HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-30 TranscriptionNovember 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 1
November 30, 1998
Council Work Session
6:32 PM
Council: Lehman, Champion, Norton, O'Donnell, Thornberry ,Vanderhoef. Absent:
Kubby.
Staff.' Atkins, Helling, Dilkes, Karr, Franklin, Davidson, Ripley, Boothroy, Yucuis,
Trueblood, Handsaker, Fosse, Schmeiser, Grosvenor.
Tapes: 98-131, all; 98-126, all; 98-132, all.
Deer Management Plan 98-131 S1
Lehman/Out of order. Lisa is going to give us just a quick visit ....things that came up at
the last p.h. that we will be addressing tomorrow night.
Hansaker/There were two major coneems .... One of them was a disease similar to mad
Cow disease ....Contacted a Vet at ISU ....Chad wasn't quite sure of the name of
the disease ....I hope that we are addressing the same thing ....In the handout
tonight you will see an email ...doctor... from University of Iowa... The Vet
from ISU had me contact the local doctor to make sure we had a local contact on
it .... It is not in white tail deer, it is in elk or moose in the west part of the United
States and it is not transferable to humans ....This should not be a concern of
council ....
The other is a letter ....All received a copy.
Champion/The four page thing I read and didn't understand.
Handsaker/It is something that the University Animals Rights group is trying to address
directly with the USDA .... I did a memo to you... summarize my discussion...
They will take care of what they legally need to take of. ....will follow all
regulations ....
Lehman/Lisa... the items that were questioned .... Were not relative to any procedures
we will be doing anyway .... So we are on track.
Handsaker/Absolutely... They are dealing with the federal government .... This issue has
come up in other parts of the country .... Ed plans to follow everything according
to guidelines and we don't see any problem at this point.
Lehman/Thank you.
Norton/I wanted to add... If we could reproduce that thing tonight, the piece in the New
York Times today on sharpshooting. It is quite a long article .... Company that
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council tneefing of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 2
contracts to do sharpshooting .... It is a very interesting article about many many
communities .... Will you...if you can.
Thornberry/He is a wildlife biologist with a company that shoots overpopulated cities ....
Norton/You read it, it is very interesting.
Lehman/One thing that we have got to remember is that we address the problem that was
recognized... we put together... about a diverse a committee as you could
possibly put together .... I think we got to remember that this thing was pretty well
hashed out and they came to a consensus .... You guys did a tremendous job.
Norton/There have been many public hearings ....
Vanderhoef/
Lehman/All right, Lisa, thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 3
Review Zoning Matters 98-131 S1
a. Public hearing on an ordinance to vacate street right-of-way located
east of North Market Square Park, and south of Horace-Mann School. (VAC98-
0006)
Franklin/First item is a p.h .... vacate street r.o.w... This is at the request of the school
district and basically the P/Z Commission and staff don't have any problem with
this. The agreement is that this will be left open to the public to use .... Won't be
fenced... incorporated into the Horace Mann playground .... Public will have
access .... Recommendation on this is for approval of the vacation.
b. Consider an ordinance changing the zoning designation of 21.53 acres from Low
Density Single Family Residential (RS-5), County A1, Rural, and County CH,
Highway Commercial, to Planned Development Housing Overlay (OPDH-12),
located at the southeast corner of Scott Boulevard and American Legion Road.
(REZ98-0004) (Second consideration)
Franklin/Second consideration of the rezoning for Sterling House .... Comer of American
Legion and Scott Blvd.
c. Consider an ordinance changing the zoning designation of approximately 10 acres
from Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) to Planned Development
Housing Overlay (OPDH-5), to allow 36 dwelling units, for property located at
Wellington Drive and Village Road. (REZ98-0012/SUB98-0021) (Second
consideration)
Franklin/Second consideration on the Wellington Condominiums.
d. Consider an ordinance changing the zoning designation of a 4.45 acre tract from
Suburban Residential (County RS), to Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-
5) and Public (P) for property located at the east terminus of Court Street. (REZ98-
0015). (Second consideration)
Franklin/Second consideration on the zoning of Court Street Extension annexation.
e. Consider an ordinance vacating the northern 160 feet of the 20-foot wide alley
south of Prentiss Street and west of Capitol Street. (VAC98-0005) (Pass and adopt)
Franklin/Pass and adopt on an ordinance vacating an alley .... E. and f. are related. They
used to be together. We have separated them such that we are vacating only that
portion of the alley which the University needs immediately to begin their project
while they continue their negotiations with property owners at the south end of
the block .... Mr. Alberhasky .... What we are suggesting is that you go ahead and
pass and adopt and vacate on Item e. and then Item f., defer that indefinitely ....
You have later on your agenda .... A item for the conveyance of all of these r.o.w.
That p.h. and resolution would allow you to go ahead and go ahead and convey ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 4
The conveyance won't actually take place until the University has control of
abutting properties. Okay.
Vanderhoef/I was just re-looking at the map... What is the deal with that broken sewer
line? And what responsibility to we have? It says something on the map about this
broken sewer line ....
Franklin/I don't know what you are talking about .... "Sewer line is damaged, no flow
from Madison Street west." Chuck .... On the vacation plat for South Madison
Street .... A sanitary sewer line... sewer line is damaged, no flow. It is in the Des
Moines Street r.o.w.
(All talking).
Schmadeke/The sewer line in Madison Street... the north-south line along the eastside of
the river prior to the installation of the noah river corridor sewer .... That line has
collapsed .... Just a short piece of it there on Madison Street .... When the
University acquires that property, this sewer will just serve the properties right in
that area... It can be converted to a private service line at that time.
Vanderhoef/
Lehman/No concem of ours, okay.
Franklin/
f. Consider an ordinance vacating the Madison Street right-of-way south of Prentiss
Street, the Des Moines Street right-of-way west of Capitol Street and the south 160-
feet of the 20-foot wide alley south of Prentiss Street and west of Capitol Street.
(VAC98-0005) (Pass and adopt)
g. Consider a resolution approving a final plat of Galway Hills Subdivision, Part
Five, a 13.63 acre, 8-lot residential subdivision located on the south side of Melrose
Avenue and West of West High School. (SUB98-0026)
Franklin/To consider a resolution... final plat of Galway Hills Subdivision. This we had
suggested deferral at your last meeting... legal papers... Those documents have
been completed and for you information, one of the issues .... Was the provision
for the sanitary sewer. The University and Dave Ed Limited .... and the city have
an agreement which the city will contribute $24,700 toward this sewer that is a
sewer that runs from Melrose Avenue through the University property to the
Hawkeye lift station and this is to serve part of the Dave Ed development and then
in the future, will serve the University. My understanding .... Reason we have
agreed to include financial participation is because it allows for the- It means that
we don't have to have a lift station for this particular development ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 5
Norton/I always thought those negotiations were between Dave Ed and the University ....
Franklin/I think Chuck .... Eleanor... involved in those negotiations.
Dilkes/The University was very resistant to granting the easement to a private party and
were concerned that it would get bogged down at the Board of Regents ....
Norton/How much of a run is on the University property of the project?
Schmadeke/It starts at Melrose and then goes north to the main entrance to the
apartments there.
Lehman/Another factor... they wanted a size increase, the University did. They asked
the developer to put in an oversized main which he did not need. That oversized
main was needed to service the University property and I think it is a pretty good
arrangement .... It takes care of the development, the University's new sports
complex... takes care of the whole works.
Norton/I am trying to think how we came out ahead. I can't quite add it up. Did we get a
fee easement from the University?
Dilkes/Just to finish. We then have the ability to assign that easement to Dave Ed which
we did and we also got a hold harmless indemnification from them because they
are going to be doing the work. They or their contractors.
Norton/I still don't understand ....Total bill we are talking about, isn't it?
Lehman/The oversized portion of that was like $100,000 .... I talked to the engineer...
the oversize portion of it was $100,000 and Dace Ed was not willing to absorb all
of that and I think it was kind of a mutual arrangement with the University and the
City and Dave Ed to do that. Without the oversize, the University was not willing
to allow the easement. Without the easement we wouldn't have had a $2 million
to $3 million building on the west side. I have to think it was probably a pretty
good deal all the way around.
Dilkes/I wasn't involved in those negotiations.
Norton/But the building is the University's, not ours. They should be willing to pay for
the infrastructure to support their building.
Franklin/...the $2 million to $3 million building... the Melrose Retirement Village...
Lehman/Right, they couldn't have built that without the sewer line.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 6
Norton/...but the University could not build their complex without adequate sewer
which they are getting ....
Lehman/The other thing .... The University gave the easement ....
Dilkes/There was no charge for that easement.
Thornberry/
Lehman/They could have run a short line from that property to the pump station .... It
certainly is in our best interest as well as theirs and everybody's to have the
oversized line... It seems to me to be a pretty tidy arrangement.
Thornberry/
Franklin/$24,700.
Norton/What is Dave Ed putting in?
Lehman/Oh Lord, big bucks.
Norton/Ours is kind of a token.
Lehman/I think it is exactly that.
h. Consider a resolution approving a preliminary and final plat of Resubdivision of
Lots 3, 4, 5, and 6 of W.B. Development, an 8.33 acre, 8-lot commercial subdivision
located on the south side of Escort Lane.
Franklin/...approving a preliminary and final plat of the resubdivision of lots 3, 4, 5, and
6 of WB Development. You haven't seen this one before .... (refers to plat map).
The issue with this are the general issues that we have had with WB... has to do
with the sewer capacity. They have done the calculations and figured an amount
for each of the lots which would allow those lots to develop. However .... If a
particularly wet user, then that could be problematic for them in terms of limiting
their flexibility .... They are aware of that. The other issues had to do with access
and it was basically access of these three lots .... Access to lots 5 & 7 have been
resolved through a private drive... that would come down here .... Lot #4...
arrangement with Mr. Maxwell to the south and an easement agreement... has
been put together that would allow lot #4 to have access offof this drive... out to
Naples .... This is a 15 foot wide sanitary sewer easement .... The items that were
conditions there have been met for the WB Development ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 7
Review Aeenda Items 98-131 S1
1. Agenda Item #10- CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY
CODE OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, BY AMENDING SECTION 8-5-5,
ENTITLED "KEEPING DISORDERLY HOUSE," TO PROVIDE FOR POLICE
INITIATED COMPLAINTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR POLICE AUTHORITY TO
RESTORE ORDER AND DISPERSE PERSONS FROM VIOLATING
PREMISES. (PASS AND ADOPT)
O'Donnell/I think on #10, I wonder if we shouldn't have Eleanor just once again state
the differences which this is proposing ....
Lehman/Yeah, but I think we should have that tomorrow night ....
Norton/
O'Donnell/There are still questions out there ....
2. Agenda Item #8- CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE
OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 8,
ENTITLED "POLICE CITIZENS' REVIEW BOARD," SPECIFICALLY,
SECTIONS 8-8-2 AND 8-8-7, TO ELIMINATE COMPLAINANT
PARTICIPATION IN DUE PROCESS NAME-CLEARING HEARINGS. (FIRST
CONSIDERATION)
Vanderhoef/ .... on the PCRB, #8. Is there anything that we can say that will ease the
minds of everyone that the confidentiality thing is being taken care of for the
identification numbers of the officers? ....We had an officer that was identified
because of the numbers.
Dilkes/Item #8 doesn't deal with that.
Vanderhoef/But it is connected to that and that question is still sitting out there.
Dilkes/The confidentiality issue is a much bigger issue than that one issue ....I don't
think I can give those assurances.
Lehman/We will talk about that on the 15th. However, Eleanor, when we do #8, if you
would do a very brief.... Explanation of what we are doing here.
Norton/We had a letter protesting this further cover ....
3. Agenda Item #12- CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND THE ARTISTS
FOR THE DOWNTOWN PEDESTRIAN MALL WATER FEATURE AND
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 8
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND THE CITY CLERK TO
ATTEST THE SAME.
Norton/I didn't read all the details... I am still curious... does it have any flexibility
light-wise or water-wise?
Lehman/
Franklin/The light... we have had a lot of discussion about that at the Public Art
Advisory Committee and one of the positions that the artists have taken which are
supported by our downtown maintenance folks .... Is that in the simplicity of the
design... there is virtue in that you don't have the longtime maintenance costs.
We had in the old fountain lights that were set in the surface... They were taken
out because they were broken so often by people smashing them... What also
happens with those kinds of lights .... Flush in the surface .... Get a lot of
condensation and corrosion overtime and it is a constant maintenance issue. The
other point... possible variability in the jets .... That option. That is an option, it
doubles the cost of the jets and it means that you have to pay for some kind of
computer programming that would make that happen .... You could stand on one
jet which will affect the height of the other one ....Much more tim and
interactive ....One of the questions... with these ....jets, if you put your face in it,
would you hurt yourself?. And the person who does this says no, you won't .....
(All talking).
Norton/ ....I don't want to double the cost .....
Franklin/One of the other things that was discussed was the fact that we have a number
of lights that are planned around this that will light the area ....
Norton/What did we get, a five year guarantee?
Franklin/ ....I think that pertains more to the jets.
4. Agenda Item #13 & 14 1998/99 DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN.
Thornberry/Is there going to be any problem with the Deer Management Plan?
Lehman/We will find out tomorrow night.
5. Agenda Item #
Norton/Is somebody going to review for us any further details on the water works
project?
Lehman/You mean on Willow Creek? That comes up at 7:40 PM.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 9
Norton/Okay .....
6. Agenda Item #4f.(12)-Lloyd Vaneer - municipal bonds and stocks
Dilkes/Ernie, I thought I would just address the Lloyd Vanveer letter... of November
20 .... This was preceded by a letter to the city asking what records we had
showing that any of you would own municipal bonds. We checked our records
and we didn't have any. We haven't made any direct payments to any of you ....
Bonds held by third parties. With respect to this letter, my response to her would
be that the records that she is seeking from you all individually are not public
records and... you can choose to answer her own letter as you see fit.
Champion/I choose not to answer.
O'Donnell/Just say no.
(All talking).
Norton/Seems to me we ought to have a consistent response ..... all of us are doing
nothing.
Thomberry/I don't think it is anybody's business ....
Lehman/Would it be appropriate for us to draft a letter from council saying this is
probably an inappropriate request and not information that is public .... ?
Dilkes/If you would like me to draft a letter for you, I can certainly do that.
Lehman/I think we all agree ....
Dilkes/I can draft a letter telling her what my advice has been ....My understanding that
you will likely not choose to share that information.
Lehman/Would you do that please? Thank you.
Norton/
7. Agenda Item #4.f(2) - Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret and Dwayne Bourret - North
Dubuque Street Sidewalk.
Champion/What about the letter from Joan Zug ....
Norton/North Dubuque Street.
Lehman/I don't know about that. Steve, can we do some checking on it?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 10
Norton/That is where that terribly steep bank is ....
Vanderhoef/
Thornberry/We spent some time there.
Atkins/There would be a retaining wall of some consequence.
Norton/Is it something that should be considered?
Atkins/We could inform the fraternity and ask them to do it as a good citizen.
Lehman/We might even require that.
Atkins/I don't know if you can do that... require the installation of sidewalk down
Dubuque Street by the fraternity ....
Dilkes/You would have to special assess it ....
Norton/... it is a real problem there ....Two blocks ....
Thornberry/She said she was going to have to build a fence around her property ....
Barbwire .....
O'Donnell/I think she is in general supporting the party ordinance.
Lehman/
Atkins/Let me rough out something.
8. Agenda Item #15- CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECTION
8 ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN FOR TBE IOWA CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
SECTION 8 PROGRAMS.
O'Donnell/On #15, are these big changes to our Housing?
Lehman/You will get that tonight.
Atkins/I can tell you... those are not substantial changes .....We are going to have folks
here tonight.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 11
Kirkwood Avenue Traffic Signals 98-131 S1
Lehman/Jeff.
Davidson/We talked about this is June and at that time a majority of the council was not
in favor of making any changes to the existing traffic control system on Kirkwood
Avenue. You asked us to put together some information... You have a memo
from Doug Ripley and I ....
About 8 - 9 years ago when Kirkwood Avenue was being considered for
reconstruction, this was a very contentious issue... led to the city council, at that
time, very specifically addressing staff to essentially consider Kirkwood Avenue
differently than we consider other arterial streets and we should not use... typical
arterial street design standards because of the sensitivity of the adjacent
residential area .... During peak traffic periods that is a very inefficient traffic
control system, on Kirkwood .... Traffic moves very slowly... It is designed to
discourage people from using Kirkwood Avenue .... Successful at doing that. Staff
would not consider any changes to this corridor unless addressed by cotmcil .....
We do not have a dangerous situation. We have an inefficient situation here .....
We do notice a lot of aggression on the part of motorists .... Generated by the fact
that it is such an inefficient corridor to get through ....It is operating as it was
designed to operate ....
Thornberry/That is not putting the problem from Kirkwood over onto Highland.
Davidson/In June we were considering the Highland situation .... The neighborhood did
approve installing the traffic calming measures... we are scheduled to do that in
the spring.
Norton/What is the evidence .... I travel this daily .... 5 - 10 minute congestion twice a
day .... I just don't see the problem .... I would like to see the evidence that people
are in fact switching over to Highland to avoid Kirkwood ....
Thornberry/That is why I was opposed to traffic calming on Highland because they have
got automatic traffic calming .... S-turn ....
Norton/They speed down there pretty well .... Where is the evidence about this shift to
Highland ....
Davidson/Our only evidence about Highland, Dee, is our traffic counts show there is
traffic volume on Highland Avenue beyond which is generated by the
neighborhood.
Norton/
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 12
Thomberry/...study showed there is an awful lot of traffic on Highland ....
Norton/We have Court Street ..... worse ....That is the way life is ....
Thornberry/On Dodge Street there is quite a delay a couple of times a day.
Norton/It is five minute, Dean... delayed maybe five minutes ....
Vanderhoef/...I frequently use the Market and Jefferson .... Has lights that regulate the
flow of the traffic .... The possibility on Kirkwood, that with two lights and
having them timed such .... It will leave the breaks in the traffic .... Control the
traffic in an orderly fashion and it will decrease all of this frustration .... It will
add positive things to our air quality in that area .... Decrease the cut through
traffic .... Lights are not going to be at the Summit Street area ....
Noaon/ .... we don't have an origin/destination study ....
Davidson/We don't .....
Norton/
Vanderhoef/I think it will be safer actually with them.
Norton/...If we had a pair of them .....I mean a pair of streets like Market and Jefferson.
Champion/
Lehman/Would stoplights move traffic more efficiently both on Kirkwood and from
Dodge onto Kirkwood?
Davidson/Kirkwood east-west and Dodge and Keokuk noah-south. Yes, it would move
traffic more efficiently... faster ....
Vanderhoef/Faster... not speeding .... Traffic light ....So well timed ....
Davidson/
O'Donnell/
Davidson/This would be a major shift in your policy you have given staff about
Kirkwood Avenue .... We are going to discourage traffic by making it an
inefficient system ....
Champion/
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 13
Vanderhoef/It is inefficient on an arterial ....
Thornberry/The arterials are suppose to move traffic .... Suppose to be using Kirkwood
instead of Highland ....
Norton/Court Street is a quasi-arterial and so is Muscatine ....
O'Donnell/
Lehman/I think the point is if the inconvenience associated with Kirkwood Avenue is
creating a problem on Highland .... Then we have just moved the problem
someplace else ..... A lot of people do mind waiting ....
Norton/I don't see that evidence... I think there is plenty of traffic on Highland coming
from the other direction ....
Davidson/There is still much more traffic on Kirkwood Avenue than there is on
Highland Avenue ....
Norton/
Vanderhoef/
Norton/Coming up from the south .... A lot of traffic coming from Pleasant Valley and
up that way ....
Vanderhoef/They are going through on Highland.
Thornberry/
Norton/I am just against messing with it at the moment .... Certainly not until I know
what happens at the Mall .... At Sycamore ....
VanderhoefJ I see it as a safety issue, absolutely, Dee ....On Highland Avenue ....
Norton/We are calming that.
Vanderhoef/For the people who buy houses on small neighborhood streets versus off of
an arterial .... their expectation that that doesn't become an arterial because we
have put traffic calming on an arterial .... I recognize Kirkwood as an arterial and
we have traffic calming on an arterial which is against our general policy.
Norton/We have it on Court Street.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 14
Vanderhoef/ ....having been looking at Court and First Avenue ....
Davidson/
Norton/They go fast enough on Kirkwood ....
Vanderhoef/It will stop the traffic ....
Thornberry/It will just put higher volume traffic through ....
Vanderhoef/
Davidson/The higher volume is because it moves faster ....
Norton/What would the lights be like?
Davidson/We have absolutely no idea ....
Lehman/According to your report, there are signals warranted ....
Davidson/ .... warrants .... There is also engineering and political judgement. If we had a
safety problem, we would bring that to your attention .... We don't. We have an
efficiency problem.
Lehman/Do you view the problem on Highland a being partially in part caused by the
inefficiency at Kirkwood?
Davidson/I think there is probably some traffic on Walnut Street... and on Highland...
that is because of the situation on Kirkwood ....Anecdotal evidence .... Certainly
not all the traffic on those streets.
O'Donnell/There is a problem there twice a day ....
Thornberry/Mike, there is a problem on Keoknk more than twice a day.
Norton/That is because of the Burger King.
Thornberry/Yeah.
Vanderhoef/Getting the break to make the turns on that street is very difficult because
there isn't the stoplight ....I am thinking in terms of the side streets further
down ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 15
Norton/
Champion/
Thornberry/Coming down Dodge Street to Kirkwood, you got to have two people
willing to let you out if you are going to be tuming left .... It is a three way stop ....
Norton/They are courteous them at that comer.
(All talking).
Norton/We might want some data. What about the kids at Kirkwood? ... fair amount of
traffic in that general region is in and out of Kirkwood ....Ask them to do a little
survey ....
Davidson/Are you talking about origin and destination type of information?
Norton/I want to know where they are going ....
(All talking).
Lehman/Kirkwood .... is functional ....I think we need to have a-
CHANGE TAPE TO REEL 98-131 SIDE 2
Lehman/...discouraging care from using an arterial street and putting them on a
residential street is just plain not good policy.
Vanderhoef/I fully agree ....
Lehman/ .... we are talking about doing things on College and Washington Street to
discourage folks there. We are just going to put them some place else ....
Norton/
(All talking).
Lehman/Is there interest in looking at this any further7
Vanderhoef/Yes.
Thornberry/I think so.
Champion/No.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 16
Norton/We are happy.
Davidson/When you say look further, what we would be doing is designing a traffic
signal system.
(All talking).
Davidson/We just need to design the signal system if you want us to.
Lehman/I would support .... To me that is an arterial street .... I don't think we have four
people. We only have six of us tonight. This is a decision we are going to have to
come back when we have seven people. Where are you Mr. O'Donnell?
O'Donnell/I wonder when we are going to do traffic calming on Park Road ....
Lehman/When elephants fly.
O'Donnell/...I think you specifically took lights off Kirkwood for a reason and that is
traffic calming and I think we have made appropriate steps to calm traffic on
Highland.
Lehman/Which is something that we shouldn't have had to do.
Thornberry/There were no traffic lights on Kirkwood.
Davidson/
Vanderhoef/
Norton/
O'Donnell/We have made an attempt on Highland. I would like to see how that goes
before we do anything on Kirkwood.
Lehman/
(All talking).
Lehman/Put this one on the table. We are going to bring it up one more time when Karen
is here. We have three people who think it is a decent idea and three of them who
don't.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 17
Champion/Wait a minute. I object strongly to that. That because the vote doesn't go the
way you want it, now you want to bring it up again when there might be a
possibility of a fourth vote.
Thornberry/...how can you say that defeats it, that is a three to three ....
(All talking).
Vanderhoef/You show me a working arterial and then show me whether we need traffic
calming or not.
Lehman/While we are showing each other, we are going to move onto the next item.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 18
CIP 2004/Beyond 980131 S 2
Lehman/CIP.
Atkins/We have gone through the years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 20003. This is the last
year... most of these projects are getting pretty iffy .... I would like to just
spend .... Walk you through those pretty quickly... These are basically projects
that there has been some interest at one time of another .... We do some very
preliminary work. We do not invest heavily in these projects. There are some that
we will begin phasing certain elements of it. For example, the Public Works
Facility is a project that would be staged over a number of years... Fire
Apparatus, while that is a large number... a schedule of replacement .... Most of
the other projects .... Rick, how about that Johnson Street cross-connect ....
Fosse/That is one that we can probably get done within the $300,000 per year that we
budgeted for sanitary sewer repairs throughout the city .....It looks it is about a
$60,000 fix. Probably strike that one from the list.
Atkins/Okay.
Norton/What does that mean? What is cross connecting?
Fosse/We have storms filling into the sanitary and the other way around ..... One that is
not on this list... is Foster Road, Dubuque to Prairie du Chien. That is one we
should get added to the out years.
Lehman/What is the timing on that?
Fosse/It depends if you do the paving and grading all at once ....I don't know the
numbers ....
Lehman/...Taft Speedway Reconstruction. Can you tell me what that is?
Fosse/That is the reconstruction and elevation of Taft Speedway from Dubuque Street
out past No-Name Road.
Lehman/Why would we raise that street?
Fosse/That is on there because of that undeveloped property on the south side.
Lehman/Why would we spend $1.5 million of taxpayers dollars to make private property
redevelopable that was bought in the floodplain? ....
Atkins/You wouldn't spend all of taxpayers money. That history on that project .... That
project has been banging around for years. You do have to elevate it .... Talked
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 19
about special assessment for that project and it has just constantly shown on the
list... Is some undeveloped land in there.
Lehman/
Norton/ .... Trying to deal with our streets .... If we can get some more compact
development ....
Vanderhoef/Do you really want more development in the floodplain?
Norton/That is the question .....
Lehman/I don't know that we need to do anything with it.
Norton/
Lehman/
Atldns/It is far out in years .....
Champion/
Arkins/
Norton/One... Sycamore out to the L .... possible developments in the southeast .....
Arkins/Some of the projects up there got put on the list... just simply we couldn't take
anymore projects .... Just really not a whole lot of places it could go .... If that area
really popped... have to move that project up.
Davidson/Some of the development projects down there have really slowed down ....
Discussion with the Lehmans .... Their ground isn't even in the city yet... Hasn't
become a pressing priority ....
Thomberry/Is there any reason why at all the Scott Blvd across 1-80 to Hwy 1 is on
there? ..... With the construction of Captain Irish, that is $5 million as of now ....
Davidson/In a month or so you all will be getting the Northeast District Plan .... That
number is going to change if you adopt that plan... working with the alignment ....
A different configuration is being proposed ....
Norton/We can finesse that whole thing.
Davidson/And we can revise this project once that plan is adopted.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 20
Thomberry/Okay, thank you.
Atkins/Anything else?
Norton/You just think those bridges will hold out all right, huh?
Atkins/That is kind of a Rick call .... There is a list .... Statewide list and they work their
way up... Summit Street is now eligible for funding .... Allow federal funding to
drive how fast we fix these bridges .... Bridges take a lot of design time ....
Norton/
Vanderhoef/Is there a way that we can start addressing the ones that are... box culverts
that we don't get DOT money? ....
Fosse/There are a few of those in here.
Vanderhoef/...ought to just put on the plan that every 2 - 3 years... we should be doing
one of those.
Fosse/Boxes to bridges ....
Vanderhoef/Look at them and see which ones are needing it first and then just put a
priority list on them and knock them off as we go along.
Atkins/ ....need to do some engineering work.
Thornberry/Finance Computers is going to be okay? ....
Atkins/We hope so .....
Thomberry/Are we going to have to spend some money to get 2000 to fly?
Atkins/We are spending it now... in-house.
Yucuis/The financial software was purchased in '82 .... We have had new hardware put
in in the last couple of years .... May pop up sooner than later .....
Norton/Out there at the comer of Scott and American Legion and the development in
Windsor Ridge, does that suggest that American Legion can stay out there .....
Fosse/I think after Court gets connected to that subdivision, that is going to take a lot of
pressure ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 21
Davidson/When Windsor Ridge was platted, we made a big deal of that .... American
Legion .... is in pretty good condition .... It was made clear to the developer that
there is no intention on the city's part of reconstruct that anytime soon ....
Norton/But some work will be done on it with connection to the Sterling
Development? ....
Davidson/I don't think there are any improvements programmed in conjunction with
that.
Norton/
(All talking).
Atkins/I would like to know are there projects that you don't see that you would like us
to take a look at ..... There are two that I wish to add. One is the underground
storage tanks at the Airport .... About $300,000.
Lehman/Is that something we can do and charge the Airport for?
Atkins/I suspect we can. And we will probably need another airport hangar .... We are
not getting into a lot of financing fight now ....
Lehman/We don't want to wait until those suckers start leaking.
Atkins/No and we won't .....
Norton/Do we have ... a connection from Rohret Road to Melrose?
Davidson/It is intended that there will be collector streets .... County Home property ....
We don't have any plans... The next arterial is the 965 Extension .... Everything
else will be collector streets that will be done as development occurs .....
Vanderhoef/965 has got to move.
Thornberry/That connection from Gilbert to Scott, East-West Parkway - Gilbert to
Scott. Is that one south of town?
Vanderhoef/Yeah.
Thornberry/
Arkins/From Sand Road.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 22
Thomberry/
Davidson/We have two projects. The alignment between Sand Road going east to Scott
Blvd. is pretty well set .... Tied down... developer driven. The thing that is much
less specific is from Gilbert Street to the west ....Doing an alignment study on it
fight now.
Vanderhoef/What I had a question about .... The East-West Parkway is also... right in
there with the South Sycamore Drainage system .... Getting the easements fight
now for both .... Grading and seeding... getting permanent easements at this
time... Do we need to move that parkway up?
Thomberry/
Davidson/We will have an alignment study down by the end of this year ....
Norton/Not going quite as fast.
Davidson/
Vanderhoef/Steve were you thinking in terms of moving the Airport Fuel Storage tanks
to the top priority for things for the Airport?
Atkins/It wouldn't be the top pfiority... it has to be dealt with.
Vanderhoef/They are putting the terminal as their #1, then moving with fuel tanks ....
Atkins/You will be getting a memo from me .... On the financing of the Airport .... We
are really putting a lot of our own money into the thing... FAA is just so slow...
We are losing investment income .... We want to keep you up to speed on the
Airport .... We are sticking to that plan .....
Vanderhoef/The terminal is a concem of mine .... It is reporting out in the minutes that
the council is all on favor of this ....
Atkins/I told them... that I sensed council support for the project. However, they need to
go to a full blown architectural agreement to design the work and it has to come
back here .... You will have to put up about $50,000 to have the thing designed ....
It is your money .... You will get the terminal money back ....
Thomberry/The terminal is a city building ..... We could lease out part of that building to
the FBO .... It is a city building and we don't get that back .... T-hangars... 100%
filled immediately ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 23
Atkins/The terminal is our project.
Norton/What is our next step with CIP?...
Atkins/What I am going to do- We are doing the operating budget now and we will
attach the CIP to it .... You have a very aggressive CIP .... You are going to get
that all back .... I will try to do a very simplified version of saying okay ....
Norton/Is that one where you will cut it several different directions... type of project as
well as by year?
Atkins/Yes .... I do need to hear from you if you want things added, even it is put them
on a list... I need to know that.
Vanderhoef/ .... A couple of things ..... the Public Works site fight now and whether we
would be eligible for any Brown field moneys.
Atkins/We had applied for Brownfield money for the old Public Works site. We were
tumed down .... So we are going to have to try a new way to get at that.
Vanderhoef/ .... about our floodplain areas and I would like to see us do more
investigation on floodplain areas and an ordinance on whether we develop or
don't develop or how it fits into our whole thing.
Atkins/We have a Floodplain Management Ordinance .... If you want to be a little more
aggressive about the purchase of properties, that is fine.
Davidson/We recently went to the Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission with the
existing ordinance and asked them if they wanted to change it .... Deliberated it...
They didn't really propose at least any significant changes.
Vanderhoeff Would they be more aggressive with it? ....
Davidson/We can get you a summary of where they stood on it .... They weren't going to
recommend any significant changes to the ordinance which governs how
floodplain property can be developed.
Vanderhoef/My question... whether to take it totally out of development.
Lehman/Almost an impossibility ....
Atkins/You have to buy it and there may be FEMA money .... You can purchase it ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 24
Norton/
Vanderhoef/ .... looking even further down the line... As people asked to be annexed in
and they have land that is in the floodplain, do we want to accept that and zone it
for development? .... Large question that needs to be explored.
Atkins/There is four.
Norton/I see nothing in here explicitly related to stormwater responsibilities.
Atkins/We have stormwater permitting. That is about $1/2 million .... Simply gets a
permit. How much are we going to spend after that? I shutter ....
Norton/Also does this imply something about stormwater development fees related to
stormwater?
Atkins/We have no real way to pay for major stormwater improvements other than
selling of debt or your General Fund .... The fund cannot take big hits ....
Fosse/
That $1/2 million is just to make the application. The average fee for communities
over 100,000 was $750,000 to make application. A lot of that is compiling a good
map of our storm sewer system .... Part of that whole GIS thing .... Best
management practices... going after those remaining cross-connections in our
sewer... expensive to undo.
Vanderhoef/Is there a short term study we can do? ..... Should we knock off a couple of
these cross-connections every year... We are going to be hit very shortly from the
feds.
Atkins/We will be hit by the feds.
Vanderhoef/Sooner probably rather than later... If we need to put some on the CIP every
year.
Fosse/We have been whittling away at the relatively easy one .... Also looking at some
up in the north end of Goosetown ..... Some of those old cross-connects that were
plugged 20 years ago are coming on-done ....
Thomberry/When they come out with these regulations .... Perhaps there might be some
money available to us ....
Atkins/
Norton/... So we have a number of these on there .... Things like the Noah Plant ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 25
Arkins/One of the unique characteristics of stormwater management, is it is so different
from waste water .... Stormwater management .... The reds are going to have to go
pretty slow and pretty deliberate because every town is dramatically different ....
Thornberry/Do we know where all of these stormwater drains are?
Fosse/No, we don't .... A good part of the expense is cataloguing what is out there.
Nono~
Thomberry/
Fosse/We have two outlets to the river for wastewater. We have got 800 storm sewers ....
You need to look at each water shed then and look at what is the best management
practice for this one of 800 watersheds ....
Atkins/Anything else you want to add to the list?
Lehman/I just got a comment. In the year 2002, we have scheduled both 965 Extended,
Captain Irish Parkway, First Avenue. We have got a lot of projects .... I wouldn't
have a problem with doing Captain Irish Parkway or First Avenue .... Then doing
one or the other year in the out year. I don't think they have to both be at the same
year.
Atkins/... We may have to bring some thing back to you .... 965 is substantially
dependent upon whether there is a sales tax ....You have set 965 as a policy... We
do have an alignment study ....
Lehman/
[Council Break]
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WS113098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 26
Willow Creek Sewer Reroute 98-131 S2
Schmadeke/In your packet is a memo regarding the Willow Creek Interceptor Sewer
Project. The route we had selected for the installation of that pipe .... wetland
area .... After installation of about 400 feet of that pipe, we realized that crossing
the wetland was not going to be possible. We are now recommending that we go
around the wetland following Riverside Drive.
Lehman/Would you term this a recommendation of necessity?
Schmadeke/I think so.
Thornberry/Was this a oops?
Vanderhoef/...What responsibility does our engineering consulting firm have on the
dollars that we have already spent on following their guidelines?
Schmadeke/They were consulting with us on this project. The decision was ... ours to
make .... We weighed the risks of crossing the wetlands with the cost 0fgoing
around which was an additional $300,000 .... We felt that we could cross the
wetland and as it turned out, we weren't able to. The decision was made by
myself and out consultants to cross the wetland.
Norton/The river crossing has gone all right?
Schmadeke/We haven't started to cross the river .... They will probably work on that this
winter .... We have moved from the west side of the river. The pipe is in all the
way to S. Riverside Drive ....This wetland area is where Willow Creek crossed
Riverside Drive.
Atkins/...explain soil conditions ....Very unique characteristic of those soils ....
Schmadeke/The soils .... We have had a soil engineer from Tarragon Consultants ....
They analyzed the soils .... Designed a pipe bed and pipe envelope to carry the
pipe across these wetlands. They are as surprised as we are .... A lot of has to do
with construction, the heavy equipment... It is hard to stabilize the soils with the
heavy equipment we are using.
Thornberry/How much of it is done?
Schmadeke/(Refers to map) This is the line across the wetland ....
Thornberry/You are over half way through it ....
Lehman/My understanding is you are not at all happy with what you are done.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 27
Schmadeke/We hit some real bad soil here for about 80 feet .... Once we crossed the
creek channel then the soils started getting bad again .... We think in this area here
it is going to be very difficult to construct a pipe.
Norton/
Schmadeke/(Refers to map) .... down Riverside Drive ....
Chuck Meyer/Can I just show this map .... My name is Chuck Meyer with Stanley
Consultant .... (Refers to map and aerial photo) ..... The area of the poor soils...
about 600 feet from this comer to S. Riverside Drive .... The straight line route
across there. The route... would be to go up and around that which about doubles
the length.
Lehman/It appears that we don't have a great deal of choice.
Schmadeke/I think for long term maintenance purposes and now even cost, I think it is
better to go around.
Lehman/
Norton/
Meyer/We are putting in three separate fittings ....
Norton/It is still an acute angle.
Lehman/I don't know that we have a whole lot of choice.
Vanderhoef/
Norton/Pilings ....
Schmadeke/Then to maintain it later on would be very difficult.
Lehman/
Norton/
Schmadeke/It is moving both vertically and horizontally.
Thornberry/...What do you do with the pipe that is already there? ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 28
Schmadeke/We would just abandon that ....
Thornberry/How much money did it cost to go from that point over?
Lehman/$180,000.
Vanderhoef/..then an additional $300,000 cost on the project .... Additional money.
Norton/
Lehman/
Schmadeke/There is some loss at each of those angles ....
Thornberry/
Atkins/How big is the pipe?
Schmadeke/It is a 78 inch pipe ....
Atkins/Pressures that are causing that pipe to move ....
Lehman/...we took a chance that it would work .... Reroute it.
Atkins/Give Stanley credit... connection between the two plants .... This is just simply
the way it is. We talked about it... We could finish the pipe ....If we go around, it
is 100 years ....
Lehman/All fight, do we all agree that we live with the problem? All fight ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 29
Riverside Theater 98-131 S2
Lehman/Riverside Theater.
Trueblood/For somewhat less than $180,000 here is a project that we would like to talk
to you about. It is all above ground .... During our CIP process .... Proposed
Riverside Theater stage .... Annual Shakespeare Festival to be constructed in City
Park .... More information about the project .... Ron Clark and Jody Hoveland ....
Fill you in on a little more of the detail ....
Ron Clark/Thank you .... Present this project and answer questions primarily...
Overview .... Riverside Theater is in its 18th season of professional theater ....
Quality theater .... Parmership with the city council to produce Shakespeare every
summer in the park .... I hope that you have had a chance to look over the reduced
ground plan ....
CHANGE TAPE TO REEL 98-132 SIDE 1
Clark/...this is the city's ..... Construction design have been an issue in some people's
mind ....We will build to meet or exceed code. We are working with an excellent
designer ....Riverside Theater proposes that it will purchase and maintain
production equipment for its use and for rental by other groups .... Riverside does
have an interest in being primary tenant in the facility in so far as that we would
like to have first chance at the calendar. We hope that this would be a growing
festival .... First one to be in June, 2000 .... We would like to have first crack at
the calendar... Hope that Riverside would have three years of exclusive theatrical
use .... Reasons for it regarding establishment of reputation... expectation of what
people will find when people come and see work there .....
Lehman/ .... This would become part of Parks and Recreation facilities of Iowa City. I
guess I would be terribly interested in the operation of this fitting into... Terry has
to work with you guys .... I think that if the city owns it, the city has to have some
latitude ....
Clark/
Lehman/Terry, have you discussed this at all?
Vanderhoef/Parks and Rec, they approved it.
Norton/They recommended it.
Trueblood/That is correct. It has gone before the Parks and Recreation Commission ....
We realize there could be future maintenance obligations .... Primarily what has
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 30
gone out at this particular site has been free .... That would have to change .... We
haven't done any market research .... We just don't know at this point.
Lehman/The maintenance will be part of Parks and Recreation .....
Trueblood/That is what I am assuming ....
Lehman/
Thornberry/Are you the group that performs out at the Fairgrounds?
Clark/No. We are in residence at 213 N. Gilbert ....
Thornberry/I have been out to the little theater out at the Fairgrounds... Would they be
interested in renting? ...Or what would you do? Make it available to different
groups or what?
Trueblood/I think it would depend on the nature of the activity ....We would have to look
at generating some revenue ....
Norton/They wanted exclusive use for the first three years theatrical-wise ....
Clark/The first year we would plan on doing... probably eight performances the first
year of one play .... We would hope that it would grow... We have to see how fast
we can generate an audience .....
Norton/How many University productions are in the summer?
Clark/In the summer they are generally doing three or four ....
Norton/
Clark/...we are looking to open before they open... close before they open.
Champion/I think if we build a facility, they will come .... Wonderful idea .... I have
problems...with exclusive .... What do you plan on giving up to give you
exclusive playwright rights?
Clark/Riverside Theater is looking at an opening expenditure of $90,000 in its first
year .....We are looking to build a new audience... attracting a pretty wide
range ....In our best interest... establish this as an annual even that is clear and
distinct and set apart from any other like it .....It is going to take some time to do
that.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 31
Norton/
Clark/We see ourselves as being in early June .... Necessary to expand from there into
the latter part of June ....
Thomberry/
Clark/Our use would be in June.
Thornberry/I don't understand the exclusivity.
Clark/What we are asking is that for the first three years, 2000, 2001 & 2002 that there
would be no other theatrical productions on the site other than Riverside Theaters.
Vanderhoef/I see this as a real large opportunity for the city and for our Convention and
Visitors Bureau .... An economic development ....
Jody Hoveland/It is very common for any kind of arts center or entertainment complex
like this to have an anchor presence .... Riverside Theater... professional
reputation and integrity to really establish this regionally ....
Lehman/If we spend city money to build this .... I think the city might have a very
difficult time explaining to Connie's high school class why they were unable to
have a performance in July or August when the thing is not being used at all for
any performances .... I think that might be a little difficult to defend that position
if there are groups that want to use it and you don't need it ...... But when you
don't need it and aren't using it, I think the city would have a tough time ....
Clark/We have another interests in mind in terms of its use .... Other groups that are
interested in using music there .... Difficult to explain. We have leamed this from
renting our own space. That no matter whose name you put up in front of it,
people see that it is Riverside Theater's .... I think what this clause does is it gives
us a chance to clearly establish it as a center for professional theater ....A certain
level of quality ....
Thornberry/It is not Riverside's Theater's facility .... It is Iowa City theater .... If the city
builds it, how do we say to a high school group that you can't use it ....
Clark/It is a partnership.
Vanderhoef/
Thornberry/...soccer people put up an awful lot of money .... Somebody else can use the
soccer fields when they are not using it.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 32
Norton/I am worried about it relating to the downtown .... I understand the virtues of an
outdoor but it is going to take considerable security issues .... To keep this thing
under control when it is not going to be used .... I was kind of hoping for
something a little less physical .... Plantings... pretty maintenance free ....
Vanderhoef/That would imply to me more amateur than professional.
Norton/There is all kinds of theater festivals around here ....Are you pretty sure about
that market? ....
Clark/I think so... We have had more interest in this ....Than in any other project that we
have undertaken .... We are planning on raising ....We are talking $90,000
here .... Riverside Theater operates on an annual budget of less than $1/2 million.
We do a lot with very little ....We are hoping that this will generate its own
audience ....
Norton/
Clark/... I know that this is a sticky clause... In order to distinguish this location as a
place where people will come to expect quality classical theater, you need that ....
Regarding high school usage .... Personally, we do probably one of the most
successful high school programs in the Midwest in our theater fight now in the
summer .... It is not an ideal space for kids... to learn how to do theater ....
Norton/Do you sit on the ground?
Clark/That is the initial plan .... This is lawn chair and blanket seating .... In the
neighborhood of 400 people .... Imagine this... (refers to park map). This is about
90 feet in from the street ....Built into the hillside where the old bear cages are
now .... A secure storage building fight there .... Extend out 90 - 100 feet out to
the ticket booth.
Vanderhoef/What are we looking at for city costs to start up with this?
Clark/Costs are based on... Paul estimated the materials cost at about...$40,000 ....
Double your labor costs beyond that .... I think the $120,000 is reasonable ....I
have had two contractors look at it ....The building itself. Land preparation would
be an added cost .... Do some land preparation and finn this up... At some future
point... installing bench seating .... Can be done down the road.
Thornberry/Does that are flood quite frequently? ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 33
Trueblood/It used to... after the flood of '93, tons and tons of sand... half of it is in this
area now .... Topped off with soil and grass ....
Clark/
Talking initially using porta-potties ..... The closest ones are within walking
distance .... Look at your detailed drawing .... Have a concession stand... dressing
stand... portable toilet as well .... One security interest... might want to run
cyclone fencing .... Up here .... Issues of security .... Valid .... I don't know who to
address that... put up good security lights .... I can't really envision it being more
of a vandalism problem .... There are some things that are very attractive about
it .... Deal with it creatively... Light is the best solution ....
Norton/
Clark/...If you look at the detailed drawing ....
Norton/
Lehman/This is in our CIP for next summer. I do have a concern about the exclusivity ....
This would be a great thing to have ..... problem to limit any sort of theatrical
performance for three years to one group .... That restriction is not something I am
real comfortable with.
Clark/I guess I don't understand... Are we going to limit it to genre of play? ....That gets
us into a whole different slippery slope.
Hoveland/I would just like to add... there is certainly nothing mean spirited from our
perspective or exclusionary. We have fine collaborative working relationships
with every single theater group in town .... Deep level of commitment that we are
making. In order for us to take a deep breath and go ahead with the kind of
fundraising and multi-year planning .... We feel like we need a little breathing
space in order to establish the quality as well.
Thornberry/...if you are that good, people will know it ....
(All talking).
Norton/ ....Where does Riverside Theater go if you were to jump ship?
Clark/Riverside Theater has a 14 member board of directors .... In a position to guarantee
its continuity .... I am too young to retire, Dee ....
Norton/
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 34
Clark/I think I can say Riverside Theater is not going anywhere. We have deep roots
here ....
Vanderhoef/What was the feeling of the Commission on this?
Trueblood/The Commission really didn't even address that issue .... I believe it was in
the original documentation.
Norton/
Thomberry/
Vanderhoef/I want the project .... People in the city would recognize... this was some
other group... However, if you are marketing this .... Clear to the people that you
are trying to draw into the area .... Professional Riverside Theater group ....
Lehman/
Vanderhoef/They expect the professionalism ....
Norton/Do you have any references or literature on how this works? ....
Clark/...private non-profit organization ....
Norton/Do you know of any other that are cooperative like this with a city?
Clark/I am sure they exist .... Research.. organization for outdoor theaters .... most of
them are private non-profit.
Thornberry/
Clark/
Thomberry/This is being paid for by tax money from all the citizens but they can't use it
for three years.
Clark/
Lehman/It appears to me... I guess Terry, I would like to get a reaction from the P/R
Commission on the exclusivity portion of it ....
Clark/We are interested in getting this project done ....
Thomberry/...We represent the people.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 35
Clark/I understand... I don't want to undercut the viability ....In terms of what it can do
for trade in the community.
Hoveland/Also looking at $3,000 annual rental .... Riverside Theater is making a very
large commitment to this project .....
Lehman/I really think that we need a little better detailed recommendation from Parks
and Rec .... I would like to see a little more detailed response .... Council thinks
this is a lovely idea.
Vanderhoef/We need a business plan from the city side .... To see if it is a good business
deal for us.
Lehman/I think you hear general enthusiasm for the project .....
Thornberry/
Norton/ ....It would be a concentrated period ....
Clark/...talking a Thursday through Sunday schedule for two weeks... It could expand
beyond that .....
Norton/
Clark/...We produce theater year around at Riverside. But once this happens ....
Lehman/Terry, can we get your folks to look at this and give us a little more detailed
response.
Norton/But the Commission did look at this. I saw a paragraph blessing this thing like it
was motherhood.
Clark/It is.
Norton/
Clark/If you have any questions ....
Lehman/Thank you very much. Terry I think if you could convey to the Commission
some of our concerns.
Trueblood/...mostly what I heard you talk about was the exclusivity for three years ....
Just theater performances... Staff perspective... the word exclusive we don't like
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 36
in our vocabulary. We have groups fight now that no, you don't have exclusive
use... I wouldn't be able to totally support that at all...
Norton/I think we need to see the numbers from the city's perspective ....
Trueblood/Riverside Theater gave this long hard thought and investigation... We are not
going to be able to come up with a plan for you ovemight or by next week ....
Norton/Have you guys and your staff looked at the physical situation there? Seems
plausible? ....
Trueblood/They are just going to have to get by with the existing parking .... They are
comfortable with it ....
Champion/I don't need a business plan but I have some problems with the exclusiveness.
But I also understand why they want it an I am not totally against it. I just have
problems with it. I would like to hear from the Commission .....
Norton/
Lehman/Let's hear from the Commission.
O'Donnell/
Lehman/
Trueblood/The Commission meets next week ....
Lehman/Thank you very much.
(All talking).
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 37
Section 8 Administrative Plan 98-132 S1
Boothroy/I just want to make one comment... in Press Citizen, there was a short article
about the Iowa City Housing Authority receiving almost $400,000 in Section 8
Vouchers .... It is a situation where HUD released the news on this item before we
were notified. So we are still trying to catch up on what all that means. It is our
understanding that it is 100 vouchers. We submitted an application for helping
disabled families and individuals .... Targeted for that particular population .... It
is a great award. The largest dollar amount in Iowa and we are one of five
communities... Maggie did a great job writing the grant. I also want to mention
that on the 15th we will have something on your agenda concerning additional
staff to implement that particular grant that is funded through that grant. There is
a memo in your packet .... We tried to highlight the issues ....I will let Maggie
walk you through those.
Grosvenor/Background, the memo states it. The last Administrative Plm~ that was
adopted by the Iowa City council was 1988. Many changes have occurred in the
last ten years... Individual issues... I have outlined seven additional
administrative discretionary items that are included in this plan. I don't want you
to think there are only seven discretionary items .... What we have documented in
this plan are current practices and we have not outlined all of those ....I will just
highlight those seven issues and then answer questions.
Norton/Clearly show where these are changes.
Grosvenor/These are brand new .... And they are legislative changes.
1. Homeless Preference .... Got rid of federal preferences. What we are finding
now is that people are manipulating that homeless preference. So we want to
put a little tag in there that says if they willfully violate their lease to create a
homeless, you don't get the homeless preference .... If they specifically do not
pay their rent in order to be evicted, then they are not going to get a homeless
preference .....
Norton/But if someone is denied preference because you think they willfully- Do they go
to a grievance?
Grosvenor/No. There are grievable issues and non-grievable ....
2. $0 Income. Right now, people who have $0 income have to sign an affidavit
saying we have not income. We do nothing saying why don't you have any
income. HUD gives us the right... What we are saying here is that every 90
days you are reporting $0 income, you are going to come in and we are going
to quiz you a little bit and have you re-verify that situation ....All of these
issues are basically tenant accountability and responsibility .....
Norton/Does HUD put out this kind of document and then each community revise it?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 38
Grosvenor/No. Administrative Plan is the local policies and procedures .... The basis of
this plan, the State of Iowa hired an independent company .... To draft a model.
This is the model .... Then we have changed the model to document what we do. I
am highlighting the issues that are discretionary at this point.
Norton/Where do you turn for legal aid on this?
(All talking).
Grosvenor/
Norton/Can you tell me the difference between a family and a household?
Grosvenor/No, there is no difference.
Norton/...But a family is a household?
Grosvenor/Yes.
Norton/
Grosvenor/3. Interim re-exam. We are not going to process an interim re-exam unless
it designates over $100 greater increase in their family income. This is promoting
people working ....
CHANGE TAPE TO REEL 98-132 SIDE 2
Grosvenor/#4 One move in 12 month period.
Lehman/...there could be a situation where that might be acceptable.
Grosvenor/The Housing Agency will consider extenuating circumstances by a case by
case basis .... Basically we are going to say no, you can't move.
#5 Repay Agreement. If a tenant or a participant owes the Housing Authority
money for some reason .... It is saying we will terminate them... or we will not let
them move if they do not follow through .... We don't let them move if they owe
us money. They have got to pay it first .....If you evict them because they are
behind on their rent, we can terminate them because you evicted them.
#6 Violation of Family Obligations. If they violate family obligations, if they
harass us, if they commit any fraud .... That they cannot reapply for one year...
More serious one is .... Drug related criminal activity or any violent criminal
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 39
activity... we will not allow them to reapply for three years. We already can do
this... The only discretionary is that they cannot reapply for three years ....That is
where the grievance kicks in ....
Norton/...You have a whole bunch of exceptions in here.
Grosvenor/Right out of the federal regs. The Housing Authority will not deny or
terminate assistance if....
Norton/ ....Is this a conviction? ....Whose decision is that?
Grosvernor/...It is a criminal offense .... When we get to a termination issue, it is civil so
we don't need a conviction to terminate based on that civil offense. It is just based
on the preponderance of the evidence and you have to have enough evidence...
tangible evidence .... We are already doing this .... What is new is that they cannot
reapply for three years. We had somebody that was caught with five individual
bags .... Substance... She showed it to the police officer .... We terminated her
assistance based on that. Got to the hearing, she wasn't charged yet .... We had the
police officer .... Considerable issue to follow through with termination issue.
Dilkes/But it is much less evident when she says a preponderance of the evidence. It is a
much lower standard than the criminal standard ....
Norton/But the word criminal is used here ....
Dilkes/Because it is a criminal offense. It has to be a crime but the standard of proof is
different...
Lehman/
Grosvemor/...they sign Family Obligations... I say .... Be law abiding citizens, don't do
drugs ....
Lehman/So what do you want us to do?
Grosvemor/If they get evicted for this, you can't reapply for this. That is the penalty.
Lehman/...good idea.
Vanderhoef/Go for it.
Lehman/You got it.
Grosvernor/There will be more changes coming ....
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 40
Norton/It would be nice if the new ones were somehow bolded or something ....
Grosvenor/This document is entirely new ....
O'Donnell/I think this is very good.
(All talking).
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 41
Appointments 98-132 S2
Board of Adjustment - Michael Paul
Board of Appeals - Tim Fehr
Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission -Mark Graham
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 42
Council Agenda/Council Time 98-132 S2
1. O'Donnell/Before our last council meeting we got in 30 emails .... I think anytime
we get those that late in the day ....You said we should get them in the following
packet ....
Lehman/Might be more appropriate to discuss that at our next work session ..... one of
our council members encouraging those emails to be sent.
O'Donnell/And who was that?
Lehman/Karen Kubby encouraged folks to send us emails .... Inappropriate and
inconsiderate .... It should be addressed at a time when Karen is here.
O'Donnell/I would love to do that.
2. Vanderhoef/A couple things from ECICOG. My term is up as of December 31. So
council needs to make an appointment
Lehman/We are assuming you would like to be re-appointed.
Vanderhoef/I will do that.
,
Vanderhoef/We are in the process of formulating a new regional overall economic
development plan and to do this we have to send an NOI (notice of interest) out
for the possibility. Once we get the designation as a regional, then we are eligible
for a lot more of the federal grants. So this in process .... Also we are doing this
notice of interest on the Iowa Emergency Management Division for the
HazMat .... Asking them to set aside $194,000 for planning grants .... I am just
updating you...
Norton/
Vanderhoef/...they have their group and there is a planner from ECCOG that is working
with the HazMat groups ....
O 'Donnell/
Vanderhoef/All of the regional people have been contacted.
4. Vanderhoef/When do we have to have our list of things in for our joint meeting?
Karr/With the county? The one of the Fringe is December 7 .... Joint meeting with the
county and North Liberty January 13.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 43
Vanderhoef/All right because I have a couple of things...save until later ....Has to do
with sales tax moneys.
Lehman/When is the deadline for the other municipalities to have their ballot language
done?
KalT/25th of January.
Vanderhoef/
Karr/The Fringe Area is just the Board of Supervisors ....
Vanderhoef/I will talk to some of you later about what I have on my mind ....
5. Norton/Have we made a decision on the HazMat allocation? ....
Atkins/It will be in your budget proposal.
Norton/... There was a big headline... then they listed communities who have approved
it ....
Atkins/
Norton/
6. Norton/We got a letter from the Youth on Plaza Committee and they were
recommending police presence .... I noticed we also got that police grant ....
Atkins/We have that grant... I intend to incorporate that grant ....Nice chunk of
personnel ....
Norton/You don't have another tort liability in the wing7
Atkins/We are still looking.
Norton/Is there any other way to get that presence at somewhat reduced cost ....
O'Donnell/The chief is trying to schedule a meeting with you and I ....
7. Norton/I noticed the Harmon Building is closing .... Historic Preservation... We have
no federal funds in that, do we?
Atkins/No.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 44
Norton/And there is no way that facade can be saved?
Atkins/No ..... P/Z is considering tonight. Our Planning Director had recommended
against the resignation ....
Norton/
Thornberry/
8. Norton/I was just in St. Paul... personal communications towers are sprouting...
ugly .... I am sure we are going to face it pretty promptly... grim ....
Helling/(Can't hear).
9. Champion/Downtown at night is so beautiful ....
10. Vanderhoef/What is this in the paper about Coralville getting the portion of the Iowa
City pass through money from McLeod?
Helling/I am not sure. We negotiated our agreement with McLeod totally separately.
Apparently there is a question between McLeod and Coralville about their
agreement .... The two agreements are not tied together ....
Lehman/If this should come to fruition, we have maybe 5-6 years to work it out ....
11. Lehman/There is a meeting I have been asked to attend .... National Guard meeting
this coming Saturday .... It is an all day thing .... This letter was written in
November... possible difficulties... meeting called because of that .... I am not
able to attend ....
12. Karr/ .... January schedule for budget. If I could have some of those dates either pro
or con .... Tentatively scheduling ....
13. Thornberry/If you have any old covers to these things, Marian really needs them
back .... Saves a lot of money ....
(All talking).
Norton/Take a look at April 6, Marian .... Might be some problems there ....
Thornberry/
(All talking).
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098
November 30, 1998 Council Work Session Page 45
Lehman/All right ....
Adjourned: 9:30 PM
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of
November 30, 1998
WSl13098