HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-16 Transcription#3 Page 1
ITEM 3 COMMUNITY COMMENT.
Lehman: This is the time reserved on the agenda for folks to address the Council on
issues that do not otherwise appear on our agenda. If you wish to address
the Council, please sign in; limit your comments to five minutes or less.
Honohan: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, I'm Jay Honohan. I'm a member of
the Senior Center Commission, and, Marian, did you pass those out yet?
Karr: Yes, I did.
Honohan: I thought you didn't have enough paperwork, so I thought I'd give you a
short report and a little bit of documents. The first sheet, you can
disregard if you've got numbers on these. That was what I did to make
sure I had enough copies for everybody. The first sheet, we're kind of
pleased with, shows that the membership of the participants of the Senior
Center has increased from fiscal year 04 to...of 820, to fiscal year 05 of
933, and this, of course, is in spite of the fact that we loose members, both
because they're deceased, and also because some move out of town. In
fact, we had one lady and her husband join the Peace Corps on us, so
they're no longer members, but we're quite pleased, and we also gave you
a breakdown there, it shows the Iowa City residents, incorporated Johnson
County, and rural Johnson County, and outside Johnson County. In case I
haven't told you before, we even have people from Grinnell that come to
play in the band at the Senior Center. The second sheet shows the...it's a
summary of, Linda doesn't like it when I call it the "hits" at the Senior
Center, but this is the number of people who come to the Senior Center.
This is not, you know, like I come three or four times a week. I'm
included in that three or four times. It's not separate people, but you can
see by that sheet, that from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 05, we've
increased the number of participants at the Center to 55,612. This does
not include people that come to special events who are not participants of
the Center. For instance, on Veterans Day we have a large group of
people that come for that event, and so that number is actually greater than
what appears on this sheet. You notice the total of fiscal year 05, on the
right-hand column, is down considerably, but if you look at where that
occurs, that's in senior dining, and senior dining is following a national
trend, and I've got that, I show you that, on the next sheet, which shows
you that the on-site has dropped about $10,000 .... er, 10,000 people from
fiscal year 02 to fiscal year 05, but the home-delivered has increased from
48,400 to 90,908. This is, as I told you, this is a national trend that we are
seeing that more people are not coming to the sites like the Senior Center,
but they are getting home-delivered meals, and you notice we're also,
this...our site, the Senior Center, is delivering meals to Johnson County,
and even to Iowa County and Washington County, and we're a little
concerned about the use of the facilities and the equipment at this time,
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and we discussed at our meeting today, meeting with Elder Services about
who has to pay for the equipment in the dining area. I'm talking about the
dishwashers, and things like that, because there seems to be a high
mortality rate on that kind of equipment in senior dining, and most of the
time they're coming to us and asking us to fix it, and absorb the cost, and
we're concerned that maybe, particularly when you look at the on-site is
very small compared to the off-site now, that maybe the Senior Center, in
our budget, should not be experiencing the cost that they would like us to
absorb.
Champion: Jay, do they, are they paying any utilities, like water or ...
Honohan: Not right now.
Champion: The Senior Center absorbs all that for all those counties?
Honohan: That's right. We do that for the site, yes.
Champion: Wow!
Honohan: And, of course, we're also, that's the same thing though we have, although
this is considerably more, of course, but the VNA doesn't pay, AARP
doesn't pay, the Task Force doesn't pay; anybody that we lease space to
that serves the seniors, we don't charge them at this time, and we
considered that at one time a couple of years ago, and then walked away
from it. We did not. The last sheet, I think, is something very special that
we're going to work with, and the "Care for the Caregiver" lecture series.
That's going to be in September and October of this year. It's in
cooperation with the University of Iowa, the University Hospitals, the
Iowa State University Extension, Hospice, and Elder Services, and these
are going to be evening programs, and we have speakers. There's going to
be discussion, and we think that's going to be very important series of
events, and we hope to be well attended. Finally, I have one little item,
and I'll get out of here, and that is our quilt raffle this year. We raised
$2,416 and a lady whose name I must mention, Rose Hanson, sold $420
worth of chances. This is about $1,000 more than we've ever made before
on our quilt raffle, and a lady who was visiting with her relatives here in
Iowa City at the County Fair, she won it, and she's from Sioux City.
We're still trying to figure out how to deliver it to her. Thank you very
much. If there's any questions, I'll be glad to try to answer them.
Lehman: You didn't draw my number, right?
Honohan: That's right. They didn't draw your number, Emie. Sorry about that.
Lehman: No you're not!
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Champion: You can bring it to me and I'll ship it to her.
Honohan: Okay.
Vanderhoef: When you're done with it? (laughter)
Champion: Well, I wasn't going to say that!
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence?
Vanderhoef: So moved.
Bailey: So moved.
Lehman: Second? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Anybody else for
Community Comment?
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ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
a) CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 92 ACRES
FROM INTERIM DEVELOPMENT RESIDENTIAL (ID-RS)
ZONE TO LOW DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY - SENSITIVE
ARES OVERLAY (OSA-5) ZONE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED
WEST OF KENNEDY PARKWAY AND EAST OF CAMP
CARDINAL ROAD (REZ03-00019).
1. PUBLIC HEARING (continued from 8/2)
Lehman: Public heating is open.
Holland: Good evening. My name is Joe Holland. I'm here on behalf of the
subdivider and developer of this project. I'm really pleased that we have
tonight a signed Conditional Zoning Agreement. I want to thank Karin
and Eleanor. They were very responsive in coming to agreement on some
language that we can present to the Council tonight. I don't think the
Council's probably had much of a chance to see this because, literally, it
was just put together in final form in the last couple of hours, but the
essential provisions deal, I think, with the sewer issue, which was a
subject of some discussion at the last public hearing. The essential
provisions of the Conditional Zoning Agreement are that my client, the
subdivider, will extend two 8" sanitary sewer lines to the south line of the
property, one to the Nepola property and one to the Ahrens' tract, which
are the two parcels of land immediately south of Cardinal Ridge. The
sewer lines are going to be as short as possible, that will provide feasible
sanitary sewer service to those other properties.' The routes are going to be
determined, essentially by the Public Works Department; we're going to
have consultation with them since Southgate's going to be paying the cost
of that, but the Public Works Department of the City is the party really
best equipped to make those decisions in terms of the City's future needs.
We've put in some timelines to try and have this agreed to, the routing of
those lines, as soon as possible so that hopefully some field work can
commence yet this fall. So, I'm really pleased that we came to an
agreement. Obviously, it's a tough issue to work through, but I think
everybody's shown a cooperative spirit in trying to bring that issue to a
conclusion. The other issue deals with traffic issues, which have been
raised by some area residents. That really, I don't think, has seen much
change, although there's been some discussions since the last meeting, and
I think it was what Karin described at the informal session last night that
the proposed plat of lots, the 92 lots, will be built-out, but before there's
any further development, platting of the outlots in Cardinal Ridge, that
there'll be traffic analysis done to determine what the traffic burden is on
the local collector streets. This has been a long process. The original
filing of this plat was almost two years ago. It's been through a couple of
Public Hearings in Planning and Zoning. It's been through now two
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public hearings before the Council. It's been through innumerable
discussions with City staff, both the Planning Department, the Legal
Department, and even Public Works Department. We think that this is a
project which is now ready for the Council to approve, and we hope you'll
agree. If you have any questions about what we've accomplished with the
agreement, I'll be happy to try and answer those. Thank you very much.
Lehman: Thank you, Joe.
Champion: Karin? Should I wait until after the Public Heating?
Lehman: Part of the public hearing. Karin?
Champion: It says that a traffic analysis will be done. What kind of guidelines do we
have to decide whether the secondary access needs to be there?
Franklin: Secondary access, we have a secondary access policy or secondary access
guidelines, which addresses numbers of vehicle trips per day on a street.
It addresses topography. It addresses special populations, such as the
elderly or if there's an institutional use in the area. Whether there are any
natural characteristics, such as a stream crossing or something that would
potentially result in that being blocked, and that's all about the ability to
get emergency vehicles in there. So those are all taken into consideration
when we evaluate secondary access.
Champion: Thank you.
Elliott: You agree with this agreement that we have been provided?
Franklin: Yes. Yeah.
Elliott: Good.
Lehman: It addresses the concerns, is what we're asking for, the agreement?
Franklin: Right, I mean, I think the issue with us was primarily the sanitary sewer. I
mean, our evaluation of the secondary access was that it was not required
at this time.
Lehman: Okay. Thank you.
Gelman: I'm Tom Gelman. I'm here on behalf of the Walnut Ridge Owner's
Association, and I would like to talk more about the secondary access
issue. I appreciate your time, considering it so far. There is a provision
now in the Conditional Zoning Agreement, I just looked at moments ago,
that addresses it, but, and it's an improvement, but I don't, I think it still
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misses some of the concerns, the safety concerns, that really relate to this
property, and that are particular to this property. At the last meeting, Bob
Elliott suggested that we talk to the developer, and through a less than
adequate form of communication, exchanged voicemails. We did that. I
communicated with Joe, and just nominally, but it was apparent through
those communications that the developer did not wish to commit as to
when Kennedy Parkway would be extended or another secondary access
would be provided. There was no commitment as to the timeframe, and I
think that's a critical issue here is the timeframe that we're dealing with.
We all know that this is a temporary situation, but we don't know how
temporary, and I think that's the principle concern. At the last meeting,
one of you or maybe more asked the owners for a specific proposal as to
the acceptable, as to an unacceptable standard for traffic, given the
circumstances. On behalf of the Association, I tried to retain a
professional engineering consultant, but given the short timeframe, it was
not possible to get an expert or opinion during that period of time, but
despite that, we are prepared to make a proposal tonight, which would be a
way to, again, balance the concerns here. If you recall, the basic question
is the adequacy of the infrastructure to support additional developments,
specifically two questions: how much development should be permitted to
occur on Kennedy Parkway before a secondary access is required before
any further development will be permitted, okay? And then secondly, in
using the City's guidelines, which were j ust...that, Connie, you just asked
about, what standard should apply, in light of the specific circumstances
and features of Kennedy Parkway? The answer to these questions
somewhat varied, depending upon the history, and I want to give you a
very brief history relating to this subdivision, as provided by the diligent
homework of some of the owners in the area. In 1989, when Walnut
Ridge was first being looked at, this subdivision access was an issue, and
was a concern. Kennedy Parkway via Melrose Avenue is the only means
of accessing this 160 acre, 104-lot subdivision. By adding Cardinal Ridge,
it'll be a 260 acre, 192-1ot plus subdivision. In larger subdivisions,
secondary access is needed for the safety and convenience of the residents
of the development. While staff has maintained that secondary access
should be provided within developments of 28 lots or more, that's an old
standard no longer applicable. The City has, at times through the actions
of the City Council, permitted subdivisions of greater size since secondary
access can eventually be established, as development progresses across
adjacent, undeveloped territory. This was back in 89. In other words, the
City has tolerated a temporary, on a temporary basis, the risks involved
with only one single means of access to a larger residential development.
The preliminary plat of Walnut Ridge does provide for the extension of
Kennedy Parkway, in the northern portion of the subdivision to the
undeveloped tract west of the subject property. It is anticipated that as the
tract west of Walnut Ridge is developed, a secondary means of access will
be established via the extension of Kennedy Parkway and its intersection,
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to an improved and extended Camp Cardinal Road. Until the link is
established, the low development density of the proposed subdivision
lessens the risks associated with a singular means of access to a sizable
tract of land, but what we're creating here is no longer a low-density
subdivision. What we're doing here is we're adding, we're doubling the
size of the subdivision and it no longer satisfies the requirements for a
low-density subdivision. In a staff report dated December 16, 1993, to the
Planning and Zoning Commission. This was when Walnut Ridge was half
done, and now we were talking about the development of the remaining
half, the northerly half. At the time that the initial plan was approved,
secondary access for emergency vehicles was a concern. However, it was
felt that given this type of development, it would be a number of years
before the lots in the early phases would be developed and that secondary
access via Camp Cardinal Road might be available, prior to or shortly
after the development of the most northerly parts. The pace of the
development for the first four phases of Walnut Ridge has...may have
occurred at a faster rate than initially anticipated. The applicant is now
seeking to amend the preliminary OPDH plan for parts 5 through 9, and is
also seeking preliminary plat approval of parts 5 and 9. Staff is concerned
that given the pace of development, and the unlikelihood of the near-term
extension of Camp Cardinal Road, the issue of secondary access,
especially for parts 6 through 9, should be given close scrutiny. We're
talking about Walnut Ridge, not an additional subdivision. Since the
approval of the previous OPDH plan, the City has developed criteria by
which to review the issue of secondary access. When applied to this
development, this criteria indicates that development may not be
appropriate north of part 5 until a means of secondary access, which
would occur in a reasonable time frame, can be identified. The secondary
access policy states a secondary means of access may be required when
there are physical features that would inhibit emergency vehicle access, if
the single means of access were blocked. In this case, the development
includes slopes in excess of 8 degrees and two culverted waterways south
of part 5. The Fire Marshall's concern that given the situation there may
be times when it would not be possible to provide emergency services to
the portion of Walnut Ridge located north of part 5. It goes on to state, if
the City and the applicant wish to expedite development of Walnut Ridge,
extension and connection of Camp Cardinal Road to Walnut Ridge should
be explored. If the applicant is not successful in acquiring a route for this
connection through a private transaction, it may be appropriate for the City
to consider the use of condemnation powers to acquire the need for a
right-of-way. So at that point in time, staff was recommending the
possibility of condemning a route before the second half of Walnut Ridge
was developed, in anticipation of this development of Walnut Ridge.
Finally, in 1997, in a memorandum of JeffDavidson to the Planning and
Zoning Commission relating to the design guidelines that we're talking
about for secondary access. The guidelines use traffic volume, physical
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features, pedestrian/motor vehicle conflicts, and special populations for
gauging when secondary access should be required. The point here is that
this has been a concern for a long time, that these issues have not gone
away - they are now intensified dramatically by the doubling of this
subdivision. Cardinal Ridge will essentially create a 6,550 foot cul-de-
sac. Okay? That's 5,650 feet more than the 900 foot cul-de-sac
requirements in our subdivision policy. It will constitute the most remote
area in the City of Iowa City, be far, second only to the northerly reaches
of Walnut Ridge. All the Cardinal Ridge traffic will be added to Kennedy
until a secondary access is provided, and Kennedy was participated to be a
low-volume street, not a large-volume street. The Fire Marshall
previously, and currently, has concerns about using this as a single means
of access for safety reasons. You've already been fully reminded on
several occasions of the many design variances granted to the developer of
Walnut Ridge in full anticipation of the low-traffic volume, while now we
are going to be burdened with a higher traffic volume. We suspect that if
Walnut Ridge had been built at a density of 200 lots, rather than at only
100, the design concessions would not have been made, and that what
we're essentially doing is we're going to be establishing on a temporary
basis a 200-lot subdivision using a single-access. So, it is imperative to
reasonably limit, both in quantity and in time-frame, the negative impact
on safety for Walnut Ridge, Cardinal Ridge, and all other members of the
public. So, with that, here's a sheet which has a proposal on how that
might be done. So, this is a sample proposal. This is how it might be
done in, I think, a reasonable way, and again, it's balancing the interests of
the developer and the interests of public safety. This proposal is only
effective before sufficient secondary access is connected, and as you can
see, at the bottom it says, 'Once a sufficient secondary access is
connected, none of this would be applicable.' The first page lays out the
proposal. The first paragraph basically says, rather than using a 2,500
vehicle count, it should be reduced because of the physical features and
the unique properties of Kennedy Parkway, to be 75% of that requirement,
or 1,875 vehicles per day. There's no point in using the 2,500 criteria.
That's for the ideal situation, and I think all of us could agree pretty
promptly that this is not the ideal situation, that this is less than ideal.
Therefore, it constitutes...we're suggesting a reduction of that 2,500
vehicle count. Number one, 75% of the standard, rather than 100%.
Number two, before each development phase, that an accurate traffic
count be done. Number three, that there should be no additional
development allowed if the traffic count indicates that the standard has
been reached, or the likelihood that the standard will be reached, based
upon the proposed development. And number four, sufficient secondary
access is defined, an effort to define it, as either an extension and
connection of Kennedy Parkway to the new Camp Cardinal Boulevard; an
extension and connection of Kennedy Parkway to the old, but improved,
Camp Cardinal Road, or such other connection as may develop, or may be
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proposed, to another arterial street. The practical consequences of this
proposal are on the second page, and what you see there, using the 1,875
vehicle standard, the most recent traffic count was 11.37 vehicles per
household average. If you divide that into this 1,875 standard, what you'll
see is that you would have, that this would support 164.91 residential lots.
Walnut Ridge has 100 lots, 8 of those do not use Kennedy Parkway as its
primary access. There would be 50 lots in phase 1 of Cardinal Ridge,
according to the final plat that's been filed; there'd be 23 in phase 2 of
Cardinal Ridge, according to the final plat that's been filed; bringing us
exactly up to the 165 standard. So, what's the consequence of this
proposal? It would potentially require a secondary access before
development of phase 3, which has 19 additional lots; for outlots E and G,
which have yet an undisclosed number of residential lots, or any other
adjacent real estate in the area. We would very much appreciate your
fullest consideration of that proposal as an alternate provision to the
Conditional Zoning Agreement. I'd be happy to respond to questions, and
I know there are some residents of Walnut Ridge who are also here who
would be happy to respond or may have some things to say. Thank you.
Lehman: Thank you, Tom.
Vanderhoef: Karin, refresh my memory on what typically we use for average vehicle
trips per household when we're doing...
Franklin: Seven.
Vanderhoefi Seven. Okay.
Wilbum: Karin? Part of the history that Mr. Gelman walked us through in terms of
recommendations of staff, in terms of paying attention to secondary
access, to me says that staff has tried to be .... stay aware of any problems
that may come about. In the history that was walked through, have...has
it been your experience that there have been problems that have occurred
that would be problematic related to our secondary access policy? That's
my first question. My second question is can you think of any areas where
- any developments - where our secondary access guidelines have been
inadequate in terms of addressing safety? And you can take whichever
one of those first you'd like. In other words, we've got the policy...
Franklin: When you say have there been any problems that are a consequence of our
secondary access policy, I have to kind of translate that to given that we
have approved developments in which there was not secondary access, has
a direct consequence of that been that there has been a problem, either
with emergency access, well with emergency access, or with the street
being blocked off. I can think of none in which that has occurred. The
other criteria that you would use to define "problem" would be traffic,
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because that's one of the things that is a reason for us even having a
secondary access...secondary access policy. Its for emergency vehicle
access, for safety; and then so the person or the residents that are at the
very end of the street, that is the end that connects to the arterial or the
collector, depending upon the situation, that that household does not
experience an inordinate amount of traffic, given what the function of the
street is. That's very subjective, and that's what we use that number for.
Obviously, the Walnut Ridge people are telling you, as you have heard
from many neighborhoods over time, as development occurs in the next
piece, that there's too much traffic. So, I can't say unequivocally that
there's no problem because a problem is identified often by people who
live in an area as traffic...and so I can't stand here and say that there's
absolutely no problem, but by the standards that we have set as a matter of
policy, we being this Council, past Councils, have sat by the secondary
access policy. There is not a problem as we define "problem." What was
your second question? (laughter)
Wilburn: I guess it gets towards, is our secondary, is it your opinion that staff feels
our secondary access policy, our guidelines, are sufficient for giving us...
Franklin: I think it gives us good guidance. It is guidance. So, that's when you're
called upon to make some kind of a judgment. I mean, I would like to say
in terms of the history that's been related by Tom, and I have not gone
back and read all the old staff reports, but I don't believe that he said at
any time there was a recommendation of denial because there was not
sufficient secondary access.
Wilburn: I guess that's what I was getting at.
Franklin: We've always raised the concern, whenever we look at any subdivision
that has one means of access. We look at that issue. We always raise it in
a staff report if there is only one means of access, that it is something that
needs to be looked at, and Walnut Ridge or Cardinal Ridge, they need...it
needs to be looked at. And then you evaluate where you are. Cardinal
Ridge is going to be a development of the same density as Walnut Ridge,
one dwelling unit per acre. That's what we're talking about. It's
clustered, but in terms of the number of units that are there, per the acres
we have, it's the same density. Usually our developments are at about
three dwelling units per acre, that's an RS-5. So...
Wilburn: The other piece I'm looking at, and perhaps this is reflected in the
guidelines, are related to collector streets. And I'm not trying to be
insensitive to concerns with children, I have several...you know, I
certainly have children of my own, but I'm looking at other areas where
there's no new development, there are existing collector streets and there
are children living along those. Will this create traffic.., more traffic
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concerns than on existing collector streets, where there's no development
going on?
Franklin: Not by our evaluation with the numbers that we have and how we've
applied the whole thing.
Wilburn: Thank you.
Elliott: Karin, I had just a couple questions. My understanding is the concerns of
the residents of Walnut Ridge are twofold, for a secondary access. One
would be more city-wide, the access of emergency vehicles to anything in
there. Two is then their concern, and concern of all residents, of safety for
the people, especially young people on that street. Though the situations
are a lot different, does the Peninsula provide us any precedent in thinking
about this when you come to secondary access? The Peninsula property.
Franklin: The Peninsula... in the design of Foster Road, and it has some similarities.
The design of Foster Road, which is designed as an arterial, the way we
control access to it, and the density that was then allowed on the
Peninsula, those two factors played into our ability to have Foster Road be
a single means of access for that area. So the density if held down, and
you cannot have driveways along Foster Road, and that is to maintain the
capacity of Foster Road, likewise there is some parking on Foster Road.
There is a similarity in Walnut Ridge in that the majority of houses in
Walnut Ridge do not have direct driveway access to Kennedy Parkway.
Some do, but they're primarily at the south end of the development. Most
of the houses have access off the cul-de-sacs. So, it maintains capacity on
that street for vehicular movement. Now, are there things that could be
done on Kennedy Parkway to enhance it? Yes, there could be sidewalks
put on both sides, which is, you know, something that is certainly
conceivable to do. I understand that there is a covenant right now that
prohibits parking on that street. One thing parking does on a street is
constrain it and people tend to slow down when they feel constrained in
the space. I'm not suggesting there be parking put on Kennedy Parkway,
but I'm saying there are things that can be looked at there, and sidewalks
are certainly one that could be addressed.
Elliott: Thanks, and just in response, when I grew up in the city where I grew up, I
was much more concerned about people driving down a street where there
was parking, as opposed to driving down a street where there's a wide-
open expanse and you can see, and it seems to me that the absence of
parking adds to the safety, especially of young people, because of the
driver - you get the whole open expanse. That was just an observation.
Franklin: Anything else?
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Lehman: One...I have one question. The Conditional Zoning Agreement
specifically says that there will be an analysis of traffic prior to any
developments of lots E and G, using the City's secondary access
guidelines. Now, do...I believe this is correct, but does the City's
secondary access guidelines take into consideration such things as
topography, percent of grade .... so, it would be reasonable to assume that a
2,500 car per day norm for a collector street would be reduced somewhat,
using our guidelines?
Franklin: In talking about reducing that number, and Tom and I talked about this
earlier, it's a little bit confusing. You look at the number, and the number
is not the only thing that you look at. All of these guidelines are items that
you look at to make an evaluation, to make a judgment. The number is
one of them. Now, whether you argue then that for some particular area
because of topography you take that number down, I...it seems rather
arbitrary.
Lehman: Not necessarily.
Franklin: Do you consider the need for secondary access because there are
topographical issues? Yes. Are those topographical issues ones which
may result in a blockage of that street? That's the question.
Lehman: And those are the things you would consider when evaluating further
development?
Franklin: Yes.
Lehman: Okay, that's...anything else for Karin? Thank you.
Elliott: Thank you.
Champion: What is the speed limit on that street? Twenty-five?
Bailey: I wanted to pull off on something Karin mentioned about sidewalks, and
ask the neighborhood, what have you discussed about putting sidewalks
in? Because !'m certainly supportive of pedestrian-friendly areas, and that
certainly increases safety if there are sidewalks on both sides of the street.
What's been discussed in regard to that? Mr. Gelman? I mean, I don't
know if you...that has even come up, but it seems like that would increase
pedestrian safety.
Gelman: All alternatives, I think, related to pedestrian safety have been considered
and been discussed somewhat.
Bailey: Uh-huh.
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Gelman: The decision was made when Walnut Ridge was submitted and improved
not to do that.
Bailey: Right.
Gelman: City staff, and the City staff reports...in fact one of them I read from...
Bailey: Right, I'm aware of that.
Gelman: Their recommendation was, in fact, particularly for the second half of the
subdivision, to put sidewalks on both sides of Kennedy Parkway, and to
put sidewalks on one side of the local streets, and both of those
recommendations to the staff were ignored by Planning and Zoning
Committee, and/or City Council. I'm not sure which. It was not done.
Bailey: Right.
Gelman: So, City staff has before thought sidewalks were...but, you know, the
discovering body in earlier versions of it decided not to do that. The need
for sidewalks is maybe always there, but it is much, much less when in
fact this is, and has the character of, a rural subdivision, which is what
Walnut Ridge was intended to emulate, was a county subdivision with
very limited density and therefore, one sidewalk was thought to be
enough. The problem here is, for a temporary basis where we're now
compounding, which is taking less of the character of a rural subdivision,
we are now compounding the traffic and we don't have the sidewalk, and
the question is do we add it now for a temporary reason? I don't know,
and I don't know also whether that's the best traffic-calming measures to
be used or the best solution. Another way to address it would be...so, so
it's possible, but then the question is 'who should bear that expense?'
Bailey: And neighborhoods have the options of looking at those kinds of things,
and it seems that if safety is a concern, sidewalks seem to be a reasonable
approach...
Gelman: I don't disagree...I mean, I agree 100%, but then the question becomes
who should bear that cost. I mean, this City Council approved this
subdivision in the past without those sidewalks, a prior version of this
Council ....
Bailey: Right, not this...
Gelman: ...but this Council may authorize this level of additional traffic on
Kennedy Parkway without a secondary access, in spite of the fact that that
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was never anticipated. So, then the question becomes 'who bears that
cost.'?'
Champion: · Well, the homeowner always bears the cost of sidewalks. Always. Ifa
developer does it, they certainly pass it on to the people who are buying
the house.
Gelman: Right, but the City has installed sidewalks at its expense in other locations
in the City.
Lehman: Rarely.
Vanderhoefi Very rarely.
Gelman: So, that's the question. I mean, clearly if in fact the traffic is a problem, as
it is anticipated to be, I'm sure that the homeowners will be back to the
City Council, asking some traffic-calming measures, anything that would
be reasonable, and I'm sure they'll be further exploring the issue of
sidewalks, but I think...I'm not sure that the decision ultimately was a
mistake that this Council... er, made, because of the intended nature of this
area. What we've doing is we're changing it on a temporary basis, and
then when that secondary access is going through, we'll have a different
situation, which may no longer require the sidewalk.
Lehman: Tom, I think that this is not a temporary change. I think that once this
subdivision is built, that road is going to be used regularly by large
numbers of cars. Now, certainly when a secondary access if available,
people have the opportunity to have a different way in or out, but once this
subdivision is built, Kennedy Parkway is going to be a much busier street,
and will continue to be from that point on.
Gelman: Yeah, I don't know, Ernie, I'm not sure whether that's going to be the
case.
Lehman: I'm not sure, but I would bet on it.
Gelman: There clearly will be a through access, but it is not the arterial. I mean,
you know...
Lehman: No, it's a collector.
Gelman: That's right. Cardinal Road...I mean Camp Cardinal Boulevard, the new
street, which will be just a quarter mile west of there, is the intended
arterial. It is the mechanism for people to get between Coralville and Iowa
City, between Highway 6 and Melrose. That street will have a lot of
traffic, and so I don't know if the traffic will be increased, or the traffic
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will be lessened, when there is in fact a secondary access. Depends who
uses it, and will people use it to go through, or will it just be for local
access?
Lehman: The secondary access will definitely help.
Gelman: There's no question.
Lehman: Okay.
Champion: Well, I really appreciate the proposal that the neighborhood has given us.
I do, however, think there are other considerations that are given, it's not
just the number of cars. I think...I can't say that word...
Lehman: Topography?
Champion: ...the lay of the land, the lay of the road (laughter) certainly is taken into
consideration, and I understand the frustration of the neighborhood
because it really is nice and quiet now, and there's not much traffic. I
haven't really decided what to do about this.
Vanderhoef: I've looked at...
Lehman: Is there anyone else from the public who would like to speak to this?
Dilkes: Are you going to close the Public Hearing?
Lehman: Not as long as we have someone speaking. That's my intent is to close the
Public Hearing.
Dilkes: You need to make sure that...that means that the CZA is acceptable to
you.
Lehman: Do we need a motion to that effect?
Dilkes: No. You can just poll yourselves and see, but I'm just reminding you
that...
Lehman: Thank you, thank you.
Wilson: Good evening, Council Members. My name is Robert Wilson and I
represent the owners of the Nepola tract, and visited with you two weeks
ago about the sewer issue. I'd like to echo Joe's comments about how
well the staff is...how appreciative I am of the staff in the last ten days in
getting up to speed on this issue. I've reviewed the CZA agreement. If
you'll permit me just one question of Council. As some of you may know,
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we had an engineer take a look at the property, and we provided our own
input and our own thoughts where we thought the sewer line ought to go
and whether it was necessary. My only point is we kind of provided that
engineering expertise to the City, and I know our engineer has talked to
the City's engineer. My only question is, what rule if any, Council, do the
southern boundary owners have in terms of the location of the lines that
the developer has agreed to, to place, and maybe all I'm looking for here
is, are you going to send us a copy of that, or do we have any rule in that
at all?
Dilkes: Send you a copy of what?
Wilson: Of what you all agreed to.
Dilkes: Oh, sure, that'll be a matter of public record. That'll be on the plat, on the
final plat. I guess what I would say, we certainly will take any
information we're provided and Engineering will take a look at that, but I
think our ordinance does not provide for direct input, or agreement, by the
adjacent property owners, and this agreement provides that there must be
agreement by the developer and the, essentially, the Public Works
Department.
Lehman: Right.
Wilson: And I'm not disagreeing with you. I just wondered if we might find out
what you all decide at some point.
Dilkes: Sure.
Wilson: Okay, good.
Lehman: In fact, by the terms of the CZA, you would know by the first of October.
Is it October? There is a date...
Dilkes: I think the thinking is that if we...well, Engineering and the developer will
take a look at it and try to get it done prior to the approval of preliminary
plat. That's going to come up pretty quickly. If that doesn't happen, the
idea is that it will be done at the time of the approval of the final plat.
Wilson: Thank you. That's all I have, and again, I appreciate your help, Council,
and also Karin's help the last two weeks. Thank you, folks.
Lehman: Thank you.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence, as well, before you close.
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Lehman: Do we have a motion to accept correspondence?
O'Donnell: So moved.
Wilburn: Second.
Lehman: All those in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Prior to closing the Public
Heating, is there consensus on the Council relative to the new CZA? This
heating is relative to this CZA, which is different than we started with.
Elliott: I'm concerned in my mind, I'm not...I don't have down the numbers in
my mind clearly. The difference between what Tom provided, and the
agreement that was signed late this afternoon.
Lehman: I don't think there's any way of determining those numbers.
Elliott: I think I'm going to be in favor of the agreement, but I wish I had a clearer
understanding of what their differences are.
Lehman: I think we all wish we had that understanding, but is Council at some level
of comfort...
Champion: I do think .... I do think the secondary access is a problem. I don't know
about reducing a number. I would hope that we would take other things
into consideration, and that's...I mean, I know the staff we have right now
will, but I worry what's going to happen, how long this development's
going to take. This street would qualify for traffic calming?
Vanderhoef: No.
Lehman: No. It's a collector.
Champion: It would?
Franklin: It...a collector qualifies for traffic calming; arterials do not.
Champion: Okay. So, the neighborhood could come to the Council, or write an email,
to look at traffic calming. So, I guess I'll support it for that reason. I do
think there are measures that can be done on that street, if the traffic
becomes fast, which I think is a concern. It's easy to go fast on that road.
(TAPE ENDS)
O'Donnell: I'm going to support it. I share Connie's concerns about traffic and I'm
sure we'll make all attempts to make it as safe as we possibly can.
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Vanderhoefi I'm going to support this, and I am aware of the sidewalk issue, but
another issue that I would hope that the Walnut Ridge folks will take a
look at that might be an alternative to the additional sidewalks is that
original trail plan that was put onto the original design, but has never been
built, and is that a better way to move internal traffic of the children and
the people who live there, and certainly for future uses of getting to the
neighborhood and to the schools, that the children may choose to use. So,
just take a look at it, please.
Lehman: I'm going to close the Public Hearing.
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST
CONSIDERATION) (DEFERRED FROM 8/2)
Lehman: I'll consider a motion for first consideration.
Vanderhoef: Move first consideration.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Bailey: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Bailey. Now, discussion?
Elliott: I have just a couple observations. I'm, I think I'm going to vote for this
agreement. I will be here for two more years, and certainly I will be
receptive to any problems that, problems and concerns, that develop on
that road in question, and I'm sure City staff and the Commission will be
also. Secondly, I hope we learn from this, that there is virtually no
development that can occur in a city like Iowa City and consider itself to
be independent of things that happen to the east, west, north, and south.
That is just not a reality to think that that development was going to be a
stand-alone rural development. We have found that all too well. Thirdly,
I'll add one on, ! think this is the most poorly equipped body to respond to
this question and concern, but it's our question to answer to, and I will do
that and I will vote for the agreement.
Bailey: I'i1 be supporting this. I'm certainly not indifferent to concerns about
traffic, and I think that this indicates that whenever we look at new
developments that we have to, regardless of what character we're trying to
establish, sidewalks are absolutely critical for pedestrians, and this was an
oversight, and I think that we should consider trail and sidewalk access in
this neighborhood, not because it would be, not for a temporary fix, but
because sidewalks are always a good thing and always a safety measure. I
think this traffic analysis prior to the development of outlots E and G will
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give us some level of indication about the secondary access requirements.
So, and I'm delighted to see that we have addressed the sewer issue.
Wilbum: The only part that I would add on to what your's...the traffic analysis will
be further indications of impacts of traffic, and not because there has
already been an assessment about the other features of the area. So, I too
will be supporting it.
Lehman: Well, I'm going to support this, as well. It reminds me, in many respects,
of First Avenue, which we dealt with here a number of years ago. First
Avenue was always intended to be an arterial, was always intended to be
contingent. I think this, Kennedy Parkway, er...as always intended to be a
street that went somewhere, not just into a cul-de-sac. Unfortunately, I
believe, the City agreed with the owners and the developer at the time and
built that without sidewalks. I totally agree with Regenia. The sidewalks
absolutely should have been required. At this point in time, my suspicion
is that if sidewalks are installed, they will be installed at the, with the
owner's or neighborhood's expense. There is going to be more traffic. I
am, I really believe in the ability of our staff and our engineering and
traffic codes to keep a good eye on this, and do what we can to make that
road as safe as we possibly can. However, I also believe that that road is
going to be carrying significantly more cars than it does now, and it will
continue to do that for as long as there are houses out there.
Elliott: May I have one more?
Lehman: Please.
Elliott: On a purely personal basis, two people have had input to me, and I'm
disappointing them both. One was a conversation of a woman I don't
know, but I had the most pleasant conversation with her, and she was
reasonable, she was personable, and I wish that I could vote differently but
I don't believe I can. The second is a close friend with whom I've lived
for almost 50 years who said it would be a crime to put all this traffic on
that street when she and I rode over the street, but I don't think there's an
alternative. So...
Lehman: I have an apartment available. (laughter)
Elliott: As the President would say, with a heavy heart, I will do it.
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries.
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ITEM 4 PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
b) CONDITIONALLY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 2.19
ACRES FROM INTENSIVE COMERCIAL (CI-1) ZONE AND
MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS-8)
ZONE TO COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC-2) ZONE FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN NORTH DODGE STREET
AND DODGE STREET COURT, EAST OF CONKLIN LANE
(REZ05-00003).
1. PUBLIC HEARING (continued from 8/2)
Lehman: Public heating is open.
Holland: Thank you. At the last Council meeting, we indicated a general agreement
on a Conditional Zoning Agreement that was in place at that time, and
after that Council meeting, we had an opportunity to get some input from
the architect who did the concept plan for the proposal for this property;
provided those to Karin and we reached an agreement, I think, which
satisfies everyone, as far as materials, and I think that was the only
lingering issue that divided the staff from the developer. So, I think now
we have an agreement that will provide a project that's an asset to the
City, and an asset to the area, and we'd ask you to approve this tonight.
Lehman: Joe, let me...I need...if in fact there's a financial institution that requires
an exit onto the street, you will be giving the City an additional strip of
property of whatever size... I'm not, how much is it?
Holland: Well, there will be additional right-of-way...I believe it's 10 feet on
Conklin Lane, which is on the west side of the property, but also
additional fight-of-way for Dodge Street Court so that can be improved.
Lehman: Are both of those conditional on whether or not there's a financial
institution located there?
Holland: They are.
Dilkes: No, just the Conklin Lane.
Holland: Well, the Conklin Lane is. The other one is conditional upon whether
there's any access off of Dodge Street Court. And, if...
Lehman: I need, wait a minute...I have, okay, that's fine.
Holland: The concept shows two accesses; one...I shouldn't say accesses. An exit
for a financial institution, and an entry for the residential property near the
east end of the property.
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Lehman: Right.
Holland: And, if there is no financial institution, there's going to be an evaluation of
whether to bring all the traffic in and off of Dodge Street, and not use
Dodge Street Court at all. Under those circumstances, there will be
additional right-of-way dedicated in any event, but there may not be
participation in the cost of improving it, if we're not using it, but there's
extra right-of-way for Dodge Street Court under any set of circumstances.
Lehman: Okay, all right..
Holland: It's a question of contributions. So I misspoke earlier. The Conklin Lane
is conditioned on the exit for the financial institution.
Lehman: Okay.
Holland: Any other questions? Thank you very much.
Lehman: Thank you.
Karr: Motion to accept correspondence?
Vanderhoef: So moved.
Wilbum: Second.
Lehman: Motion and a second to accept correspondence. All in favor? Opposed?
Motion carries. Public hearing is closed.
2. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE (FIRST
CONSIDERATION) (DEFERRED FROM 8/2)
Lehman: Do we have a motion?
Champion: So moved.
Lehman: Moved by Champion.
O'Donnell: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by O'Donnell for first consideration. Discussion?
Champion: I think it's going to be a real asset to that area.
Lehman: I'm sorry?
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MacVay: My name is Alan MacVay. I live on Conklin Lane. I've attended the
other Planning and Zoning heatings, but I was out of town for the previous
one of these meetings. I'm a little surprised to hear that there seems to be
agreement with the Planning Commission, er, the Planning Office and the
developer, on everything now, because there are two things, as I
understand it, are not agreed upon, and certainly the residents of the area
unanimously feel this way. One is that the drainage is a potential problem.
It...as I understand it, it may be a problem or it may not. If it is, it's not
going to affect me personally, but it's going to affect property owners at
the end of Dodge Street Court, and it shouldn't. It's pretty simple. And, if
it does, it seems to me that this body ought to say, 'If it does affect them, if
it gets worse, that something ought to be done about it at that time.' If it
doesn't get worse, no problem.
Lehman: I asked about that two weeks ago. I understand that all of the drainage
from this project must be diverted to Dodge Street. We did ask that.
MacVay: What I'm responding to comes from a conversation I had yesterday with
Bob Miklo and I may be interpreting it incorrectly, but, so anyway, that's
what he said, and I don't know you, but you would be able to speak to
that. That's a big concern because one of the neighbors upon whom this
will have a major affect is in a wheelchair, and she's...this should not
happen to her property.
Champion: We agree.
O'Donnell: That was our concern, and we did ask that. I think everybody here asked
that question.
MacVay: Great. So if we're in agreement that, you know, if there's a problem, it'll
get fixed, I'm okay with that. The second thing is the exit from the bank,
if there is an exit from the bank, which the Planning staffconcluded, I
don't have the figures in front of me, but concluded that there is a
significant amount of traffic that's going to come out of that bank
probably. It's going directly into, headed towards a house that is a
residential house. It's going right onto a tiny little street. Our street. And
I hope I'm not speaking out of turn. As I understand it from people who
know, that this can be fixed with the loss of three or four parking places.
That's all. You know, I can understand why the developer doesn't want to
do that, but I can understand why we want him to. And as simple as that.
And we think, and I know I speak for every single person in this
neighborhood, that that's what should happen. There were eleven people
who wrote to this Council, and submitting those petitions, of whom four
were just outside the 200 foot boundary. I would be outside of the 200
foot boundary except I own a little piece of that right there, across it, and
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we all care about this. So, those are the two issues. In my mind they're
certainly not reconciled, if you decide, you'll decide whatever you decide,
but I think that the traffic with that little bank thing is a real issue for a tiny
little residential street, and I don't know how often you have put a
commercial outlet into an existing residential neighborhood. I bet ya, not
very often. That's all. Thank you.
Lehman: Thank you. Council discussion?
Champion: Can we address that a little bit?
Bailey: ! don't understand about the parking thing. (several talking at once) Can
you clarify that for me? I'm sorry, Karin.
Franklin: Well, I think probably the number of spaces is off a tad, but I think what
Mr. MacVay is saying is that the site could be redesigned to incorporate
all of the commercial activity on the commercial site with no access to
north Dodge Street Court. If you did.., if that were required, however, it
would mean a reconfiguration of this project, such that a number of
parking spaces would be lost.
Bailey: For the financial institution?
Franklin: For the whole project.
Bailey: Okay, for both.
Lehman: Do we have any estimate, questimate, the number of vehicles that will be
exiting the financial institution, such that...that's not a general...I beg
your pardon?
Bailey: We did mention that last time.
Lehman: But it's not a general exit for the whole area; it's for the bank.
Franklin: No, it is an exit only for the drive-through lanes for financial institution. If
there's not a financial institution, there will be no commercial access to
north Dodge Street Court. There will be access to north Dodge Street
Court for the apartment, but that was not at issue. What was at issue was
the commercial access, and so the restriction that the Planning and Zoning
Commission placed on this was that that exit only could only be for a
financial institution, no other kind of drive-through, and that if it were not
a financial institution, there would be no commercial access to north
Dodge Street Court. Just by the way, for this drive-through to be
approved, it also has to go through the Board of Adjustments. So, I think
what Mr. MacVay is saying is that the site could be redesigned, such that
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it could all be contained within the commercial space, and everything
would exit out to Dodge Street, but the consequence of that is that there
would be loss of parking, potentially loss of square footage, for the
commercial development.
Lehman: Thank you.
Champion: And are there...what about the street? Is that going to be improved at all?
Franklin: The street...ifthere are access points to north Dodge Street Court, okay?
There is a financial institution; there is access for the apartments. Then,
north Dodge Street Court would be improved, from Conklin Lane to the
east property line of the Southgate property. We'd have to taper it then
down to meet the chip seal that exists. All of the drainage from the
commercial development would be taken out to Dodge Street. So, what
we would have in terms of any additional run-off, would be whatever
came off of the paving of north Dodge Street Court. When we talked
about this at the work session, I raised the issue that if that section of north
Dodge Street Court were going to be done, that it may be a time to look at
the entire improvement of north Dodge Street Court, all the way to the
end, and then dealing with the existing storm sewer, or drainage issue, that
is there for the house that sits...it's at the end of north Dodge Street Court,
and sits down from the level of the road. That's why it's getting water.
That that would be an option for the Council to do a public project at that
point. If there's no access to north Dodge Street Court, we won't be
improving north Dodge Street Court at this time, but we will get the right-
of-way.
Champion: So, if there is access, the north Dodge Court, the road would have to be
improved?
Franklin: Yes. To the boundary of the project (several talking at once), and the cost
would be shared between the City and the developer.
Champion: So, then that would create more drainage. The street, a paved street.
Franklin: To some increment, but we don't know what it would be in terms of
whether it would exacerbate it at the end of north Dodge Street Court. I
mean, we would have storm sewers in the street. That would be part of
the construction.
Lehman: Are there storm sewers on the street now?
Franklin: No.
Lehman: Well, then there would be less run-off than there is now, probably.
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Franklin: I think until we would do a complete analysis, I can't say that, and, I
mean, the ideal would be that the entire street was improved, storm sewer
was put in, that stormwater was directed to an area where it could get into
the natural drainage system that goes down through Hickory Hill Park.
That would be the ideal.
Champion: Right.
Lehman: Okay.
Champion: And that's what may have to be done if we pave that street.
Franklin: It may. Okay?
Bailey: I found a new word for exiting. Based upon the ten-hour business day, the
staff looked at 380 to 500 exiting vehicles per day. There's
a..."Transportation Engineer Trip Generation" manual has it much higher.
186 to 1,233...
Champion: But that's for the whole area.
Bailey: No, but that's the general, the national standard. Locally, it looks like it
ranges from 380 to 580.
Lehman: That's for a bank?
Bailey: A bank.
Lehman: Okay.
Champion: Banks are open ten hours a day? Where?
Bailey: I don't know. But it might have an ATM, a drive-through ATM.
Lehman: Okay. Other discussion? Roll call. Motion carries.
(BR~K)
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ITEM 6 APPROVING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF
CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE OF COST FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE JC DOGPAC DOG PARK 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.
b. CONSIDERA RESOLUTION
Lehman: Do we have a motion?
Bailey: So moved.
Wilbum: Second.
Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Wilbum. Discussion?
Champion: I was hoping somebody would speak from DogPAC.
Lehman: Well, you can take their place. (laughter) I...we should point out that
there is an alternate on this project that will be bid, but not necessarily
accepted, and that is to include a pond, where the estimated total cost,
including the alternate, is $140,000. The basic bid estimate at $76,000.
O'Donnell: We also should point out that this is a loan.
Bailey: Right, this is a public/private partnership with the JC DogPAC.
Elliott: I also wish that the DogPAC people were here to speak about this because
I'm just, I would have to vote against it. I, I like the initial understanding
that the City would provide the property, that the DogPAC people would
develop and operate the dog park, and there was no mention of an
extensive loan. $70,000 or $140,000, and I would have to vote against
this.
Lehman: I think we have someone to speak to this.
Atkins: The DogPAC Park folks are here. Good.
Kelly: My name is Jim Kelly. I'm Vice President of the DogPAC. I guess, we're
just here to, we're talking about the bids today, and getting those. I'm
new at the whole City Council thing, so I guess I'll just start...any
questions you have for me I'd be glad to answer to the best of my
knowledge, and we do have other people from DogPAC available if I'm
unable to answer those. So...
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Champion: Well, I think I'd like to know how the fund raising is going. About how
you think it's going to go, and that's my question.
Kelly: As far as I know, the fund raising, you know, with all the talk with the
City loan, that's actually increased our fund raising efforts, you know, I'm
getting all that publicity out there. The closer we're getting to the project,
the more interested people are in donating, you know, the businesses and
other things that are...they want to see this project completed. This is a
project that's been talked about for quite a while. Now that things are
starting to move along and we have, you know, projected dates of being
open, people are more willing to donate money. I'm a business owner
here in Iowa City, and we have donated, or pledged quite a bit of money
towards this park, as well. So, we're looking to see this thing up and open
as soon as possible.
Lehman: What kind of monies have you got collected, or pledged?
Burnside: Good evening. I'm Anne Burnside, and I've been with the DogPAC from
the beginning. We currently have about $20,000 in cash. We have
pledges of about another $20,000, and recently, we've received an
indication from private individuals that they are willing to loan interest-
free. We've right now got commitments for $20,000. When we indicated
to some of our supporters that this loan from the City would be beating
4.25% interest, there was discussion among some of the supporters that in
order to avoid paying interest, that some private people are going to be
putting up some money. So, that would reduce the amount that has to be
borrowed from the City. The reason for requesting the loan from the City
was, and is, only so that we can try and catch this construction season. It's
never been a question of whether the money and the support exists in the
community. It does, and it is, but we are a very small, very non-
professional group, and I got to tell you, learning how to fundraise or raise
funds is an education I never particularly wanted. (laughter)
Champion: You can have doggie bake sales. (laughter)
Burnside: We do that. We give away dog cookies at "dog swim." So, it's strictly so
that we can catch this construction season. That's the only reason that we
have come to the City to ask for this loan.
Champion: No, I understand that, but I'm just looking at the interest of the City also.
I totally support the project, by the way.
Lehman: What sort of pay-back time do you anticipate?
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Burnside: We haven't signed a loan document yet, but the draft I've seen says five
years.
Champion: Okay. Thank you.
Lehman: Okay. Thank you, Anne.
Vanderhoef: And...and this altemate, we saw some figures on how the pay-off could
come in a five-year period, estimated income, and then I see this
additional add-on as a possibly, and I recognize that it could well be a lot
cheaper to put in a pond with the initial development certainly, rather than
come in later and move fences and get big equipment in there, and so
forth.
Burnside: Yeah, we're kind of tom on that topic. I think you're right that it would
probably be more cost-effective to do it at the beginning, but it does
substantially increase the cost of the park. Having the water feature is
something a lot of people...retriever-type dogs are really hoping and
dreaming for, and we just don't know if it's going to be financially
feasible. So, at this point, we're calling it an alternate and we'll see how
the money rolls in.
Lehman: Anne, I would suggest that you have some discussions relative to that,
prior to us getting a bid back, which will not be any great length of time
because my suspicion is that our acceptance of the alternate will be largely
dependent on how we perceive your position on it and your ability to pay
it back.
Burnside: Yes, thank you. Well, we've talked about that, and ! think we understand
the time-frame involved.
Lehman; Okay.
Bailey: I want to just thank the DogPAC too for providing that fundraising plan
for us. When we talked about the loan, that was something that I'd asked
for to make sure...I know fundraising is a daunting task, but the thought
that we could have such a wonderful park for $140,000 is pretty exciting, I
think, for all of us. So, I commend your group for taking on the
fundraising, even if you didn't want to learn it in your lifetime. (laughter)
Bumside: Thanks.
Lehman: Thank you.
Elliott: Just so it's clear, I certainly support the dog park. I just think it should be
on a "pay as you go." About the pond, my daughter has and her partner
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have a 95-pound Lab who would love to jump in that water. I can you
that, fight now.
Burnside: Tell her to bring the dog to the "dog paddle" in September.
Karr: We have a motion on the floor.
Lehman: We closed the Public Heating? Boy, my age is catching up with me. Any
further discussion? Roll call. Motion carries 6 to 1; Elliott voting in the
negative.
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ITEM 9 CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3, ENTITLED
"CITY FINANCES, TAXATION AND FEES" CHAPTER 4,
ENTITLED "SCHEDULE OF FEES, RATES, CHARGES, BONDS,
FINE AND PENALTIES," SECTION 8, ENTITLED "PARKING
VIOLATIONS," TITLE 9, ENTITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND
TRAFFIC," CHAPTER 4, ENTITLED "PARKING
REGULATIONS," SECTION 10, ENTITLED "PARKING FOR
LOADING AND UNLOADING" AND SECTION 14, ENTITLED
"ENFORCEMENT," AND ADDING NEW SECTION 15 ENTITLED
"LIBRARY PARKING" TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF
PARKING FOR LIBRARY PATRONS, TO ESTABLISH FINES
FOR LIBRARY PARKING VIOLATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE
FOR INCREASED ENFORCEMENT OF LOADING ZONE
VIOLATIONS. (FIRST CONSIDERATION)
Vanderhoefi Move the ordinance.
Lehman: Moved by Vanderhoef.
Champion: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Champion. Discussion?
Elliott: As I said last night, I like everything about this except the capacity to
ticket a violator in the drop-off every ten minutes, and the capacity to tow
an illegally parked vehicle at that drop-off site initially, without a ticket,
and therefore, I will vote no against this. I wish those weren't in, then !
would be very supportive of it.
Bailey: I'm really supportive of this ordinance, simply because we need to keep
that parking out in front of the Library, people moving through it, and
even though it's posted, the limitations, people.., we know that people
violate that, and I think that we have to make sure that that's enforced,
rigorously, and I think this will (can't hear).
Lehman: And this is at the request of the Library. Actually, I believe the ordinance,
as we are discussing it, has an effective date in October. Is that not
correct? We...I believe, discussed an amendment changing the effective
date to September 15th. Is there an amendment to that effect?
Bailey: So moved.
Vanderhoefi Second.
Lehman: Moved by Bailey; seconded by Vanderhoef to change the effective date to
September 15th. Discussion of the amendment? All in favor of the
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amendment? Opposed? The amendmem carries. Now, discussion of the
resolution, or the ordinance, as amended. Roll call. Motion carries 6 to 1;
Elliott voting in the negative.
Champion: I would like to point out to the public that we did, we were assured last
night that this would be posted very clearly.
Lehman: Yeah.
Dilkes: The ordinance requires that it be.
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ITEM 17 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT AND
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK
TO ATTEST A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE
IOWA CITY LANDFILL FY06 CELL CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT.
Lehman: We received three bids; estimate was $2 million; low bid, JB Holland
Construction of Decorah, Iowa, $1,249,918.53. Public Works is
recommending the award to JB Holland Construction.
Champion: That's the kind of bid I like.
O'Donnell: Move the resolution.
Lehman: Moved by O'Donnell.
Bailey: Second.
Lehman: Seconded by Bailey. Discussion? That is really nice...we've been
estimating the $2 million for a long time.
Atkins: I think staff was as surprised as anyone. We'd like to think we'd get a
little closer on our estimating, but apparently, there's just not that much
work out there and these folks are trying to lock this work up for this
construction and into the next one.
Champion: (can't hear) over estimated, than under estimated.
Atkins: Well, that's true. (laughter)
Lehman: Roll call. Motion carries.
Elliott: We're kind of wacky tonight.
Lehman: We just couldn't believe the bid. (laughter)
Champion: No, we're flabbergasted.
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ITEM 21 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Elliott: Nothing here.
Lehman: Connie?
Champion: I have something.
Lehman: Yes?
Champion: It involves zoning .... I mean loading zones. You know, at Tower Parking
now? Tower Place Parking? We've raised the maximum daily parking to
$14.50. I am concerned that that's such a huge jump from $4.20, or
whatever it was.
Atkins: $4.80.
Champion: $4.80. And because a lot of young people park there when they're
downtown at night, and because they can leave their cars there overnight.
Atkins: Yes.
Champion: I wonder if we're going to increase them because they've had a couple
drinks of alcohol, their brains might not be functioning, it might be
functioning like mine is now (laughter) but I'm wondering if we're going
to be increased them to get in their cars and drive, where they can come
back the next morning and have to pay $14.50. I think it's a big jump. I
think it's a lot of money. It's a lot more money than we've every charged
for any parking lot. It's a huge jump. I don't know if anybody else feels
that way, but I think we're going to increase people to get in their cars and
drive when they shouldn't be.
Atkins: Problem...first of all, we're trying to respond to the Senior Commission.
That was one of their ideas to cause more turnover, because that is one of
our more popular parking garages, and secondly, at $5 a day, people were
storing their cars.
Lehman: I don't question a $5 a day if they would charge it, but what's the max at
the other ramps? Do you know offhand?
Vanderhoef: It's the same at Capitol.
Lehman: Oh, it's $14.50 there, as well?
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Atkins: Yeah, I mean, if you're there for...and they were storing cars. $5 a day is
pretty cheap parking. You're not, Connie, I'm not arguing with you
because I'm probably not wrong because folks will do that. Park and...
Elliott: Well, we can't discuss it, but I think it's a valid point.
Vanderhoef: The rate, I think, at the new parking ramp is going to be less. Is that right?
Atkins: Court Street? Court Street will be overwhelmingly permits. Permit
parking. I don't think the rates are dramatically different, Dee. I mean,
I'd have to check. I don't recall.
Vanderhoefi I thought they were going to be a bit less. (several talking at once)
Champion: Is there enough people here who agree with me, or at least like to discuss
this? Or am I the only one?
Bailey: I thought we had parking (can't hear).
Atkins: ...budget on the list, start next week on budget, next time around for
budget (several talking at once)
Bailey: I'm willing to talk about it, Connie.
Champion: Thank you.
Lehman: Steve, if we could have a memo giving the rationale and whatever, and
then we could..
Bailey: ...for all the ramps too, it sounds likely.
Atkins: Yes.
Lehman: Okay. Anything else, Connie?
Champion: No...oh, I did talk to a few bar owners and I will finish talking to other
people on Dubuque Street about creating another loading zone, and they
seem to be fully agreeable about it.
Atkins: Let us know.
Champion: I will.
Lehman: Mike?
O'Donnell: I just wanted to question Steve on the footbridge by Iowa River Power.
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Atkins: Yeah?
O'Donnell: Any idea when that's going to be completed?
Atkins: I wish I could tell you, Mike.
Lehman: Weather. several talking at once)
Atkins: When the river goes down, we're ready to go.
Lehman: The reservoir is still pretty high.
Atkins: Yeah, it is.
Vanderhoef: We don't get the rain. It just all comes north of us into the watershed, and
O'Donnell: I just got to ask the question.
Lehman: Dee, go ahead.
Vanderhoefi Okay, just want to congratulate the Benton Hill Neighborhood folk for the
wonderful party and celebration that they put together, as well as for all
their hard work in waiting first, and then developing and getting that park
open. It is just a real jewel to find a park like that in the middle of our city
and it's really nice. Go out and take a look.
Wilbum: And thanks for all the businesses that made donations of food and
beverages for them to have that celebration.
Atkins: And the...archway is up now. Yep. Just put it up. It's only been up a few
days.
Bailey: I just wanted to recognize the passing of a great woman in Minnette
Doderer last weekend. She certainly was an advocate for Iowa City and a
pioneer for women. I know that when Minnette first went to Des Moines,
the Capitol did not have a women's restroom. They actually expected her
to go across the street to use the restroom. Knowing, I mean, we all know
Minnette and that was rapidly fixed. (laughter) But I'm glad to see that
times have changes, and she really led the way for that.
Elliott: Well said.
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ITEM 22 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
Lehman: Okay. Grandpa, do you have anything?
Atkins: Hey! (laughter)
Lehman: You know, just for everybody's information, Steve is now joined the ranks
of grandfathers. Welcome to the fraternity! You will thoroughly love it.
Atkins: I'm too young. (laughter)
Lehman: So are all the rest of the grandpas in the world.
O'Donnell: If he can only carry himself as well as you have.
Lehman: Wow.
Atkins: Thank you.
Lehman: I got that one. All right. Eleanor? Marian? Do we have a motion to
adjourn?
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Council meeting of August 16, 2005.