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Home My WebLink About1998-02-26 Council minutes City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: February 26, 1998 Mayor and City Council Marian K. Karr, City Clerk City Council Goal Setting Session, February 26, 1998 -- 9:00 AM Council Present: Staff Present: Goal Setting Facilitator: Downtown Project Facilitator: Tapes: Lehman, Champion, Kubby, Norton, O'Donnell, Thornberry, Vanderhoef Atkins, Helling, Karr, Franklin. Additional staff for Downtown Discussion: Craig, Yucuis, Schoon, Miklo, Davidson Kadn Franklin Steve Atkins Reel 98-33, all; Reel 98, 35, all; Reel 98-36, all; 98-37, all CITY COUNCIL GOAL SF:TTING DISCUSSION Planning and Community Development Director Franklin discussion. City Council listed the following areas of concern: Flip Chart: 1. Continue image of government as user friendly 2. Long term land use 3. Financial health of City 4. Supply and cost of housing 5. Downtown Revitalization 6. Appearance of community 7. Interjurisdictional cooperation 8. Economic development 9. Transportation systems 10. Citizen participation 11. Public safety 12. Council group dynamics 13. Council-staff relationships 14. Parks & Recreational Opportunities 15. Airport 16. Resolving various City service issues 17. Franchise issues facilitated Reel 98-33, Side 1 Council's goal setting City Council Goal Setting Session February 26, 1998 Page 2 Council members each designated the five most important projects that they want to accomplish in the next 2 -4 year time period. Franklin the listed projects by category as follows: Flip Chart: 1. Image of Government: "Customer" service Zoning/Bldg. Rules & Regs Explain No - staff training; publications; encourage re-evaluation of rules if no doesn't seem reasonable Encourage dev. community to work with Neighborhood 2. Land Use Complete Northeast Plan Plan for Southeast and South Steps to visible edge Review Subdivisions regs- Efficient services Housing Corem Address regional storm water management Include dev. community and others in process (See #3, #10, #14 after #17) Housing Establish housing fund Additional affordable housing* Scattered throughout city Mixed neighborhoods Maintain integrity of existing neighborhoods* *Address co. nfiicts which may occur with these two goals o Downtown Revitalization Library/CenterSpace Parking/Transportation Streetscape Public Safety Community Appearance Trash & general clean up Entire city Creating attractive entrances Protection of dver corddor Easements acq. along river Erosion control Implement public art Attractiveness of arterials Long-term plantings City Council Goal Setting Session February 26, 1998 Page 3 Cooperation Foster positive relationships with neighboring cities, the County, the University, and ICCSD Establish communication system between the council (or reps -mayor) with the University president & VPs Economic Dev. Recruit industry Tax base Jobs (private) Incentives that do not affect long term finance viability of City Implement economic dev. policy Support workforce der. activities Transportation Court Street Benton Street (First Avenue) Major EAN artedal Hwy 6 or further south Invest non motorized trans system (See #3, #10, #14 after #17) 11. Public safety Change public perception of PD Accreditation Auxiliary PCRB Training Council issues 13. Council- Staff Timing of info to Council from receipt of packet to mtg. too quick (See #3, #10, #14 after #17) 15. Airport Physical appearances Community perception Make Airport more interesting to visitors, physically and operationally Development of airport property North and south Encourage private investment in Airport 16. Issues Recycling of cardboard from businesses City Council Goal Setting Session February 26, 1998 Page 4 17. Franchise Issue & Utilities ROW-utility usage & payment for Consider company providers Monitor & take an active role in legislation - both federal and state 10. Citizen Participation Representative democracy & participation democracy Citizen involvement in design of budget Process for citizen involvement in: Capital projects Council decision making Franchise Health Source of additional revenue Look at belt tightening State law & tax structure 14. Parks and Recreation Opportunities No projects listed DOWNTOWN Reel 98-35, Side 2 City Manager Atkins presented a project summaries and financing options for the proposed Downtown Streetscape, Iowa Avenue Streetscape, Iowa Avenue Parking Garage and Library/CenterSpace/Parking Multi-Use Facility. The following flip charts were used. Flip Chart: Vision Downtown is the heart of the Iowa City community. It is, and should continue to be, distinguished by its unique and lively mix of commerce, culture, education, entertainment, government, and recreation for residents and visitors Goals ~ Provide a critical mass of destination points and vaded year-round activities that will draw people to the downtown. ~ Create a positive climate that focuses on the retention and recruitment of businesses. ~ Maintain a clean and attractive physical environment in the downtown. ~ Provide a safe and inviting downtown for residents and visitors. ~ Ensure that downtown is accessible by all modes of transportation. Council members listed Downtown Streetscape, Iowa Avenue Parking Garage, Iowa Avenue Streetscape, and Multi-Use Facility issues as follows: City Council Goal Setting Session February 26, 1998 Page 5 Downtown Streetscape Flip chad: Downtown Streetscape Phase 3.5 million Flip Chart: Downtown Streetscape Phasing - by item or by area Lighting What constitutes a phase Timber or limestone Cost of alternative Brickwork around planters more desirable Safety Costs Water feature cost & design, safety, flexibility Use of existing water feature (Cost of relocating/upgrade) Interactive water feature Total cost of timing of expenditures 1 1,850,000 2 1,100,000 3 600,000 Conclusions: Phasing - split Item v. area Planters - blend of materials to address costs Water feature -less cost Flexibility Safety Iowa Avenue Parking Garage Flip chart: Iowa Avenue Parking Garage $480,000 + acquisition Construction must occur before Iowa Avenue Streetscape Notify contracted tenants Obligation for relocation for owners/tenants/occupants Historic significance of Harmon Bldg. Public participation Design of building - not another 'lousy stinking ramp" Brick Interface with Senior Center andJor Ecumenical Towers Possible physical connection No reservation of space for specific business Potential private development Height compatibility with neighboring buildings University contribution w/o management entangles Creation of additional parking elsewhere for interim of construction -Clinton Possibly 6th Floor Conclusions/Summary: Contingent issues, not design most cdtical timing w/streetscape important as it affects pkg. City Council Goal Setting Session February 26, 1998 Page 6 Iowa Avenue Streetscape Flip chart: Iowa Avenue Streetscape 100 Block 200-300 Block A $1,200,000 $2,400.000 B 875,000 1,750,000 C 600,000 1,200.000 Transformer relocation costs (?) Washington St. pavers as part of activity center - adds to flexible use of space Pavers - cost University contribution Timing and how much is done If pavers in intersection only, color concrete Loading zone Width of sidewalk in first block Loss of parking in first block Conclusions: Need pkg. structure on the way & University Contribution Multi Use Facility Flip chart: Multi Use Facility Library $8,306,000 CenterSpace 7,135,000 Parking 2,666,000 Other 4,325,000 Parking on top of project Don't skimp on foundations Traffic circulation/access Cost through additional revenue Pkg. outside ramp Aggressive posture re private development City Manager Atkins summarized financial options as outlined in his February 20, 1998 memo re: Downtown Projects-Financial Proposal, pgs. 3, 4, 5, 6. Council directed staff to not use the General Fund to finance the Downtown Projects; target $2.7 million for the Downtown Streetscape; and use a blend of material for the downtown planters. Franklin noted that staff is proceeding with the Downtown Streetscape Plan in terms of surveying the downtown. Atkins stated he will prepare a summary memo regarding Council's Downtown Project discussion. CALENDAR Reel 98-37, Side 1 Council agreed to schedule a meeting March 25, 2:00 to 4:00 PM, to discuss sales tax and financing issues. Meeting adjourned: 3:10 p.m. clerk\min\gss226.doc