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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-04 Minutes numberedCity of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: April 14, 1995 To: Mayor and City Council Johnson County Board of Supervisors From: City Clerk Re: Joint Meeting of the City Council of Iowa City and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, April 4, 1995 - 4:30 p.m. at the Highlander Inn Mayor Susan Horowitz presiding. City Council present: Horowitz, Baker, Kubby, Novick, Throgmorton, Lehman (5:05 p.m.). Absent: Pigott. City staff present: Arkins, Karr, Smith, Helling (5:15 p.m.). Board of Supervisors: Bolkcom, Duffy, Lacina, Sehr, Stutsman. County staff: Peters, White. Tapes: Reel 95-44, Side 2; 95-50, All. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Horowitz called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN COUNTY: 103! INDUSTRIAL PARK. Lacina explained the Streb application is scheduled on the County zoning agenda April 10; the Strebs are proposing 18 acres commercial zoning along Scott Boulevard; and the project would include one curb cut and a frontage road that would go back in between Scott Boulevard and the creek. In response to Horowitz, Lacina encouraged City staff members to attend the April 10 County zoning meeting. Lacina stated the County's objective would be to rezone the property from residential use to industrial use and, if appropriate, some commercial. Kubby raised concerns about the amount of property that would be commercial. Lacina suggested that the supervisors and Council walk the property. Lacina stated the County has an application from an electrical cooperative and are considering supporting a grant application to the state for a business that employs eight people now and would be expanding to 20. The applicant is applying for a forgivable loan and in the event the application is changed to a low interest loan, payments would come to the County to establish a revolving loan fund of approximately $50,000. Horowitz asked what the roles of the City and County in the industrial park should be. Lacina said the first step of the County is to fezone the land, the City should contact the property owners regarding annexation. Lacina said the County does not have the money budgeted for the industrial park. City Manager Arkins said he has been in contact with the Houghton/Tucker property owners and they want to sell the property. Cost of the property would be approximately one-half million dollars. Atkins explained the City has worked on design for the property. Kubby emphasized that Council has strong feelings about the amount of commercial property and has directed staff to attend the April 10 County meeting. Horowitz said the whole area should be 2 looked at in terms of accessibility and infrastructure, Atkins said the City can design either one of the Houghton/Tucker or Streb parcels so that they fit with each other and that the street is designed at the proper point to blend in with the rest of the project. Lacina noted that currently the Streb design and City plans are different and the entire tract should be considered for better planning. Lacina recommended that the City talk with Strebs prior to the April 10 meeting. Atkins stated the Strebs would be contacted tomorrow. Kubby asked if the County has considered how to mitigate storm water runoff, septic fields, etc. that are part of the watershed at Snyder Creel( bottoms. Lacina said that would be considered in the platting process. Kubby noted that a majority of Council has agreed to the concept that if there was any public assistance, some kind of different protocol will be used. Kubby said Council is looking at how many jobs, rate of pay, kinds of benefits, product, pollution control programs, runoff prevention programs, and the concept of sustainable development. Lacina said the City should look at how ideas affect the surrounding county. Baker said the idea of promoting existing businesses fits in with the City's goals. Kubby said Council is also looking at performance monitoring. Throgmorton explained the sustainable development concept. Baker suggested that the City send its staff report on sustainable growth to the County Board of Supervisors. Bolkcom asked the City and County roles with regards to the HoughtoNTucker and Streb properties. Horowitz explained that the City needs to find out if Strebs are willing to be annexed into the city. Novick said it would be advantageous for industry to be located within the city. Duffy stated the general public has questions about the industrial park area. Duffy said the Apdl 10 meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Kubby asked about the County's plans to budget for economic development. Lacina asked if the industrial park occurred in the county, the county would look at using TIF funding. OFFICE RESEARCH PARK (ORP). Horowitz said there are opportunities to promote ORP in Iowa City area. Horowitz asked if the County plans to keep the ORP in Oakdale. Lacina explained that University representatives are interested in Scott Boulevard as an area for moving their Oakdale industries. In response to Bolkcom, Horowitz said ORP areas are located at 1-380, Camp Cardinal and Melrose Avenue and Highway 6. Kubby asked if land could be zoned for both ORP and industry. Arkins said that he has seen it done, but it usually forces industry to make more of an investment in their buildings. Lacina summarized Supervisor options for the April 10 County meeting on the Streb property: to accept the application; modify the application; to defer the application for further research; or to vote the application down. Lacina said continuing discussion on the application would make the most sense. LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX Horowitz noted that Council and Supervisors received the "Local Option Sales Tax -- The Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers" handout. Horowitz said it is impodant for locally elected officials to be up to date on the local option sales tax information. 3 In response to Baker, Karr said the deadline for getting something on the November ballot is the end of August. Horowitz stated that the City of Solon has asked Iowa City to work with them on the local option sales tax and that Council has decided to discuss the issue. Council and Supervisors discussed the local option sales tax requirements and its impact on contiguous cities to Iowa City, County Attorney Patrick White noted that he has not worked on the local option sales tax issue recently, In response to Horowitz, Atkins stated that a tax can be repealed within a municipality which is contiguous to the other municipalities after one year. Baker stated the City ought to offer the local option sales tax on the ballot in November and Council should decide on the purpose of those monies. Horowitz asked how the Board of Supervisors feels about the local option sales tax. Sehr stated the Supervisors have not discussed it. Throgmorion said Council needs to decide whether to address the local option sales tax and the water and sewer projects together or not. Throgmorton suggested holding a Council meeting focusing exclusively on the local option sales tax. Baker said the decision on the local option sales tax should be made in time to put in on the November ballot. Kubby requested that the County discuss it and give feedback to the City. Sehr said the local option sales tax should be discussed with the other communities in Johnson County, Kubby said she will contact Johnson County Council of Governments about getting it on their agenda, In response to Lacina, Karr will obtain information from other municipalities. Lacina said the County could get information about other counties through Iowa Association of Counties (ISAC). Council and Supervisors discussed the local option sales tax, including regressivity, property tax relief, impact to Codnty residents, impact on Coralville, impact on Iowa City water and sewer bills, and items excluded from the local option sales tax. Bolkcom said if the local option sales tax goes on the November ballot, officials should do a good education on it. Novick suggested that copies of the local option sales tax handout be distributed to area municipalities. It was agreed that the County would distribute the information. Throgmorton suggested the City Council hold a special work session on the local option sales tax. Sehr suggested that all mayors of all small towns meet to discuss the local option sales tax. Horowitz and Lacina agreed to jointly set up a meeting of area municipalities and County officials to discuss the local option sales tax. TRAFFIC CONTROL Kubby informed the Board of Supervisors that the City will begin reconstruction work on Rohret Road soon and that Maier Avenue will be used as a detour road. Kubby asked the County for traffic control assistance. Horowitz noted that she talked with the County Sheriff's Department regarding the traffic assistance and the County Sheriff and City Police Department have agreed to work together. Horowitz noted that she hopes the IDOT will assist with more signage on Highway 1. Kubby asked County Supervisors to look at the future regarding other traffic control issues that the City and County could work together on. 10. q 4 FRINGE AREA AGREEMENT Baker asked if the City and County wanted to hold separate or joint public hearings on the proposed fringe area agreement. Lacina said the Board of Supervisors have many questions regarding the proposed agreement and that the County needs to hold their own work session on the proposed fringe area agreement. Kubby said that City Council has discussed that if they cannot get an acceptable agreement soon, they will just have to say everything in the fringe area within one mile has to be built to City standards. Novick raised concerns about the need for fire code restrictions. Lacina raised concerns about some of the proposed restrictions not being consistent with the current City standards. Kubby requested staff outline joint committee discussions during the drafting of the proposed fringe area agreement, Stutsman said the County needs to hold their own work session on the drafted fringe area agreement, Kubby said she is interested in getting an agreement that both the City and County can agree to. Kubby said part of the problem is whether the document is considered a guideline or regulation. Bolkcom suggested that the Planning & Zoning Commission/Committee members attend both the City and County work sessions to answer questions. Horowitz suggested the City meet May 30 or 31st on the fringe area agreement meeting, Atkins reminded Council Members that two other major policy issues, the ClP and water and sewer projects also need to be scheduled. Kubby suggested the City and County establish a timeline for discussion on the fringe area agreement. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.