Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-30 Council minutes JOINT MEETING JOHNSON COUNTY SUPERVISORS IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT CITY OF IOWA CITY CITY OF CORALVILLE CITY OF NORTH LIBERTY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 PROCTOR & GAMBLE ROOM, SCANLON GYM, IOWA CITY Government bodies were represented by the following: City of Coralville: Fausett, Schnake, Jacoby, Herwig, Weihe City of North Liberty: Ron Bandy City of Iowa City: Lehman, Thornberry, Vanderhoef, O'Donnell, Norton Johnson Co. Board of Supervisors: Jordahl, Lehman, Stutsman, Duffy, Thompson Iowa City School Board: Wallace, Goodlaxon, Schultz, Jackson Tape recorded: 99-96, Both Sides; 99-97, Side 1. Mayor Lehman called the meeting to order at 4: 1 0PM. DISCUSSION TO SET A DATE FOR IOWA STATE PRESENTATION ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Mayor Lehman began by stating that the county extension office had contacted him indicating that they had done some work relative to Iowa City, Coralville and the County. The meeting will deal with urban sprawl. It was decided that the first date of choice will be October 21 in the evening and the second date of choice is October 28. JUVENILE JUSTICE CRIME PREVENTION GRANT Jim Swaim of United Action for Youth spoke regarding the youth crime prevention program offered throughout the county. The program is in its fifth year with the intent of the program being to reduce juvenile delinquency in the county. The key participant of the program is the Board of Supervisors; which through a grant provides $200,000 of state funds. The project for the coming year will cost $515,000. The other entities involved in funding the project are the Iowa City Community School District, the City of Iowa City, the police departments and area law enforcement agencies, the county attorney, Juvenile Court office of the 6th Judicial District, the Decatorization Project for Johnson County, the United Way and Council of Governments. The six private non-profit organizations providing funding are Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Mayor's Youth Employment Program, MECCA, the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, United Actions For Youth and Youth Home (a division of Four Oaks). Swaim explained that the focus of the program, a top-rated program in the country, is to engage kids after school and on the weekends. The primary age groups being work with are 13-15 years of age; with 460 being served last year. Swaim noted that the National Office of Juvenile Justice has published information stating that most juvenile crime occurs between the hours of 3-8PM. The program attempts to keep kids engaged with their peers and other significant adults in the community during these time periods at various sites in the community. Swaim stated that the $200,000 grant that has been received is likely going to end June 30, 2000. He said that the Board of Supervisors is likely going to be the entity that will pick up the Joint Meeting Minutes September 30, 1999 Page 2 funding source. He noted the state legislation is possibly going to revitalize the program to continue it. However, it is unlikely that this project will receive the $200,000 because other communities do want to participate in the program. The issue being addressed by government agencies is the question of their fair share in the program; however the Board of Supervisors seems willing to proceed with the program. It is his hope that other agencies will follow suit. Swaim did acknowledge that the school has contributed approximately $176,000. Of that they only get about $34 from the grant. Swaim also explained that he has been doing this work since 1973. In 1975 Iowa got $1.5m for juvenile delinquency programs from the federal government. Now $700,000 is received. Although the federal government talks about providing funding there are not significant resources provided. Mayor Lehman suggested that letters be written to the legislators, as they are receptive to letters from constituents. He also said there are legislative sessions that are held in communities during legislative session on Saturdays. Thompson said that she believes that the seed money has been given to Iowa City and that the legislature will be looking for more assistance from cities and counties when they provide funds since other communities are looking for funds as well. Vanderhoef interjected that City Hall Day will be held on November 10th in Council Chambers. All local legislators will be invited to this forum and all issues may be brought to the table. DINGLEBERRY QUARRY IMPACT ON RAPID CREEK ROAD The school board raised the question to the county regarding the amount of traffic that will be on the road when the quarry is working in full force. Duffy explained based on a past court case in this issue the county cannot mandate what roads the quarry uses. Jordahl explained that as result of past public meetings calcium chloride dust control is being used on Wapsie Avenue from the eastern entrance of the quarry north to Morris Road. In the short term the gravel trucks are expected to travel east and north to meet gravel road maintenance. Once getting to the better quality rock the travel will then shift more to the west. The Board of Supervisors hopes that another road may be obtained through private negotiations to change the travel route. The Board does not intend to condemn property to create a new road for this purpose. There is an annual review of roads in the county. The road currently is a travelable county road; however it will need to be looked at in the future. FRINGE AREA COMMITTEE UPDATE Mayor Lehman noted that on October 6, 1999, there would be a meeting with members from the Board of Supervisors and City Council and staff to review the Fringe Area Agreement. The current one expires at the end of December of this year. BUS SERVICE TO CHATHAM OAKS Thompson brought up the issue that there are folks who are at the facility who would be able to utilize the bus service. Thompson would like to see bus service extended to Chatham Oaks. She indicated that there are twenty potential riders. Joint Meeting Minutes September 30, 1999 Page 3 Lehman stated that there currently are two trips to West High School. Vanderhoef inquired if there would be funding assistance available, as it is always a concern. Lehman said he would talk to Parking and Transit Director Fowler regarding the service. DEVELOPING OUTLYING SENIOR CENTER/DINING OPTIONS IN NORTH LIBERTY AND CORALVILLE Jordahl inquired about the development of senior dining centers in outlying areas. He wanted to encourage the idea of linking services that would allow for meals to be served for seniors as well as offering intergenerational services. It is being explored in Coralville with Sherri Proud heading the effort. The Church of Latter Days Saints is a site that is being looked at and the bus service runs close to the site. Norton then suggested that the Veterans Administration might have a kitchen area available to prepare meals. Bandy then stated that North Liberty is very interested in the concept. He said that developing the intergenerational ideas has great potential and he would like to see it happen. Jordahl indicated that Lone Tree has such a program. In Tiffin senior citizens go into the schools on Fridays and dine there. UPDATE FROM CORALVILLE ON THE CORAL RIDGE MALL TIF Kelly Hayworth spoke indicating that the maximum scheduled bond payments for the project that are currently outstanding would be paid off in the fiscal year 2005, based on the accelerated values. Originally the estimate was $50-80M; however the county assessor set it at $1.6M. The bond actually goes until 2013; but there are provisions to pay them off early. Mayor Fausett pointed out that there are some projects that TIF money may utilize and this may cause a delay in the early payment. There are projects that the City of Coralville may be involved in where they would expect joint sharing of expense. If this does not happen then TIF funds would need to be used to support the project. SHARED TECHNOLOGY Jordahl began by stating that there has been dialog in the past regarding the possibility of sharing expenses related to the processing of payroll and software expenses. In the recent times software has been the issue. Since software in so expensive Jordahl indicated that it might be prudent to link together as a 28E entity and make the purchases. Steve Atkins explained that the cost of $1M would cover a comprehensive program to meet the financial needs of the city. In purchasing this package the speed and available information would increase greatly. He said that if a service would be shared an agreement would need to be reached that would outline the services provided. Herwig then mentioned that the East Central Iowa Council of Governments are currently reviewing the state of the art software that is available on GIS. A project has been approved to gather information on what is available. This information will be available to the different governmental bodies. Joint Meeting Minutes September 30, 1999 Page 4 Atkins stated that he would like to see some formal correspondence from the county or other cities making a request for assistance in this area. It was agreed that the information services staff of the various entities would meet to discuss the related issues. The City of Iowa City information services staff will coordinate the meeting. SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE ON 965 Lehman began by stating a committee was formed in April on the improvement of the 965 and Mormon Trek corridors. Weihe and Vanderhoef were both on a committee that met before the local option sales tax was voted on. Weihe explained that Mormon Trek was determined to be the priority at that time. Jeff Davidson stated that the JCCOG met and it was reiterated that Mormon Trek; which is a joint project involving Coralville, Iowa City and the university; would be the priority. Once that was completed the 965 project would again be looked at involving Iowa City, Coralville and the county. Funding decisions will be made by JCCOG within the next sixth months and if an agreement is reached the reconstruction of Mormon Trek could be completed within the next two years. Davidson stated that the reality of the defeat of the local option sales tax did push these projects back. Herwig suggested that since the county is not involved in the Mormon Trek project perhaps it could spearhead the 965 project. O'Donnell stated that committees do meet and discuss the 965 issue as there are safety issues. Vanderhoef said that it was taken out of the Capital Improvement Plan and maybe it needs to be re-addressed. Duffy then brought up the issue of re-doing the bridge on Greencastle Road. Re-doing the bridge would alleviate some of the traffic congestion on 965. It was agreed that all entities should discuss 965 when discussing their Five Year Plans and then the issue will be re-addressed at a future joint meeting. SCHEDULE MEETING It was agreed that the City of Coralville would host the next meeting. Tiffin will be invited to the next meeting. The date will be determined at a later date. Submitted by City of Iowa City. clerldmin/joint9-30-99.doc