HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-16 Transcription#3 Page 1
ITEM 3. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS - Lincoln
Elementary
Lehman: The next item on the agenda are the Outstanding Student Citizenship Awards, so
if the folks from Lincoln Elementary would come forward please. This is my
favorite part of the Council meeting, cause you guys are about the same age as
my granddaughters, not that you're my granddaughters (laughter). Any~vay, this
is the part that is very special for Council. I think it's very special for the
community. I know it's special for parents, and it's particularly special for
grandparents, so what I'd like each of you to do if you would read your name and
why you've been nominated.
Powell: My name's Jonathan. I am honored to receive this outstanding student citizen
award. My contributions for earning this award are: as an alternate on student
council, I go to meetings if someone is absent. We schedule dates with special
activities for the 4th, 5~h and 6th grade students. I am a crossing guard in patrol
and I make sure the kids cross the street safely. I also help kindergartners locate
maps on the internet. I am a tech mentor, and as a tech mentor I assist any
student who needs help with anything on the computer. I have served as an
interviewer for the Lincoln newsletter, and I help serve lunch at recess. I
especially thank my teachers and Mrs. (can't hear) for choosing me for this
recognition for being an outstanding student citizen.
(applause)
Lehman: Council, he's an expert on computers. You know, you might have some
customers right back here! (laughter) Okay.
Goldsmith: Hi, I'm Katie Goldsmith. I want to thank you for this award. I am in 6th grade
and I think it's cool to help because when you help someone they learn that they
can help somebody else. Some of things I'm on are safety patrol, kindergartner
helper, teacher helper, tech mentor, and peer assistant. I remember once when I
was a tech mentor there was a 3~d grader and he was having some trouble so I
asked if he needed some help and he said okay. That just made me feel good.
Once my teacher asked another kid and me to carry something and I wanted to
get home, but I said sure so she wouldn't have to carry it herself. Thank you
very much for this award.
(applause)
Ohland: Hi, my name is Morgan Ohland and I think I was chosen by my teachers and
principal because I help the primary and kindergarten students, and I am on
safety patrol and tech mentors. I think that helping with little kids is a good thing
because when they get older they will know how to use computers, and get
around the school and neighborhood. Thank you for this award. I really
appreciate it.
(applause)
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Lehman: We have some certificates for you. 1'11 read one of them: for outstanding
qualities of leadership within Lincoln Elementary, as well as the community, and
for sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others, we recognize these
outstanding student citizens. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the
Iowa City City Council.
(applause)
Lehman: Thank you very much. Now we have another kind of a special presentation
that's not on the agenda. Irvin, if you and Steven Kanner would come forward
please. Steven and Irvin are participating in the last regularly scheduled meeting
of the year. Both ofthem...pardon?
Kanner: ... sure on that (laughter).
Lehman: Both of these gentlemen have served for four years on the Council, and for those
of us who have been on the Council, there's a lot of work involved and we have
something to present to each of you in remembrance of the time that you have
spent with us. This is a framed print ora gazebo at College Green Park, along
with a plaque at the bottom with your name and the time of the years that you
served on the Council. Irvin. Thank you very much, and the best of luck to both
of you.
(applause)
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ITEM 4. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
Champion: Move adoption minus e(1).
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Move by Champion, second by O'Donnell to adopt, removing e(1).
Discussion?
Pfab: Was there an addition to correspondence?
Kart: There is an addition before you this evening. There's two correspondence
correspondence from Liz Goodman regarding downtown parking (staff
response), and David Wergeland regarding Lewis Investments, as
amended. It's included.
Champion: But that's included?
Lehman: That's included. Discussion?
Kanner: Urn, yeah, a few things that I had. One is in regards to City Council's
minutes, number 4 (a). The first one is in regard to a work session number
2, where the decision was made to accept the financing for the child,
proposed child care center, at the parking ramp, the Court Street parking
ramp, and the only thing I would ask is that in the future, Council asks for
more time before we get that kind of information. It was a little last
minute, and staff does good work, but I would say that if we have some
more time, we could look for other possible solutions or take it out to the
community and see if there's something else that might even be a better
solution. And then, in regards to minutes also, number 4(a) 4, the
November 25th formal, I would ask that we slightly amend the minutes. I
had mentioned a restaurant with possible, with allegations of human
right's violations, and I didn't mention the restaurant, which was
mentioned there so i would ask that that be stricken from the minutes there
in regards to that.
Lehman: Okay.
Vanderhoef: That's fine.
Kanner: And then the final thing in the, in our packet, that I wanted to comment on.
We have the minutes from the Airport, from November 13th, and perhaps
it was appropriate that we had a proclamation today. They're still
discussing a consultant's recommendations and one thing I would ask
Council to look at in the future, take a hard look at those
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recommendations, and be assertive. Especially in the issue of whether or
not there should be an airport manager as a City employee, and reading the
minutes, the airport commissioners are reluctant to challenge that, and I
know it's hard to do that. The airport manager is a good person, working
to the best of his ability, but the question is what is best for the city in the
long mn, and I think the City as the person, as the entity ~vith the power of
the purse, can move things in a certain direction, and I would ask that City
Council seriously put that into the mix for discussion about the future of
the airport because I think we got some good recommendations from that
consultant. Thank you.
Lehman: Okay. Any other discussions? Roll call on the calendar with e(1)
removed.
Champion: Move adoption of e(1).
O'Donnell: Second.
Wilbum: I will not be participating in putting on this item. It involves opening the
action plan which involves funding with community development, block
grants and home funds, and I have a conflict of interest with those items
and cannot participate in such discussions.
Lehman: Thank you. Move by Champion, second by O'Donnell that we approve
item e(1). Discussion? Roll call.
Dilkes: It's a motion.
Lehman: Oh, all in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.
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ITEM 5. COMMUNITY COMMENT
Lehman: This is the time reserved on the agenda for citizens to address the Council
on issues that do not otherwise appear on the agenda. If you wish to
address the Council, please give your name, address, and limit your
comments to five minutes or less.
Honohan: My name is Jay Honohan. I'm a member of the Senior Center
Commission. My address is 1510 Somerset Lane. May I be the first to
wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Lehman: Thank you.
Honohan: On behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank the City Council for
its support this past year and the administration for its strong support. The
Commission appreciates that. The Senior Center participants appreciate
that, and I will see you at budget time so that I can gather support for the
following year. I would also like to invite you to the Voices of Experience
concert on December 18th at 2:30pm at the Senior Center. This will be a
little special because this is Glen Jablonski's retirement after twenty-one
years as the Director of the Voices of Experience. I guess he finally got
lazy after all these years (laughter). I think he's 86 or 87 years old. We're
very proud of him. By way of some of the things that the Commission has
been doing, we are presently at about 700 in our membership drive. This
is about halfway of where we want to be, but considering that we really
have never had a big drive, and we anticipate our drive coming this spring,
I'm very pleased with the results so far. We will be also sending to the
Council next year a new scholarship program for the Senior Center for
classes that are conducted at the center. This has been under discussion
and we've had meetings, and a policy has been approved, and you will be
receiving it in due time. We are, as I have indicated earlier, been
monitoring the dining program and we will have a report on that. We're
checking the participation of the dining program and we're trying to get a
good hang on the costs of the dining program. We do have an estimate
right now that only 34% of the meals that are eaten in the dining program
are eaten at the Senior Center. So most of what's happening is going
away from the Senior Center. Although it's to Iowa City residents, we
know that there are residents in the county and other cities, and we're
trying to get a real good handle on what is going on there, and then we
may be coming back with some real serious policy discussions on what we
do with the dining program. I would also like to point out in closing, that
we are working on the hundred year celebration of the Post Office
Building, and there will be events both in the spring and the fall next year,
and we're certainly going to invite all past, present, and future Council
people to that celebration. If you have any questions, I'll be glad to
answer, but that's....I'11 let you get back to your other work.
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Karmer: Pick an at-large member?
Lehman: Thank you, Jay.
Honohan: Oh I'm sorry, yes we did. We selected an at-large member. Sarah
Meyers. She lives in rural Johnson County. And she is our 7th member
and she will start January 1 ~t.
Kanner: Great.
Lehman: Very good.
O'Donnell: Thanks, Jay.
Honohan: Thank you.
Ross: Hi, I'm Brandon Ross. I live at 1822 Rochester Avenue, and it's good to
see you folks before the holidays. I hope you all have a great holiday and
I do want to come out for the community. The Council was nice in
presenting Steven and Irvin with an award for their four years of service,
but I want to redouble that consideration and thank Steven Kanner and
Irvin Pfab for standing up for the community these past four years. It is
very difficult work. These are two people who have been very, very
visible in the community. Anybody who spends time downtown or in
community types of activities knows Irvin and knows Steven, who will be
sorely missed. I think that these are people who did stand up for
neighborhood. Who stood up for the arts. People who were for clarifying
issues for the common person who may not know the ways of
government, and they're just great people. When my father-in-law, for
instance, one night disappeared on a driving situation, and he's in his
eighties. He got lost, and we lost him. Steven Kanner came out and spent
the hours of midnight till five looking for him, and when my father passed
away a couple years ago, Irvin Pfab came over to our house and helped
with the organization of our trip to get back to Boston which we had to do,
you know, in a hurry, and I just want to stand up for these people and
thank them for standing up for us. Steven is going off to the east coast to
be with his companion who is getting a degree in the arts, and Irvin I know
is going to be around the community doing other work. These are two
great people. It's been very interesting listening to the communications
and the Council. I think that both Steven and Irvin have brought up points
of view that we may not have gotten to hear otherwise, and have
challenged the Council, and I hope that the Council continues in their
spirit to consideration these types of issues that are very community-
oriented types of issues that do protect the common man and woman, and
that will go on in a positive and effective manner for these next four years,
and so too I would like to also congratulate those who are coming on for
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the first time, but for Steven Kanner and for Irvin Pfab, thank you so much
for four years of service. Thank you.
(applause)
Lehman: Thank you, Brandon.
Knapp: I would like to also reinforce what that gentleman said because...
Lehman: You need to give your name if you would first please.
Knapp: Okay, sorry. I'm Jim Knapp. You probably will get to call me Ensign
(can't hear) if you ever saw Mr. Roberts before. Excuse me, Steven, I
only had time to get something ready for Irvin and I would like to give it
to him at this time. I like to write poetry. I want you to know if it hadn't
been for your emergency medical team, I wouldn't be here, right here.
Better than a year ago I fell and broke my back and I don't think I would
have survived without them. So, Iowa City's done a fine job in a lot of
respects. Ode to Irvin Pfab An Honorable Man, He served his people
well. My regret is not that you lost in the end, but that we have lost an
honest man. You by action and deed are a true friend. In the days ahead
more will understand. You were there for the people in need. Working
endless hours in endless dedication, you proved yourself by your creed.
Even at time that you felt exasperation. You voted with your heart and
mind. In your record there is no room for regret. Looking forward you
wilI surely find, the friends you made are with you yet. There are more
battles awaiting you. People that know your good deeds respect does not
to a title accrue, but from kindness you spread as seeds. When you look
back on difficult times, recall might does not always make right.
Achievement is also the way one climbs, for part of life is being able to
sleep at night. For rest from duties awesome responsibilities, often gives
one time to recall and reflect. A time to develop a needed skill and ability,
a time to approach the battle with greater effect. So in separating the
wheat from the chaff, think not my friend about losing or winning. Take
some time to sit back and laugh, after you rest there will be another inning.
Lehman: Thank you, Jim.
Knapp: I have other copies if anybody would like them. I can get more made.
One other...oh, there it is. I'm sorry. (can't hear) I would like to take my
last five minutes. If you have a meeting next week, you won't see me. I
get three bones out of(can't hear) and then I'i1 be working again. Steven,
I'll get you before you leave. (laughter) Only Time Will Tell. In the
eleventh hour before the end of time, with a saddened heart and confused
mind, the Clock Tower tolled his last chime. Then moving slowly he left
the ramp behind. After shaking the concrete from his feet, he turned to
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face the shameful bane of his life. Then remorsefully peering across Linn
Street, for one last look at Ms. Vogel, his wayward wife. Thinking of the
way she had been defiled, her very value given away in an attempt to
ineptly legitimize her bastard child, with a deed and deal beyond
contempt. Then on to send her illegitimate child to hell, he looked back to
bid his friend Irving farewell. Taking one last look at his spouse in
default, his hands dropped in awe as she turned into salt. Teary eyed he
left on his southerly course, striding on with the power of righteousness.
His mission was clear with a heart of remorse. He was determined boldly
to avenge his duress. Then it became clear to him as he drew near. The
Towers need to stand for one and all to see. Their redemptive purpose is a
giant mirror, a looking glass reflecting the faces of apathy. Thank you.
Lehman: Thank you.
Knapp: Thank you Irvin, and Steven. Thank the rest of you. On the most part,
you've done a wonderful job for Iowa City.
Lehman: Anyone else like to speak in public discussion?
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ITEM 6. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
d. REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1/3 OF AN ACRE FROM
PLANNED HIGH DENSITY MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
(PRM) TO SENSITIVE AREAS OVERLAY PLANNED HIGH
DENSITY MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (OSA-PRM) FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 512 S. DUBUQUE STREET
(REZ03-00022)
(1) Public Hearing
Lehman: Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. Do we have a motion?
(2) Consider an Ordinance (First Consideration)
O'Donnell: Move first consideration.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Move by O'Donnell, second by Champion. Discussion?
Kanner: I had a question last night and um, is Ron... ?
Atkins: There you go. Here he comes.
Kanner: Alright.
Knoche: Hi.
Kanner: I had a question in regards to the ground water, listed in there. Page 4 of the
Engineering report, page 116 of our packet. Let me just get to that. The level of
ground water, level of fluctuation should be considered when developing design
and construction plans for this project, which is a retaining wall they're talking
about, and because it's going into protected slope it has to have engineering,
licensed engineering approval. What are the ramifications of that statement that
they're talking about?
Knoche: What they're talking about is the amount of water that could possibly be behind
the retaining wall at any time, but what they've done as far as design, is they
have weep holes in the wall to take care of any water that would get behind the
wall. So there's drainage holes in the retaining wall itself that lets water come
through the wall if it would get up behind it.
Kanner: Okay, so that's a pretty standard procedure that they've done there?
Knoche: Yes.
Kanner: Thank you.
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Lehman: Thank you. Other discussion?
Kanner: Aside from that, I do have some concern with the retaining wall. It's going to be
quite tall in parts, sixteen feet tall, and even though this is, this hill was made by
humans with fill material and other things, I think now it's part of the aesthetics
and we have a Iot of parking lots going in there. We have I think the new
building that went in a year or two with the big parking lot in the back, and we
have this one with a big parking lot. As staff mentioned yesterday, there are
other design possibilities that could have happened, and I would suggest that we
ask for a new design. We have a neighborhood down there that works pretty well
actually. It's exciting and vibrant, walkable, and has a good mix of business and
residential, and if we overwhelm it with parking lots it really is detrimental. I
mean, when I walk down Governor, not Governor, down Johnson and Van Buren
and just see parking lots between the alley ways, I'm leery of that, and with
retaining walls here, I just think it leaves a detriment to that area, and is not good
for the community, and so I think we ought to be voting this down and ask for a
new design on this.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries six to one, Kanner voting the
negative.
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ITEM 7. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3 ENTITLED
"CITY FINANCES, TAXATION AND 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 14-3A-4, "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 UTIITY AND ESTABLISH A STORMWATER
UTILITY FEE. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Karr: Mr. Mayor, for the record, is this as amended or is this...you deferred one.
Do you want to move it as amended?
Lehman: Do I need a motion for this?
Karr: Same title.
Champion: Move first consideration as amended.
Lehman: Motion by Champion.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: .Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Neades: Hello, my name is Rebecca Neades. I'm with the Iowa City Area
Chamber of Commerce, and I come tonight to, with the intent of opening
discussion about this storm water utility fee. We would like to open
discussion on, with, actually let me back up a minute. I've given you all a
letter. You should have it in your packets, and then I gave you an
amended one tonight. I won't read the entire letter to you cause I know
you can go through that yourself, but what we're looking for is not to
oppose a fee and we're not proposing a flat rate fee, like Coralville and
North Liberty did. What we'd like to do is look at an equitable and fair
way to base your formula for storm water utility that would take into
consideration some of the things I've outlined. A few of them being a
comprehensive calculation of runoff to not just impervious area but there
are some cost associated and some fee, or there are some cost associated
that are a flat fee or a set amount, and that would have to do with volume
of the runoff from a site and some fixed costs, such as administrative,
public education, etc. We would like some clarification on which portion
of the proposed fee will be applied to new programs, and which are
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coming from line items already in the general fund. We understand that
you are not proposing a flat fee, but we think the formula should address
the potential for a parcel to introduce pollutants to the receiving waters,
and um, for example, all impermeable surfaces runoff does not pose the
same environmental risk. If you collect water on a roof and it's taken to
retention site or maybe taken to some, well it's discharged into a retention
pond. It doesn't carry the same pollutants as water that would run offa
roof and go across a large parking lot, maybe an oily surface, or maybe
through a yard with pollutants from fertilizer, etc. So, our intent tonight is
not to change your minds, it's to open discussion, and ask you to please
postpone your ruling, or starting, by your initial passing, your first reading
of the initial passing of the ordinance. Did that make sense for my first
night up here?
O'Donnell: Perfectly clear.
Lehman: Well, except I guess I have a question. We had a public hearing over a
month ago. Where have you been for the last month?
Neades: I just started (laughter).
Lehman: Where have the folks that you represent been?
Neades: I understand. You know, I think it probably didn't pop up on the radar
screen, and I apologize for that. I did start on the run on the 24th, and this
is something I know is mandated, it's federally mandated. I guess...go
ahead.
Guard: Pat Guard, President of the Chamber of Commerce. I apologize and we
understand that you had a public hearing and we were not present at that
public hearing. We're acting in response to some of our members who
have brought this up to us since the public heating, okay? We were not
aware of that particular public heating, nor did we feel that that was a
subject at that particular time. Since that time we have had a number of
members come to us concerned about the subject in general. And again,
they're not trying to say it's not a fair thing to have a fee for those type of
things. We're not asking that at all. We know there has to be some type
of fee. We know the environmental things that are coming down from the
federal government that you have to enact and take care of. We're just
asking for a little bit more time, and I guess more involvement, okay, from
the business sector to be involved in that type of decision-making.
Lehman: What sort of discussions are you proposing, and with whom?
Guard: I would say mainly your staff and engineers to just come down and see if
it is equitable. It may be extremely equitable, okay. I think we need to
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alleviate that from some of the people who are out there, the companies
that are out there, that feel this is not equitable, and they're not sure what
it's based on. And again, we know you had your public hearing and they
were not present either, and yes that's their fault. But I think that's the
whole thing. A little bit more communication. We're not asking for it to
be put off indefinitely, we're talking about a little bit more time to just
look at that a little bit.
Lehman: You are aware that the ICCAD Executive Committee has looked this over
and has not, apparently, found a problem with it.
Guard: Yes.
Lehman: I mean, they have contacted a couple Council people.
Guard: I am aware of that, but again, we're acting on our membership.
O'DonnelI: That doesn't mean there can't be disagreement on this.
Lehman: Well there will be forever.
Guard: Oh yeah, there always is, right?
O'Donnell: I do have concerns also and my concern is that on one side of a boundary
you have a set fee, and on the other side it's substantially higher. I don't
know how that, how that is going to mix with our business community,
and I do think there is room for more discussion here.
Guard: On the surface, one of the major things I think is in question by some of
our members, okay, and we've met with a number of them. Both in
engineering and from companies, is not the fact of how you're basing it on
the square footage of a house. That's really not the problem. The problem
is that the runoff from different buildings and different, whether it be
industrial or commercial properties, is a lot different. Some has a lot more
roof space versus parking space, so on and so forth, and those things have
different contaminants that may go into the wastewater, into the water
streams, okay? And I think they're trying to find an equitable way of
looking at that so ~vhen you put the fees on the commercial and industrial
people that it's based on some, rather than just the square footage because
square footage, they feel, is not a fair thing, ~vhen it comes to that kind of
property.
Lehman: Okay. Thank you.
Guard: Thank you.
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Neades: Thank you.
Bywater: Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, David Bywater in front of you. I
also brought members of my "A" team (laughter), Emily and Megan. I
figured it was a good idea to have a civics lesson early on in life, and I
know that you will tell that all members of our community are welcome. I
just thought I would step to the podium to represent a member of the
Chamber, not speaking for the Chamber or its membership, but to say that
there is a lot of concern about this issue out there in the community, and a
lot of misinformation, and I think what we're trying to say before you
today is that we can help with the implementation of this and avoid some
of the confusion if we get some clarity. There's misinformation, or
confusion, regarding the formula, regarding the impact, and regarding the
overall goals that are trying to be achieved here with this, and the
Chamber, as well as other vehicles in the community, can be used to help
move this process forward and get this done, but we'd like a chance to
have a little more input, and to have a little more discussion, and to learn
more about what is trying to be achieved. And to understand all the issues
at hand. I understand there was a public hearing on the l0th. AS the
Chamber folks reiterated, it was missed by a number of different people
under the radar screen but we do have active participation from the
Chamber membership, in particular saying "hey wait a minute, this is
something that we need to look at a little further". As far as the ICCAD
issue that you bring up, Mr. Mayor, with all respect to you, I'll remind you
that is a regional organization and they tend to look at city by city issues in
those are city issues that need to be done, dealt with by a particular local
institution, and I don't know and haven't read the specifics on what
ICCAD had to say, but I do know that you have some members, or
business entities here in the city that are very concerned about this and
want to discuss it further. That being said, I'll adjourn and Emily, Megan
and I will go home and read some stories, unless there's any questions.
Lehman: Thank you, David.
Champion: Thanks, David.
Bywater: You bet. Thank you.
Lehman: Further discussion?
Champion: Well I know that staff really wants to get this moving, but even though we've
talked about it for years, it really did move pretty quickly once it came, once it
came to us and ! don't have any problems with the Chamber getting involved,
and we're going to have to charge something. There's just no doubt about it and
the Economic Committee did reduce the fees about 40%, was it?
O'Donnell: 50%.
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Champion: 50%, on our amended charges, or we could vote on it tonight and see if they
come up with some other questions and answers that could be done because it
does take three readings.
Lehman: Right. I tend, I have no difficulty whatsoever in discussing this with the
Chamber folks and our Engineering folks. I do think it's something we need to
proceed on, and it does require three readings. If we discover, if we have the first
reading tonight and there are difficulties that come up and we need to amend it,
we start over. But I do think that a first reading is not inappropriate. We can
always defer the second or third reading, which is not something that is unheard
of, but I also think it perhaps puts a little more impetus on getting this done
quickly if we have the first reading already passed, so I would support going, um,
discussions absolutely, but I also would support doing the first reading.
Vanderhoef: When you say quickly you're meaning pushing the conversations and getting
more information to the folks.
Lehman: Yeah, I think if we have the first reading...
Vanderhoef: Just clarifying...
Lehman: That if we have the first reading that there ~vill be a far more, there's more
urgency to the conversations between the Chamber folks and our staff if we've
already started the process, and so I don't have a problem with starting that.
O'Donnell: I would like to avoid that urgency, Ernie. I really would. I'd like to open this up
and sit down and talk to people. 1 don't think there's anything that's pressing this
to be accomplished right now. This has been ongoing. In my mind it's a matter
of fairness, and you know, I know we have had a public hearing. This is a
federal mandate. Something is going to happen. But I disagree with the way
we've structured the fee on it.
Vanderhoefi The thing that I see is I think we're all well aware that we receive our budgets on
the 24th, and the dollars that we're talking about from this are part of that budget
and certainly we can amend the budget, but I agree that we do need to keep
moving forward on it. I am very willing to visit with the Chamber, but more
importantly I think for the questions that Engineering can answer better for some
of those businesses. The formula, I think, is fair. I support the formula as it is. I
think we are on good grounds of making it pass what it is for the residential and
the unit rate, and I'm okay with that. lfthere are some other measurements that
might need to be addressed on runoff from buildings that is contained versus
coming offofimpervious surfaces like parking lots, I would look at that. I don't
know that there's any way that we can move forward on that, but there might be
some measurements that could help, but it might not change the total scheme of
the fee any~vay.
O'Donnell: Dee, I point out to you this was reduced 50%. Our Economic Development
Committee sat down for a short period of time and reduced it 50%. I wouldn't
mind sending it back and having more discussion on it. Because I think these
fees, some of these fees are going to be, in my mind, extremely high, and if we
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are, if we are willing to reduce the initial amount 50%, perhaps there's more
room for work here.
Lehman: Is that a motion to defer?
O'Donnell: I would like to move to defer this.
Pfab: Second.
Lehman: Have a motion and a second to defer.
Champion: Before we vote on that, would we ask the Economic Development Committee to
meet with the Chamber to iron out some of these problems or to discuss, do they
meet with staff?. Who would the Chamber meet with?
Lehman: Connie, I think the Chamber needs to meet. The questions they have, some of
these are of a fairly technical nature, and I think they really have to meet with
Engineering and Public Works. I don't, I think from a political consideration,
Economic Development Committee has done about what we can do. I don't feel
qualified to address it any further than we have.
Vanderhoef: Emie, I would be very happy to sit in on that but I want all of us around the table
for that conversation. I think it's important for us to know those things. If there
are going to be changes I want to hear the same conversation (tape ends) as
anyone else heard, so if they want to meet with Economic Development, and
Engineering, and representatives from the Chamber, I would be willing to do
that.
Wilbum: There was a certain, there was a logic to the 50% reduction, and correct me if I'm
wrong, the Economic Development Committee did look at stuff that we know
from our own experience, that commercial properties have perhaps an unfair
burden related to this --- their taxable value and what the residents get a break
through the residential roll-back. This is something while we had a conversation
at one meeting, staff, engineering and others had put together and thought
through the logic of what, in coming up with this formula. But there was a logic
to that component of it. So I don't feel it was a figure that really was kind of
pulled out of the air.
O'Donnell: 1 want to make sure. l wasn't suggesting that. I was just saying that we did...
Wilbum: Okay, I'm just making sure the public and our guests knew that. The second
thing, you know, it is, as Dee pointed out, we do have a budget to be prepared
and this would be implemented July I, is that correct?
Atkins: You really have a great deal of flexibility. I targeted July 1 assuming that there
would be a program of education. We would probably like to sit down with each
and every one of the larger industries to explain that. If you're suggesting we
have some of those conversations prior to your adoption or consideration of this,
you know, that's fine too. But I think if we're going to have these meetings, we
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ought to have a number in mind so they can go back and look at what the
consequences are of this expense in their operation.
Wilbum: And I think you had alluded to that time period at the Economic Development
Committee between no;v and July 1, the proposed date, to take a look at some
suggestions about whether it's feasible to measure the quality of the runoff, that
type of thing, so I'm looking at moving forward with this, and it was said at the
tail end of the Committee meeting that if there's any other of those type of
recommendations related to technical aspects of possibly if someone were to
come up with some newer method to monitor or implement this, that that would
be something that could be looked at and discussed, and perhaps modified in the
meantime so I'm looking towards moving forward with this, and not deferring.
Kanner: I think that, urn, what Irvin's been saying and actually some of what Mike has
been saying, and some of what the Chamber has been saying does make sense in
that I think we can do a better job in putting this together. We can look at
regional concerns. We're going to have the League of Women Voters coming to
the Council, another council, to look at more regional cooperation. This is one
area perhaps we can work together. We can do better at re;yards and
punishments. Sort oflike what the Chamber is saying in terms of businesses and
residents, and Irvin has been saying this too, that do a better job and we should
find a way to reward them and we should do it right in the beginning. We should
bring the environmentalists into the discussion. I don't just want to have a
discussion where we have just the business interest represented. I think we need
to have environmental group representation, and we have a number of those
groups in town that could be part of the discussion, environmental advocates and
Sierra Club. I am leery though of deferring this. I think already we've cut the
fees for the industrial and business in half, and I can only see it going down
further, Irvin. And I think that what we need to do is pass it as it is now, and then
convene a group of people together to discuss this, and then look at it in a year's
time and see if we can come up with something better. Put all those interest
groups at the table and let's see if we can get a better system. I think we can. I
would agree with you. l say let's go with what we have now at these fees,
imperfect as it is, before we get it down to zero, or we're paying them actually to
put in parking lots.
Lehman: I doubt that that would happen, Steven, but...
Pfab: I'd like to make a comment ifl might.
Lehman: Alright.
Pfab: I have not seen the neighborhoods get involved, neighborhood associations. I
haven't seen homeowners get involved, and I don't see the public being aware,
and I don't know if we're doing a good enough job. Did we have any public
forums or anything like this? Any education? I think that the time to do this is at
the beginning, rather than...we should encourage people to become, to buy into
it. A million bucks is a million dollars. Somebody's going to pay for it. And
that might be just the start. So, when you open up your bill and it's there, and
you haven't realized that it's coming, it may be a shock to some people. And to
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some people the size of the bill is not going to be important, it's manageable.
Some people it isn't. I don't know. Is this something that as a utility, for people
of low income, are they going to get a discount like they do, like is available for
water and sewer? I mean, I think there's a whole group of unanswered questions,
and that's why I'm saying, I'm all for postponing it, and get the people involved.
Wilbum: I believe the latter question was answered.
Lehman: It was. They would qualify.
Wilburn: That that would be, yes, someone who would qualify for some of the existing fee
reductions. And I think, excuse me Emie just to finish, in a broader sense, the
public and environmentals have had input into this because that's how we ended
up with the Clean Air and Water Act. I mean, the issue here is it's been passed
on unfunded to communities and now you have to figure out how to do it.
Lehman: Let's vote on....l'm sorry.
O'Donnell: Well, it appears like this is going to pass tonight. There are three readings. I
cannot support this because I'm not, I do not agree with the fee structure the way
we set it up, but like I said we will have two more readings.
Pfab: I won't be able to support it because I don't think there's been enough public
input.
Lehman: Alright, how many, all those in favor of deferring would indicate by raising their
right hand. I count one, two. Those opposed, same sign. Vote is 5 to 2, with
O'Donnell and Pfab voting in the affirmative. Now, discussion on, is there any
further discussion. Let me just say personally I really feel this needs to have first
consideration. I'll be the first one in line to defer second consideration if there
are significant problems that are uncovered ~vith the discussions between the staff
and the Chamber.
Champion: Well because it's the holidays and our next meeting is pretty early in January, I
think we'll have to defer the second reading.
Lehman: Well I think...let's you guys work out the meeting with our folks, and I'm sure
there will be communications back and forth, but I don't think there's anybody
up here that's going to be upset at all about deferring second consideration, but 1
think the first consideration for me is important because we need to tell folks this
is going to happen, it is going to move forward. We can change it and we can do
it over, but we are going to do it.
Atkins: Ernie, can I have Rick come to the microphone, or Brian, for a moment, just so I
make sure for the purpose of the record ~vhat is our permitting process
application obligations to the feds, as far as timing?
Fosse: Our permit has been submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources,
which administers it on behalf of the feds, and we're waiting for a response from
them so...
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Atkins: Okay, thanks.
Lehman: Okay.
Kanner: Yeah, I'd like to say that no one is overly thrilled about higher taxes, but it has
been found in surveys that people do, are willing to pay for environmental quality
issues, and Iowa City often has had tougher regulations than surrounding
communities, and in part that's one of the things that makes it more attractive.
Our building permits are still going strong, and hopefully we can work out
something with our surrounding community, but I think we often times set the
trail blazing in these regards, and then eventually the other cities surrounding us
follow us, and I like that role for Iowa City. We're known for that and that's a
good thing to be known for.
Lehman: Okay. Roll call.
Pfab: I believe there was somebody wanted to make a...
Guard: I just wanted to make one other comment, thank you. We appreciate your
consideration tonight and we understand your time on this and so on. We will be
more than happy to be in contact first thing in the morning with the City, and
work out a get together.
Lehman: Work with Rick. He'll coordinate whatever needs to occur and if you need time,
you have time. I think that goes without saying.
Guard: We appreciate your consideration. Thank you.
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries 5 to 2, Kanner...pardon me...O'Donnell and Pfab
voting in the negative.
Karr: Excuse me, Mr. Mayor. Could we go back to Item 7 and accept correspondence
please?
Vanderhoefi So move.
Wilburn: Second.
Lehman: We have a motion and a second for correspondence. All in favor? Opposed?
Motion carries.
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ITEM 12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AMENDING IOWA CITY'S 2001-
2006 CONSOLIDATED PLAN (A.K.A. CITY STEPS); AS
AMENDED BY CHANGING THE PRIORITY FOR
NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITIES FROM "MEDIUM" TO "HIGH".
Wilburn: Mr. Mayor, I will be abstaining due to a conflict of interest and not participating
in discussion or the vote on this item. I work for an organization that receives
CDBG funding, and thus the conflict of interest.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Vanderhoefi Second.
Lehman: Move by Champion, second by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Kart: I'm sorry. Who moved and seconded?
Lehman: Champion moved, Vanderhoef second.
Kanner: Um, yeah this makes sense, um, people I've met in our HCDC, Housing
Community Development Commission, met to move this up in priority. I was
looking at the application, I think it was, for CDBG Home Funds that people can
apply for, for the upcoming fiscal year '05, and one thing that struck me, I
brought this up before, is that people are eligible to a very high dollar amount of
income. The medium income in Iowa City for a family of four is $62,000 and a
lot of things people are eligible to 80% of that so you're talking families up to
$50,000 and perhaps they should get some support but in other ways I think this
money should go to more of the lower income people and I think we should ask
HCDC to look at that issue if we want to emphasize funds going to support the
30% and lower range, or perhaps up to 50%, and we do have some of that criteria
in some things, but I believe that Council could set that as a criteria and...
Lehman: How does that relate to this issue we're talking about?
Kanner: Well, in general it's in regards to the City Steps program, of what we're moving
into high and low priority, and so it's a bit of a tangent but I think it's important
to note that when discussing these items we should look at who are the people
being helped. Where are the priorities? So the application, the CDBG and Home
Funds is directly related to our City Steps program. We have to have that in
order to get CDBG funds, so this is part of that City Steps program, and I'm
saying there are other things in relation to that, that perhaps can be brought out.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. Is Mr. Wilbum...there we go.
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ITEM 13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING A GRANT FOR
EXTEND THE DREAM FOUNDATION FROM IOWA CITY'S
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT FUND AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY
MANAGER TO ACT AS CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
AND SUBMIT ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION TO THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT.
Wilbum: Mr. Mayor, once again...
Lehman: Oh, sorry.
Wilburn: That's all right. I have a conflict of interest with this item. Why do I have
a conflict with this one? Oh yeah, community block grant funds and as
prior stated.
Lehman: Thank you.
Champion: Move the resolution.
Vanderhoef: Second.
Lehman: Move by Champion, second by Vanderhoef. Discussion?
Kanner: Um, again, this is CDBG funds that come through the Economic
Development Committee first recommendation and a couple issues. I'm
going to support it. I've talked with Tom Walz - I know Tom Walz as
many of us do. A community member and done a lot of good work in the
community, and I am a participant in using the facilities that this is to
benefit, and I appreciate them being out there, and I had discussions with
him and Steve Nasby about what's the definition of micro-enterprise, and
especially in relationship to when it's working with people with
disabilities. How do you judge that? And Steve Nasby said that definition
of the federal regulation's kind of broad, doesn't really pen that down.
How do you measure that? And, so I had a little problem trying to figure
out how do you define the success of a micro-enterprise, and I talked to
people in the community and I think it is a community success. It is a
community place, and it's a neighborhood center which we just moved to
a high priority, so I think in that sense it's good. The second thing is
though that I think what we need HCDC to look at some of these issues.
Perhaps along with Economic Development Committee. Perhaps having a
member on the Committee to look at these issues, especially if we're
going to have one of the three members is going to have to abstain because
of conflict of interest, but even if that weren't the case, I think it's good to
have it go through HCDC to help bring out some of the points that perhaps
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I'm bringing up and that others might have in the community. So, I'll vote
for it but just ask the Council consider some of those issues.
Champion: Well I think some of those issues are valid, Steven, and I like, of course
how do you, what makes this project successful? And I hope that that is
being looked at as we keep putting money into it.
Vanderhoef: One ofthethings...
Lehman: I just feel...I'm sorry, go ahead.
Vanderhoef: One of the things that is important to me when I look at these is
sustainability. And this one is certainly on that borderline. They're
making headway towards sustainability but they aren't there yet, and this
is a request for assistance over three years and they're business projection
is showing that in three years they should reach that sustainability. In this
particular one I also looked at the fact that we are working with owners of
businesses here who haven't much experience at this point and have
difficult time having employable positions within the community. So
they've created something different here, certainly I would rather they
were sustainable after their first three years. They would too I'm sure.
However, I'm willing to support them for another three years on a limited
basis, and take another look at it in three years. I think they am serving an
important part of our community of residents, and it has a feel to it also
that the achievement that is achieved when they become successful and
sometimes it takes a little longer to become successful.
Pfab: I'd ask you a question, Dee. Do you think the citizens of Iowa City are
getting their money's worth when they put the money to this project?
Vanderhoefi Do I think the citizens?
Pfab: Right, the taxpayers.
Vanderhoefi You need to define that a little bit better. These are monies that are sent to
us by the federal government for very specific parameters are put onto it,
and we're following all the guidelines of economic development
parameters for this business.
Pfab: I guess the question I'm asking you is are you for it or against it? In other
words, it's, are you condemning this maybe with faint praise?
Vanderhoef: No.
Pfab: Oh, okay, because they've reduced their dependency by half.
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Lehman: This to me is one of the best examples of a real success of using CDBG
money.
Pfab: You said it better than I could have.
Lehman: I am so proud of this project that I will support this enthusiastically, and if
you have half the success in the next three years you had in the last three
years, come back and I'll be glad to do it again. I think this is a
tremendous benefit to the community, all the way around. I
enthusiastically support it.
Karmer: In terms of measurement for our CDBG Home Funds that go through
HCDC, as most of us probably know, there's a committee member,
commission member, that takes it on and makes a visit and evaluates and
reports back, and I think if I'm correct, there is a little confusion about if
anyone from the HCDC is going to take this on. Before it was passed,
when it was HCDC, and one thing, and Steve will clarify, but maybe we
need to ask HCDC to have someone take this on as an evaluation if it's not
clearly stated that they're already doing it.
Champion: Well I think they're obviously, subsidy is decreasing. I didn't mean it as a
negative question against this project when I asked the question. It was
just my curiosity about how we follow up on these things.
Kanner: No, but I'm saying but maybe this might be the way to help us see how
it's going.
Lehman: But it clearly qualifies.
Vanderhoef: It clearly qualifies, and because it has come through Economic
Development Committee and the dollar investment, Steve Nasby has a
responsibility to over, for oversight on all of that kind of program, and if
you want the Economic Development Committee to do more oversight
above and beyond, I can't imagine what it would be, but I would be
willing to do it.
Champion: Well the other thing about this project is I think one of the hardest things
for society is to keep people working and busy, and some people have a
harder time finding jobs than others. So, in response to your question,
Irvin, I think it does benefit the community, because people who are
employed and active and paying taxes and all those things that people do,
when they're working, and very healthy...
Pfab: The question, I asked the question to bring that point out.
Lehman: Okay. Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING, AUTHORIZING AND
DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND THE CITY
CLERK TO ATTEST AN ADDENDUM TO THE AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, THE IOWA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND HOWARD R.
GREEN COMPANY TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING
CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN OF THE NORTH
DODGE STREET PROJECT, STP-1-5(69)~2C-52.
Vanderhoef: Move the resolution.
Pfab: Second.
Lehman: Move by Vanderhoef, second by Pfab. Discussion?
Kanner: Could we hear an explanation of the project?
Knoche: This addendum will do some more design services for the intemhange
south of Interstate 80 with the North Dodge Street corridor and Highway
1. The DOT is experiencing at certain times of the year some backups
from that off-ramp out into the through lane of eastbound Interstate 80.
So, what we're looking at is proposing to signalize that intersection, add
an additional lane to the off-ramp, and just kind of make it more of an
urban intersection rather than a rural intersection, interchange, the way it
is today.
Lehman: Safety issue primarily?
Knoche: Safety issue.
Lehman: Okay.
Karmer: Um, do you know how much is being spent on 1-80 federal, state and
local, from the revamping from Coralville to here?
Knoche: I don't know exactly what that dollar amount is. I do know that the DOT
doesn't expect to see any dollars going into this corridor within the next
ten years, and that's the reason why we're trying to get this design done as
part of the North Dodge Street project.
Kanner: You're saying the Dodge Street corridor or the 1-807
Knoche: 1-80 corridor.
Kanner: Aren't they widening it?
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Knoche: They are widening it, but the dollars aren't there right now for that, for the
addition of those two lanes to make it a six lane.
Kanner: No, what my...thank you. I was going to make another point. My point is
we're spending millions of dollars that I think would be better spent, on a
federal and a state and local level, into trying to reach alternative means of
transportation. A lot of people use 1-80 for local access, and I think if we
would spend some of that money for local access we wouldn't have the
people backing up into 1-80. It seems to be pretty safe. I haven't heard of
tremendous amounts of accidents. I haven't seen the accident report rate,
but we need to switch our transportation policy. One that just doesn't
keep adding more lanes because eventually, as the engineers know, the old
maxim is if you build it then they will fill it. That's been known for the
last twenty years, and I think we need to change it, and we could start right
here at the local level.
Lehman: Other discussion? Roll cai1. Motion carries 6 to 1, Kanner voting the
negative.
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#17 Page 26
ITEM 17. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Lehman: Irvin?
Pfab: First of all I want to say thank you to the citizens of Iowa City. It's been a
pleasure and I'm very, very happy to have experienced. Also, to the new
Council, I hope that all your wishes are fulfilled.
Lehman: Thank you, Irvin.
Champion: I'm going to hope everybody has good holidays and Happy New Year, and Irvin
and Steve, I wish you the best of luck, and Steven good luck in your move, and
you'll like the east coast I think, and Irvin, it's been a pleasure knowing you.
Pfab: Thank you.
Lehman: Mike?
O'Donnell: Just a couple things. Ernie and Dee, Ross and I went to the ground breaking.
Champion: So did Connie.
O'Donnell: What did I say?
Lehman: Dee was out of town.
O'Donnell: Dee was out of town. Anyway, four of us went. It was a great moment for Iowa
City. This will really, really fit in downtown this tremendous project.
Everybody have a great year. Steven and Irvin, good luck.
Kanner: Thank you.
Pfab: Thank you.
Lehman: Dee?
Vanderhoefi I went to the U. S. Geological Survey celebration for 100 years of the apparatus
to measure the flood control in our area, and found out that we have had
collaboration with the Corp of Engineers, the University of Iowa, and the City of
Iowa City, have owned that thing from the beginning. So, it's a cooperative
affair. It's still working. I got a tour of the hydraulics lab, and saw the flume
downstairs with the ship building in it. It was quite a deal, and that's some very
interesting engineers, and heard the history of this whole project. I've also been
in Nashville representing Council at the National League of Cities. It's an
exciting and vibrant organization. I felt that I learned quite a bit. That I brought
back a number of things to staff and the rest of it will start coming out in our
discussions as the appropriate times appear. I want to wish everybody a very
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, happy holidays if you don't happen to
celebrate Christmas, and we'll see you all next year.
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Wilbum: I just want to point out that Project Holiday will be going on Wednesday and
Thursday this week. It's a collaboration between the Salvation Army, Elder
Services, Visiting Nurse Association, and the Crisis Center to provide different
types of assistance to folks in need during the holidays, and want to thank the
community's response to assisting fund that project. Happy holidays to everyone
involved. I want to thank the young people at the Senior High Alternative
program for helping me get sworn in for my new term. Look forward to working
with the new Council members, and look forward to the Hawks pulling in a win
on January 1 st.
Lehman: Hey, go Hawks! Steven?
Kanner: Um, 1 said I would mention this, there's a reception at Emerson Point with the
firm and that's at 2:30 tomorrow, and I guess there's going to be some other big-
wigs there, congress and other folks, are going to be there. I would like to wish a
happy 43rd birthday to my press secretary and friend, Meg White. Meg has had a
long and distinguished career with um, press secretary to President Nixon and
Bella Abzug. Seriously, Meg is a true asset to Iowa City and she works hard for
peace and justice, and fun in Iowa City, so I say "mosseltoW' to her. I would like
to thank City Council and Marcia Wegman who is the artist of that print. That's
a very nice print. She's a great local artist here in town. Her and her husband,
her ex-husband I guess, and two other things. One, the thing that I consider that
I, that was my best, the thing that I brought to City Council was to bring the issue
of municipal power for Iowa City. History has shown that almost always
municipally owned electric system is better for it's city's citizens than a private
investor o~vned one. Lower prices, better service, and local control are the result.
Tom Johnson, the great populist mayor of Cleveland at the turn of the 20th
century, knew it when he said "l believe in municipal ownership of these
monopolies because if you do not own them, they will in time own you." In
1934, Iowa City Council member John Vanderzee knew that public power was
best when he led the fight for muni-electric. Mid-American's predecessor, Iowa
City Light and Power, along with the Council majority, helped overturn the
wishes of the citizens of Iowa City who voted to establish a muni that year, 1934.
We have U.S. Senator George Norris, a Republican U.S. Senator from our
neighboring state of Nebraska, knew that muni was best as he fought tirelessly
for decades to bring the electric power industry under direct public ownership. In
Iowa today, 137 cities know that public power is best as they pay up to 30% less
than customers of Mid-American and Alliant. Today energy expert and author
Harvey Wasderman says the 20th century has been laden with failures of the
public will. The American consumer has been beaten, gouged, manipulated, and
poisoned by the big utilities since Rush and Edison threw those first switches. I
would exhort the City Council to do the right thing by putting the issue of a
municipal electric system for I0wa City on the ballot as soon as possible so that
thc debate can begin on its merits. We cannot afford to stand idly by with thc
potential $2 million per year sav/ngs on the table. We should not be bullied by
Mid-American's propaganda and their money, which their doing both of in
considerable amounts. And finally, I would like to end with a poem by Wendell
Berry, it's called "Plant Sequoias": So friend every day there's something that
won't compute. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and
be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it. Denounce the government and
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Council meeting of December 16, 2003.
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embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands. Give
your approval to all you cannot understand. Praise ignorance for what man has
not encountered he has not destroyed. Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias. Say that your main profit is the force
that you did not plant. That you will not live to harvest. Say that the leaves are
harvested when they have rotted into the mold. Call that profit, profit such
returns. Put your faith in the two inches of pumice that will build under the trees
every thousand years. Listen to carrion. Put your ear close and hear the faint
shattering of the songs that are to come. Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is the measure of the measurable. Be joyful that you have considered
all the facts. Go with your love to the field. Lie easy in the shade. Rest your
head in your lover's lap. Swear allegiance to what is the highest in your
thoughts. As soon as the generals and politicals can predict the emotions of your
mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark a false trail the way you didn't go. Be
like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary. Some in the wrong
direction. Practice resurrection." I would like to thank Iowa Citians for letting
me work with you to help this city live up to its potential. I'd like to thank Carly.
And I'd like to wish everyone L'chiam, Life.
Lehman: Thankyou, Steven. I've got something that's really mundane to do but there's a
lot of street lights out on Washington and Clinton Street. Yes.
Atkins: Street lights?
Lehman: Street lights. It's such a festive time of the year, it would be nice to have the
lights. I don't know, but there are several lights out as I noticed as 1...
Atkins: Where?
Lehman: On Washington Street there's like four or five out, and there are some out on
Clinton Street.
Atkins: Yeah, but 1...
Lehman: I don't know if we have a malfunction with a wire or what but...
Atkins: There could be something because we didn't receive any calls on... sure,
Washington and Clinton.
Lehman: And then today we had a very sorry event in Iowa City. A1 Grady passed away
today, and A1 has been a legend in this community literally for generations, and
I'm sure he's going to be missed by everyone. I too would like to wish Irvin and
Steven the best, and certainly folks in Iowa City, a very, very Merry Christmas,
and a wonderful holiday season. Certainly look forward to a very happy and
prosperous new year, and spend the holidays with your families, especially your
grandkids. I mean, that's really cool. Steve, do you have anything?
Atkins: Nothing, sir.
Lehman: Eleanor? Marian?
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O'Donnell: Motion to adjourn.
Lehman: We have a motion to adjourn.
Wilburn: Second.
Lehman: All in favor? Opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City
Council meeting of December 16, 2003.