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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-18 Transcription #l Page 1 ITEM 1.5 SPECIAL PRESENTATION Lehman: It's really nice to start meetings with something pleasant, and tonight we have something extraordinarily pleasant that does not appear on the agenda. I would like to recognize one of our very, very, very special employees. Here's a plaque that says "The City oflowa City presents this Certificate of Recognition to Marian Kart in appreciation of 25 years of service with the City of Iowa City". But that's...for the Council folks, Marian, you're a lot more than just 25 years. (laughter and applause) In the 10 years I've been on the Council, we have never had hugging across the Council. Anybody who's ever served on the Iowa City City Council knows exactly what I'm saying, is Marian is probably, she is a tremendous benefit to the Council people. She helps us a great deal, and we truly appreciate your efforts, and I know people tend not to say "thank you", but a big, big "thank you" to you, and I hope you have 25 more years. (laughter) Although 1 hope you don't have to spend them all listening to people like us. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #2 Page 2 ITEM 2. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED Champion: Move adoption. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion; seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Wilbum: I just wanted to point out for the public that beginning July 1 at curbside, and I think down at City Carton, will be able to recycle plastics, numbers 1 through 7, is it? It's real positive, a real positive part of the agreement, and I know a lot of the yogurt eaters out there will be able to recycle their yogurt cups now. They're number 5 so... Lehman: Good. Might also point out that there are several resolutions accepting the payment of a $300 penalty for those who have sold tobacco to minors. Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #3 Page 3 ITEM 3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA) Lutrell: My name is Mary LutreI1, and I am President of the Iowa City American Legion Auxiliary. With me is Jane Dinsmore and she's our Poppy Chairman. On behalf of the Iowa City American Legion and Auxiliary Post No. 17, we would like to present to you, Mayor Lehman, and Council members, a poppy to promote our Poppy Days, which will be this Friday and Saturday, May 21st and 22~d. This little flower, which is made by our veterans at the Veterans Home in Marshalltown, enables the proceeds made in distributing them to provide financial and therapeutic benefits to the veterans that make them, as well as benefiting thousands of other veterans and their families. Our national president is asking that each and every one to wear a single poppy on Memorial Day to honor all our veterans who have served in the military. Thank you for letting us make this presentation. (applause) Lehman: Thank you. Champion: Is Memorial Day the official day to wear the poppy? Lehman: Every day, but I think that's right. Burgdorf: Good evening. My name is Sue Burgdorfand I'm a member of the Johnson County Community Concerned Citizens. We meet here locally, on a weekly basis, and it's come to our attention there's a need for some improved transportation on the bus transit system. We've met with Ron and Vicki from Iowa City and Coralville bus systems, and in discussing with them we found out it's been a very long time since a survey was done of potential riders, and the widest survey they did was sent to people that receive utility bills. There's several people that need the bus service that don't get utility bills. They pay rent, and the utilities are included. So we'd like to get together with you and see if we can work towards getting a new survey done for the transit system to see what potential riders. Two of the problems we've come across is Sunday service. People can't get to church, and then also all the new factories and stuff going up, they can't get to work to work out there. And we're willing to devote our time and efforts towards this, and we've also been in contact with other...DVIP is one of them that would also be willing to work with us, and we also know there's a fund called the JARK that would also, maybe some, financials that we can dip into to get this done. Thank you. (applause) Vanderhoefi I will tell you that right now there is a survey going on with Paratransit. Burgdorf: There is? With...does that also include the regular transit or just the para... ? Vanderhoef: Just Paratransit. Burgdorf: Okay, great, thank you. Vanderhoef: It's being done by the Paratransit Advisory Committee. Burgdorfi Wonderful. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #3 Page 4 Vanderhoefi You're welcome. Lundberg: My name is Reverend Dee Lundberg from Faith United Church of Christ. Actually we've been hosting the Johnson County Concerned Citizens and I'm here just to affirm and support the work they're doing, and say that they've done some good work and they're serious about it, and we do have folks that are willing to help. I did want to say that I'm glad to hear that the Para buses is doing that, but this is one of those justice issues. Justice in the sense of equal access to job opportunities, child care, church services, services and goods and opportunities that you and I can take for granted if we have vehicles, or happen to be on the bus line. As these folks are making a good eflbrt to go out and find decent jobs to support their families, we should at least do what we can to help them reach those jobs, and get them home to their families in the reasonable amount of time any of us would like, so I am just here speaking on behalf of some of the religious community saying that we too would be ~villing to help support this effort in any way. Thank you. (applause) Lehman: Thank you. Copeland: Hello, my name is Melissa Copeland, and I'm a part of JCCC, the Johnson County Concerned Citizens. I also work at Shelter House, andjust to go off by an extension on what Dee was talking about, including with the, in Cedar Rapids in Linn County, the Cedar Rapids Paratransit also has a sector called NT....sorry...NTS, which is the Neighborhood Transportation Systems. And what it does is it provides rides by appointment. They schedule 24-hours in advance, and it helps with low-cost night and weekend transportation to work, school, and life-skill classes, lt's a special benefit to clients that have low income, and would be able to provide them transportation to work that would, they would normally not get such as places like for 3rd shift, or to more rural areas where new companies are building outside in Coralville, and outside of Iowa City. The current bus system doesn't reach those areas. So just as I guess a recommendation or a piece of information, Cedar Rapids is taking an active part in helping to provide transportation to their low-income citizens. Champion: Is that handled by their transit system, or their paratransit? Copeland: It's actually, it's through the whole transit system, but they have like the list program, which is like their paratransit system, and then they also have this NTS, which is the Neighborhood Transit System. Vanderhoef: Is the NTS though only in a couple of areas, couple of neighborhoods? I know it started originally as just a one neighborhood in particular, and is it now citywide? Copeland: Right, it's actually expanded to Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion. Vanderhoef: Okay, so it's all over after the pilot project. Thank you. Copeland: Uh-huh. Yeah, thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #3 Page 5 Lehman: Steve, could I suggest that perhaps Ron Logsden and Joe Fowler contact these folks and get some sort of dialogue. Atkins: We'll do that. The NTS I'm not familiar with so... Lehman: Well, but I think that that could start their... Atkins: Yes, sir, we'll take cam of it. Lehman: Okay. Any other public comments? Webb: My name's Frank Webb, and I (can't understand) the Council, and I know the City's been good about getting new factories put in, warehouses, business on the outskirts, and getting them up and running, but most are hiring through temporary agencies, and at temporary agencies if you don't have a transportation, they won't even talk to you about getting jobs out there for the simple fact you can't get to work, and a lot of the new companies are hiring through temporary agencies so if you have no way to get out there you can't get the job. They won't hire you, and a lot of(can't understand) on the outskirts. I know National Foods put a big warehouse in. They're hiring, but they're hiring through a temporary agency, and they won't hire nobody unless you got a bus running out there, and one day I went downtown and I watched your free bus shuttle and I followed it around ali day long, and 90% of the time that free shuttle is running empty, with nobody on it. So I, you know, you could take the free shuttle and put it to use some place else. You know, (can't understand) riding the free bus, but I watched it one day and it does nothing but run around empty all the time. About 90% of the time that bus is empty. Lehman: That bus carries, I think, about 275,000 people a year. Webb: Now, I rolled around...I'm probably the one goes down by the hospital over here, 90% of the time that thing is empty. Lehman: That's not a free bus. The free bus....the free shuttle doesn't go over by the hospital. Webb: Runs over by this hospital. Lehman: Oh, Mercy? Webb: Yeah... Lehman: In any event, we're going to have the head of the transit department and transportation meet with you folks and we'll get some discussion started. Webb: I appreciate that. Thank you. (applause) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #4 Page 6 ITEM 4. REZONING APPROXIMATELY 35.05 ACRES OF PROPERTY FROM RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PARK ZONE, RDP, TO OFFICE COMMERCIAL ZONE, CO-l, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, FOR PROPERTY ALONG THE EASTERN PORTION OF NORTHGATE DRIVE IN NORTHGATE CORPORATE PARK (REZ04-00007) (1) Public Hearing Lehman: Are the papers in order on this? Dilkes: No, we'll have to... Lehman: Then we will not have the public hearing. Dilkes: We'll have the public hearing, and we'll... Lehman: Public hearing is open, like I said. (laughter) Siders: Thank you for the opportunity to let me speak to you, Mr. Mayor. My name is Glenn Siders. I'm with Southgate Development Company. We're the applicants for this request. We are missing one signature on that paper. I would ask the Council that they continue this public hearing to the next meeting. Hopefully we can close it at that time and have our first consideration. I did want to pass along a little bit of information. We, being Southgate Development, have met with the lot owner's association, everybody that owns property out there, every lot owner has agreed for this rezoning. They think it would be good for this park. It's more appropriately zoned for the uses that are there, and we have also reviewed some new covenants to come along, as I'm sure you're aware, when we lose the research development we lose some design regulations. Those design regulations are going to be incorporated in our personal covenants with that property, and the lot owners are in favor of it, so hopefully we'll get our last signature by the next meeting. Lehman: Thank you, Glenn. Do we have a motion to continue to June 1st.9 O'Donnell: I would move to continue this to June 1st. Champion: Second. Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell; seconded by Champion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Do we have a motion to defer... Elliott: Ernie, I had a question. Karin, when the minutes of P&Z indicate that a Rebeka Berstler had some concerns, had a question, are her concerns being pretty well taken care of?. She was wondering if she would have time to see how this might impact her. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #4 Page 7 Franklin: Yeah, that was at their April meeting of Planning and Zoning, and so there's opportunity, obviously, as it comes before the Council. The applicant would be communicating with her as a property owner, and so I'm assuming she has the information that she needs. We have not heard further from her as staff. Elliott: Okay. I noticed a large gentleman right behind you (laughter)... Siders: I prefer tall. (laughter). Miss Bersler is the signature that we are missing. We have not been able to coordinate her schedule and our schedule, as currently she's in Florida. We have, yesterday we faxed her the information. Hopefully she'll be calling with questions, and hopefully we can address her concerns. Elliott: Good, good, thank you. (2) Consider Ordinance Lehman: Now, do we have a motion to defer? Wilbum: Motion to defer to the next meeting. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by Wilburn; seconded by Vanderhoef. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #5 Page 8 ITEM 5. APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE FY2004 OPERATING BUDGET (a) Public Hearing Lehman: Public hearing is open. O'MaIley: Good evening, Council, I'd like to make a recommendation for a modification to the published amendment. We had a change to the business type activity line by $9,320,198 because of some accounting systems issues, and I propose reducing the amendment by that amount. Vanderhoefi I would concur with what our Finance Director proposes, and move this distributed copy of the budget to be amending our original packet. O'Donnell: I agree. Lehman: Do we have a motion to amend and a second? ...(can't hear) made by Vanderhoef; seconded by... Kerr: We need...let's go through the public hearing first, then close it to adopt it as amended, if that's okay. Lehman: Oh, I'm sorry. We don't have a motion yet. Public hearing is still open. O'Malley: If there's any questions... Lehman: Are there questions for Kevin? O'Donnell: Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Public hearing is closed. (b) Consider Resolution Champion: Move adoption of thc amended budget. Lehman: No, you may, move the...well, it hasn't been amended yet. Champion: Yeah, I'm moving the adoption. Kerr: ...can move the adoption as amended. Lehman: Oh, as amended. We have a motion to adopt, to accept this budget as amended by Champion. Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Roll call. Motion cames. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #6 Page 9 ITEM 6. ASSESSING A $300.00 CIVIL PENALTY AGAINST PETRO & PROVISIONS, PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE SECTION 453A.22(2) (2003) Lehman: Public hearing is open. Chappell: Good evening, l'm Andy Chappell from the Johnson County Attorney's Office. We handle presenting these to the Council. We haven't had one of these for a while, and most of them are just paying them. I actually thought that was going to happen tonight, but for whatever reason it didn't get paid so we're going ahead with the hearing. In this particular circumstance we had an employee of Petro & Provisions sell tobacco to a minor on March 12 of 2004. The employee was cited. The employee plead guilty, and so we're, when that happens, we come and ask that the Council assess a civil penalty against the business. The appropriate civil penalty for this particular violation is $300. This is their second violation, but it's only the first violation within a two-year period. The Iowa Code says that's a $300 civil penalty. I'm here to answer any questions, and I don't know what the owners look like. I don't know if they're here or not. Lehman: Other discussion? Chappell: And I have a certified copy of the conviction. Lehman: Would anyone else like to speak at the hearing? Public hearing is closed. Do we have a motion? Vanderhoef: Move the resolution. Elliott: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef; seconded by Elliott. Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #9 Page 10 ITEM 9. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST TO AN AGREEMENT WITH RIVERSIDE THEATRE THAT ALLOWS THE SALE OF WINE AND BEER UNDER LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES IN CITY PARK FROM JUNE 8, 2004 TO JULY 15, 2004 Bailey: Move the resolution. O'Donnell: So moved. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? I just want to say I won't support this, and it isn't because I don't support Shakespeare Theatre. It's consistent with my feelings that we probably shouldn't be doing this, so...roll call. Motion carries 6 to 1; Lehman voting in the negative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #10 Page 11 ITEM 10. CONSIDER MOTION APPROVING TRANSFER OF LICENSE FOR RIVERSIDE THEATER FROM 213 N. GILBERT STREET TO RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL STAGE, LOWER CITY PARK Champion: Moved. Lehman: Moved by Champion. Bailey: Second. Lehman: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Roll call...oh I'm sorry, ail in favor? Opposed? Motion carries 6 to 1; Lehman voting in the negative. Bender: Can I address the Council? Lehman: Yeah, but we're all through with your... Bender: I just have a closing comment. Lehman: All right, make a comment. Bender: Okay. My name is Tom Bender, and I'm here in my capacity as Chairperson of the Riverside Theatre. l'd like to thank all of you, and the entire City staff, for your assistance in allowing our organization to serve alcohol at the Shakespeare Festival. While our request had broad support, I know we had some doubters. We will be certain to follow all the guidelines set out for us in the new ordinance, and we intend to be a good example of how responsible adults can conduct themselves where alcohol is present. The Shakespeare Festival is unique in this area. We have an authentic Shakespearean Theatre, built with the collaboration of public and private funds, in one of Iowa's oldest and most beautiful public parks. Professional performers come from both coasts just for the opportunity to have this festival on their resume. Where else in the Midwest can you find the works of the world's most famous playwright, performed under the stars? I hope you will all avail yourself of the opportunity to enjoy the shows, and perhaps have a glass of wine. On behalf of the Riverside Theatre Organization, and all of our patrons, we thank you. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #11 Page 12 ITEM 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING DISTRIBUTION OF THE "PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING NEIGItBORItOODS" (PIN) GRANT FUNDS Wilburn: Move adoption of the resolution. Bailey: Second. Lehman: Moved by Wilburn; seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Hansen: My name's Jerry Hansen. I'm with the Wetherby Neighborhood Association. Every year for a number of years now, you guys have set aside small amount of funding from the City budget to allow neighborhoods to pick and choose programs or projects that are pertinent to their neighborhoods, and many neighborhoods have benefited from this, and we appreciate your support of this. The Wetherby grant this year, I want to take just a minute or two, last year when we put in, we put in for what we called "Take Back the Night", which was police cruisers on the street at night, and we also set aside 25% to go to Grant Wood, and 25% to go to Southeast to put police in the schools, not on a police basis, but on a one-to-one basis to get to know the kids in the schools. To get to know the younger people. And that was so well received by the schools that this year we want to put all of the funding into helping the kids in the schools. Everybody that's been involved in this project from the police, the principals, the counselors that run the after-school tutoring programs and stuff, have all been very favorable towards this. The police have been very favorable towards this type of program, and they came up with enough hours that we were able to take some of the money we have and also put it into Mark Twain. Now, on next year's fund it's only going to be the three. It'll be Wood, it'll be Southeast, and Mercer again, like we tried to do this year because Wetherby is split in half, and the Broadway Neighborhood has formed their own neighborhood association, and so we don't have as many of our kids going to Twain as there used to be. So, we're going to keep it to the 3 different schools this year. And we're asking for the $4,860 that has been recommended. I'll be happy to answer any questions about these programs. Lehman: Jerry, you do a tremendous job with that neighborhood. 1 don't know if anybody tells you that, but you really, really do, and I'm sure the neighborhood appreciates it, and the Council really does. Hansen: Well thank you very much. Elliott: I ~vas waiting for the questions because I wanted to say Jerry, you and I have differed at times on some things, but I really like this program, like what it has done. I like what it is. I like what it intends to do, and you especially have worked tirelessly to improve things in your neighborhood. We appreciate it. Hansen: Well thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Jerry. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #11 Page 13 Burford: Good evening. I'm here representing the Northside Neighborhood Association. Lehman: Would you give your name first? Burford: My name is Helen Burford. Lehman: Thank you. Burford: And I'm here representing the Northside Neighborhood Association tonight to ask for your consideration of their application for funding through a PIN grant to support parkland beautification for Market Square and Happy Hollow parks on the Northside. This project had in fact been envisioned for more than a year ago by the Neighborhood Association. Members of the community had expressed at that time how they wanted to create an inviting meeting place within the neighborhood. Our proposal is to begin with creating two triangular-shaped flower beds at the entrance of the North Market Square to be planted with bulbs, and to plant clusters of bulbs along the wooded slope on the east side of Happy Hollow Park. And to ensure that we are selecting the right bulbs and preparing the beds properly, we have Master Gardener Judy Terry scheduled to instruct our corps of 25 volunteers this fall. We have also reached out to Project Green for consideration of this project, and as many of our neighbors as possible, who are avid gardeners, we hope to be the recipient of donations from their gardens. If we are able to proceed with this project, it is the intent of the Northside Neighborhood Association to purchase the bulbs at local hardware stores and garden centers in an effort to keep the funding in the community. We are asking for $800. Lehman: Thank you. Walker: Hi, I'm Jean Walker, and I represent the Melrose Neighborhood Association. And the Melrose Neighborhood is a unique neighborhood that's full of great houses, many dating from the 1920's and several of them dating from the 1870's and 1880's. Part of the Melrose Avenue Neighborhood has been identified both by the Historic Preservation Planner of the city, and by an independent historic preservation consultant, as worthy of preservation as an historic district. Sentiments describing the historic nature of the neighborhood's buildings, and encouraging preservation of this neighborhood are also reflected in the 1992 Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan, the 1996 Melrose Avenue Environmental Assessment, the 1997 Comprehensive Plan, and the 2002 Southwest District Plan. Therefore, the neighborhood decided to hire a consultant to survey and evaluate the neighborhood for its cultural and architectural significance and nominate the eligible portion to the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to verifying the significance of the neighborhood, establishing this historic district will contribute towards the implementation of the City's 2002 Southwest District Plan. There are details in the application of the cost. It was originally $15,569, but by use of neighborhood and historic preservation commission volunteers, and by supplying lodging for the consultant, it will be in 3 particular times, that amount was reduced to $11,983. The work is divided into 2 parts. The first part will be completed at the end of the month and will be paid for by donations. The second part, costing $5,011 of which $5,000 was the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #11 Page 14 subject of the grant, will commence July 1st. Since the P1N grant was submitted, I can report that we are on track with the schedule described on page 3 of the application. So we have selected the consultant. We've signed a contract with her. She began the research. She's been hem twice. She's trained the volunteers. The volunteers have completed their research, except that there are a couple of detailed questions that we're following up on. Maria Spenson, the consultant, gave a public presentation for the property owners, and all of the owners have been notified of this project, and the photography has been completed, and the field inspections have been completed, and so there are lots of interesting results, including one house where the owner was, invented the formula for Pepsodent, and there's various other wonderful facts coming to light. So the consultant is finalizing the draft for the nomination, and that'll be done at the, for the deadline at the end of the month, where it's submitted to the State, and then goes to the staff of the State Historical Society, and the revision, it's revised if needed, and it's read by the neighbors, and all the owners will be notified. Actually they don't have to be notified until August 31st, but we've already done a preliminary notification so that everybody knows what's happening. We've got an open system where we want everybody, including the City and the University and the neighbors, to know what's going on. And so, in addition, we've started our fundraising drive, and have been pleased with the results so far. Friends of Historic Preservation are receiving tax-deductible donations on our behalf, and have also made a generous pledge towards the project. And so we're excited about our project, and it's going forward with great haste and interest, and if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Lehman: Thank you, Jean. Walker: Thanks. Hansen: I'm also going to represent Longfellow tonight. (laughter) Their request was for playground sandbox and a trek glide, and if you look at the figures, it doesn't quite jive with what was recommended. Okay? But they're working with their Parent/Teacher Organization at the school. As you know they don't really have any park space so the school grounds are where a lot of the kids play. And these were very well received. I do want to say one thing publicly. When the dust settled in neighborhood council on the recommendations, Wetherby came out with $4,000. And it was at that point that Longfellow stepped up and allotted us, from their funds, $860, to help us complete our project. And I thought that was just an extraordinary act of generosity, and I'd like to thank them very much, and support their grant. Lehman: Thank you. Klein: Good evening, I'm Garry Klein from the newly reformed Creekside Neighborhood Association, and as the new kid on the block, so to speak, I guess I bat cleanup hopefully. Our neighborhood, you've heard about kids, and you've heard about gardens, and now you're going to hear about trees, and l just want to say first of all, this is why I appreciate our trees and why we want to do what we want to do, which I'll explain briefly. The other night, some of you may have This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #11 Page 15 experienced some hail that fell in your neighborhoods. I know it did in mine. My car is parked right in, right on the curb, and half the car was underneath the shade of the lovely tree. It is undimpled. The part that was not, however, is looking like a Titleist golf ball right now (laughter). Okay, so on to the, to our grant. Basically we have a 3-part project. This year what we want to do with the approval and actual support of the City Forester, is to survey the trees that are on the public right-of-way, and also those that people will allow us to come on their property, or survey themselves, to ascertain the age of the trees, the health of the tree, and the historical perhaps landmark value of the tree. After we do that we want to put together a walking tour like other neighborhoods, I believe Goosetown and I think Northside already have these maps available, and to do this we're enlisting the help of a couple of really good arborists who know what they're talking about, to train us fledglings to do this, and the good news is, we want to involve the children of our neighborhood in this project to help them to learn about trees, and perhaps to get them to think about how they can help preserve them in the years to come, because as we know, trees aren't cheap. Okay, so that's phase one. Phase two, next year, we're going to ask you to help us replant some, especially on low-income neighbor's properties, and we're going to raise money to do that in our neighborhood too, and the third year we'll be doing more of the same. So at this point do you have any questions about our grant? Okay, as I said, I'm cleanup hitter here so I want to just take a minute to thank you for considering all of our PIN grants. This has been a great process for all of us who are in neighborhood associations to come together to figure out how we're going to do this, and like Jerry said, some of the neighborhood associations have made nice sacrifices for the betterment of all neighborhoods. We think that, of course, these grants represent the ideas that neighborhoods, neighbors have for their unique neighborhoods, and we think this is a good way to use City funds as we leverage other resources, i.e., volunteer time and equipment and knowledge to get these things done, and most importantly, I thank, as we hope that you will always continue to support these grants, I know it's hard as you have to figure out what to do with your budget, but we think some really great projects in the past have been the fruit of these grants, and they wouldn't have existed without the P1N grant, so we want to thank you for your time. We're looking forward to your vote. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Elliott: Thanks, Jerry. Klingaman: Mayor, last night I was asked to do an update on last year's grant program, and how things are going, and 1'11 go ahead and do that before your vote, if that's okay? I'm Marcia Klingaman. I'm the Neighborhood Services Coordinator, and your requestee hadn't...taken the opportunity to really update myself exactly how things were going, although I hear dribbles and drabs, but for the most part the neighborhoods are fairly self-sufficient, and things happen pretty much without me. The first one, the Saturday Night Drive-In that the Wetherby Neighborhood applied for. They received $500. They had their first drive-in event actually just this past Saturday, using the new large screen projector system that is also one of the grants that you folks funded last year. I guess, Jerry, I said there were over 300 people there. Would you guess even more? They, with the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #11 Page 16 grant funds they purchased refreshments, basically popcorn and pop, you lmow, the cups to hold the popcorn, but it was a huge success. It was nippy, but it was pleasant and the projector system is great. Elliott: Marcia, was that the screen we saw tried out in here one afternoon? Klingaman: Yes it was. Yes it was. Elliott: Very impressive. Klingaman: And I'm hoping to see that more neighborhoods participate in that we have one event scheduled for June 12th, but I'm going to encourage the rest of them to get something going. It's a very easy event in some respects, and very popular. So..."Take Back the Night" for the Wetherby Neighborhood. They had requested and received $3,500. As I explained last night, they shifted that funds into the "Success After School" program, which Jerry is applying for additional funds through the Wetherby Neighborhood Association. Approximately half of those funds have been expended. To be quite honest, the flow of requests for funds from the police department through me is a little slow, and so I would suggest that even more than that has been expended. They have no doubt they're going to be able to expend the funds. If there's any left over, they possibly will carry them over then into this next phase. So that's working very well. The Northside, they had a sidewalk repair program for $5,000, and that was primarily to assist low-mod income families in repairing the sidewalks that were marked by the City as required to be replaced or repaired. And pretty much all of those funds have been committed at this point. The repairs are occurring. The expenditures haven't necessarily occurred, but there's definitely a need for those funds, and they're working through the process. Dead couch day --- one of your favorites --- that has not been implemented, lt's going to occur some time probably in late June, and the essence of that, just for folks who don't know, is the Northside applied for funds to encourage residents who have "dead couches" or couches they would probably like to get rid of but just don't know the process or don't have the funds, are encouraged to do so. We'll remove the couches from their porches and get them on the curb, and the Northside folks will go around and get them picked up and to the landfill. I'm also working with the Public Works department now to see if the street folks can somehow work through that process too so maybe we'll get a little bit more couches, either to the furniture project or to the landfill, using the same amount of money, rather than hiring a private contractor, and then the Neighborhood Council applied for the $5,000 for the movies and the park with the large screen projector system. That's all been purchased. It's all been accoutermented and packaged, and carts have been purchased to help move all this equipment, and we expect that we're going to see a lot of use out of it. Any questions? Thank you. Lehman: Any discussion? Champion: We get a lot of bang for the buck. It's amazing how much gets done for very little amount of money. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #11 Page 17 Bailey: Well, I think that's due to the hard work of the volunteers, and I just want to express my appreciation for all the hard work that all the neighborhoods are doing. I know that it's time and energy that goes into being active in your neighborhood, and I think it's great. Vanderhoefi This is truly leveraging the dollars into community, so it's great, and thank you, all of you, and you too Marcia for the reports. Wilbum: I'll just say the popcorn was pretty tasty Saturday night. Thought it was a good event. (laughter) Lehman: Okay, roll call. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #14a Page 18 ITEM 14a. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHNVAY 6 SIDEWALK EXTENSION PROJECT (STP-E-3715(624)--SV-52) PROJECT Lehman: There were 6 bids submitted. Engineers estimate was $158,000. Low bid was Peterson Contractors from Reinbeck at a bid of $148,889 (TAPE ENDS) Moved by Champion; seconded by Elliott. This is really a University project that we're facilitating. Atkins: Yes. Lehman: Discussion? Atkins: You're aware where this one is, the sidewalk along (can't hear)... Lehman: From Hawkins Drive up along Highway 6 where we're needed a sidewalk forever. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #14b Page 19 ITEM 14b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ON UNCLASSIFIED SALARY COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005 FOR THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, AND CITY CLERK, AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTRACTS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY, AND CITY CLERK TO DELETE THE PROVISION ENTITLED "HOURS OF WORK" Lehman: Do we have a motion? Champion: Move the resolution. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion; seconded by Vanderhoefi Discussion? Well, just let me say, and I'm... Council can certainly speak for themselves, but I think that as a Council we're very proud of our 3 employees. You know, there's 600 people who work for the City of Iowa City, but Steve you've got 597 of them, but I think Council is very much appreciative of the professional quality of work that you 3 folks give us, and your dedication to your jobs, and we're pleased to make this recommendation. Atkins: Thank you. Elliott: This was not done without some amount of thought and some amount of looking at comparative situations, and I think it is a vote I'm very happy to approve. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #17 Page 20 ITEM 17. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION Elliott: I was really disappointed that SSMID had gone down. Not that I thought it was the only way to do things, but I think that the downtown really needs to get together, to pull together. The City, I think, has done everything it can do and expended as much money as it can for downtown. I'm not completely in agreement with all the way it was spent, but it's now up to the downtown people. Our downtown is very good right now, but it needs an effort by the merchants and the owners, and I hope very much that all people, however they felt about the SSMID, will get together and will work together to make the downtown continue to be viable and be better even than it is right now. So, I hope they do well. One other thing, I was asked to monitor the relative merits of the pancake flippers at the Crisis Center, and I was so busy pouring the liquid sunshine, which was a very, very difficult task, but Mike tells me that he totally overshadowed our Mayor. (laughter) That's the report from the Crisis Center. Lehman: Thank you, Robert. Connie? Champion: The only thing, I wanted to ask a question, it reminded me tonight when somebody mentioned it. Whatever happened to our district plans? Did we drop those to get some budget, I mean... Atkins: I don't know if we're doing one right now, but we haven't dropped them. I think we have 4 or 5 in place, and there's 10 of them to go. Lehman: Is the comprehensive zoning (can't hear)...? Atkins: ... staffs involved very much in the code rewrite. Lehman: We haven't dropped them. Atkins: Yeah. Champion: We're not doing one though? Lehman: I think staff is all busy with that comprehensive ... Champion: Well, I remember we talked about....I can't remember, but just a couple years ago, after we did the one. Atkins: Yeah. Champion: Yeah, I would like to see us get those going again when possible. Atkins: Well, we have 2 planner positions too... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #17 Page21 Champion: That was why. Atkins: We did away with a planner and the economic development position, and we spread those duties around. Champion: Right. Atkins: Just takes a little longer to get things done, but I will check. I'll get you updated on that. Lehman: Okay. That's it? O'Donnell: Nothing really, except it was a pleasure to work at the Crisis Center breakfast again this year, and Ernie, as always, it was a pleasure working next to you. Lehman: Great working in your shadow, Mike. (laughter) Lehman: Dee? Vanderhoefi Nothing tonight. Wilbum: I was asked to announce another pancake breakfast. The Iowa Center for Aids Resource and Education, along with New Pioneer Co-op will have their 17th Annual I-Care Benefit Breakfast Sunday, June 6th, from 8am to lpm in the downtown Pedestrian Mall, and their menu includes 3 kinds of pancakes with real maple syrup, sausage, fresh fruit, gourmet coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. The music is being provided in conjunction with the Iowa Arts Festival, and it'll be around the area of the Blackhawk Mini-Park, so please get out and support I-Care, and speaking of pancake breakfasts, just on behalf of the Board of Directors and the volunteers of the Crisis Center, I just want to thank the Council for your support, and all the servers who helped put on a breakfast to serve 1,031 people so it was a real nice day, real nice showing on Mother's Day, and the moms walked away with some fun flowers, tissue flowers, that volunteers worked hard on. There were 98 volunteers that helped put on the breakfast and serve that, so just a tremendous day. I don't know who won the contest, but everybody who was serving looked very serious. I took pictures of them all and there wasn't a smile to be had. They were real focused, so that I do know. Thank you. Bailey: It was a really long line. You had to be focused. I just, a couple of weeks ago we had a resolution about May being bicycle month, and just wanted to remind people that May 21st is fide your bike to work day, and with gas prices going up, I think that's an added motivation so I wanted to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #17 Page 22 encourage everybody to do so and challenge them. I'm a new bicycle rider and I'm going to give it a try myself so I wanted to encourage everybody in the community to give that a try, with your helmet. Wilburn: RAGBRAI next for you? Bailey: Oh yeah, absolutely. (laughter) Champion: I could ride my bike to work, but getting up (can't hear)... Bailey: I hear ya so... Vanderhoefi Try the Rochester hill. Lehman: Two things. As I'm sure most of you were aware from the papers, the 389th folks from Iraq returned last week, and I just want the Council and the public to know, the University and I suspect perhaps Dr. Skorton, was the person, but the University let them use Carver Hawkeye Arena which I think was an absolutely tremendous facility for that return, and equally tremendous was David Skorton who has probably more things to do than most of us can even imagine, took time out of his schedule to be at that meeting, or that reunion, and welcomes those troops back from Iraq, and it was a very, very impressive ceremony. Dee, you were there. Pete was part of the program, and very impressive. Just a reminder, Memorial Day is going to be before our next meeting. Them will be services at Oakland Cemetery at 9:30, at Memory Gardens at 11:00, the west overlook, I think, at 1:30, and I'm not sure ifthere is service...check the newspaper. There may be one at 8:00 on the Iowa Avenue Bridge but certainly a tremendous holiday and certainly encourage people to take part and attend those services. Steve? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004. #18 Page 23 ITEM 18. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF Atkins: Because of the holiday, just heads up, we'll probably start early on Tuesday. You have a work session before a regular meeting. Lehman: Is that going to be a meeting with the Airport that day too? Atkins: I don't know that. You've asked for me to check that and I will, but heads up we'll start early that day. Lehman: Eleanor? Marian? Happy 25th year, Marian. We love you. Is there a motion to adjourn? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of May 18, 2004.