HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-13 Transcription#2 Page 1
Lehman/Item 2 are Mayor's Proclamations but before that I'd like to announce that Items
6 and 7 which are public hearings on the Riverside Stage for City Park and
Oakland Cemetery. We'll open and close the public hearing because in neither
case are the specifications available and so the legally the public hearing would
have no way whatsoever so we will open the public hearing, close the public
hearing and reset it for July 27 so anyone who's here would like to speak to those
items would certainly be encouraged to come back on the 271h. As of now there
is nothing to have the public hearing on because there are no plans or
specifications.
ITEM NO. 2. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS.
a. CITY-WIDE FOOD DRIVE WEEK - JULY 19-25.
Lehman/(Reads Proclamation) Now therefore, I Ernest W. Lehman Mayor of the City of
Iowa City Iowa do hereby proclaim July 19 - 25 as Citywide Food Drive Week in
Iowa City and encourage businesses, civic organizations, religious organizations,
and individuals to organize their own food drives. Final of the drive July 25 will
be known as Thanksgiving in July.
Kan'/Here to accept is Ron Hall.
Ron Hall/Mr. Mayor our organization did not invent food drives or food rescue. They've
been going on informally in Iowa City for years and the community has been very
supportive of the food bank and it's efforts. Our objective was to draw attention
to the need that for donations at the food bank. And to create an opportunity for
the more individuals to become aware and to contribute their time and food to this
event. This is a first time event for us but the response has been just great and
look forward to doing it again next year.
Lehman/Thank you.
Hall/Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#2b Page 2
ITEM NO. 2b. PLUM GROVE DAY - JULY 21.
Lehman/(Reads Proclamation) Now therefore, I Ernest W. Lehman Mayor of the City of
Iowa City Iowa do hereby proclaim July 21, 1999 be Plum Grove Day in Iowa
City in recognition of Plum Groves historical significance.
Karr/Here to accept is Betty Kelly.
Betty Kelly/We appreciate the city calling attention to this very gem in the midst of our
community and we hope you all will be flee to come and join us on the 21st
when we will entertain you with the Senior Citizen band as well as tasty recipes.
If you haven't been there you need to come and visit us. I would like to honor
also some people that helped a great deal JoAnn and Loren Leach, please stand
up, whose been very instrumental; master gardeners and Leigh Ann Jero who was
the director of Plum Grove. Thank you again.
Lehman/Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#2c Page 3
ITEM NO. 2c. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES DAY - JULY 24
Lehman/(Reads Proclamation) Now therefore I Ernest W. Lehman Mayor of the City of
Iowa City Iowa do hereby proclaim July 24 to be Persons with Disabilities Day
and urge all citizens to become aware of and support the intent of the American
with Disabilities Act and the independent living philosophy which dictates that
persons with disabilities will take control and manage their lives.
Karr/Here to accept is Bob Simpson.
Bob Simpson/Thank you Mr. Mayor very much. On behalf of the planning committee of
this year' s celebration and the Everett Connor Center I'm delighted at this
recognition. On the 241h of this month you will see some very important people
strutting the streets of Iowa City and floats and various regalia and we invite you
all to come and join us in that in that event. The theme of this year's celebration
is the "ADA-A Tool For A Social Change". I'll admit to the controversiallity of
this Act but none can deny the fact that it has brought to the attention of the public
the necessity for social change as it relates to the lives of the most disabled of our
citizens. Once again thank you very much for this recognition.
Lehman/Thank you.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#3d Page 4
ITEM NO. 3d. STEVE ATKINS DAY.
Lehman/I see the agenda doesn't show it but there is one more proclamation. (Reads
Proclamation) Now therefore I Ernest W. Lehman Mayor of the City of Iowa City
as well as the entire City Council do hereby proclaim Tuesday July 13 1999 to be
Steve Atkins Day in Iowa City and urge all residents and staff to recognize that as
Steve enters his 541h year he might not recognize them as his eyesight may be the
first to go. And here to receive is Steve Atkins. Congratulations Steve. And
listen this is done by the entire council as a memento of our esteem for you we
have some girls, pain for you as you may need it. And a box of Fiber One cereal.
Vanderhoef/Well I'll have to unwrap mine.
Norton/Well here I can do my Centrum Silver.
Vanderhoef/Laxatea.
Thornberry/And Steve your such a regular guy, and we want to keep it that way.
Champion/Mine is R-rated, you might want to open it in private.
Kubby/And mine's going the other way you can play a game and touch prizes as you
will paint as much as your heart desires. Kubby strikes it rich in post city council
career and endows the city with money from citywide no fair transit. Thornberry
hits his head and supports all forms of public housing. Contractors say they will
build the water plant for family swim passes.
Thornberry/Here's your laxatea.
Atkins/You need it more than I do.
Thornberry/No doubt.
Lehman/Steve do you have any comments (can't hear).
Atkins/I'm all underwhelmed. You should worry if I head for the microphone right now.
Thank you for your.
Thornberry/Your you bet.
Lehman/Tone it down a bit.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#3 Page 5
ITEM NO. 3. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS
PRESENTED OR AMENDED.
Thornberry/So moved.
Norton/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Thornberry, seconded by Norton. There are a couple of items we
should note. One is to set the public heating for the construction of the Transit
Methane Abatement project which was once turned down. Setting the public
hearing for July 27 on turning lanes to be built on Highway 1 west and also on
Highway 6 east, those are two projects that are a lot of folks would like to see
happen for a long time and the other one is consider a resolution establishing flat
rents based on rental value of a unit and this is a my understanding is pretty much
a formal sort of thing required by HUD.
Atkins/That's correct.
Lehman/Something that is in keeping with our housing program.
Atkins/I have to be serious now?
Lehman/Yes you do.
Atkins/And the answer's yes to that.
Lehman/Thank you.
Norton/I think it's important to know that those turn lanes the one at Sunset for
westbound traffic to make a fight turn and the other one is to extend the turn lane
on the Highway 6 going First Avenue so the que can take up the cars that are
there. I think these have been long awaited so people will be anxious to see that
happen.
Lehman/Other discussion. Roll call.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#4 Page 6
ITEM NO. 4. PUBLIC DISCUSSION (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA) [UNTIL 8
PM]
Lehman/This is for items that do not appear on the agenda. If you'd like to address the
council we would ask that you sign in, state your name and limit your comments
to five minutes.
Judy Pfohl/Hi I'm Judy Pfohl president ofTy'n Cae neighborhood. I previously had
represented our neighborhood with a DOT, county and city arguing for the
addition of lights at Highway 1 and Mormon Trek. Later arguing for additional
Rohret Road traffic lights after we successfully petitioned for reducing the density
of Mormon Trek Village. I did not join the Melrose Road widening argument
because we have many neighbors on both sides of the issues. This time I come
representing a large part but not all of our neighborhood. I've asked these
neighbors and city residems to come in supportive agreement, if you'd stand the
people that have come with me. Thank you. As I took around the petition most
of the neighborhood the petition. Well I'll hand you. Start this way easier. As I
took around the petition most of the neighborhood was unaware of the vote and as
these 3 1 petitioners show they would like you to reconsider. Also some thought
the walk was to a backyard due to the overgrowth and mailboxes there are no
signs saying those connect to Willow Creek. The names on the petition are from
Abbey, Cae, Dolan and Plainview. None of them are (can't hear) the petition to
stop the widening, upgrading of the West Willow Creek park. The petition says
"This is a petition for reconsideration of West Willow Creek trail widening and
upgrade. We feel the narrow uneven path is dangerous and needs upgrade as soon
as possible. The additional width will help many neighbors walk next to their
children and adds ADA accessibility. We realize there will be minimal change to
trees and bushes. We realize near Burry the hedge, nearby plants, mailbox and
extended are encroachments by a neighbor onto a city park. Entrance, excuse me,
City park entrance and the city staff has changed the plans to avoid most of these
plantings. We realize the connection to Kiwanis Park cannot be completed until
there is this upgrade. We realize that it will cost less to upgrade the park now
rather than patch it again and wait until next year. We realize this is the only trail
on the west side of this city park. (can't hear, showing map or something). I take
a lot of home movies and asked a neighbor to take her elementary school age
children down the Burry entrance as I video taped them. Each of council should
have a chance to view your own copy of this video. As a young rollerblader and a
small bike with training wheels attempt of the rough surfaces and steepness while
the mother couldn't even walk next to them to steady them. After viewing the
tape and hopefully walking the rome you can appreciate why we asked staff
previously to widen and upgrade the route. The path is used. The path would be
used more by neighbors if it were safe. The path would be used more by
neighbors if they knew it was there and not just considered a walk to a backyard.
The path would be used more by neighbors if children were not yelled at for not
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#4 Page 7
making a 90 degree turn trying to access the park and actually cross across the
lawn. The path connecting to Burry would be used less if the connection to
Kiwanis Park was completed at the same time so walkers could make a circle
following both sides of the creek. Although it would take two of you tonight to
vote against the upgrade to add this to the agenda and make a change. The
property belongs to the city and benefits the neighborhood, the whole
neighborhood. The west side trail across the bridge is the only access to the west
side of a city park. Now that you've been provided with more information that
was unavailable two weeks ago and have a better feel from input from more of the
neighborhood rather than the previous comments from people who pass
themselves off as the view of the neighborhood. And you've had a chance to
view the trail, please reconsider and put the upgrade and widening on the agenda
to be done as soon as possible. Thank you.
Rex Pruess/Hi, I'm Rex Pruess and I'm also here to support the Burry connection. A
one point that was not mentioned two weeks ago is that the Willow Creek park is
really a regional park or a district wide park as well as with Kiwanis Park.
Willow Creek Park is 27 acres and and Willow Creek Park or excuse me Kiwanis
Park is 14 acres so the combined acreage is a total of 41 acres which does easily
classify as a regional park. I happen to live 1.5 miles west of the Burry
connection or Willow Creek Park so I'm not one of the neighbors that actually
lives here I'm out off of Rohret Road. But I do use this park almost on a daily
basis, it's part of my bicycle transportation route to downtown Iowa City. I also
sometimes use it as part of my jogging route and I won't go into details as to how
bad that trail is, but it really does need repair and I encourage you to tend to that.
Another point that was not mentioned during your last discussion is that the
distance from the Burry sidewalk intersection to that bridge near the park shelter
is 1,150 feet. It was suggested that you may be able to take the Abbey Drive go
south make a circular route and come back to that area. And you certainly can but
that distance is 2,450 feet, that's roughly over double the distance and to put in a
different perspective it's like walking from here to the University of Iowa Library
down by the river. So with a sprained ankle or any kind of disability or carrying a
picnic basket with jugs of lemonade and water that is quite the distance to go to
get to the park. And I would suggest that some people would probably drive
rather than make that what wouldn't be a short pleasant trek. I also encourage you
to join the Parks & Rec. 's Commission tomorrow they are making their annual
parks tour and one of their stops is Willow Creek Trail so it would be an
opportunity to discuss with the commission members what they think about that
trail as well as some of the ideas that you have. So in closing I would just
encourage you to approve and I would like to see an eight foot wide trail which is
just 40 percent of the 20 foot wide park right-of-way that goes through there.
Such trails between houses I would suggest are fairly common anymore they are
well established and well accepted in some of our upscale neighborhoods like
Windsor Ridge and Auburn Hills and other places too. I think such a connection
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#4 Page 8
to Willow Creek is long overdue and I encourage you to consider that. Thank you
for your time.
Thornberry/I've got a question. Did you say you want that entrance to be eight feet
wide?
Pruess/My preference would be for the whole trail to be eight foot wide from the street
all the way through. I can live with the compromise that the city has suggested
which is six feet. You know I'm certainly content to that. But my personal
preference is yes I would like to see that to be eight foot I think it makes it easier
to get around people. I've had difficulty going through there on a bicycle
meeting.
Thornberry/As you know it comes off a four foot sidewalk so.
Pruess/Yes it does, it would be wonderful if that little water duct that is sticking up could
be lowered for lots of reasons. And if there could be a cut all the way to the
street. That hedge where you come and make that sharp right turn is a blind spot
which concerns me when I go through there I actually stop to make sure there
isn't a small animal or child that is in there.
Norton/Rex I have one question too. I want to make sure I understand. But you
mentioned the 2,000 feet, would that be that Abbey Lane going straight ahead
straight through that area being worked on and over the bridge and then left?
Pruess/My understanding from talking to city engineers today via telephone calls that it
was 2,400 from Abbey Drive into Kiwanis Park coming back around to that little
bridge that is at the park shelter. I don't know if that 2,400 feet starts at the
intersection of that T-side walk, it could be a little further, this would be a
conservative number. It's roughly a quarter of a mile distance.
Norton/But it would be more securitis??? to say.
Pruess/Yea it's definitely more securitis??? and I not only listened to what the engineer
had actually measured with my bicycle as best as I could but it's terribly difficult
to do without the trail being there (can't hear).
Lehman/How many folks are going on that tour, council people?
Thornberry/I spent two hours there this afternoon.
Lehman/So you're not going tomorrow?
Thornberry/No.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#4 Page 9
Pruess/You were a day early for the tour ha?
Thornberry/Pardon.
Pruess/You were a day or two early for the tour.
Norton/I think most of us want this path pretty sure.
Pruess/Good.
Lehman/OK. Thank you.
Pruess/Thank you.
Kubby/Well is there any sentiment of someone who voted to take the Burry Trail out of
the Willow Creek Trail project to vote to move to reconsider that?
Champion/I'm still willing to reconsider it.
Kubby/You'd be willing (can't hear, lost voice).
Champion/I move that we reconsider the Burry Trail.
Thornberry/Have you seen that Connie, have you walked it?
Champion/No I drove by I have not gone there.
Kubby/Does someone on the prevailing side have to second then?
Lehman/No.
Dilkes/No.
Kubby/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Champion, is this appropriate can we do this now?
Dilkes/Yes.
Lehman/Moved by Connie, seconded by Kubby. Discussion.
Thornberry/To what?
Lehman/To reconsider the vote taken two weeks ago.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#4 Page 10
Dilkes/And this would be a reconsideration not tonight but.
Champion/Right.
Lehman/I realize that a reconsideration is that a discussible motion under Roberts rules?
Dilkes/Yea you can discuss.
Lehman/Is there discussion?
Kubby/I think the only thing besides the arguments that Judy had in the petition are a
reminder that the connecting neighborhoods to the major trail is part of two of our
planning documents, the comprehensive plan and our bike plan so. And looking
at that making sure that we implement our plan and do it in a cost efficient way
which has been an issue on this council in terms of investing in that fore of
infrastructure of trails. It makes most sense to do it while we're going to bid out
for bigger projects.
Thornberry/The trail that's them now are better than 90 percent of the trails that go
through Hickory Hill Park.
Champion/It's a different trail system.
Kubby/It 's a different kind of park.
Thornberry/I understand I understand. And like I said I spent two hours there this
afternoon and I thought it was quite nice and it's going to be even nicer when they
get that.
Norton/It's terrible when the rain comes Dean and the you can't get there.
Thornberry/Well so is Hickory Hill park.
Norton/What? No but Hickory Hill is so passive.
Thornberry/So is City Park and it's got eight foot sidewalks. They're under water too.
Lehman/Well I think that most of this discussion will be, I think we have a motion to
reconsider, we have a second. I don't think that there's any question that we're
going to get a majority to reconsider it and this discussion probably would be
more appropriate when we reconsider the motion which would be what two weeks
from tonight the 271h?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#4 Page
Kubby/Will that be in time for the bidding and the signing of that project (can't hear).
Or do we maybe need to put that on hold until or postpone it?
Trueblood/We are due to accept bids on this project on July 22. And award the bid at
your meeting July 271h. What we did after your vote of the last meeting is change
the specifications not specifications but made the particular portion of the trail
that your discussing now an alternate.
Champion/Oh good.
Trueblood. So.
Kubby/We have flexibility.
Trueblood/We did that for purposes of gaining a cost and also just in case by some
remote chance the council would want to reconsider.
Kubby/You anticipated our meeting.
Trueblood/One other thing Steve's eye sight was not the first thing to go.
Lehman/We're not going to ask you what it was. Those in favor of the motion to
reconsider say aye.
(All ayes)
Lehman/Motion is carded, this will be discussed at the July 271h meeting. Any further
public discussion.
Karr/Excuse me could we have a motion to accept the petition please.
Thornberry/So moved.
Norton/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Thornberry, seconded by Norton. All in favor.
(All ayes)
Lehman/Motion carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5 Page 12
ITEM NO. 5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
b. PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14,
CHAPTER 6, ZONING, BY ADDING A DEFINITION OF "ADULT
BUSINESS" AND CHANGING SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS
BETWEEN ADULT BUSINESSES AND OTHER USES.
Lehman/Public hearing is open.
Kubby/Maybe because adult business perk some interest we could explain the two
changes that were contemplated.
Thornberry/Our adult business expert.
Norton/Do you think it'll spark it?
Thornberry/Karin well you're familiar with it.
Lehman/Karin would you kind of spark the venture because there really doesn't seem to
be any interest.
Karin Franklin/Thank you.
Lehman/Your the (can't hear) please.
Kubby/I said perk not spark.
Lehman/I don't think it's perky or sparky either one but go ahead.
Franklin/OK. The two changes that are contemplated with this ordinance amendment is
a definition of adult businesses which now has a rather vague definition in our
code and this definition is more explicit and relates to the obscenity laws of the
state of Iowa. The other change is in the relationship between adult businesses
and places in which children would congregate. And it provides a separation
distance of 500 feet between adult businesses and those places as well as between
different adult businesses.
Kubby/Thank you.
Franklin/Your welcome.
Lehman/That was very interesting. Any other comment?
Norton/Well I want to encourage people to give some thought to this I mean it could
have rather more (can't hear) implications for location of things like child care
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5 Page 13
centers and things of that sort that might want to be in a neighborhood where
otherwise where it would be a CI-1 so and thereby permit this kind of
establishment and then it would depend on who was there first so. I think it's
going to take a little thought.
Lehman/I think your right but I think at last night Karin indicated that most of these
zones that we have appropriated for it there is an appropriate zone for adult
businesses would not be appropriate for child care.
Norton/No. We've got some, I can show you (can't hear).
Lehman/But your fight it is first come first serve.
Norton/Like Kubby has several exemptions (can't hear).
Vanderhoef/As we move child care and industrial.
Norton/Yea.
Vanderhoef/Businesses. This could change.
Lehman/Other comments. Public hearing is closed.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5 c Page 14
ITEM NO. 5c. PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14,
CHAPTER 6, ZONING, TO ALLOW OFF-STREET PARKING ON A
SEPARATE LOT IN A DIFFERENT ZONE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Lehman/I have to step out on this one because it's for you.
Champion/I'd like to Ernie before you leave because this is not being done specifically
for a specific organization I mean that's what brought it forward but it actually
will address other parking issues in town I have to question whether our mayor
should leave or not.
Lehman/I would rather not have the perception that (can't hear). It does because it came
up specifically because.
Atkins/Microphone.
Lehman/Organization of which I'm on the board.
Dilkes/I think technically he may be right Connie but I think if Ernie feels conflicted
then he should leave.
Thornberry/And I was going to say too Connie that's a good statement except in the
comments section it says that this amendment addresses the Oaknoll parking issue
and was developed and forwarded to the commission by the staff at the City
Council's direction for Oaknoll so anyway. This is a public hearing on an
ordinance amending (Reads Item 5c.). This is a public hearing. Is there anybody
that would like to address this issue?
Ann Romanoski/Hi my name is Ann Romanoski, I'm a dentist in Iowa City, and I have a
dental building that's located at 1517 Mall Drive. We have a similar parking
problem to that of Oaknoll, it has a few differences but I would like to say that
this problem is not unique to Oaknoll. We built the building five years ago and
put in a parking lot, we have enough parking spaces for ourselves, our staff and
our regularly scheduled patients. What we have no control over is the number of
emergencies that we see during a day. We can see between two and 20 we don't
know and it varies on any given day. We have been trying to get permission to
add some additional parking spaces on one side of our building and we're having
some trouble because of the same ordinance. We are proposing to add some
parking spaces that are about half on our land and the other half extends over into
Oral B's land. And the Oral B Company has given us permission to put some
parking spaces because they are zoned differently that what we are, they are
industrial we are commercial we are being denied permission to do this. And
what we're running into is the nearest on-street parking is about four blocks away
from our office and when people are coming in on an emergency basis and their in
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5 c Page 15
pain or their from out of town or they just need to get in quickly or their elderly
that's a long way for them to walk. The only alternative they have is to park in
the adjacent business lots which we don't want them done. Our situation is
different from Oaknoll that our neighbors want us to have this extra parking
because they don't want us to have patients parking in their lots, everyone in the
neighborhood is for this. Oral B's been very gracious and they'll be giving us
about 10 feet of their land to use if we do this and ironically a lot of that land is
just to put in the shrubbery that's considered essential for a parking lot. So I just
want to let you know that this is not a situation that just affects Oaknoll and we
would like to have some consideration for our dental building as well.
Norton/There would be no rezoning though in your case is that fight?
Romanowski/No.
Norton/Just be parking on a different on another property with a different zone.
Romanowski/Right, right, we don't want to rezone it, they don't want to rezone it. And
they were commercial up to about 2 years ago and they rezoned it to industrial so
it's and they don't want to zone it back, it was hard enough to get it rezoned.
Norton/When they kind of expand you'll be looking for parking somewhere else there I
suppose then.
Romanowski/Well we're kind of boxed in, we don't have anywhere else to go and
they've been very gracious. The amount of land that we need is really quite small
from Oral B but to do this we had to go through channels and the channels are
keeping us from doing this.
Champion/There (can't hear) that would answer their problem too.
Romanowski/Pardon me.
Champion/This ordinance would answer your problem. There are other places in town it
will affect too.
Romanowski/Yes.
Champion/Not just your office it will affect.
Romanowski/Right, fight.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5 c Page 16
Norton/Karin can you explain though in what sense for example the staff has (can't hear)
has difficulty with the ordinance as it may apply to the Oaknoll situation or rather
more difficulty than you do with it as applied to the Romanowski situation.
Franklin/Yes because the relationships or the way in which parking on a separate lot
affects commercial and industrial uses we believe is different from the way it
behaves within residential zones. And that's one of the reasons why the proposal
that's before you requires that the lot which Oaknoll would use would need to be
rezoned to some multi-family designation. Because we thought it was grossly
improper to have that parking for a higher density use in the single family
residential zone. You can justify it more if you have it in a multi-family
residential zone because then your keeping it within the multi-family categories.
Norton/Can the roll of the Board of Adjustment in these cases would be what? There
would still be review of it, the similar situation?
Franklin/Yes, yes. The Board of Adjustment would review both these situations. In the
case of Oaknoll it will require a rezoning of the parking lot lot to a multi-family
designation and then it will require that they go to the Board of Adjustment to get
specific approval of the parking lot. In the Romanowski case there is no rezoning
required as was stated because you can have under this ordinance parking for a
commercial use in an industrial zone or vice versa parking for an industrial zone
in a commercial zone. The sorts of things the board would look at when you have
commercial industrial would be whether what the scale of it was such that your
not precluding the use of say industrial land for industrial purposes. If you had a
large user such as a HyVee in a commercial zone right next to an industrial zone
and all of the parking for that grocery store were going to be placed in the
industrial zone we might take a much closer look at it because that would be
precluding use of that land for industrial purposes. And presumably it's zoned
industrial so we have industrial land available. So it would be those kinds of
things that we would be looking at with the commercial industrial. With the
residential it's a different sort of thing it has more to do with compatibility and
not creating blocks or streetscapes in which you have a lot of surface parking lots
instead of actual residents.
Champion/But if I remember correctly the neighborhood at Oaknoll was not objecting at
all to this parking lot. In fact I think they were in favor of it and I think I'm sure
Oaknoll will make that parking lot look really nice and it might be a more of an
asset to the neighborhood than having cars parked on the streets and going in and
out of parking all the time.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5 c Page 17
Franklin/Well the reason that we are where we are tight now is because I think that most
people agree that the parking lot for Oaknoll was innocuous and why not have it and it
was of benefit even in taking some of the parking off neighborhood streets and having
them in a parking lot. But it was a question of how you do that within the confines of the
zoning ordinance.
Norton/Would we have to go back and, what's the to P & Z according to our custom and
we differ from them and they recommended denial. If we were to (can't hear) of
approving or actly improving I guess approving.
Franklin/Well before you actually vote on it and so assuming that we can derive some
direction that your going in which I am hearing now that the council seems to be
inclined to look favorably upon this ordinance amendment at least to the point that
there's some question about the Planning & Zoning's recommendation. We will
take that information to the Planning & Zoning Commission they then can decide
whether they want to come and have a consultation with the Council or say go
whatever direction you choose we'll take your lead.
Thornberry/Was that going to be on the agenda on the 271h?
Franklin/It should be on the 271h for I think what I would suggest that you do is continue
the public heating and we'll the public heating and first consideration on the 271h.
We can schedule the conversation with Planning & Zoning Commission for your
Work Session on the 261h.
Thornberry/OK.
Kubby/Move we continue the public hearing to July 271h.
Norton/Second.
Thornberry/It's been moved and seconded to continue the public heating. Is there
anybody else to speak on this issue this evening?
William Knabe/My name is William Knabe I live 1101 Weeber Circle. I'm speaking
tonight on as a representative of the Weeber Harlock Neighborhood Association.
On Sunday July 11 we had a neighborhood meeting that was attended by 32
neighbors, one Policeman, two cats and one dog. One of the topics discussed at
this meeting was the proposed change in the zoning ordinance. First I would like
to express our gratitude to the Planning & Zoning Staff and the City Attorney's
for it's efforts to address our concerns specific to the Oaknoll situation. Moreover
we wish to thank those members of the Planning & Zoning Commission and the
Council who have recognized the need for a fair and equitable solution for all
parties. Second I am pleased to report we can support at least in principle the
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5 c Page 18
proposed changes. We have always believed the Board of Adjustment was the
proper arena for the handling of such special uses because they can be handled on
a case by case basis. Nevertheless we do remain skeptical and concerned about
that part of the amendment which is identified as Section 14,6N1 C.2 which to
qualify for off-street parking would require change in the zoning of the property at
703 Benton Court from RS-8 to at least RM-12. This skepticism and concern
continues to grow every time we hear members of the Council express the view
that this property along with the other three lots on the west side of Benton Court
should automatically be rezoned RM-44 without regard to 1) the wishes of that
person who still lives in a single family directly adjacent to the existing parking
lot. Or 2) the desire of other single family homeowners on Benton Hill who wish
to limit the potential for multi-family development in an already saturated high
density housing area. We know the future holds no guarantees but we are willing
to accept the proposed changes tonight as long as our concerns regarding this area
continues to be heard and adequately addressed. Thank you.
Champion/I think one of the reasons we had trouble with this in the beginning was that I
don't think all of us were not willing to rezone that RM-44.
Knabe/That is correct.
Champion/So, but I think fight now that's now a fear for you.
Vanderhoef/This is a good compromise that's it RM-44 to 12.
Thornberry/Any other discussion from the party. There's been a motion made by Karen
Kubby and seconded by Dee Norton to continue the public heating. All in favor.
All ayes. Mr. Lehman would you like to return?
Norton/He's fallen asleep out there.
Thornberry/(can't hear) out there.
Kubby/You could go ahead with the next item while Emie.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5d Page 19
ITEM 5d. PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY
CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY .33
ON AN ACRE FROM MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY (RS-8) TO
COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC-2) TO ALLOW EXPANSION OF
KENNEDY PLAZA FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE
OF GILBERT COURT NORTH OF BENTON STREET. (REZ99-0010)
Thornberry/Public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak on this issue?
Jim Kenyon/I don't really have anything to say I'm just here to answer any questions,
I'm the project manager for this rezoning and parking lot.
Norton/Well I'I1 start out with a question. I've walked around that site quite a bit and
it's a pretty weird situation back in there to start with.
Kenyon/Well it's better than it was.
Norton/Yea, it certainly is but I'm trying to figure out how the comer of town is going to
go and I know you don't want to get caught up in that but I was curious where' s
the water going to go, it looks like that flop that your talking about if I've got it
fight would handle quite a bit of water and if you pour cement over that where' s
that water going to go down into the old Aero Rental building or?
Kenyon/No it's going to go into it'll all be funneled out into the Kennedy Plaza.
Norton/Into Kennedy Plaza now that the storm sewer's there?
Kenyon/Right right.
Norton/Now does your site include that there's a house that faces Benton Street and then
it's got like a three or four car garage behind it does your property start fight
behind that garage north of that garage?
Kenyon/It's pretty close to the comer there it's a little bit north.
Norton/And there's a structure plus a parking area?
Kenyon/Right.
Norton/And the parking area will service the apartments in the old building and the new
one, in the existing one?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5d Page 20
Kenyon/Yes it's to help relieve the parking in the front of the building for the
commercial space. That's been a problem for renting the spaces because of a
perceived.
Norton/And that parking will come in on Gilbert Court?
Kenyon/No the parking the access to the parking lot is through Kennedy Plaza.
Norton/Oh is it come in the other way.
Kenyon/Maiden Lane.
Norton/Kind of go up that hill then don't you? Don't you have to go up a hill kind of
hill or walk?
Kenyon/No that's that part of the lot.
Norton/(can't hear).
Kenyon/Will be on the Kennedy Plaza level and there won't be any access from Gilbert
Court to the parking lot.
Norton/There is now isn't there to the apartments above the Kennedy Plaza?
Kenyon/And that's further north yea, that's a different. To this building there won't be
any. To this parking lot there won't be any access.
Norton/It'll all be below.
Kenyon/There will probably be a retaining wall because of the hill for the railroad but we
don't have the site grading plan done yet so I'm not sure.
Norton/OK.
Kubby/That also means that the only to get to that commercial building would be
through the Kennedy Plaza parking lot.
Kenyon/Right fight. And what will face the residential will be a very residential looking
duplex without any parking in the front at all.
Champion/We saw the plans.
Norton/Well you know I saw it but I still have trouble locating it physically sometimes
but so there will be no increased traffic on Gilbert Court?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#5d Page 21
Kenyon/There won't be any traffic added to Gilbert Court from this project at all.
Thornberry/Anything else Dee?
Lehman/Other discussion.
Norton/I'll see it when I believe it I'll believe it when I see it.
Lehman/Thank you.
Karr/Excuse me could I have your name for the record please.
Kenyon/Jim Kenyon.
Karr/Thank you.
Lehman/Public hearing is closed.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#6 Page 22
ITEM NO. 6. PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND
ESTIMATE OF COST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE RIVERSIDE
FESTIVAL STAGE IN CITY PARK.
Lehman/This is printed as a public hearing but we do not have those specifications for
formal contract so we will open the public hearing and close it. Public hearing is
open, public hearing is closed. Do we have a resolution for setting it to July 271h?
Thornberry/So moved.
Vanderhoef/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Thornberry, seconded by Vanderhoef. All in favor. All opposed.
Karr/The resolution.
Lehman/I'm sorry.
Karr/You want a voice vote on a resolution.
Lehman/I would like that but you don't so we better do roll call.
Karr/Please I've changed my mind, go ahead.
Lehman/Go ahead what?
Karr/And do the roll call, it was your idea.
Lehman/Yes let's do a roll call please. Resolution carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#7 Page 23
ITEM NO. 7. PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND
ESTIMATE OF COST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE OAKLAND
CEMETERY PHASE ONE EXPANSION.
Lehman/The same thing is tree as of the last one we do not have the plan specification or
formal contract. But we will open the hearing and close it. The public hearing is
open, public hearing is closed. Do we have a resolution setting the public hearing
for July 271h.
Norton/So moved.
Thomberry/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Norton, seconded by Thornberry. Discussion. Roll call.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#8 Page 24
ITEM NO. 8. PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND
ESTIMATE OF COST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1999 SANITARY
SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT,
(end of Tape 99-77 Side 1)
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. Estimated cost of this project is $105,000 funded by
sewer revenue bonds.
Kubby/No one wants to talk sewers tonight ha?
Lehman/No sewer talk. Public heating is closed, we tried to discuss this.
Norton/Well I just had a question is this the first time that we're going to do it by
pushing liners in there or have we done that before?
Rick Fosse/No we've done it before some in the Longfellow neighborhood and others
around town. This is the first project we've put together specifically to hit six
locations throughout the community though.
Kubby/Move adoption.
Thornberry/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Kubby, seconded by Thornberry. Discussion. Roll call.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#9 Page 25
ITEM NO. 9. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LICENSE
RENEWAL PROVISIONS OF THE PLUMBING CODE AND THE
ELECTRICAL CODE TO PROVIDE A HARDSHIP EXCEPTION TO
THE RENEWAL DEADLINES. (FIRST CONSIDERATION).
Thornberry/Move adoption of the ordinance.
Lehman/Moved by Thornberry.
Vanderhoef/Second.
Lehman/Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion. Them is a corrected copy that was
passed out tonight.
Kubby/So before if someone missed the 60 day for (can't hear) the expiration of their
license they would go to staff?. Is that how it was written before?
Atkins/That's how I.
Kubby/And make their plea.
Atkins/As I understand it the regional ordinance required 60 days if you let it lapse but
you had to take a test to regain your license. We had a situation, this is based
upon a circumstance where an individual was hospitalized for a lengthy illness
and through no fault of there's were they able to renew their license. This allows
the building official to wave that 60 day requirement to allow them to not take the
test.
Kubby/They can look at the individual circumstance and they can determine.
Atkins/Yes exactly what it's suppose to be.
Vanderhoef/Very reasonable.
Dilkes/And the Board of Appeals will now, the changes that the Board of Appeals will.
Norton/Not the building official but the Board.
Kubby/Right which means the person will have to wait for the meeting so that time
shouldn't be counted against them.
Atkins/No.
Vanderhoef/No.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#9 Page 26
Kubby/Between the request and the meeting where they'd have to have a special meeting
to accommodate. OK.
Lehman/Roll call.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#11 Page 27
ITEM NO. 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING, AUTHORIZING,
AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND THE CITY CLERK
TO ATTEST AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF
IOWA CITY AND BRIAN CLARK AND ASSOCIATES OF DES MOINES,
TO PROVIDE CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN OF THE
IOWA AVENUE STREETSCAPE PROJECT.
Thornberry/Move adoption of the resolution.
O'Donnell/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Thornberry, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion.
Champion/I just wonder I just want to ask the question why do we a firm from Des
Moines rather than Iowa City?
Thornberry/Rick knows.
Fosse/This is the firm that did the preliminary concept for us and.
Champion/OK that answers.
Lehman/Well.
Fosse/They understand the vision and also their teaming with a local engineering
consultant to do this work.
Lehman/And Rick we talked last night I think it's important for the public's perception
that this is a project that we hope to do in cooperation with the University of Iowa
and they will be involved in the design work and whatever so.
Fosse/Yes.
Lehman/This will be a kind of mutual project between the University and the city.
Fosse/That's correct.
Kubby/So funding and financial collaboration.
Norton/Yes.
Lehman/Especially financial collaboration.
Norton/Yes, just like we got to design the sky walk they get to (can't hear).
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#11 Page 28
Lehman/Mr. Norton were not helping the financial (can't hear).
Norton/Oh just a mean streak Ernie.
Lehman/OK in view of that is there any other comments.
Thornberry/Wouldn't touch it.
Lehman/Roll call. Motion carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#13 Page 29
ITEM NO. 13. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
WILLOW CREEK TRAIL, MORMON TREK BOULEVARD TO
WILLOW CREEK DRIVE.
Lehman/This requires.
Kubby/Move adoption of resolution.
Lehman/Moved by Kubby.
Norton/Second.
Lehman/Seconded by Norton. Discussion.
Thornberry/Is there any property in this acquisition that is?
Lehman/Has to be condemned.
Thornberry/That needs to be condemned?
Eleanor Dilkes/I believe there's one property owner that we are currently negotiating
with. And we suspect there will be a successful resolution but if there is not this
resolution authorizes condemna.
Thornberry/Due to that fact I will be voting no. I don't want to I don't want to acquire
property through condemnation for a nonessential use and that's consistent with
the way I felt with the last three.
Lehman/Eleanor if this does go to condemnation will we see it again?
Dilkes/I think our practice is to notify you when negotiations break down and we have to
condemnation.
Lehman/So I mean we will see this again?
Dilkes/You will not. There will be no vote.
Lehman/It's over.
Thornberry/This will allow condemnation.
Dilkes/I mean you certainly could have us direct us to discuss it with you and we often
do.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#13 Page 3o
Lehman/OK. Routinely we would not necessarily have to see it again.
Dilkes/You would not see a formal vote of this.
Lehman/OK.
Kubby/And I would just faithfully disagree with Thornberry that this is a nonessential
purpose of our trails is a very important part of our transportation recreation (can't
hear) and that's been an essential city service. (Real broken up on tape).
Norton/Yea I want to second that their coming more so and they won't be if there's
significant gaps but because of the difficulties one particular owner it just really
would (can't hear) the whole system. And really the system doesn't work until it
is a system.
Thornberry/Where does it end?
Norton/Well it's nibbling out in the county. I'll tell you I had a report come later that it's
going to go out in the county and around about it will be a significant factor in our
economic vitality over the years, I'll guarantee you.
Thornberry/I don't mind, I don't mind trails, I use trails. I just would rather not
condemn private property for a use that is not essential for life, liberty and pursuit
of happiness and living in Iowa City.
Norton/Well we all would rather now.
Thornberry/And if it if we can do a trial without condemning, without condemnation of
private property, the taking of one's property I would favor it I would favor the
trail.
Champion/You could have the trail go nowhere.
Kubby/Actually many people would say could use that arguments for streets if it's life,
liberty and pursuit of happiness that condemning property for roads is not
necessarily an essential purpose that would lead to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness that it may do the opposite so.
Lehman/This discussion is going nowhere. Roll call.
Norton/Yep.
Kubby/It's good conversation.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#13 Page 31
Thornberry/I'm just explaining why I'm voting no.
Norton/That's fair enough.
Thornberry/And because of that.
Dilkes/Can I just note on the specifics of this one that it's a small piece of property and
Dennis has told me it looks like we're going to get it by agreement so.
Thornberry/That would be nice.
Norton/Devoutly to be wish.
Thornberry/I would favor that.
Lehman/Roll Call. Motion carries Thornberry voting no.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#14 Page 32
ITEM NO. 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING NECESSITY AND
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR AUGUST 24 ON A PROPOSED
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN
FOR A PROPOSED URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA IN THE CITY OF
IOWA CITY, IOWA.
Thornberry/Move adoption of the resolution.
Lehman/Moved by Thomberry.
Vanderhoef/Second.
Lehman/Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion.
Kubby/I had brought up my concem wanting to make sure that the plan would ensure
that individual businesses who got such a abatement is outlined in the plan would
also meet our economic development guidelines and so there was discussion
about whether that was appropriate or not for these discussions and so I went back
to a July 10 memo in 1996 from the economic development ad hoc committee to
see whether you know just what the wording was about the section about their
intent. And so I wanted to bring it up now so people could think about it to see
what we wanted to do and we directed staff to hear the kind of a quick look over
the guidelines to see which of the guidelines might be appropriate for this
particular program. And the parts that are really relevant and the intent is it says
"To this and the city will support financial assistance to individual business
establishments. This assistance may take the form of utilizing state and federal
funds targeted at economic development, providing property tax incentives, which
this is. Underwriting the cost of infrastructure and improvements or providing
direct loans of grants. The guidelines provided below will serve as a framework
for the city council in making it's decisions regarding which businesses should
receive publicly funded incentives or assistance." But to me that sounds like it's
relevant to continue the conversation (can't hear) maybe not all the guidelines.
Some of the guidelines have to do with the private financial contribution as
compared to the public assistance, that seems relevant. The consistency with
comp plan and capitol improvements and our other economic development
policies, the quality of jobs to be created, that may be the point of discussion.
Economic impact, environmental impact, and community involvement. And so
most of them seem like they would be fai~y relevant so I hope we'll get our
information back from staff and continue our discussion.
Lehman/Right we've asked staff to give us a brief a brief synopsis of how that would
impact the.
Kubby/Well I brought it up so I thought I should go do the hunting of the wording so.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#14 Page 33
Lehman/Other discussion.
Norton/Well I think it should be indicated that we were very very much in favor of this I
mean I think we really need to move to decide assimilate development
redevelopment downtown and I'm.
Lehman/Yea, this is the CB-10 zone which is the downtown area.
Norton/Yea right and I think it's crucial that we do so.
Lehman/OK.
Champion/You know there are areas of the city also who might benefit from such a
designation so I think this is a positive move forward and could possibly include
other areas of town eventually.
Norton/Well as Steve pointed out the extent which downtown contribute to our tax base.
Champion/Oh right.
Norton/I thought those figures were pretty compelling I'm glad to have those because
we've been saying for a long time that that was crucial now it is might be other
sections might be similarly appropriate I certainly don't deny that.
Vanderhoef/Well some of the appropriate places may not be commercial they may be
housing.
Norton/Yea could be.
Vanderhoef/Kinds of (can't hear).
Norton/Well we were thinking about Towncrest for example, there was talk about that
area needing a boost.
Thornberry/I think there was also some talk about other areas other than downtown but.
Norton/Yea we have to be careful to be fair to enterprises in different places.
Thomberry/That's fight.
Kubby/So the resolution we're voting on tonight is setting the public heating?
Lehman/Right.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#14 Page 34
Kubby/Not doing anything.
Norton/Separate content fight.
Lehman/Roll call. Motion carries the public hearing will be August 24.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#15 Page35
ITEM NO. 15. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING A NEW JOBS AND
INCOME PROGRAM (NJIP) AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
IOWA CITY, THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, AND NATIONAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS TO ASSIST
WITH A FACILITY EXPANSION.
Thornberry/Move adoption of the resolution.
Lehman/Moved by Thornberry.
Vanderhoef/Second.
Lehman/Seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion.
Kubby/This is a project that came to us before it met our economic development
guidelines if we voted in favor and this is kind of implementing the actual giving
of the assistance.
Thornberry/Right.
Kubby/So there will be 69 full time jobs at a wage rate of $16.07.
Lehman/And I think that's a conservative number cause I think it's a.
Kubby/I'd say that's a living way.
Lehman/Yea and at this time I think that their you know their investment is a
neighborhood of $10 million dollars I think jobs are more than that, that was their
minimum and I think their likely to exceed that by quite a bit if I'm not mistaken.
Kubby/And these jobs are not, these 69 full time jobs are not full time equivalent jobs
that are split up into some part time, these are 69 full time which has been an issue
for some people in the community.
Thornberry/It says NJIP.
Vanderhoef/New Jobs and Income Program.
Champion/(Can't hear).
Lehman/No I didn't know what that was but that's fine this is one of those programs that
I think is a definite benefit to have (can't hear). Roll call. Motion carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#16 Page 36
ITEM NO. 16. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA
CITY AND JAMES W. AND ANNA M. BARKER FOR TEMPORARY USE
OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FOR A PORTION OF PARK ROAD IN
IOWA CITY, IOWA.
Vanderhoef/Move adoption of resolution.
O'Donnell/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion. This is a rather
simple sort of thing but this is a where a fence has been erected partially on city
right of way and rather than require the homeowner to remove that fence when the
city has no apparent reason to use that property right now we're allowing the use
of that property until such time as the city would need it.
Norton/I thought that fence was lined up with other substantive?
Lehman/Yea but when it was signed up it was still on city property.
Norton/I understand that but some of the others may have been too is that correct?
Lehman/I don't think so because the property lines are rather short.
Norton/Oh the property lines are wiggly yea.
Lehman/But I think this is an example of the city really trying to work with the property
owner and being considerate. Other discussion. Roll call. Motion carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#17 Page 37
ITEM NO. 17. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DECLARING AN OFFICIAL
INTENT UNDER TREASURY REGULATION 1.150-2 TO ISSUE DEBT
TO REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR CERTAIN ORIGINAL
EXPENDITURES PAID IN CONNECTION WITH SPECIFIED
PROJECTS.
Thornberry/Move adoption of resolution.
Norton/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Thomberry, seconded by Norton. Discussion. These are $1,765,000
for acquisition, relocation, and legal costs associated with the Iowa Avenue
Parking and Commerce Facility. Discussion. Roll call.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#18 Page 38
ITEM NO. 18. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE VEHICLE
TOWING AND STORAGE SERVICES CONTRACT TO HOLIDAY
WRECKER SERVICE, INC.
Thornberry/Move adoption of resolution.
Vanderhoef/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Thornberry, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion.
Thornberry/Well I just don't know what else we could do.
Champion/I just have a comment. I'm going to support the resolution and I think it was
all done well and good but the problem I have with this towing contract that it's
only a three year contract and I think we're getting I think that forces almost a
monopoly. Because you cannot afford to invest in towing equipment for only
three years, you can't recoup it and I know Big 10, I mean I don't know I haven't
asked them, but I imagine they have a pretty hefty investment in towing
equipment thinking they might have this towing contract for more than three years
so I would hope that in the future we can look at this and think about how we
could make these contracts viable so that we could have more than one bidder or
bidders. I just have a problems with three years for something that really requires
a big investment in equipment.
Kubby/You never used to have more than one bidder for the longest time.
Champion/Right.
Kubby/And the market kind of opened up and Big 10 decided to invest and took it away
from who had the functional monopoly and now it's going back.
Champion/And if it were six years people would be much more willing to bid on it
because they could recoup their capitol investment.
Norton/Has it always been a three year contract?
Atkins/As long as I can recollect.
Norton/And there were no competitors, Holiday had it for what 12 years before that?
Vanderhoef/Yea.
Norton/It's tough and you know you look at all the I think about the point about the
points being down to the financial part be only a part of it in performance and
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#18 Page 39
technability but if I understand it the firms are equally good although the
dimensions so far they could be assessed objectively.
Champion/My statements aren't because I don't think Holiday Wrecker will do a good
job.
Norton/Yea.
Lehman/Well I think it's important for I think the public to realize that we asked for
quotations on this contract. The city stands to gain or lose nothing on this
contract, regardless of who does it. But the contractor that we contract with tow
vehicles will be paid for by our citizens so if we approve a contract at a higher rate
if your car is towed your hour authorization it will cost you more money.
Champion/Right.
Lehman/I find it very difficult to, first of all when we ask for proposal not to give it to
the person who gives the most competitive bid and I think secondarily we owe it
to the citizens to give them the best rate for their money.
Champion/Oh Ernie I'm going to support it that's not my (can't hear).
Lehman/I understand the difficulties associated with this I don't know that there's really
an easy way of doing it.
Norton/I think Connie's point is well taken I even considered the possibility of a shared
contract you know, you get one day and you get the next. But that might be
mechanically very difficult.
Lehman/All of that is really, water over the dam for the next contract that's something
we might consider but.
Kubby/Although the one I don't know how we would think about this for the next
contract cause I've always liked the idea of some rotation so that many small
businesses in town got in on the economics of this. But I understand that creates
problems for the city because the city would have to own the lot and the way that
Big 10 was functioning that they owned the storage lot for the cars that's where
the cars got to towed to but they did some of that passing around. And I don't
know if that could be incorporated into just asking the question how would you
fulfill the contract, do you do it all yourself or do you pass it around to other
businesses in town? If that could be element or points in the next contract.
Thornberry/Yea but, oh I'm sorry go ahead.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#18 Page 40
Kubby/Well I'm going to (can't hear).
Thornberry/Just because Holiday Wrecker gets the contract doesn't necessarily mean if
your car is being towed it's being towed by Holiday Wrecker.
Norton/Right.
Thornberry/When the police officer comes to tow your car you have an option as to who
you want it towed by.
Lehman/Right.
Thomberry/And if you specify Big 10 or specify Jimmy's garage or whomever they will
call that wrecker and that's who will tow your car.
Champion/How ot~en are you there when their towing your car?
Thornberry/Well I don't know, but if you happen to be there like say, for example, you
happen to get stuck or your in an accident or your.
Champion/I see.
Thornberry/Or it goes on the fritz or.
Kubby/Or you walk up as their giving you the last ticket that triggers the tow.
Champion/(can't hear). But the only cars I've seen as tow are have been there isn't
anybody there but the car.
Lehman/Obviously that wouldn't happen to any of us right.
Thornberry/But they still have the opportunity of picking another towing service so they
don't automatically tow every car that's towed.
Lehman/Well I think it would be fair to say that prior to the next contract which may you
know there are concerns I hear council with I'm not sure any of those can be
resolved but prior to the next contract if we can have a little time or link staff look
at a little bit see if there's a method by which we could do this that would address
some of the concerns of council I think it would be appropriate. Roll call.
Motion carries.
Karr/Motion to accept correspondence.
Vanderhoef/So moved.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#18 Page 41
Thornberry/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Thomberry to accept correspondence. All
in favor. Motion carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#19 Page 42
ITEM NO. 19. CONSIDER RESOLUTION ON UNCLASSIFIES SALARIES AND
COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999 FOR THE CITY
MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, AND CITY CLERK.
Thornberry/Move adoption of the resolution.
Vanderhoef/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Thomberry, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion.
Champion/I have something to say again. I've talked a lot tonight.
O'Donnell/You have.
Vanderhoef/Somebody wined you up.
Champion/I you know I just want to say that I think any time a public body awards
salary increases to employees of the city government or any governmental agency
that there's always a lot of criticism that seems where I get a lot of phone calls.
And I just want to say that I think one thing that I learned in public service is how
hard people that we pay work. And that I totally support these pay raises and I do
not think their in any way shape or form over paid. And I always ask people who
call me who like to complain about you know city employees, salaries or school
salaries or whoever's salaries on the public dole so to speak. I recommend people
to follow them around for a day and see how many hours they put in and how they
work and I hope people understand that our employees especially in Iowa City are
really their well compensated, not over compensated and I'd like to thank them
for the work they do.
Lehman/Well said Connie.
O'Donnell/Pretty good comments.
Lehman/Other discussion.
Kubby/I'm going to support the resolution I did have some concerns about how we're
compensating City Manager, not the compensation itself because I agree people
work hard and deserve compensation for that. I just have a philosophical problem
with using vacation in ways other than for vacation and that's partly how we're
going to compensate our city or so. I will be supporting it but I want to voice my
concern about using that vacation for something other than it's intended purpose.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
# 19 Page 43
O'Donnell/I don't have any problem with that at all and I think it should be known that
the city council knows approximately three percent of what the city employees do
and that's only the interaction with us. So.
Champion/And you can't pay them enough for.
O'Donnell/And I would really hate to set a price on that but I agree with Connie we are
very very fortunate indeed to have this group of people. That's all I have.
Lehman/Other discussion. Roll call. Motion carries.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 44
ITEM NO. 22. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Lehman/City council information, who would like to be first?
O'Donnell/I'd like to, want me to? We just celebrated the 4th of July, Iowa City's Jazz
Fest was fantastic and Coralville had Chubby Checker, we had wonderful
fireworks. I'd like to see the two cities work in some kind of, work out some kind
of arrangement where we could as a city enjoy the other city's entertainment so if
we could do something in that manner. We're also in Raleigh and Durham North
Carolina just had the Special Olympics. And Iowa City was represented very well
with our special athletes. We had a silver medal softball team and had three
players from the Iowa City area, Jeff Farless, Chuck Nylin, and Chris Subbert.
We also had individual gold medal winners. And you have to keep in mind this is
world competition it's these kids from all over the world that come and they
exchange pins and this is a wonderful experience. Tanna Rowe in aquatics got
two gold medals, Aaron Gillespie in power lifting, and we were commenting on
Aaron Gillespie and how powerful looked, he got two silver and a bronze medal
in power lifting. It's incredible. Rachael Villhauer got two gold ribbons in
bowling and there's many people involved there's John Meskimen, Rob Wagner,
Tom Dickerson for his efforts and I think we should thank all these people and
especially the athletes. But that's all I had.
Lehman/Very good. Connie.
Champion/I don't have anything.
Lehman/Karen.
Kubby/I have something for Steve. On Muscatine where Dearborn there was some work
being done and there was a temporary strip of asphalt there and it's pretty bumpy
and it's been there for quite a while I just, we could check on that if it's going to
be like that for another bit that we should make more smooth but if it's going to
be torn up in two days.
Atkins/Rick is writing that down.
Kubby/Thank you. I wanted to give some more detail about the ADA celebration
happening on July 24. The parade will start at 10:00 and there will be a route in
the downtown area look around town for maps. We really hope a lot of people
will come and be spectators at the parade. And then the celebration will begin at
College Green Park at 11:00 AM. There will be speakers, Marilyn Turner, Lt.
Governor Sally Peterson will speak and there will be lots of food and children's
games and story telling going on until 4:00 so a full day of community activity.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 45
And this week starting or next week starting July 261h is the three days of the
Johnson County Fair. I think it's three days it might be longer. So there's, four
days, there' s everything I mean. Food, judging, everything from cows to rabbits
to sheep to dogs. And there will be lots of community exhibits there and tables to
get information at. And my last item is to let people know I will be unavailable
for my office hours this week July 15 so if you come to the Senior Center looking
for me I won't be there. My apologies you can catch me at home or at the next
week's office hours. All fight.
Thornberry/I have one thing. It's if people have seen this. It's the Deer Line to make it
easier for residents to provide input to the city regarding deer, a recorded message
deer line has been established. The citizens may call to make a request, ask a
question, record a concern, or make a statement about Iowa City' s deer. In order
for comments to become part of the official record callers will need to state their
name and address, comments will be forwarded to the city council and the deer
management committee. If callers would like a retum phone call they should
indicate their day time number. This deer line is 356-5015 if you have a deer
problem in your neighborhood, your concerned or you've got too many or not
enough or you'd like to see some or would like to see none it's 356-5015. Deer
line that's all I have.
Lehman/No you don't your going to be at the American Disabilities.
Thornberry/I will.
Lehman/Your going to be there representing the city council and reading the
proclamation at that event on Saturday July 24.
Thomberry/I'm sure I will be there.
Lehman/And we thank you for that.
Norton/We're all going to be in the parade or any of us isn't that right.
Kubby/Yes.
Champion/Are we going to have a banner this year or are we going to have to stretch?
Thomberry/Well we had a banner last year but we made it real quick it was (can't hear).
Kubby/Actually we should make sure we get we talked about one of these kinds of nicer
colored banners.
Thornberry/Yea we had (can't hear).
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 46
Kubby/City of Iowa City and maybe have the city emblem on it.
Norton/Something more, we had a little cardboard sign last year.
Champion/You could all ride in my yellow pickup.
O'Donnell/I'll do it.
Norton/That would be illegal isn't it without seat belts.
Lehman/All right.
Champion/Maybe not for a parade.
Vanderhoef/Well this man has a bad back and so we'll let him ride the rest of us will
walk.
Lehman/OK.
Vanderhoef/That's fair enough.
Lehman/Right.
Vanderhoef/OK I see Rick sitting here so I was curious in our packet.
Thornberry/I have one more thing.
Vanderhoef/We had new employees construction inspector and a special projects
inspector and I wondered how they fit into are they engineers or what
qualifications?
Fosse/Their both inspectors and one and actually their both filling vacancies that we
have.
Vanderhoef/OK but what are their backgrounds?
Fosse/Oh their backgrounds.
Vanderhoef/For to make them eligible to be an inspector.
Fosse/Both of them have well one of them has come to us from the construction industry
and the other one comes to us with a geology degree and experience doing
construction inspection for another firm.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 47
Vanderhoef/OK. Thanks.
Thornberry/While Rick's there I've got a question of him if you don't mind.
Vanderhoef/Go ahead, not a problem.
Thornberry/Rick I've had several questions asked of me about the North Dodge Street
where it's going into ACT there were suppose to be signalized intersection there
and that it seems like the one side of the street has been ready to be paved for a
long long time I don't know whether they got to it today or not but it's been a
week or two or three that it's been ready to be paved, when is that intersection
going to be completed?
Fosse/They did a mainline pour today and the remaining work out there is about a month
and a half's worth.
Thornberry/Really.
Fosse/Given that we don't have a lot of rain and the big stuff is done now and now it's
time to start on the little things like the pavement edge drains, put in the electrical
for the signals, putting in the sidewalks, a lot of small time consuming things.
Thornberry/I would think that the light the wiring would have been put down before they
put the paving down.
Fosse/Just the conduit under the crossings. Yea.
Thomberry/So you think maybe by the end of August?
Fosse/We're hoping yea.
Thornberry/Just for that intersection, I mean they've been playing with that all summer.
Fosse/Right and last season.
Atkins/And last year.
Vanderhoef/And last season.
Kubby/It's a major project.
O'Donnell/A huge project.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 48
Fosse/And that's one where the soils are virtually pure clay out there and you get one
day of rain and it takes three to dry out and that's something that's really made it
difficult to move forward on that one.
Thornberry/It hasn't rained for three days.
Lehman/I'm sure that no one wants out of there quicker than they do.
Thornberry/Well maybe the people that use it.
Lehman/No I think the contractors probably would love to be through with that.
Thornberry/Thank you Rick, thank you Dee.
Vanderhoef/One more thing the Human Rights Commission fight now is receiving
nominations for awards that will be awarded that will be awarded at the Human
Rights breakfast in the fall in October so if you have anyone in the community
that you would like to nominate for their own special contribution to Human
Rights we would appreciate it. You may call city hall and get a form to fill out.
Then one other thing there was discussion in Des Moines this week about
altemative ways of publishing minutes and official notices other than newspapers
and I'd like you to think about that one and see if you think that is something
more that we should be pursuing as a legislative issue.
Norton/Well I guess I'm not quite tracking.
Vanderhoef/OK right now the law says that we must publish in the newspaper and there
are beginning to be other ways to have official notice.
Norton/Oh I see that might substitute for that or add to it or.
Vanderhoef/Or add to it. So it was one something to look at. OK. In your packet on
Friday I had included an article on electric deregulation that I received at that
legislative meeting and be well aware of when you read it read who the people
were that were on the committee because you'll find that it was all
telecommunication people who sat on the committee and there were very few
people in the business world and they were in specific talking about e-commerce
and deregulation so take a look at it it's kind of interesting. Thank you that's it.
Lehman/Dee.
Norton/I just have a couple of items Ernie. One is I went to the as behalf of the council
at least partially behalf to the council. I went to the trails meeting at the county
last Wednesday night.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 49
Champion/Yes.
Norton/And it was very interesting we actually broke into small groups and brainstormed
about possible trails out into the county. It happened it had been done so long
time ago and it's interested to see that there's quite a bit of interest in some what
we call loop out routes where you can take a loop, a short loop or a big loop and
go into various sections of the county and many of them are roads that won't need
much if any improvements, some may need a shoulder improvement but I when I
looked at that and looked at it with the connection with the routes we have in
town and that we've done in Coralville and North Liberty and other places you
begin to see how this could become a significant attraction, tourist attraction, a
real economic benefit to this area, very lovely areas to bike. Every direction from
Iowa City and the County now to be moving in that direction they took the input
of these groups and will assimilate them into some kind of overall plan for
consideration. And I think many of them can be implemented without huge
expenditures in the short run and I think it's really an exciting development that
will make you think regionally again it's just really.
Vanderhoef/And the CBB is continuing with putting updated maps each year in the
brochure that we mail out to people coming to our community.
Norton/Well again it gives you somewhere for a city trail to go to if you want to take a
ride out.
Kubby/And thanks for going to that for us.
Norton/What?
Kubby/Thank you for going to that for us.
Norton/It was very you know I got into it after I got there. There's also I noticed an
emergency drill coming on. Maybe your going to go Mike aren't you on the
Emergency Management Commission?
O'Donnell/Yes I am.
Norton/Is that going to do, should some of us try to go to that, what's the requirement we
got a letter from Jim McGinley I didn't know what was happening.
O'Donnell/I think we all should try to go.
Kubby/(can't hear).
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 5O
Vanderhoef/But should we go both nights or just one night?
Kubby/I think their just asking for one.
O'Donnell/Their asking for one but certainly everybody's welcome.
Kubby/It's hard to ask.
Norton/I see we're welcome I see but you'll be there and let us know how well we're
prepared.
Champion/Well be there for periods of time.
O'Donnell/I'm always prepared Dee.
Norton/OK I'm (can't hear) that do you. The other thing I want to add before we forget
it I hope we're making all the moves we can to deal with these park rides. They
have been around since day one even before my time folks.
Lehman/No.
Norton/Yea yea right. And they've always been a great treasure and a kind of you know
a real feature of Iowa City over the years and I just hope that we can do
everything we can to maintain that we have some suggestions in the packet some
people that are kind of interesting possibilities even a mild expansion of them
would be. And I'm also a Ferris wheel fan I don't know why the Ferris wheel
would have to go so fast. You know I can't get to excited on the merry go round
but I get into the.
Thornberry/I'm going to ride with you Dee I have no clue.
Norton/But let' s do everything we can because it's like we're talking about the water
plant we've got we've got to make this place kind of swing a little and that' s one
way that it does. OK.
Lehman/OK. The next swinger Mike.
O'Donnell/I have one more thing. Everybody's aware now that we've the chicanes off
of Highland and I just wanted to make sure that we do we have radar on Highland
for these neighbors down there because the original problem were cars were going
too fast, we never would have done the chicane. Now we've removed them and I
just I think we we have to make a commitment that we're going to try and slow
traffic.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 51
Norton/You mean patrol it more frequently you mean?
O'Donnell/Yes.
Kubby/We can't commit someone all the time.
O'Donnell/Oh that's not what I'm saying, I'm saying more of a commitment.
Lehman/No but we said that last time two weeks ago we indicated that we'd do that.
Atkins/The answer is yes.
O'Donnell/And we are doing that.
Thornberry/All four blocks ha.
Norton/And I want to add Court Street to that list because I've had at least two
complaints Court Street is a real problem.
Vanderhoef/And there's another one out there that is Bums Street.
O'Donnell/Well don't mention chicanes.
Thornberry/You know what I'd like to see.
Vanderhoef/No I'm not mentioning chicanes but I'm.
Thornberry/I'd like to see somebody come to us and say hey there has never been
somebody speeding on my street.
Lehman/And not enough cars on my street and I want more cars and I want more speed
on my. I think that people speed on every street in town I don't think there' s
been. The one street has a monopoly on speed.
O'Donnell/But the point is we point 25 and if you go 26 your speeding. I know where
the 26, this was excessive (can't hear).
Norton/A bunch of.
Thornberry/I live on a dead end street and probably 9 out of 18 cars speed. No I said 9
out of 18 cars.
Norton/(Can't hear).
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 52
Thomberry/Yea and it's a dead end street but there hasn't been a big clammery for over
speeding.
Kubby/Neighbors can check out I forget what it's called but you can call our Crime
Prevention.
Atkins/Yep.
Kubby/Officer and get this digital screen you can leam to they'll teach you how to set it
up you can check it out you can put it out there and people don't realize I think
sometimes that we're speeding because we design our arterial street to be at this
35 mph speed or more in some cases like Scott Boulevard is designed for faster so
you feel comfortable if you have a car that is well designed and is at least a 1990
or newer you feel comfortable driving faster than the speed limit on these streets.
And so that digit gives you an aware (can't hear) awareness what works for me
psychologically is ifI go by there and it said I was going you know 30 mph the
next weeks when I'm driving by that spot where I saw that digital display I see it
in my minds eye so it has some lasting effect so I encourage people to take some
of these matters into their own hands and check out our digital display.
Norton/Those flashing red lights in the rear view mirror that'll get your attention.
O'Donnell/Your comfort level would exchange a great deal if you get a speeding ticket.
Norton/Exactly absolutely absolutely.
O'Donnell/(can't hear).
Thornberry/That' s a sure fire way of.
Norton/It does help.
Thomberry/Eliminating the speeding is just a raise the speed limit.
O'Donnell/Well I think it's an attempt you have to do something.
Lehman/Two things. West Benton Street is being redone the Benton Street hill.
Thornberry/It sure is.
Lehman/From the apartments at the bottom of the hill their taking off the asphalt and in
fact they started this morning and the asphalt is almost completely gone. That's
going to be a Pelling's doing that job and their going to be.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#22 Page 53
Thomberry/One lane.
Lehman/A very severe inconvenience for probably 3 or 4 days but their moving right
along. And another chapter in the saga of the tennis lights. My understanding is
that the total control has been added to the lights but from Musco lights and now
we have added a manual switch so that if the lights are not being if tennis courts
are not being used the lights do not automatically come on. They can be turned
on and off up until 10:00 after 10:00 of course the timer shuts them off so.
Kubby/Great.
Lehman/That's done hopefully we got a resolution on that.
Thornberry/And if you leave at 9:00 you turn the lights off.
Lehman/Right.
Thornberry/But if you don't turn them off they automatically go off at.
Lehman/Nothing goes past 10:00.
O'Donnell/What about the parking lot, do they remain on?
Champion/That stays on all night.
Lehman/I don't know, I really have no idea.
Norton/I think that's safety there.
Thornberry/Connie knows.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.
#23 Page 54
ITEM NO. 23. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY
ATTORNEY.
Lehman/All fight. Steve. Happy Birthday again.
Atkins/Thank you for the birthday wishes.
Champion/You could assure that none of us are going to have a birthday.
Atkins/I will get even.
Lehman/Yes. Eleanor is there more?
Kubby/Move to adjourn.
O'Donnell/Second.
Lehman/Moved by Kubby, seconded by O'Donnell. All in favor. All ayes. Adjourned
8:32.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council
meeting of July 13, 1999.