HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-07 TranscriptionIowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[00:00:21]
It is January 7 6:00 PM. I'm going to call the Iowa City regular formal meeting in order. Court clerk
please.
[00:00:32]
Alter?
[00:00:32]
Here.
[00:00:33]
Bergus?
[00:00:331
Here.
[00:00:341
Harmsen?
[00:00:34]
Here.
[00:00:35]
Moe.
[00:00:35]
Here.
[00:00:361
Salih?
[00:00:36]
Here. Our first item is proclamation. And this is the human trafficking prevention and awareness. It will
be read by Counsel Harmsen.
[00:00:49]
Whereas human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial
sex acts or labor services against their will. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human
trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force fraud or coercion was used, there is no such thing as
"child prostitution", and whereas, despite increased advocacy and resources, there remains a stark gap
between the number of survivors receiving assistance and the successful prosecution of perpetrators
with fewer than 5% of reported trafficking cases in the Midwest resulting in criminal convictions in 2023.
Page 1
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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And whereas, despite increased awareness and efforts, human trafficking continues to be
underreported and often undetected, with the true extent likely underestimated due to its clandestine
nature and the reluctance of victims to come forward. Studies suggest that only about 1% of trafficking
victims are identified. And whereas, every business community, organization, faith community, family,
and individual can help protect the vulnerable by addressing the problem of internet sex trafficking and
exploitation, especially of Iowa's children. Childhood has shifted nationwide from a play base to a screen
based with teens reporting, spending an average of nine hours online daily. One in five youth, age 10-17
reporting contact with an online predator, though many cases go unreported. In 2023, platforms like
TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, flagged millions of pieces of child sexual abuse materials, referring
them to the National Center for missing and exploited children. And whereas, the city of Iowa City joins
chains interrupted in their dedication to provide community outreach and education, legislative
advocacy, training, promotion of services to survivors of human trafficking, and collaboration with law
enforcement. Now, therefore, I Shawn Harmsen, on behalf of Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do
hereby proclaim the month of January to be human trafficking, Prevention and Awareness Month in
Iowa City, and encourage all our residents to become more informed on this growing problem, to be
vigilant and report suspicious activity, and to work towards solutions to end trafficking in all its forms in
our community. And then I believe, uh if yes uh, Teresa Davidson, and is Zoe Lee here with you tonight?
From Teresa CEO and co founder of, uh Chains Interrupted.
[00:03:24]
Thank you.
[00:03:36]
Thank you so much. Again, I'm Teresa Davidson, CEO of Chains Interrupted. And it's difficult to imagine
that human trafficking exists in Iowa communities, but it does. Take the case of Lyla name changed for
privacy, a 16-year-old girl who got away from the trafficker that brought her to Iowa City from another
state. She was found hiding in a business in Cedar Rapids. Lyla didn't know who to trust and was too
scared to be forthcoming about her situation. Fortunately, this business had received training by Chains
Interrupted and recognized the signs of trafficking. From the training, they also knew how to talk with
the teen in a way that didn't scare her off or traumatize her further. They called Chains Interrupted to
talk them through the next steps, and we are happy to report that the girl is safe and back with the
family in the state that she came from. So thank you, Mayor Teague, Mayor Pro Tern, Salih, the city
council, law enforcement, educators, and community leaders of Iowa City for your commitment to
raising awareness and taking action to combat human trafficking in your community. If you, your
friends, family, workplace, church, school, or community group are interested in any of the 18
specialized training programs, please contact us at info@chainsinterrupted.com. Thank you so much.
[APPLAUSE]
[00:05:00]
Okay. Next item to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born in
January 15, 1929, devoted his life to justice and equality for people of all race and economic standings
through non violence means, which led to the establishment of many federal and local laws prohibiting
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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discrimination and fostering human rights. And whereas, Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement help
change public policy from segregation to integration, thereby leading to basing of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and of as anti discriminations lost, aim to ending economic, legal
and social segregation in America. And whereas Dr. King believed that service was the sole, the soles
highest purpose, and was pass of happiness and credence. One says, saying, life's most presenting and
urgent questions is, what are you doing for others, which led to communities across the country to
answer the question by coming together to honor Dr. King by helping their neighbors, and communities
through thousands of surveys, project is braided across all the 50 state. And whereas, even with the
gains of the Civil Rights Movement, over years, there are many goals and needs that must be pursued to
continue our commitment to achieve justice in our society, including a commitment to economic justice
in the face of the increasing disparity between rich and poor. And whereas, as we looking forward to the
future with optimistic, inspired by Dr. King's legacy and informed by his wisdom and vision. Let us
rededicate ourself to keeping his dream alive and be reminded that we are united together as one
community. Now, therefore, I am Mazahir Salih, the Mayor Pro Tem of Iowa City, on behalf of Bruce
Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, D Herber Brooklem, Monday January 20th, 2025, to be the Martin Luther
King Day in Iowa City, I encourage all to recommit themselves to achieving Dr. King's dream by attending
the annual Dr. King March programs, and Day of Services at Mercer Park Accreditor Center. And
Decemb- on Monday, December 20 with March starting at 9:30 AM. And here to accept that we have
two. We have Rogero Sala on behalf of the Human Rights Commission, And Roy Sam Barter Farmer,
former Johnson County Board of Supervisor, and the President of Black Voices Project. [APPLAUSE]
[00:08:54]
Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I'm here, Roger Lusala representing the Iowa City Human Rights
Commission. Er, thank you again for the proclamation and, uh recognizing the work of Dr. King. Dr. King
left us with many, many powerful words, and we always, uh strive to live toward that. And many of us
remember always the I have a dream, but Dr. King also left us with many other teaching. And today,
wanted to highlight four of the teaching of Dr. King. One of the other powerful one was the hope,
standing up for what's right, silence speaks louder and keeping the faith. When Dr. King was talking
about hope, they said, we must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope. And, uh Dr.
King also always talking about standing up for what's right. The time is always right to do what's right.
And silence, in the end, we would remember not the word of our enemy, but the silence of our friends.
And, uh when you're talking about faith, you say faith is taking the first step even when we don't see the
whole staircase. Uh, thinking about what's going on in our world today, and especially in our country
right here. And when our government and especially our state jamming down our throat and especially
local institution eliminating diversity and equity and inclusion through our colleges and university. And
this is the time that we appreciate the city council, even more for you guys standing up for what's right
and always promoting and putting forward more to really celebrate the diversity that we have in Iowa
City and always that's why we appreciate you guys for the work that you do. So thank you for what you
do. [APPLAUSE].
[00:11:24]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Good evening, Roy San Porter, like they said, former Johnson County Supervisor, President of Black
Voices. Today, I come before you with gratitude and reflection as we prepare to honor the life and
legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The theme for this year's observance is mission possible. Protecting
freedom, justice, and democracy in the spirit of non violence 365 is both timely and very necessary. Dr.
King dedicated his life to the fight for justice and equality, but he did so with an unwavering
commitment to peace and non violence. He showed us that it is possible to challenge the injustices of
the world, to confront hatred and oppression and to demand change all without losing our humanity or
resorting to violence. This theme is a call to action for all of us. It asks us to unite as a community to
protect the freedoms and democratic values we hold dear, and to ensure justice is not just a word, but a
reality. And I'm going to repeat that. Again, to ensure that justice is not just a word, but a reality for
everyone, regardless of their background. It reminds us that progress is only sustainable when it is
achieved with integrity and in the spirit of peace. As we reflect on this theme, let us commit to carrying
forward Dr. King's vision in our daily lives, not just on Martin Luther King Day, but every day. Whether
through efficacy, service, or simply how we treat one another, we each have a role to play in building a
world that is more just, equitable, and united. Let us remember that freedom and justice are not just
ideals. They are responsibilities we all share. And democracy is only as strong as the people who protect
it. Dr. King believed in the possibility of a better world, and so must we. Thank you. And I want to just
say that, uh we do invite each and everyone to come out on January 20 to Mercer Park. Like Mercer I
here said, we will start at 9:30 with the March marching over from the East Dale Plaza over to Mercer
Park. And then from Mercer Park, we will have a bell ringing ceremony along with the program. So we
ask that you come out, and this is for everyone. It is not just a day of off of service. It is a day of service.
Thank you. [APPLAUSE]
[00:14:03]
Okay. Item number 3, consent calendar. May I have a motion to approve consent calendar item 3-7.
[00:14:10]
So moved, Moe.
[00:14:12]
Moved.
[00:14:13]
Second Alter.
[00:14:14]
Third by Alter.
[00:14:16]
Discussion- public discussion. For the items 3-7. If no counts of discussion.
[00:14:27]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Pleased to see items six C, D, E and F all under budget. Thank you. Public Works.
(00:14:35]
Okay. Roll call, please.
[00:14:37]
Harmsen?
(00:14:38]
Yes.
[00:14:38]
Moe?
[00:14:39]
Yes.
[00:14:39]
Salih?
[00:14:40]
Yes.
[00:14:41]
Alter?
[00:14:41]
Yes.
[00:14:421
Bergus?
[00:14:421
Yes. Motion pass 5-5. Okay. Now is the time for Public comment. And please. This is only for the item
that not on the agenda and leave your item that your comment to be three minute, please. Is there is
anyone from the public would like to comment and any item that is not on the agenda? Okay. I see no
one. Okay. Item number 9. Do we close the public comment?
[00:15:231
Uh, no, that's fine. I'm sorry. Were you talking about the community comment?
[00:15:261
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Yes.
[00:15:27]
No. I think we're done.
[00:15:29]
That's what we're done.
[00:15:29]
Yeah.
[00:15:30]
Okay. Item 9 Planning and Zoning matter. 9A rezoning of ACT. An Odin conditionally rezoning apro gram
set 4806 acres property located on north of North Scott Boulevard and east of North Dodge Street, from
Office 3 Search Park Zoo, and interim Development Research Park Zone to Mix Zone and-.
[00:15:58]
And if I may, Councilor Alter is recusing herself due to illegal conflict on this.
[00:16:04]
Sure. I'm going to open the public hearing. And now we have our staff, Daniel from of the [inaudible
00:16:13] Development Services.
[00:16:14]
Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Daniel Sison neighborhood services- neighborhood development services.
As you introduced, this is a rezoning for, uh portion of the ACT property located, um as you said, east of
North Dodge Street. It's primarily the part highlighted here- is the part highlighted here, which is mostly
the- it's a circle, uh drive that's existing, the buildings that are inside that circle and some of the land to
the south of that. Um, for orientation, the parking lot, uh, that you see just to the south of the circle is
what's adjoining the building that was recently sold to the school district. Just to the southwest of that,
are the two white, uh, roofed buildings, which are the I'm sorry, Yeah, Oan properties as well. So the
applicant, in this case is Jim Bergman of Iceberg Development. They are proposing a rezoning of this
property to mixed use development from its current designation as, uh, Research Park- Office Research
Park, and Interim Development Research Park, which is what ACT operated under when they were the
primary occupants of this entire campus. The purpose of the rezoning is reuse of the existing office
campus. Those buildings shown inside the circle drive there as housing and potential future
development. No specific development is currently being proposed with this rezoning. However, the
developer has expressed interest in adaptively reusing some of the existing buildings into senior housing
while leaving a portion of the buildings for continued ACT office use in space. And this shows the existing
zoning today.
[00:17:521
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Um, uh, a little bit of background about this property. It was annexed into the city quite some time ago.
The records are a little bit less accessible because of that time frame, and we certainly have changed the
way we do zoning over the years. I was annexed in the'60s and '70s. This, uh, subject property contains
four property, uh, tax ID parcels, so they have never been platted, meaning they've never been part of a
subdivision before City Council. They contain buildings and surface parking lots and private drives. I
mean, uh, the bui- buildings are mostly vacant at this time, except for the space currently still being used
by ACT for office space. And the drives that you see are private streets. They were not built as public
streets and they're not within public right of ways. As I said, there's no specific development at this time,
but the overall intent is for reuse of the buildings for housing- for senior housing and continued use of
office space. So under the current zoning, about 5.5 acres are off is research park, the remaining 43
acres or interim development, uh, designation, that interim develo- de- designation is just a placeholder
that has been used over the years for land to potentially be future, uh, dev- developed. That's why it's a
little odd that there's a campus here, and that just highlights the fact that we've changed the way we
approach zoning over the years in the city. Uh, at this point, the- the pro- proposed rezoning would be
two mixed use MU district for all 48.5 acres of that land. Uh, mixed use development allows a variety of
both residential and non-residential uses, and the proposed concept for development would fit within
that zoning district designation. It would also allow office retail and eating establishments. So the future
development that might occur on some of the remaining vacant land and this could certainly develop
under those, um, use categories. When we look at a rezoning, we do review two general approval
criteria for a regular, um, rezoning- conventional rezoning. The applicant is not requesting any variation
of the zoning standards from mixed use zoning, and there are no impacts to sensitive features. So
because of those two things, there's no trigger in this re- zoning process to require a planned overlay
zoning, so an OPD. This is just MU without any of the overlays associated with other rezoning that
you've seen in the past. So looking at those two rezoning criteria, first, we look at consistency of the
comprehensive plan. We look at the future Land use map, which is the inset map here showing the
Office Research Development Center. Color applied to most of this campus, most of the land held by
ACT. That reflects the fact that in 2013, when this plan was, uh, last developed. We were looking at the
existing land use, which was a very stable use at the time. The plan itself, other than the map, does
contain principles for appropriate development, other than what's shown in that map. And those
principles express compatible infill, preference for housing, a variety of housing, and it does provide the
flexibility that we would see over time in a future land use map in a comprehensive plan. So
comprehensive plans are not zoning. They're just a direction for the future. So staff feels that this is an
appropriate, uh, plan change or appropriate zoning change, sorry, consistent with the comprehensive
plan. And the land is also located in the Northeast District plan district. That was developed prior to
2013, 1 believe it is 1999. Um, that plan itself did focus primarily on the fact that this was an ACT
campus, but it did leave the door open for the fact that other than this 48 acres, there's a large amount
of land in the area, uh, perhaps more than it would be needed even for, uh, office research park at the
time, and left the door open for other compatible uses, including residential. So because of those things,
staff feels that this is consistent with comprehensive plan. Also looking at compatibility with the
neighborhood character. The area surrounding the property is largely undeveloped. Um, like I said, it
pointed out, those other landmarks in the area, the Oaknoll East, senior residential, school district
offices, and MU zone would be consistent with those surrounding developments and those surrounding
Page 7
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uses. Um, the subject property does contain regulated sensitive features. Um sensitive areas
development plan is not required at the time of this conventional rezoning. Um, that means just in the
future, any development would need to avoid impacting sensitive areas and fully comply with our
sensitive areas ordinance, or else they would have to go through, um, rezoning and address those
impacts. So that would be addressed at the time of future, uh, redevelopment. So any future
development, we need to study that and take that into account. We have processes to ensure that
that's, uh, regulated when it does. Um, looking at transportation, again, looking at the existing street
network here, again, those are private. They were not developed with the oversight of the city
necessarily. We're not sure of their condition. Um, but we do want to ensure that as development does
occur in this area, that all of that road network is interconnected, um, rational, able to support traffic.
Um, so those are the things that would be addressed, uh, at the time of planting, and we've
incorporated conditions into this rezoning to ensure that that happens. The other thing that we've
looked at as part of this rezoning is the impact of additional development or additional traffic in the
neighborhood. Um, we did ask the applicant to provide a traffic study to the city, um, taking into
account the kinds of uses that could occur under, um, this rezoning and to study the traffic that those
potentially could generate and to anticipate what kinds of changes in the future would be required to
the street network to accommodate those. At this point, staff is not recommending any offsite
transportation improvements like additional lanes for turning or traffic signals, um, but we would
require them with future development to again restudy those with future traffic studies so that if they
do need to be implemented, they're accommodated as part of the development at the time that the
development happens. Um, as I said, staff is recommending several conditions to ensure the creation of
the interconnected block and street network, and to ensure that eventually the s- the road network
becomes a public road network. So this is the, um, recreated steps of the development for this property
as we can kind of research that, starting with the annexation and showing you highlighted and blew the
stuff we're at tonight, which would be the rezoning. Eventually, there will need to be plats and final plats
filed, as well as any site plans and building permits for new construction. So the applicant did hold a
good neighbor meeting in October. And based on a review, the relevant general criteria, staff
recommended approval of the proposed rezoning with four conditions. At its meeting in November, the
Planning and Zoning Commission by a vote of 4:0, concurred with staff's opinion and recommended
approval of the staff recommended conditions. Um, those conditions are largely related to the timing
for improvements, um, tying them to new building construction, but the understanding that the
applicant wants to reuse existing buildings and accommodating that as much as possible, while still
ensuring that we have the ability to ensure that the public good is satisfied, um, for street network and
some of those other things. Uh, and that includes platting, like I said, for the private street network
eventually. Um, the conditional zoning greement- agreement has been signed tonight, so we have that
on file. I'm happy to answer questions. We do, of course, have the development team here.
[00:25:32]
Any question? You go Daniel.
[00:25:34]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Yeah, I'm Curious Daniel, um, the mixed use versus OPD plan overlay, uh, decision making sort of point.
I'd love to hear your thinking on when- how you make that decision, of course, with the applicant and
why this is recommended for MU over OPD.
[00:25:47]
So we can't force anyone to do an OPD. Um, conventional zoning districts exist, and that's what the
intention is that the most of the time that would be a- the- a choice that could be made. Uh, we do
check to make sure that, an applicant isn't painting themselves into a corner where they have to do a
rezoning anyway. So sensitive features are usually the thing that we start by making sure everyone's
aware that if they exist, how much development potential you have before you start impacting those,
and if you, you know, makes sense to just go ahead and study it now and plan for it to do that. Um,
those thresholds are there for a reason, but they usually give you some wiggle room. So an MU district is
appropriate at this time for the level of development that they're currently contemplating with just
simply reusing existing buildings. So while an OPD is nice, because you can kind of get to see the whole
big master plan picture, not every development has that ready to go in their pocket. They want to just
get started where they can get started.
[00:26:45]
Understood. I guess the follow up question then, too, would be, uh, with the roads that would
potentially- at the moment of platting, would probably that negotiation would happen and when they
become public roads. Am I correct that that's when that negotiation would happen?
[00:27:01]
Yeah, I don't know if I have all the triggers straight in my head as far as conditions of when things are
required, but our intention, the way we structured these is that the- before there's someone living in
those buildings, who is either potentially going to be disrupted by a road that fails or a road that needs
to be replaced while they're living there, we want to get that addressed. So it may very well be that the
roads are to city standards. We just don't know that at this point, because we weren't involved like we
would be in a public street development where we release them and accept them as public
infrastructure. So the triggers are there in place to ensure that that's studied, documented, and
addressed if it needs to be before there are new residents, sir.
[00:27:39]
Okay. Thanks.
[00:27:39]
Good. Any- another question? Okay. Now we open it to the public- public discussion. Over the
developer. Yeah.
[00:27:51]
Hello. Steve Long, side to partners and representing the development group as well. Um, just- I wanted -
this is a big, exciting project for Iowa City. Uh, having watched the campus go from 1,000 employees to
Page 9
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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what it is now, we have an opportunity here to bring something unique that fits the comprehensive plan
and the goals of Iowa City. And so I'm excited to be a part of this, and- and I just want to introduce the
rest of the development team because this is 48 acres of 400. You're going to be seeing a lot of us as we
work with this community and the city staff over the next year or so. Uh, but we do- we're excited to
start the reuse immediately, and we do have someone here, Kurt Addi, who's the CFO intermediary,
which is a spin off of ACT.
[00:28:41]
It's the [inaudible 00:28:41].
[00:28:42]
Yeah.
[00:28:43]
[inaudible 00:28:43]
[00:28:46]
So if you have any direct questions about what their thoughts are, Kurt is here. We also have Mike
Welch. So many of you probably know with Shoemaker Holland, civil engineer, and we have a bunch of
St Hattery folks here as well. Mark C Bold, architect Nick Hatz, civil engineer, and Travis Wright, as well.
Um, so we look forward, and we're going to work with city staff as a conferencive plan evolves for the
Eastern 300 plus acres. And then, um, the next you'll probably see us will be for the commercial area
along Dodge Street or Highway 1. So I just wanted to make that intro. Any questions? Let us know.
[00:29:29]
Any other public discussion? Okay. Before I close the public hearing, I would like to know if you're
inclined to vote as planning and zoning. Okay. Close of public hearing. Now I would like first
consideration. Please motion to have a first consideration, please.
[00:29:50]
So moved.
[00:29:511
Second.
[00:29:52]
Harmsen.
[00:29:53]
Okay. Moved by Goers, Moe and second by Harmsen. Okay. Council discussion.
[00:29:59]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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I'll be supporting this because it's what we need, I think.
[00:30:03]
It's really great. Yeah.
[00:30:04]
Very happy to see a second life for that beautiful space in Iowa City.
[00:30:09]
Yeah.
[00:30:11]
1 was just going to say I appreciated staff walking us through how residential was acceptable, and we
know it is so needed. So I appreciate all of that.
[00:30:20]
And mixed use fits our-
[00:30:23]
Yeah.
[00:30:23]
-our vision for the same.
[00:30:24]
Yeah. And I live by that area, so I just like to see same thing there.
[00:30:30]
Make it beautiful.
[00:30:32]
Great. Any- another thing. Okay. Roll call, please.
[00:30:351
More.
[00:30:36]
Yes.
[00:30:361
Salih.
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[00:30:37]
Yes.
[00:30:37]
Alter. Oop. Uh, Bergus.
[00:30:39]
Yes.
[00:30:39]
Harmsen.
[00:30:40]
Yes.
[00:30:41]
Motion bar is 5-5.
[00:30:44]
Four to zero.
[00:30:44]
Four to zero.
[00:30:47]
I'm sorry. That's fine.
[00:30:48]
Four to five.
[00:30:49]
Four to zero
[00:30:50]
Four to zero, sorry.
[00:30:51]
Yeah. Sorry.
[00:30:54]
Okay. Okay. Item 9B, rezoning cardinal heights. Accordance conditionally rezoning approximately 27.68
acre of property located east of Com Cardinal Boulevard, and west of Com Cardinal Road, from low
Page 12
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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density multifamily resident zone, with a bland development overlay, to a low density multifamily
residential zone with a bland development overlay. And now I'm going to open the public hearing. And
we have our stuff again. Now you have it.
[00:31:36]
Thank you again. If it sounds like you just repeated that, you did. The zoning district is changing from
what exactly it was entitled to the same thing. But it's a little bit of a quirk of our code where we need to
go through this process in order to change some of the terms of what that OPD involves. So the subject
property is highlighted here in white. This is part of Cardinal Heights subdivision. And this spec- specific
change is to allow waivers to the minimum front setback and maximum allowable building height for the
multifamily building located on Lot 11 within this dotted area here. Um, it's highlighted here in red. And
this property was originally rezoned to the zoning designation in 2022. And after that rezoning, actually
did go through the steps of, uh, platting, so it has a final plat in place as well. Um, the approved rezoning
at that time allows for things shown here on the screen, that has a 23 lot, so a variety of duplex town
home, and multifamily. Uh, the street network as it's shown here, and a density- a dwelling unit density
of 3.1, uh, dwelling units per acre. Um, as I said, the request tonight is just to change a small part of that.
Um, but because of the type of change that they're requesting, it does have to go through this process.
Um, so what they're requesting for this, uh, outlined in red area, is a setback reduction, so a five-foot
reduction in the minimum front yard requirement, uh, setback, so reducing if from a 20-foot setback to
a 15-foot setback, a seven -foot increase to the maximum building height, so allowing the building to- to -
to be 42 feet in height instead of 35, and it's only just for this one building.
[00:33:19]
Um, because this is an OPD, there are additional, uh, zoning approval or zoning criteria that we review in
order to improve it- approve it. Uh, due to the impacts to the sensitive areas proposed, this was an OPD
originally, uh, to accommodate the impacts to the sensitive areas. Uh, there were no additional waivers
at the time of the first rezoning, so there were no changes to setbacks or heights, so that would be new
as part of this application. Uh, this proposed rezoning does not change the mix of uses or any impacts to
sensitive areas, but does contain, like I said, those two waivers to setbacks and height. And all of the
previous analysis for the first rezoning remains the same except for the need for an additional review of
the highlighted criteria here on this- on this slide. Um, so that is, like I said, an- a reduction in front
setback, um, basically to accommodate the building on the site. When they got down to the level of
detail of an- analyzing how this building would layout exactly on the site, um, there's some challenges
due to terrain and the sensitive features. Also, they needed to meet our fire department fire codes, um,
and there were sev- several options to address fire codes. Some of them involved more paving, some of
them, uh, involved reducing the setback. So, um, in this case, the best solution, we, staff feels, is what
the applicant is proposing, which is a reduction to the front setback. Um, many other residential uses in
the city have a similar front setback, so a 15-foot setback is not that, uh, extensive a reduction. Um, the
building height increase to 42 feet is also, uh, to accommodate, uh, this particular building and its
design. Um, it would be- only appear to be 35 feet. However, from the front or the south side along the -
the public street, the rear facade will appear greater than 35, but where it's exposed, it actually is
buffered from everything around it by quite a bit of area, and which is a wooded area as well. So it's not
Page 13
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like it's, uh, immediately adjacent to another building and would be much larger, um, than would be
expected. Staff does find this request acceptable, um, and we feel like all of the public good that needs
to still be accommodated can be accommodated with these changes. Um, this is an exhibit that shows,
at the top, the elevation of this building that was shown at the first rezoning, and the elevation of the
building that's being shown again. Um, it's really not going to change the overall, uh, appearance of this
building quite a bit. Obviously, they've continued to refine their material choices and the design of the
building, which is normally acceptable. We don't highly regulate the building design at this- at this point
in the rezoning. This is just for a concept to realize that these changes really aren't all that much of an
impact. Um, sensitive areas review. Um, this specific property does contain regulated wetlands,
woodlands, and slopes. As part of that final plat, all of those areas have been put into conservation
easements, protected legally, so they're not being impacted. This building would stay out of those
easements. Um, these waivers help to do that. So the proposed rezoning does not change those
easements or the protections already in place. And this slide again shows where we are at a redoing a- a
rezoning here this evening to incorporate those additional waivers. Based on the review of the relevant
general and specific criteria, staff recommended approval of the proposed rezoning with one condition,
that condition was the same condition as, uh, incorporated in the original rezoning. At its December 4th
meeting by a vote of 7-0, the Planning and Zoning Commission concurred with staff's opinion and
recommended approval of the staff repo- recommended conditions, and we also have assigned CCA
tonight. Happy to answer questions.
[00:37:02]
Any question?
[00:37:03]
Um, I don't think the idea of not wasting space is great, and so reducing the front setback makes sense.
I- I want to make sure I do fully understand though the- the topography. This side means that the
parking is on the back side and not visible. There's not a parking structure visible from the front that's 15
feet from the road.
[00:37:211
Right.
(00:37:22]
Am I understanding everything correctly?
[00:37:24]
Is in the rear or under the building, yeah.
[00:37:26]
Yeah, very good.
[00:37:26]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Correct.
[00:37:29]
You mentioned that, um, [NOISE] excuse me- that there were other examples in the Iowa City area of -
um, that reduced setback. Can- I'm sorry to put you to the spot. Is there- do you have-
[00:37:40]
Sure. It probably-
[00:37:41]
- an example?
[00:37:41]
- feels different in different neighborhoods because 15 feet, um, on- on-
[00:37:44]
Can look very-
[00:37:45]
Right. It's- it's a very- that would be a very traditional, uh, north side neighborhood setback, and the
streets there you probably wouldn't even notice, but, uh, we also have incorporated in our foreign -
based code districts to reduce setbacks by that much. Really, what's the constraint in a front yard is
making sure there's room for the utility easement to still be there. Um, the setback isn't as important,
uh, really to the city. We still have plenty of room for, you know, sidewalks and all those things that
need to be up front as well.
[00:38:10]
Okay. Thank you.
[00:38:121
Any other question? Now we're going to open up to the public discussion. Anyone from the public
would like to address this matter?
[00:38:35]
Good evening. Gina Landau from Navigate Homes. I'm vice president in charge of land development.
Um, I wasn't involved in this when the- the- this Lot 11 was originally approved in 2022. I've- I've only
been with Navigate for a little over a year or so, um, but so once we finally delved into actually designing
a building and trying to place it on site is when this all started to- we started to realize that's not going to
work, what we had before so- um, the 15-foot reduction, the setback is purely driven by the fire
department and requesting so they have enough room to get their ladder trucks up. So it's more for a -
it's a safety measure. It's not something that we really requested, it's from the fire department. And
then the, uh, building height was pretty well described by Daniel. It'll still look like the normal 35 that
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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you're used to, but the back appears to be four stories because of the parking. So that's really what
those two items are so- I do have my engineer here, Brian from Holland Hall if you have any more
technical items then I can address.
[00:39:44]
Sure.
[00:39:45]
All right. Thank you.
[00:39:45]
Thank you. Anyone from the public? I see none. Uh, before we close the public hearing, I would like to
see if you are going to vote in incline with the Planning and Zoning. Okay. Close the public hearing. And
now I would like to have a- may I have a motion to give first consideration, please?
[00:40:08]
So moved. Moe.
[00:40:10]
Moved by Moe.
[00:40:11]
Second. Alter.
[00:40:12]
Second by Alter. Council discussion?
[00:40:18]
1 appreciated getting the specific- the- the- the add on to say that these were the- the reasons for those
requests. So thank you.
[00:40:24]
Yes. Thank you- thank you for that, yeah. Any discussion?
[00:40:31]
No.
[00:40:31]
Okay. Roll call, please.
[00:40:33]
Salih?
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[00:40:34]
Yes.
[00:40:35]
Alter?
[00:40:35]
Yes.
[00:40:35]
Bergus?
[00:40:36]
Yes.
[00:40:36]
Harmsen?
(00:40:37]
Yes.
[00:40:38]
Moe.
[00:40:38]
Yes.
[00:40:38]
Motion passes 5-0. Okay. Item Number 9c, rezoning Western Home. An ordinance conditionally rezoning
approximately 31.65 acres of property located east of Card- Camp Cardinal Road and North Gathering
Place Lane for medium density single family residential with a planned overlay development, to medium
density, single family residential with a planned overlay development. And now also, we are going to
open the public hearing. Our staff, Daniel again.
[00:41:17]
Thank you. Again, a repeat of a lot of those, uh, zoning districts again. This is just an OPD rezoning that
needs to have some slight changes made to it, but there are changes that the city council has to
consider. Some changes we can do administratively and there are actually some in this application that
we would approve administratively and are, uh, but there are several that do still require city council,
uh, consideration of. So the propo- the purpose of this rezoning is to amend this approved prelim OPD
plan for the area shown in the white dash here to allow for the conversion of a cul-de-sac within this
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called the Camille Court, uh, from five single family homes to one single building- elder apartment
building with 16 units in it instead, and a rehabilitation and wellness area for residents, uh, to use. Um,
this entire development is part of a senior, uh, living community, and that wellness cen- cen- center
would serve the- the community. Um, this shows the zoning exhibit. So the current zoning is 31 acres of
the zoning district. As I said, uh, there's a unit count, uh, associated with the OPD plan, uh, that was
approved. Um, the unit count would change slightly with this proposed rezoning, like I said, substituting
those five single ha- family homes for one, 16 unit multifamily building. There's also, if you do the tally,
some of the numbers don't add up in this because the administrative changes are part of, um, what
they're proposing as well, but those can be accommodated administratively. Um, this is a substantive
change, as I said, and, um, we'll walk you through it. The approved preliminary plan from 2023 is what's
shown here on the screen. A second. There we go. The Camille Court is circled in red. That's the cul-de-
sac with the five single family homes on it in concept that's going to be altered with this OPD rezoning.
Um, this shows that change again, um, for the substitution of that building type. Um, the areas circled in
green here are those that can be administratively changed, and so that's what's resulting in the slightly
different unit count overall. No sensitive feature changes are happening here. All of this development,
um, is pretty minor, but as I said, requires this process. Um, this zoning is an OPD rezoning, so we see
the additional criteria in addition to the- this general criteria. None of the general criteria are really
changing, it's still in compliant with the comprehensive plan. It's still a mix of- of housing, diverse of
housing types, still meets all the density expectations, cons- it's compatible with the adjacent
neighborhood. Um, included in the analysis center, these additional criteria that come with an OPD. Um,
overall, the proposed plan complies with the plan unit densities. Um, it- uh, it's a proposed mix of
housing types that compliments existing homes nearby and future development plans. The overall
layout maintains an appropriate transition to surrounding neighborhoods, and it makes sure that the
open space requirements, um, are met. Um, for this particular building, there's sufficient, uh, open
space for it to be met on- on site, and- and we also do review it at site plan. Uh, traffic circulation. Uh,
no real impacts to traffic because of this. Um, we do have a condition from the original rezoning that's
being maintained and continued to be a condition here having to do with cost- cost sharing, cost
improvements. And then some cleanup, um, in the planning process needs to happen because they'll be
removing that cul-de-sac right of way, and so we need the plat to reflect accurately what's going to be,
uh, finally built. They did share renderings. So in this drawing, it's the building at the top left, farthest
away, that is the- the building site that's, um, being amended. We kind of get a little bit closer and you
can see the wellness center in front and the dwellings, uh- the- the building containing the dwellings to
the back. Um, the parking is screened by that screen wall, so there is some parking up front. That's a, uh,
option that they're pursuing through another administrative process, um, so we do ensure that there's
screening and those things. Where there's some flexibility administratively, there are still, um, ways to
ensure the de- the design of those areas is still accomplishing the intent of the code. So that's not really
part of this, um, application tonight, but the renderings do kind of highlight some of those additional
safeguards that they are, um, keeping in place for creating a- a nice street scape. The four additional
units being proposed really don't have a great deal of impact on utilities or streets or traffic or anything
like that. Um, there are some angled parking spaces as well, um, that are being approved, um, for those
multifamily buildings, and that is not really a new feature. Um, as far as, um, the impact on, um, privacy
and- and, um, views and property values through an OPD rezoning compared to a conventional
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rezoning, really, there's not any more impact, um, from this OPD than there could have been through a
normal rezoning, and in fact, we get a lot more mixture and compact development and protection of
sensitive areas by clustering development out of those areas. So overall, the OPD is, um, a- a- a value to
the public here. Um, building- land use, building types, and modifying requirements. They are requesting
a height increase for this building. The same is what they requested for, uh, all of the, um, multifamily
buildings in the rest of the development at the original, um, rezoning, so that's not really much of a
change, it's just applying it to this site as well. Um, the additional height is proposed to accommodate an
additional half story on the top of the buildings to be used as rooftop patio space for the residents, so
again, accommodating openness, light- um, and access to light and air for the residents of this building.
And then, um, adding too an additional- a building type, providing more units, obviously, switching them
from single family to, um, multifamily, uh, dwelling units for diversity of housing. Um, so really, the two -
the two waivers that are being requested are in the pubri- public interest and- and meet the approved,
um, criteria. So, uh, this property does have sensitive areas. Again, um, those are wetlands, streams, and
slopes, and woodlands, in this case, all protected as part of that final plat process that already happened
in conservation easements, no changes to those proposed. Uh, again, showing you where we are in the
rezoning of the rezoning. Um, and then needing to have a final plat process, uh, as well to, uh,
eventually clean up the road network. So a good neighbor meeting was held on November 6th, um, with
the previous rezoning, and based on a review of the relevant criteria and specific criteria, staff
recommended approval of the proposed rezoning with three conditions. One and two listed on this slide
are the same as in the previous rezoning. Number 3 is a new staff recommended zone condition to clean
up the planning to show the Camille Court no longer being there as a public street. And then the
Planning and Zoning Commission at their November 20th meeting did propose a fourth condition, and
that is that the height, um, increase that is being granted with this waiver in this rezoning only applies to
that building to the back of the slot, so restricting the first 90 feet of that lot to the normal height
requirements and only allowing the height waiver for the buildings further back. So there are four
conditions recommended with this application, and the zo- conditional zoning has- agreement has been
signed. S at it's November 20th meeting by a vote of 4-0, the Planning and Zoning Commission
concurred with staff's opinion, uh, added that additional zoning commission. Happy to answer
questions.
[00:49:05]
Okay. Any question to- for Daniel?
[00:49:07]
Just to be very clear, that fourth condition is included in the signed?
[00:49:11]
It is included in the signed CCA.
[00:49:13]
Thank you.
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[00:49:15]
Any other question? Okay. Public discussion. Anyone from the public would like to address this?
[00:49:25]
Hello. Mike Welch with Shoemaker & Haaland. Um, Steve Long [inaudible 00:49:28] is also here and part
of this development. Um, I think Daniel did a nice job of kind of going through the changes. Um, you saw
it a couple of years ago, and we've been continuing to work with Western Home on the project and kind
of refining it. Um, it is under construction, so roads are ready to be paved in spring, and, um, I'm happy
to answer any questions if you have them, but-
[00:49:50]
Any question? Thank you.
[00:49:54]
All right. Thank you.
[00:49:54]
Thank you. Yeah. And also, one more time, are you going to be inclined with the Planning and Zoning?
All right. Close the public hearing. And may I have a motion to give first consideration.
[00:50:08]
So moved. Moe.
[00:50:09]
Moved by Moe.
[00:50:11]
Second. Bergus.
[00:50:111
Second by Bergus. And council discussion.
[00:50:16]
While sometimes rezonings can be controversial, this seem great, and there is three of them, and I
would love to have three proposed housing developments at every single meeting, so I will be voting
yes.
[00:50:28]
Yes. Okay. Roll call, please.
[00:50:32]
Alter?
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[00:50:33]
Yes.
[00:50:33]
Bergus.
[00:50:34]
Yes.
[00:50:35]
Yes.
[00:50:35]
Moe.
[00:50:36]
Yes.
[00:50:36]
Salih.
[00:50:36]
Yes.
[00:50:37]
Motion passes 5-0. Okay. Regular formal Agenda Item 10a, prohibited conduct on public buses, and
ordained amending Title 6, entitled Public Health and Safety, Chapter 8 entitled Prohibit Conduct on
Public Buses, Section 1 entitled Definition to Remove for a Fa- Fair Language, and Section 2, entitled
Prohibit Act to Update Language and Add Additional Prohibited Act. And this is a second consider -
consideration, but the staff is requesting expedite action on this. May I have a motion to waive the
second consideration, please.
[00:51:27]
A move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at two
council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended that the second
consideration and vote be waived and that the ordinance be voted on for the final passage at this time.
[00:51:41]
Move by Moe.
[00:51:42]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Second.
[00:51:43]
Second by Burges. Public discussion. No one. Council discussion. Okay. Roll call, please.
[00:51:56]
Burges.
[00:51:57]
Yes.
[00:51:57]
Harmsen?
[00:51:58]
Yes.
[00:51:58]
Moe.
[00:51:59]
Yes.
[00:51:59]
Salih.
[00:52:00]
Yes.
(00:52:001
Alter.
[00:52:011
Yes.
[00:52:01]
Motion passes 5-0. And now I need- may I have a motion to pass and adopt?
[00:52:07]
So moved, Moe.
[00:52:09]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Move by Moe.
[00:52:10]
Second by Harmsen.
[00:52:11]
Second by Harmsen. Roll call, please.
[00:52:12]
Harmsen.
(00:52:13]
Yes.
[00:52:13]
Moe.
[00:52:14]
Yes.
[00:52:14]
Salih.
[00:52:14]
Yes.
[00:52:15]
Alter.
[00:52:15]
Yes.
(00:52:16]
Burges.
[00:52:16]
Yes.
[00:52:17]
Motion passes 5-0. Item 10b. Dimension for New Patios in Rental Housing. An ordinance amending Title
17 entitled Building and Housing, Chapter 5 in Title Housing Code, to qualify the dimensions of new
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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patio in Section 175118Q, and to qualify bargain is not allowed on patios. This is a second consideration,
but the staff is requesting an expedite action. May I have a motion to waive the second consideration.
[00:52:54]
A move that the rule requiring that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at two
council meetings prior to the meeting which was finally passed be suspended, that the second
consideration and vote be waived and that the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time.
[00:53:08]
Moved by Moe.
[00:53:09]
Second, Harmsen.
[00:53:11]
Second by Harmsen. Public discussion. I see no one. Council discussion. Roll call, please.
[00:53:21]
Moe.
[00:53:21]
Yes.
[00:53:22]
Salih.
[00:53:22]
Yes.
[00:53:231
Alter.
[00:53:23]
Yes.
[00:53:24]
Burges.
[00:53:24]
Yes.
[00:53:24]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Harmsen.
(00:53:25]
Yes.
[00:53:27]
Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to pass and adopt?
[00:53:32]
So moved, Harmsen.
[00:53:34]
Moved by Harmsen.
(00:53:35]
Second, Alter.
[00:53:36]
Second by Alter.
[00:53:37]
Roll call, please.
[00:53:38]
Salih.
[00:53:39]
Yes.
[00:53:40]
Alter.
[00:53:40]
Yes.
[00:53:41]
Burges.
[00:53:41]
Yes.
[00:53:42]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Harmsen.
[00:53:42]
Yes.
[00:53:43]
Moe.
[00:53:43]
Yes.
[00:53:44]
Motion passes 5-0.Oh, Item Number 11. Council committing an appointment.
[00:53:54]
Do we have the new patios?
[00:53:57]
We just did that.
[00:53:58]
Oh, sorry.
[00:53:59]
We did that.
[00:53:59]
Oh, my God.
[00:53:591
Yes. We just did that. Okay. Discussion. We would like to discuss this committee. And we have- we can
discuss all of them, and after that, we can just have one motion to all of them. So uh, item 11a,
Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee. And this is, like, comprehensive plan ser- service as
serve as high level vision. For land use policies, informing decisions that shape our building environment,
and this process involving steering committee to evaluate public feedback and help set plan for that. So
who would like?
[00:54:39]
Mayor Pro Tern, if it would be helpful, we can have Tracy Hightshoe come up and describe what the
steering committee.
[00:54:44]
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Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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It's a little bit more since it's- it's a new one for you.
(00:54:46]
Yes. That would be great. Thank you.
[00:54:49]
Tracy Hightshoe. Neighborhood development dervices. We're hoping that two members from council
serve on the Steering Plan Update Committee as Mercy have said, you know, our Comprehensive Plan is
that plan that has a high level vision of our land use policies that will impo- impact and inform our- our
built environment for years to come. Um, we have hired confluence of planning, um, consulting firm to
help us with the update. And we update the plan periodically to reflect, uh, current goals and aspirations
for our community. As a steering commit- committee member, your contributions would include
advising City staff and the consultant team, reviewing- reviewing plan drafts, helping finalize
recommendations, and serving as a community ambassador to promote awareness and encouraging
residents to participate in the process. We anticipate that the process will take about 1.5 years, and that
during that time, the steering committee meet- would meet about seven times during that time, their
evening meetings, and the first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22nd.
[00:55:48]
Okay. That's one.
[00:55:50]
Okay. Two of- two counts, right? Yeah.
[00:55:54]
Yeah. I don't have any questions. I just want to say I really want to do this.
[00:55:58]
You want to do it?
[00:55:59]
1 do. Very much so.
[00:56:01]
As- as- what's the- Tracy, can you explain the two is- two just feel like the right number to you?
[00:56:07]
Yeah. Um, you know, you can't have a quorum.
[00:56:10]
Right.
Page 27
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[00:56:10]
Um, we like two. Um, I don't know how confluence came up with the number 2, but that's what they
recommended.
[00:56:16]
Okay. It's okay. So the consultant recommended two. Okay.
[00:56:19]
Okay. Anyone else interesting?
[00:56:21]
1 don't know if it's a magic number, but that was all.
[00:56:23]
Okay. Yeah. We know that four is a ma- is a problem number. I'm interested, however, it's my son's 17th
birthday on the 22nd, so I'd have to miss the very first one, but I would be all in on the rest of them, but
I know that there's additional interest.
[00:56:36]
Anyone else?
[00:56:37]
1 mean, I'm okay with, uh, Councilor Moe and Alter, but I also would have interest if, uh- if, uh, we were
going up to three. But if we're not, then I would be happy too.
[00:56:48]
Go for it.
[00:56:49]
You sure?
[00:56:49]
Okay.
[00:56:50]
Do you want to ask for three? I mean.
[00:56:521
But you didn't jump up and down.
[00:56:54]
1 didn't jump.
Page 28
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[00:56:54]
Yeah. We wanted that. That was part of.
(00:56:57]
Me.
[00:56:59]
Thank you.
[00:57:00]
Okay.
[00:57:00]
Nice. Thank you all.
[00:57:01]
1 think the second one will be 11b, Economic Development Committee. We don't need to discuss that,
so you know about this. We need to replace Andrew Dunn who going- I'm interesting, but if somebody's
really want to do it, I will do it next up.
[00:57:19]
1 know this is jumping ahead a little, but since I've been on the rules committee before, I thought I would
just.
(00:57:25]
Go to the Rule committee.
[00:57:26]
Go to the Rules Committee and so just to kind of I know it's jumping ahead, but that's kind of my
thoughts.
[00:57:30]
Okay. And I'm just asking you-
[00:57:32)
I've- I've already served on economic development, and I think it would be.
[00:57:371
Sure. I would love to do that.
[00:57:39]
Page 29
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Whatever. You'd have your first meeting tomorrow morning at 8:30.
[00:57:45]
Unless it's your son's 17th birthday. Just use that one for the for anything.
[00:57:50]
1 hope If I have. Yeah. No problem. I don't have a problem, like what time?
[00:57:56]
Its 8:30. There is no, um, expectation for voting at the meeting. It's more of an informational update
from staff. Uh, we're trying to get into a quarterly cadence going forward on these. So, uh, if you do
have conflicts, uh, it's not a- it's not a problem. I think we're going to review building permits and staff
will give some general updates.
[00:58:17]
No just like Erma meeting in the role. Today at 7:30 and tomorrow. No problem. Yeah. I- I will do that. So
then 11c, graduate and professional students government organization. That used to be underdone too.
[00:58:35]
Yeah.
[00:58:35]
Does anyone know how often?
[00:58:37]
1 don't really know what that.
[00:58:39]
1 think it's really on an as needed basis. Uh, it probably has ebbed and flowed a little bit, uh, since it was
first initiated. Probably only three or four years ago. It's a relatively new appointment, uh, but I don't
think that there's standing meetings that I'm aware of that the council appointment, it's more of a
liaison type of position. And that's what I was going to emphasize. It's a liaison position, not like a
committee position where it'd be voting interest or anything like that.
[00:59:10]
Is there a staff member who knows who that person is, who's the liaising to?
[00:59:17]
Isn't it the shoe there?
[00:59:19]
1 would think we'd talk to our, um, UI reps under USG undergrad because this is the graduate.
Page 30
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 202S
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[00:59:28]
They would know. We would- we would figure that out for you, and we'd probably just want to make
that introduction and let them know that you're a resource for them.
[00:59:38]
Do we have to do this today?
[00:59:40]
That was going to be my question.
[00:59:41]
Yes. Can we just like leave this for next time?
[00:59:44]
That'd be fine?
[00:59:45]
Yes. Or for after the election?
[00:59:46]
Yeah.
[00:59:46]
Yes. After the election. That's what I wanted to ask to exactly.
[00:59:49]
We- we probably just want to have and we can do this at the end, but just a motion to defer to do you
want to- you said to after the election, so do you want to just do it indefinitely or should we pick a date
after the election and have a date?
[01:00:01]
Maybe the first meeting after the election.
[01:00:03]
Okay. We can do that.
[01:00:04]
Yeah.
[01:00:06]
Um, so do we need to make a motion for all Items 11?
Page 31
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[01:00:121
Yeah.
[01:00:12]
What would you like to do them independently?
[01:00:14]
I- I think Salih, what they was trying to do is just select everyone and after that, have one vote.
[01:00:20]
Okay.
[01:00:21]
For all of them. But now we are deferring this. How you want us to do that, Eric.
[01:00:26]
1 can make a motion to defer the 11c until the first meeting after the special election.
[01:00:33]
And I will second that motion?
[01:00:35]
Okay. All in favor.
[01:00:37]
Aye.
[01:00:38]
Yeah. Motion passes.
[01:00:40]
And then 5-0.
[01:00:41]
5-0. We have to say that's too. Okay 5-0.
[01:00:44]
Um, I would like to move that, um, Moe and Alter be appointed to the Comprehensive Plan Update
Steering Committee that, uh, Salih is appointed to the Economic Development Committee and, um, um,
Shawn Harmsen. Sorry, I couldn't think of your last name. Harmsen is appointed to the Rules
Committee.
Page 32
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[01:01:06]
Okay. May I have a second?
[01:01:07]
Second.
(01:01:081
There okay. A move and second. Move by Moe, second by Burges. All in favor, say Aye.
[01:01:15]
Aye.
[01:01:16]
Aye.
[01:01:16]
Aye.
[01:01:16]
Any oppose? Okay. Motion passes 5-0. Okay. That's it. Okay. Now we're going to go to Council
appointment, Item 12a Board of Adjustment. Board of Adjustment want vacants to fill five years, 10
January 1, 2025 to December 1, 2029. And we have some applicant.
[01:01:44]
1 would, uh, propose we select Julie Toman to the Board of Adjustment.
[01:01:51]
1 agree with that.
(01:01:52]
Yeah.
[01:01:53]
You guys have the hand out to read. Yeah.
[01:01:55]
Mm-hm.
[01:01:55]
Okay. Okay. May I have a motion?
Page 33
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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[01:01:59]
1 would move Moe moves to appoint Toman.
[01:02:02]
Second.
[01:02:04]
Second.
[01:02:05]
Okay. Move by Moe, second by Harmsen. And just all in favor, say Aye.
[01:02:10]
Aye.
[01:02:10]
Aye.
[01:02:11]
Any opposed? Okay. Motion passes 5-0. Item Number 13, Announcement of Vacant Previous, 13,
Announcement of Vacant Previous, Housing and Community Development Commission, want vacants to
fill an annex term upon appointment June 30th 2025 plus three years term, July 1st, 2025 to June 30th
2028. Applicant- application must be received by 5:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Airport Zoning
Board of Adjustment want vacants to fill a five year term, January 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2028.
Airport Zoning Commission want vacans to fill a six year term, January 1st, 2024 to December 31st,
2029, Board of Appeals, want vacants to fill an unexpired term upon appointment, December 31st,
2028. Historic Preservation Commission Jefferson Street want vacants to fill a three years term, July 1st,
2022, to June 3th, 2025. And History Preservation Commission Woodlawn Avenue want vacants to fill an
unexpired term plus a three years term upon appointment, June 30th, 2027, and vacants will remain
open until filled. Item Number 14, City Council Information and we went today. You want to talk about
what we did today in the morning? Yes.
[01:04:05]
You and I went in the morning- want to talk about in the morning?
[01:04:08]
The Immigrant Welcome Network.
[01:04:10]
No. No. The Comm- the Community Foundation.
[01:04:12]
Page 34
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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Sorry. Yeah, this morning, there was a Community Foundation and I think Iowa City hosted a- a- a
learning session with the- the Community Foundation and think Iowa City is, um.
[01:04:26]
Legislative.
[01:04:27]
Yeah, legislative liaison or- or lobbyist. Sorry, the word escaping me, the lobbyist learning just about
what this upcoming hook session might look like, how the session works, so, uh, what the goals of the
community foundation are, and what it does, and sort of how these public private partnerships, um,
benefit all of us, but how that, uh, shouldn't be taken for granted that we need to constantly advocate
for those existing and continuing to exist.
[01:04:52]
Yeah. It was a very interesting meeting here.
[01:04:54]
Yes.
[01:04:55]
Were there any highlights as far as what they are seeing as upcoming for this year?
[01:04:59]
You know, I think everyone keeps hearing property tax reform, property tax reform property tax reform,
but, uh, nobody really knows exactly what that means, and it seems like everybody's waiting for
somebody else to jump because property tax is so complicated. Yet, yeah they've made the promise
they're going to do something. So, um, I don't think we're anyone's real certain, um, about what that
really means for all of us. So, um, is there anything else that I'm- that was I mean- that was I think
everyone wanted to know what is property tax reform. Um, there are entertainment districts that are
being considered at the state level, um, that were sort of discussed at some level that seems like it could
be a good thing, basically Smids, um, for entertainment districts, but-
[01:05:44]
Yeah. And also like, each entity talked about what they do. Like for example, community foundations,
even though I know community foundation for a long time, and when I was in the center for all cases,
we received grant from them. But still, like today, like going over all their numbers and everything was
very informative. And also seeing Iowa. I know is in Iowa, but today when they go over what they do, it's
just like amazing. So we have really great people doing great thing. Anything else? Council? Okay. Item
15 report from our staff. City staff, City Mayer office.
[01:06:22]
Page 35
Iowa City City Council Formal meeting of January 7, 2025
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You can expect the budget, uh, to be released tomorrow, so that'll go out in a public information packet,
and as a reminder, we'll be meeting on Monday to go over that operating budget. So no need to pour
over all 400 some or 500 some pages. Uh, we'll go through it in great detail on Monday with you, but it
will be available, uh, starting tomorrow.
[01:06:45]
Great.
[01:06:47]
City Attorney.
[01:06:48]
Nothing for me. Thank you.
[01:06:49]
City Clerk.
[01:06:50]
No, thank you.
[01:06:52]
Okay. Item Number 16. We're going to give us motion to arm.
[01:06:57]
So moved. Burges.
[01:06:59]
Move by Burges, second by Alter and all in favor, say, aye. Any of those? Okay. We are jammed. Thank
you.
Page 36