreed that these topics are important
and should be included in the report. Kiche suggested adding these concerns in section two. To
clarify, Dillard asked if the suggestions from Simmons should be a sentiment throughout the
whole report or if he would rather see them assigned to a specific section of the report. Simmons
confirmed he would like it to be a sentiment throughout the whole report. Dillard suggested
allowing the new report writer to sit down with each commissioner and get their personal
experience of their time on the commission to execute Simmons' sentiment successfully
throughout the report. Simmons agreed to Dillard's suggestion. Kiche suggested adding a
"Challenges Faced" section to each main subject of the report. Simmons stated that the main focus
when mentioning the challenges would be to highlight the challenges the commission faced
together as a team working under the City Council. Simmons also mentioned the lack of support
he felt the commission received from the City Council_ Kiche asked Simmons if the challenges
specific to City Council could fit in section 6 of the report dedicated to recommendations.
Simmons agreed section 6 could serve as one section of the report to include comments of culture
within the TRC. Tassinary shared he agrees with the need to include Simmons' suggestions
however he also shared concerns that what they are asking of the report writer may not be
achievable due to time. Simmons suggested giving the report writer highlights that the commission
would like to see included in the report. The report writer would then do interviews that would
allow him to touch on the topics highlighted with each commissioner. Dillard agreed it may be a
large undertaking for the report writer and that the interviews would be helpful in understanding
the work and experiences of the commissioners. Dillard also suggested commissioners write out
their experiences and thoughts and give those to the report writer in place of an interview (or along
with an interview). Dillard suggested adding into the agreement that the report writer will consult
with each of the commissioners for information on their experience. Simmons asked Dillard about
suggestions on how the commission's work could have been done differently and when the
commission could discuss that and later be included in the report. Tassinary suggested presenting
the information of what could have been done differently in January when the commission meets
with City Council (separate from the report). Simmons stated he planned to share information with
the group before the next meeting for it to be discussed and possibly used in the report. Dillard
encouraged other commissioners to do the same and to speak with the report writer if they feel
they have time and information to share. Staff clarified the changes made to the draft report
2
include two additional sections for experiences and challenged face by commissioners. Staff also
confirmed the original report will act more as a guide for the commission's report rather than a
document to be referenced alongside the final report
Mohamed mentioned she would like to meet with the report writer to discuss her experiences.
Staff encouraged the commission to utilize the recommendations area of the report to also discuss
experiences and challenges leading up to the commission's Dec. 31 deadline. Dillard inquired
about the flexibility of the report or if it would be necessary for the commission to insert a clause
that allows for changes to the report after the first draft is complete. Staff answered that the
flexibility should be part of the process in receiving the draft and returning any corrections to the
writer before the report is finalized.
Kiche brought up that the writer has not discussed payment. Dillard suggested getting the draft to
him asap. Staff recommended confirming compensation and deadlines among the commission to
get an agreement to the writer. Staff mentioned keeping past compensation in mind when coming
up with a total to be paid for the written report. Tassinary added that work is looking to be roughly
$8,000.00 if the writer is paid $50 per hour. Staff confirmed that work on the report cannot be
started until an agreement is signed between the writer and the City Staff also stated that the
agreement would be with the City of Iowa City. Staff stated submission dates and end dates stated
in the agreement must be firm and specific. Dillard asked if there was any way the report could be
finished by the 31st but submitted after the commissions end date. Staff stated it should be
completed and submitted by the 31st of December. Dillard brought up the possibility of asking for
an extension, if necessary, in the future. Simmons suggested prioritizing shortening the report and
finalizing the report by the commission's last meeting before it is time to submit.
The commission summarized a timeline of:
• Signed and Finalized Agreement: (around) November 19
• Final Draft: December 17
• Report Submission: Prior to December 31
9
Simmons suggested starting with an offer of $4,000 for the written report and to negotiate from
there. Simmons suggested voting for the commission chair (Dillard) to green light the final
negotiation price with a cap of $8,000.00.
*A brief pause occurred due to lack of quorum*
The meeting resumed with a motion by Tassinary to authorize City staff to move forward on the
MOU with the writer with the edited changes, Simmons seconded, passed 5-0
Mohamed expressed concerns about the $8,000.00 payment to the writer. Clarification of the
content and purpose of the report was shared with Mohamed. Mohamed expressed her frustrations
with the commission and that she feels there could have been more done to help the community.
Dillard clarified there has been work with the community and the purpose of the commission has
been to find and understand the challenges facing the community to report back to City Council,
which will be the focus of the report. Mohamed feels as though her work towards change through
City committees has been unacknowledged. Dillard encouraged Mohamed to share these concerns
in the report. Dillard also informed Mohamed on her right to vote against the motion concerning
compensating the report writer. Mohamed expressed concern that the City Council will read the
report and no change will come from their efforts. Before Mohamed gives her vote on the amount
to be paid to the report writer, she asked for clarification and wants to know what will happen after
the report is given to City Council. Dillard answered that it is hoped that the City Council will hear
out the commission during their presentation and encouraged Mohamed to bring these concerns up
during the presentation. Dillard agreed to continue the conversation regarding Mohamed's
concerns outside of the meeting.
Simmons moved that the commission chair has the ability to change the financial agreement with
the contractor for writing the report up to $8,000.00. Tassinary seconded, moved 5-0.
Kiche questioned the need for a timeframe to be added to the motion concerning the payment for
the report. Kiche expressed concerns of paying before receiving any draft/ materials. Dillard
questioned the need to redo the motion previously agreed upon. Staff suggested waiting for the
rd
City Attorney for definitive answers. Staff will ask for clarification and will report back to
commissioners outside of the meeting.
Announcement of Commissioners: None.
Announcement of Staff: None.
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 PM.
The full meeting video can be viewed at this link.
5
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2024
(Meetinm Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
3/21
4/4
5/2
5/16
6/20
7/18
8/1
8/15
9/5
9/19
1013
10/17
11/7
Dillard
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
Z
P
P
Gathua
12/31/24
P
P
A
A
Z
Z
Z
A
Z
P
P
P
A
Kiche
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Johnson
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
A
A
A
Merritt
12/31/24
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
Z
A
Z
A
A
Muhamed
12/31/24
-
-
-
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
A
Z
Simmons
12/31/24
P
Z
P
P
A
P
A
A
A
Z
Z
A
Z
Tassinary
12/31/24
P
A
P
P
P
A
P
P
A
P
A
P
P
Rossi
12/31/24
-
-
-
-
A
Z
A
A
A
A
A
Z
A
P =
Present in person
A
= Absent
Z
= Zoom
Item Number: 5.b.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Board of Adjustment: August 22
Attachments: Board of Adjustment: August 22
MINUTES
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
FORMAL MEETING
EMMA HARVAT HALL
AUGUST 22, 2024 — 5:15 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Baker, Bryce Parker (via zoom), Mark Russo, Paula
Swygard
MEMBERS ABSENT: Nancy Carlson
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Dulek, Anne Russett, Parker Walsh
FINAL
OTHERS PRESENT: Alex Carrillo, Brock Heller, Marcia Hammond, Mike O'Donnell
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM.
ROLL CALL:
A brief opening statement was read by Baker outlining the role and purpose of the Board and
the procedures that would be followed in the meeting.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION ITEM EXC24-0003:
An application submitted by Harvest Preserve Foundation, Inc. requesting a special exception to
allow a religious/private group assembly use in an Interim Development Single Family
Residential (ID-RS) zone at 1645 N Scott Boulevard.
Baker opened the public hearing.
Russo stated he had consulted with the City attorney about a possible conflict of interest
involving himself and a principal of this project. It turns out that it's not considered a legal conflict
however, it falls upon his judgment as to whether or not he thinks he can be fair and impartial in
in assessing the outcome of this hearing, and he believes he can. He acknowledged he is a
supplier of materials to a project for Bedrock Builders in Kalona and that is the extent of his
contact with them.
Walsh began the staff report showing a location map of the property and although there is
approximately 100 acres of land on this property, the project discussed in this application is
located up in the northeast corner. Next Walsh shared the zoning map showing residential
property to the west and to the south, and the remaining surrounding properties are zoned ID-
RS. The Harvest Preserve Foundation, Inc, was established in 2005 as a nonprofit corporation
dedicated to maintaining and preserving natural areas, while also increasing public awareness,
appreciation, and participation. The Preserve maintains approximately 100 acres of land that
has been placed within a private conservation easement to achieve their mission. The primary
use of this land being parks and open space. The conservation easement also outlines
buildable areas that are suitable for construction of allowed development and the applicant is
seeking to construct a meeting space that provides members with the opportunities for
education and shelter, with year-round restrooms. This use is classified as private group
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 2 of 12
assembly.
Walsh noted that the Good Neighbor meeting held in May, and correspondence from that,
reflects where the applicant initially proposed to construct the building, which is up in the
northwest corner of the property, and the current application before the Board has been revised
in an effort to try to answer some of those concerns, including the building being moved. Staff
has not received additional correspondence since the site revision. Walsh reviewed the floor
plans of the building, floor one would be the main assembly area of the building and then there
would also be a walkout basement.
The Board of Adjustment is charged with approving, approving with conditions, or denying the
application based on the facts presented. To approve the special exception, the Board must find
that it meets all applicable approval criteria, beginning with the specific standards of religious/
private group assembly in the ID-RS zones.
Criteria A is that the following setbacks are required in lieu of the setback specified in the base
zone, and those requirements are front and side setback of 20 feet and a rear setback of 50
feet. The proposed project and building location propose a front setback of 181 feet and a side
setback of more than 181 feet. The side setback to the west would be 778 feet, and to the south
more than 2750 feet. Therefore, the applicant is proposing to meet and exceed all the minimum
requirements.
Criteria B states the proposed use will be designed to be compatible with adjacent uses. The
Board of Adjustment will consider aspects of the proposed use such as site size, type of
accessory uses, anticipated traffic, building scale, setbacks, landscaping and location and
amount of paved areas. The Board of Adjustment may deny the use or aspects of the use that
are deemed out of scale, incompatible or out of character with surrounding residential uses, or
may require additional measures to mitigate these differences, such as requiring screening,
landscaping, pedestrian facilities, setbacks, location, design of parking facilities and buildings.
Walsh explained this use would provide an indoor meeting space and restrooms for its
members for the purpose of education, trainings, leisure, shelter, and because it is a private
group assembly it is primarily used for its members and that would mean it's restricted access to
the general public. This space cannot be rented out for commercial office uses or events for the
general public. The proposed design of the building is compatible with adjacent uses. It's 60 feet
by 40 feet, or 2400 square feet, and it's one story with a walkout basement. The nearest
residential home is a two story, 2242 square feet footprint, and a total floor area of
approximately 4400 square feet. Transportation staff has reviewed and determined that the
proposed use and associated traffic will not overburden Scott Boulevard, stating that the street
currently carries approximately 5100 vehicles per day, and theoretically the capacity would
exceed 15,000 vehicles per day. Transportation staff also determined that the use and existing
parking spaces will not generate enough traffic to warrant further improvements to Scott
Boulevard such as turn lanes or a traffic study. The occupant load of the main auditorium in the
building is what is used to determine the off-street parking requirement, that occupancy is 125
people and would require 21 parking spaces.
Criteria C states given that large parking lots can seriously erode the single-family residential
character of these zones, the Board will carefully review any parking spaces beyond the
minimum required. The Board may limit the number of parking spaces and the size and location
of parking lots, taking into account the availability of on -street parking, the estimated parking
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 3 of 12
demand and opportunities for shared parking with other non-residential uses in the vicinity.
Walsh noted the proposed use does require 21 parking spaces, again calculated based on the
largest room in the building. The property contains an existing paved area capable of being
striped for the required 21 spaces, so no new pavement or parking areas are proposed as part
of this application. Bike parking will be required and that's something staff will review further at
the site plan review. There's no on -street parking available along North Scott Boulevard, the
nearest on -street parking would be along Tamarack Trail, which is 26 feet of pavement width,
and that size of street would support parking along one side.
Criteria D is the proposed use will not have significant adverse effects on the livability of nearby
residential uses due to noise, glare from lights, late night operations, odors or litter. The closest
residential property line from the proposed use is located 778 feet to the west and it is
separated by existing woodlands. To ensure the use does not produce negative impacts
relating to noise or late -night operations, staff recommends a condition that the building housing
the private group assembly use be closed from 10pm to 6am and that amplified sound not be
allowed outside. Single family and ID-RS zones are in the low illumination district, which is the
lowest lighting district within the code, however the ID-RS zone properties are not subject to the
same lighting restrictions as single family uses. Due to the proximity to existing single family
uses and the specific approval criteria that the use be designed to be compatible with adjacent
uses, staff does recommend the condition that any future lighting be subject to the standards of
14-5G-3 standards related to single family and two family uses to ensure compatible lighting
designs.
Criteria E states the building official may grant approval for the following modifications to private
group assembly without approval from the Board of Adjustment:
1. An accessory storage building less than five hundred (500) square feet in size.
2. A building addition of less than five hundred (500) square feet, provided the addition
does not increase the occupancy load of the building.
Walsh explained this section is not applicable because this is a new application and new
development.
Criteria F is if the proposed use is located in a residential zone or in the Central Planning District
it must comply with the multifamily site development standards. This property is not within a
single-family residential zone or within the Central Planning District, so these standards do not
apply.
Next, Walsh reviewed the general standards applicable to all special exceptions. First is that
the specific proposed exception will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety,
comfort or general welfare. The proposed building will generally be of comparable scale to the
surrounding residential uses and the applicant proposes an increased setback to maintain
separation from existing development. The proposed use is classified as private group
assembly so this is a site that's primarily intended for its members and would restrict access
from the general public and cannot be rented out for commercial uses or events held by the
general public. Regarding transportation, staff has reviewed this site and the traffic generated
by the proposed use will not overburden existing streets, and access to surrounding properties
will not be affected. This proposed building would also provide an amenity to enhance the
visiting experience for its members, programs and camps, while also acting as a safety shelter
when necessary. Conditions for noise and lighting have been proposed to ensure the proposed
use remains compatible with surrounding development as not to impede on the health, safety,
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 4 of 12
comfort or welfare of the public
Criteria two is the specific proposed exception will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of
other property in the immediate vicinity and will not substantially diminish or impair property
values in the neighborhood. Walsh stated the proposed use will not impact the neighbor's ability
to utilize and enjoy their property, the building will be located approximately 778 feet from the
nearest residential property line and buffered by existing woodlands. The proposed
development is within an area that would allow development activity per the existing
conservation easement agreement, and the vast majority of the property will remain open space
which serves as an amenity and benefit to neighborhood properties which can have a positive
impact on property values. The proposed development is also located in an area in the
northeastern portion of the subject property that contains other existing structures for Harvest
Preserve member use and do not have City imposed limitations. Walsh stated there are
conditions, however, recommended that will help mitigate potential negative effects on noise
and hours of operation for the surrounding properties for the proposed construction.
Criteria three states the establishment of the specific proposed exception will not impede the
normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses
permitted in the district which such property is located. The residential neighborhood to the
west is nearly fully developed with residential uses and the residential neighborhood to the
south is beginning to develop. Land to the north and east of the subject property remains
undeveloped and the development of that land will occur as utilities extend and development
continues from the west. Again, this property is set back over 778 feet from the existing
residential neighborhood, is compatible in scale and the conditions as recommended are
intended to mitigate potential effects on surrounding properties.
Criteria four states adequate utilities, access, roads, drainage and/or necessary facilities have
been or are provided. Walsh noted the subject property has access to City utilities and will
extend utilities to the property to serve the new building. An eight -foot -wide sidewalk does exist
along the property's North Scott Boulevard frontage and pedestrian access for visitors of
Harvest Preserve is also available through onsite trails. A large portion of the subject property is
also green space, which does allow for the absorption of any stormwater runoff.
Criteria five is that adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide ingress or egress
designed to minimize traffic congestion on public streets. Direct access to the new development
will be off North Scott Boulevard through the existing curb cut and driveway. Transportation
staff determined that the existing drive was acceptable and the use, as well as the existing
parking, would not overburden the streets or require improvements.
Criteria six states except for the specific regulations and standards applicable to the exception
being considered, the specific proposed exception, in all other respects, conforms to the
applicable regulations of the zone. Walsh stated the proposed use and development does meet
all the code standards for the ID-RS zone.
Finally, criteria seven, the proposed exception will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use map shows this area as Conservation Design
and the Northeast District Plan identifies this property as the Bluffwood neighborhood. The
Comprehensive Plan notes that Conservation Design is appropriate in areas containing
sensitive features and is meant to balance the protection of sensitive natural features with the
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 5 of 12
development rights of the property owners. By clustering development on more buildable
portions of the property, natural areas can be preserved. The proposed use and building would
be located in the northeast corner of the property, away from those sensitive areas and in a
designated buildable area per the conservation easement. The Northeast District Plan also has
the goal to use conservation design principles to locate streets, utilities and structures in a way
that minimizes disturbance of natural features. And although the street network is already in
place, in recent years City utilities have been extended to a location that is more able to limit
disturbance to natural features while providing the property with the proper utilities. The
Northeast District Plan goes on to note the goal to treat environmentally sensitive areas as
amenities and the Harvest Preserve Foundation has placed over 100 acres in a private
conservation easement for the long-term protection of natural features with the intent of raising
public awareness, appreciation, and participation. The proposed use and structure would
provide an indoor space intended to further support and enhance the amenities of those who
visit.
Walsh stated staff received 23 pieces of correspondence in opposition of the proposed
development as presented at the Good Neighbor meeting on May 29, 2024. Since the Good
Neighbor meeting the applicant revised the site plan in response to neighbor concerns.
Staff recommends approval of EXC24-0003 to allow a Religious/Private Group Assembly use
in an Interim Development Single Family Residential Zone for the property located at 1645 N.
Scott Blvd, subject to the following conditions:
1. General compliance with the site plan dated 8/15/2024 in terms of the location
of the building, parking, and the size and scale of the proposed building.
2. The building must be closed between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
3. No amplified sound shall be allowed outdoors.
4. Future lighting be subject to the standards of 14-5G-3: Standards for Single
Family and Two Family Uses to ensure compatible lighting designs.
Russo noted under general standards 14-413-3 Walsh mentioned camps, are those an allowed
activity. Walsh replied his understanding from the applicant is those are private members or
groups that are Harvest Members that have day camps there.
Alex Carrillo (Bedrock Builders) stated he was approached by Julie Decker and Doug Paul with
Harvest Preserve with the idea of creating a building to support the programming for Harvest
Preserve to have an indoor space and have functioning restrooms that members of Harvest
Preserve could use. Initially they looked at doing a building at the current spot, but it became too
cost prohibitive at the time to do the building in that location. It was then decided to move it
closer to where utilities have to come from, which is Tamarack Trail, so it was revised to that
location. Carrillo noted that's also where they have some of their current programming with their
tap roots, and some of the day camps happen right there where a chip and seal drive comes
down. They then had a good neighbor meeting and there was lots of opposition, and it was
pretty clear that was not the best location, despite the cost. Additionally, that area would have
had to have more parking and more paving. Fortunately Harvest Preserve was workable and
okay with moving to this current location.
Russo stated it seems that there are just several possible areas of conflict, one is parking
because in the letters one of the major concerns was spillover parking that would be on
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 6 of 12
Tamarack Trail. Carrillo stated the reality is it's not a concern, the general intent of the building
is for the current programming, for day camps, for members to rent, or if they want to reserve
the space to do some club or activity (a class or seminar or something) that is onsite in Harvest
Preserve. It's probably unlikely in its current spot that people would park on Tamarack Trail and
walk a good distance to Harvest Preserve to get in. He can't say people won't park there but
thinks there are very few scenarios where that would likely happen. Carrillo noted one
restriction on Tamarack Trail is they allow parking on one side of the street only, so it's not going
to congest both sides of the street if people follow the rule.
Brock Heller (MMS Consultants) addressed some of the questions in terms of parking overflow.
The intended use for the parking area is 1/6 of the total occupant load which is based on the fire
code with the allowable occupancy. The occupancy only allows for 125 people to be in this use
at one time, and it's unlikely that would happen, but it could happen and there's also a through
connection past the existing building where there's an additional curb cut. He could foresee
maybe if kids did have a camp there at pickup time that might be a heavily parked situation for a
short period of time with queuing and stacking along that just to avoid over parking in the limited
existing parking lot.
Baker asked about the gates at all the entrances and if those are locked or closed 24 hours a
day and only accessible by a code. Heller stated they are code accessible but there are certain
times that they'll have them open when they're expecting multiple guests to be arriving, but they
are intended to be closed at all times so the public cannot come and go.
Marcia Hammond (1344 Tamarack Trail) noted she had a lot of conflict with the initial project
and when they had the good neighbor meeting, they did a lot of petitioning with the neighbors to
get their feelings and send emails to staff. The questions she still has for this project are how
many special exceptions are allowed on this property. Russett replied all that's being requested
at this point is a special exception for this particular use.
Hammond asked how many special exceptions could be allowed, potentially. Russett stated the
site's limited based on the conservation easement and the only buildable area is the areas that
staff showed. This is an ID-RS zone and so only uses that are allowed in that zone would be
allowed on this property. Hammond stated their homes are adjacent to that land, right next to
the fence line, and when they built these properties they were told nothing is going to be built
back there for 100 years. She stated they didn't have that in writing and neither did the builders.
The concern is what it leads to is this ambiguity, is it a building that will house campers and
what's the religious or spiritual component of that, how many people will there be, is it on a
Sunday or is it on a Wednesday. Hammond stated she is not against religion but to congregate
at that level it will then impact Tamarack Trail parking. They have a very narrow road as it is and
very narrow lots so if they are to have company come over for Sunday brunch and they couldn't
park in the driveway they would need to park on the road across the street. If overflow from
Harvest Preserve is parking there as well, where are their guests supposed to park. It is a deep
concern because in Minneapolis, where she is from, she experienced some of this very same
issue and it makes one feel like they really can't live within their own space because they don't
know when there's going to be an overflow. Another concern with the building and parking there
is if there are 21 car spaces and it's in the middle of winter with no leaves on foliage, how are
those beams of light to come across. They won't know until the thing is built, but it's too late, it's
already built. She would really like them to reconsider this, the amount the parking, the amount
of cars, and the what it's used for. Taking this land out of residential and putting it into this type
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 7 of 12
of zoning they've taken away their rights to really ask what goes on. Additional special
exceptions can happen and will impact their property values, and it would not increase the
value, it would be an issue.
Swygard would like a clarification of the requested action, the Code lumps this request under
the title allow a religious/private group assembly and what does that mean. Walsh stated the
Code uses religious/private group assembly to classify private groups and that could be a
religious focus, like a church, or could be a club focus, like an Elks Lodge, it's just private
groups that assemble in the space.
Baker asked if a church group could assemble in this space, Walsh replied it could if they were
members.
Russett noted from a land use perspective, they can't treat religious institutions any differently
from other membership groups that gather together in a space, from a land use and zoning
perspective needed to be treated the same way. If the Board remembers a few months ago the
Porch Light Group, a religious private group assembly of membership organization that are
focused on literature and writing, are located in a single family neighborhood. Again, from a
zoning perspective, they need to treat a church the same way as a membership organization
like Harvest Preserve.
Russo stated essentially this property is the same as the individual properties along Tamarack
Trail correct, it is the same zoning. Walsh replied it is two different zones, Harvest Preserve is
Interim Development Single Family Residential and have different development uses allowed.
Prior to its development Tamarack Trail was zoned the same and then when it was developed,
rezoned and subdivided to the residential zone that it is now. Russo asked though it is the
intention to hold this project to the same lighting standards as Tamarack Trail is held. Walsh
confirmed that was correct.
Russo asked about gathering along Tamarack Trial, is it an HOA, are there limitations to how
many can be at a party because if someone has 60 people at a party, where would they park.
Russett noted from a zoning perspective this use, religious/private group assembly, is also an
allowed use in the single-family residential zones.
Baker stated then a large private gathering along Tamarack would be subject to the same
parking limitations, not legally but logistically. If people from the Preserve overflow and use a
public parking space on Tamarack it's perfectly legal.
Carrillo wanted to clarify the location and the visibility, Carrillo lives on Tamarack and makes
that walk a lot and can't see any of the current buildings anywhere on Tamarack, and this new
building would be at a lower elevation. The proposed building would be down the hill to where
the pond is as they are proposing to build it into the side of that slope to make it a walkout.
Therefore, he would anticipate there'd be no visibility and he's never seen a car light or any of
the activity going on at Harvest Preserve from Tamarack and would anticipate that would
continue to be the case.
Russo stated he can understand the sort of disappointment or dismay that some homeowners
felt that they were led to believe there wouldn't be any development but that's not really an issue
that this Board can address. Dulek confirmed that was correct and the land wasn't put into an
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 8 of 12
easement until 2022 so presumably the development could have been a lot of different things.
Hammond stated there's a history to this and if they have this preserve and get a tax break
because they're a nonprofit and then their overflow comes out to the public parking on
Tamarack Trail and the private property owners have no public parking on Tamarack Trail
because the overflow, what's their options, can they use the Preserve parking lot, because they
used ours.
Swygard noted she lives in an area in Iowa City where she's impacted by home football games
People park on the public street in front of her house, in that space, and when she has visitors
that may be coming to her house the parking is impacted, but it is public parking, and she
doesn't have any control over that.
Hammond stated this isn't a football stadium and the University of Iowa is completely different
than Harvest Preserve. Swygard begs to differ. Baker stated they are talking about public
parking, it's not private parking, it is public parking, clearly marked, anybody can use it and if
they overflow into places they're not supposed to park you can call a cop, but you have no
control over who uses that public parking.
Hammond understands what they are saying but they don't know who's going to use this
gathering space, other than the members and their 5000 family members, or whatever it is and
that certainty leaves that bad taste in her mouth. She will speak for her neighborhood, for the
people that have written their emails and signed the petitions that the transparency was lacking
and the trust is minimal so they will just have to go on good faith that it will work out.
Brock Heller (MMS Consultants) wanted to address some of the potential concerns with a lack
of transparency, that could possibly be from the initial building permit application that was filed,
not with the special exception use. The building permit was for staff review and through the
process of that application staff reviewed it and based on what was being proposed they said
they think this falls outside of the standard building permit application and a special exception
would be needed. So some members of the neighborhood think that they were trying to slide
this under their nose without having a meeting but prior to the special exception going into place
but it was just a simple building permit application. Then with the special exception process
they held a neighborhood meeting, got input and changed the location of the building per that
input. It was also required by City engineering to extend the public utilities to serve water and
sewer to this building and because of that requirement, because Tamarack Trail was extended
from the dead end street and connected all the way through to Scott Boulevard, part of the
public streets and infrastructure was put in place so that it made it accessible to attach to City
services even though there's not anything in the right-of-way in front of this property, it ends
right at the Tamarack Trail line but because it's close enough to that City engineering required
that they extend approximately 900 to 1000 lineal feet of public water main in order to provide a
water and sanitary service to the building.
Russo asked in terms of screening involved in this, are there any special plantings or any sort of
visual mitigation necessary. Heller stated with this location they don't believe any additional
screening is needed due to the existing landscaping and topography on the site.
Mike O'Donnell (1320 Tamarack Trail) asked if there are any future plans to build on this plat
behind the north end of the Tamarack on the east side. If there is, will they have to go through
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 9 of 12
this whole process every time they want to put another building in, right in their backyards on
the other side of the fence. Walsh replied as far as staff knows there's no future plans but there
are other uses allowed in this zone that would not go through a special exception process and
could move forward with a standard site plan application for administrative review. Examples of
those uses would be detached single family, animal related commercial (things like a vet, animal
grooming, animal daycare, kennels and stables), parks and open space. Other uses would be
golf course, plazas, gardens, nature preserves, clubhouse and rec facilities, and then agriculture
would be things like farming, plant nurseries, livestock operations, dairy farms, horse farms, and
some communication uses that would be allowed could be broadcast towers and cell towers.
O'Donnell noted there is a conservation easement in place. Walsh confirmed the property's
private conservation easement would limit them further for what uses would be allowed.
O'Donnell noted that leaves that whole property pretty much wide open for whatever the hell
they want to do. Walsh again stated they're limited by their conservation easement and the uses
allowed in the zone, but within their buildable areas they could build some of these uses that are
allowed. O'Donnell noted then they could have farm animals on the other side of the fence in
their backyard.
Russett suggested it would be best to reach out to the neighbors and talk to Harvest Preserve
about their intentions for development, staff doesn't know what their vision is. Based on their
website they want this to be parks, open space, conservation that is their goal.
Russett noted any proposed development in the City, there's always neighborhood opposition to
it. Baker stated the City is applying as much oversight as it's legally allowed to do on this issue
and future possible development is subject to the conservation easements. Walsh stated the
applicant can speak more clearly on what those restrictions are as private conservation
easement restrictions are not enforced by the City.
Baker closed the public hearing
Russo moved to approve EXC24-0003 to allow a Religious/Private Group Assembly use
in an Interim Development Single Family Residential Zone for the property located at
1645 N. Scott Blvd, subject to the following conditions:
1. General compliance with the site plan dated 8/15/2024 in terms of the
location of the building, parking, and the size and scale of the proposed
building.
2. The building must be closed between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
3. No amplified sound shall be allowed outdoors.
4. Future lighting be subject to the standards of 14-5G-3: Standards for Single
Family and Two Family Uses to ensure compatible lighting designs.
Swygard seconded the motion.
Swygard certainly understands the concerns of the neighbors, in her time on Planning and
Zoning Commission and on this Board, she learned one thing and that is that unless you
actually own the property you don't have control over what may possibly happen to it. People
can promise all kinds of things but unless it's in writing, boards, especially boards like this, don't
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 10 of 12
have any jurisdiction over that. She thinks that moving the building to the other part of the area
goes a long way in appeasing the concerns of the neighborhood, which are very valid. The
wooded area and the topography will help mitigate the concerns, and no amplified sound
outside will also help things. She is a little confused still on how lighting a parking lot blends into
a single-family use, but they would have to meet the standards as far as lumens and shielding
and all of those kinds of things and it's far enough away at close to 780 feet, so that it wouldn't
be impactful.
Russo would agree and also state that they are in pretty good hands here in terms of the project
managers having shown a willingness to discuss and try to meet neighbor's requests and
concerns. He feels that will be ongoing and can't imagine anybody wants a conflict over this.
They will be left with essentially a wildlife area with 100-year easement behind the houses
everybody's values will be continually valued.
Parker concurs with that assessment. Installing 1000 linear feet of sewer and water is not cheap
to put in, so they're trying to be as neighborly as possible, and the site elevations worked in the
favor of the neighbors.
Swygard stated regarding agenda item EXC24-0003 she does concur with the findings set forth
in the staff report of meeting date, August 22, 2024, and concludes that the general and specific
criteria are satisfied, so unless amended or opposed by another Board member she
recommends that the Board adopt the findings and conditions in the staff report for the approval
of this exception. Russo seconded the findings.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0.
Baker stated the motion declared approved, any person who wishes to appeal this decision to a
court of record may do so within 30 days after this decision is filed with the City Clerk's Office.
DISCUSSION OF BYLAWS:
Dulek stated it was brought up to have a discussion about whether the Board should be able to
nominate and elect a person who is not present at that meeting and there's a couple of options
through Robert's Rules of Order. One option would be that a member who's not present cannot
be nominated at all. Or someone could nominate somebody, and that person could then
promptly notify staff, who is the Secretary, that they decline, and then another election would
occur at the next meeting. A third option would be nominations via a slate of candidates brought
forth by a nominating committee, but that option is found more with larger boards where they
have a nominating committee, but with only five folks that doesn't seem to be very good
approach.
Swygard asked if staff has a preference or any thoughts because the second option would
require staff involvement. Walsh replied there are no concerns from staff and no preference
from staff.
Swygard shared the concern about the second option is it's a little bit vague as far as the word
promptly. She thinks there are different circumstances that a nominated elected member might
be personally experiencing that would maybe still make the second option less desirable and
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 11 of 12
would lean towards the first option. The first option is a member who is not present, may not be
nominated.
Russo stated there just might be a whole bunch of no shows that day.
Baker stated his preference is to let Robert's Rules of Order stand and if the person does not
want it, to decline it, and the Board will do it over again. That seems like a perfectly viable
solution to the problem.
Parker noted they would need to define timeline, as in, before the next meeting or something.
Baker stated if the person declines, the next meeting would include a new election. City staff will
be assigned to notify the person promptly of the nomination, and the person should either
accept or decline the nomination, and if the person declines the agenda for the next meeting
would include a new election.
Swygard moved to modify Article Three Section Two of the bylaws to include nomination
with election in term of office with the wording, the Secretary must promptly notify a
member elected to an office if the member was not present at the meeting. The member
must notify the secretary whether the nomination is accepted or declined, and if
declined, election for that office will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Parker
second the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0.
CONSIDER APRIL 10, 2024 MINUTES:
Russo moved to approve the minutes of April 10, 2024. Swygard seconded. A vote was taken
and the motion carried 4-0.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT INFORMATION:
Baker asked about the chair being able to make a motion or second a motion. Dulek noted it
was changed four or five years ago by a previous Board making it possible for the chair to make
a motion. Baker wanted to go on record to say he will not be making any motions, that's just his
personal feeling on what the role of the chair ought to be.
Baker raised the question regarding part of the findings of fact or the staff review, there's
discussion of how the application will affect property values and it states "will not substantially
diminish or impair property values" so is this language by law recognizing that property values
might indeed be impacted negatively, but still be acceptable. Dulek stated she can issue a
memo to the Board for that but there can't be any discussion on that tonight because it's not on
the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT:
Swygard moved to adjourn this meeting, Parker seconded, a vote was taken and all approved.
Board of Adjustment
August 22, 2024
Page 12 of 12
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
NAME
TERM
EXP.
318
4112
4119
5110
6114
7112
1118
12113
3113
4110
8122
BAKER, LARRY
12/31/2027
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PARKER, BRYCE
12/31/2024
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
SWYGARD, PAULA
12/31/2028
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
CARLSON, NANCY
12/31/2025
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
RUSSO, MARK
12/31/2026
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
Key: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
-- -- = Not a Member
Item Number: 5.c.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Board of Adjustment: October 10
Attachments: Board of Adjustment: October 10
MINUTES
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
FORMAL MEETING
HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM
OCTOBER 10, 2024 — 5:15 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Baker, Nancy Carlson, Mark Russo, Paula Swygard
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bryce Parker
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Dulek, Parker Walsh
OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas Heineman
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM.
ROLL CALL:
FINAL
A brief opening statement was read by Baker outlining the role and purpose of the Board and
the procedures that would be followed in the meeting.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION ITEM EXC24-0001:
A request submitted by Adelaide Subtil and Thomas Heineman to extend the six (6) month
expiration time limitation for an application to reduce the minimum on -site parking requirements
in a Central Business Service Zone (CB-2) to accommodate the reuse of the vacant building at
215 N Linn Street.
Walsh noted this application was originally approved in March of 2024 to allow a parking
reduction from 14 spaces down to zero to accommodate a vacant building to be reused for
ground floor retail and an upper floor eating establishment and since that time there have been
some structural complexities and concerns that have delayed the project. The applicant has
worked with their architect and structural engineers to work through some of these concerns so
the City did not receive a building permit until earlier October 2024. However, that permit
cannot be issued until the City has either received an extension on the application or a new
application is submitted and approved by the Board.
Walsh stated the Board's duty for an extension request is because an application expires after
six months if the applicant has not taken action to establish use or obtain a building permit
which they have not yet and they at this point cannot unless granted this extension. Upon
written request and for good cause shown the Board may extend the expiration date of any
order without further public hearing on the merits of the original appeal or application and that is
what they are here to discuss tonight.
Carlson asked if they grant an extension how long will the extension be for. Walsh explained it
is up to the Board to decide and the extension will last as long as the Board determines and
within that time frame the applicant will need to get their building permit issued or they will have
to come back before this Board again, however the building permit that is in review right now so
that would likely not be of any concern.
Board of Adjustment
October 10, 2024
Page 2 of 3
Russo stated the only thing the applicant has to do is have a building permit, they don't need to
complete the project in the extension time. Walsh confirmed with the Board granting an
extension it is just for the filing of a building permit and the extension doesn't have to last
through the length of the project. He noted the permit would probably be issued in the next
week or two.
Baker opened the public hearing
Thomas Heineman stated they are still full steam ahead on this project, but it has taken longer
than expected due to some of the nuances of working with an 1870's building and trying to bring
it up to code. The issues mainly pertain to the back wall which is on the alley and has some
previously unforeseen structural issues. They have to replace the entire back exterior wall, and
they have been working with their structural engineering company as well as with OPN
Architects and have a plan to move forward and the City is on board with that as well.
Additionally, they also have to work on supporting the floor the second floor for the change in
use and have work through that as well and from with whom they have spoken with at the City
on the building permit side are happy with the solutions, their architects and structural engineers
are happy as well. The building permit is in submission pending this review and they are hoping
to start soon. The scope of the project approved previously has not changed, they still have
exactly the same intent, it's just unfortunate it has taken six months to arrive at the point of
everyone is happy with, from a budgetary standpoint and a complexity standpoint, so hopefully
there aren't any more big surprises.
Baker closed the public hearing
Carlson moved to approve EXC24-0001, a request submitted by Adelaide Subtil and
Thomas Heineman to extend the six (6) month expiration time limitation for an
application to reduce the minimum on -site parking requirements in a Central Business
Service Zone (CB-2) to accommodate the reuse of the vacant building at 215 N Linn
Street.
Russo seconded the motion.
Carlson stated she doesn't think they will need an additional six and is happy to see this project
moving forward.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT INFORMATION:
Walsh noted the deadline for November meeting is tomorrow and there are no expectations for
an application to come in so they likely won't be meeting in November. Additionally, Dulek
noted Council did approve the bylaw amendment if anybody wants a hard copy staff can provide
that to them.
ADJOURNMENT:
Russo moved to adjourn this meeting, Swygard seconded, a vote was taken and all approved.
Board of Adjustment
October 10, 2024
Page 3 of 3
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
NAME
TERM
EXP.
318
4112
4119
5110
6114
7112
1118
12113
3113
4110
8122
10110
BAKER, LARRY
12/31/2027
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PARKER, BRYCE
12/31/2024
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
SWYGARD, PAULA
12/31/2028
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
CARLSON, NANCY
12/31/2025
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
RUSSO, MARK
12/31/2026
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
Key: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
-- -- = Not a Member
Item Number: 5.d.
I, CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Climate Action Commission: October 7
Attachments: Climate Action Commission: October 7
MINUTES
IOWA CITY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
OCTOBER 7, 2024 —3:30 PM —FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
FINAL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Anderson, Michal Eynon -Lynch, John Fraser, Jamie Gade, Ben
Grimm, Zach Haralson, Wim Murray, Brinda Shetty, Gabriel Sturdevant
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michelle Sillman, Angie Smith
STAFF PRESENT: Daniel Bissell, Megan Hill, Kent Ralston MPO-JC
OTHERS PRESENT: Lizzy Fitzsimmons
CALL TO ORDER:
Sturdevant called the meeting to order
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 MINUTES:
Grimm moved to approve the minutes from September 9, 2024. Anderson seconded the motion, a vote
was taken, and the motion passed 9-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Action Items from last meeting (Staff):
• Staff collected email addresses for NCJC newsletters
Events:
• Climate Fest recap
• Other events in the community (Commissioners)
o Grimm reported that ICCSD will present their annual ghg update at the district meeting
tomorrow evening. The event will be recorded.
o Eynon -Lynch noted the next Repair Cafe event is happening October 19.
September 2024 Strategic Plan Progress Report:
• Bissell noted the inclusion of this report in the agenda packet. The report is also available on the
City website.
NEW BUSINESS:
Update on CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study (Kent Ralston, MPOJC)
• Background: MPOs are appointed by the state governor once an urbanized area's population
Climate Action Commission
October 2024
Page 2 of 4
reaches 50,000, which happened in Iowa City in 1980
• Passenger rail study on the CRANDIC line commenced in 2017. Iowa City's portion of this line
runs from Burlington St. to Penn St., North Liberty, following the river.
• HDR completed this study, finishing in 2020.
o Three factors affected next steps at that time: COVID, CRANDIC railroad did not want to
operate a passenger rail system, and the electric bus arrived in Iowa City.
• In fall 2023, MPO was asked to hire a consultant to complete a bus rapid transit study.
• Comparison:
o Rail study estimated 5300 riders per day, doubling the transit ridership in the
community. Cost to implement rail was $49M in 2020 -- $60M today -- with an
operating cost of $4.8M, $6M today.
o Bus rapid transit estimated 3600 riders per day (post-COVID transit ridership numbers
are all depressed). $92M to implement with an operating cost of $2.4M. Bus transit
study included a 10' wide multi -use trail that would parallel the route, added in places
that do not already have a trail.
• Pop Up Metro is a private firm, a rail development corporation, that has a set of electric rail cars
they want to bring here and test. In lieu of a study, they would "lease the community" and just
set up a system. Pop Up Metro would bring electric train cars with platforms. Operators would
be hired locally.
• Bus Rapid Transit study will hopefully be completed by the next MPO meeting in November.
• Fraser asked if rail development in Iowa City might spur development throughout the state.
Ralston noted that a stakeholder committee includes all the Johnson County communities and
also includes two members of the Iowa Department of Transportation. The state
representatives seem more interested in passenger rail than bus transit.
• Eynon -Lynch asked if feedback from the CAC was sought. Ralston characterized this session as
an FYI.
• Fraser asked if it is possible to run both a bus and a train. Ralston responded that it makes sense
to choose one, but even if it's bus, there is a priority to preserve the corridor.
• Sturdevant asked what is included in the cost. Ralston described upgrades to the corridor
(including pulling out rails), seven buses, and operations (cleaning, maintenance, driving) are
included in the bus rapid transit system. The Pop Up Metro proposal includes trains cars and
platforms, but not operational costs for electricity or drivers.
• Haralson asked if there would be a difference in service times. Ralston replied they were
comparable: headway of every 30 minutes for rail, and for buses it would be every 15 minutes in
peak time, 20 minutes in other times.
• Gade reported seeing more congested roadways and asked what impact this might have on
those. Ralston said only a few crossings are at grade and it should be possible to sync the
signals.
• Sturdevant asked if hubs and parking lots would be part of the system. Ralston noted a park -
and -ride facility north of Penn St. was included in the bus rapid transit study but not the Pop Up
Metro proposal.
• Anderson asked if the scope of the study included linking up with a larger rail system. Ralston
described various possibilities. Haralson asked if CRANDIC still exists all the way to Cedar Rapids.
Climate Action Commission
October 2024
Page 3 of 4
Ralston affirmed it did, noted heavy use by freight near Cedar Rapids.
• Haralson asked about Pop Up Metro. Ralston described taking possibilities to the public and
asking for public input.
• Gade asked about workforce for transit operators. Ralston noted a transit worker shortage
generally and said bus and train had about the same requirements for staff. Gade also asked
about impact to residential properties near rail; Ralston responded that the system would be
electric and therefore quieter.
• Sturdevant asked if outside influence plays a role. Ralston said no, but outside funding would.
Large federal grants would be necessary to move either project forward.
• All three phases of the rail study are available at mpo-jc.org. Bus study will be available soon.
• Haralson asked if it would be possible to hear from Pop Up Metro at a CAC meeting. Haralson
also suggested the recording of the Joint Entities meeting would be helpful to share.
• The commissioners discussed working groups and a special meeting.
Discussion of proposed updates to bylaws (Commissioners)
• Gade described proposed changes that would need approval by the City Council: Change the
date for electing a new vice -chair and chair to June, allowing new members more time to
acclimate to the committee before that vote, and amend the rules for absence -related
dismissal. In addition, the commission might also vote to change the meeting time; it is not
necessary to determine the new meeting time yet and would not need Council approval. Gade
explained that the Strategic Plan, particularly equity, inspired review of the bylaws.
• Commissioners discussed the bylaws memo. Anderson moved to table the discussion until the
next meeting, Eynon -Lynch seconded, and the motion carried.
RECAP:
Confirmation of next meeting time and location:
• Tuesday, November 5, 3:30-5 p.m. Emma J. Harvat Hall
Actionable items for commission, working groups, and staff:
• Find a date and time for the November 2025 meeting.
• Staff will send the entire bylaws to the commission for review.
• Staff will follow up on requests related to the Bus Rapid Transit study, Pop Up Metro, and
recording of the Joint Entities meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Sturdevant moved to adjourn, Grimm seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion carried.
3
Climate Action Commission
October 2024
Page 4 of 4
CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
0
N
F-
r-
F-
N
W
A
(f1
Ql
CO
l0
0
NAME
TERM EXP.
rii
N
w
A
N
W
N
can
N
A
N
N
N
O\i
N
w
N
(\i�
N
W
N
�
N
W
N
W
W
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Michael
12/31/2025
NM
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
Anderson
Michal Eynon-
12/31/2024
X
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
Lynch
John Fraser
12/31/2024
X
X
X
NM
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
Jamie Gade
12/31/2025
O/
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
E
Ben Grimm
10/31/2023
X
X
X
NM
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
Zach Haralson
12/31/2025
NM
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
Matt Krieger
12/31/2023
O/
X
O/E
E
Wim Murray
MiclAmerican
X
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Rep
Michelle Sillman
12/31/20025
X
X
X
NM
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
Brinda Shetty
UI Rep
X
X
O/E
NM
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
Angie Smith
12/31/2025
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
Gabe Sturdevant
12/31/2024
X
O/E
X
NM
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
Matt Walter
12/31/2023
X
O/E
X
*
KEY: X = Present
0 = Absent
0/E = Absent/ExcusedNM=
No Meeting
* No longer on Commission
4
Item Number: 5.e.
a
CITY OF IOWA CITY
"QR T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Climate Action Commission: November 18
Attachments: Climate Action Commission: November 18
MINUTES
IOWA CITY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 18, 2024-3:30PM—FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
FINAL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Anderson, Michal Eynon -Lynch, Ben Grimm, Zach Haralson,
Wim Murray, Brinda Shetty, Michelle Sillman, Angie Smith
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Fraser, Jamie Gade, Gabriel Sturdevant
STAFF PRESENT: Daniel Bissell, Sarah Gardner, Megan Hill, Diane Platte
OTHERS PRESENT: Kelly Schneider, Johnson County Mobility Coordinator
NOMINATION OF TEMPORARY CHAIR:
Shetty nominated and Anderson seconded Eynon -Lynch to be temporary chair; motion passed
unanimously.
CALL TO ORDER:
Eynon -Lynch called the meeting to order at 3:34.
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 7, 2024 MINUTES:
Shetty moved to approve the minutes from October 7, 2024. Grimm seconded the motion, a vote was
taken, and the motion passed 7-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Action Items from last meeting (Staff):
• Staff found a date and time for November meeting
• Staff sent entire bylaws to the commission to review
• Staff included the completed Bus Rapid Transit study in agenda packet. Gardner reached out to
Cady Gerlach to discuss any updates on the Pop Up Metro concept and find a date to present to
the Commission, but scheduling difficulties had prevented them from meeting. Kent Ralston is
presenting to City Council Work Session about Bus Rapid Transit and Pop Up Metro Tuesday,
Nov. 19. Rather than sending the recording of the Joint Entities meeting, Gardner will send a
recording of the Nov. 19 Work Session to commissioners so that the most up-to-date
information will be provided.
Zach Haralson joined the meeting at 3:37.
Climate Action Commission
November 2024
Page 2 of 5
Events:
• Airport Solar Array Ribbon Cutting (Nov. 14, 10 a.m.)
o Shetty asked the size of the array. Gardner noted it was around 300 panels, 140 kilowatt
capacity, which is enough to power the terminal, the runway lights, and the ambulatory
hangar. Phase 2 of the project would power the research facility.
• Other events in the community: none shared.
Strategic Plan was reviewed by City Council and there was one update: a call to renew the
Climate Action Plan and create a Climate Adaptation plan to work with in concert with it.
OLD BUSINESS:
Next steps on CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study/Pop Up Metro discussion
Gardner outlined possible next steps with a reminder of the role of the Commission as a body is
to research, analyze, and advise, though Commission members are also free and welcome to
engage in advocacy as individuals in the public sphere. In the capacity of the Commission, next
steps could be to sift through the information and raise key questions to help Council.
Gardner offered the example of a potential need for additional engineering analysis on the
novel approach to charging the batteries of the train, which involves removing the batteries by
forklift and re -installing them, unlike other electric vehicles. Commissioners might advise the
Council on whether further analysis is warranted and also on the matrix created by Ralston for
Council to see if any outlying questions may still need to be answered.
o Anderson asked if Pop Up Metro is the only train concept under consideration. Gardner
noted there had been a previous study (from 2020) looking at train options for the
Corridor and noted the information not included in the Pop Up Metro concept such as
additional costs made them difficult to compare.
o Sillman asked about environmental benefits, and whether in the case of BRT the Crandic
line would be purchased rather than leased.
o Eynon -Lynch asked about impacts on cars off the road, carbon, road maintenance.
o Smith noted BRT seemed to have a better ability to be flexible, adaptable, and grow,
which would make it more equitable to more citizens, noting "zero -car homes
information" from the study.
o Eynon -Lynch wondered about expansion if the system proves popular and whether it's
easier to get another bus or add another car to the train.
o Smith asked about the addition of parking. Gardner noted the BRT study included a
parking lot in North Liberty while the Pop Up Metro information. Gardner suggested
trying to draw from one plan where information might be missing from another to try to
better make side -by -side comparisons.
o Haralson said that seemed like a good approach and suggested it could be done with
considerations for a bike path as well. Gardner noted because the Pop Up Metro
proposal does not include a bike line at present, one of the questions to resolve is
whether the bike lane could be added after the train was up and running or if it would
be better constructed prior.
o Eynon -Lynch asked when does the Commission get to the point of making
recommendations. Gardner estimated it would likely be a series of recommendations on
information gathering at present, and a recommendation on a preferred system would
likely be months away. Gathering these questions now to share with Cady Gerlach and
Kent Ralston ahead of their future presentations would help speed the process.
Climate Action Commission
November 2024
Page 3 of 5
o Eynon -Lynch noted concerns with adding more pavement (for BRT) that would then
have to be maintained. She wondered if the bike path might have been included in the
BRT proposal because it would be an easy add to the other paving work being done, but
if a train were adopted, there wouldn't be the same argument for adding a bike trail to
the project. She suggested the Commission consider trade-offs between fast
deployment and the benefits of a bike trail. She expressed concern about waiting for the
Council to request input and suggested considering a more proactive approach to
offering opinions to Council.
o Anderson offered that for this particular issue it might make sense to take a more
activist approach, given its importance to the group, but asked also if the Council is
considering taking action or had a timeline to do so. Gardner said she did not think there
was a firm timeline currently. She also offered that she had asked for guidance on the
role of the Commission in this discussion, knowing the question has come up before,
and that it was reaffirmed the Commission is meant to be a deliberative body that takes
a more analytical approach. She added this was not meant to say they could not also
make recommendations and offered the Commission's response to the methane
feasibility study as an example, but said it was important not to put the cart before the
horse, making sure they had time to gather information before a recommendation was
made. Eynon -Lynch offered that deliberation on all the information might best happen
beforehand rather than waiting to be asked by Council.
o Haralson noted that Councilman Moe's note about Pop Up Metro described two sets of
trains in existence and asked based on that how possible would it be to get more trains,
does Pop -Up Metro provide maintenance, how tested are the trains, are the trains a
product of the company they are trying to sell and how ready are they to produce more,
and how long has the company been doing battery charging and how tested is that
system?
o Smith asked about ease of procurement for buses versus trains, noting this technology is
in high demand.
o Anderson asked if a transit system to Cedar Rapids is possible as a consideration at this
point, or whether that is far into the future. Eynon -Lynch noted Kent Ralston's previous
presentation had included the possibility of extending service to Cedar Rapids. Gardner
said although it was not part of the Pop Up proposal it also was not off the table, and
the work underway on a regional climate action plan made this a good time to ask those
questions. Haralson asked if regional transit was included in the Climate Pollution
Reduction Grant plan. Gardner explained it was not included in the Priority Plan because
those projects needed to be shovel -ready, but it would be very appropriate to include it
in the Comprehensive Plan.
Discussion of proposed updates to bylaws/CAC processes (Commissioners)
• Gardner provided context for proposed changes to the bylaws, noting that the current election
of chair and vice chair coincided with the introduction of new members, and moving the date
might better allow new members to participate in nominating, electing, and/or serving as chair
or vice chair. She also noted in the past there had been difficulties with the current excused
absence policy and the new wording would ask that members notify staff in advance to help
staff ensure quorum. She further noted there was nothing requiring these changes and offered
that current commissioners could table the discussion until January to allow new members to
participate in the discussion. The commission might also vote to change the meeting time, which
Climate Action Commission
November 2024
Page 4 of 5
can happen without changing the bylaws.
• Commissioners discussed the bylaws changes and the change to the meeting time.
• Haralson moved to change the vote for chair and vice -chair to December, Smith seconded,
motion carried unopposed.
• Shetty moved to change the absentee wording, Sillman seconded, the motion carried
unopposed.
• Commissioners decided to table the discussion about the meeting times until January when new
members have a chance to participate. Gardner noted in the tentative schedule for 2025
meeting dates a suggestion not to meet in July due to ongoing difficulty to achieve quorum that
month. The commissioners agreed.
RECAP:
Confirmation of next meeting time and location:
• Monday, December 2, 3:30-5 p.m. Emma J. Harvat Hall
Actionable items for commission, working groups, and staff:
• Staff will update the memo about bylaws and send to City Council.
• Staff will send the recording of Ralston's presentation to the City Council Work Session Nov. 19
• Staff will pass along transit questions raised in today's meeting to the MPO, Greater IC, and City
Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
Haralson moved to adjourn, Grimm seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45.
4
Climate Action Commission
November 2024
Page 5 of 5
CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
0
N
N
W
A
(f1
Ql
CO
l0
0
N
F-
NAME
TERM EXP.
N
w
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
v
0
W
NJ
W
W
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
fJ
A
Michael
12/31/2025
NM
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
Anderson
Michal Eynon-
12/31/2024
X
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
Lynch
John Fraser
12/31/2024
X
X
X
NM
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
O/E
Jamie Gade
12/31/2025
O/
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
E
Ben Grimm
10/31/2023
X
X
X
NM
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
Zach Haralson
12/31/2025
NM
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
Matt Krieger
12/31/2023
O/
X
O/E
E
Wim Murray
MiclAmerican
X
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Rep
Michelle Sillman
12/31/20025
X
X
X
NM
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
Brinda Shetty
UI Rep
X
X
O/E
NM
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
Angie Smith
12/31/2025
X
X
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
Gabe Sturdevant
12/31/2024
X
O/E
X
NM
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
Matt Walter
12/31/2023
X
O/E
X
KEY: X = Present
0 = Absent
0/E = Absent/ExcusedNM=
No Meeting
* No longer on Commission
Item Number: 5.f.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Historic Preservation Commission: October 10
Attachments: Historic Preservation Commission: October 10
MINUTES APPROVED
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
OCTOBER 10, 2024 — 5:30 PM —FORMAL MEETING
E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Brown, Kevin Burford, Andrew Lewis, Jordan Sellergren, Deanna
Thomann, Nicole Villanueva, Frank Wagner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Margaret Beck, Christina Welu-Reynolds, Ryan Russell
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow
OTHERS PRESENT:
CALL TO ORDER:
Sellergren called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS:
HPC24-0079: 841 South 7th Avenue - Dearborn Street Conservation District (complete rehabilitation
including removal of window opening)
Bristow began the staff report showing the location of the project at the corner of 7th and Jackson, the
house faces east toward 7t" Avenue. The property is considered a non -historic house because it was
non -historic at the time of the survey, it's a Minimal Traditional house with a projecting front bay. The
door is located facing south, there was a stoop at one time with a metal railing and a little bit of a roof
overhang. This house has had a few projects done, there was a rear addition done in 1959 and another
addition done in 1995 and then the porch was built and screened in around 1996. The house has also
had metal siding put on and in the historic photo it shows some shutters that do not follow guidelines
because they're plastic, not installed properly, and not the correct size. Those were installed after the
siding.
Bristow pointed out on the east side of the house, looking from the northeast corner, there are a couple
of windows that are not historic, the front window was more like an early ranch house picture window in
the middle with a double hung on each side and there's another window in the screen porch addition.
The 1959 addition is stepped in a bit and in the inspector notes it said that it was a bedroom that was
entered through another bedroom and the 1995 addition is where at one point there was a garage but
that's no longer existing. This house has been vacant for a little while and it became overgrown. It
recently changed hands and is undergoing a comprehensive rehab. The project does some things that
they don't need to review since it's in a Conservation District such as they're putting new shingles on the
roof and new gutters and down spouts. There are some other portions of the project that would be able
to be reviewed administratively. They are removing the deck completely and removing the modern door
that accessed the deck as well. They're removing the screens on the screen porch just leaving the roof
and the floor and with a support or two. They're removing the shutters and the ramp and replacing it with
a traditional step and handrail. Bristow noted the breezeway has some holes in the fascia and soffit that
they're patching and then they'll cover that with metal to match the rest of the metal. All of the windows
have been replaced with vinyl windows at some point in time and there is an exception in the guidelines,
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 10, 2024
Page 2 of 6
especially for a non -historic house in a Conservation District, to allow staff to approve new vinyl
windows. They are changing a few of the casement windows to double hung windows to comply with
the guidelines and there are no windows on one side of the addition and there's another pair of windows
on the back of the addition that'll also become double hung windows matching the same window pattern
as seen on the other side of the house. The interior has been gutted completely, there was some
termite damage to the framing so it's really a comprehensive project. Bristow noted they know that there
is historic siding underneath all of the metal, a shingle wood siding in the gable and some lap sighting
below but that was really the extent to the detail on this house since it was Minimal Traditional.
The proposal is to add two bathrooms in the central area noted as the breezeway in the agenda packet.
Currently there's a window located there that they propose to remove, and it's just not supported by the
guidelines for staff to approve, it possibly could have been an intermediate review but Sellergren wanted
Commission input on it and so that's why this project is before them for the review of that particular
window. Bristow shared the bathroom plan noting they'll have showers on the exterior wall in both of the
bathrooms so it's not possible according to their plan to put a window in each of the bathrooms. She
showed an image of the south side of the house and the window that will be removed. They have
matching siding to patch the opening but they're also going to paint all of the siding anyway so it will all
match.
The guidelines for this says if a window is to be relocated or removed it should not detract from the
overall fenestration pattern and if it is to be closed on a frame structure they would match the siding.
Bristow explained the 1959 addition did not have a window on the north side but it did have a window on
the south side and it likely had one on the west side too before they added the 1995 addition. The
applicant provided a letter as part of their application about the project that she provided in the agenda
packet and working through the review it is staffs opinion that the overall rehabilitation project will have a
positive impact on the house and neighborhood because it has been in such poor condition for so long
and many of the intrusive elements will be removed and the house will be repaired and able to be
occupied again. While the window is street facing to the south it is also on the side of the building and
while the proposal may not comply with the guidelines staff finds that this may be an appropriate project
for the Commission to apply an exception to the guidelines because of the nature of the house and the
nature of the project. The Commission has talked in the past about not removing a window to create a
windowless wall because historic houses had a regular pattern of windows all the way around on all four
sides something that's not common in modern construction.
Since the window section of the guidelines does not have a documented exception to allow this already
then the next thing would be just to look at the exceptions portion of the guidelines in section 3.2 that
talks about how to provide exceptions to non -historic structures such as this. It states in order to qualify
for an exception the proposed change to the exterior of a non -historic property must comply with the
following criteria: the project will not further detract from the historic character of the district, the project
will not create a false historic character, and alterations will be compatible with the style and character of
the non -historic structure. Bristow noted one could say that removing the window since it does alter the
window patterning might not be compatible with the style of the historic structure but patching the wall
with appropriate siding would be and removing the window would not be creating a false sense of
character because that tends to be more with things that would be applied to the building and further that
is a window that's inset on the side of the building and it wouldn't detract from the character of the
neighborhood. Bristow stated after getting her staff report the applicant also provided a letter she
wanted Bristow to share with the Commission. In the letter the applicant does spell out basically what
her goal with the project is.
Staff recommends approving the project through an exception to the guidelines for non -historic
properties.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 10, 2024
Page 3 of 6
Villanueva noted this home is listed as non -historic but the age of the home now would technically
qualify it to be an historic home. Bristow stated it is listed as non -historic because when the
Conservation District was founded it wasn't 50 years old and she has found through her experience here
that it tends to be that when the survey was done if the building was not considered historic at that point
in time then it was listed as not historic. It truly only needs to be 50 years old in order to be considered
historic. For properties like this, if they were to look at this Conservation District again they would
probably assume it's historic now because it's old enough but then it would be a matter of whether or not
it is a contributing property or a non-contributing property and for that they would look at the entire story
of the district and what its period of significance is and if the house falls within that and it has integrity,
then it would be contributing. If it's outside of that and/or lacks integrity, then it would be non-
contributing. She would assume if it was non -historic when the district was formed it is outside of the
period of significance for the district and so this property would be non-contributing if they were to
reassess this district.
Lewis asked how long the house had been uninhabited. Bristow is unsure but stated not a long time,
maybe within the last five years, there had been a long-term owner, like a few decades of ownership,
and then it's changed hands a couple times but not been occupied.
Burford was curious that there was half round gutters on the one side so are they planning to use half
round gutters again. Bristow assumes they're not and will just install K style.
MOTION: Lewis moves to recommend approval of a certificate of appropriateness for the project
at 841 South 7th Avenue as it's presented in the application through an exception to the
guidelines for non -historic properties. Villanueva seconded the motion.
Wagner suggests they should put a window on the hallway side opposite the bathroom. Bristow noted
there are budgetary concerns that might be talked about in the letter.
Thomann noted it is a non -historic home and even it if was it would likely be non-contributing so she is
just happy that the space will be used again and that they're not tearing it down and that someone's
going in and taking care of it so for those reasons she is fine with letting that side go windowless.
Burford stated he finds the fenestration pattern to be all over the place any anyway so doesn't think that
the elimination of one window would aesthetically compromise its beauty.
Lewis noted as mentioned it's in an inset. This house has a lot going on structurally and this doesn't
seem like it would take that much away or suddenly be like oh my gosh this neighborhood is now
hideous just because of the removal of a window.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0.
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Certificate of No Material Effect -Chair and Staff review
HPC24-0075: 325 North Gilbert Street - Northside Historic District (porch repair of column base, flooring and
soffit
Bristow stated this is a key property in the Northside Historic district and it's getting some new column
bases and a new soffit.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 10, 2024
Page 4 of 6
HPC24-0081: 8 Bella Vista Place - Brown Street Historic District (deteriorated soffit replacement
This house got a new soffit.
Minor Review -Staff review:
HPC24-0086: 730 N Linn Street - Brown Street Historic District (roof shingle replacement)
Bristow stated this house has a shaped shingle on it currently and they're putting on new shingles in the
same color of gray.
HPC24-0089: 713 East Jefferson Street - Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District (replacement stairs
to the second floor)
Bristow noted this non-contributing house in the Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District is on
Jefferson Street, it was just a reconstruction of the stairs, they also needed to add closed risers and
change the railing, she noted it was built the first time without permits.
HPC24-0092: 629 Oakland Avenue - Longfellow Historic District (porch repair and front step handrail
construction)
This house has a really nice railing but the two pedestals are deteriorating quite a bit so they will be
reconstructed, and the base will have a nice little beveled edge to help get the water off of it. Also some
of the flooring will be replaced and they are going to add a handrail to the steps that matches the
handrail on the porch.
HPC24-0091: 1220 East Burlington Street- College Hill Conservation District (damaged window replacement
and partial foundation reconstruction)
Bristow stated last fall there was a ginormous tree sitting next to the very small garage and it fell on the
house and did quite a bit of structural damage to the house. It broke floor framing and all sorts of
interesting things. The house has asbestos siding on it right now, the roof will be patched, there's a little
bit of the garage fascia that'll be fixed. The foundation wall also started to bow and there's a mish mash
of bricks so they're going to salvage as many of the historic bricks as they can and use them as a veneer
over a block when they replace about an 8 to 1 Oft section of the foundation wall. They will also replace
the window in the gable that faced the tree, there were two windows next to each other and one was
destroyed, and the other is fine so they have to replace the one window.
Intermediate Review -Chair and Staff review
HPC24-0061: 26 East Market, Old Brick- Local Historic Landmark (door and transom replacement)
Bristow noted the doors on Old Brick are not the original doors and that the historic doors are paneled.
There was also a question on the transom because in pictures there is a shadow so it is not clear. It
appears that there could have been glass in the transom, however they are unsure what the pattern
would have been and while they have all the stained glass from the windows and stuff in the basement,
they were not able to find the glass from the transom. They are going to do a replacement of the doors
with a fully paneled pair of doors and transom without glazing.
HPC24-0078: 726 Ronalds Street - Brown Street Historic District (minor change to prior COA adding egress
windows and one window well)
Bristow stated this is a new house that will be built, it needed to have some egress windows added and
that was not in part of the project the Commission approved for the house. There will be an egress
window well on the east side of the foundation and the windows on the back and one on the east side
are egress windows so that means that they're casements instead of double hung.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 10, 2024
Page 5 of 6
HPC24-0080: 804 East Davenport Street - Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District (porch alterations
and repair, radon installation, siding repair, soffit and fascia repair)
This house was purchased by the same group who purchased 841 South 7th Avenue so they are
rehabbing this house as well. This house is a historic house but it's non-contributing to the Conservation
District because of some modifications, one being the fact that the front porch had been screened in and
the front porch is more modern because of the fact that this house actually was like a Victorian
Vernacular Cottage and it had a wraparound porch. There have been multiple changes to the house,
they've removed the screening but they will be retaining the four columns that exist, they're installing
radon behind this bump out on the east side, on the back of the house, they have some siding repair,
and they have a match to patch in a few places. there is some soffit and fascia repair as well.
HPC24-0085: 515 Rundell Street - Longfellow Historic District (rear basement window removal)
This house has been undergoing a complete rehab as well and the Commission approved a deck to go
outside of the new French doors in the back. There was a basement window below the area for the deck
and staff approved removing that basement window.
HPC24-0087: 430 South Summit Street - Summit Street Historic District (minor change to prior COA -
revised porch to be screened with paneled balustrade and square columns)
Bristow stated this house had a large addition that was approved by the Commission a year or two ago
and the owners came back wanting to do a change on the north side of the existing configuration.
There was already an open porch and they were keeping that open porch because most of the rest of
the addition was the second floor, however they did come back and decide they wanted to screen that
porch in instead of keeping it as an open porch and the chair and staff approved that as an intermediate
review. At first they were going to have just use square spindles, basically a simplification of the highly
elaborate front balustrade and they proposed to do a solid panel balustrade but because the upper floor
on the back already has an open second floor porch with a paneled balustrade it was decided to match
that configuration which is one support column on the outside and one in the middle with two panels
and then it'll have the screen door coming off the back.
HPC24-0089: 529 East College Street - College Green Historic District (mini -split installation)
This home is putting mini -splits in and some of them are on the Johnson Street side so staff wanted to
make sure that they wouldn't come right down the middle of the projecting bay, one of them will be off
towards the front of the house and the other one will be wrapped around the corner, the unit will be
screened with some screening that looks like their porch skirting and they'll also have a unit behind the
house. There will also be some on the west side that can't been seen at all from the street because of
the plants.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 12, 2024:
MOTION: Wagner moves to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's
September 12, 2024 meeting. Lewis seconded the motion The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
COMMISSION INFORMATION:
Sellergren noted they are moving forward with the awards prep and Ginalie Swaim is going to send a
Friends of Historic Preservation request for nominations. The deadline still the 21 st
ADJOURNMENT
Wagner moved to adjourn the meeting. Lewis seconded The motion carried on a vote of 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
TERM
11/9
12/14
1/11
2/8
3/21
4/24
5/22
6/13
7/11
8/8
9/12
10/10
NAME
EXP.
BECK,
6/30/24
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
MARGARET
BROWN,
6/30/26
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
CARL
BURFORD,
6/30/27
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
X
X
X
X
KEVI N
LEWIS,
6/30/26
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
ANDREW
RUSSELL,
6/30/27
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
O/E
X
X
O/E
RYAN
SELLERGREN,
6/30/25
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
JORDAN
STORK, NOAH
6/30/24
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
THOMANN,
6/30/26
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
DEANNA
VILLANUEVA,
6/30/25
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
NICOLE
WAGNER,
6/30/26
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
FRANK
WELU-
6/30/25
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
REYNOLDS,
CHRISTINA
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E= Absent/Excused
--- = Not a member
Item Number: 5.g.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Human Rights Commission: November 4
Attachments: Human Rights Commission: November 4
Approved Minutes
Human Rights Commission (Special Meeting)
November 4, 2024
Meeting Room B, Robert A. Lee Recreational Center
Commissioners present: Roger Lusala, Jahnavi Pandya, Mark Pries, Vianna Qadoura, Elizabeth Mendez
Shannon.
Commissioners absent: Idriss Abdullahi, Doug Kollasch, Kelsey Paul Shantz.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers.
Others present: Jennifer Horn -Frasier.
Meeting called to order: 5:38 PM.
Select a date for the regular November meeting: The Commission will meet at its regular day and time,
Tuesday, November 26 at 5:30 in Emma J. Harvat Hall.
Consider recommending for the City Council to consider adopting an "All Our Welcome" resolution to
promote inclusivity, diversity, and unity within the community: Pries reported he has shared the draft
resolution with other commissioners and community members, and some believe the current draft
should be strengthened. He will present an updated resolution at the meeting on November 26, 2024.
Strategic Planning: The strategic plan that emerged through the first three phases of the process is focused
on helping the HRC collectively and as individual commissioners to be more active and engaged in the
community. The group evaluated what had worked and not worked well in the previous two years, learned
more about the activities of the commission prior to when the pandemic halted much of that activity, and
developed a new shared vision of the commission they want to be for the future.
All the work of the commission must be grounded in its duties that are stipulated in its charter. These duties
are as follows:
1) Make recommendations to the City Council for legislation on discrimination.
2) Cooperate with other agencies and organizations to plan and conduct programs designed to
eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions.
3) Educate the public on human rights and unlawful discrimination, such as organizing and facilitating
educational public forums that address one or more of the broad range of topics included within the
rubric of human rights.
While these duties are clear, the commissioners wished to explore ways to see them in action.
In discussing the future it would like build, the commission identified key outcomes in two main categories:
how functions internally, and how the HRC engages with the community.
Internally, the commission would like to build toward greater consistency and stability. The commission has
nine members, three of whom are replaced each year. Regularly adding new commissioners keeps
perspectives fresh and ensures that the HRC can reflect changes taking place in the community. The
challenge with this structure, however, is ensuring that outgoing commissioners' knowledge, perspectives,
and activities are passed along to new commissioners. Continuity and stability are important to ensuring the
commission operates efficiently and effectively, and the commissioners identified this as an important
outcome to plan for.
Externally, the commission would like to achieve a state of high community engagement in which there is
meaningful two-way interaction with the community. The HRC would like to be seen by the community as a
supportive resource that listens with curiosity and empathy to all. This deep engagement will enhance the
HRC's ability to be responsive to what it learns from the community. The commissioners are aware that its
current level of engagement activity in the community is lower than it was in the years prior to the
pandemic. Thus, their focus is on how to strengthen engagement.
In the previous strategic plan, the ICHRC had organized subcommittees to address each of the three
priorities it had identified. These subcommittees were designed to meet monthly to plan and carry out their
respective plans. While each subcommittee made some degree of progress on its goals, the commission
found that it was difficult to accomplish the goals in that structure. Each subcommittee included only three
people, and it was difficult to establish and maintain a regular cadence for the work outside of the regular
ICHRC meetings. Thus, during the current strategic planning process, the commission explored other ways to
organize the work of the new strategic plan in order to better set itself up for success.
Commissioners went over the HRC purpose, previous programming, how to set up for its success, and future
goals. Below is the consensus on each area discussed.
Purpose:
HRC exists to bring community members together to discuss our differences and to create a more inclusive
community.
HRC exists to bring communities together, discuss our differences, celebrate our uniqueness, and learn from
one another.
HRC exists to bring highlight areas of progress and regress by celebrating the positive and eradicating the
negative.
Past programming of the HRC that was successful:
Job Fairs — Building Blocks.
Youth Job Fairs.
Know Your Rights Series.
Town and Gown Symposiums.
Lunch and Learns.
Film Series.
Panel Discussions.
Toiletry drives for Shelter House & DVIR
Climate Survey.
Diversity Dialogue Circles.
Setting the HRC up for Success:
Change time of subcommittee meetings so that they align with the day and time of the HRC's regular
meeting date each month.
Rotate leadership and note taking for subcommittees.
Ensure continuity year-to-year.
Clear action items each meeting.
Teams for programming each quarter.
Create measurable goals.
Commission Goals:
Strong transfer of training-onboarding of new commissioners.
More community conversations, in places like the library, farmers market, etc.
Encourage more community participation in monthly meetings.
Hold events in spaces where conversations take place.
Commissioners take on responsibility for specific tasks.
Commissioners are at public locations to interact with the public.
Hold retreat in December of each year.
The Commission will follow up on this discussion at its November 26, 2024 regular meeting date and go over
the draft of its 2025 Strategic Plan.
Adjourned: 8:06 PM
Human Rights Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2024
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
1/23
2/27
3/4
3/26
4/23
5/28
7/23
8/27
9/24
10/15
11/4
11/26
ahnavi Pandya
2024
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
P
P
nya Shafer -Van Houtte
2024
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
A
R
R
Doug Kollasch
2024
X
X
X
X
X
X
Z
X
X
A
A
iana Qadoura
2025
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
P
P
Idriss Abdullahi
2025
-
-
-
-
X
Z
X
Z
A
P
A
Mark Pries
2025
X
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
P
P
Roger Lusala
2026
X
X
X
A
X
X
X
X
X
A
P
Kelsey Paul Shantz
2026
X
X
X
X
Z
X
X
A
X
A
A
Liz Mendez -Shannon
2026
X
X
X
A
Z
X
X
A
X
P
P
KEY: X = Present
A = Absent
Z = Present via Zoom
Item Number: 5.h.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Library Board of Trustees: October 24
Attachments: Library Board of Trustees: October 24
Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
October 24, 2024
2nd Floor — Boardroom
Regular Meeting - 5:00 PM
FINAL
Tom Rocklin - President Bonnie Boothroy Robin Paetzold
DJ Johnk — Vice President Joseph Massa John Raeburn
Hannah Shultz -Secretary Claire Matthews Dan Stevenson
Members Present: Bonnie Boothroy, DJ Johnk, Joseph Massa, Claire Matthews, Robin Paetzold,
John Raeburn, Tom Rocklin, Hannah Shultz.
Members Absent: Dan Stevenson.
Staff Present: Elsworth Carman, Anne Mangano, Brent Palmer, Jason Paulios, Angie Pilkington, Jen
Royer.
Guests Present: Amanda O'Brien.
Call Meeting to Order. Rocklin called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. A quorum was present.
Approval of October 24, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda. Massa made a motion to
approve the October 24t" Board Meeting Agenda. Johnk seconded. Motion passed 7/0.
Public Discussion. None.
Shultz entered at 5:01 pm.
Items to be Discussed.
Budget Discussion. Carman said the budget request was presented in a couple of different ways, and
he was happy to answer questions. Carman said the library was tasked with maintaining service rather
than growing service and the budget increases requested were thoughtful. Carman said the library tried
to be team players and noted we've had a few years of a flat budget landscape; if there isn't an increase
in the library materials budget line we will fall behind. Carman shared he requested $20,000 for a
strategic plan consultant and expects to use the NOBU (non -operating budget) request to meet
additional funding needs of a consultant. Carman said the rest of the budget request felt as expected,
requests were made to match inflation.
Carman shared the CIP (capital improvement program) request was adjusted with less funds but is still
If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contactlen Royer, Iowa City
Public Library, at 379-887-6003 or iennifer-royer@icpl.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
in the running. Carman noted the budget documents in the packet included the budget memo, an
updated CIP sheet, the actual budget entry from Munis (entry software), and the Budget in Brief.
Raeburn discussed the request for a consultant and noted the last two strategic plans were made
without a consultant. Raeburn said he was skeptical of paying a consultant and gave an example.
Raeburn asked what a consultant can do that the library can't. Carman said a consultant can do more
sophisticated data collection. Technically ICPL has the skills to do data collection, but our plates are full
with operational work. Carman said a consultant would add value and could also be a neutral voice in
stakeholder focus groups. Carman said it can be easier to be candid with someone you don't see every
day about aspirations for the library. Using a library specific consultant can bring a broader view of the
field and they can glean what they've done from other libraries. Carman said the plans we've done in
house have been very effective for the times we've been in, but as we enter another high stress
legislative session this is a good time to bring in experts. Carman said he is happy to consider a five-year
plan rather than a three-year plan if that is better stewardship of the resources. Carman noted there is
consulting expertise on the Board. There are also a few local consultants that do lower cost consulting,
but we would lose library specific knowledge. Raeburn asked where the pool of consultants comes from.
Carman said he has had great experiences with several library consultants from around the country.
Carman shared ICPL is part of the Urban Library Council which is a good place to network with libraries
on consultants. Carman said our network could be wider now with online meetings. Carman said he
would also consider contacting a former ICPL consultant who worked with the library prior to the
COVID-19 closure. Carman said $20,000 will not cover the cost of a consultant but will give us support
that could be paired with NOBU funds. Raeburn asked if consultants are paid by the hour or by the task.
Carman said some consultants work a la cart and others might have an hourly cost. Carman said having
someone to help with bigger community surveys would be great. Paetzold said defining what portion of
the job you want to hire is important. Rocklin shared that he just left the consultant field, and, in this
setting, the compelling argument for a consultant is the time you're adding to your staff capacity to get
thejob done. Rocklin said it's hard to find the time among current staff. Rocklin also said five years
strikes him as a very long time to plan for and you'd be dissatisfied by the time you got to the end of
the years. Massa asked what a consultant would do. Carman said they would help determine what we
need out of a plan, go over past plans, discuss what our hopes are, and then work out the details.
Carman said it is time to do a community survey, we've done them in the past but not as widely
reaching as we'd like. In talking with a consultant, the library could also plan for potential budget and
legislative challenges. Carman said the last time the library worked with a consultant the timing of Covid
was disruptive but also good in the end because they decided to stop building a traditional strategic
plan (because they knew so many pivots were going to continue happening). Shultz said she was once
told if you want people to take you seriously you need luggage, and consultants bring luggage. Carman
said ICPL worked with the state library consultant last time for a few pieces of it and then veered off that
that as we got further into the plan. Carman said there is also commitment with a paid consultant, and
you know things will get done on a certain timeline. Matthews asked if the state consultant services are
still as robust. Carman said the regional staff are still in theirjobs that could do this kind of work.
Carman shared the Johnson County Public Library directors recently used them for their strategic plan.
Matthews asked if it is possible a combination of their services, ICPL staff, and another consultant could
be a way to really focus on what you're spending money on. Carman said the board could be involved in
If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contactlen Royer, Iowa City
Public Library, at 379-887-6003 or iennifer-royer@icpl.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
that process too. Paetzold said having been through the process quite a few times there is tremendous
value in hiring a consultant; it's a high value investment. Massa agreed it is a high value investment if
you get something out of it. Paetzold shared that she believed we have in the past. Paetzold said these
companies specialize in library plans, and they are specific to the field. Paetzold doesn't feel the library
has been misled in the past. Matthews said the networking piece is valuable and will be there too.
Carman said we have a huge advantage because we collect data already that we can take to the table.
Carman shared the next steps in the budget process. There will be more conversations about the CIP,
department heads will speak with City Council about their projects, budget narratives will be submitted
for the budget book, department heads will have a meeting with Finance and the City Manager's office
for a line by line discussion of the budget request, the City Manager and Finance will review the request
and make the next draft of budget to present to City Council for approval.
First Quarter Financials and Statistics. Carman shared the first quarter budget report was typical for
this point in the year. Carman noted the budget lines trending high or low are in the budget memo.
Raeburn noted the software R&M services line on page 29 and asked if that stood for repair and
maintenance. Carman agreed. Raeburn requested an appendix be included with the finance report in
future packets. Carman said the software line has been changing as tech work moves from hardware -
based services to cloud based. Raeburn noted 80% of this budget had been spent in the first quarter
and asked if it would be overspent. Carman said no, and that most of that budget line is spent on an
annual bill for the ILS. Raeburn asked what streaming media PPU is. Rocklin said PPU stands for pay per
use. Rocklin shared he appreciated the memo that explains trends in the budget report.
Rocklin shared that he loved the output statistics at -a -glance on page 32 and would like to see the
actual numbers accompanied with percentages. Rocklin liked the comments too. Carman shared staff
are trying to make these reports as accessible as possible. Rocklin said as he went through the report he
noticed striking numbers. Rocklin encouraged Trustees to find one that impresses them most and talk
about it. Rocklin shared some people in the community think the library is growing irrelevant. Rocklin
shared there were 400,000 catalog searches in three months and that was an impressive statistic.
Carman said the order and format of the Output report is different and now aligns better with state
reporting. Raeburn shared the amount of Help desk questions blew him away. Carman said that is a
good statistic to note because there is a thought that reference questions are dead, and it is still a very
critical service. Raeburn noted there was a modest decrease in book circulation. Mangano said young
adult fiction is down 20% which is concerning. Mangano said if you look at other urban libraries or
Publishers Weekly young adult sales are going down everywhere. Mangano discussed authors moving
from the young adult genre to adult romantasy. Mangano noted ICPL's children's circulation was
trending down and has leveled off, with middle grade books impressively increasing. This is not
happening at other libraries or in publishing. Matthews asked if young adult fiction includes graphic
novels. Mangano said they are separate and noted comic circulation is trending down this quarter but
not by much. Carman said print circulation was down 3.3% and total circulation has under a 1%
difference. Mangano said people are moving to audiobooks. Raeburn said Mangano's report on
weeding was very good and clearly explained why and how it is done.
Staff Reports.
If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contactlen Royer, Iowa City
Public Library, at 379-887-6003 or iennifer-royer@icpl.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
Director's Report. Carman thanked Paetzold for presenting at the Iowa Library Association Conference
with him. Carman shared the second sewer pipe problem has been resolved. Brad Gehrke, Building
Manager, assessed what was visible and is working on a plan for the cast iron pipes. Rocklin asked if a
staff member had been added to the SLIS Advisory Committee. Carman made a recommendation.
Departmental Reports: Children's Services. None.
Collection Services. None.
IT. Matthews said she was curious about moving away from subscription services and how to plan for
the growth of finite costs moving to ongoing costs. Palmer said it is a difficult part of the IT budget;
costs go up and there isn't a lot of choice in that. Matthews noted the responsibility for security threats
by subscription services. Palmer said you never really know if their security is better than what you're
doing but often that is true as they do automatic updates. Big companies have security interests and
invest in them.
Development Report. Roche absent. Rocklin asked when the deadline of the Arts & Crafts Bazaar will
be. Carman said donations are accepted close to the day of the event. Shultz said the deadline is online.
President's Report. Rocklin shared he will be appointing a committee for the director evaluation.
Rocklin asked Trustees to let him know if they are interested in serving. Rocklin said it is one of the most
important responsibilities Trustees have.
Announcements from Members. None.
Committee Reports.
Advocacy Committee. None.
Finance Committee. None.
Foundation Members. Massa shared he thought it would be good for the Library Board's Finance
Committee to meet with the Friend Foundation's Finance Committee. Massa said there are connecting
issues, and it would be good to collaborate. Massa is on both committees.
Communications.
News Articles. None.
Consent Agenda. Matthews made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Johnk seconded.
Motion passed 8/0.
Set Agenda Order for November Meeting. Rocklin shared the Director Evaluation
Committee, Unattended Children policy, Two personnel policies, and departmental reports will be on
the November agenda. The November and December meetings are held the third Thursday of the
month.
Adjournment. Rocklin adjourned the meeting at 5:42 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jen Royer
If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contactlen Royer, Iowa City
Public Library, at 379-887-6003 or iennifer-royer@icpl.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to
meet your access needs.
Board of Commissions: ICPL Board of Trustees
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Name
Term Expiration
10/26/2023
11/16/2023
12/14/2023
12/21/2023
1/25/2024
2/22/2024
2/29/2024
3/28/2024
4/25/2024
5/23/2024
6/27/2024
7/25/2024
8/22/2024
9/26/2024
10/24/2024
11/21/2024
Boothroy, Bonnie
X
X
OE
OE
X
X
X
Johnk,DJ
6/30/2025
X
X
X
x
X
OE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Massa, Joseph
6/30/2027
X
X
OE
X
X
X
OE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OE
Matthews, Claire
6/30/2023
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OE
X
X
X
OE
X
X
X
Paetzold, Robin
6/30/2023
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OE
OE
X
X
X
X
Raeburn, John
6/30/2027
X
OE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OE
X
X
Rocklin, Tom
6/30/2025
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OE
X
X
Santos Green, Lucy
6/30/2029
X
X
OE
OE
X
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
Shultz, Hannah
6/30/2025
X
X
OE
X
OE
X
X
X
X
OE
OE
X
X
X
X
X
Stevenson, Daniel
6/30/2027
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OE
X
X
X
X
X
OE
X
KEY:
X
PRESENT
O
ABSENT
OE
EXCUSED ABSENT
NM
NO MEETING HELD
R
RESIGNED
TE
Term Expired
Item Number: 5.i.
a
CITY OF IOWA CITY
"QF T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Parks & Recreation Commission: September 11 [See Recommendation]
Attachments: Parks & Recreation Commission: September 11 [See Recommendation]
r
CITY OF IOWA CITY
,��- MEMORANDUM
Date: 11 /13/2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Staff Member of Parks and Recreation Commission
Re: Recommendation from Parks and Recreation Commission
At their September 11, 2024, meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission made the
following recommendations to the City Council:
To name the new park after Adelaide Joy Rogers, pending Historical Preservation
review.
Additional action (check one)
X No further action needed.
Board or Commission is requesting Council direction.
Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action.
IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
MEETING ROOM B — ROBERT A. LEE RECREATION CENTER
Members Present: Alex Hachtman, Connie Moore, Missie Forbes, Brian Morelli, Caleb
Recker, Alex Stanton
Members Absent: Rachel McPherson, Aaron Broege, Virginia Hayes
Staff Present: Brad Barker, Tyler Baird, Gabe Gotera
Others Present: Kevin Boyd, Mark Cannon, Michael Muhlenbruch, Anne Jensen, Jeff
Mallory, Ben Grimm, Jeff Barnes
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Hachtman called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
Moved by Moore seconded by Forbes to recommends to City Council to name the new
ark after Adelaide Joy Rogerspending Historical Preservation review. Motion assed 6-0
(McPherson, Broege, and Haves absent).
OTHER FORMAL ACTION:
Moved by Stanton seconded by Morelli to approve the August 14 2024 minutes. Motion
passed 6-0 fMcPherson Broe a and Hayes absent).
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Mark Cannon explains that he leads a class in the pool on Tuesday mornings, adding that he has
previously sent information about his classes to the Commission but that he also wanted to
personally invite the Commission to attend his classes. Cannon acknowledges that there has been
a bit of contention between his group and the Commission. Cannon says that in the past some
Commission members have felt attacked by his group but iterates that that is not his intention.
Cannon says that to get past this, the Commission should attend the class and see what is
happening. Cannon says that there is a sense of community growing on the pool deck with many
great people showing up. Cannon states that he can try to put in writing but clarifies that there is
nothing like experiencing it.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
Page 2 of 14
Vice Chairman Moore says to the rest of the Commission that anybody can show up to Cannon's
class and pay $6 for attendance without prior signup. Mark Cannon, from the audience, clarifies
that the class is free to attend, with the goal to reach out to the marginalized sections of the
community.
MERCER BASEBALL/SOFTBALL ATHELTIC FIELDS — ICCSD Staff
Supt. Barker introduces Ben Grimm and Jeff Barnes, respectively the Grounds Manager and the
Director of Facilities of the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD), to give an update on
the Mercer Park Athletic Fields project to renovate Field #4 as a softball field for the school
district's City High.
Ben Grimm introduces himself as the Grounds Manager for ICCSD and a Commissioner on the
Climate Action Commission. Grimm describes the history of the relationship between the
ICCSD and the City of Iowa City (CIC). Historically, the ICCSD and the CIC have had
partnerships on not only the Mercer Park fields, but also the Mercer Park Aquatic Center pool
system, gyms, and North Market Square Park as a space for recess. Grimm describes this
relationship as one that benefits both parties. Grimm explains that the ICCSD is in the process of
their Facilities Masterplan 2.0 which is going to upgrade all the athletic fields at all the high
schools. In the past, athletics were so a student would play their respective sport only during the
isolated season, but now it is part of the education system, keeping kids in positive spaces where
they can develop teamwork as well as physical attributes.
Grimm states that City High School on the east side of town is landlocked in the middle of a
neighborhood, making it very restricted on space and how the athletic fields can be updated. The
ICCSD wants to bring these athletics facilities up to the modern standard including Mercer Park
Field #l, the baseball field that the ICCSD has with the current agreement and move the softball
program to Mercer Park Field #4. Grimm says that with the growing athletics and the change in
how athletics is worked, the ICCSD is looking to provide a multi -use facility that would cater to
different sports at City High School that could house practice even in the winter times. To make
room for this proposed facility, the space at Mercer Park Field #4 is necessary. Grimm further
explains that when following modern ADA standards, there is not enough room in the footprint
to put a baseball/softball field at City Highschool without sacrificing the greenspace that is used
for other sports, band, science classes, and several different gym classes.
Grimm says that the ICCSD is working on a 28E agreement with the CIC, specifically the Parks
& Recreation Department, which would include the following renovation:
• Mercer Park Field #1
o Renovate the infrastructure of the dugouts on in, including the addition of a locker
room space onto the dugouts.
o Bring the field to a higher standard of drainage, leveling, and irrigation.
• Mercer Park Field #4
o Rotate the field to match the right orientation for competition level, keeping the
sun from impairing the eyes of the batter.
o Upgrade the dugouts.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
Page 3 of 14
o Install a press box, bull pen, and sidewalks.
o Update irrigation and drainage.
Commissioner Morelli asks if the use of the fields would be restricted to City High student use or
if the public would be able to access the fields. Grimm responds that the use of the fields would
be restricted to City High students with some discretion at the high school level. Grimm says that
sports don't just go for a single season anymore, now going for an extended period outside of the
season, hosting events and youth camps that are often open to the public. Grimm adds that there
will have to be a scheduled window for the proper maintenance to bring the fields up to par,
noting that the teams will have to practice on competition level fields.
Commissioner Recker asks who is financially responsible for the renovation and what is the plan
financially for the ongoing maintenance. Grimm responds that the ICCSD is responsible for the
ongoing maintenance of everything on the actual fields, meaning generically the bleachers on in,
or dugouts on in, adding that the 28E would make the ICCSD also responsible for pulling out
their recyclables and the included maintenance. Grimm says that the ICCSD is tentatively
looking at around $2 million worth of upgrades to the field and that the CIC has an amount of
money they are contributed towards the infrastructure including ADA, shading over the stands,
and possibly the renovation of the roof. Grimm explains that most of the details are currently
being ironed out and finalized.
Chairman Hachtman asks for an update on the timing of the project and how it will impact other
sports. Grimm responds that the original goal was to start construction this year, but it had to be
moved to next year to have favorable bids. The current goal is to have design done by the end of
the 2024, bids going out early January 2025, and construction starting mid -late spring on Field
#4. The ICCSD would continue to use City High softball for the next season while baseball
would use Field #1. Construction would focus on Field #4 and then flip to Field #1 when the
baseball season ends. Both fields would be playable by Spring of 2026. Commissioner Morelli
asks where softball is currently playing. Grimm answers that softball is currently playing at the
City High softball field, but that the field won't fit after the rest of the grounds are made ADA
compliant for spectators, adding that the footprint also wouldn't allow for the dugout, stands, and
press box that would also need to be installed to bring the field up to a competitive level.
Commissioner Recker asks, within the $2 million for Fields #1 & #4, will there be any work with
the bullpens. Grimm responds that there will be work on the bullpens before explaining that
when Field #4 is rotated, an additional sidewalk will have to be installed which would fall under
the responsibility of the ICCSD as the sidewalk was not necessary until the rotation.
Grimm says that there are some irrigation details that are being worked out. Grimm explains that
both fields would be completely irrigated, and the relevant staff would need to ensure that both
systems are functioning and can be tracked the different water usage between the ICCSD and the
CIC. Commissioner Recker asks if by irrigation, Grimm means natural grass. Grimm confirms
that the fields would be natural grass.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
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Vice Chairman Moore thanks Grimm for the installation of the accessible swing at North Market
Square Park. Moore says that as a Physical Therapist at Grant Wood AEA, it is amazing to see
and ensures that it is appreciated.
Supt. Barker explains the CIC side of the discussion with ICCSD about the athletic fields. Barker
says that department staff are sitting on the project meetings, but that it is the ICCSD who is
hiring the consultant to work on the project. Barker confirms that the CIC does have some funds
that can be contributed towards the project but explains that the intent is to use the funds towards
the common areas such as sidewalks, concession areas, roofing, and field improvements on
Fields #2 & #3. Barker says that the CIC's funding would go towards the common areas because
Fields 42 & #3 will still be utilized as public spaces. Barker says that while the use and
maintenance of Field #4 will be shifting to the ICCSD, the department is wanting to prioritize the
use of the other fields for public use and is currently working out how that will work. Barker
explains that the current idea is to give priority reservations to Fields #2 & #3 to the public by a
set date tentatively set as March 1. This means that any reservations for the public must be
received by March 1, after which City High will be able to make reservations on the other fields.
Barker states that in the past, Field #2 has been used by City High as an additional practice space
at no charge. Barker says that with the agreement, City High would have to pay rental fees for
the use of Field #2 as Fields #2 & 43 will be the revenue source of the grounds, explaining that
there will be CIC staff that will maintain the CIC fields and common areas such as restrooms.
Barker says that the agreement is not yet finalized but adds that there will be an annual fee from
the ICCSD to go towards Capital Improvements of the common areas. Barker states that the
primary user of the fields is the Little Hawks Baseball Club, and that he has spoken with the
Club leader on the state of the agreement, how the reservations will work in the future, and what
set date will work for the prioritized reservations.
Commissioner Recker asks that while the agreement is worked out regarding Field #4, that staff
consider additional base anchors and pitching distances for Fields #2, #3, & #4 to allow
variability for different age groups to use the field. Supt. Barker responds that Field #3 has pegs
for 70ft, 80ft, and 90ft while Field #2 has a grass infield, stationary pegs at 90ft, and a stationary
pitching mound. Barker clarifies that Field #4 would not be adjustable and is under the
maintenance jurisdiction of the ICCSD. Barkers says that if there is any future consideration for
field improvement, it would be to make Field #2 more like Field #3 and thus more usable by the
public due to its variable distances. Recker proposes that if the CIC can work it into the
agreement to make Field #4 adjustable, then if the CIC ever hosts tournaments and adjustments
are needed, it would be a good opportunity to bring in larger and more varied events. Barker
explains that Field #4 would be the softball equivalent of Field # 1 and that both fields would be
used, maintained, and improved exclusively by the ICCSD. The public would not have access to
either Field #1 or #4, which is why the public would have priority reservations to Fields #2 & #3.
Commissioner Forbes asks for confirmation that the Little Hawks Baseball Club is the primary
user of Fields 42 & #3. Supt. Barker confirms that that is true. Forbes asks if there will be any
information distributed to local organizations regarding the priority reservation deadline. Barker
says that other user groups besides Little Hawks are typically University of Iowa Baseball and
other adult leagues. Barker assures that the fields will be open to the public and the policy
change would be made known.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
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Commissioner Morelli asks what the current demand for the Mercer Park Athletic Fields is.
Barker responds that there are a lot of days that are not preferred to be practiced on when the
fields are available. Tuesdays and Thursdays are big days for practices. Wednesdays see some
usage but not as much due to evening church. On Fridays, the teams are usually either at a
tournament or going to a tournament. Mondays are not reserved as the terms are usually
recovering from a weekend tournament. Barker reiterates that the Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays tend to be the most utilized dates. The weekend usually only sees usage if there is a
tournament onsite.
Commissioner Morelli asks if staff have looked at other facilities around the city that have space
for new fields to be installed that could be more variable like Commissioner Recker had spoken
about. Supt. Barker asks if Morelli is asking about adding a new field or adding new pegs.
Morelli asks if he could hear about both. Supt. Baird explains that there is not a lot of extra
flexibility at City Park than what is already there, adding that the fences were redone only two to
three years prior. City Park has eight fields. Baird says that there are not any other spaces short
of building an entirely new complex that adds one or two fields. Baird adds that this process
would entail a larger project and would take a whole Capital Improvement amount of money that
is not in the plans for the next five years. Commissioner Recker asks that staff consider adding
additional anchors or pitching mound anchors at a site such as Happy Hollow Park, a park that is
used for a lot of the local baseball and softball teams. Recker thinks that it should be considered
especially if the field improvements at Fields #2 & #3 follow through with adding more
variability. Baird responds that the field at Happy Hollow Park doesn't currently have base pegs
and only a home base, giving the park users some variability in where they can place their
temporary bases. Baird points out that when using distances for older age groups in Happy
Hollow Park the base ends up much closer to the wooded hill or the road. Baird reiterates that the
field at Happy Hollow Park already allows some flexibility in base length due to the lack of set
pegs.
Chairman Hachtman opens for public comment.
Michael Muhlenbruch introduces himself as having lived in Iowa City his whole life, having
spent his entire childhood at City Park and Mercer Park ballfields, graduated from City High as a
baseball player, has a son playing City High baseball, has daughter playing softball, has three
other children that will eventually go into the system, having just finished his 17t" year of
coaching baseball in Iowa City, and as an engineer who designs fields. Muhlenbruch states first
that he loves the collaboration between the City and School District and thinks that it will make
something happen that is awesome, but that his engineer brain is always thinking about what
could be and how could things be better, specifically about Mercer Park athletic fields.
Muhlenbruch has been thinking about this since he spoke with Geoff Fruin during COVID about
the reopening of parks, adding that his ideas then didn't get much traction at the time but that
now he has new ideas. Muhlenbruch says that earlier this year, he was inspired upon seeing all
four Mercer athletic fields full of scrimmages/practice and the bleachers so full it only allowed
room for standing. Muhlenbruch is inspired to try to figure out what more can be done at Mercer,
asking for guidance of how he as a resident and coach can help, whether as a third -party entity or
something of the sort. Muhlenbruch says that long term, the guidance would be how someone
can advocate for changes and funding, noting that in 2020, 1.25 million dollars was allocated
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
Page 6 of 14
from the city for Mercer Park improvements but never went anywhere. Muhlenbruch, as a Little
Hawks coach, says that it would be great to have a rake in a PVC tube on the side of the dugout
to help with raking the fields when coaches are there. Muhlenbruch says that he has lots of ideas,
trying to figure out other ways to get more fields, explaining that if more pegs were added at
Napoleon Park, it would open eight fields for four different age groups. Muhlenbruch states that
there are only two fields in all of Iowa City that are properly size for 11-13-year-olds, and if
Mercer Park Field 4 goes away, it will leave only one field for all of Iowa City across three
different age groups. Muhlenbruch asks if Field 4 is going away, is it going to be replaced
somewhere.
POOL ATTENDANCE UPDATE — Recreation Superintendent Brad Barker
Due to technical difficulties, Supt. Barker hands out printouts of the attached PowerPoint.
Supt. Barker states that staff have been tracking attendance at both the Robert A. Lee Recreation
Center (RAL) pool and the Mercer Park Aquatic Center (MPAC) pool since approximately
October 2022. Barker clarifies that staff had begun tracking earlier than this, but that the actual
methodology for how to data is consistently recorded has been used by staff since October 2022.
Supt. Barker is providing an update on pool attendance as it has about a year since he gave the
last update to the Commission. Barker describes the commonalities between RAL and MPAC
Pools as both facilities are indoor pools that offer lap swim, open swim, water fitness classes,
and special events. Each facility has a unique feature that provides ump figures where they are
more cyclical in nature throughout the year. MPAC Pool is the practice and swim -meet location
for swims teams from City High, Southeast Junior High, and the Iowa City Eels club. RAL Pool
is the primary location for most of the department's swim lessons. Barker explains that due to
these unique features, the data can show big spikes when either swim teams or swim lessons are
in season and not in season, providing a bit more variability throughout the year.
Supt. Barker explains that the graphs showing Monthly Participation are divided into the
following activity types, Recreation, Water Fitness, and Special Events. Recreation is defined as
any drop -in swim where patrons pay an attendance fee at the door or scan in at the door with a
punch pass or monthly/annual swim pass. Water Fitness are classes that patrons can register for
in bulk or pay a drop -in water fitness fee per individual class. Barker explains that the actual
attendance is tracked for each individual class before being recorded into the larger pool
numbers. Special Events includes special events such as $2 Evening Swims, Mark Cannon's
Water Mindfulness class, and pool rentals.
Supt. Barker looks at the RAL Pool Monthly Participation graph showing data from October
2022 to July 2024. Barker notes that there is an increase in people participating in Recreation
while Water Fitness and Special Events have stayed relatively the same during that time frame.
Barker says that the RAL Pool Recreation participation has gone from 600 monthly check -ins to
1200 monthly check -ins. Barker notes that it was the Commission's recommendation in 2023 to
add two hours of open swim to the RAL Pool daily schedule from 9 — 11 a.m. Barker also notes
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
Page 7 of 14
that there are three spikes of increased participation when MPAC Pool was closed for
approximately two weeks each, and patrons were diverted from MPAC to RAL.
Supt. Barker goes over the MPAC Pool Monthly Participation graph showing data from October
2022 to July 2024. Barker notes that Water Fitness and Special Events stay relatively consistent
while Recreation totals show a curious trend seen across both years. Barker explains that MPAC
Pool Recreation has a low in January (-1700-2300 monthly check -ins), cycles up to a high
(-3400 monthly check -ins) in June/July, and then takes a large dip before building back up.
Barker says that he is not yet sure of why the trend shows that July is so popular for MPAC Pool
but is interested to see if this trend will continue. Barker notes that the participation takes a big
dip whenever MPAC Pool is closed for two weeks.
Commissioner Forbes adds that City Park Pool was closed a lot in July 2023 because of air
quality, attributing to the large participation increase to the MPAC Pool during that month. Supt.
Barker recalls that staff did have to find alternative locations for several days that month. Vice
Chairman Moore adds that it makes sense for the pool numbers to be up during the hot
temperatures of July, when everyone wants to go swimming.
Commissioner Morelli asks how the data will be used or if it just information gathering. Supt.
Barker explains how the data has been used in the past, recalling that during the summer of 2023,
there were requests from the public to add hours to the RAL Pool due to an increase in numbers.
The increase in numbers was reflected in the staff data which paired with the public requests led
to the Commission recommendation to add two more hours to the daily pool schedule. Barker
says that right now, the numbers are more for information, but clarifies that the data is helpful to
keep track of should staff have to adjust facility hours. Barker adds that the data is provided on a
spreadsheet included in the monthly agenda packets and is broken down by hours and by specific
days, meaning that trends can be pulled that show what hours are utilized the most or the least.
Staff can use this data to make an informed decision based on who is utilizing what facilities.
Vice Chairman Moore asks if there are certain times of the year that staff would look at data to
determine if hours should be added or removed from the pool schedule. Supt. Barker explains
that staff like to keep the pool hours consistent for the whole year, so the best time for staff to
make any schedule changes for an upcoming year would be in the fall season. Barker further
explains that staff designs and prints the rack cards for facility hours three to four months in
advance to a particular season. Barker says that the more consistent the schedule is, the better it
will be for the public. Barker recalls when there were separate times at RAL Pool for lap swim
and open swim, which made it too confusing for both the public and staff. Staff wanted to return
to a simpler schedule with less adjustments. Moore asks if during the summer that City Park Pool
will be closed, will there be consideration to adjust the other pools' schedules. Barker confirms
that staff are already in discussion about alternative locations and hours during the City Park
Pool renovations, adding that will be more definite answer once the schedule of City Park Pool is
fully known.
Chairman Hachtman opens the floor for public comment.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
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Mark Cannon asks for some clarifications on the charts. First, Cannon states that the numbers of
hours at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center (RAL) pool is significantly less than that of the
Mercer Park Aquatic Center (MPAC) pool. Cannon then asks for confirmation that the charts
show that between October 2022 to July 2024, RAL Pool numbers have doubled from 600 to
1200. Supt. Barker confirms that to be correct. Cannon than looks at the difference in numbers at
MPAC Pool between October 2022 to July 2024, going from 2300 to 2500 respectively. Cannon
states that he is not making it an `Us vs Them" scenario when comparing RAL Pool to MPAC
Pool. Cannon says that the increases for either pool could be attributed to the fact that the
Community is still dealing with COVID, but that he wants it explicitly said that the numbers at
RAL Pool have doubled and that he thinks it has happened because of a very concerted
community effort.
Anne Jensen has concerns regarding the water temperature of the Mercer Park Aquatic Center
pool. Jensen states that the pool is advertised online as being in the range of 79-81°. Jensen says
that there are people who have taken thermometers to Mercer on a regular basis and have never
seen it reach 79°, more often being in the range of 76-78°. Jensen asks if there is any way to get
the water warmer, and if not can the online notice be changed to reflect the true temperature of
the water. Jensen explains that is frustrating to see the pool advertised to be at that higher level
and not really reach it. Jensen says that the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center Pool is advertised to
be 81-830 and that that is the actual temperature of the pool.
Commissioner Recker asks Supt. Barker if Mercer Park pool is experience water loss. Barker
responds that the Mercer pool is not having any water loss beyond normal expectations. Recker
clarifies that if there doesn't appear to be a leak of any sort, then the drop in temperature
wouldn't be from new water being pumped in. Barker confirms that there is nothing beyond the
typical filling of the pool every day to keep it topped off.
NEW PARK NAME — Parks & Forestry Superintendent Tyler Baird
Supt. Baird explains that the Commission can make a recommendation to the City Council about
the name of the new park near Shannon Drive. Baird says that the final decision will be up to the
City Council but that historically, the Council has valued the opinion that the Commission brings
to the process, particularly in the case if the name has a historical connection. Baird adds that if
there is a historical tie-in, the name would likely go to the Historical Preservation Commission as
well to confirm that everything checks out. Baird says that the Commission can suggest any
names that they have heard from the community, or that will be heard during public comment.
Baird refers to a proposal received from a community member that is included in the agenda
packet that suggests the name, Adelaide Joy Rogers, and includes good background information.
The Commission opens to public comment, to hear any park name suggestions before discussion.
Kevin Boyd introduces himself as the author of the Adelaide Joy Rogers proposal but also as a
6th generation Iowa Cityan, a former Chairman of the Historical Preservation Commission, a
2022 Iowa City Public Library history trivia winner and a former member of the Parks and
Recreation Commission. Boyd explains that for as long as he can remember, he has loved local
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
Page 9 of 14
history, receiving the complete set of Irving Weber's books for his 171h birthday. Boyd recalls
carefully reading about bachelor mayor, Harry Breen. Boyd explains that at the time he was not
yet out and was struggling to imagine a future where he could be involved in government and
politics, but wondered if Breen was a hint left by Irving. Boyd says when he moved back to Iowa
City after 12 years of living in Des Moines and Washington D.C. and working for national
campaign organizations, he started digging into local history and noticed that much of what was
honored and reflected didn't necessarily reflect the actual diversity of Iowa City or his life as an
out gay man with a black partner. Boyd explains that this diversity has always been present,
referring to bachelor mayor, Harry Breen, who was almost certainly gay, or the many women
and people of color who did amazing things that the city should celebrate. Boyd says that
everyone should see themselves in what is honored in our parks, schools, and civic institutes.
Boyd explains that he is passionate about honoring the past and celebrating the shared history in
ways that reflect the shared values of today, so when he saw that the Commission was
considering a new park name, he immediately thought of Adelaide Joy Rogers. Boyd describes
Adelaide Joy Rogers as a woman ahead of her time, advocating for women and girls in many
ways, but particularly when it came to recreation opportunities. Boyd explains that her history -
making candidacy, using her full name including her maiden name, Joy is something that should
be celebrated. Boyd adds that the name fits the west -side location as Adelaide and her husband
were early west-siders, living first on Melrose and later Park Road. Boyd encourages the
Commission to name the park after Adelaide Joy Rogers, bringing us one step closer to being
more inclusive and telling the full story of Iowa City's history, letting more people see
themselves reflected in what we honor ourselves.
Chairman Hachtman thanks Boyd for his suggestion and asks the Commission if there are other
suggestions that the Commission has heard of from the larger community.
Commission Forbes says that as an Iowa Cityan, born and raised, she absolutely loved the
Adelaide Joy Rogers suggestion and thanks Boyd for the thoughtful proposal. Forbes comments
that she knows there have been suggestions to honor Caitlin Clark or Lisa Bluder, but that she
believes that that is the University's place to do something for those individuals. Forbes clarifies
that Adelaide Joy Rogers would still recognize the female leadership in the community and
agrees with the proposal as a name for the new park.
Commissioner Morelli, asks Supt. Baird if there are other names, recalling a list of suggestions,
but wondering if there are any others with a lot of contexts to the name. Baird says that there
were not any with any follow-up from the public. Baird explains during the public input for the
park design process, the only people that received more than one suggestion were Historian
Irving Weber, and Caitlin Clark. Baird says that Adelaide Joy Rogers was the first suggestion
that had a lot of effort and history pulled into it. Morelli comments that he really liked the
Adelaide Joy Rogers suggestion.
Vice -Chairman Moore thought that the Adelaide Joy Rogers proposal made a lot of sense and
thought that it was a slam-dunk.
Chairman Hachtman says that as the father of daughters, he wholeheartedly was in favor of the
Adelaide Joy Rogers proposal, especially now after learning more about her history.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
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Moved by Moore, seconded by Forbes to recommends to Citv Council to name the new
park after Adelaide Joy RoEers, vending any Historical Preservation review. Motion
passed 6-0 (McPherson, Broege, and Haves absent). r
REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF:
Recreation SuTPcrinten dcnt—Brad Barker
Facilities: Supt. Barker announces that the pickleball and tennis court renovations at both Mercer
Park and City Park are now completed and getting lots of use from the public. Barker says that as
soon as there was a semblance of the courts being complete, there were park users on the courts.
Barker adds that the Johnson County Pickleball Club are pleased with final courts.
City Park Pool: Supt. Barker explains that the project is still in the design phase, with staff
consistently meeting with the consultant team. Barker says that the project is soon getting to the
point where numbers/costs will be known but that everything is still behind the scenes in its
current state. Barker is hopeful that staff will be able to provide a more concrete update on the
project in one to two months.
Events: Supt. Barker announces the following Recreation events:
• Roller Skating, a popular weekly event, will begin Saturday, Sep. 14.
■ Bio-Blast, a STEAM event held on Sunday, Sep. 22 which will host the Iowa State
University's insect zoo, among other biology themed crafts, activities, and
demonstrations.
• The Kids Market will be held on Saturday, Sep. 28 where visitors can look over the wares
from fifty kid vendors. Barker says that registration filled up within a few hours and that
the event has historically been very popular.
■ The Get Outside Rec Fest, held on Sunday, Sep. 29 in Lower City Park, is the second
time this annual event has been held. Visitors can find live music, food trucks, and
activities ran by Recreation staff and many different community organizations. The
activities focus on different outdoor equipment, allowing kids to get the feel for many
kinds of recreation.
• Indigenous Peoples' Day, held on Monday, Oct. 14 at the Terry Trueblood Recreation
Area, is the second time this annual event has been held. Barker explains that the event
had a great response the previous year.
• The Halloween Carnival will be held week earlier than usual on Friday, Oct. 18 at the
Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. Barker explains that the event is happening early to
avoid the University of Iowa Homecoming parade held on Friday, Oct. 25 which
basically takes over the roads of the nearby area.
Chairman Hachtman asks if there will be any efforts to spread the word regarding the early date
for the Halloween Carnival, a historically heavily attended event. Supt. Barker confirms that staff
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
Page 11 of 14
will be promoting the event and its date through social media and press releases, allowing
attendees to prepare their costume for the event.
Commissioner Recker says that he has heard great feedback regarding the pickleball/tennis
courts project. Recker asks if the courts are just asphalt or if there is post tension concrete
underneath. Supt. Baird confirms that the courts are just asphalt, and that staff had looked into
the other option but decided that it was too expensive. Recker asks if the project was contracted
out or completed by inhouse staff. Baird responds that the project was contracted out. Recker
reiterates the good feedback he has heard about the project.
Chairman Hachtman says that he has also heard plenty of positive comments from the public
about the new pickleball/tennis courts. Hachtman recalls when his family had recently played on
them but had to wait a bit due to the heavy use the courts were receiving. Hachtman thinks that
monitoring the use of the courts will provide opportunities for future pickleball development.
Parks and_Forestry Su>nerintendent—Tyler Baird
Facilities: Supt. Baird explains that Supt. Barker already covered most of the announcement for
the Pickleball/Tennis Court project. Baird says that the courts are constantly filled up except for
the middle of the day, adding that Parks staff have also been enjoying the courts over their lunch
time when the courts are less active.
Supt. Baird thanks the Commission for attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ice House
Single Track Trail. Baird says that staff who worked on the project were appreciative to hear the
feedback that evening and to see it used. Baird announces that a few members of staff worked
with City Channel 4 to take footage of the trail in use to make a promotion video that will come
out soon.
Supt. Baird says that Parks staff were constantly mowing throughout the summer. Baird explains
that typically, there would be a couple week breaks in the mowing schedule that would allow
staff to pick up other projects. This in combination with most seasonal staff leaving for school,
has caused some crunch time in prep for the Fall. Baird explains that the department has been
trying to backfill the gap by hiring more seasonal staff over the last few weeks.
Trees: Supt. Baird announces that staff will receive their shipment of 500 trees to be planted
along the public rights -of -way. Baird says that staff have been working to inform the community
of the tree planting via press releases, yard signs, door tags, Nextdoor, and neighborhood
associations. Baird expects the planting to begin within the following week.
Supt. Baird announces a volunteer tree planting event after the department received a $10,000
Community Forestry Grant from the Department of Natural Resources. Baird explains that the
department has received the grant every year since the grant program began in 2021, totaling
$50,000. Baird says that for the planting event this year, staff have lined up volunteers from
Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, and the Rotary Club. Baird invites Commission members
to attend at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sep. 29 at Kicker's Soccer Park.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
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Commissioner Morelli leaves at 6:02 p.m.
Park Projects: Supt. Baird is glad that the `New Park near Shannon Drive' should be getting an
official name soon. Baird explains that the projects for the Shannon Drive Park, Brookland Park,
Calder Park, College Green Park, and the Terrell Mill Park skate park & pump track are still in
the design phase but are expected to go out for bids soon. Baird says that there is a lot of cool
stuff coming soon but that there won't be any actual groundbreaking for those projects until next
year.
Chairman Hachtman opens the floor for public comment.
Anne Jensen introduces herself as having lived in Iowa City since 1982 and that this summer was
her first time she had gone to City Park Pool, adding that she had taken part in the discussion
groups about the City Park Pool design. Jensen explains that after having two knee replacements,
she does water aerobics and water walking. Jensen says that the current City Park Pool is
designed to curve gradually from the outside wings towards the center, and that she found this to
be very awkward when walking with the lap lanes because one leg was higher than the other.
Jensen says that she hopes that consultants and staff consider that if there is to be a slope of some
kind in the pool, that it goes with the grain of the lap lanes.
CHAIRS REPORT:
Chairman Hachtman thanks Project GREEN for the updates submitted as correspondence.
Hachtman says that is great to see the beautification done and the hours of service that they
render on behalf of the community. Hachtman notes that he is grateful for Project GREEN and
its representatives.
COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Commissioner Forbes thanks recreation staff for their hard work with the pool number counting
and for the number of events that are happening.
Vice Chairman Moore thanks Dir. Seydell Johnson for spearheading the email to get the
accessible swing installed at North Market Square Park. Moore is glad that for children who are
unable to sit up on their own, they can have at least one swing they can use. Moore is unsure if
the Mercer Park athletic fields need to be readdressed as a future item, but acknowledges the
point, that if Field 4 is going away, should it be replaced somewhere else in Iowa City. Moore
thanks Kevin Boyd for taking the time to write up the Adelaide Joy Rogers proposal. Moore asks
if staff will get back to the Commission regarding pool water temperatures. Supt. Barker
responds that he plans to check in with maintenance staff regarding the pool temperatures to see
what could be happening.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
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Commissioner Stanton thanks Parks staff for the work done to complete the Ice House Single
Track Trail, adding that lots of his neighbors are using it and loved it. Stanton thanks Kevin
Boyd for the suggestion of Adelaide Joy Rogers, especially as Adelaide was in the same election
as Emma J. Harvat, City Council trailblazer, who has a park and an auditorium named after her.
Stanton says that despite Adelaide Joy Rogers not being elected, she was still a trailblazer who
has since been overshadowed. Stanton is glad to see her coming to the forefront now.
Commissioner Recker thanks staff for having an agenda item about the Mercer Park athletic
fields.
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Forbes, second by Stanton, to adiourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Motion passed
5-0 (Morelli, McPherson, Brome, and Haves absent).
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 11, 2024
Page 14 of 14
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
NAMETERM
N N
o 0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N
0
N N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
EXPIRES
Aaron
12/31/24
X
X
X
X
O/E
NM
X
NM
NM
X
X
O/E
Broege
j
Missie
12/31/25
X
O/E
X
X
X
NM
O/E
NM
NM
X
O/E
X
Forbes
Alex
12/31/24
X
X
X
X
X
NM
X
NM
NM
O/E
X
X
Hachtman
12/31/27
_
*
Virginia
*
*
X
X
NM
X
NM
NM
X
X
O/E
Haves
Rachel
12/31/26
X
X
X
X
X
NM
X
NM
NM
X
O/E
O/E
McPherson
Connie
12/31/25
X
X
X
X
O/E
NM
X
NM
NM
X
X
X
Moore
Brian
12/31/25
O/E
O/E
X
X
O/E NM
X
NM
NM
X
X
X
Morelli
X NM
Caleb
12/31/26
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
NM
NM
X
O/E
X
Recker
Alex
12/31/27
X
O/E
X
X
X NM O/E
NM
NM
O/E
X
X
Stanton
k
I
KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting
LQ = No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member during this meeting
Item Number: 5.j.
I, CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Planning & Zoning Commission: September 18 [See Recommendation]
Attachments: Planning & Zoning Commission: September 18 [See Recommendation]
r
��_..® CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 21, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anne Russett, Senior Planner
Re: Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission
At its September 18, 2024 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission have the following
recommendations to the City Council:
By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ24-0007, an amendment to Title
14, Zoning Code be amended to allow redemption centers either as a permitted use or a
provisional use subject to use specific standards in commercial and industrial zones.
Additional action (check one)
No further action needed
Board or Commission is requesting Council direction
_X_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action
MINUTES FINAL
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 —6:00 PM —FORMAL MEETING
E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Craig, Maggie Elliott, Mike Hensch, Steve Miller, Scott
Quellhorst, Billie Townsend, Chad Wade
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Madison Conley, Eric Goers, Anne Russett
OTHERS PRESENT: Austin Geasland, Troy Willard
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
By a vote of 7-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ24-0007, an amendment to Title
14, Zoning Code be amended to allow redemption centers either as a permitted use or a
provisional use subject to use specific standards in commercial and industrial zones.
CALL TO ORDER:
Hensch called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
CASE NO. REZ24-0007
Consideration of an amendment to Title 14, Zoning Code, to allow redemption centers in
commercial and industrial zones.
Conley began the staff report with some background information on why this code amendment is
being proposed. Iowa's beverage containers control law, which is commonly known as the bottle
bill, allows consumers to receive the return deposit when returning empty beverage containers to
a store or redemption center. In June 2022, amendments were made to the bottle bill which
allows stores to opt out of redeeming containers if a redemption center is nearby, or if other
criteria are met. Redemption centers are facilities where consumers may return empty beverage
containers and receive payment for the refund value of those containers. Sometimes redemption
centers can be affiliated with some grocery stores as in the North Dodge HyVee, which is located
in a CC-2 (Community Commercial) zone. Iowa City also has the Can Shed which is an existing
redemption center located at 611 Hollywood Boulevard, Unit Three, located in a General
Industrial (1-1) zone. The Can Shed would like to operate within a commercial zone in order to
expand their services, improve their collection processes and provide easier access to the
community. As a result, staff is proposing this code amendment to allow redemption centers to
exist in commercial and industrial zones.
Currently, the zoning code does not contain any specific language that assists with defining,
classifying or regulating redemption centers and redemption centers are allowed in some grocery
stores and therefore have been allowed in commercial zones already. However stand-alone
redemption center related uses have historically been classified as a Waste Related Use. The
Planning and Zoning Commission
September 18, 2024
Page 2 of 9
Waste Related Use category in the zoning code is characterized by any uses that receive solid
or liquid waste from others for disposal on the site or for transfer to another location; uses that
collect sanitary waste; uses that recycle solid waste or recyclable materials; and uses that
manufacture or produce goods or energy from biological decomposition of organic materials.
Some examples of Waste Related Uses include recycling processing facilities, sanitary landfills,
limited use landfills, waste composting, hazardous waste collection, etc. Waste Related Uses are
currently allowed provisionally in the General Industrial (1-1) and Heavy Industrial (1-2) zones.
For the purposes of the Can Shed the intended use and operation of this facility is not
comparable to the types of intense industrial uses seen in the Waste Related Use category,
therefore staff is proposing a code amendment which creates a new use category called
Redemption Center, amends the table of allowable uses in commercial and industrial zones,
provides a definition for Redemption Center, creates provisional use specific standards and
outlines minimum parking requirements for this use category.
The proposed amendment focuses on creating a new use category, Redemption Center which
would be placed under the Commercial Use category in the zoning code. Redemption Centers
would be characterized as an indoor facility that collects bottles and cans from consumers,
distributes payment of the refund value and may utilize compressing machines. Examples of
Redemption Center facilities accessory uses include offices and off-street parking. This use
would include the following exceptions: recycling processing facilities will continue to be
classified as a Waste Related Use, establishments that offer beverages for sale are classified as
either sales -oriented retail, alcohol sales -oriented retail, eating establishment or drinking
establishment. The characterization of this use category helps define and regulate what
Redemption Centers would look like if this proposed amendment were to be adopted in Iowa
City.
Conley next shared the proposed zones that would allow this use. Redemption Centers would be
allowed in commercial and industrial zones, either as a use permitted by right or a provisional
use subject to additional use standards. The additional standards for this use would help protect
surrounding properties and mitigate potential negative externalities associated with this use. In
addition to be being permitted by right in all commercial and industrial zones, staff is
recommending that Redemption Centers be permitted by right in the Highway Commercial (CH-
1) and Intensive Commercial (CI-1) zones, since one of the additional standards proposed
discusses the allowance of outdoor storage and both zones allow outdoor storage when certain
criteria are met, such as concealment of materials, setbacks and screening requirement.
Staff has created use specific standards for Redemption Centers to adhere to when provisionally
allowed in the commercial zones listed in the table. The proposed use specific standards are as
follows, first, size of use limited to no more than 5000 square feet, and two, outdoor storage of
any materials is not allowed. Staff determined it would be appropriate to apply these use specific
standards in commercial zones that may abut residential land uses to help maintain the
character and scale of intensity of the surrounding properties. Conley noted also the location
jurisdiction research that staff conducted demonstrates the size restriction in many of the cities
and also the prohibition of outdoor storage as a common practice. There are several jurisdictions
in Oregon that utilizes the 5000 square foot maximum. Additionally, the Iowa City zoning code
has a size limit for other commercial zone uses such as a size limit for indoor commercial
recreational uses in the CO-1 and CN-1 zones as well as office uses in the CN-1 zone.
Additionally, staff developed a proposed minimum park ratio of one space per 1000 square feet
of floor area with no bicycle parking required. The justification for this parking ratio in is that a lot
Planning and Zoning Commission
September 18, 2024
Page 3 of 9
of the patrons that visit redemption center facilities will likely leave the space fairly quickly after
they drop off their cans and receive their deposit so due to the nature of the business, staff does
not anticipate that this use will require many parking spaces. Additionally, if the redemption
center does find that they need more parking than the minimum, they are able to add more if
they see fit.
Conley next reviewed the analysis section. Since the City's current regulations do not really
consider redemption centers staff developed a list of local jurisdictions to analyze how other
areas regulate this use. Specifically, staff found value in analyzing jurisdictions in the state of
Oregon and Iowa. In Oregon, redemption centers are most often considered a commercial use,
viewed as a service provided to the community. This use is allowed in a variety of commercial
and industrial zones. Then in Iowa, redemption centers are typically categorized as an industrial
use, not as the commercial land uses that exist in Oregon and envisioned by the Can Shed and
primarily the zones that this use would be allowed in is solely industrial. Some of the Oregon
cities that they looked at were Portland, Bend, Gresham, Tigard and a couple more. In Iowa staff
looked at Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls and a couple others. The local jurisdiction
research demonstrates the range of different regulatory approaches for redemption centers.
These jurisdictions highlight specific differences in how each city has decided to regulate
redemption centers in their zoning code. For this presentation Conley wanted to focus on the City
of Portland, City of Bend and City of Gresham, as well as the City of Des Moines. Staff found
there were two main approaches taken by these local jurisdictions, either categorize redemption
centers as an existing use or to create a new use category. To start, the City of Portland chose to
view redemption centers as an existing commercial use in their zoning code under the Retail
Sales and Services category. Specifically, this use is considered repair -oriented and classified as
a recycling drop-off. The City of Portland defines recycling drop-off as a facility for the drop-off
and temporary holding of materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, batteries and
motor oil. The Cities of Bend and Gresham take a different approach and they decided to
implement this land use as a standalone use category under the commercial use category in
their zoning code. Both cities chose to define redemption centers as an indoor facility that
facilitates the return of empty beverage containers. This differs from the City of Portland because
they do not accept such a large range of materials and only focus on the collection of empty
beverage containers. In Iowa, the City of Des Moines moves further away from both previous
approaches by considering redemption centers as an example of an Industrial Service. The City
of Des Moines code characterizes Industrial Service uses as uses that deal with repair,
maintenance and operation of large equipment. Overall, the variation of all these different
approaches demonstrates how drastically different each of these cities have chosen to regulate
redemption centers and also serve as a good example for staff to understand how to regulate
redemption centers in the proposed amendment.
Staff then looked at the use specific standards for this land use in each jurisdiction. Some cities,
for example, did not have any use specific standards, while others did. The City of Portland and
the City of Gresham do not have any additional use specific standards, but the City of Bend
decided to implement a size limit for 10%, or 2500 square feet, if the use is accessory and if it is
a single use it may occupy around 5000 square feet if approved through a conditional use permit.
The City of Des Moines includes standards that aim to mitigate any negative externalities of
industrial services. Therefore, analyzing the use specific standards of redemption centers in
other jurisdictions helped staff envision how the additional use standards would be appropriately
implemented into Iowa City zoning code. It's also important to consider the anticipated impact of
this proposed amendment so staff prepared two maps that visually represent how the proposed
Planning and Zoning Commission
September 18, 2024
Page 4 of 9
amendment would apply to the land within the City. The first map shows the location of the zones
where the proposed amendment would allow redemption centers. Most areas are concentrated
in the southern portion of the City, since most of the City's commercial and industrial land is in
that area, and areas where the proposed amendment would allow redemption centers include
the center of the City, Old Town Village, Towncrest, and the area near the intersection of North
Dodge and 1-80. The second map shows where the proposed amendment would allow
redemption centers, either as a permitted or provisional use.
Next staff looked at the proposed amendment's consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. The
Comprehensive Plan includes a vision statement that supports a resilient economy, increases
tax base, stimulates job growth and promotes the overall people's prosperity and progress.
Additionally, the proposed amendment supports the following goals and strategies that are found
in the economic development section of the Comprehensive Plan. One of those goals is to
increase and diversify the property tax base by encouraging the retention and expansion of
existing businesses and attracting businesses that have growth potential and are compatible with
Iowa City's economy. A strategy that supports this goal is to provide an attractive economic
environment with streamlined business friendly culture by making regulatory and permitting
processes clear, predictable and coordinated. The second goal would be encouraging a healthy
mix of independent locally owned businesses and national businesses. The strategy that
supports this is to retain and encourage growth of existing locally owned businesses is allowing
Redemption Centers uses in commercial zones which would make it easier for Redemption
Centers uses to locate in Iowa City. The Can Shed's proposition to expand to other areas in the
community represents an opportunity for the City to help support local businesses and remove
barriers to their growth in the community. The proposed amendment helps existing businesses to
also want to stay in the community instead of looking to relocate to other neighboring cities.
Another part of the vision statement includes protecting and enhancing the environment and
encouraging the responsible use of natural and energy resources. Environmental goals such as
to continue to track, measure and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,
raising awareness and expanding opportunities for waste reduction, energy efficiency,
stormwater management and other environmental issues. The goals that the proposed
amendment would also support if redemption centers are allowed in more areas of the City are
community members will have increased access and opportunities to contribute to waste
reduction efforts. Since the IC2030 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2013 the City has
increasingly focused on climate action. The City adopted the Climate Action and Adoption Plan in
2018 and a Climate Crisis was declared by the City in 2019 and adopted the Accelerating Iowa
City's Action Plan in 2020. These plans create a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 45% from
2010 levels by 2030 The proposed amendment would help further these goals by promoting
waste reduction and contributing to the community's recycling efforts.
Staff recommends that Title 14, Zoning Code be amended to allow redemption centers either as
a permitted use or a provisional use subject to use specific standards in commercial and industrial
zones.
Hensch is curious about why it's provisional for some of the commercial areas because before
the legislature did their misdeed and changed the law, all the convenience stores and grocery
stores accepted returns so why not be consistent with that. Conley responded by saying that
based off the local jurisdiction research that staff conducted, in addition to looking at the
provisional uses allowed in the zoning code, it seemed to be consistent and allowed the City the
ability to implement regulations that would help mitigate the negative externalities. Russett added
Planning and Zoning Commission
September 18, 2024
Page 5 of 9
that the redemption centers that exist now in commercial zones are associated with some other
type of retail -oriented use, and with this amendment they are looking at stand alone, larger
facilities.
Hensch asked if then it's provisional use and additional standards are required, are there any
additional standards other than the two listed (5000 square feet and no outdoor storage). Conley
stated those are the two that staff are proposing. Hensch asked how those additional standards
would be applied or determined. Russett explained those would go before the Board of
Adjustment staff and would need to be determined as part of this text amendment. Hensch
asked what if the Commission or City Council were to propose additional standards in the future.
Russett stated they would have to go through another text amendment process.
Elliott asked if the City knows of any issues with the current situation where they're in commercial
zones within another building. Conley is not aware of any.
Quellhorst asked why the areas of Office, Research and Research Development Park are
included in the permitted versus provisional use category, it seems to be an odd use in that zone.
Conley stated there's not a lot of areas that are zoned Office, Research and Research
Development Park and those use categories allow kind of quasi -industrial uses in those zones so
staff felt it appropriate to allow it as a permitted use.
Craig wondered why the current location isn't sufficient, it is a pretty centrally located space.
Conley noted currently the Can Shed is located in the general industrial zone and they are just
wanting to expand to other areas of the City.
Elliott noted she does see people on bicycles that look like they're going to redeem their cans so
why no bicycle parking required.
Quellhorst noted in this case the Redemption Centers definition is like an automated redemption
centers, like at a HyVee with the machines versus a staffed redemption centers. Conley stated it
depends on how the City wants to define it, but they chose that redemption centers would be
defined as a staffed facility. Russett noted the definition doesn't expressly state that it needs to
be staffed, that's something that is hard to regulate through zoning, but the Can Ched will speak
to their proposal. They are proposing that it to be staffed, but also function similarly to ones with
the automated machines. Goers stated the other thing he would note is on the exceptions,
particularly the second bullet point, establishments that offer beverages for sale are classified,
etc. and if something falls into one of those categories it would not be considered a redemption
center under this definition.
Townsend stated regarding the North Dodge HyVee having a redemption center that has not
been operational for some time, if they wanted to restore that, as the machines are still there,
could they. Conley replied yes, that would still be permissible.
Craig noted they talk consistently about cans but there are also glass redemption, does the Can
Shed take glass or are they proposing to take glass. Russett confirmed yes, the Can Shed will
take anything that has a deposit.
Townsend has a comment or a concern that why can't she go to any store that she pays deposit
on bottles and cans and take them back to that place. Hensch stated that was the Iowa
Planning and Zoning Commission
September 18, 2024
Page 6 of 9
legislature and their wisdom in changing the law
Hensch opened the public hearing
Austin Geasland (Realtor, Q4 Real Estate) represents the Can Shed in their real estate
expansion throughout the corridor area. One thing he wanted to bring up is the space that they
are currently negotiating is on Gilbert Street, the old South Maple building and the space is 5500
square feet. Staff's amendment proposal is 5000 square feet maximum and while they
understand the logic and the reasoning there, in an effort to keep this deal alive and not lose it, is
there a way that they could structure the business and the layout to 5000 square feet of
redemption center and leave the other 500 square feet for employee offices, employee break
rooms, etc. That is a concern he has with the current wording of the amendment.
Troy Willard (owner, Can Shed) stated what they're trying to do is raise their visibility, expand
their services for which they need more space than the building they're currently in, they're
maxed out. The current location is only about 2800-3,000 square feet. They have added a mobile
app where people can drop off bags of containers outside of staffed hours so they need an area
to drop those off as well. They also want to upgrade the equipment, the current automated
machines only allow cans to be put in one at a time but there's a technology out there for more of
a bulk dump. They take up about 25% of the time to count all the containers through and there's
also a bigger footprint for that type of machinery. Another reason for wanting to move is the
building Geasland was talking about has a lot more parking and there is a parking crunch where
they're currently at, and that is some of the motivation to move. Willard confirmed the North
Dodge HyVee hasn't redeemed containers since about 2020, back then and after the pandemic,
the Can Shed started doing more direct business representing HyVee as the redemption spot in
the City and took on all the responsibility for all the stores. Walmart is at the very end of using
their machines, they've used up their useful life and they have no interest in replacing them and
adding extra cost into their business model. He also wanted to note he understands the logic and
the explanations about the square footage thing and that would be a clarification he would want
to know before he makes any hard and fast decisions about leasing or buying space or building a
building. Also one of the natural progressions of the bottle bill in other states is they have been
taking it from carbonated and alcoholic beverages and moving to all beverage containers, which
would include water bottles, sport drinks, any type of non -carbonated container so he is trying to
look forward to that expansion and the space needs for that as well.
Craig asked if they would be moving their facility and just still have one. Willard confirmed that
was correct, they just need one that is more accessible and bigger and nicer. The new location
is only four blocks but it's in a major intersection and closer to the bank they use to grab money
to pay out to the customers so there's a lot of considerations going into that space there.
Craig asked if they work directly with commercial establishments, like a restaurant that sells cans
of beer, etc. Willard confirmed they do have business routes that they run, a couple times a
week to pick up cans and bottles from the downtown bar scene and any of the restaurants. They
generally cover an area anywhere from about 40 to 45 miles in and around Cedar Rapids.
They're mainly in Johnson County and Linn County, they spill into Iowa County a little bit as well
as Cedar County, Jones County, and Benton County.
Craig asked about the business model how do they make money if someone pays five cents for
a can and then gets the five cents back. Willard stated it is getting into some nuanced areas but
Planning and Zoning Commission
September 18, 2024
Page 7 of 9
as a consumer buying stuff at HyVee, the distributor, Coke, Pepsi, Budweiser, originates the
deposit. When they sell it to the store, they collect the nickel from the store. The store collects a
nickel from the consumer and then the consumer gets their nickel back from the Can Shed or the
store. Then when the Can Shet takes the cans back to Coke, Pepsi or whatever distributor he
gets his nickel back and they pay him three cents on top of that. One of the misconceptions is
somehow the State's involved with that but it's totally managed financially through private
enterprises.
Craig asked what Coke does when they get their cans back. Willard explained they smash them
up, bail them up and recycle them. He noted they redeem about 106 million containers a year
through their five locations. They also go out and represent distributors and pick up other
redemption centers and bring that material back to the facility in Cedar Rapids and combine it all
to make sure it's going back to end users and markets. Aluminum can turn into aluminum cans
again, the plastic has changed over the years, a lot of times it was being made into carpet
products but now it's going back to a bottle -to -bottle processing facility in Wisconsin. The glass
goes to Kansas City, there's a company down there that pulls all the brown glass out to make
beer bottles for Boulevard Brewery and the rest of it goes to a fiberglass insulation plant and gets
made into insulation.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Craig moves to recommends that Title 14, Zoning Code be amended to allow redemption
centers either as a permitted use or a provisional use subject to use specific standards in
commercial and industrial zones.
Elliott seconded the motion.
Quellhorst noted it sounds like the Can Shed folks might want a space limit for provisional zones
in excess of 5000 square feet, is that something that staff would want to look into further or are
they still comfortable moving ahead with the 5000 square foot recommendation. Russett noted
they could still operate a 5000 square foot redemption center within that 5500 square foot space
they are looking at, the additional 500 square feet would just have to be used for some other
purpose, like their administrative purposes. However, if the Commission wants to increase it to
5500 staff doesn't really have any concerns with that either. She stated the one benefit of
sticking with 5000 is simply for consistency with how other size regulations are included in the
zoning code, 5000 is a very common number when looking at size limitations for uses.
Hensch noted right now it's limited to redeemable beverage containers but if the Iowa legislature
expands that to water bottles and other things they would have to come back and amend the
text. Russett stated yes, they would evaluate that at the time.
Hensch is in favor of approving this because this is truly an example of where they can facilitate
the public good. With the reduction of the redemption centers from what they formerly had; he
would have to guess that the amount going into the landfill has increased dramatically.
Additionally, a better location would make it better for the consumer in Iowa City and would be a
very positive action.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0.
Planning and Zoning Commission
September 18, 2024
Page 8 of 9
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 4, 2024:
Elliott moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 4, 2024 with corrections
Townsend seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed 7-0.
PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION:
Goers wanted to take this opportunity to give a brief update on one of the topics that was raised
in earlier discussion at a meeting by this Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the
alternative nicotine products and whether a tobacco permit was required for nicotine lozenges,
patches or gum. He did confirm with the State the answer is no, a permit is not required to sell
those three products and just wanted to pass that on to the Commission. An example is the
Target downtown sells those products and does not have a tobacco permit.
Craig heard a story on NPR today about housing. She was pretty proud of Iowa City when they
talked a lot about zoning codes and how cities just are a big hindrance to expanding housing
base because they don't want certain kinds of housing, or they don't want this or that, and they
use zoning codes to keep people out. Iowa City doesn't do that which is good.
Hensch agrees wholeheartedly and would like to commend the members of the Commission,
because generally when they're under pressure not to approve a development for additional
housing from community groups by and large, the Commission hears them, and are responsive,
but still do what we think is the correct thing to do that's in the best interest of the City and it can
be very uncomfortable sometimes.
ADJOURNMENT:
Townsend moved to adjourn, Elliott seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
7/5
7/19
8/2
8/16
10/4
10/18
11/15
12/6
12/20
1/17
2/7
2/21
4/3
5/1
6/26
9/4
9/18
CRAIG, SUSAN
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
ELLIOTT, MAGGIE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
HENSCH, MIKE
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
MILLER, STEVE
-- --
I -- --
-- --
I -- --
-- --
-- --
I -- --
-- --
-- --
I -- --
-- --
I -- --
-- --
-- --
I -- --
X
X
PADRON, MARIA
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
-- --
-- --
-- --
QUELLHORST, SCOTT
-- --
-- --
-- --
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
TOWNSEND, BILLIE
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
WADE, CHAD
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
KEY:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
Item Number: 5.k.
a
CITY OF IOWA CITY
"QF T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Planning & Zoning Commission: November 20 [See Recommendations]
Attachments: Planning & Zoning Commission: November 20 [See Recommendations]
r
��_..® CITY OF IOWA CITY
R&
MEMORANDUM
Date: December 5, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anne Russett, Senior Planner
Re: Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission
At its November 20, 2024 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission have the following
recommendations to the City Council:
By a vote of 4-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ24-0008, a proposal to rezone
approximately 31.2 acres of land located east of Camp Cardinal Road and north of Gathering
Place Lane from Medium Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay
Development (OPD/RS-8) to Medium Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay
Development (OPD/RS-8) subject to the following conditions:
1. Prior to issuance of a building permit, Owner shall contribute 50% of the cost of
upgrading Camp Cardinal Road to City standards from Gathering Place Lane to the
future extension of Deer Creek Road in accordance with 15-3-2 of the Iowa City Code.
This contribution shall include 50% of the cost of construction of the traffic circle at the
intersection of Deer Creek Road and Camp Cardinal Road.
2. In the event Owner desires to construct on -street angled parking, at the time of final
platting, Owner shall execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney
obligating the Owner to maintain such spaces.
3. Prior to issuance of a building permit, a replat of the Western Home Gpd Subdivision
showing the removal of the Camille Court ROW and demonstrating consistency with the
Preliminary OPD and Sensitive Areas Development Plan must be approved.
4. The new building, rehab facility, within 90 feet of the road can only have a height of 35
feet in order to maintain transition from single-family housing to this building.
By a vote of 4-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ24-0009. A proposal to rezone
approximately 48.6 acres of land located near 500 ACT Dr from Office Research Park (ORP)
zone and Interim Development Research Park (ID -RP) zone to Mixed Use (MU) zone subject to
the following conditions:
1. Prior to issuance of building permits for the construction of new buildings or additions to
existing buildings, the subject property shall go through the subdivision process and
obtain approval of a preliminary and final plat.
2. Prior to issuance of any building permit, the owner shall improve the private streets to
City standards or escrow for 110% of the cost of improving the private streets to City
standards. The City would also accept a letter of credit. If the City Engineer finds that the
present condition of the private streets is found to sufficiently satisfy City standards, the
City Engineer may release this condition in writing.
3. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any residential use the improvements
shall be made to ensure that the private streets meet City standards prior to the
buildings being converted to residences. If the City Engineer finds that the present
condition of the private streets is found to sufficiently satisfy City standards, the City
Engineer may release this condition in writing.
4. At the time of preliminary and final platting, the following must be addressed:
2. Private streets shall be dedicated as public right-of-way.
Additional action (check one)
December 5, 2024
Page 2
No further action needed
Board or Commission is requesting Council direction
_X_ Agenda item will be prepared by staff for Council action
MINUTES FINAL
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 20, 2024 —6:00 PM —FORMAL MEETING
E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Craig, Mike Hensch, Steve Miller, Chad Wade
MEMBERS ABSENT: Maggie Elliott, Scott Quellhorst, Billie Townsend
STAFF PRESENT: Eric Bigley, Anne Russett, Rachael Schaefer
OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Long, Mike Welch, Nick Hatz
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
By a vote of 4-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ24-0008, a proposal to rezone
approximately 31.2 acres of land located east of Camp Cardinal Road and north of Gathering
Place Lane from Medium Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay
Development (OPD/RS-8) to Medium Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay
Development (OPD/RS-8) subject to the following conditions:
1. Prior to issuance of a building permit, Owner shall contribute 50% of the cost of
upgrading Camp Cardinal Road to City standards from Gathering Place Lane to the
future extension of Deer Creek Road in accordance with 15-3-2 of the Iowa City Code.
This contribution shall include 50% of the cost of construction of the traffic circle at the
intersection of Deer Creek Road and Camp Cardinal Road.
2. In the event Owner desires to construct on -street angled parking, at the time of final
platting, Owner shall execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney
obligating the Owner to maintain such spaces.
3. Prior to issuance of a building permit, a replat of the Western Home Gpd Subdivision
showing the removal of the Camille Court ROW and demonstrating consistency with the
Preliminary OPD and Sensitive Areas Development Plan must be approved.
4. The new building, rehab facility, within 90 feet of the road can only have a height of 35
feet in order to maintain transition from single-family housing to this building.
By a vote of 4-0 the Commission recommends approval of REZ24-0009. A proposal to rezone
approximately 48.6 acres of land located near 500 ACT Dr from Office Research Park (ORP)
zone and Interim Development Research Park (ID -RP) zone to Mixed Use (MU) zone subject to
the following conditions:
a. Prior to issuance of building permits for the construction of new buildings or additions to
existing buildings, the subject property shall go through the subdivision process and
obtain approval of a preliminary and final plat.
b. Prior to issuance of any building permit, the owner shall improve the private streets to
City standards or escrow for 110% of the cost of improving the private streets to City
standards. The City would also accept a letter of credit. If the City Engineer finds that the
present condition of the private streets is found to sufficiently satisfy City standards, the
City Engineer may release this condition in writing.
c. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any residential use the improvements
shall be made to ensure that the private streets meet City standards prior to the buildings
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 2 of 15
being converted to residences. If the City Engineer finds that the present condition of the
private streets is found to sufficiently satisfy City standards, the City Engineer may
release this condition in writing.
d. At the time of preliminary and final platting, the following must be addressed:
1. Private streets shall be dedicated as public right-of-way.
CALL TO ORDER:
Hensch called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
CASE NO. REZ24-0008
Location: East of Camp Cardinal Road and North of Gathering Place Lane
An application for a rezoning of approximately 31.2 acres of land from Medium Density Single -
Family Residential Zone with a Planned Development Overlay (OPD/RS-8) to Medium Density
Single -Family Residential Zone with a Planned Development Overlay (OPD/RS-8).
Schaefer began the staff report noting this property is one of the few large undeveloped areas
east of Highway 218. There are single family homes to the north and east of the property, the
area to the west of Camp Cardinal Boulevard is being built out as a duplex and multifamily
development, there's also multifamily uses and a church to the south. The zoning for the
properties to the north and south are mostly Low Density Single -Family Residential with a
Planned Overlay Development (OPD/RS-5) overlays. The properties to the east are Rural
Residential with a Planned Development Overlay (OPD/RR-1), the properties to the west are
Low Density Multi -Family with a Planned Development Overlay (OPD/RM-12), and to the south
there is also Low Density Multi -Family (RM-12) properties and Low Density Single -Family
Residential with a Planned Development Overlay (OPD/RS-5) and a private group assembly use
with the church there. The subject property was originally rezoned to Medium Density Single -
Family Residential with a Planned Overlay Development (OPD/RS-8) and that was approved on
February 9, 2023, to allow for the construction of a senior living community with a mix of housing
types and a commercial use. The final plat was approved in January 2024. The reason for this
rezoning is maintain the OPD/RS-8 but the applicant is requesting to amend the previously
approved OPD and to convert the Camile Court area from five single-family homes to a 16-unit
elder apartment building with a rehab and wellness facility for residents of the development on
the ground floor.
Schaefer showed some images of what the property looks like right now, the site is currently
undergoing site grading and installation of utilities and noted where there are the protected
woodlands. The City is currently in the design phase to extend the portion of Camp Cardinal
Road and eventually there'll be a traffic circle and Deer Creek Road will extend into the Cardinal
Height Subdivision, that extension is estimated for this upcoming spring.
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 3 of 15
Currently, the subject property is approved for 35 single-family homes, eight duplexes, 20
townhome style multifamily and 38 multifamily units, for a total of 101 units. They're also
approved for a 16-bed memory care facility. The approved OPD plan was approved with waivers
as well, one of the main ones being the mix of housing uses including not just single family, but
multifamily and commercial uses as well. The applicant had also requested an increase in the
maximum height for the two multifamily units on the property to be 45 feet instead of the
standard 35 feet for the zoning district and now the applicant is proposing an additional
multifamily residential building with that same waiver request to increase the height from 35 feet
to 45 feet to address, again, topography and rooftop features similar to the reasoning provided in
2023. In addition, the applicant is updating the plan to make two changes that were able to be
administratively approved that Schaefer will review later in the report, but that is the reason that it
only jumps from 101 units to the 105 units proposed.
Schaefer shared the approved OPD plan from 2023 with the mix of uses, the single- family
homes and multifamily. The changes that are being proposed today are to convert what was the
five single-family home cul-de-sac area of Camile Court into a 16-unit elder apartment building
with rehab and wellness areas for the Western Home patrons, so all of the individuals residing in
this development will have access to that rehab and wellness facility. Schaefer explained that
changes that could be administratively approved, and therefore are not part of this rezoning, was
to reduce the unit count of building from the originally approved 22 units to 16 units. The
applicant is also proposing to remove one single-family home from the bulb of Clara Court, which
is now being called Timber View Court, due to topography and trying to reduce some of the
construction that would be needed to build a home there.
Schaefer explained that for these types of rezonings staff uses four criteria to review applications
for the planned developments and then there's also an additional two criteria used for all
rezonings. The first is regarding density, the allowed density for the RS-8 zone is eight dwelling
units per net acre, and the proposed changes are falling under that with the total density of 3.9
dwelling units per acre being proposed with these updates. Originally, the development was
approved at 3.7 so this is just a minor increase from the previously approved plan. The applicant
is proposing a multifamily residential building, which isn't typically allowed in the RS-8 zone
without an OPD and while the original OPD approved something similar but because of the
additional multifamily building, it needs to be reviewed again. Based on the onsite parking
calculations Schaefer also wanted to point out that with this multifamily building today, the
parking is being calculated using the elder apartment calculation and those requirements so
these units will have to be maintained as elder apartments and be occupied by 55 or older
tenants. The surrounding land uses include single-family homes to the north and east, St
Andrews Church is to the southeast and multifamily condos are to the south. The property to the
west is being developed into townhomes, duplexes and multifamily units, and the multifamily
building that's being proposed is complimentary to those already approved multifamily dwellings
on the site and adjacent to the site. Regarding mass and scale, due to the potential impacts to
sensitive areas the layout of this development is more compact than a conventional development
in a single-family residential zone. The proposed multifamily use is on the west side of the
property, near more intense uses including the previously approved townhomes and condo style
multifamily buildings. The proposed development still allows for that transition from higher
intensity in the west corner to the east where there's the predominantly single-family homes. The
proposed building has a proposed addition of 10 feet of what's typical for the area and the private
open space is being provided on that rooftop of the building, which is why the height increase is
being requested. Overall, this development has ample open space and protected areas for those
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 4 of 15
sensitive features. Regarding traffic circulation this proposal makes no changes to the traffic
circulation that was originally approved other than the removal of the Camile Court right of way
so that the cul-de-sac that was originally planned to access those single-family homes will no
longer be needed as this development will be accessed directly from Gathering Place Lane
which will be accessible from Camp Cardinal Road and once Camp Cardinal Road is improved
to the north there will also be access from Deer Creek Road. Staff does recommend maintaining
the previously approved condition of the original rezoning that required the owners to contribute
50% of the cost to improving Camp Cardinal Road to Deer Creek Road. Then because they're
removing that right of way staff is also recommending adding a condition that the final plat
application be submitted and approved prior to any building permits for this property. Schaefer
shared the renderings provided from the applicant showing the proposed building with the rehab
and wellness center, she noted that the parking being proposed on the side will have some
screening from the roadway, but most of the parking is accessed from the rear and will be below
grade. She also pointed out that the wellness center and rehab facility is shorter than the
multifamily building which also helps with the transition to the single-family homes.
The second criteria is that the development will not overburden existing streets and utilities. With
the utilities staff sees no issues, there is the ongoing installation of utilities and grading
happening on the property. Regarding traffic, the approved plan in 2023 was expected to have
309 daily trips on Deer Creek Road and Gathering Place Lane, which is less than the 500 vehicle
trips that would cause them to become overburden. With the four additional units being proposed
overall for the site, staff didn't see any major effect nor that there be any more than the 309 daily
trips and therefore staff doesn't believe that these roads would be overburdened. Schaefer also
wanted to point out that they are still proposing angled parking between the two multifamily
buildings, so staff recommends maintaining the previously approved condition that the owner
maintain those spaces, including snow removal and things like that.
Third is how this rezoning affects surrounding properties, the nearest neighbors to the north of
the proposed multifamily building are separated by a woodlands preservation area and a stream
corridor. The property the west is also separated by woodlands preservation and the proposed
building is set back from the north and west property lines by much more than a conventional
development and meets the setback requirements from the south and east as well. Therefore,
the proposed development will not adversely affect the views, light, air, property value or
neighboring properties privacy any more than a conventional development would.
The fourth specific criteria is combination of land uses and building types. As previously
discussed there are modifications to the OPD being requested and height is one of the requests.
The applicant is requesting a max height of the multifamily building increased to 45 feet from 35
feet as was approved for the other multifamily and mixed -use buildings in 2023. The approval
criteria requires that the design of the development result in sufficient light and air circulation for
each building, adequate accessible open space for all residents of the development. According
to the applicant the additional height is proposed to accommodate the open space for the
residents with the half story increase on the rooftop. Schaefer stated it is also required that at
least 35% of the net area in the development be free of buildings, parking and vehicle
maneuvering areas, which is met and exceeding that with 70% of the proposed development left
as open space or being preserved for sensitive areas. The applicant is also requesting an
additional multifamily building, therefore a mix of uses as the proposed multifamily building adds
to the already approved mix of senior housing in the development and a mix of housing is always
encouraged with planned developments. According to the applicant and renderings the proposed
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 5 of 15
multifamily utilizes similar architectural elements, scale, massing and materials as a previously
approved for the single-family, multifamily and commercial buildings so the two waiver requests
appear to be in the public interest and meet all those approval criteria.
As with all rezoning it must be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. Schaefer stated the
changes proposed still align with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, the proposed density,
again of 3.9 units per acre aligns with the Future Land Use Map in the IC 2030 Plan, which
recommends a density between two and eight dwelling units per acre. The Comprehensive Plan
encourages housing diversity, connected neighborhoods, the preservation of sensitive features
and pedestrian oriented developments.
The other criteria for all rezonings is preservation of environmentally sensitive areas. Schaefer
noted the subject property contains regulated wetlands, stream corridors, slopes and woodlands,
and the applicant submitted a Sensitive Area Development Plan in 2023 with that original OPD
rezoning and with that approval conservation easements for those areas were established
through the final platting process to protect the environmentally sensitive areas on the site.
Because the proposed plan does not change any in a substantial way anything from the original
preliminary Sensitive Area Development Plan and the conservation easements will remain on the
plat as they are currently shown.
As far as correspondence, staff did not receive any written correspondence from the public and a
Good Neighbor meeting was held on November 6 by the applicant.
Staff recommends approval of REZ24-0008, a proposal to rezone approximately 31.2 acres of
land located east of Camp Cardinal Road and north of Gathering Place Lane from Medium
Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay Development (OPD/RS-8) to Medium
Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay Development (OPD/RS-8) subject to
the following conditions:
1. Prior to issuance of a building permit, Owner shall contribute 50% of the cost of
upgrading Camp Cardinal Road to City standards from Gathering Place Lane to the
future extension of Deer Creek Road in accordance with 15-3-2 of the Iowa City Code.
This contribution shall include 50% of the cost of construction of the traffic circle at the
intersection of Deer Creek Road and Camp Cardinal Road.
2. In the event Owner desires to construct on -street angled parking, at the time of final
platting, Owner shall execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney
obligating the Owner to maintain such spaces.
3. Prior to issuance of a building permit, a replat of the Western Home Gpd Subdivision
showing the removal of the Camille Court ROW and demonstrating consistency with the
Preliminary OPD and Sensitive Areas Development Plan must be approved.
As for next steps, with a recommendation for Council tonight Council would set a public hearing
on December 10 for consideration on January 7, with two additional readings after that.
Wade asked if there any restriction for the street facing on the residential facing that at a lower
height so it blends with the neighborhood, versus allowing it across the property. Schaefer
replied, no they don't hold them to the rendering elevations.
Wade noted there were some setbacks that were decreased in the initial approval, have those
rolled over into this or does this follow standard setbacks. Schaefer stated this plan would follow
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 6 of 15
standard setbacks, there's been no requests for those additional modifications
Hensch opened the public hearing
Mike Welch (Shoemaker & Haaland) and Steve Long (Salida Partners) came forward to answer
any questions from the Commission.
Hensch asked for the memory care facility is that only for memory care and no assisted living or
independent living in that facility. Welch replied it is anticipated to be a combination of assisted
living and memory care, but no independent living.
Hensch asked if the multifamily building is restricted to only 55 plus. Welch confirmed that was
correct. Hensch noted in lot two, on the storm water retention area, it is noted "wet" so is that
anticipated to have a water in it year-round. Long replied it would have water in it year round and
probably a fountain or aerator.
Miller asked regarding the 35-to-45-foot increase staff said that was to provide open space, what
exactly would that use be. Long replied it would be a rooftop patio space with some height for a
pergola, or some kind of coverage for part of it. Also, they are not at a level grade around the
whole building so the height will variate.
Wade noted his only concern is that is a fairly large building and if it is 45 feet for the full length of
the building it becomes pretty substantial compared to the neighboring residential. How does
this building fit into the topography at that location. Long replied it's definitely on the highest part
of the property. With grading the street, they did cut that area down six to seven feet so it is six or
seven feet lower than it was before they started. He also noted the timbered area around the
buildings is mature timber.
Craig asked if it is possible to add an additional restriction about the setback required for the
smaller building in front of the big rehab building. Russett replied if the Commission wants to add
a condition that somehow ties the building to the renderings they would just need to know what
public need the rezoning is creating and how it's addressed through that condition.
Miller noted the exception for the parking not being behind the building because of topography
makes sense, and also for the community members to use the shared amenities, the rendering
showed some side walls with screening but those aren't showing up on the civil plans or
landscape plans, is it a requirement to have any type of screening for that parking lot. Schaefer
explained the rezoning is actually not able to approve that parking on the side he is speaking
about, the requirement that requires parking in the rear of a multifamily development, so the
applicant is going to have to apply for a minor modification separate from this rezoning to allow
that parking on the side there. They do have enough parking underground to meet the
requirements, but the side parking will have a separate hearing for that.
Craig asked what the distance from the road to the end of the shorter building is. Long is not
sure but believes they are at the 20-foot building setback on the shorter building.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 7 of 15
Craig moves to recommend approval of REZ24-0008, a proposal to rezone approximately
31.2 acres of land located east of Camp Cardinal Road and north of Gathering Place Lane
from Medium Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay Development
(OPD/RS-8) to Medium Density Single -Family Residential with a Planned Overlay
Development (OPD/RS-8) subject to the following conditions:
Prior to issuance of a building permit, Owner shall contribute 50% of the cost of
upgrading Camp Cardinal Road to City standards from Gathering Place Lane to the
future extension of Deer Creek Road in accordance with 15-3-2 of the Iowa City
Code. This contribution shall include 50% of the cost of construction of the traffic
circle at the intersection of Deer Creek Road and Camp Cardinal Road.
2. In the event Owner desires to construct on -street angled parking, at the time of
final platting, Owner shall execute an agreement in a form approved by the City
Attorney obligating the Owner to maintain such spaces.
3. Prior to issuance of a building permit, a replat of the Western Home Gpd
Subdivision showing the removal of the Camille Court ROW and demonstrating
consistency with the Preliminary OPD and Sensitive Areas Development Plan must
be approved.
4. The new building, rehab facility, within 90 feet of the road can only have a height of
35 feet in order to maintain transition from single-family housing to this building.
Wade seconded the motion.
Craig noted they've been over this before and she thinks it's a great development. For whatever
reason they decided on this change, it just strengthens the development and overall she has no
problems with it, but does see the problem with bringing that building so close to the road at 45
feet if allowed so that is the reason for the added condition.
Wade stated he tends to get into the weeds of a project however, initially they had multifamily or
bigger structures closer and isolated to one area and now they're starting to bleed that into the
residential area so it does transition in and it doesn't seem to be negatively impactful based on
what's presented today.
Miller stated he doesn't have a problem with the additional requirement to have the building have
the required stepdown that they're showing in the renderings. He was going to play devil's
advocate and say the other building is right next door to a single-family house and it's 45 feet as
well but sees their plans are to step it down in the front. He thinks it's a sensitive move and it's in
line with the zoning exception to be contextual so he thinks it's a reasonable unless the applicant
strongly objects to that.
Hensch supports this application. He is a big fan of step backs but would probably prefer that
they not do that, but he doesn't want this to fail, so he would vote for it. He is still lamenting the
failure of building Grand Living at Bridgewater which ended up in Coralville, that beautiful facility
could have been in Iowa City, in this location, and that was a huge loss for the city of Iowa City
for employment and taxes, and as an example of something done extremely well of similar ilk
would be Featherstone at Hickory Hill, it turned out beautifully. This is a use that's needed in
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 8 of 15
Iowa City, anything with an opportunity to provide memory care, assisted living, and housing
options for 55 plus in the Iowa City he is absolutely 100% favor of.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0.
CASE NO. REZ24-0009
Location: 500 ACT Drive
An application for a rezoning of approximately 48.6 acres of land located near 500 ACT Drive
from Office Research Park (ORP) zone and Interim Development Research Park (ID RP) zone to
Mixed Use (MU) zone.
Russett began the staff report by sharing a map of the subject property. The property is
accessed from the south, from ACT Place and from the west, from North Dubuque Road. Most of
the land around the property is undeveloped. The current zoning is both Interim Development
Research Park (ID -RP) and a small portion is also Office Research Park (ORP) at the southern
end. She noted there's some public zoning to the west and also some multifamily zoning to the
west.
In terms of in terms of background, this property was annexed in the late 1960s or early 1970s, it
contains four parcels which have never been platted. They contain two buildings and some
surface parking, the buildings are mostly vacant except a small portion. The northern building is
currently being used by ACT for office space, but the rest of the buildings are vacant. Russett
noted the property also contains private streets. Currently, no specific development is being
proposed, however the developer has expressed some interest in adaptively reusing the existing
office buildings into senior housing, while leaving a portion of the building for ACT office space.
Russett shared some pictures of the property noting again the current zoning is a mix of Office
Research Park and Interim Development Research Park. Office Research Park allows uses such
as office uses, hotels and light manufacturing. The ID -RP zone doesn't allow that much
development, it's intended for managed growth and over time would eventually get rezoned to
allow development. The proposed zoning is Mixed Use (MU) as there is an interest in converting
some of those office buildings to residential uses, while maintaining some of those office
buildings as office uses. The Mixed Use zone is appropriate for that as it allows a variety of
residential and non-residential uses. Some examples are assisted group living, detached single-
family duplex uses, office uses, retail eating establishments and multifamily uses. Based on the
acreage of the subject property, it would allow a maximum of 778 dwelling units.
In terms of the rezoning criteria, they look at consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and
compatibility with the existing neighborhood character. In terms of consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan, the Future Land Use Map of the IC 2030 Plan shows this area as
appropriate for Office Research Development Center uses, the proposed Mixed Use zone does
allow office uses. Russett stated even though the Future Land Use Map does not envision any
residential uses in this area, there are principles and goals and policies in the Plan that speak to
infill development and encouraging a diversity of housing type which would be allowed by the
Mixed Use zone. She explained some of the principles in the Plan in terms of infill development
talk about rehabilitating existing structures and adding to the diversity of housing options. In
terms of housing diversity, it encourages a mix of housing types within a neighborhood, which
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 9 of 15
increases the opportunity for people to live in the same neighborhood throughout multiple life
stages. In terms of mixes of housing types it talks about single-family homes, townhomes,
duplexes, apartment buildings, even apartments in mixed use buildings, all of which would be
allowed with the proposed Mixed Use zone. The Northeast District Plan also provides some
guidance for this area, specifically it provides some flexibility in terms of the land uses and vision
for this area. That Plan notes that the City currently has 275 acres of land zoned as Office
Research Park and the Plan notes that this amount of land devoted to office park uses may be
unrealistic and alternative uses should be considered such as residential which would be allowed
through the Mixed Use zone.
In terms of compatibility with neighborhood character Russett stated most of the surrounding
area is undeveloped except for the School District property where they have the Center for
Innovation, Oaknoll East and some multifamily buildings are located further east and south.
Russett noted some single-family further from the subject property and that the Mixed Use zone
is consistent with the surrounding development which does include both the mixture of residential
and non-residential uses.
Russett stated the property does contain sensitive areas. The applicant provided a document
that shows the existing regulated features on the property which was included in the agenda
packet. A Sensitive Areas Development Plan is not required at this time but when this project
comes back for the subdivision process they would be required to prepare a Sensitive Areas
Development Plan which would show all the regulated sensitive features and potential impacts
and construction limit lines.
In terms of transportation staff did require that the applicant submit a traffic study with their
rezoning application. The study was reviewed by the City Engineer and he was satisfied with the
results. The traffic study did show that some additional delays may occur if the subject property
were to develop at maximum capacity however, future improvements are anticipated to help
improve traffic flow within the site and the surrounding network. Additionally, future rezonings will
require updated traffic studies so at this point staff is not recommending any offsite
improvements, but with future studies they may depending on the results of those studies. As
previously mentioned, this area has never been platted and there are also multiple private
streets. ACT Place and ACT Drive are private as well as a portion of North Dubuque Road so
staff is recommending several conditions to ensure the creation of an interconnected block and
street network as this area develops. The proposed conditions are: (1) prior to issuance of
building permits for the construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings, the
subject property shall go through the subdivision process and obtain approval of a preliminary
and final plat. This would allow the developer to move forward with adaptively reusing those
existing buildings but would require them to plat if they were proposing any construction of new
buildings. (2) Prior to issuance of any building permit, the owner shall either improve the private
streets to City standards or escrow 110% of the cost of improving the private streets. Russett
explained this condition and the next is to ensure that these private streets meet City standards
because there's a proposal to change these buildings to residential uses and they want to make
sure that they can accommodate that development as the area develops. (3) Prior to issuance of
a certificate of occupancy the necessary improvements to the streets are made to comply with
City standards so that as those residents occupy the buildings, any improvements are done prior
to the to those buildings being occupied by residents. (4) At the time of platting the private
streets would become public right of way and maintained by the City.
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 10 of 15
Staff recommends approval of REZ24-0009. A proposal to rezone approximately 48.6 acres of
land located near 500 ACT Dr from Office Research Park (ORP) zone and Interim Development
Research Park (ID -RP) zone to Mixed Use (MU) zone subject to the following conditions:
1. Prior to issuance of building permits for the construction of new buildings or additions to
existing buildings, the subject property shall go through the subdivision process and
obtain approval of a preliminary and final plat.
2. Prior to issuance of any building permit, the owner shall improve the private streets to
City standards or escrow for 110% of the cost of improving the private streets to City
standards. The City would also accept a letter of credit. If the City Engineer finds that the
present condition of the private streets is found to sufficiently satisfy City standards, the
City Engineer may release this condition in writing.
3. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any residential use the improvements
shall be made to ensure that the private streets meet City standards prior to the
buildings being converted to residences. If the City Engineer finds that the present
condition of the private streets is found to sufficiently satisfy City standards, the City
Engineer may release this condition in writing.
4. At the time of preliminary and final platting, the following must be addressed:
a. Private streets shall be dedicated as public right-of-way.
Next steps, after the Commission makes a recommendation to City Council staff will ask City
Council to set a public hearing, and they will likely hold that public hearing on January 7.
Craig has a lot of questions about the streets, when staff says that the streets become public
after platting, when is platting going to take place. Russett replied the platting needs to occur
before they build any new buildings or build an addition. Craig asked what happens if there are
no additions to those buildings or no new buildings. Russett stated then once the streets become
platted they become public. Craig understands but at what point are they required and brought
up to public standards. Russett explained they are required to bring it up to public standards
before any buildings are occupied with residents. Therefore, if they choose to move forward with
adaptively reusing those buildings and converting them to residential uses they would need to
have City Engineer approval that the streets either meet City standards or they're going to have
to make some improvements so that they do meet City standards. Craig asked what if the City
Engineer doesn't like the circle there and wants it removed and just grids, streets and blocks.
Russett stated when the applicant applies for a preliminary plat they're going to have to
demonstrate that there is connectivity and that the streets are able to extend to the east and to
the north. How that looks is something that they will evaluate at the subdivision process to
ensure that there's an interconnected street network, whether it results in changing that circle or
not is unknown at this point.
Craig asked about a future connection to Dodge Street. Russett stated there are future plans to
put a traffic light on Dodge Street to connect the area outside of the proposed rezoning area,
when this gets rezoned they're going to have to extend ACT Circle or provide some sort of street
extension through that property. Russett thinks there used to be a connection to ACT from
Dodge Street. Craig agreed and then they built the circle thing in the back. She noted when she
was going to that school building she thought she could access if off Dodge Street but had to go
up to the interstate and turn around and come back because she couldn't get there off Dodge.
Russett stated at some point the City will put a traffic signal there and as the area develops it's
going to have to extend into the site and there will be an access to Dodge but not from the
subject property that's currently being rezoned. Craig stated that would encourage people on
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 11 of 15
Scott Boulevard who are going out to the interstate to cut through that neighborhood to get to
Dodge Street so they don't have to go through two lights. Russett stated they are not discussing
that connection tonight, tonight's rezoning won't require that connection.
Craig asked why the parcels are divided a certain way now, does an owner decides how to do
that. Russett noted that was a good question and the City would never allow anything like that to
occur now, but this area has never been platted so at some point in the past these parcels were
created through some other means.
Craig assumes sidewalks will be put in at some point when they have to do the streets. Russett
confirmed that was correct.
Craig noted it's a lot to consider thinking 778 dwellings potentially can be there, that's a lot.
Russett acknowledged that and said that's why they are recommending that before there's any
construction of new buildings, they have to demonstrate that there's a public street network, that
there's connections, that there's blocks and that lots that are created that can be built on. Without
that, the development would be more haphazard and they could build on these parcels that exist.
Craig noted with the streets come a huge amount of utility work because electricity and sewer
and all that to 778 dwellings is a lot. Russett stated that is a maximum and the traffic study was
based on that maximum, but it's probably more than would ever get built, but it's possible.
Wade asked about the current utilities on the site, is privately owned at this point. Russett
replied that they're connected to City utilities.
Hensch noted there's a lot of critical and sensitive slopes there and he has concerns. When
would they have an opportunity to consider those. Russett explained that happens when the
applicant submits a preliminary plat.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Nick Hatz (Shive Hattery) and Steve Long (Salida Partners) came forward to answer questions
from the Commission.
Hatz wanted to say a few things about the road system since there were concerns. He just
spoke with the City Engineer for an hour and 20 minutes today about the private streets and they
are in the process of beginning to tackle those second and third rezoning conditions. But based
on historic plan sets the road was constructed during two different phases, but both were built to
public street standards at that time and the discussion he had with the City Engineer today was
that there really isn't a concern with the construction of the streets, they're in good shape today.
From a layout perspective the circle is wide enough to be a city street and it has ample radii to
accommodate the traffic. They would need to add standard sidewalk paralleling both sides of the
street, but that again will be worked out through the future preliminary platting processes.
Regarding utilities, it has standard storm sewer and all that. He will work with the City Engineer
to determine the escrow amount for all the improvements that will need to be done prior to
residences occupying those buildings.
Craig had a question about the streets and the sewer system and the storm water management.
If a substantial amount of this property is developed into hardscape it increases runoff, are they
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 12 of 15
saying they think the current stormwater system is robust enough to handle that. Hatz
acknowledged they may need improvements and that'll be determined as preliminary platting
and site plans are put forward for the subdivision process and then individual lot developments.
He did stress there are currently existing detention basins on site and there are reasonable ways
to develop the property and perform stormwater management. Craig doesn't think ACT did
things cheap, it was quality work that got done there and it's just now not appropriate for what's
going on there so it's a good opportunity for something else.
Long noted he is very impressed with ACT, even though right now there's less than 100 people
working there they've maintained the building and area at no expense spared, it's all in beautiful
shape.
Miller noted this might be for a future meeting, but they mentioned the storm sewer, is that the
sanitary sewer, is it in the public right of way, and is it big enough for redeveloping the existing
buildings. Hatz stated they are in the process of performing sanitary flow studies in order to arm
the City Engineer with the information that they need to perform improvements. He noted there
are already planned improvement, such as lift station improvements to the Highland lift station,
which is to the north. The discussion is outside of the realm of this particular rezoning but the
overall property is split into multiple sewer shed basins and there will almost surely need to be
improvements but there are feasible ways to accommodate that.
Miller stated there's not a lot of improvements that they foresee to be able to bring the private
roads up to City standards to do the initial work of adaptively reuse of the existing buildings.
Hatz confirmed and stated based on the discussion today it's predominantly more on the lines of
pavement maintenance, retrofitting some cracks, there might be some full depth repair and
replacement, and then there might be some small removals of some existing sidewalks where
there are undesirable mid -block crossings of sidewalks for parking lots that are connected to the
broader campus that won't make sense with the adaptive reuse.
Craig asked if the streets has curbs. Hatz confirmed they do.
Hensch asked if the applicants have any idea how those auditors' parcels were established.
Hatz believes some of them are based off old section lines. Then as Scott Boulevard was
established it separated the two southern parcels.
Hensch closed the public hearing.
Miller recommends approval of REZ24-0009. A proposal to rezone approximately 48.6
acres of land located near 500 ACT Dr from Office Research Park (ORP) zone and Interim
Development Research Park (ID -RP) zone to Mixed Use (MU) zone subject to the following
conditions:
a. Prior to issuance of building permits for the construction of new buildings or
additions to existing buildings, the subject property shall go through the
subdivision process and obtain approval of a preliminary and final plat.
b. Prior to issuance of any building permit, the owner shall improve the private
streets to City standards or escrow for 110% of the cost of improving the private
streets to City standards. The City would also accept a letter of credit. If the City
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 13 of 15
Engineer finds that the present condition of the private streets is found to
sufficiently satisfy City standards, the City Engineer may release this condition in
writing.
c. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any residential use the
improvements shall be made to ensure that the private streets meet City standards
prior to the buildings being converted to residences. If the City Engineer finds that
the present condition of the private streets is found to sufficiently satisfy City
standards, the City Engineer may release this condition in writing.
d. At the time of preliminary and final platting, the following must be addressed:
1. Private streets shall be dedicated as public right-of-way.
Wade seconded the motion.
Miller stated it's great mixed use, they need more housing and seems like a great use for the
site.
Wade agreed noting the City needs growth and it will be exciting to see growth on that side of the
Scott Boulevard.
Craig agrees and is all about infill and it could be something really special
Miller is also glad they're reusing the existing buildings.
Hensch stated the City has around 275 acres that are currently zoned for research park and
that's a lot so he agrees wholeheartedly with getting rid of those and putting the land to use, he
supports this application.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0.
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 18, 2024:
Craig moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 18, 2024 with minor corrections
Miller seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0.
PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION:
Russett stated the City has executed a contract with Confluence, a planning consulting firm with
offices in Des Moines, to assist with the Comprehensive Plan update process. Also the
redemption center ordinance that the Commission saw several months ago was approved by
Council, the tobacco ordinance is still going through the process, the second reading was
approved last night. Council made some changes and the third reading should be December
10t". The kratom ordinance did not get approved.
Miller asked about the Comprehensive Plan update process and will the Commission be in any
way involved. Russett confirmed they would, not sure exactly how and when yet, but staff will
keep the Commission informed throughout the process.
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 20, 2024
Page 14 of 15
Hensch noted his most fervent wish is that they get all the district plans updated and meshing
with each other. Also for areas that don't have district plans to get them and maybe eliminate
some of the districts, particularly in Riverfront Crossings so there aren't all the sub districts.
Craig asked about the giant building that's on Riverside Drive and what is the timeline for
occupancy. Russett stated the senior building inspector said that the company wants their
certificate of occupancy for next fall, so maybe July or August of next year. Craig asked if it is all
residential. Russett confirmed it is all multifamily with amenity space. Miller inquired if it is
primarily aimed at student housing and Russett confirmed it is but anyone can lease an unit.
Wade asked about the zoning they approved on Orchard Lane, or Orchard Court, the area being
replatted, is that moving forward. Russett stated the rezoning was approved so at this point they
could move forward with a site plan and to go through design review, but staff has not received
anything. Wade noted it just seems like there's been quite a few projects that have gotten
approved through P&Z that still have to come to fruition. Hensch replied it always comes down
to money.
Hensch welcomed both Bigley and Schaefer to the Commission team
ADJOURNMENT:
Craig moved to adjourn, Miller seconded and the motion passed 4-0.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2023-2024
8/2
8/16
10/4
10/18
11/15
12/6
12/20
1/17
2/7
2/21
4/3
5/1
6/26
9/4
9/18
11/20
CRAIG, SUSAN
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
ELLIOTT, MAGGIE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
HENSCH, MIKE
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
MILLER, STEVE
-- --
I -- --
-- --
-- --
-- --
-- --
I -- --
-- --
-- --
I -- --
-- --
I -- --
-- --
X
X
X
PADRON, MARIA
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
-- --
-- --
-- --
-- --
QUELLHORST, SCOTT
-- --
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
O/E
TOWNSEND, BILLIE
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
WADE, CHAD
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
KEY:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
Item Number: 5.1.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
December 10, 2024
Senior Center Commission: October 17
Attachments: Senior Center Commission: October 17
Approved Minutes
October 17, 2024
MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION
October 17, 2024
Room 311, Iowa City Senior Center
Members Present: Nancy Ostrognai, Lee McKnight, Angie McConville, Betty
Rosse
Members Absent: Jay Gilchrist, Warren Paris, Ross Taylor
Staff Present: LaTasha DeLoach, Kristin Kromray
Others Present: None
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by McKnight at 4.00 PM.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 19 MEETING:
Motion: To accept the minutes from the September 19, 2024. Motion carried
on a 4/0 vote. Ostrognai/McConville
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
1► rem
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW:
DeLoach noted that Table to Table food distribution on Monday mornings are
very busy. The Black History Ball is scheduled for February and planning is
underway. The Pickleball Jamboree was a very successful event and raised
around $6,000 for Friends of ICSC. The chiller has been turned off in the building
for the season. There will be some HVAC work done over the next few months.
The Senior Center will be a location for the Iowa City Book Festival on Saturday.
McKnight asked about night and weekends and how they are going. DeLoach
noted that we have had an uptick in rentals and weekends seem to be busier
than weeknights. The Senior Center is a polling site on election day, but not an
early voting location. The Senior Center will be getting a new awning at
Washington St.
Approved Minutes
October 17, 2024
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
The interior design discussion will start in calendar 2026.
McConville noted that her Commission seat for the non -Iowa City at large seat
will be open at the end of the year. She noted that this position is appointed by
the Senior Center Commission.
McConville reminded all that the local government and local property taxes go to
be able to keep facilities like the Senior Center open and available to all in the
community.
Heather Shane, Development Specialist will come to an upcoming meeting to
talk about her work with Friends of ICSC.
Ostrognai noted that it would be nice to have a shade at the Washington St
bench.
Meeting Adjourned.
2
Approved Minutes
October 17, 2024
Senior Center Commission Attendance Record
11/16/23
12/21/23
1/18/24
2/15/2024
3/21/24
4/18/24
5/16/24
6/20/24
7/18/24
8/15/24
9/19/24
10/17/2024
Name
Term Expires
Betty
12/31/26
--
--
--
--
X
X
X
NM
NM
O/E
X
X
Rosse
Jay
12/31/25
NM
O/E
NM
X
X
X
X
NM
NM
X
X
O/E
Gilchrist
Tasha
12/31/24
NM
O
NM
O
O
O
--
--
--
--
--
--
Lard
Angela
12/31/24
NM
X
NM
X
X
X
O/E
NM
NM
X
X
X
McConville
Lee
12/31/24
NM
X
NM
X
X
O/E
X
NM
NM
X
X
X
McKnight
Susan
12/31/23
NM
X
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
Mellecker
Nancy
12/31/26
NM
X
NM
X
X
X
X
NM
NM
X
X
X
Ostrognai
Ross
12/31/24
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
O
X
O
Taylor
Warren
12/31/25
NM
X
NM
O
X
X
X
NM
NM
O
X
O
Paris
Key: X =Present O =Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM =No meeting -- = Not a member