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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-01 Transcription#2 Page 1 ITEM 2 PROCLAMATIONS b. Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Day - February 14, 2005 Lehman: (reads proclamation) Kart: Here to accept the proclamation, representing Veterans Hospital, is Gary Strank, Volunteer Program Manager. (applause) Strank: I'd like to thank you, Mr. Lehman, and City Council, for signing this proclamation. Let you each know that on the l0th, 11th, or no, 12th, 13th, and 14th, we're going to hold open house at the hospital, starting at 1:00, where those that would like to pay tribute to the veterans may come in, and go through the wards, and shake hands with veterans and hand out Valentines that have been made by our area youths in many of our schools, and we'd appreciate that greatly 'cause they enjoy the visitors greatly, and we'd appreciate that, and it'll take about an hour of your time. So please come. Thanks. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #2 Page 2 ITEM 2 PROCLAMATIONS a. Rotary International Month - February 2005 Lehman: (reads proclamation) Kart: Here to accept the proclamation are the Presidents of the four local clubs: Steve Hedlund from the Iowa City Noon Club; Nancy Pacha, the Iowa City A.M. Club; JeffKoeppel, the Coralville/North Corridor Club; and Kurt Kastendick, from the Iowa City Downtown Club. (applause) Pacha: I'm Nancy Pacha and I'm speaking on behalf of the Rotarians in Iowa City in thanking you for acknowledging the contributions of Rotary International, the last 100 years. We are, or Rotary is, many members, worldwide. We have in common a quest towards high ethical standards, as well as one of world peace and understanding. Through the programs that were just mentioned and noted in the Proclamation, and many others besides, we volunteer our time; we share our personal skills and our energy; and our financial resources, and we attempt to build relationships in our communities and throughout the world. We don't work alone. There are some wonderful youth groups associated with us. Interact clubs are high school age students and we have two groups in Iowa City: the West High 1440 Interact Club, and the City High Interact Club, as well as a college-age group, which is called Roteract, and there is also a club, a Roteract Club in Iowa City. Rotary is a wonderful vehicle for reaching one's own personal goals, alongside many others who have those same goals, and together we're very, very strong. We're particularly proud of our organization, and we are deeply grateful and appreciative that you value our efforts and recognize Rotary in this way this evening. Thank you so very, very much. (applause) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #3 Page 3 ITEM 3 OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARD - Robert Lucas Elementary Lehman: Next item on the agenda is recognizing outstanding student citizens. Tonight those young folks are from Robert Lucas. If they ~vould come forward, please; and those folks standing in front of the door, we have to move off to the side. The doors have to be kept open. It keeps the fire folks happy; they're happy - we're happy. This is a time that we, during the school year, we recognize at just about every Council meeting - you guys come right on up here - I like, you know, you're like my granddaughter really. We recognize outstanding student citizens throughout the community. This is, you know, I think this is a big deal for you, but it is really a big deal for us. We appreciate very, very much your friends, your teachers, your peers nominating you, and I'm always amazed when they tell us why they were nominated. I really wish that I could say what they're saying and be totally honest about it. It's a lot of fun, and I'm sure your parents are proud of you, and I've said this about every Council meeting, your grandparents are tremendously proud of you. So, if you would give us your name and why you were nominated, please. Mitchell: My name is Sarah Mitchell, and I think I got this award because volunteering and helping people are two things that I love to do. This is probably partly because my parents taught me that helping others helps yourself. I like to think I am a very busy person. I play three instruments, deliver papers once a week, attend dance class, participate in ELP, and help out in the 3rd grade classroom, and ! enjoy cooking and sometimes take my creations to the Salvation Army. I think that the main reasons I was a good candidate for this is because my parents have always taught me what is right, and have always supported me. Also, I have fabulous teachers, peers, and opportunities, all seven years at Lucas. I am so honored to receive this award. Thank you. (applause) Collingwood: My name is Kaitlyn Collingwood. I would really like to thank you for this award. I am so proud to have been one of those chosen to accept this award. There are many wonderful great citizens at Lucas Elementary. When I think of an outstanding citizen, I think of someone who gets excited about learning. Someone who is involved in activities in and out of school. Someone who gets schoolwork done. Someone ~vho motivates themselves and others. Someone who isn't afraid to share what they believe in. Someone who is tolerant to those who believe different, and someone who enjoys working for the community. I'm very proud to be a 6th grader at Lucas Elementary. I'm also proud to be a citizen in Iowa City. Thank you for this award. (applause) Lehman: I will read the award (reads Citizenship Award). Thank you. (applause) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #4 Page 4 ITEM 4 CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED Bailey: Move adoption. Lehman: Moved by Bailey. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Champion: Well, I'd just like to say that Spring isn't far away because we're getting lots of requests for sidewalk cafes. Lehman: Right, and also we are setting the public hearing for our budget. That hearing will be held on the 15th, two weeks from tonight. Also, we're setting the public heating on the plans and specification for the Dubuque Street/Foster Road intersection project, which has been a great deal of importance to a lot of folks. And we are also, in the resolutions, accepting the Airport's five-year strategic plan. We have a Commission who has worked countless hours in putting together a document that I think we've all been very, very impressed with, and as part of this Consent Calendar, we are accepting that recommendation. Is there other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #5 Page 5 ITEM 5 COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NO ON THE AGENDA) Lehman: This is a time reserved on the agenda for folks who would like to address the Council on issues that do not appear on the agenda. If you'd like to address the Council, please sign your name, and limit your comments to five minutes or less. Hesse: My name is Ann Hesse. I am here speaking on behalf of Project Green. There are many members of the Project Green Steering Committee also in the Council chambers tonight. Mayor Lehman, and members of the City Council, thank you for the time on the agenda for a brief summary of Project Green's investment in the public landscaping of Iowa City. Since designing and planting Iowa Avenue median in 1968, Project Green has contributed almost $1.4 million to more than 30 major community landscape projects, as well as one or more landscape improvement projects at all schools in the Iowa City Community School District. Our investment in five major continuing projects, a test to our founder's belief that beautifying highly visible public areas will create and maintain a more attractive and welcoming place to live. Our total investment of $520,460 in these five projects include the cost of design, plant materials, installation, and annual on-going maintenance. These five landscape projects include Iowa Avenue; a six-block long median landscape leading to the Pentacrest; Melrose Avenue medians from Emerald Street to Deer Creek Road, our western access to the City; Highway 6 bypass, a two and a half mile entryway in southeast Iowa City, from Lakeside Manor to Gilbert Street; the north Dubuque Street entryway; Interstate 80 to Meadowridge Road; and lastly, just completed this summer, Park Road improvement project phase I; phase II is awaiting implementation; College Green, our largest project completed in 1994, totaled $284,616. This project is maintained by the City today. Since the establishment of green grants for schools in 1978, Project Green has provided one or more matching grants to all schools for plant materials, and total design grants to schools requesting landscaping plans. Our investment has reached over $205,000. I would like to emphasize that Project Green requires each school's PTO representative and building principal to guarantee maintenance of all plantings, in order to receive matching funds. The 2003 and 2004 financial statement that you have been given show Project Green's total expenditures for community and public school landscape projects to be over $133,000. In studying these expenditures, two items appear noteworthy. First, the percentage of investment in these public projects totals 90.6% of our distribution. Only 9.3% is spent on internal expenses for the Second Sunday Garden Forums, and the publication of our biannual newsletter. The Second Sunday Garden Forums, while an expense to Project Green, are free to the public. Secondly, 42.7% of our expenditures is for the implementation of our landscape projects. A very substantial 30.1% of our investment goes for maintenance, and I would This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #5 Page 6 note that these maintenance costs are for City landscape projects only. A healthy, mature, visibly attractive landscape can only be achieved through a solid commitment to maintenance. The Project Green 2003/2004 income totaled over $96,000, derived from four major sources: the Garden Fair, the Garden Tour, contributions, and interest on our assets. The all-volunteer status of Project Green is most apparent when noting that 58.6% of our income is raised by its volunteers through the Green Garden Fair and the Garden Tour annually. Garden Tour ticket prices are purposely kept minimal since we view the tour more as an educational experience than as a fundraiser. Our vision for an attractive and healthy environment, however, is greatly dependent upon the generous in kind and monetary contributions, which presently account for 31% of our income. We greatly encourage the support through people's gifts that can be sent to the Green Fund in care of the Civic Center, 410 E. Washington, Iowa City. As Project Green salutes its volunteers this year by designating 2005 as Year of the Volunteer, we will continue to work creatively and cooperatively with you on projects, which will enhance the public and natural environment of the greater Iowa City area. Thank you very much. Lehman: Thank you. Maiers: My name is Sarah Maiers, and I'm a member of the Senior Center Commission. I just wanted to give a little report on what the Commission's been up to. I just wanted to let you know that we have been discussing the goals and the results of the current strategic plan and summary in order to set goals for a new strategic plan. We've had a committee established to develop a plan of action to set some long-range goals. The commission is also working with a group to see how we can better accommodate both senior dining and the afternoon meetings and programs, with time for both cleanup and setup. There have been some suggestions put into place, and there are some other ideas that are being further discussed. Members of the commission and participant advisory group are meeting with the City of Iowa City to discuss the problems associated with parking availability at the Clock Tower parking ramp. That's probably something we're going to be coming in front of you with quite a little bit in the future here because there seems to be several issues with this. The commission discussed the feasibility of accepting the donation of the original Pierson soda fountain and having it installed in the Center. ADA requirements, estimates for installation, future operating costs, potential customer usage, and organizational goals were all considered. Largely due to the preliminary estimate of $67,000 to install the fountain, the commission voted unanimously to decline the offer at this time. There is a Red Hat Valentine tea planned for February 14th, and we're also having a dinner/dance, featuring the Jim Hall Trio, to be held on February 24th. We currently have 884 members, with total membership dues collected in fiscal year 05 of $16,811, and since January 2004 This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #5 Page 7 through January 2005, we have had an increase of 159 members. We are increasing afternoon and evening classes to accommodate younger seniors. We have a new evening yoga class on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 PM. This is one of the goals of our current strategic plan, and will be on our new plan, to increase the participation of "baby boomer" seniors at the Center. Any questions? Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Shore: Good evening, Council. My name is Jason Shore. I'm the Vice-President of the University o£Iowa Student Government. I'm here today to talk to you all about a proposal. For most of you, not the first time, and I want to thank all of you who have met with me throughout the last week or two. University of Iowa Student Government recently passed resolution in support of having a student member on City Council. Now, I myself, as well as the executive board, has put a lot of thought into this proposal, and we really feel that this proposal will better the relationship between City Council, Student Government, and the University of Iowa. The consistency of communication between USG, the University of Iowa, and City Council will be a stronger and better-informed relationship, but I think that it's more than my word that should persuade you all to support this resolution. As you all know, in Ames, Iowa, they currently have a student member on city council. Now I asked the Vice-President of the Student Body at Iowa State for his opinion on how this has worked thus far, and he told me that, and this is in a letter that he wrote to me, "Just this Wednesday, the Iowa student government of the student body held a joint session with the Ames City Council. A two-hour roundtable discussion in which senators and city council members sat down together to brainstorm ideas on improving community relations. So often it is only the negative aspects of town gatherings that make the news. This week, the Iowa State Daily, Ames Tribune, and Des Moines Register were all in attendance to cover our groundbreaking stride forward. Our ex-officio member was instrumental in setting up this meeting. We all have busy schedules outside of our elected positions, and having a position dedicated to communicating between the two groups allowed us to schedule the logistics of this very important meeting. Moreover, our ex-officio member bridges the gap most people don't realize was there until it's gone. Unfortunate as it is, students rarely make it to city council meetings. But the reverse is also true of non-students rarely make it to student government meetings. I'm sure this is just as true in Iowa City. There simply isn't enough time for all our schedules to block out two nights in a given week. So how can both entities know what's going on with the other? This is where our ex-officio member has been most useful. It is their job to study the issues of both groups, and brief the other on them. The position has eliminated much hearsay and rumor, thereby eliminating a major source of contention between the two bodies. They have allowed This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #5 Page 8 our student government to have a better understanding of the actions undertaken by our city council, and vice versa. This gives both a vested interest in the other, which is slowly but surely leading to an overall better sense of community." Now, with the Council's approval, I would like to hand out the proposal that the Student Government has approved. Should I just pass it out or...? Thank you. As I said, we believe this proposal is not only going to work, but it's not your normal, conventional proposal. As I've told members of the Council, this individual would get three hours of credit, and there would be an alternate member who would get one hour of credit with the University, and who would assume the regular position of the non-voting student on City Council, after one year serving as an alternate. So it would also have a one-year orientation in this position. Furthermore, I would like to ask the Council to please put this on the agenda and the work session, not for the following meeting but the March 1st meeting. This is because on February 15th, University of Iowa Student Government and ICAAB (Iowa City Alcohol Advisory Board) are co- sponsoring an event in which we're bringing in Bob Anastus, he's the former founder and director of Student's Against Drunk Driving, to talk to the Greek community, as well as talk to residents, as well as talk to the entire University of Iowa as a whole, about the harms of drank driving and making the right personal decisions. Now, had we had a non-voting student member on City Council, this event probably would not have been scheduled for the same night as your City Council meeting, so I apologize for that. I think that this is going to be a great event because as you all know, in 2004, drunk driving went up in Iowa City, and hopefully this will help combat that epidemic. So, as I said, please schedule this for the March 1st City Council meeting so that the students can be here as well. Again, lastly, I'd be happy to attend the work session that occurs while you all are discussing this proposal to answer any questions that you all would have, and as you know, I'll be available until the time that this is voted upon, to answer any questions as well. So thank you again for all of your time, and for all of your support. This is going to be great for the City of Iowa City, so thank you all. Lehman: Jason, the City Attorney will look this over, and we will notify you. Steve, when you're ready, schedule it for a work session and we'll get a hold of you. Shore: Wonderful, thank you so much. Wilburn: Mr. Mayor, I have a question for the attorney. Lehman: Yes, go ahead. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #5 Page 9 Wilburn: If the Council chooses to put it on a work session, if the proposal itself is put on a work session, can we explore, discuss potential alternatives, or do we need to...thank you. Dilkes: Fine. Karr: Could we have a motion to accept correspondence? Wilburn: So moved. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: We have a motion and a second to accept correspondence. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Shores: Thank you. Kresowick: My name is Mark Kresowick, and I'd like to speak out for a moment in support of the proposal that Jason has just raised. As both a student and a member of this community for seventeen years, I look at this proposal as one of the best ideas to come forward from the student body in a very long time. There's no question in my mind that there's a definite problem with the dynamic between the students and the community. Living here for so long, I've seen that the only thing that the students and the community get together on is an alcohol issue, or those negative concepts. Yet, there's so much that both the students and the community have to offer to each other. The community has an opportunity to provide educational experiences and really, to help students become invested in this community, and the students bring together some of those creativity, those diverse ideas, that aren't often brought forth as a group of people from a very different background than the rest of the community. There's no question in my mind that students need to become invested in this community. As Iowa talks often about the "brain drain" that is occurring at a statewide level, where Iowa is currently the fifth largest importer of young people in the country, and the third largest exporter. A wonderful way to change that, and to both enhance the community's experience and the student experience and the young people's experience, is to be, to help them become invested in this community. Putting a student on the City Council as a non-voting member is a wonderful way to start that process. If students have a chance to be part of the decision-making process, to have their input and their voices heard, they will become invested in the community. When they feel like they have a say in where this community is going, and where the state is going, then they become invested and they care more, and they want to stay here, because they do feel that they have a voice, and that people are paying attention, and that the proposals that are passed, are things that do look to the idea of keeping students within This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #5 Page 10 this community and their creative ideas, because creativity often comes from a very diverse perspective, where people of different backgrounds and different ideas do get together, and that out-of-the-box thinking that we all need occurs. Again, as I said, this experience will cut both ways. As a benefit to the community and to the City Council, of those new ideas, and as an incredible experience for those students and a way to get student invested in this community, and really change that dynamic that we see every single day, that I know you have seen, that that dynamic just is not good. As I said, that diversity leads to creativity, and that's what we need for these solutions to some of these problems that we face every single day. I think it's an excellent proposal, and I think it's an excellent first step down this process. I hope that you agree with me, and I hope that you agree with Jason on this proposal and that you strongly consider what is in it and what it has to say. Thank you very much. Lehman: Thank you. Thompto: Hi, my name is Ryan Thompto. I'm an executive with Student Government. I won't take up much time. I realize this isn't the vote for this or anything. I just want to encourage you all to consider this proposal very seriously. Many members of Student Government, most of all Jason Shore, have put a lot of effort into it. There's been a lot of deliberation on it, and I think this is a great opportunity for both the students of the University and the City Council and the residents of Iowa City to start working together in a positive way, and to start coming together on, like Mark had said earlier, not only when it comes to drinking issues, but when it comes to all issues involved in the City, since the majority of the students attending the University of Iowa do live in the city, and the decisions that are made here do impact them greatly. So, I just want to thank you for your time. Lehman: Thank you. Is there any other public comment? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 11 ITEM 6 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS d. CONSIDERAN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION FROM MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS-8) AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL (RNC-12), TO MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY (RS-8/OHP) AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL/HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY (RNC-12/OHP) TO DESIGNATE THE GILBERT-LINN STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT. (DEFERRED FROM 12/7/04 AND 1/4/05) (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Bailey: Move first consideration. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Wilburn. Discussion? Before we start the discussion, we have had the public hearing on this. We will take a very limited amount of public discussion tonight, but certainly a few folks will be able to speak. Go ahead. McNalley: Thank you. I'm Julie McNalley. I live at 317 Fairchild Street. At the December meeting, you left the supporters with a charge to do a few things. We would like to address some of your concerns from that meeting. You've indicated a concern about the notification process for the proposed local historic district. We've investigated this matter, and have learned that there was absolutely nothing amiss about the way that people were notified about the proposal that is before you this evening. We have a copy of the notification and the affidavit of those to whom it was sent, which we would be happy to share with anyone on the Council who still has any questions about this. Would you like me to... Vanderhoef: Is that the same as what's in our packet? Lehman: Yes, we're all aware of that. McNalley: All right. A second concern dealt with numbers. We would like to call your attention to some of the numbers that we think are significant. A significant number of those opposed do not reside in Iowa City, yet the overwhelming majority of those who do live in the neighborhood, support the proposal. In fact, we have learned late this afternoon that fewer than 50% of properties are listed in opposition, and I have that to offer you. I'll give it to you at the end. Finally, this proposal has the support of the overwhelming majority of citizens of this town. I have also here a list of letters and emails written in support from people who live outside the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 12 district and they are 100% in support. Not one letter or email that we received was in opposition. So, more importantly than all these numbers is the health of our city. We urge you all to remember that in casting your votes, you must do what you think is in the long-term interest of Iowa City, and we believe that that would be in support of this historic district. Thank you very much. Lehman: Thank you, Julie. Futrell: Hi, my name is Sue Futrell and I live at 311 Fairchild Street, and also just want to make a couple brief comments on behalf of some of the neighbors who live in the proposed district, and also thank the Council for your willingness to consider all of the issues involved in this, and give us an opportunity to address some of them. One of the other concerns that came up at the public hearing was a property rights concern, and what we wanted to address about that is that there is nothing about this particular historic district that raises unique property rights concerns beyond what zoning and housing, building code, and many of the other historic districts in town, several of which have higher rental property percentages than the one that's before you tonight. So, we would argue that if there is a property rights concern, it doesn't have so much to do with restricting hypothetical actions in the future, but with supporting investments that have been made in this neighborhood by residents, which would include rental property owners, homeowners, tenants, and the tax payers of Iowa City, through their involvement in the Northside Neighborhood improvements, the Cultural Corridor, the historic districts to the north of this one, all of which are part ora long-term investment that the city as a whole has made in having this area be accessible, attractive, and remain diverse. Historically, this neighborhood is a mixed rental/homeowner district, and it continues to be that way now, in part because of the investments of individual property owners painting our houses, fixing our porches and garages, picking up the trash on our streets, shoveling each other's sidewalks, all of the things that go into keeping this a balanced neighborhood. There are only 95 properties total in the area that you're considering, though, and it wouldn't take very many, five or ten percent of these properties, to shift to a more absentee, less civic minded approach to property management for the neighborhood to change dramatically, and for the City, five or ten years from now, to be looking at ways to create exactly the kind of neighborhood that we have there now. So, again, we just wanted to urge you to think of this vote in support of a new historic district, not so much as a restriction of hypothetical property concerns, but more of a support of the investment that property owners, residents in the community have already made in the neighborhood. Thank you very much. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 13 Buxton: Good evening. My name is Jim Buxton, and I spoke a couple months ago at the meeting, in opposition. Late tonight, about 5:00, I became aware of one of the people that had submitted a letter in opposition that for some reason wasn't recorded at the City Clerk's office, and this individual had prepared a letter, who I had turned in on his behalf to the Clerk's office, to a younger female staff member. For some reason it wasn't logged in. When I picked that letter up from the person objecting, they gave me three originals, so just this evening I turned in another original, and that has already been properly notarized and everything, so there's one more vote that we've got in the opposition category. Then, in a more general sense, I would just say that in some point in time in the history of the City, the rules were set up to recognize the wishes of the property owners, and that is why the clause is in the rules that says that if over 20% of the property owners are in opposition to these rules, then it requires a super-majority vote of the City Council, and in this point in time, I would just like to say thank you very much to those Council members who have recognized the wishes of the property owners. Thank you. Paulson: Hi, my name is Hank Paulson. I am a resident, homeowner in the historic area. I'm a scientist by training and a doctor, and my job is to look at facts and come to a decision. I've never spoken in front of you before because I've never felt it was important, but looking at the facts of the last couple months, I've come to the decision that I've got to speak to you tonight as a homeowner who's in support of this. I wish to really point...there are a couple points you've already had. I think on a number's issue, it should be immaterial, numbers are not the issue. It's the interest of the City and the citizens, but if you want to look at numbers, at 5:00 today, less than a majority, a minority of properties, were in opposition. That's very important to some of you, but I want to point out a very, another point which is that voting for the historic designation is in the interest of Iowa City and its citizens broadly, collectively. I think you know that the residents of this city overwhelmingly support this. Outside of the district, and throughout the city. There are some person, however, I think Mr. Buxton's a good example, who are opposed to this, and they're not opposed to it because they think it's contrary to the City's interest; they're opposed to it because of personal interests. From what I can tell from reading about this, however, he and others like him are mistaken, unless they do not really care about the long-term values and conditions of their property. Studies have been done throughout this country and cultural districts that show that historic preservation makes good business and economic sense. Property values go up on the whole; more homeowners choose to live within walking distance of the city; and you attract more people from Iowa and other states to come to Iowa to live in this area and that increases jobs. Personally, we came here seven years ago from Philadelphia. We choose to live in this area because it's charming. We This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 14 shop downtown. We love living in the city. We've tried to recruit other people from other cities to come here because of this, and I think it's really essential that you have these kinds of areas in the city. I will not take much more long, but I do want to have a quote from our Governor Vilsack from 2002, and I quote: Historic preservation is also a catalyst for creating livable cities. Livability may sound like the newest buzzword, but it is increasingly recognizes a factor that will determine which cities will thrive and which ones won't. As Robert Roemer, Nobel Prize winning economist put it, livability is not some middle class luxury; it is an economic comparative. I think it's very important that the members of the City Council recognize that the interests served by historic preservation are not only those of certain individual property owners, many of whom do not live in the area, but the short and long-term interest of the city are at hand here. A vote for the proposal is a vote for the city and its citizens. So, together will nearly all my fellow homeowners who live in the proposed district, and the majority of Iowa City residents, I support this. I thank you for listening tonight. I know that you're still mulling the facts over, and I hope you also judge these facts and realize that there's a compelling reason for you to support this as well. Thank you. Maharry: I will be brief as well. My name is Michael Maharry. I live at 903 E. College Street, and I'm the Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, and I simply want to discuss with you the fact that five of the seven members have done this before. On May 6, 2000, you unanimously voted 7 to 0 to downzone Lucas Street from RM-12 to RNC- 12. 57% of the property owners of that district opposed it, and yet you realized the value to this city to override their concerns and vote for the interest of the city, and the neighbors, and the citizens of Iowa City ask for you to do with this district tonight. Thanks. Lehman: Thank you, Mike. We're going to take two more folks and then we're going to have Council discussion and then we'll vote. Lake: My name is William Lake and we own the property at 404 and 404 92 E. Davenport Street, and I said before you two months ago that our kids live in that property, both upstairs and downstairs. The thing that I want, first let me get the notification process. We own another property at 403 S. Johnson and that's where our notifications were going. They weren't going to 404 E. Davenport, but they were going to 403 S. Johnson. So, anyway, that's the issue there. Our kids did receive a $500 gas bill for last month's gas usage in that house, and if we're restricted on what we can do to that house, how much more of those costs are we going to push on to the kids, 'cause I know there's always an issue of affordable housing. How much more are we going to push them up, and be able to push them that much higher on those issues? I don't know, and there's a lot of This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 15 things, there's a lot of things you can do and a lot of things you can't do, but it just seems some of the things, as far as investigating, a wood door could run possibly run $400. A vinyl door could possibly run $150. So, and that's a minor scale. I mean, if you're talking about painting a two- story house, what are you talking? Thousands of dollars? $9,000? $8,000? The reason why I bring that up is because our house has been painted two years ago, and it's peeling paint right now, which the city could make you paint as far as inspection. They can make you repaint that house. So are we supposed to spend another $9,000 to repaint the house, or side the house? You know, that's the issues that we're going to, and how much of those costs are going to go on to our kids? So, that's I guess all I needed to say. Again, I'm against it. (TAPE ENDS) McCafferty: Again, I'll keep it brief. It's a pleasure talking to you as a citizen. What I just want to talk a little bit about is the economic issue and this whole issue of building materials, and vinyl versus painting. The real issue here is not necessarily cost. It's a matter of convenience. We have got a billion dollar industry that says you have to put vinyl windows in; you have to put vinyl siding on. This is the only solution. Preservation doesn't have that advantage. What preservation does is it puts craftsmen to work; it puts painters to work; it puts local people to work, fixing houses as opposed to buying vinyl siding, which is quite expensive, having somebody get a markup, and then somebody come in, basically with a saws-all and a chisel, remove all the features of the house, and slap up vinyl siding. The same thing is true of windows. You're basically paying big industry to do that, as opposed to your local painters, your local craftsmen. There are a number of solutions to address the issues such as that that (can't hear) Lake had, but those are issues that you have to search out. It takes maybe two weeks to paint a house and to do it well, to scrape it well, to prepare it well, versus doing vinyl siding; it's a matter of a couple of days and you have instant gratification. So the economic issue is not necessarily a valid issue. It's more of an issue of really drawing a bond of good local contractors, and doing a little research. Thank you. I would just also like to say, you've always supported historic preservation, and I know a lot of people in this community would like to see you continue with that. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Shelley. Okay, Council discussion. Bailey: Well, I don't believe that you can say that you support historic preservation and vote against this district. It's comprised of some of the oldest buildings in our community, and it is an area that is in need of intervention for preservation, for not only for our enjoyment in the community now, but for future generations. One of the things I've really heard from the proponents, and I've carefully listened to all the arguments, despite my proclivity toward historic preservation districts. The This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 16 proponents not only talk about their own property interests, but they talked about neighborhood, they've talked about economic development, they've talked about the community and our downtown, and what is the benefit of the community. When I hear opponents, I've heard one concern, and that's how it might affect their ability to maximize profits with their rental properties, and I believe that they really think to rethink that because I think that historic preservation districts do help property values, and to attract renters to those buildings. So, I'm urging everyone here to do what I think you know in your heart is the right thing for our community, for now and for future generations, and that is to support this district. Champion: Well, I can't say a lot better than that. You did a good job, and I have bad feelings about this vote tonight, but I tell you that I'm very positive about the group of people who have gotten together to bring this to us, and I think it's very shortsighted not to pass it. I think historic preservation and conservation neighborhoods are very important to the future of Iowa City, and when I sit here, I think I should make decisions that are important fifty years from now and not a year from now. So I commend you with your tremendous supporting and organization, and if it doesn't pass, please come back. Wilburn: I want to thank the folks for going out and gathering more information to try and address the concerns of Council members who were not in support of this. I will continue to support this. I believe it is supporting existing investment. I also believe that...the point was brought up about the certain percentage requiring a super-majority, and I think that I understand the point you're trying to make, but the fact is it's a super-majority, which still allows choice by the Council to make a decision, which in any given Council's opinion, to be in the best interest of the city and for the economic development, for the livability questions, I do believe that bumps it up into the realm of the best interest of the city. So I will continue to support this. Vanderhoef: Question; I'm a little confused with what was stated at the microphone tonight, about whether we are or are not under the 50%? Lehman: Apparently they have now less than 50%, who... Dilkes: I haven't done the calculations. Planning has done the calculations, but I understand that they, it's less than 50% objections. Now, you understand that that doesn't change what's ... Franklin: The calculation that we were able to do this afternoon, and it's not the percent ofprotestors. Remember the 20% that precipitates the extraordinary majority vote is based on representing property and so it's the percentage of property that is represented by these protests, and it has This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 17 gone from 53% to 49.7. That does not affect your requirement for an extraordinary majority vote, obviously. Champion: Karin, did you speak to the percentage of actual number of individuals, what the difference would be? I mean, there are multiple owners of property in that area. Franklin: No, I don't have that number. Lehman: We did have that, I think, when we had the public hearing. Franklin: But it would, it would have changed. The factors that change this percentage were three. One was a change in ownership; one was a property that the owner had protested for other properties he owned but has not listed one of the properties in the Gilbert-Linn District; and the third was an additional protest. So I can't tell you the number... Champion: Okay, okay. Buxton: That letter that I turned in tonight was the one that was listing the incorrect properties. Lehman: All right, fine, thank you. Vanderhoef: Well, I guess it's my mm. This has been very, very difficult for me. I can see it from both sides. I commend the neighborhood in the tireless work that you have done over a cold and holiday season. It's not an easy thing to do, but you certainly have come together and you have brought back information that I personally requested at the public hearing. I have always supported historic districts, and I recognize the fragility of this area. I'm still waiting for the Historic Preservation Commission to compile a list of acceptable products to be used in a historic district, and some price comparisons with what a good quality, non-acceptable product would be. I think this is important for our Commission to have on hand to give to any of our citizens who live in historic districts. I'm not pleased that we couldn't get the number down lower, but the fragility of this neighborhood puts me in a position that I'm not willing to wait another year. So, I will support it. Elliott: I'll not support it for the same reason that I expressed last time. Contrary, I beg to differ with you, I do support historic preservations. The only Council of which I've been a member voted unanimously to support the historic preservation that provides us with strong support. As a matter of fact, I praised Jean that they did on that. I am not willing to support historic preservation and sacrifice individual's property rights. If there is strong enough support, I will do it, but not at this point. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 18 O'Donnell: The last time I said I was really disappointed that the way this initial notice was handled, and I still feel that way. We did it by newsletter. Dee, I agree with much of what you said, but the percentage in my mind has got to be much higher. When we, we've all supported and voted on historic districts and I've never voted against one, but I've always voted for the clear majority. So I will not be supporting this. Lehman: Well, that leaves me, but I guess it doesn't really make any difference at this point. You know, I, and Regenia, I assure you that I do support historic preservation, even though... Bailey: So you're voting yes? Lehman: I think historic preservation is so important that I'd suggested to the Historic Preservation Commission that this application be withdrawn until things settle down a little bit, because I sense, six, eight weeks ago, that there would not be six votes on the Council to pass it, and I think that it is far better that the proposal had been withdrawn, that it be defeated, because I think a defeat for historic preservation is a black eye, and I hate to see that. I, this process wise, I realize that this portion we're looking at here is absolutely correct procedurally. It was done precisely the way it should have been done, and met all the requirements that are out there, but it came right on the heels of another fiasco and I think there's a lot of misunderstanding, a lot of mistrust, a lot of issues, and if we want historic preservation to be successful in this community, it has to be accepted by a lot of folks, and folks cannot feel that the City Council or that the City is running something down somebody's throat. I'm not going to support it. I'm not going to support this at this point, not because I don't support historic preservation. I'm like Connie, I hope it comes back rather quickly. There are tremendous benefits to historic preservation. I cannot believe that 49.7% of the people that object to this understand the process, including some folks who are probably sitting in this room right now who object to it. I think there needs to be...we need to get some work done. We need to get this to be a little more friendly process, but...roll call. Elliott: Mr. Mayor, I would like to see the City Council meet with the Historic Preservation Commission. I think there are things that we can discuss that would be beneficial to that, and so I would hope that at some point in time we could do it; discuss, and even out some of the areas in which we have disagreements. Lehman: I think that's... Karr: Could we have a motion to accept correspondence? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #6 Page 19 O'Donnell: So moved. Lehman: Can I have a second? Elliott: Second. Lehman: All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. We have been asked to take a short break, which we shall do. (woman at microphone) Point of information. Lehman: Yes? (woman) I'd like clarification please from Mike O'Donnell as to which clear majority he voted with in this vote. O'Donnell: Excuse me? (woman) Mr. O'Donnell stated that he has always voted with the clear majority, and for that reason he would not vote in favor of this, and I'm, I would like clarification of that. O'Donnell: What I said is I have supported historic preservation always, and there's always been a clear majority. Okay? (woman) Thank you, yes, thank you. (BREAK) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #8 Page20 ITEM 8 APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO A PURCHASE AGREE- MENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND UNITED ACTION FOR YOUTH FOR CONDOMINIUM UNIT 1-C IN TOWER PLACE AND PARKING, AND THE DISPOSITION OF SAID PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH. Lehman: We have a corrected copy, got it last night. Public hearing is open. Public heating is closed. Bailey: Move the resolution. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Wilbum. Discussion? Vanderhoef: Does this include interest, over the long haul? Atkins: I don't know. I don't remember it being part of it. What they were doing was changing the terms of the... Vanderhoef: But it's another year... Atkins: Yes, and it was another year, yeah, that's correct. Dee, I'm sorry, I just don't recall. Vanderhoef: ...on bond money. Bailey: I don't remember interest being mentioned. Lehman: I don't either. Vanderhoef: I didn't read anything about it, and I should have asked last night, and I'm sorry... Elliott: But the interest accrues? Is that correct? Atkins: No, we designated a series of installments. They bought the property for a fixed price. We agreed to that price. They had some difficulty with their renovations and a couple of other issues, and they asked 'can we change our payments'. Elliott: So the payment pertains to dollars, not so much as time. Atkins: That's correct. Elliott: Okay. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #8 Page 21 Vanderhoef: And it's another year... Atkins: Dee's correct. It is another year and was there interest tacked on...I don't believe so. Lehman: I don't think so either. Any other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #9 Page 22 ITEM 9 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE IOWA CITY CHARTER, CHAPTER 1 (DEFINITIONS) AND SECTIONS 2.03 (ELIGIBILITY), 2.05 (COMPENSATION), 2.11 (COUNCIL ACTION), 2.12 (PROHIBITIONS), 3.01 (NOMINATION), 3.02 (PRIMARY ELECTION), 4.03 (ABSENCE; DISABILITY OF CITY MANAGER), 4.04 (DUTIES OF CITY MANAGER), 5.02 (APPOINTMENT; REMOVAL), 5.03 (RULES), 6.02 (DISCLOSURE OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES), 6.03 (DEFINITION), 6.04 (VIOLATIONS), 7.01 (GENERAL PROVISIONS), 7.02 (COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS; AFFIDAVIT), 7.03 (PETITIONS; REVOCATION OF SIGNATURES), 7.04 (PROCEDURE AFTER FILING), 7.05 (ACTION ON PETITIONS), 7.06 (RESULTS OF ELECTION), 8.01 (CHARTER AMENDMENTS), AND 8.02 (CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION) AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Bailey: Move first consideration. O'Dormell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Elliott: You need a drink of water? Champion: Ernie, let me ask you something. We accept this, and then if citizens wish to bring parts ofit...oh... Lehman: We have someone who wants to speak to it. Dieterle: Well, it's chaotic to come down here at all because I know you're going to pass it; however, and I'm not saying you shouldn't, but I would respectfully like to ask you to consider putting the part about the districts being elected by everyone after the selection of the candidate in the district in the primary. Put that on the ballot to have the districts, you know, yes or no should the districts elect only their own representative. In other words, the meetings that I attended, there was a strong body of opinion of people who thought that the district representatives should be elected by the district only, instead of being selected in the primary and then voted on by everybody, and in the interest of fairness, I'd just would like to suggest that you put that on the ballot. There are a lot of other things that are going to be on the ballot, I guess this fall - a power initiative, for example, and so it isn't just going to be a ballot that has candidate on it anyway, and people will be fresh from the campaign for the council seats, and will be, I think, all of the people who are running campaigns and working with people will be very much aware of the difficulties of the present system so that there would be a lot of interest in the question, and so I would like to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #9 Page 23 respectfully request that you consider putting that on the ballot. Thank you. Lehman: Discussion? Connie? Champion: I was going to ask, if we wind up putting part of this on the ballot, how would they go about doing that? Elliott: Petition. Bailey: Petition and referendum. Dieterle: You don't have to. The Council can put it on without, can't they? Lehman: Yeah, I think that's correct. Eleanor? Dilkes: The Council can either put the recommendations, or a portion of the recommendations on the ballot, or they can adopt them by ordinance. I think what Miss Dieterle is talking about is a separate proposal to create pure districts - one that is not included within the recommendations in putting that on the ballot. Dieterle: Yeah, I'm not saying there should be more districts or making any other changes, electing the mayor at large, just that single question of whether the representatives from the districts should be elected entirely by the district or in the end, you know, elected at large. Champion: I really could not support that because I think, because I'm...not because I'm from a district, but because the districts are to just ensure geographical mixture on the Council, and I think that if you're just elected by that district, then I think you start to represent only that district, and it may affect decisions you make on the Council, where in fact, we represent the whole city, and that would be the reason I couldn't support that, Caroline. Dieterle: Well, I don't want to rehash all the arguments here that we've already sat through, but there are a lot of people who feel the opposite. So... Lehman: Other discussion? I did feel that the report from the Charter Review Commission was excellent, not just the recommendations, but then the addendum that dealt with issues like Caroline was describing, and why the discussion and why they reached the conclusion they did, and overall I was very impressed with the recommendations from the Commission. Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #9 Page 24 Bailey: So moved. Vanderhoef: So moved. Lehman: Second? That was a motion and a second. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #17 Page 25 ITEM 17 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION Lehman: Mr. Elliott? Elliott: I have three items. I said earlier that I would really like for the Council to meet with the Historic Preservation Commission, and we can discuss our differences and see if we can come up with some perhaps compromises that would make it more palatable to some property owners who oppose it. Secondly, the Deer Task Force, it is my understanding they have not come in yet, the sharpshooters, but will very soon and meet their obligation. Atkins: They're here today. Elliott: They're here today, good. I'll make my way home carefully. I would like for our Council to ask the Deer Task Force to begin almost immediately plans for the next deer kill, with emphasis on alternative methods, alternative to what has been used, focusing especially on bow hunting and local sharpshooting, and I'd just like to see us do that. Thirdly, this afternoon we toured Lear Corporation, and Ernie, perhaps you'll have more to say about that, but I think sometimes the manufacturing plants in our city don't get the attention and the respect and appreciation that they really deserve. We have some manufacturing plants in our city that are among the best in the nation, therefore, among the best in the world, and I was very impressed with Lear Corporation, as I would be ifI had toured P&G and any other manufacturing plants. That's it, and I'm tired. Lehman: Connie? Champion: That's it. Lehman: Mike? O'Donnell: Nothing tonight for me. Lehman: Dee? Vanderhoef: I would just like to give my thanks to Project Green. We got the report, received their report this evening of monetary dollars that have gone into this community, which is $1.4 million over the last thirty some years, but bigger than that is the volunteer hours that are unpaid people who come out, year in and year out, plant things, take care of it, water it, weed it, do all of that. These people are very dedicated and this town owes them a great deal of appreciation and I want to voice my own. Lehman: Well said. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #17 Page 26 Wilburn: Just...these comments about Project Green, they're very much appreciated, all the work that they do. I'd also like to extend a congratulations to my friend Gabe Mede, he's a local 8th grader who entered a national trumpet competition and was one of fifteen selected to attend another event and play, perform in Washington D.C. so...he's a good jazz player but this was a classical and he's one of the best in the country. (several talking at once) Bailey: As long as we're recognizing volunteers, I want to once again publicly thank the Northside Neighborhood Association for their work that they did. I think the involvement of neighborhoods and citizens makes Iowa City a great place to live, and I think it was great to see everybody doing that work and out to support the district tonight. Lehman: Just reiterate what Bob said, the Lear Corporation, if you drive any one of about four Chrysler models, you are sitting probably on a Lear seat, opening a glove compartment built by Lear; an armrest built by Lear; that's unbelievable, the third largest plant, I think he said out of 90 plants, 900 employees. How many million dollars? I can't remember, but it's just unbelievable. Bailey: It was impressive. Lehman: Just very impressive plant. I will not be here two weeks from tonight. I will be in Washington, as we're all aware, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area Chambers of Commerce, which basically form the Corridor Concept, are taking an annual trip to Washington. This will be my third or fourth trip, where we meet with our Congressional representatives and visit with them about the needs we have for communities within the corridor. We have been very successful, as this community has, over the years - the ground transportation center, the new bridge for McCallister Road, and a number of projects - we have been successful in receiving some assistance from federal government funding, as has Cedar Rapids and Coralville, and I will not be here, and hopefully it will be a beneficial trip. Steve? Atkins: Nothing, sir. Lehman: Eleanor? Marian? Do we have a motion... Champion: Oh, can I just say one more thing? Lehman: Yes. Champion: Do we want to meet on the 14th? Lehman: I won't be here so I'm not concerned... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. #17 Page 27 Champion: Valentine's Day! O'Donnell: Could we double up on the 15th? Maybe start a little earlier. (several talking at once; laughter) Atkins: You do have a busy agenda for the 15th, remember? You have your budget heating that evening. Bailey: Eat a late dinner, Connie. It's very European. Lehman: Do we have a motion to adjourn? Karr: Are we meeting the 14th? Lehman: Yes. 14th and 15th as scheduled. Is anybody... Vanderhoef: Move adjournment. Elliott: Second. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of February 1, 2005.