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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-22 Transcription#2 Page 1 ITEM 2 PROCLAMATIONS a. Mark Twain Elementary Day - March 31 Lehman: (reads proclamation) Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Carrie Karr, former student, and now 4th through 6th grade behavioral disorder teacher, and Julie Busch, long- time Twain teacher and 2004 NFL Teacher of the year. (applause) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #2 Page 2 ITEM 2 PROCLAMATIONS b. North American Network of Cities of Asylum Lehman: (reads proclamation) Karr: Here to accept the proclamation is Christopher Merrill, Director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. (applause) Merrill: Mr. Mayor, City Council members, City Manager, I'm very pleased to accept this proclamation on behalf of President David Skorton; Provost Michael Hogan; Interim Vice-President for Research, Bill Decker; all of whom have done so much to help get us to this point. Tonight marks, on the one hand, a culmination of efforts that date back to the decision in 1920 by Dean Seashore to grant graduate credit for creative writing and creative work at the University of Iowa, to the work of Paul and Wally Engle to bring writers of the world here to the University of Iowa. It also marks the beginning of what I take to be a new era, and what I hope will be a long and fruitful collaboration between the University and the City, and bringing writers at risk here to, as you say, the Athens of the Mid- West. I thank you so much for the work that brought us here, and I look forward to working with you on this project. Lehman: Thank you. Vanderhoef: And thank you for bringing the project to us. I'm most appreciative, myself, and I think I speak for all the Council that this is something that we probably wouldn't have heard about if you hadn't brought it to us. Merrill: Well, I might just add one thing. I was in Leipzig, Germany, last week for the First International Congress of Creative Writing Programs, and the word that was on everyone's lips, from the beginning to the end of this conference, was Iowa. Everyone recognizes Iowa as the place where writing begins, and we had a number of people there who were alumni of the International Writing Program, and at every turn they were looking at us as the beacon of hope, so this makes tangible what we've been doing for a very long time. So, thank you very much. Lehman: Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #7 Page 3 ITEM 7 APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAMP CARDINAL ROAD EXTENSION PROJECT, ESTABLISHING AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID, DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS, AND FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS. Lehman: Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. Champion: Move the resolution. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion; seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? This is a rather significant project. It involves, it's a cooperative effort between the City of Iowa, the City of Coralville, and a local developer, namely Southgate Development. I think it's a good example of how cities can really work together. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #8 Page 4 ITEM 8 AMENDING TITLE 3, ENTITLED "CITY FINANCES, TAXATION & FEES," CHAPTER 4, ENTITLED "SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES, BONDS, FINES AND PENALTIES," SECTION 3-4-5, ENTITLED "SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL," OF THE CITY CODE TO INCREASE OR CHANGE CERTAIN SOLID WASTE CHARGES. Lehman: Public hearing is open. Public hearing is closed. Bailey: Move first consideration. Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Represents approximately a 3% increase, and the last time the fees were increased were three years ago. Yeah...roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. //9 Page 5 ITEM 9 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14 ENTITLED "UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE," CHAPTER 3, "CITY UTILITIES," ARTICLE G, "STORMWATER COLLECTION, DISCHARGE AND RUNOFF," TO CREATE AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE AND CONNECTION STORMWATER ORDINANCE. (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Lehman: This is second consideration, and we would really like to expedite this one. Wilbum: Okay, I move that the rule requiring that ordinance must be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings, prior to the meeting at which it is to be passed be suspended; that second consideration and vote be waived; and the ordinance be voted on for passage at this time. Vanderhoefi Second. Lehman: Moved by Wilburn; seconded by Vanderhoefi Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. Wilbum: And I move final adoption. Bailey: Second. Lehman: Moved by Wilburn; seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Elliott: I just think it's unfortunate we won't have this nomenclature to kick around anymore, so... (laughter) Lehman: What nomenclature? (laughter) Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #10 Page 6 ITEM 10 CONSIDER A MOTION APPROVING TAX EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE Champion: Move the resolution. Elliott: Second. Champion: I'm sorry; can you tell me about this? Lehman: Uh, yes; moved by Champion; seconded by Vanderhoef. This is relative to the $7,020,000 in General Obligation Bonds, and I think it makes them tax exempt. Is that correct? Champion: Oh, okay. Lehman: All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #13 Page 7 ITEM 13 CONSIDER A RESOUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AN APARTMENT BUILDING FROM GREATER IOWA CITY HOUSING FELLOWSHIP (GICHF) AND TO ASSIST GICHF IN THE FINANCING OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE PENINSULA. Bailey: Move the resolution. Vanderhoefi Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion? Wilbum: I'm trying to remember...what is the financing that this involved? Vanderhoefi It's a combination of three different sources. It's the Housing Authority, has cash to put into it, which is $334,000. We have GO Bonds of $256,000; and we have Home/CDBG Funds for, what have I got here? Wilburn: I abstain due to a conflict of interest because it involves Community Development Block Grants or Home Funds, which I have a conflict because I work for an organization that receives such funding. Lehman: Thank you. Discussion? Vanderhoefi When you look at all this funding put together, and we're getting ten units, I think it's interesting that we are getting these units built for roughly $90,000 per unit, when it's all divided out. These are units specifically for folks with handicaps, and seniors. This is an apartment building; it is set up with elevators and community service within it. So, in many cases we have not wanted to buy more housing units in Iowa City, but this is for a population that is underserved, and I feel that this is one that we should carry forward on. Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries; Wilbum abstaining. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #14 Page 8 ITEM 14 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE OF UNPAID MOWING, CLEAN-UP OF PROPERTY, SNOW REMOVAL~ SIDEWALK REPAIR, AND STOP BOX REPAIR CHARGES AND DIRECTING THE CLERK TO CERTIFY THE SAME TO THE JOHNSON COUNTY TREASURER FOR COLLECTION IN THE SAME MANNER AS PROPERTY TAXES. Vanderhoef: Move the resolution. Champion: Move the resoltuion. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Champion. Discussion. Karr: Mr. Mayor I would just like to not the revised Exhibit A before you this evening reflecting payments up to this point. Lehman: Which we have in our packets tonight. Roll call. Motion carried. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence. Bailey: So moved. O'Donnell: Second Lehman: Motion and a second to accept correspondence. All in favor. All ayes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #15 Page 9 ITEM 15 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH GILBERT STREET MPROVEMENTS - WATER MAIN RELOCTION PROJECT. Lehman: I think that we received five bids; engineer's estimate was $46,000; Public Works is recommending awarding of the contract to Carter-Kirkpatrick Services of North Liberty, for $38,430. Do we have a motion to that effect? Vanderhoef: So moved. Elliott: Second. Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef; seconded by Mr. Elliott. Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 10 ITEM 16 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF A STUDENT LIAISON TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY. Champion: Move the resolution. Lehman: Moved by Champion. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Shore: I'm pretty sure you all know by name my name is Jason Shore. I'm the Vice-President of the Student Government. First of all, I just wanted to thank the Council for considering this resolution tonight, and thank the individuals who met with me and who have taken their time to consider this resolution tonight. Obviously, I believe this is going to be a wonderful experience for a student, who is going to have the opportunity to get credit through the University, and participate with City government. This is an opportunity to bring the greater Iowa City community together, so that is not just kind of dichotomy between the students and the community, but so that we can all work together as a whole. I think, on that note, the opportunity for City Council and City government to engage in a lot more collaborative projects, to benefit the City as a whole, as well. Also, obviously, concerns have been brought up in the news and also by the Council, is "Iowa Brain Drain" and I think that a lot of students that come to the University and they feel like they're part of the University, but they don't really feel like they're a part of the greater Iowa City, and I think this is a wonderful opportunity for students to feel like they are part of the greater Iowa City, to help students stay here after they graduate, and maybe even turn it into a greater long-term investment in the economic future of Iowa City. This proposal would be open to, as it's stated, all full- time students that live in Iowa City, including graduate students. So, I think that this is going to be a wonderful opportunity to have a more consistent relationship between all the members involved. A few arguments against this proposal that have been brought up by the Council; one of which is "well students should start out with commissions before they go right into becoming a non-voting liaison on the Council." Well, I agree that right now there's currently a lack of involvement from students, and I agree that right now there's also probably a lack of knowledge from the greater student body, outside of Student Government. I think that one of the, well I know that one of the jobs of this liaison will be to recruit students to serve on these commissions, and to help foster greater student involvement in all the aspects of the City Council and City government. Also, another argument involves the fact there was a lack of student voting This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 11 in the last election. I mean, there are 30,000 students and the last regular election that occurred, there was the highest number of 18-to 24-year-olds, in Johnson County history, as of right now. And lastly, another argument is why if students get this position, then why not other Iowa City groups, possibly having this opportunity; and I mean, it's not just that we're the largest industry. I hate using that word, but largest industry in the City, but we're not a single-issue group. We're a dynamic group that is constrained by the fact that not only are we full-time students, we have a huge amount of homework and we have, in several cases, multiple jobs, in order to pay for school. And the student would be able to get credit, which would really foster a greater level of involvement. Just in conclusion, I really think this is a win-win situation for everyone. I mean, it's going to work, so I think you all will see how beneficial this is, once it's passed; it's definitely a step in the right direction; I think that you all, if necessary, may require medications, but I think it's really important that we get something passed tonight to take a step in the right direction for making the student body have a greater understanding for the concerns of the Iowa City community and vice-versa; and for giving us the opportunity to work together. Now, I know what you may be saying at this point: what do we care about Jason? He's a lame duck. His turn is almost over. (laughter) But, I brought with me today the two incoming Vice-President and President of the Student Government. So, thank you for your time. I really appreciate you all listening to me, and I really appreciate you all considering this resolution. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you, Jason. McCarthy: Hello, I hope you can see me over the podium. My name is Lauren McCarthy, and I'm replacing Jason as the incoming Vice-President of UI Student Government, and I would just like to reiterate my support for this resolution. Both Mark Kresowik, the incoming President, and I strongly support it. We hope that this upcoming year at the University of Iowa, which is the year of "Civic Engagement" will really foster greater student involvement within the City and the community, and we think that having a student liaison to the City Council would obviously be a very clear way of bridging the gap between the University of Iowa and the City. We hope that you will consider that it's not just about listening to students on, you know, certain issues, like the 21-ordinance, but that students at the University of Iowa work in Iowa City, we volunteer in the community, and we really try to give back to this great city where we live for four, five, six years, and so we certainly hope that you'll consider allowing one of our students to sit among you and offer the students' perspective on a variety of issues. In addition to that, I look forward to meeting with you and working with you in the upcoming year, a9d I urge your support for this resolution. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 12 Lehman: Thank you. Kresowik: First off, thank you very much for listening to me here, but also over the last few days for meeting with me and discussing this proposal. As Jason said, I really do appreciate you taking the time, and I'm very excited to work with you over the next year on a lot of these issues. As the incoming Student President, I really feel very strongly about improving that dynamic between the community and the students. I feel, both as somebody who has lived here for a very long time and as a student, I think there's a lot of improvement in that dynamic, which I think nobody will disagree with. I think that students, by taking into account and engaging the interests of the community, in ways that they necessarily never have before, have a lot to offer this community. Through service, through new ideas, through taking their time that they do have, to make a difference in this community as never before, and I think there are a lot of projects that you've seen over the last few years - the 10,000 hour show, among one that I particularly worked on - but many other things, that they have begun to take a new interest, and I think you'll see that, especially over this next year. I think that the community, by opening up these new opportunities and helping students who don't know as much and who don't have the same knowledge and experience, working within this community, by opening those new opportunities and helping them become involved in those existing opportunities. I really believe that it benefits the community, and benefits the students, through service learning, through the education opportunities available, through getting involved. In the end, I mean, I think you really see...I think you see so many students excited about that possibility of changing that dynamic. That's why there's so many students here today. That's why you saw over 7,000 students vote in the most recent Student Election, in which this and becoming engaged was a very prominent portion of that debate. And I think that's why you see 30 students immediately express interest in a position of this type. I think we have a lot of potential, regardless of what happens tonight, to capitalize on that dynamic and to really make a strong effort over the next year to change the way the students and the community interact, and I'm very excited to do it. I think that this proposal specifically starts that. I think it does it in a way to improve the communication, to get students on boards and commissions, to get students excited, to extend the information, not just once over the last, you know, term between the two City Councilors on the Committee, but all the way, every week, every single time...that information can disseminate not just for the student perspective, but the community, but the community's ideas and perspectives to the students. And I'm very excited. I really hope that you do consider and pass this resolution, and regardless, we will be...I'm very excited to work with you, as Lauren said. We're very This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 13 excited to do everything that we can to improve that relationship, and so, thank you very much for your time. Lehman: Thank you. Klein: Good evening, I'm Garry Klein, and I'm here on behalf of the Neighborhood Council, and representatives of that council. I brought a correspondence from Jean Walker who has been, she had a recent death in her family and was not able to be here tonight. In any case, I'd like to just, first of all, applaud the students who are here tonight because what they're asking for is not unreasonable. I think a different way of saying it is that there's a lot of people within the community who would like to have a sense of empowerment, and certainly having a liaison on the Council is a way to feel that. I would suggest there are other ways to get there. So let me begin. (reads letter; on file) That's from Jean Walker. In the packet that I would like to bring into as correspondence, is a one-page document from the City of West LaFayette, Indiana, Purdue University, and they do have a very successful, working program that involves the University, the City, and Neighborhoods, and other entities, that has been around, I think now about six years. I'm not sure that all the Council has seen this proposal. I know some of you have because we brought it to you, or representatives like (can't hear) or Bonnie Penno or myself have. Our feeling is that the matters of Council are...you have so many things to deal with and my sense is that there are a lot of"town gown" relations that can be handled, not at the level of the Council, but at a working committee- sort of level, between all three entities. That is, the City, the Neighborhoods, which include students and businesses, and the University. So, as I said, I would like to present this correspondence for your consideration, and believe me, it's not easy for me to be up here having often come before the Council, asking for difficult things, so I really appreciate what the students want, and they certainly have been very articulated...their wishes very well. So thank you for your time. Lehman: Thank you, Garry. Karr: Motion to accept correspondence. Bailey: So moved. Wilburn: Second. Lehman: We have a motion and a second to accept correspondence. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page l4 Sanders: Good evening, my name is Gary Sanders. Ernie, I brought my own clock tonight. Lehman: I have mine, and I guarantee you that five minutes is what you have. (laughter) Sanders: The problem's always been I couldn't see it behind me. Tonight I have one. I'd like to congratulate the UI Student Government for their idea that U of I students should be represented by a non-voting liaison to the City Council. I think it's such a good idea, that I'd like to see it expanded. Obviously the next step would be that U of I professors would have a non- voting liaison to the Council, and then of course U of I's merit staff, the more than 1,000 clericals and maintenance people, could be represented here at the Council by the president of their union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME Local 12. The graduate students could be represented by the president of their union, and the nurses at UI Hospital could send their SEIU president as a non-voting liaison, and when SEIU wins the right to represent the U of I's professional and scientific employees, later this year, the SEIU could then have an additional liaison person here. Now, if the students think this would just clutter things up, I'm... maybe they would prefer the Ames model, and Ames, the Ames City Council, the Iowa State University students do have a non-voting liaison. So, how about this for a compromise, 'cause that's what politics is all about, and this would be a great lesson for the students if they want to be a liaison, their first political compromise. The Iowa City City Council would adopt the Ames model, and there would be a student liaison, non-voting member, if, if the U of I Student Government agrees that the Iowa City City Council adopt another Ames ordinance, and that would be that you have to be 21 to enter a bar. Now, I'm sure that if the U of I students think having a non-voting liaison member to the Iowa City City Council is so important, they will surely give up that silly right of the U of I students to enter the bars while under 21 because after all, students surely would think participating here in city government is more important than it is for the right of underage students to drink in bars. Right? Thank you very much. Lehman: Thank you, Gary. Hansen: Hi Council, excuse me, and thank you for taking the time to hear our proposal and hear me out. I'm sorry I don't have any good jokes, but I can promise I won't go five minutes. Everyone's pretty much already said... Lehman: You need to give your name before you start, please. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 15 Hansen: Kevin Hansen, I'm sorry, and I'm also a Representative of Student Government, and the outgoing president and vice-president, and the incoming president and vice-president have already expressed the argument probably a lot more articulate than I can, so I just want to talk to you about what I believe this resolution means. The University has a tremendous impact on the city, I believe, and while other groups may be able to be represented more easily in a city council than the University, this is a real chance for the University, and the rest of the Iowa City community, to merge as one.city. I know a lot of people I represent feel like we live in two separate cities, that the University of Iowa is its own entity, and I believe this is the way to go, and I just want to tell you that I believe that really strongly, and I really hope you consider this resolution. Thank you again for your time. Lehman: Thank you, Kevin. Council discussion? Wilbum: There are a couple questions that come to mind, for me, and first I want to thank the Student Senate for the work that you've done on this, and the time you spent to meet with the Council. First question, is there an opportunity for University students to have input into the local government process, and there's a resounding "yes" to that answer...answer to that question. One thing that comes to mind that shouldn't be forgotten, that there's several internships that have been, and currently are on-going, for University students to have input and to actually craft part of this local government process, whether that's through the Planning Department. I know I saw a couple University students out at Hy-Vee with some displays about a particular neighborhood development that's going up, and you know, gathering input from the community, meeting with community members in that way. I also know from first-hand experience that with the Johnson County Council of Government, there's been students in the past who worked with the non- profit agencies in getting their applications ready for the City Council to review. Some of those actually get credit; some of them get paid for that part-time work. There's also the public input time, that happens at every Council meeting. It happened tonight. There's public hearings that happen where in the past students have taken advantage of. Unfortunately, it's not always on a breadth of issues, as was brought up tonight, but there was actually an opportunity tonight for students to come forward on the fifteen other items that preceded this one, to get input on. Perhaps they might have been aware of this if some of them had been serving on some boards and commissions. One ordinance that comes to mind is the electronic sign ordinance. Now how does this effect the student interest? Well, maybe they may have an awareness of, you know, a local bank they might want an opportunity to promote a University event on their electronic board. Had a student been serving on the Planning and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page l6 Zoning Commission, they would have had not only a chance for input, but to actually craft this ordinance, and to have a decision, to make a vote, and that can't happen if someone has a non-voting liaison with the Council. There's also the existing Student Senate Subcommittee. There's two Council members dedicated to be available to the Student Senate, and we don't have that for the other community interest groups that have been mentioned earlier tonight. So, that's something that can be taken advantage of, and throughout the years, it gets more or less time or energy. And finally, the opportunity is to run for office. Now, we did, a couple of years ago, have a University student who did put herself out there; did a nice job running for City Council; wasn't successful in getting elected; but did raise some issues, and brought some things to mind, to attention of, the current City Council, and some who got elected now. The issues been brought up well; there's students don't have resources, they don't have the name recognition, they don't have the time, when they first get here on campus, and later on they may develop this interest, well, it can happen in other cities, it has happened in other cities, it could happen here in Iowa City. There was, I know in Fort Dodge, they had a mayor who was 25- years-old, not too long ago, and there was another town in Iowa where there was an 18 or 19-year-old, not only on the Council, but that person was the mayor of the town. If it can happen in other places in the State of Iowa, it can happen here in Iowa City. So there is that opportunity. The second question that comes to mind is if students don't take advantage of the opportunities that are available, should we create a special system to do so, like the non-voting membership, and for me the answer is "no." It's already been brought up that it is unfair to other community groups who do take the time to come to the dais to speak to the Council who do serve...who do make the effort to try and get appointed to some of the boards and commissions. There was, there may have been some question from students about whether there's a benefit to serving on the boards and commissions. Well, we have people who get, although we do have lots of openings that don't get fulfilled on the boards and commissions, we do have, for the folks who are applying for those, there's some people who apply multiple times and never get appointed, you know. So, we don't create a special opportunity for them to have a liaison with the Council. The University Student Government, and other student groups, because there are other student groups that are, other interests, other constituencies amongst the University, who can appoint or designate someone to be knowledgeable and recruit more students to get involved, whether it's serving on the boards or commissions, but also to appear at our meetings to give that input. That's something that's an opportunity now. It could have happened yesterday; it can happen tomorrow, whether or not this passes or not. I also think it's unfair to the people who make the time and energy and effort to run for office. There'll be a City Council election this fall, and t he people that are interested in running for City Council, they This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page l7 were getting, some of them were getting their organizations together as far back as November, and that's coming up in the fall, and there are people, myself included, who have nm multiple times for City Council. Some who are successful, and some who do not, and we, regardless of their abilities or inabilities to get on the Council, we don't look at, you know, if it's a low income person, we face some of the same barriers; someone new to town who's low income, faces some of the same barriers that students do, in terms of not knowing who's in town, no name recognition, concern about a certain set of issues, but we don't appoint a special position to Council for that to happen. Again, I just thank you for your time, energy, and effort. I would ask the Council to consider some of these existing opportunities that some, again, some are taking advantage of, and many others are not, that this is something that should happen first, out of a question of fairness, and well, just making sure the existing opportunities are taken care of. I used plenty of time, so I'll be quiet so others can speak. (laughter) Champion: Well, I'll be the next to speak. I am going to support this position. I think the students are a very important part of our community, and I constantly hear from people in the community, and even here tonight, that students are temporary, and as individuals, you are temporary, but as a group, you're very permanent, and I think you're very important. I think it's also a great way to help train our future leaders, to show them how city government works, and as a student, I don't think you're really interested in that right away, but maybe if we can provide this opportunity for you, that we can influence what you might do in the future in your own community. I think it's more than just a special interest group. I think we're providing a learning experience and an internship, and I actually look forward (TAPE ENDS) to other groups, of other ideas, and this particular thing doesn't have to be permanent. We can always change it and interweave it with other things. But these students have gone to a lot of work to get to this point, and then all ora sudden there's other groups of people who want to change what they've asked us to do. Well, we can still do that, but let's start here and let's move forward. Bailey: Well... O'Donnell: I'm also going to support this, excuse me, Regenia. I think we have a group of young people that are interested in the system; they've shown that (can't hear) and been lucky enough to be elected. I think this will enhance communication, and working ability, with a very large segment of our community. I see nothing but positives out of this, and I look forward to working with them. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 18 Bailey: I just want to speak from a broader, philosophical sort of view, and I thank Mark for this because we had a conversation last night and it really clarified things for me, that philosophically this goes against my values of democracy. When a group or constituency has to ask permission to exercise their power, there's a problem, and if you get that permission to exercise your power, you'll never be an equal player. So, my question is, why are you selling yourself so short? You do have power in numbers in this community. You could choose other ways to exercise it. I don't believe by being an ex-officio member of this body, it's a diplomat position - it's not a policy-making position. You'll never be an equal player, and I...why would you be satisfied with that? I mean, listen to the language we talk about. You'll learn something. I mean...you want to be an equal partner at the table. You don't want to be somebody who's...it's an internship or a learning experience for you. If you have those voices to offer, then demand to be an equal partner by exercising your power in the system that we have, and Ross spoke to the ways that you could do that, and so for me, it's really about the system and standing up to recognize your power. We can't empower you. You have to empower yourself and recognize your own power, and I believe the numbers. Numbers come election time - if you're running for Council, you take the student vote very seriously, and I certainly took it seriously when I ran. I was somewhat disappointed at the turnout, but I spoke with students, and I viewed it as an important group in our community. Anybody who knows me knows that I work very hard to create access to public policy, elected and appointed positions for women, but I'm not calling for a senate auxiliary corp. I really think that women should also be key equal players and not calling for special systems, and I don't think you guys should be either. Exercise your power in the system that you have, and I think that you'll be an equal voice around the table. Elliott: I'm going to be supportive of this. Earlier this evening, we heard that we have an opportunity to partner with the University on a project, and we did so. I think this is another opportunity to partner with the University on a project. What makes it even better is that it's a student-initiated project. The students are the single most important component of our cities, single most important entity, the University. I think that this proposal is definitely not to fill the void; it's to add a new dimension to the Council. The University has about 30,000 students, of them about 20,000 are undergraduate students; 9,600 about are graduate and professional students. Because of the nature of student life, all that has been said here is fine and dandy about students running and earning their way on - it is virtually, and I say virtually, it is not literally imposs...but it's virtually impossible for a student to launch a campaign, to win a campaign, and to serve four years on the City Council. It would take a very unusual student who knows at an early time of undergraduate study that he or she will be This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 19 here for graduate work, and will have that time. I say, again, it is virtually impossible for a student to campaign, be elected, and serve four years on the City Council. I think that to compare students at the University of ' Iowa with any other constituency is, I believe it is incorrect. The students at the University are a very unique...that's not right language. Nothing is very unique; it either is unique or it isn't. Student constituency is unique because as Connie said, they are temporary, but taken as a whole, they are here; they are a vitally important part of our community; they deserve to be represented; and if they're going to be represented on the legislative aspect of city government, this is virtually the only way that it can be done. I think I am going to be supportive of this. I will support it. I will vote for it. I think it's very good. I compliment the students for bringing this forward, and I hope that it does pass; however, one thing I would say to Jason and Laura and Mark: if this doesn't pass tonight, I want you to understand that I am firmly convinced that anyone on this Council who votes against it, does so, not because they don't want closer relations with the students and with the University, they do so simply because they think there's a better way. I would respect that, and I will respect that. I hope they don't vote against it, but if they do, please be aware that that is nothing for you. They want it also. They simply might feel that there might be a better way. I hope we pass this tonight. Vanderhoefi Thanks, Bob. That gives me a segway into where I've been coming down on this whole issue. I think Ross has spelled out a lot of the same concerns that I had been voicing for quite a long time. I think the philosophy that Regenia put out, put it in a very broad perspective for you, that would effect you in anything you do, not just in this particular case. Over the past few years, I have been one of two liaisons with University students, and let me tell you, we've had some marvelous young people come through here as Student President and Student Vice-President. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them. I compliment them on all of their energy and ideas. From my perspective, what I've seen is that even your University Presidency is too short to accomplish the things that you have the energy and the desire to do, and it just doesn't quite make it, unless you're on in a continuum. We had one case where a student stayed on as a graduate student and stayed somewhat involved with a recycling project that he had started. I'd rather get more of you at many tables, learning where you may already have some expertise or some more recent experiences, and where I think about it is coming out of our public schools, we certainly are involved with the arts. We have an Art Committee; we have neighborhoods. You all have grown up in some sort of neighborhood, even if it was a rural neighborhood, but the Neighborhood Council is certainly one of the places to get involved. I suspect many of you have participated in athletics, both at the high schools and in your communities, whether it be soccer or Little League or This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 20 swimming or whatever it might be. So our Parks and Recreation Commission might be a wonderful thing. I suspect some of you would be involved with trails, and that you'd have some real good ideas about what you'd like to see in trails, and transportation for students to get around the campus. You're the ones who are walking there; you're the ones who could come to Parks and Recreation and say, "Oh, we need a connection between apartment A and Benton Street," or wherever you happen to live, because you see how many people walk there. You see the path that has been made through the grass, wherever the closest cut-through is. These are the places where I think so many of you could and should be involved, and the place to get involved with those is on the commissions and the neighborhoods, and work with the people around you, get to know all the age groups that are in your neighborhood. This is where I really think it starts. I think it's too overwhelming for me personally when I started on Council. I would say I had a learning curve that actually after about two and a half years I said, 'I just took a Master's degree,' in city involvement and public policy, and I continue to learn from there, and I still continue to learn, but to be an effective councilor, I do not see that that happens until your third or fourth year, if you work real hard at it. So, I think it would be very frustrating for a student to sit there, through a whole lot of issues that they have not had the time nor the inclination to be involved in prior to this time, and the issues, Mark, I'll speak to the one we talked about this morning, in his change as he listened to our discussion last night at work meeting on the downtown alleys, and how things can happen there. Those issues do come along, or those projects come along every so often, but they're the exception, not the rule. We set up services and they pretty much go along, and we tweak them maybe here and there, but there's not a lot of things going on. You saw us go through our packet tonight, our fifteen issues. All of that has been discussed at work meetings. It's not here at Council meetings. I can't support you at the Council table; I can support you at board and commissions, and I hope you will continue to stay involved and I look forward to working with both Mark and Lauren. I'm looking forward, and Jason is going to help, and so is Lindsay. She's going to help set up a meeting with the four of you, and Bob Elliott and myself, and we'll get started with this next year. Good luck to you. Elliott: Ernie, before it comes down to you. Lehman: Yes? Elliott: Jason, and Lauren, Mark, my friend Garry Klein is sitting right in front of you. Before you leave tonight, have a word with Garry, because whatever happens tonight, what he's working on is, I think, something that's very worthwhile. Sorry. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 21 Lehman: Well let me say first of all, I don't really disagree with much that's been said here by either side. To me, this is a lot a matter of which comes first, the chicken or the egg, and I don't think there's any question there's been an opportunity in this community, and has been since I've lived here and that's been longer than you've been born, to be involved in city government. Students have chosen not to do that, and I think to the chagrin of Council, to the chagrin of neighborhoods, and whatever. I think the students offering to come to us and work with us is an offer that I'm not willing to turn down. I mean, I am very pleased that the students are willing to come to the Council and discuss their issues. I would hope that they would be a liaison from the Council to the Student Senate, every bit as much as they are from the Senate to the City Council. I will support this on one condition, and I would...I cannot support having ex-officio or liaison folks sitting up at this table. The folks who sit up here, every one of us, have spent a lot of time working to be elected. We've had folks who have spent countless hours working to see us elected. There have been thousands of people who voted for us, and I think that sitting at this table is a, is reserved for those folks who have earned that privilege. This is not something that is earned; ! think it is a privilege, and ! think it's something that I'm willing to extend to the students because I think we can be of mutual benefit to each other. If someone would like to make a motion that the, in Section 4, that the portion that indicates that the liaison will sit with the Council at formal meetings be removed, I will support it. Champion: I'll make that motion. O'Donnell: I'll second. Lehman: We have a motion by Champion, one by O'Donnell, to eliminate the seating at the formal meetings. Discussion of the amendment? Bailey: So, are the expectations the same, that the person shall attend all the work sessions and all the meetings? Lehman: Yes, and would sit at the work sessions with us. All in favor of the amendment? Opposed? The motion carries 4 to 3; Vanderhoef, Wilbum, and Bailey in the negative. Any further discussion of the motion as amended? Wilbum: I'd just like to point out that the comments about the fairness issue don't disappear with that. There are other community groups who would like to be part of the discussion at a work session. So I still think the fairness issue is still present. There's also a large constituency of high school students who don't have the opportunities that the University students have. They can't vote, and as it currently stands, they can't serve on our This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. # 16 Page 22 boards and commissions, and they've been very involved in the last couple City Council elections, and presidential elections, in attending caucuses and sponsoring candidate forums for the Iowa City Council candidates · ..you know, I'm sure they would like to be able to be part of the work session discussions. So, I don't think that takes the fairness question away. Bailey: And I agree with Ross. I think we've had a lot of discussion about what work sessions are, and who speaks at work sessions, and this sets up an unusual sort of precedence about access to certain groups, and certain groups having access to us. This may be a large group in our community, but it's not necessarily a homogeneous group in our community, and I think that, I just think we're making some assumptions that don't really exist, and I think there is a fairness issue, and I can't support this resolution, even with the amendment. Dilkes: I need some clarification. The resolution as currently drafted provides that during formal meetings, the student may comment, not only during public comment but during the time for Council comment. Is that to change as well, since that person will not be sitting up here? Lehman: I don't have an issue with that. Wilburn: That's what was just taken out. Dilkes: No, no, no; all of Section 4 was not omitted. The section about them sitting up here during formal meetings has been changed, but my question is, if they're not going to be sitting up here during formal meetings, will they then not be, have special right to comment when Council is commenting? Elliott: My understanding of what Ernie said is that during work sessions, they would be an active participant in the Monday night informal work sessions. On Tuesday night at the formal Council meetings, they would not be a part of Council. They would have the opportunity, as anyone else in the public would, to speak during a time for public comment, and we might even provide them with an opportunity to, as the Senior Center has each time. The Senior Center on its own comes up and makes a comment, but I would see, according to Ernie's amendment, that the student would not be a part of the Council, at formal Council meetings. Dilkes: Is that your understanding as well? Lehman: I believe that we allow anyone from the public to speak to any resolution we have, and I would not see that being any different. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. # 16 Page 23 Dilkes: That' s fine. Lehman: Okay. Dilkes: I can make those changes. Bailey: I do want to clarify something here. We talked about it, we don't have a sunset clause for this, but we did talk about evaluating this at some point in the future. So I would like to know, from those of you who are supporting this position, this liaison or diplomat position, and I think this amendment exacerbates the problem with this, not.., it doesn't fix it in my mind. What are your goals for this position? On what will we evaluate this? What do we expect to accomplish from this? What do we expect to see, and how are we going to measure the outcomes, and...when we look at this in a year or so? Champion: I don't think that's something that we've talked about, and I don't think we can decide it in two minutes here. Bailey: Well, I'm not asking you to decide. I'm asking you, actually, to express your opinion because certainly you're supporting this because you want to see something accomplished, not just because it seems like a good thing or it provides an opportunity for an internship. I just want to get a sense of what your expectations are for this position. Champion: Well, I expect it to improve communication between the student body and the City government. Most of the times when we make ordinances that affect students, we don't hear from them until we're talking about, and many have not even heard about it, and maybe we can stop some of that conflict between the students and the City Council, if they're part of the original discussion, when an ordinance becomes necessary - for instance, the nuisance ordinance - for instance the 21-ordinance - for instance, other ordinances, like remember we talked about couches and those kind of things. Vanderhoefi But we had a student on that committee for the nuisance ordinances, sat there at every meeting. Champion: Well, I'm well aware of that, Dee, but we're not, they were not part of the Council discussion. They were part of the neighborhood group discussing the nuisance ordinance. Lehman: You know, Regenia, my suspicion is that we'll learn rather quickly whether or not the student is able to contribute to the work sessions. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page 24 Bailey: Well, I was just trying to develop some further insight about why, what the goals are, because quite honestly, I've never seen a communication problem, and I don't see gaps. I see particular issues that have interested students and they've been concerned about the direction Council is going on those issues, just like any other constituency group, but I haven't seen problems, so for me this isn't a solution bom out of a problem. So, I was just trying to... Elliott: The problems for me have not been overt. The problem for me is that, as one of the speakers said tonight, there has been a University community and the City community, and quite often that twain has not met, and I would see this as a dimension that would, that would encourage greater interaction between the University' community and the Iowa City community. To me, again, talking about the fairness, I am just adamant that the student body is the most unique entity in Iowa City because it continues; it has been here for years; it will be here for years; but it is so ever-changing, they have virtually no opportunity to be part of the legislative process. I would like to make them a part of that process, and I would prefer, and by the way, I told Jason, when Jason and I first talked about this, I said I have mixed emotions about this. I understand the concerns you raise. Those are valid concerns, but I think the potential positives from this, outweigh my concerns, and so I look for us to know the students better; for the students to know us better; other than that, I think this is an experiment, and with all experiments, it can survive or it might not, but I do think, and I've always felt, that if you don't try some things that might possibly fail, you aren't trying enough. Kris Kristofferson, one of my favorite writers and songwriters, said, "I'd rather by sorry for something I did, than for something I didn't do." Wilbum: I think, I guess it's the final piece that I'll add, I'm concerned about the reaction about the access at work sessions by other community groups, and the dynamic that, potential problems, that will create the relationship that you're hoping to enhance. I sense will potentially have a chance, an opportunity, for a greater rift and resentment by other members of the community who don't have that same opportunity that will be created, should this pass, and I would, I guess, we just disagree on the ability to impact or influence legislation, because one example that was pointed here is clearly the students influence the legislative process here when we attempted to create the 21-ordinance because we don't have it now. Vanderhoef: You know, Bob, what you just said about communication. If this is about communication, then why is Council not sitting down once a month, once every six weeks, whatever, like we do with our other communication that we do at the government level, where we sit down with the County, we sit This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #16 Page25 down with other cities, we sit with the school board. We have us all around the table, and we tell each other what's up. We communicate things that are of joint interest, or potential opportunities to work together. I think we could put a whole lot more ideas across the table to the students, and the students to us, if we planned those kinds of meetings once a month, than it ever will be with one person sitting as a liaison, trying to cover the gamut of things that we cover, that they have probably very little interest in learning about sewer systems and water systems and storm water systems, and all of those kinds of things, and our whole budget. I mean, I don't think that's where we ought to be going. If your intent is communication, then I'd be willing to work with you and the new students leaders and put together a meeting where we both put things on the agenda, and we all sit down and we talk about them. And I think that can be done, and create a whole lot more communication than you will ever get with a student sitting at work meetings. Elliott: The answer to your question is not mutually exclusive to passing this project tonight. Vanderhoef: Uh, I think that's one of the things that we should be working on first. If it develops that we have interest and that we get young people out and working on the boards and commissions, but sitting down with the whole Student Senate, with the whole Council, and no formal action to take place there, but everybody can put in their input, and I can hear from a dozen or fifteen or twenty students at that meeting, rather than have one student sit at my work meeting and not have an issue that they want to talk about, or that they see as something important to the student body. I think we could do a whole lot more that way. Champion: I think you're thinking students are much more narrow-minded than they really are, Dee. Let's just give it a try for a year. We can always, it can always change. They may find it very boring, and might not even want to do it. O'Donnell: We've been around the pond about three times now. Lehman: Yeah, are we ready to vote on this? Roll call. Motion carries 4 to 3; Bailey, Wilbum, and Vanderhoef voting in the negative. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #19 Page 26 ITEM 19 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION Lehman: Robert? Elliott: Was there anyone who .... Lehman: No we don't. We only have that at the end of the meeting if we don't have time. Elliott: I have nothing to say except these people must be glutens for punishment because I'm wondering who'd want to sit on this panel that talks things to death the way we do, but I thought, I make fun of it but I thought it was a good discussion. Lehman: I?m sure it was. Connie? Champion: I'd like to say thank you to the students, and also say to one of the comments you made, I got to laughing because I didn't think (can't hear) four year. (laughter) I think the other seven took more than four years to finish. Lehman: Mike? O'Donnell: Well, I certainly don't want the student population to think that we've underestimated them, and this is an opportunity, not only for better communication but a different perspective. I really, I understand the questions, but I have a problem with the resistance. And finally, Iowa City lost one of its best known citizens, Maynard Schneider passed away and he was a Sheriff of Johnson County, a great man, and had many friends, and I wish the best to his family. Lehman: Dee? Vanderhoefi Thank you again for coming, students. Once again, I want to get it on for everyone to hear since I said it last night but I'll say it again to Lauren McCarthy, new Student Vice-President, and to Mark Kresowik, the new Student President, congratulations on your election. You have done the first big step in democracy of getting out and selling yourself to do public service, and I appreciate your offer. I also appreciate the work of Jason Shore and Lindsay Schutte from this past year. They've been energetic and forthright in their deliberations with me, personally, and I appreciate that. They've been very helpful in being able to meet with us when we needed to meet, and I wish you well in your future endeavors, and please don't forget about working in city government and volunteering in your communities. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #19 Page 27 Wilburn: I think tomorrow, March 23rd, the United Way will be announcing the results of the community unified campaign drive, and just ahead of time, I want to congratulate the United Way on all their time, energy, and effort, all of the citizens that sit on the review panel areas of concern and impact the United Way hopes to influence and improve the community, and there's one other thing, but I forgot what it was. Bailey: You can jump in after me. Last night we talked about community events, and I'm really looking forward to summer and having those community events, but I hope that as people get their permits for downtown usage, that we remind them that we have recycling, portable recycling bins available, and encourage them to use them, particularly if they're selling bottled water. I think that would be a good sort of overall recycling policy that we've started and want to continue. Did you remember? Vanderhoef: I goofed. I have another kudos to put out tonight, and I meant to do it two weeks ago and since then I have received another one. The Northside Neighborhood newsletter, I want to commend this editorial staff and the writers for this particular newsletter. I find it very, very informative. It is very timely. It's well written. It gives you information. There are other good newsletters out there, but this one is really great. I wouldn't miss reading it, and I do read all the others and thank you for all you neighborhood folks who do newsletters and keep your local neighbors informed. Lehman: Just one more comment about our liaison, which I, in all honesty, I think we have taken a position that is somewhat difficult to defend in the affirmative folks here. I found very little that the three dissenters said that you can really argue with. The ball is in your court. I think if this can be a tremendous thing, for both the student body at the University and the City Council, but the ball really is in your court. You've asked us; we've kind of bent the rules; maybe some would consider quite a lot, but certainly we've bent them a little, but the ball is in your court. I really do look forward to seeing this happen. And, Steve, I love the countdown lights on Washington, or on Burlington Street. Those are just great. A lot of folks have mentioned it. Atkins: Does it help you? (several talking at once) Lehman: Actually, when you're driving, you're waiting for the light to change, you're counting the numbers (laughing). Atkins: I have nothing tonight, sir. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription 6f the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005. #19 Page 28 Lehman: Thank you. Eleanor? Marian? We have a motion to adjourn. O'Donnell: I'd love to. Lehman: Second? Vanderhoef: Second. Lehman: All in favor? We are adjourned. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of March 22, 2005.