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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-12 Transcription#2 Page 1 ITEM NO. 2. OUTSTANDING STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS - ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY a. 1998-1999 STUDENT COUNCIL Lehman/For their outstanding qualities in leadership within Roosevelt Elementary as well as the community and for their sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others we recognize the 1998-1999 Student Council members as Outstanding Student Citizens, your community is proud of you, presented by the Iowa City Council of Iowa City October of 1999. Madan Karr/If we could have the 1998-1999 Student Council from Roosevelt Elementary please. Why don't, if you could just step back a little bit so the Mayor can reach (can't hear) to you. Thornberry/I'm feeling kind of lonesome guy. Karr/Mr. Mayor would you like to hold the mic so they could say something. Lehman/Oh, yes, as much as she can. Student 1/We are here to represent the 1998-1999 Student Council from Roosevelt Elementary School. One of our goals is to support school activities and encourage school unity. This was accomplished in a number of ways. Student 2/We operated school store to provide school supplies, we designated a day of the month as a spirit day. Student 3/We raised money to donate in the following ways; Relay For Life which was money for cancer research in honor of a Roosevelt student. Student 4/Rapture Center to help support (can't hear) Roosevelt school fund which supports the students needs. Student 5/We gave financial support for Wild 2000 which is the week of outdoor classroom experience for 5th and 6th graders. Student 6/Also we purchased books for our media center. Student 7/We purchased recess equipment such as balls and jump ropes, we purchased books for our monthly book giveaway. Lehman/Is that cool guys? Karr/Back to the lady in red. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #2 Page 2 Student 1/Other student council members who worked with us last year include: Or Cohen, Heather Greene, Heather James, Jarod Johnson, Gao Lu, Ben Rogers, Miles Roffman and Nathan Weiner. Lehman/I have to give this to somebody, whose going to take this for me? You know my children went to Roosevelt, I think you guys are keeping up a really good tradition, that's a great school and congratulations to all of you we're very proud of you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #3 Page 3 ITEM NO. 3. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS. b. TEEN READ WEEK - OCTOBER 17-23 (CORRESPONDENCE INCLUDED) Lehman/(Reads proclamation). Now therefore, I, Ernest W. Lehman, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa do hereby proclaim October 17-23, 1999 to be Teen Read Week in Iowa City. Karr/Mr. Mayor here to make a presentation is Joel Showmaker from Southeast Jr. High and Barb Black from the Public Library in addition, Sam Leohi, Hannah Sandler, Rebecca Gedney, Jacob Mason-Marshall, Joe Jordan, and Mike Landers. Thornberry/Who gets this? Karr/They're coming. Joel Showmaker/Come on up and join them there, have him hand you the proclamation, thank you Mayor Lehman, these kids will join you for a minute. I would again point out that Deb McCallister from City High and Barb Black from the Iowa City Public Library working together to promote reading for teenagers. I wonder since you folks are use to voting if you'd like to start with a show of hands on the council. How many of you teenagers? All right, you can remember. Norton/I can't. Showmaker/What these kids are going through. The theme to read, Teen Read Week is Reading Rocks, Reading for the Fun of it, so in honor of your taking a few moments for us tonight we'd like to make sure each of you getting a Reading Rocks bookmark, and Mayor Lehman you get a temporary tattoo. Thornberry/I hope it's temporary. Showmaker/Thank you very much, these young people brought some books with them tonight, anybody want to tell them what your favorite book is and why real quickly. What book did you bring tonight Rebecca? Rebecca Gedney/I brought "Harry Potter and the Sorcery Stone." And the reason I like this book so much was because it was full of surprises and it kept me reading and I couldn't put it down. Showmaker/Good reason. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #3 Page 4 Boy/I brought "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and the reason I brought this one is because I read the first one and I really liked it so I decided to read the second one and it's just as good. Lehman/But your not going to tell her about it right? Girl/I brought "To Kill A Mockingbird" because I think it's a good example of things that are problems in our world today and it's an interesting way to show them. Girl/I brought "A Parafomenee" by John Irving and it's I'm not exactly sure why it's my favorite book it just, it really, it's well written and that' s what I like. Lehman/If I'm not mistaken you were reading that on the steps of the Civic Center before the meeting is that not correct? Girl/Like the fourth time. Lehman/Fourth time, she loves that book. Boy/Well actually I forgot my favorite book tonight. My favorite book is "Without Remorse" by Tom Clancy mostly because there don't seem to be any down time, never is boring, you know I've read it about five times. Each time it keeps getting better. Showmaker/Thank you very much Mr. Mayor. Lehman/Thank you. Barbara Black/They would like to mention to the Council that the school's and the Public Library are cooperating with a kickoff for Teen Read Week on Saturday night, we're hosting an overnight in the Library for 7th graders, we're going to have a sleep over. One of the come-on's for the kids was to see Librarians dance and other fun stuff. We're going to have a variety of activities that will introduce kids to the services of the library and staff of the library and also to encourage reading so we're inviting 7th graders to join us for that. Lehman/Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #3a Page 5 a. BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH - OCTOBER MAMMOGRAPHY DAY- OCTOBER 15 Lehman/(Reads Proclamation). Now therefore, I Emest W. Lehman, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa do hereby proclaim the month of October 1999 to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 15, 1999 to be Mammography Day in Iowa City and encourage women to become aware that they are at risk for Breast Cancer, to check with their doctors to see whether they should get a mammogram. I also urge each and every resident of Iowa City to make sure the women they care about participate in this program. Karr/Here to accept is Vivien Strauss from the American Cancer Society Corp Team of Johnson County. Vivien Strauss/Mayor Lehman and City Council on behalf of the American Cancer Society, Corp Team of Johnson County and those people that are survivors from Breast Cancer and those people that are now in treatment for breast cancer and to the families who have lost a beloved one due to breast cancer I am proud to have this proclamation read. And also it is a privilege to be a member of a community that shows interest in this health related issue and this week we are going to be having little things such as this placed in the merchants of Iowa City have agreed, there are 15 merchants that have agreed to place this mammogram reminder into each purchase that is made by anybody who comes into their store and the Cancer Clinic of Iowa City or at University is sponsoring Marsha Wallace who is an Emmy Award winning actress also a cancer survivor herself and a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. This presentation will be this Thursday and we would love for everyone to attend it, it should be a wonderful evening, and it's at the Radisson from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. And again thank you for being aware of this month. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #4 Page 6 ITEM NO. 4. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR AMENDED. Thomberry/So moved. Champion/Second. Lehman/Moved by Thomberry, seconded by Champion. Discussion. I'd like to point out that we are setting a public heating on this consent calendar for plans, specifications, form of contract, for the construction of the Iowa City water facility improvements, this will be the largest single contract ever lead by the City of Iowa City. This will be the new water treatment plant (can't hear). The heating will be set for October 19. Other discussion. Champion/Mr. Mayor I wanted to ask the question about the "no parking anytime" on Linden Court I read in the neighborhood survey but I'm really getting concemed about all the streets that we've decided not to allow parking on and I wondered if there's a special reason for this. Norton/One side. Champion/Anybody know the answer, maybe not? Steve Atkins/I can tell you what our tradition has been Connie is that we've we'll receive a request from a neighborhood and we will mail to them a postcard survey and we rely substantially on the neighborhood to determine what types of parking restrictions are to be applied to their particular street. I'm almost certain that these are probably the similar circumstances, I don't know the specific, that's generally what we do. Champion/Well I'm going to support it because they are allowing parking on at least one side of the street but it seems to me that we've approving a lot of streets without parking and streets are public use and I'm getting a little concemed about that. Norton/Yea I think mainly their one side though and I think. Champion/(can't hear) one side. Norton/Substantial majority was in favor of wanting the particular side but. Champion/Right I would be in favor of Summit Street of not having any cars at all. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #4 Page 7 Norton/Well one side you have parking on one side too fight? Champion/Right. Lehman/I share your concern however I do believe in most cases if there were strong objections but we probably wouldn't have (can't hear). Champion/But we haven't heard anything. Lehman/Further discussion. Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 8 ITEM NO. 5. PUBLIC DISCUSSION (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA ). [UNTIL 8:00 PM]. Lehman/This is a time that is reserved on the agenda for items that do not otherwise appear. If you wish to address Council please state your name, sign in and limit your comments to five minutes or less. Derek Maurer/Hello and thank you I'm Derek Maurer I live at 508 Kirkwood Avenue. And I'm here to address concerns that some of you have expressed recently about the pre ponderous of bars downtown. Like some of you I'd think many of us have noticed that the downtown seems to be in a transition that bars are very very common downtown and that they seem to be serving a much younger clientele and we have a concern for the diversity for our downtown. We want a vital and diverse downtown that's why we're investing so much money in the improvements that we are making. But I'd simply like to observe that I believe the downtown we have reflects the clientele that are in the neighborhoods near downtown. We have seen in the past 20 years that I've lived here steady, I'll say an erosion of owner occupied houses in the neighborhoods close to downtown. As more apartment buildings go up, more property make the transition from owner occupied properties to rental properties and of course that means that very often younger people and university students move into these areas and they have different needs and different wishes for the commercial district that serves them, that' s our downtown so it's only very natural that we see what we're seeing downtown. Now all the improvements that we're making and all the money we're spending to make downtown look nice which you know I certainly approve of. Never the less are based on an assumption of what we can do is attract people and make downtown a destination where people are going to drive and their come and shop. But I'm here to express some doubt about that, I'm not sure that people who live on the peripherary of Iowa City want to drive downtown for everyday needs. They may come for special events but for their every day shopping their going to go elsewhere. Not the neighborhoods that feed our downtown, their the ones close by and their the ones that if we're concerned about or downtown I think we should be concerned about these neighborhoods as well and I think we should be looking the profile of the people who live in these neighborhoods and thinking of ways that we can keep these neighborhoods diverse, keep a middle class presence in these neighborhoods, people with school age children. This is just a very big problem and I think we're not going to solve the problem of the nature of our downtown with the improvements we're making. If we really want to protect this investment we also have to look at the nearby neighborhoods and question the nature of these neighborhoods and what is making them what they are and so that's really all I have to say, thank you very much. Lehman/Thank you Derek. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 9 Nancy Purington/Well I think I have a solution for part of the problem that Derek illustrated in his presentation. Arts Iowa City has just become visible after 18 years in the lower level location of downtown Iowa City and in six weeks we have had as many visitors as we have in six month period. And those people who come in are so supportive of the look and the addition to the downtown mix that what began as a two-month short term lease agreement with the building owner and real estate agent has become a drive for permanence at that location. And I think I'll just read the two pages of this proposal, the rest of it is just research materials so you have 65 pages but these are the two that count. Arts Iowa City a 24-year old nonprofit visual arts organization proposes to occupy the formerly vacant store front space at 207 E. Washington in a 3-year lease agreement. This space is needed for the following reasons. After 18 years of occupying an underground location at 129 E. Washington Street Arts Iowa City's profile has become visible on the downtown landscape as a cultural cornerstone with windows on the plaza. Visitor counts as I just outlined have been multiplying at an outrageous rate. This current state of interest and attention has the potential to increase our membership drive results and provides Arts Iowa City as a cultural destination point with a merit of creative marketing opportunities which will help the community identify, label and market it's culture as well as help it's creative capital campaign designed to stabilize the system of support for this facility. It is our intention to become permanently located at this location. Number two: being active within the downtown business community at a visible location has increased our potential for leadership within the community. This location places us in the center of established cultural activities which were created by members of Arts Iowa City over two decades. Activities and events such as the Iowa Arts Festival, Iowa Arts Fair, Gallery Walks, Arts sales, musical and performing events and exhibitions by local and regional artists as well as national competitions which build on the artistic strengths inherent to this community. It has become apparent to Arts Iowa City Board of Directors that Iowa City has in place a wealth of cultural assets which marketed as a cultural district could enhance and liven the economic development of our community. Arts Iowa City has recently joined the Downtown Association and made an initial presentation of this cultural district concept. A presentation followed by chance, a presentation by Marlys Spencen whose currently creating a historic architectural survey for the city. We both identified Rock Island which is a cultural and historic downtown district as an illustration of potential results. A brief discussion with John Beckord, President of Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce has been made as well with as with Wendy Ford Director of the Iowa City/Coralville Visitor and Convention Bureau. All persons are very interested in pursuing the development of a coalition between Arts Iowa City, the local arts agency and their community business institutions. Being visible and accessible This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 10 has been a catalyst for this vision. We have become the crossroads for cultural district discussions because the community can see the results. Number three: Arts Iowa City short term lease ends October 31, the potential for that space to become a bar, a fast food restaurant is well understood by this community. Arts Iowa City is seeking funds from the hotel/motel tax or any other appropriate source to help us keep our position anchored. Community support is growing and investors are eager to visit with us but they need to know that the product we've created will still be on the market in order to create a return. Arts Iowa City needs to buy the time to develop a campaign which incorporates the dozens of creative fundraising plans which have been shared with us by the community. We can provide opportunities for this community to use the space in ways which will fulfill their dreams beyond the three small receptions we have offered so far. We have met with the appropriate partners in the business realm briefly and I can tell you each one of them has a vision for the potential community use of that space. Arts Iowa City needs time to collect document, exchange these concepts while developing a cultural tourism atmosphere where this community can only win. Arts Iowa City is asking the City Council to direct the staff to review this proposal and make recommendations for support to Arts Iowa City. We're happy to share our research and cooperate in any way we can. Thank you. Thornberry/Thank you. Mary Kathryn Wallace/Good evening, I'm Mary Kathryn Wallace and I'm here representing the Iowa City Johnson County Senior Center Commission. This is in my role as one of the Commission Members and our monthly report back to you. This month it's a brief report, I have three items that I would like to bring to your attention. The first is that our Commission will be establishing a Strategic Planning Committee at our next Commission Meeting which will be next week. And the Strategic Planning Committee will be to help the Commission facilitate the construction of the sky walk and invest funding sources and opportunities. The second item is that we had a very successful volunteer recognition tea on September 24 honoring more than 800 volunteers that had been active in the Senior Center. And the last item is that the Senior Center is under construction, we think it's every square inch is under construction and the bad news is that it's very stressful, classes are being changed, and it's a bit confusing for individuals but the good news is is that the deadline is set for November 27 and we are optimistic that that will happen so this is the status of where we are and if there are any questions that you would like me to take back to the Commission I would be happy to do so. Thank you. Champion/Thank you. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 11 Lehman/Thank you. Steven Kanner/My name is Steven Kanner, and first I wanted to comment on the banners I enjoy those and who's idea was that? The banners. Thomberry/Madan. Champion/Mr. Atkins. Kanner/Thank you very much. Atkins/Your welcome. Kanner/And we have some beautiful sights here and on of the things I want to talk about is our beautiful water that we just found out that we just found out is very clean and safe and that' s good news and I think it's time to talk about fair water rates and especially with the new water plant coming online in a couple of years. I think it's appropriate that we have people who use less pay less, currently it's the other way around, we have a rate that goes up when you reach a certain level and you pay less for cubic foot. Especially now that we're using even more precious ground water I think it's important that we implement a policy where people pay that encourages them to serve, currently it's the opposite, we encourage people to conserve more so they can get to that lower rate, to the bigger users. And the benefits would be the majority of the water users in Iowa would reverse the rate structure as it is now so I hope that City Council will be forward thinking and looking into this issue. Thank you. Lehman/Thank you. Dan Coleman/My name is Dan Coleman and I have two things I want to talk about this evening. One is to let you all know and people watching the meeting at home know that tonight the Iowa City Green party is inaugurating it's Iowa City Watch Dog project and what we're doing is organizing a presence at the City Council meetings with people who are concerned about issues of the environment of economic justice and of social justice to make sure that there' s an awareness from meeting to meeting of those concerns before you all. And everyone in the community whose concerned about those issues is welcome to join us. We meet before each Tuesday night meeting at 6:30 at Great Mid up the street and look over the agenda and talk about the issues so I hope more people in the community will get involved, it's not just for Green Party members but for anyone who shares our concerns. The other thing I wanted to talk about is the clearing that's going on in Hickory Hill Park or I guess what you can now say in the cemetery and I've been up there a couple of times just walking through and I'm just really appalled at the way that's being handled and I encourage citizens who are concerned about This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 12 how our community treats it's natural heritage to go look up there because basically the whole area has just been bulldozed and with no concem for any of the vegetation, any of the trees that have lived there for a long time and that have been part of the park in the past. And I understand the decision the Council needed to make in terms of the land for the cemetery but I think that in implementation of that kind of decision we could have some consciousness of the extent to which human life and societies integrated with nature and try and be more sensitive in our development in the future and I hope you all will take those concems in mind in future undertakings. Thank you. Lehman/Thank you. Carol Spaziani/Hi I'm Carol Spaziani, a former president of Arts Iowa City. And I just wanted to say that our current president Nancy Purington represented us well and fluently but one thing that we would like to bring to your attention are the number of people who tumed out tonight to support this idea. Volunteers are what keep Arts Iowa City, I mean it's non profit, and you have to lick postage stamps and seal the envelopes and paint the walls of the former pizza parlor and install lighting and tum it into a gallery and these people all did it on their volunteer time in like four days after we notified we could move into that space. So I'd like to have them stand just so you can acknowledge their contribution to the community. Champion/It does really look wonderful, it will make a great addition to downtown. Thank you. Spaziani/It is, it's gorgeous. Thank you. Kubby/The one thing I'm concerned about is that I'm not quite sure what the proposal is or what role you might be asking the city to play. But if the temporary use of the space is over at the end of the month time is moving on and so I don't know if there' s a very very succinct way to explain what it is what your asking from the city so that we might be able to give some direction to staff to look at it or not to look at it because we only have one other meeting this month, in a week. Purington/I know and that's that's how things have been happening for us very quickly and changing every half a day. I think that I understand the probability or lack of it an idea to help us immediately but I don't think this request will go away so I would like to you put us on the list for consideration for the hotel/motel tax and that may be quite a long distance away. The other appeal I could make is just to any one in the community who's listening who is interested in coming forward and helping us bridge the gap of time at this point. I don't know what's going to happen. We have exhibitions scheduled for the next few months and we'll go into the lower level location. We'd like to expand and keep the location downstairs for education goals and we haven't been able to fulfill all of our long-range goals This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 13 with just that space so just in the broad overview we'd like to keep the upstairs space and also keep the downstairs space. I don't know what you can do and but I have to ask for help. I have to ask for help in some way, to help me figure this out. It's a complex lease agreement with the former occupant and some of that, some of the Councilor's know, it's hard for me because I don't know real estate or real estate law. So I guess in your chambers when you have some discussions you'll make some recommendations that ifthere's any way that you can find a source of revenue that would be appropriate to help us as we develop this larger concept that we illustrate this larger concept staying in the position we are might be helpful and if you have any directions fight now I'd be interested because I'm trying to beat the clock. Thomberry/Is there money left over from New York, their not supporting the Art Museum anymore so. Get New York to send it to us. Lehman/There are a couple things though you brought up that obviously I don't know anything about a cultural district which means nothing to me. I mean what's the pleasure of the Council? Champion/Well I have just a quick question. When a nonprofit institution rents space in a commercial building and pays rent, is that part of that building exempt from property taxes? Atkins/To my knowledge no, that building. Kubby/They have to own it to be exempt. Champion/Their not exempt if it's a nonprofit. Atkins/Arts Iowa City I understand is not the property owner, they are. Purington/We are not the property owner. Champion/No they are not. Purington/But I'm wondering you know if there are tax incentives for property owners who would rent to nonprofit organizations. Lehman/I don't think that's a possibility, well. Thornberry/We'll find an owner. Atkins/I don't know. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 14 Purington/I don't know if there are any or not. Kubby/But maybe I don't know what our schedule is like next Monday but to maybe have a few minutes to give us a chance to look at these materials and then talk about if there are some ideas or some way the City could be helpful in just getting a couple more months on that lease. Purington/Even with three months. Kubby/As a supporter of that concept. Purington/(can't hear). Even with two months I think we could have the kinds of meetings we need to hold now that we know what we need to address with the appropriate people, that would help, every month would help so, thank you. O'Donnell/I think we should put on the agenda. Norton/Yea for Monday. O'Donnell/For Monday night. Lehman/Well we'll have an opportunity to look this over. Steve do you have a copy of this? Well you know I can't promise anything except that we'll look. Purington/I don't know, I just have to, you know find. Kubby/Do you have one more copy? Purington/Yes I do. Kubby/Our City Clerk needs one. Purington/Thank you. Vanderhoef/Nancy what is the rent on that space? Purington/I think there's a fact sheet. Lehman/It's in there. Vanderhoef/Back there. Norton/It's in here. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #5 Page 15 Purington/Back into the first part. Lehman/We'll go over that over the next week and half perhaps some discussion (can't hear). Purington/It's about 5th sheet from the top. Vanderhoef/I'll find it thanks. Norton/It might be wise to have somebody from Arts Iowa City there too. Champion/Oh it's so nice. Norton/If we decide we want to, we can decide that. Atkins/Just give a couple days and I'll get in touch with Nancy. Champion/Thanks. Lehman/Any other public discussion. Karr/Mr. Mayor. Would you like to accept this also? Lehman/Yes could we. Kubby/Move to accept correspondence. Vanderhoef/Second. Lehman/Moved by Kubby, seconded by Vanderhoef to accept correspondence, all in favor. All ayes. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 16 ITEM NO. 7 THE CITY'S INTENT TO PROCEED WITH AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR THE IOWA AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. Vanderhoef/Mr. Mayor I will be leaving. Lehman/Yes. (Reads Item No. 7). This is a public hearing, public hearing is open. Anne Hesse/I am Anne Hesse co-chair of Project Green and on Wednesday September 22, I attended the public hearing regarding the design plans for Iowa Avenue and my concern is in response to Emily Rubright's questioning and concern about the approximately 60 trees plus of one species, the Honeylocust that will be planted for those three blocks. But not only am I concerned that a one species landscape is in risk of losing all landscape ambiance in case of devastation by passing diseases. But I am also concerned about the long list of pest and disease that afflict the Honeylocusts. I had written a letter to Brian Clark and unfortunately I mailed it to a former address and it came back to me and I did this two weeks ago before I left town for two weeks and so I would like to give him a copy of that letter tonight as well as give Ernie Lehman a copy as well as some extra material that comes from the textbook about would he landscape and ornamental materials which does describe the characteristics of the Honeylocust Tree. And this is written by Michael Dirr. I know that there are cultivares that have been established that do resist somewhat some of these diseases especially the web worm. However Michael Dirr recommends very strongly against planting an monogamous species, it is much like the Dutch Elm Disease that devastated many of the Main Streets all across the United States. And even though there are cultivares developed that will certainly take care of some of these problems it's a risk I think for us to go ahead with a landscape plan that has only one species. And as you know Project Green has been active in landscaping public property in Iowa City for over 30 years. In fact our first public landscaping was Iowa Avenue from Muscatine to Gilbert. And now we are watching the plans for the last three blocks leading up to the Pentacrest to be landscaped and planned for and so we are very concerned that this is going to be a beautification project that is lasting in Iowa City. And so I would like to have a little bit of awareness and maybe a little bit more thought into those landscape designs. I'm anxious for some dialogue with Mr. Clark in hopes that we're happy with the plans that will develop for the Iowa Avenue. So I will leave this with the mayor and for you to look at, (can't hear walked away from mic). Champion/Anne is Project Green making any recommendations about how we could plant those trees with different plants, different trees? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 17 Hesse/ No we're not, I would defer to the expertise of a landscape architect and that's who you have hired. I guess we would enjoy and appreciate a little bit more of an explanation and discussion and maybe some dialogue so that we feel comfortable with it and I really feel that you have hired the expert and you are taking that experts advise but perhaps just a little bit more awareness on the part of the Council that this is an extremely important part of downtown Iowa City and it certainly is what impresses people that come into Iowa City. I think the landscape is a primary importance all the time. Kubby/Maybe at some point tonight after the rest of the public has spoken we can hear from our expert about why that strategy was chosen. Norton/Yea, well it came up last night of course. Lehman/Right. Thornberry/Has Terry Robinson addressed this at all? Lehman/Brian would you like to address that, that question and maybe a couple others but and that was brought up the last night and I was at the meeting when it was brought up a couple weeks ago. Seems to make some logic there. Brian Clark/There is some logic there and my name is Brian Clark of Brian Clark Associates. You bring up a very good points, points that we've. Norton/Could you tip the mic up a little bit Mr. Clark. Clark/Points that we've been researching last May on species for this most important corridor in Iowa. We've not ruled multiple species in the corridor but aesthetics standpoint we are after a very strong visual vista toward the Old Capitol tying some of the plant material to existing plant material on the Pentacrest making that tie. The Honeylocust is not free of all diseases or insects. And I would I do want to have some more dialogue with Project Green, I don't think it's a done deal. I think this next stage we will definitely land on a street tree, a street tree strategy and I want Project Green to be part of that dialogue. Thornberry/That's good. Champion/(can't hear) Look at that. Thornberry/Is there any one tree that is completely bug resistant? Clark/No every tree has, there's certain street trees that have different urban tolerances. The Patmore Ash, the Liriodendron, Ginkgo, there's certain trees that are for This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 18 urban settings. And we're looking amongst those that handful to determine what's appropriate for this corridor and I think with that dialogue with Project Green and that woman we can arrive at a consensus. Champion/Well the reason it concerns me, as someone brought it up, and I'm not a landscape architect and I know very little about landscaping in fact the few pots that I try to water I'm not very good at that. But I think I'm going to have enough criticism in my life I don't want to when I'm debted in the grave and (can't hear) whose that City Council that planted all the same tree on this block? Well I do think it's something we need to think about. Clark/And there's more than just disease and I don't want to drive this issue tonight but there's issues of birds in trees and how that affects the sidewalks. Champion/Right. Clark/And so there's a lot of factors besides just diseases and bugs but there's also the look and there's other outside influences so we'll be happy to discuss that. Champion/Thank you. O'Donnell/Well my concern last night Brian was first the how long the tree lives, I understand that's a 50 years, and second was the height, which is like 70 feet. Clark/And I'd say in urban condition that 50 foot is probably. O'Donnell/50 to 70 foot. Norton/That' s still pretty big. Lehman/Well obviously, the tree question is going to have some more attention. O'Donnell/Yea. Lehman/While your up there we discussed a couple other things last night, one of which was the width of the street. Clark/Yes. Lehman/The travel portion on Iowa Avenue I think is 25 feet and relative to the Linn Street at the comer by the library and I understand we've measured that. Clark/It's 20 feet from face of curb to face of curb and Iowa Avenue is 25 feet from face of curb to face of curb. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 19 O'Donnell/That's good. Lehman/Well, and did you measure from the island that's sticking out there now? Which I think may be a little shorter in the permanent installation. In fact I'm positive it will be a little shorter so it would be more it would be more than five feet difference between that street and Linn Street. Clark/Yes. Lehman/OK. Clark/The Iowa Avenue condition is fight outside of the Civic Center here. Lehman/Right. Champion/Appreciate you doing that. Clark/No problem. (END of 99-95 SIDE 2) Dan Coleman/It's the question of how much parking on Iowa Avenue is that still unclear? I gathered from the paper that it is, is that correct? That that hasn't been decided yet, how much parking to leave on Iowa Avenue? Lehman/I suppose you can say that nothing is decided until the. Coleman/(can't hear). Lehman/Realistically, I think from the practical standpoint the configuration of the project was pretty well decided two years ago. Norton/Yea. Coleman/OK, well I guess I just wanted to comment about the concern that downtown merchants have raised about that and because I spend a lot of time downtown and often during the work day when businesses are open and generally on that first block and extensively even on the first two as I'm sure most of you are aware this is bumper to bumper line of cars circling around waiting for a parking space which often there isn't any parking space at all and I think that's a waste of time for those citizens who are driving there, it's a waste of energy, it pollutes our air. And it's really very sad that the configuration now actually encourages people to This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 20 do that and I hope that the Council you know goes along with it's intention you know to decrease that parking and encourage citizens to use walk, use that time to walk that extra 100 feet from the ramp or from the bus stop. Pete Vanderhoef/I'm Pete Vanderhoef, and I'm why Dee is not sitting there. I'm not going to talk about the lack of parking, I did last meeting. It's going to hurt the downtown merchants in that area. The reason the cars go round and round is because they want to park near where they want to shop. But they'll, that won't last very much longer because there won't be anyplace to shop down there for a while. The walkers are going to enjoy the bars, three new bars I believe opened up this week I think I saw that. Something like 91 bars are available in downtown Iowa City, that's wonderful, your on your way, your going to have a beautiful bar center. What I'm here to talk about though is the semi parking. Dubuque Street is a real nice parking lot for beer trucks, almost every hour of the day service vehicles and beer trucks fight down the center. You have left us parking for one semi on the 100 block of Iowa Avenue and it's located in such a way that a semi cannot get the end of it available to the curbside elevator. So everything has to be hauled around and over and back, that's (can't hear) convenience for us. But we're going to be vying for that space with beer trucks, with food trucks, with service vehicles and what I'm asking is let's leave a little more room for trucks, we always have parallel parking anyway there, we'll lose a few more parking places but a few don't equal the 150 we're giving up. But at least let's give service vehicles taken care of, I think they'd be a whole lot more attractive parked up against the side than down the center of that boulevard. And that's my request. Norton/You mean in the setback you mean Pete fight? In the set back portion that was going to be diagonal parking have them back in there. P. Vanderhoef/Half of that block should be available for service vehicles, a minimum of half. Right now you've got a third at the most. And it would probably better off if it was about what is was right now. Your going to build the sidewalk out. Kubby/So you'd rather have space for the two trucks than to have that extra eight. P. Vanderhoef/I'm not talking two trucks Karen, there's a lot more than two down there. Kubby/I'm saying your requesting that that be doubled basically. Norton/At least. P. Vanderhoef/Doubled, tripled, quadrupled, yea. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 2 1 Kubby/To be half the block. Right but, but what I'm asking is would you rather have that parking close to your store or would you rather have more room for the trucks? P. Vanderhoef/The parking we're getting close to our store is so minuscule it is not going to compromise. Kubby/Your willing to give up the answers. P. Vanderhoef/Your going to give me back about 10 and take away 50. Thornberry/That's not true. P. Vanderhoef/You know you've already done that part of the damage. I know a lot of people don't think that our customers are going to drive cars anymore but the only way you can assure that is to make sure they can't park anywhere. And your doing a fine job of that. Kubby/OK so I guess I'm asking for an honest, I'm honestly asking this question and would love to hear a specific answer. P. Vanderhoef/OK. Kubby/If we had to give up eight of those parallel parking spaces to gain loading zone is that what your asking for? P. Vanderhoef/I think yes. Kubby/Rather have that loading zone than those few parking spaces? P. Vanderhoef/If you want that to be a modestly attractive street your going to have to do something with the service vehicles. You don't want them parking fight in the center of the dumb thing. Kubby/Well that's going to happen, we have one or two. Champion/(can't hear). I think it's going to happen no matter what we do ifthat's all, if we're only going to have two spaces for delivery trucks it's not going to work. P. Vanderhoef/Two is not going to handle it, your going to almost have to go from the alley west of Clinton Street to handle all of the vehicles. Champion/So we were talking about this last night. I'm concerned about those parking places too and we talked about well maybe we just need to let them park in the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 22 middle of the street like they're doing when they delivery and leave those parking places there. And maybe we can come up with some kind of theme??? to get, I mean this is just an off the wall idea of some some special rate for students to discourage them from parking what you might call shoppers stalls for that hour class, when that ramp is going to be really close by. And we'll keep it from getting very little tickets, I don't know. But I agree with you, I think there' s a problem with loading and unloading but I also think it's a problem with parking. And I don't know what I'd rather have, trucks doubled parked in the middle of street or lost parking. I think it's a real conflict, it's hard to decide. Kubby/We're talking about 11 spaces Brian? I'm counting my colors correctly. Lehman/Right, fight. Clark/I believe it's 11 or twelve. Kubby/OK. Clark/One option is, or option that we could consider is having loading zone at each end, eliminating those three before Dubuque or having one (can't hear) loading zone from Clinton to the alley. We were trying to (can't hear) a compromise of getting as many parking stalls as we could to that curb, and maybe if we have to sacrifice those for the good of the loading zone we should, that may have to happen. Kubby/But part of our message at least on the from end of this process was get as much parking on the street as you can. P. Vanderhoef/Well we're trading sidewalk which hasn't been used in decades for street parking, so we can have a good street. You can't make cars beautiful, they don't seem to be, they don't all seem to be the same color at once I guess. So okay we're going to have beauty but we don't have to line up the 100 block with the 200 block for visual beauty, we need functionality here. It would help if we could park service vehicles from the alley to the west, or all the way up Clinton Street. Norton/Is there any service vehicle parking now on Clinton your end, no at the other end? P. Vanderhoef/Very often we'll have 4-5 service vehicles park there in the morning. Norton/In the traffic lane basically? P. Vanderhoef/Pardon. Norton/In the traffic lane on Clinton? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 23 P. Vanderhoef/Oh no, oh no, they're parked right up against the curb. Lehman/They're in the traffic lane most of the time in the morning. Norton/On Clinton Street. Lehman/Yea. P. Vanderhoef/On Clinton Street. Lehman/Yea but that's also. P. Vanderhoef/I'm sorry I didn't mean to say Clinton, on Iowa Avenue. On Iowa Avenue, they're pretty much out of the, if they're in the traffic lane they block traffic. Lehman/But Clinton Street they do. P. Vanderhoef/And Clinton Street yea, they're out there, not too much down in the 100 block except for the personnel that work at the Airliner. But that's besides the point. Norton/This intractable problem, maybe we ought to have them all park out of town and helicopter the stuff in, it's incredible. Lehman/I don't think that's an option. Norton/It's difficult to figure out a way to meet all these needs. O'Donnell/Well I think it's clear that you have to make room available to get your merchandise in and I I would be in favor of, and I don't believe we want to create another Dubuque Street where they're all parked in the center. Champion/We also have to have somebody to buy those things we're bringing in. Norton/Yea. Champion/So I have a lot of conflict with this parking versus truck parking. I mean I, my business is on a street where they park in the middle to deliver goods and I must admit it irritates me, it's noisy and I have to shut my door then because I try to leave my door open but. Thornberry/At least half of it. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 24 Champion/I'd much rather have the customers than have the front of my store loading zone. So it's a difficult decision. Kubby/But it's also one of the most important, it is the the important block of this whole thing that culminates. I mean we are trying to do something visual here, we are trying to have this streetscape from Woodlawn all the way up to the Old Capitol which is a very important part of our state's history and our city's history and so I'm not, I want the 100 block of Iowa Avenue to line up with the second hundred block of Iowa Avenue, that's a value of mine and this plan lives this out. I would be very open to having those 3-4 stalls on the east section of that 100 block on the south side become a loading zone. But I think we need to keep that in the middle because if we end up with having all of that being loading zone all the time I think that causes a problem too. Champion/The problem is (can't hear) fight now. Kubby/Right I want it to go back into parking, I think there's going to be more pedestrians, more activity on the sidewalk when you've got that parking there. Lehman/Karen I don't disagree with you except that the loading will. Kubby/Well then you do disagree with me and that's fine. Lehman/Loading will take play whether they're parked in the loading zone or parked in the street, I mean that's a fact, trucks will have to unload what they have if there isn't room in the loading zone they're going to block half the street. Kubby/But we were talking last night that no matter how many loading zones we've put, if we had that whole thing loading zone we're going to have trucks parked in the middle of the street. Lehman/We know. Kubby/Unless we do killer enforcement and that doesn't, if we do enforcement by the letter of the law all the time that, that doesn't seem right because no matter what we do with the configuration of the street it's going to be challenging. So I'm willing to give some space but I don't want to give it all. Lehman/OK. Norton/Can we do anything about additional loading on Clinton, loading zone on Clinton? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 25 Champion/(can't hear). Lehman/Clinton Street, that block is all going to be angle parking. Norton/Well if we added some parking on those two blocks total didn't we? But I don't know if there's any possibility of a loading zone on Clinton Street which would, I know it's ugly no matter where you put them, but you've got to have some space. Dave Moore/My name's Dave Moore I run the Fieldhouse Bar Drive, live at 940 Arlington Drive. I have some comments about this whole Iowa Avenue thing actually I have a lot of comments but I'll keep it short. You guys have to listen to the business owners I mean I agree with Dee, the Vanderhoef's about their parking problems, I sympathize with them. We have parking problems over on Clinton Street, we have them all over downtown. Iowa Avenue is no exception. The only thing I can tell you people is you've been elected and your doing a very hard job trying to figure this whole thing out and I'm glad I'm not up there. But I think we have a lot of sidewalk we don't need to use, I think we need more angle parking downtown for customers. Bumper to brick parking is very important. And I read in the paper the other day a bicycle store is closing downtown again. I've talked to Jim Clayton the Soap Opera, his business is down. I've talked to a lot of people downtown and unless you are a restaurant/bar unfortunately business is down. And the Coral Ridge Mall has taken a lot of this business and if you guys want to deny it that's fine but I've talked to the mayor on several occasions and it upsets me because I feel like the City Council isn't working with the business owners. And there's a lot of business owners up here and past business owners and I like that, a lot of people think it's too heavily relied on business people coming in telling you what to do. But I know you get phone calls in the middle night from everybody. And your going to have beer trucks downtown, your going to have food trucks, your going to have trucks delivering to Bremers, your going to have suitcases at Ernie's place. And there's nothing you can do about it, the mayor's fight, and Karen your right. And you've got to get some sort consensus and I know I should have maybe come here two years ago and gave you my two cents worth but I just felt like you have enough opinions there like a dime a dozen. There's a big article in the paper today about limiting liquor licenses, I hope that when you do this final streetscape plan you don't decide that well we only want only certain types of shops on Iowa Avenue to go with our grand plan because I'm sorry folks I wrote out two checks for about $7-8,000 today for sales tax and my property tax, and we do pay taxes and you do have to represent us too, and you shouldn't put a limit on anything on Iowa Avenue get the ideas from everybody. Whether it be parking or liquor licenses. And I'll answer any questions you folks have right now on my pool hall building. Since Bushnell's turtle closed there's been no place to get sub sandwiches on College Plaza there. We're going to build a deli and a pool hall, it's going to be a nice place, upscale, we're putting in a quarter of a million dollars in that building. And This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 26 we're going to be paying taxes. And if anybody has a problem with it and I won't apply for a liquor license and I will go out to Coralville. Champion/I don't have any problems with it. Moore/Thank you. Does anybody else have a problem with it? Thornberry/Boy, I don't either. Moore/I can tell you how it's going to operate and everything else right now. O'Donnell/I didn't have a problem with it, but last night. Thornberry/I had a bar and that I sold but it's still going and I know some of your problems, it's a lot of different from one side than it is from the other side of that bar and I'll guarantee it is. But no this is, this is United States of America and we've got. Lehman/This is (can't hear) relative to Iowa Avenue so. Thornberry/And we've got free enterprise. Moore/No, no, just checking hope there isn't anything plans in long term about saying you can't have bars or restaurants on Iowa Avenue. Thornberry/Well don't, if your going to cut me off, cut everybody else off Ernie. I'm just telling you that. Lehman/Go ahead Dean. Thornberry/And I think that this country is predicated on free enterprise and no I'm interested in limiting businesses, the customers do that. Kubby/If we're going to get into free enterprise as a whole thing called economic development incentives which go against free enterprise which we are wanting to be involved in economic incentives including downtown. Part of our whole investment in Iowa Avenue is an economic incentive to bring people downtown. Kurt Vanderhoef/Hello my name is Kurt Vanderhoef, I'm sorry this wasn't here two years ago when this was all starting. I'm now back in the Iowa City area and I think we're kind of missing the whole point of the issue because the whole root of the process to begin with was to beautify the downtown area. That's all fine and well. You've never heard our family against that, great let' s beautify it, however, right now we're kind of trying to change something that doesn't need fixing on This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 27 the 100 block. Meaning that yes the parking's there, yes the loading zone's there, we're trying to beautify it, we're not trying to put all sorts of vehicles down the center, I find that much more repulsive than having them lined up from where you don't see it from that profile. When you go down to the 200 and 300 block if you get those done you look down that corridor, your not going to see Old Capitol, you are going to see a beer track, you are going to see the LIPS truck, you are going to see the RPS track. I think that's defeating the whole purpose. I think they've had Shive and Hattery a lot of neat ideas the landscaping look wonderful, the benches are a wonderful idea. Go with it but don't change the basic design of what it's at fight now. I think that' s, there's a lot to be said for that. Thornberry/I think if we took the side of the Iowa Avenue and had no parking on that whole block then I would say there is no parking in the center of Iowa Avenue period. K. Vanderhoef/I think that would (can't hear). Thomberry/That's your choice you said you would rather have track unloading than cars parked there, is that correct? Kubby/You would support strict enforcement? Thomberry/Yes absolutely, if there's enough parking along that whole street. Norton/No, loading. Thornberry/Now ifthere's five semi's along there and the sixth one comes and there's no place to unload, you'd better not do it in the middle of the street. Norton/That's fight. Thornberry/I don't know what it costs to tow a truck but no, it won't be unloaded in the center of that street, not that street. K. Vanderhoef/I understand that concept. Thornberry/They can go around the comer and unload in front of (can't hear). K. Vanderhoef/But likewise your giving up the highest revue places parking slots in the City of Iowa City. Thomberry/Well wait a minute you just said that you'd rather have tmck parking than parking. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 28 K. Vanderhoef/No I said the root of the problem was that you are trying to beautify the city, but your trying to fix something that's not broken. Thornberry/Well. K. Vanderhoef/I think if you add the trees, don't expand the sidewalk, leave the parking in the middle. Why don't you work with what you've got on Iowa Avenue. Thornberry/What parking in the middle? Norton/That's pretty ugly. Thornberry/Of Iowa Avenue, no. Norton/No way. Thornberry/I don't want parking in the middle of Iowa Avenue not after this is done. Norton/That's a disaster area. Thornberry/Not after this kind of money has been spent on Iowa Avenue, no. K. Vanderhoef/And how much more money are you going to continue to spend on the repairs of this kind of street versus an actual paved street7 Norton/Well we. Kubby/Durability is equivalent. Norton/We talked about that last night. O'Donnell/It's an unknown. Kubby/Our consultants told us last night the durability is equivalent. K. Vanderhoef/That was different than I had been informed of recently. Thornberry/This sort of, what do you want? What would you like to see parking on the side for cars or parking for semi unloading along the side? What' s your choice? K. Vanderhoef/We definitely, we definitely think it would be prettier to yes not have parking down the center for the trucks which means it would be in the loading zone. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 29 Thornberry/OK. K. Vanderhoef/Where it is presently. Thornberry/OK. K. Vanderhoef/But likewise we hate to give up any of the parking that is there currently, which we would be doing. Thornberry/There' s a problem. Norton/We're trying to add parking in the ramp and that' s part of the reason that no parking comes off in that region until we get the ramp up and I understand it's a little further than before but that' s part of the tradeoff of trying to make the balance between beauty and functionality and we're trying to best to do that and it may involve at some point some rate considerations to coherse??? people toward the ramp who otherwise might otherwise been searching street parking. But there was an earlier concept, Emie pointed out to me some time ago that it had been a long time general policy of the City to try to get parking off the street. Wasn't that? Lehman/Well I think that started back in the 70's when we built the ramp. That was a conscious decision by Council in the early 70' s. Norton/Yea. And incidentally it should be understood the University's contributing substantially to this enterprise and trying to make that a really appropriate view of Old Capitol when you come in the on Dubuque Street and make that turn that the whole scene enter entrance to the downtown and entrance to the University looks really great, I think it's crucial to it being downtown now that's certainly not the only thing downtown needs, but that's one of them so. O'Donnell/And this whole process has gone 100 miles, you know we've been over and over this. There' s people up here that would have not supported the new parking structure had we not been trying to replace that parking on Iowa Avenue, that 140-150 spots. We have done this thing and had meetings and everybody's been together. I am all in favor of providing parking for your delivery carriers but you know this is kind of like at the 1 lth hour we've got we've got buildings down and the structure started. So it's really late in the game. K. Vanderhoef/Yes it is. I don't know how many of you have visited Ames recently but that is a town that is totally divided. It's great to have a walking campus, it's very beautiful and I'm sure the University of Iowa would just love to have a walking campus just like Iowa State. But if you've actually looked at where their downtown is and where their campus town is which basically has copy places and This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 30 bars and places to eat that's one way to look at it. But the rest of the town does not utilize any of that area any longer, very interesting. Lehman/Well Ames has got college town basically four miles from their downtown. Champion/Right. Lehman/Significantly different than what we're looking at here in Iowa City. I see very little similarities between these two. Kubby/You know and we actually have some new businesses downtown that are not bars or restaurants, bookstores or copy centers. I mean there's a new framing shop opening up on Linn Street. We have Fired Up Iowa City that's not been around for too long. So there are. Thomberry/(Can't hear) luggage store. Kubby/You know there are things that are coming in as well, because I know that we have to be concerned that there are empty store fronts. But in Iowa City there are always empty store fronts. And part of that I think tends to be more locally owned businesses, that's a tendency. Those are the ones that have a bigger tendency to fail in the first couple of years and so there is this turnover but there' s also ones that are succeeding in downtown Iowa City and coming to downtown Iowa City. So I think it's not just the full story just to talk about more businesses coming in on one part of the spectrum. I think there's more to the story than that and we need to tell and talk about the whole story and not this sort of doomsday talk, that just puts out such a negative message. I mean everybody always talks about how we as a Council can't be putting out those kinds of messages I don't want the downtown business community putting out those kinds of messages. I want us to be talking about the things that are happening downtown that are living out that spectrum of businesses that we say we want in our downtown comp. plan. Some ofthat's happening, there are some concerns, we need to be real about those concerns but we also have to look at the whole picture. Joe Murphy/OK I'm Joe Murphy from Iowa City, once again I showed up late in the process. It's one of those things where we came forward when we first, we tried to be positive and have a good attitude towards it with positive things saying that part of the plan is excellent and wonderful and beautiful but part of it isn't good. And I realize now that you know the thing is so far along that really we're going to be able to change. Just a couple of comments that I do have a question that can be answered later, but how much time do the consultants and the city staff spend actually standing up on the comer watching traffic and studying it and figuring out what really goes on there? For future projects I think spending some time there would be a good thing to do. Also if the city staff when they're in the This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 3 1 thinking stage before they even start just as part of their process for doing these would walk and talk to everyone with like a within a one block radius that owns property or owns a business or a house and just gets the input from the people that are there, not saying they're having meetings, but actually walking and knocking on doors. This is my positive reinforcement for the Iowa Avenue project that hopefully we can carry on. And my last comment is that Pete and I have been compared to guys that showed up late and missed the boat and the reason was we were driving the semi truck full of life preservers and the boat left without us. And we're trying to save the ship and we hope it floats for a long time but if it doesn't your going to be needing our life preservers. Thank you for your time. Lehman/Thank you Joe. Thornberry/You know I you know I don't want to leave the impression that the City and the consultants worked this thing out without any input from the downtown community. And I think there were several people on the Committee that worked on this thing that were downtown business people. Murphy/Yes sir, a couple. Thornberry/Weren't there? Murphy/Oh I don't even know who's on the committee sir, I say I showed up late in the whole process and I don't know what happened, what went on, but I do know that people that along some of the blocks. Thornberry/I understand. Murphy/Did not talk to anybody from the consulting staff, I don't even know the guy, so I can't comment on what's going on or the city staff. And I'm just saying, I'm trying to be positive here saying in the future let's do this because it'll stop people from me. I'll be involved earlier in the process or the other people in the area and you know we can have a beautiful and we can have what we need as merchants to stay alive and profitable and pay our taxes to support (can't hear). Thornberry/No I understand it, it's just that there were downtown businessmen on this committee. Murphy/Yep. Thornberry/You weren't happen to be one of them but you know if you want to be on the committee next time volunteer. Murphy/I'm an outside employee to the downtown businessman so, thanks. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 32 Lehman/Thank you. Gary Sanders/Hi my name's Gary Sanders, I don't mean to belabor this but you know we don't have a parking problem downtown we have a walking problem. And that is that people don't want to walk and I'm not talking about the disabled people who can't walk or have a hard time walking, I'm talking about those of us who thank god are healthy enough to be able to walk two or three blocks and we're getting pretty lazy. And I think that this is all being caught up in this mix here and that I think these businesses are going to keep going and I think that people will park in the ramp. And I certainly feel for their situation but again I maybe there could be some innovative things done here, you know give even more incentives for the students to park in this new ramp. Because obviously if you go out there in August or December that Iowa Avenue block isn't clogged by people shopping and anybody who stands there understands that, there are kids running to class. And certainly they have a fight, it's a public street, they can park there, but we've got to be doing a lot more innovative things, cut the rates in the ramp for students, increase the shuttle buses, the free shuttle buses, because these kids won't walk. We can't count on the University to go back to the old days where freshman couldn't have cars, it would be nice if we did, I wasn't allowed to have one as a freshman and I sort of think that most of you weren't either. I don't think they're going to be doing that. So we've got a trillion cars and X number of places to be. How do we address this so that the business people can have their customers, middle-aged and older who want to park right in front or nearby, and yet we don't clog the streets as the other gentleman mentioned students, primarily driving around and around looking for that magical space. And I urge you to come up with some creative ideas to get these college students out of that 100 block and if you guys you know can't say that this is whose causing the problem I will. I mean that's who it is, it's kids going to class pure and simple. And when I spoke two years ago against the ramp I said that that's what this was about and let' s just call it as it is, that this is for the University of Iowa. You know that' s what we're doing. Anyway finally and off topic and going back to the last one if we could do that. Could I be clear on one thing cause I sat here and listened to the entire conversation about the Arts Center and then I listened to the people in the hall and I would just like to know for my own sake and possibly for people watching or listening. Are you folks going to be talking next week about the possibility of giving them $5,000 or $10,000 dollars to carry them through to the end of the year on their rent because I think that would be a tremendous idea if there was any any kind of wiggle room in this budget for any kind of emergency allocation for that? Was that part of what I heard or did I not hear that? Lehman/Gary we're talking about something else right now but obviously the Council has indicated interest to discuss that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 33 Kubby/(can't hear). Sanders/OK. Lehman/Beyond that I can't tell you at all, any of this. Sanders/OK. I just wanted to be clear in my own mind I was confused on that. Thank you so much. And if you want to have another committee about how to alleviate the downtown parking situation maybe that would be an idea, an emergency, I hate to use that word emergency, Ad hoc, that sounds better, about an Ad hoc committee to study the issue of downtown parking, I would volunteer to be on that. Thank you very much and certainly hope the business people and others would also. Champion/I just have to make one comment and I appreciate your comments. But I don't think we're building this parking ramp for the University of Iowa. I think we're building it for Iowa City and one of the blessings we have with the University of Iowa being part of our community and not a whole separate campus is that we do have a lot of activity within the city. Now we could be Ames where the University is way over here and that's where the students are but we're lucky that we have them interspersed. We're also unlucky because in one way we do have to provide parking for them because the University's not about to do it. However, the parking facilities that we have do pay for themselves and we also subsidize a public transit, so maybe it's a blessing to but I like the idea of some creative way to get the students to use the ramp instead of the parking meters and I'm certainly willing to look at that. But I, as a downtown business owner, I'm not a University student (cant 'hear) but I'm not sure downtown would be worth that right now if we didn't have the University around us. Sanders/No certainly not, I mean obviously you know, the biggest employer, they provide all these people to come in and spend money. This isn't a knock on University of Iowa it's just a look at the reality. Champion/OK. OK. Sanders/Of whose driving and whose clogging it up. Lehman/Brian I got just I guess an observation, correct me if I'm not, it seems to me that two things that have cropped up tonight that might bare looking into one of them being the trees, the other one possibility the configuration of the loading zone along Iowa Avenue. Clark/Yep. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #7 Page 34 Lehman/Now I don't, am I wrong when I don't consider those to be two huge items in the total scheme of things. Clark/Those are the two that I have marked in big bold marker on my tablet. Lehman/But I mean those are the sort of things that we can work through as we design the project is that not true? Clark/Yes. Yes that is true. Lehman/Am I correct, that I believe these are two things Council would like further attention to, I don't know that we've given you direction except we've obviously got some concerns about these two things and would like to see a little more thought given to those two. Clark/We'll do that. Norton/Both of those came up last night as well so it's certainly true. Lehman/But this is a public heating and I. Norton/The issue, you now know, yea, or reinforces the right issues. Kubby/And neither of those issues interfere with our ability to go forward with our intent to authorize acquisition and property tights for this project because they don't change the configuration of property we would need to get so. Lehman/Are there other public comments? Public heating is closed. Can we have a resolution? Kubby/Move to adopt the resolution. Thornberry/Second. Lehman/Moved by Kubby, seconded by Thornberry. Council discussion. Thomberry/I think we sort of discussed it as we went. Lehman/I think we did. Roll call. Motion carries. We're going to take five minutes. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #9 Page 35 ITEM NO. 9. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TITLE 1, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," CHAPTER 5, ENTITLED "MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL," TO CHANGE THE COMPENSATION FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO COMPLY WITH THE POLICY ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 97-3804. (FIRST CONSIDERATION) Vanderhoef/Move first consideration. Norton/Second. Lehman/Moved by Vanderhoef, seconded by Norton. Discussion. Kubby/I think this is a really important thing that we did whenever it is that we did, I guess it was two years ago. Norton/Two years ago. Kubby/And actually I think Council pay should be three times this, because when you look at us up here we all are retired or own our own businesses or have recently, we all own our homes, we don't rent our homes. We all have cars that work pretty regularly, although Dee sometimes yours is iffy but. I mean it says there's some relationship here as to whose up here and what the numeration is even though it is a not meant to be a professional political position and I think even at doubling this it would not or tripling it would not do that. But I'm glad instead of having to make that hard jump that we made two years ago of $500.00 that were at least upping it a little bit every other, every other year is that? Vanderhoef/Yea. Norton/Yea. Kubby/To make up for that at least that rate of inflation so I think that was an important shift that was made and great fold to us for doing that. Lehman/Other discussion. Roll call. Champion/I was going to vote no but I honestly think that it might keep somebody running it might allow somebody to run for City Council who can't afford to take time off work. Because I don't really need this money but and I don't think Council people should be paid enough to consider it a job. But because I think there are people out there who can't afford to take time off work that might run for Council I'm going to support it. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #9 Page 36 Lehman/Is that a yes? Champion/I guess so, it's a yes, I'm sorry. Norton/Going to convoluted yet. Champion/A regretful yes. Lehman/Motion passes. Kubby/An enthusiastic yes. Lehman/Going to regret for running, (can't hear) yes. Thomberry/Well for $694.00 1 don't know you know you can't afford a new car on $694.00 a year. Lehman/A 194.78 is the entry. Thornberry/194.78. Champion/I like the 78 cents. Kubby/But it gives you a couple more hours of child care. Champion/That's tree. Kubby/So you can go to meetings and receptions and other. Thornberry/My child cost more than that. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #11 Page 37 ITEM NO. 11. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, POLICE, CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED "PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE," SECTION 1, ENTITLED "SALE TO AND/OR POSSESSION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND CIGARETTES: UNDERAGE PERSONS," SUBSECTION B, "EMPLOYEE EDUCATION - CIGARETTE SALES," TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT THAT EMPLOYEES SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT AND ADD A REQUIREMENT THAT BUSINESS/ RETAILERS ENSURE THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE PROHIBITION ON SALES TO MINORS (SECOND CONSIDERATION) Norton/Move second consideration. O'Donnell/Second. Lehman/Moved by Norton, seconded by O'Donnell. Karr/Mr. Mayor, staff has requested expedited action. Lehman/Oh. I didn't hear a motion. Kubby/Because permits are up. Karr/We have some new businesses starting and it's at an awkward stage of whether the first set of employees would have to sign the affidavit and the second wouldn't. So to get the word out and to better facilitate it we are requesting expedited action. Kubby/Thank you. Norton/OK, I move that the rule, is that correct am I tight? Regarding, requiting that ordinances must be considered and voted on for passage at two council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is finally passed be suspended that the second consideration will be waived and that the ordinance be voted on for final passage at this time. Vanderhoef/Second. Lehman/Moved by Norton, seconded by Vanderhoef for expedited consideration. Discussion. Roll call. Norton/I move that the ordinance be finally adopted. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #11 Page 38 Vanderhoef/Second. Lehman/Moved by Norton, seconded by Vanderhoef. Discussion. Kubby/This is an example of where we're streamlining government and creating less paper which is also an environmental issue then, storage issue for us, while not reducing the intent of this ordinance to make sure that each employee that sells tobacco products understands what the rules are about selling to minors. O'Donnell/Well and this also makes it easier for the business owner. Lehman/(can't hear). Kubby/That' s part of it streamlining it. O'Donnell/So that's part of (can't hear). Norton/They still have to do it every year I take it is that correct? Karr/Yes they do, the business has to. Norton/Certify each year that each employee has been reeducated if you would. Karr/The business owner yes. Lehman/Roll call. Motion carries. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #14 Page 39 ITEM NO. 14. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND ELEANOR M. DILKES, CITY ATTORNEY, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO ATTEST THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK. Thornberry/Moved adoption. O'Donnell/Second. Lehman/Moved by Thornberry, seconded by O'Donnell. Discussion. Champion/Glad to have both of you. Lehman/This is relevant to the last evaluation period when we frankly discovered that we either did not have employment contracts of those (can't hear) and this kind of straightened things out and put them in order. Vanderhoef/Yes. Norton/Working on a hand shake? Vanderhoef/Well we've always had the salary was adjusted and approved back in July I believe it was. Lehman/You can work on a handshake with these two gals but I don't know if you can in the future so now we're, I mean not with these people but somebody else we might need an employment contract with. Roll call. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the lowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #18 Page 40 ITEM NO. 18. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION Kubby/I'll start. In reading the paper and reviewing this memo about the raw water sources and us getting more you know more than twice as much as we thought from them and the quality was very high that's news, that's reason for celebration on the one hand but it also raised some concern because it doesn't necessarily mean that there's more water in the aquifer. Atkins/That's correct. Kubby/Than we thought it just means that we extract more water and so I don't know that I want it to actually lead to an assumption that we will use more of that aquifer water because I know there's a lot of concerns with building out in the county, that's reducing the ground water table. And if we end up extracting twice as much as we had projected there could be liabilities if it can be shown that we, our extraction's are causing wells to not function properly anymore and I guess I just want some more discussion about what will our reaction to be to these new numbers? Atkins/I would prefer, and next Monday we'll have Ed and Chuck here and they can answer that. I think the way it was explained to me Karen was really rather simple in the sense that we have a production capacity of excellent quality water that we didn't expect to enjoy. As Chuck pointed out to me today there policy will still continue to be to mix that water which produces the highest quality of water and as he said for example there will be occasion when we will draw upon the river. That the river in fact can produce a product when mixed with others that gets us a high quality water. What I understand what all this sort of the bottom line is, the cost of treatment of the water can now be reduced because we're getting a better product on the front end and I am having Ed and Chuck at the work session on Monday and we'll certainly make a point to go over that. Kubby/Yea because we have to understand how it affects the rest of our water fed?? and our region. Atkins/Yes. Vanderhoef/Well the collector wells are certainly a good surprise and they are not in those deep aquifer's and so and they are the cheaper waters to use and so. Atkins/That's a good point Dee that after you have to remember the collector well is actually river water that's been. Vanderhoef/But has been cleansed. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #18 Page 41 Atkins/Cleansed through that so (can't hear) thank you. Vanderhoef/Through the sand. Kubby/But that's not the only ones that we're producing (can't hear). Norton/But we're only talking about (can't hear) little out of the cellar?? end I thought. And besides as I understand it the aquifer of the cellar I agree is used by a lot of folks but that does not necessarily mean that we are not permitted to use, I mean everybody is drawing it down and therefore we've got to be careful with it collectively. Kubby/That's right and so I guess I want to have us be the instigator of that conversation if it's not, I mean I know that it's already happening just within the county with all the development and the unincorporated areas and people complaining that that you know urban sprawl in the county is causing a problem and I just want to make sure we understand the consequences of the choices that we make before we make them. Atkins/Again I'll Chuck and Ed ready for next Monday. Norton/Well that's another one of the regional issues that we've, you remember when we met with the county and the recently and the Coralville that we probably ought to talk seriously about the overall water usage because everybody else. (END OF 99-99 SIDE 1) Norton/Or it's going to be more pressure so I think everybody's got to give some or be careful about it so. Lehman/But I think it's important to note that it's a collector wells, which are those that really impact really no one. Vanderhoef/It's the ones. Lehman/Really no one, 80 percent of the total water. Vanderhoef/Yea. Atkins/Good. Yes. Lehman/So that's I mean. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #18 Page 42 Vanderhoef/They have more treatment. Lehman/Your fight and I think usage of the wells will probably dictate how much we can or can't take from them. Vanderhoef/Well and the only thing with the more surface water ones of those collector wells is the nitrates and so forth that come in so at certain times of the year we may have to use more deep water than normal just to keep that water at safe drinking level. Kubby/And that's why we went with that plan is that we could make all those adjustments at any time with the different water sources so it just reinforces why that was a good decision. Vanderhoef/Aren't we smart? Lehman/It won't happen for three years yet will it? Thomberry/We didn't (can't hear). Atkins/Well we will begin drawing some water, remember we put in a raw water line, that's fight, so we'll begin using that water. Lehman/Good. Norton/You mean till the present plan. Atkins/For the present plan. Kubby/And I just wanted to say good-bye to Tess Catalino and mention her name here because she was a longtime community member and good citizen, political activist, human rights activist, queer activist, and offer my condolences to family and her extended family. Remember Tess. That's all I have thank you. Champion/I just have one thing I'm embarrassed by the percentage of people who voted in the primary election, I'm embarrassed for Iowa City, I want to encourage people to remember to vote for the regular election in November. That if you don't vote you are allowing any special interest group who is willing to get the vote out to control the destiny of Iowa City. And so I think people out to really thing about voting and I'm that's my complaint for the day. Lehman/OK. Mike. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #18 Page 43 O'Donnell/I've got just a couple of things. Emie and I met with the County on that 28E agreement, 28E agreement, or two mile fringe area agreement and it's about having a say so and how our two mile fringe area agreement develops and I think we're moving on the fight track but that' s very important to me and I think if we have the agreement I think it would be very nice if we both abide by it. We saw an example tonight about what happens when you don't become involved in the process. We had a bunch of business people show up and they had some very very good, they're two years too late. I mean the wheels have been rolling and it's very difficult to get it stopped, however, I would like to look at more parking for delivery trucks and I want to keep as much parking on that street as we can. In the paper today it was talking about us limiting the number of liquor licenses in Iowa City. I would not support that. I would like to take a look and I don't know if it's possible and possibly if you have too many offenses during the year or certain period of time that we can take a step in the direction to maybe suspend a license but I would like to see that done. And second what Connie said about the dismal showing we had of the voter turnout and agree whole heartedly we need to get people out to vote so. Thornberry/You know I had a couple things I was going to bring up but I can this is basically for staff and it has to do with individuals problems throughout the City and as a representative of them I'll be bringing them up to them separately and it doesn't have to be done here so. Vanderhoef/I had the opportunity yesterday morning to attend a Diversity Training here that the staff from all of the Iowa City government is required to go, Council was invited to go. And I'm very glad I went. Eddie Moore and John Palmer did a very nice job and pointing out where diversity changes our thinking and sometimes pointing out places where we don't even realize that we are discriminating without realizing we are doing it. So I thank Steve or Dale. Atkins/He organized it. Vanderhoef/OK, Dale. But for moving forward with this because I think it's real important for all of our staff to have this kind of training and it's a positive step for the city. Thanks. Thornberry/You know I think several of us went to that, I don't know what time you went Dee but I went also and Ernie was there and Mike was there. But that was, that was quite a program. Lehman/Dee. Norton/Well I'm going to pass, I don't have any items, isn't that sweet of me. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #18 Page 44 (All talking). Vanderhoef/Oh so sweet, oh right that one down. Thornberry/What is the date? We've got (can't hear). Norton/I've got some heavy duty private work. Champion/Even when you couldn't talk last Council meeting you went on and on and on. Norton/I do want to say we are going to hear about the traffic interchange right that transit interchange. Vanderhoef/Transit interchange. Norton/Transit interchange. Atkins/Next, for next meeting. Norton/So I 'm looking forward for plans for block 102 1 guess it is, isn't it? Atkins/That's correct. Lehman/I do have a couple things. One of the things I've talked to Marian about this very very briefly and also Steve. But on November 18 is Employee Appreciation Day and of course Council always is invited and it's a wonderful day to help serve our employees and recognize their achievements, that will be at the Rec. Center. Atkins/Rec. Center. Norton/That' s the 18th. Lehman/That' s the 18th but the evening of the 18th I would like to get at least your feeling about having a joint meeting with the Council elect and the present Council just kind of a coffee and call it a smoker in the years past but just to. O'Donnell/When is this Ernie? Lehman/18th of November, the same day as the employee, just look at it, think about it, we'll talk about at the next meeting. Norton/What day of the week are we talking? This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #18 Page 45 Lehman/Thursday. Kubby/Please avoid 4-6 so I don't have to miss my office hours in order to meet. Lehman/After 6, yea it would be an evening sort of thing but if we can keep that evening open. Vanderhoef/On the 21 st. Lehman/The 281h, I'm sorry the 18th of November. Norton/18th of November. Lehman/That's fight. Vanderhoef/And that's employee recognition also? Norton/At noon. Atkins/At noon. Vanderhoef/OK. I was putting it in October. Lehman/OK. each of you got a copy tonight of an agenda for a meeting that's going to take place on October 28, the public library clean air town meeting. Those folks are going to be discussing clean air issues that we will probably see presented to us sometime in the future so I'd certainly encourage member of Council who would like to attend that. Earlier today Tom Gelman received the Sam Walton Community Award, Community Leader Award at the Iowa City Walmart Store which I think is a tremendous award and certainly when it comes to community leaders Tom Gelman has certainly been one of the outstanding (can't hear) of this community, or one of the leaders of this community. Part of that award is a $500.00 gift to the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce so our congratulations certainly to Tom. The Hospice Road Races which is now the Run for Education, I believe, which will be this coming Sunday, I don't know how many of you have been approached to help work on that. I think in the past we've kind of started the race off and passed out flowers afterwards and that will be this coming Sunday. Norton/Are we, is that still the case? Lehman/Yes I just got a mailing on it. Vanderhoef/They haven't even contacted. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999. #18 Page 46 Norton/Oh we haven't been contacted? Vanderhoet7 No. Lehman/I' 11 try to get a hold of Convention & Tourism Bureau normally the ones that set it up because I talked to the director tonight and asked because I'd received a letter about starting the races but I didn't hear whether anybody else was going. We all got a note that the public meeting for a permanent skateboard park will be Wednesday the 271h at Scanlon Gymnasium which is something some of us might want to go to. Thursday this week the Y2K meeting at West High School. Atkins/7:00. Lehman/Which I'll be attending I think Karen you said you'd be there. I think that's all that I have. Champion/I move that we adjoum. Lehman/Well, no, Steve. Atkins/Nothing sir. Lehman/Eleanor. Kubby/Now say it. Now. Champion/I move we adjoum. O'Donnell/Second. Lehman/Second to adjourn, all in favor. All ayes. Motion passes, meeting adjourned. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of October 12, 1999.