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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-03 TranscriptionJanuary 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 1 of 24 January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session 6:30 PM Council: Bailey, Champion, Elliott, Lehman, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilburn Staff: Atkins, Dilkes, Franklin, Helling, Kart TAPES: 05-01 (Side One) PLANNING & ZONING (problem tape at front end) A.) CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JANUARY 4, 2005 ON AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION FROM MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS-8) ZONE TO SENSITIVE AREAS OVERLAY/MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY (SAO/RS-8) ZONE AND A PRELIMINARY SENSITIVE AREAS DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR OLDE TOWNE VILLAGE. (REZ04-00005) Franklin: ...and it's at Scott and Rochester. It's the Plum Groves Acres Development, North of Lower West Branch Road, East of Scott Boulevard, and South of Rochester. Okay. Elliott: Is that around Zajicek's property? Franklin: Yes, right next to Zajicek's property. Atkins: It's the same type of speed limit. O'Donnell: What's that? Vanderhoef: He owns on both sides. Franklin: No. He's on the corner and this property is immediately East of it. It kind of wraps around Zajicek's. Okay, then we've got... B.) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION FROM MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS-8) AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL (RNC-12), TO MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY (RS-8/OHP) AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL/HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY (RNC-12/OHP) TO DESIGNATE THE GILBERT-LINN STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT. (DEFERRED FROM 12/7/04) (FIRST CONSIDERATION) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 2 of 24 Franklin: We've got first consideration of the ordinance designating the Gilbert-Linn Historic District, which the Historic Preservation Commission has asked you to defer to February 1. The Planning and Zoning Commission has declined a consultation and there is a memo from Don Anciaux, in your packet. Champion: Are we going to meet with the Preservation Commission? Franklin: That's entirely up to you. The reason that your vote was deferred last time because it is a rezoning action and you are required by a resolution that previous Council adopted to consult with the Planning and Zoning Commission when you're going to act contrary to their recommendations. Because their review of this was rather limited.., is it consistent with the comprehensive plan or not and that's not really the issue that you all seem to be struggling with. They advised that the consultation be with the Historic Preservation Commission, which is really the commission that is dealing more with the meat of this item. But, that is...that's up to you as to what you want to do with it and Historic Preservation has just asked that they have a little bit more time to talk to some of the people who are opposed, as I think some of you advised at the hearing, to see if they can persuade them to change their mind. So, we're asking for deferral to the February meeting. Okay, shall I move on? Lehman: Yes. C.) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT HOUSING (OPDH-5) PLAN FOR VILLAGE GREEN PART XX (REZ04-00014) (PASS AND ADOPT) Franklin: Item C is pass and adopt on Village Green Part Twenty. And that you have seen twice before. That's down in the Southeast corner of Iowa City. Okay? B.) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION FROM MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS-8) AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL (RNC-12), TO MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY (RS-8/OItP) AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL/HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY (RNC-12/OHP) TO DESIGNATE THE GILBERT-LINN STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT. (DEFERRED FROM 12/7/04) (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Vanderhoef: Okay...and in the packet just for information...the print out that was in our packet about the ownership of properties and so forth in that district that Shelley had put in...at the bottom of it...it kind of gives the connotation that it could give us the use, whether it was rental or... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 3 of 24 Franklin: Yes. I'm not really sure why that was in the packet or what the circumstances were to get it in the packet, because Shelley hadn't intended for it to go into the packet. Karr: I know why it was in the packet. When Shelley gave it to me it was not intended to be in the packet, however, a citizen came in and requested the information and after consulting with Bob Miklo, once I gave it to the citizen I had to then be sure that Council got the same information. So Bob was aware of that. Franklin: Okay. Vanderhoef: So, now in our handout tonight we've got the update of that that has the use. Although I'm not... Franklin: What you have tonight, because the listing that was given to you, that was in the packet is a listing of everything that was ever considered for Gilbert-Linn, which goes beyond the boundaries of the actual district. What you have tonight are just those properties that are in the proposed Gilbert-Linn Historic District - that listing. And then you have two maps. One that shows the property use - owner occupied or income property - and then you have one that shows the position of the property owner representing that property, supporting or opposed. Elliott: And this listing is not necessarily comprehensive, it's just everyone who has indicated formally one way or the other. There may be and probably are people who have not indicated either way. Don't you suppose? Franklin: Um .... Vanderhoef: No, I think this is the complete... Lehman: Well, these two we have right here. Those two properties do not show whether or not they are... Franklin: Bob, it's intended to be comprehensive and there are some blanks on the listing where they have not stated a position. Lehman: Yeah, so there's not all who have taken a position. Champion: What does the ' 1' stand for? Vanderhoef: The 'I' stands for income property. Franklin: The coding is for the property use. The position is in the far right column, yes or no. Champion: Very interesting. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 4 of 24 Vanderhoef: Thank you and thank Shelley, please. Lehman: Okay. Franklin: Can I address one of the agenda items? AGENDA ITEMS ITEM 7. DETERMINING AN AREA OF THE CITY TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA, AND THAT THE REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION, REDEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, OR A COMBINATION THEREOF, OF SUCH AREA IS NECESSARY IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY; DESIGNATING SUCH AREA AS APPROPRIATE FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT; AND ADOPTING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE NORTHGATE CORPORATE PARK URBAN RENEWAL PLAN THEREFOR. ITEM 8. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 99-3879, PROVIDING THAT GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED EACH YEAR ON ALL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE AMENDED NORTHGATE CORPORATE PARK URBAN RENEWAL AREA OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF JOHNSON, STATE OF IOWA, BY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OF IOWA, CITY OF IOWA CITY, COUNTY OF JOHNSON, IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND OTHER TAXING DISTRICTS, BE PAID TO A SPECIAL FUND FOR PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON LOANS, MONIES ADVANCED TO AND INDEBTEDNESS, INCLUDING BONDS ISSUED OR TO BE ISSUED, INCURRED BY SAID CITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE AMENDED NORTHGATE CORPORATE PARK URBAN RENEWAL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT (FIRST CONSIDERATION). Lehman: Yes, you may. Franklin: Okay. Northgate Corporate Park. Lehman: Okay. Franklin: First of all - Elliott: Which number is that? Franklin: That is item 7 and 8. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 5 of 24 Elliott: Okay. Franklin: The area that we're talking about, including within the Northgate Corporate Park Urban Renewal Plan - and this is not an expansion of Northgate Corporate Park necessarily - what we're talking about with this action is extending the Urban Renewal Plan to include these properties that I'm outlining with the arrow. Okay? Elliott: Those are, at this time, undeveloped? Franklin: Those at this time are undeveloped. Southgate has a contract on this property to purchase it. They came in requested that we consider expanding the Tax Increment Financing option to this property. As we looked at it, because we do have a preliminary development proposal from this property owner, we thought well why not just extend it over to Highway 1 and include all of this undeveloped property. Right now this property is used agriculturally. By state law, those agricultural users have to consent to this happening. So, we need to get signed consents from the Weiler's, who own this piece, this Jones', who own this piece here, and the other Fuhrmeisters - I think it's another branch of the family - and Southgate who owns this piece here. If we do not have all of those signed consents, and we don't have them yet, if we don't have them by tomorrow night, then you need to defer the resolution and first consideration of the ordinance to January 18. Lehman: Do we need to defer the public hearing? Franklin: No, you can hold your public hearing. The law just says that we have to have the consents before the resolution is passed. Lehman: Okay. Franklin: I want to point out to you too, the context of this Urban Renewal Area and what we're looking at, as far as long-term growth in Iowa City. This blue line here is our growth boundary. Okay. This obviously is a commercial area here. It was a research development park but it is a commercial office now. This red line is the preferred alignment for Oakdale Boulevard as it would come across from Coralville, across Prairie Du Chien - but it comes across the river - and then hits Highway 1 and comes down through this property, over the interstate and connects with Scott Boulevard. We're currently under contract with a consultant to tie down that alignment. This road will provide access to this area for development. So all of what's happening here now is rather timely in terms of the acquisitions of Southgate to add to Northgate Corporate Park, providing the possibility of TIF for any future development, and then looking at this road alignment, even though we do not have it programmed in our capital improvements program to date. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Io~va City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 6 of 24 Vanderhoef: Okay, in looking at all of that .... obviously that isn't all in the city at this point. Franklin: Here's...these are city limits right now. Vanderhoef: Right now...but we now can water and sewer all of that in the blue line so we'll start getting requests and so forth and we have nothing in our comprehensive plan that talks about any kind of development or what we foresee or might choose to have happen in that growth area and certainly in the corporate limits right now. ! guess I'd like Council to put it on the work list to talk about and give heads up to staff that this is something that I think we ought to at least have some conversation about and when the requests come in then we have some sort of guidance for the property owners who may choose to...they may have their own ideas of what they want and we have to be pretty clear of what our vision is out there. Bailey: I tend to agree with Dee. Vanderhoef: Thank you. Karr: I'm sorry. You do need to wear the microphones...we've been having problems... Bailey: I tend to agree with Dee. (Laughter) Vanderhoef: You heard me? Karr: We were having a number of problems with different folks as they turned away to talk to each other and not into the microphones. Vanderhoefi I've got mine on. Maybe I should put it on the other sweater. O'Donnell: I heard you fine. Elliott: I'd like to put that on some future session. Lehman: You're talking about the area outside the city limits that are within the growth area. Vanderhoef: And what's even in the city limits. Franklin: This is what is going to be before you most immediately and then probably some over in this area too. So, it would be timely. Lehman: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 7 of 24 Franklin: Thank you. Lehman: Well, then thank you again. Lehman: Okay, agenda items. ITEM 10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE AMOUNT OF BOND FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION. O'Donnell: I just have one question on the bond for the airport commissioners. That's $50,000. Is that a change from previous? Atkins: No, they had not had a bond. I was doing some work and discovered it and said that's a requirement and decided we need to take care of it. $50,000 was a recommendation from Kevin. O'Donnell: I don't know if read that that way. Atkins: What's that? The $50,000? O'Donnell: It says, 'Currently state law requires that each member of an airport commission be bonded.' Atkins: That's right. They were not bonded. That's what we're saying. That's why I'm suggesting that you require them to do that or take care of that. O'Donnell: I just figured we changed the amount. Atkins: This makes it happen. ITEM 5. APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE IOWA CITY WATER TREATMENT PLANT ARCHITECTURAL PRECAST REPAIRS PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS. Lehman: Steve, on Item 5, which is on page 7. The estimated construction cost of that is $411,820 and will be funded by Water Loss Reserves. I don't...I guess I'm not familiar with Water Loss Reserves. Atkins: We have a loss reserve set up for all of our funds, set up by fund accounting, so each one is identified and we are intending to finance this from a portion of the loss reserves. It should read, Ernie, 'Water Loss Reserves and Other Water Reserves.' That would be a better explanation. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 8 of 24 Lehman: I've just never seen that term before. Atkins: What we do, is if we have losses - let me think of one, waste water - if someone has a backup in his basement, we have to pay for the damages if we discover it's our obligation and we charge that against a loss reserve. Lehman: Oh, okay. These are damages that have occurred that we have to pay for. Atkins: Yes. Lehman: Water Damage Reserves would certainly make it a little more understandable, but ! understand now, thank you. Other agenda items? Vanderhoef: Does this figure in to the Water Plant fix? Atkins: This is the Water Plant fix. Champion: This is the Water Plant fix. Lehman: That's what it is. Atkins: If you were to ultimately approve a contract this is exactly what that is. Lehman: Well, ultimately, that bid will be paid for, I'm assuming, by one of parties associated with the construction of the place. Atkins: We feel very strongly about that. ITEM 13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND BRIAN DECOSTER. Elliott: Steve, I have a question. Item 13, the TIF. We met on that and it's 100% over seven years. Am I correct in assuming that we 1/7th the first year, 2/7th's the second year, 3/7th's the third year - how does that go? Atkins: I don't recall the language in the contract, lt's generally performance based and there may be some percentages in there that they have to be - Lehman: I think the way this is written it is a 100% abatement for seven years with a cap of $42,000. Bailey: But there are percentages for the performance. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 9 of 24 Vanderhoef: Well, they can't apply annually if they have not met the performance. Lehman: This is not staggered. Elliott: It is not incrementally increased? Lehman: No. Vanderhoef: There is a different plan that is a ten-year incremental - Franklin: It's only on value-added. Atkins: That's right, new stuff. Lehman: Okay. ITEM 2E(1). CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST THE EASTERN IOWA CLANDESTINE LAB ENFORCEMENT MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT, A CHAPTER 28E AGREEMENT AMONG VARIOUS EASTERN IOWA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. Wilbum: Steve, the resolution, the 28E agreement for the law enforcement. It mentions an advisory board that the County will have, that the Sheriff will have a representative for his designee. For this Advisory Board, Iowa City itself won't have a representative on the advisory board...is,that? Dilkes: It would be helpful if you could give the item number. Wilbum: It's in the consent calendar...El. Atkins: Ross, ! can't answer that. I'll have to get that for you tomorrow. That's not how I understood it. Wilburn: As I remember reading it, it said that the County would have and the City of Dubuque would have representatives, but Iowa City law enforcement didn't, but the County did and I was curious who the County designee was going to be. Dilkes: I'm not sure that' s... Wilbum: It mentions as Advisory board. Dilkes: It says the signatory says 'mutual aid agreement consent to the creation made up initially of the full-time participants to this agreement, i.e. - Chief of Police - Atkins: Yeah, Sheriff, Coralville... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 10 of 24 Wilburn: But specifically the creation of an advisory board to - Dilkes: Yeah, we'll have to look at that because I'm not...that's not quite clear. Wilbum: I don't need to necessarily know by tomorrow but if you could just find out some time this week, because I've had a few people, not necessarily ask about this, but more the meth lab stuff. Atkins: You all understand that this is pretty messy stuff and it's just a lot easier if everybody gets together to handle this. Lehman: Oh I'm sure. ITEM 12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN ADDENDUM TO A LEASE OF THE UNION BUS DEPOT PROPERTY, 404 EAST COLLEGE STREET, PURSUANT TO WHICH GREYHOUND LINES, INC. WILL CONTINUE TO LEASE THE PROPERTY ON A MONTH TO MONTH TENANCY. Vanderhoef: The way number twelve is written, it makes me ask the question. Is there any question that the bus won't move over to the transportation center? Atkins: It would be a big surprise to me. We're spending a lot of money getting ready for it. Vanderhoef: But it's a month-to-month lease. The way the contract reads it has to do with 'if they'... Lehman: But a month-to-month lease - Dilkes: I think that's a reference to there being no formal lease in place. Lehman: A month-to-month lease can be terminated by either party. Wilburn: The same thought jumped into my head when I read it. Elliott: I am please that there is nothing of which we should - Atkins: There is nothing that I know of that would end up - Vanderhoef: Well, I sure hadn't heard anything. You think ! would have. Champion: That's a great old building, by the way. Lehman: What is? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 11 of 24 Atkins: The old bus depot? Lehman: The gas station? Champion: It is! It's got great... Atkins: Connie, we'll add that to your 'things to do' list. Lehman: You can rent that for a dress shop. Champion: I'd like to move it some where. I think it's a great old building. Elliott: The bus depot? Vanderhoef: It's a classic old gas station, if you look at it in historical. Lehman: Are there other agenda items? COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS There are no council appointments. Karr: Just real quickly, we received a resignation for our Parks and Recreation Commission. We're going to add that tomorrow night and you'll have that. Vanderhoef: Parks and Rec? Karr: Parks and Rec, yes. COUNCIL TIME Lehman: Council time. Atkins: Bob, you told me to remind you. Elliott: Oh yes. Now ifI can just remember about that which I had asked you to remind me. Elliott: How about the Do's and Don'ts. We have in our materials tonight a list of Do's and Don'ts for historic preservation in a local district and my question was whether or not those have all passed muster as to being accurate by the staff and apparently it has not. I would like for Steve to bring us something which would give us an accurate representation of those requirements in local historic preservation district. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 12 of 24 O'Donnell: Is that the three pages, Bob? Elliott: Yes, and it's my understanding those are something less than accurate. Lehman: I would agree with that. We need to know what the story really is. Atkins: Karin and her staff had already staffed it, it's just in a very rough fashion. I'll get it cleaned up and get you a copy of it. Elliott: Thank you. Vanderhoef: Okay, I've got three different things. Number 1) to look at the March meeting date. Champion: That's fine with me. Bailey: That's fine with me. Karr: On that note. There are a couple of other meeting dates, but one in particular that I want to note. So you want to switch the March meeting date, leaving the approval on March 1 and just switch and go to the second meeting the 22nd. Ernie mentioned today that we will be gone for the public hearing on February 15th. AS long as we're looking at dates, I just want to know if that is of any issue. We'll be setting public hearing on February 1 on the budget, have the public hearing on the 15th, and approve it March 1. Does anyone wish to talk about holding the public hearing without the Mayor being present? This would be a good time to discuss it. Lehman: I don't have any problem with having a public hearing without my being here. That's not your call. I don't know that there is anything, generally speaking, that one of us if we are not present has any significant outcome on the - Elliott: Well, because we have such an excellent pro-tem that I think we are adequately covered. Did I do it the way you wanted? Wilburn: I'll give you the money later. (Laughter) Champion: You can't - Wilbum: That was a joke, by the way. Champion: That's not a big hearing. Karr: So the only change will be to the March schedule then? Vanderhoef: To go to the 22nd. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 13 of 24 Kart: Correct. Atkins: So I have this correct. We'll have a meeting on February 28th and March 1. Karr: Yes, you're talking Work Session Formal. Atkins: Then we're off7th and 8th and 14th and 15th. Okay, got it. Elliott: And on for the 22nd, you said? Vanderhoef: 21 and 22. This is one of those months that we have five, so whichever date we use, there is going to be one three week break in there and come back on schedule. Then, I'd like to know whether this Council would be willing to do a resolution in support of the Iowa League of Cities and the Counties proposals for tax reform. Champion: I'd have to see the proposal. Vanderhoefi It's been in the packet. Champion: I don't read that stuff. Elliott: That's straight and with a fifty-percent residential deduction? Vanderhoef: Well, there's a whole lot of different things. Elliott: But that's generally it. Vanderhoef: It's taking the roll back out of the picture and giving a fifty-percent reduction on your first home but then the second home, when you have a different rate, and for a non-owner occupied home - Elliott: It's the regular homestead exemption. Vanderhoef: It picks up those homes that are condo'd for extra use or for rental. Bailey: Can we put this on a work session? Atkins: If you give me the go ahead, I'll prepare a presentation to you. Lehman: And I also think we should consider whether we actually want to do a resolution or a letter. I think a letter is a more appropriate thing in terms of showing support. Atkins: We'll pick a work session and we'll do a walk through on the tax proposal. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 14 of 24 Elliott: This follows up on what we were talking about last time of lobbying the legislature, but it has the greatly added weight of the League of Cities. Champion: I think we talked about it. You're right. I just need to have it respelled out for me now. Lehman: Okay. Vanderhoef: Now for a third thing tonight. After talking to councilors and also reading my budget, and this may be late to ask for it, but I would like to have our department directors come and give us a list of their goals for the next year and how they're going to measure if they've reached those goals and what the standards are for reaching those goals. I think it would be real helpful to me to look at their budget and see whether it can be accountable and we are truly producing something that we can measure and makes us responsible to our citizenship. Champion: I don't know. It seems to me kind of micro-managing and I have problems with that. O'Donnell: I don't want to get into any department level. Elliott: I don't think of it as micro-managing so much as ! think it would provide us an opportunity to see if for instance the Council and the Planning Department are on the same page. I would like to know what their priorities are, at least, and perhaps their goals and objectives without being terribly specific, but I'd like to know that we're both on the same page. Bailey: I agree with that. I think that it helps me understand the budget better and being able to talk to our citizens about it. I don't think it's micro-managing. We're not talking about their goals and objectives for their individual employees. I think we're talking generally about the direction the department is going and why, for example, we might see an increase in something. For example, the Finance Department is increasing their numbers of employees and I'm curious to know what those objectives are. Champion: But I think that's Steve's role to tell us why they need more employees. Bailey: Well, then great. We can go department by department and talk about goals and objectives but that's a lot of... Lehman: I think we do hold Steve accountable for the budget and for the goals for departments. Champion: Yeah, I think so to. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 15 of 24 Lehman: I don't have any problem with departments communicating with council whether it be - as far as I'm concerned a synopsis could be written for us. I have some difficulties in us trying to decide whether or not the goals of one department are more important than the goals of another department when we have someone who is trying to balance the overall best interest of the entire city. If we have issues, I think they need to be addressed with Steve and say 'Look, we have a problem. We think this department needs for attention or whatever.' I really do have issues with us trying to deal with individual department heads as a council. Wilburn: Excuse me, are you mentioning this in relationship to the budget? Okay, and so I guess .... if ! could hear .... I guess I'm a little confused as to why .... we're approving a budget and the capital improvement program. Why would they bother setting goals that are not going to be concurrent with the budget. In other words, if I'm planning to go in this direction, and knowing that this money is not going to be approved, based on the current council, why would I continue in that direction without having some type of conversation with the City Manager. I guess ! need to hear a little bit more about what would make...what is it that you're going to get out of their departmental projection or goal related to the budget that we wouldn't get, for example, going through the CIP. What is it that you're not getting out of what we have been doing? Elliott: I would respond, Ross. Ernie, I think I would not go where you said you feared we might go...putting one department or comparing one department or the priorities of one department to another, but whether or not we have a report from department heads or even just a listing of Steve of the department, the individual department goals and objectives and priorities. I'd like to know that. Now, if I have any question about those priorities, I think it's better to ask them and to discuss them beforehand as opposed to reacting to finding out something during mid-year. In no way would I think it's any of our business that we think perhaps whether one department's priorities have an advantage over another departments priorities. Wilburn: That sounds a little different than budget. Here's kind of where I'm looking at heading. Going by department sounds different to me than the relationship to the budget. Bailey: But they have to be related. They absolutely have to be related. You can't go into a direction without the funding the support it and I think that this is a good time to have a better understanding of our departments because we're looking, again, at the budget that is once-again an incremental increase from previous years and we're going to continue in this direction and we're going to hit some problems. I mean, we can not just continue to increase the budget. I think a better understanding of the direction our community is going, whether this comes from a summary sheet from Steve and we talk to him, I think it is better to talk to department heads. I want to have a sense. I don't want to tell them what to do. ! This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 16 of 24 just want to have to sense of what we're doing with this money, this bigger pile of money that we're going to spend this year. Wilburn: Then in that case are you not telling them what to do though? If that's ....so you do want it closely linked with the budget. Bailey: I don't see how it's not. Any organization and direction and ability to do something is closely linked with the funding of the capacity available. That is the decision we are asked to make every first quarter of the year is a budget decision. I think a well-informed budget decision is what we were voted on council to do. Wilburn: So you're talking in terms of their requests for different increases in staff or their activities - which is it that you're asking? Bailey: Yes. Wilburn: Both. Vanderhoef: There are some departments that lend themselves very highly to what you were talking about, Ross, in that there are capital projects, like Parks & Rec. We hear more about the parks. Lehman: We're going to have to stop this discussion. This will have to start with maybe Thursday. We have a budget discussion, Steve. If we want to get into this sort of thing, this is not... Bailey: What is the board commission and organizations session .... what will we cover in that? Atkins: The boards and commissions section. Bailey: January 10th. Elliott: Is that assessor? Atkins: No, that's where Plarming and Zoning and Parks and Recreation folks will appear before you. Vanderhoef: Everybody presents. Atkins: And then when we're finished, we still have whatever available time that evening on other budget issues. Elliott: I'm sorry, I was looking ahead. I thought you were talking about the conference board. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 17 of 24 Bailey: No, so the January 10th meeting we talk to commissions. Lehman: Then, on Thursday we have from 8:30-3:30pm and if we want to take this topic up, that is specifically budget related and that would be appropriate at that time. Atkins: I can give you a little history of it then. We used to do this many years ago. Lehman: Okay, make a point to bring it up on Thursday. O'Donnell: Tuesday's budget session, 12:00-7:00pm. Atkins: That's what you agreed to. O'Donnell: I know. I think it must have been at a weaker moment. Lehman: Bring you no-doze. Vanderhoef: You get to spend more quality time with us. (Laughter) Lehman: We also...we need to reschedule the joint meeting with the county and - Karr: I had a couple of things. We were notified...we had set up originally January 19th as a joint meeting with the County and local municipalities. We had set that up at a meeting in Coralville that we had earlier in the year, I believe August, and I received word last week from the Board of Supervisors that in discussing that joint meeting, that they had a scheduling conflict for January 19th from 3:00- 8:00pm and they also wanted to point out that the 19th is also a JCCOG meeting. So, they wanted to know...they're asking every city and board when they'd like to move the meeting and they suggested January 26th or rescheduling it to February. They would like you input as soon as possible. Lehman: The 26th is one week later, right? It will still be 4:00pm in the afternoon. Elliott: That's a Wednesday. Lehman: Okay. Karr: So is your preference for January 26th rather than February? Lehman: Yes, let's do it. Elliott: And where is that? Lehman: Here. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 18 of 24 Karr: No, the County will be hosting it so it will be at the County building. It will be up to the County to see it. Champion: I wanted to bring up - are we still on council time? Lehman: Yes. Champion: Remember when we talked when we denied the request for the housing - the low- income housing over on the... Bailey: The Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship, southeast side? Champion: Thank you. Well, I'm concerned. I'm going to approve that. I'm not changing my mind, ! don't mean that. But I am concerned about the cost of land and I think it's a valid point that Burns brought up about the cost of land. I'm wondering if we can ask staff, if everybody...except for me, I might be only interested one, on some way on how we can use some of those funds to help buy land or whether we can do something in new subdivisions or help by land so we can diversify our housing throughout the community. I don't even know how to say what I want. Lehman: We all heard what you said. I agree with you. Vanderhoef: Something like the Affordable Dream House Program or something like that? Champion: Maybe. Lehman: That or buy down the cost of ground so that this can happen someplace else in the City. Bailey: And allow organizations like Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship to purchase at base-line cost. Champion: Right. I think we'd have to have staff look into how they could get this done. It's going to be a long process to get it done, but I think we need to start somewhere. Atkins: Without spending an amount, isn't that in effect what Bob does? He uses our monies to buy land. Lehman: But he pays market price for the land. Bailey: And she's suggesting... Lehman: We're suggesting that there may be land in other parts of the city that market price isn't too high. Atkins: That's not what I heard you say. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 19 of 24 Champion: But that's what I'm saying. Lehman: That's what she's saying. Atkins: Other locations. Okay. Lehman: Can Steve look at that? I think Steve should look at that and see what the options are. Vanderhoef: But this means that the City would be recapturing CDBG HOME funds to make this happen. Champion: I don't know necessarily. That's what I'm asking. Vanderhoef: Well, we've recaptured from Bob Burns because we turned down the project, so... Bailey: Bob also indicated that those were the only blocks... Champion: Well, I think that Bob Bums and the Iowa City Housing - whatever that's called - would be great people to talk to on how this could be done. Lehman: But I don't think you're talking about project specific. You're talking about as a policy, on-going policy and I think that's something that we should look at. Vanderhoef: And also look into affordable Dream House, too, like we did with the ones on the West Side that we put the money in up front for a new subdivision that was being built and we bought three of them. Champion: Yeah, whatever. I'd just like some ideas that are concrete and workable that can help solve this problem that we're creating by denying these projects because we don't want them there. Elliott: Connie, sometime in the near future we will be getting a report from the Scattered Site Task Force and that would be an appropriate time to talk about a number of things related to that. Champion: Whatever the recommendations are from the Scattered Site Task Force is, I would still like this looked at because I think it's important to scatter is some how. Lehman: I agree. Steve, look at that. Atkins: I think I understand what you want now. I got her. Champion: I guess I wasn't clear. I'm still not thinking clearly. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 20 of 24 Lehman: Regenia, you were going to say something. Bailey: No, I don't think I was. Lehman: You looked as if you were. Anything else for council time? Karr: Mr. Mayor, I have two things. Number 1 - You will be receiving in tonight's packet or tomorrow's packet your invitation for the annual banquet for the Chamber which is January 20th. If any of you are interested in going, please let me know and I'll just process it as one. Please let me know if one or two of you are going. Elliott: That's what date? Karr: January 20th. That's Thursday. Elliott: Oh yes. Lehman: Did you get mine? Thank you. Champion: I'll be at Market. O'Donnell: You can fly back. Lehman: We'll have Dean go get you. Karr: If you need me to make reservations for spouses at the same time, of course the City won't pay, but just let me know and I'll process it all at once. Secondly, Item 9 on your agenda is as you had requested the ordinance on color schemes for cabs. Because the licensing year by the cab companies, by ordinance, is March 1, I would ask that you expedite this. What we could do is wait until first reading tomorrow night, if there is no problem then maybe even do it first thing on the 6th prior to your budget session. We have the materials going out and it really would be helpful to send it as a package. We also on the 6th will have a police officer being sworn in right at 8:30 also. Atkins: It's just coincidental but it's really nice. Bailey: Nice, that worked out well. Vanderhoef: Which date was that? Karr: Your budget meeting on the 6th at 8:30. Atkins: We just need the room for a few minutes, but you're welcome to attend. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 21 of 24 Karr: The intent was that maybe you would like to come and... Atkins: Can you image the young officer being sworn in and the whole City Council walks in the door. (Laughter) Vanderhoef: 'What have ! done now?' (Laughter) Lehman: Probably the shortest career in history. Champion: He probably doesn't know who we are yet. Bailey: What time is that? Lehman: 8:30. Karr: It was scheduled at 8:30 to coincide purposely with your meeting. Champion: Good. Lehman: We had a special meeting relative to issues that we want to discuss with our state legislators and we had indicated that we would like to schedule a meeting with those folks. Now that is going to be somewhat difficult. The session starts here pretty shortly. Bailey: Monday. Lehman: The legislators tried to meet with the Chamber of Commerce and then following that meeting perhaps in this room with the League. It is here. And that's from like 9:30 to 11:30, right? Atkins: That's about right. Vanderhoef: The League one is. Lehman: It's going to be extremely difficult to schedule a time when all of us and all of them can be there. Would it be acceptable to council to schedule that meeting wit the legislators following the meeting with the League? Bailey: Is that on the 29th? Vanderhoef: It's always the fourth... Bailey: We scheduled a meeting that day. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 22 of 24 Elliott: Is that fair for the legislators? They meet with the chamber group over there and then here. Bailey: They won't be available. They just scheduled another meeting. I know that I meet - Atkins: That's going to be the problem of trying to round enough of them up to make it worth while. Bailey: Right. Vanderhoef: Or a different Saturday. Atkins: The next scheduled... Vanderhoef: Earlier in the month? Atkins: ...is February 26th. Lehman: I think we're getting too late in the session. Is it possible to schedule a meeting prior to their first meeting? O'Donnell: Theirs is the l0th, Regenia said. Lehman: Pardon? Bailey: Session starts on the l0th. Lehman: Yeah, but the meeting with the Chamber is what date? Bailey: The 29th for the... Lehman: Can we attempt to schedule something on the 22nd. Vanderhoef: Either of the 15th or the 22nd. Lehman: I don't think they're all going to be there anyway. Vanderhoef: They'll have a lot of the assignments done so they'll pick up on what their committee work will do. Lehman: I don't think we're going to be able to get all of the legislators or all of the council people. We have to pick a date and go. Champion: That's fine. I don't think all of us have to be there even. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 23 of 24 Lehman: No, I think that's correct. We've talked about it. Is the 22nd a date that would be acceptable? Wilburn: I won't be here. Vanderhoef: Youwon't be here? Wilburn: I'll be in Phoenix. Vanderhoef: Okay, Ross is gone and Connie is gone. Bailey: Do you want to be here? Should we look at the 15th? Wilburn: I will be facilitating a strategic plan that week. Lehman: I won't be here the 15th, but I don't need to be here. Champion: I think you do need to be there. Elliott: You do need to be there. I would prefer that. Champion: Two or three of you would be enough. Lehman: Will the 22nd work? Bailey: The 22nd would work. Lehman: Let's set it up at that date. We'll get as many as we can. 9:00 o'clock, this room. Atkins: Saturday morning, 9 o'clock? Elliott: 9:30, huh? Lehman: 8:30. Bailey: Let's start it at 9:00am, they can sleep in. Elliott: People after my own heart. Atkins: Okay. Elliott: I didn't see a letter on that yet. Do we have a letter on that? Putting those things together which we discussed. Lehman: It's in the packet. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. January 3, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 24 of 24 Elliott: It's in the packet this time? I must have skipped over it. Lehman: Okay, Marian, do you have any other schedule issues? Do we have any other council time issues? Wilbum: I will miss the 19th JCCOG meeting, so if you can make it... Lehman: The 19th of this month? Wilburn: Yeah. I'll be in Phoenix. Lehman: I will try to be there. Champion: Where are you going to be? Wilburn: Phoenix. Champion: Wow. Bailey: That's really rough. Lehman: Would you prefer that I go to Phoenix for you? I want to fill in for you. Of course Elliott: How many people were in Florida to see that game? Champion: I wasn't. Elliott: Tell me how we should feel sorry for you. Lehman: I didn't ask anybody to feel sorry for me. Vanderhoef: I turned down free tickets to that. Elliott: Oh god. Lehman: Tickets weren't as bad, it's the issue of getting there and getting back. Vanderhoef: But they were fifty yard line tickets. Lehman: Doesn't make any difference. You still have to get there and get back. Champion: Are we done? Lehman: I think we're done. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the January 3, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session.