HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-18 Bd Comm minutesMINUTES APPROVED
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
APRIL 15, 2004
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Brooks, Beth Koppes, Benjamin Chait, Don Anciaux, Jerry Hansen, Ann
Freerks
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dean Shannon (Excused)
STAFF PRESENT: John Yapp, Mitch Behr
OTHERS PRESENT: Glenn Siders, Rebeka Berstler, Joe Holland, Steven E. Nelson
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
Recommended for approval, by a vote of 6-0, REZ04-00007, an application for rezoning from RDP,
Research Development Park, to CO-1, Office Commercial, for 35.05-acres of property located on the
eastern portion of Nodhgate Drive subject to a Conditional Zoning Agreement requiring a l-acre minimum
lot size for the property and the parkway and wide sidewalk system laid out for Northgate Corporate Park
being maintained.
Recommended for approval, by a vote of 6-0, SUB04-00008 a final plat of Wild Prairie Estates, Part 5, a
25.79-acre, 34-1ot residential subdivision located at Wild Prairie Drive and Prairie Grass Lane subject to
Staff approval of legal papers and construction drawings prior to City Council consideration.
Recommended for approval, by a vote of 6-0, SUB04-00009, a final plat of Sand Hill Estates, Part 1, a
59.33-acre, 56-1ot, single-family residential subdivision, subject to Staff approval of legal papers and
construction plans, and landscaping for Outlot E, prior to City Council consideration.
Recommended by a vote of 6-0, that Section 10 of the Planning and Zoning Commission By Laws be
forwarded to the Rules Committee of the City Council for consideration of the proposed revisions as
shown in Staff's Memorandum dated 4/9/04.
CALL TO ORDER:
Anciaux called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Anciaux announced that a listing of the current vacancies on the various City Boards and Commissions
was posted in the outer lobby. There was no public discussion.
REZONING ITEMS:
REZ04-00004, discussion of an application submitted by James Clark for a rezoning from Community
Commercial (CC-2) zone to Central Business Support (CB-5) zone for approximately 1.34-acres of
property located on the east side of S. Gilbert Street.
Yapp said the applicant had submitted a letter of deferral requesting this item be deferred to the May 6,
2004 meeting.
REZ04-00007, discussion of an item submitted by Southgate Development for a rezoning from RDP,
Research Development Park, to CO-1, Office Commercial, for 35.05-acres of property located on the
eastern portion of Northgate Drive be approved subject to a Conditional Zoning Agreement requiring a 1-
acre minimum lot size for the property and the parkway and wide sidewalk system laid out for Northgate
Corporate Park being maintained.
Yapp said in the 1980's this area had been zoned Office Commercial (CO-1). In 1989 it was re-zoned
from CO-1 to Research Development Park (RDP) as part of an effort to attract light manufacturing and
Research & Development businesses to this location. The applicant had indicated to Staff that it had been
difficult to attract these businesses to Northgate Corporate Park. The developer was now requesting that
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 15, 2004
Page 2
the area be rezoned back to CO-1. Permitted uses in a CO-1 zone included any office use similar to the
western half of Northgate Drive which contained medical offices, financial offices and a daycare. It had an
office park appearance. Yapp said the Comprehensive Plan recommended that the areas around this
interchange be zoned Office Park or Office Research Park. There were several hundred acres of
remaining Office Research Park area in the quadrants around this interchange.
In the RDP zone, there was a minimum l-acre lot size. Staff recommended that this requirement be
maintained if this area were rezoned to Office Commercial in order to ensure it would attract the higher
traffic generating businesses and did not encourage smaller neighborhood oriented offices to relocate to
this area. A 70-foot landscaped 'parkway' had also been implemented parallel to one side of Northgate
Drive that helped to maintain the office park appearance. Staff recommended this 'parkway' be
maintained as well through a Conditional Zoning Agreement (CZA) should this property be rezoned. The
applicant had submitted a letter to Staff indicating they agreed with both the minimum lot size and the
parkway easement conditions of the CZA.
Yapp said it was his understanding that a lot owners association meeting had occurred 4/14/04. The
Association had also recommended approval of the rezoning with the l-acre lot size minimum and
maintaining the parkway easement.
Public discussion was opened.
Hansen asked Glenn Siders if he had done any type of research, such as checking into markets, that
would lead him to believe that this rezoning would benefit Northgate Corporate Park? Siders said this
rezoning was going to work because Southgate Development Company was continually getting inquiries
for office uses similar to those that were already there. Siders said the most current requests had been
coming from medical providers who wanted small medical office buildings. A number had been from the
Towncrest Area who wanted to relocate. A religious institution had inquired but would be prohibited in the
Research Development Zone. Siders said they had not done a market feasibility study. They had tried to
attract pharmaceutical and light manufacturing companies, but it had been very difficult to compete with
Oakdale Campus.
Brooks asked if a traffic signal was planned for the intersection of Northgate and Highway 1. Yapp said it
had been installed as of this week. Staff was waiting on the DOT permit to be approved in order for the
signal to become operational. A sidewalk crossing to the A&W and Subway restaurants would also be
installed.
Rebeka Berstler, Clinic of Electrology and Laser, said she had just purchased the former Iowa Donor
Network building. She had just learned of this request for a rezoning yesterday when she'd received a call
regarding the Association meeting. She had been unable to attend the meeting as she'd had patients until
7:00 pm. Berstler said she was very uninformed and requested the City Council to table their vote until
the next City Council meeting. Berstler said she was not objecting to the rezoning, she was not educated
enough to know how this would affect the building she had just purchased. She had been in the Iowa City
area since 1987. She had moved to Northgate Corporate Park to get away from the downtown area. She
requested the Council to table their vote on this item until she had had the opportunity to exercise her
rights to find out exactly how it would affect her. Berstler said she'd just purchased a million dollar building
and wanted to be sure this wouldn't affect her future as she planned on being around for a while.
Yapp said as a point of clarification, Berstler was speaking to the Planning and Zoning Commission, not
to the Council. The Commission would make a recommendation to the Council on the zoning, then there
would be an additional public hearing before the City Council. Yapp said he was not clear on her
proposed use but she should feel free to call City staff for clarification of any information. Medical offices
were a permitted use in both this zone and in the proposed CO-1 zone.
Behr and Yapp said it was likely the public hearing would occur before the Council would be the latter part
of May.
Freerks asked if letters had been sent out to all property owners. Yapp said letters had been sent to all
property owners of record approximately three weeks ago.
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 15, 2004
Page 3
Anciaux said if the Commission recommended to Council that the rezoning be approved, Berstler would
still have an opportunity to voice any comments before the Council.
Berstler requested that the Commission table their vote until their next meeting. Behr said only if the
applicant waived the deadline and requested a deferral, could this item be deferred. [Siders did not
acknowledge the request for a deferral.]
Motion: Koppes made a motion to approve REZ04-00007., a rezoning from RDP, Research Development
Park, to CO-l, Office Commercial, for 35.05-acres of property located on the eastern portion of Northgate
Drive be approved subject to a Conditional Zoning Agreement requiring a 1-acre minimum lot size for the
property and the parkway and wide sidewalk system laid out for Northgate Corporate Park being
maintained. Hansen seconded the motion.
Freerks said it seemed to fit, there was plenty of the RDP left for future use. She said there would be
plenty of time for Ms. Berstler to research this item before City Council made a decision.
Hansen said he agreed, there was still plenty of that type of land zoned around it. Hansen said for himself
a criteria for a rezoning was, was there a good reason to do it. This area had been rezoned before.
However the 'good reason' was, in 10-years the property had not been moving that well so that said that
something was wrong with the location. Hansen directed an informational comment to Ms. Berstler
explaining that the Commission voted on technicalities such as 'did it confirm to'. If it was a political issue
that was going to affect someone and/or was not a Nuts & Bolts type of issue, then the City Council would
be the proper persons to address.
The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
DEVELOPMENT ITEMS:
.SUB04-00008 an application submitted by Kennedy-Hilgenberg for a final plat of Wild Prairie Estates,
Part 5, a 25.79~acre, 34-1ot residential subdivision located at Wild Prairie Drive and Prairie Grass Lane
subject to Staff approval of legal papers and construction drawings prior to City Council consideration.
Yapp said the one change from the preliminary plat on this application was the reduction of one lot so that
Lot 109 would have a wider frontage on the public street. A previous issue with the preliminary plat had
been that Lot 109 had a homebuilding site behind another lot which potentially could have made it difficult
for emergency response vehicles to find that house. That had been eliminated. Yapp said the request
was in conformance with the preliminary plat and with the zoning. All deficiencies noted in the Staff
Report had been rectified. Staff recommended approval subject to approval of legal papers and
construction drawings prior to City Council consideration.
Public discussion was opened. There was none. Public discussion was closed.
Motion: Hansen made a motion to approve SUB04-00008. Brooks seconded the motion.
The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
SUB04-0000~, discussion of an item submitted by Southgate Development for a final plat of Sand Hill
Estates, Part One, a 59.33-acre, 56-1ot, single-family residential subdivision subject to Staff approval of
legal papers and construction plans, and landscaping for Outlot E, prior to City Council consideration.
Yapp said after much discussion the preliminary plat of Sand Hill estates which was a 379 lot, 146-acre
preliminary plat, had been approved in February, 2004. This would be the first final plat to come out of the
preliminary plat. The subdivision would consist of 56 single-family lots including three large out-lots.
Outlots A and B were reserved for future development. Outlot M was a 17.74-acre open space to be
dedicated to the City for prairie restoration purposes once the final plat was approved.
Yapp said when the preliminary plat was approved, several variations to the Iow density single-family lot
sizes had been approved including permitting lots to be less than 8,000-square foot in size and less than
60-feet in width. When the Council approved the OPDH plan, they had added a condition that required a
minimum 25-foot setback for lots less than 60-foot in width. This would be enforced as building permits
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 15, 2004
Page 4
were applied for for individual lots. The final plat included one street less than the standard street size.
The south block of Oxen Lane, which served three lots, would have a 22-foot wide pavement. Staff had
allowed some narrower streets for streets that would serve a very limited number of lots provided that no
on-street parking was permitted.
The applicant would construct the first segment of the east-west arterial street. Staff had recommended
the name McCollister Boulevard due to the historic link of the McCollister name to the South District. This
arterial street would eventually connect to Scott Boulevard and Hwy 1 intersection.
Storm water management would be located in basins in Outlots A & B. Water would be detained in the
basins before making its way to the Iowa River via storm sewer system. The plan included an extension
of the Iowa River Corridor Trail, which would tie into the eastJwest arterial 8-foot wide sidewalk. The
developer would construct the sidewalk, then dedicate the trail and trail easement to the City. The trail, as
part of a larger trail plan, would trail south to the soccer fields and connect with the Sycamore Greenway
Trail.
Yapp said Staff recommended approval of SUB04-0000~, subject to Staff's approval of legal papers,
construction plans and a landscaping plan for Outlot E prior to Council consideration. Staff, the applicant
and the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department were working on a management framework for
the open space that would detail how often the area would be burned and some general maintenance
expectations for that open space so that the applicant, the sub-divider and future lot owners in that area
had that information. Once the City accepted dedication of the open space, and after an initial burn, more
detailed plans for the open space would be able to be implemented with details such as what type of
plants and what location.
Hansen asked if there were any precautions in place to keep equipment from running onto the sand
prairie during construction. Yapp said the developer had indicated they would erect an orange
construction fence around the entire area to demarcate the boundaries. It had been noted with a grading
easement along the edge of the open space, that as infrastructure was installed there might be some
impact along the edges of the open space.
Koppes asked if there was going to be an easement for the City to access the open space while other
construction was occurring. Yapp said with the first plat, the public access would be located between Lots
23 and 24. The applicant had noted that they grant access to City crews at other locations as well.
Brooks asked who assumed maintenance responsibilities for places such as Outlot D. Yapp said they
would be privately maintained. There were several small green spaces interspersed throughout the
development as part of the original plan that had been done by Randall Arendt. The small green spaces
were meant to ensure that as persons drove along the streets there would almost always be some green
space within view.
Public discussion was opened.
Joe Holland, 123 N. Linn Street, said he and the applicant had had extensive discussions with Planning
Staff, the City Attorney's office and the Department of Parks and Recreation regarding the aspects of the
subdivision. It conformed closely to the preliminary plat. He said there would be private open space
throughout the entire subdivision. Part of the subdivision documents that had already been submitted
provided for an Owner's Association. The developer contemplated one Owner's Association for the entire
subdivision. Holland said there would be more extensive open spaces in the more northerly part as that
was where there would be storm water management basins for the part of the development that drained
in the other direction.
Holland said orange construction fences would be erected around the grading easement and as much
care as possible would be exercised to avoid intrusion into what would become the public open space.
Freerks asked how the developer planned to mark the little opening for public access to parcel M? Yapp
said in the short term, he was not sure. As a more detailed plan for the open space was developed, the
Parks Dept. had discussed limestone trails as well as signs for the open space.
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 15, 2004
Page 5
Glenn Siders said there would be property pins put in for lots 23 and 24. He would be willing to bolster
those markers to a 4x4 or 6x6 to clearly identify where the access was. On the overhead map, Siders
indicated where the orange construction fence was going to be placed. He said a gate was going to
installed in the rear area so the City would have access in/out of that area.
Steven E. Nelsoq, 1033 Sandusky Drive, said he had points to address with the open prairie space. He
asked where the negotiations stood. Three weeks ago the Sand Prairie group had met with Terry
Trueblood to talk about how the proposals were going for the transfer of the land. At that time, per
Southgate, they were to be allowed an initial burn before construction started. There could be no plant
rescue off the land to be destroyed to transfer plants; there could be no plant inventory for which they had
been campaigning for two years to try to receive; and after the initial prairie burn there could be no more
prairie burns until after the last house/lot was built which could be 10-15 years down the road. Nelson
said that made it impossible to even start a prairie restoration project. Nelson said at the time they had
met with Trueblood, it had been unacceptable to him.
Behr said Trueblood had met with a number of specialists and consultants to determine how the City
would wish the frequency of burning. They had landed on the wish to burn the first two years and then
once every three years after that. Behr said with respect to the inventory and rescue, the City had no role
with that. That was between private citizens and Southgate Development Corporation. He said a written
agreement would be put in place with all the legal papers with respect to the prairie burning.
Hansen asked if it was correct, that once the Commission made their recommendation to approve the
final plat and it was passed by Council, that the 17-acres immediately became City property. Behr said
that was correct, they were not waiting for a deed. When the plat was recorded, it would be recorded with
a document that conveyed that land to the City. Hansen asked if at that point the City could do on City
property pretty much what it wanted? Behr said with the legal papers, the City would put restrictions as to
burns the first two years and then once every three years after that. Hansen asked if the plant rescue and
inventory could be done at that time. Behr said that was correct, the City was placing no restrictions on it
in that regard.
Nelson said he was conflicted, but wished the transfer to occur as soon as possible. Currently the open
space was being used as an off road racing track. Earlier in the afternoon there had been 7 ATV's tearing
the heck out of the property and there was no way to stop it until it became City property. Siders said if
citizens would call Southgate Development when the ATV's were on the property, they would be glad to
call the police.
Nelson said with respect to housing design. Behr and Anciaux said that item was not relevant to the item
before the Commission. Nelson said the Commission had demonstrated that they felt strongly about the
need for housing design standards. The City Council members didn't agree with them. He requested that
each time as the Commission approved the plats, they include a statement strongly urging developers to
follow the original South District Plan with respect to aesthetic design, garage and drive layouts. He felt it
would make the Commission's original statement stronger that they still believed in the original idea for
development.
Public discussion was closed.
Motion: Hansen made a motion to approve SUB04-00009, a final plat of Sand Hill Estates, Part One, a
59.33-acre, 56-1ot, single-family residential subdivision subject to Staff approval of legal papers and
construction plans, and landscaping for Outlot E, prior to City Council consideration. Koppes seconded
the motion.
Anciaux said this had been a long drawn out affair with a lot of good discussion back and forth. A lot of
give and take on both sides. Neither side had received exactly what they wanted but he was quite happy
with the way it had come out.
Hansen said he'd like to second Anciaux's words. Thanks should be given to Southgate Development
and to Pepperwood. People were heard, the sand prairie was preserved and he felt it was going to be a
nice addition to town.
The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 15, 2004
Page 6
OTHER ITEMS:
Behr will investigate if Public Comment is to be opened before or after the developer has the oppodunity
to speak. The developer is to have the opportunity to speak first, regardless.
Planning & Zoning Commission By-Laws, Section 10, Conflict of Interest. Yapp said this item had been
discussed at the last Commission meeting. Based on that discussion, Staff had prepared language that
removed the reference to the Commissioner leaving the room and instead stated that the Commissioner
shall leave the panel of Commissioners, shall not participate in the discussion and may return to the panel
after the vote. Yapp said the Commission's recommendation on the proposed change in language would
be forwarded to the Council Rules Committee, a sub-committee of the Council, and then the full Council
would vote on the change.
Koppes asked if the Rules Committee didn't agree with their proposal, would the requested change even
go to the Council. Behr said he thought it would. The sub committee would make a recommendation and
it would end up at Council either way.
Hansen said, in Section 11, where it said "(but not less than three)" was a redundant statement. If there
was a quorum that was four persons. Behr said it appears redundant but it comes into play if there is a
quorum, but four commissioners have a conflict of interest and/or abstain from voting.
Motion: Brooks made a motion that the Commission forward their recommended revisions to Section 10
of the By Laws to City Council Rules Committee for their review and recommendation. Hansen seconded
the motion.
Koppes said she hoped that when the Rules Committee reviewed the proposed revisions, they also
reviewed the minutes of the April 1 Commission's meeting as that was where most of the discussion
occurred as to why the changes were being requested.
Brooks asked if the subcommittee would ask anyone from the Commission to be in attendance to explain
the rational behind the requested change. Behr said he didn't think they would seek anyone out, but the
Commission could find out when the subcommittee met and send a representative. Koppes and Brooks
said they felt it was very important that the Rules Sub Committee have adequate background information
when they considered the Commission's proposed revisions to the By Laws. Behr and Yapp said they
would find out when the subcommittee would meet regarding this item and inform the Commissioners.
The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
CONSIDERATION OF 4/1/04 MEETING MINUTES:
Yapp said the meeting minutes from the April 1 meeting would be available for review at the
Commission's next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 pm. Koppes seconded the motion.
The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
Elizabeth Koppes, Secretary
Minutes submitted by Candy Barnhill
Board or Commission: Iowa City Iowa Planning & Zoning Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2004
.4 }ril 15, 2004
TERM
NAME EXP. 1/1/04 1/15/04 2/5/04 2/19/04 3/4/04 3/18/04 4/1/04 04/15/04 05/06/04 05/20/04
Don Anciaux 05/01/06 NM X NM X X NM X X
Bob Brooks 05/01/2005 NM X NM X X NM X X
Benjamin Chait 05/01/2006 NM X NM X X NM X X
Ann Freerks 05/01/2008 NM X NM O/E O/E NM X X
Jerry Hansen 05/01/2005 NM X NM X X NM X X
Elizabeth Koppes 05/01/2007 NM X NM X X NM X X
Dean Shannon 05/01/2008 NM X NM X X NM X O/E
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
- Not a Member
MINUTES
IOWA CITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2004 5:30 P.M.
CITY CABLE TV OFFICE, 10 S. LINN ST.-TOWER PLACE PARKING FACILITY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Pusack, Brett Castillo, Kimberly Thrower, Saul Mekies, Terry Smith
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Drew Shaffer, Mike Brau, Bob Hardy, Andy Matthews, Dale Helling
OTHERS PRESENT: Phil Phillips, Rene Paine, Susan Rogusky, Jon Koebrick, Beth Fisher
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
None at this time.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
Rene Paine reported that her last day will be May 14th as the director ofPATV. Shaffer reported that he
received an email from Kevin Hoyland informing him that the school district is in the process of
receiving a bid for upgraded equipment for the Board Room. The money used to purchase this
equipment is from the pass-through fund, recommended by the CTG and approved by the ICTC.
Koebrick reported work in preparation to deliver high definition television is in process and may be
available in April. Video on demand will be available around the first week of May. Shaffer reported
that he and Jon Koebrick have developed language that will be carded on InfoVision that informs
subscribers how to return or get rebates for non-addressable converters they no longer need. The
contract for refranchising services with Rice, Williams is nearly complete. The InfoVision focus group
is planned for Saturday, April 3. In regards to the programming cost of ESPN and the possibility of
making it an a la carte channel, Koebrick said that has become an issue of the cable industry as a
whole. ESPN programming costs have been going up about 20% per year for the last five years.
ESPN does not want to give operators the right to offer ESPN as an a la carte channel, in part, because
they can demand more from advertisers as a regular channel. It is in ESPN's best economic interest to
maintain the present arrangements. Matthews noted that the City has no legal authority regarding any
control over the programming offered by Mediacom. Koebrick reported that something called txvo-
tuner digital video recorders will be available to subscribers in September.
Koebrick reported that Mediacom recently sent applications for a $1,000 per year academic
scholarships for students interested in studying communications. 25 are given annually in the state of
Iowa.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Thro~ver moved and Castillo seconded a motion to approve February 23, 2004 meeting minutes. The
motion passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
None.
SHORT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
CONSUMER ISSUES
Shaffer referred to the complaint report in the meeting packet and noted that there were 9 complaints--
1 about billings, 2 about poor customer service, 1 about rates, 1 about getting a cable buried, 3 about
technical problems, and 1 about not getting a return phone call. All the complaints have been resolved
or are in the process of being resolved.
MEDIACOM REPORT
Koebrick reported work in progress to deliver high definition television and may be available in April.
Video on demand will available around the first week of May.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA REPORT
No representative was present.
PATV REPORT
Paine reported that PATV will be holding a special workshop for the Everet Conner Center so they can
produce a show about disabilities. Public Access Week will be April 11-17th. Rene Paine reported that
her last day will be May 14th as the director of PATV.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
Rogusky distributed the March Senior Center TV program guide and reported that several new
volunteers have joined SCTV.
IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT
No representative was present. Shaffer reported that he received an email from Kevin Hoyland
informing him that the school district is in the process of receiving a bid for upgraded equipment for
the Board Room.
LEGAL REPORT
Matthews said he had nothing new to report.
LIBRARY REPORT
Fisher reported that the fiber optic connection to the new building has been installed. A complete
second digital editing system has arrived.
KIRKWOOD REPORT
No representative was present.
MEDIA UNIT
Hardy reported that the League of Women Voter's Legislative Forum will be cablecast live this
weekend. InfoVision will be holding a focus group soon. The Community Television Service recently
taped a presentation ora group of environmental groups called the 2004 Prairie Preview. At the
request of the United Church of Christ three programs on healthcare will be taped. A public service
announcement for the Adolescent Health Resource Center will also be produced.
CABLE TV ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Shaffer reported that he and Jon Koebrick have developed language that will be carried on InfoVision
that informs subscribers how to return or get rebates for non-addressable converters they no longer
need. The contract for refranchising services from Rice, Williams is nearly complete. The InfoVision
focus group is planned for Saturday, April 3.
CSAPN 3, ESPN, CHANNEL PACKAGING
Koebrick said that Mediacom does not carry CSPAN 3 on any of their systems at this time. There
would be no contractual problems receiving it. Programming of this type is typically put on the basic
tier, but in Iowa City that would be a problem due to a lack of channel space. If it were to be added, it
would likely be added to the expanded basic tier. If it would be added it would be added to all the
systems served by a head-end.
In regards to the programming cost of ESPN and the possibility of making it an a la carte channel
Koebrick said that that has become an issue of the cable industry as a whole. ESPN programming
costs have been going up about 20% per year for the last five years. ESPN does not want to give
operators the right to offer ESPN as an a la carte channel, in part, because they can demand more
money from advertisers as a regular channel. It is in ESPN's best economic interest to maintain the
present arrangements. If an operator were to drop ESPN, it would be at a competitive disadvantage in
relation to the direct satellite TV providers. Mediacom has worked with some national cable TV
organizations to permit them the right to offer a channel a la carte if the programming charges are
double the average per channel cost. Cox recently got an agreement with ESPN that has only a 7%
annual increase in fees due, in part, to efforts by Mediacom and Cox.
Matthews noted that the City has no legal authority regarding the control of the programming offered
by Mediacom.
Koebrick said that ESPN contracts typically involve a number of other channels also owned by
Disney/ABC and include channel placement on systems. It even extends to retransmission consent
agreements.
Meikes said he is concerned that some channels that may not be appropriate for children are located
next to channels intended for children. This is bad for the programmers, operators, and viewers.
Koebrick said that large media conglomerates such as Viacom that control a number of programmers
insist on their channels be adjacent on the channel lineup. As a result, for example, MTV and
Nickelodeon often are adjacent. Mediacom will trap out any channel free of charge upon request. The
best method of affecting change would be to contact Congress, the FCC and the programmers.
Koebrick reported that something called two-tuner digital video recorders will be available to
subscribers in September.
Koebrick reported that Mediacom recently sent applications for a $1,000 per year academic
scholarships for students interested in studying communications. 25 are given annually in the state of
Iowa.
Castillo asked about the barriers to complete a la carte programming. Koebrick said that programmers
won't agree to a la carte arrangements. If programmers were forced to be carried a la carte and be
revenue neutral, they would have to charge much more for their programming. A subscriber would
likely end up paying about the same but have access to fewer channels.
ADJOURNMENT
Thrower moved and Smith seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously and the
meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Drew Shaffer
Cable TV Administrator
MINUTES Approved
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
APRIL 1,2004
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Brooks, Benjamin Chair, Don Anciaux, Ann Freerks, Jerry Hansen,
Elizabeth Koppes, Dean Shannon
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Robert Miklo
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
Recommend approval by a vote of 7-0 the final plat for SUB04-00001, an item submitted by James Davis
for the J JR Davis Addition, a 26.98-acre, 8-Lot commercial subdivision located west of Mormon Trek
Boulevard, south of Highway 1
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
SUBDIVISION ITEM:
SUB04-00001 - Discussion of an item submitted by James Davis for a final plat of J JR Davis Addition, a
26.98 acre, 8-Lot commercial subdivision located west of Mormon Trek Boulevard, south of Highway 1
(45-day limitation period: April 16, 2004).
Miklo stated that the design and zoning issues were worked out at the time of rezoning and preliminary
plat approval. As stated, this is an 8-lot commercial subdivision. There is a new street named City View
Drive being proposed as a loop street to provide access to the majority of the lots, with lot one having
direct access to Mormon Trek Boulevard. Stormwater is being provided in the southern part of the
subdivision, and there is also approval for a reconstruction of the wetlands in this area. This will allow the
stormwater management plan to occur, and the reconstruction of the wetlands will actually be an
improvement over what is currently there. There is a water main extension fee of $395 per acre, and a
sanitary/sewer tap-on fee of $3,200 per acre. Legal papers are currently under review by the City
attorney's office. The construction plans have been approved at this point, and the staff recommends
approval of the final plat.
Public Discussion: No one appeared.
MOTION: Hansen moved, and Freerks seconded, to approve the final plat for SUB04-00001, an
item submitted by James Davis for the J JR Davis Addition, a 26.98-acre, 8-Lot commercial
subdivision located west of Mormon Trek Boulevard, south of Highway I (45-day limitation period:
April 16, 2004).
Hansen stated that DNR has looked over this and it complies with the Comprehensive Plan, as well as
the District Plan, and that he feels it is good for the city.
Freerks stated that she agrees, and it looks like the wetlands issues have been addressed.
Motion carried to approve SUB04-00001 on a vote of 7-0.
OTHER iTEMS:
Discussion of Planninq & Zoninq Commission By-Laws, Section 10, Conflict of Interest
Miklo discussed the matter of conflict of interest, and stated that the staff is not recommending one way or
the other. Members discussed how to word this change, and Behr stated that if members would look at
Section 10, they could replace the word "room" with "panel of commissioners". '% member who believes
that they have a conflict of interest on a matter about to come before the Commission shall state the
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 1, 2004
Page 2
reason for the conflict of interest, leave the panel of commissioners before the discussion begins, and
return after the vote." He said in this way it limits the member's obligation. Members then discussed if this
person could take part in the discussion as an audience member. Koppes stated she would like to change
this a little, as this person who leaves the panel should not be able to then discuss the matter. Miklo
suggested they add "shall leave the panel of commissioners before discussion begins, and shall not
participate in the discussion". Brooks suggested the wording "shall refrain from participation in the
discussion". Miklo said they would put something together and then present it at the next meeting,
something more specific.
Chair stated that three things come to mind with this issue. One being that he feels that sitting on a
Commission should not put members in a position where they can't be aware of items that concern them,
specifically with the situation involving Self Supporting Municipal Tax District and himself. He said he
would want to hear that conversation. Secondly, he stated that whatever this Commission decides, they
still will not have the final say as the City Council will have the final say. Therefore he feels they need to
speak their minds and express their opinions. Third, this can apply to all of them, and not just himself. He
said there will be other situations that he personally will be involved in where he would recluse himself,
just so he would not be a part of them. He does feel that he has the right as a citizen to make these
choices.
Hansen stated that he agrees with Chait that none of them should have to give up their rights as citizens
just to sit on a volunteer commission. He said he looks at this as accountability to the public, and not
being intimidated by another commissioner.
Koppes said she would like to add that by not having a camera at their meetings, it does create a problem
in having someone leave the room and not be able to hear the discussion of an item of interest to them.
Brooks said he also supports this, and agrees with the others that by removing themselves from the
discussion and the vote, that addresses the issue. He feels being in the room during the discussion is not
a problem, and stated that this wasn't a problem in the past.
Miklo stated this bylaw was adopted in 1997, and it was based on the feelings of the Commissioners at
that time. He said the Commission should keep in mind that this isn't necessarily about commissioners
intimidating other commissioners. A good reason for this bylaw is the appearance of a conflict, what the
audience sees, regardless of how the Commission interacts. He said you don't want someone in the
audience to perceive that there is an influence by a commissioner with a conflict still being in the room.
He did reiterate that they are not making a recommendation to the Commission, but just pointing out
some of the history behind this issue.
Freerks said that she doesn't feel the Commissioners are giving up any rights as they can read the
minutes, or send someone else to a meeting. She sees both sides to this.
Shannon says he feels the same as the other commissioners. Anciaux said he agrees that if there were a
camera present, it would help in these situations. He said he would support the change.
Miklo stated that staff would prepare a draft amendment for the Commission to review at their next
meeting.
Chairperson Anciaux asked if there was any further business under "Other Items".
Hansen asked if all of the Commission had seen the Press-Citizen editorial about the Visual Preference
Survey. He said he wanted the Commission to advocate for things we believe in, and asked if the memo
that we sent to Council shouldn't be released to the Press-Citizen. Hansen said he was disappointed with
the tone of the editorial, and asked whether it is something that warrants a guest editorial.
Koppes said sometimes the best way is to just sit it out. Collect the data, and show them what we've
come up with because she thought that it'll just show that it's not radical, and that it is probably well
formed.
Freerks said she thought sometimes if you answer those things it just tends to prolong them.
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 1,2004
Page 3
Koppes said the citizens who took the survey told her they were thankful that the City was asking their
opinion. She said she knew quite a few people at Tuesday's Visual Preference Survey - people she had
worked with and people she didn't expect to participate in something like this.
Freerks said unfortunately there are people who are skimming the paper and don't understand the issue.
Koppes said one of the persons at the survey has been a life-long citizen of Iowa City. They were very
interested, and their comment was, "1 want Iowa City to be a great place to live - that's why I'm here." So
they're looking at it as their obligation to contribute to their community.
Chair said as far as responding, rebutting to the paper, he was cynical about it.
Hansen said it's not swaying the paper's opinion that he is worried about. It's getting them to print an
article that people can read and understand the issue from the Commission's point of view. He personally
thinks the City will get real value from this tool, this information. Based on the editorial, he questions
whether the Press-Citizen wanted this government to be of and by the people.
Chait said he received a lot of good feedback and acknowledgement, and people were grateful for his
explanation when he wrote a guest editorial about the Peninsula and new urbanism.
Hansen said he got the same feedback from the Sandhill article that they wrote, where a lot of people
said "thanks for explaining what was going on."
Brooks said being able to have some of the facts in terms of the demographics and how many people
have taken it, and what some of the results are would reinforce the benefits of doing the survey.
Hansen said the Press-Citizen is not challenging the results. Because the results aren't even in. They're
challenging the wisdom of even asking the citizens their opinions, whereas he sees a lot of merit in it.
Anciaux asked if there were any results in from the survey.
Miklo said the only thing that was tallied was the first session of 40. The consultant found that the
demographic was typically a middle-aged female.
Miklo said we should within a few weeks have the results and report that shows the images that rated
highly, and these are some of the reasons, and these are images that rated poorly, and these are some
of the reasons, and these are images that rated neutrally, and these are some of the reasons, and these
are some things that you can do, or that you can consider in your zoning ordinance if you want to pursue
any of these avenues that are revealed by the survey. Miklo said the survey is just one tool in the whole
process of writing the zoning ordinance. It's the opinion of the people who are willing to come to a public
meeting, and you can take it or leave it, but he thinks it will be useful and will give us some direction. He
said we won't be doing this code in a vacuum, which to an extent we have been so far.
Miklo said something the editorial criticizes is that we spent approximately $9,000 to do the survey. He
said there's more value than just this survey. This is a tool that the staff now knows how to use, having
worked with the consultant. We can use it, for example, if we're proposing public projects and we want to
get some reaction to various designs, we can use it with a neighborhood group. If we're doing some
improvements to a park, we can show them different options and get their reaction, so we think it's
something we're getting our value out of, long after this particular project.
Koppes said she thought the Visual Preference Survey was useful. She was glad she went and was
happy to see the good turnout of citizens.
CONSIDERATION OF THE MARCH 4, 2004, MEETING MINUTES
Chairperson Anciaux asked for a motion to approve the minutes.
MOTION: Koppes moved to accept the March 4, 2004, meeting minutes as submitted. Freerks
seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
April 1,2004
Page 4
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
Elizabeth Koppes, Secretary
data on cityntJpcd/minutes/p&zJ2004/2004 04-01-04p&z.dcc
Board or Commission: Iowa City Iowa Planning & Zoning Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2004
APRIL 1, 2004
TERM
NAME EXP. 1/1/04 1/15/04 2/5/04 2/19/04 3/4/04 3/18/04 4/1/04 04/15/04 05/06/04
Don Anciaux 05/01/2006 NM X NM X X NM X
Bob Brooks 05/01/2005 NM X NM X X NM X
Benjamin 05/01/2006 NM X NM X X NM X
Chait
Ann Freerks 05/01/2008 NM X NM O/E O/E NM X
Jerry Hansen 05/01/2005 NM X NM X X NM X
Elizabeth 05/01/2007 NM X NM X X NM X
Koppes
Dean Shannon 05/01~2008 NM X NM X X NM X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
- Not a Member
MINUTES - FINAL
City of Iowa City Civil Service Commission
April 29, 2004 - 8:15AM
Lobby Conference Room - City Hall
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 8:15AM.
Members Present: Lyra Dickerson, Dorothy Maher, Jim Anderlik
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Sylvia Mejia, Karen Jennings, Andy Rocca, Dale Helling
Others Present: None
Recommendations to Council (become effective only after separate Council action): None
Approval of Minutes/Consent Calendar:
The first item of business was election ora chairperson. Anderlik nominated Lyra
Dickerson, Maher seconded and all were in favor.
Second item of business was entry-level police officer testing. Dickerson referenced the
memo to the commission outlining the process and noted that it is the same process that
has been used successfully in the past. It was also noted that Commissioners are
welcome to observe any portion of the testing process, however, to maintain consistency
for candidates it would be requested that if they choose to observe a phase of the process
they observe every candidate in that phase. Maher questioned what arrangements would
be made if Dr Sines were unavailable to administer the MMPI. Mejia explained that the
City could possibly retain the services of a psychologist through the Iowa Law
Enfomement Academy. Maher motioned to approve the process as presented, Anderlik
seconded and all were in favor.
There was no old business.
In new business, Dorothy Maher was welcomed to the Commission.
Anderlik made a motion to adjourn, Maher seconded and all were in favor. Meeting
adjourned at 8:25AM.
Board/Commission: Civil Service Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2004
Meeting Dat(
TERM
NAME EXPIRES 4~29~04
Lyra Dickerson 4/3/05 ×
James Anderlik 4/4/05 X
Dorothy Maher 4/7/08 ×
KEY: X = Present
O -- Absent
O/E -- Absent/Excused
NM = No Meeting
--- -- Not a Member
FINAl/APPROVED
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES - March 9, 2004
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Candy Barnhill called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Candy Barnhill, Greg Roth, John Stratton, and Roger Williams
MEMBERS ABSENT: Loren Horton
STAFF PRESENT: Legal Counsel Catherine Pugh and Staff Kellie Turtle present
OTHERS PRESENT: Capt. Tom Widmer of the ICPD and citizen Loralie Dyer
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
(1) Accept PCRB Report on Complaint #03-13.
CONSENT
CALENDAR Motion by Stratton, seconded by Roth, to adopt the consent calendar.
· Minutes of the meeting on 02/10/04
· ICPD General Order 01-01 (Racial Profiling)
· ICPD General Order 04-01 (Personnel Early Warning System)
· ICPD Use of Force Report- January 2004
Motion carried, 4/0. Horton absent.
NEW BUSINESS None.
OLD BUSINESS None.
PUBLIC
DISCUSSION Loralie Dyer appeared and was advised on board procedures for complaints. Captain
Widmer of the ICPD also offered his services if Dyer had any questions or concerns on
police policies/procedures.
BOARD
INFORMATION None.
STAFF
INFORMATION None.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION Motion by Stratton, seconded by Williams, to adjourn into Executive Session based on
Section 21.5(1 )(a) of the Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are required
or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a
condition for that government body's possession or continued receipt of federal funds,
and 22.7(11) personal information in confidential personnel records of public bodies
including but not limited to cities, boards of supervisors and school districts, and 22-7(5)
police officer investigative reports, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in
the Code; and 22.7(18) Communications not required by law, rule or procedure that are
made to a government body or to any of its employees by identified persons outside of
government, to the extent that the government body receiving those communications
from such persons outside of government could reasonably believe that those persons
would be discouraged from making them to that government body if they were available
for general public examination.
PCRB-Page 2
March 9, 2004
Motion carried, 4/0, Horton absent. Open session adjourned at 7:21 P.M.
REGULAR
SESSION Returned to open session at 7:26 P.M.
Motion by Roth, seconded by Stratton, to forward the Public Report as amended for
PCRB Complaint #03-13 to City Council. Motion carried, 4/0, Horton absent.
MEETING SCHEDULE
· April 13, 2004, 7:00 P.M., Lobby Conference Room (*)
· May 11,2004, 7:00 P.M., Lobby Conference Room
· June 8, 2004, 7:00 P.M., Lobby Conference Room
· July 13, 2004, 7:00 P.M., Lobby Conference Room
(*) The Board agreed to cancel the April meeting providing no new complaints are filed.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Stratton, seconded by Roth, to adjourn. Motion carried, 4/0, Horton absent.
Meeting adjourned at 7:29 P.M.
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5041
TO: City Council
Complainant
Stephen Atkins, City Manager
R. J. Winkelhake, Chief of Police
Officer(s) involved in complaint
FROM: Police Citizens Review Board
RE: Investigation of PCRB Complaint #03-13
DATE: 9 March 2004
This is the Report of the Police Citizens Review Board's (the "Board") review of
the investigation of Complaint PCRB #03-13 (the "Complaint").
Board's Responsibility
Under the City Code of the City of Iowa City, Section 8-8-7B (2), the Board's job is to
review the Police Chief's Report ("Report") of his investigation of a complaint. The City
Code requires the Board to apply a "reasonable basis" standard of review to the Report
and to "give deference" to the report "because of the Police Chief's professional
expertise." Section 8-8-7B (2). While the City Code directs the Board to make "findings
of fact", it also requires that the Board recommend that the Police Chief reverse or modify
his findings only if these findings are "unsupported by substantial evidence", are
"unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious" or are "contrary to a Police Department policy or
practice or any Federal, State or Local Law". Sections 8-8-7B (2) a, b, and c.
Board's Procedure
The Complaint was received at the Office of the City Clerk on October 17, 2003. As
required by Section 8-8-5 of the City Code, the Complaint was referred to the Police
Chief for Investigation.
The Chief's Report was due January 15, 2004 and was filed with the City Clerk January
15, 2004.
PCRB # 03-13
Page 1
The Board voted to review the Complaint in accordance with Section 8-8-;~B~)(b)~; -~
interview/meet with Complainant and 8~8-7B(1)(e), performance by Board~-OF~ own~
additional investigation. ::q (~ c~
Repeated efforts were made to contact witnesses whose full names w o wi
no success. The complainant was contacted, but efforts to meet for an ]~itervie,a~Lwere
unsuccessful. ~
The Board met to consider the Report on February 11, 2004 and again on March 9,
2004.
Findings of Fact
On October 17, 2003 the Complainant filed a complaint with the ICPRB regarding the
treatment he received when arrested at a downtown bar on August 29, 2003. The
Complainant was charged with assault on a police officer, two counts of interference
with official acts and disorderly conduct. Five allegations were made against officers A,
B, C and D: (1) failure of officers to identify themselves at initial contact; (2) excessive
force while searching the Complainant; (3) Complainant sprayed with OC while in back
seat of squad car without justification; (4) Complainant struck in head while sitting
handcuffed in squad car; and (5) post indictment harassment of Complainant.
The incident began when 4 officers assigned to PAULA enforcement were approached
by an unidentified employee of the bar who requested their assistance with an
individual the employee claimed was picking fights in the bar. The officers were
directed to the top floor of the bar where officers C and D observed the Complainant
push another individual (unidentified). The Complainant was identified by the bar
employee as the person who had been causing trouble. Officer C stated that after
observing the Complainant push the other individual, he (officer C) took hold of the
Complainant's arm while identifying himself as a police officer (Officer C was in uniform)
and informed the Complainant that he was under arrest. (The Complainant reported
that the officer did not identify himself.) Officer C attempted to place the Complainant's
hands behind his back, but the Complainant resisted. Officers A and D assisted Officer
C cuff the Complainant who was then escorted out of the bar and to the SCAT vehicle
where he was searched.
Officer B described the Complainant as resistive during the search. To control the
Complainant, Officer B, grasped the Complainant's right arm and applied pressure to
his back with his (the officer's) forearm. The Complainant raised one of his legs several
times in efforts (Officer B perceived as attempts) to kick him. To prevent the
Complainant from kicking him, Officer B stepped on his foot and trapped it on the
PCRB # 03-13
Page 2
ground.
After the search was completed the Complainant was taken to Officer E's car to be
transported to the Johnson County Jail. The Complainant sat on the rear seat but
refused to put his legs and feet inside the vehicle. When Officer B tried to get his feet
into the vehicle, the Complainant attempted to kick him, which the officer avoided by
backing up. At this point Officer A moved forward and exposed the Complainant to CC
spray. This resulted in the Complainant moving his feet into the car.
A number of officers reported that the Complainant was sprayed with watea:to pr~de
relief from the CC. No estimate of time lapse was provided.
Officer E transported the Complainant first to the University Treatment-Cer~r fe-'~
decontamination and then to the Johnson County Jail.
Conclusion
~7.
Allegation #1: Officers failed to identify themselves when they first placed fl'ands
on him (Complainant) and arrested him.
The arresting officers were all in uniform. Officers C and A who took control of the
Complainant's arms stated that they identified themselves as police officers. Officer D
who handcuffed the Complainant indicated that he did not hear the other officer's
statements probably because of the noise level in the bar. The Board finds that the
Chief's conclusion is supported by substantial evidence and is not unreasonable,
arbitrary or capricious. Allegation #1 is Not Sustained.
Allegation #2: Officers used excessive force while patting him (Complainant) down
by placing an elbow in his back.
Officers report that the Complainant was resistive while being searched and attempted
to kick at the officer patting him down. Officer B stood on the Complainant's foot to
prevent further kicks. Officers commonly place a forearm in the back of an actively
resisting subject to control their movements and disrupt their balance. The Chief's
report concluded that this was reasonable force to protect the officer from ~njury. The
Board finds that the Chief's conclusion is supported by substantial evidence and is not
unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious. Allegation #2 is Not ~ustained.
Allegation #3: An officer sprayed him (the Complainant) with OC for no reason after
he was placed in the back of the squad car.
The Complainant refused to place his feet in the squad car and kicked at Officer B as
PCRB # 03-13
Page 3
he attempted to place the Complainant's feet in the car. Officer B stepped back to
avoid getting kicked and Officer A after confirming with Officer B that the Complainant
had attempted to kick him, applied OC to induce the Complainant to get into the car
which he did.
The Chief's report states that the Complainant was at a Level 4 (assault) Use of Force
and that Officer A responded with a Level 3 Use of Force. The response was within the
department's policy and procedures. The Board finds that the Chief's conclusion is
supported by substantial evidence and is not unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious.
Allegation #3 is Not Sustained
Allegation fl4: An officer hit him (the Complainant) in the head while he was in the
squad car.
The Complainant claims that while he was being sprayed with OC he was also punched
in the forehead. The Chief's report indicated that none of the officers interviewed saw
anyone strike the Complainant in the head. The Board finds that the Chief's conclusion
is supported by substantial evidence and is not unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious.
Allegation fl4 is Not Sustained.
Allegation #5: Post arrest harassment.
According to the Chief's report there was no harassment. The report stated the officers
indicated they did not know where the Complainant resided. The Board finds that the
Chief's conclusion is supported by substantial evidence and is not unreasonable,
arbitrary, or capricious. Allegation #5 is Not Sustained.
COMMENT
None.
PCRB ~ 03-13
Page 4
MINUTES
IOWA CITY PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE Approved
THURSDAY, APRIL f, 2004 - 3:30 P.M.
LOBBY CONFERENCE CENTER
Members Presents: Chuck Felling, Terry Trueblood, Emily Carter Walsh, James Hemsley, Mark
Seabold, Rick Fosse and Barbara Camillu
Staff Present: Marcia Klingaman, Karin Franklin
Visitors Present: Zack Scafuri, Seth Godard, and Rick Naylor
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Felling called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 4, 20041 MEETING
Chairperson Felling asked if there were any additions, substitutions, or corrections, to the minutes.
Seabold stated that under "Updates", second paragraph, misspelling of historic; and also in the following
paragraph, there needs to be a space between May and 1s~,
MOTION: Fosse moved to accept the minutes; Trueblood seconded the motion. All in favor;
motion passed.
DISCUSSION OF ALLEY PROJECT ENTRY DESIGNS WITH ZACK SCAFURI, DESIGNER
Zack Scafuri brought in some pictures of his previous work, explaining to the Committee that he wanted
to share some of his ideas for alley entryways. Scafuri told the Committee he would like to get an idea on
color and feel of this proposed project. He discussed the various components of his projects, showing
how they represent the wind, the river areas downtown, and the medical community, as examples.
Franklin explained to the Committee that this is a project to enhance the alleys downtown, one that the
City Manager has proposed to the City Council. She said the goal is to keep the alleys clean, enforce the
parking, and come up with a way to keep the garbage under control.
Franklin went on to explain Zack Scafuri's part in this, stating there are three components to this project.
The primary one being some type of entry piece over the alley, which would indicate that the alley is a
place to go. This entryway would need to be 15' 5" above the grade of the alley so trucks would be able to
pass under it. It would also be connected to the buildings on each side so it could be removed if
necessary. Two other issues to be considered are pedestrian-scale lighting in the alleys, and also a way
to screen the dumpsters. Franklin asked the Committee if they had Any ideas on a theme, or a focus, as
this would give Scafuri some direction to go with ideas. She reiterated that these would be fairly simple
designs, ones that don't require ongoing maintenance.
Camillo stated that she thought Scafuri has some wonderful ideas, ones that really show the feel of Iowa
City. Walsh followed up with asking about color, and how it can be used within the project. Scafuri
explained some of his past projects, colors that he used in them, as well as two and three-dimensional
parts to the project. Fosse stated that his thoughts are to have these pieces fit in with the amhitecture of
the buildings so there isn't so much contrast in design and color. Franklin did remind the Committee that
they are focusing on the alleys at the Ped Mall only at this time. Members continued to discuss their
thoughts and ideas on how these entryways will fit into the current landscape of this area.
Franklin went on to state that there will be two separate designs, two entryways, and then each alley has
an entrance and exit. Between Dubuque and Linn there would be a design that is at each end of that
alley, and then between Dubuque and Clinton there would be another design, at both ends of this alley.
Since this is a pilot project, Franklin stated that if it grows to other alleyways, each alleyway would then
have its own design. The overall idea of a theme was then discussed, with Hemsley stating that he really
likes the music theme.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
April 1, 2004
Page 2
Walsh went on to state that she also would like a design related to music, as opposed to the weather, the
river, the bridges. She feels the music theme would be something new for the area. The Committee
continued to toss around ideas on a musical theme, discussing ways to incorporate it into this type of
project. Scafuri said that in listening to the Committee, he has picked up the themes of music, community,
writing, and nightlife. He will be in touch with the Committee to further discuss his design ideas.
PRESENTATION OF STUDENT ART WORK FOR PENINSULA PARK AND DISCUSSION WITH
ARTISTS
Franklin reminded the Committee that this project is for a piece that will be placed at the Iowa City end of
the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Iowa River at the Iowa River Power Company. The bridge is due to
be completed this summer. Seth Godard explained a piece he had made from steel, further explaining the
detail of the piece. Members asked various questions, such as how large the piece is, measurements,
etc., and Franklin explained more about the area in which this piece would sit.
Questions were raised about how this project will proceed, and Franklin stated that they could either do
something similar to the Iowa Sculpture Showcase where the artists would have their work on display for
a year, and would receive an honorarium; and the other option is to actually acquire a piece, or to
commission a piece.
Rick Naylor then discussed his piece "Geo 1", stating that it's about eight feet tall and spins. He explained
some of his thoughts on how to display this piece. Naylor showed the members slides of his work, and
answered their various questions. Franklin stated that in deciding on a piece to display, the members
need to remember safety issues, such as sharp corners, and staying away from pieces that would be
easy to climb. Naylor then discussed another idea, consisting of six separate pieces set up in a circular
pattern. Discussion continued on whether this concept would work in this particular setting.
Franklin suggested that a "field trip" would enable the Committee and the student artists to get a better
feel for the area in which these pieces would be placed. Fosse stated he would go and retrieve the bridge
plans now so the students will have a better understanding of this project. Franklin went on to state that
the Committee members need to decide what they want to do next with this project.
Fosse explained the bridge design to the Committee and the student artists, showing the layout of the
area in greater detail. The students asked specific questions concerning the area so they could get a
better feel for this project. They also asked if they could get some local history on this area. Franklin
wrapped up this part of the discussion by suggesting they schedule a field trip to this area for the May
meeting. It was decided that everyone would meet at City Hall as usual, and then they would all head out
to the site together. Franklin asked the students to let the faculty know that the Committee wished to
establish an on-going relationship with the art program.
UPDATES
Herky on Parade - Klingaman stated that the Herky program is going well. There have been 75 Herky's
sponsored by various organizations and businesses. One group, the United Action for Youth, is going to
be doing a rhinestone cowgirl, and the high schools have also taken on some Herkys. The Committee is
~h
invited to the sneak-peek preview on April 13 , where they hope to have all of the designs posted, and
the members can also meet the artists. The Children's Museum at Coral Ridge Mall has a display with
Herky and "Starry Night" that Klingaman said she hopes to get to City Hall for the Council's April 20~h
meeting.
Neighborhood art proiects - Chairperson Felling stated he did not have any new information on
Longfellow, and has been unable to contact Tim. Klingaman stated that the last she heard they were
awaiting the approval from property owners before they moved forward with markers. Klingaman stated
that Northside met last week, and put out a call for ideas. John Coyne was the only artist that responded
to this call.
Klingaman next brought up Iowa Sculpor's Showcase, stating that around April 16th the Angel of the Ped
Mall will be installed on the Showcase.
Felling asked about Goosetown, and Klingaman stated all of the molds for the street signs have been
done, and most of the pouring has been done. Discussion turned to other neighborhoods joining, and
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
April 1, 2004
Page 3
Klingaman said they need to establish who is most interested, perhaps through a letter of interest from
each neighborhood. She said they are still working with Wetherby.
Court Street Transportation Center - Franklin said things are moving along well at the site. They have
been working with David Dahlquist on the fence project. She showed the Committee an illustration of the
fencing that would go along the side by the daycare center. She also discussed the signage needs, and
the special effects they plan to add. Dahlquist will be working with school groups to do these special
projects. Members had a general discussion about time frames, opening of the ramp, etc.
Walsh asked about the poetry on the buses, and Klingaman said they will be installing poetry in the kiosk
next week as they are almost done with printing, and the bus poetry will be up soon.
COMMITTEE TIME/OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Felling asked for a motion to adjourn.
MOTION: Walsh moved to adjourn; Hemsley seconded the motion. All in favor; motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 P.M.
Board or Commission: Public Art Advisory Committee
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2004
Ar. ._ 1, 2004
TERM
NAME EXP. 1/1/04 2/5/04 3/4/04 4/1/04 5/6/04 6/3/04 7/1/04 8/5/04 9/2/04 10/704 11/4/04 12/2/04
Barbara Camillo 1/1/05 NM X X X
Charles Felling 1/1/06 NM O X X
Rick Fosse NM X O X
James Hemsley 1/1/06 NM X X X
Mark Seabold l/1/07 NM X O X
Terry Trueblood NM X X X
Emily Carter Walsh 1/1/05 NM X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
- Not a Member