HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-21 Council minutesJOINT MEETING MINUTES -APRIL 21, 2004
CITY COUNCILS OF IOWA CITY, NORTH LIBERTY AND CORALVILLE,
JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS,
IOWA CITY SCHOOL BOARD
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Lehman called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM.
INTRODUCTION OF MEETING ATTENDEES:
Iowa City City Council: E. Lehman, Champion, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Elliott
North Liberty City Council: Soukup, Mekota, Salm
Coralville City Council: Herwig, Fausett, Lundell, Gill, Schnake
JC Board of Supervisors: M. Lehman, Neuzil, Thompson, Hamey
Iowa City School District: Behle, Reece, Leff, Franker
Others Present: IC City Mgr. Atkins, IC Asst. City Mgr. Helling, IC City Atty. Dilkes, IC City
Clerk Karr, JCCOG Exec. Dir. Davidson, JC Exec. Asst. Sullivan, JC Zoning Adm. Dvorak,
Coralville City Adm. Hayworth, North Liberty City Adm. James, IC School District Associate
Supt. Behle
(A complete transcription is available in the City Clerk's office)
ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS {SCHOOL BOARD):
Mekota asked for a report on the road construction projects, from their perspectives. Thompson
reported that Johnson County has met with citizens in the 12th Avenue area, and will be
continuing to do that as needed. She also stated that federal funds have been received. The
discussion then turned to Forevergreen Road, and the need for this project to proceed. It was
stated that the timing of these projects could create some traffic problems for those going between
Coralville and North Liberty. James stated that the biggest problem right now is getting the
property annexed. He stated that North Liberty would be discussing this again at their next
meeting. Hamey followed up with a clarification on the 12~h Avenue project. He said that until
the residents come to some agreement about the building of this project, the planning phase
would be greatly delayed. M. Lehman reported that the County Board would be considering the
planning and design phase at tomorrow's meeting.
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES - INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION
W/JOHNSON AND LINN COUNTIES & CITIES WITHIN (COUNTY):
th
Neuzil discussed the upcoming Public Leadership Summit, scheduled for Thursday, May 6 , at
4:30 PM, at the Howard R. Green facility. He stated that the mayors of all of the communities
within Linn and Johnson counties are being invited to attend. Thompson followed up with
additional comments, stating that they will get more information out to those they hope will
attend.
MINUTES
JOiNT MEETING
APRIL 21, 2004
Page 2 of 3
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY CHANGES (SCHOOL BOARD):
Behle reported that the Iowa City School District is starting the process of redefining boundaries
for the district's elementary schools, partlcularly in the north corridor area. He said the school
District has a link on their web site that will have up-to-date information on boundary changes, as
well as building projects. With the opening of the new elementary school, he said it is even more
important to reset boundaries in order to prevent overcrowding. He stated that the district would
be trying to keep neighborhoods together as they start this redistricting project, while at the same
time looking ahead to future developments and possible problems.
Thompson asked if the alternative school was still on schedule. Behle stated it is, and bids will be
in May. He was then asked about the ground breaking on the new elementary school. Behle
stated it's at 1:30 PM next Thursday, and specific invitations will be out soon. Behle stated that
after this Friday's Board meeting where they will be reviewing the bids on several major projects,
they would have a better idea about adding a fourth wing to the new elementary school. Mekota
stated that they have several large residential developments in the works, and that the school
board needs to meet with them to discuss school overcrowding, etc. Behle said the district plans
on doing this, and typically annually they meet with city planners to see what developments could
impact school attendance numbers.
RIVERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT - TRAILS AND STREET PLANNING
(CORALVILLE):
Davidson gave a slide presentation, where he showed the JCCOG Arterial Street Plan. He
pointed out the newer areas of completion, as well as the remaining work to be done. Next he
showed the JCCOG Area Trails Map, stating that a person will be able to go from the east side of
Iowa City to the North Liberty Recreation Center, all on either trail or wide sidewalk, for a total
of about 17 miles, tie pointed out the newest areas, and also the small piece of trail yet to be
finished. Next Davidson pointed out the Iowa River Corridor Trail, which is the main north/south
regional trail in the area.
The Waterworks Prairie Park was discussed, with Davidson explaining some of the additions
planned for this park. He pointed out the Peninsula Area, and the trail project that will bring this
area of iowa City and Coralville together. Hayworth stated how impressive it is to see all of the
bits and pieces that each community has contributed, now come together to form such an
impressive system of trails.
Discussion from the audience centered on the various trails in the area, and how some are
considered neighborhood trails, even though they may hook up with the regular trail system.
Davidson stated that as the cities continue to develop, so will the trail system.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GRANT (SCHOOL BOARD):
Leff discussed the Youth Development Grant, stating that last October there was a conference
entitled "Removing Barriers to Learning". Several of the attendees were interested in pursuing
this further, and teamed up with the Johnson County Juvenile Justice Youth Development
Program, as well as the Empowerment Board, and applied for a grant. They were awarded a
grant of $100,000 per year for the next four years, to be used to come up with plans for youth
MINUTES
JOINT MEETING
APRIL 21, 2004
Page 3 of 3
development in our county. A task force has met several times, and smaller work groups have
been formed to work on this project.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Vanderhoef asked the County Board members present if they would report on the new Readiness
Center. Thompson stated that the National Guard is planning a $14 million facility at the comer
of Melrose Avenue and Highway 218. Hamey followed up with further details concerning this
project.
SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be held in Coralville on June 23rd. Further details will be forthcoming.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM.