HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-15 AgendaIOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 1995
7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CIVIC CENTER
410 EAST WASHINGTON
Subject to change as finalized by the City Clerk.
Clerk's Office, 356-5040.
For a final official copy, contact the City
AGENDA
IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - AUGUST 15, 1995
7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
ITEM NO. 1 - CALL TO ORDER.
ROLL CALL.
ITEM NO. 2- MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS.
a. Woman Suffrage Movement Day - August 26, 1995.
ITEM NO, 3 - CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR
AMENDED.
Approval of Official Council actions of the special meeting of .luly 27,
1995, and of the regular meeting of August 1, 1995, as published,
subject to corrections, as recommended by the City Clerk.
b, Minutes of Boards and Commissions,
(1) Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission meeting of June 21,
1995.
(2) Civil Service Commission meeting of July 27, 1995.
(3) Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of July 12, 1995.
(4) Board of Adjustment meeting of July 12, 1995.
(5) Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of August 3, 1995.
Permit Motions and Resolutions as Recommended by the City Clerk.
(1) Consider a motion approving a Class "E" Beer Permit for New
Pioneer Corporation Society, dba New Pioneer Cooperative
Society, 22 S. Van Buren St. (renewal)
(2)
Consider a refund for a Class C Liquor License for Season's Best,
Inc., dba Season's Best, 325 E. Washington St,
(3)
(4)
Consider a motion approving a Class "C" Liquor License for
George's Buffet, Inc., dba George's, 312 E. Market St. (renewal)
Consider a motion approving a Class "C" Liquor License for Plamor
Bowling Inc., dba Plamor Bowling, 1555 1st Ave. (renewal)
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 2
-235,
(5)
Consider a motion approving a Class "C" Beer Permit for Voss
Petroleum Company, dba Dan's Mustang Market, 933 S. Clinton
St. (renewal)
(6) Consider a motion approving a Class "C" Liquor License for
Cardan, Inc., dba Joe's Place, 1 ,15 Iowa Ave. (renewal)
(7) Consider a motion approving a Class "C" Beer Permit for RSNV,
Inc., dba Russ' Amoco Service, 305 N. Gilbert St. {renewal)
(8)
Consider a motion approving a Class "B" Liquor License for High-
lander Inc., dba Highlander Inn & Supper Club, 2525 N. Dodge St.
(renewal)
(9) Consider a motion approving a Special Class "C" Liquor License
for Masala Inc., dba Masala, 9 S. Dubuque St. (renewal)
(10) Consider a resolution issuing a dancing permit to the Field House,
111 E. College St.; Highlander Inn, 2525 N. Dodge St.
Motions.
(1)
Consider a motion to approve disbursements in the amount of
917,834,802.32 for the period of June 1 through June 30,
1995, as recommended by the Finance Director subject to audit.
Disbursements are published and permanently retained in the City
Clerk's office in accordance with State Code.
(2)
Consider a motion to approve disbursements in the amount of
946,915,353.05 for the period of July 1 through July 31, 1995,
as recommended by the Finance Director subject to audit.
Disbursements are published and permanently retained in the City
Clerk's office in accordance with State Code.
Resolutions.
(1) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE WORK FOR THE
IOWA CITY LANDFILL FY95 CELL CONSTRUCTION.
Comment: See Engineer's Report.
(2)
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE WORK FOR THE
NORTH SUMMIT ALLEY EMBANKMENT IMPROVEMENT PRO-
JECT.
Comment: See Engineer's Report,
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 3
(3) CONSIDER RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK FOR THE MALDEN
LANE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE PROJECT.
Comment: This project is the pedestrian bridge portion of the
Maiden Lane Improvements. The final construction cost is
9105,017.40. See attached mamo and Engineer's Report.
(4)
CO. NSIDER A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE WORK FOR THE
SANITARY SEWER, STORM SEWER, WATER MAIN AND PAVING
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR LOTS 72-95, 137, 138 AND
157-174 FOR WHISPERING MEADOWS SUBDIVISION - PART 2.
Comment: This item was deferred from the previous Council
meeting. Engineering staff will report.
(5)
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN
AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST THE RELEASE OF A LIEN
REGARDING A LIFE LIEN EXECUTED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 626 OAKLAND AVENUE, 10WA CITY, IOWA.
Comment: The owner of the property located at 626 Oakland
Avenue, received assistance through the City's Housing Rehabili-
tation Program on May 20,1991. The financing was in the form
of a life lien for $14,300. The loan was paid off on July 31,
1995, thus the lien can now be released.
f. Correspondence.
(1) Letter from Jay V. Clark, Vice President of NCS, regarding the
proposal for lower cost housing.
(2) Letter from Colin Gordon regarding the draft "Economic Develop-
ment Policies, Strategies, and Actions."
(3) Letter from Robert P. Burns regarding rezoning application REZ95-
0010,
(4) Memorandum from the Traffic Engineer regarding handicapped
parking in the 1100 block of Church Street,
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 4
ITEM NO. 4 ·
g, Applications for City Plaza Use Permits.
(1)
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Applications from Rebecca Thomas for permission to set up a
table on July 28 and on August 5 and 12, 1995. (approved)
PUBLIC DISCUSSION (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
ITEM NO. 5 -
PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS,
a. Consider setting a public hearing for August 29, 1995 on an ordinance
amending the Zoning Chapter by changing the use regulations of an
approximate 29 acre tract of land located west of Mormon Trek
Boulevard and south of Rohret Road from RS-5, Low Density Single-
Family Residential, to OPDH-8, Planned Development Housing Overlay.
(REZ95-0009)
Comment: At its August 3 meeting, by a vote of 6-1 with Dierks
voting no, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval
of the requested rezoning, subject to certain conditions. The Commis-
sion's recommendation is consistent with the staff recommendation.
#3e (4) page 1
ITEM NO.
CON8IDER ~%DOPTION OF THE CONSENT C~LENDA~ AS
PRESENTBD OR ~BNDBD.
Resolutions.
CONSIDER ~ RESOLUTION ACCEPTINO THE WORK FOR THE
S~a_NITARY SEWERr STORM SEWER~ WATER M~INAND PAVIN~
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR LOTS 72-95t 137, 138 AND
157-174 FOR WHISPERIN~ M~ADOWS SUBDIVISION - PART
2.
Horow/ Moved by Kubby, seconded by Lehman. Is there discussion and
the chair would entertain a motion to pull out item #e(4) for
separate discussion if an amendment would be made.
The amendment has been made by Throg, seconded by Nov.
Discussion. This is the resolution accepting the work for
sanitary sewer/storm sewer water main and paving public
improvements in Whispering Meadows Subdivision, Part 2. Is it
your pleasure to adopt the Consent Calendar and discuss this
item later on to do you want to do it now or right after the
consent calendar?
Kubby/ Is Rick here?
Horow/ Rick is here.
Kubby/ Now (can't hear).
Horow/ There is a motion on the floor to adopt the Consent
Calendar. We will deal with this right afterwards. Any further
discussion?
Woito/ There was a motion to pull this out separately?
Horow/ Yes. We need to vote on that. All those in favor signify by
saying aye (ayes). Thank you. Back to the main motion. Any
further discussion? Roll call-(yes).
And now to item e(4). We have tonight a revised resolution
accepting the work for the sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water
main and paving public improvements for lots 72,95, 137, 138,
157-174 for Whispering Meadows, Part 2, Subdivision and public
improvements open for public access. Rick, would you like to
address this, please?
Fosse/ Sure. Since we could find no good way to financially secure
the extended maintenance bond on this. It was concluded that
the best way to handle it would be a one time payment, escrow
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F081595
#3e(4) page 2
payment, for anticipated maintenance and repair costs and we
concluded that $7,500 was a good amount to cover an annual
cleaning of the lines for 10 years and also the possible
relocation of two sanitary sewer services.
Horow/ All right. Any questions for Rick?
Kubby/ Will that amount really cover all the rest if we had to move
those two anytime within the ten years? Would that amount of
money really cost the cleaning for ten years, the removal and
restoration of the property?
Fosse/ Yes, that is what we are figuring and we will also
accumulate some interest as well.
Horow/ Any further discussion or questions? I need a motion- Moved
by Kubby, seconded by Nov. Any further discussion? Roll call-
(yes). Thank you.
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ITEM NO. 5 a.
Consider setting a public hearing for August 29,
1995 on an ordinance amending the Zoning Chapter by
changing the use regulations of an approximate 29
acre tract of land located west of Mormon Trek
Boulevard and south of Rohret Road from RS-5, Low
Density Single-Family Residential, to OPDH-8,
Planned Development Housing Overlay. (REZ95-0009)
Horow/ Moved by Throg, seconded by Nov. Discussion. Last evening we
included in the discussion about asking the developer for the
condition of the traffic light, affordability, the whole issue
of the traffic light to be looked at by our engineer, traffic
engineer, as soon as possible. Anything about that or just let
that stand within the minutes?
Lehman/ Personally I really don't see where a single development is
responsible for traffic light which serves the area. So I
don't really care whether or not staff looks into assessing
that development. I think we can look into it from a total
safety standpoint but not do for one development.
Baker/ Excuse me but was that the question last night? Not just
putting in but assessing back to the-
Pigott/ I wonder if the developer might be amenable to helping to
contribute at least to the installation.
Nov/
I don't think we meant to put the total cost to tone
developer. I think we were discussing the possibility of
allocating parts of the cost to people who were contributing.
Horow/ The discussion was also part of the concern for that
particular corner in that it hastens in terms of getting
traffic-
Baker/ So staff is going to check about counts and the whole bit
and. I tend to agree with Ernie right now that I don't see us
assessing it back to the developer. But certainly want staff
to look at that location.
Kubby/ I think the issue is more the CIP has this sometime in the
next up to five years and that in looking at this developer we
felt that if this development went through we need that light
sooner and that we might not be ready to pay for it. So if the
developer wanted the development to happen sooner rather than
later, they should be able to help pay for part of the costs.
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#5a page 2
Baker/ But what I understand, the developer has already agreed to
phase in the project anyway.
Horow/ Right.
Baker/ That he wasn't going to do it under the former schedule.
Horow/ Any other discussion?
Kubby/ And the other issue was just about affordability because
some of the discussion has been that the housing in the
subdivision would be of an affordable nature. So we needed to
just know more explicitly what that meant and I know that I
had a talk with Gary in the past about the possibilities in
some of the multi-family units have some number of units
earmarked for the possibility of Section 8 Housing for
Assisted Housing and I hadn't heard about that. So, not
tonight, but in some written form to, as much as possible, to
explain the affordability definition.
Horow/ All right. There is a motion setting the p.h. Any further
discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye (Ayes).
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Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August15,1995
Page 5
Consider setting a public hearing for August 29, 1995 on an amend-
ment to City Code Title 14, Chapter 6, Article V, "Minor Modification
Procedures," to allow parking for persons with disabilities in the front
yard of e commercial zone even when located adjacent to a residential
zone.
Comment: At its August 3 meeting, by a vote of 5-2 with Jakobsen
and Scott voting no, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend-
ed approval of the requested text amendment. The Commission's
recommendation is cunsistent with the staff recommendation,
Action:
c, Public hearing on a resolution to annex a 3.05 acre tract located
of American Legion Road and west of Arlington Drive,, (ANN94-000~
Comment: At its July 18, meeting, by a vote of 5-2, with Gibson-and
Scott voting no, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
approval of this annexation. The Commission's recommendation is
consistent with the staff recommendation contained in the staff report
dated October 20, 1994 and the staff memoranda dated November 1,
1994 and August 3, 1995, ~_~_../~
d. Public hearing on an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance by
changing the use regulations of a 3.05 acre tract located north of
American Legion Road and west of Arlington Drive from County RS,
Suburban Residential, to RS-5, Low Density Single-Family Residential.
(REZ94-0013)
Comment: At its July 18, meeting, by a vote of 6-1, with Scott voting
in the negative, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
approval of this rezoning, The CommissioNs recommendation is
consistent with the staff recommendation contained in the staff report
October 20, 1994 and the staff memoranda dated November 1,
dated and August/31.) 99~5),.../
1994
Action: ~t~ · ~'~'/~- (~,")l/~ ~,~¥1.~,/~/~,~L~. ~ ~ ~
#5c page 1
ITEM NO. $ c.
Public hearing on a resolution to annex a 3.05 acre
tract located north of A~erican Legion Road and
west of Arlington Drive. (ANN94-0008)
Horow/ Declare the p.h. open. I would ask that you sign in, state
you name, and keep your comments to about five minutes.
John
Moreland/ I am one of the co-developers of Windsor Ridge. Mr.
Weinstein can't be here tonight and I wish he could be here.
After we found out the law changed and the City Development
Board was no longer in jurisdiction of this property we
decided to go ahead and proceed with the annexation. With the
other houses being built in the area and with this green space
we know we needed to do something before the whole development
was pushed farther ahead and people could come back and say we
thought there was going to be parkland or greenland or
whatever and because I think already in our plans out there we
have more open space than any other subdivision within the
city that has been approved to date. So I called Alan
Weinstein and talked to him for 2-3 times and tried to explain
our position that now that the City Development Board didn't
have jurisdiction that it didn't matter whether it was 200
feet or 50 feet. That we wanted to proceed with development of
our lots and we had really good discussions. There wasn't a
lot of arguments and always at the end he would say John, I
would like to have you develop, I don't mind the houses, but
I want it developed in the county and I would say to Mr.
Weinstein, we would like to do that but our subdivider's
agreements specifically states that when we develop Tract A it
must be developed within the City of Iowa City. And when you
look at it there is a possibility of selling lots there and
there is a potential of maybe $50,000 in property tax that
might as well be coming to the City of Iowa City rather than
Johnson County. I don't know how that is split up but you
know, it makes more sense to be in the City of Iowa City. The
sewer is there and everything is there. Now I wasn't an
original partner in Windsor Ridge. I got into it at a later
date and the scenario as far as I now it, maybe you guys might
know a little bit more, was that it was originally approved by
P/Z with these lots already approved. It was originally
approved by council. Steve Atkins, Karin Franklin, Gary Watts-
they went to Des Moines to get it finally approved and one
person on the City Development Board in their wisdom decided
well, maybe we better have 200 feet instead of 50 feet. So at
the last minute it was changed and it was changed to 200 feet
in width and I think part of that may have been for vehicles
getting back and forth. I don't know. But the situation now
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#5c page 2
with the paved road is a lot easier to get at Mr. Weinstein's
property than it was at the previous time. We don't want to
have him involuntarily annexed and we have told him that. We
don't have an argument with him. I told him, I said Allen, if
we had a problem or an argument we would have appeared in full
force when you were applying for a commercial zoning for his
property. I think you guys might have known. It came through
the council. He wanted to put an art studio there which is
fine. We don't have any problem with it. He is a good neighbor
and we didn't even come out and oppose that. I mean, it is not
an argument with him against us. All we want to do is develop
our seven lots. The city really doesn't have a written law but
the unwritten rule is they don't involuntary annex anybody and
we don't want that for him. I don't think you guys want it for
him. But if we can't develop our seven lots right now, we can
see a problem in the future once people fill up across the
street and it was always meant to be there from day one. If
that would have been originally platted as open space or park
space, you know, I could see that being a problem. But it was
always originally planned to be lots. So, you know, I think
the fact that he wants to develop in the county. We can't do
that because of our subdivider's agreement. I think it is
important to proceed with it. We would like to get all the
utilities and everything in this fall if possible and do that
without hurting him. And if you guys have any questions I
would be glad to answer them.
Horow/ The only question that arose last evening was being able to
continue the p.h. for another two weeks. Does this cause an
undue hardship on you?
Moreland/ I don't think so. You know, like I say, we don't have any
argument with Mr. Weinstein. If he can come back and say
whatever he wants to say. I mean, two weeks isn't going to
kill it after that. But, I mean, I would hope that we could
proceed right after that.
Nov/ Do we know if he will be back in two weeks?
Horow/ No, we don't. I was hoping that-Would Melody or someone have
his number?
Moreland/ At the P/Z, I think is wife might be here. I am not sure.
But basically we both said everything we had to say at the P/Z
p.h. and I mean, I don't think anyone of us has anything to
add more light on the subject and so I mean it seems like we
are just delaying it for the reason that he can't be here and
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#5c page 3
I think that, you know, I think that it is important that if
you have something at stake you should at least have a
representative here. But if you decide to delay it two weeks,
I mean, it is not going to-
Kubby/ We talked last night about- We decided last night that we
would continue the p.h. but also have consideration of it on
the same agenda and that is the beauty of living in a town
like Iowa City. That for one person we will do something like
that to have the process be as clear as possible to give
everyone a chance if possible. It works for everybody.
Horow/ Anyone else care to address council?
Karr/ Could we have a motion to accept correspondence, please?
Horow/ Moved by Pigott, seconded by Nov. to accept correspondence.
Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye
(ayes).
Movedby Nov, seconded by Kubby to continue the p.h. to August
29. Any discussion?
Lehman/ I guess I personally don't see any deep- This person has
been notified six weeks ago. If there is a compelling reason
why he does not approve of this hearing tonight at least he or
his wife or a representative could have been here. And so for
that reason I see no reason to (can't hear).
Horow/ Any other discussion? All those in favor signify by saying
aye (ayes, Lehman-no). Lehman voting no.
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F081595
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 6
Action;
Consider a resolution to annex an approximate 250 acre property
located north of 1-80 and west of N. Dubuque Street.. (~ANN,94-0009)
Comment. At its July 6 meeting, by a vote of 6-0, the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of the annexation of this
property, which is the site of the proposed water treatment plant. The
Commission's recommendation is consistent with the staff recommen-
dation contained in the staff report dated January 19. No comments
were received at the Council's August 1 public hearing on this item.
Consider an ordinance amending the Zoning Chapter by changing the
use regulations of an approximate 250 acre property located north of
1-80 and west of N. Dubuque Street from County A1, RS, and R3A to
P, Public. (REZ94-0018) (First consideratioh)~,~/~_~,~
Comment: At its July 6 meeting, by a vote of 6-0, the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of this rezoning. The
Commission's recommendation is consistent with the staff recommen-
dation contained in the January 19 staff report. No comments were
received at the Council's August 1 public hearing on this item.
Action:
Consider an ordinance amending Title 14, Chapter 4, "Land Control and
Development," Article C, "Historic Preservation Regulations," and
Chapter 6, "Zoning," Article J, "Overlay Zones" to allow the City to
designate historic landmarks and conservation districts. (First consider-
ation)
Comment: At its July 6 meeting, by a vote of 4-2, with Jakobsen and
Starr voting no, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
approval of the amendments concerning conservation districts, and by
a vote of 6-0, recommended approval of the amendments on historic
landmarks. The Historic Preservation Commission, by a vote of 5-0,
also recommended approval of the amendments at its May 9 meeting.
Comments were received from the public at the Council's August 1
public hearing.
#5g page 1
ITEM NO. 5g,
Consider an ordinance amending Title 14,
Chapter 4, "Land Control and Deve].opment,"
Article C, "Historic Preservation
Regulations," and Chapter 6, "Zoning," Article
J, "Overlay Zones" to allow the City to
designate historic landmarks and conservation
districts. (First consideration)
Horow/ Moved by Pigott, seconded by Throg. Any discussion? I would
like to thank both Commissions on the work that they have done
on these ordinances.
Kubby/ I know that there were two dissenting votes, particularly
because of the Conservation Districts. But I really think that
is the important of the addition to the Historic Preservation
Ordinance because it allows some protection of older
neighborhoods that can't be deemed historic, that they can
maintain their integrity so that maybe some day they can
become a historic neighborhood. It protects the cohesion and
the flavor of our older intercity neighborhoods. And as the
city grows and gets older neighborhoods as we go further out.
So I am very much in support of the conservation district
concept and hope some neighborhoods will petition the council
to become a conservation district.
Nov/ I think the landmark concept is important also because it
allows us to get a single structure into historic
preservation.
Kubby/ Versus a whole district and grouping of buildings.
Horow/ Any other discussion? Roll call- (yes). First consideration
is adopted.
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Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 7
qS. 36 5
h, Consider an ordinance amending the Zoning Chapter by changing the
use regulations of an approximate 103.86 acres, which includes the
Highway 218/Highway 1 interchange and property located in the
southwest quadrant of the interchange from County RS, Suburban
Residential, to C1-1, Intensive Commercial. (REZ95-0011) (Second
consideration) ~'~
Comment: At its June 15 meeting, by a vote of 6-0, the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of this rezon;ng. This
recommendation is consistent with the staff recommendation contained
in the staff report dated June 15. No public comments were received
at the July 18 public hearing.
i. Consider an ordinance amending the Zoning Chapter by changi g
use regulations of an approximate 0.82 acre tract of land, the north
potion of Lot 4, Highlander First Addition, located on Northgate Drive
from RDP, Research Development Park, to C0-1, Commercial Office.
(REZ95-0008) (Second consideration) ~
Comment: At its June 15 meeting, by a vote of 6-0, the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of the requested Noahgate
Drive rezoning. This recommendation is consistent with the staff
recommendation contained in a staff memorandum dated June 15. The
applicant has requested expedited consideration of this item. No public
comments were received at the July l~ublic hearing.
Consider an ordinance amending the conditional zoning agreement for
Lots 4-17, Highlander First Addition, revising the development standard
pe~aining to rooflines and parapet walls. (REZ95-0008) (Second
consideration)
Action:
Comment: At its June 15 meeting, by a vote of 6-0, the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of revising the development
standards for Northgate Corporate Park concerning rooflines and
parapet walls. This recommendation is consistent with the staff
recommendation. In a letter dated July 17, the applicant requested
expedited consideration of this item. No comments were received at
the July 18 public hearing.
#5h page 1
ITEM NO.
Consider an ordinance amending the Zoning Chapter
by changing the use regulations of an approximate
103.86 acres, which includes the Highway 218/
Highway 1 interchange and property located in the
southwest quadrant of the interchange from County
RS, Suburban Residential, to CI-1, Intensive
Commercial. (REZ95-0011) (Second consideration)
Horow/ Moved by Pigott, seconded by Baker. Any discussion?
Kubby/ I had talked a little bit last night about my growing
concerns about how you come in on the south from Highway 1
from the south coming into Iowa City. Just what that entrance
to Iowa City looks like. We are going to have a lot of car
dealerships, Mennards, Walmart and I am just concerned about
it. There is probably not a better land use for that
particular piece of property since it is annexed into the city
now and so I don't object to this. So I will be voting yes but
I continue to have faith in Karin Franklin that in the site
plan review process and how it is set up that it helps
mitigate as much as possible traffic concerns and on another
item later in the agenda we had asked the mayor to write a
separate letter about knowing that that will increase some
traffic that will in that area might make it hard for people
turning in and out of Kitty Lee Land. Is it Land or Road?
Kitty Lee Road sounds better. Kitty Lee Road. And-I will
mention that later because that is with another item.
Horow/ Any further discussion?
consideration was passed.
Roll
call- (yes) . Second
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Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 8
Action:
Consider an ordinance vacating a 20-foot wide alley located east of
Gilbert Court and immediately north of Lot 4 of Block 3, Lyon's Addi-
tion, (VAC95-0002) (Second consideration)
Comment: At its June 15 meeting, by a vote of 5-0, the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of the requested alley
vacation, This recommendation is consistent with the staff recommen-
dation. No public comments were received at the July 18 public
hearing.
Consider an ordinance amending City Code Title 14, Chapter 6, e,ltitled
"Zoning," Article S, entitled "Performance Standards," Section~ lOB
and 10C, concer.ning the location of underground storage tanks.
(Second consideration)
Comment: At its June 15 meeting, by a vote of 5-0, the Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval of the amendments
concerning underground storage tanks. This recommendation is consis-
tent with the staff recommendation contained in the staff memoran-
dum. No public comments were received at the July 18 public hearing.
Action:
Action:
Consider a resolution approving the final plat of Longfellow Manor, a
7.64 acre, 20 lot, residential subdivision located on the south side of
the 1300 block of Sheridan Avenue. (60-day limitation period:
waived.) (SUB94-0012)
Comment: At its September 1, 1994, meeting, by a vote of 6-0, the
Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the final plat
of Longfellow Manor, subject to certain conditions. The Commission's
recommendation is consistent with the staff recommendation. On
October 11, 1994, the Council deferred this item indefinitely pending
submittal of a County Treasurer's certificate. A County Treasurer's
certificate has been submitted. On August 1, Council deferred this
item to allow a title opinion issue to be resolved. It is anticipated that
the title opinion will be cleared, and the final plat will be in order for
approval.
~5m page 1
ITEM NO. 5m.
Consider a resolution approving the final plat of
Longfellow Manor, a 7.64 acre, 20 lot, residential
subdivision located on the south side of the 1300
block of Sheridan Avenue. (60-day limitation
period: waived.) (SUB94-0012)
Horow/ Moved by Nov, seconded by Lehman. Discussion.
Pigott/ We talked about two additional things last night. One was
somehow coming up with a sign so that we notify the -so that
the people who are in that area knows the green space and the
drive along that green space is public. Hopefully we can do
that, the city or someone. And-
Nov/ We decided the P/R Commission would probably approve it. So we
referred it to them.
Pigott/ And we also referred to them the idea of perhaps purchasing
the two other lots. Investigating whether or not that is a
possibility. What they think of it. That will come back to us.
Kubby/ And the reason the neighborhood asked and we agreed to
explore that is because it is difficult to know that the space
within this development is public open space is available for
people to use. It has very little frontage on the street. You
have to really go-The sign will help with the atmosphere of
private property to get to the public space. We have a lot
along the street and then one above, one more deep, then there
will be more green space available to the public. Kind of
emotionally people will know that is green space because it
will increase the amount of public space.
Throg/ Sue, I think I notice that Ceci Kuenzli would like to talk.
We don't have a p.h.
Horow/ We don't have a p.h. on this but I think for the purposes of
the public, this issue has been occupying the minds and the
hearts and the emotions of this neighborhood for quite a long
period of time. I would like to ask the president of the
Longfellow Association to say something and if Mr. Greenleaf,
representing the owner, wishes to say something he certainly
may as well.
ceci
Kuenzli/ Thank you for acknowledging me. I hope I am standing
here for the last time on the ADS related issue. Throughout
three years of meetings with you and city staff and P/Z, P/R,
the developer and the Association we have had two goals: the
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#5m page 2
development, which we recognize must come. A development that
would be compatible with the neighborhood. By that we mean
architecturally and that it would be owner occupied which
would constitute an asset to the neighborhood. Secondly we
hoped for open space the need for which was identified by your
open space committee which would be accessible to the
neighborhood. We thank you for working with us, for hearing us
as often as you have. We have tried to keep the lines of
communications open and to avoid strident tones. While we
recognize that your hands are tied in many areas, we would ask
as that as you pass the plat or accept the plat that out of
goodwill of the council you would do two things further. A-
When the actual plans, building plans are submitted to the
building inspector's office, would you direct the building
inspector and the city staff to review the plans with an eye
for more than mere compliance with codes. What makes a
neighborhood is more than a question of square footage, street
alignment, sewage disposal. By your creation of the
neighborhood association, we acknowledge the importance that
you put on the neighborhood. Therefore, we ask that we fill
that if on these 21 lots there are 42 rental units this would
not be compatible with the neighborhood. Secondly, we you have
discussed, we would ask to direct P/R to purchase the two lots
along Sheridan Street, if possible, for access to the open
space by (can't hear). Again, thank you.
Horow/ Thank you.
Kubby/ Linda, in terms of having an additional condition,
basically, of putting an eye more towards the architectural
compatibility with the neighborhood, we don't really have the
power to do that at this point in the process, do we?
Woito/ No, not in terms of-they will be complying with the UBC,
Plumbing Code, etc. We have no design review per se for a new
subdivision.
Kubby/ During the rezoning process or the platting process we could
have put conditions on the zone, on the land or on the plat
but that didn't happen. And this is a final plat so in that
sense-
Woito/ It is too late.
Kubby/ I know the neighborhood association had written Karin
Franklin asking her to help facilitate some informal agreement
to behave that way and I hope that that will happen.
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Woito/ Ceci- We had a conversation today and I suggested that in
terms of being good neighbors that they try and work with the
new owner and developer and try and see what you can work out
that way since we really don't have any authority with respect
to the design.
Nov/ If this kind of thing were going to happen then a conservation
district then would there be this kind of review?
Woito/ Yes. Precisely, that is a very good example.
Throg/ Linda, I also heard Ceci say something about wanting all of
the units-or not all of the units to be rental (can't hear).
Preferring that they all be owner occupied. My understanding
is we don't have any legal authority over that at all?
Woito/ That is correct, we don't. We do not and we talked about
that.
Throg/ So that is another instance of encouraging the neighborhood
association to talk with the owner and all sorts of informal
conversations took place as well. But we just don't have legal
authority.
Woito/ No, we do not.
Kubby/ In rezoning to RS-8 we basically said duplexes area
possibility because that is allowed in the zone and one of the
things-I must apologize to the neighborhood association about
is that I heard the input about wanting open space but I never
heard that we don't want duplexes. If I would have heard that
I would have said well, then we should be asking for an RS-5
zone or having a condition that the density can be RS-8 but no
duplexes. So, I know in the letter from the Association that
said all along you have been saying that and I apologize for
not hearing that. I didn't pick that up.
Horow/ Any other discussion?
Baker/ Yeah, two weeks ago a question was raised about the
difference in wording between the plat that we approved
originally and the plat that is before us now and we asked
Karin Franklin to sort or go back and ask. I want to know why
it was emphasized in the staff report if it wasn't important
and I am wondering if Bob had talked to Karin about that or
not.
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Miklo/ What was the wording that was in question?
Woito/ We clarified that. It was-there were three-Well, there were
many versions of that plat and it was language that was put in
and taken out and it was something about the easement. That
street, cul de sac, is now a public street. At one point Jim
O'Brien wanted it to be private. And first it was going to be
a public access easement and then it was noted on the plat and
it was taken off and eventually now it is a street. So, I
don't know why it was emphasized but it is moot.
Horow/ Any other issue? Roll call-(yes). Motion is adopted.
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F081595
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 9
Action:
Consider a resolution approving a preliminary plat of Saddlebrook, a
223 acre, 10-lot residential subdivision located south of Highway 6 and
.e,nz.oad. suB95-oo 2
Comment: At its August 3 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commis-
sion, by a vote of 7-0, recommended approval of the preliminary plat
of Saddlebrook, subject to certain conditions. The Commission's
recommendation is consistent with the staff recommendation contained
in the staff report dated July 6 and the staff memorandum dated July
20.
Consider a resolution approving the Manufactured Housing Site Plan for
Saddlebrook, Lot 5, a 41 acre, 222-unit Manufactured Housing Park
located south of Highway 6 and Heinz Road.
Comment: At its August 3 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commis-
sion, by a vote of 7-0, recommended approval of the manufactured
housing park proposed for Saddlebrook, Lot 5. The Commission's
recommendation is consistent with the staff recommendation.
Action:
Consider a resolution approving the final plat of Walden Wood, Part 9,
a six-lot, 3.01 acre residential subdivision located on Walden Road west
of Mormon Trek Boulevard. (SUB95-0022)
Comment: At its August 3 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commis-
sion, by a vote of 7-0, recommended approval of the final plat for
Walden Wood, Part 9, subject to approval of legal papers prior to
Council consideration of the plat. The legal papers have (nct) been
approved. The Commission's recommendation is consistent with the
staff recommendation contained in the staff 'report dated August 3.
#5o page i
ITEM NO. 5o.
Consider a resolution approving the Manufactured
Housing Site Plan for Saddlebrook, Lot 5, a 41
acre, 222-unit Manufactured Housing Park located
south of Highway 6 and Heinz Road.
Horow/ Moved by Kubby, seconded by Pigott. Discussion.
Kubby/ This has been a very very long process and everyone has been
very patient. There have been a lot of give and take and
change. I am very glad that this resolution is happening and
I look forward to seeing this get developed as soon as
possible because I think I know ten people off the top of my
head who want to move in and this is affordable housing.
Horow/ Okay. Any further discussion? Roll call-(yes). Resolution is
adopted.
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F081595
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 10
ITEM NO. 6-
q. Consider a resolution approving the preliminary and final plat of Britt's
First Addition, a 36.73 acre, two-lot residential subdivision located in
Fr nge Area 7 on the west side of Kitty Lee Lane, approximately 1/2
mile north of Highway 1. '(SUB95-0024) ~
Comment: At its August 3 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commis-
sion, by a vote of 7-0, recommended approval of the preliminary and
final plat of Britt's First Addition. This recommendation is consistent
with the August 3 staff report recommendation.
PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, SP CI~FICATIONS, FORM OF C OI~~AND
ESTIMATED COST OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1995 CURB RAMPS
PROJECT.
Comment: This project consists of the construction and reconstruction of
sidewalk curb ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) standards
along routes prioritized by JCCOG and citizen requests. The estimated
construction cost is approximately 9103,000. This project will be funded
by road use taxes and 1995 bond proceeds.
Action:
ITEM NO. 7 -
CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF
CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1995
CURB RAMPS PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO
ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH ADVERTISE-
MENT FOR BIDS AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS AT
10:30 A.M. SEPTEMBER 6, 1995.
Comment: See Comment Above.
Action: ~,_~c)/~0~,
#5q page
Consider a resolution approving the preliminary and
final plat of Britt's First Addition, a 36.73 acre,
two-lot residential subdivision located in Fringe
Area 7 on the west side of Kitty Lee Lane,
approximately 1/2 mile north of Highway 1. (SUB95-
0024)
ITEM MO. Sq.
Horow/ Moved by Kubby, seconded by Lehman. Any discussion? This is
the one that we were talking about sending a letter to the
state from both mayor and hopefully the chair of the County
Board of Supervisors visa vis the Highway 1 and the traffic
problem.
Kubby/ The problem is that Highway 1 is two lanes within the city
and as you go into the county it goes into one and even though
not a lot of people live on Kitty Lee Road there are county
people coming into town and town people going out in to the
county and there is a lot of traffic turning into Kitty Lee
Road and onto from the road to the highway. Everybody has got
to slow down and if you don't it is dangerous. So we are
talking about requesting a turning lane. The city is putting
pressure on that area as more county development happens. The
county is putting pressure. That is why we need to work
together, the city and the county, in getting this resolved.
Horow/ We can only send a letter. I don't know what the state will
do about it. We certainly can send a letter. Any further
discussion? Roll call-(yes). The resolution is adopted.
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#7 page 1
ITEM NO. 7 -
CO~SIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONSt FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF
COST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1995 CURB RAMPS
PROJECTt EBTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO
ACCOMPANY EAOE BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE
FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS AT 10:30 A.M. SEPTEMBER 6,
1995.
Horow/ Moved by Nov, seconded by Pigott. Any discussion?
Nov/ Yes. Is this going to be like the homes that are here on the
corner that with the red curb ramps?
Fosse/ Yes, we will continue with the red visual (can't hear).
Nov/ And this is for what purpose?
Fosse/ It is for the visually impaired, not necessarily the blind,
but the visually impaired so there is some visual delineation
of where a curb ramp is. As nearly as can interpret the
federal regulations that it is a requirement (can't hear). But
as we saw the truncated domes went away last year.
Horow/ Is this something that we anticipate doing with paint
throughout the rest of the city?
Fosse/ No, it is not. I don't think paint would be a good thing
because it wouldn't last and it would also be slick.
Nov/ This is color that is mixed in with the concrete?
Fosse/ Right. The method that we specified for the project is a
sprinkle coat that is put in with a hardener when the concrete
is wet so it penetrates about the top 1/8 inch of the concrete
so that it won't wear away.
Horow/ Thank you very much. Any further discussion? Roll call-
(yes). Resolution is adopted.
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F081595
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 11
ITEM NO. 8 -
ITEM NO. 9 -
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES.
a. Previously announced vacancies.
(1) Housing and Community Development Commission:
(a) Three vacancies for one-year terms ending September 1,
1996.
(b) Three vacancies for two-year terms ending September 1,
1997.
(c) Three vacancies for three-year terms ending September 1,
1998.
These appointments will be made at the August 29, 1995, meeting of
the City Council.
b. Current vacancy.
(1) Historic Preservation Commission - One vacancy for a Summit
Street representative to fill an unexpired term ending March 29,
1998. (John Shaw resigned.) (4 females and 2 males presently
serving on Commission.) This appointment will be made at the
September 26, 1995, meeting of the City Council.
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
ITEM NO. 10 - REPORT ON ITEMS FROM THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY.
a. City Manager.
#9 page
ITEM NO. 9 - CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Horow/ City Council Information.
Baker/ I may get some of the stuff on the list actually off of it
here. First of all a message from my wife to the rest of Iowa
City. For those of you who have been picking up magazines like
Newsweek, that is Jerry Garcia that died, not me. So don't-we
appreciate the condolences but I am still here.
Throg/ People want to hear the joke about touch of gray here?
Baker/ The second-
CHANGE TAPE TO REEL 95-96 SIDE 1
Baker/ For subsidized housing. Was a date discussed for that? Was
there some conversation?
Horow/ We have some dates and I will be making an announcement on
them. FYI September 30 which is a Saturday. It is in the
morning.
Baker/ I just want to let the council know that I had asked Marcia
Klingaman to distribute copies of that memo to the
coordinators of the neighborhood associations and see if they
a-If it was coming to their neighborhood, what would be their
concerns and so that they could articulate some of those early
which might be helpful to us.
Nov/ This date is firm then?
Horow/ Well, it is the only date we have got right now. The 21st is
no longer viable, Larry teaches. So Saturday morning.
Baker/ Thursday night. I start this fall semester and teach on
Thursday nights. Last thing, Madam Mayor. I talked to a
couple of you, several of you, about this individually. I have
been thinking for many years as I am sure we all have about
one of the problems with local elections in Iowa City is that
there is a very low turnout and is there a way to generate
interest in local elections and get more people out. I spent
this last week trying to get a hold of and I finally did get
a hold of a man named Larry Agran with Local Elected officials
for Social responsibility. Larry and I worked together ten
years ago when I was on the council previously and he is in
charge of a program now called CityVote which this fall 20
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F081595
#9 page
major cities across the country in their municipal elections
in addition to the voting for the whatever local offices that
are relevant will be holding a presidential straw poll on
their ballot and I talked to Larry about this and he said yes,
indeed, this is one way this will generate inters in a local
election and get people out and he was excited because Iowa
City-I would like to present this idea to you if perhaps on
our ballot we could have a presidential straw poll. A lot of
details to be worked out. But Agran was excited about it
because we would be the only city as far as he knew
participating. Other cities are like Boston, Minneapolis,
Spokane, Boulder, Rochester, New York, most of them much
larger than Iowa City. But Iowa City would have a unique spot
being in Iowa on an election year, caucus year. And so I would
like for us to consider taking this opportunity to put a
presidential straw poll on our ballot and just get a sense of
the public here in Iowa City and bring some attention to Iowa
City.
Horow/ That would be kind of fun.
Nov/ Sounds good.
Pigott/ I love the idea. Do it.
Baker/ We're going to need, I talked to Marian and things that
we'll eventually have to have a formal resolution to the
county auditor. I don't know if we need the exact wording in
it, but we'll have to talk about the wording and the
candidates listed. Agran said that basically what you've got
is a Republican list, a Democratic list and an Other list. And
he certified all these potential candidates as either as
announced that they're going to run or there's enough
indication that they would be serious candidates and the
public interest is there. And the other cities, they have put
Colin Powell and Ross Perot on there ballots.
Kubby/ So what is the definition of a serious candidate?
Baker/ Well, we thought about that, but there's certain- well most
of them are self evident. The eight or nine.
Kubby/ Coming from a certain perspective.
Baker/ Well sure, but look, you even have to give Morrie Taylor
credit for being a serious candidate, whether the public takes
him seriously, I think he is a serious candidate. And he is,
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in fact Agran asked about Taylor because he is not on the
ballot in these other places yet, but he is going to suggest
that they start including him. But we need to talk about this
soon because I think the deadline for us putting it on the
ballot here is the middle of September, so we need to put it
as an agenda item at the next meeting and get it straightened
out.
Horow/ Anyone have any problems with that?
Pigott/ I think it's a great idea.
Horow/ Go for it Larry.
Kubby/ The more people coming out the better.
Horow/ Okay, anything else?
Baker/ That's it. Thank you.
Horow/ Mr. Pigott.
Pigott/ Yes. There's one thing I was interested when we received in
our packet this week the city of Iowa City's FY95 comparison
of budget to actual revenue. And thank you for providing that.
And along side this we received a memo which was reported on
one of the papers about cut-backs in city service, I mean
funding, federal funding. So that was sort of interesting you
know though. It appeared in the same packet and I think that
was very wise to do that.
Atkins/ Thank you. It was unintentional but thank for going on.
Pigott/ Secondly, about that, I noticed that it said that the
hotel/motel tax revenues have increased, if I'm reading this
correctly, revenues totalling $456,633 or $29,405 more than
last year.
Arkins/ Okay.
Pigott/ And I remember that earlier this year we had a discussion
on council about hotel/motel tax revenues and the possibility
that they might not increase or they might even decrease and
it's just good to know they're increasing and that we do have
a good revenue source which goes to support police patrol,
convention bureau, a couple of festivals we had this summer,
as well as Mercer Park and Parkland Acquisition Fund.
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F081595
#9 page 4
Horow/ Is that FY95 funds or FY94 funds?
Pigott/ F¥95.
Atkins/ 95. End of the year report.
Pigott/ So thank you.
Horow/ Anything else?
Pigott/ No, thanks.
Horow/ Throgmorton?
Throg/ Sure. One brief point. I noticed in reading the minutes of
the Board of Adjustment's last meeting, the Board had been
able to work out an agreement with George Haskell and other
members Lucon Drive neighborhood and with the Church of Latter
Day Saints with regard to use of 503 Melrose, and remember the
controversy as it was being experienced there. I remember
talking with George and other neighbors out there and I'm
really happy to see them work out this agreement. I want to
praise the people involved.
Kubby/ It would be interesting to further explore, because the
neighborhood came in saying we don't want this to happen and
by the end they came in supporting the application.
Throg/ That's right.
Kubby/ We should explore what was the turning point because there
are potential conflicts that don't have to be conflicts all
over.
Horow/ I noticed the garage once we moved them, to increase the
parking space.
Kubby/ That wasn't part of the original structure.
Horow/ No. That's right. And it was sought by the people (can't
hear). Ms. Novick?
Nov/
All I could say to the television crew, I watched our last
meeting on T.V. It was the re-run and I thought everybody
looked good and the television crew should take a bow.
Pigott/ Thanks. How is it that everyone looked good?
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F081595
#9 page 5
Horow/ Let's say the clarity of the image.
Nov/ Yeah. It was an excellent picture. And I think they deserve a
compliment.
Horow/ Anything else?
Nov/ No. That's it.
Horow/ Ms. Kubby?
Kubby/ Continuing the conversation about how potential conflicts
can end up being people working together, I've been thinking
about this and the Saratoga Springs situation where there are
definitely not six votes on this council to have it happen in
the form of either 41 units or 32 units° That the applicants
for the developers do not want to withdraw their application
and that last night my understanding is P/Z deferred it up to
March of '96 which means it is just hanging there in limbo
really and I'm interested in us as a city facilitating the
profit and non-profit developers, the neighborhood. Maybe P/Z,
maybe people on both sides of the issue on council, getting
together in an informal way to sit down and say how can
something happen here. What would it look like? How can we
engage everybody together to make something happen. There are
a couple of time constraints here that if we wait too long
HOME moneys, the date expires, which means not only does this
development not use them but we send them back to the feds. I
don't want to be placed in that position. To apply for state
tax credit moneys there is a November deadline. If you miss
the deadline you have to wait until the next November. So I am
interested in having us gather people around to say in what
form could we all get on board with this. A combination of
different kinds of housing as buffers or whatever. But I would
be interested in seeing if council would direct the mayor to
send a letter to say hey, is there a way to make it happen.
Let's sit down together. If not, not. But if there is some way
to make something happen on that plot of land-I guess the
reason I want to push on this particular piece of ground is
because when-Well the Fellowship and Bob Burns have been
looking all over the city for something that is not way on the
edge of town where there is no transportation and that there
is very few jobs around within a walking distance or biking or
bussing distance. Not that this is the only lot ever in the
city that could be developed but this is one opportunity. I
hate to let it go by without trying as hard as we can to see
if there is some way to make things happen. Maybe in a
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completely different form.
Horow/ We do have the meeting on tha 30th from that certainly would
come a little more clarity in terms of whether it could be
there, should be there, couldn't be there, shouldn't be there.
That would be-
Kubby/ But I am talking about a group of people talking about that
specific plot of land in that specific neighborhood. Not about
the general-It may be that this meeting should happen after
ours.
Pigott/ I think that your brainstorm is an important one but I do
think that it is important that the council talk before
because council votes are the ones that are keeping from going
forward regardless of what the conflicts are between the
neighbors and the developers and maybe that would help change
things. Maybe not. But I think having that meeting that Larry
suggested that we talked about scheduling before hand would
help clarify that.
Kubby/ The meeting is scheduled. I would like to see if there is a
majority of council who would like to initiate some kind of
more informal process where people can really talk indepth
about this issue and see if there is a way to make something.
Horow/ What does council-
Baker/ I don't know that council needs to initiate that. I think as
a formal-I don't see this not happening if we don't initiate
it. I am trying to think-
Kubby/ Anyone could initiate.
Baker/ The real thing is the neighbors and Bob Burns have one set
of conflicts and then we as a council have to establish
clearer criteria for what is acceptable for us.
Kubby/ But someone has got to get the ball rolling in a positive
way. Why not us? It is moneys that we have control over.
Baker/ I think Bruno's point is well taken that we don't even know
ourselves what we will agree on if that is possible.
Kubby/ And I am saying do it after our meeting. I don't have a
problem with waiting until that-
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#9 page 7
Baker/ Well, I want to follow up on that because I had a question
about timing here as well because you are right about the
money has to be allocated by a certain date or it reverts
back. What are the dates here? What are the constraints on the
federal money? Do we know?
Kubby/ June.
Baker/ June of '96?
Nov/ There is another constraint date, the option to purchase will
expire probably by the 1st of January.
Lehman/ I think there is a much bigger issue here than the
property. I think it is the city's housing policy, our
philosophy, whatever and I think until we resolved those we
cannot correctly address problems associated with a single
piece of property. I think there are much much bigger
questions and I guess even if we were to lose some money that
might be better than doing something and doing it wrong.
Baker/ The point it we could use that money for something else,
too. We may want to do that. And I am perfectly willing to, if
the council can do it, to move up our discussions that is at
the end of September, to do it earlier than that.
Lehman/ I don't think we have a date.
Kubby/ See, the thing is we haven't looked at other things on our
regular scheduled meetings that could get bumped to the 30th
so that we could talk about this at a normally scheduled
meeting sooner. I would be willing to look at that list of
other things.
Baker/ This almost acts like a special meeting.
Horow/ It is going to take longer than an informal session which is
why we scheduled it on a Saturday.
Kubby/ I am saying doing only the things we absolutely have to do
at a regularly meeting and bump the other things down.
Horow/ Are there four people who want to do this because last night
I thought we agreed on a Saturday morning for either this one
or economic development? I think it is going to take a good
hunk of time.
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Baker/ And you said we can't do it earlier than September 30th?
Horow/ No we can't.
Baker/ All right. That is the consensus that you all reached last
night then.
Horow/ Okay.
Kubby/ I am still interested in seeing if there is a majority of
people who would like to direct the mayor to have the city
initiate. To write the letter to say that it will happen after
September.
Horow/ There does not seem to be four doing this.
Baker/ If you wrote a letter just saying that this is our schedule
and after this we would like to get together, sure. We would
obviously have to get our house in order.
Horow/ I think there has to be a little more clarity.
Kubby/ I am not disagreeing.
Horow/ There is not four strong votes for doing this right now. I
think it would be premature.
Baker/ Because I am not quite sure exactly, I mean, what we are
really asking them to do.
Kubby/ In another sense it may or may not matter what we come up.
A lot of issues that were brought up from the neighborhood are
things that council members couldn't support it. It brought
those issues to their attention and I think if there is
neighborhood support for something, say yes let's do it here.
I mean I am trying to find a way to shift the conversation a
little bit to say instead of everybody being scared of these
kinds of developments. To say how can we work together to make
things happen.
Baker/ One of the things that can happen is that if the
neighborhood can reach some comfort level with the Burns
project they might remove that extraordinary vote requirement.
Pigott/ And that is what Karen is talking about.
Throg/ I think Bob Burns might say that he has been trying for
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F081595
#9 page 9
months and he has been having those conversations for months
and that he in fact reduced the density from 66 units to 41 to
32 and it is hard to see what number would be appropriate. But
he has been continually having these conversations.
Kubby/ That is why I am suggesting that it come from council
because it may be seen differently, open up different
possibilities for people.
Horow/ Karen, I appreciate your concern on this.
Pigott/ And maybe explore different shapes-
Kubby/ Different housing styles and more diverse amount of housing
styles within the Saratoga Springs property.
Horow/ Are there four people who wish to do this before the 30th?
Kubby/ I am not asking for that. That frustrates me. I am asking-
You are misrepresenting what I am asking for. I am asking for
a letter to go out kind of soonly but with saying that in
anticipation of our September 30th meeting to take that input
into that conversation and have it happen after September
30th.
Horow/ Does council wish this letter to go out to the neighborhood
and to the developer with the intention of having council be
essentially the forum which some sort of mediation would take
place. Is that the intent?
Kubby/ I am talking about an informal round table discussion to see
if something can happen.
Pigott/ Just between them-the developer, the neighbors and see what
they come up with.
Kubby/ Possibly some city staff, P/Z, couple of members of council
who have different viewpoints on things. Even to be there to
witness the conversation.
Nov/ I don't see anything wrong with that as long as we don't send
that letter now before we have any idea what kind of criteria
we are going to have.
Lehman/ I really think until we come up with a policy or whatever
that discussion is really not (can't hear).
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F081595
#9 page 10
Throg/ I guess my sense is that I would encourage and support the
idea but it really rides on what Sue and Ernie and anyone else
who might want to oppose that particular project would care to
do.
Pigott/ I encourage informal discussion. I don't have a problem
with that if it helps to come up with some other method of
doing this. But I agree with the others in a sense that it is
a-right now the stumbling block is up here.
Baker/ I don't-
Kubby/ Don't worry about it. I will write my own letter as an
individual council member encouraging discussion.
Horow/ That takes care of that. Any thing else, Karen?
Kubby/ Yeah. We had directed staff to kind of do a general clean up
of the bus barn area where the recycling and the oil bins are
and that started to happen and one of the results of that
clean up is that the recycling bins are gone temporarily from
there. I got calls from two different people who didn't leave
their names saying that is where I recycle, they are gone. The
bins will be back. It will be cleaner. They will be newer and
we are going to try to figure out a maintenance schedule to
have the whole area be maintained in a better way. So I wanted
to let people know that. Also I wanted to let people know that
Alice's Rainbow Childcare Centers have been awarded one of two
1995 Louise Eo Dell Enhancement Award by the Iowa Association
for the Education of the Young Child and they are going to use
their award which is a cash award to buy a toddler water
table. I think it is important to recognize childcare
providers that are recognized in a statewide way. It shows the
quality of services in this community.
Nov/ Tell me what is a toddler water table?
Kubby/ Well, it is a place where children play with water and you
can even have some curriculum to do some physics, some
unconscious physics activities with them without them being in
the water. But it is a table that has water in it. You don't
have to worry about as many wet clothes. lifeguards and all
that stuff.
Horow/ Maybe not as many wet clothes.
Kubby/ Not as many wet clothes. Lastly there was an open house for
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F081595
#9 page 11
the manufactured house on 5th and I Street that the city was
involved in. I just want to say thanks for all the different
staff members that help put that together. The house arrived
and two hours later it was put up and it was really neat to
see where the bolts went in. When you go upstairs you can't
tell whether it is any different kind of house. I think the
selling price is going to be in the mid-60s, a family of 6 is
going to move in. They are very very happy. So, when we talk
about affordable housing this has got to be a many pronged
approach. This is one of them where the city found an in fill
lot that wasn't outrageously expensive where we could afford
to put a manufactured house on it and sell it with a subsidy
to a lower income family./ That is one house at a time. It is
very very slow and so we need to in this discussion figure out
what are those other prongs of that approach.
Throg/ Sue, could I piggyback on that briefly. I had a conversation
this morning with a couple folks at the Java House, one of
them is sitting in this room right now, about our housing
policies and one of the two people I was talking with asked
whether it was true that Iowa City is trying to recruit low
income people from Chicago. I think that is a reasonable
paraphrase. I hope it is. My reaction was boy, not that I know
of. That was a total surprise to me and I know Steve-We had a
conversation a while ago and he doesn't know anything about
that either. So to the best of our knowledge no.
Nov/ If they are coming they are coming without being recruited.
Throg/ The other fellow that we were talking with said that he had
recently been in a small town in Iowa and he noticed that they
had an excellent program wherein people could rent homes that
were owned by someone else and receive a subsidy from the
local government. He was wondering why we don't do that. And
my response was we do that° We do that. And the point once
that we have a relatively small number of city owned housing
units. I thinkthe total is about 100. Am I right? Help me out
here. And a much larger number of units that people are able
to use through a rental subsidy program. So, it would help us
to get some reasonable information about that. Thanks.
Horow/ Anything else, Karen?
Nov/
I would like to piggyback on that modular house. It is not
only affordable because it is a factory built house. But also
it has no central air conditioning and no garage.
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F081595
#9 page 12
Horow/ And the windows have been placed where you can get cross
ventilation (can't hear).
Nov/ And it is only 1000 square feet but they have put in good size
windows in the basement so the basement can be finished
eventually. They have put in vents so that air conditioning
can be added later. But in the meantime it is a very minimal
house.
Horow/ Thank you. Mr Lehman-
Lehman/ Just mention a little bit about what Bruno-We did get a
report from the city for FY95 showing income and expenses and
I think we all have to be proud that in almost every case our
income was somewhat greater than what we budgeted and our
expenses were lower. I think that speaks very very well for
city staff and I think they are to be commended.
Kubby/ And I think we are prepping for all these cuts that are
coming our way through the state and the feds so that we don't
have to have as many choices of cut services.
Horow/ Anything else? In the same packet that we received the
annual report, the Boards and Commission for FY95 and I urge
you to get a copy of this at the Civic Center. Obviously it
will be at the library as well. We have 19 Boards and
Commission and certainly more ad hoc small subcom~missions,
sub-boards. The citizens who take part in this in the
activities in terms of making this city function as it does
are to be commended because they really do put in a lot of
time. But it is also fun and I know they enjoy it. The council
has a couple of special executive sessions. One on August 17
and one on the 24th. Both special council meetings for
evaluation purposes. And then on August 21st which is a Monday
evening we have a work session on having to do with landfill.
We have invited the mayors and or council members from the
various communities in Johnson County, Kalona, and Riverside
and I have followed up with phone calls to these mayors
inviting them to come so that everyone can be informed at the
same rate, the same level, about the legal and the financial
implications of the landfill. This is obviously an open
meeting but this is Iowa City and the surrounding communities
in terms of a landfill planning for the future. That is about
it.
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F081595
#10b page 1
ITEM NO. 10- R~PORT ON
ATTORNEY.
b. City Attorney.
ITEMS FROM THE CITY MAN~%GER AND CITY
Horow/ Ms. Woito-
Woito/ Last Thursday I was one of two faculty members at an entire
legal seminar on wetlands which explains the article that you
got on takings and wetlands. I only wrote one part of the six
issues but we had to teach four out of the- I am sorry, one
out of eight. I taught four. One of the most interested people
in the audience were engineers who thought I was absolutely
fascinating about how we lawyers work. No it was
complimentary. They thanked the two lawyers for all of our
work which was nice.
Horow/ I am become more and more aware that engineers are so proud
of what they do. They are absolutely bubbling over with
excitement and effervescent. They really are. Engineers that
I have encountered, both in this city and this nation and in
Germany. It is absolutely fascinating-
Woito/ Two of these were from the Army Corps of Engineers who do
our wetlands permitting. So it was really a nice exchange. If
you want to learn about wetlands I have a wonderful book.
Horow/ Thank you, Linda.
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F081595
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 12
City Attorney.
ITEM NO. 11-
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
POLICIES, STRATEGIES, AND ACTIONS FOR THE CITY OF IOWA CITY."
ITEM NO. 12 -
Comment: Upon adoption of this resolution, this policy document will be
used by the City Council and staff to guide the City's economic development
activities.
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF THE IOWA CITY SENIOR CENTER MASONRY RESTORATION PROJECT.
Comment: This exterior repair project of the Senior Center is the second and
final phase of a water proofing project to eliminate water penetration at
various points inside the building. The project includes complete sealant and
tuck pointing of all stone and masonry of the exterior walls and exterior
stairs. The work should be completed in November 1995. The Engineer's
estimate is $97,469.00 with funding provided from an internal loan.
Fred Jackson Tuckpointing Co.
E & H Restoration, Inc.
Technical Specialty Systems
Northwest Waterproofing & Restoration Co.
~70,065.00
~67,400.00
~64,209.00
~44,867.00
Engineer's Estimate
997,469.00
Public Works and Engineering recommends that the contract be awarded to
Northwest Waterproofing & Restoration Co.'
.t,on:
#11 page 1
ITEM NO. 11 -
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING "ECONOMIC DEVEL-
OPMENT POLICIES, STRATEGIES, AND ACTIONS FOR THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY."
Horow/ It was discussed last evening and it was recommended that we
defer this.
Nov/ I would move to defer this to August 29th.
Throg/ Sue, before we act on that I think there might be some
people in the audience who wanted to be able to speak to that
topic and since it is an agenda item they wouldn't have an
opportunity to speak to it until now. So-
Horow/ This is not a p.h.
Kubby/ But we had discussed having a separate public discussion
item on the agenda which isn't on here but-
Woito/ You can always have a discussion.
Throg/ It was just my understanding.
Horow/ All right. The motion is
has been seconded by Kubby.
then?
to defer this to August 29th. It
What is the intention of voting
Atkins/ Susan, the 29th is a Tuesday. You didn't want that on the
work session for the 28th?
Council/ (All talking).
Nov/ The resolution can be discussed on the 28th-
Atkins/ I understand. I am making the assumption you wish to-
Nov/ Yes.
Kubby/ And I hope there is a big block of time.
Nov/
We had a lot of discussion last night and I had a lot of
discussion today about this issue. I would hope that we don't
do anything more than an informal meeting. I don't want to get
into re-writing the whole thing. I have distributed some re-
wording of several items. If anyone else has further re-
wording. If I have further re-wording, can we get it to
Lorraine this Thursday and then have a week to look about it,
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F081595
page 2
think about it and then be prepared to discussed the vote on
the 29th.
Kubby/ Although I don't think anybody's intent was to re-write it.
It is that we agreed as a council to go out to get some input
about it. We received some and last night was the first chance
that we had to talk about the input that we received and it
seemed like everybody around the table had some things they
wanted to talk about. Frankly we only talked about two items
because we weren't very good at facilitating and not repeating
ourselves and moving on when there was a majority to agree on
something. So, I don't think that is a good impression to
leave. We did have some changes that we wanted to make which
is a legitimate thing to do after receiving input from the
public.
Horow/ If you wish to receive input this evening, certainly you
may. However I cannot imagine that we will also do this again
next on the 29th. And what is your desire on this? I mean we
have got to come to closure.
Kubby/ When there is public discussion and you say any item not on
the agenda which infers and we always have a policy that if
something is on the agenda that people can speak.
Baker/ I don't think that it is automatic that anybody can speak on
any item on the agenda even if it is not a p.h. It is a
privilege. It is not a right that-
Horow/ It is not automatic.
Baker/ It is not automatic but Jim-
Throg/ I would want to agree in principle that it is not automatic
but we are considering economic development policy for the
city of Iowa City and boy, we really ought to give anybody in
the public an opportunity to speak about that draft policy
before we adopt it and if it is not now, when?
Baker/ I agree with you.
Horow/ Fine.
Baker/ On this issue I agree with you because it is a major issue.
Horow/ Do you wish also to have to p.h. or public discussion next
council when we adopt this?
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F081595
#11 page 3
Kubby/ I think if people come up I am inclined to hear them.
Baker/ On this particular issue if someone wants to talk. I am
prepared-I think we ought to be prepared to vote unless
lightning hits us. But if there are people who want to come
and talk about this issue, this particular issue, I have no
problems with that.
Horow/ I will ask council then to be thinking as to how you are
going to deal with the input from the public who come next
week and (can't hear). This is not something (can't hear).
Baker/ You always reserve the right to defer, postpone if something
happens and something new comes up that you are totally
unprepared to absorb on any issue. But I think the inclination
here is to get it resolved in two weeks.
Horow/ Okay.
Lehman/ Sue, I think I need to say this. I think that so many times
we get input from folks who many times don't know anymore
about it than we do. And I think many cases we sit and debate
thing that we get expert opinions from our staff and from
other folks where we sit and debate things where we are
absolutely unqualified in. I think we can get an opinion from
anybody on Just about any subject. If I have got a bad tooth
I won't call my podiatrist because basically that is what we
are doing. And I don't discourage public opinion. But the
process is that we were elected to make decisions and I think
it is our responsibility to listen to what the public has to
say but at some point we have to make up our minds.
Pigott/ I agree with that totally.
Lehman/ And I don't disagree with- Now we have had this policy for
what, we got the copies two weeks ago. We have had an
opportunity to read it but we have not discussed it until last
night and while I think not taking an action is in some ways
a negative. Taking an action before we have an opportunity to
discuss it fully is probably equally- So I will go along. But
I really think we have got to address this thing. How long has
this been going on?
Horow/ Since Vision 2000 started we have had the Economic Policy
Committee discussed it, there were p.h.s, P/Z Commission- It
is not like we haven't had any p.h.s.
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F081595
#11 page 4
Pigott/ That is absolutely true and I think there is a value in
discussing it for a period of time and allowing input to do
it. I don't have a problem with talking about the issue. I do
think Ernie, you are right, in the end of the day we will make
the decision.
Lehman/ I think the discussion now is between us. The public has
basically has an opportunity to present themselves. We have
gotten letters. It is our responsibility to digest those
letters, to look at the reports that we have gotten and say
okay folks, this is where we are at and I don't know if we
have had the opportunity. I think we should do that but I
think we should do that as quickly-
Pigott/ If there are people here tonight, Ernie, I think that gives
us that opportunity to digest that oral version as well as we
received in writing. So-
Throg/ I want to say something briefly here. I am totally implored
with the idea of having this item on the agenda two weeks from
now and voting on it. Maybe there will be some amendments
proposed. We will vote on the amendments, who knows. And then
act on the policy in two weeks. Fine. We have had some
conversation with some people about the thing. But I think it
is extremely important for something as significant as the
economic development policy of Iowa City that we do in fact
give people an opportunity to know that there is a policy
being deliberated and to have an opportunity to read it, to
have an opportunity to comment on it both in writing and
orally in front of us, and we haven't done that. At least not
orally. I will bet you that less than 80 people in this city
know that we have a policy being proposed tonight and it may
the most important policy that we are going to deliberate. So,
I would like to strongly strongly strongly encourage us to be
as open as we can to the idea of inviting contributions from
the public because a lot of people are very informed about
economic development even thought they are not economists,
eveD thought they are not business people amd we need to be
open to that and then, just like you say Ernie, then make our
decision because that is what we are here for.
Kubby/ We need to make sure we have the opportunity to discuss
among ourselves all of the issues. So many be need a slightly
different process for that discussion where we have some time
lines to make sure everyone's issues-
Horow/ My concern about this right now is that we have, as I said,
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F081595
#11 page 5
we do not have a policy on the discussion of or the ability of
having people discuss when we are about to have a resolution
addressed. And when you do not have it stated a p.h. those
people who get the agenda in advance do not know that there is
going to be time set aside for a resolution to be addressed.
I think that is just patently unfair.
Pigott/ I was under the impression that there would be-
Kubby/ A public meeting.
Lehman/ Your point is exactly right.
Kubby/ I see Linda shake her head.
Woito/ This is a public meeting but it is up to four of you to
decide whether you want to hear the public.
Lehman/ Sue's point though is that if it is listed on the agenda
the public is on notice that it is going to be here. It is not
as a p.h. we individually can solicit whoever we want to come
down and speak to us on it. That means that the rest of the
folks who might have spoken to it did not know about it so
they are not here.
Pigott/ Are you saying you would like to do one, a formal notice?
Horow/ No, I want to make-
Kubby/ I thought we had decided two weeks ago to do just that but
it is not on the agenda.
Throg/ I asked about that.
Horow/ People who are going to be here can speak certainly speak
now but I want to make it clear that if we are going to
continue to do this, we are going to have to put down p.h.
Pigott/ I agree or public discussion.
Kubby/ That is what we had decided two weeks ago. For some reason
it didn't happen that way.
Nov/ I would like us to put public discussion and the resolution on
the agenda two weeks from now.
Kubby/ I think that is a great idea.
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F081595
#11 page 6
Horow/ Fine.
Woito/ You know, this is a bit troubling. I want to- I think we
need to clarify under Chapter 21. This is a public meeting and
whether it says public discussion or public hearing people are
here to find out what government is doing and if you wish to
let them speak you certainly may but they are invited in. The
doors are open.
Horow/ But we don't say the words public discussion.
Woito/ It doesn't matter.
Pigott/ But what Sue is saying they are not on notice officially.
Woito/ The agenda itself is public notice and an invitation to come
and be heard.
Pigott/ It is in a sense but in realistically the person who gets
the agenda may not think that there is time for them to come
down-
Woito/ Well that is our mistake in terms of educating the public
because Open Meetings law is definitely intended to get people
down here and participate.
Horow/ Linda, I am not against the Open Meetings law. I am just
saying from a traditional point of view, this comes as a
surprise to me because for the past eight years when it said
p.h. everybody has known that both sides have a perfect right
to be here. When it hasn't said p.h. we have assumed that
council among ourselves will discuss it.
Woito/ But you only have p.h.s on zoning issues and utility rates
and annexations. You really only have p.h.s-
Pigott/ But we have taken special care on certain occasions when we
didn't have-we had to say public discussion on the agenda. I
think that is the-
Kubby/ Should we move on deferral before we hear the people who are
present who wish to speak?
Woito/ Four of you decide.
Horow/ It doesn't make any difference if there are four of us.
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F081595
#11 page 7
Baker/ If we vote to defer that closes our discussion, doesn't it?
Horow/ We have been discussing this (can't hear). Hold off on the
deferral motion vote. Let's have the public discussion. Is
there someone who wishes to address council on this issue?
Please sign in and state your name and keep your comments to
no more than five minutes, please.
Colin Gordon/ I have submitted written comments to council so I
will keep this brief. I think that the draft of economic
policies as written is to be diplomatic quite . I think
this is an important opportunity to guide economic
development, to articulate a vision for the future of the
city. The number of opportunities (can't hear). I think the
logic of this document is fairly familiar (can't hear) and it
is what I would call low road smoke stack chasing. That is
that it doesn't take opportunities, especially opportunities
that tie strings to public money, that it should. As I said I
have submitted written comments so I will just touch on three
brief issues that I think need to be addressed. The first of
these is this draft focuses too much on growth, growth alone
and too little on the kind of growth that we should pursue or
award or encourage. And here again I think the draft is driven
by sort of a competitive logic (can't hear) through the low
road when it could pursue a high road. That is a set of
economic development policies that would pursue a sustainable
economy, good jobs, not just any jobs, a high living social
wage, and the like. I think the logic that foot loose multi
national companies will pick up and leave municipalities, play
with (can't hear) is patently false. Most jobs, most
investment decisions are not made by those sorts of companies.
Most local investment firms can accommodate (can't hear). I
have linked this concern and my others to particular past
documents and I will leave those with my written submission.
My second concern is this draft makes no effort to link public
regulation or public subsidies to any particular avenues of
growth. In setting the rules and conditions for economic
growth the city should be less anxious about the mobility of
capital, less anxious about making the investment happen and
more tend to the long term goals of the community and all of
its citizens. This is based on substantially experience
elsewhere where communities and states have been very
successful in tying strings to public money, in forcing
clawback provisions which retrieved public subsidies if firms
don't live up to environmental or wage responsible guidelines.
And again, as experience elsewhere suggests, these sorts of
regulations don't choke off growth as conventional wisdom
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F081595
#11 page 8
would have it. They merely channel growth into a more
productive channel. My third concern and this subsumes really
much of the draft is that this drafts assumes in both tone and
policy that economic development is a process driven by
investment and employer and forget too often I think that the
economy is public driven in which the rights of workers and
consumers deserve equal respect. And again I have tied this
concern to particular quality in the draft document. Some
examples of these sorts of strings on public money that have
been used elsewhere on this issue of workers and consumers
rights is tying public subsidies to wage rates, set at a
certain percentage above the poverty level, to the provision
of benefits, to guarantees that workers rights will be
respected, even to encourage unionization and other forms of
organization. And I hope that the council will take these
concerns into consideration during the time period in which
the draft is deferred and I hope also in light of the
discussion you just had that you will invite a full blown
public discussion of this draft at that meeting. Thank you.
Horow/ Anyone else care to address council?
Lyone Fein/ Arid I was reading through these and I wanted to mention
a couple of things that I thought should be added to this
document or considered anyhow. In the Policy 3 section of the
document under Strategy C, Action 2, it currently reads
"Continue to assist community efforts to expand cultural
activities and opportunities in d.t." I wonder if the council
would consider adding a phrase about maintaining the esthetics
of the d.t. are so that it is an inviting place for the public
who will then spend their money there to spend time in the
d.t. area. I am also wondering if there is a place within
Policy 3 so include notation about incorporating provision
just as you do in residential areas you have provisions for
public open spaces and green spaces. I am wondering if
something like that can be included in considerations in
commercial zones such as I mean the ped mall would be an
example of something like that.
Nov/ That is actually mentioned somewhere.
Fein/ Is it? I didn't notice anything like that.
Nov/ There is something in here about public spaces.
Fein/ Right, there is actually in Action 6, Strategy C under this
3rd Policy. It does say continue to provide and promote the
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F081595
#11 page 9
necessary public infrastructure including parking and public
spaces in order to maintain the economic health of the d.t.
But my concern is other commercial zones especially as Iowa
City grows and there will be other centers of commerce, not
just little pockets. That each of these centers of commerce be
developed into the kind of place that can be a community
center with cultural activities happening. You know, over the
next 30 years the population and development of Iowa City is
going to be a mix and I think we have to sort of plan ahead to
provide these kind of central gathering spaces throughout the
city.
Kubby/ That may be maybe things we need to consider for our Zoning
Ordinance versus Economic Development Policy. It is a very
interesting idea.
Fein/ I am also wondering if~I noticed that no place in here was
there a mention of improving public transportation and this
seemed especially relevant to me. I guess under Policy 5
CHANGE TAPE TO REEL 95-96 SIDE 2
Fein/ Strategy A, Action 5 it says encourage pollution prevention
programs which is extremely vague but clearly public
transportation is a in one aspect is a pollution prevention
program but there are also, and I don't recall where this
appears, there is also a place in this document that discusses
proximity of job opportunities to living sites and it seems
that would also be an appropriate place to mention public
transportation especially because people have to work second
shift, third shift, they work on Sundays, and those are times
when there isn't public transportation available to people to
get to and from their jobs. And also on the last page of what
I was given today it says FY1996 Economic Development
Activities. Down on the 4th paragraph or arrow or whatever it
says through public, private, or public/private initiatives
insure the availability of an adequate amount of industrial
and office research park land and extend the necessary
infrastructure and I am wondering if the intention of this was
to do all this and extend the necessary infrastructure to
those projects which meet the criteria in the policy that is
being laid out because that isn't stated here. It is just kind
of a blanket statement and I am wondering if the intent of the
council is really to limit those initiatives to the kinds of
businesses whose development this plan is meant to encourage
and support.
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#11 page 10
Kubby/ It matters what we do with the incentives part of this
policy. If we make it so that we create our incentives and
then say if you do these things the incentive for doing them
is you don't have to reimburse us for this infrastructure
cost. If you don't do it you have to reimburse us if you want
to be in a park. So then to have a policy although it may be
kind of frustrating that they are kind of vague because they
are policy and these action programs need to be flushed out
more. But it is the skeletal framework to have much much more
detailed further discussion.
Nov/
It was meant to be generic so that some kinds the cost of the
land sold to industry X includes all the infrastructure that
we have put in. Other times it may be not done that way
because of some other concessions. This gives us as much
flexibility as we can by being vague that way.
Fein/ I guess it just seemed to me that the way it reads now that
the initiatives will be given to everyone and I am just
wondering if the wording should be clarified.
Horow/ I think you want to get more specific.
Nov/ It will be clarified on a case by case basis.
Kubby/ Using the policy.
Nov/ The policies have to be very general.
Fein/ Thank you.
Horow/ Anyone else care to address council?
Throg/ Can I ask if this analogy works for this process is that
what we are doing here is comparable to the Comp Plan compared
to the Zoning Ordinance, overall goals and directions and the
Zoning Ordinance puts into effect or tries to regulate or fine
tune the Comp Plan. It is just one way to look at it. These
are very general but we have some underlying set of specific
zoning ordinances with respect to the Comp Plan. There will be
other ordinances and specificities and specifics after this.
Horow/ Anyone else care to address council? Otherwise there is a
motion made by Nov, seconded by Kubby to defer this to August
29th for a public discussion as well as a vote.
Baker/ That is on the floor is the motion to defer?
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F081595
#11 page
Horow/ That is right.
Baker/ Is this the proper time for council discussion on this
before we vote on deferral?
Horow/ Go ahead.
Baker/ Because there were a couple of things in this document that
I wanted to bring out for discussion to let you know I would
like some more discussion.
Horow/ Okay. Before you continue remember Naomi has asked or
suggested that we all make our changes in get them into the
packet by Friday so we all-
Baker/ I will put them in writing but I would just like to raise
them. I will certainly do that, mam. Very quickly, in Policy
1 and in Policy 2, Strategies B, Actions 2 & 4. They are both
references to the city's role in education efforts and I want
to talk about whether or not the city has a role in education
efforts in economic development in the context of what this is
saying here. Increase public awareness of the role of business
in the community and importance of a strong economy. Again, I
want to talk about that in two weeks because I am not sure
that we have a role working with schools or facilitating
public awareness of business as a role and I just want to talk
about that. And I was interested in Policy 2, Strategy A,
Action 3 development mechanism that would assist underemployed
individuals find more appropriate job opportunities within the
community. As one of the chronically underemployed, I read
that and realized that underemployed individuals, the ones
that I know, don't need any help looking. We look all of the
time and I just- The role here of the city in that particular
item didn't seem to be something that we need to spend a lot
of time on. That is one things. And we will talk about this
concept of livable wage or living wage. It shows up in Policy
6 and basically those in general were the things I wanted to
bring up but I will put them in writing for you.
Throg/ I guess in that same spirit I would like just for the public
record to note that last night I suggested very specific
amendments to the proposed policy. I won't go through them
right now. That would be unfair to all involved. But I would
like to say that they are part of the public record, am I
correct? They are part of the public record. So if anybody
wants to see what those amendments were, please.
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F081595
page 12
Kubby/ Will we be receiving them in any different from than what
we-
Throg/ Naomi and I had a conversation about that today. What I am
going to do is look through what she just provided us this
evening and consider making some changes. And if I do suggest
some modification I will get them in the packet Friday. I
think that is pretty much what we talked about.
Nov/ We talked about trying to compromise.
Horow/ I appreciate your effort and also Mr. Baker's effort in
areas of compromising, There is a motion on the floor. Is
there any more discussion? All those in favor of deferring to
August 29th for both public discussion and a vote signify by
saying aye (ayes).
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#12 page
ITEM NO. lZ
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF THE IOWA CITY SENIOR CENTER MASONRY
RESTOR~%TION PROJECT.
Horow/ Moved by Pigott,
Baker/ Had we had any before?
Nov/ That is exactly what I was going to say. The bid came
low. Do we know that they know what they are doing?
seconded by Nov. Discussion.
experience with Northwest Waterproofing
in so
Fosse/ I talked with Jim Shoenfelder, our architect, about them and
he is comfortable with the company.
Nov/ And our engineers are going to send out some good inspectors?
Fosse/ Yes.
Nov/ I just wanted people to know that we do that.
Horow/ Okay. Any further discussion? Roll call-(yes). Resolution is
adopted.
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F081595
Agenda
Iowa City City Council
Regular Council Meeting
August 15, 1995
Page 13
ITEM NO. 13 -
ITEM NO. 14-
ITEM NO. 15 -
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO NEGOTIATE
AND THE MAYOR TO SIGN BOTH PERMANENT SANITARY SEWER AND
TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE
LANDFILL LEACHATE LIFT STATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
Comment: The City of Iowa City must acquire both permanent sanitary
sewer and temporary construction easements to facilitate the Landfill
Leachate Lift Station Construction Project. This resolution authorizes City
staff to negotiate and the Mayor to sign these documents, including
authorization of condemnation if necessary. Every effort will be made to
negotiate acceptable agreements without resorting to condemnation. Prior
to proceeding with condemnation, staff will notify Council.
CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE TEIVIPO-
RARY AND PERMANENT USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN THE
CITY OF IOWA CITY AND THE CEDAR RAPIDS AND IOWA CITY RAILROAD
COMPANY FOR A PORTION OF IOWA AVENUE, IOWA CITY, IOWA.
Comment: The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railroad Company has come to
the City requesting that a warning device know as "tattletale chains" be
suspended above Iowa Avenue in advance of the CRANDIC Railroad
overpass on Iowa Avenue. The CRANDIC has agreed to contribute 86,000
to the City of Iowa City for the installation of the warning device. This
resolution authorizes the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest to this
agreement between the City and CRANDIC Railway Company.
Action:
ADJOURNMENT.
#13 page i
ITEM NO. 15
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO
NEGOTIATE AND THE M~YOR TO SIGN BOTH PERMANENT
SANITARY SEWER ANDTEMPOR~RY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS
IN CONNECTION WITH THE LANDFILL LEACHUTE LIFT
STATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
Horow/ Moved by Nov, seconded by Throg. Any discussion?
Kubby/ Quickly will you explain why having a lift station for
leachate is safer than hauling it in a truck.
Fosse/ It is a matter of volume. We couldn't haul it in a truck
fast enough. The new design of the landfill cells, all the
rain water that falls on the cell, be it two acres or eight
acres,it is high so it is collected. So a lot of what we are
hoping to (can't hear) is rain water when the cells are
active. That is why we need this larger lift station to
accommodate that. Once all the cells are capped off we expect
the (can't hear).
Kubby/ I assume the city bills itself for sewer.
Fosse/ Yes we do.
Kubby/ So we see that in your landfill costs.
Fosse/ Correct.
Horow/ Any further discussion? Roll call-(yes). Resolution is
adopted.
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F081595
#14 page 1
ITEM NO. 14 -
CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING ~ AUTHORIZING THE
TEMPO~Y AND PERM~%NENT USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA OITY AND THE CED~R .RAPIDS
AND IOWA CITY RAILROAD COMPANY FOR A PORTION OF
IOWA AYENUEv IOWA CITYv IOWA.
Horow/ Moved by Baker, seconded by Pigott. Any discussion?
Kubby/ I am sorry to talk to much with such a scratchy throat but
someone called me today and said that in Madison they have an
electronic eye that is high. So that if a truck or vehicle
penetrates that electronic eye that lights go up. I wondered
if we had looked at that because the vandalism, playfulness,
attractiveness quotient of that is less than the chain hanging
down for playing around on it. I guess I am not interested in
deferring this but interested that if we asked the RR if they
had looked at that option. That might even be cheaper and that
if they have or if it not cheaper or if it seems like a better
option we can always rescind this resolution. Have they looked
at that option.
Fosse/ We did consider that option and some of the communities that
have used that have had actually increased accident experience
because the lights go off and people stop in a hurry because
they don't know what is going on and then they are rear end
accidents a~d there were a lot of false alarms where birds
would fly in front of them and the people would stop suddenly
and in one installation that we checked on in the Quad Cities
was taken out.
Council/ (All talking).
Horow/ Any further discussion on this item?
Nov/ I have to say this is ugly. I find great difficulties voting
for ugly and the saving grace is at least it is not yellow and
black stripes.
Horow/ Darrel Courtney, eat your heart out. It is not going to be
yellow and black.
Nov/ It is not going to be stripes anyway the way those warnings
are.
Horow/ Roll call-(yes). The resolution is adopted.
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F081595
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 11, 1995
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
RE: Work Session Agendas and Meeting Schedule
August 14, 1995
6:30 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M,
7:45 P.M.
7:55 P.M.
8:05 P.M.
8:35 P.M,
9:00 P.M.
August 15, 1995
7:30 P.M.
August 17, lg95
6:30 P.M.
August 21, 1995
7:00 P.M.
August 24, 1995
6:30 P.M.
August 28, 1995
6:30 P.M.
August 29, 1995
7:30 P.M.
Monday
- Special City Council Meeting - Council Chambers
Executive Session {Pending litigation)
- City Council Work Session - Council Chambers
Review zoning matters
Tattle-tail Warning Chains - Iowa Avenue Underpass
Saratoga Springs Apartments/Old Dubuque Road Rezoning
- Economic Development Policies and Strategies
- Landfill policies - August 21 meeting
- Council agenda, Council time, Council committee reports
Tuesday
Regular City Council Meeting - Council Chambers
Thursday
Special Council Meeting - Lobby Conference Room
Executive Session (Performance Evaluations)
Monday
City Council Work Session - Council Chambers
Meeting with representatives from communities using
the Iowa City Landfill
Thursday
Special Council Meeting - Council Chambers
Executive Session (Performance Evaluations)
Monday
City Council Work Session - Council Chambers
Tuesday
Regular City Council Meeting - Council Chambers
PENDING LIST
Appointments to the Housing and Community Development Commission - August 29
Appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission - September 26, 1995