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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-21 Transcription#3 Page 1 ITEM 3 COMMUNITY COMMENT Lehman: This is the time reserved on the agenda for folks to address the Council on items that do not otherwise appear on the agenda. If you wish to address the Council, please give your name, address, and limit your comments to five minutes or less. Moore: My name is Cat Moore, and I'm from Iowa City, Iowa. I'm a long-time resident here, and a lot of people know me from doing a lot of different things in the community. The reason I'm here tonight is because I would like very much to urge the City Council to consider increased funding for more community policing. The reason I'm making this is like normally I'm very much a leftist person who does not usually want as much police work, but I talked to Chief Winkelhake. I've talked to others, and just in terms of perhaps some of it may have come as my own disability has come and makes it more difficult for me to maneuver about downtown. It...I've noticed that, at least for me, I'll say'that like when I first came down with my MS and would have to...honey, you just lay down...when I first came down with my MS and I'd have to motivate, go around, navigate with my wheel...walker, there was more than a couple of times I'd have some fellow that would come up to me and say like horrible things, and at that...you know, just mean things, and you know, they say you can call on your cell phone and all that, but when you call sometimes, the dispatcher, and speak to them, they often say 'well if they didn't touch you, they can't do anything to you,' and then that's a problem for me. Now, I used to spend a lot more time downtown and I used to spend a lot more time...I have an art studio downtown, and...but I find that it's not just at night. It's in the daytime as well, and I don't think it's just limited to people with disabilities. That makes us more vulnerable. It's just that I've noted that some people seem to feel that if there is no officer just walking about, that ifI want to act in a way that's inappropriate it's okay, and I know like for myself, I don't have the physical ability to make someone either leave me alone, and sometimes because of cognitive problems, it's hard for me to verbalize, you know, like they'll say 'you should just call for help.' Well, if you just tried sometimes calling for help, you see who's going to stop and do something for you. People just kind of look all the time, and I believe...I'm not looking for an active kind of like 'rough 'em, tough 'em' kind of thing, but I live in the southeast part of Iowa City, and I've noticed that with just more community police officers just coming through the neighborhood, it has a tendency to calm people down. I know that for myself, for instance, just being able to feel like I can go to my doctor's appointment, so that I can go to my art studio, so that I don't have to feel that someone's going to block my way and I'm going to have to encounter that. I know that there are other people who sometimes feel that way too, and I'm not necessarily speaking about just the people who are panhandling, which panhandling is legal in Iowa City. I'm talking about This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #3 Page 2 the people who tend to get a little more aggressive, like an incident that I had.happen last week. The fella, in the end, didn't mean any harm, but I was walking with my walker and I happened to be on my cell phone, and these young fellows were so aggressive, and, you know, like I just said 'no' and they just kept pursuing me, and for me, I'm not normally, or in the past, a person who's usually frightened of much of anything, but now with the loss of the ability of mobility, etc., and not always having my service dogs with me, which their function is not to attack people. It's to help me. It can be frightening. Now, if I feel that way, and I'm a person who's very strong and very vocal, I wonder how many other people are also going to places like out at Coral Ridge Mall or out Sycamore Mall or elsewhere because they also feel threatened because they just say, excuse me Your Honor, just the hell with it; why should I be bothered? And I just wanted to say that I just felt that I know that the budget is tight, but if there is any way, and'I know that officers, after talking to Chief Winkelhake, that things work differently, but if there were some way to just have officers just to walk through more, maybe have a cup of coffee, chat with the people there. I know it would make me feel a great deal safer, and I believe others would as well. And I thank you for your attention. Lehman: Thank you, Cat. Champion: She called me...she was actually very, very frightened by this experience, and this was like 2:00 in the afternoon on one of the corners downtown. She...they were actually going after her. She was very frightened. Lehman: Steve, we do have that downtown patrol? Atkins: Yes we do, but it's never really been sufficient. Lehman: It's intermittent. Atkins: Yes it is, yes. Lehman: Okay. Kelly: Good evening. I'm Betty Kelly and I'm the Vice Chair of the Senior Center Commission, and I'm here to report on the monthly activities of the Senior Center Commission. As you know, we are going through a strategic planning and focus groups. We have completely assembled all of our information, both for participating and non-participating memberships, and we very shortly will have.., give you a raw and a summary data of all this. Supposed to help us in planning our next five years, and I hope it will. Also, you are cordially invited to the Senior Center Volunteer Breakfast on June 29th, beginning at 7:30 A.M. We have to get up at 7:00 A.M. to cook for you. (laughter) We will be having pancakes and eggs This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #3 Page 3 and rolls and fruit, coffee, so we'd like to see you all there. This is the way we honor all the volunteers that we have working at the Senior Center, and you know we do have considerable number of people who do contribute many, many hours. We will be giving them all lunch bags with goodies in it, and Forevergreen is providing the floral decorations for that day. We are having an on-going discussion with the Parking Department due to the parking problems in the Tower Parking ramp that's connected to the Senior Center. It isn't as bad this time of year, but as fall and winter approaches, some of us have waited as long as an hour in order to get in to a ramp that we have a parking permit for. So, we're hoping to work this out with the Parking Department. If we do not, you will probably see a few of us come and petition you. You know how seniors are - they don't take no for an answer. One of the things that you might be interested in is the fact that we're going to have a number of programs this...year...fall in the evenings, trying to encourage more people to come to the Senior Center that aren't traditional members. And one of the series that we're going to have is going to be for caregivers, which is a very important thing. As you probably know, I've been very active in senior issues here, in the State level, and at the national level. And on September 7th, the program will be "Knowing When to Act"; September 14th "Family Dynamics; September 21 Medical Concerns for Caregivers; September 28th "The End of Care Life"; October 5th "Negotiating Community Resources"; and October 12th we're going to have a resource fair for caregivers to that people can find out what is available for caregivers, which is a very important thing. I spent four years as a caregiver for my husband. So I know exactly how much importance this is. Another thing for the fall, well not so much the fall but in July, it's an evening program that I think you might be interested in, "Historical Roots - the Palestinian, Israeli Conflict". This is going to be presented by Dr. Mohammad Chaichian which is...who is a Professor at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, and it will be held on Wednesday and Friday, July 21st and 22nd at 6:00 to 7:00 P.M., so it's available to people who work during the day. Finally, Senior Center is going to the Fair again! We're going to have a booth, informational booth, at the Fair again and of course we'll be selling raffle tickets. This year we have a quilt, and we also have a hand-carved Iowa clock that we're giving away. We're also going to be selling raffle tickets at the Waterfront and First Avenue Hy- Vee. This raises money for the Senior Center. I'm happy to report we now have 933 members at the Senior Center so we are growing, even since we have instituted a fee for belonging. You have any questions of us? Thank you all for your time, and we'll probably be back next month. Lehman: Thank you; okay. Larew: Good evening, my name is Jim Larew. I'm an attorney in town and I'm a volunteer with a group called Citizens for Public Power. Members of the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #3 Page 4 Council may know, and many citizens know, that we have a referendum election on November 8, and at that time too questions will be posed to the voters of the Iowa City electorate. One is whether or not the City Council of the City of Iowa City should be authorized to establish an electric utility company owned by the people of the City of Iowa City; secondly, if that passes, should the City Council appoint an independent board of trustees, consisting of five members who would be charged with the responsibility of establishing and operating an electric utility company. These are questions that are posed not because of a creative or inventive group of Iowa City residents, but it's the questions that the Code of Iowa requires to be asked, if citizens are in favor of such a proposition. The reason I'm appearing is because of some developments in the last week that I wanted to apprise you of. One is, in terms of the process that would be used, it's clear that if the citizens should decide that a, that Council should proceed, or be authorized to proceed with the establishment of municipal utility, and that's a process that would be used to assure that whatever we did made business sense, was feasible, and in the public interest. If those tests are not met, no municipal utility will be created. This is interesting because in the last couple of weeks, Mid American, who is the incumbent utility and privately owned, has held a series of focus groups in which citizens are paid $50 to come and register their opinions, and we have so many people in Iowa City who are interested in at least our part of this referendum that they report to us what happens, and in fact, we made $200 last week of people who contributed their $50 to Citizens for Public Power. But it seems that in each instance that we know of, the following happens: when citizens are asked if an authorizing vote would allow a process by which a study would be made and we would proceed only if it was feasible, a majority of Iowa City residents support that. However, if the question is posed "if the referendum passes you must proceed with an electric utility", it frightens voters and they turn and a majority goes against. So it is not a surprise to us, at least, that this week in the precincts of Iowa City, paid people by Mid America are going door-to-door and handing something called "Is it worth the risk?" and telling voters that if a "yes" vote is a majority vote in the referendum election, Iowa City must go forward and this frightens our voters. When our utility was bought by Mid American less than a decade ago, it was done under the precepts that Warren Buffet, one of the owners at Berkshire Hathaway who owns Mid America said this, 'I only buy properties if their simple enough to understand and if they're sure to make me a profit.' To that there is a third theory we might say from Berkshire-Hathaway-Mid America, that is to say, 'Be fearful when others are greedy, but be greedy when others are fearful.' If Mid America can make the citizens of Iowa City fearful, they know they will vote against it, and that's why their pamphlet says "Is it worth the risk?" That's why their door-to-door people go and make it seem risky. City Council members, I'm here in the public time that is available simply to advise that in the grass-roots campaign that opposes This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #3 Page 5 the air war, we hope that the citizens of Iowa City will keep an open mind and an open heart to the kind of process that might allow them, if the majority supports, to go forward with the planning and implementation, if it's feasible and in the public interest, a municipal utility - an electric utility - for the City of Iowa City. Thank you. Lehman: Jim, does that brochure state that the City must go forward if it passes? Larew: It says "is it worth the risk?"... Lehman: No, no, I know that, but you said that they're telling folks that, but does their brochure say that we have to move forward if it passes? Lare~v: What it does say is "a yes vote will give the City Council a blank check." Can you tell me, Mr. Mayor, what that means? Lehman: I guess that you can fill that check out if you chose. Larew: Oh, it seems to me that they're trying to make citizens wary of their own elected officials, and I assumed that that would be something, if I was sitting in your chairs, I would be offended by. It seems the people sitting where you are, day in and day out, even if it's thankless, exercise your discretion to do what you think is best for the City of Iowa City, and no one gives you a blank check to do whatever you want. That's what this says, and that's what the City...the voters of Iowa City are being told by the door-to-door canvassers. And I think it's wrong. Lehman: Okay, thank you, Jim. Hartwig: Good evening, Randy Hartwig representing the Airport Commission. I just want to take the opportunity to update you on some of the things that are happening there. The runway extension project is proceeding as planned. I talked to David Hughes of Earth Tech just this week, and basically the two things we'll see happening shortly relate to a box culvert that's going to be going in down where Willow Creek runs through, and then also some of the grading work, mostly fill work, this season that'll be starting down there. So that's good news. Another thing, the Airport Commission, I'm kind of excited about, we recently concluded a use agreement with the Operator Performance Lab, which some of you, I think, know Tom Snell and what his work is down at the airport. They're using Building H and will continue to do so for the next five years. If you're not familiar with that, I urge you to get in touch with me or something because Tom likes to show off... Lehman: Tell the Council just briefly what he's doing. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #3 Page 6 Hartwig: Basically, they have a full-scale simulator down there, which is like a commercial airliner, and what they're doing is studying different ways of how the pilots can control airplanes with the use of GPS and it's just really fascinating, which enables them to make safer approaches and not be so constrained by the terrain that's around some of our airports, that it's just fascinating. Lehman: It's a University project. Hartwig: Correct, and that was my other point is I think it's encouraging to have the University actually be a stakeholder in what's going on down there. So that's exciting for me. I want to take the opportunity to thank Elizabeth Freiburger, one of the Interns we had this semester from Dubuque. She concluded her internship and took a full-time job, and Michael Tharp is still toiling away for us, and we appreciate both their efforts. They've been a big help, especially this year. Dan Clay has been in touch with University of Dubuque. I think they're very happy with how things have gone this year, and I think look to hopefully continue that relationship. The Big Kids Toys, which was I guess about a month ago now, I think everybody agreed with the success and it sounds like something that they want to continue on an annual basis, so I think that's good. We've been working with Jet Air to secure a Hertz Rent-a-Car operation at the airport. We visited just a couple weeks ago, and I think they're very excited about having a presence there, which I think obviously is good for airport users, and also for citizens of Iowa City, but we should know something on that very shortly. We...finally, I guess I just want to say, at the last meeting, we did vote to continue the management arrangement we have with the FBO and we're also looking at possibly hiring a temporary, or excuse me, a full-time/part-time position there for clerical work and things in the office, to keep mail and bills going smoothly. Along that same line, I know I just wanted to say I guess it was about a year ago when we met with you and we promised we'd come back to you in a year and give you a detailed report on what's happening at the airport, and look forward to doing that here yet this summer, so we'll be in touch with you with regards to that. So, thanks again for your support. Lehman: Thank you. Champion: Thank you. O'Donnell: Randy, do you have any figures on the attendance for that Big Kids Toy Show? Hartwig: You know, nothing official, but I heard (several talking at once). I think it's good, attracting people who maybe haven't been there before or you This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #3 Page 7 know, it sounded like it was positive on all sides, so...(several talking at once). Lehman: Any other Community Comment? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #6 Page 8 ITEM 6 APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2005 TRAFFIC SIGNALIZATION 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. This, for the public's information, is relative to the Scott Boulevard/Court Street intersection, and also Mormon Trek and Cameron Way. Wilburn: Did we find out if countdown... Lehman: Countdown lights are included. Public hearing is closed. Do we have a motion? Bailey: So moved. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Wilburn. Discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #7 Page 9 ITEM 7 APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MISSING LINK TRAIL 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. Bailey: Move the resolution. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Wilbum. Discussion? Bailey: Terrific project connecting our trails from south to the Coralville Reservoir, which is great! Lehman: Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #8 Page 10 ITEM 8 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CITY CODE TITLE 12, CHAPTER 4 ENTITLED BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FRANCHISE ENABLING ORDINANCE AND ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 4 (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Champion: Move second consideration. Wilbum: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion; seconded by Wilbum. Discussion? Elliott: This is a vote to enable us. Lehman: Right. Elliott: Okay. Lehman: It does not, this isn't a franchise; it's just enabling it, okay? Other discussion? Roll call. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #11 Page 11 ITEM 11 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CLERK TO ATTEST TO A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND GREYHOUND LINES, INC. FOR SPACE AT THE COURT STREET TRANSPORTATION CENTER Wilbum: Move adoption of the resolution. Bailey: Second. Lehman: Moved by Wilbum; seconded by Bailey. Discussion? When do we...oh, anticipated move is July 12th. That's really cool. (several talking at once) Could be a vacant lot too! Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #12 Page 12 ITEM 12 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING IOWA CITY'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME) INVESTMENT POLICIES (DEFERRE4D FROM 6/7) Wilbum: Mr. Mayor, I will have a conflict of interest with Items number 12 and 13. One of these is policies related to Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Funds. The other involves funding allocation to Human Services through agency...I work for an organization that has received funding and receives funding through those two items so I will not be voting on them. Lehman: Thank you. Bailey: Move the resolution. O'Donnell: Second. Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion? Patton: Mr. Mayor? Lehman: Yes? Patton: My name's Mark Patton. I'm Executive DirectOr, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. I wish Ross hadn't left the room. I was going to thank him for participating in an event we sponsored last week. Last Tuesday, Iowa City was fortunate enough to receive help from 137 old Navy staff, who came from all over the Midwest and dedicated a day's labor to helping spruce up the southeast part of Iowa City. Three parks, Grantwood, Schools, Prairie, the Safety Village, the hiking trail, the Neighborhood Center on Broadway, and the transitional housing on Broadway, all were improved by the efforts of these volunteers at no cost to the City. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity initiated and coordinated the work without any expectation of thanks or acknowledgement. Then, two days later, we learned, only by chance, that the Council was entertaining changes to the CDBG program, which negates the possibility of a forgivable loan and tums it into a loan that must be paid back by people earning under 50% of area median income. You will vote on, and likely approve, a change in how CDBG Home monies will be loaned to housing groups. This change will impact money which had been recommended by the Committee many months ago, and approved by the Council nearly two months ago. I know that whatever I say tonight will be likely too little and too late to affect the vote. I must tell you that the affected agencies were neither told of the proposed changes, nor asked how the changes would impact their efforts. This feels frustrating to someone who runs an agency which seeks to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #12 Page 13 create win-win outcomes. Sometimes it feels like the more we do for the community, the more we are penalized for helping. But permit me to take a minutes to explain how Habitat works so that you may have some insight into our dilemma with this issue. Lehman: Excuse me, just a second. Patton: Uh-huh? Lehman: We've made the changes last night that you're talking about, so you are too late. Patton: Should I stop? Lehman: No, no, no!. But your concern has been addressed in an amendment... Dilkes: No, I don't think... Lehman: Oh, I'm sorry. (several talking at once) I'm sorry to interrupt you; please go on. Patton: How Habitat works - we build a home for working families who put in 250 hours of sweat equity per adult family member. They buy the home from Habitat with some major stipulations and limitations into the multiple mortgages they then sign. The first mortgage is taken out for the total cost of the project without any profit built into the price. For instance, the first mortgage might be $90,000 at 0% interest for 25 years. They also sign a second mortgage for the difference in the appraised market price, minus the first mortgage. This has been averaging about $30,000 this past year. The second mortgage is due in full if the house is sold in the first seven years of occupancy. During this period of time, the family would receive back only what they've paid in, and they would not be allowed to tap any equity. During the next seven years, the second mortgage is forgiven at 1/7th per year. In year 15, the second mortgage is completely forgiven. This second mortgage makes it difficult for any kind of quick sale or profit to occur, as well as making it difficult for any predatory lenders to suck out the equity in the property. During the first 15 years, Habitat has the right of first refusal to purchase back the home from the family in order to keep it affordable. During the 11 years Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has been building homes here in Johnson County, no families have defaulted on their mortgages or sold their homes. What happens to the money the families pay back on their mortgages to Habitat - 100% of what is paid back by families plowed back into new homes in the community. Literally, we are recycling funds from the City and private donors to keep on building for the foreseeable future. At this time, we are building one new home each year just from the mortgage This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #12 Page l4 payments the families we have assisted previously. What does the proposed change mean for Habitat? I really cannot say since we have not had time to run new scenarios. For certain, it cuts back on the amount that we plow back into new housing since we would have to pay on a loan which has, which was always forgivable before. Under the proposal, only two options exist for those who stay in their homes. They could pay an average of about $118 per month over 30 years to the City, or if they make no payments for 20 years, a balloon payment comes due and they might be put into financial jeopardy, or possibly lose their homes. We simply don't know. We want to help families build a strong future for themselves, their neighborhood, and for the community. We want and need your help to do so. We pledge our help to build safe, decent, and affordable homes for Iowa City as long as we are encouraged to do so. Thank you. Lehman: Thank you. Champion: One of the things we discuss at the Council was that these particular organizations that are affected by this, we did not want them affected. Does anybody have any ideas how to correct this problem now? Bailey: Well, we had two objectives when we sat down to make this policy, well three, I think, to make consistent policy so we weren't doing a case-by- case sort of scenario every time for exemption. Also to recycle funds just like Habitat does, back into the community. We felt that that was important, and that's what we can do if we have loans instead of grants. And then to maintain a sock of affordable or low-income housing, and that's why we're willing to do the land trust exemption because we felt that that does that. It maintains low-income or affordable housing by only requiring people to buy the house instead of buying the land and the house. So I think part of the challenge is we've met the objectives for the policy. I think that organizations have to understand that we were trying to take the long view, as well, to recycle funds with a concern that these funds will not always be available. I think if we look down the road that there's a fair amount of concern at the federal government budget that these won't be available. So, it's important for us to make provisions for our own community that we continue to support affordable housing within the community. So, I do think we need some ongoing discussions about how this will impact and how we can accommodate, or how this policy will have an impact, but it does meet the objectives that we set forward. Elliott: I don't know about this being too little, but I think it is too late. I'm wanting to vote on the resolution as Steve Nasby has brought to us tonight, but I do want, over the next few months or during the next year, to meet with the fellowship, with the Habitat people, and put.., we may change it, we may not, but I'd like to make sure that I'm at least well informed before I vote, and I would like very much to have some good lengthy, or at This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #12 Page 15 least in-depth discussions on this to see if we can't do something that is at least compatible with both, if not a win/win situation for at least both of these associations, both of which really do excellent work. Bailey: And this was never intended to mix comment about the work...of course we appreciate the work that the organizations do in the community, but the win/win that we were looking for was reinvestment dollars so we have some funds coming back so we can continue these kinds of programs. I mean, am I stating this correctly, Connie, from your... Elliott: The idea of recycling the funds is, I think, something that we all want. We want to find the best way to do that, that is acceptable as possible with the good people and the good associations and entities that are involved. Lehman: And I'm not at all sure that the 20 year, a note that...where payments don't start for 20 years, 20 years is a long, long time, and I don't know how, how significant an impact that has. I think if that were a 5 or 10 year note that could be something significant, and I'm not at all sure that at the end of 20 years that couldn't be renegotiated in a loan right back to them, so I would really, Bob, I think we need to move forward with this, but I don't think this is unmanageable document from Habitat's perspective, or from my perspective of what Habitat should .... I think we could work it out to where it will work for everybody. Other discussion? Champion: I hope so, because I'd hate to put either one of these projects in jeopardy. They're two really good organizations who do a tremendous amount of volunteer work to provide affordable housing in this community, and to keep it affordable. I'm not willing to vote for this as long as they're going to inhibit what they might be able to do. Lehman: You know, Connie, we make the roles. We can change the rules. Champion: I know, so I think we should change it. Lehman: We've been known to. We do have to get this... Bailey: And the intent was to get to a place where we had a general policy that everybody understood. Champion: I know. I think the intent is good. I just don't like the outcome. Lehman: Well, I'm...other discussion? Roll call. The motion carries. I guess...that would be 4 to 1; Champion voting in the negative. All right. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #14d Page l6 ITEM 14d CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST A SECOND 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 Champion: Move the resolution. Bailey: Second. Lehman: Moved by Champion; seconded by Bailey. Discussion? Wilburn: Mr. Mayor, I believe I do have a conflict of interest with this one, as well. Lehman: Okay, you're excused. Discussion? Elliott: I don't have a conflict. I had reservations about this, but one: this is the culmination of an agreement that was reached at least a couple of years ago; and secondly, this is, my understanding, this is an establishment for low-income, elderly, and disabled. Is that correct? And I think on that basis, I'll be supporting it. Lehman: Well, I also think this is an obligation which we have subscribed to. We're doing it now to decrease the amount of cost they' incurring .... so this is paying it in a more timely fashion. Roll call. (TAPE ENDS) This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #18 Page 17 ITEM 18 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION Lehman: Robert? Elliott: I have two items. Some time ago, a number of people were exercised about the number of houses that were going up in Iowa City that had garages protruding ahead of the door on the front of the house. I thought it was interesting recently, noticed that Portland, Oregon, had a contest and they had a group of people - a seven-member jury of local architects, developers, and designers to come for designs of houses that they thought were really good on narrow properties, and low and behold, the one pictured here has a garage protruding ahead of the front entrance. Champion: It also has a porch connecting the two. Elliott: At the head of the door. Champion: It had a porch! Elliott: Secondly, (laughter) Heather Shanks is retiring. Educated and experienced as a Registered Nurse and an Attorney, I think her accomplishments are just widely recognized. To me, unquestioned integrity and uncommon sensitivity, besides, I just like her as a person, and I'm going to miss her. Champion: We'll all miss her. Lehman: Absolutely! Connie? Champion: No. Lehman: Mike? O'Donnell: I want to second what Bob said about Heather. She's a great girl. Regenia and Connie and I met with Jim Fruin, was that Jim Fruin, and I thought it was very productive. He's a member of University of Iowa's Parent's Group. I thought he was very understanding, and I enjoyed the visit very much, and I look forward to meeting with him again. Also, I'm sure everybody noticed in the packets the speed problems between Muscatine and Summit on Court Street, and I'd like to put that on a work session and discuss it, if we can do it without mentioning Chicane? Lehman: I think we told Steve last night (several talking at once). O'Donnell: Is that going to be in a work session? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. #18 Page 18 Atkins: It'll be on a work session, and I asked Anissa to start the traffic count. So we'll have some information for you by that time. O'Donnell: And we decided on Oakcrest last night that we are going to do one final survey? Atkins: I asked Anissa to prepare another survey, and told her 'this one is for real.' O'Donnell: Good, and that's all I had. Wilbum: Welcome back! Lehman: Thank you! Good to be back, I think. Regenia? Bailey: I've been asked to announce that Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa is presenting a workshop this Friday, June 24th, called "Cultural Competency and Beyond, Working Effectively in Today's Iowa." And for more information you can go to mediateiowa.org and click on "Continuing Education" or call Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa at 248-1940. I've looked at the lineup of presenters and it looks like a really good and interesting conference, and it has different tracks, depending upon your professional and interest area, so it looks like a good way to spend the day. Wilburn: I think two of our former students... Bailey: Yep, yeah, it looks like it's pretty packed with Iowa people. It looks good. Lehman: Couple three things; everybody who lives in Iowa City or very soon will know about Jazz Fest. Big, big event. Something we've become known for all over the Midwest, but obviously that will occur July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, which is a big event. And there's an event that I would certainly encourage Council folks to attend. The Community Development celebration where we pass out checks for next year's allocations is going to be Thursday, June 30th, at 4:30 at Old Brick, and that's a really nice event. Lot of people who work really, really hard are there, and we recognize some of their efforts. I thoroughly enjoy it, and I would certainly encourage Council to attend, and this morning's Economic Development Committee we decided to make visits with major employers within the community, and the Committee this year decided that we would allow, we would encourage Council people to assist us in those visits. So Council will be getting a list from Steve of those businesses. You'll have an opportunity to make a selection and go talk to those folks and find out how we're doing. Steve? Atkins: Nothing, sir. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005. //18 Page 19 Lehman: Eleanor? Marian? Do we have a motion to adjourn? O'Donnell: Move to adjourn. Lehman: Second? Bailey: Second. Lehman: All in favor? Motion carries. We are adjourned. Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council meeting of June 21, 2005.