Loading...
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.