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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-10 Transcription#2a Page 1 ITEM 2. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS a. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week: November 16-22 Lehman: Whereas homelessness is a result of a complex set of circumstances that push people into poverty and force impossible choices between food, shelter, and other basic needs; and whereas hunger and homelessness remain one of our nation's most pressing domestic issues; and whereas hunger and homelessness is an issue faced daily by hundreds of men, women, and children throughout our community; and whereas this community continues to work towards developing shelter resources and capacity to meet the needs of men, women, and children who are homeless in our community; and whereas we may never end homelessness but do recognize that our work touches the lives of hundreds of men, women, and children who are hungry and homeless in our community every day, offering them hope, opportunity, and dignity; now therefore I, Ernest W. Lehman Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim November 16 through November 22 to be Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Iowa City, and urge all citizens to join in recognizing the important roles we each can and do play in making a difference in the lives of men, women, and children who are hungry and homeless in our community. Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Dayna Ballantyne, Food Bank Director, Iowa City Crisis Center. (applause) Ballantyne: I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for helping raise awareness about hunger and homelessness in our community. Surrounded by prosperity, many are surprised to hear that over 3,000 families receive food assistance from the Crisis Center each year. As we drive past the growing number of apartment buildings and condos, it is startling to learn that as many as 100 individuals are denied shelter each night because there are no beds available at Shelter House. As the number of individuals and families seeking shelter and food assistance grows, organizations like the Crisis Center and Shelter House are struggling to meet the basic emergency needs of our community members. On behalf of the Johnson County local homeless coordinating board, I applaud your efforts to recognize the issues of hunger and homelessness in our community, and encourage you to honor the week of November 16 through November 22nd by taking time to learn more about the plight of many individuals in our community that are living in poverty. Educational opportunities include a tour of hunger and homeless services in Iowa City, which will be held on Wednesday, November 19th, at 11:00 am. The tour will start at the Crisis Center and continue on to the Salvation Army, Mecca Transitional Housing, Eastoak Plaza, Shelter House and Successful Living. The tour will end with a free chili lunch at the Successful Living at 1:00 pm. On Thursday, November 20th, at 7:00 pm an educational forum regarding This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #2a Page 2 hunger and homelessness will be held at the Iowa City Public Library in meeting room A. Lastly, on Friday, November 21st, at 12:00 pm Shelter House will present a hunger luncheon at the Unitarian Universalist Society as an effort to help increase awareness again about hunger. Tickets will be sold at the door, and proceeds from the luncheon will help fund homeless services at Shelter House. If you would like more information about any of the activities during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, please contact Clare at Shelter House, 338-5416. It is our hope that by raising awareness, community solutions for the growing problem of hunger and homelessness, may be realized. Thank you again for your time. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #2b Page 3 ITEM 2. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS b. National Hospice Month Lehman: Whereas November, 2003, marks the 25th anniversary of National Hospice Month; whereas last year approximately 885,000 terminally ill patients and their families received care from the 3,300 hospice programs in communities throughout the United States; and whereas hospice care provides patients and families with professional medical services, pain and symptom control, and emotional and spiritual support, most often delivered in the home, allowing patients to live in dignity, treated with respect, surrounded and supported by loved ones, familiar friends and committed caregivers; and whereas professional and compassionate hospice staff and trained workers, including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aides, and the clergy provide comprehensive care, making the wishes of each patient a priority; and whereas family members and loved ones receive counseling and bereavement care to help them cope with the many losses they face during the illness and with the grief they experience afterwards; and whereas providing high quality hospice care reaffirms our belief in the essential dignity of every person, regardless of age, health, or social status, and that every stage of human life deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care, now therefore I, Ernest W. Lehman, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby proclaim November, 2003, as National Hospice Month in Iowa City, and urge and encourage citizens to increase their awareness of the importance and availability of hospice services, and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs. Karr: Here to accept is Susan Murty, Iowa City Hospice volunteer. (applause) Murty: My name is Susan Murty. I'm a volunteer for Iowa City Hospice and a member of the Iowa City Hospice Speaker's Bureau, and this is a special year for us at Iowa City Hospice because we're celebrating our 20th anniversary. Iowa City Hospice serves people in Iowa City and Johnson County, but also in six other counties, and we provide services to patients and their families, regardless of their ability to pay. Iowa City Hospice appreciates the proclamation of November as National Hospice Month, and Hospice will continue our work of giving life to days, this month and for the coming 20 years. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #3 Page 4 ITEM 3. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS- Twain Elementary Lehman: This is the best part of the meeting. You'll have fun, but I promise you your moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas have a ball. This is my favorite. We do this, and I'm proud of the Council and the City for recognizing citizenship values throughout the community, and you should be very proud that you've been selected by your peers, fellow students, to receive this award. So what I would like each of you to do, if you would give your name and then read why you have been nominated. Opheim: Hi, my name is Britney Opheim. I am in 6th grade at Mark Twain Elementary. I am a good citizen because I help others. I help my teacher. She needs help, and other people in the building. I am a good citizen because I am a conflict manager and a safety patrol member. I follow directions. I help serve free lunch with some of my other classmates. I play on basketball, softball, and soccer teams. I like to play basketball and softball with people from other schools and not just from Mark Twain. This helps promote good sportsmanship between all the schools. Through Girl Scouts I have helped my troop with community service projects that have helped senior citizens, the animal shelter, and people with cancer. I earned the (can't hear) Family Award at my church. I participate in Jump Rope for Heart. I have earned many (can't hear) prides at Mark Twain over the last two years. I help at home and baby-sit in my neighborhood. Thank you for preseming me with this award. (applause) Pelechek: Good evening. My name is Michelle Pelechek. I'm in the 5th grade at Mark Twain Elementary. I was born at Mercy Hospital on October 23rd, 1992. My parents are Rick and Julie Pelechek, and I also have a younger brother, Sam, who is 7. I am very active in my school and in my community. My school activities include ambassador, conflict manager, student council, crossing guard captain. I've also competed in the Young Writer's workshop at City and West High Schools. Some of my neighborhood hobbies, my other hobbies and interests are Iowa City Girls Softball, 4-H, violin, gardening, cooking, and arts and crafts. In my neighborhood I help baby-sit for my neighbors and I also pet sit and pick up mail and newspaper when my neighbors are gone. My newest interest is photography. I enjoy taking photos of all the neat places in Iowa City, and finally I would like to thank my teacher Miss Kisner for nominating me for this award and thanks to all my parents and grandparents, to my parents and grandparents for being great role models. (applause) Lehman: Caught that grandparents, didn't ya? (laughter) Why don't you just step over here a second. You don't play football do you? You do? You know there's a game that West could probably use you at tonight. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #3 Page 5 Finnie: Good evening. My name is John Finnie, and I've been nominated for this award because I am a real helpful person. I enjoy playing football and basketball and other things like that. And I am a real academic person because I'm on the honor roll and an A student. So ......... (laughter and applause). Lehman: Sounds like he has it all together, doesn't he? We have certificates for each of you. I will read one of them: "For outstanding qualities of leadership within Twain Elementary, as well as the conmaunity, and for sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others, we recognize these as outstanding student citizens. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the Iowa City City Council." (applause) Don't forget the football. Thank you guys. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 6 ITEM 4. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Lehman: Before we get to the motion, item 4 e (7) is going to be deferred. Now, is there a motion to approve the Consent Calendar with that item being deferred? O'Donnell: So moved. Lehman: Moved by O'Dormell. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Second my Vanderhoef. Discussion? Champion: I'd like to remove e (1) and (2). Lehman: Okay. Finnie: I would like to shake all the Council Members hands. O'Donnell: You are on my team, fella! It would be an honor. Champion: Good job! Pfab: Don't forget the ones on the other side. Dilkes: Congratulations. Vanderhoef: And I expect you to be a City Councilor some day! Lehman: He'll be a football player first. (laughter) You know, I think he's going to be sitting up here before very long. Okay, other discussion? We've removed items, or, yeah, removed items e (1) and (2). Karmer: A couple things. In the minutes the complete, it lists declaring Founder's Day. I don't think we got around to doing that last time 'cause there was no representative. Lehman: Probably. Kanner: In the complete minutes from the formal session of 10/28. Karr: We had a proclamation for Founder's Day. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 7 Kanner: It said the Mayor declared Founder's Day. Karr: We did. Kanner: Okay, so ..... Karr: Whether they're here or not, the Mayor signs them. If they're here we present them personally. If not, they're just signed and sent later. Kanner: Maybe we should read them though in the future. Kan:: That would be up to the Mayor. Lehman: If no one's here to receive them, we traditionally don't read them. Kanner: Okay, it makes sense to me to read them no matter what if we're going to give them out so public knows about it. Um, the other thing is under Board and Commission minutes, number B, on Board of Appeals, I find it fascinating reading the minutes from our Board of Appeals. They deal with building code issues, and there were a couple things that were interesting. One is the discussion of mandatory sprinklers. This was from October 6th minutes. Mandatory sprinklers in fraternities, which they're still discussing, and to see the pro and con, and I think this is a great level of discussion they have going back and forth. There's people from the fraternities saying it's an extra expense, and it's going overboard, and I like our Board of Appeals and our staff, and if we're going to err, it seems they err on the side of safety but that discussion is a good one to have, that they're having. How far do you go? How many requirements do you have? I think that's something that is a big flash point for Iowa City, and I encourage that kind of discussion. It's good to see it taking place. In regards to that, I did have a question that maybe can be brought back to me at a later time. They were saying that it's not required, the sprinklers in the attics of fraternities, and it seems to me that would be just as potentially dangerous. Atkins: I'm not aware of that but we'll find out for you. Kanner: And then, it does seem a bit discriminatory when you talk fraternities and sororities, and versus other large residential, and I don't understand why we're not requiring that in other large residential places. Pfab: Steve, I guess I'd ask you as opposed to what? What other large residential? Champion: Apartment complexes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 8 Kanner: Apartment complexes, and I think that is part of the discussion as to why are fraternities and sororities more dangerous? They have national statistics that show so many fires have occurred, and there's so many deaths, and that there were some fires here, and that this would prevent it. I guess I tend to lean in the direction of requiring that. It would have to be implemented over the next five years, but I think there are some valid points being put up by the opposition that maybe it's going overboard, and why pick on fraternities and sororities. Pfab: Well I think ......... Lehman: I think that's going to come to us as a Council. Atkins: It will be some time, Emie. Lehman: Yeah, after the first of the year. Kanner: Yeah, that's what they were talking about, the first of the year, which is sort of heads up and it is, I feel, rather fascinating, and the other question they were talking about was discussion of how many licensed people are required on a job, or what's the ratio of a licensed sprinkler installer supervisor to people working on it, and um, so that again is something that is a big issue in Iowa City is do we overburden builders with safety regulations. Is it going overboard? And then the third thing was the decision was made in regards to two issues there. One was the, whether or not they can put a slot in the ceiling to put lights, and the other was whether they could have a door that would open up to steps. You know, who would think that those things are in there but those are in our Building Code and they had a split decision on that. On one they said they could have a door that opened up to steps, and then the other they said they could put a slot up above if they had other things like a smoke detector. Um, so that was in the Board of Appeals, and, Eleanor, I had a question about, we're sending the proposed Self-Support Municipal Improvement District to the Planning and Zoning. Um, what are they going to be looking at when they are examing that and bringing it back to Council? Dilkes: Well the code requires them to look at the, I can't remember the exact words, but the feasibility and desirability of the proposal. Kanner: And, it wasn't quite clear, any spending has to come back before the City Council? Was I reading that correctly? Dilkes: The Council remains in control of the funds. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 9 Kanner: So, even though they're proposing certain areas, when they actually want to spend a certain amount on let's say giving a tax, or giving a break, a grant to people doing historic renovation, that specific thing would have to come back to the City Council? Dilkes: As stated in the memo, there are questions that we have been discussing with our bond counsel regarding what type of spending is allowable under the state statute as well as what different structures can be set up for control of the money, but it's quite clear that ultimately control of the money is with the Council. Kanner: All right, that's reassuring, that's good to hear! Um, cause I'm a little weary of the dominance of the property owners on that district, and I think we have to keep an eye on that, and I put that out there to the public to keep an eye on this. Vanderhoef: Correspondence f (8) we had a letter about the homecoming parade, and am I wrong but I thought the University set the time. Do we need to correspond with this? Atkins: We do, and we will Vanderhoef: Thank you. Lehman: Okay, other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. Champion: I just wanted to talk about our... Lehman: Would you like to move that we ad&ess e (1) and (2) and then we'll talk about it. Champion: I'll move we address them. Pfab: Second. Lehman: We have a motion and a second to approve, that's what it is, well we have to have a positive...we got it. Dilkes: We need to have a...yeah. Lehman: Okay, go ahead Connie. Champion: I want to make it very clear that I'm not against low-income housing. I'm a strong supporter of it. My problem with this particular area is that we already have an unusual amount of our low-income housing in this end of town, and I think I've always been one to have mixed neighborhoods, and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 10 I totally support them, and I would not like to send a letter endorsing these. I would...anywhere else in town I would be more than happy to support them overwhelmingly. I would not like to send a letter because I think the schools in this end of town have their hands full with students with special needs, economic needs, and mental needs and emotional needs, and I think it's a disservice to the community and to people who need to live in low-income housing, to congregate them in one end of town. Wilburn: Connie, I do know that concentration of housing was a big concern as related to factors that relate to barriers to learning that came up with the school district's conference there, so I know that's something that they're hoping that the school district and the Council can in some way address. I pointed out at that conference that the Peninsula is an example of where some of that is being attempted. I do know that um, for one of these, the one on 2nd Avenue, that any children at that location would attend Hoover, which is one of the sites where they would like to see some more mixed versity. Champion: So the one on 2nd Avenue would attend Hoover school? Wilbum: That would be in Hoover's area. Champion: Well then I can support that, um, not only do I not support number 1, I would like to send a letter saying that we don't support it. I know that sounds really awful but I'm very concerned about how we're congregating and creating problems for people who live in this community, and I feel strongly that special needs housing needs to be distributed throughout the community. Lehman: Connie, would you like to restate your motion to include number 1 only so we can vote on the two separately? Champion: Yes. Lehman: Is that okay with the person who seconded it? Pfab: Yes. Dilkes: Just withdraw the one you just did and rephrase it. Champion: I'll move to adopt e (2). Pfab: I'll second that. Champion: Is that the right one? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 11 O'Donneli: Yes. Lehman: Okay, well let's do e (2) and this, I really have to echo what Connie has said. I believe we have a school system that's dealing with a situation that we're all well aware of, and I think that we need to step up to the plate and be of assistance to the community and the school district. We have said for some time on the Council that we were very much in favor of dispersing various kinds of housing throughout the community, and that a concentration of subsidized housing in one area was not something that this Council was interested in doing, and I do concur and I think the Council needs to step up to the plate and be part of the solution because over the years I think we have been part of the problem, so ..... Pfab: I think one way to address that would be as the school district is building additions to some of these schools, I think that the City should step up to the plate and offer to joint fund some of these things for joint use. Lehman: But that's not relevant to what we're talking about. Pfab: I know it's not but it's a good time to bring it up. Lehman: Well it really isn't a good time. Kanner: Well actually I think I see where Irvin is coming in the sense that I'm reluctant to not support any attempt at getting low to moderate-income housing. It's a great need. We've seen in the report from the Housing Trust Fund there's thousands, we're thousands of units in deficit, for this kind of housing, and that the solution is in the long run. If we're saying that low-income brings certain needs to the community and to the school district, then let's support it. We turned down, in the past, the school district asked for what's it called, the Family Center, more support a couple years ago. We turned that down. I think we have to then say let's support those kinds of programs and help deal with it, and Connie, I agree with you to a certain extent that we have to continue to try to disperse the housing thing, but I don't want to turn down attempts to bring in some more low to moderate income housing. We need to grab on to that and work on the problems you're talking about in other ways. Lehman: Okay. Vanderhoef: I have one more thing, ifI might. Well actually, there's two points. One was just having come off of the campaign trail and having coffees with folks around the community. This is an issue in the minds of the citizens, and asking me personally how to address it. So I think this is a way of addressing it, but what comes up more even for me is we have informally This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 12 talked about the concentration south of Highway 6, in particular in two schools that seem to be heavily impacted by rapid turnover sometimes in the housing, and the housing that is both Section 8 and houses that we own in the Housing Authority, and it might behoove Council to look at a policy of not supporting anything within a certain area, or tie it to a percentage of low-income housing in an area, something like that in the future so that we don't have a developer who comes to us with a plan all ready to go and then we turn it down, so we might put that on a work session some time. Pfab: But I still think, Dee, that we know those problems are there but this Council has a very bad record of supporting the necessary services that these people... Champion: Oh come on, Irvin! Could we vote on number 2? Kanner: Connie, I have a question. Are we doing e (2) or e (1)? Champion: e (2) Lehman: The motion is on e (2). We're going to have to go back and get a motion on e (1). Karmer: e (2) is the one for 2n° Avenue? Lehman: Right, that's the one where the family, if there are children, would attend Hoover School. Is there any other discussion on that one? We do a roll call on this? Dilkes: The resolution. Lehman: (someone in audience speaks) Yeah. Burns: It's always a pleasure to meet with the City Council. I'm Bob Bums, architect from Iowa City. Thank you for allowing me to speak. I represent the applicant that is asking you to support these two resolutions tonight, and listening to you discuss this tonight I don't know quite where to begin, but I guess I have to start somewhere but uh, first of all, in terms of its location, we've been trying to build family-affordable housing in Iowa City since the mid-90's. The last project was built in 1994, family housing, and uh, since that time we tried rezoning Dubuque Road out by the Hy-Vee and you turned it down. That's in the northeast part of town. So then we tried rezoning on the west side by Duck Creek Drive I believe it is and Rohret Road. You turned that down. It never got here, it was turned down by Planning and Zoning. Your building low-income housing at the Peninsula and uh, I think you are in the Longfellow neighborhood on the east side. Peninsula is out on the northwest side of town, and the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 13 three locations for this project, F Street is in the Hoover school district, Catskill Court is in another school district, and Whispering Meadows is in a third, so that's the nature of scattered sites. You told us that when you turned us down for zoning when we were building in one location. Well the real solution here, Mr. Bums, is to go and get scattered sites so we applied for City Home funds, went through (can't hear), you awarded Home funds to us, and we went out and bought the last remaining duplex lots in Iowa City. In fact, we have another award to buy more duplex lots for Whispering Gardens, second phase. Just within the last 30 days we tried to buy duplex sites in Iowa City and they're not for sale. So, if we're not going to be able to build at Whispering Meadows and Catskill Court, it seems to me an attempt on your part to stop the construction of any low- income housing for families in Iowa City. Champion: That is not my intention. Kanner: Kahn Franklin, are you still here? Do you have a map that would show where these locations are? Vanderhoef: Bob, you said something about F Street? We don't have anything about F Street. Bums: It's on 2nd Avenue. Kanner: Is it fight near F? Vanderhoef: Oh, the 2na Avenue...it's at the comer? Bums: 2nd Avenue and F. Vanderhoef: Oh, okay. Thank you. Franklin: I don't know how you want to do this, Steven. Kanner: Well, maybe you could bring it up here somewhere or something. I just need to see where these... Champion: 2ncl Avenue and F are the students who will go to Hoover School. Lehman: Right. Vanderhoefi Right, and that we passed. Champion: We haven't voted on it yet. Vanderhoef: Oh, excuse me. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 14 Champion: But that one I don't have any problems with. Atkins: Catskill Court is um near Mercer Park. Kanner: So it's north of Highway 6? Bums: No, Catskill Court is east of the Hy-Vee on First Avenue, and then the cemetery, and then Catskill Court. There are not any other duplex lots for sale in Iowa City. Kanner: Between the two motions, resolutions, there's four locations listed. Three of them are above Highway 6, north of Highway 6. Vanderhoefi Two. There are two, Catskill Court and 2nd Avenue. The two south of Highway 6 are Whispering Meadow Drive and Indigo Court. Karmer: Indigo Court, okay. Bums: And none of those are right next to each other. They're separated from each other by other lots. Vanderhoefi But Indigo Court right now is completely affordable housing. Bums: Well, I'd like to comment on this notion of you talking about low-income housing. I assume you're talking about low income individuals or families living in that area, and I'd just like to know if you're backing that up with census data because we use the census data when we select sites for this low-income housing tax credit, and I can tell you that the qualified census tract, which represents the lowest income neighborhoods in the city, are not in that area. None of these areas. So, if you're making this decision on that, I don't think you're basing it on fact. Champion: I'm not basing on census tract. I'm not... Bums: Well that's how you determine where low-income people live, I believe. Champion: That may be where you determine....I'm worried about areas and neighborhoods and areas and keeping them intact. That's my concern. I have no problem with the kids that are going to go to Hoover. What other schools in number 1, what schools are these kids going to? Bums: Three different schools. Champion: Okay, number 2 is Hoover. What about the other ones? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 15 Bums: Grant Wood, and then the school that I can't think of the name of. Kanner: Lucas? Bums: No. Karmer: Lucas is out past the funeral home. Bums: It's Lucas. Champion: Okay. I could... Bums: And that's where the most units are, on Catskill Court. Champion: I would not have any problem with the kids going to Hoover, and I would not have any problems with them going to Lucas. I would have problems with any more low-income students going to Mark Twain or Grant Wood. Lehman: Which one of these is Mark Twain or Grant Wood? Vanderhoef: Catskill Court is Lucas. Lehman: Okay. Vanderhoefi And then Whispering Meadow and Indigo Court go to Grant Wood. Pfab: I, I believe that as I think about this if there are not many options to build these type of housing, now there's I think Mr. Burns...I'm aware of things that even he may not be aware of that there are not very many duplex lots, and he's telling me he's looked at the last ones and the only ones that are for sale he's bought or purchased, and the rest are not for sale. Bums: I called Mike Bails at Lepic Kroeger Realtors and asked him to look on the Multiple Listing service and he could not find any duplex lots for sale within the last 30 days. Pfab: I think that this is something that would probably be best to go on, and I think let's get the houses built. Lehman: Well what I'd like to do is vote on number 2 which we have the motion on. Could we have a roll call on number 2? (all ayes) Do we have a motion for number 1 ? Pfab: So moved. Lehman: Do we have a second? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 16 Vanderhoef: Second. Bums: I'd like to make one more comment about number 1. I wasn't finished, if you don't mind. Lehman: No, go right ahead. Burns: If you, since that's the motion now to discuss e (1), and you turn it down and you don't give us the support, which is key to us being a successful applicant for further funding from the State Iowa Department of Economic Development and the Iowa Finance Authority because it's on a scoring category, that's based on a scoring category, and this is one of them the support from the City. If you turn me down you're basically turning down the project. That's what I hear you saying tonight, and what I'd like to know is what are we going to do about the contract we have that we signed in August of 2002 where the City wishes to utilize Home Investment Partnership Funds to assist the recipient, that's us, in purchasing land on which will be built a minimum of six units of affordable rental housing for families, and the recipient shall use the Home Funds provided by the City of Iowa City for the acquisition of real property legally described in Exhibit A, and Exhibit A includes all of the subject properties under 1 e. So you've already provided the funds to us in August 27, 2002; we've purchased the sites; and now we're in the process of applying for the next segment of financing for the property, or for the projects, and now you're going to turn us down? Lehman: How many of these units are on Catskill Court and Indigo Court? Bums: There's four duplex lots on Catskill, and three duplex lots in the Whispering Meadows Indigo Court area. There are two on Whispering Meadow I believe, and one on Indigo Court, or it could be just the opposite. Wilbum: Could I have a point of information before proceeding? Is this removed enough from the Home Funds since this is related to essentially a letter of support for a project for tax credit, is that removed enough that I can deliberate? Dilkes: Well, I think it was on the Consent Calendar because it was meant to be a perfunctory matter. I don't know that I can, given what's developing here, a, give you a good answer right now. Bums: Well, not only did you provide the loans, the funds, to me, you have in the agreement, I have to build the property and operate it as low-income property for 30 years, and beginning on July 1, 2004, I have to start repaying you in 360 equal monthly installments. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 17 O'Donnell: Bob, I think I've heard enough. I think we should defer this until the next meeting so we can all become more informed on it. Pfab: I think deferring this is totally out of the question. Lehman: We have a motion to defer. Is there a second? Bums: Well if you defer it, we won't be able to apply for the low-income housing tax credits because we won't have the support of the City Council. Lehman: If it gets deferred to the next meeting? Bums: Well the applications are due on the 24th of November. Champion: Can I ask you something, Mr. Bums? Um, I don't know how complicated it is, I'm just going to throw an offthe wall question at you. Is it possible for you to rewrite your application to include just the areas where the students won't be attending Grant Wood or Mark Twain? Bums: Well, we already own the land. You've already approved the project. You've already afforded the funds. There's no other duplex lots in town. You're asking me to do the impossible. What you seem to do, very conveniently every time we try to bring a project before you, and you talk about getting the mg yanked out from under me, this is it. This is extreme. I think I'll rest. O'Donnell: Well, if we're going to vote on this tonight I think we should go ahead. I suggested deferment and we didn't get any support for it, so... Champion: I second it. Lehman: Pardon? Champion: I said I'm willing to second a deferment. I don't know if it's going to help or not. Lehman: Well, obviously if he has a 25th deadline, this is at the 11th hour so if we defer it, it's not going to do him any good, although my understanding is the application for the funds can still be made with or without the approval of the Council. Vanderhoef: That's true. Atkins: That's the way I understand it. Mr. Burns would have to answer that but that's how I thought it was. It's the extra points you get in your project assessment by the State. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 18 Burns: We get 10 points for a letter of support from the City Council. Lehman: Okay. Bums: We also, I might point out to you today, there's another 10 points we receive from having an acknowledgment, an agreement, with the Public Housing Authority, which of course you're the commission for the Public Housing Authority, and the new director told us he would not sign the agreement and put our project on the list of projects that would he eligible for Section 8 because he thought there was too high a concentration of low-income people in that part of town. He hasn't been in the job that long. How would he possibly know unless somebody told him. Lehman: I don't think that data is too hard to come up with. If you come into town this morning and find out by noon where the concentrations of public housing and the subsidized housing. Bums: Okay, I'll grant you that but all the agreement says is they're willing to place our project on a list of eligible properties for Section 8, which they keep as a register. That's all it does. It acknowledges it, and I just might want to point out to you that we are required under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to accept any Section 8 resident who qualifies for the housing. We can screen the tenants, but we're supposed to rent to Section 8 and you're denying us the opportunity to even list the project by not signing that agreement. I thought you ought to be aware of that. So that's 20 points, and I can tell you that that would put us below the scoring that was required to be funded last year of any project that was funded. So essentially the project would be dead. Vanderhoef: Okay, I would like to offer an amendment. Lehman: Well we have a motion to defer that we did get a second. Deferring this will put us past, actually if we defer it it will probably make it meaningless to ..... pardon? O'Donnell: Then I withdraw. Lehman: We have a motion to defer withdrawn. Champion: And I'll withdraw my second. Wilbum: I think our Counsel has a comment. Dilkes: Ross, I just wanted to give you a couple things to think about. I think it's on the agenda as a perfunctory matter, just as support for low-income This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 19 housing in general. It sounds to me like it has turned into a debate about the advisability of this particular project for which it sounds like we have already awarded Home Funds. That's becoming, it appears to me, a more complicated matter and that's where you start getting into a gray area so. Wilbum: Okay, so I will abstain on the side, to a conflict of interest. I work for an organization that receives CDBG and Home related funds that goes through the same decision process and I have a conflict with any decisional matters related to the project. Lehman: Okay, thank you. Kanner: Here's a possibility for deferment. We're going to be meeting Monday, next Monday. O'Donnell: That's going to be a full meeting. Kaimer: Maybe beforehand we could meet to do this. Lehman: Let's see what Dee has first. Vanderhoef: Um, I would like to offer an amendment to e (1) and remove the duplexes listed for Whispering Meadow Drive and Indigo Court, and go ahead and vote on the Catskill Court. Lehman: Is there a second to that amendment? Champion: I'll second that. Lehman: And that, okay, we have a motion and a second, and those are the two projects that, well go to Lucas and .... Vanderhoefi The Catskill one goes to Lucas and the two I'm removing are the two that go to Grant Wood. Lehman: All right. Discussion on the amendments? Pfab: I think it's a wrong-headed idea. I think it's kind of like slicing somebody to death a piece at a time. Lehman: Other ..... Pfab: I think this discussion is totally out of place, and I think that after you, we go ahead and ask and give authority, work with the person and then at the last second, pull the rug out. It makes no sense to me. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 20 Lehman: Okay. Dilkes: I just want to give you a word of caution. I have not looked at that contract. I didn't know about the....I'm having a little bit of discomfort with the whole idea here. I can't give you an opinion right now but... Champion: We're just voting on the resolution. Dilkes: No, my discomfort comes with the fact that we apparently have a contract with Mr. Bums, which identifies this project specifically for use of Home Funds. I just can't... Champion: On that land? Dilkes: As I understand it, yes. Yes, specifically on the land that we're talking about here, and that's where my discomfort comes from. I haven't analyzed those issues but I'm just telling you, it's giving me some discomfort. Lehman: If we, if the person who made the amendment would like to withdraw the amendment, and the person who made the motion to defer would like to do so to the 17th, we could meet at 6:15 on the 17th, pr/or to the meeting with Latham. Have one item on the agenda, deal with it, and then proceed with that, but I don't have a motion to that effect. Champion: And deal with it. Pfab: I wouldn't be able to... Champion: Investigate that for us. Dilkes: I'll take a look at that. Lehman: Is there .... Kanner: I move to defer to the 17th. Lehman: We have a motion to defer to the 17th. Do we have a second? Champion: Second. Lehman: All in favor? Opposed? The motion carries. The motion canied by a 5 to 1, Irvin voting in the negative. Okay. I think we just finished the Consent Calendar. Champion: Sorry about that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #4 Page 21 Atkins: Didn't you have two others you deferred? Lehman: No, those were not removed. Pardon? Vanderhoefi The 5, 6? Lehman: No. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #5 Page 22 ITEM 5. PUBLIC DISCUSSION Lehman: Is there anyone who would like to appear before the Council during public discussion this evening? This is limited to items that do not otherwise appear on the agenda. If you wish to speak, your comments should be limited to 5 minutes or less, and we've used up almost all of your time with the Consent Calendar, so I'm going to let public discussion go on for a while. Green: Hi, I'm Nate Green the University of Iowa Student Body President. Um, right now I'd like to present a mid-term progress report by the Alcohol and Bar Committee. To refresh all of your memories, the Alcohol and Bar Committee was a committee proposed in front of the Council this summer to discuss alcohol related and bar related issues in the Iowa City community. Um, and what we have gone through in some of our previous meetings in the last few months is look at a lot of the policies set forth and recommended, and specifically in this document the policies recommended by the Student 21 Policy Task Force that was organized by University of Iowa Student Government in the spring to make recommendations while the 21 ordinance was being discussed. And, the second page of the brief in front of you is a copy of the Student 21 Policy Task Force recommendations set forth in the spring. Right now I guess I'd like to, I mean I'll let you read the admission statement and the strategy but just kind of an overall strategy that the Alcohol and Bar Committee has taken is to try and work for small changes in policies in bars and through the city, with the overall strategy of having these small changes positively influencing the culture and the overall policies by the city and by the bars. You can look at the members we have asked to serve on the committee, and I think it's a very representative cross section of the community, and we've had very positive discussions and since meeting we've developed some very good ideas as far as proposals that are possible for the future, and I'll go through a few of those and also give you an update on what else is being done by the community on some of these issues, and I also would like to remind you that while a lot of groups have done individual things to make some of these proposals successful, I would say it's more an overall, I guess community, cooperation that has brought together a lot of groups to get these things done. And I'll start first with the 19 bar ordinance. That was something that we recommended, and the Council adopted as of August 1, 2003. Moving on with wrist bands... O'Donnell: Excuse me just a second. Green: Yeah? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #5 Page 23 O'Donnell: Would you state that one more time about who recommended 197 Green: Um... O'Donnell: Did that come from the bar owners and the students? Green: I, as far as I remember from those meetings, I first got up and presented it from the Student 21 Policy Task Force, the 19 ordinance. And then the bar owners subsequently endorsed the idea. O'Donnell: But that was the idea presented to the Council? Green: Yeah, correct. O'Donnell: Thank you. Green: Um, okay, and then moving on with the wrist bands. Nothing formally has been decided through Council action or by the bar owners, but through reports given to the committee by the Iowa City Police Department and the bar owners, the vast majority and especially, I couldn't give you an exact percentage, they're actually going to, we have them looking those two bodies right now looking for an exact percentage of bars that are in compliance with the wrist band proposal. But the vast majority of bars, especially the ones that I think we would consider that are frequented by students, are the ones using the system. And the monitoring issue, um, a lot of the bars...what's that? Kanner: You have here about the signs? Green Uh-huh? Kanner: Ihadapoint about that. The signs that saythat youhave to be 19or older? Green: Yeah. Karmer: I've seen a lot of bars where they're like up in the comer, literally up in the comer where no one sees them. Is your group working on this at all to try to get them to be more prominent? Green: We have not addressed that issue. I hadn't actually heard any complaints about it previously but it's something that we can look into and put it on our next agenda item. And we're also, along with that, it's not enumerated in here but we're also working on some sort of signage that will include something to the effect of a cooperating bar and we're going to try and put together some type of bar owner group that will be recognized in This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #5 Page 24 cooperating with a lot of the policies that we're going to try and set forth in the course of the committee's meeting. With the monitoring we've seen a lot of bars and this is from again both bar owner and Iowa City Police Department reports, that have devoted one maybe two of their staffwhich is an extra expense for them so you know we recognize that as a very positive step to monitoring alcohol and underage drinking violations. Vanderhoefi How many have done that? Green: We don't have an exact figure on that either but we can try and get that. Vanderhoef: Thank you. Green: With the free soda and water, nothing has really been, no progress has been made on that issue. It's pretty much up to individual bars whether they want to do that. Kanner: How does that fit in...my understanding is that people taking Ecstasy drink a lot of water and that there is some concern in the bars about that, and some of the bars are selling water or don't want to give free water...how does that fit into it? Green: I hadn't heard that concern, um, I guess I don't know enough about the issue. Kanner: It seems to be a big, growing issue, the Ecstasy that's going around. Green: I've heard that Ecstasy use is up, I mean that's according to a couple different groups that have come talk to Student Government about the issue but I haven't heard it in relation to like selling water or anything like that. Kanner: Yeah....I was ..... O'Donnell: That's kind of moving away from .... Green: Yeah, I agree. Dilkes: I think if we're going to have a discussion with the City Council about this issue, we need to put it on the agenda and notice it. Lehman: Go ahead, you can make your report. We'll try not to... Green: Okay. Um, one of the really positive aspects I think that has come about since the whole controversy about the 21 ordinance and the 19 ordinance, is the mandatory training of, or well we recommended mandatory training This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #5 Page 25 of all bar staff. Instead of mandatory training, the Alcoholic Beverages Division in conjunction with the Iowa City Police Department, offered a free voluntary training to anyone in the community that wanted to participate, and over 700 bar owners and staff and community members participated in the training, so I think that's a very positive step, and we're working with the Alcoholic Beverages Division right now to try and get more training set up in the future. It's going to be a funding issue but hopefully we can fund those things. With advertising the drink special ads issues in the Daily Iowan, nothing has been addressed with that. Yeah? Pfab: I know you say that you put disclaimers on these ads and what not, what about the little ads that are, little passes and specials that are floating around dorms, apartments, do they have these things on them also that says we don't recommend... Champion: Can't be discussing this, Irvin. Dilkes: You know... Lehman: We can accept his report. We're not going to be able to sit here and discuss it and ask questions. Dilkes: This is a huge issue of interest to many people and I think if we're going to have that kind of discussion we owe the public to put it on the agenda. Kanner: Just clarifying questions. Dilkes: Well, but we're way past the time we normally spend on public discussion and we're starting to engage in a discussion about the pros and cons of various strategies, and I think that's something that the public should be made aware of. Lehman: Well let's wait until Nate gets through with his presentation. We have copies of it. We can read it over at our leisure, and if we want to put it on a work session we can. Go ahead. Green: Okay, and, okay going down where it says disclaimer, this is one of what I was talking about, one of those small steps in order to change the overall culture, is we're trying to promote getting all the bars together to put on all their ads something like 19 to enter, 21 to consume alcohol, just as a reminder that you know though they are you know marketing to a large student population, a reminder to all students that they have to be 19 to be in these bars and in order to drink they have to be 21. Going on to alternatives, 10,000 hours show, I'm guessing some of you have heard about this already, but it's a student initiated program designed to change the long-term culture in Iowa City to promote civic engagement and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #5 Page 26 provide a free concert to all students who do a minimum of 10,000 hours, or sorry, 10 hours of community service, and the goal is to get 1,000 at least a 1,000 students tO do this. And in the end get 10,000 hours of community service for a year, added to the community, and the idea is to get students in the community in this community service and hopefully they will maybe start changing some of their attitudes and behaviors, especially in how they act in the downtown area. Old Capitol Movie Theatre renovation and bowling alley are with new mall ownership, that's still being discussed and um, nothing's really gone forward with that. The old Planet X spot has been taken over by 24/7, that's a youth group, and they've been enjoying over 700 students every single Thursday night, and what I see is a good alcohol alternative. The Fit Zone late night alternative, there were discussions this summer between the University and Fit Zone to try and work in collaboration to get some of that, or to get some late-night alcohol altemative programming going, but the University decided to take a different approach and go towards building a comprehensive recreation center that's University owned, and I think you'll be seeing that in the next couple years, and hopefully that will offer a late night alternative for students. Downtown Alcohol Free Nights, nothing has been done with that. With zoning, the Council hasn't made any changes to zoning as far as I know in directly related to alcohol policy, and in monitoring, we recommended that the Alcohol and Bar Committee be created and we've created it, and my overall perception is that the committee has been a wonderful resource in connecting a lot of different interests within the city and coming up with some solid policy proposals. We've discussed everything from a detox center to a disclaimer ads so, hopefully we can get some more positive changes come out of the group. O'Donnell: Very good. Lehman: We really appreciate your efforts. I think (can't hear) Thank you for the report. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence. O'Donnell: So move. Pfab: Second. Lehman: Motion and a second to accept correspondence. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Green: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6a Page 27 ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. a. PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF AN ALLEY RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED SOUTH OF KIRKWOOD AVENUE AND WEST OF DIANA STREET. (VAC03-00001) Lehman: Public hearing is open. Holland: My name is Winifred Holland and I live at 1105 Diana Street, and in a conversation with Mr. Miklo this morning of the Planning and Zoning, he informed me there were three buyers for this right-of-way, and I'm happy that part of this fight-of-way will remain as green space instead of it all being paved over. And uh, I'm a, Mr. Miklo assured me his, the staff's recommendation as to condition of the vacation is the installation of some type of barrier to prevent access from the Lansing parking lot to Diana Street, using the non-vacated portion of the alley, the fight-of-way that goes and then the alley comes out on Diana Street, and uh, Mr. Lansing is aware of that condition and uh he has accepted it, and I just want to make sure that that remains in the vacation because we do not need any more traffic. Pardon me? Lehman: We understand that's a requirement, that's requirement in the vacation that there will be a curb then that alley can not be used as access. Holland: Okay, that's what I wanted to reconfirm. Thank you. Kanner: But I did want to clarify something. The, I assume you're talking about the alleyway that's on the southern part that's being bought by the other two neighbors, that's going to remain as green space? Holland: Yes. Kanner: But there's no guarantee, I don't think that's written in anywhere. I would assume it will stay that but just so you know I haven't seen that there's any guarantees. Holland: Well, I guess you're right. It joins their lot so I'm, I assume it'll stay as... Lehman: But there is a guarantee that that alley will have a curb and will not be able to be used by an alley unless the Council at some point in the future changes it. Holland: Yeah, I know. Lehman: Whether it's green space or not, it can not have traffic. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6a Page 28 Holland: Okay. I know I'll have to be forever vigilant and make sure that that doesn't occur (laughter). Thank you. Lehman: Okay. Thank you. Public heating is closed. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6b Page 29 ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. b. PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE, TITLE 14, CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED "ZONING," ARTICLE B, ENTITLED "ZONING DEFINITIONS," SECTION 2, ENTITLED "DEFINITIONS." Lehman: Wow, public hearing is open. This is relative to the definition of a restaurant using the percentage of floor space. Public hearing is closed. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence. O'Donnell: So moved. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Motion and second to accept correspondence. All in favor? Opposed? Motion candes. Vanderhoef: Karin? Excuse me. Did this particular thing go to P and Z? Franklin: Yes, it did. Vanderhoef: I didn't see any recommendation from them therefore I had just wondered if it had. Franklin: Oh, yes it had. I'm sorry. Urn, it was a 7-0 vote last Thursday night. Vanderhoef: Okay, and is there a way this could take place. Someone said something to me about removing a door, or something about the entryway that made it possible without changing the definition. Is that true? Franklin: On the Starbuck's property, is that what you're referring to? Vanderhoef: Uh-huh. Franklin: Okay, my understanding is that there is a vestibule that they would like to have associated with the store, and if they leave out the vestibule they can meet the code, which my understanding, is that's the current circumstance. With the change in the code then they will be able to add the vestibule that they want which presumably adds to the total square footage which would then, in the current code, get you into that problem of the 50% proceeding. Champion: Well this isn't just for Starbucks though, this is... Franklin: No, not at all. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6b Page 30 Champion: ...have had to go to the Board of Adjustments and make some major changes. Franklin: Yes, it's been a variety of problems. Vanderhoef: Yes, and then you said something about parking in the report, staff report. Franklin: The parking requirements now for restaurants vary depending upon whether they're called a restaurant, a restaurant carry-out delivery, or restaurant carry-out drive through. Vanderhoef: That I understand, but there was something here in the, you said, purposes of the parking can be achieved later but I don't know what you're thinking about doing with the parking. Franklin: We don't either at this point, and that's what we'll do as part of the whole development code thing. Right now there are three different requirements. One for 150 square feet, one for 200 square feet, one for 65 square feet, and so we're going to try to bring some rationality to it, looking at two different definitions of uses, restaurant or restaurant with a drive through, and have just two requirements, that hopefully make sense. Vanderhoefi It just seems that this is sort of the cart before the horse. We've been waiting for the code review, and it hasn't come, and now with this fifth proposal it's showing up and yet we don't have the parking regulations to go with it, so I feel like I'm a fish out of water here trying to make a right decision. It's not that I don't want the establishment to get built and to get open, but how many conflicts are we going to end up with then when we start talking about parking? That's... Franklin: I hope we won't end up with any conflicts as we go through that whole process. Vanderhoef: Well I hope so too. Franklin: The issue fight now was not one of parking. The issue now was to require people to go through a special exception, change their floor plan, or not being able to establish the use because they were being defined as a drive through restaurant when they in fact were not. It had really nothing to do with parking. Lehman: It deals only with the percentage of floor space devoted to seating. Franklin: Yes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6b Page 31 Vanderhoef: But we had one go through special exception. That was... Franklin: That was the Rack and it was at Pepperwood, and it was defined as a drive through restaurant when it did not have a drive through, and it became defined as a drive through restaurant because it had less than 50% of the seating area, or the floor area and seating, but it had nothing to do with the parking. O'Donnell: Well, and because we've put people through this report, and not putting them through it, it's an ordinance, and it's set, and if you find a flaw in it you change it. And because we put people through this in the past doesn't Franklin: We try to be accommodating. O'Donnell: put this particular person through it again. So I think it's a good idea, and I just, I don't know why we would have any conflict with this at all. Lehman: Thank you. Franklin: Anything else? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6c Page 32 ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. c. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 13,500 SQUARE FEET FROM CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CB-2), TO PLANNED HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (PRM), LOCATED AT 512 S. DUBUQUE STREET SOUTH OF COURT STREET. (REZ03-00021) (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Pfab: I'll move the resolution. Champion: Second. Lehman: Move by Pfab, second by Champion. Discussion? Kanner: Dee, I think you make some good points. I'm going to support it, but again, I think we're missing part of it, that we're passing just half of the coin. Dilkes: We're on the Clark rezoning now, on c. Kanner: What? Lehman: What are you talking about? Dilkes: That was just a public hearing on the restaurant, and now we've moved on to the Clark... Kanner: Oh, sorry. Dee, I still agree with you (laughter). Lehman: Discussion on Item c.? Kanner: Hold on just a second then. Okay, c, now we are voting on this, correct? Lehman: That's correct, first consideration Kanner: All right. Um, thank you. Yeah, I think we have a good mix down there now and why mess it up, and I don't see continuous PRM. I think it's, in a sense, it almost is a spot zoning, and of course if we keep changing little spots here and there, eventually it will be all PRM, um, but it's a pretty good mix up down there, and we have some commercial there, and it makes it an exciting place to go. Pfab: I would counter that with the fact that the next block is almost all commercial on the first floor, and that's only a half a block away, and on the same side of the street, it's all commercial from the next intersection to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6c Page 33 the railroad tracks, and then across the railroad tracks, or across the street on the west side there's also commercial there, right? I thought about that and I just, I won't be able to support that at this point. Kanner: Well I don't understand what you're saying, counter. Pfab: Well there's a number of commercial on the next block, and this is a third of a way down the block. Lehman: So are you saying you support this changing this to PRM? Pfab: Yes. Lehman: Okay. O'Donnell: You support it as it is. Pfab: Right. I support the change. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 6 to 1, Kanner voting the negative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #6d Page 34 ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS. d. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE ALLEY LOCATED TO THE EAST OF 512 S. DUBUQUE STREET (VAC03-0002) (SECOND CONSIDERATION) O'Donnell: Move second consideration. Pfab: Second. Lehman: Move by O'Donnell, second by Pfab. Discussion? Pfab: Is this a requested expedited consideration? Dilkes: No, this is the one, it says that in the comment but that's an error. We don't want to expedite this one. Pfab: Okay, all right. Lehman: Go ahead. That's wonderful. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #7 Page 35 ITEM 7. PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO IOWA CITY'S 2001- 2006 CONSOLIDATED PLAN (CITY STEPS). Lehman: Public hearing is open. Wilbum: I will not be participating in the public hearing as I work for an organization that receives community development block grant funds which is funded through this process. Lehman: Thank you, sir. Public hearing is closed. We're going to take a quick break before we do Item 8. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #8 Page 36 ITEM 8. PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3 ENTITLED "CITY FINANCES, TAXATION & FEES," CHAPTER 4, "SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES, BONDS, FINES, AND PENALTIES"; AMENDING TITLE 14 ENTITLED "UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE," CHAPTER 3, "CITY UTILITIES," ARTICLE A, "GENERAL PROVISIONS," SECTION 14-3A-2, "DEFINITIONS," AND SECTION 14-3A4, "RATES AND CHARGES FOR CITY UTILITIES" AND; AMENDING TITLE 14 ENTITLED "UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE," CHAPTER 3, "CITY UTILITIES," ARTICLE G, "STORM WATER COLLECTION, DISCHARGE AND RUNOFF," TO CREATE A STORMWATER UTILITY AND ESTABLISH A STORMWATER UTILITY FEE. Lehman: Public hearing is open, and I'd like to ask Rick if you would just kind of walk us through this briefly. Fosse: Thank you, Emie. The changes that are represented in the ordinance that is in front of you tonight allow us to establish a storm water utility to help pay for some of our storm water related expenses. The utility will charge a fee that is based on use. It's a fee and not a tax. The fee's going to go into an enterprise fund that is ear marked for storm water uses, and we'll need that money to fulfill our obligations under the Phase 2 Regulations imposed by the EPA, as well as the day to day maintenance of our storm sewer system, and it'll also help to fund our capital program for storm sewer and storm water related projects. Um, the new federal requirements became effective earlier this year. We made our application to the state for our permit, and we're waiting to hear back from them, and we've also made plans to comply with the six required control measures that the feds have imposed, and that's part of the feedback that we'll get from the state on our permit, and I can go into those six control measures later if you'd like that level of detail here. Urn, there are no state or federal funds available for this. So it is an unfunded mandate so we're looking at ways to pay for it. We're not alone in this. There's other communities that have taken on a storm water utility, and what I have here is a comparison of other communities in Iowa that are currently, have a storm water utility. This column represents communities and this is the monthly single family bill for single family home, and this is interesting here. This is the year the utility was initiated. We don't have that data on a couple cities. We were just expanding our database today. We're right in the middle of the pack at $2 per residence, and when you look at the charges for non- residential, for, we have some examples here, gas station, small shop, grocery store, we're somewhat in the middle to the upper end of the pack there, and a distinct difference that we have from some of these communities, those that are labeled with an "F", they have a flat fee, and that fee as you can see across the board, is just flat for all of their customers. We don't necessarily believe that that is the fairest way to do it, and we also don't believe that it complies with the code that allows you, This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #8 Page 37 portions of the state code that allow you to set up a storm water utility, so that's why our utility for our non-residential customers basically looks at a property and calculates how many houses it's equivalent to, and then that fee is based on that. Champion: Do you think that...um, we got that sheet the last time you gave us one about specific places in town and what the charges would be? I don't have it with me tonight, but is that going to be detrimental to our economic development, cause some of those fees can be quite hefty. Has the Economic Committee talked about that at all? Atkins: The comxnittee hasn't talked about it, and Connie, remember, this is universal, so virtually every city is going to have to do this. Champion: Cedar Rapids is only charging $2 and Coralville is only charging $2.50, $2. Fosse: Them are commtmities that have gone with the flat fee, and again, we don't believe that if challenged in court, that that fee won't stand. Champion: Oh, I'm not saying that it's not legal. I'm asking if it's going to be detrimental to our economic development. It appears to be quite hefty for some of the larger urn, one of the, I can't remember if it's Proctor & Gamble, it was like $2,000 or $3,000 per month, is that possible? Fosse: I've got those figures here. O'Donnell: $1,063, yeah. Champion: $1,063. Kanner: Are you saying, Rick, that it might be challenged, some of those plants? Fosse: Yes. Kanner: So, Connie, actually he's saying the opposite, that it might be challenged that flat rate. Atkins: It's unlikely that somebody's going to challenge for $1.25 a month. I think that's why we see those stand. Dilkes: I think that my advice has been since we started this project that a flat fee was problematic, and I do think that you see the flat fees are so low that there might not be an incentive to challenge it, but ! do think it's problematic. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #8 Page 38 Pfab: I have a question. You said you talk about home equivalence. What do you define as a home? Fosse: What we've done is we've measured 76 homes in Iowa City and come up with an average square footage of impervious area that includes the home, the driveway, and the sidewalk, and that we've called an ERU, an Equivalent Residential Unit. Brian, help me remember how many square feet that is. 3,129 square feet of impervious areas. Let me show you a bar graph that represents the projected income from this based on segment. We've got residential, multi-family, schools, industrial and government, and commercial. For those communities that implement a flat rate here for these entities is to generate an equivalent amount of funds. As you bring these columns down, this one goes up, so essentially you're shifting more of the burden to the residential customers with some of those flat fee structures. Pfab: The other thing, I brought this up more than once, is we have the ability to measure that, now your point is it's too costly. My question to you is how do we know? Have we sent out an RFP for somebody to measure that for us? Fosse: No we've not, but we have done the individual calculations for each of these segments, and we know the amount of effort that that takes for the measurement of those commercial properties, government and industrial, so we have a good feel for that level of difficulty. And, you're right, it is feasible but we don't view it as practical. Pfab: Okay, so also this is the very beginning, we're starting on a new journey of a new enterprise fund and we're hoping to change people's behavior but in the sense of how much of the earth you cover up so the water can't soak in. Now I think we have a chance here to help modify people's behavior by making it profitable to not cover everything over with concrete. I think we're missing a good opportunity by cutting corners, unless you can tell me in precise numbers what it's really going to cost and the only way you can put it out is to put out a bid on it. Let somebody tell us what it's going to cost. Champion: But I think you're the only one interested in doing that, Irvin. Pfab: I know. I made my point. Lehman: Rick, why don't you finish your presentation. Fosse: Um, that's actually it. Lehman: Oh good! Good job! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #8 Page 39 Champion: Good job. Kanner: Couple things, Rick. In regards to that first one you had when they started their storm water utility in different cities. Can you surmise why they started, these were smaller ones which I assume are not required to, smaller cities which that are not required to implement these programs until the same time as us or later? Why did they start so much earlier than us, if you could surmise? Fosse: I think there's a couple reasons there. One is the opportunity existed. They saw from the larger communities that it is allowed within the framework of the state code that we have so they saw this as an opportunity to increase their revenues to pay for programs that they already had in place, such as maintaining their sewers, or building new storm sewers, and the second would be to, the second reason is just getting themselves postured for when those Phase 2 regulations kick in. Kanner: And, how do we figure in average-wise, compared to some of these places with all of our utilities, public water, waste? I'm just looking at the overall burden that this adds. My impression is that it's pretty high. I hear a lot of people talking about how high it is for these costs. Fosse: Yes, I've not done a direct comparison but I think if you total them all up we're towards the high end of that all in all. Kanner: The other thing that I wanted to bring up is um I asked Rick about wheel tax. It seems to me that a large percentage of the concern in regards to storm water is generated by cars and traffic and streets, and that if we're talking about clear distribution of the cost, I think we want to go to those who use the streets the most, and try to distribute it there, and one possible way to do that is a tax that's not used too much in Iowa but that's allowed is a wheel tax. We got a memo here. And it would be allowed to be used in the same way that road use taxes are used. You can charge, I'm not sure what the amount was. Atkins: I don't believe it's limited, Steve. Kanner: But if you figure 50 cents a wheel, let's say, or a quarter a wheel, that would be a dollar a car and if there are 30,000 or 40,000 cars registered in the county, would be collected when people register their vehicle at the County offices, the Treasurer. That might be 30,000 and perhaps that would get to, Irvin, what you're talking about. The equity issue of who is being charged what. So it seems that those that are bringing cars which contribute a lot to storm water runoff and some of the environmental affects of that, we might want to consider charging them for that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #8 Page 40 Dilkes: Just for clarification, the process for a wheel tax is the same as that for a local option sales tax. Lehman: Right, I saw the memo. Kanner: That you put on the ballot. So... Pfab: I don't see as much connection as that as the square feet of concrete that's on the ground. Lehman: Okay. Thank you, Rick. Fosse: You're welcome. Lehman: Anyone else wish to speak to this? Vanderhoef: I was just going to comment to Connie and her economic development question. Um, we are, our City, is in the second tier so the even larger cities, the ones over 200,000 have been working through all of this since the mid-90's and putting it in place so those are some of the places where we would be in competition hopefully for some of the new businesses that might come in, or, people who choose to expand in the businesses here. Champion: But they're doing flat rates. Vanderhoef: No, not necessarily. A lot of them are using impermeable surfaces. Champion: There's like Cedar Rapids, and... Vanderhoef: But they're under 200,000. I'm talking about the big city group was affected by the storm water mandate prior to the cities under 200,000 so they've been at it quite a bit longer so they're used to paying it already coming out of those big cities. Lehman: I understood, Connie, your point was if we compete with the Coralville's and Cedar Rapids or whatever, our people are paying in the thousands and they're paying $2 month, that's a significant difference. Champion: Right. Lehman: You know I think that's something we're going to have to monitor. Now, Economic Development Committee has not talked about this. Uh, that certainly may be a factor. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #8 Page 41 Champion: I thinkyou should talk about it. You need to get some input, ifwe'reway past this. Lehman: Okay. Public hearing is closed. This represents only a reasonably a~:curate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #11 Page 42 ITEM 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DIRECTING SALE OF $5,570,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2003. Lehman: We received four written bids, I believe I'm reading this right, and one, two, three, four, five electronic bids. The low bid was submitted by Hams Trust and Savings of Chicago, with a rate of 3.096875 and the recommendation is that the bonds be sold to Harris Trust and Savings. Do we have a motion to that effect? O'Donnell: So moved. Vanderhoef: Move the resolution. Lehman: Have a motion by O'Donnell, second by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Pfab: I would like to ask ifKevin could, Kevin? What, this is the first time that you mixed the electronic with the other bids? O'Malley: Yes, this was. Pfab: Was them anything that you noticed any different, one way or the other? O'Malley: No, no, it was very efficient. Pfab: Pardon? O'Malley: It was a very efficient process. Unfortunately the winner was not electronic. Pfab: Did you come up with, were any new players present that you hadn't seen before? O'Malley: Uh, there was one new player. I think it was a company that changed names though. These are all syndicates. Lehman: Thank you. Roll call. Knapp: Is them any public discussion on your (can't hear--not at mic) Lehman: On what? Knapp: The item that you're on now. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #11 Page 43 Lehman: We're accepting the sale of bids. I don't know what public discussion there can be. We got bids. We're required to accept the lowest bid, by law, which is what we're doing. Knapp: I guess what I'm saying is isn't this something that should go in front of the public? Lehman: We had a public hearing on it at the last meeting. We have now put them out for bids and we have received the bids and we're accepting the low bid. Knapp: And may I ask what the use is? Lehman: I think we went through that rather thoroughly at the public heating, and it was all in the packet. There are a number of uses. Most of the uses for these bonds for the public's information are for projects that are presently under way, as I understand it. Atkins: Yes. O'Donnell: About 50% of them. Lehman: We don't sell our debts until when we have to pay for it, so we don't have to incur any more debt than we have to. The majority of the proceeds from these bonds will be paying for projects that are presently under way. Knapp: May I ask a question? Karr: If you're going to ....... I just can't pick him up at all. Lehman: Well, why don't we wait until we get to public discussion, if you'd like to ask a question then you may. Roll call. Kanner: Can we just hear his questions before we vote? Lehman: No, we are not going to do that now. Would you care to vote? Kanner: Take the time to ...... Lehman: Would you care to vote, Steven? Kanner: I'll vote yes. Lehman: Thank you. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #12 Page 44 ITEM 12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND HOWARD R. GREEN COMPANY CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE WATER MONITORING AND ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORTS FOR THE IOWA CITY SANITARY LANDFILL. Vanderhoef: Move the resolution. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Move by Vanderhoef, second by Wilbum. Discussion? Kanner: How did we choose Howard Green? Atkins: They had done some of the original work, and their proposal, I believe it was 3 years ago, was we found acceptable. We have a long-standing relationship with them, and we found it was cheaper to do it this way. We've looked at other firms in the past and we're just happy with their work. It is a requirement of state and federal, it is an unfunded mandate. We have to do this. Kanner: We don't put these out for bid? Atkins: We do them periodically, Steven. This was not put out for bid. It would have been put out for proposal. Not a sealed bid because it was consulting services, and we were just simply extending, it substantially extends the contract we already have with them, correct? (someone responds with "yes"). Lehman: Other dis ..... I'm sorry. Vanderhoef: It's a 3 year just for, because this is an on-going kind of activity we have to do. Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #15 Page 45 ITEM 15. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION RATIFYING SETTLEMENT OF PENDING LITIGATION. Lehman: We just received that this evening. O'Dormell: So moved. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell. Pfab: Second. Lehman: Second by Pfab. Discussion? Roll call. Kanner: Wait, you, let the public know what this is in regards to, Ernie? Lehman: Eleanor, would you like to... Dilkes: This involves the Hoskinson matter, older gentleman who fell at City Park. (tape ends) Kanner: Okay, and... Dilkes: Settlement is for $125,000. Kanner: They were asking originally for $10,000,000 and we decided it was in our best interest to settle for the $125,000. Dilkes: Well, those were not done at the same negotiation. This case has a very long history, four or five years I think we've been litigating this, so it's very hard to capsulize those negotiations. Lehman: But this was an agreement, a recommendation from the legal staff at the City and also from our insurance can'ier. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #16 Page 46 ITEM 16. PUBLIC DISCUSSION. Knapp: My name is Jim Knapp. I reside at 528 Rundell Street, Iowa City, Iowa. I was probably out of sequence in asking the question. The question was, is this, is that the done deal now? Are the obligation bonds issued? Lehman: Yes. Knapp: And from what I've read, according to the law, that were to be advertised some time in advance and discussed at three meetings, I believe. Was that wrong? Lehman: No, but I think this has been done strictly in accordance with... Knapp: Well I don't know. I've just been doing a lot of checking in the law books. Atkins: It's in full compliance with the law. Knapp: Will any of these bonds be used to help finance the parcel 64-1, the urban renewal project? Atkins: No. Lehman: I don't think there's anything on that one. Vanderhoef: There were four different public hearings, as I recall, and it was not mentioned in any of them. Knapp: So, like we can rest assured that they will not be, is that correct? Lehman: I think that you can rest assured, yes. Knapp: What are the plans for the interim financing of this project, if in fact Mr. Moen does get his financing? Lehman: Well, that's up to Mr. Moen. We have a contract... Knapp: The City will not be providing him any interim funding? Lehman: I do, we have a contract with Mr. Moen, I assume, which we negotiated what, a couple years ago. He is, I believe, his deadline is Friday of this week, and construction is to start the first of December, and all of that has been discussed and negotiated and put to bed well over a year ago. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #16 Page 47 Knapp: Well, one thing Mr. Moen left open in his original proposal, was the offer of $250,000 for the property, and the City also at that time said yes, that would be an item for negotiation. Has that been done? Dilkes: That's an item in the contract. Again, I think that... Knapp: That's an item that he put in the contract? I did not hear anybody saying Mr. Moen we want more, or him saying... Dilkes: We have a contract now. The negotiations are over, and we have a contract that includes the pumhase price. Again, I think if Mr. Knapp wants to address you as part of public discussion, that's appropriate at this time, but I don't think we should be talking without notice to the public about, specifically about the loan contract. Knapp: I realize you have filed a contract and it is already recorded. What I'm asking is, in Mr. Moen's original proposal, he offered the $250,000 for the parcel of ground, but he also indicated that we are open to negotiation on this. Did anybody act in the behalf of the community or the CDBG recipients to try to change that from $250,000 to anything else? Lehman: I don't think we're going to be permitted to discuss this without having prior notice to Mr. Moen and whoever else is interested. You can pose the questions, but... Knapp: You negotiated the contract with him, or the Council did, or the City legal staff did. I think we're all here tonight and I think we all know, and I can go back to all the minutes of all the meetings and see where he did offer to negotiate that at the time and I want to know if in fact it was negotiated at the time. Lehman: I have no idea. Dilkes: Those were very lengthy negotiations involving numerous aspects of the contract, so I think that's... Knapp: What I'm saying is the price of $250,000 for the property, because that was a negotiable item that he mentioned in his initial proposal, and was also in the initial acceptance. Was it or was it not negotiated? Dilkes: I can say with a high degree of certainty that the price was discussed during negotiations. Knapp: Uh, I've noticed on several occasions, Mr. Kanner has, because of conflict of interest, or Mr. Wilbum, or other people, excused themselves from voting on an issue. And I think that's proper. Is it proper for somebody This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. # 16 Page 48 that owns property in downtown Iowa City and operates a business, to vote on an issue of such impact as parcel 64? Dilkes: I give opinions to the Council, not to persons who stand up during public discussion and start cross-examining City Council. If the Council would like my opinion on that question, I'm happy to give it. Lehman: Okay. Knapp: I'm just asking if it's proper. Dilkes: I'm happy to give the Council my opinion if it's requested. Lehman: Do you have anything else? Knapp: Yes, I have a lot. Lehman: Well you're not going to get a lot because you have about two minutes. Knapp: Well... Kanner: Just to, a point of information, for the 64-l-a, we are going to vote a bond as part of our agreement in the TIF. Atkins: That's correct. Kanner: That's granted for $6 million? Atkins: I couldn't give you an exact number but... Kanner: Around there. Knapp: We have agreed, by contract, to to finance Mr. Moen's construction. Now, I want to know if those bonds are going to be used for that purpose. I'd like to ask another question. When you knew, City staff, the Council, when they knew back in July when Mr. Moen had not come up with his financing why was not the question raised at that time? Kanner: What question? Lehman: We're not going to discuss this with you tonight, sir? Knapp: Look, is it your responsibility to do that as an elected official? Is it the responsibility of the City staff to remind you that Mr. Moen's contract could have died as of July 31st? Did anybody have any discussions in regard to that? Why did not Mr. Moen come forward at that time and say This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #16 Page 49 look I'm having a problem? Why wasn't it brought out until the 11th hour? Why was he granted 75 arbitrary continuous days, and then another 30 days? I believe I have a right, as all the citizens in the Iowa City area have a right, to know that. Now, I can either ask it now or we can ask it in court. It doesn't make any difference. Lehman: Well, your time is up. Perhaps if you want to ask it in court, then that's where you'll have to ask it. Knapp: I have another question. Are you... Lehman: Sir, I'm sorry. Do you have one question? You may pose it and then we are going to continue the meeting. Knapp: Well, I have not received an answer yet. Is it or is it not proper if you have a vested interest in a property in Iowa City and a business in the downtown business district, to act in such a manner? Lehman: I think we've already determined what the answer is. All right... Kanner: Just as a point of information, the question you asked about the deadline passing was asked and could be found in transcripts. It was asked by Council members. Knapp: Yeah, I've been buried in transcripts for days. Thank you, Steven. Kanner: I can help you find that. Knapp: I have....City Library...just one more... Lehman: Okay, next item on the agenda is Item 17 which are Council appointments. Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment. We did not receive an application. Knapp: Well, may I present my letter? Lehman: No you may not! Knapp: To all of .... Lehman: The Animal Care & Adoption Advisory... Kanner: Ernie, why don't we get it? Knapp: I have a letter here prepared for every Council Member which I expect an answer. May I give it out? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #16 Page 50 Lehman: Would you please give it to the City Attorney? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #19 Page 51 ITEM 19. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION. Lehman: Irvin? Pfab: I've been asked to announce that PATV Annual Meeting is right around the comer, Thursday, November 20th, 6:30 to 9:00pm. Please join us at the Access Center for delicious snacks, soothing music by Nick Stika, hob-nobbery with fellow Access enthusiasts, thrilling live television, and a spectacular business meeting. Lehman: All right. Connie? Champion: Well, I just want to thank Dee for coming up with a possible ordinance, and I think we should put that on a work session, whether we want to do an ordinance about concentrations of low-income housing. Lehman: Oh, I think that's got to be an idea for a work session. O'Donnell: Very good idea. Lehman: Anything else, Connie? Mike? O'Donnell: Well congratulations Ross and Dee. Lehman: Yes! Vanderhoef: Thank you. O'Donnell: On successful campaigns. Bob Elliot and Regenia Bailey, um, I've watched almost every forum. I want to complement everybody for positive campaigns and comments, and I'm looking very forward to the new Council. Lehman: I think we all second that. Dee? Vanderhoef: Um, just wanting to know if anyone from Council is going to go to Des Moines for the legislative lobbying conference? Lehman: What's the date? Vanderhoefi Wednesday. Lehman: This week? Vanderhoef: Uh-huh. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #19 Page 52 Lehman: Day after tomorrow? Vanderhoefi Uh-huh. Lehman: Oh, all right. Anybody going? Champion: Are you going, Dee? Vanderhoefi I am going, and then I'm staying over and I will be there at the League of Cities so if there's anything that you would like brought up at the Board meeting, let me know. Lehman: Okay. Wilbum: Just a reminder to Council, I put a memo in about the invitation for the legislative forum that East Central Iowa Council of Goverment is doing. Vanderhoef: Yes. Wilbum: That will be in Coralville at City Hall over there, at Council Chambers, and I just want to thank the voters who support my campaign, folks who helped out on the campaign, my family for putting up with me being gone for a little while, and uh, I want to thank my opponent for the kind words that she left on a phone message about the campaign. Lehman: Thank you. Kanner: In regards to that legislative forum, it said it was targeted to mayors and City Managers. Are other Council Members involved in that? Wilbum: Um, I would, you know the folks will be in dialogue with the legislators about them so urn, I think in the past others have shown up. Vanderhoef: They have. We started this about five years ago, and held it just with our meeting, and the last two years it has been expanded to a bigger location and invited more of the community to come. Pfab: Emie, when you get... Lehman: We'll get back here in just a second. Steven? Kanner: We had a list of questions that are going to be asked of Bob Latham on Monday, and I appreciate that list. It looked quite comprehensive. I think it's going to answer a lot of questions and concerns that we have about a possible municipal electric utility, and hopefully soon we'll get some sort This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #19 Page 53 of opinion from the Attorney General's office as to when Council could call for an election for municipal utility. That's the thing that's still a mystery to us here locally. We know that a citizen initiative couldn't be probably for two more years. That's the next City Council election, but City Council could call one earlier and mn, we'll see what happens with that, and I want to wish KJ a happy second anniversary. Dilkes: With respect to the election issue, I am researching that and intend to give you an opinion on that. My last communication with the auditor, he said that he intended to rely on the opinion of my office so... Lehman: Okay. Champion: Will that be televised? That meeting with Latham. Atkins: I don't know. Kanner: Can we do that? Lehman: I think we should. Champion: I think it'd be a good idea. Lehman: Yeah, I think we should. Atkins: Let us check on that. Lehman: Right. Any other... Atkins: If we can, you want it done? Lehman: Right. Atkins: Okay. Lehman: And that's really an important meeting. Latham is going to be discussing his report with us, answering questions that have been submitted, and also there will be an opportunity for the Council and people from the public to submit written questions, which will be given to him. And that meeting is scheduled Monday, from 6:30 until 9:00pm. Champion: If it's not possible to televise it because of time constraints on public TV, maybe we could at least film it so we could show it at another time. Atkins: Tape it. I'll see what we can do. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #19 Page 54 Vanderhoefi Replay it over the next couple years. Kanner: I would assume that people who can't make that meeting, that they can submit a question to the Clerk's office and we'll try to get it proposed to Bob Latham. Lehman: Right. Any and all questions, it is important. Tomorrow is Vet's Day, obviously that's why we're having our meeting tonight rather than tomorrow night. There's a Veteran's Day banquet which I know some of us will be at. Vanderhoefi Absolutely! Lehman: So, Irvin? Pfab: Yes, I just want to congratulate the Senior Center for putting on a veteran's celebration. There was a really outstanding presentation, wonderful speakers. The Senior TV was taping it so you should be able to see it on TV. Lehman: Very good. Vanderhoef: I saw a full-fledged Veteran's Day parade coming right down Commerce Street on Saturday afternoon in San Antonio, and they do it every year. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003. #20 Page 55 ITEM 20. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF. Lehman: Steve? Atkins: Nothing, sir. Lehman: Eleanor? Marian? Kan': Just real quickly, do take a look at the Council schedule that I provided you for the remainder of the year. There are a little bit different scheduling, a little bit different times, so... Lehman: Okay, will do. Do we have... O'Donnell: Move to adjourn. Vanderhoefi Second. Lehman: We have a motion to adjourn. Second? All in favor. Motion carries. We are adjourned. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of November 10, 2003.