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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-28 Transcription February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 1 February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session 6:30 PM Council: Bailey, Champion, Elliott, Lehman, O'Donnell, Vanderhoef, Wilbum Staff: Atkins, Dilkes, Franklin, Helling, Karr, Nasby TAPE: 05-16 (Side Two, & problem tape portion of Side One) & 05-17 (Side One & Side Two) Planning & Zoning A.) CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 22 ON RESOLUTION ANNEXING APPROXIMATELY 62.03 ACRES OF TERRITORY LOCATED NORTH OF HIGHWAY 1, WEST OF HIGHWAY 218 AND EAST OF KITTY LEE ROAD (ANN04-00001). Franklin: First items are to set public hearings for March 22nd' The first one being on the annexation of 62 acres at the Northwest quadrant of the intersection of 218 and Highway 1. B.) CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC. HEARING FOR MARCH 22 ON AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION FROM COUNTY A1 TO CC-2, COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (APPROXIMATELY 16.05 ACRES), CI-1, INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (APPROXIMATELY 20.22 ACRES), CO-I, OFFICE COMMERCIAL (APPROXIMATELY 10.92 ACRES) AND RR-1, RURAL RESIDENTIAL (APPROXIMATELY 2.83 ACRES), FOR PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF HIGHWAY 1, WEST OF HIGHWAY 218 AND EAST OF KITTY LEE ROAD (REZ04-00030). Franklin: Item B then is rezoning of that property. Zoning it to zoning designations within the city, those are all commercial zones. C.) CONSIDER A MOTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 22 ON AN ORDINANCE VACATING UNIMPROVED DANE ROAD, NORTH OF MORMON TREK BOULEVARD (VAC05-00001) Franklin: Item C is a public hearing on the vacation of a portion of Dane Road, an unimproved portion of Dane Road. This is really a housekeeping matter as a consequence of the Mormon Trek Project because we closed that portion just north of there. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 2 Vanderhoef: Okay, we're vacating it but who owns it then? Franklin: Half of it would be owned by Mr. Davis and half of it by the Danes. Vanderhoefi Do theybuyit? Franklin: Typically it would be disposed of half and half but it's not .... they own it now.., it is an easement over it because it was done in the county where the public right of way is to the center line of the road and so when we vacate it, it just takes off the public access and they own it. So it's different than what we do in the City. D.) AMENDING TItE ZONING CODE, SECTION 14-6-0 SIGN REGULATIONS, TO PERMIT ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS IN THE COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC-2), HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL (CH-l) AND INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (CI-1) ZONES. Franklin: Item D. Item D is amending the zoning ordinance sign regulations to permit electronic changeable copy signs in the community commercial, which is the retail zones, highway commemial, and intensive commercial zones. The illustrations that I wanted to show you .... this .... what is shown on the screen now is what will be permitted with this ordinance amendment. It will not permit this type of electronic changeable copy signs nor these two types of changeable copy signs, which are much larger and have more of a video feel to them. So, what we're talking about, and this in response to a request from Iowa State Bank, and then more recently from the Conoco Gas Station - what we are permitting is that instead of people having to put those plastic things up - you know, go up on the ladder and stick the plastic things in - that they will be able to do this electronically. This is fairly limited right now in terms of it's application. We have done this amendment so that it fits in with the current zoning code. There is an amendment also in the new development code that is a little bit broader in terms of the places that you can use it. This is to get it done quickly for Iowa State Bank. I would refer you to the memorandum that is in your from Karen Howard to the Planning and Zoning Commission on January 27th, which gives you the specifics of this. If you want me to go over those specifics, I can do that but I think you all can read it to. As I said, it's in those limited zones. There is a time limit in terms of when the copy can be changed. It's once an hour. This is so it does not enable animated signs, which have.., animated signs have been prohibited in Iowa City since the 70's, when the sign regulations were adopted. So this allows use of this new technology. There is some regulation on the brightness of it because these LED signs are much brighter than you would find with just a regular sign. Those are all This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 3 enumerated there in that memorandum and in the ordinance that is before you. Champion: So, Karin, they'll be able to use this sign like at gas stations for the price of gas and such...as well as time and temperature and all of that? Franklin: Time and temperature is a totally different sign, which we have kept out of it so that we will have in the sign ordinance a time and temperature sign as a specific sign, that will be called that. This will allow, for instance in the case of banks, it will allow them to put up CD rates, yields, whatever the interest rates are on loans, which may change with some frequency. Probably not hourly...it will probably be once a week. Bailey: But they couldn't do a stock ticker? Franklin: No. Bailey: Okay. Elliott: Karin, two questions. Is there anything that the Council has done that has caused this to take so long and if not is there anything that the Council can do to enable these kinds of requests to move along - it's been almost half ora year since the request came in. Franklin: Sure, you could have more staff and less work. I don't mean to be smart about that but that's essentially what it is. It's a matter of time. Elliott: To me it's unbelievable that it took a half a year to do this. Franklin: Well, it did not take half a year from our discussions with Iowa State Bank. It went before the Planning and Zoning Commission. I thought it was going to be a very easy change to just change. The Commission thought to just change from changeable copy to electronic without any of these other provisions. We looked at it, we went back to them, and said, 'Okay, these other things are of concern, how do you want to handle this? Should we do it in the development code or should we do it as another ordinance amendment?' We did it outside of the development code, did two code changes, one to fit into the new code, one to fit in the old code, back and forth with the applicant, as well as with the Commission. Iowa State Bank has been very good to work with on this project. They've been very cooperative and I think are happy with the outcome. Elliott: I've talked with them and they said they were very pleased with the fact that the staff and the Commission worked very well and seemed very intent on doing the right thing and being helpful, but it just seems to me that this sort of thing can't, in the future, -- this came up September This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 4 Lehman: Karin, if this had had an urgency time wise, we would probably have done this. Franklin: Yes, the bank did not express that urgency. I had conversations with Dan Black on a number of occasions, we knew they wanted to get the sign up, but we had never had an expression from the bank that this was so urgent that we needed to drop other things. Lehman: I know, because I had the same conversation...but over the years since I've been on the Council, we have had situations where we needed to take action in a timely fashion and to my knowledge we always have done that. Franklin: I think so. Lehman: I think we have. But the bank needed this to be ordered by the Spring season, obviously it's coming to us in a timely fashion from their perspective. O'Donnell: I'm seeing gas station signs that they have the ability to change the digits. I've seen those all over town. Franklin: You mean the electronic? O'Donnell: Yes. Franklin: That are up now? O'Donnell: That are up now. Franklin: They must have gotten a sign permit. O'Donnell: Has anyone else seen one? Franklin: I haven't seen them in Iowa City. O'Donnell: Oh, come on...I'm the only one? Champion: Maybe you've seen them in Coralville. O'Donnell: No, I think there is one on Dubuque Street. Lehman: I'm going to look on the way home now. I don't pay attention. Vanderhoef: They must not be distracting if we don't see them. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 5 Lehman: I haven't filled the gas in three weeks. Okay. E.) TO REZONE APPROXIMATELY 25.67-ACRES BY AMENDING A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT HOUSING OVERLAY - LOW DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (OPDH-5) PLAN IN ORDER TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL ZERO-LOT LINE DWELLINGS FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON WINTERGREEN DRIVE (REZ04-00017/SUB04-00017). Franklin: The next item is the Wintergreen Drive, which is Village Green, Part 23 and 24. We have had a request to defer this indefinitely from the applicant. It did go back to Planning and Zoning last week and they voted to deny. The whole story is in the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes if you want to read it. Lehman: Karin, do we... Franklin: You want to close the public hearings - Lehman: We open the hearing, close the hearing - Franklin: I think so because it's indefinite, I don't think you want to leave a public hearing open indefinitely. Lehman: We open it and close it, then defer the ordinance indefinitely? Alright. E.) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF VILLAGE GREEN PART XX, IOWA CITY, IOWA (SUB04-00015). Franklin: The last item is to consider a resolution approving the preliminary and final plat of Village Green Part XX. I just brought the .... this is the area where it's shaded, so it refreshes you because it's been some time since you've seen this. This is the preliminary plat and plan that expired. It also an amendment to permit three garages on some of the lots. It's recommended for approval by both the Commission and the staff. Elliott: Where is this in relation to the other one? Franklin: It's north and a little east. On the one that we've been talking about that's going to be deferred indefinitely is where the cursor arrow is. Vanderhoefi Karin, are the other streets in there also twenty-two foot? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 6 Franklin: I got the big one so I can really see it... Vanderhoef: I just wonderedif...uh .... Franklin: Wintergreen Drive is not. That's the main road here. Vanderhoef: It's just the loop. Franklin: Right, it's these loops that are the twenty-two - so it's just that one...because this is all off of the twenty-eight foot. Vanderhoefi But I was just wondering anyplace else in Village Green. Franklin: Oh, in Village Green. I'm sorry. Uhhm...well, I know that this one is here and I would speculate that each of these are, Dee. I'd have to go back and Check. The ones that act more like a drive really than an end street - Vanderhoefi Have there been any comments since we made the rule of- Franklin: The no parking? Vanderhoefi The no parking. Franklin: Not that I'm aware of. I've not heard it. Vanderhoefi I was just curious. Elliottt: I think most of those drives that I've seen - and I walk that area quite often - they have a hard surfaced parking area inside the loop, so it doesn't appear to be any problem at all. Vanderhoef: Where inside the loop? Lehman: They usually do. Elliott: In what I would call the infield. Vanderhoef: Oh. Franklin: One more thing. This is an announcement of the session that we are going to have Thursday night with the Planning and Zoning Commission to present the new development code. It's to call it to your attention and Ernie, if Tuesday night you could mention this when it was on television. The session on March 3rd as well as the sessions on March l0th and 12th are to enable people to educate themselves about the new code before we go into the public hearing mode, so we are encouraging people to come on This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 7 the 3rd. You can get hard copies of the code, there will also be CD's available and it will be on the web if people want to download PDF's of it. There will be a presentation given of the highlights of the new code. The purpose is not for public input at that point and I want to make that really clear to folks and anybody that you talk to, please make that clear. The whole idea is to get this out so people can look at it. They can learn about, they can come to the open house sessions and ask us questions. The Commission will be there to answer questions on a one-on-one basis and then the public hearings will occur, either March 31st or in April. We haven't set that date yet. Thanks. Elliott: I like the quote from the planning consultant at the top. Franklin: Yes. Wilbum: Will the presentation be taped and put on the government channel? Franklin: Hhmm...that is a very good idea. I'm not sure that any one thought of that yet. O'Donnell: Is anyone going to that? Lehman: This are public information meetings only, that means there will not be discussion? Franklin: That's correct. Lehman: So council people could go and we could have more than three, however, no discussion could take place. Franklin: You can't sit together and you can't talk to each other. Lehman: Can we hold hands? (Laughter) Franklin: No, I don't think so. Lehman: But we could go...I'11 be out of town, but we could have more than four if we wanted to participate. Elliott: Are we scheduled, the Council, to have a meeting with P&Z to discuss this? Lehman: I don't think so. Elliott: I hope so. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 8 Lehman: We generally do not have meetings with P&Z until we get a proposal from them. Elliott: Well, before...at some point in the time, I would like very much for the Council to have a sit-down with P&Z to discuss this. Vanderhoef: Before we go into public hearing? Elliott: Yes. Bailey: Do you want them to do this kind of presentation or what? Elliott: I would just like to have the opportunity for us to interact, why, what reason, here's why, and for us to interact directly with them, as opposed to one at a time to have to go up to a mic and ask a question. Franklin: If the Council wants to do that, we could schedule that maybe at the time that they're going to make their recommendation to you? That that recommendation be done at a meeting in which both bodies sit down together? Probably it would be most productive if there was a little gap between when they had their vote, we make whatever changes come out of the public hearings at Planning & Zoning, and then they make a recommendation to you, but you have the document at least a couple of weeks before...I mean, you've got it now and it's hard to know right now how many changes will happen between right now and when it gets to you. Elliott: If the other Council members agree, that would be beneficial to me, I think. Lehman: After the public hearing and prior to the time in which we have our public hearing is perhaps .... I don't have any issue with that. Bailey: I think presenting their recommendations in a joint meeting would be helpful and we could have those questions, but not before they have made their changes. Lehman: Why don't we keep track of that because I think it would be fairly easy to schedule a special meeting with them prior to having our public hearing. O'Donnell: When we set the public hearing, a building permit moratorium goes into effect for two months, is that correct? Lehman: We can't talk about this. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 9 Dilkes: My office is going to be issuing an opinion about that this week. Lehman: When she reaches for the mic, we know we're in trouble. Alright. Vanderhoef: That's also a meeting that could also be taped. Franklin: We'll schedule it and we'll be back in touch in terms of timing. Champion: I hope you do have it taped and maybe some of us who will be out of town can watch that tape. Franklin: For Thursday night, that's a good idea. I don't know if anyone on my staff thought of that or not. Champion: Well, since I don't have cable, I can't watch the government channel. Wilburn: Since this involves the big revisions to the code, I'm okay with that meeting. I wouldn't like us to see - I would not like to see the Council get in the habit of having.., of not allowing the process of our commission to do it's work. . . if there regular items of business come up in front of Planning & Zoning, I'd rather we make sure that unless there is a Council that is going to be voting against a recommendation against Planning & Zoning, I don't want to see us usurp that process...but like I said since this involves pretty - Lehman: Well, it's big and really, really complicated and I think it's a matter of them explaining to us kind of the process before we have our public hearing but after they have had theirs. If they've acted, then they can tell us what they've done. Good point, thought. Student Government Proposal for Non-Voting Student Memeber of City Council Lehman: Okay, the next item is the student government proposal for a non-voting member. I think we all received...in the packet we received a memo from Eleanor and we also received a copy of the resolution from Ames, so it's open for discussion. Elliott: Jason's here if we have any questions for him. Wilburn: I guess I'd like to .... Bob, is it you and Dee that are designated as Council Liaisons with the student government leaders? How many meetings have you all had with the student government leaders, beginning January 1, what has been the nature of those meetings, have they asked for any comment or any items to bring to the Council through the existing liaison This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 10 relationship? Elliott: If you include tonight as one of those meetings... Wilbum: I do not. Elliott: There have been two. Wilbum: Go ahead. Elliott: We met once and talked and we have talked informally, I'm sure Dee has, and I have talked with both Jason and Lindsay. But as far as formal meetings there has really been just the one. I believe that is correct, isn't it? Vanderhoefi And as far as your question about other issues... I don't recall any other Council issues that were brought up. Certainly there is an ongoing about alcohol and at this point and time, Council is in this hold pattern until we receive information back from the Alcohol Group that is working on it. So, that has not been a big issue nor have they asked for any changes, so this has been their primary focus. Wilbum: I think it was you and I who were one or two student government leaders ago, who were their liaison's and I thought there were one or two times in particular that there was a (unclear) number of recommendations that that existing student government at the time had asked us to bring to Council. One that comes to mind was just the idea of the parking debit card. I'm just curious as to what....what is it about our existing structure...do we need to beef it up from our end, do we need to be more proactive about certain types of communication.., what has changed? Is it because the changes happen on their end so often that we don't necessarily see consistency between the nature of the items that come up or... Vanderhoefi From my perspective, having served now for several years with different council members, it depends upon who the leaders are and what issue they want to bring forth and carry the flag on, shall we say. I know there were two years where recycling was a big thing for them and they really wanted to get more things started on campus and certainly we gave them assistance in who they can talk to, who they may liaison with outside of the University, but the request was never for the City to come in to do the recycling on campus, that was never discussed to begin with. That one I have not heard anything about recently. My true picture of these young people is that they are stretched so thin with their activities and I think their senate group has a number one priority always to work with administration and the Board of Regents, and that takes a considerable amount of time for them, sometimes more, sometimes less, but certainly a This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 11 good amount of time. Wilburn: Thank you. Lehman: Other discussion? Champion: I think the whole ideas is basically good from any standpoint, the way it has been presented is that it has become a credit course, kind of, which tells me that they will...because most of the things we do, frankly, do not interest students and I think it would be a great learning experience for students to work with local government that closely to find out 'how do cities really run' and 'what decisions are being made that don't affect me' because otherwise I don't think they know, so I view it as not only a method of good communication between the two groups but providing a wonderful learning internship for the designee that would be assigned to the City Council. I know there are groups out there who have some other ideas and who also want to be more involved and I don't think any is one more exclusive than one other, but I think this plan has been well presented and I'd personally like to see it move forward. Bailey: I agree...on it's face it seems like a really good idea. My concern is that we have opportunities in place that people don't have the time or are not availing themselves of these opportunities. It's my understanding that the student government has a liaison to City Council whose responsibility is to attend meetings and then this additional committee, who meets infrequently, maybe we could make more of a commitment to meet more frequently and help the students meet those obligations. I'm not sure that it's meeting a need that couldn't be met through other means...and that's my concern.., that we're jumping to most extreme level whereas we haven't really tried out these other methods thoroughly yet. Lehman: Is it... I guess I did not realize that the student liaison to the council was expected to attend council meetings. I've never heard that. Bailey: That's what Jason mentioned to me when we discussed it. That there was a student liaison who is assigned but doesn't necessarily attend. Perhaps that should be the credit course. Lehman: I didn't know that. Elliott: When Jason first talked to me about this, I told him that I kind of had mixed emotions because it...on one hand it sounds a little like...a non- voting member sounds a little like window dressing...but I also think that the University of Iowa is the largest industry in this state, it's located in Iowa City, thirty-thousand students, and I really think that anything we can do to promote and foster and perhaps almost force greater This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 12 communication, greater inactivity, more communication and knowledge of what's happening, the better, and then when it was determined that there would be course credit for this on a pass/fail basis, that would be the imputes for that liaison...my understand he/she couldn't be a member but would be a liaison .... I am very strongly in favor of this at this point...I think that it's not a 100% sure that it's going to do everything that we might expect ofit...but I think we need to try it. O'Donnell: I too support it and I also spoke with Jason. I like the idea of you getting credit for this. I think anything you can do to enhance communication between....there's a huge number of students who we have twenty-to- thirty thousand and I really think you can have an advantage...Ames does it, has a liaison...I would support this also. I'm trying to think of one bad thing that can happen and I just can't think of any. Lehman: I have read the resolution that Ames passed, which is not quite exactly the same as what Jason has given us...it's very infrequently that some group within our community asks to become involved in city government. If we were to ask them, that's one thing. But for them to ask us and offer their input, I like that. Now, the fact that it's going to be for credit, it's probably going to ensure the fact that whoever is appointed by them will attend meetings and I think it obviously doesn't do any good to have liaisons who don't go to meetings. I would not oppose us doing something very similar to what the City of Ames has done and if you read their ordinance, students are invited to participate in work sessions to make a presentation on, if anything, at a work session on issues that directly affect them, they are invited to participate in council meetings during public discussion or at council time, but they are definitely part of the public input. I don't have a problem with that. Wilburn: I guess I'm not looking at negatives, but trying to figure out how to beef up the positives of the current methods in the established process that we have, whether it's the existing relationship of council-appointed designees to meet with...I don't know why a student couldn't get credit for that. I don't know why a student couldn't get credit for serving on one of our boards and commissions and they could have real impact and a real vote on recommendations which comes to the City Council. Vanderhoef: This is one of my thinking also. In talking to the mayor of Ames, Ted said to me that he's going to make a recommendation that...for some selected boards and commissions that they put together a two-year term that students may apply for. Certainly we've had a couple of different students that have served on our boards and commissions and they happened to be local young people who grew up in the community so they had some background on what was happening in the community and certainly they can apply for any board and commission...and we have people who resign This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 13 from commissions .... but if we had consistently applications from students.., that they could get credit for something like that, if the University chose to do it. It seems to me to start at the top versus building their base of knowledge...in thinking about the previous groups...we've had some student leaders that called and wanted meetings once a month and we met once a month and we talked about a lot of different things...and they were things that they were curious about and to see how we would interact with their activities...which was great...we followed through on some of them to find out what barriers were there and what things could be done...and did some homework for them...but they carried on their own mission...and I truly feel that the boards and commissions place is the place to start. Bailey: I currently don't see the barriers to involved them. I'm not seeing that perspective. I'm seeing that our process doesn't seem to be working and perhaps we should be exploring that option to see what works and what doesn't work...what do we need to change and beef up. We have no evidence that this is the way we need to change things and I would like to explore that further before we start at the top as you said. Elliott: I share some of those concerns but I also remember the last election. A young woman name Rachel Hardesty was a student candidate and I thought she was one of the best candidates in the campaign. But students rarely are around long enough to get any kind of name recognition to be elected...and the students have suggested and recommended this and I am more than willing. I would be more than happy to support their recommendation.. Lehman: This kind of formalizes, for me, the liaison that they have anyway, but it does put certain parameters and rather than being appointed as a liaison to attend council meeting when you choose or do not choose, I think it represents a commitment on the part of the student body to have someone who is going to be here regularly. It represents somewhat of a commitment on part of the Council that we will give this person time to discuss with them. In other words, it is definitely putting the University- City relationship on the agenda. I don't have any problem with trying it, if we do it in a fashion similar to what Ames has done. Dilkes: Let me interrupt for a minute. I think...I just want to make sure you don't misunderstand how they're doing it in Ames. As I understand, from the city attorney, that student sits with the Council at both work sessions and at formal meetings and may comment whenever it's appropriate for a council member to comment. So, it's not as limited, Ernie, as I think maybe you were suggesting. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Sess!on Page 14 Champion: I know it's a different situation, but you know the school board has done this for years with two students who don't actually sit with the council, they kind of sit like where you're sitting. Dilkes: Well, the city attorney doesn't sit up there...the student does. Champion: I'm talking about the school board. They also have the right to comment on any discussion that the school board is having and that has been a very successful program where student input on some regulations that the school board makes where the students are affected and the students do attend those meetings. We have a role model right here in our own community that works very well and that's another reason why I'm willing to try to move forward with it. I know the schools are different than the city, but it's a very positive thing and the University obviously endorses it if they're willing, to give them credit for it. I think it's certainly worth a try. It can be reevaluated like a lot of things we do...but I think we should try it. Wilburn: I guess I just see that as a different relationship because you're really talking two audiences. The students and the parents have access by serving on the board. We have multiple constituencies. We have at every council meeting someone from the senior center commission stands up, says where they're up to, what they're concerns are, and it gets heard. There are times we act on it or at least get a response... Champion: We have a senior center commission, we don't have a student commission. Vanderhoef: One of the things that Jason and Mark came out to visit with me, and Lindsay I believe was busy that day, and we talked about it...but...part of the emphasis that I was getting from them was how students want to get involved and they're not real sure how to get involved...and...so I had several different things...one, that I have since followed up on...that there are youth boards that sit for...or boards like UAY board to have a student on that one...there are some youth positions on the neighborhood center kind of thing...the board that I was familiar with that had specific youth involvement is for the youth board for Workforce Development, and so I have contacted them and said if they were interested in putting a young person on their board to contact the Student Senate and I suspect that the letter will be coming forth. The director thought it was a good idea but she wanted to pass it around to a couple of the people. But that is a very large way of getting involved in the community but it's in a very focused area - not the broad kinds of focus things that we have a City Council. So, compiling a list of places where young people could go on various boards where they could be very active...I think that is something they would like to do and I think it is something a little bit more than...certainly there's all This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 15 these young people who are doing a thousand hours of caring and they're doing their volunteer hours. But that's a 10-hour kind of thing and doesn't necessarily get into the workings of how that particular agency works where they're volunteering. So, I would encourage them all and to send out letters to the Various agencies that have board of directors for their agencies and say there's a group of interested young people that.. O'Donnell: I really don't see a problem with this. You have a responsible young adult that may or may not offer an opinion on an issue. It may or may not directly affect our....I just...I'm willing to try this for a year. Ames is trying it successfully. I really don't see a problem with this. Bailey: It's a fairness issue. As Ross said, we have multiple constituencies. The students in Iowa City may be a large group and I hope that the students that the students who are approaching the Coralville City Council for this and North Liberty because we know that students also live there, but this is University of Iowa students. I mean, I now expect an appeal from Kirkwood students and the Homebuilder's Association and the Chamber. I mean, at any meeting it would be great to have somebody sitting at the table with us that has an expertise in a particular area or represents a particular constituency. And so, for me, part of it is a fairness issue. Bailey: And I nodded in agreement that we do have a Senior Commissioner earlier, but, when you mention those other constituencies, we do have the existing liaison relationship between a couple Council members designated to meet with the University of Iowa Student Senate. We do not have that with the Homebuilders. We do have that with the Sierra Club or Bicyclists of Iowa City. And, we have, in terms of it being asked for...that's wonderful. We have also have a large population of students under 18 who, the last couple council elections, have organized candidate forums and they've been talking about the possibility of some type of on- going meeting with the Mayor. Why not use someone who is a high school student now? Are we going down that route too that we'll have a University student, a Kirkwood student, a high student that sits at the table? It's just something to consider. Bailey: I think we should maximize the current situation and then re-evaluate in 6 months and see if that is creating better communication. There will be a new administration with student government...and see what we can do with that and then re-evaluate in 6 months to see if the current process...is it meeting a need in a fair way and then make a determination on this. Bailey: I agree. Elliott: I would just point out that the University student constituency is a most unique constituency...much more so than any other that is reasonably long This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page t 6 term in Iowa City. Students 30,000-strong turn over every two or three years and there's no other constituency that does that. There's no other constituency that does that. There's no other constituency that is a close to that uniqueness. With that said, I'm, as soon as everybody else is ready to vote, I'll count. Lehman: Well, what do we want to do with this? Do we want to proceed with this? Do we want to give it a shot? I do think that there is a very...I understand what you're saying Regenia, and I don't disagree with you. However, a 28,000-member constituency is significantly greater than any other constituency that we have and I think basically students are frequently viewed as not having a voice because they choose not to speak. Not that they don't have a voice - they choose not to come to Council meetings. They're only going to be in Iowa City for 2 or 3 years and they think City government is not important to them because they'll be here and gone. The truth of the matter is that's a very constant population in this community.., one that we don't hear from unless we're talking about couches on front porches or alcohol issues. And while I think there is a fairness issue...I'm willing to give it a shot for a year. Actually, I don't think there are any opportunities here that weren't here yesterday. They could have come to our Council meetings at every meeting we have. They could have participated at any level they chose to. They chose not to. But this I think is an effort...they're making that offer and I guess I'm will to honor their offer and give it shot for a year. Bailey: Can we try it for 9 months? Lehman: Nine months. Bailey: Till the end of this year? I think in all fairness, well, we'll have a different group. Vanderhoef: The constituency group you're talking about Ernie...I truly believe the constituency group is primarily the undergraduate student which is certainly a very small percent of the total number of students. If you were reaching all 29,000 that might be a different thing, but we don't have the graduate student input. They have their own group, particularly those who are teaching assistants and so forth...and that's a whole another constituency group within the University, so you're bringing this down actually to a very small piece of that 29,000 and I'm not sure that this is the way we ought to going. I think we should be exploring these other opportunities for them and get them involved throughout the community so they can explore a lot of things and take back a lot of different things to student government that has more direct effect perhaps on them than what we do with Planning & Zoning and some of these things. Although I think they would learn a whole lot by sitting on the P & Z Commission or the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 17 Parks and Recreation Commission and the kinds of things we work towards to recreate or our citizens from the toddler-mommy swim with the toddler on through the senior citizen and the passive exercise in the water. Bailey: And have a decision. Champion: I have a suggestion. I don't know if it'll help or not. What if we don't call them a non-voting student council member? What if we call them a council intern. Lehman: In the Ames ordinance, they're referred to as a liaison, which I think is appropriate. Champion: There are four ofus...let's just move. Elliot: I would move that the Mayor - Lehman: We can't have a motion at these meetings. If the four of us think it's a good idea... Elliott: If the four of us want to go - Mayor work with the City Manager and the City Attorney to put something together for us to vote on. Lehman: What we do is direct Eleanor to prepare something similar to that ordinance that Ames has in place and bring it to us at a future Council meeting. Dilkes: I would suggest that Student Government review that resolution, because that is the one I'm going to be working off of and if you have comments on scheduling issues or selection issues, get those to me so I can consider those in the draft. Atkins: Ernie, before you close, there's a couple of you that talked about the possibility of a sunset provision. You don't want that? Champion: No. Atkins: No...is that what I hear? Vanderhoef: Yes...yes...absolutely. Lehman: I don't think that is an issue. Champion: It can always come up. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 18 Bailey: I think Ross's point is well taken. It's difficult to reverse something that's set. (Side One, 05-16) Dilkes: There's something I'd like to have input from Student Government on. The term in Ames runs from May 1st to May 1st. Is that a good way to go? Gilbert-Linn National Registration Nomination Lehman: You work it out. OK. Gilbert-Linn National Registration Nomination. Where are we on this? Eleanor? Dilkes: We're basically where we were...with the addition of one more conference call that Karin Franklin and I participated in with Mercy and the State. We're basically in the same spot that we were when I wrote the memo. (Problem Tape, Side One, 05-17) Dilkes: The City has been asked to participate by the State because we are the applicant and they want the input of the applicant in their dealings with Mercy Hospital. It has been my position since I took it way back when that there were procedural problems with the first nomination which is why we backed up and the only pending nomination is the second one. I've simply clarified that position as we continue to have these discussions. I don't know where the State is going to end up on this. The SHPO officer, Anita Walker is her name, makes the final decision about which nomination goes to the National Park Service. She is in the process, we understand from our conversation today, of reviewing all the documentation, etc., in order to make that decision. Lehman: Is there anything that we could or should do at this point? Dilkes: I don't think there is anything for us to do at this point other than what I said in the memo which is to participate as requested by Mercy and the State and continue to make our position clear. Agenda Items Item 6g(7) Correspondence: Senior Center Letters Lehman: Alright, now we're to the next one which is Agenda Items. I have one item. There were a number of letters relative to apparently some parking problems at the Senior Center. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 19 Bailey: There was a letter-writing campaign. Lehman: We're working on it? Atkins: We're preparing a report for you. Lehman: Other agenda items? Champion: Can I comment on your agenda item for a minute? One of the letters I pointed out also pointed out that they gave up those spaces out here in Chauncey Swan. Maybe that's a good alterntive. Atkins: They didn't give them up, they didn't use them. We just simply replaced them Connie. We were marking off 10-12 spaces and nobody was using them. Bailey: Maybe that is the place to start again. Is that what you are suggesting? Atkins: Our experience has been that's too far - they won't. We're preparing a report for you. Lehman: On their way to aerobics to they want to walk downtown. (Laughter) Vanderhoefi Is it true there was one letter that said something about there's reserved places now in Chancey Swan for the library? Atkins: No, that is confusion. I don't think so. Vanderhoefi That's news to me. Atkins: I think that's news to me, too, but we're investigating that. We'll find out for sure. Lehman: Other agenda items, and then we're going to take a break. Bailey: I have three agenda items, and they make take a while. Lehman: Let's take a break. Lehman: Okay, agenda items. ITEM 9) AMENDING TITLE 14 ENTITLED "UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE", CHAPTER 3, "CITY UTILITIES," ARTICLE G, "STORMWATER COLLECTION, DISCHARGE AND RUNOFF," This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 20 TO CREATE AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE AND CONNECTION STORMWATER ORDINANCE. Bailey: The stormwater ordinance. Is there anything that somebody wanted to highlight? I read the memo. I read the ordinance. Atkins: ' There's not a whole lot to highlight other than we have to do it because the Federal government says we have to. Bailey: So people can still wash their cars? Atkins: Yes, they can still wash their car. Bailey: With detergent? Atkins: We squawked at the term "illicit discharge", but we had nothing to do with it - that was the term we were given. Vanderhoefi That refers to the neighbors that would follow their dogs with their little plastic bag and then walk over and drop them into the storm sewer. Lehman: That's illicit discharge. ITEM 12) APPROVING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND PRICE PROPERTIES FOR APPROXIMATELY 21.76 ACRES OF PROPERTY LYING WITHIN LOTS 10 THROUGH 17 OF NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION AND LOTS 2 THROUGH 4 OF NORTH AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISION - PART TWO, AND THE DISPOSITION OF SAID PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE HEREWITH. Bailey: The Walmart contract, Item 12. In the memo, your last point "Walmart will be exempt from current requirements of purchasers of lots, obtain a building permit within 2 years." Where are they required to obtain a building permit? There's no requirement. They could sit on that property for 10 years. Atkins: For 2 years. They have a requirement for 2 years. Bailey: No, they're exempt. Atkins: What's the 4-year? Explain that to me. Bailey: How long can they sit on this property without a building permit? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 21 Atkins: They can sit on the property up to 4 years. Bailey: They're exempt. I didn't see anything in the contract that required a building permit within a certain amount of time. Atkins: I remember agreeing to it because I know they were going to come down and get a building permit right away - as soon as the deal was put together. Bailey: Let's get that in the contract. Couldn't we? Atkins: I don't know. Dilkes: The 2-year restriction is in the restrictive covenants that were put in place on the airport property and they wanted an exemption from that and were quite firm about that. Atkins: They were quite adamant about that. I think that could be a deal-breaker. Bailey: So, let me just make sure I'm understanding it correctly then, because I've received questions about this. They can theoretically sit on that property with the covenants in place for 10 years...for 15...for 20. Atkins: Yes. Bailey: OK, I just wanted to make sure I'm understanding that. Atkins: They're paying taxes on the new value, because if we go from public to private ownership, this will be taxable property. Bailey: Right, but they'll pay taxes on an undeveloped piece of property for $3.1 million not the assessed values of a developed property. Atkins: That's correct. Bailey: OK, then a question about clause 28. I'm sorry to ask this because I didn't find the revenue code 10.31 very revealing. What does this mean -this tax free exchange? I'm sorry...I do tend to read contracts, because I think this is a very good contract for Walmart. Wolff What they're requesting is the right, as you'll see in almost any large commercial contract any longer, to take advantage of the code section 10.31, which allows any tax-paying buyer to go through a tax-deferred exchange. For example, they may sell a store elsewhere and want to be able to roll those assets into this location. All we're doing here is facilitating that. It would cost the seller nothing: It would encumber the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 22 seller in no way. It is really just a facilitation to the buyer. It's customary. It's Federal tax code. Dilkes: That's not an uncommon procedure used even in Iowa City when people are buying and selling. Bailey: So, give me another example to make sure I'm understanding it. What would that mean? Wolf: I have a piece of property that I have a taxable gain in. I have the desire to sell that property and I have the desire to replace it with another property. I could sell the property, pay my taxes, and then go out and buy another property with the net proceeds, but the Internal Revenue provides the ability to do roll your gain over to another property. Bailey: I've got it. Wolf: This is, again, not unusual and not reaching in any way. Elliott: This has to do with Federal Tax deferral - nothing local. Bailey: This is rolling gain. I got it. Elliott: The one point you brought up, Regina, I thought was interesting, that the period of time they could sit with the property and do nothing with it except pay taxes on it - sounds distasteful to me, but from our communications there are a number of people who would find the longer it sat vacant - the better they would feel. Bailey: But keeping in mind there are covenants that will limit the development around it...I think which is concerning and I think we are counting the building there of Walmart to attract traffic. So think that could be the concern. Elliott: And the answer to that was "indefinite"...Is that correct? Wolff Correct. They have asked to be relieved of that covenant. Lehman: Let me ask this. Apparently there is a restriction on that north airport commercial that you have 2 years to build. They're asking that be waived. Scott/6 Industrial Park - are there any limitations on how long you have to get a building permit if you buy a lot out there? Dilkes: Not unless they have restrictive covenants in place and I don't know. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 23 Lehman: So they could buy a lot out there and sit on it...OK. Dilkes: I think was a situation, correct me if I'm wrong, Harry, where it was basically a corporate policy that they apply to their stores as they are purchasing them nationwide and they just weren't willing to alter that. Lehman: But it makes that property the same as any other property. In other words, there is no restriction on any other property in Iowa City that requires a building permit in 2 years so it just makes it the same as every other piece of property. Bailey: Except there are covenants. Lehman: Right. Dilkes: I think staffhad the same feelings that you did for a long time with this provision, but it was to the point where it was going to be a deal-breaker. Bailey: And then my last item, are we able or willing to set Human Service funding amounts, not just totals, tonight. When are we going to do that? We're approving the total tomorrow, so we could approve the details. Atkins: My suggestion to you is going to be that when you go over the list of discussion items, you make out a priority. I know that a number of you want to do alleys. That's fine, but we really do have to deal with these Human Service allocations to people. Bailey: I would like to get that done for the organizations, but can we do that - schedule it for the next session. Lehman: Yes, we can. Bailey: Thanks, that's all I have. Atkins: While we're talking about the real estate contract, I think it might be helpful tomorrow night, if I spend a couple minutes with the early policy...how the aviation commerce park came about. Bob and Regenia for sure were not on the Council the time that policy was set. Just spend a few minutes walking through that then I'll summarize the contract. If that's okay with you all. Elliott: I think it's also important...Ernie you usually do a good job at this...but, I think it's important to point out that if, in fact, this is approved, that the Council members did not simply ignore the number of telephone calls and communications we've had on both sides of this. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa C!ty Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 24 Champion: Of course. Lehman: Well, we're going to have a public hearing and then we're going to have a resolution and I would certainly suggest discussion during the resolution that we mention that we have had calls and if we chose to agree with those calls, why we did, or if we didn't, why we didn't. Elliott: It just always seems such a kind of pity that we have a public hearing and there might be a plethora of people, one way or the other, and then the Council immediately votes the other way. But we have already considered a lot of these things. Lehman: But we will have an opportunity, tomorrow night, when we really should state our reasons for voting for or against. Okay, any other agenda items? Wilburn: I think there will be a conflict with Item 16 that is part of the funding that comes from the Community Development Block Grant funds. Lehman: Oh, you're right. Atkins: Before we get offthat...Steve, do we choose to break that out because of Ross's conflict? I thought we had three choices. Have we not settled on one? Nasby: Regarding the Lear funding...The memo in the packet recommends 175 to come from the Community Development Block Grant fund and 75 from road use tax. The P & D Committee had asked for a recommendation and that is what staff provided. Atkins: So you are conflicted. Wilbum: On that particular item. Atkins: On that particular item. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS Lehman: Any other agenda items? Okay, Council Appointments and I think there are several. Civil Service Commission. Elliott: Is Bill Cook a given on that? He is with me. Champion: With me he is. Lehman: Historic Preservation Commission, I believe is the next one. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 25 Bailey: Michael, Jerry and Tim would be my recommendations. Champion: Michael and Jerry? Bailey: And then Tim Weitzel for the... Champion: I totally agree. Bailey: I like that facility. Lehman: Let's do one at a time. How many for Michael Maharry? Bailey: He's done a great job. Lehman: All right, Michael Maharry. Elliott: And there are two at that position, correct? Champion: Yes. Elliott: We have three applications for two openings. Champion: Yes. Champion: Next Regenia? Bailey: Jerry Raaz? Champion: Yes. I would support him. Vanderhoefi I would kind of like Michael Brennan. Elliott: I'm in favor of Michael Brennan. Champion: I think we went through this the last time. Bailey: I think we have discussed this. Champion: We did this with the Council at the work session the last time Michael Brennan applied for the Historic Preservation Commission, voted him, and then you backed down because he's very anti-Historic Preservation and he should not be on the .... Elliott: No, because he has ideas about historic preservation that differ from some of those existing on the Commission at the present time. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 26 Bailey: No, Bob, I've spoken to Michael and he doesn't support the work the Historic Preservation Commission is doing. Elliott: Right, and I'm at the place now where I don't either. Bailey: Well, that's not the type of person we would put on a board or commission just as you would not suggest a no-growth for Planning & Zoning. I don't think that would be appropriate for our Commission. It saddles them and it makes them unable to do their work. Elliott: I think had he been on it, we perhaps might not have had some of the problems we've had in the last few months. Champion: We would have had more problems. O'Donnell: The reason for the Council...I don't know what the reason was we didn't support him. Bailey: He's against the work of the Historic Preservation Commission. Lehman: Well, the Historic Preservation Commission, as I recall, solicited a letter from the folks in Des Moines to us. Champion: Which explained who should be on a ....... Lehman: Which I also thought was inappropriate at the time. Bailey: I'm basing my opinion on a discussion I've had with him and he's very clear that he doesn't support the current work and the direction of the Commission. Now, I think there are ways to work on that, but I don't think you put a person who doesn't support the work of a commission on a commission to do its work. Elliott: Well, I also have talked with him, and I think he supports historical preservation but not in the form and to the preciseness that the Commission now does. Bailey: I think nobody would understand better than this body what happens when you have an obstructionist on your group. Vanderhoef: When he talks about improving the procedure by which the Commission conducts its work and he also talks about the process by which they achieve that...I think those are the concerns that I've had over the last few months with the present. And I've wondered if we had had someone there who was asking more questions about the procedure and the process and how to achieve unanimity, number one, and number two, to achieve good This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 27 preservation that maybe his comments and questions might have helped the commission in the long run. Bailey: But he's not interested in good preservation. Vanderhoef: I'm reading straight out of his application. Bailey: He's interested in Disneyland. Bailey: I can't support him on this Commission. I think it would hamper the work of the Commission. Champion: Me neither. Vanderhoef: And I also remember a letter we got from another commissioner from another board talking about his particular board and that sometimes he wished there were members that didn't lock-step with everyone on, so that it would enhance communication and the discussion. So... Bailey: I think we have done a great job of developing a pretty diverse Historic Preservation. Our last appointment, Justin Pardekooper, I think is bring a good perspective of somebody who does the work from a contractor's point of view. I think it is a nice "un-lock" step for the Commission. I think we should support their work in moving forward, not hamper it...and I will stop talking. Elliott: I supported Mike the last time around and was talked into withdrawing my support. And I'm sorry ! did. Vanderhoef: And I supported him last time also. Lehman: All right, how many will support Jerry Raaz, first of all? Vanderhoef: Well I don't think that's on the... Lehman: Yes, he is. Alright. Karr: Ernie, alright, what? Lehman: Michael Brennan and Mike Maharry for at large. Bailey: Why don't we just disband the commission? Lehman: Longfellow District - Tim Weitzel. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 28 Champion: Why not put Mike Brennan on that one too? Bailey: Or disband the Commission for all the work it's going to be able to get done? Champion: All of you say you support the - now all of you don't support Historic Preservation. But those of you who do or say you do - and then you put someone like that on the Commission...I don't mean the man personally. He's enthused about historic preservation. It's so destructive, like putting Mr. Kanner on it. Think if we had disruption...it would be nothing compared to what he causes. Lehman: So they only got one out of seven - we had two. Champion: That's not funny. O'Donnell: I don't get that when I read this application at all. I don't get that out of speaking to him. I'm sorry, I just don't get that. Bailey: He was very direct when we spoke about he'd didn't support the work of the Commission and didn't support the direction they were going. And his vision of historic preservation is something more like Disneyland. It's more like we were in Florida that it is actual historic preservation. There's nothing about authenticity or respect for historic standards. O'Donnell: But, you know what, it's about different viewpoints. Champion: No it's not. O'Dolmell: Yes it is. Believe it or not, there are people in this community who would disagree with somebody else who selected their front door and wondered about their siding. I think it is wise to have that type of opinion there. It's one out of seven and then I think a little bit of different blood would make the committee better. Bailey: We'll see. Lehman: All right, the next one is Parks and Recreation Commission. We have four applicants, we have one appointment. Vanderhoef: I would like to see Clay Claussen. This gentleman has worked with many diverse businesses and put together collaborations...it appears with several different community organizations. I followed up and called one of them just to see how they perceived it - it happened to be the Physical Therapy group that was put together and installed at Rockwell and I got nothing but praise for this gentleman. I would like to see that kind of person on Parks This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 29 & Recreation because I think that is the way Our community is looking forward and trying to find those opportunities. Grant Wood is certainly one of those opportunities and I think we have others sitting out there. Lehman: Any other nominations? Elliott: I like Mr. Raaz. And Dee, I understand you are very persuasive about Mr. Claussen. Mr. Raaz applied last time and we passed him by and I just think he is an excellent candidate. I would be in favor of Mr. Raaz. But I also understand Dee paints a very persuasive picture about Mr. Claussen. Lehman: Any others? I don't see anything wrong with either one of them. Let's just first take Mr. Clay Claussen. Are there four folks who will support him? I see three. How about Raaz? All right, Raaz will be appointed. Elliott: I'd like us to remember these people who get bypassed some time, so the next time this comes up, he gets even more serious consideration. Lehman: OK, Council time. O'Donnell: I think there are still lights up on Dubuque Street....regardless of what anybody says. I'm sure I saw them...(laughter) I'm glad that issue did get resolved. It has been a long time coming..the signage thing. Dilkes: What about the Telecommunications Commission? Lehman: Oh, I'm sorry, there were two applicants, Carl Hirschman and Gary Hagen. Are they both OK? Dilkes: My only concern about Carl Hirschman is he noted on his application that he's the Vice President about X Wires Communication. My only concern is there could be potential conflicts between the role of the Commission as oversight to Mediacom and potential competitor. I check these for potential conflicts and I don't know any more than that, but that seems to be a potential issue. Lehman: But we have conflicts on Council occasionally where a Council person can't vote. That certainly doesn't make...we have good' Council people who can't vote on certain things. Dilkes: Oh, sure, and if there is a certain issue, but my concern is that one of the primary reasons the Telecommunications Commission exists is to provide oversight to Mediacom. And while that is only on cable issues, not technically the Internet...and Dale might be able to address this more particularly than I am. But I think there is clearly an issue that might This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 30 conflict him on more than just the occasional vote. Lehman: All right. That's Hirschman? Dilkes: Yes. Elliott: I think that is one of the unfortunate things about our government - that we have people with expertise in certain areas and their conflict is so great that they are unable to serve. I think it is one of the unfortunate aspects of a democratic process and we just have to live with it and agree that, for the greater good it's better. Lehman: Can I suggest we appoint Gary Hagen and we readvertise? Elliott: Yes. Lehman: All right, we have done that. Elliott: Will we inform Mr. Hirschman why? Lehman: I think we should. In all fairness to him. Vanderhoef: He could apply for a different commission. COUNCIL TIME Lehman: We're still on council time. Anybody else on Council time? Wilbum: I was just going to say I was really impressed with Iowa City's showing at the forum put on by the Sierra Club and the Environmental Advocates...Fair. It was about how to communicate with your elected official and we had to send somebody away and, Dee, I think you sent a letter, too. I think we were very well represented related to other governmental bodies. Bailey: I actually received some communication about our legislative issues. I would like to suggest...this was our first year...I would like to sort of review the process and suggest that next year we do this again but maybe in the status of a resolution so it has some more public visibility. Some people were very concerned about they didn't know what was happening. Particularly, some people expressed concern about Number 5 on our legislative priorities - the labor contracts. I had employees who felt this did not express support for our city employees. That's concerning to me... and not to exactly insert my ideas into the bargaining process.., that perhaps some of these issues about healthcare costs might be better settled first and foremost by talking to our employees in the bargaining process This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Cotmcil Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 31 and not asking for a legislative change on the State level. So, I find myself withdrawing my support of that particular legislative priority just because of the inadvertent message we've sent to our city employees. That concerned me because I talked with some people who were quite concerned and upset. Part of it was a process issue - that they weren't aware of it - and part of it was a concern that we were starting at the top rather than addressing some issues with the employees. Elliott: Nothing is more sensitive or more valuable to an individual than his or her wages and benefits. I hadn't thought out that. It is a sensitive issue and, in retrospect, we should have at least discussed it further if not perhaps done something previous to it or eliminated it. Bailey: I think we might consider eliminating it and withdrawing it for the time and discussing it and seeing how we can address these concerns. Certainly, from an employee's perspective, they also have concerns about our increasing budget knowing that it can't continue or worse things may happen. It might lead to some people actually losing their jobs if we get into a dire situation. I thought that perspective was interesting and when your policy-making body doesn't seem to be supporting the work you're doing - despite the fact that we turned out at the employee recognition - I think it is a concern. Elliott: I dealt that that sort of thing in my previous life and I really should have thought of that. Lehman: I think it's a sensitivity issue. Bailey: Yes, I think that it is. Vanderhoefi How do you get at it? Bailey: Right. But I don't think we got at it in the best process or in the best way and ! would suggest we withdraw this from our legislative priorities and think about a different way to approach it. O'Donnell: One more thing...the correspondence in our packet...I forgot his name...he's talking about an Angel's baseball team. It's not very realistic we're going to be able to get into that...for a period of years. Did everyone read the E-mail? Bailey: I was going to go to the site to see. O'Donnell: Participation in some type of baseball team. Although it is a good idea, I just can't see us .... This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 32 Elliott: I had a woman call me who said they had organized something like 20 teams and they were going to Cedar Rapids to play and practice. I think I got 20 teams - that's a whole lot of individuals and families. But, it's just one of those unfortunate things. At the present time there's certainly nothing we can do about it. Atkins: There's nothing around here where they can practice. Other than the University field - a baseball field. You need 350-foot fences. Wilburn: I coach a softball club for girls and we don't have a place to practice. There is Napolean, but because of the number of teams there, they play weekly games versus each other, but we play tournaments around the State of Iowa, but don't have a place to practice. Elliott: The word you used represents my ability in that sport. When you said weekly. (Laughter) Summer Schedule Lehman: Okay, summer schedule. Karr: Mr. Mayor, I had just noted there were a number of Council members who were letting me know of some absences coming up. At the same time on your agenda tonight is the discussion of setting priorities for future sessions. So, looking at the calendar, I thought it isn't too early to begin discussion about the June-July-August schedule. If there were any absences we knew about, I know I've heard from Bob and Dee, I would be happy to mock up a schedule if I had some direction from you on two things. One, absences. The other is whether your intent is to go down to one meeting a month, stay at two. We can talk about it later but I did want to bring it up now. I noted a year ago we talked about it - it was just a day's difference. So, apparently, this is the time of year we do it. Champion: Don't we usually have just one in July and one in August? Kart: We have in the past. Bailey: Last year we had special meetings both of those months. Karr: You certainly can call them as needed. And the sooner we get out to staff on a schedule, the better chance of staff then working around that schedule. Lehman: We may have some issues. If we're going to review the comprehensive zoning ordinance, we may not be able to do the one meeting a month sort This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 33 of thing. We may have enough work to keep us going. Bailey: I would just support maintaining the regular schedule. It's easier to plan around. Karr: May I note that? Again, we certainly can do that and I can mock something up. But, if you're talking about potentially special meetings and work sessions - or special meetings on zoning, it may not be part of your work session. You would be talking about "in addition to" meetings. Lehman: I will be gone the first meeting in June. I think I told you. Champion: My camping trip is always the first week in August, but because the was August is, it's the second Tuesday in August. If we meet the first Tuesday, I'll be here the first Tuesday. I don't have any conflict this year with the regular meeting day in August. Bailey: I think we were going to vacation - Karr: The first is a Monday...so you're going to be here for the first and the second? Champion: Yes. Karr: And you're gone the week of the eighth, then? Bailey: And I think that's when we'll be gone as well. Kart: The week of the eighth? Bailey: Yes. Lehman: Maybe we should leave this and do the next two issues and then come back, or least think about it. Marian, as far as the packets go, would you care to... Electronic Packets Karr: The electronic packets. Earlier we had discussed this and I said I'd come back to you with some more information. That's what the memo is. I wanted to clarify the new procedure and the opportunity with the new CD. I believe I have taken care of and addressed some of your issues on copying and things of that nature. My goal, very simply, is to be able to, under normal circumstances, give each of you a copy of the packet that best suits your needs. But, I have a number of you who get multiple copies of it weekly and I would love to just be able to knock down to one. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 34 There are certain circumstances I know about. I know unique things, like if you're going out of town, you want to change. But, if you could get hold of me privately for those of you who get it in more than one way now, Lehman: I'm going for it. I'm going to take mine off the Internet. You all have to make arrangements with Marian, so you'll all get one copy of some sort. Or you can flip on your computer and get it over the Internet. Disk, hard copy, Internet. Work Session Discussion Items Lehman: We have a list our packet this time of work session discussion items. Now, we have been very fortunate in the last year or so that most of our work sessions have not lasted a long time. We've gone home early, and, as a result, there's a lot of pending items that just have not been addressed. I would like, with Council's permission, to have a work session item on every work session - one of these items in addition to our regular work until we can finally work our way through it. But tonight, I think we need to look at these proposed items and priorize them - giving staff some idea of which ones we want. Some of these obviously will be taken care of- some were taken care of tonight. The Development Code will be taken care of when we get it. The scattered site housing report, obviously that one will be dealt with when we get it. Others of these we may choose to deal with and some we may choose not to deal with at all. Elliott: Ernie, would it possible for us hand in a list rather than go whole hog tonight. Then that list could be compiled and at the next work session, Marian could show us the compilation of the top ten items. Karr: So you would just take the list, number them 1 to whatever. Lehman: Well, the only problem with that is - we have the items. We've had them all weekend and I don't think it's too much of a problem to at least prioritize the top two or three so we can at least get something on the next work session. Champion: We know the Scattered Site Housing Development will be taken care of- so they can actually be taken off the list because we're going to have to do those. Lehman: Let's start with the first one - the joint meeting of the Airport Commission, which my suspicion is, from my perspective, the Airport Commission seems to have everything well in hand. I don't know the purpose of that meeting, or whether we need to schedule such a meeting. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 35 Champion: We should schedule one, but I don't think it needs to be on our list. As things change .... Lehman: Yes, when there's a need for it. The timeline on the Northside fire station. But I think that is an item we could expect to receive from Steve. Give us his best shot. We already own the land. Elliott: My thought about that is, yes, it is a matter of finances, but it is also a matter of priorities, and therefore, I would like us to discuss it at some point. Atkikns: If you are going to make it a higher priority, then move it up, because it does affect the other parts of the budget. Bob's right, I need to have some direction from you. Bailey: Can't we just discuss it in September when we discuss budget? Lehman: That was my next point, Regenia. Certainly we can do it at budget time. But I do need some direction from you. Vanderhoef: I think we have not given the OK yet, and I don't know if or when we will, on the request from the fire chief to change and that has a direct bearing .... Lehman: But I think we do need a memo from you, Steve, in order to have a discussion when we prioritize that. We need to know dollars and cents what we're going to have to have in order to hire the personnel to staff that. Atkins: I can prepare that for you. We've had that for some time. I just need to clean it up. Lehman: The next item is funding priorities for the next budget. Atkins: My understanding when we were talking about the budget is that you'd like a little earlier crack at it -just a work session. Bailey: Didn't we do that in September this year? Atkins: That's what I was going to suggest to you - September. Lehman: The meeting with the Historic Preservation Commission. Champion: I don't see any point in doing that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 36 Lehman: Oh, I think we do need to. Bailey: What's the objective of the meeting? Elliott: It appears the commission has an idea about historic preservation that several of us on the Council don't share. Lehman: I suspect that there may be a learning process for some of the Council people, myself included. But, I think part of the objections that we get from the public on historic preservation is folks not understanding what that really means. And I'm not sure that all of the requirements that are set out by the Commission, which are local requirements when we have a local designation - are realistic. Bailey: But didn't we vote on the regulations last year? This body voted on those. Lehman: We did - there was a rewrite. Bailey: So we're rethinking those? Lehman: Perhaps we need...well, I don't know...maybe we'll come up with the same conclusion. If there is not a majority of the Council that wishes to meet with them, then we're not going to worry about it. Bailey: We voted on those. Those were discussed last year. I don't see the need. Elliott: I do. Wilburn: It seems it me that since we did vote on those and they are operating off those...if there's a majority that disagree with some items or something needs to be deleted, then put forth an amendment to it. Elliott: I would like to see the whole process looked at. Because I don't think the process is appropriate at the present time. Bailey: We've done that. We did it last year. So you're saying you want to amend it? Elliott: Yes. Just like we did on that decision on alcohol last year and we're going to review it in May. Bailey: I don't want to review the entire regulations that we voted on. If there are specific... I think that Ross just said that. Elliott: How much more can I say tonight, Eleanor? This represents only a reasonably accurate h'anscription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 37 Dilkes: You talk about whether you want to put it on. It's specifically on the agenda, so that's different than just bringing it up. Bailey: If we voted on this last year, if there is a majority that disagree, there's no point in sitting down with the Commission. If there's disagreement on the Council level, then we should hash it out. If there is a change, then we could go ahead and have the meeting. Here's what the Council is looking at. Why would they want to sit around and listen to us rehash something that is our issue? Elliott: Because I think we would be talking about something with which we deal infrequently and they deal with constantly. And so there might be for instance...I don't see why we don't turn the process around right now. We tell people "Oh, by the way, there's something going to happen that will restrict your rights as a property owner. And less you disagree in a certain amount, this is what's going to happen." I think it should be on a positive basis. That the people that want to do something...they should show that there are 55 or 60% people who want to do it and then it comes to the Council. Not leave it up to people who don't want it to have to come. Bailey: That's not the regulations. I think that's the Historic Preservation plan you're talking about, really. Elliott: The process. There's nothing at the Council level that indicates what percentage of approval or disapproval is appropriate. Right now it's left up to us to "Whatever we think is appropriate." There are no guidelines on that. Bailey: That's...we decide them. Vanderhoef: What I see out there is the fact that the specifics always come to with an issue with a plan in place and what I don't see happening is a time-out period in here where the Historic Preservation without pointing at a district that says we're going to do this and do that in the district. No, this is what the general plan is of historic preservation. It's sort of like the Human Rights Commission that they're focusing a whole lot more on education right now and I think this is the time for perhaps Historic Preservation needs to step back and do a positive public input for historic preservation and some of the statistics they've come up - what's positive about it, what has happened in other communities. O'Donnell: Just what it means in general. Champion: But they do that all the time at public hearings. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 38 Vanderhoefi People go to meetings angry because it affects them somehow or other. And to do it when there isn't an issue ..... Bailey: We're asking Historic Preservation now to take on a little bit of what I think is our job because I think we're trying to avoid some tough decisions. If you want to change it, I think it is still a Council issue. It's not meeting with Historic Preservation. It's changing the work and the nature and the direction of the Commission. And we basically say .... Vanderhoefi But this is one of the things I would like to direct the Commission. Bailey: But I agree with Ross, I think it is a Council discussion, not a Council with Historic Preservation discussion. Elliott: I would be happy if we want to sit and discuss it sometime, but I think it is of greater consideration to the Commission to say that we would rather not just say "Here's what we want to do." We would like to meet with you and discuss these things and perhaps some of the concepts and beliefs I have they could point out why they are either unworkable or perhaps just downright wrong. But if we would rather do it as a Council, that's fine with me. O'Doimell: There has to be something concrete in notification. Everybody got a call saying that I didn't know anything about this until it was too late. Personally, I think they were notified. Lehman: That's all be addressed. Bailey: That's in the regs. If we need to change that ....... O'Donnell: That's it, Ernie. We need some way to assure that they're notified. I don't know if it's a registered letter or if we send it to the owner with the water bill. I've heard many times that - I knew nothing about this, or I didn't get one. There's got to be some way to cover that. Dilkes: I think whatever you do, whether you meet among yourselves or you meet with Historic Preservation, there need to be more specific questions asked than just "there was a notice problem". From the legal perspective this is an area that is laden with other regulations, not just our own. There are Federal regulations. There are State regulations. There are a lot of regulations that we don't necessarily have any control over. So the questions need to be asked, I think, in a more specific way. It's been really hard for me to get a handle on...I mean, I have some vague ideas about the troubles some of you have ....but not very specific questions that we can go about trying to answer. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 39 Elliott: Just so we have a time to discuss it. If people would rather not have the Commission involved, that's fine with me. I just thought it would be nicer for us to do that. Lehman: I'm not sure that there isn't an education process, but I'm also not sure that it is part of our job if we support historic preservation to be a part of that education process. But, there may or may not be, I don't know and this is why I think it perhaps would be well if...there are certain restrictions in historic zones of things you can and cannot do. And I've heard all kinds of folks who have called me and told me stories and whatever.., for example, I understand you cannot have a vinyl clad window. Is that true? Elliott: It's up..and one of the things that our materials today...the home is just dealing with that. They will not allow them. They have windows purchased already...they will not allow them to install the vinyl clad windows. It's a perfect example. Wilburu: Bob, I'm not sure I'm getting my point across to you. I'm going to invite the Commission to come down in the evening and we're going to discuss the Council's clearly mixed, or divided, or they have changed their mind...and they give their input and what are we left with? I guess just kind of value their time. If a more tangible purpose for the meeting could be set. We want to get together and talk about historic preservation is too nebulous. We want to come up with an educational objective for the Commission. OK, so now as a Commission member I know what does that look like...I can talk to Council...whether I think it's our role, your role, joint role. That's more tangible than just saying let's get together and talk about the Commission. Elliott: I want to talk about process, because as I said, right now the onus is on those who object and will have things done to their property that they may or not want. The responsibility should be on those who want to propose and can show that, rather than the opposition being required to do something, those who are the proponents are required to show "this is the amount of support it has." To me it is completely turned around from how it should be. Lehman: Let me suggest that each of us who have specific concerns.., we try to quantify those concerns and bring them to a meeting. Then we will, as the Council, look at those issues that we individually may have. Some of those we may be able to work out on our own, some of those we may feel we really do need to talk to them about. But I think if we have specific issues...you have one or two, or whatever...let's try to do that rather than try to schedule any sort of meeting. Let's figure out just what we're talking about first. I think your point is good, Ross. If we're going to sit This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 40 down and talk about historic preservation, that's not going to work. We need to talk about specifics that we feel work or don't work. Let's plan on that. Wilburn: I guess the other part was, if Council is clearly one way or the other on a specific item or issue, so, we're going to sit down with the Commission and talk about it so we feel better about it or we don't get yelled at by certain segments. We're going to make decisions and whatever decision we come up with, we can put our efforts into being proactive education and all that, but when it comes down to it, some certain segments are going to disagree with it and some are going to agree and you're not going to necessarily feel good about it. O'Donnell: But if we disagree with Planning & Zoning, we have a meeting and we talk about that difference. Bailey: Bm it's specific. I mean once again... O'Donnell: I think it is appropriate to list your concerns. Elliott: I like the Mayor's suggestion. Then, when we have the meeting .... I'd be happy to ask the Commission if they'd like to meet with us and if they wouldn't, that's fine, if they would that's fine. Lehman: There's also something...and I'm not sure how well I understand some of those requirements...but I think there are purposes for historic preservation. There are reasons why they have certain requirements and I'm not sure ! understand all those reasons. I might decide that I think a vinyl from door is absolutely nothing wrong. It's like any other door. There may be a legitimate reason why they don't want a vinyl front door. I need to know. Lehman: OK, downtown alleys. Can we put that to the head of the list? Elliott: I don't think there's anybody who disagrees with that. Lehman: All right, that's top of the list. Alcohol regulation is going to come up May 1st on its own when we hear back from the bar folks. OK? Budget - the money for community events. Regenia, you brought this up earlier. Bailey: Can we schedule it for next work session? Lehman: We certainly can. Atkins: Which are we talking about? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 41 Lehman: The community events and Human Service funding. O'Donnell: It will also cover fire inspector? Atkins: I don't know if that will be ready yet. I'm real close to that, Mike. If you want to move it up, but if you're going to do downtown alleys and Human Service funding those are going to be two very busy items. Bailey: I have a proposal that at least responds to Human Service funding. Vanderhoef: I put one together, too, so let's get together and work until we have one. I think Connie and I will agree on one of them. Lehman: Fire inspector...something like that you don't anticipate having ready by next week? Atkins: But we need to do it soon because we have notification that we may be receiving some Federal money for improving our inspection services. Lehman: What do we need to talk about then? Atkins: The sooner the better. Lehman: How about next work session? Vanderhoefi No, we have too many. Lehman: Well, if this is time sensitive, we probably don't have any choice. Elliott: I anticipate the alleys is something we will discuss and maybe ask the managers to come back with some .... Atkins: We'll have some options. The problem is...the options can get pretty sticky. O'Donnell: Is one of them removing parking? Atkins: Yes. O'Donnell: Good. Champion: You'll be towed 24 hours a day. Lehman: The housing inspection fees are set by ordinance are they not? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 42 Atkins: Yes. Lehman: So that is an issue that when it comes up, we will automatically discuss because... Atkins: We answered that letter. Lehman: So that will come up. Atkins: That will come back to you shortly. Lehman: Recycling coordinator? Atkins: Same thing. I just need to get these to you before the end of the budget hearings. Lehman: CIP reviews? Gilbert Street/Highway 6 I think is going to come to us as they're proceeding. Atkins: We're spending money to do some preliminary design work on these 3 to bring them back to you to see if you're interested in maybe opening them up on the list. Lehman: But they're in the hub. Atkins: Yes. Lehman: How about naming capital facilities for private donations? Champion: We talked about that. Has anybody offered us any money for doing that? Lehman: Well we haven't really beat the bushes on that, but it's not uncommon. Elliott: Steve, do you have a recommendation to bring to us, or at least a suggestion. I think about the only things are; one, would we, and; two, at what amount? Lehman: A hundred million or more automatically gets their name on it. Karr: This one came up with the dog park. Vanderhoef: It also came up in the budget talks because we were looking at the festival stage as very possible. Atkins: The restroom and the walkway. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 43 Vanderhoef: The barker park. Lehman: The scattered site housing project will come up. Development Code will also come when it comes. Evaluations - we need to set a date for that. Champion: Can we just use last years - in May. Kart: Do you want it as a separate meeting during the day? Lehman: I would assume that would be best. Elliott: It does seem unusual to me that we have this after the budget is set. Bailey: I agree with that, Bob. It's probably the only time we've agreed tonight, so I just had to say that. Karr: The 2nd and 3rd are your regular meetings. The 16th and 17th are scheduled. The off week would be the 9th and l0th. If that is what you're looking at? Lehman: If we're going to meet in the morning, it doesn't really make any difference. Champion: I'm not sure I'm going to be here the week of the 16th and 17th. Vanderhoef: The last Thursday of the month and the 2nd Wednesday of the month I've got meetings. Bailey: So this is what I propose. We meet the 2nd and 3rd. Let's meet the 6th and just clear out that whole week for meetings. Lehman: What day is the 6th? Friday morning the 6th is wonderful. Karr: Time? 8 or 8:30. Lehman: 8:30. Lehman: Police staffing and priorities - I'm don't know quite why that's on here. What's the issue? Karr: It was on a list originally that Bob presented and, when talked about, everybody agreed to leave it on there. That's where it came from. Elliott: I think that is something that can wait easily. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 44 Lehman: So we'll scratch it for the time being. Municipal project update - I think that can be done in the form of a note from staff. Atkins: Sure, we'll do that. Lehman: Ombudsperson? Elliott: I think that's something that I would like to see, but With the current situation I don't see why we would ever think about adding a staff person. So, I think it would be very important to do in the future, but not now. Vanderhoef: We talked about that way back when we put the police/citizen review board together. Doing that instead of .. Eliott: I think we need that more than we need the citizens review board, but that's a discussion for another night. Lehman: I think that one's over, too. Increasing family youth school programs. Elliott: I think we have bigger fish to fry. Lehman: Alright.. Elliott: As a matter of fact, your task force is looking at that increasingly at this point. You'll be getting a report. We'll have it for you very shortly. Lehman: All right, so we'll wait for their report. Elliott: As a matter of fact, they have a meeting that's going to be focusing on alternatives, soon. Lehman: Application review process for boards and commissions. O'Donnell: What is the purpose of that? Elliott: Because we put people on boards and commissions and they are very important appointments and there are times when we spend 5 minutes...although tonight we spent longer than that... I would like to see a better process, but I also think that is something that can be delayed. Bailey: The only thing I would like to see is more room to write on those applications. They are very hard to read. Lehman: Yes, I would agree with that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 45 Bailey: Could we just change the format? Elliott: It would be nice if we could say "Type, if you're able". Champion: Who has a typewriter? Bailey: It would have to be electronically available for them. Bailey: So is that on or off?. Lehman: I think that is probably floating - it's not on and it's not terribly off, but it's not going to appear on any more lists until we have a crisis. Lehman: Planning needs and the use of consultants. Bailey: That's a Bob. Elliott: I believe that there are some times when we have consultants that are hired and we spend money for consultants when our administrative staff should be doing that kind of long-term planning. Champion: They're not doing long-term planning. Elliott: That's what administrative staff does. Champion: No, I mean consultants aren't doing long-term planning. Baiey: What do you want to talk about? You just stated your position..Is there something more? Elliott: There was material about planning consultants about hiring consultants for long-term planning for Parks and Recreation. We just hired a consultant, I think for Historic Preservation. I think we have staff who should be doing that. Champion: First of all, a strategic plan for Parks and Recreation. I think those are always best done if they're done by an outsider who doesn't have any inside issues. Elliott: I would disagree. Champion: The other thing about...you mentioned Historic Preservation...those people have to be qualified to do those studies. That is a full time job. It might take someone 6 months or a year here to get it done. No, it's not anything one staff person could do. You'd have to hire someone...and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 46 then you'd fire them when they get done with that project? Bailey: If the project disagrees, that's fine, but at least it's been brought up. Elliott: I just think when I talked with Terry he indicated that he did not have the time to do that. So that becomes an administrative decision by the City Manager. Council gives direction and suggestions to the City Manager and if the Council agrees the administrative staff should not have the time to do that - then the City Manager continues doing that. Bailey: So is that discussed at the evaluation process? Is that the direction you want to give to our City Manager? Elliott: I think it is a philosophy I think as much as anything else? Dilkes: You are aware that any time it's $50,000 or more it comes to you for approval? Elliott: Yes. Lehman: Steve, I suspect you could easily give us a memo on your philosophy. It doesn't have to be in stone, but you do have a philosophy. Atkins: You folks know me. You know I'm not a wild man about consultants. Lehman: But I think you could easily tell us when you do what criteria you use. I think that is a good idea. That would be helpful. Atkins: OK, because occasionally, you know, we resist consultants. Lehman: All right, traffic calming review. Bailey: I did not put this on. Elliott: Since I would like to do away with this. Lehman: Are there any other members of the Council who would like to do away with traffic calming? All in favor, raise their hands. Elliott: I see the fire truck having a great deal of trouble of navigating East College with those flower gardens in the middle of the street. I think there are other safety concerns to be considered when we put flower gardens in the middle of streets. I would hope that doesn't happen again. Lehman: They really work. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 47 Elliott: I drive that virtually every day and I don't see that it slows down traffic. Lehman: If you don't slow down, you hit the flowers. Most of the people I heard complain about that no longer use that street which is precisely why they were put there. OK, Iowa Avenue carts. Karr: Is that all on traffic calming? Lehman: That's off. Karr: Connie, you mentioned it when they first appeared last year and you wanted to talk about it before they appeared this year. And Dee, you had some concerns. Champion: I didn't have any concerns. I think we ought to make them easier. Karr: This had something to do with competing against existing businesses. Atkins: We had a problem on Iowa Avenue where the pita place and pita cart were nearby. We took care of that. Vanderhoef: It was that combination along with using the loading zones for their permanent park and so drive-up service. I thought that was something we should talk about. If you're selling hamburgers, you can't sell them in front of Hamburg Inn. They were only selling them at Arts Fests and that kind of thing. Atkins: We'll deal with that. Champion: Ithink we should have some guidelines for that. Elliott: I think the philosophy is that we have people who pay taxes and have licenses and then there are others who pay far less to push a cart around and provide some of the same kinds of things. I think we're regulating that pretty well at the present time. I think the city keeps that in mind. Atkins: The carts, as you know, are $750. They're not just walking around money and they haven't been raised in a long time. Champion: I don't object to, and I don't like that argument, per se. Just because it's like I say I don't want any more dress shops downtown because I want the only one - Elliott: I didn't mean that to do away with it. I meant that the City has done a pretty good job of keeping those balances in mind. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 48 Lehman: So it's off the list? All right? Champion: Take it off. LehTman: I think we've covered what we're going to cover tonight. Wait a minute. We have two more things. Bailey: Loading zones. Will that be for downtown concerns. Vanderhoef: Yes. Champion: I don't know why it drives me nuts, but the loading zones on Iowa Avenue, which are plenty long for big trucks - but there are never any trucks there. But there are always 5 cars there that are parked for 4-5 hours. Every loading zone downtown is full with cars and a lot of them are merchants who are just parking their cars there. They put a little sign on. Atkins: We do ticket, but it could be hours. Bailey: I think we got this in the packet from Jim Walters talking about the UI Campus Planning Committee and the facilities south of Burlington and talking about traffic. So I think we should think about putting this on a work session. Talking about Burlington Street traffic and our meeting with this group. Atkins: I talked to the University folks and said "If you want us to be a player in that discussion, we're certainly prepared to do that." Bailey: I don't know if that is JCCOG? Atkins: And Jeff is involved in it too. It might be best to delay at the table and go into your next meetings as a reminder. Bailey: It would be nice to work session it before the next meeting. Lehman: But the Burlington Street...that's a much bigger issue because that involves the State Highway Commission. Elliott: I responded to Jim's letter with him. He was talking about moving traffic faster by narrowing the streets and that sort of thing. Champion: We did actually do some of that on,,, Atkins: ...on Market. On the near north side we put bumpouts. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session. February 28, 2005 City Council Work Session Page 49 Champion: We actually have them on Iowa Avenue and Gilbert. Karr: Then, just to clarify what we'll be doing in the future for these types of items. We'll be dropping them from the tentative schedule list. We're going to drop the identification of priorities from every work session. We will attach a work session pending list updated to every work session minutes. So you will see the list grow or shorten as the case may be. Is that going to work for everyone? Lehman: We think so. So, we'll see everyone tomorrow night. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the February 28, 2005 Iowa City Council Work Session.